How To Worship Well

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Are you bored in Worship?  Critical?  Self-seeking?  Do you bring your best offerings, words and thoughts before the Throne?

God spoke some strong words to Malachi on this issue.  He’s very clear in Malachi 1:11-14

“I am honored all over the world.  And there are people who know how to worship Me all over the world, who honor Me by bringing their best to Me.  They’re saying it everywhere: God is greater, this GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!  All except you.  Instead of honoring Me, you profane Me.  You profane Me when you say, “Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account, and when you say, I’m bored–this doesn’t do anything for me.  You act so superior, sticking your noses in the air–act superior to ME, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies!  And when you do offer something to Me, it’s a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless.  Do you think I’m going to accept it?  This is God speaking to you!  A curse on the person who makes a big show of doing something great for Me–an expensive sacrifice, say–and then at the last minute brings in something puny and worthless!  I’m a great king, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, honored for and wide, and I’ll not put up with it!  (The Message)

What does He want?

1-He considers Worship of utmost importance and wants us to place top priority on it.

2-All that we bring to Worship is important.  Our thoughts, our offerings, ourselves, EVERYTHING.

3-Boredom is the choice of the worshipper and NOT one He wants us making.

4-We are to give our best!  Nothing used, broken or less than our best!

Our worship is to be all about Him, blocking out problems, plans, and people and focusing totally on Him.

Heavenly Father, Jehovah Sabaoth, You and You alone are my God, my King.  I will worship You with all of my heart, mind, and soul.  Give me the ability to give You my absolute best.  Make it so in Jesus Holy Name!

WIP Wednesday

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything about cross stitching or crafting.  I really have been busy stitching and knitting and crocheting.  I’ve finished two crocheted dishcloths, a shrug that I’ve been knitting on for more than a year and was actually able to wear it for Christmas and the stitching I’ll be showing below.

WIP Januare 16 dThis piece is my own chart from a picture that Lori Brechlin at the Not Forgotten Farm drew and gave to her followers to use as they wanted.   I decided to create a counted cross stitch piece from it.   You can find it at Threads on facebook.  I’ve included the chart at the bottom of this post so if you’d like to stitch it go for it.  You’ll notice I made a slight change in the finished project.  It will work better for the small pillow I’m making from it.  (It has not been cleaned or pressed yet but I’ll be sure to put the finish here.)

WIP Januare 16 eAs you know I am part of a 10-month round robin group.  I’ve had the pleasure of stitching on some really beautiful samplers.  This one is Simply Jane Austin by the Sampler Girl.  My part of this one is the bottom right corner, ‘marry for love not money’ with the basket of flowers.

 

 

 

 

WIP Januare 16 cMy niece is getting married soon so I am stitching this sweet little marriage record.  It’s by Demensions/Gold Collection.  I love the way they organize their floss.  It really makes it easier to separate strands.

WIP Januare 16 bMy youngest sister asked me to stitch a cover for her new Bible.  It has soft leather binding and she wants it to be a bit stiffer.  I’m using plastic canvas for this project and my own design.

 

 

 

 

 

WIP Januare 16 aLast, but certainly not least, I’ve been working on my Smokey Mountain Cats.  I love stitching on this and can hardly wait to finish it so I can hang it in the blue bathroom.   (I know, I have a ways to go.)

 

 

I do most of my stitching while watching television.  Which gives me 2 to 3 hours a day of serious work.  During baseball season it’s usually more.  Can hardly wait to see my Tigers on the field again.  They’re Grrrrrrrr8!

Keep on stitching!

Marie

Happy Home Happy Heart

Both Sides

 

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Every story, every issue, every situation, has more than one side.  A common idiom is ‘it takes two to tango’.  Haven’t you heard that phrase over and over?  Did you know it’s Biblical?  Check out Ecclesiastes 7:18:

It’s best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue.  A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it. (The Message)

It can be very difficult for people like me, who like to deal in black and white, to see and accept all of the nuances of a situation.  Yet, that is exactly what God wants.  We are to deal with all of ‘reality’, not just what seems to be right in front of our eyes.  So, the next time an overwhelming situation occurs or a difficult decision needs to be made, sit back, take a breath, gather information, pray about it, then act.  You’ll be glad you’ve taken the time!

Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God, open my eyes to all of the parts of the puzzle.  In all areas of conflict help me to see what You’re seeing.  Teach me act with grace and mercy in all situations.  Make it so in Jesus name!

God’s Plan Works

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“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.  Nothing and No one can upset Your plans.  Job 42:2

Are you as convinced as Job that God can do what He says He can do?  I wonder then, why do so many of us who say we believe not trust Him on this?

God had just taken Job to task for trying to explain His motives and actions.  Now, I don’t know about you, but if God appeared to me in a whirlwind or tornado or giant storm I would be listening closely.  Job and his friends were trying to explain the catastrophe of Job’s current life.  God simply  set them straight by asking if they really thought they knew what they were talking about.

Jeremiah gives the same message to the Exiles in 29:11.  I know you know that verse.   God is telling them that He has a plan and it is not to harm them.  In Job’s case God was not causing the harm, the evil one was.  God’s plan was still in place.  He restored Job’s fortune and gave him more children.  He will do the same for everyone if we ask.  Job had to ask for forgiveness because he was trying to say he knew more than God.  The Israelites had to ask for for forgiveness before they were allowed to return to their homeland. (Check out Jeremiah 29:12-13)

All we need to do is trust God to do what He has already planned for us.

Almightly God, help us see that we are not always right in our thoughts of what You are doing.  Help us know that Your plan is already in motion, that it is perfect in every way, and that You know what You are doing.  Open our minds to Your leading.  Make it so in Jesus Name.

This post can also be found in Pondering and Prayer.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Teach Me To See

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE

Why did this happen? What is going on?  When will it stop? Who is responsible?

We all get trapped in asking these questions when life is closing in and we simply have no answer for what is going on.  We just don’t know yet we know we want to know.

Hidden deep in the Book of Job is a simple answer.   A simple prayer, “Teach me to see what I still don’t see…”  (Job 34:32 MSG)

“God always answers one way or another.” (Job 33:14 MSG) Henry Blackaby in Experiencing  God says God can be ‘heard’ through prayer, Bible study, other Christians, life circumstances, and/or worship.  We must learn to listen.

Abba, Father, open the eyes of my heart.  Help me ‘see’ what you are saying.  Incline Your ear and grant me your peace.  Make it so in Jesus’ Name.

This post can also be found with others like it on the Pondering and Prayer page.