This: ''About Benjamin he said, 'Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.' Deuteronomy 33:12.
Let this soak into your soul. Let it's sweet message filter into the cracks of the door of the soul slammed shut. Let this soften weary hearts bearing loads.
Do you believe it? Do you think you are utterly unlovable? Do you think you have to check off your lists before you can rest secure? I often forget Truth and believe falsely.
Rest secure in Him. He is shielding you all day long--through the highs and lows. 'Rest between his shoulders'--this is a hug from the God who loves. Receive. Rest. Believe.
This. This verse is what I am pondering. Fighting to believe. Praying for belief. Walking in faith. Putting my name in place of Benjamins. Can you do that too?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Bread of Adversity
Weariness. Fatigue. Exhaustion. I have used these words to describe my state of being. Sometimes it is my mind, sometimes it is my body, and sometimes it is my spirit. And the mornings when I wake up exhausted, it is often all three. Those days are the hardest. Those days are often the days when I need the most forgiveness for my bad attitudes, tone of voice, and actions. And sometimes, God carries me through those days in such a way that all glory belongs to Him and I stand amazed at what He can do when I surrender to Him.
Part of the biggest challenge in my walk with the Lord is accepting the hard circumstances. If I say I believe God's word; if I say I believe God knows what He is doing; if I say that I believe that God is in charge, then why is it so hard to accept the 'hard' things in life?
'Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.' Isaiah 30:20.
This verse and others like it tell me that troubles in this life will abound. I came into adulthood with the false assumption that since my childhood was troubled and fraught with confusion and pain that my adult life would, or if I am to be honest, should be trouble free. I figured that I payed my 'dues'. However, that is not the case. Jesus himself stated that in this world we would have many troubles, but we need to take heart because He has overcome the world. What hope! What comfort!
Not only that, but in Isaiah 30:20, I see that every affliction I experience, God will reveal himself and I will see Him if I choose to look for Him. He will also guide me.
'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'Isaiah 30:21. So, I don't have to flounder around, wondering, groping for the path. He is there guiding me, guiding my steps down the path He laid out for me.
I really don't know what you are facing personally, but I know this life is wrought with troubles. Some are bigger than others, but God is intimately concerned with what concerns us--whether it is struggles with a school lesson or a job loss or critical health issues or squabbling kids. Eat the bread of adversity and wait for His guidance. Let go of control and trust Him.
And remember this: 'Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 Let's look for Him, listen for His voice, and wait on Him.
Blessings to you,
Jess
Part of the biggest challenge in my walk with the Lord is accepting the hard circumstances. If I say I believe God's word; if I say I believe God knows what He is doing; if I say that I believe that God is in charge, then why is it so hard to accept the 'hard' things in life?
'Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.' Isaiah 30:20.
This verse and others like it tell me that troubles in this life will abound. I came into adulthood with the false assumption that since my childhood was troubled and fraught with confusion and pain that my adult life would, or if I am to be honest, should be trouble free. I figured that I payed my 'dues'. However, that is not the case. Jesus himself stated that in this world we would have many troubles, but we need to take heart because He has overcome the world. What hope! What comfort!
Not only that, but in Isaiah 30:20, I see that every affliction I experience, God will reveal himself and I will see Him if I choose to look for Him. He will also guide me.
'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'Isaiah 30:21. So, I don't have to flounder around, wondering, groping for the path. He is there guiding me, guiding my steps down the path He laid out for me.
I really don't know what you are facing personally, but I know this life is wrought with troubles. Some are bigger than others, but God is intimately concerned with what concerns us--whether it is struggles with a school lesson or a job loss or critical health issues or squabbling kids. Eat the bread of adversity and wait for His guidance. Let go of control and trust Him.
And remember this: 'Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 Let's look for Him, listen for His voice, and wait on Him.
Blessings to you,
Jess
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Life-Words
The wise in heart are called discerning and pleasant words promote instruction.' Proverbs 16: 21
It is my longing to teach my children not only their academics, but also how to live in this crazy world. My life and my words contribute to this and my failures keep me humbly on my knees.
Words can build up or tear down. 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me' is a lie straight from the pit. But why, oh why is it easier to say those life-stealing words rather than the life-giving words? And why do we remember the death-words more than the life-words?
'A wise man's heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction.' Proverbs 16: 23
A wise heart. Am I seeking wisdom? Are you? Are we filling our minds and hearts with God's words so that what comes out of our mouths are life-giving words? I believe some of the fiercest battles a christian mother faces is within her own mind. What we fill our minds with becomes our influencer and as we are the biggest influencer on our children we need to be very diligent with what we think about.
These verses came to light after a particularly difficult string of school days where words were said and attitudes were thrown by me and one of my kids. I was despairing at this child ever learning what I was trying to teach her. These verses were like a reprimand and encouragement all rolled into one. I wasn't controlling my thought life and in turn I was unable to control my lips. And it was encouraging to again be reminded that the Bible really does have the answers. When I began consistently applying these principles, instruction was able to take place. It was like the Lord showed me that if I want my kids to really learn then I need to use pleasant words.
But what happens if we've blown it? I certainly don't have this mastered, but I have come a long way by the grace of God. What happens if our words have inflicted wounds in the hearts of our kids? Seeking forgiveness is important and so is Proverbs 16:24: 'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.'
May your words, dear friends, be life-words. Words that promote life, words that promote instruction so that our children can be fully equipped for the life God leads them to.
Blessings to you,
Jess
It is my longing to teach my children not only their academics, but also how to live in this crazy world. My life and my words contribute to this and my failures keep me humbly on my knees.
Words can build up or tear down. 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me' is a lie straight from the pit. But why, oh why is it easier to say those life-stealing words rather than the life-giving words? And why do we remember the death-words more than the life-words?
'A wise man's heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction.' Proverbs 16: 23
A wise heart. Am I seeking wisdom? Are you? Are we filling our minds and hearts with God's words so that what comes out of our mouths are life-giving words? I believe some of the fiercest battles a christian mother faces is within her own mind. What we fill our minds with becomes our influencer and as we are the biggest influencer on our children we need to be very diligent with what we think about.
These verses came to light after a particularly difficult string of school days where words were said and attitudes were thrown by me and one of my kids. I was despairing at this child ever learning what I was trying to teach her. These verses were like a reprimand and encouragement all rolled into one. I wasn't controlling my thought life and in turn I was unable to control my lips. And it was encouraging to again be reminded that the Bible really does have the answers. When I began consistently applying these principles, instruction was able to take place. It was like the Lord showed me that if I want my kids to really learn then I need to use pleasant words.
But what happens if we've blown it? I certainly don't have this mastered, but I have come a long way by the grace of God. What happens if our words have inflicted wounds in the hearts of our kids? Seeking forgiveness is important and so is Proverbs 16:24: 'Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.'
May your words, dear friends, be life-words. Words that promote life, words that promote instruction so that our children can be fully equipped for the life God leads them to.
Blessings to you,
Jess
Friday, March 11, 2011
When Your Foundation is Unsure
'He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure,' Isaiah 33:6.
Each day I am in desperate need of these three things--salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. These are the keys to a successful day at home with my little ones. I have long struggled with many fears, fears that can rule my heart and mind, and the result is confusion and frustration. However, this verse brings me such hope. A sure foundation, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge can be mine, but I need the correct 'key'.
We all long for the 'key', the answer, to our everyday problems and I think this verse holds part of the answer. What am I fearing? Who am I fearing? Which fear is behind my motivation--the unhealthy one or the key to the treasure?
Blessings to you and yours,
Jess
Each day I am in desperate need of these three things--salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. These are the keys to a successful day at home with my little ones. I have long struggled with many fears, fears that can rule my heart and mind, and the result is confusion and frustration. However, this verse brings me such hope. A sure foundation, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge can be mine, but I need the correct 'key'.
We all long for the 'key', the answer, to our everyday problems and I think this verse holds part of the answer. What am I fearing? Who am I fearing? Which fear is behind my motivation--the unhealthy one or the key to the treasure?
Blessings to you and yours,
Jess
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Gentleness
Sharp, cutting words fly out of my mouth and trying to capture them is like trying to capture dandelion seeds. Impossible. The angry words are like dandelion seeds--you never really know where they are going to land and grow a weed in someone's hearts.
Our oldest girl, when she was but a wee little thing, was given a puff of dandelion seeds on a stem by her Grandpa, with the encouragement to blow them into the breeze. Instead of enthusiastically blowing with all her might, she tentatively reached for the stem and responded thoughtfully with this:'but, Grandpa, I don't want to destroy it!'. Such vocabulary for such a young one. And much God has taught me through the raising of this one.
Anger can grip me with such force as to take my breath away and before I am aware, the anger comes spilling forth with seeds being scattered in hearts and minds. Anger can manifest itself in not only my words, but my tone of voice, and my body language. It's not just the words that hurt, it's the execution of them that slices open the heart.
'Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted,' Galatians 6:1. Could gentleness be the antidote to anger? As a parent, I am fully aware of my own sinful nature, but my kids have a sinful nature that they are in battle with as well. And as the grown up (I think I'm grown up, but so often I pinch myself--it's really not a dream!), it is up to me to train and teach them God's ways. How often do I respond angrily at their sin? How often do I treat their disobedience with impatience and anger?
This verse comes with instruction as well as a caution. First, I need to restore gently. When one of my dear ones sins, my response needs to be done in gentleness. Gentle. Gentle. I do forget to be gentle and will respond without even thinking about what is coming out of my mouth! However, this verse clearly states that it is my responsibility to restore them gently with the awareness of the temptation to do otherwise. Be aware. Be gentle.
Mothering has got to be one of the hardest jobs we women undertake and when we forget the larger picture we can begin responding poorly to our children. 'Let your gentleness be evident to all,' Phil 4:5. Gentleness. Let's blow gentleness into the hearts and minds of those precious gifts placed in our care.
Blessings upon your heart,
Jessica
Our oldest girl, when she was but a wee little thing, was given a puff of dandelion seeds on a stem by her Grandpa, with the encouragement to blow them into the breeze. Instead of enthusiastically blowing with all her might, she tentatively reached for the stem and responded thoughtfully with this:'but, Grandpa, I don't want to destroy it!'. Such vocabulary for such a young one. And much God has taught me through the raising of this one.
Anger can grip me with such force as to take my breath away and before I am aware, the anger comes spilling forth with seeds being scattered in hearts and minds. Anger can manifest itself in not only my words, but my tone of voice, and my body language. It's not just the words that hurt, it's the execution of them that slices open the heart.
'Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted,' Galatians 6:1. Could gentleness be the antidote to anger? As a parent, I am fully aware of my own sinful nature, but my kids have a sinful nature that they are in battle with as well. And as the grown up (I think I'm grown up, but so often I pinch myself--it's really not a dream!), it is up to me to train and teach them God's ways. How often do I respond angrily at their sin? How often do I treat their disobedience with impatience and anger?
This verse comes with instruction as well as a caution. First, I need to restore gently. When one of my dear ones sins, my response needs to be done in gentleness. Gentle. Gentle. I do forget to be gentle and will respond without even thinking about what is coming out of my mouth! However, this verse clearly states that it is my responsibility to restore them gently with the awareness of the temptation to do otherwise. Be aware. Be gentle.
Mothering has got to be one of the hardest jobs we women undertake and when we forget the larger picture we can begin responding poorly to our children. 'Let your gentleness be evident to all,' Phil 4:5. Gentleness. Let's blow gentleness into the hearts and minds of those precious gifts placed in our care.
Blessings upon your heart,
Jessica
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