Tuesday, September 30, 2008

QT Proverbs 3:25-35

25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

Wow, God tells us right there... don't fear disaster. He is at our side no matter what happens. If we can focus on Him, He will help us stay away from the wicked.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"—
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the LORD detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.

Vs 33... he blesses the home of the righteous.... I need to make sure this is the way I live. Not looking at the ways of others, or what people think... just what God thinks and His ways.

34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.

I guess it's better to be wise and live like God wants us to. Duh, that's what it says here in the Bible. Sometimes I feel as if God is telling me the same thing. SMacking me on the back of the head saying.... "duh" to me. I really need to follow His word daily. I need to focus on what is important... living as God wants me to live.

Some days there is so much going on I don't focus on Him at all. Today is a crazy busy day, but I know that if I don't take the time out for Him then Satan will attack me when I'm not looking. We don't need that. I've had enough of that. I want to stand strong.

God will lead my way.

Monday, September 22, 2008

QT Proverbs 3:13-24

Proverbs 3:13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.

Wisdom is so necessary for us. We need to search for it constently. When we make wise decisions we honor God.

15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;

20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;

22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.

23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.


I see that I need to think more before I act. This has been my downfall. I need to take the time to think about what I am doing or going to say, before taking action. Vs 23 "your foot will not stumble" this is so important to us. I know Satan attacks me daily, if I stay focused on God and make wise decisions I will not stumble.

Today's prayer:
Father, thank you for the rest this morning. I know I am exhausted, but You gave me the energy to continue my job today. You have given me the focus on what I need to do. For this I am so grateful. Thank you for Will's injury not being worse than it is. I know he's in pain Lord, help him to deal with that so his hand can heal well.
Father, please help me to heal the hurt inside. To live for the moment like I know you want me to. Father, you have graciosly given me so much in this life that I have wanted. I know that Jesus is the greatest gift you've given any of us. But Lord, I beg you to remove the hurt from my heart. Lift my spirits and bring me back to where I should be. I want to enjoy life again and smile and be happy. I want to laugh more, a lot more. I want to go for walks often. To see the sun shine and dew on the grass in the morning. Father, help me to lead my family spiritually. Give me the wisdom to know how to help all of them see you.
Father, please help those that I know that are sick and out of work. Father, You know where my heart is and I want it to stay with YOU, please help me to remember to focus on You daily.
Thank you for Jesus teaching us how You want us to live. He is the greatest example you've ever given us. Father, without You I am nothing. Thank you for allowing me to reach you through Jesus.
In Jesus' name... Amen.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

QT Proverbs 3:7-12

Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil.

8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

So, do not look for the answers by yourself. Give the issue to God and He will be the one to take care of it. It doesn't matter what it is.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

We've been learning about our "first fruits" this is a term we don't use much anymore. Our "firstfruits" are the earnings you get FIRST. So, wether it's money or time, we need to give it to God. If you give your firstfruits to God, He will return it twice-fold. So wether you are giving money to church, or helping your neighbor fix something in their house... make sure it's as soon as you have time to do these things and not as an afterthought.


11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,

12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. [b]

God will discipline us as He sees fit. We need to accept this. We have to discipline our children or they would get out of hand. He must discipline us to correct us when we make mistakes. He does this to help us focus on Him and learn about Him.

Monday, September 15, 2008

QT Proverbs 3:1-6

Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,

Remember to follow God's teachings. Learn what He wants us to know. If we remember the what He has given us to do, they will bring us "peace and prosperity". I'm hoping for the peace part. I have a war going on within me daily. Satan attacks me all the time. In the places he knows that I struggle with. I must keep God's commands close to my heart and active in my life to beat Satan

2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.


I need this so much. I know God loves me, and that he wants me to love everyone else. He will guide me to do these things.

4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and humankind.

I would rather win favor with God than man, but I know that being human, we want that as well. However, I will live to please the Lord and show Him to man

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

If I leaned on my own understanding I would not be where I am today. I have to lean on Him. I trust Him with all my heart. I struggle with time. I know it's in His time and not my time. I guess I'm just impatient. I need to learn more patience, so I can understand Him better

6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

I need to get better at submitting to Him. It would help if He lit my path with a neon sign sometimes though.

Although I've been struggling with depression once again. I have a much better aspect of it than I used to. I know it will get better. I know I'm here for a reason. I know God loves me. If I continue to work on things within my heart and focus on God, He will light that path for me with a neon sign. It will continue to point the direction He wants me to walk in.

Today's prayer:
Father, God who created heaven and earth. Thank you so much for waking me up this morning to see the sun shining behind the clouds. Father to smell the fresh air and ability to do my job. Lord, I pray that you help me continue to get out of this funk I've been in. Lord, guide my path and lead me to You.

Father, I pray for my family. Lord that Will has a good day at work today. Father, he is so stressed from work, I worry about him. Please help him to see you in his life. I pray for my children. For Angel, Lord, for her to see you today. In one thing, just a glimse of you. Father, for Caitlynn, please help her to be strong and faithful today. Help her to focus on Your word today. Father, Tanis, Lord for him to be slow to anger and focus on good things today

Father, I pray for my friends. Lord, for Sue and Brad. For their income to increase with a new job for Brad. Lord, help him to work for you. He is an awesome disciple, help him to see it in himself, to pick himself up by the "bootstraps" and walk into a job interview for you. Father, help their marriage grow like only You can do. Lord, for Scott and Trina. Father, I have know Scott for what seems like forever, just as long as I've known Sue. Father, help Scott to support his family financially. Please help him to stay strong in his faith of You. Help Trina to see you in her life. Help her to see how wonderful she really is. Lord, please keep my friends and family safe during all travel today. Allow them to come home healthy and happy.

Please help me to have the zeal for life that I want to have. To have the energy and faithfullness that only You can provide. I pray that you continue to work in my life to help others. Father, thank you for your son. He died for me to be a bridge between us. So that I can get to you. So I can be forgiven and get to heaven.

Thank you so much for Jesus and the life he gave. In His name... Amen.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

QT Proverbs 2

Proverbs 2: 1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

Wow, doesn't this just say... LOOK TO GOD !!!!! Go ahead and Him for help. Call out to God for the answers and the help.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

He will protect you!

8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who have left the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,
from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God. [a]
18 Surely her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the just
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

So, if we look to got for the wisdom we need, He will give it to us. This is so true. Last night at midweek we were discussing "God and Money". I totally believe what was preached. We need to make sure we put God first, then family. Our wants are just that, wants. What's the big deal if you don't have the best looking house, or the best looking car. We need to put God before all else and focus on what He wants us to do.

He wants us to share our wisdom of His son Jesus with others. He wants us to love others, no matter if we like the things they do or say. I am just as sinful as the next. I get angry and frustrated often as well. I will focus on Him when I begin to feel this way. Jesus died for me. He died so I could make it to heaven.

When I think of heaven I think of lots of music, dancing, and partying. We'll be playing softball and I'll be able to throw a ball then! I'll be able to dance and not step on anyone's feet!

God made today for us. He made my day today with sunshine and rain. With little smiling faces surrounding me. With loving animals (which really is awesome!) that don't care if you have short or long hair.

I will enjoy today to the best of my ablility. I am so grateful that I have today. That I am healthy. That I have a job. That I have God's word and love. And that He hasn't given up on me and He never will.

To HIM I am so grateful.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

QT Proverbs 1:20-33

Pro 1:20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall [d] she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the LORD.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm."

This passage makes me think of a mom. A mom who has told her child not to do something and the child isn't listening. The mom who comes up behind them and litterly smacks them in the head. "what were you thinking?" and "duh" - mom said not to do it, you should have listened to her. If we listen to God's word and follow him we will be safe and at ease. This doesn't mean we won't have problems or troubles, this means that with God we can get through anything. "Then I will pour out my thoughts to you," I would love to know what God's plans are for me.

Today I am doing better. The depression is slowly lifting. God is working powerfully in my life. I am doing what I need to be to help it lift as well. I am making sure I have prayer time with Him. I am getting in my walk with the daycare kids, all two of them. I am making sure I look good for ME.

I am still a little stressed out about money, although I know we've been through so much worse than right now. I'm at a crossroads. I have two daycare kids and I need either to have 4 full timers (or the equivelent income) or get a job outside the house. Well, I'm of mixed emotions about both. I really enjoy what I do with kids. I love being able to be home when my own kids come home from school. I feel this is so important. I can be here when their friends come over to "hang out". But, on the other hand... Tanis needs more independence, the house would have less clutter. I don't know. This is one decision I'm leaving to God. I have prayed for Him to lead me in the direction He wants me to be in. Lead me to where I can work for Him, not money. Where does He want me to be?

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

QT Proverbs 1:8-19

Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us;
let's lie in wait for innocent blood,
let's ambush some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot"—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; i
it takes away the life of those who get it.

Wow, this is such a good warning for us. Why follow the sinful man anyway? God will guide us through all our trials the righteous ways. I think this is hard to follow sometimes, but I know I still need to. It's so easy to follow what others are doing. To think alongside the "world". I feel this also means not to fall into temtation of money and things. Sure it's nice to have "stuff" but we can't take it with us. God is what needs to be prevalient in our lives. Jesus could have had all the riches in the world, but he didn't. His riches were within God. Following Him until the very end. Are you truely following Him? I know some days I do not. Sometimes it's difficult not to be tempted by the world. How easy it would be to follow that direction. How easy is it to swear and curse. But you know what, it's wrong. I need to focus on Jesus when I'm tempted to swear or laugh at crude jokes, or gossip. That's my other struggle. Gossip comes in so many varieties. I know He will help me avoid this.

Monday, September 08, 2008

QT Proverbs 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, [a]
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise. [b]
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools [c] despise wisdom and instruction.

What is Proverbs all about? In this passage I see God telling me that He is giving me the tools here to become wise. The need for this is major in this day and age! We need to know how to make the wise decisions in our lives. Will we go with everyone else or follow God?

I believe that God will continue to work in my life daily. There are so many things that I pray for daily that I cannot even put here. If I follow the words of the Bible, I cannot do wrong. I will follow Jesus' teachings. We need the knowledge of how to behave in the world to shine our light for God. I believe that God will win the battles in my house. Satan can go away from here. This is God's house.