Monday, January 10, 2011

God's Word Calms the Waves of my Heart!

Devotion for today: Genesis 25-26; Matthew 8:1-17

God's powerful voice calms the waves of the mighty sea.. He spoke and the world began... He spoke and people were healed. His voice so powerful, like thunder! God spoke into my heart and I became alive! He became alive in me and in my life! Amen! Each day, God desires me to live out His spoken Word through my life! God desires for me to dive deeper in His Word and His mighty and majestic heart! He brings light and life to my world. His Word is powerful and will continue to be forever. It will never disappoint us. When Jesus was alive, He spoke the words of His Father in Heaven... He proclaimed God's Word (His own Word)! Awesome! We are called to so the same! Jesus is our confidence and He will protect us (Proverbs 3:26). WE need to always believe in God's Word, even if we do not understand it! The Word is Truth! The only real truth today is God and His ways! I desire God's Word and His voice daily. Father, Speak to me and let me know Your ways so that I may live a righteous and generous life for You! I thank You for your scriptures! They are life to me and mine! Thank You for calming the waves of my heart with Your love and Your Words of life! Help me preserve sound judgement & discernment! (Proverbs 3:21)! Amen!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, WHO BLESS OTHERS!

A Tree & Its Fruit

Today is a big day! Michael and I met his biological dad today: Richard, his girlfriend Lanise, and his grandma: Carolyn! It has been a nervously excitable day for everyone involved! We also spoke in church about our ministries at Open Bible! I am blessed to have the opportunity to honor God with our vision for 2011! These were miracles and Christmas gifts all wrapped into one day!!! Thank You Lord for the blessings! We ARE highly favored!
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Our devotion today is located in Genesis 23-24 & Matthew 7. I chose to focus on Matthew 7:17-20.. (17)Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18)A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (19)Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20)Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Here are my continual thoughts: Would you intentionally eat a bad, old, or rotten fruit? Would we intentionally do something to harm ourselves? No! Do we find ourselves in places where we should not be (deep down we know)?

Even in our thoughts, we can grow rotten fruit. The way we see the world, can become moldy and change to dark and musky colors. Do we allow these rotten, old, moldy, colorless things or objects in our lives? Can these things make us sick? Are we setting ourselves up?? We can recognize our own fruit by what we say and how we respond in our daily lives. We can see our own rotten and colorless fruit and either choose to keep it and eat on bad fruit and die...OR...we could throw our bad fruit away and start afresh. Let our minds and our hearts be renewed and produce good fruit of color and taste! Amen! This is the only way to further the kingdom of God and become mature in your walk with the Lord!

We cannot let negative outside influences dictate how we see the world or respond to it. We need to discern the good fruit and the bad. To mature in Christ, we must learn His ways and His ways lead to good produce! I don't desire any bad fruit in my life that may separate me from my loving Father! Our actions & who we choose to be friends with, and the places we chose to go... will influence our fruit production. We need to see the battle between good and bad fruit. Which one will we let influence us more???

I love Jesus! I am crazy for Him! I am also crazy about another man: my husband! He is the best! He is a great man of God! I love how he follows the leading of the Holy Spirit! Good job my love!!!

Lord, help us grow ripe, fresh and good tasting fruit for You! Amen.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Fruitful Eyes

Today Michael and I went to Cabin Coffee in Mason City, IA. We spent time with God reading our scriptures for the day! I enjoy spending time with Michael!! Our reading was Genesis 20-22; Matthew 6:19-34. My title of my devotion today is "Fruitful Eyes" because of the imagery I saw in my mind and in my spirit. Here is my devotion: The eyes are a gateway to the heart. Our actions are a reflection of our heart. The things in life that we allow our eyes to see will affect our thoughts, opinions, beliefs, behavior towards ourselves and others. We have control over what our eyes see and what affects our heart. What we treasure in life, we treasure in our hearts. Thinking of the trees in the Garden of Eden: which tree do we look to to eat? Good fruit or bad fruit... Do we want the fruit of the tree that will separate us from God or the tree that will bring us closer to Him. What our eyes see and what our hearts engage in will determine the way we behave as Christians.

My desire is to have fruitful eyes for my God in Heaven! Lord, lead me towards sweet and rich fruit so that Your Kingdom prospers. Amen.