Our time = Our Life...

I Kings 3:4 "And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar."

Think how LONG it must have taken King Solomon to sacrifice 1,000 burnt offerings?! Our time is our life, therefore the most precious thing we possess. This is the greatest thing we can give back to God.

Solomon must have set aside hours to sacrifice to God. When was the last time we set aside any time for God, let alone hours?

Thank you, God, for this convicting reminder to set aside time in this fast-paced life we live, to be still and know that You are God.

Changing Hats...

I Thessalonians 5:14 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."

Four things Paul mentions in this verse for God's people to do...Warn, Comfort, Support, and Be Patient.

These are four very different hats to wear as a Christian. Obviously I must learn to be a well-balanced Christian. In the ministry I will be called upon to wear many different hats...warning one moment, comforting another person the next, offering support for a Christian trying to grow and then showing patience with all around me.

As I juggle all the different "hats" God allows me to wear, I must strive to learn how to change each "hat," or transition from one situation to the next, quickly and smoothly. I cannot carry emotion from one situation into another. If I really want to be a help to people then I must learn to live 100% in each moment and situation I am in, leaving all others behind.

For example, we cannot properly comfort one person if we are still emotionally charged from a warning we shared with another person. Is this possible for me in my own strength? Probably not! I need the wisdom and discernment of God and the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit daily!

Thank You, God, for this great reminder! I LOVE I Thessalonians chapter 5! This is one of my very favorite chapters from which to learn.

How Can I Help Others Grow?

The following thoughts came while reading 1 Thessalonians 1-2...

How do we help others around us grow as Christians? These chapters seem to show us that it first begins in our heart!

I must cultivate, through Christ, a sincere love for others. It does not take people long to spot a fake!

Do I really desire to make a difference in the lives of those involved in my area of ministry? If my answer is yes, then I must ask for God's help daily as I strive to grow my love to be more like His...a mature, unconditional, selfless love.

How important to learn to love people despite their show of emotion or actions toward myself! How important to work on cultivating an interest in every part of the lives of the people to whom I minister!

Someone will believe I really care when they see that I show an interest in every area of their lives...not just the areas that directly affect my relationship with them.

Thank you, God, for this reminder to cultivate a more unconditional love for people! Thank you for the reminder that I cannot make a difference FOR You apart from a relationship WITH You! I can never love people as I ought until I first love YOU as I ought.

What a privilege to serve You, God!

A Helping Hand

We Need God's Helping Hand...

II Samuel 24:14 "And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man."



As David spoke with the prophet, Gad, he made it obvious that he was more concerned with what GOD thought of Him than what MAN thought of him. A wise man!

This verse seems to be a challenge for us to be more concerned about being on God's side than to be esteemed by man. God is the One who can help us find a fulfilling and wonderful life. May we be reminded to spend more time trying to please Him than we do our fellow man.

Thank you, Lord, for this reminder; and thank you for the WONDERFUL privilege of living the fulfilling life of a separated Christian. It is such a happy place to be!

A HUG from God...

A HUG from God, today!

I am hosting a formal banquet for my teen girls on February 12th. I have been trying to find a formal for myself without spending a fortune. I went looking at thrift stores today.

As I was driving, I told God..."Ok, God, I am trying to be frugal and not spend money we don't have. I don't have anything formal to wear, so if you want me to save money, please help me to find something nice today!"

I went to 3 thrift stores. The first two had some pretty things, but nothing to suit me. As I walked in the last store, I saw a sign...50% off of ALL women's clothing today!! And of course, God had a BEAUTIFUL dress waiting for me, just my size!

I was able to buy a beautiful full-length formal gown and a velvet half-sweater to match it. I paid...(are you ready?)...$2.50 TOTAL!

THAT was my HUG from God!