Good morning!
Man, what a week it has been. I'm thinking it's Tuesday! LOL! My boss has kept me very busy this week.
Today's devotional about loneliness really strikes close to home for me. Tony and I just had a discussion yesterday about how we feel so misplaced all the time - like we are living in a world that we just don't fit in. The scripture says that this world is not our home and that is the main contributing factor as to why we don't feel like we belong...simply because we don't. But as Christians and in the "body" of Christ <-- the church - we should feel like we at least fit together.
I know for myself, I am a person who is constantly surrounded by people and events but still feel lonely often. Sometimes I am talking and the words are coming out but they're not forming in words what I'm feeling in my heart... but God totally knows where I'm coming from and has been my comforting Father in so many lonely times.
We have to ask ourselves this - am I feeling lonely because God wants my focus to be on Him? If so, give Him your focus - read your bible, pray, talk with him and ask for his guidance - He won't let you be lonely for long.
- am I feeling lonely because I'm drawing away from everyone who cares about me? - If so, check yourself. The Devil loves to isolate and fill your head with lies and strongholds that do nothing but push you into a hole. If you're hiding in a hole you can't get out and share the love of Christ.
- am I feeling lonely because I'm too scared to get involved? - If so, get involved! Always do what scares you! (if there will be a positive impact - what do you have to lose?) Faith without works is dead! Check out your church bulletin and see what's going on - then get into it!
If you're feeling lonely in a busy world - check out what's going on in your life. What are you feeding yourself? Just like when you eat really bad for a long time you start to feel horrible... but you know when you're eating healthy because you feel good. What are you watching, hearing, speaking? Do an inventory on the people in your "inner circle" - are they positive and productive? Do they fill you up or drain you? Some people that are closest to you are draining you of your life. It doesn't mean they are bad people - it just means that their motives are differant than yours and you need to get connected with people who are looking to share the love of Christ. If you say to yourself "hmmm... I don't have anyone in my life that I feel is negative or draining..." Then ask yourself this "Am I that person?" <-- Whoa! Shock... ! Sometimes it's just the reality check that we need.
Walking with Christ is not a Sunday thing. It's an every day thing. It's life. Nothing frustrates me more than to see people outside of church who walk with Christ - not live the Word of God on a regular basis. No one is perfect... we will all mess up over and over again.... we will slander one another... but the key is to try hard... try SUPER hard to live a life of love. I love the verse below where some of Jesus' followers thaught it was too hard to walk with Him and so they left him - then he asks His disciples are they going to leave too... read below:
James 6:60-68
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
I love that!!! "To whom shall we go" or "where else can we go" God has the words of eternal life! Why would you want to go anywhere else? The things of this world are TEMPORARY highs!
Ask God to help reveal "Who am I?" Then check your life. Check your friends, check your text messages, check your HOME.... read your BFF's tweets and Facebook Status' .... are they Kingdom thinkers or worldy thinkers? I can guarantee you that your loneliness will subside once you seek God's direction and do an inventory on your inner circle.
Sorry guys... totally in preacher mode this morning! lol! I'm drugged up on Tylenol Sinus and coffee! lol! I just hate that we sit around waiting for God to deliver... like He's some sort of vending machine - that we just push a button - B1 - and plop! Our treat falls out... He does not work this way. He's all into blessing us and He loves and forgives us regardless! He's not a "performance based" loving Father - He loves just because! We have to start doing and loneliness has no ground to stand on.
*deep breath*
Tony and I are working on creating a ministry called The Brown Bag Special - we will make sack lunches for the homeless in down town Nashville and deliver to them. Not sure of all the details yet but we're thinking a couple of sandwiches, some veggies, fruit, chips, sweet treat, a soda and water, and a scripture card. We are praying for God's direction with this.
We are tired of being bystanders.
Proverbs 14:31 (New International Version)
31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
Proverbs 28:27 (New International Version)
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing,
but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
1 Samuel 2:8 (New International Version)
8 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.
"For the foundations of the earth are the LORD's;
upon them he has set the world.
If you think you would be interested in this ministry please let me know.
Have a great day today!
Love,
April
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Kindness to ALL
Happy Monday!!!
Kindness to all. This is a tough one.... I can honestly say this is something that I have struggled with for quite some time now. It seems that everywhere we go there will always be "someone" who really tests your spirit. What we need to remember - very graphically, Jesus hanging on a cross wounded and bleeding and asking God to forgive the people who put Him there.
Luke 23:34 "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing".
I would say that is kindness... that is ultimate kindess.
We are to love God and love each other. Today - I challenge you and myself to be genuinely kind to someone who is a thorn in your side. It will only take a second. Then with that said - I challenge you to be kind or do something nice for someone very dear to you. It's easy to forget about the people we care about most because we expect them to already know we care about them. Remember the best way to share the love of Christ is in action - once you have their attention then they may open up to hear the Word.
Make it a great day!
April
Kindness to all. This is a tough one.... I can honestly say this is something that I have struggled with for quite some time now. It seems that everywhere we go there will always be "someone" who really tests your spirit. What we need to remember - very graphically, Jesus hanging on a cross wounded and bleeding and asking God to forgive the people who put Him there.
Luke 23:34 "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing".
I would say that is kindness... that is ultimate kindess.
We are to love God and love each other. Today - I challenge you and myself to be genuinely kind to someone who is a thorn in your side. It will only take a second. Then with that said - I challenge you to be kind or do something nice for someone very dear to you. It's easy to forget about the people we care about most because we expect them to already know we care about them. Remember the best way to share the love of Christ is in action - once you have their attention then they may open up to hear the Word.
Make it a great day!
April
Friday, April 9, 2010
Happy Friday!
Justice is something that I had to learn the hard way. I use to take things into my own hands all the time and I always felt the need to defend myself against others. In 2005 I rededicated my life to Jesus and started walking in a relationship with Him. Along that journey there are numerous times where I could hear the voice of God say “Be still! This is not your battle- you have other work to do”. I ignored His voice for some time because I didn’t get it. I had always fought my own battles. When someone would say something about me or do something to me I would get so angry. I felt like I was about to explode! But I learned to hit my knees literally or go to a quiet spot (sometimes a bathroom stall to get away)- and pray, pray, pray until the fire was out of me. I had to learn to defuse and give it to God.
God does not want us to waste our time and energy on crap! “You have other work to do”. God is our righteous defender!
The other day I was reading in the book of Acts about Peter and the other apostles teaching the word of God. The high priest and his associates were filled with jealousy and they had the apostles arrested.
Read below this is from Acts 5:
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
Now check this out:
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
If someone is trying to fight against you and you are trying your hardest to live in obedience to God – they are not fighting against you, they are fighting against God . How awesome is that?!?! Don’t play their games and don’t fight a battle that’s not for you to fight.
Today – lift up and burdens you are carrying and any fights you are fighting – “God, here you go. It’s all yours. I do not have the energy to fight this battle on my own and you are right – I have other work to do. The devil’s plot is to steal, kill, and destroy and he never takes a day off. He will use anyone and/or anything to make me lose my focus on kingdom things and act out of line. Thank you for Your mercy over and over again. I release these things over to you now and am walking away and not looking back.”
Stand firm and share the love!
Have a great weekend!
A
Justice is something that I had to learn the hard way. I use to take things into my own hands all the time and I always felt the need to defend myself against others. In 2005 I rededicated my life to Jesus and started walking in a relationship with Him. Along that journey there are numerous times where I could hear the voice of God say “Be still! This is not your battle- you have other work to do”. I ignored His voice for some time because I didn’t get it. I had always fought my own battles. When someone would say something about me or do something to me I would get so angry. I felt like I was about to explode! But I learned to hit my knees literally or go to a quiet spot (sometimes a bathroom stall to get away)- and pray, pray, pray until the fire was out of me. I had to learn to defuse and give it to God.
God does not want us to waste our time and energy on crap! “You have other work to do”. God is our righteous defender!
The other day I was reading in the book of Acts about Peter and the other apostles teaching the word of God. The high priest and his associates were filled with jealousy and they had the apostles arrested.
Read below this is from Acts 5:
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
Now check this out:
33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
If someone is trying to fight against you and you are trying your hardest to live in obedience to God – they are not fighting against you, they are fighting against God . How awesome is that?!?! Don’t play their games and don’t fight a battle that’s not for you to fight.
Today – lift up and burdens you are carrying and any fights you are fighting – “God, here you go. It’s all yours. I do not have the energy to fight this battle on my own and you are right – I have other work to do. The devil’s plot is to steal, kill, and destroy and he never takes a day off. He will use anyone and/or anything to make me lose my focus on kingdom things and act out of line. Thank you for Your mercy over and over again. I release these things over to you now and am walking away and not looking back.”
Stand firm and share the love!
Have a great weekend!
A
Thursday, April 8, 2010
INTEGRITY
in•teg•ri•ty
–noun
1.
adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Good morning!
Testing of the heart…. Hmmm…. Interesting huh? Can you think of times or are you going through a time where your heart is being tested? His Word says that our hearts will be tested. Check out some supporting scripture:
Psalm 26:2-3 (New International Version)
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.
Jeremiah 11:20 (New International Version)
20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously
and test the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (New International Version)
4On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:2-3 (New International Version)
Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:12 (New International Version)
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
We have to remember that God knows everything. I know there have been times in my life where I feel like I can just not speak to God about that “thing” and it will be okay but what happens is I shut down. I go into complete denial, harvesting a burden that I don’t have to harvest.
Our task for today is to do an inventory on our hearts. Be honest with yourself (me too) and say “Lord, I have sinned. I have ____________ your confession __ and I no longer want to follow that path or make excuses for why it’s okay for me to continue _________ That thing ___. Please lend me Your guidance as I walk away from bondage in this sin. I know now that my heart is being tested and I am looking to You for strength. Hold me accountable.”
Be free!
Love,
April
–noun
1.
adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Good morning!
Testing of the heart…. Hmmm…. Interesting huh? Can you think of times or are you going through a time where your heart is being tested? His Word says that our hearts will be tested. Check out some supporting scripture:
Psalm 26:2-3 (New International Version)
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for your love is ever before me,
and I walk continually in your truth.
Jeremiah 11:20 (New International Version)
20 But, O LORD Almighty, you who judge righteously
and test the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (New International Version)
4On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.
James 1:2-3 (New International Version)
Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:12 (New International Version)
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
We have to remember that God knows everything. I know there have been times in my life where I feel like I can just not speak to God about that “thing” and it will be okay but what happens is I shut down. I go into complete denial, harvesting a burden that I don’t have to harvest.
Our task for today is to do an inventory on our hearts. Be honest with yourself (me too) and say “Lord, I have sinned. I have ____________ your confession __ and I no longer want to follow that path or make excuses for why it’s okay for me to continue _________ That thing ___. Please lend me Your guidance as I walk away from bondage in this sin. I know now that my heart is being tested and I am looking to You for strength. Hold me accountable.”
Be free!
Love,
April
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Happiness and Humility
Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Good morning!
It’s Wednesday already!
This morning on my drive into work I was thinking about happiness. What defines happiness? What is it that we cling to in our lives that we think will make us happy? Bigger question – if we were to receive the thing/things that we think would make us happy – for how long would we be happy?
Some of us think that if we had more money it would make us happy. If our husband or wife would tweak their actions a little bit then we would be happy. If we had a new job we would be happy.
These are all temporary highs. Say you were to receive a HUGE financial blessing but you don’t have the knowledge of budgeting money – you receive the money and in no time you spend it all… every last dime and have hardly anything to show. Your happiness went right out the window with the money.
You husband or wife does tweak their actions – but then that’s not good enough either. Once that issue is out of the way you pick out another issue that needs changing.
You receive the new job but you work with someone who is way worse than your old boss and you’re too weak to spiritually battle through your day.
All that to say – be happy where you are. God has you exactly where you need to be right now or else you would not be there.
Release any burden that you are carrying today – give it to God. He can handle it much better than we ever could. Jesus tells us that His yolk is easy and burden is light.
Read this small article that I found at bibletruths.net about happiness – very interesting:
How the Bible Pronounces “happy”
Those who fear the Lord are happy.
Happy are those who keep God’s laws.
Happy are those who have children.
Happy are those who do not condemn self.
Happy are those who trust in the Lord.
Happy are those who require wisdom.
“Our English word "happy" is simply defined as, "Fortunate or lucky…. cheerful…contented…characterized by or indicative of pleasure…." (Random House College Dictionary). The biblical presentation of "happy" is more substantive. For instance, the Bible does not present happiness as an experience that just happens because of luck or some shallow euphoric state of mind. One, according to the Bible, can be happy while being corrected by God, suffering for the sake of righteousness, and being reproached for the name of Christ.”
Is this not great news?? One can be happy while being kicked in the dirt! If any of you attended our bible study last year – you may remember the teaching that I did on Paul’s happiness (The book of Philippians). The book of Philippians continuously talks about being happy. So, here Paul is – in prison… persecuted and all he can talk about is how flippin’ happy he is! Are you serious!?!?! I want to be like that. I want to have such faith that is unshakeable. The more you share the Good News the harder this world is going to come down upon you – which is why you don’t see or hear a lot of people sharing. Even people who show up to church every Sunday – you don’t see them (and even I’m guilty at times) sharing the Word of God by words and actions outside of church.
Have you ever heard the song by Casting Crowns called “If We Are The Body”? Check out these lyrics -
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
Last night in my alone time with the Lord – I pulled my car to the darkest spot in our parking lot, I put a blanket over the trunk of my car and I laid there looking up into the stars. Realizing how small I am. How my God is the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, Bright Morning Star, Bread of Life, Consuming Fire, Creator, The Great I Am, Prince of Peace, Living Water, Lord of All! He is everything. I am nothing and can do nothing without Him. Do you ever feel like your life is all over the place? Like you have no clue which direction you’re going and everything looks all cool on the outside but in the inside you feel like you’re going crazy!? You can’t explain it even if someone asks…. Whenever I feel like that, I have to check where I am placing God in my life and EVERY SINGLE TIME - I have moved Him out of the pilot seat and stuck Him in the co-pilot seat. I can’t fly a plane but He can. Last night I realized that He and I need to trade seats or my plane is going to crash.
Our human nature…. *sigh* …. We too often are so puffed up. More focused on ME, I, ME, MYSELF, ME, I, …. Rather than HIM and others. Our job is to love God and love each other. A good friend of mine told me yesterday:
“Getting equipped to minister to people and knowing God loves you and has a calling on your life are important. We are called to love God and love people. If everyone would do that to the best of their ability, we could really make a radical impact on the world.”
Those words are words to live by.
So – anyway …. I don’t think my Everyday Blessing emails are ever this long… haha! I had a lot on my heart.
I just want to encourage you today to be happy where you are, be humble, and exalt Him. Make sure He is flying the plane and not you. Grow deeper and branch out in His name. If anyone of you wants to grow deeper but doesn’t know how – please email me and we’ll talk about it. The greatest thing you can ever do is not only believe in Christ but to walk with Him daily. So many people go their whole lives and never experience the walking relationship with Jesus Christ. It goes so much deeper than just going to church on Sunday and saying your nightly prayers. Life doesn’t have to be this hard….we’re on the winning team! As Pastor Steve would say “I’ve read the end of the book and WE WIN!!!”
Love you all so deeply,
April
20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Good morning!
It’s Wednesday already!
This morning on my drive into work I was thinking about happiness. What defines happiness? What is it that we cling to in our lives that we think will make us happy? Bigger question – if we were to receive the thing/things that we think would make us happy – for how long would we be happy?
Some of us think that if we had more money it would make us happy. If our husband or wife would tweak their actions a little bit then we would be happy. If we had a new job we would be happy.
These are all temporary highs. Say you were to receive a HUGE financial blessing but you don’t have the knowledge of budgeting money – you receive the money and in no time you spend it all… every last dime and have hardly anything to show. Your happiness went right out the window with the money.
You husband or wife does tweak their actions – but then that’s not good enough either. Once that issue is out of the way you pick out another issue that needs changing.
You receive the new job but you work with someone who is way worse than your old boss and you’re too weak to spiritually battle through your day.
All that to say – be happy where you are. God has you exactly where you need to be right now or else you would not be there.
Release any burden that you are carrying today – give it to God. He can handle it much better than we ever could. Jesus tells us that His yolk is easy and burden is light.
Read this small article that I found at bibletruths.net about happiness – very interesting:
How the Bible Pronounces “happy”
Those who fear the Lord are happy.
Happy are those who keep God’s laws.
Happy are those who have children.
Happy are those who do not condemn self.
Happy are those who trust in the Lord.
Happy are those who require wisdom.
“Our English word "happy" is simply defined as, "Fortunate or lucky…. cheerful…contented…characterized by or indicative of pleasure…." (Random House College Dictionary). The biblical presentation of "happy" is more substantive. For instance, the Bible does not present happiness as an experience that just happens because of luck or some shallow euphoric state of mind. One, according to the Bible, can be happy while being corrected by God, suffering for the sake of righteousness, and being reproached for the name of Christ.”
Is this not great news?? One can be happy while being kicked in the dirt! If any of you attended our bible study last year – you may remember the teaching that I did on Paul’s happiness (The book of Philippians). The book of Philippians continuously talks about being happy. So, here Paul is – in prison… persecuted and all he can talk about is how flippin’ happy he is! Are you serious!?!?! I want to be like that. I want to have such faith that is unshakeable. The more you share the Good News the harder this world is going to come down upon you – which is why you don’t see or hear a lot of people sharing. Even people who show up to church every Sunday – you don’t see them (and even I’m guilty at times) sharing the Word of God by words and actions outside of church.
Have you ever heard the song by Casting Crowns called “If We Are The Body”? Check out these lyrics -
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way
Last night in my alone time with the Lord – I pulled my car to the darkest spot in our parking lot, I put a blanket over the trunk of my car and I laid there looking up into the stars. Realizing how small I am. How my God is the Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega, Bright Morning Star, Bread of Life, Consuming Fire, Creator, The Great I Am, Prince of Peace, Living Water, Lord of All! He is everything. I am nothing and can do nothing without Him. Do you ever feel like your life is all over the place? Like you have no clue which direction you’re going and everything looks all cool on the outside but in the inside you feel like you’re going crazy!? You can’t explain it even if someone asks…. Whenever I feel like that, I have to check where I am placing God in my life and EVERY SINGLE TIME - I have moved Him out of the pilot seat and stuck Him in the co-pilot seat. I can’t fly a plane but He can. Last night I realized that He and I need to trade seats or my plane is going to crash.
Our human nature…. *sigh* …. We too often are so puffed up. More focused on ME, I, ME, MYSELF, ME, I, …. Rather than HIM and others. Our job is to love God and love each other. A good friend of mine told me yesterday:
“Getting equipped to minister to people and knowing God loves you and has a calling on your life are important. We are called to love God and love people. If everyone would do that to the best of their ability, we could really make a radical impact on the world.”
Those words are words to live by.
So – anyway …. I don’t think my Everyday Blessing emails are ever this long… haha! I had a lot on my heart.
I just want to encourage you today to be happy where you are, be humble, and exalt Him. Make sure He is flying the plane and not you. Grow deeper and branch out in His name. If anyone of you wants to grow deeper but doesn’t know how – please email me and we’ll talk about it. The greatest thing you can ever do is not only believe in Christ but to walk with Him daily. So many people go their whole lives and never experience the walking relationship with Jesus Christ. It goes so much deeper than just going to church on Sunday and saying your nightly prayers. Life doesn’t have to be this hard….we’re on the winning team! As Pastor Steve would say “I’ve read the end of the book and WE WIN!!!”
Love you all so deeply,
April
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
A DISTANT HEART
Good morning friends!
Well, it's a beautiful day today. Actually the past few days have been remarkable. I love sunny days with a breeze before the humidity takes off and ruins everything. lol!
I love summer nights when the stars are shining and the wind is blowing through the trees. I feel God's presence right there in front of me on those nights. I feel as if he is embracing me and speaking to my heart, comforting me and reassuring me of any doubts. I love it so much that I will sleep on the couch so that I can open the balcony door and let the breeze blow in while I sleep. Amazing.
Do you ever have those times where your heart feels distant? I think there are times where you can be so on fire for the Lord and He is there!!! .... and then out of nowhere it goes away. I hate that. To me, it's kind of a testing period to where God draws back and we are to continue to draw into Him although we're not feeling/seeing any immediate response.
For the past month (since I've started my new job) I have felt a distant heart from my God. I hate it that my work life is great and then I find myself not constantly speaking with God throughout the day. The good thing - I realize it. God has answered my prayers for a peaceful job- and boy did He deliver! This job is amazing! But even with that said, my praises should NEVER find end. If anything- I should be leaning into Him more.
Please say a prayer for my distant heart. Also, Tony and I are still on the journey to finding a church home - so keep that in your prayers as well. It's very frustrating not being planted in a church home and we've been church goers for the past 5 years! I am so ready to sing for the Lord again. I have not been actively singing for the past 6 years or so - and I love to worship with music. I pray for God's direction to a church home that will allow me the opportunity to worship instead of not allowing any "change" with their worship team.
Also - I've been speaking with a guy that I work with about doing some music for him. He and a friend moved to Tennessee from Florida as their hearts were called to come here and start making worship cd's to give out as ministry to people who may not feel comfortable to walk into a church- this way they can listen to one of the cd's and HOPEFULLY have a heart transformation- if just ONE person gives their life to Jesus... it would ALL be worth it. I am REALLY excited to be apart of the project.
I was talking to Tony the other day and stating - "wouldn't it be such a waste to die today and never have done anything to further the Kingdom?" I know that I have shared the Good News but I want to DO something! I've been looking at some charities to get involved in and hope to help with them. Graceworks looks to be AMAZING! You can find charities to contribute your time and/or money to at www.givingmatters.com
A new day has arrived and His mercy is anew. Thank You for Your Mercy, Heavenly Father. May my heart be distant only for a short while.
"Oh no, You never let go - through the calm and through the storm. Oh no, You never let go - with every high and every low- Oh no, You never let go - No, You never let go of me."
Not of this world,
April Poynter
Well, it's a beautiful day today. Actually the past few days have been remarkable. I love sunny days with a breeze before the humidity takes off and ruins everything. lol!
I love summer nights when the stars are shining and the wind is blowing through the trees. I feel God's presence right there in front of me on those nights. I feel as if he is embracing me and speaking to my heart, comforting me and reassuring me of any doubts. I love it so much that I will sleep on the couch so that I can open the balcony door and let the breeze blow in while I sleep. Amazing.
Do you ever have those times where your heart feels distant? I think there are times where you can be so on fire for the Lord and He is there!!! .... and then out of nowhere it goes away. I hate that. To me, it's kind of a testing period to where God draws back and we are to continue to draw into Him although we're not feeling/seeing any immediate response.
For the past month (since I've started my new job) I have felt a distant heart from my God. I hate it that my work life is great and then I find myself not constantly speaking with God throughout the day. The good thing - I realize it. God has answered my prayers for a peaceful job- and boy did He deliver! This job is amazing! But even with that said, my praises should NEVER find end. If anything- I should be leaning into Him more.
Please say a prayer for my distant heart. Also, Tony and I are still on the journey to finding a church home - so keep that in your prayers as well. It's very frustrating not being planted in a church home and we've been church goers for the past 5 years! I am so ready to sing for the Lord again. I have not been actively singing for the past 6 years or so - and I love to worship with music. I pray for God's direction to a church home that will allow me the opportunity to worship instead of not allowing any "change" with their worship team.
Also - I've been speaking with a guy that I work with about doing some music for him. He and a friend moved to Tennessee from Florida as their hearts were called to come here and start making worship cd's to give out as ministry to people who may not feel comfortable to walk into a church- this way they can listen to one of the cd's and HOPEFULLY have a heart transformation- if just ONE person gives their life to Jesus... it would ALL be worth it. I am REALLY excited to be apart of the project.
I was talking to Tony the other day and stating - "wouldn't it be such a waste to die today and never have done anything to further the Kingdom?" I know that I have shared the Good News but I want to DO something! I've been looking at some charities to get involved in and hope to help with them. Graceworks looks to be AMAZING! You can find charities to contribute your time and/or money to at www.givingmatters.com
A new day has arrived and His mercy is anew. Thank You for Your Mercy, Heavenly Father. May my heart be distant only for a short while.
"Oh no, You never let go - through the calm and through the storm. Oh no, You never let go - with every high and every low- Oh no, You never let go - No, You never let go of me."
Not of this world,
April Poynter
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