It's Hot Outside!

In the heat of summer we often lose our inhibitions as we shed clothing normally worn. We rationalize this because of the heat, or vacation (when we aren't at home or in our usual surroundings), or simply because everyone else is doing it.

Romans 14:21 says: It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

As we are in the midst of our summer, we as ladies should look closely at this verse and remember something... when we take off our clothing due to the heat, we are also exposing our bodies for others to see. Why is it ok to do this in the name of summer or vacation, but not other times? When we expose ourselves to men, we often cause them to think about things they might not ordinarily consider about us. We know men are "wired differently" and they often think about sexual things more frequently than we do. So when we open the door for them to have these thoughts, we are actually opening the door for them to sin, or stumble, or be made weak. I don't want to cause another person to sin in any manner. I want to try to always be aware of how I come across to others, male or female, because I'm presenting myself as a Christian, or "Christ Like". And, I certainly don't want to cause another person to fall into sin because of my actions, or apparel (or lack thereof).

 1Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

There is generation

Proverbs 30:11-14:

There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Interesting thought. We just need to remember God allows those who are in authority to be placed there. We just may not know why until we get to Glory though.

Are you lettin' the world change your home? Or you letting your home change the world?
Jonathan McNeese.

Someone posted this on FB to be funny. However, it's quite true...

How do you expect kids to listen to their parents when Tarzan lives half naked, Cinderella comes home at midnight, Pinocchio lies all the time, Aladdin is the king of thieves, Batman drives at 200 mph, Sleeping Beauty is lazy, and Snow White lives with 7 guys. We shouldn't be surprised when kids misbehave, they get it from their storybooks.

Serve the LORD with gladness

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Psalm 100: 1-2

We need to remember that we are to serve the LORD with gladness, and even a song, and not be resentful of the things we do for HIM. From scrubbing toilets to serving little kids in VBS, we should do it all for HIS glory and to serve HIM.

What if all you had today is what you thanked God for yesterday?

Where are your affections?

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

Too often we put so much into what we have here (our house, vehicles, stuff - AKA: Junk) and forget the Bible tells us to lay up treasures in Heaven:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19-20

We should all rethink where are treasures truly are.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20

We must always remember not to fan the flames of a talebearer!  Some fires are best left to die out!

Here am I...

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.  Isaiah 6:8b

How often has the Lord looked your way and said this? How often have you (we) told Him "No"? 

My husband struggled with the call to preach for several years. He'll tell you, he would often say "here I am Lord, I'll do what you'd have me to do". But he was saying it with his mouth only, not his heart. He didn't truly mean he was willing to do whatever God had for him, and thus God didn't reveal all that He had in store for him. But, when he finally knelt at the altar and poured out his heart to God and gave his all and then said "here I am Lord, I'll do what you'd have me to do" - from his heart - the Lord revealed exactly what He wanted him to do.

Unfortunately, we're too often all caught up in what we want to do, rather than what God would have us to do. We should consult with God on everything in our lives, no matter how simple we think it is. He's still in control - of everything! We should all strive to be more willing to do whatever He'd have us to do and say "here am I Lord". And, remember to do so with a "cheerful heart"!  2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

I don't always have answers...but I thank God I have anchors...

Christian Family & Friends = Support

Last night we had a Ladies' Fellowship. The Lord had laid upon my heart to do so, even though it was last minute - It was decided Friday. One of our men is having heart surgery next week and his wife will be helping to care for him, along with their adult son. She has her own health issues, one of which is macular degeneration, which greatly hinders her vision. So, we honored our friend last night and gathered around her to let her know we would be there for not only her husband, but for her. These are my thoughts from the devotion God laid upon my heart. They are true for all of us to remember of our brothers and sisters in Christ in times of need.

Proverbs 18:24a A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

We should show our love and support during a family’s time of need. When there's a surgery, we know it could mean several weeks out of church for a spouse as well as the one having surgery, and we want them to know we are there for them. We should be there as church family, friends and in prayer.

Proverbs 18:24b and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Remember, one can also get comfort from the Lord in this time of need. Only He will be there 24/7, and He will always hear our prayers.

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

There can be peace in God that can be found no where else. And, many won’t understand how we can have that peace in times of need.

Proverbs 12:4a A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:

A husband might lean on a wife heavily for several weeks during a recovery, like our friend will probably experience. And, in her case, there is another health problem that she may feel will hinder her from providing for him. However, she is still his wife, and just being there for him will go a long ways.

Titus 2 talks about the older women teaching the younger women the things of God, as well as to love their husbands and children.

Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Now, we, the younger ladies of the church, need to step up and be there for the older ladies in our church during their time of need - in friendship, support and in prayer.

The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.
- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

National Day of Prayer

Today is National Day of Prayer...thus, making it the perfect day to nail that burden to the CROSS! Spend time in prayer today!!

Give it all to God, HE can handle it!

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16b
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Trust in God

Proverbs 3:5-6 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.

Too often we want to do things ourselves and not trust in God to guide us in all that we do. Even in the "simple" things we take for granted, God can and will guide us, if we let Him. Let us all remember to LET HIM guide us in all things.