Saturday, January 22, 2011

I haven't been in a posting mood, so I decided to take the easy road, and copy and paste :)

What are you?
I Am...white!
I Want...to be a better Christian, and shoot Professionally
I Have...a big ford Truck
I Wish...being a grown up was as easy and carefree as being a kid was :)
I Hate...rejection
I Fear…not being good enough
I Hear...my computer making noise
I Search...for a good woman that can cook! :D
I Wonder...if I will sleep in too late tomorrow
I Regret...not making God as big of a priority as he deserves
I Love...my family, certain close firends, and church... and archery and trucks lol
I Ache...when it gets really cold out
I Always...like to sleep
I Usually...stay up late. and sleep in too late the next day
I Am Not...soft spoken...at all
I Dance...ummm...I'm white, I dont dance
I Sing...I actually love to sing, as long as the radio is loud enough. I sound terrible
I Never...eat right...thats why I seach for a good woman that can cook lol!
I Rarely...think before I speak... bad idea 99% of the time :/
I Cry...hopefully when know ones is around
I Am Not Always...very smart
I Lose...sometimes lol
I'm Confused...often
I Need...to seek God more intently
I Should...be more focused on my goal, and get back into the gym!

Who are you?
(Feel free to leave me some comments answering these for yourself! Or post it on your blog) :)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Prov 27:17

Prov 27:17 - Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Over the past couple of weeks there have been quite a few people 'sharpening' me. I can't lie, it's not always fun being told that you need to grow up and get in line; but it's very necessary, and that's what friends are for.
This past weekend, OB Church (the church I visited in Hawaii last year) held an island wide singles conference. Obviously I wasn't able to attend this year, but I was able to start listening to the lessons online today at http://www.obchurch.org/index.php/messages/P16/. After listening to the first lesson titled 'Keep your focus in this world' all I can say is 'WOW!' It was exactly what I've been struggling with lately. Pastor Reid used Daniel's example to teach me how to stay focused on God while living in this corrupt world. I cant wait to listen to the rest of the lessons from the singles conference!

Hope you guys have a great day!

Monday, January 3, 2011

James 1:12-18

12-Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD hath promised to them that love him.

13- Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14- But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16- Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18- Of his own will begat he us with the of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

I came across this passage during sunday school yesterday, and it really hit home.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

I'm Running?!?!?! Seriously???

Yes, it's true. I have starting running. I'm consistent too...I've gone to the gym the past two days in a row, lol! I decided it was time that i got off my unemployed butt, and actually tried to get back into shape; not just to stay healthy, but to improve my archery. I've been shooting since I was 18. I picked it up really fast, but I hit a wall a few years ago, and just couldn't quite make it to the top on a National scale. I was so frustrated, i almost gave up for two years. This fall I decided it was time to get serious again, and really work at improving my game. Running is something I've thought about many times over the years, but I never had the motivation to actually do it... till now. I started running Tuesday, and although I'm very very sore, I think its already starting to help me :^) 300-28x's (2 x's off a perfect score)...
2 Days in a row!
I'm really excited to see what's in store in the coming months. This past winter I've improved quite a bit, and I really think I am on the verge of a serious breakthrough in my game... I can't wait!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

New Car

This week, i've been looking at cheap, beater cars. Something under $2500, and gets at least 25 mpg. Yesterday, I test drove a 1991 Toyota Tercel (32+ mpg), and a 1999 Mazda Protege (28ish mpg). I also called on a 2002 Audi, but the kis was asking too much, lol. Today, I pulled the Mazda into the shop, and everything looked good. I ended buying the car for $2200; $300 less than I thought :) He said it got 31 mpg on his last trip to Anchorage, so I was very happy with the car... Then later that night I got a text...
It was the kid with the Audi http://fairbanks.craigslist.org/cto/2088512051.html. He must be pretty desperate to sell the car, because he asked me again if I would consider buying it. After talking for an hour, I finally offered him $5000. He said $5000 was too low, and he would have to think about how low he would be willing to go. So, being the nice guy that I am, I let him sweat for a bit, then started dropping hints that I was looking at other cars as well. I told him that he was asking for more than it boked out at, and I offered $6000. He said he would let me know if it was still for sale next week.
So having said that, I guess I have two prayer requests. 1-that the Lord would show me want he would have me do. Assuming the kid says yes. 2-If he does allow me to buy the Audi, that I would be able to sell the Mazda.

So thats what my weekend has been like. Hope everyone has a great Sunday :)

Friday, December 3, 2010

Psalm 95:1-11 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

I remember singing this in church when I was little. It was one of my favorite songs. I loved the way the music and the singing sounded... it's been years sincee I've sang this song, or even thought about this verse. Reading it in OBC's devotion cast a whole new light on it. First the first time I understood what it was saying, and how powerful those words are. We serve a GREAT God! May we never forget to bow down and worship our LORD, our God, our maker. For he is our God!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

SOLD!!!!!!

The dodge is gone, PTL!!!!!! God is good. My last post was Thursday, and Friday night I got a phone call! He test drove it the next day, and today we finalized the paperwork, and I gave him the keys! Yes, I'm a bit excited, lol. Thanks for praying! :D

Its a short post, but still a post lol!!!!!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

Emily said I need to start this thing back up, so here it goes...

I had a good Thanksgiving this year. It was a pretty busy day. I woke up bright and early around 10:30, then laid around the house till I went to the folks place around 2. It looks like Amanda is turning into a cook. She made 6 pumpkin pies, chocolate fudge, and a Peach cobbler. i ate too much dinner, so I'll have to stop by tomorrow to try out desert, lol! It was a good afternoon of Hanging out with the folks, and watching hunting videos.... One of these days, I'll need to go muley hunting, lol!

I went out to Two Rivers for church, and preacher brought a message about being thankful. Thankful for our salvation, our family, our church... If a feller were to just stop and think, every one of us are so blessed, its not even funny. Its definitely something to remember!

I do have a few prayer requests that I'd like prayer for if ya get a free minute or two.
1, I only have about 2 days of work left this winter, and I'll be needing work pretty bad before too long. 2, because money is tight, I am thinking about selling the dodge. yes, it gets good mpg, but selling it would free up a good chunk of money. 3, I need prayer for where God wants me church wise. It is something that's been on my mind most of the summer. I cant wait for Cliff and Phyllis to get back so I can seek their counsel. 4, I need prayer for my personal relationship with God. It has been a bad summer spiritually, and i need to get back where I belong.

That's about all for now, guess I better get into my devotions again so I can try to post something that might be of some use to someone.

Oh, one more thing.... Does anyone know how I can learn how to type? This key board is a whole lot bigger than my Iphone, lol!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

nope, haven't been on here much. I've been reading OBC's devotion every morning on the way to the gym. They have been a huge blessing. the past day and a half has been pretty rough. got into an online arguement over something stupid. The end result was that person completly regretting the day they met me, as well as being being cut off from someone that I counted as my best friend just a couple of months ago. this growing up stuff isnt as much fun as it looked. Right, wrong or otherwise, what's done is done. I'm just not handling it near as well as I should. Then this morning, I got an email from someone I met less than aweek ago saying that they could no longer talk. Didn't give a reason other than to say, they couldn't say why, cause it would come out wrong, whatever that means. Idk how i get into these messes, and I sure as heck can't figure out how to get out of them, or avoid them in the future.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

What a week

Well, I just finished a 32 hour seminar that dealt with everything from basic salvation to conquering habits, to meditating on scripture, to personal requirements for marriage as well as the requirements of a potential mate, to disciplining kids, and everything in between. This is the 3rd time I've gone through this seminar, and by far the most convicting. It's amazing how you can listen to the exact same thing several times, and every time, God will point out different things that you need to work on. Right from the start, I knew God was going to show me some really deep stuff, because Satan has been attacking me in every area you can imagine all week. Sometimes he won and without fail, the sessions that night where on the exact same topic. The 2 biggest things that I got out of this week (supported by many other things that were taught, and i need to work on) are conquering habits, and courtship/marriage.

Conquering Sinful Habits:
For the past 9 years or so, I have had a bad habit that I have tried to overcome many times over the years with no success. Although I had been through this seminar 2 times before, i was never willing to put forth the effort required to overcome it. Over the past several months, I have gotten a glimpse how much damage it can bring to me, as well as the people around me; and I am now willing to take the steps necessary to overcome the power of sin.

1. Learn why past efforts have failed
A. The futility of our fleshly efforts, Romans 8:13
B. The defeat of double mindedness (wanting to hate the sin and overcome it, but still secretly
wanting to enjoy it), James 1:6-8
C. The ignorance of how to live in Christ, Romans 8:1
D. The foolishness of fleshly provisions (willing having available, or being around temptations),
Romans 13:14
E. The shortsightedness of secrecy (we need to confess and be accountable for our actions),
Proverbs 28:13

2. Learn what it means to be in Christ
A. Levi paid tithes in Abraham (when our forefathers do good, we benefit), Hebrews 7:9-10
B. We sinned in Adam (when our forefathers sinned, so did we, and will suffer the
consequences), Romans 5:12
C. We are in Christ at salvation, Romans 6
D. What Christ did, we did as part of him (victory over sin)

3. Learn how to turn our position 'in Christ' into daily experience
A. Achieved by the 'hearing of faith,' Galatians 3:2,5
B. Ask for wisdom and revelation, Ephesians 1:17-20
C. Faith is trusting God's word, not human reasoning, Hebrews 11:1
D. God promised Abraham a son, Romans 4:17-24
E. God declares Christians are dead to sin (are we gonna believe God, or our own reasoning?),
Romans 6:2
F. If a lie oft told is finally believed, how much more the truth, though it sounds imposable?
G. Our victory is already won in Christ, Romans 6:1-7, Romans 8:1-15
H. We turn this truth into reality by 'reckoning' it so, and by yielding to God's spirit

4. Seven steps to 'reckon' ourselves dead to sin
A. Engraft Romans 6 and Romans 8:1-15 into your soul, James 1:21
B. Meditate on those passages day and night
I. Put it in the first person
II. Name the sin
C. Compare the law of sin to the law of gravity (just because we get saved, doesn't make the
'pull' of sin go away), Romans 7:21-24, Romans 8:1-2
D. Make no provision for fleshly lusts Romans 13:14
E. Picture yourself dead to the power and appeal of sin, Rom 6:6, Gal 2:20, Col 3:3
F. Be accountable for daily victory
I. Use the power of shame to conquer temptation
G. Recognise and obey the Scriptural promptings of the Holy Spirit

5. Learn how to yield to God
A. Spiritual Prompting (idea)
B. Visualization
C. Decision
D. Yielding of self, Romans 21:1
E. Yielding of members daily, Romans 6:13

6. Expect God to confirm our need for him (Love), Phil 3:7-11, Rom 7:22-24

Live just one day at a time, and stay focused on victory for that day. Don't put the extra load of tomorrow's temptations on you today.

Courtship/ Marriage:

Nine qualities I need to have to be ready for a relationship.:

1. I need to be a genuine believer (with an active, growing relationship with God)
2. I need to have self acceptance
3. I need to be under my God given authorities
4. I must have a clear conscience (no hidden sins or past sins that haven't been dealt with)
5. I need to know how to yield my rights
6. I need to have moral freedom
7. I need to know God's purpose for my life (how can we expect to find a help-meet, if we don't know what we need help with?)
8. I need to have financial freedom (how can I support a family if I'm buried in debt, with no place to live?)
9. I need to be in harmony with the members of my family (how can I love my wife, if I don't get along with my sisters? how I treat my mom and sisters, is how I will treat my wife)

These are also the qualities I should look for in a potential wife.

I need to develop a relationship with her dad. What qualities does she admire in him? Do I have the same qualities? If not, what do I have to do to develop those qualities? We should only pursue marriage, if it is clear that we can be more affective for God married, rather than single. We need to go to sleep to the idea of marriage, and focus on whatever God wants us to be doing 100%. God will wake me up when he has ready for me, and me for her.

There are things that I need to work on,things that will not change overnight. As much As I want to, I can't put a face on the person, or a date on the time that God has planned for me. Every time I do, I end up ruining a friendship that never should have been ruined. If i would just let God work out his perfect plan, I will be so much better off. Right now, I only have about half of the qualities that I need. To get involved in a relationship at this point would be nothing short of selfish and greedy. I pray that God would get me a double portion of grace, that I may be prepared for whoever God has for me as soon as possible.

Monday, February 8, 2010

God's Principle of Design

Tonight was the first night of Bill Gothard's IBLP Basic Seminar. It's been a long time since I've been through it. There is so much material, it's hard to remember half of it! Tonight we went through the principle of design. God made each of us exactly how he wants us, and we need to be thankful for that. not a whole lot to talk about tonight, but it was still a very good lesson. Tomorrow night is the principle of Authority.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

When trying your hardest isn't good enough.

Today was my first day back in Fairbanks. I gotta admit that this is one of the last places I wanted to be this morning. One thing that I've really been worrying about (notice I said 'worrying,' not 'praying') is that I would either stop growing or worse, slide backwards; because I did not think there was a church that I could grow from in town. Boy was I wrong! Tonight, i went to Bible Baptist Church, and sat through a sermon that God had to have planned just for me! Brother Leon Groff taught a message on why we don't grow, even when we are doing everything we can think of to grow, and draw closer to God.
The problem is that we are trying to hold ourselves to God's standards on our own. No matter how hard we try on our own, we will never be able to hold ourselves to God's standard. Isaiah 64:6 says '...all our righteousness are as filthy rags...'
What we need to do, is humble ourselves, admit that we cannot grow on our own, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us closer to God. Brother Groff used personal relationships as an example. If we are interested in someone and want to grow closer to them, we naturally look for things we can do to make that person happy, and to please them. As we start doing things that make that person happy, we naturally grow closer, and the relationship gets stronger and stronger. The closer we get, the more things we can do for that person. The same is true with God. As we start doing little things that please God, we will grow closer to him, and we will naturally starting getting closer to where he wants us. This message was a huge encouragement to me, because it is exactly what I have been struggling with over the last couple of months. I've been trying to grow, but I wasn't seeing the results that I thought I should be seeing. I am so thankful for God's faithfulness! I has proven that if I trust him, and go where ever he leads, he will take care of me both Spiritually, and Physically. God is so good!!!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

The flesh or the spirit?

Galatians 6:7-10 -Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Tonight, Pastor Mike taught us a great lesson that we will live according to what side of us we feed more. People can see by our lifestyle whether we are feeding our flesh more, or our Spirit. Often we say that we want to be close to God and grow spiritually, but we continue to feed our flesh. We naturally want to feed our flesh, and it is not natural to feed our Spirit. It's hard to feed our Spirit, and it takes a long time to get the results we are looking for. Most of us treat getting 'into shape' spiritually just like we treat getting into shape physically. We go at it all out for a week or two, maybe even a month; but when we don't see big enough results fast enough, we get discouraged and quit. Romans 12:2 says 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. We should never be done growing spiritually. It should be a constant process that continues throughout our whole life. Every day we should be transforming our lives in every area to be closer to where he wants us to be. No, it isn't easy. it is something we need to purpose in our hearts, and stick with it no matter what our flesh tries to tell us. Hebrews 11:25 says 'Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.' Giving in to the flesh is easy, and it gives you an instant reward. Feeding the spirit is hard, and it takes a long time before you reap your reward; but when you do, it is so worth it!

Someone said, 'Ten years from now, we will be where our devotions are today.' That is why it is so important to stay focused on God, and continue to pray, read God's word and have daily devotions, and memorize Scripture. Even when we don't think it is doing any good, and we really want to quit, if we are diligent, we will reap the rewards. He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

This lesson was a huge encouragement to me. Since I have gotten serious about growing close to God, and following his will, I have found myself getting frustrated because I wasn't seeing any results. I need to remember that it is a constant process, and thank God that he will always be there to help me when I get discouraged.

Hebrews 12:1-2 is a really encouraging challenge. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

2 Corinthians 9:6 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Mr Anderson quoted this verse in church tonight, and it really got my attention. It's a good verse that I can apply to both my physical life and my spiritual life.

The more effort I put into everyday life, the more i will get out of it. the harder I work, the more I will get done. The more hours i work, the more I will get paid. The more I give back to God, the more he will bless me with. Financially, I have really been struggling this past year in particular. I worked 12-15hours, 6 days a week all summer, but no matter how hard I worked, I could never keep it in the bank. If I wasn't breaking my truck, something else was happening that I had to spend it on. I've had several people tell me that God was trying to tell me to get rid of my truck, but as I look back on this past year, I have realized what the problem is. i have not been faithful in my tithes and offerings. How can I expect God to bless my labor, if I am not giving it back to him? I need to turn focus from from trying to get money for my own benefit, and focus on asking God what he wants me to do with what he has already given me.

Spiritually, the more I seek God, the more he will bless me. i cannot expect to grow in leaps and bounds if i am not seeking him all day, every day. I need to have God, his word, and his will in my thoughts and in my actions all day all.

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.'

Hebrews 11:6 'But without faith it is imposable to please him:for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.'

My prayer is that I will seek God with my whole heart, thoughout every single day.


Monday, January 25, 2010

Devotions January 25, 2010

Today I read Proverbs 25 for my morning devotion. Verse 4 says 'Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.' Dross is the impurities that are mixed in with the silver. Before a silversmith can make anything out of raw silver, he must first purify it. People are the same way. Before God can mold us the way he wants us, we need to remove the 'impurities' from our life. There have been times when I have tried to grow closer to God, and seek his will, but it just wasn't happening. I wasn't growing, because I chose to ignore some issues in my life that I knew were wrong, but I wasn't ready to give them up. If I want to grow close to God, I need to start working on removing all of the garbage that I know is wrong before I can expect him to work in my life....

Saturday, January 23, 2010

What am i doing for God?

I just read a friend's blog about her life as a christian,; and that she did not really start growing until a few years ago. It really hit home to me.

I have been saved for 3 1/2 years, but I never started growing until this past fall, and it wasn't until November that I started seeking God for the right reasons. When I Came to Hawaii for the first time, I was at the end of my rope. I had made some serious mistakes, and I was trying everything I could think of to grow closer to God with little, if any results.
For as long as I can remember (when i was a little kid, b4 I was saved), I have always been afraid that God would want me to preach or work in a ministry that involved public speaking, and I would have to say no because I as afraid of talking in front of folks. I have fought with it for years, and refused to surrender my life to God, simply because I was afraid of what he might want me to do. My first Sunday at Ohana Baptist Church, i finally gave up, and surrendered my whole life to God; even if that meant becoming a preacher. I cannot begin to describe the peace God has given me since that day! When I surrendered, God showed me what he wanted me to with my life to serve him. He didn't tell me to go to Bible college, or preach, or even teach a Sunday school class. He told me to serve him full time in my everyday life. All day, everyday, i should be focused on him, and seeking ways to glorify him with my everyday life. It isn't as easy to do as you might think, and there are so many issues in my life, that I start to get overwhelmed. Monday, i was talking to Jerome about a lot of different things. One thing we talked about, was that I was not as strong of a christian as I wanted/needed to be. I'll never forget what he told me. 'Just keep trying, it's all you can do. Keep trying, and God will do the rest.' If I keep God in the center of my focus, and keep trying to please him with my whole heart, he will make me stronger. No, it wont happen overnight, but the stronger I get, the faster I will grow. I can't wait to see what God has in store for my life!

The Neil's lesson on soul winning really hit home too. If we aren't doing something to further God's kingdom, then there is no reason for us to remain on this earth. We are here for 2 reasons; to glorify God, and bring souls to him. i have never even given someone a tract before. I really have a lot to work on, but God is faithful, and he will guide me path. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I need to seek God daily in his word, and he will guide me...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Well I just found out that I need to Trust God more than ever, and make myself believe that he knows best, and wants the very best for me...

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Devotions January 17, 2010

For starters, thanks Cody for telling me that you are going to ask me what I read, otherwise, I would have skipped devotions tonight.

Today's Devotion Came from 1 Timothy 4:11-16. Verses 12 and 13 really jumped out at me. '...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.' Lately, I've really been struggling with some things, and trying to figure out how to deal with them, and what God wants me to be doing right now. These 2 verses give me a few things to do, regardless of where God takes me, or what he wants me to do.
First, I need to make my life a living example to everyone around me. verse 12 points out particular areas that I should be an example.
Second, verse 13 tells me that I need to stay focused on reading God's word, Exhorting others, and doctrine.
It's amazing to me how God always gives me just what I need every single time I search his word! If I would just be faithful in my devotions every day, God would be able to give me what I need to carry me through that day.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Devotions January12, 2010

Today's devotion came from Luke 12:22-34. In this passage, Jesus is telling his disciples not to stress over all of their earthly needs, because if they are focused on God, he will take carer of him. v. 24- Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap: which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? v. 27-28: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God then so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? God knows what every plant, and every animal needs to survive, and he provides for them. How much more will he provide for his children, who he created in his image? verses 29-31 says- And seek not what yea shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. We don't need to worry about food or clothing, because God knows we need them, and will provide. All we need to focus on is God, and what he wants us to be doing. We all get too wrapped up in our careers, and trying to get ahead in this world, when we should be focusing on God, his word, and serving him. Verse 34 says- For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If focus on earthly goals, and not God, our heart will be in this world, and not on him. Hebrews 12:1-2 says- Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
All we need to worry about, is focusing on God, and running toward him.

This devotion has been a special blessing to me As I continue work down here in Hawaii, I know I am right where God wants me. I pray that God would draw me closer to him, and some me his will for my life when this job is done. Luke 22:42b- nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done. Regardless of what I want, I want God to put me right where he wants me. He wants to give me the very best, all I need to do is let him :-)

Monday, January 11, 2010

Devotions January 11, 2010

2 Cor. 5:7 For we walk by faith not by sight. How often do we truly walk by faith? It's easy to say that we walk by faith when things are going good, when we have a job, and money in the bank for a rainy day. But what would happen if all of our earthly 'security' were taken away? Would we still be able to say that we are walking by faith? The level of our faith is revealed when God allows us to go through difficult times. Remember, faith is believing and trusting God. He knows what he is doing, and he wants the very best for you, no matter how difficult life may get at times. If we truly have faith, we will continue to trust him, not matter what...

My memory verse for this week is Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.