What’s on your MIND?

Yesterday at our church we started a new message series called “Toxic”.  The message this past Sunday was about TOXIC THOUGHTS.  It made me think about exactly what was on my mind throughout the day.  I think we have a choice in what we are going to allow our minds to dwell on.  The bible teaches us in Philippians 4:8 that “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, lovely, admirable and so on… to think about these things.  God is encouraging us to dwell, establish your thoughts on those kinds of things. I was reading that scripture the other day and realized the very first thing that Paul tells us to think on is whatever is TRUE.  How many times do we dwell on the lies?  How easy is it to fall into a trap and believe all the things that are false that lead us to fear, insecurity, and doubting God. We will look at our family, our jobs, our situations through the eyes of negativity and it is difficult to experience the joy and contentment that Christ gives when our focus is off.   When we allow our minds to focus on the negative, our actions will follow.

How do we train our minds to think on the things that are TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT?

1. Focus on God’s sufficiency.  He is ABLE… that should be our motto for anything we are facing. We may not have the answers, but I know He does.
2. Replace the lies with TRUTH. Every time a false thought comes into your mind, replace it with scripture. Memorize, write it down in your home, put it in your computer. The Word of God is the solution for all falsehood.
3. Confess Positively. The bible teaches us also that the Words of our mouth have power.  It is our words that brings us salvation – Romans 10:9&10 tells us that with our mouth we confess Christ and are saved. If confession of faith can save us, then confession of God’s ability to be all sufficient will keep our heart and mind focused on Him.

Ladies, life is too short to focus on lies and negativity. Live today in the power of the Holy Spirit and have the mind of Christ!

Parenting Kids is NOT for the Weak!

So yesterday I left my house at 1pm and had ministry engagements all afternoon until 8pm.  I left my 3 sons and my international student at home with our small dog Trixy.  This is nothing new. My sons are used to their parents gone for some lengths of time and can well care for themselves at this point. Of course this day was very different when I came home and my youngest son “spilled the beans” on what happened that day.  Don’t you love it when the youngest one gives you all the dirt on what’s been going on! Apparently NO ONE cleared the table after lunch so our wonderful dog Trixy, who has an eating disorder … that is … she can’t resist food – she jumps on the table and eats the bucket of butter that was left open. My oldest son notices it when the dog came up into his room and her mouth was wet and smelling of butter. After this, Trixy threw up 3 times in various places in the house…. including our beautiful rug.  The boys used floor LAMINATE cleaner to get rid of it… staining the rug!

Now, I don’t know about you, but after a long day, this was not a positive experience for me!  How many of you can recall stories of CRAZY things your children have done? Dr. James Dobson’s book title “Parenting ISN’T for Cowards” could not be more fitting. Parenting is one of the bravest, selfless, time consuming things you will ever do. Parenting children requires incredible self control, patience, mercy, grace, and most of all love. I think God gives us the task of raising children to show us a glimpse of what he faces each day with us and the constant long suffering he shows us.  The best thing we can do is to parent our children like our heavenly father watches over us. Ask him today for the courage, strength, and ability to be the most effective influence you can be upon your kids. And one more thing…. Make sure you never leave your dog alone with your kids!

Schools BACK! Let the craziness begin!

Ok!  I’m back… I know I have been slacking really bad all summer but to be honest I LOVED this summer. Ladies, it was the most relaxing, fun, and enjoyable summer I have had in a long time.  No pressure, no schedules, no deadlines, just enjoying my family and free time.  This summer our family read through the book of PROVERBS together – one chapter each day. We talked about wisdom, the fear of the Lord, and other themes that are prevalant in that book.  Without all the distractions of school, sports, and activities, parents can really concentrate on spiritual growth in their kids.  Don’t we all wish life could be that way… everyday.  But the reality is, we are back to the books, schedules, sports, and time restraints. How do we survive at that pace but keep our kids and families focused on our faith and relationship with God.

Job 22:21-22

²¹ “Submit to God and be at peace with him;
in this way prosperity will come to you.
²² Accept instruction from his mouth
and lay up his words in your heart.”

How do we teach our kids a submission to God?  First, we must submit our schedules as adults. If a child sees that the things of God are important to his parents, then he will realize that is something he must value also. So many times I see parents in September forsaking Sunday church and spiritual activities on a consistent basis for sports, school activities, and simply for a day off to stay at home.  Occasionally this may be necessary, but when it is done consistently, the message we send to our children can be damaging to their faith. The bible says, “ if we submit to God, prosperity will come to us.”  Submission comes first, then I can expect the blessing. Many times that blessing is seen in other ways than just money…. Its seen in the solid faith we have helped build into our children through years of consistency and submission to God’s authority.

The bible also says to accept instruction from the Lord and keep his words in our hearts. We should always be LEAD BY OUR HEART. The Words of God should be stored up in us and flow out to our children on a daily basis no matter what season we are in.

So today, Keep speaking the Word and Living the Word for your children. Prosperity is promised to you!

ANYWHERE but here

Sometimes I wish I was anywhere but HERE.  How many of you have ever thought that?   As women, it is so easy to think life would be easier, simpler, more enjoyable ANYWHERE but where you are at the moment.  Each season of our life brings different challenges, problems, rewards, and obstacles to overcome.  It can be so easy to wish our life looked like something else. I remember at times in life and ministry feeling this way, but I am reminded what the Bible says about this issue.  Even great people in the bible had to deal with feelings of discontent.

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:12 – 13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and all circumstances, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength. “

It is God who gives us the strength to deal with each season of life. We have to believe that God is in control of our circumstances and he is working in and through our life to bring about His purposes. Another encouraging thought is that seasons don’t last forever.  Just as nature changes, so does our personal lives.  You will not be in the same place forever.  The key is to go through each season with our heart set on God and our minds focused on His purpose for us.  He is always trying to teach us something… nothing is ever wasted with Jesus.  With Christ’s help, I can make it through anything this life throws at me!

Getting the WORD into your child

Having devotions with your children can be quite an adventure. Sitting last night with mason, my 9 year old son, gave me a great look into the mind of a child.  We were reading in John 15 about Jesus being the vine and we are the branches.  We were talking about how our lives should show fruit if we truly are a follower of Christ.  Then I asked him if he knew what I meant by “showing fruit in our life”.  He answered, “ummm … being like God.”  I thought , “WOW this kid really gets it!”  So I took him to Galatians 5 and showed him the fruit of the Spirit and how we need to produce this in our life.  When we read about the fruit of self control, he informed me that he had none. … so we decided to pray on that.  But I am just preaching away about the fruit, thinking he is soaking in every word, then he looks at me with big eyes and says he has a question.  With delight, I asked what that question was, and he said, “How much money does a zoo keeper make?”

How did we get from the fruit of the spirit to zoo keeping in 3 minutes? This I will never understand, but I did know that the Bible lesson was over for the night.

Our kids can only consume so much spiritual truth at once.  Devotions for families can either be enjoyable, annoying, or another obligation that just has to get done.  I say mix it up! Don’t always teach in the same way and the same place.  Make it interesting for your kids and remember that even if you think nothing is really getting through… you will be surprised someday!

PEACE AT ALL TIMES

You can see the signs everywhere in our country….“PEACE”. It is on t-shirts, posters, billboards and almost any city you are in.  The world is seeking peace. They are longing for peace on our planet and in their personal lives. No wonder Jesus said so much about PEACE.  John 14:27 Jesus said “peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. “  This kind of peace is not a worldly, temporary emotional high, it is a solid assurance that God is in control.

2 Thessalonians 3: 16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace AT ALL TIMES and in every way.”

This scripture gives us an expectation that there is an all powerful God who has my life firmly in his hands AT ALL TIMES.  Peace from the world is temporary, it is situational, it is based on circumstances and what is happening around us. Jesus is the LORD of PEACE and His assurance is by faith and an understanding that even if my reality does not line up with my vision at this moment, God is still in control. He is working behind the scenes to bring about His will and purpose in my life. I must be patient, consistent, and prayerful with my heart focused on Him. It is when we focus on the negative around us that His peace leaves our hearts and doubt and confusion settle in.  I encourage you to welcome the Spirit of Peace into your home today. Know that Jesus is the Lord of peace and it is available to us AT ALL TIMES no matter the circumstance.

Where would I be?

The life I now live…I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)     This scripture touched me so  much when I read this on facebook today. Where would you be without Jesus?  What kind of life would you be living?  Finding Christ has completely changed everything in my life.  It has changed my values, my decisions, my morals, and my future. I sometimes wonder where I would be today if I had not made that solid decision at at 15 to serve Christ with all my heart. How many years of my life would have been wasted on pointless living, serving myself and never finding true contentment.  All that I am belongs to Him, All that I ever wanted is found in Him!  Can you get excited about the fact that we LIVE IN CHRIST today and THIS FAITH is ALIVE and present through the Holy Spirit.  Never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation to all that is true in life, to all that even matters.  The bible says that all else will fade away except the Word of God. If I hold onto Him, I will have eternal life.  Not only do I have an amazing life here with His guidance and presence, but I have the promise of a SUPERNATURAL afterlife that will last forever in His very presence.  Hold onto His promise today, rest in His great mercy today.  We love Him because He first LOVED US.