Word-Vessel

Soil Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 28 May 2012 03:56:00 +0000

My paternal grandmother was an avid gardener. As a young child, I marveled at the diversity and size of Nanny's garden, but it wasn't until I was an adult--and a gardener myself--that I fully understood the secret of her gardening success. Each year, Nanny mixed large amounts of manure and compost with the dirt in her back yard, working it into a dark, rich loam. Had she chosen to skip this all-important task, her garden would never have reached it's full potential.

In Luke 8, Jesus told a story about a seed sower. Some of the seed he planted fell along a pathway where birds gobbled it up before it could take root. Other seed landed on rocky soil. It sprang up quickly, but because of shallow roots, quickly withered from heat and lack of moisture. Yet more seed fell among thorns where it was choked out. Only the seed that fell on good soil managed to reach maturity, producing a bountiful harvest in the process.

And when His disciples asked Him what this parable meant, He said . . . “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." ~Luke 8:9, 11-15 (ESV)

APPLICATION:

Be aware of the enemy's tactics. Satan will stop at nothing to keep us from believing and from bearing fruit. Once we hear God's truth, we need to take every precaution that we don't allow the enemy of our souls to snatch God's Word from us, resulting in unbelief. As we sow seed and make disciples we also need to warn others of Satan's strategy, so they're prepared.
Understand that trials and testing will come. While the Bible often mentions the blessings of being a follower of Christ, it tells of the struggles that will be ours as well. Don't allow times of trial and temptation to pull you away from God. Instead, let those hard times send you running to our Father who waits with open arms.
Maintain your focus. It's so easy to focus on the temporal, to spend life in selfish and fruitless pursuits. This world causes our vision to stray to our worries, pleasurable pursuits, and the accumulation of wealth and possessions. Don't allow it to happen! Keep your focus on our eternal God and His purposes so you can bear fruit for the Kingdom.
Hold onto His Word and persevere. Taking the time and effort to keep our hearts open to God's Word is of utmost importance. Study the Bible, pray, meditate, so the Word is deeply planted in the soil of your heart. We must also continue to endure in our walk of faith in Christ. Only then can we bring forth a bountiful crop for Him.

Lord, keep the soil of our hearts open to the seed of Your Word so we might be fruitful for Your Kingdom.

BOOK REVIEW: NIV Once-A-Day 31 Days of Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Sun, 06 May 2012 18:25:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK: This 31-day reading from the book of Proverbs from the New International Version of the Bible will speak to your deepest needs as you engage with God's Word. Practical and insightful, these devotions---written by the staff at trusted ministry Walk Thru the Bible---will fill each day with wisdom and understanding about who God is and what he has intended for the lives of his people. NIV 2011. The New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible is the world's most popular modern-English Bible---easy to understand, yet rich with the detail found in the original languages.

MY REVIEW: If there's anything our world needs today (from both an individual and a collective standpoint), it's wisdom. The Bible makes it clear that wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10), and if we lack wisdom all we need to do is ask God who gives it to all liberally and without criticizing (James 1:5). When I found this book as a free download for Kindle, I was quick to snatch it up, eager for my own healthy dose of wisdom.

I wasn't disappointed. Separated into daily readings of the Proverbs--one day for each chapter--each one begins with a devotional interconnected with a verse from Proverbs. I found the devotionals to be "spot on" scripturally, and packed with nuggets of truth. And each nugget challenged my thinking and my walk. If you're searching for a little wisdom for your own life, I highly recommend NIV Once-a-Day 31 Days of Wisdom, available in both print and e-book format.

Look Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:59:00 +0000

When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. Mark 16:4

I've often heard it said that "obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the Lord and put them on your circumstances." That adage has proved more than true in my life. When I focus on circumstances, obstacles abound, but when I turn my eyes to Jesus, those obstacles melt away. This fact has also been proven true in the Bible on numerous accounts: Peter walking on the water, Elisha's servant, and in the key verse, the women who were the first to discover Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Can you imagine how the women who tended Jesus' body must have felt as they trudged to His tomb after three days of utter confusion and chaos. The Lord they had followed and put their hope in had died!!! They must have been weary from weeping and grief, and overcome by hopelessness, yet they rose early to finish their job. As they made their way toward the tomb, they wondered who would move the stone away from the entrance since it was far too heavy for them.

In faith, they continued their mission, not sure how things would work out.

I LOVE how this verse is worded: When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been moved away.

Now I know this verse actually describes the women's physical actions, but I can't help but see a deeper truth. When we look up to our heavenly Father in faith and trust, He can move those stones out of our way!

"You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." -Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

Father God, my prayer is that You would help me keep my focus on You instead of my circumstances. You are a God who is MORE than able! I trust You with all that I am. Amen.

Save the Date for the 2012 Spring Bible Study Expo

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Women’s Bible Study enthusiasts meet online this May to hear from the authors of 2012’s most popular Women’s Bible Study books. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend the live, free, online event, Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 1-5 PM Central Time, at www.BibleStudyExpo.com.

Every year, thousands of Bible Study leaders progress from one study to the next by visiting bookstores to check out options, getting suggestions from attendees or friends, and attending the spring Bible Study Expo full of interviews with the authors of the most recently released Bible Study books for women.

The Bible Study Expo features Women’s Bible Study authors Sheila Walsh, Pam Farrel, Cindy Jacobs, Mary Kassian, Renee Swope, Babbie Mason and many more from publishers including Harvest House, Thomas Nelson, Multnomah, Baker, Bethany House, Moody and others.

During the Expo, each author is interviewed for 15 minutes with the opportunity to share the story behind her most recent release. In addition, each will clearly define the target audience for her book and tell a little bit about herself.

“It’s a great way for Bible Study leaders to get to know the authors and to learn more about the newest Bible study books available to them this year,” explains Expo Hostess, Marnie Swedberg.

The Bible Study Expo was founded in 2009 to support Women’s Bible Study leaders. The Expo itself includes four hours of live-streaming online audio interviews with the authors, including one free book give-away during each segment.

It’s 100% free to attend and anyone is welcome to pre-register now at www.BibleStudyExpo.com.

“It’s such a fun format, because there is no need to travel, to find childcare or to spend money,” says Swedberg. “It’s just a great time online getting to know the Bible Study book authors as well as other Bible Study leaders from all over the world.”

To register to win free books or to attend the live, online event, visit www.BibleStudyExpo.com today!

==========================

Bible Study Expo is a sub-site of www.Marnie.com, providing encouragement, practical help and God-focus to women since 1996. In addition to her role as Expo Hostess, Marnie is the online mentor to thousands of leaders from over 30 countries, the manager of the family restaurant and retail store, the author of 12 books and the host of a weekly radio talk show.

For more information about the Bible Study Expo, visit http://www.Marnie.com/media.php

Mother's Day Sale for Miller's Creek Novels!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Just wanted to send a quick shout out to let you all know that both Miller’s Creek novels, TEXAS ROADS (Book One) and A PATH LESS TRAVELED (Book Two) are temporarily discounted at the CreateSpace store (a subsidiary of Amazon.com) for Mother’s Day. They’re regularly $12.99 each, but from now until Mother’s Day, they will be available for $8.99!

Please feel free to share the link to this page with all your friends. Here are the links that will take you directly to the store:

Texas Roads – (Book One in the Miller’s Creek novels ~ 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist)

One secret kept, another uncovered . . .

Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quaint country charm, quirky residents, and loads of business potential, Miller’s Creek, Texas seems like the perfect place to start over . . . except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating discovery propel her down a road she never expected to travel.

Click here to go to the store to purchase.

A Path Less Traveled – (Book Two in the Miller’s Creek novels)

Grief paints a celebration with shades of gray . . .

Trish James shoulders a secret, while her son wrestles with his daddy’s death.

Andy Tyler conceals his own haunting past, but becomes a father-figure for her daddy-starved little boy and helps him through the psychological trauma.

Trish is determined to forge a path for her son, but will that mean leaving Miller’s Creek? Or is God leading her to…a path less traveled?

Click here to go to the store to purchase.

Smashwords eBook Data

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 23:40:00 +0000

For all my writer friends out there in cyberspace, I found this presentation by Mark Coker, founder of SmashWords to be highly informative and interesting.Enjoy! How Data-Driven Decisions *Might* Help Indie Ebook Authors Reach More Readers

View more PowerPoint from Smashwords, Inc.

How Are You Using Your Weapons?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ~2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)

A stronghold is simply something that has a strong hold on us. Many times in the Psalms, God is referred to as our stronghold, fortress, or refuge. We should want Him to have a strong hold on us . . . and He does!

Unfortunately, there are other strongholds as well, crafted by the enemy of our souls for the purpose of stealing, killing, and destroying our lives. Praise be to God, in His great goodness He also provides us with what we need to demolish these strongholds--spiritual weapons.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ~Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

For the stronghold Satan places in our minds and thoughts, God has given us His helmet of salvation. Once we accept His free gift of grace and life, we are eternally safe. No one is able to snatch you from God's grip (John 10:28-29).
For the lies Satan wants us to believe, God has given us His belt of truth. He is Truth (John 14:6) and His Word is truth. Counteract those lies with truth!
For the stronghold of blame and shame Satan so often uses on us, God has given us the breastplate of His righteousness. While we can't be righteous on our own (Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Matthew 5:20), God through Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice has given us His righteousness in exchange for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:1)
For the war of hate and malice Satan has waged on us and the rest of the world, God has given us feet prepared to spread the opposite--peace. Not peace like the world gives, but His peace (John 14:27), but shalom peace--total well-being, and a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).
For the flaming arrows of doubt, despair, desperation and depression Satan hurls our way, God has given us the shield of faith. Our faith in His grace, goodness, and victory over sin and death is more than enough to quench those fiery arrows.
For the message of hopelessness and destruction Satan screams throughout the world, God has given us the sword of the Spirit--His Word. Meditate on it day and night to keep your heart and mind focused on the good (Psalm 1:1-3; Philippians 4:8).
For the separation Satan tries to bring between us and God (Genesis 3), God has given us the blessing of prayer. No matter what, no matter where, He is always there for us, and He's as close as the mention of His name.

WordVessel Welcomes K. Dawn Byrd

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Bio:
K. Dawn Byrd is an author of inspirational romance, romantic suspense, and non-fiction. She is an avid blogger and gives away several books per week on her blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com, most of which are signed by the authors. She's also the moderator of the popular facebook Christian Fiction Gathering group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444.

When not reading or writing, K. Dawn Byrd enjoys spending time with her husband of 16 years while walking their dogs beside a gorgeous lake near her home and plotting the next story waiting to be told.

Lessons from the Open Road
A couple of years ago, the idea of writing a devotional about the lessons I learned while riding a motorcycle came to me. I had no idea what I was getting into and how much writing devotionals would minister to me as an author. I jotted down notes for weeks, hoping to come up with enough lessons to take the reader through a month. Lessons from the Open Road ended with 33 lessons, each followed by Scripture and prayer.

Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes learning new things is hard. Just when I thought I'd mastered the parking lot where I was learning to ride my little Yamaha Virago starter bike, I pulled out, forgot to hit the brake, did an Evel Knievel, and jumped a short concrete wall, landing in some trees. My poor little bike limped home with a hole in the crankcase the size of a quarter. J-B Weld to the rescue!

I'm stubborn, too stubborn to quit. After I recovered from the sore neck that resulted from my stunt, I climbed back on the old iron horse. Eventually, I graduated from the parking lot and hit the streets. When I'd learned to ride well enough to satisfy hubby, he bought himself a new Harley and I inherited his anniversary edition Harley Davidson Sportster. And, when I graduated with my masters degree, you'd never guess what I wanted. Yep, a new bike. I became the proud owner of a Screamin Eagle V-Rod (picture attached.)

All good things must eventually come to an end. I enjoyed my days on the road, but found another passion. Writing. I work a full-time job and since there's only so much time in the day, I have to choose what's most important to me. The bike had to go. Occasionally, I miss it, but for the most part, I'd rather be writing. I'm hoping the devotions in Lessons from the Open Road will minister to your heart as much as writing them did to mine.

Lessons from the Open Road is currently available in ebook format and will be coming soon in print. I had planned to list it at no cost, but Amazon wouldn't allow me to do so. I've listed it at the lowest price Amazon allows, 99 cents, and all proceeds will be donated to my church's building fun for the new church that's currently under construction.

For more information about Lessons from the Open Road, you can check it out on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Open-Road-ebook/dp/B007OYYG64/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332895452&sr=8-1

Links:
Book giveaway blog: www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com
Young adult blog: www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com
Website: www.kdawnbyrd.com
I'm also on Twitter (kdawnbyrd) and facebook (K Dawn Byrd.) I am the moderator of the Christian Fiction Gathering facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=128209963444) If you join this group, you'll get reminders about the weekly book giveaways.

Divine Interruption

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:04:00 +0000

When I wrote A Path Less Traveled (Book 2 in the Miller's Creek Novels), I never dreamed how God would use the theme verse in my own life. A few months ago, my husband and I "launched out into the deep" and stepped out on a journey of faith at God's calling, so the words to Proverbs 3:5-6 have become especially meaningful:

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (AMP)

Last week, we finally reached the point where we had unpacked most of our essential belongings and were ready to begin the process of establishing our business through placing our candy vending machines. We hit the ground running that particular morning and were well into our to-do list when our oldest son called, requesting a ride to pick up his car at the mechanic's shop.

Annoyance erupted within. Didn't he realize how much we had to do? Didn't he know our livelihood depended on getting these machines placed? How could he expect us to drop everything on our multi-paged to-do list?

Then God's Spirit reminded me that part of our motivation for launching into this new chapter was the desire to serve others and to help our son and his family in their own hectic lives.
Now my questions changed. What if this was God's way of directing my path? What if this was a test to see if I was truly willing to follow those God-urges in my heart? What if this was a divine interruption?

To make a long story short, we did drop what we were doing to give our son the assistance he needed. The result? We placed a machine at the mechanic's shop.

If we will stop long enough in our crazy-busy lives, we can hear our Great Shepherd say: "Over here. Follow me. I'll take you down the right path for this day and all the days to follow."

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ~John 10:27 (NIV)

Oh, sweet Shepherd of my heart and life, thank You for directing my steps. Forgive me for the times I've ignored the God-nudges in my heart. Make me quick to listen for Your voice and less eager to follow my own agenda. Help me always realize and remember that You care enough for me to give direction and wisdom in the midst of chaos and confusion. Clean out my spiritual ears so I hear and obey each whisper to follow You. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

The Perfection Illusion

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:19:00 +0000

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. ~2 Corinthians 12:9

I've been a perfectionist for as long as I can remember (though now I like to refer to myself as a recovering perfectionist). Perfectionism is a great hindrance to our spiritual growth, affecting many areas in our lives.

Spiritual Pride
First of all, perfectionism leads to spiritual pride. After all, if we do everything perfectly, that gives us a one-up on everyone around us who can't. We begin to see ourselves as superior to others.

Legalism
The next step in the ladder is legalism. We perfectionists are good rule-keepers (especially when others are watching). We're the ones who drive the speed limit. We're upstanding citizens. We've got our masks firmly glued in place and our chins held high.

Jesus had a word for us: hypocrites.

In Our Own Strength
Another problem with being a perfectionist is that we become proficient at doing things in our own strength. We're over-achievers on steroids.

Help For Recovering Perfectionists
God's Word has much to say to those of us in recovery to the illusion of perfection.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ~1 John 1:8

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes... ~Proverbs 6:16-17a

There is no one righteous, not even one... ~Romans 3:10

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... ~Romans 3:23

The sin problem has been around since the beginning. God is more than aware of the sin problem, and has already done everything needed to correct the problem. We can't "fix it" ourselves. All we can do is face our imperfection and then lay it humbly at the foot of the cross, pleading for His mercy, grace and forgiveness.

I recently noticed something I'd never noticed before in this passage from James 1:2:

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

All of us will face trials and temptations. None of us are exempt. And though we may successfully sidestep many of these difficulties, none of us are capable of missing them all.

In other words, we're all gonna fall sometimes.

Ouch! That hurts! Perfectionists especially don't want to hear this. But praise be to God, the story doesn't end with our failures! In fact, it's just a starting point. Once we recognize our tendency to fall and fail, we also recognize our sinful condition and our need for a Savior. At that precise moment, God's grace is ours for the taking...

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more... ~Romans 5:20

Thank You, Lord Jesus, that in Your economy, even our mess-ups and flubs have meaning, because of Your work of grace on behalf of all of us. Help us recovering perfectionists. Help us recognize perfectionism for the illusion it is. Help us see how the enemy uses it in our lives. More than anything, Father, help us to turn to You in the midst of our mess. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

P.S. This is the topic of the novel I'm currently working on, appropriately titled The Way of Grace. I think one reason I've struggled so much with the writing of this book is because the main character is more like me than I care to admit. But God is so good! He's used this story to bring the illusion of perfection in my own life into sharper focus, which in turn has made me more grateful than ever for His amazing grace. I covet your prayers as I work through my perfectionist problem in the writing of this book.

Much love,
Cathy

Knowing God's Will

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Have you ever struggled to know God's will? I have.

But we don't have to.

God doesn't try to hide His will from us. As our loving Father, He wants us to know His will--"His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Then why do we struggle so hard to know it? Lots of reasons.

Self-Service
I've heard it said that the only thing wrong with a living sacrifice is its tendency to crawl off the altar. We may start off our day with the intention of living for God, but at some point in the day (for me, sometimes as soon as I put one toe on the floor!) we often yield to the demands of our selfish self.

Conforming to the World
If we really stop to consider our lives (and what we allow in our lives), we conform to the world in numerous ways every day. What we watch on television and movie screens, what we read for entertainment, what we wear, what we buy, what we eat, what we say...the list could go on infinitely.

God says "DO NOT!"

Religious Semantics

Ever heard the phrase "in the center of God's will?" I have. Sadly to say, I've even used it. Next question. Ever read it in the Bible?

The truth is there is no such thing as the center of God's will. We're either doing God's will or not!

In our human tendency to make things more complicated than they ever have to be, we've made knowing and being in His will some mystical thing we feel we have to search for. Wrong! According to scripture, we simply have to renew our minds and align them with God's way of doing things (which is clearly revealed in scripture), and we will know His will.

Asking the Wrong Question

To put it all in a nutshell, I've been asking the wrong question. Perhaps you have, too. Instead of asking, "What is God's will for my life?" from now on I'm going to ask: "Am I seeking God and following Him the way His Word instructs me to?"

If the answer is yes, then everything--including God's will being made known to me--falls into place.

Father, thank You that we don't have to constantly worry and wonder about being in Your will. It's never been Your intention or Your pattern to hide Your will from us. Thank You that knowing Your will is as simple as following You. Amen.

BOOK REVIEW: Open Your Hymnal by Denise K. Loock

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:42:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Do you ever catch yourself singing a song in church without paying attention to the words? Open Your Hymnal is a collection of thirty devotions that transport the wisdom of classic hymns and gospel songs into the twenty-first century. Introduce yourself to the rich spiritual heritage that hymnals contain or gain a new perspective on songs you’ve sung since childhood. Whether you sing in the choir loft, the worship team, or the pew, the refreshing biblical insights in this book will enhance your appreciation of the words you sing every time you open a hymnal.

From the Foreword:

“Through witty, insightful, and sometimes poignant writing, Denise draws on the richness of the doctrine and the personal nature of these hymns to encourage us in our Christian faith. Whether or not hymns are a part of your worship tradition, you will find the timeless truths expressed in these meditations a blessing and encouragement to your soul.”
Mark Hahn, Minister of Music,
Montgomery Evangelical Free Church, Belle Mead, NJ

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Denise Kelso Loock's devotions and stories appear in best-selling books and magazines. She teaches a women's Bible study, writes meditations for her church choir, and posts biweekly devotions on her website: digdeeperdevotions.com.

Other than teaching and studying the Bible, her favorite activities are gardening, rooting for the Yankees, watching the antics of her two cats, reading, and taking leisurely walks.

She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband, son, and daughter.

You can contact her through her website: www.digdeeperdevotions.com

MY REVIEW:

I received this book through a free book promotion via Amazon. The book features several devotionals that are tied in to the classic hymns of our faith. I was greatly blessed by the author's insight into the scripture and the hymns, and highly recommend this book to all Christians. Five stars out of five for this one!

First Things First

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:26:00 +0000

As relief house parents at a boys' ranch, my husband and I are constantly packing up to move to one of our two "homes away from home." On one such occasion, I was trying, without much success, to squeeze six different vitamins in the small compartments of my pill-a-day container.

After much struggle, I finally succeeded. I had to completely empty the containers, place the largest vitamins in first, and then add the smaller ones.

As I did this, it reminded me that our lives are much the same. We have too many things to squeeze into twenty-four hours. Our best chance at success is to stop long enough to realize that we must take the time for the most important things first. If we don't, our entire lives will be spent on the trivial and mundane, and those things that should take priority will be shuffled to the side.

As usual, God's Word expresses it best: But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Father God, as we hurry through yet another day, keep us mindful of the importance of putting You and Your kingdom first. Amen.

Would You Mind....?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:39:00 +0000

Just wanted to type a quick post asking for your help. I've enrolled my first book, TEXAS ROADS (Book 1 in the Miller's Creek series), in a special program on Amazon. During the ninety-day program, I have five days where I can give the eBook of TEXAS ROADS away for free.

One of those days is Saturday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day). (Since I have substantial Irish blood, I thought it was fitting. With surnames like O'Clark, Duffee, and Dunn, I can prove it!) =)

Anyway, if you have a chance can you please help spread the word? I would so appreciate it, and even if you don't know someone who has an eReader, your friends might. (Also, Amazon has a free Kindle app for computers and smart phones. You can find out more here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311).

So, if you don't mind, please let your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, blog buddies and e-mail contacts know about the giveaway! Here's the link, and it will be good through midnight on Saturday, March 17th: http://www.amazon.com/Texas-Roads-Millers-Creek-ebook/dp/B00480OH1G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1331955316&sr=1-1

Thanks so much for your help!

God's Gardening

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:52:00 +0000

I love to garden. There's something life-affirming about being able to tuck a tiny seed in the dirt and watch it sprout into a plant that either flowers or produces food or both.

All throughout God's Word, there are references and metaphors that deal with the gardening process. One verse that particularly stood out to me recently was Hosea 10:12: Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you. (NIV)

Sow for yourselves righteousness
How can we do this? The Bible clearly states that "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) and that none of us are righteous (Romans 3:10). There is only one way for us to be righteous.

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. ~2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

Only in Christ can our righteousness be achieved.

However, humans still have a responsibility. We can't sit passively by, living any way we want. We have to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We have to do our best to live the right way and to pursue righteousness (1 John 3:7; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). It's also important to remember that righteousness doesn't necessarily equate itself with sinlessness. ...for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again... ~Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

Reap the fruit of unfailing love
Again...how can we do this? Ultimately, the love of God is the only unfailing love, and because of Christ's atoning sacrifice we can reap that fruit.

But love is also one of the fruits of the Spirit that becomes ours when He indwells us (Galatians 5:22-23). Love is the most excellent way and to be desired above all gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). It's our responsibility as Christ's followers to share His love with others, to fulfill His mission of seeking out the lost and His great commission of bringing the world into a relationship with Him.

Break up your unplowed ground
If you've ever gardened, you know the importance of this step in the process. If you don't break up the ground which has been compacted by traffic and hardened by sun and hot weather, the seeds you plant don't have much chance.

Our hearts are the same. It's all too easy for us to harden our hearts, and throughout the Bible we're warned about this. Instead, we need to discipline ourselves into softening our hearts--to keep them plowable for God Spirit's to work.

For it is time to seek the LORD
It's always a good time to seek the Lord.

Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. ~Isaiah 55:6 (NLT)

And it's not like playing hide and seek. God wants to us to find Him.

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. ~Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

In fact, He is the one who seeks us, urging us to seek Him in return.

Until He comes and showers righteousness on you
The book of Hosea was written before Christ came to earth, so this part of the verse is a Messianic promise, fulfilled during the time of Jesus. With His blood He showered righteousness on us.

One day He will return again. May we be readying ourselves by sowing righteousness, reaping unfailing love and seeking Him.

Fear Not!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:14:00 +0000

What do you fear most?

Certainly there is much to fear: financial ruin, bad decisions, loss of a loved one or a job, loss of health...the list could go on and on.

But for those of us who profess Christ as Lord and Savior, there is truly nothing to fear. All through the Bible, God commands His people to "Fear not!" Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Mary and Joseph, Gehazi, the disciples, the women at the tomb, Paul, etc. were told not to be afraid.

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Imagine walking through a pitch-black night, when a familiar and trusted voice calls out: "I'm right here." Imagine the comfort, the peace, the joy in knowing that you are not alone.

It is the same with our heavenly Father. The journey through this life is often akin to walking through dark and fearful circumstances. But our God has promised to be with us. Because of His presence and His power, we have nothing to fear.

The cure for fear is total trust in the One who loves us, who made us, who redeemed us. He will hold us up by His righteous right hand, so "Fear not!"

Father God, what comfort and assurance there is in You. Thank You for Your promise to always be with us and to hold us up. May we slay Satan and his tool of fear with that promise. Amen.

Make His Word Known

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:53:00 +0000

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. ~Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)

A holy hush blankets my hectic heart when I read these words.

Hear - Listen! This is important! Pay attention! Get ready for total obedience!

O Israel - God's chosen people. As followers in faith, we are Abraham's children, the new Israel. These words were spoken for us, too! Remember who you are and Whose you are!

The LORD our God, the LORD is one - He's the One and Only True God and there is no other. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three in one--this is the God we serve. His presence brings productive and positive change in our lives.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might - Love equals obedience. Jesus said if we love Him, we'll obey Him (John 14:15). We're to love, obey, and serve Him with all that we are--heart (emotions and will), soul (spirit), might (strength and power).

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart - His Word needs to be such a part of our lives that it's engraved on our hearts. He calls us to reflect and meditate upon His Word (Psalm 1:2). We need to move His Word from our heads to our hearts.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise - In other words, ALL THE TIME! Our Lord's Word should flow out of us constantly, especially with the children God has placed in our lives. Notice how we're to teach: diligently. We need to impress the importance of God's Word on the tender hearts of our children.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. - We need to surround ourselves with God's Word, so that we never miss an opportunity to hear and apply His teaching to our lives.

Lord God, how we praise You for Who You are--the One and Only True God, three in one. Thank You that we are Your chosen people. Help us to love, obey and serve You wholeheartedly, with all that we are. May we constantly speak Your Words to others, especially to the children in our care. Help us to surround ourselves with Your Word so that it flows out of us and splashes onto those around us. Give us the ability to apply Your Word to our lives, so that we not only hear them, but also live them. Amen.

BOOK REVIEW: "Small Church, Big Impact" by Brandon J. O'Brien

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:16:00 +0000

Amazon recently offered a free e-book short entitled "Small Church, Big Impact" that I snatched up to read. Through a series of incidents, I've come to be a big proponent of small churches, so the title intrigued me.

For those of you who don't know what an e-book short is, it's a few chapters of a book designed to give the reader a sample taste. This taste left me hungry for more.

With clear, concise writing, Mr. O'Brien gives the merits of small churches. And in the day of the mega church, he makes a convincing case. In the three chapters in this e-book short, he discusses the authentic church, the equipping church, and the intergenerational church.

I hope to get the opportunity to read the rest of this book some day, because I thoroughly enjoyed (and agreed with) the author's optimistic take on small churches. Based on the three chapters I read, I would highly recommend this book for church leaders and members alike. Small churches are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of both believers and unbelievers, and thus fulfill the work God would have us do.

(NOTE: This review is my honest opinion. I received no remuneration for my review.)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Blessed Are the Small

Our culture's infatuation with bigness--bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger businesses--has infiltrated the church. But smaller doesn't equal second-rate. Leadership Journal editor and former pastor Brandon O'Brien shows how small churches are uniquely equipped for success in today's culture.

O'Brien celebrates churches that are taking full advantage of their small size and analyzes how other churches can learn from their strategies. For example, strategically small churches:
facilitate a higher level of commitment from laypeople
focus attention on fewer programs, increasing effectiveness
nurture close relationships across age and life-experience barriers

But perhaps most important, O'Brien asks churches to rethink what it means to be successful. Sometimes small is just right.

"Kudos to Brandon O'Brien for reshaping the small-church brand. Using real-life examples of 'small' as an intentional ministry strategy, O'Brien gives hope to small churches everywhere. A must-read for church leaders!" Chuck Warnock, Author of Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor

"Every page paints a picture of the strategic potential for kingdom ministry that flows from smaller churches." Kara E. Powell, PhD, Executive Director, Fuller Youth Institute
Fuller Theological Seminary

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brandon O’Brien is editor at large for Leadership journal and a freelance writer and editor. He has written articles, interviews, and reviews for Leadership, Christianity Today, Relevant, and the Out of Ur blog.

Brandon earned his B. A. in English literature and Biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University and his M. A. in Religion in American Life from Wheaton College Graduate School. He is now a doctoral student in historical theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Brandon is married to the beautiful and talented Amy O’Brien. Together they are preparing for their first child–they are in the waiting stage of the adoption process. When he isn’t writing, editing, or studying, Brandon enjoys reading fiction (at the moment, 20th century Catholic fiction is the favorite) and trying futilely to grow vegetables on his deck. His first book, The Strategically Small Church released in August 2010.

Sit Here

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:24:00 +0000

Sientese aqui.

As a young teacher with students who spoke no English, these were some of the first Spanish words I learned to say. It's a good thing I learned them, too, because the kids would never have been still long enough for me to teach.

We live in a world of constant motion. We subscribe to the motto: "Don't just stand there, do something!" and become people of action. But I wonder, through our constant motion and action, if we miss God.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that we park in one place, inactive and apathetic. But I am proclaiming my belief that we're sometimes so busy, we end up far away from our Father.

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” ~Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

In the hurry and scurry of life, only one thing is truly needed--and that is to sit at our Master's feet and listen to Him. Our Teacher has something to teach us, but He can't if we don't still ourselves long enough to hear what He has to say.

Lord Jesus, forgive our busy-ness. Sometimes even our work for You becomes a hindrance to our spiritual lives. Teach us to be still, to know that You are God. Help us sit at Your feet long enough to soak up what You have to say. Amen.

BOOK REVIEW: "The Good Life" by Charles Colson, Harold Fickett

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:28:00 +0000

As a child of the seventies, I watched the unfolding Watergate drama on television with great interest. In history classes we discussed the ramifications of this political scandal.

Then as a Christian adult, I heard of Chuck Colson's conversion and his work with prison ministry. When his book, How Now Shall We Live? came out, I bought it and devoured it. It's still on my bookshelf as a keeper.

I was delighted to find this 2005 release, The Good Life, free for Kindle. Quickly I scooped it up and devoured it also. It's a keeper, too.

Throughout the book, Colson reveals how the good life and truth go hand in hand. He also shows how easy it is to get so caught up in our own self-righteousness that we do the unthinkable. Consider this passage:

What undid me, as I'll be discussing in greater detail later, was my blind self-righteousness. I thought I had built such a moral hedge around my actions that I couldn't commit a grave moral offense, much less a crime. My defense against moral and legal failure assured me that I couldn't be in the wrong even as I committed a felony. Once I had reflected, I knew at the deepest possible level that I had betrayed my own standards, but in the moment I disengaged whatever alarms my conscience might have triggered by the powerful presumption of my own innocence.

Colson then goes on to show that living the good life on our own efforts is impossible. The only possible way to have a good life is through union with the Truth--Jesus Christ.

This is a great gift book for thinkers and seekers, especially those who are skeptical of following Christ. It might just make all the difference in their pursuit of Truth.

(NOTE: I received no remuneration for this review, which is my honest opinion.)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sharing from his own life, as well as the stories of others, Chuck Colson exposes the counterfeits of the good life and leads readers to the only true source of meaning and purpose, Jesus Christ. But he does that in an unusual way, allowing powerful stories to illustrate how people have lived out their beliefs in ways that either satisfy or leave them empty. Colson addresses seekers--people looking for the truth. He shows through stories that the truth is knowable and that the truly good life is one that lives within the truth. Through the book, readers get to understand their own stories and find answers to their own search for meaning, purpose, and truth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The well-known story of Charles Colson's transformation from President Richard Nixon's "hatchet man" who was "incapable of humanitarian thoughts" to founder of the Prison Fellowship Ministries and internationally recognized Christian author and speaker is a triumph of God finding a man and a man finding God. His 1973 conversion to Christianity was followed by a guilty plea to obstruction of justice and a seven-month prison sentence in 1974. He founded Prison Fellowship Ministries in 1976, fulfilling a promise made to fellow inmates that he would "never forget those behind bars."

Charles Colson's first book, "Born Again," was released in 1976 and instantly became an international best seller. He has authored 16 books that have collectively sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, including "Justice That Restores," "How Now Shall We Live?," "Burden of Truth," "Answers to Your Kids' Questions," "The Good Life," "Gideon's Torch," "Why America Doesn't Work," "Kingdoms in Conflict," and "Loving God."

The phenomenal growth of Prison Fellowship Ministries over the last 25 years leads Charles Colson and some 50,000 volunteers to serve the needs of prisoners in over 88 countries. In addition to Prison Fellowship, he founded Justice Fellowship, Neighbors Who Care, and Angel Tree. Angel Tree is a program that provides Christmas presents to more than 500,000 children of inmates annually. He is also a syndicated columnist, international speaker, and commentator on the nationally syndicated radio broadcast "BreakPoint." He received the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1993 and donated the $1 million prize to Prison Fellowship's Endowment Fund.

Charles Colson remains committed to the unity of the church, the relationships between church and state, and the struggle between the spiritual and secular worlds. He constantly encourages Christians to understand biblical faith as an entire worldview and to adopt biblical faith as a perspective on all life.

Without Excuse

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:06:00 +0000

I don't get it. I really don't.

How can people believe and claim there is no God?

I step outside our mountain cabin at night and see a velvet night sky punctured with thousands of bits of light--and I know He is.

I stand beneath a maple tree, once green, now bathed in brilliant color--and I know He is.

I gaze at a newborn's tiny fist grasping my finger tightly--and I know He is.

Like King David, my heart proclaims:

When I consider Your heavens,
   the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which You have set in place,
what is mankind that You are mindful of them,
   human beings that You care for them? ~Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)

A day is coming when "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~Philippians 2:10-11

Think about it! Even those who deny His existence will bow and confess. And sadly, they will be without excuse.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. ~Romans 1:20 (NIV)

If you are one who either denies His existence or denies what He has done for you through Christ, I dare you to look around. You will see Him. Wouldn't you rather acknowledge Him now? If you don't, you will someday...

BOOK REVIEW: "Up, Down, or Sideways: How To Succeed When Times Are Good, Bad, or In Between" by Mark Sanborn

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:54:00 +0000

This book was a recent free selection for the Kindle. When I read the description, the book appealed to me on many levels. I liked the fact that it presented a Christian worldview on not only business, but life practices. And who of us can't relate to the ups, downs, and in-betweens of life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author, Mark Sanborn, uses Biblical principles supported by scripture to help the reader define success and then carry out a plan for success. In our dog-eat-dog world, it's refreshing to read a book on success that focuses on meeting the needs of others.

Whether reading this for application in your life or your business, I believe every reader will come away with useful information after reading this book. I highly recommend it!

(NOTE: This review is my honest opinion, I received no compensation for this review.)

ABOUT THE BOOK: In Up, Down, or Sideways, Mark Sanborn, author of the bestselling book The Fred Factor, prepares you for life’s inevitable cycles of up and down—and, too often, sideways. We tend to be surprised when downturns hit us and treat them as the exception—and when times are good, we act as if they will never change. In this book, Mark shows us what we should always be doing to be prepared for these cycles and events in our lives in order to make the most of them. Mark tells his own story of a downturn he experienced. Then, he identifies the principles and practices that will help you discover opportunities in both good times and bad, in up and sideways years. Mark provides timely wisdom that can’t be ignored no matter where you are in your personal or professional life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I am a Buckeye and now live in the Denver area! I was born in Ohio, grew up on a farm and graduated cum laude from The Ohio State University but I love the Rocky Mountains. My business, Sanborn & Associates, Inc. is an idea studio for leadership development. I am a past president of The National Speakers Association. My book The Fred Factor was a WSJ, Business Week and NY Times bestseller. I have spoken to over 2400 audiences in every state and nearly a dozen countries. My passion is developing leaders. whether or not they have a title (which is why I wrote You Don't Need a Title to be a Leader). In 2007 I was the recipient of the Cavett Award. I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoy writing it. I enjoy communicating with readers and sharing ideas, so please contact me at mark@marksanborn.com.

Gospel Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:49:00 +0000

The word "gospel" means "good news." God, in His great wisdom, laid out the perfect plan--one so simple that even a child can understand:

1. God loves us and sent His Son to die on our behalf.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~John 3:16 (NIV)

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. ~2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

2. Christ willingly laid down His life to redeem us.

"The reason my Father loves Me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from My Father.” ~John 10:17-18 (NIV)

3. Jesus (God in the flesh) died, was buried, and rose again.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures... ~1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV)

4. Confessing Him as Lord and believing the gospel leads to salvation.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ~Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

1. Our own work - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

2. Keeping the law as a means of salvation - For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. ~Romans 4:14-15 (NIV)

3. Empty, religious practices and the traditions of men - "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." ~Mark 7:8 (NIV) (See also Matthew 23.)

Dear Father, thank You for loving us all so much, in spite of our sinfulness, that You sacrificed Your Son on our behalf. Thank You that Your good news of salvation is available to everyone, and that it's simple and easy to understand. Lord, I pray that as Your followers, You will help us to have a firm grasp on what the gospel is so that we can share it with those You place in our path. Lord, I also pray for those who don't yet know You, that they would come to know You as Savior and Lord. I ask this all in the precious and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Courageous

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV)

If anyone should be courageous, it should be God's people. We have His presence and power within us. But too often, we are like the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz. We whimper instead of roar and twist our tails rather than attack.

Perhaps that is why God admonished Joshua--not just once, but THREE times--to "be strong and courageous." The message is still relevant to us today.

1. God has a plan and we're part of it. Notice that God doesn't tell Joshua what might happen. He tells him that he will lead the people to inherit the Promised Land. In like manner, God has placed people in our path for a reason. Consider these people as your divine appointment. It's our task to lead them to Him, our Promised Land.

2. This task requires complete obedience to our heavenly Commander-in-Chief. Remember Christ's equation: Love = Obedience. If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. ~John 14:15 (AMP)

3. We can't obey His commands unless we know His commands, and the only way to do that is to study and meditate on His Word. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. ~Psalm 119:11 (NASB) Our success is guaranteed when we keep His commands.

4. Courage isn't an option; it's a requirement. God commands it. We're not to be afraid or discouraged, because He is always with us wherever we go.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the courage that is ours because of Your presence with us. Help us to embrace that courage for the purpose of leading others to You. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of Your plan, a plan in which victory is guaranteed because of the work of Christ on the cross. Help us to demonstrate our love for You through obedience to Your Word. Grant to us a strong desire to know Your Word and to meditate upon Your Word. Help us to always treasure it in our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Whose Life Is It?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Life. Such an amazing gift. Unfortunately, in our sinful state of humanity, we view this gift as ours. Like two-year olds, we boastfully claim, "Mine, mine, mine."

But nothing could be further than the truth. He is the generator of our life in every sense. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ ~Acts 17:28a (NIV)

For those of us who claim to be Christians, this tendency to live life our way is even more ludicrous. Consider the following verses:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ~Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Since our lives are not our own and Christ lives within us, our greatest task is to complete His mission. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. ~Luke 19:10 (NKJV)

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others...For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. ~2 Corinthians 5:11, 14-15 (NIV)

The last verses reveal two motivating factors when it comes to living our lives out loud for the Lord and for the lost.

1. "We know what it is to fear (reverence) the Lord." Our reverence of Who He is and what His Word says gives us fuel to persuade others.

2. "Christ's love compels us." His death on the cross for all mankind seizes us and consumes us. When we realize (as much as is humanly possible) the depth of His love for us--what He was willing to do to bring us back to Him--we want to share that love with others so they too may experience His amazing saving grace.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ~Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

Father God, how blessed we are to find our life in You. Make us ever mindful that we are not our own. Keep the fact that we were bought at a great price in the forefront of our thoughts. Lord, You are Almighty and Holy God. May our reverence for You help persuade others. Thank You for loving us so much that You were willing to suffer the agony of the cross to redeem us. Grip our hearts with this truth so we boldly share Your love with a lost and dying world. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.