secure in God

 The Lord delights over his children. He is happy when you know Him and follow His ways. He longs to save you, to restore you to sonship. If you are a Christian, your hope is secure in Jesus. If you are not, His gift of love is extended to you, for free.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

meditation

Where does your mind go when you are not thinking about anything much?  Are you thinking negative thoughts about your self, or how you've been wronged or hurt?  Do you dwell on how you can be more productive in the day or think about your to do list?  Instead of thinking about last night's tv show or tonight's dinner, focus your thoughts on the things God would have you (and me) dwell.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

in the secret

Are you meeting with God in secret? Seek the Lord and do what he says secretly.  While I know that we are commanded to share our faith publicly, we are also to maintain a secret, sacred relationship with the Lord as well.

Matt.6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

going without

For me, fasting is one of the hardest disciplines to regularly accomplish.  Fasting from food, entertainment, speaking, or whatever can be challenging, but it is a good way to deepen your relationship with Jesus. It helps me identify with his suffering in a small way.

Matt. 6:16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

rest

As we embark on probably the busiest time of year, I just wanted to remind you that resting is important. My husband reminded me of this a couple of weeks ago, that is why I am not blogging on Sundays. Rest is just as important as work.  So in the busy weeks ahead, be sure to carve out some times of rest.

Hebrews 4:9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

more than a member

Are you involved in a local church? Really involved, letting people know you and being known for who you are as well?  There is freedom and joy in that kind of fellowship.  True friendships are birthed in serving and knowing each other, not just attending the same church meeting.  How are you loving your friend and brother today?

1John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

journal time

One way I like to keep tabs on what God is doing in my life is to keep a journal.  I've done this in a number of ways, write on a calendar, a notebook, or on a blog :) I also have a friend that writes down his answered prayers on a stone like in Joshua 4. It is important to remember what God has done - it builds my faith to see how God has moved in response to my prayers.

Joshua 4:1 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, 3 and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests' feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” 4 Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. 5 And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, 6 that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ 7 then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.”