January 2011

Worship is ...

Communion with God in which believers, by GRACE

Set their mind's attention and their heart's affection on the Lord,

Humbly glorifying Him in response to His greatness and His word.

February 2011

Totally Devoted … What is devotion?

Webster’s definition of devotion is… ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person.

The state of being devoted; addiction; eager inclination; strong attachment love or affection; zeal; especially, feelings toward God appropriately expressed by acts of worship.

To be devoted, according to the dictionary, means to give one’s time entirely to an activity, pursuit, cause, or person.

To set apart for a specific purpose.

Devotion begins with the desire for an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Paul’s great goal for his life was to have an intimate relationship with His Savior.  He had a passionate desire to know the Lord in the most intimate way.  Paul had his priorities right!  In comparison to knowing Christ deeply and intimately, Paul considered everything else loss…rubbish.”

What is the desire of your heart? 

Where is your passion focused?

An important element in being devoted ... it is essential we see growth in our relationship with the Lord. 

Does anything grow when ignored?  Will plants grow if they are not watered?  Do babies grow into children without being fed?  Of course not…in the same way…our relationship with our Father will not grow without being fed.  And that comes from time with Him and in His Word. 

I can buy food at the grocery store and put it in the pantry.  Is it doing anyone any good sitting on the shelf…not really…the shelf doesn’t need it.  But our bodies do.  There are essential ingredients in food that strengthen my physical body and give me the energy I need to function effectively.

Spending time with our source and being fed with the essential ingredients in His Word are the only ways I will grow spiritually, be strengthened to face the temptations and spiritual battles each day brings, and be equipped to encourage others that come into my life.

Value, We put a certain value on everything in our lives.  The world tells us that success and possessions…status and position will determine the value of our lives.  Many times peers and friends take the “what can you do for me” attitude in determining our value to them.

In God’s economy our value is in our relationship with Him.  He created us in His image…Psalm 139…we were created by Him and for Him…we were created to love Him.  Our value to God is through our relationship with His Son.  He loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die on the cross and be raised from death so that we might spend eternity with Him.

Is there anyone in your circle of influence that you love enough to give up the most important loved one in your life so that you could spend a very long time with them?  Can we truly grasp how valuable we are to God….the only way to completely understand this concept is to know Him intimately…to spend time with Him…to be devoted to Him.   

I have seen an expression of this amazing value through the adoptions of our two youngest children.

March 2011

THINK PINK ...

P urity

Clean house (your heart, your thoughts) of ANYTHING, any grimy muck that keeps you from seeing the purity of God’s perfect plan for you.  Anything that would keep you from intimacy with the Lord.

I am a CHILD of God

I am created to be God’s daughter and as a daughter of a King, a Princess. With this role comes both privileges and responsibilities (Matthew 25:34).

Never doubt that you are loved

John 3:16 says it all … you are loved!

“God demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Remember you are created to be filled to the measure with God’s love (Ephesians 3:19). That means there are no empty spots... your life is created to be full, not empty.

Knowledge of God’s love letter, The BIBLE, to you!

Spend with the Lord, personal, quite, intimate time.

Go to a quiet place and still your thoughts and emotions (Be still and know that I am God Psa. 46:10)

Meditate on a verse of scripture, saying it softly over and over to yourself until you can say it (or a portion of it) with your eyes closed. As you repeat the scripture allow yourself to see it with the eyes of your heart.

Ephesians 1:16-19 (The Message)

 That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!

April 2011