Don't blow your own horn

Whatever you do, do it to praise and glorify the Lord

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,  and the lowly things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,  so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

How many times have you done a good deed?  Maybe you have given a friend some money when they were in need, or helped them solve a problem they were facing. Maybe you have served someone in another way.  When you have done these things, whatever they may have been, have you wanted to tell someone how you had helped?  Did you want to tell them so they will know what an awesome giving person you are or so they would be proud of you? Did you want to tell someone what a great thing you had done so they would accept you?

We all do things that are worth boasting about, but should we boast? 

It is not important that others know our good deeds and service.  It is only important that God knows how we serve.  It is better that we serve for the advancement of others and not for the advancement of ourselves.  It is important that the reason we serve others is because we want to please God.

It is not important that we do good deeds so that others will see how awesome we are.  It is not important that we do good deeds so that others will be proud of us.  Do you know why it isn’t important? Because God already knows what awesome and giving people we are.  God is already proud of us. God knows all that we do before we even do it, so there is no need to boast about it.

Keep your good deeds and service coming because they are very pleasing to God.  Instead of blowing your own horn and giving the glory to yourself; blow your trumpet for God and give the glory to our Heavenly Father.

Lord, thank you for giving me the spiritual gift of service. Help me to realize how I can use all of my spiritual gifts to serve you better.  Help me to remember that it is better to serve quietly then to shout it to the mountain tops.  

Amen

Many Blessing,

Linda

Something to get you moving today!

Have an awesome weekend.

See you Monday!

 Christy Nockels, "Ever Lifting"

A Love so great

Romans 5:8

 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, 

in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:38-39

 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, 

nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, 

nor powers,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, 

will be able to separate us from the love of God, 

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God put everything on the line for us.  He sent his only son to die for our sins.

There is nothing that can drive a wedge between that kind of love.

Lord, thank you for your never ending, unfailing love. I feel blessed to be a part of a love so great.

Amen

Many blessings,

Linda

Patient and tolerant

Bad moments do not make you a bad person

Ephesians 4:2

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Daniel 9:9

To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;

This was not me yesterday morning with my overtired 9 year old.  She had gone to bed late and was very tired and emotional the next morning.  As I tried to hurry her through the morning routine, my patience and tolerance weakened.  I wasn’t being compassionate to her feelings. I just wanted her to hurry so she wouldn’t miss the bus!  It was a bad moment for both of us.  After she left, I felt bad because I was impatient with her.  I needed to think about the night she had and be patient with how she expressed her tiredness. 

The story did end happily though. She came home from school and we both apologized to each other and all was forgiven.  That is the wonderful thing about love;  It forgives.

If this kind of bad moment happens again, and I’m sure it will, I pray that I will remember this verse.  I pray that I will be more patient and tolerant of the feelings of others.

Remember, bad moments do not make us bad people. God is patient and tolerant of all our bad moments because he loves us.

Lord, thank you for showing me that your love for us is patient and tolerant of all our bad moments.  Help me to be more like you the next time I am faced with a bad moment that will test my patience and tolerance.

Amen

Many Blessings,

Linda

Careful! Don’t be overconfident

and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.

1 Corinthians 10:3-8

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

This is a warning to all of us. Make certain we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did. We are just as capable of messing things up as the next person. Don't be so naive and self-confident that you think you are exempt. The tests or temptation that come your way are neither more nor less then the tests and temptations others have had to face.

You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else.   We are all human and we all make mistakes.  Forget about confidence in yourself; it's useless, verses 3-8 above have proven that. Instead, raise your confidence in God.  Know that if God brings you to it, only God alone can bring you through it.  

Lord, thank you for loving me and staying with me even though I mess things up!  I know tough times will come and temptations will knock at my door.  When they do, give me the strength I need to stand up to them and do what is pleasing to you.  Help me to build my confidence in you and not in myself.  It is only through you that all things are possible.

Amen

Many Blessing,

Linda

HOPE IN THE

LORD

ALL THE DAY LONG

What if? If only

A life of What if?  If only?

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

 Jeremiah 29:11

How many times have we said “What if” or “If only”?  What if I had taken that other job?  If only I had done what the doctors told me to do?  What if I hadn’t over slept?  If only I had not forgotten my loved ones last birthday? What if I had been there for her when she was in distress?  I could go on and on.

After my father died, I was often thinking “what if”, “if only”.  I kept thinking “What if this happened , then that would have happened”

What I finally realized was, at the time, I wasn’t being faithful.  I didn’t have faith in the plan God had for my father. I know now that my father’s life and his death happen exactly how God had planned it.

God had our whole lives planned out before we were even born.  His plan is to take care of us, not abandon us, and to give us the future we hope for.  

God doesn’t want us to live a life of “what if” and “if only” for things in the past.  He wants us to live a life of thanks and praise for today.

“Lord, thank you for the blessing of today.  Help me to accept the discouraging times and not live a “what if” “if only” life.  Help me to have faith in the plans you have for me”  Amen

Many Blessings,

Linda

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

I love junk food!  I seem to have no will power when I am around it.  I know what I need to do or eat to become healthier, but I don’t always do it. Now, every now and then, I get fed up with how my clothes fit and complain that I need to lose weight. That’s when I start to make better choices about my food and activity level.  I’ll stick to it for about 2 weeks.  And then, there will be doughnuts in the church hall after the Sunday morning service! I can’t resist so I eat one. There I am, back at square one!   Have you ever been there?  Did you feel just as discouraged as I did? Maybe you are struggling with something else that is keeping you from being health physically.

God says in 1 Cor. 3:16-17 that we are a temple.  He lives within us. No one will get away with vandalizing God’s temple.  How are you treating your body? Are you filling it with food and drink that will nourish you and make you stronger?  Are you filling your hearts with the word of God so your spirit will become stronger?

Think of it this way:  What if a close friend let you borrow their fully loaded BMW.  They left you with a list of instructions on how to care for the car; what type of gas to use. How to clean it, what kind of oil to use…….. and so on.  Will you follow that laundry list of instructions?  You bet! because that car, its expensive and you wouldn’t want anything to happen to it.  Your friend trusted you with their car and the last thing you want to do is let them down.

Just as your friend trusted you with their car, God trusts you with his temple (our bodies).  He also gave us a list of instructions on how to take care of this temple not just physically but spiritually as well.  We can find the instructions in God’s word.verses on gluttony

Before I put that next doughnut in my mouth, I am going to ask myself if eating that doughnut will nourish my body in a way that God intended and ask God for help.  Try this the next time you are faced with something that could vandalize the temple God has given you.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Always remember, as hard as we try to be disciplined at something, there will be times that we fall and become discouraged.  We can’t give up!  We are not perfect, only God is.  We all fail at things sometimes.  We just need to make sure that we all get up again. That can only be done with God’s help.

Many Blessing,

Linda

Be Kind

For length of days and years of life

they will add to you.

Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck, 

write them on the table of your heart.

So you will find favor and good repute

in the sight of God and man.

Proverbs 3:2-4

It is easy to be kind when we are feeling great and things in our lives are going well. What about the days when we are not feeling so great and things are not going so well in our lives?  Do you struggle with being kind in those days?  I know I do!  It is in those days, that we need to remember Proverbs 3:2-4.  Keep kindness with you always.

When God speaks of kindness in this verse, he doesn't want us to only be kind to the people we know.  God wants us to be kind to everyone, even if we do not know them and even if they are not kind to us.  This definitely takes me out of my comfort zone, but I know God will be right there with me. I believe it will strengthen me in the end.

Be kind to everyone you meet even if they are not kind to you.  You never know, what battle they are fighting and your kind words or deeds could be just what they needed.


"Thank you Lord for taking me out of my comfort zone and giving me the courage to be kind even in a difficult situation."

Many Blessings,

Linda

We can’t do it alone

Depend on God

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
   he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
   he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, you people;
   pour out your hearts to him,
   for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:6-8

Ever have one of those days?  You know the ones.  The ones where you just can't seem to get it together or catch a break. For some reason the alarm didn’t wake you.    You realized that you had forgotten to put the load of laundry you did last night in the dryer. Now you are forced to wear the clothes from the back of your closet.  You still need to make your lunch. Your children missed the school bus.  There is traffic on the freeway that makes you even later for work.  There are 2 different meetings tonight for your child’s school and soccer practice. Things are just not going your way!  You feel like you are being pulled in 20 different directions.

You are not alone!  I have had many of those days.  Right in the middle of the chaos, I will call out to God. 

“Lord, Thank you for these trying times, because I know there is a purpose for them.  Please give me the wisdom to learn from them, the strength to make it through, and comfort in knowing that you are right there with me”

The next time you are feeling pulled in 20 different directions, reach out to God and ask for help.

Many Blessing,

Linda

material wealth

Is it worth it?


You can't watch TV without seeing ads for the latest gadgets, the best jeans, or the most luxurious car.  They imply your life will be easier, or more productive if you had these things.  They imply that by having the latest gadget, the best jeans or the most luxurious car you will become accepted into society and more popular.  We all want to have more then the other guy. We all want our stuff to be the best stuff.  This causes us to constantly pursue the next latest and greatest material thing.  It makes us focus on being RICH in money.

If we are spending all of our time and effort constantly pursuing material wealth, how much time is left to spend  pursuing spiritual wealth? NONE

Think of God's path for you as a paved road. To stay on that path, we must live our lives according to his plan.

Let me tell you a story.  Don't worry, It will not be a long one!
One day while I was driving to work, the traffic seemed heavier than usual. " There must be an accident" I said to myself. As I made my way up the road at a snails pace, I noticed two cars in the shoulder lane.  Curiosity got the best of me and I just had to turn my head and look! Before I know it, my car is going in the same direction as my eyes. I had lost focus of my purpose. Thank God I was able to correct the situation quickly!

 Think of the road as God's path for your life.  The car is you. The distractions on the side of the road are the next latest and greatest thing.  Just like the distractions on the side of the road cause you to lose focus on driving, the constant pursuit of material wealth causes you to lose sight of God and his plans for you.

God wants us to pursue him. His love for us is eternal. The material things of this world are not.

We all have times when we lose focus and stray from our path.  God is there to bring you back. Spend time each day in his word. Spend your time and effort building your Spiritual wealth.  Being RICH in God's word, will keep us on the path he has chosen for us.

God and Money No one can serve two masters. 

He will either hate one and love the other,

or be devoted to one and despise the other.  

You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 7:24 

I almost DELETED that!!!!

Going through my email today, I did what I normally do.  I look at the subject line, delete all the unimportant mail, and keep what I think is important.  I was just about to delete an email that I thought was unimportant, when I got the feeling that I should read it.  Thank God for that feeling, because it was important.  I have been struggling with managing my time. I was thinking of cutting back on the time I spent on this one particular project that I felt took a lot of time and only benefited me.   When  I read that email, I realized that the project I was working on is very important.  That email and my feeling that I should not delete it was Gods way of letting me know that I should stick with it.

That got me thinking.  How often do I delete the feelings I have about what I should or shouldn't do. How often do I delete the thoughts in my mind that tell me something is right or wrong. How often do I delete the little moments in my life that come and go so quickly. How often do I delete these things because I think they are unimportant.

Being thankful has helped me realize that everything is important in my life.  Every feeling, every thought, every little moment in my life was put there by God. Every feeling, every thought, and every little moment in my life serves a purpose. They are Gods way of speaking to me.

How many feelings, thoughts or little moments in your life have you deleted? I may be wrong, but I don't think there will be a burning bush coming our way. Don't delete those feelings, thoughts or little moments! They are Gods way of speaking to you.  Open your heart and your mind and listen to what God has to say.

Let's be thankful for all those feelings, thoughts and little moments that God has given to us.

Many Blessings,
Linda

We are all invited

"The kingdom of heaven may be likened to 

a king who gave a wedding feast for his son"

Matthew 22:2

Many are invited, but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:14

I believe we are all invited to the Kingdom of Heaven, but we can only enter if God has chosen us.  To me, entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is not and entitlement,  it is something I have to earn by the way I live my life.  The verses above came from the Parable of the Wedding Feast Matthew 22:1-14. Read it today and think about how you are living your life.  Would it earn you entrance into The kingdom of Heaven?

Many Blessings,

Linda

Would you like to be the greatest in the Kingdom?

If the answer is YES, then start acting like a child! Yep, You read that right.  The disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the Kingdom.  Jesus said in reply, "unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven"
taken from Matthew 18:1-4.

Think about it for a minute.  How do children act?

• they hold no grudges 
• they love unconditionally
• they take no notice of race or religion 
• they make friends easily with anyone
• they always forgive
• they always trust
• they believe they can achieve anything 
• they treat everyone the same
• they enjoy life 
• they can be silly and goofy and not worry about what others think of them

Yes!, I would like to be the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
I am going to start acting like a child.  Are you with me?

Many Blessings,
Linda

Ease your Burden

Dependence on God

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat [or drink], or about your body,

what you will wear.  Is not life more than food

and the body more than clothing?"

Can any of you by worrying add a single

moment to your life-span?

But seek first the Kingdom [of God] 

and his righteousness, and all these things 

will be given you besides.

Matthew 7: 25,27,33

I know what the burden of worry can do to me.  I loose sleep at night, I am in a constant state of stress, I anger easily, and have a sharp tongue.  All of these things keep me from living the life God has planned for me.  All of these things end up hurting the people I love the most.

A huge weight was lifted when I began to pray and ask God for help with all my worries.  God doesn't want us to do things alone.  He wants us to ask for help.  God wants us to have faith in the plans he has for us.  Don't think you can take it all on yourself, because you can't.  None of us can. 

I give all my worries to God.  This eases my burden and allows me to sleep at night, stress less, be slow to anger, and speak kind words. 

What burdens you today? Give all your worries to God so he can ease your burden.

Many Blessings,

Linda

What the Bible says about prayer

In praying, do not babble like the pagans, 

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them.

Your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:7-8

I am so glad I read this one! I don't know about you, but I often feel like my prayers make no sense.  I have many things I want to ask of God.  I don't always know where to begin, or I can't seem to find the right words.  God already knows what is in our hearts and what we need!  How AWESOME is that!!  Matthew 6:9 says The Lord's Prayer is how we are to pray.  One simple prayer is what God wants to hear; how powerful that  prayer must be.

Now I know there is no need to stress over what my prayers sound like, or if they make sense.  I know God hears what is in my heart and I am thankful for that.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

Many Blessings,

Linda

Prepare a place for nourishment

That your sons whom you loved might learn, O Lord,

that it is not the various kinds of fruits that nourish man, 

but it is your word that preserves those who believe you!

So that men might know that one must give you thanks

before the sunrise, and turn to you at daybreak. 

For the hope of the ingrate melts like a wintry frost and 

runs off like useless water.

Wisdom 17: 26, 28-29

This is my place for nourishment.  Each morning I sit in my zebra print chair and give thanks to God for the gifts he has given me. Not only do we need to nourish our bodies with food, we need to nourish our souls with the word of God.

I believe in the words I read from the bible.  I don't want my hope to melt and run off like useless water.  That is why I start and end each day giving thanks and praising God. Some days,when I need extra help getting through the struggles, I give thanks and praise all day long! 

Spending time in prayer each morning sets the tone for the rest of my day. It gives me the strength to get through whatever comes my way.  It also helps me to be the wife and mother that my family needs. 

Prepare your place for nourishment, so that you may feed your soul with the word of God.

Many Blessing,

Linda

Forgiveness

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;

and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent.

For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made;

for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

And how could a thing remain unless you willed it;

or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?

But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord......

Wisdom 12:23-26

I am grateful that the Lord forgives.  All we have to do is ask.  The Lord forgives so easily, but it is a struggle for us.  Holding on to anger and resentment is keeping you and me from living a life of Thanksgiving.  I believe forgiveness is more for the forgiver than the forgiven. Forgiveness will free us of the disappointments and pain of the past and allow us to LIVE in TODAY.  Sometimes we need to forgive ourselves.  Sometimes we need to forgive others. Sometimes we need to ask for forgiveness.  Whatever your situation may be, take care of it today so you can LIVE in TODAY.  Thank the Lord for giving you the strength and courage to help you through it.

Many Blessing,

Linda

Birthdays are for Celebrating!!!

We recently hosted a Birthday Party for our daughter.  With 12 of her friends coming over,  we needed something to keep them busy!  Here are some of the fun activities we did.

1. Everyone made a wishing jar. I posted directions for the jars below the pictures.
2. Each girl made a personal pizza with cheese and pepperoni
3. They decorated a chocolate jumbo cupcake 

    WISHING JARS

These were a big hit at the party!

How to make wishing jars

You will need: 

• 1 jar per party guest.  I used glass jars for canning

• Glitter

• Beads

• Shells

• Food coloring

• Ribbons

• Glue

Have each child decorate their jars and fill them with the items listed above.  Add two – three drops of food coloring into each jar.  Fill jar with water then secure lid tightly.  Shake the jar and make a Wish!

Many Blessings,
Linda

      

My Works

After a day of heavy storms, there was quiet.  Have you ever listened after a storm?  It is very peaceful and calm.  I took that time to thank God for sending the storm, because my grass really needed it.  I thanked him for the quiet after the storm, because I really needed that.

The quiet after the storm was soon followed by the meltdown after school.  It was time for my first child off of the bus to do homework.  For all of the parents who have or have had school aged children, you know where I'm coming from!  "Thank you Lord for this child, meltdown and all".  That is what I said over and over in my mind to get through it.

Being a parent is hard work.  You worry about their happiness and success.  You struggle through the storms and enjoy the quiet.  Am I doing all the right things to raise these children to be loving, thoughtful selfless adults?  Are my actions showing them how I want them to be?

Entrust your works to the Lord,

and your plans will succeed

Proverbs 16:3

My family is a part of my "works".  I know God has a plan for all of us.  I choose to trust in him.

I trust in him to give me patience to get through the storms

I trust in him to give me the quiet after the storms

I trust in him to give me the wisdom to teach my children what is right and just;
                              not only by my words, but my actions as well.

Being a parent is hard work, but the best things in life are worth the hard work.  The rewards of having children far out weigh the hard work.

Many Blessings,

Linda