Just Like Jesus...

This past week I started teaching a small group on Tuesday nights (will meet every two weeks). We are studying the book by Max Lucado "Just Like Jesus - having a heart like His." My main goals in the small group are to grow fellowship with one another and with God. We had an awesome group of ladies and some wonderful sharing time. I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead and the path God has for us. Fellowship is how we get to know one another better. I told the ladies at the end of the evening that the devil wasn't going to like us getting together and studying God's word and application to each of our lives. We needed to be prepared for the attack and try to respond with a heart like Jesus. Sure enough, the next day the devil had his way with me. I didn't respond with a heart like Jesus - I let the devil use a situation. I have a choice - I could wallow in my defeat or I can choose to ask forgiveness and try again. I choose the latter. I was disappointed that I responded in that way, but determined not to stay in that place. I need to keep trusting in Him and getting to know Him better each day. Since Jesus is my Savior, I claim Colossians 3:10 "Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand Him better." Be patient, God isn't finished with me yet. Stay tuned...

The little things

My hubby and I went to Saturday Night Live (SNL) at our church last night. It was an awesome time. We praised God through song, enjoyed laughing at funny skits, and then received a message from our student pastor, John Yoho. In John's words to us, he challenged us to think about the little things God does for us each day. It might be a close parking spot on a rainy day, a good night's sleep, a good conversation with a friend or some quiet time with a loved one, etc. I believe God is in all things, the big and the little.

I can remember as a widow with two little boys always praying for a close parking spot at the grocery store. It was difficult sometimes to handle getting the boys and the groceries to the car safely. Almost every time we went to the grocery store, I would pray out loud for God to give us a close parking spot. Then when He did, I would say to the boys "let's say Thank You, God!" One day I was praying silently for that spot and I got one. As soon as I pulled in, from the back seat I hear the boys say "Thank You, God!" It was a reminder to me and them that God is in the little things. Many may not think to pray for a parking spot or something else that may seem to be a little thing. God loves and care about us.

Back to SNL - John challenged us to record on a post-it note (and post somewhere in our homes) the little things we were thankful for. We're posting ours on our frig. It reminds us how God cares about all things in our lives. It also makes my hubby and I more aware of the little things we experience in our daily lives; and God's continuous love for us. I'm challenging you to give it a try. You will be amazed - concentrating on the positive things that happen can make a world of difference. It also will remind you how much we depend on God and how much He loves us.

The porch light is on...

I've got asthmatic bronchitis right now and can't sleep. It's a beautiful night/morning. The moon is the fullest and brightest it will be in 2009 so they say. When I was lying in bed trying to sleep, the moon was shining in the window. I couldn't sleep and was praying. In my devotions this week, I read how our prayers should be dialogues with God not just a laundry list of wants. I asked God what He wanted to tell me. It was as if He was telling me the moon is my porch light - it's on for all who want to come visit; you know how we leave the porch light on when we are expecting someone. I thanked Him for being there, for loving me, for my family, my church, and so many other things. I'm a country girl and I like the idea of sitting on the porch swing or in the rocking chair - sitting a spell and talking with a friend. None of us know exactly what Heaven will be like, but I like to think I'll get to live in the country part of Heaven. I'll want to sit a spell and talk with Jesus and all the loved ones who have gone on before; singing praises to God too. In the meantime, every time I see the full moon I'll be thinking about tonight and the porch light being on...

The love of a child

I had to go to the doctor today and of course, you have to wait. While I was waiting, a young mother and her 2 year old daughter came in. Just moments later an older woman, slightly bent over, came out of the doctor's office into the waiting room to check out. The 2 year old with her "Pebbles" hairdo ran up to the lady smiling and gave her a big hug. At first, I thought maybe it was her grandmother. Ended up, she didn't even know the little girl. You could tell the love in that child's eyes and hug probably did more to make the lady feel better than any medicine. At that moment, I thought this is how Jesus is to each of us. He is so excited to spend time with us. I need to spend more time with Him - just hugging...

Trust

I think one of my words for this new year is going to be TRUST. When we know God is in control of everything, why do we have issues with trust. Especially in this difficult economic time, I must trust. I must trust God will show us the way; show my family and friends the way. So many I know are looking for jobs and jobs aren't as prevalent as they used to be. Lord, please help me trust in you. Thank you for all your blessings.

Increase...decrease

Ashley is a sweet young girl on a missionary trip to Guadeloupe. She is keeping a blog on her experiences while serving the Lord there. She inspires me all the time. One of her recent thoughts was Lord may You increase and we decrease. Increase...decrease - very similar spellings, just a few letters are different; but the magnitude of change using those words can imply. The degree of change can be minimal or maximum. Would you like your salary increased or decreased - we like to think the change would be a great increase. Sometimes I think we overlook a minimal change. Even a minimal change increasing Jesus in our lives can be maximum in results! This year the words joy and surrender have been on my mind (and in my blog) on a very regular basis. When we surrender our will to Jesus, our joy increases. Surrender can bring freedom - not a word we usually associate with surrender. Surrendering to Jesus is the ultimate freedom. God cares about us - He sent His only Son as a baby knowing He would die on a cross for us. Think about that for a moment - could you send your baby to die for someone else? Our oldest son, Scott, was born on Dec. 18th and we brought him home on Christmas Eve. As I sat there feeding him early on Christmas morning with only the tree lights on, I thought of Mary. How it was a moment like this that she held her baby knowing He was the Son of God. She knew He was born to suffer and die to save us all from our sins. As I held Scott, tears ran down my face - I couldn't imagine... Can you? Lord, help me decrease so You can increase in my life. Help me surrender to the joy of Your leadership.

Surely I Will Help You Now

Part of my daily devotion today was called "Surely I Will Help You Now:" This morning may each of us hear the Lord Jesus speak to us, saying, "'I myself will help you.' It's a small thing for Me, as your God, to help you in your time of need, especially when you consider what I've done for you already. What! Not help you? I bought you with My blood. What! Not help you? I died for you, and if I've already done what is greater, will I now not do what is less? Help you? This is the very least I will ever do for you, for I have done much more for you in the past and will do much more for you in the future. "Before the world began I chose you and made the covenant for you. I set My glory aside and become a man for you, and then I laid down My life for you. If I did all this, surely I will help you now...." —Charles Spurgeon

How powerful is this - if God came to earth as a baby and then died for us, how can we ever doubt He will care about what is happening in our lives. I know some people think we shouldn't bother God with the small things in our lives, but I believe God is all about the details. He knows the number of hairs on our head - and for some of us, they are getting fewer every day (ha, ha). How awesome God is! With joy we should surrender to Him, His love, and His plan for our lives. He's got it all under control - we just need to trust Him. Spend time with Jesus today thanking Him for all He has done and is doing for you everyday. Thank you, God, for caring for me...