Deep Thoughts and Little Happenings

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 How do we know when we have our mind set on the things of God and not on the things of man?  Peter pulled Jesus aside and spoke to Him about his concerns.  Jesus immediately told Peter his mind was set on the things of man.  (Matthew 16:23 & Mark 8:33) Martha did the same thing.  She is upset with Mary but asks Jesus to do something about Mary.  He tells her she is distracted by many things. (Luke 10:38-42) Always sharing my opinion turns into a form of criticism and judgement of others and their choices.  Pride helps me feel like I'm helping them and keeps my mind set on the things of man. L ORD , thank you for showing me how pride has entered my heart.  Forgive me and cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.  Help me to be self-controlled and alert.  Teach me how to keep my mind set on the things above.  Holy Spirit, I want to walk by You and not stray from You or Your ways.  Fill

Bro Barry has given us a challenge to go along with this month's message series...Boot Camp.  Read all four of the Gospels (3 in 30...3 chapters a day for 30 days will get us there).  Once a week family time with each family member speaking, reading, and praying.  Memorize Scriptures (assigned Scripture in the NLT).  Those who memorize all five will receive a Boot Camp t-shirt. Share the Four Spiritual Laws booklets with others (give to or read through with them). Matthew 10:8b - Freely you received, freely give.  As I read this, I was struck by something my grandmother used to say...we have to be specific.  She was talking about in our requests to God and yet I believe that also applies to our thanks to God.  If we aren't specific in what we received from Him, we are unable to give freely.  We feel spiritually bankrupt.  This is not a new lesson, but a wonderful reminder to keep an attitude of gratitude for ALL the ways the L ORD has poured out His grace in our lives. 

Deuteronomy 1:22 "Then all of you approached me and said, 'Let us send men before us, that they may search out the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we should go up and the cities which we shall enter.'" Deuteronomy 1:32-33 But for all this, you did not trust the L ORD your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go. I've read these verses hundreds of times and yet this was the first time I saw the connection between them.  I've always known they sent twelve spies into the land, ten brought back fear and two encouraged them to follow God's call to take possession of the land.  But... Two things jumped out at me this time. Vs 22 - let us send men before us that they may bring back to us word of the way which we should go Vs 33 - the L ORD your God who goes before you on your way to show you the way in

"The Spirit explicitly says that some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons...abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." I cannot believe I have never SEEN this before today.  Maybe I needed to have a peace in my heart about my relationship with the L ORD and an assurance in my faith walk with Him before I could.  I was not trying to find it so I could prove a point.  The L ORD  gave it to me as a reminder that I do not want to be tempted to fix my hope on anything I DO.  Instead, I must "fix my hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially believers." Father, thank You for being my hope.  Thank You for being the One who makes me stand when the enemy bombard

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be seasoned with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.  Colossians 4:5-6 (NASB) Wow!  If I want to know how to respond to  each person, all I have to do is  let my speech  always be seasoned with grace.  This is very specific...I  will know how to respond to each person  if I  let  my speech always be seasoned with grace.  My speech originates in my thoughts, so... If I want my speech to be seasoned with grace, I must think gracious thoughts.  That's my choice! LORD, I want to know how to respond to each person.  Teach me to think as You think.  Examine me and give me a humble heart that is willing to learn to think like You think and follow Your ways.  Amen. Philippians 4:8

When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."  Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT) Am I serious about finding the L ORD ?  Do I want Him more than anything (or anyone) else? According to Jeremiah, when I look for the L ORD ,  I will find Him.  The question is...Am I looking?  Or am I complacent?  Are there areas in my life where I avert my gaze so I do not find Him there?  Is that because I do not want to see the expression in His eyes as He looks around that area of my heart? L ORD , I do not want to keep you boxed into certain areas of my life.  I do not want to have hidden spaces in my heart.  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.  Amen