For His Glory

Soap~Because You Say So

2012-02-01T07:56:00.001-06:00

Scripture~

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." ~Luke 5:5

Observation~

In Simon's mind he had done everything he could do to catch fish and nothing had worked. In his mind the fish just weren't there. In his mind it didn't make sense to drop the nets again. He had fished all night. He had brought in his nets, paddled to shore, cleaned his nets, then even rowed Jesus out a little ways and listened to a sermon. He was tired. I'm sure he just wanted to hop on his donkey and go home. But no. Even though it made no sense in the natural to throw the nets out again, he did it, just because Jesus said so.

Application~

How many things in my life would go differently if I just listened to Jesus? What would happen to my life if I read the Bible and applied it just because Jesus said so? I need to get into a better habit of seeking the Lord first. I could save myself a lot of trouble if I just did things His way first.

Prayer~

Sweet Jesus, thank you for your Word. Thank you for this simple, much needed lesson. Father please help me hear you. Open my ears to hear and my eyes to see your will for my life. Help me to know for sure when it's your voice instructing me so I can step out in faith and do what you have called me to do. I love you. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Related Posts~

Wednesday's Word~Philippians 4:19

2012-02-01T05:05:00.003-06:00

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing!!

Oh Happy Day!!

2012-01-31T10:39:00.000-06:00

I am so grateful today!! CVS is here!! When we moved an hour away from CVS a year ago I was so bummed that I wouldn't be able to take advantage of all the good deals there. Well thanks to my WONDERFUL GOD, CVS is now here in my tiny town! Here's what I scored yesterday...

1 gallon of milk
24 case of water
2 bags chex mix
2 bags peanut m&m's
1 cadbury creme egg
3 greeting cards
1 dawn dish soap
1 toms deodorant

Total~ $9.91 out of pocket with $2 ECB left over!! I am so so so happy that I can start building up my stockpile again. Paying full price is so painful! LOL!

So what about you? What are you grateful for today?

This post is linked to~

Heavenly Homemakers

Soap~When God Saw

2011-10-28T13:07:00.001-05:00

Scripture~

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion ad did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. ~Jonah 3:10

Observation~

God was planning on doing bad things to Nineveh but when he saw them change, his mind changed as well.

Application~

What are the things in my life that are causing me to be punished? Are there consequences that I'm experiencing because of my evil ways? The key is for God to see me change. "When God saw...he had compassion." God loves me so. He doesn't want to see me suffer. However, a lot of what goes on in my life is just a natural consequence of bad behavior. Touch a hot stove, I'm gonna get burned. Natural consequence. God says don't do X or Y will happen yet I still choose X and cry when he gives me Y. Well, he told me what was gonna happen but I didn't listen. I need to be careful and proactive. Pay attention to what I'm doing. If it's wrong, change an the Lord will have compassion.

Prayer~

Thank you Lord for your deep love for me. Thank you for your compassion. Father please forgive my sins. Help me turn from my evil ways. Please have compassion and mercy on me. Show me the areas where I need to change and help me do so . Please help me be proactive in my fight against the devil. Show me what I can do offensively to block the enemy's attacks. I love you and want to live for you only. In Jesus precious Name, Amen.

Be Blessed!!

Soap~Never Stop Praying

2011-10-10T12:30:00.000-05:00

Scripture~

1 Thessalonians 5:17~ ...pray without ceasing...

Observation~

Pretty simple...NEVER STOP PRAYING!

Application~

Ok, so my observation sounds simple enough but how do I actually not stop praying? Well praying isn't always getting alone with God, on my knees, with tears pouring down my face. Granted sometimes it is and that's good but to put it simple, prayer is just talking to God. When Paul says pray without ceasing it just means to carry on a conversation with Him throughout my day. Imagine your best friend being at your house everyday but you never say a word to her. Or maybe you do say a few things but it's only first thing in the morning for exactly 30 minutes. You set the timer or watch the clock, then you don't say another word to her the rest of the day. She's still there, she still talks to you and helps you out and loves you but you don't acknowledge her until the next morning. Chances are you wouldn't treat another human that way. We shouldn't treat God that way. Thank Him for a new day when you get up. Tell Him how good the coffee smells. Ask Him to bless your meals. Ask Him for your favorite parking place at Walmart then thank Him for it when you get it. Ask Him what flavor of yogurt to get when you can't decide between the 140 choices they give you. Yes, He wants to be that involved in your life! Big things, little things, and everything in between. We don't always have big important things to pray about. Why would the Bible say to never stop praying if God didn't care about EVERYTHING in my life?

Prayer~

Thank you Lord for Your Word and the promises in it. Thank You for the reminder this morning to pray without ceasing. Thank You for the concern You have for every area of my life. Please give me gentle reminders throughout the day to talk to You. Please don't let me forget that You are always near and that You desire to have that close relationship with me. I love You so much. In Jesus Name, amen!

What are some ways that you pray? Do you stop praying or are you good about keeping open communication with God all day?

Soap~Deep in God

2011-10-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Scripture~

Psalm 63:1~O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Observation~

David was a man deeply in love with the Lord. He knew how necessary God was to his soul and body. He seems almost beautifully desperate for something only God can give.

Application~

Get deep in the Word. The Word is God (John 1:1). Read, read, read. Learn and fill up on the bread of life (John 6:35). Read and fill up on the living waters (John 4:10). Partake of the only food that satisfies but leaves me yearning for more and more (Matthew 4:4). Make that time every day to dine with my Love (Revelation 3:20).

Prayer~

Thank you Sweet Savior for your love. Thank you for another day. Thank you for the yearning deep in my soul for you. Please help me focus on you and you alone. Please help me make time daily, hourly if needed, to eat and drink of your living word. My whole being longs to be filled with more and more of you. Please remind me that that void is for you and you alone. Satisfy me with your love. You are so worthy and I am so grateful to be yours. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Let's talk...do you yearn for God the way David did? What could you do differently to make your relationship with the Father better/stronger. Tell me about it in the comments. I need all the help I can get...lol!

Related Posts~

The Bible in 90 Days~Things That Make Me Go Hmmmmm...

2011-07-18T13:40:00.000-05:00


The Bible in 90 Days

Since starting last Monday I have read Genesis and Exodus. It went really well and was much easier reading than I remembered. Of course it's just like God to make new things jump out at me so I wanted to share them with you today. These are things that made me stop and think, but not for long as I have an hour of reading every day. I will most likely go back and study these things in more depth after I'm done with the 90 days.

Genesis 1:3,14~ And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night..."

God made light on the first day but didn't make the sun and the moon until the fourth day. What was the first light and where did it come from? Him?? Hmmmm...

Genesis 3:16~To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children..."

If God said he would increase her pain did that mean she had already had some children with little or no pain?

Genesis 9:29~Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died.

Noah was awesome. Why isn't there more about his life after the flood and why aren't there more details about his death and burial?

Genesis 29:31-35~(I'm not going to type all these verses, I'll let you look them up ;))

1. Leah wanted her husband to love her. 2. She was upset and dwelling on the fact that she wasn't loved. 3. She decides it would be ok if Jacob would just accept her. 4. She realizes she has these things with God and instead just praises Him.

Genesis 31:42,53~

Two times Jacob calls God the Father of Abraham but he calls him the Fear of Isaac.

Genesis 43:2~So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little more food."

How much grain had they bought and how long did it take them to eat it while their other brother was in prison? Days? Weeks? Or did they buy several months worth?

Exodus 8:9,10~ Moses said to Pharaoh,"I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile." "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said.

Why did Pharaoh ask Moses to pray for the frogs to be gone the next day? I would have wanted them gone right away!

Exodus 14:14~ "...The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

How often do I waste my energy fighting a battle I was never meant to fight?

That's it for last week. The things that make me go Hmmmmm...What kind of things make you go Hmmm??

Other posts you might enjoy~

This post is linked to~

Mom's Toolbox

The Bible in 90 Days

2011-07-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

Bible in 90 Days

I'm going to read the whole Bible, cover to cover, in 90 days. On Monday I started in Genesis. I'm just in the Old Testament, not the New where so much is said about getting what you say. However, I'm saying now that I'm going to read the whole Bible, cover to cover, in 90 days. I am confessing it because I know it's hard. I know it's hard because I've done it before. I know it's hard because I've failed before. I will not fail this time.

I suppose nobody who tries to read the Bible is a failure. I did make it to Jeremiah in 90 days. This time I will make it to Revelation.

This is an awesome journey! The Bible is seen so differently when read cover to cover. The stories and people connect in a way that just doesn't happen when the Bible is read sporadically.

I am joining so many other people on Mom's Toolbox to do this reading. There is encouragement and accountability there. This is going to be a great 3 months!

Have you ever read the whole Bible? How long did you take and what was your experience like?

Wednesday's Word~Joshua 1:8

2011-06-29T05:41:00.001-05:00

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.

Joshua 1:8

Be Blessed!!

Wednesday's Word~Joshua 1:7

2011-06-22T06:39:00.002-05:00

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.

Joshua 1:7

Be Blessed!!

Wednesday's Word~Joshua 1:5b

2011-06-15T06:35:00.001-05:00

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5b

Be Blessed!!

Wednesday's Word~Deuteronomy 31:8

2011-06-08T06:32:00.001-05:00

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Be Blessed!!

Tuesday's Tip~Vacuum Your Table

2011-06-07T14:56:00.003-05:00

We recently got a new dining table. It was BADLY needed. We hadn't sat together as a family for a meal at a table in our new home at all. Yeah, we're talking a couple months of kiddos on a blanket on the living room floor and mom and dad with plates on their laps. Good food? Yes. Good times? No.

Along with a table comes one more chore but it's well worth it for the laughs and memories shared around it. My table happens to have lots of cracks in it. They're meant to be there, they're beautiful, but they catch a lot of crumbs. Here goes real life; I'm about to show you the mess in my cracky table.....don't judge...lol!

Yes, loads of crumbs. It happens. Six people, including four kids, we are going to get messy. I quickly learned that digging out the crumbs with a toothpick was NOT going to work! So what's my solution? Vacuum the table. Sounds crazy but it really works!

Get out your hose and put the brush attachment at the end. Vacuum away. In about 60 seconds you will have crumb free table cracks.

See? Nice and clean. Give it a try and be sure to come back and tell me how it worked for you!

I really want to know, do you have any tricky tricks for getting odd places clean?

You might also enjoy~

This post is linked to the following~

Does It Get Any Better Than This??

2011-06-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

I love fruit. I love bananas and apples and strawberries. I love pears and oranges and fruit salad. However, when it comes to fruit, watermelon is definitely king in my book! Nothing says summer is here like a big juicy watermelon!

I bought this beauty at the very end of May and I was floored at how sweet and juicy it was. I'm usually a little hesitant to buy any kind of melon this early in season because they aren't very sweet yet. But this one was awesome! I'm not sure if it was so sweet because of the kind it was or what but the whole thing was gone by days end.

Watermelon is great by itself but it's also great in fruit kabobs. You can also use the juice for homemade juice pops.

YUM!!

What about you? How do you serve watermelon? What is your favorite fruit?

Wednesday's Word~Deuteronomy 30:19-20

2011-06-01T08:32:00.000-05:00

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Be Blessed!!

Gratituesday~Farm Fresh Eggs

2011-05-31T08:32:00.001-05:00

Last week my husband was messing around on the computer and looking at Craigslist for our area. He came across an ad for fresh eggs and gave the man a call. The very next day I had these babies in my kitchen. Aren't they beautiful?!?!

Now for the best part...They are only $2.00/dozen (go ahead and pick your jaw up off the floor) and they were delivered right to my door, no extra charge!!!!!

I am so grateful to have some high quality eggs to feed my family. I have been wanting fresh eggs for so long and am so happy to have found such a great deal. What a blessing!!

This post is linked to~

Soap~Doing Good

2011-05-23T08:36:00.000-05:00

Scripture~

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:9

Observation~

Don't stop doing what is good. I will reap what I have sown, in God's timing, as long as I don't give up.

Application~

Sometimes it's hard to keep doing and keep doing and keep doing what I know is right when everything seems to be going wrong around me. Sometimes I start to wonder if what I'm doing IS right because I'm not seeing these promises fulfilled, not seeing my harvest come in. It's in these vulnerable times that the devil tries to work on me. he'll tell me to stop doing all these things the Word tells me to do because I'm not seeing any results. That's the exact moment when I need to stand firm and press on. It might not look like things are going to turn out ok but looking back I can see that they always have. God is always there, always here. I need to rest in the fact that God knows the proper time for my harvest to come in, not me. I just need to make sure I'm doing good, the best I know how, and just keep on keeping on. Then my harvest will be great.

Prayer~

Thank you Lord for encouraging me this morning to keep doing good. Thank you that when I feel like giving up you are right there with your Word to give me some truth to hang on to. Please help me persevere. Help me keep doing the good and right things your Word says to do . Help me to put my trust in you to know the right time to bring in my harvest. I love you so much Lord and I thank you for taking care of me.

Be Blessed!!

Tell me I'm not alone. Tell me I'm not the only person who wonders if doing the right thing is really worth it at times. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Thursday's Thought

2011-05-19T10:10:00.001-05:00

A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't.

(something I saw on a sign outside of a local church.)

What about you? Is your Bible falling apart? I was just telling my oldest that I think it's about time I get a new one. Most of Genesis is duct taped in and half of Exodus is falling out. Guess that's what almost 10 years of use will get you. :)

Be Blessed!

Wednesday's Word~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2011-05-18T06:11:00.001-05:00

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Sword of the Spirit

2011-05-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18

As a soldier, I can put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11). I can get dressed all nice and feel safe. The devil ~~might~~ will attack me and I might stumble a bit but won't be completely brought down because of my protection, my armor. In this way I will live a mostly safe life. But will I live a victorious life (Psalm 60:12)? Can I live a victorious life without using my weapon?

Sure, I can stand there and take the punches because I'm wearing my helmet, my breastplate, and my belt. I even have my shield up. But if I don't use my sword, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17b), what's to stop the devil from coming back again and again?

No soldier ever won a battle by just standing there and being firmly planted. Soldiers, especially in God's army, have to fight back. Not with screaming or crying or fit throwing, but with the Word of God, the only weapon I've been given, the only weapon I need, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). That was all Jesus needed, all he used, when He was tempted in the wilderness. Three times He said, "It is written..." (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). If that's all Jesus needed then it's all I need. But I have to learn how to use it.

No soldier ever went into battle with a sword or gun that he had never seen or touched before. (Ok, maybe a few have but you know what I mean.) Soldiers are trained. They learn their weapon and how to use it effectively. We as Christians need to learn our Weapon, the Word. We need to spend time with it, to learn what it says about fighting the devil, and plant those verses deep within our hearts so that when the time comes the Holy Spirit can bring them to our memory (John 14:26) and we can use them against satan's attacks. Oh and attack he will.

Are you ready? Do you know, really know, your weapon? Do you have any verses memorized so that when the time comes you can fight back, stab the devil with God's Sword?

I feel convicted to start memorizing Scripture. I don't want to be caught off guard, just standing there with my armor on but with no weapon in my hand, in my heart.

Won't you join me? What are some of your favorite verses that you have committed to memory? What are some ways that you use to memorize scripture? I'd love fresh ideas to help me out on this journey. Please share!!

Be Blessed!!

Gratituesday

2011-05-03T13:34:00.000-05:00

Today I am grateful for Gratituesday. I just finished reading One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. The whole book spoke of giving thanks, for all things, no matter where you are in life. It really changed my view on a lot of things in this world. I highly recommend it. It made me think of the power and miracles that could occur because of all the thanks being given.

So why am I grateful for Gratituesday? I think it is awesome to have a place every week to come together and share what we're thankful for. I think it is such a special thing to fellowship with others and be uplifted and encouraged by what others are praising God for. I am grateful that Laura hosts this every week. I just wonder what God has in store for her because of what she does for us...

If you have never checked out Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers I encourage you to do so. It is a beautiful site hosted by a beautiful lady. I think you will be blessed.

Be Blessed!!

This post is linked to~

Gratituesday

Please Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post. I was not asked to write this post. All opinions are 100% mine. The book link is my affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy here.

Free Yogurt

2011-05-03T08:23:00.000-05:00

I was watching t.v. last night and a Yoplait commercial came on. It said they were giving away a million free cups of yogurt. Yay! Follow this link to sign up for your free cup of yogurt.

photo source

Wednesday's Word~Psalm 42:5

2011-04-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5

My Prayer For Today

2011-04-21T08:18:00.000-05:00

Thank you Lord that you hear me (Psalm 4:3b, 55:17). Thank you for listening to every word I pray (Psalm 66:19). Thank you for caring for me and loving me deeply (Ephesians 3:18). Thank you that we can carry a conversation (Psalm 3:4). Thank you for wanting to be my friend (Job 16:20; John 15:14). Lord please be with me today. Please bless this day and help me to use my time wisely (Proverbs 31:27). Help me to really hear you today. Help me to recognize your voice (John 4:5) and to boldly step out in faith (1 John 5:14-15) to do what your will tells me to do (Matthew 6:10). I want you in every part of me (1 John 4:16) and my life. I love you so much (1 John 4:19)!

Please, take this prayer today and pray it over your own life. Pick up your Bible and read the verses to go with your prayer. Let your Father do a work in your heart today. Really love on him and receive his love in return. Be Blessed!!

Thursday's Thought~Easter

2011-04-21T05:39:00.003-05:00

First, take a moment to read Wednesday's Word from yesterday. Even if you read it yesterday, please go read it again.

Now imagine...Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. Yes, He died for us. But, have you ever sat and thought about the physicality of this. After He had been beaten, bruised, and crushed (Isaiah 53:5), after all His suffering (Isaiah 53:10), after He had carried His cross (John 19:17) as far as He could go and had to get help (Luke 23:26), when He was finally at the top of the hill, do you think He fought back? No...HE LITERALLY LAID DOWN ON THAT CROSS, PHYSICALLY LAYING DOWN HIS LIFE FOR YOU AND I!

He laid down for you, for your sins, for your sicknesses, for your eternal salvation. This week especially, think on what He did for you. Think on the severity of what he did. Think about how ugly the cross is and how beautiful your Savior is. Really think on what He did for you and thank Him for it!

Be Blessed!!