Having The Mind of Christ

In my reading this morning, I read a scripture I've read time and time again.  It doesn't have some great new meaning, but it does deal with some of the very issues I am walking out now.

1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB
For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him?  But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 AMPs
For who has know or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct HIM and give HIM knowledge?  But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

There is nothing that I nor you or anyone else on this earth knows better than God that we can turn around and give HIM instructions or understanding.  We are talking about God here, the creator of ALL things in heaven and on earth.  So why do we EVER, EVER, EVER think we know what is best for us or anyone else in this life?  That, right there alone should be enough to prove to us how really "dumb" we are.  Yet, we go through our lives as though we know what's best and how things should work out and when we should do something.  How crazy we must look to God sometimes.  I wonder if He ever just shakes His head at some of the things we come up with or do!  Ponder on that one for a minute.

But MY main focus is the last part of that verse...We have the mind of Christ.
For those that have accepted Christ as their Savior, we have the ability to have the mind of Christ and be "one" with Him.  How is this possible?  We have the written Word.  I've never been one that has been able to memorize scripture.  It is a bit difficult for me, but I'm gonna give it a try.
I digress....HIS MIND IS IN HIS WORD!!!!  What He thinks about a matter, What He feels about a matter, What He would do about a matter, is all written in HIS WORD!!!!  So not only do I need to read it daily to know what He is thinking, but in order to begin thinking like He thinks and acting like He would act, I have to get His Word in my heart and most definitely in my mind.

The first scripture I have been pondering on and trying to get down in my mind and heart is Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.  WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"


Lord, May I fully comprehend that there is nothing in this life that I know better than You!  That You not only know what is best for me, but You also know when it is best for me.  Forgive me for EVER thinking or acting as though I know what is best for me, my life, or even the lives of others.  I pray You would open my ears to hear the Holy Spirit as He prompts me in the way You would have me to go, and do the things You would have me to do, the way You would have me to do them.  I confess those times I have put myself in the position that rightfully belongs to only You.  Lead me Lord and guide me.  As I begin to take baby steps Lord, help me to have Your mind and engrave Your Word not only upon my mind, but my heart as well, and through this, may I have the peace that surpasses all understanding....even through my storms.  In Jesus Name!!!!!!!!

A Journey Through Scripture

This morning I was awakened with a scripture on my mind.  We've all heard The Lord will never leave you nor forsake you.  Well, that is what came to mind and so I immediately opened my Bible to find that scripture.  As I read in Hebrews 13:5, I realized that I had NEVER heard what precedes that NOR proceeds that "cliche" if I may.  So many are willing to take from the scriptures what they want to hear and then sometimes God only highlights certain parts of a scripture when you are in His Word.  Now I see nothing wrong with taking what God highlights to you and you holding on to that promise.  That's just how He operates at times.  However, this time, I did not sense that as His way of operating this morning.

So, I read it in two different translations.
NASB: Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID.  WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"


Amplified:  Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

I think we've all been guilty of being greedy, lusting for and craving earthly possessions...that is if we are truly honest with ourselves.  It may have been for just a split moment or it may be something you struggle with.  There are clearly times I face it.  However, this was not the understanding I received from this scripture this morning....my worry over my bills and my housing situation has in essence become my "love of money".  My mind has been consumed with it, to the point that I'm constantly thinking of ways to "make money" or bring in some kind of income to support my family and make these "things" happen.  I REALLY HOPE I CAN GET MY POINT ACROSS HERE
In the highlighted portion above, that is what jumped out at me.  Oh how I have felt just that way, that He has left me without support and left me helpless, to the point that this has consumed me...my dreams, my thoughts, my fears.  It has literally gripped me with such a fear that I have become literally paralyzed with it.  I have NEVER known fear this way in my life.  It has left me immobile.  I don't know if anyone understands this kind of fear.  I don't want a cliche of words thrown at me, I don't want anyone to ever be gripped in this fear, but I do want out and at times I feel helpless to find a way out.  My heart RIGHT NOW has become the soil where the Word is planted and then trials come and satan is able to snatch the Word from me and this has become a fight for my very life.  Can I dare say that due to all that has taken place in the last year and few months, that my faith has been shaken to the core in such a way I NEVER thought possible?  Yet with all the doubt that rages within me, I still find the strength and energy to cry out to God and beg Him not to let me go.  In my own feeble attempt, I am still calling out to God and forcing my feet to go forward.  In my heart I know that if God lets me go, I am doomed forever because I have not strength nor power to save myself or keep myself from destruction.
  Then I heard a scripture during the week...not sure who was talking about it, but it's Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, Tasha, Tasha, listen!  Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him out of the power and keeping of God, that he might sift [all of] you like grain,  but I have prayed especially for you [Peter] Tasha, that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

I am truly in a battle, a war if you will for my very soul, my very life!!!  

Notices

I hate disconnection notices.  With all that is in me, I hate them and yet, I find myself facing them once again!!!!  

I Know God will work it out,  but I still hate them.

As a side note, I got all signed up for Scentsy and then it seemed like the room got totally silent.  Many of my friends don't comment on my facebook statuses anymore or even reply to my emails.  Really disheartening, especially since I didn't try to sell them anything.  Just wondering AGAIN if this was the route God had in mind.  Every avenue I have tried to bring in some kind of income to support my family has seemed to go bottoms up and quickly.  Back to praying to seek Him yet again and gain understanding...I hope.  Somethings got to give!!!

In the meantime, blogging has taken a back seat.  I've been going through so many emotions that I didn't want to bring anyone else down...I want my blog to be encouraging and if I can't find encouragement in it or through it, I just don't blog.  I hope to be back soon though because I sure miss putting my thoughts down. 

Gleaning The Harvest Chipin Widgets

I want to first say this ministry is amazing.  I am very thankful that there is something out there for us single, home-schooling moms!!!!  Each month others are able to bless the families listed on Gleaning the Harvest to help meet our financial needs.
Last week a dear friend asked me how things were going and asked about the widget she had on her blog.  She noticed that each month it said the goal was met.  However, what we did not know is that each month you have to go the the Gleaning the Harvest website and get the new code for the chipin widget each month.  It does NOT automatically update.
So if you are one of those who has mine or another family's widget on your blog or website, remember each month to get the new code and put it on your blog or site.

Have a blessed day and remember even a $1 is a help to a single mama!!!!

Joy Joy Joy

I'm officially open for business!!!!  My Scentsy site is up and running.  I'm totally excited and nervous all at the same time, if that makes any sense!!!!!

So here is what I would like you, my readers, to do.  Go here or email me and let's set up a Scentsy Party for you.  Now, my out of town friends and those that don't want to host a party in their homes, I have a solution for you as well.... a basket party!!!!  I've ordered enough Scentsy scents to send to you and you have your own basket party amongst your local friends and afterwards, you just send the scents back to me (I'll handle postage).  Let's get you some free products right away!!!!


In the next couple of weeks I'll also be cranking out some baby gift items with my new embroidery machine!!!!  I'll be working on my online shop and you and others can go to the site and order items!!!

I'm excited and anxious to see what the Lord will do with these two ventures!

Grand Announcement!!!

I'm super excited and can't wait to see how the Lord uses this opportunity to bless my family and others.  I'm still working on my site and items that I will be sewing and selling, but I've also embarked on something else that I totally enjoy.
New business ventures can be a bit scary, but THIS ONE has me all excited!!!!!!!!
I absolutely love the products and can't wait to have my first "party".
I haven't yet set up my about me page...still trying to word it, now that's the ONLY part I hate.  Any ideas, please pass them along.
If you're interested in hosting, please let me know!!!!!!!