Pleasing Who? Pt. 2

Sometimes the things I write have a way of going full circle.  At Tuesday morning’s Bible Study a friend came to me with a piece of paper and said if I was really serious about my comments in Part 1 here is how I could follow through.  On this paper was the address of the prison closest to us.  He explained how to use their website to find those from our area.  Now I can write them notes of encouragement and I am excited about doing that.  Thank you friend!!!

The next way to please God is Hebrews 13:3b.  It tells us to remember those who are suffering.  Not just in our thoughts but as though we were right there with them going through what they are.  I think the reason for the admonition is we have a tendency to say things like, ‘I know what you’re going through’ or ‘a friend had the same thing happen’ or …  Friends I don’t care if the exact thing happened to me it doesn’t make it easier for the one suffering.  I’ve found that my presence, a hug, words that say I love you, I care about you, tell me what I can do, are much more supportive.

I think I could do a year’s worth of blogs on this next one.  MARRIAGE IS TO BE HONORED BY ALL.  Faithfulness to our spouse shows the world who and whose we are.  Immorality and adultery will be judged by God.  40 years of marriage to one person has taught me a lot.  Ray is my lover, my counselor, my confidant, my helper, my supporter, my friend…and I am his.  We are man and woman together and that’s how God intended it to be.  We honor God by not only honoring one another but honoring the marriages of those around us.

Do not love money!!!  Be satisfied with what you have!  God is not saying we can’t be rich or not have possessions.  He is saying anytime, anything becomes more important to you than HIM it becomes your god.  You can have no other gods.  We are to be satisfied with Him, in Him, and through Him.

Ah, Lord, God, mighty and powerful, You are my One and Only!  Thank You for the privilege of teaching Your word.  Help us desire above all to be more and more like You.  Let our words, our lives, our actions be pleasing to You.  I lift this prayer in the Precious Name of my Jesus.  Make it so!

What if….

What if, when you woke up this morning, all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday?  Would that change how you communicate with God?  That profound question was another step in the journey God has taken me on to developing a more thankful heart and attitude.

It all started when I was made aware of a book called “One Thousand Gifts”.  This book tells the story of a woman’s journey from an unthinkable incident that colored her whole life to a thankful heart and soul.  As a result I added the ‘gifts’ page to this blog.

Prayer is necessary to a productive Kingdom life.  Since I find it difficult to stay focused I write my prayers and use a model called ACTS.  The A is for Acclamation (praise).  C for contrition (remorse for sins).  T for thanksgiving.  S for supplication (requests).  Because I truly want to develop a thankful heart I include at least five thank-praises for what my One and Only has done or given.

It is mandated in the Word to give thanks!  Take a look at these scriptures and pictures…

I Chronicles 16:34  Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

I Corinthians 15:57  Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A fond memory of my dad holding his first grandchild.

Philippians 1:3  I give thanks to my God upon every remembrance of you.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18  Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.

Ah, Lord, God, how can I say thanks…You have given me life, joy, hope, a future, family, friends, music, cats, a believing husband…What more can I say than thanks!!!!!!

Showing God’s Face on Facebook

I truly enjoy Facebook.  Communicating with friends and family over long distances when I can’t personally visit is great.  Having private pages for family, church, and prayer groups is an awesome tool.  I have laughed, cried, been overjoyed and frustrated.  Yes, I even relax playing Farmville ($7,000,000 farm) and Mahjohng. 

I’ve been seeing a lot of negative, untrue, vicious, profane posts and wonder why I would see some of these things from anyone, including believers.  Is it because people think that because it’s in cyberspace it’s not real?  Get real!  Did you know that Twitter allows the Library of Congress to record every open Tweet for historical purposes?  Do we realize that negative, untrue, and mean posts hurt just as much as the spoken word?  Are we aware that the computer, games, even social sites like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. can replace the One and Only God as a god?

God has some very good Rules that really do apply.  Let’s take a look…

Exodus 20: 3   You shall have no other gods before Me…that includes Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, online games, chatting…anything that takes the place of God in our lives.

Exodus 20:7  You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.   How many OMG’s do you see or even hear daily?

Exodus 20:16  You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  Basically, don’t lie about anyone.  That certainly includes political postings.

Ah, Lord, God, every perfect gift comes from above.  You have given us the knowledge and ability to create the internet and new forms of technology.  Help us, Lord, to use them for Your glory and for furthering the Kingdom on earth.  This prayer is lifted in the precious name of Jesus.   Make it so!

Words

Open Mouth

Have you have gotten caught up in the moment and said something you wish you hadn’t?  Are there times when you wish someone would put a bridle on your mouth and completely control your words?  Are there times when you wish you could sleep all day, hide, play computer games that take over your mind…? Then, guess what, that makes us all normal and still forgivable and lovable.  The real question is…How do we overcome these times?

First, we must realize we are as much an at fault sinner as the one we directed our words toward.  God knows that!  He knew when He breathed the Word.  The Bible is full of admonitions, both Old and New Testament, to guard our words.

Second, we must ask for forgiveness and then follow through with a change of heart.  I can get on my knees 50 times a day, some days 500, and ask for forgiveness but unless I decide, with God’s help, to change, the words are empty.

Then, and the hardest of all, is to ask for forgiveness from the one who has been harmed by the words.  Unlike God, they may choose to be unforgiving.  If that happens give it back to God and continue mending the relationship.

There is a delightful children’s song that says: Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.  Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.  For the Father up above is looking down in love.  Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

Psalm 19:14  May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Heavenly Father, creator of all words and languages, Lord of my life, forgive me for words hastily spoken.  Control my words (and thoughts) toward or about others.  Let my life be acceptable to You.  Make it so!

I follow this blog regularly. What she says here is so, so true. Why is my/your church no longer open 24 hours per day for prayer, quiet time, or whatever?