No Obligation ~ Teen Devotion

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
~ Romans 8:12-14

I really don't like these verses sometimes. OK, a lot of the time. It goes against what I want for myself. It takes away my reason for not trying to come out of the sinful habits and attitudes that I have.

I like being selfish. I like having an extra piece of cake. I like not having to restrain my natural response to people and situations and just let go with whatever I am feeling at the moment. I like spending money on things I don't really need instead of paying off debt or saving it. I like doing pretty much anything that will keep me from reading the Bible. I like doing things that will bring me glory from my friends and family, even if they have no eternal value.

We like to use the terms "too hard" or "I can't" but they are simply not true if we are children of God. If you have received Christ as your only hope of eternal life with God, and if you have truly given your life here for God to do with it as he pleases, then you have also received the Holy Spirit, which will guide you and give you all you will need to stand firm against your sinful desires, attitudes and actions. Ugh. We don't like that do we?

Romans 8:12 states that we have no obligation to do what our sinful nature urges us to do. Simply put, no matter what you struggle with or what sinful nature you have in your life, you have to change it. It doesn't say that you will easily give it up, get over it, and get on with your life. It says that you can't use "I can't" or "it's too hard". They simply aren't true. God equips you with all the power you need, all the instruction it will take, and his people to support you. But you have to actually WANT to change. Verse 14 uses the term "led by the Spirit of God".

You choose what will lead you. Your wants and desires, or the Spirit of God. Putting God first looks a little like this: I will choose to put others first instead of myself. I will choose to only have the food that God has provided as fuel for my body, not continue eating because it tastes good. I will choose to keep control of my tongue and my attitude, and immediately confess any harmful attitudes or thoughts to God, and then ask him to help me change the way I see others. I will choose to put my desire for that new flat screen, new phone, new computer, new outfit, vacation, night out, etc. aside and get rid of the debt that I have so that I can more fully and freely honor God with my finances. I will spend time in my Bible before I even think about putting in my ear buds, turning on the computer or TV, or cracking open the latest best-selling book. I will put more of my time and energy into glorifying God than glorifying myself.

There is never a time when the excuse of "I can't" or "it's too hard" is acceptable. If we were truthful with ourself and with God, we would simply say, " I don't want to" or "I don't care". Just be careful, because in verse 13 we are very clearly told that if we live by the sinful dictates in our life, we will die. Just so you fully understand, that isn't just talking about physical death. The things we choose, the attitudes we have, what we glorify and what we put first in our lives tells us clearly if we have a true and living relationship with God. Praying a prayer as a safety net to keep us out of hell is not a relationship with God. Matthew 7:16-23 tells us that just calling on the Lord will not save us. It is only when we truly give our life to him, repent, and turn from pursuing the things of this world by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us can we be sure of our standing with Him.

Application steps:

1. Get Focused: You are not under obligation to live by your sinful nature. Spend some time in focused prayer, asking God to show you if you are choosing to live by it, or by his dictates, and if so, in what areas.

2. Get Purpose: Do you truly want a relationship with God that is active and living? Repent of the things in your life that you have not allowed God access to, or which you have chosen over him. Choose to repent and follow Jesus.

3. Get Wise: Get in the Bible every day. Just because you want to change doesn't mean it will come easily. You need to be putting God's word in your thoughts and in your heart every day. Ask someone that demonstrates a dedicated life with God to hold you accountable. CHOOSE to put God first.

4. Get over it: We will always struggle with putting God first. The world is full of things that seem more fun, make us feel good, and makes us happy. But only for awhile. Those short moments of selfishness are not worth the eternity without God that they lead to. No matter how good it feels, if it isn't putting God first, don't choose it!

One to get you started:

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

~ Matthew 7:16-23

TSMS Saturday

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!





For more great songs follow the link to TSMS Saturday in my right hand column.

Made from scratch

a three-word phrase divided into thirds and then expounded upon. . .


MADE FROM SCRATCH

MADE: Made by hand. I love to make things by hand. My scrapbooks that I spend waaaay too much money on. Casseroles. the environment of my home. bows for Abby. Decorations for my front door. It's the little touches that I make myself that make my house my home. I put my heart into the things I make and take great joy in providing for my family through my creativity. Sure, most of the stuff I make is flawed in some way, and it almost never turns out like I envision it, but the meaning and my desire to create for those I love is in every single thing. If I can find that much meaning in the things that these little flawed hands can make, how much more overwhelming is the amount of love that was poured into our home by God? His hands are perfect, and he creates nothing with flaws. It is perfect in his eyes. I like to look around my little section of the earth, what I call home, and see all the little special touches that God places there for me.

FROM: Seeing "Where it came from". When Abby gets a little stubborn, I know where that came from (ya, it's me :). Watching the way that Kevin moves and his physical gestures and habits, I know where they came from (his dad). My love of planting, and then killing said plants, that came from my mom. I get my sense of humor from my dad. I have my mom's hands. Kevin has his dad's build. Abby has my curly hair. There is a sense of continuing on when I see something of me or Bob in our kids, but there is a huge sense of comfort when I see something of my parents in me. When my mom passed away I felt like I lost a huge part of myself, but finding little bits and pieces of myself that came from my mom helps me to stay connected to her.

SCRATCH: One of the worst scratches that I have ever experienced was when my cat was sleeping peacefully on my chest with his paws and head resting on my shoulder (yes, he is a HUGE baby). My hubby came in and slammed the door and scared the tar out of said cat. He dug his claws into my shoulder and launched himself off of me, leaving huge cat-scratch welts on my shoulders and stomach (those were from the blast-off of his hind legs). Those scratches and welts burned and itched for a loooong time. I still remember it clearly and that was about a year ago.

If you would like to participate in Thursday Threesome, head over to Wild Olive Shoot.

It's really fun!

Making fairy gardens

I have seen fairy gardens for several years now, but have never had the time or funds to make the one I wanted.

My friend April sent me the link to a blog that had the idea to make container fairy gardens. I wish I had saved the link because I do not remember who it was. I would like to link you to her so that you can see what she did. My gardens don't have furniture yet. I am still on the lookout for some super cute patio furniture for one, and hopefully some Adirondack chairs for the other.

The best part of my gardens? I had an amazing helper. Check out the pictures below!

I let her decide what flowers went in

(by the ones that she dumped into the containers!)

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

I was so proud of her. She just stuck her hand in the potting soil bag and went to town putting the soil in the containers by the handful.

How cute is this little gardener?

My mom would have absolutely LOVED this idea as well as seeing that her daughter and granddaughter are carrying on her love of plants, as well as her silly and whimsical side.

May I have some discipline please? ~ Teen Devotion

"Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law" Psalm 94:12

"Welcome to Burger King where you can have it your way! May I take your order please?"

We like to have it our way don't we? Everything customized to bring us the greatest pleasure and joy. It's human nature. We consider ourselves, our wants and our desires first. But just because it's human nature doesn't mean that it's right. We become so accustomed to getting things our way that we will ignore and reject anything that doesn't fit in with our desires and comfort.

When's the last time you opened your Bible and said, "Can I have some discipline please?" or "God, test my faith by shaking the foundations of all I believe." How about, "I don't feel that I am being tried enough in my walk, please help me look for ways that I will be persecuted for my faith in you." Or, one I struggle with, "I am not content where I am. Please leave me here until I find my peace in you alone."

We want the Bible to give us the hope that Jesus promised and we will search for and believe every scripture that promises it to us. That is, when we bother to open our Bible. Mostly we just live on the belief that if it makes us happy and brings us joy, God wants it for us.

The thing is, when we pick and choose what we believe in the Bible, when we reject the discipline and testing and only accept the promises for hope, peace and joy, we are actually taking away God's ability to give us those things.

Hope comes in the knowing that no matter what we face, God is there, and that we have an eternal life, free from the pain and heartache in this world, awaiting us.

Peace comes in the strength we receive from God. in the knowing of his word. In the following of his commands.

Joy comes in the aftermath of a battle fought and won on the spiritual battleground.

What is so unique about the above three statements? Each is based on testing and discipline that we recieve from God.

Without the discipline of God, we will not make it through the testing that we WILL face. If we don't make it through the testing, we will never know the hope, peace and joy that comes from a life lived in Jesus.

The testing will come. The thing you need to ask yourself is this: Is the faith that I am trying to custom order, this fast food faith, be enough to get me through?


Application steps:

1. Get Focused: Are you customizing your time in the Bible so that you don't have to be convicted or uncomfortable by what you read? If your time in the Bible never makes you uncomfortable, convicted, or even embarassed by your attitudes, words or actions, change the things you are looking for. We all sin, stumble and just plain mess up.

2. Get Purpose: Seek out ways for God to grow you through discipline and direction. What are some things that you feel are keeping you from being truly dependant and growing with God? Ask God to help you get those things out of your life.

3. Get Wise: Get in the Bible every day. Don't look only for things that make you feel good about yourself. Ask God to grow you, change you, and prepare you through his word. There is an endless opportunity for you to be refined in your walk when you read the Bible. Make it your habit, every day.

4. Get over it: The world is focused on self-esteem. What does that mean? It means you and people making you feel happy. Get over it. Self-esteem doesn't matter. How you are esteemed in God eyes is all that counts. Your happiness and joy can only be true and lasting if it is found in Christ alone.


One to get you started:

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor."

Proverbs 15:32-33

Marvelous Light

This is one of my all time favorite songs. I love to sing it...I love to lift my hands and spin around to this... literally. I love to see the light that I have found. The marvelous light.

Ya know.. these lyrics couldn't get any better.

I have asked several people to make sure this song is played at my funeral. Ya, not traditional, but if you have every met me, read anything I have written, or listened to the music I love, well, you know I am not traditional. And you know what, when my funeral comes, I will be running into marvelous light...to the life that I have found. My life eternal with Jesus, and I want everyone to praise that.

So ya, I want this song played at my funeral. I don't care if it's next month or when I am 89. (Wouldn't this just be the coolest song ever to play at a 89 year old's funeral)?

BUT! Until that time comes, I am gonna sing this song as a great celebration of the life I have found here. That I have NOW. Join me!



Head on over to Then Sings My Soul Saturday by clicking the button in my right hand column. There are tons of great songs to be found!

Hurry Hurry Hurry! Last day for giveaway!

So, I was reading through my tweets on Twitter and what did I find?

The most amazing give-a-way ever!

It is all sweet chick tech gear! I mean, stuff like you would be envious if you saw someone with it (even though we are not supposed to envy and then you would feel guilt and well...you know where it goes) but you can enter to win it yourself!

Hurry! Today is the last day! Go HERE! You will be visiting Blissfully Domestic. It is a great site....after you enter make sure you poke around in all the nooks and crannies. They won't mind. Honest!

I would say good luck, but I wouldn't really mean it cause I want that stuff baby ~ and the Bible says that lying's a sin, right?

Oh, all right.

good luck.

There. Have a nice day.

I want to be like Ruth

Brave
Obedient
Humble
Dedicated
Hardworking
Devoted
Patient
Gentle
Quiet-tongued
Favored
Blessed

Have you spent time with her lately?

I just started to get to know her on a deeper level than to just say hi as I pass on my way to "more important" scriptures.

I am really enjoying my time with Ruth. I am finding that she had a lot to teach us about a lot of things.

I have been focusing on spending more time learning from the Old Testament. Everything in the New Testament is based on what God says and does there. The people that he used, the miracles and wonders that he performed are all there in amazing stories and lessons for us.

What better way to learn God's character than to spend time with the people that he used to reach us?

Titus 2 Tuesday ~ Melody

It's been awhile since I have posted a Titus 2 Tuesday entry. Not that I haven't wanted to, I have just not been able to sit down and get my thoughts to flow. I am lucky that this week God is chipping away at the dam in my words, because He is allowing me to tell you about my friend Melody.

The first time I attended my church I was a huge mess. I had very recently been told that my mom would not be around more than another six weeks at best, and a week before walking in the doors of this church building I had a big 'ol come to Jesus on the side of the road. It knocked me for a huge loop and left me a new baby in an old world. I was needing definate connection with what God was going to be to me in this new and scary world.

I walked in the doors that Sunday feeling overwhelmed, scared, sad and unsure. I sat through a message on hope (of which I cried almost the entire time) and then this woman got up and sang "Sometimes He Calms The Storm". That was the first time I met Melody. She probably doesn't realize that she had a huge impact on me that day. God used her to tell my soul the words that I needed so desperately to hear.

Over the following year or so I would see Melody around but our paths never really crossed in a friendship building way. Then I started attending a workout class at church that she helped to lead. We had some fun times and good general and light discussions.

About 2 1/2 years ago, I found out I was pregnant with our second child. Not long after, I found out that Melody was pregnant with her third. We bonded over the fact that we were so close together in our due date, pregnancy woes and things that worried us. After the babies (both beautiful girls) were born, we continued to connect over infant care, development and post-baby bodies.

We have gotten to the point where we are taking our relationship to a more personal level. More about spiritual growth and what is truly important in our lives. Bob and I will be joining her and her husband's small group for married couples and I am so excited about that!

Recently she stepped out of her comfort zone and spoke for the first time at a ladies event. I learned several things about her that were very surprising, and some that I had an idea of all along (like the fact that she is a very talented speaker!).

Melody has been very influential in helping me to define a true friendship. They are not instant. They take time and energy to cultivate and grow. They take truth and love, strength and bravery, humility and forgiveness.

I have enjoyed the process of our friendship. It is slow growing and hopefully that will allow the roots to grow deep to sustain us over many years to come.

Meet more T2 women by clicking on the link in my right hand column.

The Idol Life ~ Teen Devotion

The Idol Life

In Habakkuk chapter 2:18-19, God says:

“What good is an idol carved by man,
or a cast image that deceives you?
How foolish to trust in your own creation—
a god that can’t even talk!
What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,
‘Wake up and save us!’
To speechless stone images you say,
‘Rise up and teach us!’
Can an idol tell you what to do?
They may be overlaid with gold and silver,
but they are lifeless inside.

Although God is speaking to another nation, in another time, the words are so relevant to us today. And so is the warning.

Is there something in your life that fits the descriptions above? What takes place over your time with God (i.e. prayer, devotions, Bible study, youth group, church services, service projects, ministry, etc.)?

If you need some help, here are some common idols in our world today:

friends, family, work, school, knowledge, boys, girls, sex, acceptance, drugs, alcohol, drama, money, status, comfort, self-esteem, music, texting, IM'ing, TV, video games, movies, laziness, selfishness, food, cutting, bulimia, anorexia, business, bad situations, our past, our fear.

Do you struggle with any of the things listed above? I know I do.

God is very clear in his view of gods other than himself. Three words to focus on in the verses above are foolish, sorrow and lifeless:

God says, " how foolish to trust in your own creation", "What sorrow awaits you", and "can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside".

Most of the things I listed, in and of themselves, are not bad, but, they must be used in a way that God would find acceptable, and in a way that can glorify him.

Sex is not bad if you are married and show compassion and respect for your spouse. Sex includes most kissing and any and all inappropriate touching. If you are not married, DO NOT DO IT. If you can't be together without physical contact, you are not ready to glorify God with your relationship.

music is not bad unless you make it your sole way of communicating with God, or use it to drown out his voice in your life.

knowledge is good, unless your only desire is to gain it to be the smartest and to be able to hold yourself higher than others. The especially applies to Biblical knowledge. Studying the Bible and acquiring knowledge, and never applying it, indicates a lack of transformation by Jesus. Know your intentions.

Are you using those things to glorify God, or to glorify and satisfy yourself?


Application steps:

1. Get Focused: are there things in the list of idols above that you have in your own life? Make a list and give each, one of the describing words above (or more if they apply)

2. Get Purpose: Get the idols that you struggle with out of your life. Give them to God, all at once, or one at a time. But be intentional and dedicated to change.

3. Get Wise: Study the Bible. Learn God's feelings on idols, what the punishment was for them in the Old Testament, and what is said about them in the New Testament.* Ask God to show you ways to trust him to remove them from your life.

4. Get over it: Idols of this world are self-serving. They exist for you to try to make yourself feel better. But no matter what you do, the only true source of hope and joy is Jesus.

* One to get you started:

"You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.
~ Exodus 20:3-6