Manna Monday- Three "I Will's" of God

Isn't it easy to forget the promises of God?

One day, you are praising Him for each of His promises, and a few weeks later life has thrown you for a loop and you are struggling to remember where each promise you once held on to so dearly is found in the Bible. I am convinced if we will keep God's Word in front of us, we will have more peace, more strength, more joy, more clarity, and more wisdom if we will just open our Bibles. It's all there, in God's written Word. The one obstacle between us and our Bibles is, well... our own selves. We all struggle to keep God's Word at the forfront of our hearts and minds.

 

This Monday, we focus on the "I Will's" of God. Will does not mean "might" or "maybe." It is a word grounded in certainty.

 

Say this verse aloud today.

You will find it a great encouragement as I have found encouragement.

 

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

 

This Monday is a new day with new opportunities. A new day to receive a new Word from the LORD as you read the Bible. Think about how the God of the universe delights in you. Think about how he quiets your heart with His love. Think about how rejoices over you, His creation.
This is solid truth for our minds to be focused on today. Turning our hearts and minds towards God's promises instead of on our impossible problems nourishes our soul unlike any soul food.
This Monday, rejoice over God's promises of "I will."He is a God of certainty, not uncertainty.
That brings me great comfort and I hope it brings you great comfort too!
 

Manna Monday- Life is Fragile, Live Joyfully

 

Have you ever stopped to think about how fragile life is?

One minute, and your life can change. One word, and a relationship can be broken. One thought, and a sin can be birthed. One wrong decision, and a lifetime consequence becomes a reality. One glance toward an invitation of discouragement, and your attitude can head south. One turn, and an accident can happen. Life is fragile.

 

Each minute is a moment

So why not live joyfully?

  

James 4:14 says, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone." What are you doing with the minutes of your life? What are you doing with those "one" things that can take you away from living in the joy of Jesus?

 

My challenge to myself and to you is to take each day, each moment and live in the full measure of the joy of Jesus. How do you do that? I am going to tell you a secret that you already know. And it's not my opinion, it's the very words of Jesus. The joyful life is experienced to the fullest by spending time in His Word and by obeying His Word (John 15:10-11).  Jesus deposits HIS JOY inside your heart upon salvation in Him..... and it is always there in your heart. The problem with joy is that we let sin cover it up, turn away from spending time with Jesus and in turn, our hearts don't treasure His JOY. As a fruit of the Spirit, joy is produced more in our lives when we spend more time WITH CHRIST!!  (John 15:11; John 16:24; John 17:13).

 

 

As you begin this new week, think about how fragile life is. Think about how each minute is a moment. What are you doing with the minutes of your life?  Are you living in constant drama, constant discouragement, constant frustration over the circumstances of your life? You don't have to dear sister! Although life is fragile, the joy of Jesus is stable and secure and can help you move through any storm with confidence. Joy is finding deep satisfaction in God's promises which never change. His Word can be trusted. The more we choose to live in the chaos of life instead of in Christ's joy, we will miss the fullness of the joy of Jesus. It will be covered up because of our sin. Because He is the source of joy, we have to remain where He is. That's why trying to draw near to Him through the reading of His Word is vitally important. Try to memorize a scripture or read a passage a few minutes a day and see how that time well spent can produce more joy in your life than you can ever imagine.

 

Each minute is a moment. Live joyfully!

 

 

 

Manna Monday-Boring or a Blessing? A Real Life Thought about the Bible

Sitting in my airplane seat yesterday afternoon, I was tired, ready to get home and the selfish thought of wishing I had more room to move my arms around came creeping into my mind. It's not like I am a big person and am stifled by the lack of space. I am a small woman and can fit into many small places and still have some room. Being a stature challenged person in a big world can have benefits on a airplane. But it's my attitude that was getting a little big. I knew if I didn't get a handle on it, it would begin to get a hold of me. So I had to talk to myself. "Be thankful," I said. "You get to go home and not be delayed anymore." 


So as I got settled into my seat and found a comfortable spot to rest my arms I began to relax. And then the flight attendant began talking about what to do in an emergency. Yada Yada Yada, I thought! "How many times have I heard this before?" I thought. She was talking, but I wasn't listening. The same familiar and needed safety message was vitally important. Quickly, I began to look around the plane and noticed everyone looked the same way as she spoke the safety instructions. Bored. Checked out. Uninterested. 


Then, the LORD gently whispered to me, "Ashley, this is what you can be like when you come to my Word. This is what believers can be like on a Sunday morning as they listen to a sermon." I was so convicted because I began to think about the times when my mind wanders off and I can write something off from the Bible off as boring. But it's in these times, dear one, that we need to press in and draw more nearer to God and His Word and listen.


Does the Bible seem boring to you? Do some of the familiar passages simply sound familiar and you think to yourself, "I know about this story!" It's OK to say "yes." Through saying "yes" you are admitting that you want to know more about His Word and go deeper with Him. You are tired of milk and want some meat. Dear sister, the Bible is NOT BORING. It's alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). God's Words are as sweet as honey (Psalm 119: 103). They make you wise and can restore your soul (Psalm 19:7). But you have to read it and mine the treasures. They don't automatically come into your mind and heart.


Are you in need of something sweet? Are you in need of help to make you wiser woman? Are you in need of restoration? Dear one, you have it. It's the Bible. Open it. Get into it. Find a book to help you understand a passage in a deeper way along with reading the Bible. 

Action Plan

This week, determine what you want to learn more about and buy a book to go along with your personal study. Pray through the topic/passage and seek God. He will open your eyes to something you have never known before. There are so many study aids or books to add to your study of God's Word. Go to  www.christianbook.com to help you find a book to read along with a familiar passage.


Know this dear sister: when you begin to feel bored about God's Word remember, this is good! This is a hunger pain that wants to be filled by deeper truth. A blessing awaits you around the corner if you won't give in to scripture boredom. You will have to work for your blessing through study and prayer, but in turn you will mine a great treasure of truth. And all this stems from a feeling of boredom.


Dear LORD, I know this feeling of boredom and I know that you have rescued me from this feeling at times. It's in these times You have given me some of the greatest treasures of truth. I pray if any woman is feeling this way about Your Word today, that You would enable her to move beyond this feeling and seek You. Please help her not to give in to the fleshly feeling of boredom and walk away from You empty, but to come to Your table, eat, and be filled by your life giving truth. You promise it!!! Thank you!!!
In Jesus name, Amen

Manna Monday-Do You Trust Me?

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 

Psalm 31:14

Recently, my son began questioning the future events of the day as to whether or not they would happen...aka "are we going to play with my friend?" We were running errands and it wasn't time for our play date. As I explained and provided answer after answer to his questions, the phrase, "Do you trust me?" suddenly came pouring of my mouth. My little fella quieted down and said, "yes, momma. I trust you." He knew I would take care of him based on how I had taken care of him in the past and therefore, he trusted I would take care of him that day and get him to his play date


As my mouth directed my son to focus on my character and that I would take care of him like I had in the past, immediately, I thought about how God says the same thing to me when I come questioning the timing of events in my life. I tell God I need to do "this" and I need to get "here" and I really hope that He won't forget "that" and all the while He is saying to me, "Do you trust me?"


And do I?


The older I get, the more I see that trusting God is not merely talking about trusting Him, but praying through life circumstances immediately instead of whining, complaining and questioning His goodness.It's quickly placing my mind off of my circumstances and back on to His promises. It's human nature to automatically question and complain. My son wanted to whine and ask lots of questions. But he is maturing as he grows older and it didn't take long for him to immediately get the picture when I said, "do you trust me?" 


Trust is hard to see because it is not something that is tangible without a relationship. It's through a relationship with God that we learn to trust Him. It's hard to trust Him if you don't know His Word. Through His Word, He reveals His character, power and who He is. My son trusted me because he knows my character. He has a relationship with me. He spends time with me. He knows what I will do based on what I have done in the past. I have shown him that I will take care of him in the past and he can trust me to do what is best for his future. It's the same with God, but in a much better way. I am a sinner and God is God. He is pure, holy and wonderful. He is all powerful, all-knowing, and all-wise. He sees the bigger picture in our lives when we don't see it and don't understand it. He has shown us in His Word that He is "who He says He is" and will do "what He says He will do." And He asks His children to "trust" Him. To "believe" Him. To "rest" in knowing that He has taken care of everything.


As I close this post today there was something else I thought about as my son quit asking and complaining about when we would get to the play date. He was learning that before he could get what he wanted, he would have to go where I would lead him. In other words, he was gonna have to wait and trust me as I ran errands and  believe that I would not forget where he wanted to go. The time had to be right. I knew he would not understand the list of what I had "to do." He just knew it was not time to play yet. It's the same with God. We don't see how he is working, but He is. He knows what He is doing. And we simply have to follow His lead even when we don't understand.


I don't know where you are today in your walk with the LORD dear sister. Some of you may be hurting right now. Trust God. Some of you may be fearful of an upcoming test result. Trust God. Some of you may be asking "why" your child has learning difficulties and social difficulties and you don't understand. Trust God. Some of you may be wanting to do something different in your work and you don't think you can step out and do anything different. Trust God. Some of you may be in a marriage that is not going well and you have come to the end of your rope. Trust God. Some of you may be single and longing to be married and wonder anymore if God hears your prayers for a spouse. Trust God.


Trust God. 


Come close to Him and hear him say to you, "Do you trust Me?" and then follow after Him step by step keeping your eyes on Him. He will not let you down. He will not let you slip. He will not forget you. He will not forsake you. Why? Because He loves you. 


He loves you.

Just for Women Wednesdays- The Cure for a Jealous Woman

"When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister. 

                 So she said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I'll die!"   Genesis 30:1  

Can you imagine being married to a husband that had another wife? Now imagine that the other wife was your sister! To top it off, your sister had no trouble having children while you remained barren! Imagine the deep pain, the inner turmoil that would exist. It would be too much to bear day in and day out! How would you feel about yourself? What kind of thoughts would run through your head? Imagine with me how the sight of Rachel's sister, Leah, blessed upon blessed to have children might have taken her to a very conflicted place as she herself remained barren.


The story of Rachel's struggle to have children is one that speaks to all women. Why? Because at the root of her desire is the sin of jealousy. Women struggle with jealousy. There, I've said it. You can feel better now knowing you aren't the only one!!! Jealousy is not just about not having children. It's about wanting what others have. Jealousy crops up in the most unexpected places. You can have your quiet time with Jesus and then midday be wherever...Wal-mart, Chick-Fil-A, the mall, vacation, the park, work, church and even inside your home and a jealous thought can arise. Maybe it's a cute outfit you admire and you can't afford a new outfit. Maybe it's another's woman's physical fitness you admire and you can't seem to discipline yourself to get yourself to the gym. Maybe you want to be married, or if you are married, maybe you want to have children. Maybe you want to stay home if you work, and work if you stay home! Wherever jealousy presents itself, hold fast dear one, and be encouraged!!! There is a cure for jealousy- Jesus. The more time we spend with Him, the less time we spend being jealous! 


Jealousy is a rebellious thought. Have you really thought about it like that? We have become so comfortable laughing off our jealousy. But inside, there is turmoil. There is unconfessed sin. Jealousy goes against choosing to think about truth. It is rooted in pride and envy which focuses on YOU instead of on GOD.

A commentary describes the jealousy of Rachel saying:              

"Envy is grieving at the good of another, than which no sin is more injurious both to God, our neighbour, and ourselves. But this was not all, she said to Jacob, give me children or else I die - A child would not content her; but because Leah has more than one, she must have more too; Give me children: her heart is set upon it. Give them me, else I die, That is, I shall fret myself to death." (Source:http://bible.cc/genesis/30-1.htm)

Wow! Did you catch the phrase, "grieving at the good of another." These words reveal the depth of jealousy Rachel had for Leah. Rachel proclaimed she would "die" if she didn't have children. Listen, dear sister, the words that come out of our mouth, reveal the state of our heart. They reveal what we really are thinking inside our heart.


What do you do with jealousy? What do you do with those inner thoughts of envy that can swim around in your head if you let them? Here are four ways to walk you through that jealous thought.

1.Turn Away from Jealousy 

Don't turn your eyes and then keep walking in jealousy....TURN your body and go the other way!!! What is the other way? Go straight to your Bible and start reading. Searching God's truth will begin filling your mind with good thoughts instead of rebellious thoughts. 

2. Confess Jealousy Quickly 

Take the jealous thought captive. When a criminal is taken captive, a mugshot is taken of him or her. Do the same for your jealous thought? Take a mugshot of it. Name the jealous thought on a piece of paper and put it in a place where you can see and be reminded of it. Delaying your jealous feelings instead of confessing them quickly will continue a mindset of jealousy. It will stifle your relationship with God. If you continue in a mindset of jealousy, you are becoming friends with the rebellious thought and giving it permission to return. Jealousy will eat you alive on the inside and eat up all the good truths and leave you bitter. Don't let it find a comfortable place in your heart. 

3. Pray for Your Jealousy

Just because you pray one time about jealousy, doesn't mean it won't return. Keep praying and fill your mind with scripture instead of jealous thoughts. Get your mugshot out and look at it and bring it back to the LORD. If you are jealous of another woman, pray for her by name and thank God for all the things He is doing in her life (Romans 12:15). Rejoice with her!! Jealousy has no company with Jesus.

4. Accept Where You Are

The more we spend with Christ, the more we become like Christ. God has placed you where you are. He is working!!! Embrace the life He has given you at present. Instead of focusing on what you don't have, focus on what you DO have. 

Dear one, jealousy WILL find it's way into your life. The question is, "what will you do with it when it presents itself in your mind and heart?" Roman 12:15 instructs us to "rejoice with those who rejoice." Rejoice with that other woman who is physically fit and be inspired by her to get yourself back to the gym. instead of being jealous of her, learn from her. Rejoice in the good things that are going on in their lives. Learn from other women instead of compete with them. 


Last, don't let jealousy steal your day. Life is TOO short to be a jealous woman.

Manna Monday- The Virtual Bible: Three Reasons Why an iPad Shouldn't Replace Your Hardcover Bible

Recently, I caught myself looking over my left shoulder across the aisle at something shiny during a sermon. I am always very focused on listening intently to my pastor's teaching. But this time, I got distracted by the glossy glare. To my surprise, it wasn't one iPad, but two iPad's being used on the same row by two different people. Maybe that's why it made such an impression on me. The church members didn't bring a hard cover Bible. They simply had an iPad.

A terrible thought flooded my mind as I glanced at the iPads: "Would there ever come a day, when believers quit bringing their Bible to church because they have an iPad?" I pray that never happens but I also never thought many Baptist churches would cease using the Baptist Hymnal on Sunday mornings.

I have an iPad and I love it!!! This is not a post tearing down the use of technology. There are many things I love about technology. But I know an iPad can never replace my Bible for three reasons:

The iPad:
1) Makes you Lazy- When you flip through the pages and underline verses in your Bible, you work for your blessing!!!! You appreciate the treasure you found even more because it took you on a journey through different scriptures that change your heart. Writing down the verses on a piece of paper as you flip through your Bible helps truth to sink into your heart and mind. An iPad makes you lazy because you don't have to look for the treasure. It takes you right to it. You lose the ability to remember where books of the Bible are located because you don't have to remember, the iPad takes you to it.

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." 
                                                                                                                        2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)


"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."                                                   2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)

2) Gives the Wrong Impression- to your child that the Bible is not something to be treasured. There is something that happens when your child visually sees you read your Bible and carry it in to church week after week, year after year. It teaches them God's Word matters to you because you take great care to not forget it. Carrying an iPad instead of your Bible teaches a child that technology is cooler than the outdated Bible.

3) Doesn't Tell Your Story- When my grandmother passed away, I received her precious Bible. It is the most treasured piece of an inheritance I received from her. Flipping through its pages (some tear stained) where she prayed through verses, prayed for family members meant something to me. It was held by her hands. It was taken with her to church and held close to her heart. Inside, there are verses underlined that meant a lot to her. It tells me her story of following God. An iPad can never tell your story. If you died today, would someone pick up your Bible and be able to see what your walk was like with the LORD? Would it be tear stained, underlined, and have little notes written in it? Or would it simply be empty as if it were never read...or even yet, would you only have an iPad?

Technology is wonderful!!! It makes a lot of things easier. But it never can replace your Bible.
There is something about seeing someone with a Bible in a Bible-less world that will and always will leave a lasting impression.

Manna Monday-The Laundry Challenge!

Ever find your Monday's boring, routine, mundane? Do you ever find yourself saying, "I hate the laundry, I wish I didn't have to do it. It's never clean......and so on?"

I have a challenge for you this week. For myself too! I call it "The Laundry Challenge."
To make myself remember, I made a sign of some things I wanted to ponder about God.
I wanted to meditate on some of His names:

• Jehovah Jireh- The LORD Provides
• Jehovah Shammah- The LORD is There
• Jehovah Shalom- The LORD is Peace

As I go about my week doing laundry, whenever I look between my washer and dryer, there is a reminder of what I am to turn my thoughts to- The LORD! Yes, you can worship God in your laundry room!!!!

As I focus on these names of God while doing the laundry, I will be recounting the ways God has provided for me in the past and in the present. I will thank the LORD that He is always with me and that He never leaves me. I will thank the LORD for giving me His peace when I have to walk through a life storm, that He is my peace in an unpeaceful world and that I have eternal peace through Jesus Christ.

I know it's a challenge. But you can do it. I am doing it!!

Do something different to give spiritual attention to your mind and heart. Take the laundry challenge for one week and see how your mind will become renewed during the mundane times. No complaining about the laundry, no under your breath sighs, no thoughts about how you hate it. But thankfulness and a attention to God.

I want to hear from you this week!!! I really do!! What things about God are you focusing on this week?

Manna Monday-What's Hindering Your Prayer Life?

Yesterday morning in Sunday School, we had a great discussion on prayer. Our lesson was rooted in the parables of Luke chapter 18:1-14 as told by Jesus. As I was studying this passage, it hit me that Jesus was teaching the disciples very specific truths about prayer. It made me ponder my own prayer life. I pray today's message spurs you to consider your own prayer life too!

Four things stood out to me in the passage of Luke 18:1-14. 

I call them the "Secret Ingredients to a Powerful Prayer Life." 

I know there are so many more truths about prayer but these characteristics will challenge your walk with the LORD this Monday morning. Prayerfully consider each one.

1. Persistence (Luke 18:5) 

Do you pray without ceasing? Do you continue to pray despite no answer from God or do you give up when the circumstances look bleak? Do you continue to pray despite your feelings of wanting to give up? The persistent widow did not give up. She kept asking the Judge to give her justice and he finally gave her what she asked for. Our persistence to come to God reveals we trust God. Through our persistence, God is working to grow our faith. When a prayer is answered, we believe Him more, our faith grows and our prayer life becomes a vital growing part of our faith.

2. Humility (Luke 18:13-14)

Do you think of yourself as "pretty good" and look at others who are "worse off " then you and say to yourself, "At least I am not like those awful sinners doing those awful things." This is not a spirit of humility. This is a spirit of pride. We are saved by God but still sinners...sinners saved by grace (Romans 5:8).

  3. Believing God (Luke 18:8)

I love what Jesus says to the disciples in  Luke 18: 8 "...However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" He was referring to the persistent widow and her willingness to keep asking and not give up. Will God find you faithful like the persistent widow? Prayer reveals our faith in God or our lack of faith in God. Our willingness to come to Him, obediently, persistently reveals we trust God. He is not bothered by our asking. Through our belief in His ability and in His character and His Word, we grow our faith.  

4. Depending on God (Luke 18:11-12 in contrast to Luke 18: 13)

Through prayer, we show our dependence on God and not ourselves....when it is rooted in a right heart attitude. And if you try to do all the right things and mumble a bunch of words in front of others like the Pharisee, God knows the motive of your prayer life. He knows the heart attitude from which you pray. The Pharisee was religious and wanted to be seen and heard. This was not showing dependence on God. This was showing dependence on himself and an image he wanted to be known by. He couldn't fool God although he might have fooled man. The tax collector on the other hand couldn't even look up to God because he was so convicted by his own sin. He asked for mercy. Jesus was pleased with this dependence on God compared to the Pharisees dependence on himself.

These four truths about prayer will help you to consider your own heart attitudes toward God in prayer. 

Have a great Monday!

Manna Monday- Does Your Face Reflect the Joy of Jesus?

There is nothing more discouraging to me as a believer than to witness other believers look like Eeyore all the time. Who wants to know what kind of joy you have been given in Christ when you look like this all the time? Jesus came to give us His Joy, a joy the world DOES NOT know and this is how we look? We have discredited the ministry of Christ when we live our lives by our feelings. And our feelings are reflected in our facial expressions.

I am happy person. I smile a lot. I always have. I laugh a lot. I like to joke around. I love to be silly. I feel happy when things go my way and sad when they don't. But that's not joy. That's happiness. And happiness is fleeting. It changes like the wind because happiness hangs it's hopes on circumstances. And circumstances change.

As I have grown older in my faith with the LORD, the reason why I smile a lot is because I love Jesus. He has given me HIS Joy in my heart. The more time I spend with Him, the more I smile because I understand what I have been given through Him. I want others to know. To be encouraged. I think of my face like a mini mission tool to share the love of Christ through a smile. When I smile, it is because God has saved me, given  me a  new name through the blood of Jesus Christ, and I have a new home- heaven one day will be my reality. I smile because I understand that no matter what I may be going through, I have Jesus with me through every trial, every circumstance, every joy and every disappointment. I smile because I want to encourage others. God has given me an opportunity to smile to a LOST, DYING, HOPELESS world. And most non-believers don't smile. But they love to receive a smile.

A True JOY Story

Recently, as I was checking out at my local pharmacy counter, the pharmacy tech blurted out, "Why do you smile all the time?" Quickly, I said, "It's Jesus. I smile because I know and love Jesus." I came to understand that whether or not I think about it, people make judgements based on the countenance of my face.WOW! They really do!!!! But you may say, "Ashley, that is not my personality." It doesn't matter if you are outgoing or not, a smile is one way you can bless others you come in contact with. Over time, they notice the consistency of your mood. They notice that something is different...... because most people DON'T smile.

Read the following description about the face according to "The Dictionary of Bible Themes"

The main visual characteristic of a person. Facial features are recognisable as uniquely those of a particular person. The face also indicates mood and attitude. The showing or directing of the face towards someone or something may indicate regard, approval or determination, while hiding or turning away of the face indicates the opposite. 

(Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exod.34.29-Exod.34.35)

When we don't smile, when we turn our face away quickly from others, we indicate that we don't like someone, we are avoiding them, or we don't value them. This is not what many believers want to portray, but it's what they portray to others when they turn their face away from others. You discredit your ministry quickly.

Notice the way the Bible describe the face of Moses (Exodus 34:29).
Moses' face looked radiant because he had talked with the LORD. He had seen the LORD.
Theologian Matthew Henry said this about the face of Moses in Exodus 34:29:

"It was the effect of his sight of God. Communion with God, First, Makes the face to shine in true honour. Serious godliness puts a lustre upon a man’s countenance, such as commands esteem and affection. Secondly, It should make the face to shine in universal holiness. When we have been in the mount with God, we should let our light shine before men, in humility, meekness, and all the instances of a heavenly conversation; thus must the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, even the beauty of holiness, that all we converse with may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus, Acts 4:13." (Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+34:29&version=NIV1984)

Dear sister, does it look like you have been with Jesus? Does your face reflect the time spent with Jesus?

 I like what Pastor John MacArthur has to say about Joy:

"...joy is a confidence built on relationship. Now that test can never be objective for a Spirit-filled Christian because a Spirit-filled Christian possesses joy. And do you remember what I told you joy was? Joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel of Christ being produced in them by the Holy Spirit because they receive and obey the Word of God while experiencing trials and keeping their hope fixed on the glory which is to come." (Source: http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/50-2/elements-of-joy-part-1)

As I have grown older and grown in my Christian faith, it has become clear to me that there is one thing that Christians have that believers don't-the Joy of Jesus.


Consider the following verses,
Sharing the Joy of Jesus is being focused on sharing Jesus with others!!!!
Romans 12:13
Hebrews 13:16

Final Thoughts on Joy

What does your countenance look like on a daily basis? Do you look people in the eye and smile and say "hello" and "thank you?" Or do you look like Eeyore, look like something is always wrong? Whether we like it or not, we have a ministry with our face. And if we want our faces to change, we have to spend time with the LORD in a daily quiet time. Seeking Him changes everything. The only thing that kills our joy is our unconfessed sin. If your attitude is always focused on what is wrong with everyone else, on how rude the world is or your boss or co-workers are, if you are focused on others ungratefulness, or what others have done to you, you are not yielding to the Spirit's control in your life. Sin is blocking your way and keeping you from being able to experience the joy of Jesus in your life because you are focused on everything else but Jesus.

How can you begin to reflect the Joy of Jesus? It's simple.
By spending time with Him.

I am praying for you dear sisters today and pray this message will be encouraging to your hearts this Monday morning.

Manna Monday- Thinking Lowly of Yourself

I admit it. Sometimes I think too highly of myself. I don't mean to. But sometimes I do.
But I am not the only one who does it. You do it too.

What do I mean?
Sometimes I think I am living the Christian life like I should. I'm nice to others, giving, loving, helpful, prayerful,  etc. Sometimes I think I am doing the right things in life and even then, I am thinking highly of myself. At times, I am not even aware of this heart attitude. It's when I come to the LORD and read His Word that I am reminded that nothing good resides in me but Christ. The more I think lowly of myself, the more I see how glorious Jesus is and how wretched I am. Nothing good is in me except Christ. He is the ONLY good thing in me.

I have been praying through the prayers in the book Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions. The one prayer I read and prayed recently has left a huge reminder that I am nothing.

A couple of the phrases in this prayer hit home to my heart:

"When my mind acts without thee it spins nothing but deceit and delusion;"

"When my affections act without thee nothing is seen but dead works." 

"for I am vile and selfish; yet I seek thee,"

 I circled the last part of the prayer: "to see my all in Thee. The entire last sentence of the prayer says:

"Grant that I may distrust myself, to see my all in thee."

This is my prayer. To not trust in my good works or in how good I am living the Christian life. To place all of my trust in the person of Jesus Christ continually. To see myself as nothing, to think lowly of myself.

Consider the following scriptures:

• Romans 12:16
• 1 Corinthians 10:12

When we think we are right..... we think highly of ourselves.

When we think we are better off than other people....we think highly of ourselves.

When we think we are strong and that nothing can shake us....we think highly of ourselves.

When we think we are a good person....we think highly of ourselves.

Instead of choosing to think highly about yourself, daily remind yourself that there is nothing good in you except Jesus Christ.

Manna Monday- Chewing on God's Word

Does this ever sound like your Monday morning?

Got to go.

 Get into the car.

Eat breakfast on the way to work. Turn on praise music instead of having a quiet time.Say a prayer along the highway as your hands grip the steering wheel. "God bless my husband. God bless my family. God, help me have a good day .God, answer the prayer request of my friend and the lady that shared a prayer request in the hallway at church. God, I love you." 

If this is you :

 Consider Monday's verse:

Consider the phrases:

• "Stand in awe"

When was the last time you stood in awe of the LORD and ALL He has done?

 Do you stand in awe of His nature? His attributes?

• "commune with your own heart"

When was the last time you took time to seriously reflect on the state of your heart?

• "be still"

Be still before the LORD and come to Him with humility. Don't give excuses for your sin.

One of the best ways I have found to focus on God's Word throughout my week, especially on Monday's, is to focus on one verse per week. I usually have something, some phrase, some word, that I am chewing on throughout my daily tasks. On my bed before I go to sleep, I consider the verse. I ponder it as I stand in line at the grocery store. While I am waiting at a red light, my thoughts travel back to the truth. I chew on it again and again and again. Then I learn it. It becomes a part of me. It begins to change my thoughts, my attitude and actions.  I pray the scripture aloud throughout the week too.

This is how God's Word can come alive in your life.

Dear sister, what truth will you carry with you this Monday? This week?

Seek out God's truth and chew on it.

Manna Monday- Coming Hungry to God

Good Monday morning JT friends!

I pray your Monday is off to a great start this morning.
And if it's not off to the kind of start that you like, turn your attention back to Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Choose to rejoice in the LORD despite your circumstances.

I wanted to post a question for you all to think on this Monday morning- to think on throughout the week.
"Are you really hungry for the Word of God? "

For those of us who have been in church for a while it can be easy to be satisfied on the appetizer of God's Word from the Sunday morning sermons. But the appetizer wears off and the hunger grows. Only God's Word can satisfy your hungry heart. But are you hungry? That is the question.

What are you trying to fill your deep hunger for God with this week?
Reading magazines, surfing websites, spending hours on Facebook, watching television, home improvement projects, kids extra curricular activities, being busy, housework.....?

Sweet friend, what you are hungry for is the LORD. Nothing else will satisfy your craving. Your desire is to be intimate with Almighty God and hear HIS voice through the reading of scripture. Turn your heart toward these truths in the Bible:

"The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry."(Proverbs 13:25)

"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:10)


When we seek God's WORD we will not be hungry. We will be satisfied. We can eat to our hearts content.

If you feel satisfied during the week and don't feel hungry for God's Word, pray.
Ask God to give you a desire for Him and for the reading of His Word (Psalm 119:36).

Open God's Word. Take it with you to work. The more you open and read it, the more your heart will become hungry for God to fill the nooks and crannies of your empty heart. The more you are hungry and let God's Word satisfy your craving, the more it will become filled and satisfied.

Manna Monday: So Long Selfishness

Good Monday Morning JT friends!!!

It's going to be a great Monday! Be encouraged this morning!

Today we turn our attention to Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfishness..."

Can you confidently say that each day you are focused on others over yourself?

I am going to be honest with you all here. I have to daily reprogram my mind through the reading of God's Word to be focused on others. I don't have it in me to think of others first. I have to yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him help me to prefer others over preferring myself. I have to let scripture remind me that God instructs me to think of others before thinking of myself.

Selfishness shows up in everything:

our marriages, parenting, work, friendships....

• We want to always be right in our marriage.
• We want to have more "time by our self" over biblically parenting our children to the end of each day.
• We want our work to be appreciated and celebrated instead of being overlooked and unappreciated.
• We want our friends to think of us and encourage us before we think about and encourage them first.

Selfishness is something we fight against each day as a believer.
Even when we do something for someone else in action, we still battle in our mind having to take the time to do it. Does that speak to anybody this morning? Let me explain what I mean.

A Small Selfish Story

About ten years ago, I was in the grocery store and in a hurry. I came to the butter section and there was this elderly man staring at the butter. He wasn't moving, his eyes looked glazed over due to the various choices of butter staring back at him. Before I knew it, he asked me if I could help him find whipped butter. He went on to say that he had been given strict instructions from his wife to purchase only "whipped butter." Ten years ago there weren't many options when it came to whipped butter. I was tired from a long day at work and couldn't get home quick enough. There was no where I had to be. I just wanted to be home. At first, I didn't mind him asking, I wanted to help. But as I looked at the butter section, everything looked the same and there was no whipped butter. My selfish thoughts came rushing in ("this is taking more time than I want it to take," I thought.) 

     Even though my actions appeared (to him and others) to be unselfish, the selfish war was raging within me because I wanted to be done finding whipped butter and go home. I was being "inconvenienced" at this point when there was no whipped butter to be found. It turns out there was one brand of whipped butter that we finally found out of all the choices on the shelf.

Dear sister, this is our sin nature. Don't be discouraged. We have the victory through Jesus to walk forward (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). Selfishness is a daily fight. Be watchful. Be aware. The battle to defeat it begins each morning when you surrender your mind to the authority of God's Word.  

Consider the following verses:

Galatians 5:26

Romans 12:10

Ephesians 5:21

Why Is Selflessness Important? 

Because it points others to Christ and not ourselves. We live out our eternal purpose when we point others to Christ. Our selflessness is a witness to the selfishness of the world. Our selflessness points to a greater good because there is nothing good within us except Christ.

I don't know what selfishness you are battling in your own life, but I know that we have help through the Holy Spirt and through the reading of God's Word to overcome it. I believe the greatest way we can become less selfish is to practice being selfless.

Is God calling you to prefer others before preferring your own selfish wants and desires?

Follow His leading.

Prepare your mind through reading scripture to win the war of selfishness each day because it's always there.

Manna Monday- God Thinks of Me!

It's Monday. Time to start a new week. Time to get going. Time to begin checking things off the calendar. But what we need in our Monday is not more things to do. We need to place our hearts and mind on focusing on what God thinks of us! God thinks about you!!!! God thinks about me!!!!

Say it aloud- GOD THINKS ABOUT ME!!!!!

It's great encouragement to the soul!

Today's verse comes from Psalm 8:4

The Hebrew meaning for the phrase "take thought"(ESV) means "to mark as recognized, remember, to recall silently, verbally." Wow! What an amazing thought. God recognizes us. He remembers us and knows our name. We are never out of His mind and thoughts.

I could go on and on about that amazing truth, but lets let it sink deep inside our hearts. Lets take time to ponder that this Monday. The lie that Satan would have you and I to believe is that no one thinks about us or remembers us. That we are alone and are insignificant. NOT true!!! God, creator God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all creation, takes thought for you my dear friend.

I don't know where you are today in your life, or what lies you have been pondering deep inside your heart, but they aren't true. Rebuke them and place your eyes back on the truth.

You are significant in God's eyes precious one.

He is smitten by you! He is always thinking about You!!!!!

I am thinking about you as you come here today and praying for you. Thank you for letting me encourage you in the Lord. Have a great Monday!!!!

Manna Monday on Tuesday: Choosing Rest

Rest, a divine design created by God Himself, is a heavenly refreshment we need in our daily lives. Often times, we overlook the fact that God rested after He finished creation (Genesis 2:1-3). The truth is we overlook the importance that God Himself rested. God, who never needs anything and is self-sufficient, rested. Let that truth sink into your mind and heart. God rested.

What about you? Do you make time for rest or are you constantly running on all cylinders burning the candle at both ends? Do you make time for rest or does something have to happen to you for you to stop and be still? No one can sustain a busy lifestyle without making time for rest. Sooner or later the body or the calendar will scream, "Give me a break!!!" 

When I find myself neglecting the need for rest, there are four questions I ask myself. I want to share them with you today. I pray they encourage you!

1. Reflect:

"Am I making time to stop, be still and reflect on my heart?"

Rest in the Hebrew means, "cessation from motion." It is physically being still. Everyone needs to take time to reflect on their heart. When I ignore the need to make time to be still and reflect on my heart, I continue in busyness which leads to craziness. If no time is made for reflection, chaos sooner or later will take over my heart and I am no good for anything. I have nothing to give for the LORD to others because I am not taking time for rest. Without a time of reflection and being still the heart becomes restless and continues to spiral out of control. Jesus made time to be still and took time to retreat. Many of us know Jesus rested, but we will do well to refocus our mind to remember how he directed the disciples to rest. "And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat" (Mark 6:31 ESV). I have been in that very place where there hasn't been enough time to eat. It's not a good place to be. If this describes your life at present stop and be still. No one else can make you stop. You have to see the need and make it a priority. Ask yourself, "Am I making time to retreat and reflect upon my heart and life?" 

2. Recharge:

"Am I re-charging myself spiritually?

It's impossible to recharge your heart unless discipline and submission are involved. Discipline keeps rest a continual practice while submission acknowledges Christ as to whom rest is found. Both lay the foundation for having a heart that is recharged. When I am still, the only thing that will re-energize my heart unlike anything else is a healthy serving of the bread of life! No movie, magazine, or secular book will recharge my soul like the Word of God. Feeding on biblical truth sheds light on my life. And rest is something Jesus invites us to accept when we come to Him. He made a promise saying, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Rest is not something Jesus flippantly throws around. He invites us to enter into His rest and gives a promise that if we come to Him, we will find it.

3. Resist:

"Am I saying, "no" to things and protecting time for rest?"

It's hard to say it, but it has to be practiced. It's OK to say, "no." If you find yourself saying "yes" to too many things, it becomes easier to accept more things and jam pack your schedule which in turn creates more chaos. The issue for many people who have a difficult time saying "no" to things is something to carefully examine. What is the root cause for you to feel like you have to say "yes?" Do you not want to hurt others feelings? Do you feel like someone will misinterpret your "no" answer and think you don't want to help them or spend time with them? Truth is, we can't do everything for everyone and please everyone. "No" has to be a part of our vocabulary. Saying "no" and being able to resist the temptation to please others instead of pleasing God will lead a person to continue on the crazy spectrum toward chaos and toward a feeling of restlessness. It's OK to say "no."

 4. Relax:

"Am I taking time to just clear my mind and do nothing?"

Yep. That's what I said, "Do nothing." There are times I take a break from blogging, face book and my cell phone. These are good times of quiet reflection. Too many times when we relax, we go and do something. Sometimes even people need vacations from a vacation!! One thing I am learning and God continues to show me is that it is OK to do nothing. Especially on a Sunday afternoon. Making time with my family and enjoying their company is what I am talking about. Sometimes your brain needs a break from schedules and plans. It needs time to refuel and just relax. I used to think relaxing meant "doing something" besides working. But I have found the best days are the ones where there is no agenda, no plans, and no place to be. These days are the ones that help to refuel me the most. Because I like to write, paint, sing, play the piano, taking time for rest is hard for me. I am a doer. I like to always be doing something, creating something, pondering something. But even taking a break from these things, the things I truly enjoy, can prove to help these hobbies become even greater. It's OK to make time to do nothing.

I find people are either on two sides of the spectrum. But God calls us to be disciplined. To come to Him through submission and let Him give us rest. Where are you on the rest spectrum?

Examine your heart. Be honest about where you are on the rest spectrum and ask God to help you become balanced when it comes to rest. Too far to the left is chaos and too far too the right is rest gone bad-laziness. The heart will benefit from a balanced view on rest and the determination to make it a priority in life.

Manna Monday- Four Ways to Worship God in Everyday Life

Worship doesn't just happen. You have to plan for it in your day.
You have to continually be thinking about the LORD and His word and find ways to make much of Him wherever you are. Worship isn't just for Sunday mornings. It's a way of life.


Worship simply means, to"bow down." Worship happens when a believer turns away from sin and selfishness, and obediently turning to God despite feelings and circumstances.


There are many ways to worship God in your day. And through the years I have tried to make much of Him wherever I am. I wanted to share a few of them with you today. I pray they encourage you!

                                                                    Washing Dishes

I sing a hymn or praise song while I do the dishes. I can't stand doing them, but when I sing a song of praise to God, I have a better attitude can enjoy doing them because I am not focusing on the mundane task, I am focusing on the God of the universe who loves me and gave me eternal life. When you do the dishes, thank God you are able to be healthy to wash them.

                                                                         Cooking

I love having my bible close to me when I am in the kitchen. I'll read a verse and let it sink into my heart as I quietly prepare our meal. I quietly worship Him while I focus on an attribute of God or a phrase from the verse. This is a great time to worship God and thank Him as your provider and for providing all the food you have in your home to nourish your family.

                                                                         Laundry


Doing laundry is a time for me to remember all God has done in my life. Make laundry a time you come to Him and remember all He has done in your life.  Instead of choosing a bad attitude while doing the laundry, you will find yourself rejoicing through remembering! 


                                             Creation

I love taking time to look upon the beauty the LORD has created all around me. Worship God as Creator. Thank Him for creating things of beauty for your enjoyment. Don't speed by the things He has created during your day. Take a moment to stop and gaze upon it and know that He is God.

Worship is a way of life. There are MANY other times in your day to worship God. The best time to worship Him is early in the morning through reading the WORD. But worship doesn't have to stop there. It can truly be a way of life and change your perspective in your day. But it begins only when you deny self and make much of God.

"Then David said to the whole assembly, "Praise the LORD your God." So they all praised the LORD, the God of their fathers; they bowed low and fell prostrate before the LORD and the king."
1 Chronicles 29:20