Do not hide your face from me!
“7 hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
Be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his [b]
Face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
Do not turn your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.” Psalms 27: 7-9
Do you ever have times in your life when you feel like the Lord is hiding His face from you? Times when you are unsure just what the Lord would have you do. Maybe you were skipping down a particular path, singing a happy tune certain that the Lord had said, “This is the way, walk (skip) in it”?
Then all of the sudden, the path grows heavy with undergrowth, or it comes to a fork or maybe it even has three ways in which you can choose and you are stumped…that happy tune leaves your lips, the skips becomes a slow walk and eventually comes to a halt and you cry out in the words of the Psalmist,
Do not hide your face from me!
“7 hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
Be merciful to me and answer me.” You desperately want to see the Lord, hear His voice and know His will for your life, yet, there is silence. What do you do? Again, you pray the words of the Psalmist,
9 Do not hide your face from me,
Do not turn your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.” Psalms 27: 9
and then you wait and listen for God’s voice for He will again lead you in the way you should go.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for guiding my path, for protecting me, for loving me so much. Please continue to be patient with me as I try to be still and listen for your voice, try to see your face, and seek to serve you each day. I want to walk in your light, spreading your truth, being obedient to your will and your word. Forgive me where I have failed.
In Jesus precious name I pray,
Amen
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Story of Adam & Eve's Pets Adam and Eve said, 'Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with usevery day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it isdifficult for us to remember how much you love us.'
And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you andwho will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me evenwhen you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovableyou may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love youas I do, in spite of yourselves.'
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged histail.
And Adam said, 'Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdomand I cannot think of a name for this new animal.'
And God said, 'I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my lovefor you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call himDOG.' And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said,'Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen likepeacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeedtaught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.'
And God said, I will create for them a companion who will be with them andwho will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of theirlimitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy ofadoration.'
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes,they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased . . . . .
And Dog was happy. . . . .
And Cat didn't give a darn one way or the other.... In God We Trust,
And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you andwho will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me evenwhen you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovableyou may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love youas I do, in spite of yourselves.'
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal And God was pleased.
And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged histail.
And Adam said, 'Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdomand I cannot think of a name for this new animal.'
And God said, 'I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my lovefor you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call himDOG.' And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail. After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord and said,'Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen likepeacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeedtaught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.'
And God said, I will create for them a companion who will be with them andwho will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of theirlimitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy ofadoration.'
And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes,they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased . . . . .
And Dog was happy. . . . .
And Cat didn't give a darn one way or the other.... In God We Trust,
Monday, September 15, 2008
Kill’em and eat’em…
“Kill’em and eat’em” was part of the sermon our Music Minister delivered last night. Rather strange you may think, but it really stuck in my mind and drove the point home. He was talking about different styles of worship and different types of worship music. He used references from the Bible where Paul was given the opportunity to or the freedom to “kill and eat” the meat/animals set apart for sacrifices. He was told by God that he was not bound by the laws of the land…but if it was offensive to the people, he should refrain, but if it was acceptable to the people he was trying to minister to, then by all means, “Kill them and eat them!”
So the point of the sermon, was in our worship styles, especially the music, we should sing and play the music that reaches the heart of the people we are trying to bring to Christ. It shouldn’t matter what the beat of the music is as long as the message of the music is the same …The words must glorify Jesus Christ, sing of His love for us, His sacrifice for us, and bring glory to His name.
When a Contemporary Christian Band can draw over 800 people to the lawn of our church on a sweltering Saturday afternoon, I believe the “Kill’em and eat’em “ idea is working and we need to do more of it. Get out of your comfort zone and worship the Lord to whatever beat will bring the most lost souls to Christ!
Lisa…gonna Kill’em and eat’em!
“Kill’em and eat’em” was part of the sermon our Music Minister delivered last night. Rather strange you may think, but it really stuck in my mind and drove the point home. He was talking about different styles of worship and different types of worship music. He used references from the Bible where Paul was given the opportunity to or the freedom to “kill and eat” the meat/animals set apart for sacrifices. He was told by God that he was not bound by the laws of the land…but if it was offensive to the people, he should refrain, but if it was acceptable to the people he was trying to minister to, then by all means, “Kill them and eat them!”
So the point of the sermon, was in our worship styles, especially the music, we should sing and play the music that reaches the heart of the people we are trying to bring to Christ. It shouldn’t matter what the beat of the music is as long as the message of the music is the same …The words must glorify Jesus Christ, sing of His love for us, His sacrifice for us, and bring glory to His name.
When a Contemporary Christian Band can draw over 800 people to the lawn of our church on a sweltering Saturday afternoon, I believe the “Kill’em and eat’em “ idea is working and we need to do more of it. Get out of your comfort zone and worship the Lord to whatever beat will bring the most lost souls to Christ!
Lisa…gonna Kill’em and eat’em!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Truthful lips endure forever…
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
But a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Proverbs 12:19
Wow, isn’t that powerful?! How many lies have I told over my lifetime? Yes, I know you’re thinking, “well, she’s a Christian and she’s admitting to lying…how terrible of her”.
It’s time to “fess up” as Granny would say. We all have lied, stretched the truth, told a non-truth, white lie, fib, or just a bold face lie at one time or another. Unless you are ready to meet your maker, you had better get a handle on your lying lips because God’s word has just told us that those lying lips last but a moment!
I have a friend who is practicing speaking God’s truths to herself every day…truths about who she is in relationship to Christ, how He loves her, died for her, and is her source of strength and comfort each and every day.
I think that’s a good place for all of us to start practicing telling the truth…to ourselves. Talk to yourself, everyday. Tell yourself God’s truths from His word. As you read the Bible, speak God’s word in the first person. Put your name in the scriptures.
For example…John3:16 “For God so loved Lisa, that he gave His only son, that when Lisa believes in Him she will have eternal life!”
Isn’t that wonderful. Christ died for me, you and everyone…putting your name in the scriptures just makes it a little more real.
Now, go up to the beginning of this blog and put you name in verse 19 of Proverbs 12…Makes you think, doesn’t it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to bridle my tongue. Help me to speak the truth at all times so I may live a life that is pleasing to you. Forgive my lies and help me to recognize lies when they are forming in my mind so I won’t allow them to escape from my mouth. Thank you for your Word that teaches me how to live according to your will.
In Jesus Name I Pray,
Amen
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
But a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” Proverbs 12:19
Wow, isn’t that powerful?! How many lies have I told over my lifetime? Yes, I know you’re thinking, “well, she’s a Christian and she’s admitting to lying…how terrible of her”.
It’s time to “fess up” as Granny would say. We all have lied, stretched the truth, told a non-truth, white lie, fib, or just a bold face lie at one time or another. Unless you are ready to meet your maker, you had better get a handle on your lying lips because God’s word has just told us that those lying lips last but a moment!
I have a friend who is practicing speaking God’s truths to herself every day…truths about who she is in relationship to Christ, how He loves her, died for her, and is her source of strength and comfort each and every day.
I think that’s a good place for all of us to start practicing telling the truth…to ourselves. Talk to yourself, everyday. Tell yourself God’s truths from His word. As you read the Bible, speak God’s word in the first person. Put your name in the scriptures.
For example…John3:16 “For God so loved Lisa, that he gave His only son, that when Lisa believes in Him she will have eternal life!”
Isn’t that wonderful. Christ died for me, you and everyone…putting your name in the scriptures just makes it a little more real.
Now, go up to the beginning of this blog and put you name in verse 19 of Proverbs 12…Makes you think, doesn’t it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to bridle my tongue. Help me to speak the truth at all times so I may live a life that is pleasing to you. Forgive my lies and help me to recognize lies when they are forming in my mind so I won’t allow them to escape from my mouth. Thank you for your Word that teaches me how to live according to your will.
In Jesus Name I Pray,
Amen
Monday, September 8, 2008
Plain as the nose on your face…
Proverbs 2
“Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you accept my words
And store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
And applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
And cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
And search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
And from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those, whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
And protects the way of his faithful ones.”
So, I’m reading my Bible this morning and it hits me. It is truly as plain as the nose on my face…If I read and follow God’s word, how much easier my life would be. Now, I realize that it’s difficult to be “blameless” all the time, but just think of it. Reread the Proverb above and dwell on it a bit. If we truly seek wisdom as if it were silver or gold, (just as we work hard for the almighty dollar) think of the knowledge we would possess, the wise decisions we would make and all the trouble we would avoid in our lives!
Dear Heavenly Farther,
I pray that I would seek your wisdom daily. That I would search your word for every bit of wisdom you have so freely given so that I may live a blameless life and walk on a right path that leads to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Proverbs 2
“Moral Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if you accept my words
And store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
And applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
And cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
And search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
And from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those, whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
And protects the way of his faithful ones.”
So, I’m reading my Bible this morning and it hits me. It is truly as plain as the nose on my face…If I read and follow God’s word, how much easier my life would be. Now, I realize that it’s difficult to be “blameless” all the time, but just think of it. Reread the Proverb above and dwell on it a bit. If we truly seek wisdom as if it were silver or gold, (just as we work hard for the almighty dollar) think of the knowledge we would possess, the wise decisions we would make and all the trouble we would avoid in our lives!
Dear Heavenly Farther,
I pray that I would seek your wisdom daily. That I would search your word for every bit of wisdom you have so freely given so that I may live a blameless life and walk on a right path that leads to you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
- The Bathtub Test
During a visit to the mental asylum, I asked the Director how do You determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized?
'Well,' said the Director, 'we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a Teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to
Empty the bathtub.'
'Oh, I understand,' I said. 'A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup.'
'No' said the Director, 'A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?' (Found this little jewel on the internet) I want the bed next to the window...how about you?
During a visit to the mental asylum, I asked the Director how do You determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized?
'Well,' said the Director, 'we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a Teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to
Empty the bathtub.'
'Oh, I understand,' I said. 'A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup.'
'No' said the Director, 'A normal person would pull the plug. Do you want a bed near the window?' (Found this little jewel on the internet) I want the bed next to the window...how about you?
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