Do you ever under estimate the danger lurking inside of us?
The danger that can quickly turn into the sin of our outward perfectionism. Jesus knew all about this sin, he saw it daily in the lives of the Pharisees. They had become just as many of us, immune to our own sinful nature. Immune to the fact that our appearance receives more attention each day than our prayer and Bible study.
Very often many of us, even though we are busy Moms rarely leave the house with out some type of primping. Whether it be in the form of a showered appearance, clean clothes, or some mascara and lipstick, it is a regular ritual we perform each day. And yet many of us leave the house on a daily basis with out praying, with out opening God's word, with out even acknowledging that our Maker exists.
Let me ask you a question, as a Mom how would you feel if your child came to the breakfast table, happily ate all that you prepared, dressed in the nice outfit you picked out, left for the day and came back home to a warm clean bed you made, with out ever even looking in your direction? With out even the slightest smile or warm appreciation for the fact that you love them, adore them and work so hard to please them. That my friend is a very minimal version of how I believe God feels at out inability to make time for Him each day.
Our vast choices in our self absorbed world always seem to take precedence over His calling for our lives. Sure we are Moms and we are already called to be self less as we take care of others very often better than we take care of ourselves. But then something happens, we begin to hear the lie from the enemy, it goes something like this "but when it is going to be my time?" "When can I do what I want to do, watch what I want to watch and be my own person?"
Well the fact is, we will never be our own person again. We have become a new creation in Christ and we are no longer living for self we are now living for the Spirit and these two are constantly at war inside of us. Each day we need to make a gigantic effort in making the right choices, prioritizing God's way. Choosing to be in the world but not of the world. We can no longer live as if God is not watching. For we know He is near and we can be assured He is aware of all the temptations lurking in our lives. He wants us to give Him our day from the moment we awake. He wants and desires to be our first conversation and He longs to be our meditation through out our busy days.
Can you imagine the beauty and radiance others will see in our faces, in our lives if we choose to be in His presence first? Contemplating that thought I offer you another challenge ladies; Will you give up time you would normally spend on your self to nourish Your relationship with Him? "I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet." Psalm 27:4 The Message
Dear Lord, I often forget how very much You long to hear my voice and be a part of my day. Forgive me Father and strengthen me in this area of weakness so I can be more aware of You in my life. Help me to care more about this body being Your temple than attempting to be my own shrine. Thank You for loving me through and through and continuing to show Your mercy and grace daily in my life. It is only through You that I can do anything worthy of Your kingdom.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
"God... prioritize my day"
Who knew that 4 words could create such mundane days into magnificent awareness. Who would of thought that starting my day off with that short prayer would create such amazing testimonies in the short 24 hours that we refer to as a day. I am happy to report that although my days very often did not allow me to check many of my priorities off of my to-do-list they did make me sense God in a whole new way. His presence was unmistakable and His will was often found in a last minute thought or action that was carried out for no known reason in this earthly mind of mine. Yet... with in mere moments His will is seen, His blessing is felt and I am humbled knowing that my desire for this day could never compare to the desire my Heavenly Father has had in store for me.
Can I challenge you ladies, can I ask you if you are willing to take this dare and begin praying this prayer along side me? It does seem so simple and yet we know as we utter these words He will expect our selfish desires to be pushed aside. He will hold us accountable to being obedient to our prayer. Are you able to give up your plans, for His? Can our flesh be over ridden by our Spirit? I can tell you that although it is not easy, it is possible. Even better is the realization that you can feel complete joy and contentment in God's plan for your day... and life.
It is not only possible but attainable to train your body to pray first before you get out bed. To pray before you make that decision, because whether big or small in our eyes is of no importance. It is only God who knows that which He has planned, that which He will carry out. How this unfolds is ultimately up to us. I don't know about you but I don't have enough wisdom to know what is best for me or my loved ones. We live in a world that constantly shapes our thinking and behaviors all the while ignoring the will and desire of our Father. We are so often quick to choose something of Earthly value over that which has Heavenly power. We comment that it is to hard to read God's word, to sit and be still in His presence, to choose Godly things over secular ones. Yet we don't understand why our relationship with Him seems to be at a stand still, why our prayers seem to go unanswered and why He seems to not speak to us. Have you ever really wondered how our behavior makes Him feel, how it portrays accurately our priority of Him... in our life. I have unfortunately done this and realized how I have fallen short. How very much I needed to seek His forgiveness. Apologizing whole heartily for my selfishness and my desire of Him being so low on the totem pole.
Only One knows what is best and ultimately how much time remains. That is our great God, the author and perfecter of our life. Today and every day I will choose to seek Him first and ask Him to prioritize my day and ultimately the remainder of my life. For no other hands have the ability to hold me, carve me in their palms, no one that is but my God... to Him I offer my everything.
Isaiah 49:16-18 (The Message)
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God"—God's Decree— "you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride." May this verse speak to you in amazing ways and may His will bring you ultimate peace ~ Nicole
Can I challenge you ladies, can I ask you if you are willing to take this dare and begin praying this prayer along side me? It does seem so simple and yet we know as we utter these words He will expect our selfish desires to be pushed aside. He will hold us accountable to being obedient to our prayer. Are you able to give up your plans, for His? Can our flesh be over ridden by our Spirit? I can tell you that although it is not easy, it is possible. Even better is the realization that you can feel complete joy and contentment in God's plan for your day... and life.
It is not only possible but attainable to train your body to pray first before you get out bed. To pray before you make that decision, because whether big or small in our eyes is of no importance. It is only God who knows that which He has planned, that which He will carry out. How this unfolds is ultimately up to us. I don't know about you but I don't have enough wisdom to know what is best for me or my loved ones. We live in a world that constantly shapes our thinking and behaviors all the while ignoring the will and desire of our Father. We are so often quick to choose something of Earthly value over that which has Heavenly power. We comment that it is to hard to read God's word, to sit and be still in His presence, to choose Godly things over secular ones. Yet we don't understand why our relationship with Him seems to be at a stand still, why our prayers seem to go unanswered and why He seems to not speak to us. Have you ever really wondered how our behavior makes Him feel, how it portrays accurately our priority of Him... in our life. I have unfortunately done this and realized how I have fallen short. How very much I needed to seek His forgiveness. Apologizing whole heartily for my selfishness and my desire of Him being so low on the totem pole.
Only One knows what is best and ultimately how much time remains. That is our great God, the author and perfecter of our life. Today and every day I will choose to seek Him first and ask Him to prioritize my day and ultimately the remainder of my life. For no other hands have the ability to hold me, carve me in their palms, no one that is but my God... to Him I offer my everything.
Isaiah 49:16-18 (The Message)
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you—never. Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God"—God's Decree— "you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride." May this verse speak to you in amazing ways and may His will bring you ultimate peace ~ Nicole
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