365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 325

I started reading the next chapter in The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell; it is about the law of consistency. I so remember hearing that word a lot in those early days of motherhood. How consistency in discipline and setting up routines for your children are the key to building a good foundation based on order and obedience. Consistency really is the grounding factor. The attitude of the heart, the good works, the thoughtful prayers, the time taken to worship and praise the Lord can be done every day. We have the power within us by the Holy Spirit to consistently work at being more and more like Jesus. Maybe just maybe by the end of our lives, our grandchildren will say she was always there for me, always loving and always generous of heart. “Always” is what we strive for when we work on consistency.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 315

Admitting your weakness, that you need help or you can’t do it on your own is fairly common. It is the way God designed us. However, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can take this weakness and turn it into a strength that will glorify God. He made us with these potential weaknesses within our temperament so that we would turn to him and ask for help. He wants to help us in every way possible and nothing is impossible with God. I came across a person who didn’t like the idea that God would make us with weaknesses but it is only a weakness when it turns us away from God or creates barriers between us and God. He designed us to be in communion with Him. It is through our weaknesses that we are made strong with the help of the Holy Spirit. Do you have fears of failure, rejection or afraid nobody can love you? God does. He thinks you are fabulous. He thinks you are wonderful. He knows you can be a success with His guidance and wisdom. If a weakness is plaguing you, it is time to take it to God and ask for help. Let Him turn your weakness into strength.

2Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 254

What does it mean when we call someone Lord? The definition of Lord says, a person of authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief or ruler. From some research, the primary reason for the use of Lord in place of God’s Hebrew name is to follow the tradition of the Israelites in not pronouncing or spelling out God’s name.

www.Gotquestions.com/LORD_GOD_Lord_God.html

“Lord” is basically another name for God. We are to set Jesus apart as Lord because he is God, God among us. This concept of three in one can be tough for some people to accept but God can do and be anything and he chose to come down and dwell with us in Jesus and Jesus told us when we believe we will have the Holy Spirit within us. Our Lord is within us. Think about that and be amazed again at who God is and what he does for us.

1Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 193

I have been working on letting go of the control I need to have bit by bit. It will be an on-going process as is everything else. I came upon this article and this quote really says it all. (see below) How much am I going to surrender today? The measure of my surrender was great yesterday. It gave me the power to overcome when I was asked to finish doing the mail when my own plate is overflowing. But I responded with graciousness and gentleness and let God take care of my overflowing plate. I humbly surrender for I am weak but you are strong.

Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

“My power isn’t in overcoming.  My power is in the measure of my surrender.” Frank Thomas http://marketplacefaith.com/your-power-is-in-your-surrender/

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 124

We went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo yesterday to see the new 1.5 year old male lion. Although his mane will not be fully grown until he’s three, he was impressive. We watched him lick a block of ice he was given that had fish inside it that he would eventually get to. The lion is definitely called the king of the beasts for a reason. The sheer size of his paws and jaws is not something I would ever want to encounter in the wild. King Jesus is exponentionally more impressive. There isn’t a measuring device that could measure his power and his glory. It is beyond our scope of thinking. He is within the hearts of millions of us. His power is within us. Oh what the believers of this world could do if they really believed with all their heart, soul and spirit. This power from our King is around us all the time. Do you recognize it? Take that power within and conquer your fears, defeat your anger, harness love, peace and forgiveness and take that to the world. Our King asks us to love one another as he loves us. Are you loving others without thoughts of yourself? Keep working at it as I will.

Psalm 24: 7 Lift up your heads, O you gates, be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 116

Growing up in the Catholic church, I was not exposed to the differences that other denominations have. My experience yesterday at the leadership meeting at a non-denominational church was so wonderful. The thing that really stood out to me the most was when someone was leading us in prayer, the rest of them were saying little things along with the prayer. Amens, hallelujah's and all kinds of other things. It actually felt like we were all participating in this prayer because of the action of speaking out. I am again profoundly aware of the power available to us by being in the body of Christ. I had a friend who always told me her church was being outdoors in the mountains with God. I always thought that was nice but not enough. God created us to be in relationship with others and to work together in his plan for the world. Whether it's in a more conservative church atmosphere or in a more action-oriented church atmosphere, we are all one body. Have you tried a different church lately or ever? It can be an enlightening experience that will stir your soul. Give it a try.
Genesis 28:15 "Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go."