"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24.
Today could it be that Kherington makes three????
We shall see!!!!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
His Presence
“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul” 1 Chronicles 13:3.
While watching television much earlier in life I would become aware of anything inappropriate in my viewing when one of my parents would walk in. Their presence caused me to examine what I was watching differently than when they were not present.
David knew that during Saul’s reign the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence among His people, had been forgotten and put away. David knew the importance of ruling with God at the center of the nation. He knew the Israel nation would walk, talk and experience a more Godly way of living if God’s presence was with them and they lived out their days with the spiritual and actual Presence of God instead of some intellectual presence.
This is the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our day. His presence puts all of our thoughts, actions and words under examination to see if we are living in a manner worthy of Christ. If he doesn’t stay centered in our day we will feel uncomfortable when His presence does seep into our lives and will only do self-examination when we know He is present.
Father, help me to keep you centered in everything and everyday so that as things arise you will reveal whether they have a place in my life worthy of calling myself Your child. In Your name we serve You! Amen.
While watching television much earlier in life I would become aware of anything inappropriate in my viewing when one of my parents would walk in. Their presence caused me to examine what I was watching differently than when they were not present.
David knew that during Saul’s reign the Ark of the Covenant, God’s presence among His people, had been forgotten and put away. David knew the importance of ruling with God at the center of the nation. He knew the Israel nation would walk, talk and experience a more Godly way of living if God’s presence was with them and they lived out their days with the spiritual and actual Presence of God instead of some intellectual presence.
This is the importance of keeping Christ at the center of our day. His presence puts all of our thoughts, actions and words under examination to see if we are living in a manner worthy of Christ. If he doesn’t stay centered in our day we will feel uncomfortable when His presence does seep into our lives and will only do self-examination when we know He is present.
Father, help me to keep you centered in everything and everyday so that as things arise you will reveal whether they have a place in my life worthy of calling myself Your child. In Your name we serve You! Amen.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Crosses of Suffering
"'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus said to him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.'" Luke 23:41-42.
This was a part of the story when Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary. He was centered between two criminals who were also being put to death. While one of the criminals refused to accept Jesus as Messiah the other knew on some level that He was hanging in the presence of the Savior. In the midst of the criminal's intense suffering while facing death he acknowledged that Jesus had the power to deliver him from a death worse than that of earth - his spiritual death.
In our suffering, we are like that man hanging on the cross beside Jesus sharing in His suffering. Casting our eyes on Jesus gives us a promise and hope for an eternal future no matter what cross we are to bear. We do not have to ask our Father to remember us for we carry His kingdom within us always.
Don't allow your cross to remove your eyes from the One who will bring you into His power and strength.
This was a part of the story when Jesus hung on the cross at Calvary. He was centered between two criminals who were also being put to death. While one of the criminals refused to accept Jesus as Messiah the other knew on some level that He was hanging in the presence of the Savior. In the midst of the criminal's intense suffering while facing death he acknowledged that Jesus had the power to deliver him from a death worse than that of earth - his spiritual death.
In our suffering, we are like that man hanging on the cross beside Jesus sharing in His suffering. Casting our eyes on Jesus gives us a promise and hope for an eternal future no matter what cross we are to bear. We do not have to ask our Father to remember us for we carry His kingdom within us always.
Don't allow your cross to remove your eyes from the One who will bring you into His power and strength.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Kingdom on Earth
While attending church yesterday we sang a song that was basically The Lord's Prayer. One line stood out above all others - ...thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
While reflecting on this line I was blessed by the revelation that we do not have to wait to see God's kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit the kingdom is set up in our hearts, minds and souls. He brings His kingdom to us when we invite Him to run our lives for us. We are able to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom by accepting His will.
We have a certain will for our children whether we are here with them or they are away from us. Proximity doesn't change our will or desires for them but simply forces us to trust that they know what is best for their lives. Our Father however goes with us, behind us and before us. His kingdom travels everywhere we go since He has set up home in our hearts.
Thank you LORD for bringing your temporary kingdom to us until we approach the gates of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
While reflecting on this line I was blessed by the revelation that we do not have to wait to see God's kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit the kingdom is set up in our hearts, minds and souls. He brings His kingdom to us when we invite Him to run our lives for us. We are able to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom by accepting His will.
We have a certain will for our children whether we are here with them or they are away from us. Proximity doesn't change our will or desires for them but simply forces us to trust that they know what is best for their lives. Our Father however goes with us, behind us and before us. His kingdom travels everywhere we go since He has set up home in our hearts.
Thank you LORD for bringing your temporary kingdom to us until we approach the gates of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Lasting Perfume
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2
The more we respect and love someone the more we aspire to become like them. My maternal grandmother was a complete card with her wicked humor and her loving character. Her boistrous laugh and sweet smelling perfume always lingered beyond my visit with her. I would remember funny things she said or did while we were there and the perfume on my clothes once we left her was a warm and loving reminder of the hugs she freely gave. Holdie indeed left her fragrant offering of love on each of her many grandchildren.
The fragrance of Christ also lingers on us and around us the more we are in His presence. We are bathed in His fragrant offerings of love, hope, joy, compassion, etc... and because of His relationship with our Father God accepts the pleasing sacrifice lifted by Christ on our behalf.
We all give off a fragrance based on who we are wrapping ourselves around. Certainly different times in my life I have given off more of an odor than a pleasing aroma based on the way in which I treated people. The only way to share the fragrance of Christ is to wrap your arms around Him and never let go!
The more we respect and love someone the more we aspire to become like them. My maternal grandmother was a complete card with her wicked humor and her loving character. Her boistrous laugh and sweet smelling perfume always lingered beyond my visit with her. I would remember funny things she said or did while we were there and the perfume on my clothes once we left her was a warm and loving reminder of the hugs she freely gave. Holdie indeed left her fragrant offering of love on each of her many grandchildren.
The fragrance of Christ also lingers on us and around us the more we are in His presence. We are bathed in His fragrant offerings of love, hope, joy, compassion, etc... and because of His relationship with our Father God accepts the pleasing sacrifice lifted by Christ on our behalf.
We all give off a fragrance based on who we are wrapping ourselves around. Certainly different times in my life I have given off more of an odor than a pleasing aroma based on the way in which I treated people. The only way to share the fragrance of Christ is to wrap your arms around Him and never let go!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Slave Cabins
"He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him" Daniel 2:22.
When I was a little girl we lived out in the country and were constantly searching for things to do. One day we found a little row of old rickety cabins which we believed were old slave cabins. Those cabins held a mystery and fascination for us and we were constantly returning to those cabins. We assigned certain truths about those cabins and what must have occurred during the days they were inhabited. Because we didn't know the truth we manufactured our own truth. Life in those cabins represented a darkness to us and through our imagination we breathed life into its hidden past.
We do the same things as Christians. We face deep and hidden things that we know nothing about and manufacture our own agenda, will and purpose. It is only when we place these things under the authority of God that He may light up the truth of any matter in our lives and show us the reality of what lies within. Pumping our own beliefs into a situation doesn't make it truth!
We must enter our cabins with a blank slate allowing God to light up the corners of the cabin to show us the reality of our seasons. Where we see old and rickety cabins God sees potential beauty.
When I was a little girl we lived out in the country and were constantly searching for things to do. One day we found a little row of old rickety cabins which we believed were old slave cabins. Those cabins held a mystery and fascination for us and we were constantly returning to those cabins. We assigned certain truths about those cabins and what must have occurred during the days they were inhabited. Because we didn't know the truth we manufactured our own truth. Life in those cabins represented a darkness to us and through our imagination we breathed life into its hidden past.
We do the same things as Christians. We face deep and hidden things that we know nothing about and manufacture our own agenda, will and purpose. It is only when we place these things under the authority of God that He may light up the truth of any matter in our lives and show us the reality of what lies within. Pumping our own beliefs into a situation doesn't make it truth!
We must enter our cabins with a blank slate allowing God to light up the corners of the cabin to show us the reality of our seasons. Where we see old and rickety cabins God sees potential beauty.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Looking Beyond the Hills
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" Psalm 121:1-2.
As my family goes into the weekend leading up to my sister's cancer treatment results it is easy for fears and emotions to be resurrected. We scan our hills for results, encouragement and resolution of healing. We are hungry for healing but have no control over the situation.
When we focus on the hill instead of the Creator we see the hill for what it is worth:
Impassable paths
Charred and burned up sections
Venomous snakes
Abrupt cliffs
When we focus above the hill onto the Creator we realize that everything on the hill is under His authority and our help for every situation comes from Him.
As my family goes into the weekend leading up to my sister's cancer treatment results it is easy for fears and emotions to be resurrected. We scan our hills for results, encouragement and resolution of healing. We are hungry for healing but have no control over the situation.
When we focus on the hill instead of the Creator we see the hill for what it is worth:
Impassable paths
Charred and burned up sections
Venomous snakes
Abrupt cliffs
When we focus above the hill onto the Creator we realize that everything on the hill is under His authority and our help for every situation comes from Him.
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