"Come On, Jump"

A true woman trusts God.

She leans on Him and depends on Him in times of joy, pain, hardship, uncertainty, and confusion.

• Psalm 55:22 "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

I remember when my daughter, Alison was very small, Tim would sit her on top of our refrigerator and hold out his arms and say, "Come on, jump".  She would look right into his face. lean forward, and jump.  His hands always grabbed her and into his arms she would fall, with a huge smile on her face. She completely trusted her daddy.  He wasn't going to let anything hurt her.  He would not allow her to fall.

God can be completely trusted.  He calls to you, "Come on, jump!  Cast your cares on Me."  His arms are big enough and strong enough to sustain you.  He will never let you fall.  Do you trust Him?

Dear Heavenly Father, You are a God that can be trusted. Thank you that you always sustain me. I am glad for your promise that you will never let me fall.  Help me trust you more and more, in any and all situations.    

Trusting Him, 

Pam

Fill in the Blank

The Thanksgiving holiday is over and it is back to the morning routines.  I hope you all enjoyed your time with friends and family.  I trust that you were able to live out the Truths that we are learning, even in the midst of whatever chaos you found yourself.

A true woman trusts God.

She leans on Him and depends on Him in times of joy, pain, hardship, uncertainty, and confusion.

• Deut. 33:27a "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
• Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Are you depending upon His arms to carry you, since He is your refuge?
Do you miss out on rest because you depend on yourself rather than dwell in His shelter?
Meditate on the images in these verses: refuge, arms, shelter, shadow, fortress.  Given your situation today, what provisions do these offer? 


I will say "He is my... (you fill in the blank)".

Mr. Experience

A true woman trusts God

She doesn't give in to her feelings, because she knows that God can be trusted.  He knows and understands everything about her, and His good, perfect and loving plan will not be thwarted.

• Isaiah 41:10  "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Don't you just wish we could get a truth nailed into our minds and hearts without having to experience it?  Me too, but somehow that is never the way the Lord works in me.  Maybe that is not my learning style.  For me experience always seems to be the best teacher.  Just last night I had one of those experiences.   I don't know if it was the busyness of the day, Thanksgiving prep, the attitude of my hubby, or menopausal; but my feelings, fears and emotions were very close to the surface.  Actually just on the tip of my tongue!  The Spirit was saying, "Do you trust Me?"  I cried out, "Yes, but I need your help.  Help Me! Help Me!"  I am happy to say that once again He came to my aid.  He was there to strengthen me and help me.  He upheld me.  Experience taught me that He can be trusted.  I pray that I will pass the next test as well!

The Planner

A true woman trusts God

She knows that God can be trusted.  God understands everything about her life, and His good, perfect and loving plan will not be thwarted.

• Proverbs 21:30 "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
• Isaiah 14:27 "For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?  His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"

I am a planner.  I like a plan.  I love to plan. However, not all of my plans turn out. Somethings turn out better than I had planned.  Other people can effect my plans. Needless to say, the whole world can not trust and rely on my plans.  With God that is not the case.  He can be completely trusted.  We are able to rely on His plans for our lives. He has a plan.  He loves to plan.  And His plan will not be thwarted.

• Do your plans include God?
• Are your eyes open to see God work His plan in wherever it leads you today?
• In what area of your life are you not trusting God and His plan?

O God, you are completely trustworthy.  Nothing you do is ever wrong, ever unloving, ever an afterthought.  May I rest in your care today as I live out your plan in my life.  Help me trust you in all things.  In Jesus' name. Amen

Trust Him

Today we will move on to a new truth.  That doesn't mean that we forget about living a God-centered life; we add to that foundation. A true woman trusts God. She doesn't give into fear.  She knows that God can be trusted.  He knows and understands everything about her situation.  His good, perfect, loving plan will not be thwarted. Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." "I know"- the more you know about God the more confident you will be in Him. "You can do all things" - I always love to see the word 'all'. "no plan of yours can be thwarted"- not one- that is assuring.  When boarding a plane, you want to know that the pilot is sure of where he is headed. Or when going into surgery, that the doctor has a course of action.  Or even when ordering a meal, that the chef has followed a proven recipe. We trust people everyday. How much more reassuring to know that the God of the universe can be completely trusted.  He can handle anything that comes our way.  There is nothing that can cancel His plan.  No, not one!

Who me? Holy!

A true woman lives a God-centered life.

She lives a life of repentance, holiness, and service; but above all, she is enthralled with Christ!

• 1 Peter 1:15-16 "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.""
• God is the One who called us.
• He has called us to holiness.
• He has called us to be holy in ALL that we do. 

Holiness is not just a "Sunday only" activity.  We are called by God to be holy in ALL that we do. I know you are probably saying, "Who me? Holy?"  And God answers back, "YES, You. Holy!"  When we are completely enthralled with Christ who is living within us, we desire holiness.  Do you desire holiness?  Look to Him.  He is holy.  He is there to help you, to come to your aid, to show you holiness.  He is holy and will be holy in your life.  So- Yes you can.  Be Holy.

Dear Lord, give me a passion to love you more and more each day. May I desire holiness within me. Help me be holy in my words, actions, dress and attitudes. In Jesus' name. Amen

Haz-Mat Suit

A true woman lives a God-centered life.

She lives a life of repentance, holiness, and service; but above all, she is enthralled with Christ!

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 "Since we have these promises*, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
• *What promises?  The preceding verses tell us that we are the temple of the living God; As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, I will be their God and they will be my people." and "I will receive you and you will be my sons and daughters."
• We are to purify ourselves from things that contaminate us. The picture in my mind is of someone in a haz-mat suit not wanting to even touch it. (Get rid of the garbage and gunk!)  What hazardous material in my life needs to be removed?
• We are to perfect holiness.  Perfecting is an on going process.  It doesn't just happen on it's own. What discipline of holiness am I pursuing?
• We are to prefer the reverence of God.  Our love and devotion to God is what drives us to this type of lifestyle.  It is not for us to look good.  Does God know my love and devotion to Him based on my choices?

  

Dear Heavenly Father;  You are Holy and perfect in all your ways.  Thank you for being my God and calling me your daughter.  Help me today to desire holiness out of reverence for you.  May I choose purity in my thoughts, words and actions because of who you are to me.  Help me to recognize you living in me and may I never want to tarnish your image.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Here Comes the Bride

A true woman lives a God-centered life.

She lives a life of repentance, holiness, and service;  but above all, she is enthralled with Christ!

• Ephesians 5:27 "and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
• We are the bride of Christ.  
• A Bride without stain, wrinkle or blemish.
• A Bride that is holy and blameless.

  There is a lot of preparation that goes into a wedding.  The Bride finds that perfect dress. That gown is fitted, tailored, pressed and carefully hung up awaiting that special day. The day that she has been waiting for; the day that she sees her groom.  All eyes will be on the bride as her eyes are on the bridegroom.  

  The Lord Jesus died not only to bring forgiveness but also to effect a new life of holiness for his bride.  We are dressed in the perfect garment, without wrinkle, stain, or blemish. All eyes are on us, as our eyes are on the Lord Jesus Christ.  After all, He is the lover of our souls!  

  A special Congratulations to Kelsey who will marry her love on Saturday! 

I'm Chosen

A true woman lives a God-centered life. She lives a life of repentance, holiness, and service; but above all, she is enthralled with Christ! Ephesians 1:4 "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight." He did the choosing and wanted you and me. He chose us before the world was even created; years before we were born; long before we could do anything good for Him. His will results in us being holy and blameless. I have been chosen by God, before He created the world.  Holiness is the result-not the basis-of God's choosing.  Christ in me provides a holy and blameless life.  He is at work within me, providing what I couldn't do---be holy and blameless. Doesn't that make you want  to live for Him? Father, Thank you for choosing me.  I am humbled to think, you the God of creation, the God of the universe, would want me.  Thank you.  Since Jesus is residing in me, Help me to live my life pleasing you and honoring Him.

End Results

A true woman lives a God-centered life.

She lives a life of repentance, holiness, and service; but above all, she is enthralled with Christ! Let's take today's verse, phrase by phrase.

• Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.
• We were conforming to the world's example. That is not to be our model any longer.
• Our mind can and must be renewed-which will transform us.
• THEN- (there is a result) We will be able to test and approve what God's will is.
• God's will is good, pleasing and perfect. 

We all want the end result, which always requires something on our part.  You want to be in shape and lose weight, you will have to exercise and eat less.  You want a clean kitchen, you will have to scrub. You want a great garden, you will have to get your hands dirty and pull some weeds. You want to know God's will, you must renew your mind.  What do you want for your life?  What do you need to do today to get your end result? I am praying this verse for you. In Jesus' name, Pam

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 A True Woman lives a God-centered life.

She "turns her eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of her problems and sees these challenges in the context of His greatness. In doing you bring glory to God and obedience to His word.  I thought I would include the words to the hymn, "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus", words and music by Helen H. Lemmel.  Enjoy!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion—
For more than conquerors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

"IF"y Faith

A true woman lives a God-centered life.   She "turns her eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of her problems and sees these challenges in the context of His greatness. Mark 9:22b-23 "If You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!" And Jesus said to him, "'If You can!' All things are possible to him who believes." Our faith is weak. "IF you can..." His response is strong.  "ALL things are possible..." The end result is a miracle!   Our faith is "if"y at best.  I am so glad that we can turn to Jesus, even with our small "if"y faith and He CAN!  Think about a situation where you need Jesus to step in and work a miracle.  He says, "I CAN, ALL things are possible to you who believe."   My response: "YES, I BELIEVE!"

RSVP the invitation

A true woman lives a God-centered life. She "turns her eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of her problems and see these challenges in the context of His greatness. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest from your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Jesus invites ALL to come to Him for rest. Jesus invites us to take on His yoke. Jesus invites us to learn from Him. When we come to Jesus, taking on His yoke, and learning from Him we will experience His gentle and humble heart.  Will you accept His invitation?  RSVP right now.   Dear Lord Jesus; Thank you for the invitation.  You know what is the very best for me. Help me to take on your yoke and let you lead me by your gentle and humble heart.  I accept your invitation and am coming to you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Get the Mud Out

In the morning, I usually try to get out and get my exercise.  I do a lot of thinking while running and in the shower after wards.  Yesterday, I was meditating on the verse that I had posted.  Taking it phrase by phrase, word by word.  Here are some of my thoughts:    She "turns her eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of her problems and sees these challenges in the context of His greatness. Psalm 103:14 "For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust." God has created me and knows me intimately.   He recognizes that I am dust.   Why dust?  What do I know about dust?   I know that dust can be a mess.  I know that when I try to handle a situation with my own blood, sweat and tears, I make mud.  Yuck!  Mud is a bigger mess than dust!  Mud is just dust stuck on it's self.  I also know that He is able to clean me white again.  Something I am unable to do.  To live a God-centered life, I must look to Him.  Dust is much better than mud.   I shared my thoughts, I'd love to hear yours! Pam

Look past the Dust

  A true woman lives a God-centered life.  

She "turns her eyes upon Jesus" in the midst of her problems and sees these challenges in the context of His greatness.

• Psalm 103:14 "For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust."
• He knows you inside and out.  
• There is nothing that happens to you that He doesn't know.  
• He knows all- your feelings, your thoughts, your weaknesses, your dirt.

Since He knows all, turn to Him.  Don't try to hid or do it yourself. Look to Him. 

The Real Picture

Originally published November 5, 2010

A true woman lives a God-centered life.   She embraces her created purpose: to join every created thing in heaven and earth in worshipping and glorifying Him eternally.  Then why am I so quick to think the world revolves around me?  Let's look at the real picture. Revelation 5:11-13 "And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."  And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever." AMEN Join in on the real picture. Worship Him now and forever. Father, how I love and adore you.  You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory.  May my heart be continually full of praise to You. Pam

Two Headed Monster

Originally published November 4, 2010

As I awoke this morning, my first thought was a two-headed monster.  Let me explain.  I desire to live a God-centered life.  I know that is really the only way to live.  However the other me; wants to rule. She wants to be in charge. It is like I am a two-headed monster, which is not pretty.  I must constantly put to death this ugly beast. Psalm 95:6  "Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." He is worthy to be worshipped.  I am not. He is my Maker.  I am not. He is LORD.  I am not  Submitting to God is the only way to live, anything else is not living. God, You are LORD.  Forgive me for every time I try to put myself into your place.  You are the only One to be worship.  I bow my will before you. Pam

Worship: Now and Later

Originally published November 3, 2010

We are created to worship and glorifying Him forever.  That is something we don't start doing when we are in heaven, when we see Him face to face, but Now, daily, moment by moment. Philippians 2:10-11 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It brings glory to God when we declare Jesus Christ is LORD. Is He LORD of your life?  It is more than just confessing Him with your words. Bow your knee to Him.  Let your actions declare "Jesus you are my LORD" Jesus Christ, you are LORD; I am not!  May my life show that I follow you and your ways. Let my words and actions be directed by you and your word, not myself or the world.   Pam

God is Seeking You

Originally published November 2, 2010

A true woman lives a God-centered life.   We are focused the week on embracing our created purpose: to worship and glorify Him. John 4:23  "the true worshiper shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Did you know that God is seeking you to worship Him? Watch for moments today that God is seeking you out to worship Him? I'd love to hear about those "God moments"! Lord, help me to be aware of you today.  Don't let me miss even one moment or opportunity to worship you. Pam

Created to Worship

Originally published November 1, 2010

  A True Woman lives a God-centered life.  

She embraces her created purposes: to join every created thing in heaven and earth in worshipping and glorifying Him eternally.

• Psalm 96:6-7 "Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.  Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength."
• You are to worship and give Him glory.
• Stop thoroughout the day and praise Him (set a timer if you need to :)

Lord, You are worthy of all praise, glory and honor.  Everything is yours.  I worship and adore you, You are God.

Pam

p.s. If you have girls in your life, it is never too early or too late to begin teaching these truths to them, O families of the peoples.

I Can't, You Can

Originally published October 29, 2010

  A True Woman lives a God-centered life.  

A life that says, "Not what makes me happy but what pleases Him. "  

This is hard to live out.  It is like taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps backward.  How can we do it?

• Heb. 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
• How do we do live to please God?  By coming to Him, by seeking Him, by placing our faith in Him- that is the only way that we can live a God-centered life. 
• It is all about Him.

  Lord, Thank you that it is not up to me.  I can't do this alone no matter how hard I try.  I am trusting in you and looking to you.  Thank you that although I can't, You can! 

 

Pam

Show and Tell

Originally published October 28, 2010

A True Woman lives a God-centered life.

She doesn't just say that God is the Lord of her life, she lives in such a way that her action show that He is the center.

• 1 Thess. 4:1 " Finally, brethren (sisters), we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.  Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
• How do your actions show that you are pleasing God?
• Today, think before you react.  Does this please God?

Dear Father; I desire to please you, the True and Living God, with my life.  Help me to respond with a single purpose- to please You.

 

Pam