Last night, I had a dream that the rapture had occurred! As thrilled as I was to be in Heaven, it was a striking reality that there were people in my life that were missing because they are not saved. I even said in my dream, I have one regret... not being the witness I should have been to those on Earth while I had the chance. I have had a burdened heart all day...
This is just one of many new places that I am going to be a witness to others. The dream I had is true that we don't have much time left on this Earth and I can't hold anything back. I can't say "Oh I'll talk to them tomorrow", for I don't know if we have that time.
What is holding you back from getting saved? Is it proof you are lacking?? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. God shows himself to you everywhere and in everything. Just take a breath and know that God has given that gift to you. Your family, your spouse, your LIFE. All of these things are from God. That should be all the proof you need to know that He exists. All you need is a little faith. If you can have faith in your boss that you might get a promotion, or faith in any material item, it is with the same ease of faith that you can believe in God.
You should know also that for everything you do there is a consequence. If you don't pay your light bill on time, you no longer have electricity. If you wait to long to get saved, you will go to Hell. It is a real place. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Know that if you choose to wait for your proof, and not accept the gift of the Lord, Heaven will not be your eternal home.
I know that this post is quite blunt, but the truth must be shared. I am not holding back. I love you and you need to know. God loves you and he wants to share His love with you forever. It's quite simple to to share in the love with God. All you have to do is pray and ask the Lord to come into your heart right now. A simple prayer. Nothing fancy. Just honesty and meaning. And you SHALL be saved!
Serving God and Sweet Tea
Learning to strengthen my relationship with Christ and others through a ministry of service.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Positive Thinking
Blessings from the Lord are everywhere. I find that when I take the time to reflect on my day, that the Lord has given me many things to be thankful for. Even in what would seem to be the most normal, routine day, God has blessed me in some way. After time, it gets to be a daily thankfulness and I start to feel good about my life and start looking for the positive rather than the negative.
For example, Brandon was late coming home tonight due to work. I could have taken this situation and griped and complained about how I was tired and had to do all the night routine tasks by myself. Instead, I took it as time to get dinner fixed, have dinner with my boys and was able to spend some quality one on one time with them. Once they were in bed for the night, I had about 1 1/2 hours to myself. This rarely happens and I took it as time to work on my hobby.
It also could be something as simple as, nothing went wrong today. Things moved smoothly and no major crisis happened. So I encourage you to take the time to think about at least one small blessing the Lord bestowed upon you today. I have placed my blessings on my blog. It is nice to see them recorded, so if I am having a bad day, I can go back and look at the many things God has blessed me with.
For example, Brandon was late coming home tonight due to work. I could have taken this situation and griped and complained about how I was tired and had to do all the night routine tasks by myself. Instead, I took it as time to get dinner fixed, have dinner with my boys and was able to spend some quality one on one time with them. Once they were in bed for the night, I had about 1 1/2 hours to myself. This rarely happens and I took it as time to work on my hobby.
It also could be something as simple as, nothing went wrong today. Things moved smoothly and no major crisis happened. So I encourage you to take the time to think about at least one small blessing the Lord bestowed upon you today. I have placed my blessings on my blog. It is nice to see them recorded, so if I am having a bad day, I can go back and look at the many things God has blessed me with.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Staying on track...
It is not easy being a Christian in today's time. There are so many distractions and events that keep us busy, that sometimes I feel it is difficult to stay focused on God.
Our places of work don't always steer us in the right direction, especially when there are co-workers that are non-Christians. Sometimes we are easily influenced by their actions and we tend to fall into their habits. It always seems easier to take the road that doesn't require thinking before acting. If we are not as strong in our faith as we should be, or it is not a wide known fact that we are Christians, we seem to be easily swayed to make choices that we later regret or think "I know that is not how I should have reacted."
Children are one of my weakest links. Although I view myself as a great teacher, it is draining to come home after working with children all day long (who somewhat mind and listen due to their age) and then return to the house with two small children who I have to continue teaching the difference between right and wrong. I don't always have the patience to deal with temper tantrums and crying. I feel that there are times when I react when I should respond.
So how do I stay on track? How does it seem as if I have it all together? Well, I will tell you that I don't always have the answers. I don't always stop and think before I act or speak. It has been an inner struggle most of my life to travel the narrow path. Growing up in a household where God was not the center of everyday tasks and decisions, I find that I have to really put a lot of work and effort into how I decide to live my life. There are however, several things that I have felt compelled by God to start putting at the top of my priority list.
1)PRAYER! PRAYER! PRAYER! If I did not have the personal relationship with the Lord that I do now, I am not sure how I would be able to cope with everyday things. I have come to notice that if I am presented with a situation, even something very minute, when I pray about it and really give it to God, then I immediately feel better. I of course don't see immediate results to my problem, but I know that the Lord has given me comfort and I am able to have a clearer vision in how to respond.
2)Knowing that it is okay to not follow the "in crowd". I am fortunate that I don't have too much negative influence where I work as far as the people and their actions. Teaching doesn't really lend itself to cussing and unwise choices while I work. However, I do tend to get riled up and frustrated at the students, it is more of that voice in my head that I have to control. I may tend to think things, just not say them aloud. I know that is not the right thing to do, which leads me to my next point.
3)Stopping and thinking how to respond rather than react. Understanding that the Lord puts obstacles and situations in front of me, help me to know that He is also on my side. If I get frustrated or upset, I know that I first and foremost need to go to Him. Having an understanding of how I am and the type of personality I posses, I think helps me be able to have more control over things.
4)Letting things just roll right off my back. I can't sit around and dwell on things that people have said or do. Being in the children's ministry at my church, I am open to criticism and doubt. People may look at me one way or say things that hurt. I have to remember that God called me to be in this position. I am responsible for the children and their learning about God. If someone has a comment about the decisions I make, I try to turn it around and make it positive. I will not always respond to what they are saying, but think "thanks for the suggestion". I feel I must be like a duck in water and not let actions of others get me down or upset me. If you are feeling that there is someone that "beats you down" for what you are doing with in the Lord's work, just stop and pray. Running away from it won't solve it. Jump back in and keep doing what you are doing. PRAY FOR THEM. Ask God to deal with their hearts and maybe things will turn around.
5)Reading the Bible. Remembering that everything the Lord wants to give us is there. Even if you are not able to attend church as often as you would like due to school, work, kids, etc. The Bible is always there. Even if I don't have something I want to study, I'll pull out my Bible, pray that I just need the Lord to show me something, and I am led to read whatever the Lord needs to show me. Of course it is always better to be in church and getting spiritually fed, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. I encourage you to pick up the Bible and read.
It is a conscious decision you must make as to how to live a pleasing life for God. You will not wake up and bam! you are a better Christian. It is a choice and one that you need to stick with.
Our places of work don't always steer us in the right direction, especially when there are co-workers that are non-Christians. Sometimes we are easily influenced by their actions and we tend to fall into their habits. It always seems easier to take the road that doesn't require thinking before acting. If we are not as strong in our faith as we should be, or it is not a wide known fact that we are Christians, we seem to be easily swayed to make choices that we later regret or think "I know that is not how I should have reacted."
Children are one of my weakest links. Although I view myself as a great teacher, it is draining to come home after working with children all day long (who somewhat mind and listen due to their age) and then return to the house with two small children who I have to continue teaching the difference between right and wrong. I don't always have the patience to deal with temper tantrums and crying. I feel that there are times when I react when I should respond.
So how do I stay on track? How does it seem as if I have it all together? Well, I will tell you that I don't always have the answers. I don't always stop and think before I act or speak. It has been an inner struggle most of my life to travel the narrow path. Growing up in a household where God was not the center of everyday tasks and decisions, I find that I have to really put a lot of work and effort into how I decide to live my life. There are however, several things that I have felt compelled by God to start putting at the top of my priority list.
1)PRAYER! PRAYER! PRAYER! If I did not have the personal relationship with the Lord that I do now, I am not sure how I would be able to cope with everyday things. I have come to notice that if I am presented with a situation, even something very minute, when I pray about it and really give it to God, then I immediately feel better. I of course don't see immediate results to my problem, but I know that the Lord has given me comfort and I am able to have a clearer vision in how to respond.
2)Knowing that it is okay to not follow the "in crowd". I am fortunate that I don't have too much negative influence where I work as far as the people and their actions. Teaching doesn't really lend itself to cussing and unwise choices while I work. However, I do tend to get riled up and frustrated at the students, it is more of that voice in my head that I have to control. I may tend to think things, just not say them aloud. I know that is not the right thing to do, which leads me to my next point.
3)Stopping and thinking how to respond rather than react. Understanding that the Lord puts obstacles and situations in front of me, help me to know that He is also on my side. If I get frustrated or upset, I know that I first and foremost need to go to Him. Having an understanding of how I am and the type of personality I posses, I think helps me be able to have more control over things.
4)Letting things just roll right off my back. I can't sit around and dwell on things that people have said or do. Being in the children's ministry at my church, I am open to criticism and doubt. People may look at me one way or say things that hurt. I have to remember that God called me to be in this position. I am responsible for the children and their learning about God. If someone has a comment about the decisions I make, I try to turn it around and make it positive. I will not always respond to what they are saying, but think "thanks for the suggestion". I feel I must be like a duck in water and not let actions of others get me down or upset me. If you are feeling that there is someone that "beats you down" for what you are doing with in the Lord's work, just stop and pray. Running away from it won't solve it. Jump back in and keep doing what you are doing. PRAY FOR THEM. Ask God to deal with their hearts and maybe things will turn around.
5)Reading the Bible. Remembering that everything the Lord wants to give us is there. Even if you are not able to attend church as often as you would like due to school, work, kids, etc. The Bible is always there. Even if I don't have something I want to study, I'll pull out my Bible, pray that I just need the Lord to show me something, and I am led to read whatever the Lord needs to show me. Of course it is always better to be in church and getting spiritually fed, but sometimes it just doesn't happen. I encourage you to pick up the Bible and read.
It is a conscious decision you must make as to how to live a pleasing life for God. You will not wake up and bam! you are a better Christian. It is a choice and one that you need to stick with.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Jr. Church Ministry
So a year ago, last Christmas, I volunteered to help with my church's Jr. Church Christmas program. I had really wanted to get involved more with in the church and this was an area that was needing some support. As I began working back there, I realized that I had a love for kids and was having a great time. As it turns out, I put a lot of work into the program. More than I had originally expected. I was unaware of how much time and dedication it took to lead such a program. I was lucky though, I was working hand in hand with my sister-in-law, who had experience working with the kids. As we continued our journey of practices and rehearsals, I grew to love the children of our church. They truly had a spirit about them that inspired me. I was feeling confident with what we had put together, given the amount of time we had to produce a final product. Show time! When it came time for our performance, the kids did a fantastic job and I realized the work that needed to continue with the children of our church. After the program, I found out that the current Jr. Church Director had heard a different calling from the Lord and was stepping down. All the time, the Lord had placed a burden on my heart to lead these kids and continue the work that those before us had started. After discussing it with Brandon and praying (a lot), we decided to go to our Pastor and talk to them about us taking on this new ministry. Since we had never led such a program before, he explained to us all the potential things we might encounter. The Lord's work is a lot of fun, but it also comes with hard work and perseverance. I have felt such a blessing since working with the children of our church. I have seen a new purpose and meaning of the phrase "the Lord's work." If there is no one to reach out to the children and teach them about the Lord, then our church will perish and so will the future. I praise the Lord for bringing this ministry in our lives.
My Vision
"Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."
Proverbs 29:18
While sitting in church this morning, the Lord placed on my heart the desire to spread His word with others. As I am not one to venture out in the world to "preach", I know that I can spend a few moments typing on my computer, with my family in the same room, sharing the knowledge that I have gained. There are many things that I wish to accomplish with my blog.
1) Being a witness to others through my life experiences.
2) Sharing God's word.
3) Updating our work in the Children's Church Ministry.
4) Sharing the many blessing that God has given to our family
I pray that in some way this will be a blessing back to you. I, by no means, am an expert in Bible knowledge, BUT I am a true believer. I pray that this vision of sharing, spreading and testimony will help at least one person. I pray the Lord will give me the vision to share what is HIS will and HIS vision for future posts. God Bless!
Proverbs 29:18
While sitting in church this morning, the Lord placed on my heart the desire to spread His word with others. As I am not one to venture out in the world to "preach", I know that I can spend a few moments typing on my computer, with my family in the same room, sharing the knowledge that I have gained. There are many things that I wish to accomplish with my blog.
1) Being a witness to others through my life experiences.
2) Sharing God's word.
3) Updating our work in the Children's Church Ministry.
4) Sharing the many blessing that God has given to our family
I pray that in some way this will be a blessing back to you. I, by no means, am an expert in Bible knowledge, BUT I am a true believer. I pray that this vision of sharing, spreading and testimony will help at least one person. I pray the Lord will give me the vision to share what is HIS will and HIS vision for future posts. God Bless!
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