Psalm for you soul...

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 

(He has a plan no matter what - His will is for my good and I must trust it, it is always for my good.. )

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? 

(My tears- worthless to anyone else - so precious to my Father that He keeps them.) 

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 

(Enough said.)

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? 

(Calvary covers it all...)

Psalms 56:3-4, 8, 11, 13 KJV)

Old sinners like me...

No one (not even my own worrisome nature) can ever tell me that God doesn't use old sinners like me...  There are too many women in the bible who the Lord redeemed out of wicked lives, and set them on beautiful paths of righteous grace, in order to glorify His name. I love that He loves me so much, and that because of the Cross, I am a trophy of grace...perfection rests in His work on Calvary and not on feeble flesh. I fail him and make bad choices, but so did so many others.  We have to reap what we sow and move on, seeking to daily serve the one who delivers us and keeps us no matter what.

This was awesome...

Excerpt from
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Rahab

The threefold reference to Rahab in the New Testament reveals how she became a faithful follower of the Lord. She had been taken from the dunghill and placed among the saints in the genealogy of the Saviour (Matthew 1:5 where Rachab [kjv] and Rahab [asv], are to be identified as the same person). Her remarkable faith was a sanctifying faith leading her to a pure life and honorable career. As the result of her marriage to Salmon, one of the two spies whom she had saved, who “paid back the life he owed her by a love that was honourable and true,” Rahab became an ancestress in the royal line from which Jesus came as the Saviour of lost souls. “Poor Rahab, the muddy, the defiled, became the fountainhead of the River of the Water of Life which floweth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Her name became sanctified and ennobled, and is worthy of inclusion among many saints.

Paul highly commends Rahab for her energetic faith and gives her a place on the illustrious roll of the Old Testament of those who triumphed by faith. “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11:31). What a suggestive touch that is, “with peace.” There was not only faith in her heart that God would be victorious, but also an assured peace when she hid the spies that her deliverance from destruction would be taken care of. She knew the rest of faith. In fact, Rahab is the only woman besides Sarah who is designated as an example of faith in the great cloud of witnesses. What a manifestation of divine grace it is to find the one-time harlot ranked along with saints like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and David

Resolute Two, He's in the Details

Looking for answers in tough situations is often a difficult task, yet,  here it is quite obvious to me that there are two resolute truths that should always remain our stay in any matter:

1. Fear God, reverence Him, the same maker who created and maintains the stars, is the same one who holds you in the palm of His nail-scarred hands. He will search the matter out,  He knows the secrets of the heart. (Psalms 44:21)

2.  Keep His commandments. His word will never lead us astray. Search for peace and wisdom through your circumstances by abiding in His truths, let them guide your every step, be obedient in them, even when it doesn't make sense to your heart. Remember that our hearts are wicked and deceitful, but God can never lie, His word will stand when nothing else will. "Obedience to the Holy Spirit is spiritual dynamite" - Oswald Chambers.

I find myself talking to the Lord all the time saying, "Aahhh, I just don't know God, I just don't know what to do."    This morning,  He reminded me  that being obedient and having reverence of His Word are what I always need to be doing, especially when I don't know what to do. Jesus died for me, not just that I may life, but that I may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) The details of what that abundance will be, well, I need to leave those up to Him.

It Matters

It Matters

Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

We tell the kids in Sunday school that the way we love him matters.  It makes a difference in the way we make our decisions,  in the way we treat others,  in the way we do our jobs, in the way we view defeat, and in the way we view success. But the way we believe and trust His love also matters.  Let us not forget, He loved us with the Cross, and that is the ultimate gift of grace, we most definitely matter to Him.

Forever Loved

(Psalms 86:1-2, 5, 10, 12-13 )

Bow down thine ear, O Lord , hear me: for I am poor and needy.  Preserve my soul;

(Protect me sweet Savior, cover me with the Cross)

for I am holy:

( I am a wretched sinner saved by grace,  made Holy in thy sight by the precious blood of Christ.)

O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

(What a glorious hope we have in thee, O Lord)

  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.  I will praise thee,

(You have given way more than I deserve,  thank you)

O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.  For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

(I weep with gratefulness,  I'm overwhelmed at the magnitude of your grace)

This morning as I sat in my car waiting on the store to open, I was talking to the Lord about some heartbreaks I've been experiencing lately.  I was asking him to protect me from my uncanny ability to make the wrong choices, for him to lead me and for him to, yes, make my heart feel better.  I came across this passage, and it comforted me in my time of sorrow and loneliness.  He has done so much for me that I don't deserve, and in his awesome love for me will continue to take care of me. He never ever fails to speak to me when I'm truly listening. I'm so thankful that when I am rejected by man, I still remain fully accepted by my heavenly Father.  I am written in the palms of his hand - forever loved, forever wanted and  forever  forgiven.

A Psalm for the Heart Broken

  I waited patiently for the Lord ; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 

(he stands ready)

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings 

 (this depressing time won't last forever)

he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:

(thankful that one day I will sing a lovely song)

Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord . Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

 (my strength is all from Him, my testimony pointing to Christ and the power of the Cross)

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered

( he has great, big plans for me. Ones I cannot fathom)

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually,

(My anchor...breathe it in,  breathe it out)

The Lord be magnified.  But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

(He loves me, oh yes,  He loves even me)

Psalms 40:1-5, 8, 16-17

Heavenly Vision

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Acts 26:19

Sometimes I m walking so close to my Lord that I can feel His sweet breath of  wisdom kiss my cheek, then, at other times,  I'm so lost I can't even sense His presence as I pray.  In my busyness to get to where I'm going,  I get distracted.  I find, as my day begins, I leave pieces of my armor beside the bed and, day after day, I am not as prepared as I should be. I am weakened, and more susceptible to temptations and the wiles of the enemy.  I never want to be grow so busy that I become disobedient to the calling He has placed in my life.   He doesn't intend for me to get lost - I do that all by myself.  We can all lose sight of God's heavenly vision for our lives, but that doesn't mean He has. I challenge you,  as I have myself,  to take more time to listen for His voice, pray, ask Him to refresh your soul and renew our joy, and seek His calling in openness, with obedient hearts. It's no telling what greatness God can do,  He's just awesome that way! 

Little by Little

"I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land."  (Exodus 23:29-30)

God's timing is often a hard thing for me to understand, yet I know deep down, where truth abides, that His ways are perfect. I love how beautifully His word assures us that we aren't the first ones to have to wait, and  the things He does is for our own good.  So, the next time I wonder why things aren't happening right now, or why it seems my prayers are going unheard, I'm going to do my best to remember these verses and trust Him. God knows best how to work the land of my life, and His "little by little" will bring more contentment and joy than my "right now" could ever bring.

It's just what He does!

It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
                                               -Psalms 18:32

        Boy, I don't know about you guys, but, for me,  this week has been a hectic one . Although I do have a few good qualities given to me by my heavenly Father, there are many many I do not possess, and one gift I've yet to enjoy is being good at time management... my midnight run to the laundry mat is evidence of that! ;-) However, today as I was sitting here in my car, trying to catch my breath between classes, I found a powerful verse in Psalms 18, reaffirming my weary soul,  scattered brain and tired body,  He is all I need!
        Isn't it just like Jesus to tell it like it is?!  It's like the Lord said, "kiddo, you may not have it all together, but I do, and I will fill you with every ounce of strength you need if you will learn to lean on me!!" 
        Sooo, while I'd been busy trying to micro-manage, and do it all, I had not taken the time to rest in Him.   It's an awesome relief to know, even if I'm messy and unorganized, if I will just take the time to listen and walk with Him, He surely will make my way perfect, because... that's just what He does!!

Watch Him Move

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 KJV

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.  Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.

Often when I'm facing something difficult, that almost seems impossible, the Lord leads me back to this passage of scripture.  When I am tempted to fix a problem on my own, I can hear Him say, " Tonya, set yourself, stand still, this battle isn't yours, it's mine. I'm always with you, trust me, I've got this." My spirit begins to stir within me encouraging me...

Trust Him, even when you're losing the battle...help is coming.
Trust Him, even when your faith is fading.
Trust Him,  because you love Him.
Trust Him, because He loves you.
Trust Him, because His word is true.

I know He says that he is always working things out for my good and He has a plan, so, today, I'm gonna sit still and watch Him move!! :-)

Waiting for Perfect...hmmph!

Life can make us bitter and pessimistic about things if we choose to let ourselves be swayed by everyone else's failures and negativity...stop, just stop, take responsibility for yourself and your own actions...Life is what you make it, if you're waiting on 100% certainty that you're not gonna fail before you give it your all and take a chance, well, friend, you'll be waiting forever.  I've got news for ya, you will never be fault-free, and neither will the people in your life. So, if you are loved and love in return, then move forward and choose to make the precious moments you've been given with them the best ever. Because, one day, you'll look back and see just how much time you let pass you by all because you were waiting...waiting for perfect to find you, you let perfect-for-you pass right on by.

The Palm of His Plans

Struggling to find peace in the midst of frustration is, well, frustrating!  I was a blubbering mess this morning when I asked for a friend's prayer to cover me, then I went to the one place I knew there'd be help - the Word! I opened my bible, and out fell a sweet thank you note given to me by a precious sister over a year ago. It's sweetness was found marking the pages of Daniel chapters two and three. Only the Lord knows exactly what we need when we need it. I have so many doubts and questions about issues far beyond my control, and I often become overwhelmed in feelings of  unsettling insecurities. I don't like not knowing  where I'm gonna land, but my sweet heavenly Father gently reminded me today that He most definitely does. I'm so grateful the One who holds creation in His hands, the One who sets the hours within the days, the One who holds all the mysteries of life in the wisdom of His grace, is also the One who has my life in the nail scarred  palm of His plans!! 

All the Difference

We have such an hope in our Savior! Why I lack confidence has absolutely nothing to do with Him, but everything to do with my sin! When I find my boldness to proclaim Him to others difficult to muster, it's only because I'm foolishly forgetting that my confidence rests not in my goodness, but always, and only, in His goodness! We can always have assurance that He is faithful to do what He has promised- when He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself.  I pray He reminds me daily of this hope - it's all about Him- enabling me to be bold with the confidence of Christ; He will make all the difference!!!

Philippians 1:20

According to my earnest expectation and my  hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

He's all I need

Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondereth all his goings.

 

Even when I don't know where I'm going, or where I'll end up, He surely does! There's not one day in which I should worry, my Lord has me in the palms of His hands, for the nails of Calvary have engraved me there.

Hiding Place

Thou art my hiding place and my shield, I hope in thy word! (Psalms 119:114)

Often I lie awake when troubling thoughts invade the stillness of the night. I wonder about lots of things in those quiet moments, such as, what is your will for me God, where will I end up, will I be married, single, will I ever feel truly content, will I do enough for The Lord, will I finally feel forgiven along with  a whole host of other ordinary, everyday concerns. Goodness how the enemy strives to steal our joy, but oh what a refuge of hope we have in His word! Hiding it in our hearts creates a shield of protection and a sense of peace. All the matters of our lives, shall God not search them out, for he knows the secret places of the heart. (Psalms 42:21) "Learning to lean, learning to lean...learning to lean on Jesus. Finding more power than I'd ever dream, I'm learning to lean on Jesus."  He is honestly the best the best hiding place there is! 

I love you Daddy!

There are so many things I'd love to talk with you about. So often I think, "Boy, Dad sure woulda loved that" or "wonder what Daddy would say?" I am so sorry that I did more than my share of disappointing things while you were still with us, but your belief in me was astounding! You would have been proud to see the change God has made in my life! Thanks for being such a loving and forgiving Dad! It has taught me to be the same way to others! Because you came back to The Lord later in life a broken and humble man, there was a resolve in you to serve Him with such faithfulness! I often think of the verse in Luke 7:47 where Jesus says, "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." What a joy it was to watch you live for The Lord, you knew what it was like to be forgiven of much, and the joy and dedication you served The Lord with was so awesome to watch. You were the picture of a man who "loved much"! Thank you for leaving that testimony of grace behind, for I have drawn so much strength from it. It helps me more than anyone could ever know! I miss you, but it's a comfort to know you are having a wonderful time with our Heavenly Father. I just wanted to take a minute and thank the good Lord for making you my Dad, and to you, for loving me so completely! Happy Father's Day to you both, I love you more than words can express! 

Jesus, beautiful friend of mine

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last.  Revelation 1:17

Can you just imagine?? It's hard to comprehend how it will be to see my Lord, face to face, wow! I can totally relate to falling at His feet, utterly prostrate, laid out as if my body were dead.  I don't think I could ever feel as if I were humbled enough; but, to know He loves me enough to say, "don't fear me, it's ok. I am the beginning and the end, but I am also your savior and friend." Yea, I'm amazed that He chose to die for a lost sinner like me, and now, because of His grace, I am His and He is mine. Shew wee girls, that's got me smiling and praising His name this afternoon!! What a mighty God, what a beautiful friend is our Savior, Jesus!!! 

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.  Psalms 34:3

Moments

Lamentations 3:22-26, 31, 56-58 KJV

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.  The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord .  For the Lord will not cast off for ever:  Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry.  Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.  O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.

He is ever nigh, waiting to reveal himself at just the right moment...that moment when I feel lost, that moment when I feel undone and alone, that moment when I don't think He can possibly be ok with me, and yes, in that moment when I feel so unforgivable, THIS is when He chooses to unveil His mercy the most. Thank you Lord for loving me so, for giving me hope, for being not only my Savior, but my friend. I love you!

Keep Walking

It's an awful thing to feel so out of sorts with everything, when no one seems to understand what you're facing. Life goes on all around you, your friends have lives that are different than yours and you just don't fit anywhere, well, anywhere that seems right anyways. But the beautiful blessing of being a child of God is that you ALWAYS belong, He totally understand what you're facing and, although you aren't always where you should be, He is, and He loves you. So, keep moving forward, even when it feels like you're walking through sludge...keep walking, hold to His hand, for, even when your heart and flesh fails,  the Lord will be the strength of your heart and portion forever (psalm 73:26)

It is The Lord!

I began my journey in the Word with an awesome truth this morning...

"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him"

and ended up so blessed when the Lord directed my path to here...

"And he said, It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth good...and he [Samuel] grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."

Samuel had it so right... "It is the Lord, let HIM do what seemeth good", and because He listened to the WORD ( pure shield) of the Lord, God continued to talk with him and inspired him in his walk. Oh  how I want to grow in the Lord like Samuel did, to have that shield of protection fall around me day by day, for it to strengthen me, encourage me, convicting change within me. 
He is the Lord, let Him do what HE will, for His will is ALWAYS good!! :-)

May each of you have a wonderful day walking and talking with your Savior, I pray His precious peace falls all around you and that you hear him whispering, "I love you my daughter, you are more lovely to me than you know! "

Contentment not resentment

1 Timothy 6:6 KJV

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

   This verse convicted me in my soul yesterday because I am often discontent when trying to serve my Lord  😞. I pray, "dearest Jesus, help me to live for you and do good" yet when I am working and he is answering my prayer by giving me opportunity to serve Him, I find myself grumbling within. The flesh is constantly fighting the spirit doing its best to rob me of all JOY in serving Him, all that CONTENTMENT vanishes and I'm left with a tired, complaint-ridden soul and I lose out on the beauty of serving my Lord 😔. "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord" heartily (sincerely, genuinely, profoundly, thoroughly,completely...in an enthusiastic manner) well, folks, when I look at that, I begin to realize that if I'm serving Him THAT way, my attitude will change. If I'm feeling burdened and worn out, I need to check where my priorities are because, I know HIS burden is light and HIS yoke is easy...oh how I desire to just live in Him with contentment, for a life lived with it is great gain!!  😊

O be careful little minds...final week's lesson...PRAISE

O Be Careful Little Minds…

Phil. 4:8 Sunday School Series

 

Well guys, here we are at the final week in our lessons from Philippians 4:8.  I can’t believe it!!  It has been such a wonderful journey for Ms. Misty and I to learn right along side of you kiddos about the things we should always think upon… Whatsoever things are  TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, OF GOOD REPORT, if there be any VIRTUE, and of course this week’s lesson rounding them out…if there be any PRAISE…think on these things!!  

 

This week, we are going to talk about the passage of scripture in the bible, Psalm 100. But first, let’s rewind a bit to the past few weeks…Do you guys remember Noah, a man of truth? Or Samuel the honest prophet, what about the just Queen Esther?  Stephen was a man who thought on things which were pure, to the point of his wonderful forgiveness of others…remember him?   I loved the Lovely friendship of David and Jonathan, what a joy.  And David who had a good report because he trusted God and fought the giant…and last week, we spoke of Ruth, a woman of virtue…wow, look at all the people we have learned about each week and how they ALL were children of God who loved Him and praised him with their actions and thoughts, how we, when we get our HEARTS and MINDS fixed upon these things Philippians 4:8 talks about, then we will be praising Him all the time.  He is good kiddos…really really good!!

 

What a wonderful joy it is to PRAISE THE LORD!!  Let us take a look at our passage for this week …

 

In verse 1 of psalm 100, David is talking about how we ALL should be praising him…shout for joy the bible says.  He created everything and everyone.  Genesis 1:1 tells us that!  

In verse 2, he talks about serving the Lord with all of our heart… what kind of heart? A HAPPY heart, thankful and so “Whatsoever ye (we) do, do it heartily as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23)

In verse 3, we can be assured that we are His FOREVER and He is in control.  He made us and He will keep us always…”My beloved is mine and I am His. He feedeth his flock amond the lilies” (Song of Sol. 2:16a)  We can count on Him!!

In verse 4, when we have a heart filled up with thankfulness when we greet the world each day, that shows how grateful we are to Him for being so good to us!  It honors God!  “Oh give thanks to the Lord; for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever..” (Psalm 107:1)

In verse 5, the psalmist makes sure to sing the truth of how God is forever faithful, His mercy is everlasting… do you guys remember how long everlasting is?  YEP, for always and always it never ends…kinda like the infinity symbol you are gonna glue on your heart today in your craft.  God is good forever and ever!  “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever, his faithfulness continues…” (Psalm 100:5)

 

Can you guys see how all the ones we have talked about the past few weeks are all people of PRAISE?  They “fixed” their hearts upon the Lord and praised him with their thoughts and actions!! Today, I pray that each one of us will walk away with our hearts and minds fixed upon God’s truth and love…for He truly is good and His mercy definitely is everlasting!!  

 

Activity/Craft:  My HEART of Praise!

 

 

 

O be Careful Little Minds ... Philippians 4:8 Series

O Be Careful Little Minds…Phil 4:8 Series week 6

My goodness how time flies when you are learning about the goodness of the Lord.  I am so excited to be here in our sixth week of our Philippians 4:8 bible series lesson.  Last week, Mrs. Misty taught you guys about whatsoever things are of good report and I hear that you made an awesome “report card” where you could think about the things you guys have done that are good things for the Lord.  What a blessing that is!

Well, this week we are going to be talking about Virtue and what that means to the Lord.  Virtue means to be filled with goodness and right-living.  Basically to be doing what the Lord tells us to be doing.  So all those things we have been learning about are a part of this.  When we are keeping our minds are the truth of God’s word, honest things, behaving justly, keeping pure thoughts and making sure to have all A’s on our “report card” by living all these “virtues” out then we are pleasing to God.  I am so excited to share with you kiddos today about one of MY favorite women in the Bible, Ruth!  The Bible says in Ruth 3:11 that she was a “virtuous woman”.  

Ruth was a Moabite woman who had married into a family but early in her marriage her husband died.  But, Ruth, although she was not a Jew, loved her Mother-in-law, Naomi, so when Naomi was left all alone and decided to go back to her hometown where her family was, Ruth wanted to go with her.  This surprised Naomi because she knew that Ruth would have to leave her way of life and more than likely as a Moabite she would be treated as an outcast when she was among the Jewish people.  But, Ruth loved her and wanted to serve the same Lord that Naomi did which was our God.  What a blessing to know Ruth loved the Lord.  Ruth showed such virtue (right-living) that she had made an impression on Boaz who owned the fields where she worked.  She took care of her ailing Mother-in-law and always was respectful and grateful for having the chance to be with her.  This impressed Boaz so much that he had his men leave handfuls of the good wheat on purpose for Ruth.   When Naomi guided her in what to say to Boaz, the bible says Ruth said unto her, “all that thou sayest unto me I will do.”  She showed obedience and wisdom by listening to Naomi when she spoke of how to talk to Boaz.  Kids, Ruth is very special in the fact she was a person who stayed true to her word and wanted to do what was right “virtuous”.  She didn’t complain when she worked in the fields or when things may have seemed difficult.  Instead she was thankful and worked hard to take care of herself and Naomi, serving the Lord with virtuous living.  And, in the end, Boaz took her as his wife and cared for her and all of her family from that day forward.  And guess what?  God had a plan; he used Ruth to bring our Savior to the world…she was King David’s great-grandmother.  

God will always have a much better plan than we can imagine; so let us keep our mind fixed on the right kind of things in life….Whatsoever things are True, Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely, of Good Report, Virtuous and Praise-worthy!!

"O be careful little minds" Week four - Pure

 

O Be Careful Little Minds What You Think…  Phil. 4:8 Sunday School Lesson (week 4)

Whatsoever things are…Pure  Phil. 4:8a

This week marks our fourth week studying in the book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 8.  I hope you guys are having as much fun as I am learning about all the different people in the bible who had their minds fixed on the Lord.   Remember last week when we talked about Queen Esther and how when we have “just thoughts” we are good and right and fair??  Well this week we are going to build an even firmer foundation when we talk about what it means to have pure thoughts and I am so excited to share with you guys about Stephen.  He was a great man who loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.   First let’s talk about what it means to keep our minds on those things that are pure.

 

Can anyone tell me what they think Pure means?  I know the first thing that came to my mind was that it might mean “clean” and sure enough that is one of the descriptions the dictionary gave me; but it also means something else:  “not harmful in any way”  and so you know guys, when I read and see that the Lord wants us to keep our minds on whatsoever things are pure, I thought about when I get upset and I am angry or hurt, God doesn’t want me to sit a dwell upon those things, He wants me to stay focused on Him, the clean thoughts of love and goodness, to not let our thoughts be overcome with negative words and feelings.  I know it is hard sometimes to concentrate on all the good, when so much bad happens around us, so that is why I want to share Stephen’s story with you today.  So listen close and we will learn all learn how pure thoughts help us see Jesus…

 

In Acts chapter 6-7 we read about a man named Stephen, a man the bible says was “full of faith and power” and “did great wonders and miracles among the people “.   He had wisdom from the Lord that people could not deny when he spoke to them about Jesus.  Many rulers didn’t like that Stephen spoke the truth and eventually those men told lies on Stephen, saying he was speaking bad things about the temple of God. When he began to retell all that the Lord had done for the children of Israel, reminding them of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses and David, the people were saddened in their hearts because they knew they had forgotten all the goodness of the Lord.  They had NOT been thinking upon the pure things of God.  They had allowed the nastiness of the world and its sin to harden their own hearts.  When Stephen told them the truth about this though they didn’t repent, nope, they grew angry! Do you think they were trying to focus on what God wanted them to…True, Honest, Just and Pure thoughts?? They sure weren’t, they had harmful thoughts, which is the opposite of pure.  Do you remember one of our definitions for Pure was “not harmful in any way”?   Well, kids, they set out to destroy Stephen, the people bit at him and drug him into the street to stone him.  Yet, Stephen, well, he was thinking pure thoughts…when he was facing death do you know what the bible says he saw and did??  In verse 56 of chapter 7 in Acts it say he saw Jesus standing with God.  His mind was so fixed on the truth of God’s word to never leave him nor forsake him and the honesty of the work the Lord had called him to do, which was to tell about God’s goodness that when there was so much hatred around him, he was able to not be filled with anything but the light of Christ…his thoughts weren’t mixed with anger or hurt, they were clean, they were pure… he even said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” He wanted God to forgive the very people that were stoning him… now kids, that is definitely NOT a harmful thing… it was an awesome example of a keeping your mind on Pure things.  

 

You see, we live in a world full of bad things just like Stephen did.  People can hurt our feelings, and sometimes bad things happen, but, when we are careful with the thoughts we let stay in our mind and we fix them on whatsoever things are what??  TRUE, HONEST, JUST and PURE, we can serve the Lord with all our hearts our souls our strength and our minds just like Stephen!!

 

 

Activity/ Craft:  Ollie Oyster and the Pure Pearls

Phil. 4:8 Sunday School Lesson series..."oh be careful little minds..." Week 3

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, …hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly, he isjust, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 18:5, 9)

 

Well kiddos, we are on our third lesson this week from our “Oh be careful little minds what you think” series in Philippians 4:8; and boy am I excited to share with you about a pretty awesome lady in the Bible.  Her name was Esther and she was a Queen.  But first let’s talk a little bit about WHY I want to share her story. ..

 

We have been talking about what our minds should think upon …can anyone tell me what two things we have learned so far we are to thinkupon? Whatsoever things are … TRUE, YES! And whatsoever things are… HONEST…yaaay, you got it right!  We have gotten to know Noah and Samuel, two men who loved God with all their hearts, souls, and strength and …YES, their MINDS.  Well this week we are gonna talk about what it means when the Bible says we are to think upon “whatsoever things are JUST” and get to know beautiful Queen Esther.

 

The Bible says that the just shall live by faith and that when we live justly we have the promise from the Lord that we shall surely live.  But what exactly does it mean to be “Just”?  Well, it means that we are to live right and good, following what the Lord and His word tell us to do. We are off to a great start because when we are thinking about True and Honest things; then good, fair and right (Just) things are right around the corner …

 

Now let me introduce you to Esther, or Hadassah, as her family called her.  She was a young Jewish girl who had been raised by her Uncle Mordecai. He was a good man who loved the Lord and who loved Esther.  He had raised her when her parents died.  The Bible says that Estherwas “fair and beautiful” and when King Ahasuerus was looking for a new Queen, he found Esther to very pleasing and he took her as his wife but he did NOT know she was a Jew (one of God’s chosen people)!   Mordecai had told her not to tell anyone she was a Jewess.  Little did Esther know God was working behind the scene, putting her where He could use her most.  There was a prince in the kingdom the King had promoted and he wasn’t a very nice man, his name was Haman.  He wanted everyone to bow down to him and he particularly didn’t like the Jews.  But, Mordecai was NOT going to bow to Haman nor show him reverence.  Only to God would Mordecai show reverence… when Haman found out Mordecai was a Jew, well, he devised a plan to kill the Jews and Mordecai.  And the king without knowing his beloved Esther was a Jew, sent out a decree to kill all the Jews.  When Esther heard this she was very sad and afraid.  She knew that she would have to tell the king, but in those days, to enter in to where the King was sitting without being invited was sure to mean death.  But she was a just woman of God …she thought on the truth of God’s word and was honest about who she was, she was fair and good and did what she knew was right.  She trusted the Lord…she told Mordecai to gather all her people and fast and pray…pray HARD for her because she was going to see the king, even if it meant her death.  

 

And kids, the Lord protected her…she found favor in the sight of her husband the King.  She had a banquet planned for King Ahasuerus and Haman to attend where she would reveal that Haman had planned to kill her and her people… (By the decree the King had signed).  Queen Estherhad asked the King to protect her and her people and because he loved her he said he would without even asking her where she was from or who her people were.  And in the end, the Lord delivered Esther, Mordecai and all the Jews under King Ahasueres reign.    God says in His word that the just that live by faith shall surely live and Queen Esther was a perfect example of that promise coming true… she was thinking upon those just things that which is good and fair and right…she lived by faith in God and His word of truth and He protected her and that promise is for us too!! So when you put your “Thinking Crowns” on today, and you see all those Just Jewels, remember to think upon them and live for the Lord and love Him with all your what??? YES, all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength!!

 

Activity/craft:  “Thinking Crown” with Just Jewels…

Lovest thou me?

John 21:17 KJV

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

How many times has the Lord asked me this same question??  And how has my life,  not my words,  answered Him back?  I do love the Lord but I haven't been all that great at showing it.  This morning when I read that verse,  it definitely pricked my heart.  Jesus wanted action behind Peter's declared love.  Peter had surely been active when he ran away from knowing Christ in his denial of the Savior... Why is it so easy to give our whole heart,  mind,  soul and strength to another human being and not to the almighty God who loved us with the Cross?  I,  for one,  am thankful He lovingly forgives and is active in his love toward me when he asks me the question "Tonya,  lovest thou me?... " and he gives me another chance to show Him.  He's so awesome...

Phil 4:8 Sunday School series (week two)

“Whatsoever things are HONEST…” 

This is week number two in the Phil 4:8 series “oh be careful little mind what you think” and boy am I excited to share with you kids about honesty.  Do you remember last week when we talked about the Truth of God’s word? …about how Noah believed it with all his heart? What happened when Noah thought on the True things of God and trusted in them?  Yep, that’s right; God saved Noah and his family from the flood that destroyed the earth.  

Well this week we are going to talk about another man named Samuel.   He was a prophet of the Lord who always spoke the truth, even when it wasn’t popular and even when someone he loved might not like it.  He followed God …and HIS word says  “thou shalt not bear false witness”; it is one of the Lord’s commandments to us as His children.  

The story about Samuel I want to share with you today is from 1 Samuel chapter 3.  Remember Hannah, Samuel’s mom?… she had prayed hard for a son and the Lord blessed her with Samuel; she too was an honest woman because the promise to the Lord she made to dedicate her son’s life to Him was kept.  Samuel had lived with the priest Eli from the time he was two years old until now.   He had grown up serving the Lord and this night was no different.  

Although Samuel had never heard directly from God, he knew he was real and he honored Him.  But on this particular night, the Lord has something He wanted to say to Samuel yet when God called to him, Samuel thought it was the priest Eli calling for him.  When Samuel heard the Lord's voice he would run to Eli and say, “here I am for thou callest me” but Elli hadn’t called Home. Nite. him so he told him to go lie back down.  But, kiddos, after Samuel came to him the second time, Eli knew something was up.  He believed it was the Lord God speaking to Samuel so he told Samuel to go lie back down and if he heard the voice for the third time to say, “Speak Lord; for thy servant heareth.”  And Samuel did just that.  In verse 10 it says that the Lord came and stood, and called as at other times “Samuel, Samuel” then Samuel answered, “Speak for thy servant heareth.”  And guess what guys?? God DID have something to tell him but it wasn’t easy for him to share with his friend Eli.  Eli was like a father to Samuel.

The Lord had told Samuel He wasn’t pleased with the way Eli’s sons had behaved AND with Eli; Eli knew their sin yet never corrected them. He tried to just let them be even though God had warned him about not straightening things out and making his sons does right.  So, the Lord had told Samuel that no longer would he let their sins go unpunished. He was going to bring an end to their sins and wickedness.   Now can you imagine how Samuel felt when Eli asked him to be honest when he told him what the Lord had said?? I am sure it wasn’t easy for Samuel to tell his friend that the Lord was displeased, that he was going to be punishing them; God was bringing judgment to Eli’s household. That wouldn’t be easy for ME to tell a friend, how about you?  But, you know what guys? Samuel DID…Eli was a good friend in encouraging him to tell the truth too.  We all need godly friends like that.  Samuel went on to serve the Lord and be a great prophet of God who was honest and the people around him knew it and they believed in God’s power because of it.  

You see, when we are people who are honest and trust the Lord to do what he says, we bring HIM glory and honor.  That’s why the bible says, “Whatsoever things are honest…. Think on these things!” 

 

Activity/craft

Honest Harriet the Honey Bee

 

Such a wonderful message from The Lord preached by David Jeremiah...

http://ht.salemweb.net/zcast/turning-point/2014/01-15/385572/turning-point_2014-01-15_learning-from-moses-pa_20131227163706.mp3?type=streaming

Oh be Careful Little Minds...

Whatsoever things are TRUE…

This week I thought we could start a series of lessons called 

“Oh be careful little minds what you think”… learning about Philippians 4 verse 8

‘Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  ‘

It is very important the Bible says to be careful what we think upon.  We are to take those thoughts and make sure that we are loving Him with them.  Remember our verse about loving God? How are we supposed to love Him?  Right, with not only all of our hearts, soul and strength but our MIND too!  

Today we are going talk about the first thing Phil 4:8 says we are to think upon… ‘Whatsoever things are TRUE… ‘ Did you know that God’s word is true?  It is a FACT… God can NOT lie.  So all the stories you hear in Sunday School and church…well they are real.  Remember talking about the baby Moses in the basket?  What about Jonah and the Whale? What about Daniel in the Lion’s Den? YEP… all true…they are facts… the Bible says in John 17:17 that “His word is truth!”  We can count on it.  When He makes a promise He means it… He can never go back on it.  So when He says He will NEVER leave us …He means it… when He says that if we seek Him we will find Him…well, it is true.   And when we believe that, we can get through anything.  When we trust His word, the Bible says He will guide our footsteps.  

Today I want to talk about a guy who did just that…He trusted in God’s word…His promises. 

Noah was a man that loved the Lord…He had found “grace in the sight of the Lord” during a time when the world was a really mean place.  The Lord was sad he had even made the world because people were so evil.  But the Lord loved Noah and Noah loved the Lord.  God came to him and told him that He was going to send a flood to destroy the earth and for him to build an Ark.   He was to take every living thing and lead them two by two into the Ark as well as his wife, three sons and their wives as to escape the flood.   In verse 22 of Genesis chapter 6, it says “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him.”  He trusted in God’s word as truth!  And kids, it was truth!  And even though the rains didn’t come right away, and people thought Noah was crazy.  (You see it hadn’t rained upon the earth and they didn’t believe Noah when he preached and warned them that God was upset and was going to destroy the earth.)  

But eventually the rains came and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights…the only people safe were Noah and his family because of their trust in God to keep his promise and he did just that.  When it was safe for them to come out of the Ark they built an altar to God to show how thankful they were and so they would never forget what He had done.  Noah had belief that God’s words were TRUE! You can too!! 

Sometimes when we trust the Lord and HIS truths, the world thinks we are silly; but just like Noah, who takes care of us? God does … because we are what to Him? Special!!!

So when you begin to wonder about things and aren’t really sure what is true in life…you can ALWAYS trust that the Bible and the Lord’s promises are real and very true…you can count on them to help you know what to do!! 

Activity/craft:

Truvy the Tree of Truth…

Clear Direction

This morning I was really moved by this sermon! I pray it encourages you as it has me! Blessings to you all,

Tonya

1-9-13. Charles Stanley

http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio

Having Clear Direction (pt.1)

How can I be sure I'm making the right decision ??

Ps 25:12

 What man is he that feareth the Lord ? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

How do we have clear guidance?

1.  Clear the pathway... God has to get us ready to hear his discernment ...

**Clear it of sin ( sin fragments our thinking, confuses us) 

**Clear it of strong desires (submissive neutrality, to a place where no matter what we want we need to submit our wants unto him) a pure heart and clear direction go together ... 

^Repent and submit^

2. Exercise  patience...refuse to rush in ahead of Gods timing...

Back off 

Psalm 27:14 KJV

[14] Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord .

 

It takes a great deal of strength to wait 

Psalm 25:3 KJV

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

You will never be ashamed waiting upon the Lord.  

And when he says MOVE, move!!  When the direction is so clear yet we have fear, we can still move with confidence!! 

The stronger my desire the harder it is. To wait... 

3. Be alert to pressure... 

Exterior (people will tell you how you ought to think and what you should do...this is unreliable...people will tell what THEY want for your lives and it has nothing to do with how God wants it to go...

*Godly advice is different 

 You have to be extremely careful! 

It can be one person or many...not listening to everyone's opinion...you better sift all the advice you get through the word of God...you may have to make a decision that goes against what others think

Circumstances...time never runs out on God...no matter what the circumstances, do not step in to something because of the pressure of your circumstances 

Internal pressure... Fears, anxieties, attitudes, exaggerated feelings (should oughts musts)  ... Be careful you don't listen to the wrong voices ...