We are here!!! We are at my sister's house & I am enjoying watching all of the kids play together. Really looking forward to a fun weekend and a relaxing one!! For some reason, it was just nice to get away for awhile and refocus. I spent the drive up listening to screaming kids(long story) but I spent last night lying awake & thinking and praying. God really spoke to me last night in the quiet in a different place. I am just processing a lot of things this morning and I don't have much time to share. When I get a chance, I will write more. One of the things HE really pressed on my heart is that I spend too much time wasting time! Make sense? lol
Love to all and thanks for your many precious prayers! I'll share some pictures soon!
~Julie
Showing posts with label quiet times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quiet times. Show all posts
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, October 20, 2008
L*O*V*E (updated)
Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1–3
This is something that I read yesterday that has stuck in my mind all morning long so, I want to share it with you.
Love is a decision. Love is not just a feeling. It is a decision. Think on that for awhile and I will be back more to explain what I mean by that. Sometimes we learn more by quietly thinking and meditating on a scripture. At least I do.
Love,
Julie
*updated: read what Denise has to say about this! Really worth your time to read!
1 Corinthians 13:13
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1–3
This is something that I read yesterday that has stuck in my mind all morning long so, I want to share it with you.
Love is a decision. Love is not just a feeling. It is a decision. Think on that for awhile and I will be back more to explain what I mean by that. Sometimes we learn more by quietly thinking and meditating on a scripture. At least I do.
Love,
Julie
*updated: read what Denise has to say about this! Really worth your time to read!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Quiet time.....
Psalm 119
Aleph[a]
1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!
Aleph[a]
1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Daily Heartlight
Right now, this is the only way I get to read God's word!!! I subscribe to this & I get these great little devotionals and scriptures sent to my inbox every morning! Try it; it's great for busy women, such as myself!
This morning, I was so blessed to read this article and I thought that I would share it with you! Have a great day! =)
Root Rot, by Mike Barres
I am not really good with plants. I can't even recognize the differencebetween plants and weeds very well. Many times, I have "weed-whacked"down perfectly good plants, while leaving weeds that I thought werereal plants, standing.
However, I have heard about a problem that afflicts some potted plants. It's called "root rot." The roots get rotten, the plant gets sick, and often the plant dies. Sometimes it's from watering the potted plant too much, which causes the excess waterto set up "water mold" and ultimately root rot.I think we have root rot in our country. The roots of our faith arebeing watered down and the church is sick. '
A new study by the "PewForum on Religious and Public Life" illustrates how the core lifestyles of many Christians are eroding.Tolerance and love are great; however, these cannot be purchased at theexpense of truth and character. We must be grounded and rooted in God'sWord and seek after both His character and compassion. There are a lot of philosophies and opinions floating around about spiritual things.The Bible, however, must be the anchor that holds us in this stormy sea.
My opinions about sexuality, abortion, and morality are not really important. What really matters is what the One who made us all says about these things in His Word. This is true even if our values become unpopular in contemporary culture. God's truth is still the truth.The same is true of spiritual truth.Have you ever had a friend or loved one tell you about someone sellingthem something that sounded too good to be true? That has happened tome several times. I have to say, "I hate to tell you this, but whatthey told you is not true." If we really love someone, we will tellthem the truth if someone is going to cheat them out of what is theirs.The same is true about spiritual truth. We need to help them see God'struth from the Word, even if they have been told something else.
In the very first psalm in the Bible, the psalmist reminds us of thisgreat truth: Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV).Let's nourish the roots of our faith, and not over water them with what will lead to root rot.-
-------- (c) 2008 Mike Barres <mbarres@dnet.net>.
This morning, I was so blessed to read this article and I thought that I would share it with you! Have a great day! =)
Root Rot, by Mike Barres
I am not really good with plants. I can't even recognize the differencebetween plants and weeds very well. Many times, I have "weed-whacked"down perfectly good plants, while leaving weeds that I thought werereal plants, standing.
However, I have heard about a problem that afflicts some potted plants. It's called "root rot." The roots get rotten, the plant gets sick, and often the plant dies. Sometimes it's from watering the potted plant too much, which causes the excess waterto set up "water mold" and ultimately root rot.I think we have root rot in our country. The roots of our faith arebeing watered down and the church is sick. '
A new study by the "PewForum on Religious and Public Life" illustrates how the core lifestyles of many Christians are eroding.Tolerance and love are great; however, these cannot be purchased at theexpense of truth and character. We must be grounded and rooted in God'sWord and seek after both His character and compassion. There are a lot of philosophies and opinions floating around about spiritual things.The Bible, however, must be the anchor that holds us in this stormy sea.
My opinions about sexuality, abortion, and morality are not really important. What really matters is what the One who made us all says about these things in His Word. This is true even if our values become unpopular in contemporary culture. God's truth is still the truth.The same is true of spiritual truth.Have you ever had a friend or loved one tell you about someone sellingthem something that sounded too good to be true? That has happened tome several times. I have to say, "I hate to tell you this, but whatthey told you is not true." If we really love someone, we will tellthem the truth if someone is going to cheat them out of what is theirs.The same is true about spiritual truth. We need to help them see God'struth from the Word, even if they have been told something else.
In the very first psalm in the Bible, the psalmist reminds us of thisgreat truth: Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV).Let's nourish the roots of our faith, and not over water them with what will lead to root rot.-
-------- (c) 2008 Mike Barres <mbarres@dnet.net>.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Quiet Time...
*This is a journal type post today. I have a lot on my heart right now and this is the best way to deal with it. I have been praying without ceasing all week and I feel like I have come to a break through. I hope this helps someone and that is why I feel that I must share it.
I don't know what God is trying to tell me but every time I open my Bible right now it falls to some passage about worshipping idols. So, I am trying to focus and really get what He is telling me. And, I am sharing it with you. Maybe it can help you in some way. So, please read along and focus on what He is saying in these verses:
Warning from the History of God’s People
1Brothers and sisters, I want you to know what happened to our ancestors F62 {that followed Moses F63 }. They were all under the cloud, and they all walked through the sea. 2Those people were all baptized F64 into Moses in the cloud F65 and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food. 4And they all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from that spiritual rock that was with them. That rock was Christ. 5But God was not pleased with most of those people. They were killed in the desert.
6And these things that happened are examples for us. These examples should stop us from wanting evil things like those people did. 7Don’t worship idols F66 like some of those people did. Like the Scriptures F67 say, “The people sat down to eat and drink. The people stood up to dance.” F68 8We should not do sexual sins like some of those people did. In one day 23,000 of them died {because of their sin}. 9We should not test the Lord like some of those people did. They were killed by snakes {because they tested the Lord}. 10And don’t complain like some of those people did. Those people were killed by the angel that destroys.
11The things that happened to those people are examples. And those things were written to be warnings for us. We live in the time that all those past histories were pointing to. 12So the person that thinks he is standing strong should be careful that he doesn’t fall. 13The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.
14So, my dear friends, stay away from worshiping idols. F69 15I am speaking to you like you are intelligent people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing F70 that we give thanks for is a sharing in the blood (death) of Christ, isn’t it? And the bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ, isn’t it? 17(There is one loaf of bread. And we are many people. But we all share from that one loaf. So we are really one body.)
18And think about what happens when the people of Israel (the Jews) offer sacrifices. F71 When they eat the meat that is sacrificed, they are sharing their meal with {God at} the altar, F72 aren’t they? 19{So, what about food that is sacrificed to idols F73 ?} Am I saying that sacrifices to idols are the same as those Jewish sacrifices? No, because an idol is nothing, and the things offered to idols are worth nothing. 20But I am saying that when food is sacrificed to idols, it is an offering to demons, F74 not to God. And I don’t want you to share anything with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and then go drink a cup with demons. You cannot share {a meal at} the Lord’s table and then go share a meal with demons. 22Doing that would make the Lord jealous F75 ! And we don’t want to do that, do we? No, because he is much stronger than we are.
Use Your Freedom for God’s Glory
23“All things are allowed.” Yes. But not all things are good. “All things are allowed.” Yes. But some things don’t help {others} grow stronger. 24No person should try to do the things that will help {only} himself. He should try to do what is good for other people.
25Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Don’t ask questions {about the meat} to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 26{You can eat it}, “because the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” F76
27A person that is not a believer might invite you to eat with him. If you want to go, then eat anything that is put before you. Don’t ask questions to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 28But if a person tells you, “That food was offered to idols, F77 ” then don’t eat it. Why? Because some people think it is wrong, and it might cause a problem for the person who told you that. 29I don’t mean that you think it is wrong. But the other person might think it is wrong. {That is the only reason I would not eat the meat.} My own freedom should not be judged by what another person thinks. 30I eat the meal with thankfulness. So I don’t want to be criticized because of something I thank God for.
*Right now I am working my way through a lot of hurt in my life. I am very sad and heavily burdened. I also worry about even posting that because I don't want anyone to be mad at me. But, that's just the truth. That's how I feel right now. I sometimes feel very overwhelmed with the pain in my life and with worrying about everyone else's pain. Sometimes I feel like it is choking me. Maybe that is what God is trying to show me. Maybe I am turning this pain into an idol. Maybe I am letting it control my life. After all, I can feel someone's pain without it shutting me down. Why do I let it cut me so deep? Because I love these people. But, do I love them more than God? That is the question I am asking myself today. Why do I not trust God to take care of these people; pain, issues & all? God loves them just as He loves me and it is time I let God handle the hurt and the anger that I feel. It is time that I give them up to Him completely and just pray. Stop dwelling. Just pray.
I am sorry if this makes absolutely no sense to you or if it offends you in some way. I do not intend for it to. I am just dealing with a lot right now and sometimes I just have to get it out and let it go. This is about some things that have happened this past week in my family and I am just having a hard time with processing it the way I need to right now. So, please pray for us.
I hope that this can help you in some way.
Love you all,
Julie
I don't know what God is trying to tell me but every time I open my Bible right now it falls to some passage about worshipping idols. So, I am trying to focus and really get what He is telling me. And, I am sharing it with you. Maybe it can help you in some way. So, please read along and focus on what He is saying in these verses:
Warning from the History of God’s People
1Brothers and sisters, I want you to know what happened to our ancestors F62 {that followed Moses F63 }. They were all under the cloud, and they all walked through the sea. 2Those people were all baptized F64 into Moses in the cloud F65 and in the sea. 3They all ate the same spiritual food. 4And they all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from that spiritual rock that was with them. That rock was Christ. 5But God was not pleased with most of those people. They were killed in the desert.
6And these things that happened are examples for us. These examples should stop us from wanting evil things like those people did. 7Don’t worship idols F66 like some of those people did. Like the Scriptures F67 say, “The people sat down to eat and drink. The people stood up to dance.” F68 8We should not do sexual sins like some of those people did. In one day 23,000 of them died {because of their sin}. 9We should not test the Lord like some of those people did. They were killed by snakes {because they tested the Lord}. 10And don’t complain like some of those people did. Those people were killed by the angel that destroys.
11The things that happened to those people are examples. And those things were written to be warnings for us. We live in the time that all those past histories were pointing to. 12So the person that thinks he is standing strong should be careful that he doesn’t fall. 13The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.
14So, my dear friends, stay away from worshiping idols. F69 15I am speaking to you like you are intelligent people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16The cup of blessing F70 that we give thanks for is a sharing in the blood (death) of Christ, isn’t it? And the bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ, isn’t it? 17(There is one loaf of bread. And we are many people. But we all share from that one loaf. So we are really one body.)
18And think about what happens when the people of Israel (the Jews) offer sacrifices. F71 When they eat the meat that is sacrificed, they are sharing their meal with {God at} the altar, F72 aren’t they? 19{So, what about food that is sacrificed to idols F73 ?} Am I saying that sacrifices to idols are the same as those Jewish sacrifices? No, because an idol is nothing, and the things offered to idols are worth nothing. 20But I am saying that when food is sacrificed to idols, it is an offering to demons, F74 not to God. And I don’t want you to share anything with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and then go drink a cup with demons. You cannot share {a meal at} the Lord’s table and then go share a meal with demons. 22Doing that would make the Lord jealous F75 ! And we don’t want to do that, do we? No, because he is much stronger than we are.
Use Your Freedom for God’s Glory
23“All things are allowed.” Yes. But not all things are good. “All things are allowed.” Yes. But some things don’t help {others} grow stronger. 24No person should try to do the things that will help {only} himself. He should try to do what is good for other people.
25Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Don’t ask questions {about the meat} to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 26{You can eat it}, “because the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” F76
27A person that is not a believer might invite you to eat with him. If you want to go, then eat anything that is put before you. Don’t ask questions to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 28But if a person tells you, “That food was offered to idols, F77 ” then don’t eat it. Why? Because some people think it is wrong, and it might cause a problem for the person who told you that. 29I don’t mean that you think it is wrong. But the other person might think it is wrong. {That is the only reason I would not eat the meat.} My own freedom should not be judged by what another person thinks. 30I eat the meal with thankfulness. So I don’t want to be criticized because of something I thank God for.
*Right now I am working my way through a lot of hurt in my life. I am very sad and heavily burdened. I also worry about even posting that because I don't want anyone to be mad at me. But, that's just the truth. That's how I feel right now. I sometimes feel very overwhelmed with the pain in my life and with worrying about everyone else's pain. Sometimes I feel like it is choking me. Maybe that is what God is trying to show me. Maybe I am turning this pain into an idol. Maybe I am letting it control my life. After all, I can feel someone's pain without it shutting me down. Why do I let it cut me so deep? Because I love these people. But, do I love them more than God? That is the question I am asking myself today. Why do I not trust God to take care of these people; pain, issues & all? God loves them just as He loves me and it is time I let God handle the hurt and the anger that I feel. It is time that I give them up to Him completely and just pray. Stop dwelling. Just pray.
I am sorry if this makes absolutely no sense to you or if it offends you in some way. I do not intend for it to. I am just dealing with a lot right now and sometimes I just have to get it out and let it go. This is about some things that have happened this past week in my family and I am just having a hard time with processing it the way I need to right now. So, please pray for us.
I hope that this can help you in some way.
Love you all,
Julie
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Quiet time this morning....
I just wanted to share with you the scriptures I read in my quiet time this morning. All 10 minutes of it before Claire jumped in the bed with Charlie & I! :o)
Sometimes instead of reading a certain predetermined passage, I just let the Bible fall open and that is what I read that day. I feel that the Lord speaks to me a lot this way. Often the words I read on that day serve as a life line to me in certain situations that I am/have been facing. Today was no different, I believe that God was telling me exactly what I need to be doing! Giving me a little correction; a little "straightening out" so to speak! :o)
Please turn to Romans 12 and read with me this morning. There is so much life in these verses. God is truly speaking to us as the church. We should never let these words be just words. They should be LIFE to us. The very air we breathe! Let's read:
Give Your Lives to God
1So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice F130 to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God.
2Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect.
3God has given me a special gift. That is why I have something to say to every person among you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself like you really are. Decide what you are by the kind of faith God has given you.
4Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing.
5In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body. And each part of that body belongs to all the other parts.
6We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace (kindness) that God gave us. If a person has the gift of prophecy, F131 then that person should use that gift with the faith he has.
7If a person has the gift of serving, then that person should serve. If a person has the gift of teaching, then that person should teach.
8If a person has the gift of comforting other people, then that person should comfort. If a person has the gift of giving to help other people, then that person should give freely. If a person has the gift of being a leader, then that person should work hard when he leads. If a person has the gift of showing kindness to other people, then that person should be glad to do that.
9Your love must be real. Hate the things that are evil. Do only the things that are good. 10Love each other in a way that you feel close to each other like brothers and sisters. You should want to give your brothers and sisters more honor than you want for yourself. 11Don’t be lazy when you need to be working for the Lord. Be spiritually excited about serving him. 12Be happy because you have hope. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.
13Share with God’s people that need help. Look for people that need help, and welcome those people into your homes.
14Say only good things to those people that do bad things to you. Say good things to them and don’t curse them. 15When other people are happy, you should be happy with them. And when other people are sad, you should be sad with them. 16Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be friends with people who are not important to other people. Don’t be conceited.
Sometimes instead of reading a certain predetermined passage, I just let the Bible fall open and that is what I read that day. I feel that the Lord speaks to me a lot this way. Often the words I read on that day serve as a life line to me in certain situations that I am/have been facing. Today was no different, I believe that God was telling me exactly what I need to be doing! Giving me a little correction; a little "straightening out" so to speak! :o)
Please turn to Romans 12 and read with me this morning. There is so much life in these verses. God is truly speaking to us as the church. We should never let these words be just words. They should be LIFE to us. The very air we breathe! Let's read:
Give Your Lives to God
1So brothers and sisters, I beg you to do something. God has shown us great mercy. So offer your lives as a living sacrifice F130 to God. Your offering must be only for God and will be pleasing to him. This offering of yourselves is the spiritual way for you to worship (serve) God.
2Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world. But let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what things are good and pleasing to God and what things are perfect.
3God has given me a special gift. That is why I have something to say to every person among you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself like you really are. Decide what you are by the kind of faith God has given you.
4Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing.
5In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body. And each part of that body belongs to all the other parts.
6We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace (kindness) that God gave us. If a person has the gift of prophecy, F131 then that person should use that gift with the faith he has.
7If a person has the gift of serving, then that person should serve. If a person has the gift of teaching, then that person should teach.
8If a person has the gift of comforting other people, then that person should comfort. If a person has the gift of giving to help other people, then that person should give freely. If a person has the gift of being a leader, then that person should work hard when he leads. If a person has the gift of showing kindness to other people, then that person should be glad to do that.
9Your love must be real. Hate the things that are evil. Do only the things that are good. 10Love each other in a way that you feel close to each other like brothers and sisters. You should want to give your brothers and sisters more honor than you want for yourself. 11Don’t be lazy when you need to be working for the Lord. Be spiritually excited about serving him. 12Be happy because you have hope. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time.
13Share with God’s people that need help. Look for people that need help, and welcome those people into your homes.
14Say only good things to those people that do bad things to you. Say good things to them and don’t curse them. 15When other people are happy, you should be happy with them. And when other people are sad, you should be sad with them. 16Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be friends with people who are not important to other people. Don’t be conceited.
17. If someone does wrong to you, don’t pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do the things that all people think are good. 18Do the best you can to live in peace with all people. 19My friends, don’t try to punish people when they do wrong to you. Wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: “I am the One who punishes; I will pay people back,” F132 says the Lord. 20But you should do this: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if your enemy is thirsty, give him something to drink. In this way you will make that person ashamed. F133 ” F134 21Don’t let evil defeat you. You should defeat evil by doing good.
Thanks so much for reading & studying along with me today. I feel so burdened and find myself in need of much prayer right now. So, if you think of it, would you say a prayer for me today? Thank you.
Love,
Julie
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