Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15:58

design

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

day 225: Silently

Genesis 18:11-13
And since Abraham and Sarah were both very old, and Sarah was long past the age of having children, she laughed silently to herself. "How could a worn-out woman like me have a baby?" she thought. "And when my master-- my husband-- is also so old?"

Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh?...."

*******

Do you see the bolded part in that scripture?

Silently.

God knew exactly what Sarah thought. He knew she didn't believe Him.

Sometimes we have thoughts that we believe we can hide from God. We think we can keep them from other people and no one will ever know.... no one will ever find out.

But we forget that God knows out thoughts (that's kinda scary, ain't it?)

The kicker is that we, for the most part, can't control what we think. It just 'pops in there'--- Let's think back to the movie Ghostbusters (I know, Ghostbusters not really a Christian movie... Thought it did teach me all about Revelations 7:12). Anyway, there is this part where the Ghostbusters are standing on the building and Gozer tells them that the next thing they think of will appear and destroy them--- so they, behing all bright and smart, decide to clear their minds and not think of anything....



And, then here comes the Staypuff Marshmellow Man--- because Ray couldn't keep thoughts out of his mind and it just "popped in there".


Lots of times, we can't control our thoughts, but we can control how we react to them.

In Sarah's case, she lied to God (Not that smartest thing to do) and said she didn't think that--- and God said, "Don't lie to me. You did laugh." (in so many words).

If something comes in our mind like that, tell God you are sorry. He'll forgive you and it will be ok. And don't act on whatever the thoughts are.

It will be ok.

Don't ever try to hide anything from God. He kinda knows everything anyway.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Linked with: On Your Heart Tuesday

Monday, January 30, 2012

day 224: In the Beginning

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

********

I'd say that's pretty cut and dry lol.

I know those of you who aren't reading the Bible in 90 days with me might be a bit tired of hearing about it. I'm sorry about that. It's just something that I'm very excited about.

In the beginning....

Every story has a beginning.

"Once upon a time...."

"It was the best of times...."

"It was a dark and stormy night...."

The difference here, is that these words were written by Moses to answer the age old question-- how did the world begin? How did it come to be?

In the first sentence, we are told the exact answer.

It doesn't say how God created it, but really that's trivial. It's not the point.

From here on out, just by one sentence, we know 3 things about God:
1. He is all powerful.

2. He created something from nothing.

3. He was here before time began.

Even I can memorize that verse.

I think it's pretty special that an all powerful feller like God who made the entire universe........ took time to make little ole me. Because He loves me so much.  Same goes for you.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Sunday, January 29, 2012

day 223: Faith Without Seeing

2 Corinthians 5:6-7
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

******

We don't have the privilage that the disciples had back in the day. We don't get to 'walk by sight'. We don't get to witness what they got to witness or the miracles they got to be a part of simply because they got to walk physically with Jesus.

All we have is our faith.

Anyone will believe something if they can see it. I believe the sky is blue because I can see it. I believe that three year olds are crabby crabs sometimes because I've lived it.

I wouldn't believe that a squirrel could waterski if I hadn't seen the video on you tube.

Faith is believing without seeing.

If you really really sit down and think about the Bible and Christianity, it doesn't make a lot of sense in our human eyes. We have lots of questions. That's why it takes faith in a God you can't see to do miracles-- and a lot of times those miracles deal with people's hearts (another thing we can't see).

Faith is believing your prayers will be answered (in some way) even if you don't see the 'person' answering them.

Have a great Sunday :)
God Bless You

~Kelly






Saturday, January 28, 2012

day 222: .... That I am God

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

****************

Do you ever find yourself worrying about things?

More specifically, about things that only God can handle?

Lots of times we try to fix things on our own-- we try to play God OR we don't want to bother Him with our 'trivial' things.

We worry about God being "out of the schools" and the world "going to hell in a handbasket."

Guess what?

Be Still....

And know that  *I* am God.

Know that He's got this.  Every knee will bow to God, and He will be honored.

We humans think we can figure it all out. We think we can put a box on God. What silly people we are!

God Bless You

~Kelly

******************************
Bible in 90 Days starts MONDAY! If you are interested, please click the tab at the top of this page :)  I'm so excited to get started :)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Day 221: Be Still and Know

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

***********

I've had this verse on my mind all day. Well, that's a lie. I didn't know it was a verse (whoops). I HOPED it was a verse.

I was praying at work like I tend to do (you know, silently, and while you are doing your work, but still-- you are praying hard). I don't remember what I was praying for, but I remember this kept popping into my head, "Be Still and Know."

I was talking to my sister today about how I don't think I can do just one thing at a time. Right now, I'm typing, watching the kids (should have probably waited until they went to bed.. sigh), have the tv on, and the baby crawling all over me (hehe.. giving baby kisses.... so sweet!).. what was I saying?  Oh yeah...

There are times when all of my attention isn't focused on God...

I have fifteen things going on at once seems like, and God is wedged in there between blogging and baby diapers.

And that's fine...
Sometimes.

It's good to always have God on your mind.


But sometimes...

Occassionally...

God needs to be the center of our attention.

Our one and only thought.

I have to admit-- that sounds hard to me. (just being honest).

But all morning, all day even, I've had that on my mind.

"Be Still and Know"

Have you been still today and only focused on God?

Has your 'God time' been filled with thoughts of other things?

This is definitely something I need to pray about. What about you?

Tomorrow, we'll talk about this verse some more.

God Bless You,
Kelly
(and the baby... who is giving you all kisses :) )

Linked with: Brag on God Friday

Thursday, January 26, 2012

day 220: Whispers

Proverbs 16:28
A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisper separates close friends. (ESV)

***********

Have you ever tried not to gossip?

I'm sure you're saying, "But Kelly, I don't gossip."

I said the same thing....

Until I made a conscious effort not to say anything that could be thought of as gossip, I had no idea how much gossip I really said.

Not that I said anything bad...

Not that I spread devious rumors...

Not that I told outrageous lies...

Not that I said anything hurtful or bullying....

But...

I did find out that I 'gossiped' more than I thought I did.

Do you know the main reason?  Because I wanted something to say. You know that awkward silence? Yeah, those aren't fun. Sometimes you just need to fill it. Mine were filled with sentences starting with, "Have you heard....."

I know (*hangs head in shame*)

Has a close friend ever told you something in confidence, and you told someone else (but told them not to tell) and before you knew it, it had spread like wildfire?

If you have, you know how hard it is to rebuild a relationship when that happens.

A 10 second slip of the tongue can ruin a twenty year friendship.

So... what can we do?

*Find something to talk about that isn't gossip-y

*Pray about it if you have a problem with it.

*Tell people you don't want to hear it when they start telling you something 'gossipy'. If you don't know, you can't spread it.

Is this something you struggle with? Have you lost any friendships over it? If so, it's never too late to tell that person you are sorry and try to re-build a relationship with them.

God Bless You
~Kelly

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

day 219: Too Hard for God?

Exodus 18:14 (first part)
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?

**************

This little snippet comes from Sarah's story. It is what God told Abraham when Sarah laughed that she'd have a baby.  Sarah was old, well passed child-bearing age, and here God told her she'd have a baby.

She laughed.

I would have too probably.

Then God asked Abraham, (paraphrasing) "Hey Dude?! What is up with your wife?! Why is she laughing at the thought of having a baby? Is anything too hard for me? I'm GOD after all...."

I've heard the question asked, "If God can do anything, what would happen if the unstoppable force hit the immoveable object?"

I figure the force would bounce off of the object and roll backwards... but that's just my thinkig.

The point of all of this rambling  (side bar, I feel like I've been rambling recently, and I'm sorry about it. I want to give you a quality devotional blog, and sometimes I feel like I fall short.) is that we try to put human thoughts on God, and that doesn't work. He doesn't live in our constraints nor with our laws. He doesn't have to bend to gravity (He invented it.), bow to human frailities (He has none), etc.

He can do anything. Nothing is too hard for Him. Sometimes He doesn't do what we ask, but that's ok. He sees the big picture.

Sarah prayed for a child for years. She probably thought God had given up on her or hadn't heard her prayers. Little did she know that God was working on her request-- on His time.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

day 218: One of the Scariest Two Letter Words

James 1:5
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

********

This kinda goes along with the 'You don't have because you don't ask' thing.

A lot of times we are scared to ask someone something for fear of them saying no-- like it will kill us or something.

Like the word 'no' will strike us down in such a way that it will suck our soul out through our toes.

*Maybe* a tad overdramatic (maybe), but you get the point. God may not give you what you ask for or want, but He sure won't punish you for asking.

Don't let the word no scare you off from asking God for something.
God Bless You

~Kelly

Linked with: On My Heart Tuesday

Sunday, January 22, 2012

day 217: Perfect Conditions

Ecclesiastes 11:4
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

***********

I LOVE this verse!

In fact, if you go to my other blog, www.ohthatmomagain.blogspot.com it is on my side bar.

There will never be a 'perfect' time to start something. Things will come up, kids will get sick, it will rain, you will get sick, you can't find the time... *something* will happen that will make you not want to start something.

Those things are to be expected.

But don't let that keep you from starting something-- and especially something for God.

If you are waiting for the perfect time to start being a layspeaker, or a Sunday School teacher, or even reading the Bible completely, setting aside a few minutes a day for reading, becoming a preacher--- *whatever* it is, start the process now.  If it isn't supposed to happen now, it won't, but at least you know you tried.

Don't use *but it's not the right time... I have too much to do* as an excuse.

God Bless You

~Kelly

day 216: A Repentant Heart

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
It haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned.
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgement against me is just.
For I was born a sinner--
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching wisdom even there.
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again; 
You have broken me--
now let me rejoice.
Don't keep looking at my sins
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you,
Then I will teach your ways to rebels
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God, who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord that my mouth my praise you.
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit,
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then  you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit--
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls again will be sacrificed at your altar.

********

My prayer for today is a repentant heart-- because I do things sometimes I know I shouldn't. I should never be too proud to tell God I'm sorry.

God Bless You
~Kelly

Saturday, January 21, 2012

day 215: A Twice Told Tale

Romans12:15
Be jealous of those who are happy,
and be joyous when your enemies weep.

***************

Sometimes (there's that word again) people we don't really like that well have good things happen to them, and we can't understand why.

*Doesn't God know that *I* am a better person than they are?

*Doesn't God care that so-in-so cusses like a sailor?

*Why can't God see how awesome I am and how much I'm doing for Him?

*Why do people who seem the least deserving get everything they want and more, and I have to struggle?

There is a word for that: Jealousy.  And I'm *sure* that's ok....

There are also times when people we don't really like cry. Maybe they lose their job. Maybe they get in trouble at work. Maybe they start having marital trouble (their own fault I'm sure, since they are all snarky and all), and we find joy in it. Mainly because they've brought it on themselves.... you know, because we don't like them.  We might do it by ourselves when no one is around-- but secretely, we *might* smile when trouble finds people we just don't like.

Oh wait............

What's that?

I wrote the verse wrong?!?!?!

Seriously!?!

*off to check......*

Um..... I'm so sorry, I feel so bad... truly... I totally messed up!
*Hangs head in shame....*

This is what the verse *SHOULD* say...

Romans 12:15 (at least I got that right)
Be HAPPY with those who are happy,
and weep with those who weep.


Well!  That just  changes the meaning, doesn't it?

So... we are supposed to be happy when someone (even one we don't like) is happy (Not Jealous)?

And we are supposed to weep when someone we know cries (even if they got what 'they deserve')?

Hmmmmm..... what a totally non-human way to react.

Good thing we have God with us to show us how to defeat jealousy and apathy for *those who don't deserve it*.

If you are struggling with this, pray about it. God can help you. When you can't, He can. Don't let jealousy or apathy steal YOUR joy!

God Bless You
~Kelly


Friday, January 20, 2012

day 214: For the Ladies...

2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asiah went to the New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple wardrobe.

******************

Sometimes (I seem to start a lot of sentences with that word), women think they can't do a lot for God because 'they are women'.

I say if you look through the Bible, you can find lots of women God used for His glory: Huldah, Miriam, Deborah, Mary, etc.

In fact, it was women who first told the men that Jesus had risen.

Women, *you* are important to God. Don't ever think you can't do things for God because your female.

My 6 year old daughter told me that when she grows up she wants to be: a ballet dancer, a police officer, and a preacher. I think those are fine goals :)

God Bless You

~Kelly

Linked with: Brag on God Friday


Thursday, January 19, 2012

day 213: Revenge

Proverbs 20:22
Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong."
Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

*******************

Someone does something to you...

They...


*Steal your sandwich at lunch

*Spread an ugly rumor about you

*Cut you off when you are driving

*Bump into you in line at the store


(or worse)

**hurts your kid

**causes some thing bad to happen to you (ie; cause you from getting a promotion)

**harms someone you love

Basic human nature is to get back at them. A lot of times our first instinct (to even the most minor offense) is to get some sort of revenge.

 
Lots of people love to live by the Old Testament "An Eye for an Eye" (Exodus 21:24). That's one verse people can remember.


(They tend to forget about what Jesus said about it...

"But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (NIV))

Revenge isn't so sweet and isn't all it's cracked up to be. If you are like me, you feel bad about trying to 'out do' someone.

God will handle the matter... the kicker is He won't deal with it like we would. God is all about love. Instead of 'revenge', He may use the experience to bring them closer to Him (we never know).

When someone bothers us and we just want to get them back, stop and pray about it. In the end, we are all responsible for our own actions-- no matter how justified we think they are.

If you are having trouble with this, pray about it. Ask God to turn your need for revenge into something postive for both you and the other person.

God Bless You

~Kelly



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

day 212: The Treasure at Your House

Psalm 119:162
I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure.

********

Lets say we had two things: Your Bible and the Hope Diamond. Which one do you consider to be a treasure?



Most people would say the Hope Diamond because it's worth so SO much money.... and it's sparkly.

Not many people consider the Bible a treasure. There are many reasons for that.

1. It's very common. I mean, you can pick it up at any store, and if you tear one up, you can always get another one (not so much the Hope Diamond.)

2. It's not shiny and sparkly.

3. People won't give millions of dollars for it.

4. We take it for granted (ouch)

The psalmist is saying here that he rejoices in the words in this book like he would a great treasure. And we should be the same way. Even if we have read it a million times, we shouldn't treat it as just another book.

Do the people who take care the Declaration of Independence throw it around willy-nilly? No, because it's an important document.

So is our Bible.

The words in it are God's words to us. That is much more important than money.

See, you have treasure and didn't even know it.

God Bless You
~Kelly

Linked with: Women Living Well Wednesday and Winsome Wednesday

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

day 211: 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Proverbs 15:27
Greed brings grief to the whole family,
but those who hate bribes will live.

**************

Today's verse can be taken a lot of ways and fit into a lot of different areas of life.

Everything you do (good or bad) has consequences-- and those consequences not only affect you. They affect the people around you.

In the book of Joshua (7:16-26), there is a guy named Achan. When the Israelites defeated Jericho, they were told not to take anything. What did Achan do? He took things. What happened to him? He got stoned to death.

And not only Achan, but his family suffered and died as well... even his poor donkeys were killed (always felt bad for those donkeys).

It's the same in our life. Now, it's not as extreme as Achan's situation, but the moral is the same. Your sin, your greed, your lies, affect your entire family. We are the type of people who while we life among people, we feel solitary-- like our actions only affect ourselves. That couldn't be farther from the truth. (It's kinda like a version of the '6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon' Game. We are all connected.)

Whether we know it or not, our actions have lot lasting consequences-- both good and bad. We can't be perfect--- that's impossible. We don't need to get into something knowing it's wrong.

God Bless You.
~Kelly

Linked with: On Your Heart Tuesday

Monday, January 16, 2012

Devotional Blog Directory Update

Please take time to check out the "Devotional Blog Directory" in the blog header. I've added www.humbledliving.com today (thanks Sheri :) )

If you'd like your blog listed, please email me your blog details at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks :)

~Kelly

day 210: When It's So Hard Not to Yell

Proverbs 25:15
Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.

****************

I'm not the most patient person in the world which I learned when my first daughter was born. I always thought I was pretty patient (I'm sure, looking back, my family would disagree...). When my daughter turned 18 months old, I was 9 months pregnant with her sister. If anyone has an 18 month old, you know how 'curious' and 'into everything' they are. Being hugely pregnant, I didn't feel like chasing her around all of the time, and the result was frustration and yelling.

I feel bad about it now.

I wish I could say that my yelling ceased over the years, but it didn't. I never thought I'd be one of those yelly Mamas, but, yeah, that's what happened. I never thought I'd be a yelly wife either (poor husband!).

About a year ago, I started reading Proverbs and found all of these verses on being gentle, patient, not angry-- and it started really dealing with me.

I'm not saying that I don't still yell (sigh), but it is very few and far between now, and I always tell God I'm sorry when I lose my cool.

We all lose our cool at times, but we need to work on being patient--- even if our jaw hurts from clinching it so much. :)

Patience can persuade a prince....

I've learned through my 8 1/2 years of marriage that if I yell at my husband during an arguement that he automatically thinks he's won. No ifs, ands, or butts about it. My point gets lost and he gets hung up on, "you yelled!"  SO, I've had to change my strategy and learn how to fight fair. How to keep from yelling (I'm still working on it lol) didn't come easily. It still doesn't, but it's getting easier. I had to realize that I wanted for him to hear my words more than I wanted to be loud.

I read once that kids automatically tune you out when you start yelling (something to do with how they are made). I'm the same way actually. So, what good does it do to yell?

I'm the same way with my husband when he yells in a fight. I shut down and think, "Why is he yelling at me?" so his words and his point get lost. I don't like when he yells in a fight, but *I* can do it all I want because *I* have a point to make--- uh huh (Great logic I've got there, right? lol)

My husband and I are doing so much better in the patience/not yelling department. With 3 small kids, that takes a lot of prayer and biting of the tongue.

But I have to say that I can tell a difference in our marriage and in our kids.

You catch more flies with honey, as they say (or is that bees?). Losing your patience and yelling at someone only makes the other person feel like they have to defend themselves, which doesn't do anyone any good.

If you have a problem with lack of patience, try for one week to bite your tongue before you yell or lose your patience at your husband, your kids, co-worker, etc. and see how the week goes. I know it is so hard at first (and you will slip up from time to time), but at the end of the week, you'll see a difference.

God Bless You

~Kelly

**Linked with Women Living Well

Sunday, January 15, 2012

day 209: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

James 1:16-17
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
***********
Bad things come from God; Good things are man-made.
Right?
Yeah, not really, but if you watch any of the news that's what you see......
Wild fires?
Blame God
Hurricanes?
Blame God
Ending a war?
Praise Humans
Winning a game?
Praise Humans
Sick person getting better?
Praise Humans
Sick person dying?
Blame God
I kinda think we have things confused a bit.
EVERYTHING, good, bad, ugly, beautiful, comes from God. Don't for a second think that the good things that come aren't brought by God.
He rarely gets thanked for the Good.... just blamed for the Bad.
How about thanking him today for the good you see?  It makes your day start on a postive note :)
God Bless You :)
*****It's not too late to sign up for the Bible in 90 days program I'm hosting at my other blog. Details are in the tab at the top of the page.
*****Also, if you have a blog you'd like to add to the devotional blog directory at the top of the page, please let me know :)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

day 208: Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:12-13
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful.
He will not allow the temptations to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

***********

Sometimes, it's easy to think that what we are going through/tempted by is worse than anyone we know.

Sometimes we believe that God is being cruel to us and we don't know how we are going to press through.

And sometimes when things are going well, we think are are doing everything on our own.

All 3 of these statements are incorrect.

Thursday, I sent my sister a text and told her that my finger joint was huge and hurting. (ouch) She sent me a text a few minutes later (bless her) and said, "At least you have a finger." (ouch x2!!)

Sigh.....

Things could always be worse.

God will never tempt you with more than you can handle: And HE knows you so much better than you do.

And He will give you the tools to get through it and to fight it.  He won't leave you or send you out alone.

But the bad part is that sometimes we see ourselves getting through things, and think *we* did it. Or we think we can deal with temptation without God's help.

That's a dangerous way to think.

We need to rely on God in all parts of our life.

God will always be with you, and He'll never leave you.

God Bless You
~Kelly




Friday, January 13, 2012

day 207: When You Give God Advice...

Isaiah 40:13
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
Who knows enough to give Him advice or teach him?

******************

And the answer is......?

(Me.... If you look at how I act/pray sometimes)

Of course, the answer is No One.

No one knows more than God and no one can advice Him on what to do and what not to do.

But Oh... we like to try!


We have everything all planned out.

And when things don't go as *WE* think they should...

Well.....

We kick and scream...

We fuss and argue...

We blame God.... (when it wasn't even His idea to start with).

Is it wrong to pray for things we want?  Of course not! God says, "You don't have because you don't ask." (paraphrased). We need to ask, but we also need to understand that God's understanding is so much greater than ours ever could be.

As people, we think linear (in tomorrow, next week, next year, 10 years down the road, etc...)

God sees all time. He sees what effects your actions will be 200 years from now. He didn't just place you to affect the now, you have a purpose forever (long after you are dead).

Being as God can see all time and all people, He knows exactly where to place you and exactly what prayers to answer.

And that can be hard at times, especially when we pray for a sick family member, friend, child, and they don't make it. It's very VERY easy to question 'Why?'

We don't know why, and we probably never will because we can't see the big picture. Only God can, and He knows what he's doing.


God Bless You.

~Kelly

Linked with: Brag on God Friday



Thursday, January 12, 2012

day 206: Lamps and Lights

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path
**********************

I can't tell you how many times I've wanted that instruction manual to show up in my mailbox.

You know the one....

The one that tells you exactly what to do in every situation.

I started wanting it after I got married.

I was (for lack of a better term) sheltered and didn't really know how to take care of housely things.

I started wishing for classes on finances and insurance in college instead of Chemistry (I'm still not sure what good Chemistry has done me.......)

The next time I really wanted those instructions was when my first daughter was born.

I felt lost (and sad as it is, I have a degree in Early Childhood Ed Birth-5 lol.. but it's different when it's yours.....)

Little did I know that I already had an instruction manual already handy....

The Bible can answer any question you can have.....

And if not, you can pray about it.

I already had my instructions. I just didn't know it yet. 

You have to read His Word to let it guide you though. Set aside a few minutes a day to read.  Carry it with you.  Join a program (there are lots on the internet. I've seen the Proverbs in 31 days, a study on Ephesians, and the Bible in 90 Days program which we are starting on January 30th on my other blog, Oh That Mom Again.)

Just do something daily to keep the words in the Bible fresh in your mind and heart: and so they will light your way.

God Bless You
~Kelly

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

day 205: Dealing with Pressure

Psalm 119:143
As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.

*********
My stomach has been in knots all week (and it's only Wednesday). Different things at work have been stressing me (and I've been trying not to let it).  Just different things have made my stomach hurt a bit.

It does that sometimes.

How about you?  Do you ever feel your stomach knotting or your palms getting sweaty or your heart racing?

What do you do when you get stressed?

What we *should* do is pray......

And read the Bible to calm our nerves....

We should focus on God and not our pressures or our stresses.

We God is in control anyway.

What's going to happen will happen
whether we stress about it or not.

I used to have this weird logic.
I thought if I DIDN'T worry about something then something bad would happen.

Like I was *that* powerful.

I've learned differently.

We all have stresses and presure on us. Just every day life things are hard, add to that a sick child, work, a sick parent/spouse, bills, etc. it builds up until we feel like we can't take it any more.

God can take all of that and he's given us his Word to help us cope with life. Sure, He has control over all situations, but He also gave us his commands so we can deal.

God Bless You

*******
Remember, if you have a devotional blog, I'd love to add it to the directory on the header of this page. I want this blog to be a place where people can come and be encouraged.  If you are interested, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Sweet Blessings and Woman to Woman are the newest blogs listed.








Tuesday, January 10, 2012

day 204: Good Sense

Psalm 119: 73
You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

**************************

I had to laugh when I read this.

I've talked before about how much I loved the book of Proverbs because it's everything we should know about life without being told... but we don't, so someone was smart enough to write it down for us.

A book of common sense as it were.

Sometimes we as humans don't have much common sense (I mean, 3 minutes of watching some reality tv will show you that... I think we as a nation collectively lost some common sense when the first contestant ate a raw cow eyeball on Fear Factor all of those years ago... Not to judge.. I actually used to watch that show all of the time...)

A lot of times, we have to be told what to do and what is right.

A lot of things that *should* be instinct, aren't. 

God's commands should be pretty easy to follow.

Especially the one from Jesus: "Love thy Neighbor as yourself"

But do we do it?

not all of the time

We even have problems with the easy ones.....

*Do not steal
(have you ever taken something from work?)

*Do not commit adultry
(yeah, that includes in your mind....)

*Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy
(yeah, I buy things on Sunday and I probably shouldn't)

We need to pray for God to give us the sense to follow his commands because, truthfully, if left up to our own devices, we will find loopholes around it.

We are human after all.

God, I pray for the sense to follow your commandments and to not fall into the traps of trying to find loopholes or ways around them. You made me, and I want to do what is right by you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

****

God Bless You
~Kelly

*If you'd like to focus on God and His word, I'm hosting a Bible in 90 Days group starting on Jan. 30 on my other blog Oh That Mom Again. It is a great way to have a Bible reading goal, along with others who will inspire you to keep going! :)

Monday, January 9, 2012

day 203: Lying to yourself

Psalm 119: 29
Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

*******************

Oh, the old 'lying to myself'.

We all know lying is a sin, and we try not to do it to other people.... but what about ourselves?

We lie to ourselves about a lot of things: our appearance (both good and bad), our attitudes, how we treat people, etc.

And we can even lie to ourselves about our relationship with God.

We can think we are A-OK.  "I haven't killed anyone. I'm a pretty good person. God should be happy with that."

But not killing isn't the only commandment we are supposed to keep.

Only you know your true relationship with God (as the preacher talked about yesterday). Don't lie to yourself about it. Really dig deep and look at your heart to see how much God truly lives there. If he's not there as much as you'd like/need, pray about it. You can never be too close to God :)

God Bless You :)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

day 202: Not Forget Your Word

Psalm 119: 16
I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

**********

My sister and I were talking tonight about how forgetful I am.

Yes, friends, I'm more forgetful than I like to admit.  Now, I can remember small things (like who was the first person killed off of Lost), but the more important things I tend to forget about (like giving my family Christmas cards.... I paid $40 for Santa pictures that I totally forgot to give!  They are still on my island in the kitchen.. I know!!)

So, it probably comes at no shock that I'm not the best at memorizing scripture.  I saw a blog once where this lady was memorizing all of Proverbs.  From what she said, she was doing pretty good.  That isn't a challenge I can do.  I can write... and I can read (B90) but I can't memorize. (We all have different talents).

I told you all of that to tell you this.... we need to have God's word on our heart at all times.  Even if it's the smallest verse you can remember ("Jesus wept" for me) or old favorites like John 3:16, we need to have a verse or 2 or 10 or 100 that we can pull out when we don't have a Bible around and we need His word. 

I'm so thankful that God lead me to the concept of 'MY ONE WORD' that you will think on and try to remember at all times.  My one word is Love (God knows how little memory I have lol).  I might not can memorize all of psalms.... but I can focus on my one word.

Besides memorization, what can we do to not forget God's word?

*Read the bible daily


*Read different Christian blogs and how God is working through them.


*Post bible verses daily/weekly/monthly on facebook.


*Since I can't memorize worth anything, I like to keep a piece of paper with a verse in my pocket.  It's always a different verse and through the day when I need a word from God, I look at it. 


*Do a Bible Study (I posted one on Love at www.ohthatmomagain.blogspot.com if you'd like to do a free one. It's on the top header.)


*Write verses on paper and place them in different places throughout the house so you can be reminded of God and his word at different times.


*If you have a homemaking binder and a/or a daily 'To Do' list, write a verse on there so you can be reminded of God everytime you look at it.

I'm sure there are lots and lots of other ways to get God's word in our minds and keep it there daily. If you have any others you can think of, please leave a comment below.

God Bless You,

Kelly