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

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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

day 254: Be Strong and Do it!

1 Chronicles 28:10

Take heed now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it!
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Be Strong and Do it!

I love that saying! I think I need to make it my motto. "Be Strong and Do it."

Now, this "it" is David talking about building the Temple after he's dead. David wanted to built it, but God told him no. He had killed too many people in battle. God chose Solomon to build the Temple.

David didn't fuss or complain about it, in fact, he did everything he could to help Solomon. He already had a stockpile of gold, silver, bronze, etc. He even went so far as to donate some of his own personal wealth to build the Temple.

In a speech, David told them that the Lord had chosen them for this task and to be strong and do it.

Same thing applies to us.

God has put some sort of task in your life. It might be a task (like being a preacher, speaker, evangelist) that you would never imagine yourself doing-- but you feel that pull toward it. The task God has for you could seem as big as building His Temple. It might seem like you can't do it-- won't even know where to start.

David said to "Be Strong and DO it!" 

Don't sit around thinking about it... DO it!

Nothing will ever get accomplished unless you get up and start on it. God can give you ideas and opportunities, but it's up to you to move your feet, be strong, and do it.

Really think about what God wants you to do in life. Pray about what would happen if you actually started moving toward that goal... OR what would happen if you kept going toward it (if you've already started, but have tired).

They say that even the longest journey begins with the first step. Same applies here. The Temple wasn't built in one day. Whatever it is that God has called you to do/be might not come overnight... but once you start, it will start happening.

Be Strong, and Do it!!

God Bless You

~Kelly

Linked with: Winsome Wednesday and Women Living Well Wednesday

Another New Blog Added :)

I'm very excited that Erin from Chronic Christian Crafter has been added to the blog directory :)

Erin's blog has a lot of things on it: from DIY to recipes to crafts to encouragements and information on chronic illness

Go over and give her some love. Her blog will bless you.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

day 253: Pray for Everything

Phillipians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

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*Pray about Everything

Have you ever sat back and thought about what that means? It means that nothing is too big, too little, too stupid, too whatever for God. And you don't have to be embarrassed because there is no such thing as a silly request or cry out to Him.

I remember a few years ago, I took my daughter to the doctor. It was the same doctor who delivered her. Now, I love this woman. She was/is a great doctor, but what she told me (and I don't think she meant it bad) has stuck with me ever since. She said that one of her OB patients told her that she felt silly asking stupid questions. And my doctor said, "Don't worry about that. You can never ask a sillier question than this one patient I had" Apparently, I was memorable.....

Needless to say (even though she would never hurt my feelings for anything) *I* got a bit embarrassed and a bit self-conscious. If you can't ask a 'stupid or silly' question to your doctor... who can you ask one too?

God of course :)

I know sometimes we try to only 'bother' God with the hard stuff: when people get sick, dying, prayers for salvation for others, etc. And we try to deal with the other stuff on our own.

I pray a lot through out the day. "God, please let us get there safely... please let me teach them what they need to know... please let me say the right thing... please don't let me put my foot in my mouth....."

And even then, I know I could pray for so so much more. 

We need to tell God what we need, not beat around the bush about it. The worst He can say is 'No'. The best that can happen is a blessing.

If you can't think of anything to pray for-- thank Him for everything.

*are you driving to work? Thank Him for the car.

*are you having to walk to work? Thank Him for the job.

*are you laid-off and looking for a job? Thank Him for allowing you to wake up and look... and for the extra time you get to spend with your family.

*are you sad? Thank Him for chocolate (because it helps.....)

The point is, pray about everything from the big to the small... from the "stupid" to the "normal"... from the tiniest ideas to the wildest dreams... and when you are done with that, thank Him for everything He's done for you.

THEN, you won't have time to think about anything else. And your mind will be fully focused on God :) (Can't get in trouble that way ;) )

God Bless You :)

Kelly

Linked with: On My Heart Tuesday

Monday, February 27, 2012

New Blog Added....

I'm very excited to say that Shanda's blog, A Pause on a Path, has been added to the blog directory.

Shanda helped over 100 people in my neighborhood, and didn't even know it. At Thanksgiving, she posted on her blog about how her church did groceries/food and then they prayed for the people as they left. I told my preacher about it. We took the idea and ran with it. Thanks to that post (and God) our little church of 36 (plus our charge partner church of about 50 or so) fed over 130 people Thanksgiving supper! :).

Please visit Shanda's site. You will truly be inspired.

**I'd love to add your site to the blog directory! The more sites we have, the more resources people have when they need a devotional or encouragement. Even if your blog isn't 'devotional', as long as it is inspirational, I'd love to add it. If you are interested, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Please show Shanda's blog love (along with the other blogs mentioned) and visit them.

God Bless You,

Kelly

day 252: No Place to Lay His Head.

Matthew 8:20
But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.

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I flipped open my Bible and came across this verse, and it hit me in a sad sort of way. Jesus didn't even have a place to lay his head.

Does he now?

Think about it. Does Jesus have a place in your life to lay his head. Does he have an open invitation to stay in your life?

In my head I picture Jesus walking around sadly, walking past people and being ignored. So he keeps walking and keeps waiting for a person to ask him in to rest-- but it doesn't happen.

The world has forgotten about Jesus in a lot of ways. So glad he hasn't forgotten the world.

Don't toss Jesus out of your heart. Give him a place to lay his head.

God Bless You
~Kelly

Sunday, February 26, 2012

day 251: Your Own Work

Galatians 6:4-5
Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

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Wouldn't be easier if we all just focused on our own work and were content with it?

But, we are human, we tend to look at other's work... other's success..... other's blessings and compare us to them.

I'm going to use blogging as an example. I have (at times) felt bad about not having as many followers as other blogs. I'd go to other blogs to read, and the first thing I'd look at was how many followers they had.

Question: Did the number of followers THEY had in any way reflect *MY* blog? No, of course not. They didn't have anything to do with each other, but they would in my mind.

From what I've read, other bloggers deal with the same thing.

And it's not just blogging. At church, you can see people doing things you'd like to do and you can get jealous of it. Same for ministries... jobs... anything.

Paul had a great point! If you focus on ourselves and our own work, we will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to others. If you do what God wants you to do, then what else could you want. You can pat yourself on the back for following God's leading.

In the end, we are only responsible for our own actions, our own ministry, our own blog, our own writing, our own teaching (whatever it is that you do for God). I'm responsible to the 61 followers I have on here and the readers God sends this way (I'm still floored that I have that many followers! I remember praying for 20 :)). I'm responsible for bringing them the words I feel God wants me too... and I'm responsible for encouraging them.

You are responsible for whatever God has given you to do, and do it to the best of your ability. Don't worry about numbers. God will send the people there who need to be there. He's awesome like that :)

God Bless You

~Kelly


Saturday, February 25, 2012

day 250: Lessons from Naaman

2 Kings 5:13
But his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, 'Go and wash and be cured.'"

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This is the story of Naaman, the commander of the king of Aram's army. Though he was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. He wanted to get rid of it.

When they invaded Israel, one of the girl's they captured told Naaman's wife about the prophet in Samaria who could heal his leprosy.

Naaman took a letter to the king who tore his clothes (because they did that a lot back then), and sent him to Elisha, the prophet.

Elisha sent a message to him (didn't even come out and see him-- which ticked Naaman off). Elisha told Naaman to go wash himself in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed.

Well... that ticked Naaman off!

1. He was aggrivated that Elisha didn't even come out to see him.

2. He was upset that it was the Jordan River (wasn't the rivers of Damascas, Abana, and Pharpar better????)

3. He expected Elisha to come out, wave his hands over him, and heal him so he could be on his way.

Then his officers told him, "If he told  you to do something hard, wouldn't you have done it? Go do what he told you to do!!"

So he did, and he was healed.

We can get a lot out of Naaman's story.

*Sometimes we get our prayers answered--- but not in the way we want-- and it either ticks us off or makes us mad. Say, you don't like your job and you pray about not having to go back. God could answer that prayer by having you be fired--- and you'd be ticked! It wasn't the answer YOU wanted.

A lot of times, when we pray, we already have the answer worked out in our head, we just want God to agree with it. We say we want him to do what HE wants-- but in reality we want him to do what WE have figured out. And, like Naaman, we get upset when it doesn't happen the way we want.

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*Another thing we can take from this is that a lot of times, we make things harder than it is. Naaman was ticked that all he had to do was dip in the river seven times.

How many times has God told you something easy to do, but you don't do it because it seems so 'easy'? We tend to think of things for God as hard. They don't always have to be. The idea is to do what God tells you, no matter how hard, easy or... strange.

Naaman did end up being healed because he did want God (through Elisha) told him to do. Wonder what would happen if we did the same thing?

God Bless You

~Kelly

Friday, February 24, 2012

New Blog Added :)

Leaving a Legacy has been added to the 365 Devotional Blog Roll! :)

Shari's site is so pretty, peaceful, and calming (some things I need, truth be told).

Please visit her and show her some love.

**As always, I'd be honored for you to list your blog in the Devotional Blog Roll. If you're interested, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com. Thanks so much for helping this grow as a resource for Christians.

God Bless You
~Kelly

day 249: Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.

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Do you do things in your life that you don't think of as 'bad' but they open your heart to other sins?

Let me explain...

Are there tv shows that you watch, music you listen to, words you say, books you read, people you associate with, etc, that aren't the best influences in the world? Do the things you see and hear creep into your heart and mind?

Of course it does.

And a lot of times you don't even realize you are letting it.

Even things as 'innocent' as watching youtube videos or going to gaming websites can flood us with 'not so great' images if we aren't careful. I was looking up lapbooks on youtube once (lapbooks are file folder books). That lead to a link on homemaking binders... which lead to a video of a massage... which lead to a video of well..... a fullbody massage.  Sure, nothing was showing, but I have an imagination.

We have to be so careful, because it is so tempting to 'click' and 'just see' what it is about. This is where prayer and self-discipline comes in. If you see something you think will tempt you, press the x at the top before you get drawn in. That way your heart will remain focused on God.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Linked with: Brag on God Friday



Thursday, February 23, 2012

day 248: With My God...

2 Samuel 22:29-30
O Lord, you are my lamp,
The Lord lights up my darkness.
In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.

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This verse stuck out to me when I was doing my Bible in 90 days reading.

Mainly the last part "With my God I can scale any wall."

Meaning...

With my God... I can be a good parent.

With my God... I can be the spouse I need to be.

With my God... I can fulfill his purpose for my life.

With my God... I can overcome any addiction.

With my God... I beat depression.

With my God... I can stop with the self-doubt.

With my God... I can not fear anything of the world.

Without God, I don't stand much of a chance. Kelly can be insecure, a yell-y mommy, a nagging wife, and a person who fears the world. *Kelly* can't do anything... I sure can't scale a wall.

But with God... I can do anything... anything He wants me to do.

So... I'm not in this fight by myself. You aren't in it by yourself either.

What wall do you need help scaling?

God Bless You

~Kelly



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

day 247: 10 Commandments (the Tenth)

Deuteronomy 5:21

'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

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This little series has came to an end rather abruptly (to me) because I numbered them wrong and thought we were just up to nine. Apparently, I think we need 11 commandments----

Anyway, here we are on Commandment number 10: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors goods."

Of course, we know that our 'neighbor' includes everyone-- not just someone who lives by us. If we are supposed to love our neighbors (everyone) then we shouldn't covet what they have either.

And this one is hard-- I admit it. Because we always see something we want that someone else has. Someone has a new car, new clothes, new ring, new baby, new house, new calling, new ministry, new computer, new blog, new blog award, new *whatever*.

OR we covet others' relationships (marriages when ours isn't going the way we want), body (if we aren't liking ours), friends, tv, job opportunities (being a stay at home mom is something I've coveted at times), blog followers.....

Anything we covet-- is a sin.

And why is that (besides because God said it was)? Well, it is a sin because it makes us look like we aren't grateful for what God's given us. It can make us focus so much on what we don't have, that we don't enjoy what we do.

It can hurt marriages---

I remember a few years back, I was on a mommy message board. Everyone seemed to have happy marriages--- their husbands did this and that--- and guess what? Mine didn't!  Mine worked 3rd. Mine didn't get up to see his kids every evening. Mine didn't get up early at night to see me.  Mine didn't live up to the picture they were painting of their marriage.  And I found myself becoming more and more unhappy in my own marriage because I wanted what 'they' had.

Thankfully, the husband and I got through it. I stopped trying to compare him to other husbands (he really is a good husband :) ) (nd instead started comparing myself to other wives.... (which wasn't a good thing either to be honest...).

We have to remember that God gives us exactly what we have-- from our fingernails, to our hair, to our husbands/wives, to our kids, to our house, to our car, to our callings, to our carriers, etc. We have exactly what God wants us to have. And to want something else is a slap in God's face....

Ouch, Kelly! That hurt!

Yeah, it did. It hurt me too. I don't want to slap God, and I want to be thankful for everything I have-- and not dwell on everything I don't.

How about you?

God Bless You and I hope you did well on your 10 Commandments. I have some things I need to work on, but I'm so grateful God forgives.

~Kelly




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

2 New Blogs added to the Directory

Friends, please visit the Devotional Blog Tab above to find links to some terriffic devotional blogs.

I've added two new blogs tonight  (thanks Joan :) )

www.thebeautyinhisgrip.com

www.thebeautyinhisgripprayer.blogspot.com

Please visit Joan, Tricia and all of the other blogs to show them some love. You will be blessed by how God is using their words.

Remember, if you have a blog you'd like to add, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Thanks and have a great night :)

~Kelly

day 246: 10 Commandments (the Nineth)

Deuteronomy 5:20
 20 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

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Well... I think I'm pretty good on this one. I know I've never testified in a court hearing, and I know I haven't slandered my neighbors to a cop.

All good there...

Unless...

This commandment encompasses gossip as well... well... I might be in a bit of a pickle.

Gossip is something I try my best not to do, but sometimes, it just comes out. I have to tell God I'm sorry a lot of times over this-- and I try to do better.

What are the consequences for "testifying falsely against your neighbor'?

*Well... you have pretty ticked off neighbor.. and rightfully so. You've basically slandered them and given them a bad name. Most folks (if  my Southern can come out a bit) don't take kindly to that.

*You lose your credibility. If you testify falsely against someone, you become the boy who cried wolf. No one will believe you the second time. IF you think there is information maybe the police should know about.. make sure its correct and based on fact first. Once that trust is gone, it's hard to get back.

*You lose friendships. So, your neighbors/co-workers might not be your best buddies in the first place (why would you say bad things about them if they were?), but talking bad about them can make you lose your friends. Some people don't like being around a gossip-- some fine it extremely enjoyable (and are those really the kind of friends you want?)

This is a hard commandment to write about--- not because it's hard, but because it's easy. "Don't lie about your neighbor to anyone"

Yeap... that about sums it up. :)

God Bless You
~Kelly

Linked with: On My Heart Tuesday

Monday, February 20, 2012

Please Check out the Blog Directory....

I've added Mike's Blog, Life of Us and Saints. and I'll be adding another blog next month (when she gets her month in).


There are lots of blogs on there which are great to uplift you, and bring you a message from God. Visit them, encourage them, and show them some love.


As I mentioned in today's 365 post, if you'd like to add your blog, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com. Also, please send a brief (one to two sentence) blurb about your blog.


Also, if you are already on the blog roll, please link back using the 'I'm Listed At...' code on the right side bar.


Thanks so much for taking the time to read these great blogs!


~Kelly

day 245: 10 Commandments (the Eighth)

Deuteronomy 5:19
You must not steal.

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Personally, I think this is one of the easiest commandments to follow.

Don't steal.

Got it.

I guess we should just talk about exactly what stealing is:

*Not paying for something at the store (intentionally)

*Not paying for something at the store (unintentionally-- but not going inside to pay for it.... I've done that once.. felt bad for it too)

*Taking office supplies at work and using them at home.

*Using someone else's wireless internet connection as your primary one.

*Stealing cable/satellite programming.

*Buying a pirated movie/music

*And I'm sure there are lots, lots more.

What can you think of as stealing?

God Bless You,
~Kelly

*If you have a devotional blog, I encourage you to add it to the devotional blog roll at the top of this page. If you are interested, please send me an email at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com. Thanks :)

Sunday, February 19, 2012

day 244: 10 Commandments (the Seventh)

Deuteronomy 5:18
  You must not commit adultery

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Last Sunday in Sunday School, I was going over the 10 Commandments-- the intention was to show how hard they were to follow and how good it is now that we have Jesus and can get forgiveness when we fail.

So (much like I'm doing here on the blog), I went through the 10 commandments and how well I did/do with them.

I cut my eyes to my husband, who was sitting all staring... and I knew what he was waiting for--- would Kelly confess to adultery right in front of God and everyone at church?!?!

The short answer is no: No, I've never slept with anyone else. In fact, the hubs is my one and only (not that you needed to know that...).

The long answer, the one that was SO HARD TO ADMIT, in church, in front of my class, in front of my husband, is that yes-- I've committed adultery in my heart (ouch).

Everytime I watch a show, see a magazine, see a picture on the internet, and see a man whom I find very attractive, if my mind wanders off to (not nice things) then I'm sinning in my heart-- which is just as bad as sinning physically.

I've started really watching this because it can be so damaging on a marriage. The people in magazines or in movies aren't real--- well they are real as in physical-- but the people they portray aren't.

I remember once telling my husband to just pretend he had a screenwriter and say what he thought a 'leading man' would say... seriously.

The people in magazines have airbrush... stylists... the ability to work out 23 hours a day... publicists telling them what to say (because you see how big of trouble they get in when they go off and say what they really think on Twitter...). They are a money making machine, and they feed into the unrealistic ideals we have of men (and men have of women to be 'perfect' little housewives with spotless houses and tight bodies).

They're whole entire purpose is for you to fall for them so you will buy their product. A picture, an actor, an actress (no matter how physically attractive they are in a picture on screen) will never love you like your spouse does.. they will never hug you at night nor wipe your tears when you cry. They won't care about you when you get old... or still remember you when you were young enough to look good in bed.

Now, the other side of this commandment is physical adultery. I personally haven't had to deal with this, but I know people who have... and I've seen the toil it takes on them.

Keep it in your pants, people! (Men and women). An hour, two hours, heck even 15 minutes of 'pleasure' can't be worth a whole marriage.

And I get it.. I SOOO get it! Marriages get in ruts. Ours gets in ruts... and that's when your mind starts wandering... and that's when the danger starts.

As everything else, this can be forgiven-- probably easier to be forgiven by God to be honest than the person you've cheated on. But it is possible. I know some people who have committed adultery and have gone on to have great marriages... those are the exceptions I think. I know you have to pray about it and do what's right by YOU and YOUR situation... and NO ONE should judge you for that!

So, to sum up, be careful what you watch/look at. Whatever you put into your eyes goes to your heart. Even "good wholesome" romantic movies can hurt a marriage if you let it seep in and you try to imagine your spouse like that--- those people have 5 script writers behind them, telling them what to say... your spouse doesn't have that luxury lol.

God Bless You
~Kelly

*By the way, don't forget if you have a devotional blog, I'd love for you to add it to the blog roll in the tabs above. I'd love to have resources available to people who need it (and can say things better than I ever could). Email me at ohthatmomagain (at) yahoo (dot) com with a small blurb about your site if you are interested.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

day 243: 10 Commandments (The Sixth)

Deuteronomy 5:17
You must not murder.

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OH!!!!!!!!!!  A commandment I KNOW I haven't broken! HUZZAH!

I haven't ever killed someone. 

Let's back track to 'murder'. To me: Murder means to kill an innocent person intentionally. It might mean something different to you. I don't believe that soldiers are murderers. I don't believe that someone who causes an accident is a murderer. *I* believe murder is malicious and thought out.

Like I said, you can have a different idea, and that's fine. We all have to go with what God puts on our heart. I don't want to get into a debate on 'what is murder'.

So, I figure I'm pretty good on not breaking this commandment...

Oh.. wait....

Jesus said in Matthew 5:21,22 that hateful anger breaks this commandment. So... anytime you are mad at someone and wish them dead--  you are breaking this commandment. Anytime you 'hate' someone (remember anger leads to hate... hate leads to the darkside), you are breaking this commandment.

So, even if you don't actually murder someone physically-- you have broken this commandment morally if you have ever been angry/hate someone in your heart-- even for a second.

I'm So so sososoosososo glad that Jesus died for our sins so we can get forgiveness!

I don't know if I've ever plotted someone's demise, but I have really really REALLY disliked people (ok, hate would be a better word). What I was doing was sinning (even if I thought I was in the right). And that's not the way to be.

SO, even if I haven't physically murdered someone, even if I haven't plotted in my brain how to carry one out (that sounds awful doesn't it lol), I have had hate in my heart--- and Jesus said that's just as bad as murdering someone.


O-U-C-H!

Gotta do some repenting tonight!

How about you? Is this commandment cut and dry for you?

God Bless You

~Kelly (who needs to pray a whole lot....)


Friday, February 17, 2012

day 242: 10 Commandments (The Fifth)

Deuteronomy 5:16
‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

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As we continue on our journey through the 10 commandments, we've made it to number 5: "Honor your father and your mother."

Now....

We parents LOVE this commandment ;) It's one that is about us-- and I dare say we haven't quoted it once or twice to our unrulely kids *looks around innocently*

Here's a question: Do you think this commandment has an expiration date? Do you think that when you get 18 you don't have to follow this one any more?

I have no idea. I'm 31 and I still try to do what makes my mama happy.

I wish I had some answer for you for this commandment-- and I wish I had some profound words of wisdom for it.

Maybe you do... feel free to leave your intrepretation in the comments section below. What do you think this exactly means?

*I* think I follow this one pretty well. For the most part anyway....

What are you thoughts (hope I don't sound like I'm copping out on this one.... I just don't want to tell you something wrong).  I think that your parents birthed you, raised you, and you should respect them-- but I know people came from different experiences than I did.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

God Bless You
~Kelly


Thursday, February 16, 2012

day 241: 10 Commandments (The Fourth)

Deuteronomy 5:12
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.

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I go to church, so obviously I observe the Sabbath (yay me!).

But.....

Sigh....

I don't exactly follow this commandment to the letter. If you keep reading, no one in your household is supposed to do any work on the Sabbath--- not you, your kids, your servants, your donkeys, etc.

We live in such a busy world. We have 15 things to do before breakfast. Sunday is no exception. In fact, sometimes we have more to do since we put things off to do on that day.

God knows how much our body needs to rest.... and I don't mean just not working our normal Monday thru Friday job. Our body needs actual mind-relaxing rest.

I don't do that either....

As tired as I am alot of the time, I need too.

We need to take time to rest, to think about God, to recharge our batteries.

So far, I'm 3 out of 4 in the breaking of the commandments... I hope you are doing better....

God Bless You
~Kelly

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

day 240: 10 Commandments (The Third)

Deuteronomy 5:11
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.

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

I'm going to admit, I'm actually pretty good on this one :)

Why I've chosen THIS commandment to be faithful to, I have no idea lol.

What does this commandment actually mean? I take it to mean that you shouldn't say or use God's name when you aren't taking about him.

We all know that certain 2 word curse that lots of movies like to use (sigh.... sorry to put that in your head). However, there are other times when we use the Lord's name in vain. Sometimes as an exclamation in sentences... sometimes as a figure of speech... sometimes as a curse when we stub our toe.

All of that (innocent as it sounds) are breaking a commandment.

I'm not saying I've never done it, but I have tried my hardest not too.

This comes down to thinking before you speak. Also, it has to do with what you let your ears hear (ex. in movies, tv shows, etc). If you hear it enough, you become desensitized and it's easier to let it slip.

Remember to guard your heart, your eyes, and your ears.

God Bless You

~Kelly



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

day 239: 10 Commandments (The Second)

Deuteronomy 5:8
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind....

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If you missed yesterday, I'm going to go through the 10 Commandments and talking about each one.

This is the second commandment: You must not make any idol--

Great! (I say.... ). I don't have any golden calves around that I bow down too.

But wait..... an idol is something you worship. Something you put before God----

Wait a minute....

Could a computer be considered an idol? (Yes, if it takes away from God)

Can the TV or a hobby become an idol? (Yes, if you let it).

So far.... I'm 2 for 2 in the 'breaking' of the commandments, and we've just started. And here I thought I was a *good* person lol.

The point of this is to see how hard it is to obey the 10 Commandments completely and how much we fail (or I fail) even if we (I) don't mean too. This is why we have to examine ourselves daily to make sure we don't put anything before God.

It's ok to have hobbies and things that make you happy, we just have to make sure they don't start taking over our lives and taking time away from God.

God Bless You and Happy Valentine's Day (sorry this post today wasn't about love. I kinda dropped the ball on that one...)
~Kelly

Monday, February 13, 2012

day 238: 10 Commandments (The First)

Deuternomy 5:7
 You must not have any other god but me. 

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We were talking in Sunday School about how hard it would be to live by the law in the Old Testament. I'm neck deep in the law in the Bible in 90 days program I'm reading now (check tab above).

In all, there are 613 laws God gave the Israelites that they had to follow.

10 of them are what we lovingly call 'The 10 Commandments'.

We get all high and mighty sometimes thinking we don't break any of the 10 commandments. We are 'good' you know. Church going folks, who don't murder... don't commit adultry... don't steal... don't covet... BUT have you really sat down with your Bible and prayed about your life--- and how many of the commandments you actually do break?

NOW, this isn't to make you feel bad... it's to make you see how much we need Jesus. If not for him, we'd be hurting! He died so we don't have to do all of these.. and be condemed by them when we fail. But it is always good to go back and see how well you follow these commandments that we claim to follow.

*It's important to follow 10 commandments... as long as you don't expect them to get you to Heaven or save you.*

I'm going to do one a day for the next 10 days.

Today's is Commandment number 1: You must not have any other god but me.

Ok, I'm going to be really honest... as honest as I know how to be. I want you to do the same. My first instinct is to say, "NO, I don't have any other gods... check!"

And I don't have any 'gods' I bow down to or sacrifice too...

OR DO I?

Do I sacrifice my time to the internet?

Do I bow down to watch tv when I should be reading the Bible?

Do I let things into my house that I know I shouldn't (ie tv programs, etc.) and it takes my time away from God?

I looked up the definition of 'god' and got the normal things I expected (divinity, all powerful ruler) then I came across this:
 4 [singular] : something that is regarded as one of the most important things in someone's life
He made a god of money. [=he worshipped money; he regarded money as more important than it really is]

Hmmmmm..

So, a 'god' is something regarded as one of the most important things in my life. And I'm not supposed to have any other god's before God....

As much as I hate to admit this... I'm guilty of breaking the first commandment because I know there are things in my life that I think of (or at least act like it is) as more important than God.

Time for me to reflect on some things and do some repenting and some changing....

What about you?

Are you breaking the first commandment?  If so, don't beat yourself up about it. We are saved thru Jesus, not these laws. However, these are good things to do and keep. How can you change your ways so that you are keeping the first commandment?

God Bless You

~Kelly (who hopefully won't share too much personal stuff in the next 10 days lol)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

day 237: Sunday Worship

Colossians 3:16-17
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

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This says it better than I ever could. Today (and every day) sing songs, praise God, and do everything as a representative of Jesus.

I read a quote once that YOU are the only Bible some people read.

God Bless You
~Kelly



Saturday, February 11, 2012

day 236: Not Too Weak

Isaiah 59:1

Listen! The Lord's arm is not too weak to save you,
nor is his ear too deaf to her you call.

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We tend to forget how strong and how powerful God is. Have you ever tried taking care of one kid? Whether yours or someone else's, its a handful.

I have 3 kids. I know how hard they are to juggle.

Imagine having 600 billion-- most of which are the rebellious ones who don't even acknowledge you exist.

As any good parent, God doesn't give up on his kids just because they turn their back on him.

God hears every prayer that goes up. He might not answer it the exact way you think he should, but it will be answered.

When you are too tired to carry all of the weight/anxiety/frustrations/sadness/burdens on your shoulders, give them to God. He never gets tired.

God Bless You

~Kelly

Friday, February 10, 2012

day 235: Right Under Their Noses

Matthew 13:55-56

Then they scoffed, "He's just the carpenter's sons, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All of his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things? And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

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The residents of Nazareth had known Jesus since he was a little boy. They'd watched him grow up, become a big brother, play in the streets, help his Mama with the shopping, work with his father doing carpentery.....

He wasn't "Jesus their Savior". He was Jesus, Mary's boy.

The thought that their Jesus-- a carpenter no less-- was a prophet made them scoff.  The idea that Jesus was the Messiah and performed miracles bordered on crazy.

Sometimes when things are familiar to us, we don't see the awesomess in them.

*We don't see the greatness in our husbands/wives when we are with them every day.

*We don't see the joy of a sunny day when it's been sunny for 15 days straight.

*We don't see the 'uniqueness' of something we see every day.

I wonder if that's why Christianity spreads so much quicker in places where its never been taught before. It's so easy to be desensetized church and God when you hear about it all of the time (or at least see a church on every corner even if you don't attend.)

These people knew Jesus from the time he was knee high to a grasshopper. They'd watched him grow up and couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that he was their Savior. Don't let how close you know God keep you from actually knowing who He is.

God Bless You,

Kelly
Linked with: Brag on God Friday

Thursday, February 9, 2012

day 234: Hidden Scrolls/Hidden Bibles

2 Kings 22:8-11,13
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the Book of the Law in the Lord's Temple!" Then Hilkiah gave the scrolls to Shaphan, and he read it.

Shaphan went to the king and reported, "Your officials have turned over the money collected at the Temple of the Lord to the workers and supervisors at the Temple."

Shaphan also told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." So Shaphan read it to the king.

When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

"Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for all people and or all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll tha thas been found. For the Lord's great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do."

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I know it is a long verse(s) today, but I love this story. I was praying about what to type about tonight, and this popped into my head. I thought, "But Lord, I have no idea where to find it."

"2 Kings" popped into my head and I flipped to it. Going through, I saw "Found Scrolls" in the margin of my bible from the first time I did the Bible in 90 Days challenge.  It's amazing to me how God uses things like that :) Gave me goosebumbs :)

Anyway....

Like I said, I really like today's little mini lesson. How are people supposed to know about God if they aren't taught? How are we supposed to live like we are supposed to if we don't read the Bible and find out how?

How are we supposed to tell others about the Bible if we don't know it ourselves? (and by 'know it' I don't mean word for word... but a general understanding which comes from reading it daily helps)

These people sinned for years because their previous 2 evil kings didn't think the Books of the Law (either the first 5 books of the Bible or Deuteronomy) were important. Basically, they were tossed aside somewhere in the Temple. They could have easily been burned, thrown away like trash, sold to the highest bidder-- but they weren't. God protected them.

God knew where they were the entire time (like He knew where today's verses were). And He guarded them until the right time to show them again.

People need to know about the Bible-- actually what's in it and not what they 'think' is in it (there are lots of websites that have verses that people 'assume' are in the Bible, but aren't.  I'm nerdy enough to love those sites lol).

How can you spread the Bible around?

*Post verses on facebook


*Link your blog on facebook.


*Put a Bible verse in your email signature


*Donate Bibles to Goodwill or some other organization


How can I learn more about the Bible?

*Read it daily

*Memorize different verses that you can use in different situations

*Play Bible Trivia games

*Talk to others about it.


There are many other ideas out there. These are only a snippet. The point is that the world needs the Bible (even if they don't think they do). The scrolls were hidden in Josiah's day, and a revolution happened when they were found. Imagine what could happen now?

God Bless You :)

Kelly





Wednesday, February 8, 2012

day 233: A Gift

John 14:27
"I am leaving you with a gift-- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give you is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.


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If you wait for the world to make you happy, you will be miserable all of your life.

You will wait for the next big 'excitement' or 'yay you' or whatever it is that makes you 'happy' in the world-- and you will be happy for a few minutes, days even. But the joy will fade in a few days... a few minutes even.

Jesus' peace is different-- if you let it be. If you truly believe that He is in control of everything, you won't be troubled or afraid because, as the picture going around facebook says, "I've (Jesus) got this.

Don't look to the world to make you happy. The world is full of imperfect people. Look to the One who is perfect.

God Bless You :)

~Kelly



Tuesday, February 7, 2012

day 232: Seven Things

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates--
no, seven things he detests:
haughty eyes
a lying tongue
hands that kill the innocent
a heart that plots evil
feet that race to do wrong
a false witness who pours out lies
a person who sows discord in a family.

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I flipped to this verse tonight (I'm sure not by accident) and skimmed this list.  The things the Lord hates: killing the innocent, evil hearts, sowing discord, lies....

Lies.

We humans have a hierachy of evil. Murderers are at the top followed by rapists, thieves, etc. Liars are pretty much down at the bottom under the 'slap on the wrist' category... in our mind anyway.

Remember, all sins are equal in God's eyes (as hard as it for us to comprehend.) Your good sins don't trump someone's "worse" ones.

That can sound kind of depressing...

Well, it is and it isn't. It also means that you can get forgiven for anything if you TRULY believe it and feel remorse (and have Jesus in your heart). I don't advocate going out and killing someone and then pulling the 'Oh, I'll ask God to forgive me.. he has to" card. It doesn't really work that way.But I do know that God can save you from the sins of your past.

There is a preacher in Nashville. I watch him sometimes on Sunday mornings. When he was 18, he killed a man. I want to say it was a drug deal, but i don't remember exactly. Anyway, while in prison, God changed his life. He's now a pastor and has a wife and kids.

Don't try to compare your sins to others-- you will only have to answer for yours-- and not compared to any one else's "worse" ones.

God Bless You

~Kelly