Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Contentment again!!!

1 Timothy 6

3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

I am in a battle one with my mind, hopes and dreams and the words of God.

I know I have so much to be thankful for. I know I am rich far beyond what I deserve! So why do I find myself always wanting more?? I hate it! I am never satisfied with what I have. I am selfish and ungrateful.

I wish I could pluck this out of my heart and just be content! Not by gaining worldly possessions or stuff I want but by just being content with what I have right NOW! Content in Jesus! I spend time reading His word and realise how far short I fall. Paul was so in love with Him and His people. He was passionate about the Gospel and sharing it with others. He was unafraid to stand up for Jesus even when it meant jail and beatings. I want that passion! I want to live for Jesus like that no matter the cost! Everything here on earth will fade away. Only Jesus and your eternal state with Him, will one day matter so why am I so attached to this world and it's stuff! It's not where I belong!

Friday, June 11, 2010

The last day!

Today is the last day of Stuart's course and it has been challenging to say the least! Part of me is re-leaved and the other worried about what comes next.

It is extremely hard work running a home, looking after and meeting the needs of 4 small children but it is also so rewarding! I have learnt a lot about myself this past 4 weeks some good, some not so good. I have been reminded of the importance in structure and routine. Which has lead me to be more structured.

I have also learnt to appreciate my children as individuals once again and appreciate the help I have had from Stuart over the 18mths he has been out of work.

I have also come to appreciate my friends more for their help and advice. This husband at work and wife at home hasn't been part of my life for so long, it kind of became unnatural at first but now its reminded me that its what thousands of families do everyday. Hopefully this will lead me to be joyful and content knowing I am not the only one who has a tiring day. Women everywhere have to do the same chores I have to do everyday, often un-thanked and often only the things they do, get noticed when they are not done. I know God is watching me as I serve Him in my home looking after the needs of the wonderful family He has blessed me with. I serve Him not so people can praise me or see what a tidy home I have (or don't have as the case maybe). He knows I am working for His glory. So I need to remind myself that next time the "washing fairy" magically picks the clothes up off the bedroom floor, washes them. irons them (eventually!) and puts them neatly in the wardrobe that it doesn't matter if I don't get thanked, God sees it and knows I am working for Him.

Colossians 3

Rules for Holy Living
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Just keep repeating it to yourself Lorna!

Matthew Ch 6
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.


God know's what I need which is different to what I want! I need to trust Him He will provided what is required to do His work. I want to be useful and not stressed about things. I want a faith like a child who so unconditionally trusts their parent. Please give me Faith like that Lord.

Sunday, June 06, 2010

God's friends even though we still sin! AMAZING!

Romans 5

Faith Brings Joy
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.


Chapter 7

18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

Hold fast



To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope

You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

One day Jesus will return and He will make everything new and good and right! PRAISE GOD!

REDEEMED!

Redeemed--how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose way I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.


It's amazing how the words of a old hymn can put life into perspective! It's great that I have a clean slate every time I come back and that I don't have to try to do better (thanks Scott!)

Thank God that its not what we do but all about His amazing Grace.

Thank you Lord that you saved me,
I pray you will forgive me and help me to run from sin in my life which so easily ensnares me.
Help me to follow regardless of how I feel, help me to obey and love you with all my heart not just half of it.
Thank you Jesus that you loved me enough to die for me and that it is by your blood I can come into the presence of a living Holy God and not be destroyed as I deserve.
Help me to walk by faith not by sight,
in Jesus name Amen

Dusty Bible!

My Bible has dust on it!
I can't remember the last time I read it!
I have put down my sword, and am unwilling to pick it up again!

I know I should read it, I know I should follow it,
I feel like my flame is dying and the thread is fraying.

Nothings changed on God's side of the relationship,
I've just given up the fight.
He still loves me, wants to help me, so why am I so unwilling to ask for His help?

I feel like a failure, I keep getting it wrong, I keep making mistakes, I stop trusting!
I hate my sin, I feel so engulfed by it, I want to withdraw from people.

I know I'm a being a bad example to my kids, and lacking motivation as a wife, I am not very useful in my church, my mouth doesn't spread the word, I'm an embarrassment to my God.

Why can't I stop sinning?!?!
Why am I up and down?!?!
Why can't my flame always burn for God?!?!
Why is it so hard to do the right thing and follow God, why do I still think I know best??!! And am then surprised when it turned out I was wrong again?!

I'm fed up with confessing the same sins again, again, God must be tired of hearing my pathetic apologises, knowing I will do the same thing again tomorrow!

I need to read my Bible, I need to shake the dust off and start again.....