Monday, July 30, 2007

Look what God has done!

I can't wipe the smile off my face! You aren't going to believe what God has been up too!

Some of you may know that my husband and I ride and compete mountain biking. I'm retired from competing since having kids but hubby has continued on and rides almost everyday.

Well yesterday he had a competition and a good friend he often rides with picked him up and they went together. The kids and I went to church as usual and later yesterday afternoon after hubby had gotten back from the race he just happened to mentioned that... are you ready for this?!!

That his good friend found the Lord! Yes, those were the exact words of my husband and I almost fell over right there in absolute shock! My husband went on to explain in great detail how on the ride to the race and back his friend told him that he found the Lord and was attending church! My husband told me that he said to his friend that he doesn't believe in all that and his friend replied back... "well you should!" Hubby then went on to say that he told his friend about how I found the Lord and am attending church etc. and how my parents are ministers. Aparently they had an indepth discusion on the Lord.

If I ever needed more proof that God is real and in control then this would be it folks! Do you think it is coindidence that EXACT prayers my family and I are praying are EXACTLY being answered? We have prayed that God would line up Christians around my husband to witness to him. And not only that but that these people would be new Christians who came to Christ later in life. I asked my husband "do you think it's chance that your wife and now your good friend and bike buddy are Christians??!!"

God couldn't have picked a better person to be witnessing to my husband. I'm telling you God is a genius! This friend couldn't be more worldly (note "normal") more fun loving and full of life. No sob story that my hubby can't relate too!

How funny that yesterdays sermon was titled What To Do When Waiting On God. It was all about having patience and how God is in control and working things out according to His will in His timing!

James 5:7-8 Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Ever struggle with GUILT?

Any other Christian out there struggle with this issue? In my Christian walk it seems I've made the mistake of allowing guilt to get in the way from time to time. Never even realizing that the guilt itself was a problem. I'm now realizing guilt should have no part of us once we become born again and saved.

GUILT GUILT GUILT. Ever have the feeling you've displeased God somehow and suddenly find yourself out of His grace and feel the need to run to the alter begging forgiveness? Well guess what? GUILT won't get you closer to God! Sure it may have us weeping and crying our eyes out on Sunday, but I think it's a trap from satan. Guilt seperates us from God. It cuts us off. It chokes us. As soon as we confess our guilt we feel all better, but for how long? Until we mess up again! Then it starts all over.

God isn't standing up in heaven with a pencil and erasier and everytime we slip up he says "time to erase that name again."

What does the Word say about it? Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Ever struggle with sin? Guess what, God isn't surprised! We are humans, it's what we do! Instead of letting guilt seperate you from God, how about taking your sin to God. Think He's too holy to hear it? Feel ashamed? Those are lies from satan. I challenge you to take your sin (it doesn't matter how big or small) to God and see what He says about it! You might be shocked what He says! I'm not talking about confessing your sin after the fact, I mean take it to Him directly! Don't think you have to fix it yourself or get over the issue or even stop your sin until you can come to Him. I mean take it to Him directly! You know what you might find? He might just wrap you in His arms and say "I don't even care about that right now. I'm just so happy you finally brought it to me!" And even more shocking, He might just take care of it for you!

My heartfelt prayer: Dear God what an amazing and loving God you are! I adore you! I sigh your name in love. I will follow you forever just to get tastes of you. Please Lord I ask you to teach me! Show me more! I want you more! I want to taste you, I want to hear you, I want to see you. I get a tiny taste and I find I can't get enough. I pant after you. I'm in love with you and it's amazing!

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Did you know God sings?

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

I stubbled over this sweet little passage the other day and thought "what a revelation into God's heart!"

I read it like this: The Lord my God is with me When I'm alone, scared, or worried. He is a strong and powerful God that magnificently saves! And get this! He likes me! He laughs over me. ME! Imagine that! He wraps His love around my heart so tight until I can only be still in awe. And then He sings about me, and the heavens respond to this singing!