Tag: Faith

The Word

by atozmom, posted in Lissette's Lyrics

THE WORD

The power of Your Word created the world
I opened the Book, the truth finally heard
A love letter to me, we call it the Bible
With instructions so clear, it is my survival

The Bible revealed God, Jesus in action
I felt His love, I felt His passion
Reading His Word I found the truth
My life has changed, how much more proof

So many years not knowing the Word
I am a true witness of what it can do
I had been told but I had not heard
His sacrifice, His love, my life was renewed

The power of Your Word keeps the World in order
God left us that Word, God left us that power
Your Word says to go and preach in the world
How I lead my life speaks louder than words

Your Word became flesh
You became my Savior

By:
Lissette Trahan

COMMENT

The Bible is God’s Word to us. It is like
reading a love letter to us from the creator
of the universe.

I didn’t understand this right away but I
kept on reading. I kept on seeking to know
more. Once the truth penetrates you can
never let it go.

The Bible is the most important book on
earth. The most important book ever written.

It has been proven to be accurate. Many
have tried to disprove it and failed.
Discoveries keep coming up verifying and
supporting it.

It changed my life. It introduced me to
history’s most important figure, Jesus.

Read this book and your life will change.

Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, and
hearing through the word of Christ”

 

“The Lord Will Fight For You; You Need Only to Be Still.”

by atozmom, posted in Faith

Exodus 14:14

Words from Moses to the Israelites I needed to hear today and I thought some of you might need to as well.

Substitute I for “the Lord” and picture God whispering this in your ear and you’ll get a beautiful picture to last the rest of the day (and beyond).  Magic.  Powerful.  Life-giving. From Father to daughter or son.

Do You Ever Long for Heaven?

by atozmom, posted in Faith
Beautiful Sunrise!

This was a question that arose in my other bible study and I found it fascinating.

If you are a believer, then your true home is heaven.  You are a transient here on Earth, here for a short time to accomplish God’s purpose for your life, and then taken back home.

But do you long for it?

My answer was no, I don’t.  And I think because I know I have not accomplished God’s purpose for me here on earth yet.  I am constantly striving to fulfill His desires; it’s what drives me.  And I am so consumed by this that thoughts of heaven (for me anyways) are few and far between.

I think when I get closer to finishing God’s work for me here these thoughts will become more and more frequent.

You could chalk this up to age.  As you get older, you think more and more about dying, God, and heaven.  But for me, I believe it’s more the former:  having to do with accomplishing God’s work for me.  I believe only then will I find rest.

So does this lead to a sense of comfort here on Earth?  I’ve never thought about comfort per se.  I’m so impatient to do His work that it consumes me most of the time.  I’ve never been one to covet fancy things anyways so as long as I have food, clothing, shelter, and my kids and husband are happy, I’m good.

Are we supposed to be comfortable here on Earth when it’s not our home?  John 10:10 says we are to live life to the full.  What what is the full?  Is it material items or is it peace, That’s for you to decide.  Check your gut.  What does it tell you?

Our teacher says we are not supposed to be comfortable here on earth.  We’re supposed to be uneasy.  I just don’t think about comfort much to be honest.  It’s not a main concern of mine.

BSF briefly touched upon this point in Lesson 27 Day 3 with John 15:19, reminding us that “the world hates you.”  So if the world hates us then we should be uncomfortable, right?

So what about you?  Are you at home here on Earth or comfortable or do you long for Heaven?  Or maybe a bit of both?

This Happens Every May…

by atozmom, posted in Life

God takes me down to remind me my place in this world.

I’m sick.  My throat hurts.  My voice is almost gone.  I have a runny nose and feel all around absolutely miserable.  I can’t sleep. I’m cold.

On Wednesday, our music teacher told me I looked really tired. I’ve been thinking for a couple of weeks now I need to take a break, not work out for a week, not set my alarm for a week but I haven’t.

So God does what I won’t do.

Since August, I’ve been faithfully working out 2-3 times a week, doing BSF every day, working on my novel, and doing all the kids stuff (school, activities, etc).  And getting up early every day in order to accomplish such personal goals.  Not to mention running a household and keeping the dogs alive and my husband happy.

BSF is finally over.  My final edit which took two months instead of two weeks is finally done.  I’m on the verge of being done researching homeschool curriculum.  School is almost over.

Obviously, I need a break.  NOW.

As usual, God has to hit me over the head in order to do it.

He got my attention.  I’m listening…

BSF Ended. Now What?

by atozmom, posted in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Faith

I just attended my last BSF class/lecture for the year.  I’ve finished Lesson 30 questions but am still left kicking things around in my head.

The Lesson focused on what we all got out of it.  As I’m thinking on this, I know but I don’t know.  I know it’s impacted me but I’m not for sure how much.  I would be curious to see what those closest to me think.  I think I’m going to ask my husband some of these questions when he gets back home.

This also leaves me wondering what God has gotten out of this. Did He gain some new followers?  Did some accept Jesus and thus earn eternal rewards through BSF’s study?  Did God cheer us on during the woes and during the promises?  Did God get some chuckles from listening to us stumble our way through this at times?

What about me?  What has God gotten out of this in terms of me? How has He used this in me?  Am I a better person, stronger believer, more Christ-like?

I would like to say yes, but in truth I’m unsure.  I look at things from, well, my perspective.  I can’t see myself like others can and definitely not like God can.

There is something churning in my heart I just can’t pinpoint. BSF ended.  But God never ends.  I carry Him with me wherever I go.  He keeps knocking even when I’ve shut the door.

Somehow saying, “I learned…..blank….”  isn’t quite cutting it for me.

How about you?

Where Do You Look for God?

by atozmom, posted in Faith

“In the hearts of others,” my 7 year old answered.

What Do You Think Makes God Sad?

by atozmom, posted in Faith

“When people don’t believe in Him,” said my 7 year-old daughter.

What Does it Mean to “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus?”

by atozmom, posted in Faith

I’m reading my Bible (part of my goals this year is to finish the Bible) and I’m in Mark.  My Bible is an NIV Study Bible so periodically, it offers explanations, insights, and questions.  One question is “For you, what does it mean to ‘take up your cross’ and follow Jesus?”

I have often heard this asked and wondered myself.  So, first thing I usually do it google whatever I’m curious about.  What a great tool–the Internet!

I found an awesome explanation about what it meant back in Jesus’s time and how it’s meant today:

http://www.gotquestions.org/take-up-your-cross.html

In sum, it means are you willing to lose everything to follow Jesus.  Not that you have to give up everything. Not that this will happen.  Just are you willing.

From our BSF study of Isaiah so far, we’ve learned it’s more about what’s in your heart rather than actions or deeds.  You can go through the motions of doing God’s work but if your heart is not in it, then it’s meaningless to God.

I just finished Matthew and half of Mark and the Pharisees figure prominently in these books.  They are the Biblical men who are always trying to trip up Jesus.  Jesus chastises them over and over again for their empty actions.  Their hearts aren’t in their work for they do not care about the people.

This is a great question that is often misunderstood.  People, some of whom are defined by their things, have a hard time with this one.  But it’s not about the doing of giving up your things.  You can give up all you have and still not have a heart for Jesus.

It’s about having the heart for Jesus and striving every day to be more and more like him. This is our calling and what God desires for each of us.

And it’s a challenge.  Usually every day I must repent for something or other.

Luke 9:23:  Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

We must deny ourself, die to self, and follow Jesus, His will for our life, every day.  His will not mine.

Today is a new day and as long as God is the one in front I can do better.  For my heart is with Him.

It’s Not About Me

by atozmom, posted in Book Reviews, Faith

I read Sarah Palin’s new book, America By Heart.  It was good.  It echoes a lot of what Glenn Beck and The 5000 Year Leap say about country, pride, faith, and America.

One book she quoted in her book that struck me was It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado.  Since my husband and I have both been accused of being selfish by his family recently, I thought this book apropos.  Plus, what better way to begin the New Year?

I like Max Lucado.  As creator of the Wemmicks, he’s a special guy in my kids’ eyes.  But I’ve only read one adult book of his until this one.

Here’s the best parts and quotes:

When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold.

Lucado then discusses Moses in the desert and while talking to God he asks him, “Show me your Glory.” (Exodus 33:18)  Lucado asks, “Don’t we all need to be asking the same thing?”  So we can be changed forever as Moses was?

We exist to reveal His glory but we must first see and know His glory and live it in our lives.

Holy is repeated 3 times in Isaiah 6:2.  What other adjective is repeated to describe God?

God’s mercy makes us holy.

We can endure any challenge for a moment when our reward is eternity.

If it’s all about you, then it’s all up to you.  God loves us too much to give us such a burden.  He loves us too much to give us too much.  He knows our limitations and weaknesses.  Because He loves us.

Side Note:  Lucado told a story about Queen Victoria’s daughter, Alice, and how she loved her sick son so much so kissed him even though he was in quarantine.  She died a few days later.  I immediately looked this up on the internet because I had never heard of this story.  Great stuff.  Be prepared to shed a tear.

As we behold His glory, we become it.  As we become it, we reflect it for all to see.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

Our body is interwoven with the soul.  “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?”  1 Corinthians 6:15  So whatever touches the body, impacts the soul.

Your body, God’s tool.  Maintain it.

Your body, God’s temple.  Respect it.

God does leave us to the consequences of our stupid decisions. But our pain has a purpose: problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end–the glory of God.  Is there any change you have been selected to struggle for God’s glory?  “To suffer for Him.” Philippians 1:29

God will use whatever He wants to display His glory.  Nations.  People.  Problems.

God can be seen through your problems.

Your success is all about God.  God lets you excel so you can make Him known.  You are good at what you do for God’s sake.

We exist to give honor to his name.  If they know His child (us humans), then they know His heart.

There is a great section in here discussing Isaiah and when he saw the glory of God, was cleansed by the seraphs, and said, “Here am I!”  This was especially satisfying to me since I knew exactly what Lucado was getting at–all thanks to BSF!

This was a great reminder book.  Easy read and relatively short.  Great ideas and lessons from the Bible. Everything in our lives: our bodies, our struggles, our success, our salvation, and our messages are for God’s glory.  It’s all about God, not us.

Live for God.

Bible Study Fellowship–Isaiah

by atozmom, posted in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Faith

Yesterday was our first day of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), studying the book of Isaiah.  I’m excited to begin.  This is my first year.

So, I began the questions this morning and I hope I get better as I go along.  I had to leave 4b blank because I am unsure how Isaiah 1:1-9 relates to dealing with a past hurt.  The passage is about how God is angry at his children because they have rebelled and speaks nothing of forgiveness or restoration.  It only mentions how his people are stupid and how there will be chosen survivors.

Maybe it’ll come to me in the coming days.

I loved the lecture, especially Principle #1: God uses committed people to impact culture today.  I’d like to think I’m one of these.

It’s also good to be reminded that you were born with a purpose in mind.  I know this instinctively but it’s good to bring it back up especially when someone else says so.