Janelle:
The war has intensified. I listened to John Jeffries word from a month ago on my laundry day, and was really struck by a story he told of Sam Fife. He was talking about how they were praying for John Hinsen not to go to jail, and in the story, they were all praying fervently and then a bunch of people left and some time after that, Sam's head came up and he said: "He's here. We have His ear. Let's make our request." It was so powerful to think that the we have his ear. That He will listen to us as we make our request to him, but we have to wait on him. It's not a magic button, it's our God, whom we serve and it's our responsibility to wait on him. To know the difference of being in his presence or not.
The war to me has gotten a lot harder, just in being faithful every day. It's evident from the lack of posts on this blog, that I have been struggling. In the same way that I don't give myself much room with exercise, I need to not give myself any room when exercising my spirit.
It seems it's a lot harder to simply think about what God is speaking today then to just go for a run. But if I'm not faithful, I won't be counted.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Employing the Holy Spirit
Janelle:
We have been talking recently about employing the Holy Spirit. It says that he is an advocate for us, but if we don't employ him, we don't receive any help from him at all. My biggest problem is that I just don't remember to involve him in my day. When I get busy or focused, I rarely take the time to say, "Lord, direct me. Help me, show me what you want from me in this particular situation."
The Sad thing is, that instead of living my life with purpose, directed by the Lord, I get so comfortable just drifting from all the normal things I do. I take care of my family, I clean my house, I go to work, and I relax, completely failing to involve the Lord in my days.
But it doesn't have to stay that way. I also think, employing the holy spirit it about the burdens that we carry. Instead of feeling heavy under them and unable to help, we can give them to the Lord, who says he will carry our burdens and His burden is light, and have not only the help we need, but the wisdom to see which burdens are from him, and which are ones we take on ourselves.
We have been talking recently about employing the Holy Spirit. It says that he is an advocate for us, but if we don't employ him, we don't receive any help from him at all. My biggest problem is that I just don't remember to involve him in my day. When I get busy or focused, I rarely take the time to say, "Lord, direct me. Help me, show me what you want from me in this particular situation."
The Sad thing is, that instead of living my life with purpose, directed by the Lord, I get so comfortable just drifting from all the normal things I do. I take care of my family, I clean my house, I go to work, and I relax, completely failing to involve the Lord in my days.
But it doesn't have to stay that way. I also think, employing the holy spirit it about the burdens that we carry. Instead of feeling heavy under them and unable to help, we can give them to the Lord, who says he will carry our burdens and His burden is light, and have not only the help we need, but the wisdom to see which burdens are from him, and which are ones we take on ourselves.
Monday, July 9, 2012
A Refill
Janelle:
Today David DiGloria talked about needing a refill of the Holy Spirit, because we are actually called to be suppliers of the Holy Spirit for one another.
Ephesians 4V15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
We are called to supply the body with what we are given. We aren't called to sit and take and take and never give. God has given us his Holy Spirit and as we are filled with that, we are to supply the body. Sometimes we just need to be re-filled with the Spirit so we can get in the right way again and be our effectual part in the body of Christ.
Dan:
No strife in our relationship.
Friday, July 6, 2012
What Comes out of my mouth.
Janelle:
Well, many years ago, almost six, my mother said, "We can bring life or death into our relationships by what we say."
This mornings opening was about keeping our tongues under control. About not speaking when you aren't supposed too, and learning how to have the Lord bridal your tongue.
I was actually thinking about not being a gossip, and not talking about people. It's so easy to fall into just "chatting" about others and really not caring what we are saying, if it's hurtful or if it's tearing down. I hate it after I do it, but the thing about what you say, is you can't take it back. Once something is said, it's there. And the consequences of those things that we say can be much more long term than what we want.
It's like the scripture in James 3v1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Dan:
Words
Well, many years ago, almost six, my mother said, "We can bring life or death into our relationships by what we say."
This mornings opening was about keeping our tongues under control. About not speaking when you aren't supposed too, and learning how to have the Lord bridal your tongue.
I was actually thinking about not being a gossip, and not talking about people. It's so easy to fall into just "chatting" about others and really not caring what we are saying, if it's hurtful or if it's tearing down. I hate it after I do it, but the thing about what you say, is you can't take it back. Once something is said, it's there. And the consequences of those things that we say can be much more long term than what we want.
It's like the scripture in James 3v1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
I want the words of my mouth to be a praise to God and not a shame.
Dan:
Words
Our worlds have more power than we care to think about on any given day. Proverbs 18:21 says "life and death are in the power of the tongue".
How we think and speak to each other has a great effect on our relationships and how our lives our formed. We can encourage or belittle those that we come in contact with, both in and outside of our immediate circle of friends/family. While this interaction can directly effect us in both the long and short term, of more importance perhaps is the immediate affect our words have on ourselves. What you say is an expression of what you think and how you feel, in short your view of the world around you. Negative words and projections create a negative atmosphere and perspective that can if unchecked lead to destructive behavioral and thinking patterns.
The flip side is also true, we all love funny people. Why? Because they make us happy. When a positive and reinforcing environment is projected it also begets positive actions.
In short how we think and what we say shapes our lives. Not only what others see and think about us but how we perceive our very selves.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The Kingdom of God
Janelle:
A real & relevant relationship with God. What kind of relationship do I have? Do I care more about his program then I do about my own? Is the Kingdom of God coming in me? Can I see the Kingdom coming in those around me? We talked on Saturday about these things. It can be discouraging to me to see how much I need to get with the program. And when I see it, I intend to, and then procrastinate. It's a cycle I have found myself in far too often. I have to invest my time and energy into a relationship with God, or it won't happen. I loved when Vickie got up and talked about the places she sees the Kingdom of God. The different relationships between people, the work that is poured out etc. I was really touched and I want to look for those things in the people around me.
The Other thing David said that really had an impact on my was about needing to have more compassion on each other. This really rang true for me as I was having a judgmental view of someone and why they weren't getting with the program. And I even heard God tell me to give the grace and time. I need to be more attentive to the voice of the Lord and the nudging of the Spirit. How else will he direct me if I won't listen and won't be turned?
It's possible to have the right relationship and to please the Lord. But it's going to take energy and time and investment on my part.
Dan:
Perseverance in the face of adversity. We have been sick for a long time, and it's not as bad as it seems but in the middle of it, it seems to be never ending. It's frustrating too, because it's also my family that it's out of my control. Find hope in the struggle.
A real & relevant relationship with God. What kind of relationship do I have? Do I care more about his program then I do about my own? Is the Kingdom of God coming in me? Can I see the Kingdom coming in those around me? We talked on Saturday about these things. It can be discouraging to me to see how much I need to get with the program. And when I see it, I intend to, and then procrastinate. It's a cycle I have found myself in far too often. I have to invest my time and energy into a relationship with God, or it won't happen. I loved when Vickie got up and talked about the places she sees the Kingdom of God. The different relationships between people, the work that is poured out etc. I was really touched and I want to look for those things in the people around me.
The Other thing David said that really had an impact on my was about needing to have more compassion on each other. This really rang true for me as I was having a judgmental view of someone and why they weren't getting with the program. And I even heard God tell me to give the grace and time. I need to be more attentive to the voice of the Lord and the nudging of the Spirit. How else will he direct me if I won't listen and won't be turned?
It's possible to have the right relationship and to please the Lord. But it's going to take energy and time and investment on my part.
Dan:
Perseverance in the face of adversity. We have been sick for a long time, and it's not as bad as it seems but in the middle of it, it seems to be never ending. It's frustrating too, because it's also my family that it's out of my control. Find hope in the struggle.
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