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.