Still Around...

I've not stopped reading the book, just took a semi break for the holidays and I read the rest of chapter 2 this morning.  I'm just meditating on what I've read today, as well as a conversation I had with a dear friend this afternoon.

She and I text often and as she asked how she could pray for me, I told her my desire to move and to have a decent home for me and my children.  She called me today and said something that has had me thinking ever since.  "Your vision is not big enough."

She said there is nothing wrong with what your desires are and God knows your desires and wants to fulfill them.  However, His word clearly says in Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you also.
Talk about a way to stop you in your tracks and make you take a look at how you have been viewing things...

She said, look at your life and how you can minister to His children.  Hmmmmmm, take my eyes off of me and my circumstances and put them elsewhere.  Is this coincidental that my eldest daughter said we should find somewhere to serve others this Christmas????
I think not!

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!!!!!!!!

God Is...

Sunday during praise and worship, we heard a clip played by Priscilla Shirer...

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our high priest
In Numbers, the fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Israel's Guide
Joshua, He's salvation's choice
Judges, He's Israel's Guard
In Ruth, the kinsmen's redeemer
1st and 2nd Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is Sovereign
In Ezra, He's the true and faithful scribe
In Nehemiah, the re-builder of broken walls and lives
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms He is our morning song
In Proverbs, He is our wisdom
Ecclesiastes, He's the time and season
In Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream
In Isaiah He is Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
Lamentations, the cry for Israel
Ezekiel, the call from sin
Daniel, the stranger in the fire
Hosea, the forever faithful
Joel, the spirit's power
Amos, the strong-arms that carry
Obadiah, the Lord our Savior
Jonah, the great missionary
Micah, the promise of peace
Nahum, our strength and shield
In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's brings revival
In Haggai He restores that which was lost
IN Zachariah, He's our fountain
And in Malachi, He's the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings
AND THAT'S JUST THE OLD TESTAMENT

In Matthew Mark Luke and John, He is God and Messiah
In the spirit filled book of Acts, He is the reigning fire from Heaven
In Romans, He is the grace of God
Corinthians, the power of love
Galatians, freedom from the curse of sin
Ephesians, our glorious treasure
Philippians, the servant's heartColossians, He's God and the trinity
Thessalonians, our calling King
In Timothy, Titus and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the everlasting courage
In James, the one who heals the sick
In 1st and 2nd Peter, our faithful shepherd
In John and Jude, He's the lover coming for His bride

AND in the Revelation, in the very end, when it's all over, said and done, when time is NO MORE. He is and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, son of Man, Lamb of God, The Great I am, Alpha and Omega, God and Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord HE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED!

If I can just get these truths engrained in my heart, mind, and life.  I want to live this out.  I want to walk it out.  I want it to shine forth from my every pore.  I want to impact women for God.  I want to share His word.

Then in that same breath I say, but can God use me?  I, who am nothing, can He use me?  Will He use me?  Someone who has no clue how to even study His Word.  Inadequate in knowledge and understanding.  His Word intimidates me, and yet, the fire is being kindled again...I want to know Him, His Word, and I want to teach it!