Colossians 3:18
Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master.
I know that this verse can cause some people to get uncomfortable. Submitting is a touchy word in our day for some females. I admit the word really makes me think. I'm stubborn and don't love the thought of being fully submitted to someone. The word submit, is described as ways soldiers submit to generals...eek! While deciding if I wanted this as a memory verse I looked up a lot of versions. Each used the word submit. That really doesn't give a lot of wiggle room. We are called to submit to our husbands.
You see God has ordained Andy as the head of our household. I trust that. Here is the part I think we don't always acknowledge because we are too caught up in equality. Andy respects me. He respects my opinion and my heart. We work in a way where submitting comes easily. Does this make sense? Andy isn't going to make decisions for our family that are horrible and I have to follow behind him. The next verse in Colossians calls Husbands to not take advantage of their wives. God intended marriage to have mutual respect.
I wrote more about that then I planned on, forgive me for preaching. I really wanted to know this verse because I want the command to understand and support Andy to be in my thinking. All the time. This takes work. As a counselor I see marriages where couples stop trying to understand and stop supporting. It breaks my heart. Marriage takes work. God has high hopes for marriages and it should not be taken lightly. I pray Andy and I would never loose sight of why we were married. God remind us that we became one to better glorify you.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Day #32
I've been reading, The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo. It's been a great read because it is a fascinating story about forgiveness. I'm not giving anything away that the title doesn't... The story is about a preacher's family who is terrorized by a man in their church. It's straight up crazy what he does! However, the family chooses to enforce my memory verse for the day, Luke 6:27-28...
'But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you'
This verse is pretty straight forward. Silly story, but I can't stop thinking about this lady that yelled and flipped me off about six years ago. I was dropping my mom off somewhere and happened to be doing it in a handicap spot (horrible I know, but I wasn't going to be there long). At the same time a woman came charging out cursing and yelling at me. I hate confrontation and backed out of the spot in tears. I need to pray for this lady and not let her ruffle my feathers any longer!
On a more serious note. Not everyone is going to get along in this world. We as Christians have to show Christ's love by blessing those who hate, mistreat, and curse us. On the flip side, we should not be someones enemy. That challenge almost seems harder to me. I never want to mistreat someone. God has called us to be holy people. This means loving your neighbor; by blessing them and not mistreating them. I pray Lord that I could love my neighbors... all the time!
'But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you'
This verse is pretty straight forward. Silly story, but I can't stop thinking about this lady that yelled and flipped me off about six years ago. I was dropping my mom off somewhere and happened to be doing it in a handicap spot (horrible I know, but I wasn't going to be there long). At the same time a woman came charging out cursing and yelling at me. I hate confrontation and backed out of the spot in tears. I need to pray for this lady and not let her ruffle my feathers any longer!
On a more serious note. Not everyone is going to get along in this world. We as Christians have to show Christ's love by blessing those who hate, mistreat, and curse us. On the flip side, we should not be someones enemy. That challenge almost seems harder to me. I never want to mistreat someone. God has called us to be holy people. This means loving your neighbor; by blessing them and not mistreating them. I pray Lord that I could love my neighbors... all the time!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Day #31
One of the best lessons I've learned during this has been the constant reminder that God is my refuge. It's sprinkled all over scripture. In Him I can find shelter. I've reflected on this several times during this lent season. When I'm face with something bad, I'm reminded of this. There is something powerful about this that sends a warmth all throughout my body. Today's verse is another one that sends me to a place of comfort and rest.
Psalm 91:1-2...
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
How amazing is God! What an amazing gift TRUST is. I know that life is not easy. We are all surrounded by darkness and sadness. We live in a fallen world. But the 'whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High (stop and think about that description, Most High...pretty awesome) will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.' This is what it means to be a follower and believer of Christ. We can't always escape the bad in life, but we can rest in the Lord. This is such great news.
Psalm 91:1-2...
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
How amazing is God! What an amazing gift TRUST is. I know that life is not easy. We are all surrounded by darkness and sadness. We live in a fallen world. But the 'whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High (stop and think about that description, Most High...pretty awesome) will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.' This is what it means to be a follower and believer of Christ. We can't always escape the bad in life, but we can rest in the Lord. This is such great news.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Day #30
10 days left. My biggest fear is that I'm annoying people with so many post. I know that's stupid and it's the enemy attacking me. God has used many people to speak kindness and encouragement into me as I journey to know more. I'm so grateful.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.
Sometimes I feel like all I see are troubles all around me. I often don't know what to do. Especially in my line of work. As I read this I think, I am never alone. Words really can't express the freedom, comfort, and warmth this promise gives me. May this promise comfort me always.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We do not know what to do, but do not give up the hope of living. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.
Sometimes I feel like all I see are troubles all around me. I often don't know what to do. Especially in my line of work. As I read this I think, I am never alone. Words really can't express the freedom, comfort, and warmth this promise gives me. May this promise comfort me always.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Day #29
1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
I've mentioned before Andy and I lived in Swaziland. Our main job was to coordinate teams and their events when they came to serve. Right now there is a team in Swaziland. I'm living out the week of events in my mind, I long to be there. I long to spend hours in the sun connecting with people who don't even speak English.
While in Africa it was easy to live this verse out. While there we tried our hardest to love and serve. As much as we could. It was our job our main priority. Since being back I always think, how can I love like that here? It's kinda sad because I should be seeking out people to love here, just like I did in Swaziland. What has changed to make it different?
I know that loving in Idaho looks different than it did in Africa. I dont' have to wear skirts and it's colder. On a serious note, nothing regarding how I live should be different. Regardless of where God puts me. I should always see loving and serving others as my job. I need to try hard here too. This verse says it straight forward; 'if I don't have pity on them...how can the love of God really be in me!'
I pray this defines me. That I have the love of God in me. God may I be sensitive to my surroundings and your leading.
I've mentioned before Andy and I lived in Swaziland. Our main job was to coordinate teams and their events when they came to serve. Right now there is a team in Swaziland. I'm living out the week of events in my mind, I long to be there. I long to spend hours in the sun connecting with people who don't even speak English.
While in Africa it was easy to live this verse out. While there we tried our hardest to love and serve. As much as we could. It was our job our main priority. Since being back I always think, how can I love like that here? It's kinda sad because I should be seeking out people to love here, just like I did in Swaziland. What has changed to make it different?
I know that loving in Idaho looks different than it did in Africa. I dont' have to wear skirts and it's colder. On a serious note, nothing regarding how I live should be different. Regardless of where God puts me. I should always see loving and serving others as my job. I need to try hard here too. This verse says it straight forward; 'if I don't have pity on them...how can the love of God really be in me!'
I pray this defines me. That I have the love of God in me. God may I be sensitive to my surroundings and your leading.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Day #28
My sweet husband loves Proverbs and Psalms. I know he has them running through his veins, leading him. Even if he doesn't know it. I want this Proverb to run through my veins...
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Isn't this the truth! It is so refreshing and nice to be around a cheerful person. People who are 'crushed' or negative suck the lif out of me!
I love the story of how our relator, from buying our first house, came to know the Lord. Her name is Lisa. Lisa was not a believer. She never went to church growing. She knew nothing about Christianity. When she was in her late 20's she had a coworker who was happy all the time. Lisa said it kinda annoyed her. Finally one day she asked this coworker why she was so joyful all the time. The coworker said because of the great things Jesus has done for me. Lisa wanted that joy and then began her journey to know Jesus. I can tell you she has the most cheerful heart and that cheer is contagious. Isn't God good! I want to be like Lisa and her coworker... noticeably different because of the joy of Jesus!
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Isn't this the truth! It is so refreshing and nice to be around a cheerful person. People who are 'crushed' or negative suck the lif out of me!
I love the story of how our relator, from buying our first house, came to know the Lord. Her name is Lisa. Lisa was not a believer. She never went to church growing. She knew nothing about Christianity. When she was in her late 20's she had a coworker who was happy all the time. Lisa said it kinda annoyed her. Finally one day she asked this coworker why she was so joyful all the time. The coworker said because of the great things Jesus has done for me. Lisa wanted that joy and then began her journey to know Jesus. I can tell you she has the most cheerful heart and that cheer is contagious. Isn't God good! I want to be like Lisa and her coworker... noticeably different because of the joy of Jesus!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Day #27
I love being outside. Something about it refreshes my soul. Last night I was thinking about the stars in Africa. There are so many! Well, the same amount exists in the sky in America, we just don't see them that often. I'm curious how often people think about that? Does it bother any one else that life is so full, that it even fills the sky (lights, smog...)? I love this verse...
God put the stars and moon there for us to enjoy. I love God's creativity. He is so mindful. I love the thought of how much God cares for us. Even when we don't see it. He does. His care is all around us. I pray that I can recognize His care and love when I'm in nature, even when my lif is so full it fills the sky.
Psalm 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
God put the stars and moon there for us to enjoy. I love God's creativity. He is so mindful. I love the thought of how much God cares for us. Even when we don't see it. He does. His care is all around us. I pray that I can recognize His care and love when I'm in nature, even when my lif is so full it fills the sky.
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