I finished my 21 day fast and reading plan so am on to another reading plan. This one is the Life Application Study Bible Devotion Reading Plan thru YouVersion. I LOVE THIS APP!! This reading plan is for 1 year so I will have all the reading I can handle each day ;-) Loving the fact I'm making myself accountable to actually reading scripture each day. My downfall is procrastination and lack of dedication when it comes to reading my bible & praying daily. If I get it done once a week, I'm doing good! As you can also see... I've got to step it up & do more SOAPs to keep up with my reading :-) ok... one thing at a time I guess... lol!
Today's SOAP
S - Psalm 6:6, NLT I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.
O - (My observation is coming from the "Additional Content" of the reading plan in YouVersion. They usually have a great devotional or statement with each scripture)
Pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with anger or despair because God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash outward acts or turning inward toward depression. But because we trust in our all-powerful God, we don't have to be victims of circumstance or be weighted down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God, and he will help you turn your attention from yourself to him and his mercy.
A - Wow! I needed to hear that today! Been plagued with stress this week. Not sleeping well, not feeling well & feeling of depression is coming over me. I'm having to continually remind myself that "God is in control, NOT ME!" I am a control freak & when things are beyond me I tend to worry... A LOT! I need to use the time that my mind begins mulling over situations/issues to cry out to God. To be honest with him & let him take over. Why can I not just give it to him & let him keep it? I've seen him work miracles before but yet I cling... cling to the things that don't matter rather than cling to his promises. I've been doing this for a long time & have talked to others about why they do it but don't always heed my own advice. Why? Do I truly think I can make things better?? I'm loving this Beth Moore book & know it's helping me work through these issues. All things come together for His Glory!!
P - Lord, help me realize my weakness & when I have those feelings of needing to handle things, let me hand them to you. When I feel frustrated or depressed let me weep, sob & cry out to you! Let me not just "hear" your word but let me "learn it & apply it"
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Testimony from Zoe Youth Ski Trip 1-14-11 thru 1-17-11
I've been a little off on my journalling but have stayed on with my reading of the Word since I've been gone. Back to work today & had time to write this. Trying to catch up on Beth Moore reading.... but, I just had to share this!
I've been a Christian & youth sponsor for a long time now... I've shared my testimony with many young girls (one on one or small group) over the years but I have this fear of speaking in front of large groups! Stage fright as it might be, but God pushed me this past Sunday night! Right in front of about 45 people! I usually get tongue tied & so nervous I forget what I need to say or do but wow! the Holy Spirit put me in my place!
Let me preface this with the fact that we had 1 girl who does not believe in God & 2 others that say they do & praise like they do but live like the world (sexually & with drugs/alcohol). I knew these girls were "faking" it the night before & for some time before & one in particular has been on my heart for some time but the timing has not been right for me to approach her about her lifestyle. Our night began with a meeting of our sponsors & a time of prayer over the room, worship team & for lives to be changed. In that prayer time sponsors prayed for direction of the service, walls to be torn down, freedom from past sins & for God's touch in the lives of the students. We were open for anything God put on our hearts that night & Andrew (our youth pastor) asked that if anyone had anything to share during service to please let him know.
Service started. I was in back just enjoying worship but reflecting on what was spoken in prayer & my heart was heavy for these 3 girls. I stayed in back praying & worshiping & speaking directly to God about these 3 (& watching them to see how they were responding to the worship & later message). Andrew's B-I-L spoke about God's love & redemption from things in our pasts then we went back into worship.
I began feeling this heaviness on my heart & words kept coming to my mind to tell these girls but I wasn't sure if it was for the whole group or for when they came for prayer later... so I kept waiting. My heart is pounding & all of a sudden, my feet are on fire! I feel this physical burning in my feet & it's working its way up to the top of my head! I'm about to explode! I went up front to Andrew & told him "I need to give my testimony, now" and he said to me that God told him someone was going to give their testimony that night. Needless to say, I began shaking (the stage freight kicked in high gear) but I stood in front of these kids & gave the testimony of my life! I know those were not my words but what God wanted them to hear. All I can truly remember is asking them "why do you hold on to your sin?" "what purpose does it serve you?" It was an amazing feeling to be used by God & spoken thru by Him! I've truly never had that experience before & when it was over I was calm (& cool, literally) lol....
When Andrew gave the alter call a short while later, the girl who'd been on my heart for months came to me! She said it was like I tattooed those words right on her forehead! Truly from God! I told her how I'd been wanting to approach her about things she's been doing but hadn't felt she was ready to receive it but thank God she was last Sunday! She'd been pushing away all the young girls in our youth group every time they approached her about her troubles & that night she gave them all to God. She released her feelings of rejection, of confusion & fear & turned back to God. She is no longer a "luke-warm Christian"!!! Praise God!!
I wanted to share this because I believe God is moving in this group & bringing us all together for a purpose. Maybe not a group purpose but maybe to be that voice to someone else outside of our group. I've been doing a 21 day fast (corporately with our church) & I also believe that has helped in my hearing from God this past weekend. He does honor us when we do as requested of us.... prayer, fasting & knowing His Word!
P.S. The other two girls also had a touch... the other one being luke-warm has a good friend that is working with her to get her to that place where she loves God more than the parties & after our service, she asked for prayer & that she knows she needs to stop the partying. Please lift her in prayer as I'm not sure she's on God's track 100% yet. The girl who doesn't believe talked with one of our younger sponsors that night & spilled her family history with her. Said she never shares because there's abuse (physical) in her home & that with all the pain they live in, she doesn't see God in that or that He cares because he's never taken them out of the situation. She had questions about God's love & how we could believe in something we couldn't see. She broke down into tears & was embarassed because "she never cries". She's very tough physically & emotionally & is not the crying type so I know in my heart she was feeling God in her soul that night. She just hasn't processed her feeling that & what she is questioning. Also, pray for her that God continues to show himself to her in ways she doesn't expect & that she "gets' it!!
I've been a Christian & youth sponsor for a long time now... I've shared my testimony with many young girls (one on one or small group) over the years but I have this fear of speaking in front of large groups! Stage fright as it might be, but God pushed me this past Sunday night! Right in front of about 45 people! I usually get tongue tied & so nervous I forget what I need to say or do but wow! the Holy Spirit put me in my place!
Let me preface this with the fact that we had 1 girl who does not believe in God & 2 others that say they do & praise like they do but live like the world (sexually & with drugs/alcohol). I knew these girls were "faking" it the night before & for some time before & one in particular has been on my heart for some time but the timing has not been right for me to approach her about her lifestyle. Our night began with a meeting of our sponsors & a time of prayer over the room, worship team & for lives to be changed. In that prayer time sponsors prayed for direction of the service, walls to be torn down, freedom from past sins & for God's touch in the lives of the students. We were open for anything God put on our hearts that night & Andrew (our youth pastor) asked that if anyone had anything to share during service to please let him know.
Service started. I was in back just enjoying worship but reflecting on what was spoken in prayer & my heart was heavy for these 3 girls. I stayed in back praying & worshiping & speaking directly to God about these 3 (& watching them to see how they were responding to the worship & later message). Andrew's B-I-L spoke about God's love & redemption from things in our pasts then we went back into worship.
I began feeling this heaviness on my heart & words kept coming to my mind to tell these girls but I wasn't sure if it was for the whole group or for when they came for prayer later... so I kept waiting. My heart is pounding & all of a sudden, my feet are on fire! I feel this physical burning in my feet & it's working its way up to the top of my head! I'm about to explode! I went up front to Andrew & told him "I need to give my testimony, now" and he said to me that God told him someone was going to give their testimony that night. Needless to say, I began shaking (the stage freight kicked in high gear) but I stood in front of these kids & gave the testimony of my life! I know those were not my words but what God wanted them to hear. All I can truly remember is asking them "why do you hold on to your sin?" "what purpose does it serve you?" It was an amazing feeling to be used by God & spoken thru by Him! I've truly never had that experience before & when it was over I was calm (& cool, literally) lol....
When Andrew gave the alter call a short while later, the girl who'd been on my heart for months came to me! She said it was like I tattooed those words right on her forehead! Truly from God! I told her how I'd been wanting to approach her about things she's been doing but hadn't felt she was ready to receive it but thank God she was last Sunday! She'd been pushing away all the young girls in our youth group every time they approached her about her troubles & that night she gave them all to God. She released her feelings of rejection, of confusion & fear & turned back to God. She is no longer a "luke-warm Christian"!!! Praise God!!
I wanted to share this because I believe God is moving in this group & bringing us all together for a purpose. Maybe not a group purpose but maybe to be that voice to someone else outside of our group. I've been doing a 21 day fast (corporately with our church) & I also believe that has helped in my hearing from God this past weekend. He does honor us when we do as requested of us.... prayer, fasting & knowing His Word!
P.S. The other two girls also had a touch... the other one being luke-warm has a good friend that is working with her to get her to that place where she loves God more than the parties & after our service, she asked for prayer & that she knows she needs to stop the partying. Please lift her in prayer as I'm not sure she's on God's track 100% yet. The girl who doesn't believe talked with one of our younger sponsors that night & spilled her family history with her. Said she never shares because there's abuse (physical) in her home & that with all the pain they live in, she doesn't see God in that or that He cares because he's never taken them out of the situation. She had questions about God's love & how we could believe in something we couldn't see. She broke down into tears & was embarassed because "she never cries". She's very tough physically & emotionally & is not the crying type so I know in my heart she was feeling God in her soul that night. She just hasn't processed her feeling that & what she is questioning. Also, pray for her that God continues to show himself to her in ways she doesn't expect & that she "gets' it!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A Hymn of Praise
S- Psalm 100:1-5
1 Sing to the LORD, all the world! 2 Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs! 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. 4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. 5 The LORD is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.
O - Can't believe this is day 8 of the 21 day fast! Longest fast I've ever done! Feeling good and getting so much out of my bible reading & reading blogs from all of you in this bible study group! I've learned so much & many things are being revealed to me about myself & my relationship with God! Today my fasting instructions and scripture reading are to stop & praise God. I am to refocus from the burden's that I've been bringing before Him and spend today being joyful in the Lord. I definately don't spend enough time being joyful!
A - I will praisethe Lord, I will sing praises to Him. Today will be focused on Him with praise & thanksgiving. He has brought me from the depths of sin into His glorious light & I will celebrate!!
P- v.5 - The Lord is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever. ~Amen~
1 Sing to the LORD, all the world! 2 Worship the LORD with joy; come before him with happy songs! 3 Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock. 4 Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him. 5 The LORD is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever.
O - Can't believe this is day 8 of the 21 day fast! Longest fast I've ever done! Feeling good and getting so much out of my bible reading & reading blogs from all of you in this bible study group! I've learned so much & many things are being revealed to me about myself & my relationship with God! Today my fasting instructions and scripture reading are to stop & praise God. I am to refocus from the burden's that I've been bringing before Him and spend today being joyful in the Lord. I definately don't spend enough time being joyful!
A - I will praisethe Lord, I will sing praises to Him. Today will be focused on Him with praise & thanksgiving. He has brought me from the depths of sin into His glorious light & I will celebrate!!
P- v.5 - The Lord is good; his love is eternal and his faithfulness lasts forever. ~Amen~
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
True Fasting
Isaiah 58
1 The LORD says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins!
2 They worship me every day, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws. They say they want me to give them just laws and that they take pleasure in worshiping me.”
3 The people ask, “Why should we fast if the LORD never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?”
The LORD says to them, “The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers. 4 Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers?
5 When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?6 “The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.
7 Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.8 “Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side.
9 When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.
“If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word; 10 if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. 11 And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.
12 Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.”
13 The LORD says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day,
14 then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken.”
O- Wow! What a word! This message was to his people who were frustrated with His lack of response to their fasting. Our fasting is not a starvation campaign to get God to "do" what we want, it's a humbling experience for us! It's not a time to make us physically suffer, it's a time to overlook our physical needs to see others around us & their daily needs. The Lord will respond but only when we fast for His glory & not our own selfishness!
A- Thank you Lord for this insight! I'm only fasting cokes these 21 days but see the steps I need to take in a different light already thru your Word. I originally started this fast our of request from church for a corporate fast (never have participated before), the beginning of this new bible study (to hear more from God during this time) & to get healthier. I'm at a point I neeed to re-evaluate my reasons... this should be a time to honor God, not just do it because....
P - From this point on, please Lord, honor my fast as a sacrifice to You and help me to see others around me that are struggling. Lord, use me... show me.... teach me...
1 The LORD says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins!
2 They worship me every day, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws. They say they want me to give them just laws and that they take pleasure in worshiping me.”
3 The people ask, “Why should we fast if the LORD never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?”
The LORD says to them, “The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers. 4 Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers?
5 When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?6 “The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.
7 Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.8 “Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side.
9 When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.
“If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word; 10 if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. 11 And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry.
12 Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.”
13 The LORD says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day,
14 then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken.”
O- Wow! What a word! This message was to his people who were frustrated with His lack of response to their fasting. Our fasting is not a starvation campaign to get God to "do" what we want, it's a humbling experience for us! It's not a time to make us physically suffer, it's a time to overlook our physical needs to see others around us & their daily needs. The Lord will respond but only when we fast for His glory & not our own selfishness!
A- Thank you Lord for this insight! I'm only fasting cokes these 21 days but see the steps I need to take in a different light already thru your Word. I originally started this fast our of request from church for a corporate fast (never have participated before), the beginning of this new bible study (to hear more from God during this time) & to get healthier. I'm at a point I neeed to re-evaluate my reasons... this should be a time to honor God, not just do it because....
P - From this point on, please Lord, honor my fast as a sacrifice to You and help me to see others around me that are struggling. Lord, use me... show me.... teach me...
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