Got Faith?

Unexpected Trials

2011-02-21T15:34:00.003-06:00

I'm just sitting here thinking about how we can make it through this life when hard times come. When people die unexpectedly and sometimes "too early". Everyday you hear of abuse and wrong that has happened to others. These things are hard to understand. We want to question and ask "Why God?, Why?".

God's plan is so much bigger than we can see or understand. Sometimes it doesn't make sense at all or it seems like He made a big mistake. But His ways are higher than our ways, He sees the whole span of our lives as we remember the past and live in the present. He knows what the future holds and is there to hold us no matter what happens...if we let Him! He never promised we would not go through hard times of varies kinds, but He did promise that He will never leave us or forsake us! He is a comforter, helper, healer, deliverer. He is an anchor and a rock to cling to when the storms of this life are raging. So many are tempted to turn away from God or be angry with Him during these times. But I am determined that I will run TO HIM during any and every trial or crisis. Not only in those times, but I want to stay close to Him so that when trials come I don't feel like He is too far away to reach. It's easier to bring your burdens to a friend than to a stranger.

My prayer for today: Lord, help me to trust You and praise You in the good and in the bad. I don't want to live one day of my life estranged from You, I don't have to and I choose not to! :)

Deep thoughts today as I remember a family in my church that has just lost their daddy and husband at the early age of 44. It doesn't make sense, but God still has a perfect plan. Please pray for this family. This mother has 6 children 12 and under. They can really use our prayers over the next year as they deal with this loss and learn to live without their loved one.

Be encouraged, God is in control and never taken by surprise! :)
Dina

Dealing with temptation

2011-01-31T13:38:00.011-06:00

Hello! I sat down today to write in my journal and a note I had written several months ago fell out. After reading it I thought it would be good to share because we all struggle with some thing that trips us up from time to time. Even the most committed Christian has some area of weakness, even if it is something as simple as being prideful about not having an area that trips them up! :) Here goes:

How to deal with temptation.

1. Keep a fresh relationship with the Lord everyday through prayer and Bible study.

James 4:8 - Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

2. Learn to recognize impure thoughts or thoughts that could lead to sin and change your thinking. (*impure as in anything that doesn't please God, could be lust, gossip/hearsay, bitterness, anger, revenge, jealousy, spite, painting someone in a negative light, disrespect toward authority/parents)

Ephesians 4:22-24 - Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

3. Learn to recognize temptations and refuse to give in.

Matthew 26:41 - All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

4. Share your temptations with someone before they result in sin.

James 5:16 - Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

5. Recognize giving in to temptation as sin. Call sin what it is, SIN. Not a "little white lie", not an "indiscretion", a "mistake", a "bad habit", "doing things my way"...if it is sin, then it is sin.

6. Think of the consequences of giving into temptation before you act. To name a few:

sinning against God
sinning against yourself
sinning against your spouse
sinning against your family
violating trust
opening the door to more sin
giving the devil a foothold
compromising your standards
losing respect of your family
hurting yourself
hurting others

7. Look for a way of escape from temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.

8. Confess your sins quickly instead of lying, covering them up, sugar coating them, playing them down. (*being honest before God and with others helps you have a fresh relationship with God, sin just puts a wall between you and God. We can deceive others and even ourselves, but God always knows the truth)

9. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you about what areas still need work!

So why share this? Because I'm so good and so full of good advice, NOT AT ALL! The real reason is because reading this today reminded me that I need to take my own advice. It made me look at myself and my own struggle with sin and made me realize I need to do better. Because I recognize the Holy Spirit putting His spotlight on areas in me that need to be cleaned out right now. Because I feel that icky feeling and weight of sin that so easy trips me up and because it's time for me to pray and read my bible and I realized I need to get some things off my chest before I can get anything out of either prayer or bible study anyway!! :) The other reason is I figured it might encourage someone else to be honest with himself/herself and God, it might help someone to strive against sin and result in a closer walk with God...that would be awesome! :)

Well, I hope y'all have a terrific day! :) More later!
Dina

Worshipping Idols...who ME?

2010-08-08T15:37:00.004-05:00

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be).
1 John 5:21

This scripture really spoke to my heart the other day. I was thinking about idolatry and doing a little study about it in the Bible. God couldn't stand idol worship. Jesus said the first commandment was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37) I have to admit, as simple as this sounds, I don't find it very easy. It seems like there is so much to occupy my heart and mind these days. To name a few: family, friends, entertainment, technology, dreams, goals, plans, etc. After reading this scripture I've started praying that God would show me if there are idols in my life. Honestly, I've come up with a big one, ME. Not an easy one to elimate either, right? In thinking about what occupies the place in my heart that is due to God, what am I substituting for Him, what am I putting first? Me. Wow, it's true. I serve myself much of the time. I have my own schedule, I do as I please. I do what I want, when I want. I'm spoiled by the conveniences of this modern age. I'm engrossed in my own obligations and daily chores and routines. I'm guilty of putting me first and giving God the leftovers.

Well, I don't want to be guilty of this anymore. I want God to have my best because that's what He wants. I'm trying to start off each day with a fresh time of surrender to Him and a simple prayer from my heart that God will have His will and His way in me. Lead me Lord and I will follow, show me Your way that I may walk with You! :) Your will be done! Change my plans if they are not what You want for me! Thank you!

More about idolatry:
idolatry - 1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
2. any person or thing regarded with excessive or blind adoration, reverence, or devotion, etc.
3. a figment of the mind: fantasy.
4. a false conception or notion.
5. any being other thant he one God to which divine honor is paid.
6. a person who is revered, admired, or highly loved.
7. hero worship
8. false worship
synonyms: obsession, madness, mania.

The sin of idolatry is one of Satan's most effective tools in turning people away from God. People desire to place fellow people, as well as valuable material things on a pedestal as objects of worship.

Exodus 20:3-6 - You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. You shall not make yourselves any graven image (to worship) or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the inquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Deuteronomy 11:16 - take heed to yourselves, lest your (minds &) hearts be deceived and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.

Exodus 23:33 - They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.

Snare - 1. a device, often consisting of a noose, for capturing small game
2. anything serving to entrap or entangle unawares; trap
3. to catch or involve by trickery or wile; capture by trickery

Why Wait?

2010-08-08T15:29:00.002-05:00

Sin
Separates from God
Alienates from others
Incriminates the guilty
Imitates joy
Impersonates love
Agitates your mind
Constipates your dreams
Stagnates your future
Abbreviates your life
Devastates your eternity

God
Demonstrates His love
Advocates for the broken
Illuminates darkness
Penetrates problems
Alleviates pain
Celebrates surrender
Activates the spirit
Saturates the soul
Recreates the heart
Fascinates the forgiven

So…
Contemplate
God will not discriminate
Don’t hesitate
Don’t procrastinate
You can participate!!!

Why wait?

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free. John 8:36

I hope this will speak to you and touch your heart today! :) God bless!

-Dina

Water Baptism

2010-06-16T23:55:00.004-05:00

We have been learning about water baptism in my girl's class at church. Last week we learned why we have baptism in the church (because Jesus commanded us to be baptized). Our memory verse is Matthew 28:19 - Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

This week we learned about the purposed of water baptism. 1. It's an illustration of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, 2. It's an illustration to others of what happens to a person when they ask Jesus to come into their life and forgive their sin. Their old, sinful self is dead and buried, and they are made new and clean. That's why they call it being born again! :) 3. It's an act of obedience to God.

We read some verses from Romans 6 tonight and I thought I'd share them. :) I'm so thankful for the changing power of God! I thank Him for the work of salvation. I'm thankful for the day that I laid down a life of sin and became a new creation in Him!! If you have a minute, read this passage. I hope you will be excited and encouraged by it like I was!

Romans 6 (NIV version)
Sin’s Power Is Broken
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

12 Do not let sin control the way you live;[a] do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

I hope you are living a life of freedom through Jesus, but if you're not and you want to. Click the "Are you ready for heaven" link at the right.

I wish you freedom, joy and peace in Him! Be blessed!
-Dina

Romans 6 (Amplified version - I just love this version, it's wordy, but I love how it makes it so clear)

1WHAT SHALL we say [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow?

2Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?

3Are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

4We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.

5For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].

6We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.

7For when a man dies, he is freed (loosed, delivered) from [the power of] sin [among men].

8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

9Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.

10For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].

11Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.

12Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.

13 Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.

14For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].

15What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor and mercy? Certainly not!

16Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?

17But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.

18And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).

19I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and faculties] once for all as servants to righteousness (right being and doing) [which leads] to sanctification.

20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? [None] for the end of those things is death.

22But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.

23For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Another day, another prayer!

2010-05-24T16:49:00.003-05:00

God, lead me to where you want to be. You know all of my needs and wants, but more than that, You know what You want for my life. You know what is best! I surrender completely to what You want for me and my family. I only ask that if you want us to move that you will make the way plain before us and make it very clear exactly where You want us to go! We are totally dependent on You! We cling to You and we are confident in You! The world is uncertain, but You are not. Thank you for being our rock and our anchor! You are calm during a raging storm, You are peace when my heart and mind are worn. You have settled my past, I give you my today, and I thank you that You hold my tomorrow! I trust You for EVERYTHING!

My Prayer for Today!

2010-05-19T13:46:00.001-05:00

God give me boldness to speak the truth in love & be a light in this dark world! Forgive me for my shortcomings & for the times I choose to go my own way. I admit I am stubborn & hard-headed, but I pray that you will help me to be stubborn about following You & hard-headed against sin. Help nothing I do or say be a stumbling block to others. Help me to know when to speak & when to keep my trap closed! AMEN!

Listening and Obeying

2010-02-09T10:29:00.004-06:00

Well, these are some lessons that I'm learning about, but have definitely not mastered. My husband would agree that I can be VERY stubborn and hard-headed! :) That's a trait that I hope will change over time! :)

Over the past several months as I've done Bible study, the topics of listening and heeding or obeying have come up again and again. So...either I'm not getting the message or God is just really hammering this message in hard. I thought I'd share these thoughts with you.

John 10:27 according to Everett's Alphabet Bible Songs cd: "my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me"

After we hear Him, we obey (DO WHAT HE SAYS).

James 1:22 - But be doers of the Word (obey the message), and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves (into deception by reasoning contrary to the truth).

Obey means:
- to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of
- to respond conformably in action to
- to submit or conform in action to

I Samuel 15:22 - Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Why is obedience better than sacrifice?
Sacrifice was a religious ritual, an outward show
Obedience comes out of true devotion and a desire to please the person obeyed; obedience is from the heart!

I believe that if we are willing to listen God speaks to us often. Sometimes it can be something very simple. Sometimes I think we probably dismiss His voice as just a silly thought, but we would be so much better off doing what He says! An example of this is a simple lesson I learned recently that I will not forget: NO GRAPE JUICE IN THE LIVING ROOM!

The other day I was thirsty and having made a big pitcher of grape juice that morning I decided I would sit down with a nice tall glass of it and drink it while I checked my email. As I was thinking about this, in my heart I heard "no grape juice in the living room". That's a silly thought I thought to myself. After all, I am an adult, been drinking from a cup for a very long time, I know what I'm doing, I'm thirsty and I want grape juice. So, I proceeded to pour that tall glass, walk into the living room and sit down at my computer. I sat my glass down on the table and started reading email. Soon I became thirsty and reached for my glass, but instead of grabbing it, I knocked it over spilling grape juice all over my living room rug, tile floor, etc. Arggg, I thought as I caught the cup and placed it back on my computer table and ran to get a towel. As I mopped up the mess, I realized that I was... STILL THIRSTY (are you getting it yet that I am extremely hard-headed?). So I reached for the glass and knocked it off the table the other way spilling it all over the other side of the rug and on my couch. Hmmm....and the moral of the story is not really "no grape juice in the living room", it is if you hear God speak (and yes, I really do believe that simple instruction was from the Lord), don't reason with Him thinking you know better, you're a big girl and can do what you want, LISTEN AND OBEY...or you'll be cleaning up the mess that follows after your disobedience!

My prayer today is that I will learn to be sensitive to God when He gives commands about the little things so that when the bigger things come I will already have the habit of obeying Him!

Have a great day everyone!!! :)

Dina

Word of the Day: for⋅give⋅ness

2009-11-06T10:55:00.001-06:00

for⋅give⋅ness [fer-giv-nis]
- the act of forgiving, disposition or willingness to forgive

for⋅give
- to grant pardon for or remission of an offense
- to give up all claim on account of
- to cease to feel resentment against
- to cancel an indeptedness or liability of

God forgives us:
Ephesians 1:7,8 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

So we must forgive others:

Proverbs 17:9 - He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.

Matthew 6;14-15 - For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:21-35 - Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.

"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Colossians 3:12-14 - Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Hebrews 10:11-18 - Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

“This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he says,

“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

I'm soooo thankful that God does not keep a record of my wrongs, but is willing to forgive my pride and stubborness, my shortcomings and failings. I'm thankful that He is willing to take the things in me that are ugly and unloveable and make something beautiful of it! He is soooo good! :)

Have a great day friends!
Dina

Prayer

2009-10-07T23:15:00.004-05:00

Well, we've been talking about prayer at church in my girls' class. They are sooo cute and I just love to hear them and discuss these things with them. I just thought I'd share what we have learned so far.

What is prayer? Talking to God and listening to Him talk to us. It is easy for prayer to be a one-sided conversation if we're not careful. It's soooo easy to get into the habit of rattling off our needs to Him and then abruptly ending the conversation with an AMEN. I dare say most of the time we don't expect a response and certainly don't wait for one (I'm GUILTY of this!).

So how does God talk to us? Well, He can do it however He wants. I've never heard Him audibly, but He can do it that way. Most of the time for me He speaks to me through the Bible or in my heart (you could call it His "still small voice", sometimes it's a strong feeling about what I should or should not do, or a thought about something good to do for others). Sometimes He speaks through other christian friends or through a song. I think He probably speaks a lot more often than we notice because these days we are all so busy and distracted.

Tonight's lesson was about the 4 kinds of prayer.

Adoration - praising God for who He is in general.
Who doesn't like to hear the good things about himself? God likes to hear it and I think when we talk about how He is faithful, trustworthy, loving, caring, kind, awesome, all powerful, etc. it reminds us too and builds our faith.

Confession - telling Him what you have done wrong or didn't do that you should have done, telling Him you're sorry and asking Him to forgive you and help you change.
Think about when you know you've done something wrong. It feels like such a heavy weight until you "get it off your chest". This part of prayer leaves you feeling lighter and totally clean! It's so good to know that once He's forgiven you He forgets that you ever did wrong! WOW!

Thanksgiving - praising and thanking God for the things He's done for you
Coming to God with a grateful heart is something we all can do! He does so much for us everyday! He provides, protects, heals, encourages us, ETC! This is a good time to recall your blessings and the ways God has answered you already! What has He done for you that you can thank Him for? Even on your worst day, I PROMISE you, you can still find something to be thankful for!

Supplication - telling God what you need and want
If you have already done the first 3 parts of prayer, by the time you get to this part you have already been reminded of who God is, you've gotten rid the sin that was weighing you down, you've also been reminded of how has God answered your prayers before...by the time you get here, your heart is full of faith and feeling light and free, what a great time to ask God for what you need and know that you have His full attention!

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Well, just had this to share, I hope you will enjoy it! Have a great week!

Dina

Trading Worry For Peace

2009-09-28T11:11:00.003-05:00

In the class I teach for girls at church we are about to study about prayer. Our memory verse will be Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV):

Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

With that in mind I decided to study this verse in depth. This happens to be my very favorite scripture, and one I try to live by daily, so I'm sure I've probably quoted it in this blog before and may have even studied it before, but I just wanted to study it again, so here goes:

Amplified version:
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God's peace (shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Life application notes:
God's peace is different from the world's peace, true peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

My interpretation:
1. Don't worry about anything
INSTEAD OF WORRYING:
2. Pray, tell God what you need and want
3. be thankful, have a good attitude
4. leave your requests and burdens in God's hands
5. expect God's peace to guard your heart and mind
6. if you start to worry again, pray and give your need to God again

So what am I trading?

worry
- to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts, fret
- to torment with cares, anxieties, etc, trouble, plague
- a worried condition or feeling; uneasiness or anxiety
- to disturb or interfere with someone's comfort or peace of mind
- to cause anxiety, apprehension or care

fret
- to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent or the like
- to torment, irritate annoy or vex
- an irritated state of mind, annoyance, or vexation

anxiety
- distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune
- fear, foreboding, worry, disquiet
- a state of uneasiness and apprehension as about future uncertainties

anxiety suggests feelings of fear and apprehension, worry implies persistent doubt or fear, care denotes a state of mind burdened by heavy responsibilities, a concern is serious thought combined with emotion.

prayer
- a devout petition to God
- a spiritual communion with God as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession
- a petition, entreaty
- a reverent petition made to God
- a fervent request
- a conversation with God in direct address to Him

petition
- a request made for somthing
- a respectful or humble request as to a superior or to one of those in authority
- a supplication or prayer

thanksgiving
- the act of giving thanks
- grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors, especially to God
- expression of gratitude

PEACE
- state of mutual harmony between people or groups
- cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension
- freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.
- tranquility, serenity, untroubled, content
- state of tranquility or quiet

Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares for your watchfully.

If your burdened down with cares, worries, or anxieties today, I hope that you will take a minute and bring them before God. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them in His capable hands! Trust Him to meet every need you have! He cares for you!

Dina

My Prayer for Today...

2009-08-29T12:03:00.000-05:00

Lord, next time I'm tempted to criticize, judge, or talk unkindly about my family member, friend, neighbor, or even my enemy who is in a pit, remind me again about the pit you took me out of. Help me remember how you did not hold my offenses against me, how you were willing to forgive me and love me just the way I was! Help me follow your example and extend that grace to others! AMEN!

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

God is SOOOOO Good!

2008-11-25T09:29:00.004-06:00

Well for the past several months I've had this song going through my head and heart. You know the kids' song "God is So Good". Well, it is totally true, but I was thinking this morning that He's not good because right now my life is good. He's good because He just is! Even if my life were in a crummy place, even if I was in a time of waiting on Him, He would still be good. I love that He is constant. No matter what changes in my life, He is always the same. It's so good to know that He's not moody or quick to become angry with me, even when I do and say dumb things along the way!

So if you're in a place that doesn't feel so good, maybe you're wondering "hey, what's the big idea here?", you might need to remind yourself that God IS GOOD! Not just when your life is good, but even when it feels totally rotten. Sometimes it's our own fault that we're in a bad situation, but other times, it's just life coming with its ups and downs. Let God use the bad times to draw you to Him, show you His love, lead and guide you on the unseen path ahead. And if you're in a good place, be thankful. Look around you and notice those who are in need and reach out while you can. Count your blessings everyday. Even on the worst day, I promise your blessings will outweigh the sad, bad, and crummy!

We have sooooo much to be thankful for!! God IS GOOD!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
-Dina

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11,12

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. Psalm 25:8

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 37:7-9

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4,5

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. Psalm 145:8-10

God on the Mountain

2008-09-15T08:39:00.002-05:00

Hello Again! I've been thinking again which may or may not be a good thing! :)

For a long time I was in a time of waiting on God. It was a time of searching for His will and trusting in His perfect timing. Well, now that time has come to an end. He answered after all that time and to top it off, He answered "YES"! Talk about a long wait well worth the heart ache and longing! But now in the middle of my thankfulness I'm realizing some things.

It is really easy to get really satisfied in this comfortable place. After all of those years of waiting and trusting God, calling on Him constantly, daily, it is easy now to sit back and "bask" in His answer. But, I'm also figuring out that this is the time that I need to be extra careful about keeping close to God. To continue to read His word each day and pray more for others that are still in need.

So this is the mountain top! I'm thinking it will be wise to start digging into the word even more because in this life there are ups and downs, mountains and valleys. I know that often He uses the valleys to draw us closer to Him, but I want to stay close to the Lord during this time too. Maybe I'll be even more ready to face the next challenge that comes my way.

I just want to encourage you today, whether you are on top of a mountain or down in a valley, God is there. It is always a good time to call on Him and trust Him. If you are not in need, look around you, there are so many who are. They need prayer and support as they walk through the valley. If you are in a valley, call on God, trust in Him to meet your needs, and rest knowing that His timing is perfect. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6)! I'll leave you with the words to the song "God on the Mountain", they are so true!

Life is easy, when your up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known
But then things change and you're down in the valley
Don't lose hope for you're never alone

[chorus]
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God of the bad times
And the God of the day is still God of the night

v. 2
You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain
Oh, but the talk comes so easy when life's at its best
But its down in the valley of trials and temptations
That's where faith is really put to the test

[chorus]
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God of the bad times
And the God of the day is still God of the night

Have a great week!
Dina

My Part & God's Part

2008-07-18T13:07:00.003-05:00

I just love Psalm 25! It starts off "Unto to You, O Lord, do I bring my life". That's the way I think we should begin each day! Well, today I started reading this Psalm at verse 2 by accident, I read for a while, then backed up and read verse one and realized that this is one that I really like to read. I decided to see which things I'm supposed to do, and what parts God is going to do. So, here goes:

My Part:
1. Unto You do I bring my life
2. I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You
3. For You only and altogether do I wait expectantly all the day long
4. Those who fear the Lord have the secret of the sweet, satifying companionship of the Lord
5. My eyes are ever toward the Lord
6. My trust and my refuge are in You
7. I wait for and expect You.

God's Part:
1. Don't let me be put to shame or my hope in You disappointed
2. Don't let my enemies triumph over me
3. Show me Your ways, teach me Your paths
4. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me
5. Remember Your tender mercy and loving-kindness
6. Don't remember the sins (lapses and frailties) of my youth or my transgressions
7. Remember me according to your mercy and steadfast love for Your goodness sake
8. Instruct sinners in Your way
9. Lead the humble in what is right and teach the humble Your way
10. Pardon my iniquity and my guilt
11. He will teach the person who reverently fears and worships Him in the way he should choose.
12. He will show His covenant and reveal its deep, inner meaning
13. Pluck my feet out of the net (get me out of a trap)
14. Turn to me and be gracious to me
15. Bring me out of my distresses
16. See my affliction and pain, forgive all my sins (of thinking and doing)
17. Consider my enemies
18. Keep me, deliver me, don't let me be ashamed or disappointed
19. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me
20. Redeem Israel out of all their troubles

To me this just kind of sums up how God operates! He is sooooo good to us! So much better than we deserve! It is so easy for us to mess up and get ourselves all trapped up and entangled in things we shouldn't be involved with! Compared to all of what He does for us, our part seems pretty simple! This psalm shows how He wants to lead us and teach us the right way to go. I LOVE THAT!

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this because I thought it's neat! Have a great week!
Dina

More about hope, trust, faith, expecting...

2008-07-17T07:35:00.003-05:00

Ok, I'm still studying on faith, hope, trust, expecting from God, etc. So, as I came across things, I decided to put them here so that you could read them too. I'm definitely hoping, trusting, and expecting huge things from God right now. I pray for you today that whatever you may be trusting Him for will be taken care of for you too!

Have a great week!
Dina

Faith -
1. belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
2. confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing
3. confidence or trust in a person or thing
4. secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will

Faith is a belief in the trustworthiness of an idea that has not been proven.

Hebrews 11:1 - Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Hope -
1. the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help
2. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
3. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
4. to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance — i.e., believing that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Trust -
1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
2. confident expectation of something; hope
3. to have trust or confidence in; rely or depend on
4. to believe
5. to place confidence in; to rely on, to confide, or repose faith, in
6. to show confidence in a person by intrusting (him) with something

Trust implies instinctive unquestioning belief in and reliance upon something
Trust is a relationship of reliance. A trusted party is presumed to seek to fulfill their previous promises. Trust is a prediction of reliance on an action, based on what a party knows about the other party. Trust is a statement about what is otherwise unknown -- for example, because it is far away, cannot be verified, or is in the future.

Expectation -
1. to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of
2. implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will occur

An expectation about the behavior or performance of another person, expressed to that person, may have the nature of a strong request, or an order.

Confidence -
1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing
2. certitude; assurance

Confidence implies conscious trust because of good reasons, definite evidence, or past experience

Do you have hope?

2008-07-02T07:44:00.005-05:00

During my Bible study times lately I've been reading lots about hope. It's easy to put our hope in other sources, but ultimately God is the one with the master plan. I'm noticing that many times when hope is mentioned trust has either just been mentioned or is about to be! So I'm concluding that hope, trust, and faith are all tied together. If I was a deep thinker I'd probably be able to give a profound explanation of how they all fit together, but so far I'm still in study mode. (If I get that profound explanation, I'll post. If you already know, please comment and share!!!)

I do know that right now I find myself in a place of hoping and waiting again. There are actually a couple of huge things I'm hoping and praying for. For myself and for others. I'm applying Philippians 4:6-7 to these situations. I'm presenting them to God and I know that He will guard my heart and mind so that I can sit back and trust Him for whatever the outcomes may be!

Somehow I think hoping is the human component, trust is the relationship component, and faith is the spiritual component, but I DON'T KNOW, yet!

Here are some of the hope scriptures that I have been encouraged by so far:

Psalm 25: 1-4
UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life.
O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.
Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

Psalm 27:14
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Psalm 31:1 & 24
IN YOU, O Lord, do I put my trust and seek refuge; let me never be put to shame or [have my hope in You] disappointed; deliver me in Your righteousness!
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!

Psalm 33:18-22 (If you have time, read this whole Psalm, it is AWESOME!)
Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe], who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness,
To deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield.
For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name.
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.

These are just a few of the times that trusting, hoping, waiting, expecting are mentioned. WOW! I'm just so glad that we have these encouraging words to read. I pray that whatever situation you are trusting, hoping, and waiting for will work out according to God's plan for you. I hope that whatever the outcome may be that you will put your total trust in Him to work in your life (and let Him work). It is so much easier to sit back and let Him work than to buck the system and kick and scream, and worry the whole time! :) He is faithful, good, loving, and kind! There may be no other person that you can run to, but know that God is there waiting to take care of whatever you need! Just like the writer said "UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life." Bring Him your life today and enjoy His peace and love.

Have a great week!!
Dina

Summer Challenge!

2008-06-02T09:11:00.004-05:00

If you’re reading this, consider yourself CHALLENGED! I’m challenging everyone out there who happens to read this to make God first this summer!

How you ask? Well, that’s up to you! I’m going to try to get up each day and put God first. I’m going to take time to surrender the day to Him – that means every plan I’ve thought up, every need, burden, desire, etc. I’m going to take a few more minutes and read the Bible, because I know that God can speak to me through His word! I try to do this during the school year too, but during the summer I have a little more time to think, pray, and read!

If you aren’t in the habit of having a “quiet time” for prayer and Bible study each day, I challenge you to start TODAY! If you’re new to prayer, all prayer is is talking to God. No fancy, frilly words required. More than anything God likes us to be open, honest, and genuine with Him! You can’t fool Him anyway! It feels so good to pour your heart to Him. No matter what need you may have in your life right now, rest assured, He is way over qualified to meet your needs and help you (like asking a neurosurgeon to take care of a scratch on your head)!

I hope you’ll accept this challenge and start to grow closer to Him this summer!

God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:10

Happy Summer Everyone! I hope good things will happen for you over the next few months!

-Dina

Waiting on God

2008-05-21T17:11:00.006-05:00

Now that I'm a little older I'm realizing that we are always in a time of waiting - always! Whether it is waiting for high school graduation, a college acceptance letter, the end of a semester, meeting Mr. Right, college graduation, finding the right job, getting married, going on vacation, having kids...retirement, etc! We're on a journey toward heaven with milestones all along the way! I'm still working on finding contentment right where I am. It's easy to long for the next phase of life and miss the blessings that are happening NOW. We live in a culture that always wants more, we look out for number one and as a people we can be very dissatisfied even though the poorest of our poor are rich when compared with other parts of the world. We are quick to complain and slow to be thankful. I cringe lately every time I say or think "I wish, I want, I need...". I keep trying to stop and count my blessings and be thankful for where I'm at in life right now. God has been so good! No one that I've met enjoys waiting and God knows this about us, but He causes us to wait anyway. I've learned so much during my times of waiting and I've found that Isaiah 40:31 is very true:

"But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired."

Another conclusion I've come to is that during these trying times of waiting we can either draw near to God and "go with the flow" of His plan, or we can be like a two year old throwing a tantrum because it isn't working out like we want it to. Many people grow bitter and stop serving God because of the tests and trials of life. Ultimately I've learned that God's plan is better than anything I can ever dream up or plan for myself! We see the here and now, but He sees the whole span of our lives, start to finish. I'd rather let Him have His way than try to buck the system! I love Psalm 40 too!

Recently I was telling a friend about how I was waiting on direction from the Lord, but He seems silent. She shared this story with me and I found it so encouraging (thanks Dawn!):

"When you said that you didn't have a direct word on what you should do it reminded me of a story T.D. Jakes told one time. He said that God kind of worked like a navigation system in your car. He doesn't always speak until it's time to turn. You keep going straight in the direction you feel like you need to go and if it is not what He wants you to do He will tell you to turn left or right. I know many times in our lives we haven't known what the Lord wanted us to do. All we knew to do was to do what was in front of us. And every time He has been ready to move us in a different direction we heard "Turn left here." Then silence again until He was ready for another turn in our life."

So what do you do while you're waiting?

Keep the faith and don't lose hope. It's easy to lose faith, but so much better when you chose to trust in God's plan.
Remember God sees the big picture! There are reasons that we have to wait that are beyond what we can see.
Surrender your complete will to God's
Offer each day to Him and be committed to following His leading
Be thankful in the place you find yourself right now
Read what the Bible says about trusting God, God's plan, God's timing, waiting, etc!

During the most recent (and lengthy) time of waiting I've been in I've grown closer to God and my faith is stronger than ever before. I've found this next scripture to be very true:

Psalm 33:22 - Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for you.

He is GOOD! Keep trusting Him, especially while you're waiting!
Have a great week!
Dina

Beauty for Ashes

2008-05-20T21:31:00.001-05:00

Today I was reading the Bible and I started thinking about the times it talks about God taking the undesirable parts of our lives and making something beautiful of them. It seems like there is always something in us that God needs to work on. We're not perfect after all! I know there are parts of me that are not beautiful because of some flaw in me, but there are also parts of my life that seem out of my control. The one constant in my life, no matter what is going on, is that God is faithful. He is truly a refuge in times of trouble! If I get out of line, He gently nudges me back to where I should be.

Right now, maybe you're feeling poor in spirit, brokenhearted, bound by some worry or fear. Maybe you're mourning a loss. Maybe you've done some things you're not proud of and feel like you're sitting in a mess you've created. Jesus himself quoted some of this passage from Isaiah 61, read it and then give whatever situation you're dealing with over to God. Listen to the compassion that God has for YOU!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3

When I got to the end of this verse it really stood out to me because last time I wrote I talked about spring and planting time! To me this verse just reiterates how when we surrender before God and allow Him to work and take the junk out of us, He makes us something beautiful, "for the display of His splendor". I don't know about you, but I want Him to do that in me!

Have a great week!

- Dina
I'm still trusting Him! Psalm 113:9

Happy Spring!

2008-04-21T16:27:00.002-05:00

Happy Spring Everyone!

Just in time for spring I've started a new hobby: planting flowers and soon I plan to plant a small garden (this is a first for me!). I've been working hard outside, putting soil in pots, sowing seeds, watering, etc. Every time I'm outside hovering over these plants and flowers I always think about how God tends to us.

We are all at different places in life. Some of you might be new Christians, like tiny sprouts finally breaking through the soil. Others of us have been at it for a while. Sometimes our leaves shrivel up or we need those dead blossoms taken off so that new things can grow. Whatever stage you're at in your walk with God I hope that you feel Him drawing you closer to Him everyday! Let your heart be tender before God and see what new, awesome things He will do in your life! Does your life need some weeding? Don't be afraid to let Him trim away some old, dead things! I'm ready for God to do a new thing in me and I hope you are too! I say, "Prune away, Lord. Make me what you want me to be. Take out anything and everything that doesn't please you! AMEN!"

Here are a few scriptures that come to mind when I think of planting time:

If you get the chance read all of John 15.

Galatians 5:22, 23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23 The Story of the Seed and the SowerThen he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear."

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Have a great week and keep growing in Him!
- Dina

God as a refuge

2008-03-20T19:00:00.001-05:00

During my own devotional time I've been studying about how God is a refuge. I thought I would share these scriptures with you. During our time of need He does not run away, but instead waits for us to run to Him and trust in Him to work everything out.

refuge

1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.: to take refuge from a storm.
2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He drove the enemy before you and thrust them out, saying, Destroy! Deuteronomy 33:27

The Lord also will be a refuge and a high tower for the oppressed, a refuge and a stronghold in times of trouble (high cost, destitution, and desperation). And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God's Word and the right of their necessity]. Psalm 9:9-10

THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation--whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:1, 5

But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the Lord; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him. Psalm 37:39-40

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods. Psalm 40:4

GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 46:1, 11

BE MERCIFUL and gracious to me, O God, be merciful and gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! Psalm 57:1, 2

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress.Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love. Psalm 59:16-17

FOR GOD alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.He only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be greatly moved.My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God! Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us (a fortress and a high tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 62:1, 2, 5-8

LORD, YOU have been our dwelling place and our refuge in all generations [says Moses].Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Psalm 90:1,2

HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! Psalm 91:1, 2

I hope that if you have not been trusting God, that you will do what these scriptures say, pour out your heart before him, trust Him for whatever you need!When I read over these verses I think about a few years ago when we evacuated during Hurricane Rita. We went to my aunt's house in another state and watched the news as they showed our town being pelted by the wind and rain. Even though that storm was happening we were sheltered and safe. I love the verses that talk about how God hides us. I imagine Him being like a parent that is shielding his child from danger. It is wonderful to know that God Himself cares about each of us so much!!!

Have a great week!
- Dina

Hard Times

2008-03-12T22:04:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have just experienced a pretty big heartbreak in our lives. We were talking tonight about God's will and plan. Sometimes it is so hard to understand why He allows these painful situations to happen. We have faith and believe that He is able to intervene and help, but sometimes He chooses not to.

It is in times like this that I have to remind myself that God is a loving father. I think of the type of parent I want to be. I realize that sometimes parents have to tell their children no because it is the best thing for them. Even when that child thinks his parents are mean and unfair, the parents have wisdom that the child just doesn't understand yet. I am thankful that my experience in life has been that God is this type of parent. He isn't mean or unfair, but He has wisdom beyond what I can see or understand. This is when trusting in God matters the most. It is like a dad telling his child "jump" and the child trusting him to catch her.

I have told God all day long "I don't understand Your plan, but I trust you anyway!" If you have experienced something painful lately, maybe even something you prayed for that didn't happen like you wanted, I hope that you will run to God and let him be your shelter and strength! He has a plan for you. We see the here and now, but He sees from the beginning to the end!

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28

For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5b

Trust God to work out whatever you need today!
All things are possible for Him!
Have a great day!
-Dina

God's Timing

2008-02-02T19:23:00.000-06:00

God's perfect timing. I think about this topic VERY often, reminding myself that His ways are not our ways. I also remind myself that God's plan for my life is for good and not for harm. When I think about some of the plans I've had for myself over the years, and I'm so glad that God intervened. I'm thankful for the times I prayed and He said "no" or "wait". I'm so glad that I can know God as a caring father and faithful friend! Remember, God always answers prayer. Sometimes His answer is not the one we want, but it is always for the best.

Here are a few scriptures to encourage you about God's plan and perfect timing.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 16:9

Selections from Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them. Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will. We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:27-28

Maybe you're like me, wondering what the next step of God's plan for your life is. I am waiting on Him, praying for His leading and direction for every step. Keep trusting in Him and following His leading!

"I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry". Psalm 40:1

Have a great week!!! - Dina

Trusting God

2008-01-10T20:05:00.001-06:00

Right now I am trusting in God to do some huge things in my life; things that seem just about impossible! It is so good to know that He is faithful and will ultimately do whatever is best for us! (Romans 8:28)

Trusting God
The Lord is my strength and my impenetrable shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. Psalm 28:7 (Amplified Bible)

Psalm 37:3-5 - Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Psalm 86:1-2 - Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and distressed, needy and desiring. Preserve my life, for I am godly and dedicated; O my God, save Your servant, for I trust in You [leaning and believing on You, committing all and confidently looking to You, without fear or doubt].

Trust God to work out whatever you need today! All things are possible for Him!
Have a great day!
-Dina

Feeling Alone?

2007-11-20T21:53:00.001-06:00

If you're out there and feeling overwhelmed and alone, be encouraged! God is just a prayer away! I thought someone out there might need to hear this scripture. It has been so encouraging to me throughout my life:

For He, God Himself, has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)!
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or be terrified]. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6 (Amplified Bible)

Have a great week! Remember God keeps his promises! Be encouraged!
- Dina

Kind Words

2007-10-01T21:51:00.000-05:00

Be careful what you say...

I've been studying lately about taming my tongue. Women love to talk and chit chat, but that can lead to saying things that we shouldn't say or things we later regret. I know this has happened to me lots of times. During this school year I have decided to be careful what I say. I hope to make this scripture my guide:

When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 (New Century Version)

If you need help taming your tongue, click here for more scriptures that might help and encourage you!

Click Here to download a Kind Words poster