Cast Down

I was reading in my book the other day, A Shepherd's Looks at Psalm 23, and was reading a chapter on He Restoreth my soul. In this chapter it refers to the verse later in the psalms about David saying, " why art thou cast down?" And I knew that sheep when they lay down sometimes they fall over and when their feet aren't touching the ground. When this happens the sheep are frightened and begin to kick, which only turns them completely over. If a shepherd doesn't pay attention to his sheep, a sheep can die like this. Their insides begin to swell and they die. But the interesting thing is that the healthy fat sheep are more likely to have this happen to them.
The Lord is our Shepherd, the best there is and he never gets distracted and forgets to watch His sheep(us). But many time those who are doing well, growing in their Christian walk are the ones that become cast down. God knows what we can handle and how it will strengthen us and He will not let us there to die. Isn't He wonderful?! Anyway, this was just something short that I thought was really neat.

Yet He Loves Me!

I was reading me devotions this morning then meditating on what I read. In Psalm 8:4 (which Matt just wrote about) I was thinking of what we have in Christ, what He makes us.

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Ps. 8:4

Before we come to know Christ we are pathetic. I think of what I was before I knew Christ: I was a worm, dung, unworthy. If I were to work in the King's palace before I was saved I wouldn't be worthy to even be a maid that empties the chamber pots. I'm sorry if that is inapropriate to some, but that was the dirtiest, foulest, job I could think of. I wouldn't be worthy enough for that! But, God saved me and with Him, as my Father, I am now a daughter of the King. Praise him for his love and kindness to me, a poor wretched sinner. Aren't you so thankful that God makes us all new? And it's the same for guys, He takes you from the lowest position and makes you His son, an heir to the Kingdom! What love! Isn't it just wonderful that we can serve a Father like that?

I was just blown away this morning when I thought it. I hope it was a blessing to someone else.

To Single Girls

I was catching up on some posts from a blog that I couldn't keep up with while in Germany and I came across this article called Happily Ever After. Catchy, right? This was a really good post and I recomend you single girls out there to read it. Here is the direct link to it: http://blog.ylcf.org/2008/08/happily-ever-after.html Hope you enjoy it, it was a blessing to me!

Short Singles Post

Well, I wanted to post again on some things that the Lord showed me yesterday during church. I don't know why but it seems like all I've been posting on is for singles.

Anyway, yesterday Mr. Robinson gave a challenge in the evening and it didn't really have anything to do with being single but the Lord showed me something.

We always love the verse in Philippians 4:7 about "the peace of God" and we love when we have that peace. But he read the verse before to show how we can have that peace all the time.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall

keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:6-7

The verse before starts out "Be careful for nothing;" basically don't worry about it, don't be anxious. Take it all to the Lord in prayer and be thankful at this time of your life. Yes, thankful that you are single. Mr. Tessin(Missionary to the Philippines) mentioned in singles Sunday School that if you aren't content and thankful now, being single, you won't ever be content and thankful being married. I thought it was so neat that the Lord showed me these verses later that night. So be thankful and content now in your single state. Then you get that wonderful, peace which passeth all understanding. I don't know, I thought it was neat how the Lord worked on this in my life while in Germany and now He is reminding me over and over about what He has taught me.

Message for Singles

Last weeks my pastor preached a really great message for singles and their parents. It was entitled Finding a Marriage Partner.

Ephesians 6:1-3

Some are making the process( immoral lifestyle, courtship, betrothal, dating, ect...) too big of a deal. We need to forget the process and stick to what the Bible says.

1. Build a good relationship with your parents. They are your authority given by God. If they are Christians, they really want the best for you. Heed their instruction by humble faith. Listen! Give parents the highest regard of counsel in your life . Prov. 1:8 - There's a problem with children not listening to their parents. Parents must spend time with their children, you must have a close relationship with each other.
2. Learn now the skills you will need to be a good husband and wife. Prepare now, not after. Learn the qualities now. *Ladies: Titus 2:4-5, Keep a good spirit of live- you set the spirit/tone of the home, keep laundry washed, make beds, clean dishes, clean the house, prepare meals, shop frugally, budget, keep garden sew, serve your dad and brothers, care for children, homeschool, clear up any debt, save money, keep your body clean and neat. *Men: Budget, work skills, house and car in good repair, pick up after yourself, show respect and consideration, provide security, clear up debt, get a house ready, ask your father and godly men for advice.
3. The man is the pursuer and not the woman Song of Solomon- the woman waits Proverbs- the strange woman seeks Issac and Rebekah- both were obedient and waited and God provided.
4. Commit your desire for a partner to the Lord. Psalm 37:5 Do you really believe the Bible? God has to bring it together, trust Him to take are of it. Don't be impatient! Keep busy serving and praying. Serving ought to dominate your life, not being anxious about the "who". Be content while you are single. Phil. 4:11 - Give everything to the Lord. Surrender it all to His glory.
5. Never consider an unbeliever fro a mate. II Corinthians 6:14-17- be resolved that y0u will not even consider it. Some say they are saved but they aren't. Do you have a fervent desire to serve the Lord? Don't start a relationship with someone less than that! I Corinthians 7:39 - only those who are saved. Father knows best!
6. Work with and through your parents Samson did, and so did Isaac and Jacob. Amnon didn't, instead he listen to his wicked friend. Pray together, it's a godly decision. It will affect your family for the rest of your life. Discuss it with each other frequently. Have a relationship with each other and be willing to let your parents have control. If they say "no" then drop it and trust them.
7. Keep the relationship pure ICor. 6:13 - God made each of us unique and to be saved for marriage. I Cor. 6:18 - Only a fool. Romans 12:1 - Not our minds, our bodies. Run away from any temptation . Watch what you put into your mind. Eph. 5:3 - not once among us I Thess. 4:3 - Abstain from fornication

Only a rebel fights against God's will. I Thess. 5:22 - What does it look like? Stay away from the wrong crowd, the dark. Stay chaperoned at all times. Keep your relationship pure. As a teen to fail this is to ruin your life, as a parent to fail it to ruin your children's life.

Don't Fall Into the Rut

I was praying before I even left Germany that the Lord would help me not to fall back into the rut of life where I was. I grew and learned so much on my trip and I fell in Love with the most Special One and was reminded of how sweet His Word is to us. I knew it would be hard coming back home and how easy it would be to fall into the rut of things. So easy to spend massive amounts of time on the Internet, to be consumed with my friends (which aren't wrong), to read other books that aren't as refreshing as the Bible, to slack in my time of conversation with the One I love. All these things were things I was reminded of and learned to control while in Germany and I didn't want to go back to my old ways when I returned home. So I was praying even before I left and when I returned home I immediately began to slip. Our human nature gives us all these excuses to use, the main one I found was that I was dealing with jet lag so it was hard for me to get up early and read and talk to God. Oh, I still did it but I wasn't doing as well. Then you realize how unworthy you are and why God would use you. But He does, Praise God! I guess this is just a reminder to not fall back into the rut of something you've learned to control and if you fall into the rut ask the Father to forgive you and pick you back out.

All The Way

Fanny Crosby

All the way my Savior leads me:

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divnest comfort,

Here by faith in His to dwell!

For I know what e'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul a thirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;

Oh, the fullness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings it's flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

Finding Contentment

The other night we had our Aloha dinner singles activity and Dad gave the challenge about being used of God in this stage of our life. And the Lord had been working in my life lately about something anyway. He read us the verse in I Corinthians 13:11 where Paul says:

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:

but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

In this verse the word child doesn't refer to an actual child, it means an immature Christian. When we grow in Christ and slowly mature we become "men". This point, as singles, most of us have been raised in church and know what we are to be doing, we are the "men", and we need to not just sit back and watch all the older Christians do the work, we need to get busy. Because we are single we tend to have more time in our schedule that those that are married and have a family to care for. God's given us this time to serve Him without any strings attached. We don't have to worry about a spouse or children to take care of, just ourselves and anyone else we choose to care for.

Like I said, the past few weeks the Lord has been working in my heart, showing me His plan for me right now and slowly I was coming around to the fact that if the Lord wants me to serve Him and He wants me to do it alone, then I will. I am just like any other Christian girl, I want to find the one God has for me, settle down, get married and live happily ever after(now I know life isn't this way, but we tend to think it is). But after Dad's challenge, it hit me; I am single right now and need to be content until God says otherwise. There is no need for me to be wishing that things would just fall into place now. I realized on the way home that I wasn't doing that anymore. I didn't feel that way, I felt different...I am learning to be content in this area.

Philippians 4:11

"For I have learned, in whatsover state I am, therewith to be content."

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:"

How can we Do the Will of God?

The following is from a sermon preached by my pastor. Sunday nights he has started a series on the Lord's will for young people and for parents to help their young people. I was transferring this to my devotional and I thought that it was really good and might help someone. I know I read anything I can on finding the Lord's will.

How can we do the Will of God?

When we do understand what God wants us to do, Just do it!

1. God reveals His will to us one step at a time

Job 23:10 - We need to be praying; pray and ask Him to show you.

2. Each step requires obedience

Are we really willing to obey what He says?

3. What God orders God provides for.

God can take anything and use it to make our needs. God's will begins as a walk of faith,

we can't see ahead. He isn't going to let us down!

Heb. 10:36- God's going to take care of you

Gen. 22:7-8 - the devil is going to cause you to doubt once you've found God's will for you.

Just get out and do it! Put your faith into action!

Matt. 7:21 - It's all talk until we do it.

Gen. 22:13-14 - Jehovah Jirah, the Lord sees and provides

John 6:35, Phil. 4:19 - What God orders God provides for.

4. Do the things that you've learned!

Phil. 4:9 - Reading your Bible, keep praying, keep trusting the Lord!

Ps. 40:8 - We must delight in it- Christ doesn't give us fear. Have joy in your heart!

I Will Follow

Mac Lynch

I will follow Thee, My Savior,

Where'er the pathway may go:

Through the storm or throught the valley

Or through great Trials so low.

I will live for Thee, my Savior,

Tho' war and strife mark the way.

I'm so weak, but Thou are mighty,

So live through me day by day.

I surrender all, my Savior,

I hold no thing back from Thee;

Every part is Thine to use, Lord,

Thy living sacrifice be.

I rest in Thee, trust in Thee,

I place my life in Thy hands.

I will follow Thee, my Savior;

Lead on, my Shepherd, lead on.

A Quote To Think On

"Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain."
~John Piper ~

Vanishing Away...

The other morning I was walking down in the woods early in the morning(Which I love doing! It is so beautiful and peaceful in the morning and the way the dew sparkles on the leaves! O.K. I'll stop now!). But I was down walking and praying and I was pleading with God to use me wherever He wants me. I want Him to use me for His glory, not my own. I want to walk in His will with whomever He gives to walk beside me or if He doesn't I'll walk alone with Him. I don't want to go to Germany and just teach the missionary's children, I want to work beside them in their ministry. I want to fill whatever they need they have. I know you hear of those people who say this but you can tell by their life that they don't really want to. But I do! I don't want God to ever put me on the shelf because I am not willing.
I stood a while on the bridge down at the creek and watched the water go down stream. I was reminded of how our lives are but a short time here on earth. What am I truly doing for God? Am I doing as much as I can for Him? Are you doing everything you can?

Lesson from a Single's Activity

We had a singles activity last Thursday and Mr. Serafin(he hosted our activity at his house) gave a challenge that made a lot of sense and all of us singles deal with it.
Genesis one is the creation of the world, and how after everything that the Lord made He said, "it was good." And on the sixth day He said "it was very good." God created it all, it was perfect.
In chapter two the Lord created man, but there is an interesting thing mentioned in verse eighteen that, "It is not good that man should be alone;"(Vs.18) First God made everything and said it was very good and then He made man and said it wasn't good for him to be alone. So He brought a woman along in His timing, mind you, and it was all good again. God has someone for everyone, except for those who are serving the Lord in areas that a relationship doesn't seem to be the wisest. But we can know that it isn't good for most of us to go through life alone. Two heads are better than one. So much more can be done, when two people are serving the Lord together. Anyway, I thought this was interesting, hope is may have touch someone else's life.

Qualities of Love

Pastor was preaching yesterday on Faithful men and how in leadership they must have love. But I learned so much from it myself, I wanted to post it. It is taken from I Corinthians 13.

1. Love is long-tempered and patient, doesn't have a short fuse.
2. Love isn't a sour attitude or a sarcastic remark; it's Christian kindness- open your heart to help others.
3. Love sees every person equally, regardless of money or status. Ask God to bless everyone(Rom.12:15). Don't want what you don't have.
4. Love doesn't brag or boast what they've done (Prov.27:2). "Don't live so others may be impressed with you but they are impressed with your God."
5. Love is mannerly and considerate; leads is to act as ladies and gentlemen, live for the good of the family and God's family. Ladies are to be cherished and treated as special.
6. Love is "others" oriented, the love of Jesus. This causes you to get along with others.
7. Love isn't offended and isn't concerned with their "rights".
8. Love doesn't wish evil on others or think evil of others.
9. Love doesn't rejoice over someone backsliding, loosing, or hurting. He doesn't enjoy things God has commanded against. They love this that are pure and godly.
10. Love lives with silence, endures patiently, forbear. They are silent about another person's faults, we all have them. This is the opposite of hatred. Proverbs 10:12- God condemns us from covering our own sins, deal with your sin. (I Peter 4:8)
11. Love has a trusting outlook on life, other believers. They are trusting God and at peace. Choose not to believe the worst, believe the best.
12. Love is a calm trust in the Lord, that He will take care of everything. Nothing is bigger than our God. (Rom.8:35-39, Ps. 37:23)

Obedience to the Father

The other day I was reading in my devotions and came across something interesting in Psalm 119. Verses 17-24 were where I was reading. Psalm 119 is full of references to the law, statutes, and the word, and all these can represent the Lord and His commands. We must obey His word. There are many examples and lessons in verses 17-24.
Verse 17 ~ The Lord saves us so we live for Him and obey His commands.
Verse 18 ~ Everyday was must ask the Lord to show us His way and obey it.
Verse 19 ~ We really are only strangers in this world and we need a guide.
Verse 20 ~ Does your soul really long to know God and follow Him?
Verse 21 ~ There are consequences to not obeying the Lord's commands.
Verse 22 ~ People will falsely accuse you and make fun of you, just continue to obey, God will bless for it.
Verse 23 ~ Don't just learn it, think and apply it!
Verse 24 ~ Let God's Word be the guiding force in all you do and rejoice that He is leading you.

Exerpt from Stepping Heavenward

I am reading the book Stepping Heavenward, it is a little hard to understand at times and I don't fully agree with it but there was a really good paragraph that I thought I would post.
"I do see that the Christian life must be individual, as the natural character is, and that I cannot be exactly like Dr. Cabot, or exactly like Mrs. Campbell, or exactly like Mother, though thay all three stimulate and are an inspiration to me... This is the testimony of all the good books, sermons, hymns, and memoirs I read- that God's ways are infinitely perfect; that we are to love Him for what He is and prospers us; that there is no real happiness but in doing and suffering His will; and that this life is but a scene of probation through which we pass to the real life above." (P.258)
Our life is not about copy another person's and being like someone else. We have to be ourself and live for God to best that we know how. The only one that we ought to imitate is Christ, and never will I be completely like Him, but I must try.

The Blessings of Friends

I am posting again and I have a ton of new thoughts to post. But one of the hugest blessings I had this week was from the friends the Lord has given me. I was thinking of all the wonderful friends I have both from church and school and other places.

I got to spend last Thursday with my friend Samantha, who is a huge blessing and going through a lot of the same things as I. She is going away to teach like I am, leaving home and family to go to a place you do not know(she's going to West Virginia). Then the same night Seth and Brenda showed up for church where we were down at school. So I got to see Brenda and then she told me that she was coming to my church on Sunday.

Sunday Morning Brenda came up and gave me a card and said, "Don't open it in here, it has music." So I took it home and open it, it started singing "You've Got a Friend in me" and she wrote in it reminding me of some memories we've had. So I wrote her a card back, (even though mine didn't sing) and told her how much I loved her and I reminded her of some good times we've had since our freshman year. Good Times, Good Times! =) But it was good to see her and spend some time with her.

And I can't forget to mention Seth, he's there every church service asking me how things are going for me and asks what the latest news on Germany is. He's a faithful friend and I've known him a good while. Yeah, I'm afraid he knows me real well, maybe a little too well! ;) Nah, he's just seen me with my family in many interesting situations.

Sunday night I was also given a letter from my best friend Ruth. I had given her a card Friday at VBS just telling her how much I appreciate her and our friendship. The Lord definately planned for us to be friends. We can just be together, not doing anything, and still have the greatest time. We really got to talk on July 5th while watching fireworks and I just wrote some things for her to expect when she goes to college(This is going to be her first year). She wrote back just telling me that she was so glad that I wrote her that letter. But that isn't the point. I don't get to see her very often, because she works at her Dad's camp during the week, but anytime we get to spend together, just her and I is wonderful! Our friendship is kinda like being sisters, I guess minus the fighting. ;) But neither of us worry how to act around each other, we just act ourselves and we accept each other despite of it. She is a friend like the picture says, one that reminds me of what God has done in my life and what He is continuing to do.
Because of these friends, not leaving out any of you others, I am so thankful for everyone of you. But God reminded me the other day of how blessed I am to have godly, encouraging, believers of like faith who are my friends. So I am so thankful for each one of you and I can say like David:
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Psalm 133:1

May This Be the Prayer of My Life

I was looking in my Bible today and in the front of the one I use for church I found a quote I had written in there. It's a quote from Betty Scott Stam, missionary with her husband to China, who both were martyrs for Christ. This was the prayer of hers:
"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt,send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever."
This ought to be the prayer of every Christian, but what a high calling! To tell the Lord that you want to serve Him no matter what; this could mean anything, the Lord could take my life on my flight to Germany but if that is what He wants then I'll do it. I want this to be my prayer for the rest of my life, I want the Lord to use me, I never want to get to the point where I don't want to serve Him anymore. With the Lord's help we can live for Him the rest of our lives and that is what I want. May we serve Him, no matter what.

Children

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:" ~Ps 127:3~

Since the beginning of the summer I've had the chance to work with different age groups in various situations. Teaching the 4&5's, counseling in the 15-18yr. old girls cabins, getting ready to help with 1st graders in VBS, playing with the Youth Pastor's baby. The more I've thought about it, Psalm 127:3 doesn't necessarily have to apply to parents. Those of us that work with children know what a blessing they can be. The word heritage means an heirloom- these special people that God has allowed us to work with are treasures. And each one is different in their own unique way.
The baby has no care in the world except to eat, play and smile at everyone.The young ones are so frank with what they say and how easily they tell you they love you. The middle aged ones are so excited about learning and discovering things. The teen girls I worked with are at the age of trying to figure out what it means to know God and live for Him but they have all these struggles of being a teenager too. Each age is at a different stage in life and yet each one still needs guidance to help them in their lives with Christ.
I've heard others say that they "love babies" or they "love working with teenagers" and I know what they mean, but I think I've discovered that to me it doesn't matter what age they are, I love working with them. I love each group and I look forward to the day when Lord willing I may have children of my own.
The Lord showed His love for children in Matt. 19:14, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Children are the future generation, they need to be our focus, winning them to Christ and helping them grown to be the next spiritual leaders. Well, enough of my rambling, I think I've discovered one thing: I Love Children, no matter how different they may be!

*Sidenote:The picture is one of my sister Erin(with the curly hair), my cousin Jake,and my other cousin Tristyn(in the pigtails). It was taken years ago at a Davis family reunion.*

Blind But Happy

Oh, what a happy soul I am,
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world,
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy
That others people don't!
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot not I won't.

~Fanny Crosby~
What a testimony of one of our greatest hymnwriters in history! Oh, that I would accept everything in my life as from the Lord like she did. I love her testimony and all of her songs and poems written. I thought I would share this short poem of hers when I found it today.

Resting In His Will

I was reading a pamphlet the other day called The Joy of Resting In The will of God. I had a lot of good points, so I thought I would post it. I know how much I love reading things on God's will. So I will post some of the thoughts.

When Christ was in the garden and Peter chopped off the soldiers ear Jesus said this, "Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" John 18:11 The Lord gives us all a "cup" to drink of, that's His will. But there are some things about the cup.

1. It is a Planned Cup ~ It isn't an accident what the Lord gives us, He's known His plan for us even before we were born. "The One who is perfect in wisdom has planned all the cups of life." But sometimes we don't like the cup and we feel it is bitter. "Never forget, however, it is the cup, no matter how distasteful it may seems, that my Father has given me. God is my Father and as such will allow nothing to come into my life that is not good for me."

2. It is a Personal Cup ~ No one Jesus could drink His cup, and no one else can drink the cup that God has specifically poured for us. These are God's specific plans for each one of us.

3. It is a Bitter Cup ~ Christ took the sin of the whole world, He who knew no sin. But He didn't shrink from this great task he had to perform. Sometime we will have bitter cups, those times when a loved one passes away or some other tragedy happens to us. I Peter 4:12 "We will have cups of suffering, as well as cups of blessing."

4. It is a Measured Cup ~ Some times we feel like we have too much, we can't handle what God has given us. But remember, "Its contents are measured and limited by divine omniscience. He knows how much we can take." I Cor. 10:13

5. It needs to be an Accepted Cup ~ "This is the key to Christian joy --the repudation of my will and the acceptance of His will." we may think we know what is best for us, but really we don't, God knows best. Ps 18:30 "The acceptance of God's perfect will has a very practical outcome.
a. There is constant joy because I know I am in my Savior's will.
b. There is constant courage when facing life's trials because I know I am in His hands.
c. There is constant peace. John 14:27

Don't Trip!

I was thinking the other day about something. You know we hear it preached all the time that we need to be careful that we are not a stumblingblock. That we don't cause another believer to trip and fall in their walk with Christ. Well, some of the verses in I Corinthians 8 speak of meat and how this was a stumblingblock for other believers and if it was going to cause soemone to stumble then Paul said he wasn't going to eat it. Verse nine says, "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak." Somethings are simple as meat be a stumblingblock! Crazy! But I was thinking that not only we can be a stumbling block but there are probably things in our lives that are stumbling blocks for us. For some of us books may be a stumblingblock, the word stumblingblock in verse nine simply means an offence. Our books may be an offence to others but they also might be an offence to God. If we are spending too much time reading books then spending time with God then we have a problem. I just used books as an example but there are any number of things that could be used. What about t.v.? Video Games? Hanging out with friends? Listening to music? Any of these things could be a stumblingblock in our lives if we let it get out of control. I am reminded of the verse in Eph.5:16, "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." So what is your stumblingblock? We all have them, but with the Lord's help we can get rid of them, maybe not fully but learn how to control those things that we struggle with.

Willing

Another thing I read about in Through Gates of Splendor was the of the willingness of these wives. Their husband were going to go off into the jungle to reach the cannibal people. You know they had to be afraid of what was going to happen, that's human. But Elisabeth Elliot tells what their whole reaction was.

"The other wives and I talked together one night about the possibility of becoming widows. What would we do? God gave us a peace of heart, and confidence that whatever might happen, His Word would hold. We knew that 'when He putteth forth His sheep, He goeth before them.' God's leading was unmistakable up to this point. Each of us knew when we married our husbands that there would never be any question about who came first- God and His work held first place in each life. It was the condition of true discipleship; it became devastatingly meaningful now."

What an example! They were willing to give their husbands over completely to the Lord. I'm not married, but if the Lord sees fit for me to be someday, may I be as willing as these ladies and let the Lord do whatever He sees fit with my husband.

More thoughts from Through Gates of Splendor

I was reading more of my book and some more things stuck out to me.
There was a chapter about Roger Youderian, one of the men, and how he was struggling with going on for the Lord. He was discouraged and felt that what he was doing with the indians wasn't helping anything. He was struggling with leaving the field and going home. He was having a rough time of it and was praying and begging the Lord to help him. But at the end of this chapter it tells the end of his struggle. Nate Saint came to him and asked him to go with him and the other men deeper into the jungle. And "Roger recognized something of what this decision might mean for him, and the hours spent on his knees with God witnessed agony of soul. But God 'who causes us to triumph,' brought him out of his slough of despond.
'He was cleansed through the Spirit for the task that lay ahead of him,' said Barbara (his wife) afterward, 'and went with a happy, expectant mind and his heart full of joy."
He wrote something in his diary that really made a lot of sense. On December 19 he wrote: "I will die to self. I will begin to ask God to put me in a service of constant circumstances where to live Christ I must die to self. I will be alive unto God. That I may learn to live Him with my heart, mind, soul, and body."

That's what it is all about, dying to self daily and living for God. We are going to go through stuggles but when you are in that trial don't give up. Continue to seek His face. He will come through and be there in the end.

One Step At a Time

While posting on my other blog I thought of somthing. I was reading in my devotions this morning and I found a couple verses that stuck out to me. II Samuel 22:29 says, "For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness."
I try and tell people all the time that the Lord doesn't show us His Will all at one time or else we would be overwhelmed and not want to do it. When we are walking with Him, he shows us His will a little at a time, like a lamp that shines a little in front of you till you take the next step. Well when we take the first step into following God's will the next step will become illumined. This verse reminded me of this, and I realized that if I had known that I would be going to Germany before I started college I don't know if I would have started college when I did. But the Lord always works things out. Two verses down is one of my favorite verses: "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him." And two more verses down it says, "God is my strength and power: And he maketh my way perfect." What a wonderful verse! When I am following Him and doing His will, my way is perfect! I Love It! Alright that was what I was thinking, there are some other things I want to post about I'm not sure if I will or not.

Lesson From a Missionary

I have been reading Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot and there was a paragraph in there that was really good. Pete Fleming told this to one of his friends.
" Remember the last few verses of I Corinthians 3: 'For all things are yours...and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.' Throughout all our personality we are God's, and since God has made our whole selves, there is great joy in realizing who is our Creator. This realization is to permeate every area and level of life. In appreciation of beauty, mountains, music, poetry, knowledge, people, science- even in the tang of an apple- God is there, to reflect the joy of His presence in the believer who will realize God's purpose in all things."

This was just a reminder to thank God for the small things in life. Everything has a purpose, and God has planned it all. Be aware of everything around you, God created it. Thank the Lord and be amazed with the beauty and complexity of his creation.

Stand in the GAP

I just wanted to post quick, I was thinking of something Mrs. Bullock told us. In Psalms 142:4 it says, " I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."
We have all heard messages where the preachers have begged for someone to stand in the gap, step up and be the one that God can use. And that is the case; yet, we still need people to stand in the gap. Mrs. Bullock showed us something in a verse that is so familiar to most Christians. Romans 12:2 says, "And be no conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." She told us that one of her teachers had shown them that God wants people to be doing these things. Be Good - following what is right. Be Acceptable - Doing that which is pleasing in the Lord's sight. Be Perfect - Mature in your faith, Complete in Christ. Then you will be one that God can use to stand in the G.A.P.

Some Thoughts from the Psalms

I was looking through my Bible and I love the way the Psalms looks. I have a Life Application Study Bible that I use for my devotions and I just recently started writing my own notes in the sides of the margin. I really don't care for study Bibles that much because to me they are all man's ideas and I don't like to rely on that. So I like to just study myself and use my Strong's Concordance(which I think is the best study tool there is).
So back to what I was saying before I put that little thought in there, I was looking over some of the notes that I put in Psalms as I go through it and I wanted to post some of the things I learned.

Ps.77:1,3,6,11
In verse one it tells us that the writer calls out to the Lord and He heard Him. Isn't it a blessing that we have the same God? We have the promise that He hears us. But in each one of the other verses I mentioned there is some form of the word remember. I was thinking to myself, when we are going through a rough time in our lives and we feel the Lord isn't hearing us or answering us we better sit down somewhere alone and remember the things that He HAS done for us. Think of who He really is and how He has changed your life.

Ps.79:5a
"How long, Lord?"
Wow! I think this comes from everyone of our hearts at some time or another. We become impatient with the Lord because our flesh wants something Now! We need to get it through our heads that it doesn't matter how much we want something now in our timing, God isn't going to let it happen until it is His timing. We must learn to wait.

Ps.63:1
"Oh God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water it."
David learned something that we need to learn too! He know that there was nothing in this world that could satisfy his soul like time with God. Why not do it in the morning? If you wake up in the morning most people want a drink and if you don't drink during the day you will become dehydrated and feel terrible. So it is with our time with Him. If we wait till later to spend time with Him we become spiritually dehydrated and feel like something is wrong. I know I have had times at school where things got all a wreck and my alarm didn't go off so my schedule(I really like those!) was messed up and I didn't have time to spend with the Lord like I normally do. And because I am used to reading His Word and spending time with Him early in the morning I couldn't figure out why I had this void and this strange feeling, like something wasn't quite right. Then in the afternoon I would remember that I hadn't finished my devotions so I would do them and the Lord would show me things in great abundance from His Word. Don't neglect your time with Him and do it early before you become spiritually "dehydrated".

Some Quotes from a Teaching Book

I wanted to go through the one book that I read for Mrs. Bullock's class and put some of the quotes on here. The book is Mentoring and Modeling Developing the Next Generation by Dr. John Goetsch and Dr. Mark Rasmussen.

"Teachers of God's Word are unique. They are obligated to make a difference in the lives of the learners. Their teaching should have impact. They can never be content with status-quo. They must continually engage learners in a quest for an ever-deeper understanding of and relationship with God. Teachers of the Word are uneasy with a Christianity of ease and success, or with faith that is culturally limited or anemic. Their role is to communicate undiluted, life-transforming principles. They are not content with anything less than to challenge the learner growth. To teach Scripture is to be obliged to nurture lives that are increasingly conformed to the image of Christ."

"It is a sin to do less than our best." - Dr. Bob Jones Sr.

"God has called us, not to model perfection, but to model redemption. We are to be living demonstrations, not of how good we are, but of how good God is."

"Our followers can more readily identify with our failures then they can with out successes. So admit the failure and grow from it in such a way as to communicate a consistent walk with the Lord."

"Maybe some hot tears from our eyes, fueled by a love in our soul, would help to lead some kids in the right direction today."

"As mentors we are trying to facilitate change, growth, and progress, but we have to have an idea of what the finished product is going to look like."

"Too often, they never become anything great for God because we don't expect them to."

"The effective Christian communicator should exhibit the joy of the Lord both in his person and in his teaching."

"Those in our care need to see us always telling the truth, living a life of purity, being willing to be a servant, and truly giving our all to the Master."

"It is our job to inspire vision as to what others can do for the cause of the Lord. we truly are our brother's keeper, but we are also his mentor and model."

"Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, 'You will be someday what you are now becoming.' We ought to ask ourselves, What are we helping those children to become whom God had placed under our watch care?"

"Through the process of mentoring, we have the privilege of writing history of the future."

"The ultimate success of my life will not be judged by the number of those who admire me for my accomplishments, but by the number of those who attribute their wholeness to my love for them- by the number of those who have seen their true beauty and worth in my eyes."

Plea to My Brothers!

I have thought over the past few months about how much I saw in our churches and schools that I wished I could change. This post will be aimed toward my "brothers", those males that are saved my the grace of God; so through His blood we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. So this is to you brothers; may you see what we as your sisters see and what we can't do anything about.Please understand that these things are things that we as females are not able to do.

My Brothers:
Please don't be afraid to stand up for Christ. When the pastor or teacher asks for someone to lead in prayer or to read a section of Scripture, please don't look around! Don't think to yourself, "Well, I don't want to speak to soon when there is someone else that really wants to do it." Don't wait for everyone else, go out of your comfort zone and do it! Even if you are the only one that ever does it, do it anyway! Don't be afraid to sing out in the service or join in special music. It doesn't really matter to us if you can sing or not, if you are truly doing it to praise the Lord nothing gives us more joy. Don't be afraid! You aren't doing it to perform, your doing it to serve the Lord.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

My Brothers:
Please don't be afraid to do things for us girls. Yes, there are some of us that won't admit that we need help and we claim we can do it ourselves but really we can't. Please be gentle with us! We are the weaker vessel, don't be afraid to hold the door for us or offer to carry something that we are struggling with. And please realize that we really want to talk about spriritual things but so many times we feel it is out of place for us to start up a conversation like this. Please don't be after us to win our hearts and be our boyfriends. We need brothers first that will protect us and take care of us, like a brother.
"We should be brothers in the Lord who are not acting as thieves—trying to steal their sisters’ attention and hearts; but who are acting as warriors—standing guard over girls’ hearts."
-Joshua Harris

My Brothers:
Please follow the Lord where ever He leads you. Don't let anyone else talk you out of doing what you feel God wants you to do. If God wants you to do it, then by all means: DO IT! Don't let anyone or anything take your focus away from God, follow Him to the end. That's what we need, we want to end up with a husband that is going to follow God no matter what. And remember that there are all those younger boys looking at you and wanting to be just like you. Do you really want them to be like you? Because you can't do anything about their desire to be like you but you can do something about who you are. Be the man that some little boy and even those teenagers could follow as an example.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
I Tim. 4:12
These are just few things that we sometimes wish we could change, but we can't. Only you can! Before I end I found a poem that I thought was really good.

"What Does God Want My Husband-To-Be to Be?"

If some day in God’s perfect plan,
He provides just the right man.
What is my husband-to-be to be?
What kind of man is the one for me?

I want him to please God as Abel did,
And to walk with God as Enoch lived.
I want him to obey as Noah did so
And Abraham followed when not knowing where to go.

May he like Isaac, be ready to die
Or to meet the Lord when He comes in the sky.
Meek as Moses, not enjoying sin,
Persevering as he fixed his eyes on Him.

May he like Joseph be pure and forgiving
When in temptation—flee without sinning.
May he manage with care, faithful and true
Awaiting God’s timing to come into view.

May he like Job be patient when tested.
And combat Satan when he is molested.
May he like Daniel be wise to God’s will,
Learning understanding in all science and skill.

Like the Hebrew children, may he stand his ground,
Not about to flinch when he hears the music sound.
Or like Joshua, not afraid to fight,
When the enemy comes within his own sight.

May he like Elijah, be one with God,
Knowing that the fire can lick the bullock and the sod.
Not like Jonah who from God tried to flee,
But like Isaiah said, "Here am I send me."

May he like Samuel, do what he is asked,
Obeying willingly when God gives him a task.
Tenderhearted as David the beloved
Able to sing praises to his Shepherd Above.

As John the Baptist preparing the way,
Careful not to lead others astray.
Like Peter, there are times he will fall,
Please lift him up, Lord, and stand him tall.

May he be mission-minded like Paul,
Protected well when let over the wall.
Showing like Aquilla hospitality and care
Entertaining friends and angels unaware.

Taught as Timothy, discipling others, too
Forgiving as Philemon, someone who’s untrue.
As to Christ, John was near,
May he hold You, to his heart dear.

Most of all like Christ, may he always be,
Compassionate, kind, tender-hearted and free;
Strong, pure, just , caring for another
True, meek, forgiving, and righteous altogether.

Gentle, trustworthy, a lover of God’s WORD,
Caring for nature and each little bird.
May he gladly tell the story—
"CHRIST in me,—the HOPE of GLORY!"

-Rebecca (Adamson) Smith

Pastor Nazaruk's sermon

This morning we went to fellowship Baptist Church. Our friends the Nazaruks, pastor this church(Well pastor Nazaruk does!) and we hadn't visited them in a while. So we decided to go over to their church this morning, they took this church in York when the pastor passed away. It is very small, their building is in a strip mall and they need a bigger building, please pray they find one soon. Most of the congregation in older, well all of it is besides the pastor, his wife and their 4 boys. So we went there this morning and it was a wonderful service. In Sunday School he taught on Joshua and how obedience brings victory. Disobedience is open rebellion. But true obedience is doing what your told, when your told, and how your told. He talked of how Joshua was the leader and he applied it to us. We all are leaders, it doesn't matter is we are Sunday School leaders, mothers, fathers, deacons, pastors, or in charge of some other ministries, or none of these; we are all leaders, there will always be someone looking up to us. And he made this challenging statement: "If a leader is following the Lord's will and walking in it, the people will following you will follow God also." What a responsibility!
Then during the morning service he spoke on John 14:1-3, on not letting your heart be troubled. We let ourselves become worried sometimes and don't let the Lord truly take care of everything. We must learn to truly trust in the Lord with all our hearts. John 14:27, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
It was a good morning and it made me think of some other things that I could post on. But I'll do that a little later though there is one thing that I do want to post on today, I need to look some things up first.

I was reading in my devotions this morning and the Lord was showing me some things. I am working on writing in my journal about Psalm 37 I am almost done about another day or two and I should be done I'll post some of what I found then. But back to what I was saying.
In Habakkuk 3:19 it says, "The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."
The part in bold is the part that really stuck out to me. "He will make my feet like hinds' feet"; a hind is a deer, deer are very sure-footed and swift in the time of danger. The Lord will give us feet that are swift, swift to tell others the gospel, swift to serve others, swift to go wherever the Lord leads us. And they will be made swift when we see trouble and attacks from the Devil coming.
The next part I don't know if it is out of context or not but "to walk upon high places" reminds me of being up in the mountains and on some trails there is only enough room to walk on a very small path and if you don't stay on the path you will fall. I think of the mountain goats that just literally run up the side of the mountains and they don't ever seem to fall but they can go in those places that seem impossible. But the Lord will give us sure-footing to stay on the path that He places us on and if we keep our eyes on Him (if He is before us) we don't ever have to fear staying off the path. So many times we are distracted by the things of the world that we begin to stray and don't even realize it, even to the point of straying so far we feel we are lost, never to find the path again. But the Lord is always there patiently waiting in the shadows for us to call out to Him and bring us back to the path. I just thought that the Lord brought this illustration to my mind and I thought it might make this verse come alive to someone else.

Blessed Promise

"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 6:8

He's All in All

Isn't it wonderful that Christ is all in all. He uses the word all so many times in Scripture that tell us all that He gives us. These are just a few of the verses that I found:

"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumsision nor uncircumsision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
Colossians 3:11

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
II Peter 1:3-4

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, than were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
Philippians 3:8

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ."
Philippians 4:7

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

And there are things that the Lord wants us to do:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
I Peter 5:7

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"
James 1:2

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Colossians 3:17

"Let all things be done decently and in order."
1 Corninthians 14:40

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your hearts before him: God is a refuge for us.Selah.
Psalm 62:8

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Isn't it wonderful that we serve a God that is all and in all?

New Blog

Well, here I am. I decided that I wanted to make a new blog where I could just post things that the Lord was teaching me. I still use my other blog but it will just be about the different things that are going on in my life. So I need to work on this and edit it to where it suits me, so I'm going to work some more. I'm at my grandma Davis' so I don't have my Bible, I'll post when I get home.