AM I A COMFORTER???

I have the older two boys going through a study on affliction, which is part of the curriculum we use.  It has been an excellent study and one of the books of the bible that they are going through is Job.  This of course has me in the book of Job also, and I am so thankful it does. I'm learning a lot.  Here is a verse that struck me this morning, probably because one of my children pointed it out yesterday.  

 

Job: 16:2-5

                  

I have heard many such things: miserable comforters [are] ye all.

Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

I also could speak as ye [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage [your grief]

I can testify to some times in my life when I have been just like Job's friends but with God's grace may I take to heart this counsel and allow God to help me in this area in the future. It reminds me of the verse that says to "let your speech ALWAYs be seasoned with grace".  Oh may God give me grace filled speech!

Thou art my God

Hosea 2: 23b....

And I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; And they shall say, Thou art my God.  

That is such an awesome verse that I just had to post it.  I was just basking in the fact this morning that I can say....Thou art my God.  God in His grace and mercy has given me the way to say....Thou art my God.  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.  May I always be thankful and remember what the Lord has done for me.  

cg

Are You Overwhelmed

Psa 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.

This morning I read this Psalm during my time with the Lord and He so comforted me with this verse.  I am so thankful that I can be led to the rock that is higher than I.  The One that is unmovable and a firm foundation!  I am thankful that the Lord reminds me that His ways are higher than mine.  My husband said during devotions last night that when we are on the wrong road we can't find the right "rest stops".  I thought that was so good.......We truly find rest in His ways.  Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Ahhh...what a great God we serve!

Thank you Jesus for your care for me!

cg

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

We had a wonderful time last night with the children.  Jonathan had received a glow in the dark stick two nights ago at Jacob's piano recital and we promised him that we would play hide and seek with the glow stick, in the dark, the next night.  We had so much fun!  It really brought to light ( no pun intended ) some scriptural truths.  One of our children hid it so hard that we could not see the light in the dark at all to clue us into where it might be. We searched and searched to no avail, finally we had to be shown.    When we finished playing we gathered around in the dark and  sang This Little Light of Mine and talked about the fact that as Christians we have the light of Jesus and that the purpose of it is to shine in a dark world so that others can see Jesus.  Even though that light is always there we can hide it,  but what happens when we hide it?  Others cannot find what they truly need.  We asked the children what are some ways that they can let their light shine and we all came up with the fact that when we walk in His ways ( witnessing, loving one another, obedience, etc.... )  His light shines through us.   

Time to Focus

This year the Lord provided an opportunity for me to attend a LPA through the generosity of my in-laws ( really in- love as well as in law but we'll stick with tradition ).  This was a time for me to go and spend time focusing just on the Lord and allowing Him to minister to my heart.  There were things that He showed me that needed to go and things that needed to be put on.  I am thankful that the Lord is always molding us into His image and what He desires for us.  The one thing I walked away with was the fact that I love to gather with my sisters in Christ who have a sincere heart.  I was also provoked unto love and good works by what the speakers shared and what that meant for me was that my good work is to rest in Jesus and to be compelled by the love of Christ in all I do because He first loved me and gave His life for me.  

I don't know about you but in the every day life of being a wife and mother it is hard to quiet ourselves long enough to hear that still small voice that guides us.  I am so thankful that God gives us these times.  

cg

DIRT POTS :-)

 We had a wonderful Lord's Day yesterday with so much encouragement from God's word.  The one thing that stuck out to me was: 

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. BUT we have this treasure in EARTHEN VESSELS, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 

 

I was struck by the earthen vessels portion which the speaker brought out that they are fragile and they break yet that is what God calls us;  but it is through these cracks that God's light can shine through so that others may see Jesus.  I don't always like those cracks but when this happens others can see the power of God working and not us!  

I pray that in my life that others see the power of God and not myself.  The speaker challenged me/us to not be China ( as in fine dishes, looking oh so good in a prideful way ) but to be the earthen vessels that God calls us.   Yep!  That's it.....just plain old dirt pots used for the Glory of God! 

The next verses go on to say this: 

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.  

I may suffer many things on this side of heaven but God will not abandon me and through my trials may I be the earthen vessel that He has said I am ( cracks and all )  so that others may see His power working in my life! 

We truly serve a great God!

cg