Week Of March 14^th , Monday, March 14, 2011

AWE- ALMIGHTY GOD!

Make My Life A Constant Conversation With You!

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Lord Jesus, I know I Kimberly Ann McCarthy am created for a time such as this, with Great Kingdom Purpose in me, that only I can fulfill. I hope huge to be all about Your purposes today.

 

All we want in Christ, we shall find in Christ. If we want little, we shall find little. If we want much, we shall find much; but if, in utter helplessness, we cast our all on Christ, He will be to us the whole treasury of God. -- Henry Benjamin Whipple

 

Psalm 119:11 Hidden In My Heart…That I might live excellently

Inscribed On My Heart That I Might Believe In You With An Undivided Heart!

2 Peter 1:5-8

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." -

Verse Of The Day@biblegateway.com

2 Peter 1:5-8

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." -

Notes From Listening To This Chapter

Servant-Apostle! Through the righteousness of Jesus Christ we have received a precious faith. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God. His divine power has given us everything we need in life and has given us Godliness. God has given us His Great and precious promises, through them we participate in the divine nature. Through the promises we can escape the evil nature of this world. Near sighted and blind if you do not walk in God's character. If you do these things, you will never fall. Add to your faith goodness- to goodness knowledge- to knowledge self control to self-control perseverance to perseverance-godliness to godliness mutual affect to mutual affection-love. If you possess these qualities, we will be successful, faithful. Eyewitnesses heard God from heaven say: This is my Son, Whom I am well pleased. The Word of the Prophets made more certain as a light shining in a dark place, the morning star rises in our hearts. Prophecy never has its origin in the will of men, but men spoke by God through the Holy Spirit.

My Thoughts About These Verses:

I need to work on this. I need to memorize this verse and get it in my heart.

To faith-goodness; To goodness-knowledge; To knowledge-self-control; To self-control-perseverance; To perseverance-godliness; To godliness-mutual affection; To mutual affection-love! So be it in me Lord Jesus. AWE-GOD! God has given us His great and precious promises through them we realize His divine nature.

Worthy News Brief @worthyemail.com

Kimberly, ouch!

Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Ever gotten one of those really bad paper cuts? I heard someone complaining about one just recently – and I got to thinking about all the stuff we gripe about without even realizing it. Our jobs and our relationships, our parents, our children, our churches, our homes, our appearances. Really though, all these things are just paper cuts, when we compare them to the deep wounds of a world who doesn't know the Lord! Kimberly, we need to spend a lot less time complaining about our little paper cuts and much more time praying and ministering to the deep deep wounds of the lost all around us. There's so much work to be done!!

My Thoughts About This:

This is so very true. The enemy is busy keeping me distracted with all the stupid little things in my life! There is so much Kingdom work to be done, I need to stay focused on Jesus, focused on what He has for me choice by choice and moment by moment.

McCARTHY FAMILY PRAYER

Ephesians 3: 14-21 Draw Us (BOB, KIM, BRAD, BONNIE, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA) To You That We Might Walk With You This Day And Forever!

May Christ through our faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in ( BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA) in our hearts! May BOB, KIM, BONNIE, BRAD, KIELE, RYANNE, CHRIS, SUMMER, NOAH, KENNETH, TINA be rooted deep in His love and founded securely on His love,

2 Peter 1:5-8

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." –

My Prayer:

Lord touch this family this week and add to our faith by Your Holy Spirit. Jesus in the all of our everything, (everyday… everywhere…everyone) may we (Bob, Kim, Bonnie, Brad, Kiele, Ryanne, Chris, Summer, Noah, Kenneth, Tina) be a family that is growing in Your Character. Holy Spirit teach us through our everyday living and add to our faith:goodness to our goodness:knowledge to our knowledge:self-control to our self-control:perseverance to our perseverance:godliness and to our godliness:mutual affection and to our mutual affection:love! Father God, so be it in us, increase in us (Bob, Kim, Bonnie, Brad, Kiele, Ryanne, Chris, Summer, Noah, Kenneth, Tina) these Godly qualities, that we will be Kingdom effective for You, productive in the all of our everything; making an eternal difference in the lives of others everyone, everyday, everywhere! Jesus bless this family this week with Your Great Favor and guide us by Your Holy Spirit so we can make a difference in the lives of all those you put around us this week. AMEN!

A Minute With Maxwell

Why? Powerful Question. Three letter word question is one of the greatest ways to learn and grow. When I ask somebody why I am saying what you think, what you feel is important to me. As a listener I am trying to feel what they feel and learn what they have learned. Why is the door that opens up to the inside of an individual that helps us know them better, relate to them better and lead them better.

My Thoughts About This:

I feel that way when I ask God Why? Of course, I ask in a very humble and submissive way, truly wanting to learn from Him. When I ask Him "Why" He usually answers me by showing me the Kingdom purposes that are in play in my life. This is always His "Why"… Kingdom purpose! AWE-GOD! I do learn a lot about God and the way He does things when I ask Him "Why"! He does want to answer, if we have asked in the right attitude! His answers are always life-changing for me!

Abundance: Abundance comes, the root of it comes from the waves of the ocean. The way they come in, they just keep coming, washing up on the shore. Having an abundance mind set is the foundation of success. People with scarcity are so afraid they will lose the little they have, so they don't invest and branch out. There is an abundance in everything in life, go get it and become a river not a resivour. Be like the waves of the ocean and continue to receive and give!

charles spurgeon devotional

1 Corinthians 10:12-14

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. 13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 14Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and his strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. . Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men's souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of him; and when that happy day shall come, when he whom you love shall say, "Come up higher," may it be your happiness to hear him say, "Thou hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away." On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, "Uphold me according to thy word." He is able, and he alone, "To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Charles Spurgeon

Matthew Henry Commentary

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible is available in the Public Domain.

Cautions against all idolatrous, and other sinful practices.

Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety. (1Co 10:15-22)

Exhortation- The Shepherd's Communicated Love-Wisdom!

Thank you so much for your comment about my website, it is so appreciated! I wish I had come yesterday. I gave in and did not go. I struggle so much just coming alone. I know all I have to do is come once and get over it and I would be fine. I was so mad at myself, I just prayed and asked God to help me and He did and I went to the 6pm service by myself. I sat by myself surrounded by people I did not know and the loneliness just overwhelmed me, but the Holy Spirit showed me something and I realized something…I was not alone… God was with me so strong and I had a great time worshipping in His Presence, the service was so awesome. I know it might seem silly, but I am so struggling with this and I hope that I can overcome it. Hopefully Bob will be home this weekend! I really feel a strong draw to help plant the new campus. I have done that once before and it was such a blessing in my life to serve that way. Keep that in prayer for me. I am really seeking God's guidance, but I feel strongly the Holy Spirit drawing me in that direction! I hope to come tonight! If so, see you then! Thanks again!

****My Prayer! I Place All My Expectation In You, Almighty God!*****

Psalm 62:5 (amplified) My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved.

Father touch my friend Sherri by Your Spirit. Heal her body I pray. Give her doctors the wisdom to know how to heal her leg wounds. Jesus by Your Spirit be with her, draw her to You, help her to trust You with her son. Father touch Mike, I pray You would reveal yourself to him and to Bob by Your Spirit! Jesus!

Father touch Kevin by Your Spirit, lead and guide his life.

Exhortation- The Shepherd's Communicated Love-Wisdom!

I had to smile when I read your prayer. I worked most of my life at a churches and I know that feeling of "multi-tasking" but I also know the power of God and how if you give Him your every moment and you don't compartmentalize Him, His strength, wisdom and grace will flow through your entire day and you will accomplish more than you could ever hope for. I start every day bowing before God, my 1st step up everyday is down. I lay my life before Him and ask that every choice be led by Him, every moment, be found in His plan. His purposes are always in play all around us all day long, He is the greatest multi-tasker ever…. So just tap into that wisdom, because I did and you know my last job when I was on staff in Florida and we were planting a new campus, I had so many hats… when I left it took three people to replace me and I know it was only by God that I did what I did. I pray that for you, every day He would order Your priorities and you would sit back in amazement at what you accomplished, knowing that you could never have done it on your own! AWE-GOD! I can't tell you over the last 30 years how much God has used me when I yielded my will, my plan, my schedule to Him… He is just the most amazing multi-tasker ever!! He also makes a way for your family. My kids grew up in while we did youth and college ministry and I realized that in this 24/7 ministry that God knew what it would require to keep our family together, He gave us the kids that fit the calling He had put upon us. One time we had a youth come over at 2am in the morning, banging on our door, had a friend with him that was so messed up. We got up and immediately starting ministering to this boy and led him to the Lord that night… I just happened to look up and there on the stairs where my three kids, praying…. AWE-GOD! What He has called you to, He has also equipped your children for and He will guide you so your time with them is quality! God Bless Your week!

A Seasoned Servant Of God Has Encouraged Me Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnPfMIvtUkY&feature=related

Psalms 145 ~ The Message Bible

17 Everything God does is right— the trademark on all his works is love. 18 God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it. 19 He does what's best for those who fear him— hears them call out, and saves them. 20 God sticks by all who love him.

My Thoughts About This:

Deb, I am so learning this verse! Everything God does is right! You know Bob was out of work so long and we got down to nothing left. The job he got was such a miraculous intervention- He opened the door, Bob had not even sent a resume. It was such perfect timing, but not what I had planned for this time of my life, to be separated from Bob. My will was so aggravated with God, even though He saved us, I was mad at the way He did it, I did not understand and the more I tried to understand, the more angry I got. Then one very long night, God broke my will! I realized this verse in the flesh! What God did was His way, He intervened, He saved us in His way and His purposes were in play in our lives, even if they did not look like the way I planned, they were in play. Everything He does is right. I realize that now and I have peace in this season even though it is hard. Even though God broke my will, because this way is so foreign, so different, every morning, my first step up is down… I bow before God, I lay my will at His feet and this is how I reconcile His way and my will. I am being stretched in a new way and what God did is good for me, even if it doesn't look that way! Thanks! I appreciate so much your daily emails, they bless me!

Worship Wisdom! Songs Changing My Heart-Life! AWE-mazing God!

My Heart Thoughts From This Song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnPfMIvtUkY&feature=related

Faithful God!

The sun comes up and reminds me of Your faithfulness to me!

You gave me grace to trust and now I see. Even when its hard to believe and our hope is all gone… there has never been a night without a dawn…. Faithful God! Unfailing Love! Forever You are worthy of our praise! We can always trust the wisdom of Your Ways. Faithful God!

When its hard to believe-hope is all gone, remember there has never been a night W/out a dawn Faithful God! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnPfMIvtUkY&feature=related #tworship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAmc7ShM_cM&feature=related

Faithful God! You Have Been So Faithful To Me! #tworship My past forgotten- My future secure! Faithful God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uplFtTYqgg&feature=related

Faithful God!

I will praise You, even when it hurts! When My Spirit thirsts, You Are Faithful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uplFtTYqgg&feature=related

I will trust You, Your Light will lead the way. You are Faithful God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uplFtTYqgg&feature=related

#tworship

QUOTES THAT ENCOURAGE-INSPIRE GROWTH-CHANGE ME

A Christian must keep the faith, but not to himself. -- Jim Patrick

If we would put some slight stress on ourselves at the beginning, then afterwards we should be able to do all things with ease and joy. It is a hard thing to break through a habit, and a yet harder thing to go contrary to our own will. Yet, if thou overcome not slight and easy obstacles, how wilt thou overcome greater ones? Withstand thy will at the beginning, and unlearn an evil habit, lest it lead thee little by little into worse difficulties. Oh, if thou knewest what peace to thyself thy holy life should bring,...and what joy to others, methinketh thou wouldst be more zealous for spiritual profit.

Thomas a Kempis http://www.ccel.org/k/kempis/

My Thoughts About This:

This is so true! Going against your will, doing something that God has put in motion that is not exactly like you thought it would look. It bends your will towards the cross. I truly believe that a lot of the times when things don't go the way we planned, it is totally God's purposes in play. He is shaping us, He is bringing us to the foot of His cross and breaking our will. Recently He broke my will and yet I find it likes to spring back up, just like an evil habit does! I have found I have to bow before God the 1^st thing every morning and lay my will down at His feet. It doesn't make it easier to move divergent to my will, but it does make it purposeful with great spiritual yield!

talk it up! twitter

It is never easy to move divergent to my will, but it is God-purposeful with great spiritual yield!

Restore us to yourself, O God Almighty! We all need God's presence to shine upon us and renew us!

Phil Ware #prayer @worldprayr

It is my #prayer our human nature is trumped choice by choice by the holiness and character of our AWE-GOD!

A trial by fire purifies. It is a call to intimacy and dependence on our heavenly Father. Boyd Bailey

Trials=God's time to shine-He shines brightest when impurities are least. Only Christ is left-He is all you need-want! Boyd Bailey

AWE-GOD! Replace our ingratitude's by Your Godly contentment! Awe-GOD! So be it in us!#prayer

Pain can polarize your relationship with God or it can galvanize it in intimacy. Boyd Bailey

It is for the love of Jesus you persevere. Be patient. Allow Him to complete His work of refinement.

The refining fires of heaven burn away pride-replace it with humility. Fear evaporates-overcome by trust. Boyd Bailey

A trial by fire purifies. It is a call to intimacy and dependence on our heavenly Father. Boyd Bailey

God's purposes are always in play all around us all day long! He is the greatest multi-tasker ever! Tap into this wisdom!

RT @jeffcourter: (NYTimes) Quake stats are staggering proof something larger than us is REALLY in control. Sobering http://fb.me/QvNCpnCF

Very True! RT @JoshSurratt: The thing that will stop us from embracing what God has for us more than anything else is fear. - Mike Breen

Yes and AMEN! RT @corepastor: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 http://bit.ly/bqV9tm

RT @RevMSlaughter: Renewal is God-breathed, not program-planned. Critical that leaders stay focused on the unseen reality. Zechariah 4:6-7

AWE-GOD! RT @faithgoddess17: Live as if everything you do will eventually be known.-Hugh Prather

Decide! Pray for uncommon clarity! Say Yes to things that eternally matter-no to things that steal your energy 4no good purpose.

Truth! Very cute! RT @LostLambFound: Be a light to the world, NOT to the bottom of your lamp stand. -JustSaying Yes It Is! RT @SDSharon: RT @Peteypete_92: The joy of the Lord is your strength #Jesus Yes and AMEN! RT @jasonoelrich: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

A Seasoned Servant Of God Has Encouraged Me Today

Pastor Elliott Genesis 1:1(a)

"In the beginning God…"

Dear Bob and Kim,

When you read this first part, of the first verse, of the first chapter, of the first book of the Bible, do you stop to wonder who this God is; where did He come from; why all of a sudden there is a 'beginning'?  Do you stop to think about what eternity is, and how there can be no beginning and no end?  Have you wondered about your own life and how incredibly short it is compared to God's eternity?  My dear friend who is in his late 80's, realizes his life is but a blip on God's radar screen of eternity.  I wonder if anything I do, my "good works", will have any impact on God's eternal master plan.

 But then you stop and read the rest of the verse and realize something powerful and profound…

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

God was there before the sun, the stars, the moon, and the earth. Yet He is my PERSONAL Savior, my Redeemer.  He is my Help in time of trouble, and the only constant in my life. Even though He cannot be measured and His understanding and knowledge are beyond anything I can know,  HE KNOWS ME and LOVES ME.  He knew me before I was born and created in me a need for HIM.  I was created to love Him.   In all that space and eternity…I am important to Him.  And so are YOU!  Think about it.  When you quit trying to understand the un-understandable, just remember who you are in Him.  That's the only peace I can find.  I belong to the Creator.  You belong to the Creator.  And He loves us

Today I would like you to consider how important you are to the Kingdom. God chose to make you important!   How can you be sure?

John 3:16-17
16 "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

You are a very important child of God and your importance is not measured by your abilities or your intellect. Your importance is measured by God's love for you.  Now go and enjoy your day.

My Thoughts About This:

I am sooooooo glad about this truth. Sometimes I feel like an utter failure, yet I know, I know God loves me and this keeps me picking myself up and moving forward in His Will for me. It is only God that can make something important out of me, only God… most of my life I felt overlooked, unloved and unloveable, yet Jesus Christ He brought to me a self-image that is not propped up by what I do, but Whose I am! He is toooo awesome! You enjoy your day too and thanks for this good word!

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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/

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VERSE:

Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

-- Psalm 80:7

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+80:7

THOUGHT:

This passage makes me want to cry out to God: "Please restore us God! Restore us, your people, O God, who have lost their sense of wonder! Restore our old withered hearts to their innocence. Restore our lives to their unsoiled perfection and intention. Restore us to yourself, O God Almighty!" While not every Christian has lost his or her sense of wonder and while not every one of us has an old withered heart, we all need God's presence to shine upon us and renew us!

PRAYER:

O God, the maker of new things, sometimes I feel so old and worn; my soul is weary from the fight. I need your presence and strength to restore me. Please restore me to your side and make your grace alive in me. Please restore me to your love and share it with others through me. Please restore me to your righteousness so others can see your character in me. Please restore me, and not just me, please restore all those who call on your mighty name so that the world may see you in us and come to know your saving grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20110314

My Thoughts About This:

I know the feeling! I just hope that we all would come back to a love and adoration for God and make the changes in our lives that align us with Him. I pray the same thing that His grace would come alive in us and His character would grow in us, so our human nature is trumped every time by the holiness and characteristics of our AWE-GOD!

http://wisdomhunters.com/ Boyd Bailey

Trial by Fire

"This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God." Zechariah 13:9

A trial by fire purifies. We normally do not invite this or look forward to it as a tool of God's purification. It is a call to intimacy and dependence on our heavenly Father. Satan's desire is to drive us from God during our adversity, but God's heart is to draw us unto Him, as life heats up. Indeed, fiery trials seem to never let up or give up. One after another they crash against our faith. Like hurricane force gales and floods they wear us down and sometimes overcome life's levies. Anguish and pain may currently overwhelm you. Life is not fun right now. People you trusted let you down. Your health is fragile. Your job is in jeopardy. You are in a trial and you feel you're on trial. However, the refining fires of heaven burn away pride and replace it with humility. Fear evaporates and is overcome by trust. God removes anxieties and replaces it with His peace. Refining fire is hot but you are not alone. Like Daniel's three Hebrew friends, there is a fourth one with you in the fire—Jesus. He quenches the fiery darts of hell.

"He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods" (Daniel 3:25).

Christ's care provides a cup of refreshing water for your parched soul. It is for the love of Jesus that you persevere. Be patient. Allow Him to complete His work of refinement. You will love deeper and forgive fuller. Hope is on the horizon and is already here, as Christ in you is the hope of glory. Hang on to your hope in Him and be made whole.

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

The unlimited access to God is one of the many privileges for the follower of Jesus. You can call on His name and immediately you have His attention. Pray without ceasing. Cry out to the One who knows you the best. Let your lover—Jesus—love on you right where you live. Pain can polarize your relationship with God or it can galvanize it in intimacy. Let ingratitude be replaced by contentment. Stare into the face of Jesus for He is kind. He understands your plight. He is walking with you and is working through you. Allow God to channel His fiery trials into your character refinement. People will come out and watch a fire burn for God's glory. Trials are His time to shine, and He shines the brightest when the impurities are the least. Only Christ is left—He is all you need—He is all you want!

My Thoughts About This:

Wow! I can't believe how much of this I am experiencing right now! AWE-GOD! Replace ingratitude by Godly contentment! Awe-GOD! So Be it in us!#prayer I love that promise in Zechariah! It is so perfect for us. God does allow us to grow through the fire, but He is sooooooooo with us! It is so true what He said about what pain can do in your relationship with God. If we cling harder to God, dig our roots deeply in His intimate love, our pain will cause us to grow closer to God, know Him more. His Sovereign will is sometimes so hard to handle, especially when His Kingdom purposes are in play and they don't look like what you had planned, yet His Infinite Love, it will carry you through to growth and the realization of Kingdom purpose! I think that is so cool! His Sovereign Will goes hand in hand with His Infinite Love, the two are never apart. He balances us out in our trials, by His Infinite Love and nothing is too hard to bear as we cling to it! AWE-GOD!

(1 Peter 1:6) "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials".

How does Christ want to refine my character during my trials and temptations?

Related Readings: Deuteronomy 7:19; Luke 22:28; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; James 1:2

Deuteronomy 7:19-21

The great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the people of whom you are afraid.20 Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and hide themselves from you are destroyed.21 You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is among you, a mighty and terrible God.

Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Luke 22:27-32

For who is the greater, the one who reclines at table (the master), or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am in your midst as One Who serves.28 And you are those who have remained [throughout] and persevered with Me in My trials;29 And as My Father has appointed a kingdom and conferred it on Me, so do I confer on you [the privilege and decree],30 That you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.31 Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, 32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.

Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

1 Thessalonians 3:3

That no one [of you] should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you yourselves know that this is [unavoidable in our position, and must be recognized as] our appointed lot.4 For even when we were with you, [you know] we warned you plainly beforehand that we were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction, just as to your own knowledge it has [since] happened.5 That is the reason that, when I could bear [the suspense] no longer, I sent that I might learn [how you were standing the strain, and the endurance of] your faith, [for I was fearful] lest somehow the tempter had tempted you and our toil [among you should prove to] be fruitless and to no purpose.

Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

James 1:2-8

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].

Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Living A Life Of Balance

A balance must be struck between what time w have and what responsibilities fill the hours.

Psalm 62:9

Men of low degree [in the social scale] are emptiness (futility, a breath) and men of high degree [in the same scale] are a lie and a delusion. In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

Amplified Bible

Psalm 62: Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them together, they're nothing;

two times nothing is nothing.

Message Bible

James 1:14

14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

New King James Version

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission

What is the psalmist's poetic description of reaching the end of our days in

Psalm 90:9

For all our days [out here in this wilderness, says Moses] pass away in Your wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told [for we adults know we are doomed to die soon, without reaching Canaan].

Amplified Bible

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman

My Thoughts About This:

Our lives are a tale to be told. They pass away in God's wrath and we are doomed to die the minute we are born. Very discouraging! LOL! But it is the truth, our bodies are dying a little bit each day, but thank you to Jesus, we have eternal life!!

The most wonderful truth behind dealing with distractions is we don't need to organize and plan with our natural ability alone. If we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, He will order our steps according to His purposes. Quote By Thelma Wells

Paul had an interesting way of urging believers to make the most of their day!

Ephesians 5:16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is

Colossians 4:5

5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.

He is telling us to be wise in our use of time, so we can buy up every opportunity for the Kingdom of God. Seize every moment for God!

The thing I thought would make my life simpler actually landed me with more work. Balancing our and responsibilities may start with looking for lost or wasted time. How did they fritter their time away in this verse:

Acts 17: 21 For the Athenians, all of them, and the foreign residents and visitors among them spent all their leisure time in nothing except telling or hearing something newer than the last--

They spent their time gossiping!

Mark 13:33 Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.

John 7:6 Whereupon Jesus said to them, My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here]

Acts 3:19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord

Romans 13:11 Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).

1 Peter 1: 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed.

1 Peter 1:17 And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short].

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

All above scriptures from: Amplified Bible Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

Every season of life has: different responsibilities – required sacrifices – special blessings and joys

My hopes for this season of life have been set aside and God is enlarging me in many areas because of it. He is using this season to teach me a "completely" and to create in me an undivided heart. He is using this season to teach me not to kindle my own fires and walk by the light of a man made fire, but to wait on Him, to give Him time to work because He wants to be my Advocate, my Savior, my Deliverer. He wants to show His glory through me.

Decide! Pray for uncommon clarity! Say Yes to things that eternally matter-no to things that steal your energy 4no good purpose.

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