The Beatitudes Versus the World

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I read the Sermon on the Mount today.  As always, it’s especially uplifting to read Matthew 5:1-26.  I may not be the most dynamic example of  a Christian, but I do seek the Lord and what He cares about.  These verses remind me that friendship with God is enmity with the world.  Must be fewer people who are friends with God making an impact because not much in the world today points to Jesus.

 

If you read the Beatitudes with worldly success in mind, it seems that nothing in those verses would look good on the resume of someone looking to get to the top of the ladder of success.  God’s ways are certainly not the same as the world’s, which is why “Jesus freaks” like myself who want God to have His way are so often perceived as an oddity.  Not a complaint…just an observation.

“14 You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

Snowball Effect

I’ve always noticed that when I make a grand step toward God, He answers my gesture with all kinds of evidence that He noticed.  My commitment to God’s Word for this year produced a growing hunger today — but not for a grilled cheese sandwich or my favorite Doritos.  Instead, I was flooded with a hunger to delve into more of God’s Word.  I really love the Truth.  For instance, when I read a story about the Bible but the story doesn’t get the facts quite right, it bothers me a lot.  The pure Truth is a lot more interesting than altered story details produced by inattention.

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For example, I read the story of Noah to Aubrianna out of her new Bible today, and the storyteller missed one of the most interesting things about Noah’s story.  It had never rained before — ever, in the history of the world — when he built the ark in the desert.  (When reading the story in a true translation of the Bible just now, I realized that it was through prior study that I learned this.)  So, anyway, Noah was trusting God for an event that had never taken place while being laughed at by the entire population of the world.  But because Noah was trusting in God and obeying Him explicitly, He was rewarded with life, not to mention that his family repopulated the earth!

I want to be sure and mention that part of the snowball effect I experienced today was better balance and productivity.  It was a full and satisfying day, and I do mean in the non-stomach type of way (which is progress).  Practically counting the hours until the new Bible arrives.  There’s no purchase that usually ever excites me as much as a new Bible, and that’s definitely true this time.

From my reading in Matthew today (virtually the same message Noah preached as he built the ark):

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[a]”

Matthew 4:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

2013 Resolution: Balance

Happy New Year!  Are you excited about 2013?  I needed and found something to get really excited about, and it’s linked to my First Love.  On the way to my mailbox is a new Life Application Bible.  I’ve had one before, but I think I gave it away.  This is a wonderful study Bible — some say it’s the best.  I’ll be reading all the way through the new Bible, though it will no doubt take me more than a year.  I want to do more than read.  I want to study and meditate and write about God’s Word.

I’ve just finished reading the New Testament through in 2012.  It was great!  I read it on my phone every morning before I do any solitary other thing and will continue to do that.  BibleGateway.com has handy reading plans, and there are several you can choose from, not to mention that you can read it in your favorite Bible translation.

The Word of God reminds me that the Almighty is so powerful.  I know that God gives me the grace to accomplish balance in my life, and that’s my resolution for 2013.  I want it to become a way of life.  Common sense dictates that I should have already achieved balance a long time ago, and it should already be a habit.

But I’m talking about a balance with everything.  Food, activities, what I do with my time, etc.

It’s important to me to spend a lot of time in the Word of God because I daily watch the news and other shows, almost none of which feed my spirit.  The most important part of balance is to allow God’s Truth to have an input in my life that’s more compelling than the input the world has on my mind and heart each day.

I also need to establish daily ways to get more exercise, since I work in my den.  I’m gonna feel so much better as I do a better job of achieving balance.  And I’ll leave a few notes on Daily Pep Talk every day about something from my Bible reading.

I’m going to wait and delve into the Old Testament when the new black Bible with ivory flowers and my name imprinted arrives.  Til then, I’m reading the New Testament.

What impressed me today from Matthew 1 was that there were 14 generations dividing the major moments in the history of God’s chosen people.  God is very orderly (as well as Creative), and He has chosen a time when life as we know it will forever end on this earth.  Every day of our lives impacts eternity in a positive or negative way, and eternity isn’t all that far from any of us.

 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1:17
New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

Days 16 & 17: 100 Proof Truth

READ:

God’s Word is so powerful.  You’ve heard of 100 proof liquor?  Well, this is 100 proof Truth.  There’s nothing more powerful.  In fact, Jesus said that the Truth will set you free!  The most important truth we can understand is that God loves us and already knows the end from the beginning.  Nothing that happens surprises Him.  Something may seem like terrible news to us, but it’s actually not terrible news at all.  All we need to do is trust and believe that God is doing just what He says in His Word, and we can hold our peace.  He says that ALL THINGS work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  This is why we can sincerely rejoice in everything, as Christians.

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5
New Living Translation (NLT)

First page of the Gospel of Mark, by Sargis Pitsak, a Medieval Armenian scribe and miniaturist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PRAY:

Thank you, Lord, that when You close a door, You open a window.  You always meet our every need, when our faith is in You.  Continue to keep people engaged in the presidential election, Lord.  May the right man to help America regain strength win.

EAT:

Weight:  200.2

After I began writing full time a few years back, I gained most of this weight.  Believe me when I say it has been a huge struggle to stay on track with the diet!  What a great reward to see that the HCG drops are still working, and I’m slowly dropping pounds.  I’m determined to allow this time to change my eating habits, which may be the most important part of this entire process.

Day 13, 14, and 15: The Role of Faith

READ:

Another way of putting Christianity in a nutshell?

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.[a]

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
New Living Translation (NLT)

Faith is at the heart of Christianity, but it’s not the faith to do whatever we want.  It’s faith that’s linked to obedience to God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  It’s a supernatural life!

Faith Happens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PRAY

Lord, please guide the outcome of the issue regarding the freedom of students in high schools to use scripture on signs, if they want to.  Stop the suppression of all things Christian!  Continue to awaken voters and urge people to get out and vote for the man You want leading America for the next 4 years.

EAT

Weight:  201.4

Why haven’t I had more progress?  Well, it’s like this.  I’m not doing as perfect a job of following the guidelines as I started out.  Weight loss is slower.  But at the same time, I’m not suffering from constant headaches and other issues which distract me from simply doing my work.  Since I started this program of fasting and prayer, I have been blessed with twice the wage-earning opportunities.  My writing and now also marketing business is flourishing better than ever before.  I’m thankful to God who is the giver of all good things.

Read, Pray Eat Days 11 & 12: Got the Drops!

Sure symbol of God’s love. (Photo credit: Tatiana P.)

READ:

I felt like I literally read someone else’s mail this morning.  Don’t know why I don’t get that idea more often as I read the Bible, since the books are virtually always letters to the church.  I suppose this chapter had a lot of direct comments about specific people and churches.  But here’s one verse that resonates as a message to all:

12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
New Living Translation (NLT)

I think if there are any words that could sum up God’s entire message about life in one sentence, it would be as simple as “Love God and one another.”

It’s awesome that Almighty God is love!

 

PRAY:

Lord, the debates are tomorrow night and I pray that you will bless the debates to be another revelation of the men running for President.  Let true colors shine through, and open the understanding of undecided Americans everywhere about the importance of voting for the right man to lead our nation.  If people have been fooled, including me, open our eyes.  Motivate the people to vote who will vote in Your man for America.

EAT

Weight:  202.2

The HCG drops finally came in the mail.  So I’m back in the race to lose weight.  Pray for me!  The diet has been affecting me more dramatically lately, making life especially uncomfortable and difficult.  I’m still working hard on a lot of additional work I’ve been blessed with.  So this is no time to be distracted from a focus on work.

 

 

Read, Pray, Eat Day 10: What Does God Want You Doing?

READ

Colossians 4, like the other chapters in the book, is filled with wonderful scriptures.  I get so much conviction from reading this chapter.  For instance,  it reminds me that my conduct at all times should be a display of the Lord’s graciousness.  Here’s the verse that really sparks a response in my Spirit today:

17  “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.”

Colossians 4:17b
New Living Translation (NLT)

I think it’s a big mistake to live an unexamined life.  And when we do take a close look at what we’re doing with the gift of life, the most important question is whether we are carrying out the work the Lord gave us to do.

I believe that in raising my grandchildren, I’m fulfilling my ministry.  However, are my life and actions demonstrating a devotion to God?  I believe in missions and outreach through service to others.  What I need to do is find a way for the kids and I together to serve others who can use a helping hand.

In the past, I’ve helped with numerous types of outreach, and those are some of my favorite memories.  Those are unforgettable times in which I experienced the deepest kind of joy.  But, alas, for many, many years now — since my divorce from an unfaithful spouse — I have not found my place in a church.  I’m trying to find a place to worship the Lord with sincerity, and what I find is a society in which I, as a divorcee and whatever I’m perceived to be, is not at all welcome.  I know that this is not what most people experience, thank heaven.  But I’m a very different type of person — “strange” by the world’s standards, no doubt.  I’m passionate about God but not concerned with fitting in with the world’s definition of how to fit in (such as the stylish clothes and hairstyle and shoes of the day).  And just my mindset makes me weird.

But the Lord has given me a ministry, and I hope and pray to fulfill it in a way that pleases Him.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PRAY

Lord, get people stirred up to vote.  And for anyone who is open, bless that minds and hearts will be changed as needed to vote for the man You want in the Whitehouse.  We desperately need you as a nation, Lord.  Bless that we, the voters, will do our part to return America back to her founding principles (which are based on Your Word).

Bless Mitt Romney and President Obama to show their real selves in a real and undeniable way, Lord.  Bless that those watching will have a personal revelation of how each of the men tick.  Let this revelation stir voters to elect the best president.

EAT

Weight:  (forgot to weight this morning!)

No HCG drops; they are on the way.  Striving to eat basically the same foods as the diet, but definitely cheating.  It’s mostly things that help me wake up that I’m indulging in.  I’m not a coffee drinker, and I fool myself into thinking that foods serve as my caffeine.  Will get back to the strict diet when I have the drops to burn fat.