Psalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Dear Friend:
Do you have dreams stuck on a shelf? Things you want to be able to do but it is not the right time or you can’t figure out how to get them to be reality? Or are they have been on the shelf collecting dust because you have given up?
I have been known to write about putting your thoughts on a shelf, but today I want to talk about the things stuck on the shelf. At some point I have put things on the shelf because no solution for that thought or dream was coming to me? I believe some of you can understand what I am saying.
Maybe today is the day to cry out for that thing on the shelf and just ask God to answer you, give you relief from distress, be merciful and hear your prayer.
Psalm 4 goes on to say “ know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself.
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with joy.”
Do you feel the energy of this distressed psalmist growing from despair to hope. That is what God does when you go to him with your sincere “stuckness.” (made up a word there)
Here are some things that maybe on the shelf that need to be reactivated with prayer:
*loved ones who are far from God (you gave up praying?)
*to go back to school or not
*to pursue another career
*to downsize your life, simplify, so you can pursue that dream
*say you’re sorry to someone
*get a job any job
*exercise
*lose weight
What is on your shelf that is been there full of dust that you need to bring before God and then wait for his answer? He may whisper “put it back on the shelf it is not time, I am working this one out for you or you need to move forward with that dream.”
Finally, the psalmist concludes “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
That’s what I’m talking about having peace it’s priceless!
Let’s pray Father in heaven I am taking this thought………………..of the shelf and asking for your answer. Help me Father. Thank you for always being there for me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Many times we are in the season of just taking care of our family and things need to be on a shelf.
Dusting,
Elaine
I am a recycler. Anything God teaches me has never been wasted it has always been recycled for God's glory.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Today's Your Lucky Day!
Dear Friend:
I know times can be hard waiting to hear about your loved one in the Military. In the meantime, you hear stories of soldiers whose lives have tragically ended. How do you console anyone who is questioning, why him or her? Or why did this happen or that happen?
A Pastor recently said “today’s your lucky day! I have a 5 word, 4 word, 7 word answer to your question; Why did this happen?”
With grief he responded
“The 5 word answer is ‘I don’t have a clue!’
The 4 word answer is ‘His greatness is unsearchable.’ Psalm 145:3
The 7 word answer is ‘the secret things belong to the Lord.’ Deuteronomy 29:29 ‘
I am so sorry, sometimes we have to let God be God. God won’t stay in the box I put Him in.”
Let’s pray: Today is a hard day Lord. I am questioning so much going on in life. Help me to have strength for these days. In His name we pray. Amen.
Isaiah 55:8 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Trusting things will be okay,
Elaine
I know times can be hard waiting to hear about your loved one in the Military. In the meantime, you hear stories of soldiers whose lives have tragically ended. How do you console anyone who is questioning, why him or her? Or why did this happen or that happen?
A Pastor recently said “today’s your lucky day! I have a 5 word, 4 word, 7 word answer to your question; Why did this happen?”
With grief he responded
“The 5 word answer is ‘I don’t have a clue!’
The 4 word answer is ‘His greatness is unsearchable.’ Psalm 145:3
The 7 word answer is ‘the secret things belong to the Lord.’ Deuteronomy 29:29 ‘
I am so sorry, sometimes we have to let God be God. God won’t stay in the box I put Him in.”
Let’s pray: Today is a hard day Lord. I am questioning so much going on in life. Help me to have strength for these days. In His name we pray. Amen.
Isaiah 55:8 8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Trusting things will be okay,
Elaine
Friday, September 17, 2010
Care Full
1-2 when Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Dear Friend:
As I read through this modern version of the beatitudes I found them to provoke thought and consideration with God. Those that took the time to listen to Jesus were said to be “apprenticed and committed.” Are you one or more of these: at the end of your rope, grieving, content, loving God, care full, have good heart condition, mind in tack, at peace, and persecuted? If you identify, God has something to say to you.
Let’s pray:
Father in heaven help me to bring your peace from heaven down to earth. In Jesus name. Amen.
Care full,
Elaine
3"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
Dear Friend:
As I read through this modern version of the beatitudes I found them to provoke thought and consideration with God. Those that took the time to listen to Jesus were said to be “apprenticed and committed.” Are you one or more of these: at the end of your rope, grieving, content, loving God, care full, have good heart condition, mind in tack, at peace, and persecuted? If you identify, God has something to say to you.
Let’s pray:
Father in heaven help me to bring your peace from heaven down to earth. In Jesus name. Amen.
Care full,
Elaine
Friday, September 10, 2010
Epic
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Spurgeon (Maybe when I am lacking strength it's because I am not lacking worries)
Dear Friend:
Each day recently I have been hearing this word “epic.” I have noticed the teens like saying the word when something which they consider to be bigger than great “epic.” Daily we have stuff to deal with and sometimes we may even say our moments are bigger than big so we refer to it as “epic.”
1 Kings 19:7-9 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Elijah followed God’s very detailed orders and dealt with Ahab and his false prophets. The result was Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, did not like what Elijah did her anger rose up with vengeance. Elijah runs for his life saying “"I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
Isn’t this exactly what is going on today in our world? Things seem hopeless. Your mind tricks you in to believing things are so bad that you want to die. Suicide rates with our teens are rising in great numbers. Why? Because of the lie speaking in their head “there’s no way to resolve this.”
In an “epic” moment we need an “epic” hero. Elijah’s all knowing hero rescues him in a gentle loving way. He starts by letting Elijah rest and fills him with food. Quickly Elijah gains tremendous strength and is able to do something not many of us can but travel s by foot 40 days and 40 nights. Wow!
Are you amazed at what God can do for you when you are empty and out of strength filled with worry?
Get up and eat! I do miracles of strength! –GOD-
Pass this word of hope onto others we must eliminate the words in our mind “things are hopeless.”
Strengthened,
Elaine
Dear Friend:
Each day recently I have been hearing this word “epic.” I have noticed the teens like saying the word when something which they consider to be bigger than great “epic.” Daily we have stuff to deal with and sometimes we may even say our moments are bigger than big so we refer to it as “epic.”
1 Kings 19:7-9 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Elijah followed God’s very detailed orders and dealt with Ahab and his false prophets. The result was Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, did not like what Elijah did her anger rose up with vengeance. Elijah runs for his life saying “"I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."
Isn’t this exactly what is going on today in our world? Things seem hopeless. Your mind tricks you in to believing things are so bad that you want to die. Suicide rates with our teens are rising in great numbers. Why? Because of the lie speaking in their head “there’s no way to resolve this.”
In an “epic” moment we need an “epic” hero. Elijah’s all knowing hero rescues him in a gentle loving way. He starts by letting Elijah rest and fills him with food. Quickly Elijah gains tremendous strength and is able to do something not many of us can but travel s by foot 40 days and 40 nights. Wow!
Are you amazed at what God can do for you when you are empty and out of strength filled with worry?
Get up and eat! I do miracles of strength! –GOD-
Pass this word of hope onto others we must eliminate the words in our mind “things are hopeless.”
Strengthened,
Elaine
Alternative Future
Matthew 16:17 (New International Version)
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Dear Friend:
What was revealed to Simon by God and not by man?
He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Do you want an alternative future? According to this scripture you don’t need a human being, TV, books or even a teacher to reveal this answer. Is that even possible? He says it! This gets me so excited because there are so many people who don’t know Jesus. Here in lies the problem though!
You need to inquire and be able to answer, “Who do you say Jesus is?” –GOD-
Let’s pray: Jesus who are you? Reveal yourself to me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Got it,
Elaine
17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Dear Friend:
What was revealed to Simon by God and not by man?
He asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Do you want an alternative future? According to this scripture you don’t need a human being, TV, books or even a teacher to reveal this answer. Is that even possible? He says it! This gets me so excited because there are so many people who don’t know Jesus. Here in lies the problem though!
You need to inquire and be able to answer, “Who do you say Jesus is?” –GOD-
Let’s pray: Jesus who are you? Reveal yourself to me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Got it,
Elaine
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Snexting
Proverbs 6:16-19 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
.
Dear Friend:
It is very common for teachers in High School to have students sign an agreement as to the expectations in the classroom for the semester. Teachers have found it to be very detestable to have students “snext” in class. Snext means “sneak texting,” that is how one teacher defined it. But if you Google it says texting with sexual references. Teachers want to teach without interruption or cheating and this is just another thing that is hindering getting that accomplished.
Peruse through the above list and you can conclude that God was very specific about the things he did not like. The list is not exhaustive yet exposes the things in man’s heart that we are all tempted to do. I wonder if God would like us to sign an agreement that we would not do these things.
Let’s pray: Father I need the Holy Spirit to remind me when I am tempted to things above. I need you to help me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Are you hindering the teacher, our Lord, in any way from being able to teach in your life?
Learning,
Elaine
.
Dear Friend:
It is very common for teachers in High School to have students sign an agreement as to the expectations in the classroom for the semester. Teachers have found it to be very detestable to have students “snext” in class. Snext means “sneak texting,” that is how one teacher defined it. But if you Google it says texting with sexual references. Teachers want to teach without interruption or cheating and this is just another thing that is hindering getting that accomplished.
Peruse through the above list and you can conclude that God was very specific about the things he did not like. The list is not exhaustive yet exposes the things in man’s heart that we are all tempted to do. I wonder if God would like us to sign an agreement that we would not do these things.
Let’s pray: Father I need the Holy Spirit to remind me when I am tempted to things above. I need you to help me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Are you hindering the teacher, our Lord, in any way from being able to teach in your life?
Learning,
Elaine
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