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I am by nature an intense person, never wanting to miss out on anything. I was walking at 11 months and potty trained at 13 months, got close to straight A’s in school while joining every sport, leadership or music program there was growing up-always the over-achiever. Born into a family of strong-willed, independent, hard-working men and women, ambition and competition are in my blood. I like to be in control of my life and my surroundings, so godly principles like submission and releasing that control have always been a challenge for me, though I still seek daily to become the kind of woman God would have me be.
That being said, it’s a conscious effort for me to sit still, both physically and spiritually. Even after a long week of work, there is always a to-do list running in my head or some way to push myself so that I rarely get down time. On a deeper level, when my attempts at controlling my environment/life are thwarted (as they often are due to daily life changing and evolving) my soul is restless. Each time I read verses that speak of being still, I breathe an audible sigh of relief. It’s hard keeping up with myself sometimes and it’s always nice to be reminded by God’s word that I don’t have to run myself into the ground and try to do everything by my own efforts. In fact, the phrase “Be still” is mentioned in the Bible in 7 verses (interesting) in the KJV and NIV translations (some overlap and some differ in translation). As I read each one, a fresh wave of peace and contentment wash over me, and I feel the little tentacles that are grabbing white-knuckled onto everything I’m worried about in life- my witness, goals, dreams, etc-start to loosen their grip. May they encourage you as well!
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 NIV
This verse in context is the story of the Israelites escaping Pharaoh’s army through the Red Sea. Despite God’s leading and provision, they were still crying out in fear to the Lord, asking Moses if he led them out to the desert to die. They were so afraid they thought it would be better to go back to serving the Egyptians then to be still and trust that the Lord was going to fulfill His promise to them. And that He did…the entire army was swept away under the Red Sea.
How true is this in our own lives? I see something coming for me in my life, fear that the Lord doesn’t have it under control and look for a way to solve it myself. But God would say to me during that time, just as He spoke to the Israelites: you need only to be still. Be still and allow the power of the Lord to work through the situation, allow Him to fight the fear, allow Him to overcome the circumstances that seem unbeatable and just as He saved the Israelites, so shall he save us.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 4:4 KJV
The verse before this one says “But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.” Meditation-filling our minds and hearts with the Word of God-and prayer are ways for us to be still. How easy is it to de-prioritize this part of our lives? With work and daily activities it’s hard to find a quiet TIME let alone enough quiet in our hearts to listen to what God would say to us. This one is extremely challenging for me but when I have meditated on a particular verse and sat in silence, it’s amazing the things the Lord reveals.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 NIV
Hmmm…patience? What is that? I have none. It’s so easy to look at the blessings in the lives of others and whine to the Lord, “What about ME, Lord? Why didn’t you give that blessing to ME? It’s not fair!” It’s dangerous ground to compare our lives with others because it leads to discontentment and coveting, but it’s extremely difficult not to notice when “evil” seems to be rewarded while sometimes it is a wearisome task to do continually do good. But we see another promise from the Lord later on in verse 9: “for evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” And again in verse 11: “But the meek with inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” So being still and patient waiting for the Lord reaps great benefits.
Be still,and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen (nations in NIV), I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 KJV
This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible. It commands such power! It’s amazing that we can ever doubt God’s ability to be God. If we stop our scrambling and worrying long enough, we can find rest in the fact that His purposes will ultimately be fulfilled in our lives and on the earth.
Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:13 NIV
This speaks of the promise of the presence of the Lord.,, he’s coming soon!
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 KJV
Jesus Christ told the disciples that he wanted to cross over to the other side of the water, not sink. Yet the disciples were terrified of the wind and the waves that threatened to pull them under. They were incredulous that Jesus was sleeping at their time of need yet with just one phrase from his mouth, the wind and waves fell into complete silence.
I find myself repeating the words “peace, be still” when I start to feel anxious, angry, worried or upset about anything. I pray that Jesus will calm the storms in my heart as he calmed the stormy seas. I see the turbulent winds of worry and the tidal waves of doubt/fear/unbelief, cease with one word from my Jesus as if they were never there. In their place is peace and the knowledge that I don’t have to hold it all together myself or do enough to stop the wind and waves in my life.
As long as Jesus is on my boat, I can rest in His promises.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Perseverance
My verse for the week and my life right now is from James 1:2-4:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Perseverance has a few definitions in the dictionary "continued, patient effort", "persistence", and "in Calvinism, the continuance in grace of people elected to eternal salvation." The actual translation in the Greek is "endurance."
I love these verses for so many reasons. They are a source of comfort when the trials and hardships of my life get to be too much or too long. I am reminded of God's promise to me in these verses as in many other passages throughout Scripture. My time on earth is short-lived and temporary, as are my trials and sufferings in it. I rejoice in the fact that the Lord has given me something hard to deal with because in it He is PERFECTING my faith. I am one step closer to spiritual maturity and "completeness" when I endure a hardship. There is a groaning, cracking as the earth shifts in my soul, as I am broken before the Lord, but He is swift to mend me and put me back together, refined and closer to the woman and follower of Christ He would have me be. I am also reminded of what Paul said about his weakness in II Corinthians 12:9:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses , so that Christ's power may rest on me."
I love this. God is enough. He is all we need. He redeems our weaknesses with His strength, satisfies our deepest needs, gives us the power to carry on. I am resting assured in His promises.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Perseverance has a few definitions in the dictionary "continued, patient effort", "persistence", and "in Calvinism, the continuance in grace of people elected to eternal salvation." The actual translation in the Greek is "endurance."
I love these verses for so many reasons. They are a source of comfort when the trials and hardships of my life get to be too much or too long. I am reminded of God's promise to me in these verses as in many other passages throughout Scripture. My time on earth is short-lived and temporary, as are my trials and sufferings in it. I rejoice in the fact that the Lord has given me something hard to deal with because in it He is PERFECTING my faith. I am one step closer to spiritual maturity and "completeness" when I endure a hardship. There is a groaning, cracking as the earth shifts in my soul, as I am broken before the Lord, but He is swift to mend me and put me back together, refined and closer to the woman and follower of Christ He would have me be. I am also reminded of what Paul said about his weakness in II Corinthians 12:9:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses , so that Christ's power may rest on me."
I love this. God is enough. He is all we need. He redeems our weaknesses with His strength, satisfies our deepest needs, gives us the power to carry on. I am resting assured in His promises.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Water
Our body is about 75% water, approximately 3/4 of the earth's surface is covered by water and all living organisms around us (on which our life depends) are mostly water.
Every single living cell is made up of water (intracellular fluid) - including our own body cells - and surrounded by water (extra cellular fluid). Every one of our body's tissues and organs, as well as every one of the body's sustaining process, such as thinking, nerve function, blood circulation, digestion, locomotion and elimination, requires water in order to function properly. Lack of water in the body tends to give rise to dehydration, thereby posing hurdles for the blood to circulate. The gravity of problem increases, as it causes the brain to become less active and your body feels tired and fatigued. Water keeps the digestive system in order and flushes out the waste products from your body.
I love word pictures and how Jesus taught…so I decided to do a little study on water and how it relates to the Living Water. I find it interesting that our very survival as human depends on the consumption of water; not only that, but it is in every cell…the majority of our being and the creatures around us are made up of water. Suffice to say that without it we would all cease to exist.
So how does that relate to the Living Water of Jesus Christ? Water is mentioned in the Bible 396 times in the KJV (485 in the NIV). Some are pure references to actual drinking water, some refer to bodies of water and yet others relate to this idea of living water.
John 4:10-14 "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The Greek word for “living” used in this context is "zao" and means:
1)to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2)to enjoy real life, to have true life and worthy of the name
3)to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
4)living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) to be fresh, strong, efficient
6) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
When we drink water for our bodies, we give life to our cells. Immediately brain and nerve function are improved, we expel wastes and toxins, we are refreshed. However, as Jesus stated, we become thirsty again in our humanity.
When we drink the Living Water, we give life to our souls through the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed and expel the toxins of sin, have eternal refreshment, eternal life, and strength in life on Earth. We can become “active, powerful and efficacious” and “fresh, strong and efficient” when we go to the true source of Life each day…we can “enjoy real life”.
We can also give life to others by our example: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” When we accept Jesus and believe in Him, we are filled with rivers of living water. I believe that the more we are filled, the more we “spill out” onto those around us.
We drink enough water to make sure our bodies are hydrated and running properly. I wonder if we have the same urgency to “drink” from the Word and hear from the Lord daily so our spiritual bodies are in tip top shape? Are we being filled? Drinking from other fountains? Or are we walking around dehydrated, weary, less than functional and dry from our lack of Living Water?
Every single living cell is made up of water (intracellular fluid) - including our own body cells - and surrounded by water (extra cellular fluid). Every one of our body's tissues and organs, as well as every one of the body's sustaining process, such as thinking, nerve function, blood circulation, digestion, locomotion and elimination, requires water in order to function properly. Lack of water in the body tends to give rise to dehydration, thereby posing hurdles for the blood to circulate. The gravity of problem increases, as it causes the brain to become less active and your body feels tired and fatigued. Water keeps the digestive system in order and flushes out the waste products from your body.
I love word pictures and how Jesus taught…so I decided to do a little study on water and how it relates to the Living Water. I find it interesting that our very survival as human depends on the consumption of water; not only that, but it is in every cell…the majority of our being and the creatures around us are made up of water. Suffice to say that without it we would all cease to exist.
So how does that relate to the Living Water of Jesus Christ? Water is mentioned in the Bible 396 times in the KJV (485 in the NIV). Some are pure references to actual drinking water, some refer to bodies of water and yet others relate to this idea of living water.
John 4:10-14 "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The Greek word for “living” used in this context is "zao" and means:
1)to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2)to enjoy real life, to have true life and worthy of the name
3)to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
4)living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) to be fresh, strong, efficient
6) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
When we drink water for our bodies, we give life to our cells. Immediately brain and nerve function are improved, we expel wastes and toxins, we are refreshed. However, as Jesus stated, we become thirsty again in our humanity.
When we drink the Living Water, we give life to our souls through the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed and expel the toxins of sin, have eternal refreshment, eternal life, and strength in life on Earth. We can become “active, powerful and efficacious” and “fresh, strong and efficient” when we go to the true source of Life each day…we can “enjoy real life”.
We can also give life to others by our example: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” When we accept Jesus and believe in Him, we are filled with rivers of living water. I believe that the more we are filled, the more we “spill out” onto those around us.
We drink enough water to make sure our bodies are hydrated and running properly. I wonder if we have the same urgency to “drink” from the Word and hear from the Lord daily so our spiritual bodies are in tip top shape? Are we being filled? Drinking from other fountains? Or are we walking around dehydrated, weary, less than functional and dry from our lack of Living Water?
Monday, November 23, 2009
My Company's Annual Sample Sale-Everyone's invited!
Everyone who wants to save some money this holiday season, come check out my company's annual sample sale. We offer everything at manufacturer's cost or below and you can get some incredible deals and inexpensive gifts. There will be a lot more samples of Home and Garden Decor (the category that I sell) this year-everything from glass hurricanes/apothecary jars to metal wall decor to outdoor decor, planters, etc.
Salesman’s Sample Sale
A Holiday Tradition!
Where: 335 Second Street - Lake Oswego
Same time, same place as last year . . .
Wizer’s Mall - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
When: Friday December 4th 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday December 5th 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Everything . . . Gadgets to Giftware
Table -Top to Food Prep.
Kitchen Appliances & Cookware
Baby Products & Infant Accessories
Lawn & Garden & Home Decor and . . .
Lots of ALL-New Products & Categories
December 4th & 5th ONLY!
Wizer’s Mall, Lake Oswego - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
Salesman’s Sample Sale
A Holiday Tradition!
Where: 335 Second Street - Lake Oswego
Same time, same place as last year . . .
Wizer’s Mall - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
When: Friday December 4th 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday December 5th 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Everything . . . Gadgets to Giftware
Table -Top to Food Prep.
Kitchen Appliances & Cookware
Baby Products & Infant Accessories
Lawn & Garden & Home Decor and . . .
Lots of ALL-New Products & Categories
December 4th & 5th ONLY!
Wizer’s Mall, Lake Oswego - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
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