Can God?

Matthew 8:30-34

Interesting...In this story the keepers of the swine (which couldn't have been too many men) convinced a WHOLE CITY (vs. 34) to stand against Jesus. Why can't we then, as Christians, get a hold of God's power and convince just as many to stand FOR Jesus? Ahhh! how greatly we underestimate the power of an Almighty God!

Thank You, God, for reminding me of Your power!

Service With Sincerity...

Joshua 24:14a "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and truth:"

God wants our service for Him to be of sincere choice made through the truth.

Is our service to God done as a show for others, or do we sincerely want to please God? Thank you, God for this reminder to stop and re-evaluate my motives in my Christian life!

Leadership With Vision...

July 11, 2011....

Joshua 23: 10-11

"One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God."

 

If one man teams up with God there is NO LIMIT to what he can do!

 

Every person is a leader in some respect, whether it be as a parent, a mentor, at the workplace, etc. We all lead someone by our example.

 

Please, God, give me your wisdom and vision to always be looking for new ways to go forward for You and lead others rightly by my example!

 

Caring For God's Man...

Joshua chapter 21 deals with the allotment of land for the Tribe of Levi, God's men.

How interesting that God allotted land to all of the tribes EXCEPT the men of the church. He had each tribe alot a certain number of cities to this tribe instead. Why? I believe for God is teaching us the importance of caring for the men of God and their families.

A man of God ought not to have to ask for their needs to be met as they did in this chapter. We as God's people ought always to be looking for ways to meet and supply the needs of the men of God and their families.

Thank you, God, for this reminder that it is an honor to SERVE others!

God's Justice...

Chapter 20 of Joshua regarding the cities of refuge is a reminder to all of us that justice is very important to God. God's forgiveness does not relieve sin's consequences. However, God never wants a man to be judged and punished wrongly.

May we NEVER make a snap judgement about a person. There should be proper consideration of the facts and witnesses before we judge anyone in any way.

Thank you for this reminder, God. I know I am often to quick to make up my own mind!

Little Things...

God's Word always has some amazing little truths tucked away in small unlikely verses and chapters. It truly is inexhaustible!

Joshua 18:3 "And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?"

These four words in this short verse remind me of an important truth. Often, what I do not accomplish in life is a result of my "slack" in trusting an almighty God. He has already mapped out many great victories in my life. May I just have the faith to step out; "...to go to possess...!"

I find so many more "nuggets" of truth during my Bible reading when I take a moment to claim Psalms 199:18 before I start. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

God Wants Me to Think Before I Speak...

Proverbs 25:8 "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when they neighbor hath put thee to shame."

It seems God is reminding me in this chapter how influential my words can be. We ought not to be quick to criticize or argue with others. We ought to stop and think before we say something.

Maybe I should ask myself a question or two. "How will this affect those I am speaking to, or those I am speaking about?" "Will these words help to build someone or tear them down." Just because something is true does not mean we have to talk about it! I believe the media has greatly influenced our thinking towards the wrong in this area of critical discussion.

God, I invite you as the Psalmist did in Psalms 141:3 to..."Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."

Stop and Relfect...

Psalms 119:15

"I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways."

It seems God is reminding me with this short little verse how important it is to think about what God wants before I act or speak. If I want His blessings in my life, then I need to respect His ways in every area of my life.

Thank you, God, for this great little reminder to stop and think about what direction YOU want in my everyday life . I LOVE Psalms 119!

Yummy Low-fat Pancakes!

Trying to be careful and eat healthy but still have a sweet tooth? Here is a great alternative! Even a healthy home-made syrup to put on top!

Low fat Applesauce Pancakes...

1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of oats
1/2 cup of low fat milk
1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
2 large egg whites
1 Tbsp. Canola Oil
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp. Salt
1/4 cup of sugar

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine wet ingredients in another bowl and add to the dry mixture. Stir till blended. Heat griddle or pan and spray with nonstick cooking spray. When hot, pour about 1/4 cup pancake batter per pancake. Cook until bubbles appear and edges are puffed, then flip and cook until golden.

Makes about 8 pancakes.

Healthy apple topping...

Warm a pan with a little bit of butter. Dice up an apple finely. and add to the butter. Cook till apples begin to soften. Add some frozen apple juice concentrate, cornstarch and honey. Let cook till thickened and bubbly. Poor over your pancakes and enjoy! Yummmmmm!! (Sorry, I did not measure things for my syrup, just eye-balled the ingredients!)

Serve this with a steaming hot cup of coffee and an egg or piece of Turkey Bacon and you have yourself a Yummy, Happy, Low fat, Healthy breakfast!!

Isn't Life Great?!

Deuteronomy 12:7..."And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee."

Serving God is not a drudgery! It is fun, exciting, sweet and peaceful to live within the confines of God's will.

I take this as one of my challenges this year, God! To serve you with happiness for my sake, my family's sake and the sake of others around me who are influenced by my life.

There is nothing I would rather do with my life than give it back to You. Whatever the circumstance in life, we are so blessed.