Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”- Albert Einstein
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know what I have planned for you, says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God.
Was it coincidence that Bruce’s sermon (what I heard of it…. unhappy baby = early dismissal for momma) last Sunday was on humbling yourself before God after I shared my thoughts on humility? Or that George’s lesson earlier tonight touched on it again? Was it coincidence that the prayer George shared struck a cord with Caleb that spurred him on to writing to us tonight and mentioning a book he’s decided to read, that had previously been mentioned several times today? Or how about this, is it a coincidence that every single verse of scripture I’ve chosen to write about this past week has come back to me in some obvious, unmistakable, clear as a bell, straight forward, blinking lights, Hey Aubrey I’m Speaking To You, kind of way?
It’s as simple as this, I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s been too many times in my life that I’ve witnessed things that were so obviously coordinated by God, that the idea of coincidence is humorous. Now, in the moment I’m oblivious, but in hindsight I see that it was God’s hand steering my little ship of life through those stormy seas.
It sure wasn’t coincidence that bumped me into a long lost friend at the courthouse a couple years ago, who invited me to come to a Sunday school party. Where I met my future husband and a group of people who quickly became invaluable to me. I look back on that time in my life and I don’t have to wonder what brought me to where I am now. Now I have a relationship with the Most Awesome Father, a mansion for eternity with my name on it, the comfort of knowing that I’m loved unconditionally. I had no clue then, no clue on what I was missing out on and no clue that “chance” encounter would change my life in such a unbelievable way.
In Luke 1 we are told about Zechariah and Elizabeth, described as righteous and as walking blamelessly in the sight of God. It was God, not coincidence that these two married and even in their old age were able conceive and give birth to John The Baptist.
I would encourage you to stick with examples of couples in the Bible. Luke 1 talks of two such couples. Elizabeth and Zechariah, for example. Both were righteous and walked blamelessly in the sight of God. They were the proud parents of John the Baptist, if you remember...such a man needed to have Godly parents so God MUST have planned for them to be together so as to fulfill the Scriptures of Jesus having a forerunner. It definitely wasn't by accident that they ended up together.
I believe that miracles happen every day, some are small, like leaving the house a few minutes late and coming up on a friend stranded on the side of the road who’s car just ran out of gas. (I’m the one on the side of the road, incase you are wondering.) Some are pretty big, like running your mouth a little too long during afternoon pick up at the elementary school, and realizing once your back home and your little girl beats you up the stairs, that only minutes before your house was broken into and had you not stopped to chat your life could have suddenly turned very dark. Some are huge, like an un-wed virgin who conceived the Son of God, sent to save little ole’ me.
Why am I ok about praying for anything and everything but skeptical when He talks back? Why do I still sit in amazement when I realize that it was Him working through that event or that random person in my life?
“Coincidence is god’s way of remaining anonymous.” He is there for every little “unimportant” moment, He does speak to us, it may take a while to realize but how great is that blessing once you do?
Peace out…
Aubrey
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know what I have planned for you, says the Lord. “I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God.
Was it coincidence that Bruce’s sermon (what I heard of it…. unhappy baby = early dismissal for momma) last Sunday was on humbling yourself before God after I shared my thoughts on humility? Or that George’s lesson earlier tonight touched on it again? Was it coincidence that the prayer George shared struck a cord with Caleb that spurred him on to writing to us tonight and mentioning a book he’s decided to read, that had previously been mentioned several times today? Or how about this, is it a coincidence that every single verse of scripture I’ve chosen to write about this past week has come back to me in some obvious, unmistakable, clear as a bell, straight forward, blinking lights, Hey Aubrey I’m Speaking To You, kind of way?
It’s as simple as this, I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s been too many times in my life that I’ve witnessed things that were so obviously coordinated by God, that the idea of coincidence is humorous. Now, in the moment I’m oblivious, but in hindsight I see that it was God’s hand steering my little ship of life through those stormy seas.
It sure wasn’t coincidence that bumped me into a long lost friend at the courthouse a couple years ago, who invited me to come to a Sunday school party. Where I met my future husband and a group of people who quickly became invaluable to me. I look back on that time in my life and I don’t have to wonder what brought me to where I am now. Now I have a relationship with the Most Awesome Father, a mansion for eternity with my name on it, the comfort of knowing that I’m loved unconditionally. I had no clue then, no clue on what I was missing out on and no clue that “chance” encounter would change my life in such a unbelievable way.
In Luke 1 we are told about Zechariah and Elizabeth, described as righteous and as walking blamelessly in the sight of God. It was God, not coincidence that these two married and even in their old age were able conceive and give birth to John The Baptist.
I would encourage you to stick with examples of couples in the Bible. Luke 1 talks of two such couples. Elizabeth and Zechariah, for example. Both were righteous and walked blamelessly in the sight of God. They were the proud parents of John the Baptist, if you remember...such a man needed to have Godly parents so God MUST have planned for them to be together so as to fulfill the Scriptures of Jesus having a forerunner. It definitely wasn't by accident that they ended up together.
I believe that miracles happen every day, some are small, like leaving the house a few minutes late and coming up on a friend stranded on the side of the road who’s car just ran out of gas. (I’m the one on the side of the road, incase you are wondering.) Some are pretty big, like running your mouth a little too long during afternoon pick up at the elementary school, and realizing once your back home and your little girl beats you up the stairs, that only minutes before your house was broken into and had you not stopped to chat your life could have suddenly turned very dark. Some are huge, like an un-wed virgin who conceived the Son of God, sent to save little ole’ me.
Why am I ok about praying for anything and everything but skeptical when He talks back? Why do I still sit in amazement when I realize that it was Him working through that event or that random person in my life?
“Coincidence is god’s way of remaining anonymous.” He is there for every little “unimportant” moment, He does speak to us, it may take a while to realize but how great is that blessing once you do?
Peace out…
Aubrey
Monday, March 14, 2011
A thirst for Jesus
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
These commandments that I give you today are to be in your hearts, impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
I can’t afford to wait for my children to pick up a bible and read for themselves about God. It’s my responsibility as a parent to stand in the gap on their behalf, teaching them the bible, praying with and for them, and setting a Christian foundation for them to build on.
How could I expect my children to live a Godly life if they don’t see it in me?
My role as a mom is something I take very serious; I think I’ve done a decent job thus far. However I’m human and I make mistakes, I have weaknesses and imperfections. I try to set a good example; I try to always live for Him, for them. I realize that I need His help to raise my children; I need His strength and wisdom.
The phrase “train up” in the Ancient Hebrew language speaks of a midwife who would dip her finger into crushed dates then put them into the mouth of a newborn baby. The purpose was to stimulate the thirst for milk. So the idea is that the phrase “train up a child” means to create a thirst within in them.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Moses is telling us that what we teach our children must be real to us first. Our faith in Jesus Christ should reflect in every aspect of our lives, it’s something we should talk about not just at church, at a set time or on a set day. We should talk with our children about Jesus all the time – when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. It’s when I teach them by example that He is a part of everything I do, that I will create in them a thirst for Him.
I pray for your help Lord, as a parent. Give me the strength and wisdom to raise my children in your honor. Please supply what I lack. Help me to keep my children on the path that leads to eternal life. Guide me in teaching them of the joy of your presence through a daily relationship with you. Allow my commitment to raising these children for your glory cause their lives to forever testify to you.
Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV)
These commandments that I give you today are to be in your hearts, impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
I can’t afford to wait for my children to pick up a bible and read for themselves about God. It’s my responsibility as a parent to stand in the gap on their behalf, teaching them the bible, praying with and for them, and setting a Christian foundation for them to build on.
How could I expect my children to live a Godly life if they don’t see it in me?
My role as a mom is something I take very serious; I think I’ve done a decent job thus far. However I’m human and I make mistakes, I have weaknesses and imperfections. I try to set a good example; I try to always live for Him, for them. I realize that I need His help to raise my children; I need His strength and wisdom.
The phrase “train up” in the Ancient Hebrew language speaks of a midwife who would dip her finger into crushed dates then put them into the mouth of a newborn baby. The purpose was to stimulate the thirst for milk. So the idea is that the phrase “train up a child” means to create a thirst within in them.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Moses is telling us that what we teach our children must be real to us first. Our faith in Jesus Christ should reflect in every aspect of our lives, it’s something we should talk about not just at church, at a set time or on a set day. We should talk with our children about Jesus all the time – when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. It’s when I teach them by example that He is a part of everything I do, that I will create in them a thirst for Him.
I pray for your help Lord, as a parent. Give me the strength and wisdom to raise my children in your honor. Please supply what I lack. Help me to keep my children on the path that leads to eternal life. Guide me in teaching them of the joy of your presence through a daily relationship with you. Allow my commitment to raising these children for your glory cause their lives to forever testify to you.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Just a hem of His garment....
Romans 12:3 (NIV)
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, with humility value others above yourselves…”
By humbling ourselves we will become humble, by giving thanks we will become thankful.
Humility is to me the act of resisting the temptation to look to the world or my own abilities for fulfillment of my needs. It requires an unwavering trust and patience with God.
All the time I’m looking to God for help, for an answer to a problem in my life. I tend to get impatient with God when that help or answer doesn’t come in my time frame, when I want it. It’s when I quit attempting to “fix” it myself, when I quit worrying, when I humbly give it all to Him and realize that I will never be able to do it alone and without Him I’m nothing, that it becomes very clear that He was in control of that situation the whole time. Even after witnessing this result time and time again, I’m not to a point where I can fully let go without hesitation.
If I want to do great things for the Lord I should become humble before Him. It’s when I realize that all I am is but a little servant of our Lord, that God will use me in a mighty way. It is not my schedule, my purpose, my plan that God wants to bless, it’s God’s schedule, God’s plan, God’s purpose for my life that He will bless to overflowing.
In a conversation yesterday with Natalie we discussed her expanding on the Word Warrior blog. She explained the reason why she started it, to share His word with her family and friends, to encourage others to study scripture and tell them what God was doing in her life. In my opinion she should be proud of her “little blog that could”, it’s grown with time and it has become such a blessing to the tons of people that read it, but she was quick to tell me, it would be nothing without His blessing. I can’t imagine how much work goes into her weekly posts, what an effort it is to prepare for. She is determined and hard working but not boastful, she gives God all the glory.
Humbling yourself is as simple as suppressing your pride when it starts to swell up
It's not the glorified job you do for all to see it's the job you do when no one’s around that gives Him the glory.
The opposite of humility and humbleness is arrogance and pride. These are the attitudes that say I’m better then you, sometimes to the extent of not respecting another person as if they were unworthy of your interaction. It magnifies our self-interests and our self-sufficiencies, which seem most important, but when we are self-sufficient, we will only fail. Your self will become your god.
Humility will minimize arrogance and will remove pride. It’s a worldly concept and our own weaknesses that cause us to think we are better than we are, and cause us to strive to lift ourselves above others, above God. Humility is admitting that others, and most importantly God, are the ones responsible for all our achievements. Being humble will allow us to be a teachable student with a submissive servant’s attitude.
Christ's life & death were a service & a sacrifice without thought of reputation
Proverbs 29:23 (NIV)
A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Lord, I pray that while I continue to seek you in every aspect of my life that I can learn to have humility, that by your grace I can come to you a humble servant seeking your blessing on my life. I will strive to give all the praise and all the glory to you, because I know that without you, I’m worthless. I will never be able to figure my life out; I’ll need you every step of the way.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, with humility value others above yourselves…”
By humbling ourselves we will become humble, by giving thanks we will become thankful.
Humility is to me the act of resisting the temptation to look to the world or my own abilities for fulfillment of my needs. It requires an unwavering trust and patience with God.
All the time I’m looking to God for help, for an answer to a problem in my life. I tend to get impatient with God when that help or answer doesn’t come in my time frame, when I want it. It’s when I quit attempting to “fix” it myself, when I quit worrying, when I humbly give it all to Him and realize that I will never be able to do it alone and without Him I’m nothing, that it becomes very clear that He was in control of that situation the whole time. Even after witnessing this result time and time again, I’m not to a point where I can fully let go without hesitation.
If I want to do great things for the Lord I should become humble before Him. It’s when I realize that all I am is but a little servant of our Lord, that God will use me in a mighty way. It is not my schedule, my purpose, my plan that God wants to bless, it’s God’s schedule, God’s plan, God’s purpose for my life that He will bless to overflowing.
In a conversation yesterday with Natalie we discussed her expanding on the Word Warrior blog. She explained the reason why she started it, to share His word with her family and friends, to encourage others to study scripture and tell them what God was doing in her life. In my opinion she should be proud of her “little blog that could”, it’s grown with time and it has become such a blessing to the tons of people that read it, but she was quick to tell me, it would be nothing without His blessing. I can’t imagine how much work goes into her weekly posts, what an effort it is to prepare for. She is determined and hard working but not boastful, she gives God all the glory.
Humbling yourself is as simple as suppressing your pride when it starts to swell up
It's not the glorified job you do for all to see it's the job you do when no one’s around that gives Him the glory.
The opposite of humility and humbleness is arrogance and pride. These are the attitudes that say I’m better then you, sometimes to the extent of not respecting another person as if they were unworthy of your interaction. It magnifies our self-interests and our self-sufficiencies, which seem most important, but when we are self-sufficient, we will only fail. Your self will become your god.
Humility will minimize arrogance and will remove pride. It’s a worldly concept and our own weaknesses that cause us to think we are better than we are, and cause us to strive to lift ourselves above others, above God. Humility is admitting that others, and most importantly God, are the ones responsible for all our achievements. Being humble will allow us to be a teachable student with a submissive servant’s attitude.
Christ's life & death were a service & a sacrifice without thought of reputation
Proverbs 29:23 (NIV)
A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Lord, I pray that while I continue to seek you in every aspect of my life that I can learn to have humility, that by your grace I can come to you a humble servant seeking your blessing on my life. I will strive to give all the praise and all the glory to you, because I know that without you, I’m worthless. I will never be able to figure my life out; I’ll need you every step of the way.
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