Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Abundant Joy: The Legacy I want to Leave
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is
on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and
does not eat the bread of idleness. Charm is deceitful and
beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I once heard the illustration of a mother being compared to a protractor. When you use a protractor, the center (or the mother) stays steady in one place while the pencil (her family) moves around her. This sounds a bit daunting I know, but let us look in comparison to all we have learned this far about God and His intentions toward us and for us.
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that God is Sovereign.
• Galatians 5 encourages us to walk by the Spirit, which is not emotional.
Colossians 3:23 tells us that everything we do is for the Lord.
• The most valuable aspect of this is our heart attitude.
Psalm 139 expresses how intimately God knows you as your Creator.
• His grace allows Him to work in your best interest, because you are precious to Him and He loves you. That is something sure you can trust.
Colossians 3:12-15 shows us how to outwardly express our hearts.
• Ephesians 4 calls us to put off our old self first, so that we can forgive and experience the fullness of God’s joy.
You may be looking at the idea of leaving a legacy as a huge task, and you would be right! But, let us gently be reminded from last week that we will not be able to do this perfectly, but only through God will we even be able to make an honest effort. So, we can relax and trust in the power of God’s redemptive work in our own lives to show us the direction He would have for us in leaving this legacy.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8 tells us that the passing on of God’s truth to the next generation is so important that it must be done in all things! Now, by what means does God tell us to do this? Yes~ by talking! (He knows us so well!) Before we get too excited, let’s take a look at the following verses:
o Luke 6:45
o Psalm 119:11
o Psalm 19:14
Now we know what we are to be talking about and when. The how I really do believe is your journey as you walk with God. Each family unit is structured so uniquely, that God will give you the perfect insight to knowing how to more effectively reach the heart of those you spend your day investing in. Seeking wise counsel from older women or those around you that see are doing it God’s way is also a great place to start!
We must do the same thing as we journey in leaving our own legacy. Families are not perfect, because we are not perfect. So, we must have a whole-hearted trust in the knowledge that God is working and that He will bring about what He wants, as long as we remain and abide in Him and be faithful.
Luke 6:43-49 & Proverbs 24:3-4
Our homes must be (1) grounded in wisdom, (2) strengthened by understanding {or good judgment} and (3) prospering because of our continuing in the pursuit of knowledge.
If we are building our house on anything else, we labor in vain. (Psalm 127) How heart-breaking it would be to have spent years of our life investing in those things that do not matter. Deuteronomy 6:5-7a says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently…”
Here is our starting point for what God is concerned with when we spend time leaving a legacy. God’s word, as He has showed us so faithfully each week, shows us what He has to say about all aspects of our life! (Psalm 139:16-18)
What is the focus of your home right now?
How does this line up with God’s agenda for your home?
In what ways have you sought God’s knowledge on knowing how to reach the heart of each
person (individually) in whom He has asked you to invest your time?
What kind of legacy do you desire to build and leave?
on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and
does not eat the bread of idleness. Charm is deceitful and
beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
I once heard the illustration of a mother being compared to a protractor. When you use a protractor, the center (or the mother) stays steady in one place while the pencil (her family) moves around her. This sounds a bit daunting I know, but let us look in comparison to all we have learned this far about God and His intentions toward us and for us.
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that God is Sovereign.
• Galatians 5 encourages us to walk by the Spirit, which is not emotional.
Colossians 3:23 tells us that everything we do is for the Lord.
• The most valuable aspect of this is our heart attitude.
Psalm 139 expresses how intimately God knows you as your Creator.
• His grace allows Him to work in your best interest, because you are precious to Him and He loves you. That is something sure you can trust.
Colossians 3:12-15 shows us how to outwardly express our hearts.
• Ephesians 4 calls us to put off our old self first, so that we can forgive and experience the fullness of God’s joy.
You may be looking at the idea of leaving a legacy as a huge task, and you would be right! But, let us gently be reminded from last week that we will not be able to do this perfectly, but only through God will we even be able to make an honest effort. So, we can relax and trust in the power of God’s redemptive work in our own lives to show us the direction He would have for us in leaving this legacy.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8 tells us that the passing on of God’s truth to the next generation is so important that it must be done in all things! Now, by what means does God tell us to do this? Yes~ by talking! (He knows us so well!) Before we get too excited, let’s take a look at the following verses:
o Luke 6:45
o Psalm 119:11
o Psalm 19:14
Now we know what we are to be talking about and when. The how I really do believe is your journey as you walk with God. Each family unit is structured so uniquely, that God will give you the perfect insight to knowing how to more effectively reach the heart of those you spend your day investing in. Seeking wise counsel from older women or those around you that see are doing it God’s way is also a great place to start!
We must do the same thing as we journey in leaving our own legacy. Families are not perfect, because we are not perfect. So, we must have a whole-hearted trust in the knowledge that God is working and that He will bring about what He wants, as long as we remain and abide in Him and be faithful.
Luke 6:43-49 & Proverbs 24:3-4
Our homes must be (1) grounded in wisdom, (2) strengthened by understanding {or good judgment} and (3) prospering because of our continuing in the pursuit of knowledge.
If we are building our house on anything else, we labor in vain. (Psalm 127) How heart-breaking it would be to have spent years of our life investing in those things that do not matter. Deuteronomy 6:5-7a says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently…”
Here is our starting point for what God is concerned with when we spend time leaving a legacy. God’s word, as He has showed us so faithfully each week, shows us what He has to say about all aspects of our life! (Psalm 139:16-18)
What is the focus of your home right now?
How does this line up with God’s agenda for your home?
In what ways have you sought God’s knowledge on knowing how to reach the heart of each
person (individually) in whom He has asked you to invest your time?
What kind of legacy do you desire to build and leave?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Abundant Joy: Family, The Legacy left to me
Family is one of those words that when mentioned in a crowd of people, you are sure to find a vast difference in what comes to mind to each person there. Legacy is a word that people either misunderstand, find intimidating or know and greatly value. God's original family was created in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. But, we all know how long the ideal lasted and how much the ideal family structure has deteriorated over time.
When I looked up the definition of legacy in Webster's dictionary, the first definition was in regards to receiving a gift of monetary value. Interesting, because I am quite certain that in God's idea of us leaving a legacy, He had in mind the second definition of ancestors passing on to future generations, the knowledge and foresight they had been given. After all, what do we find in Deuteronomy 6:4-8?
How would you answer these two important questions from your childhood:
1. Was I loved?
2. Could I have my own way?
The combination of the answers you have to these two questions can have more than likely had a profound effect on your life. I am currently reading Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel and he speaks of three inner needs that every child desires to have met:
Read Ephesians 4:29-5:1 What words seem significant to you from these verses?
Paul is writing in context about the shedding of your old self and the putting on of the new self; which is in the likeness of God. Here in these verses he encourages us to "let all bitterness....be put away from you" and to "forgive just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Bitterness is a steady harboring that poisons the whole inner man. It will rob you of joy and wreak havoc in homes. Instead in Psalm 133:1, we are encouraged to dwell in unity. When evaluating our legacy, an array of emotions can surface, but we must remember to filter them through the lens of Truth and not act on them alone. Harboring bitterness grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in our heart and we lose the joy of our salvation. It also grieves the Son of God who gave His life for us and our Heavenly Father who loves us and desires us to be walking a life that honors and pleases Him.
Unforgiveness is Satan's playground, and too often Christians turn it into a battleground. Satan wants a foothold because he desires to use that which may be a shortcoming in our family legacy as a stumbling block to our faith. God wants us to forgive with an attitude that is gracious.
Read Colossians 3:12-15. We are reminded that we are chosen and must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We must bear with one another and forgive, for love is the perfect bond of unity. Then we are encouraged to let the peace of Christ rule (or umpire every circumstance in life) in our heart.
Forgiveness and gratefulness alone are an extraordinary witness to the work of God in our lives when it comes to overcoming difficult circumstances that we did not choose for ourselves. You have been carefully watched over by God and He will give you the ability to live that honors Him, regardless of what you bring along with you.
When I looked up the definition of legacy in Webster's dictionary, the first definition was in regards to receiving a gift of monetary value. Interesting, because I am quite certain that in God's idea of us leaving a legacy, He had in mind the second definition of ancestors passing on to future generations, the knowledge and foresight they had been given. After all, what do we find in Deuteronomy 6:4-8?
- Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your hear. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they be as frontlets between your eyes."
How would you answer these two important questions from your childhood:
1. Was I loved?
2. Could I have my own way?
The combination of the answers you have to these two questions can have more than likely had a profound effect on your life. I am currently reading Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel and he speaks of three inner needs that every child desires to have met:
- A Significant Purpose
- A Sincere Love
- A Strong Hope
Read Ephesians 4:29-5:1 What words seem significant to you from these verses?
Paul is writing in context about the shedding of your old self and the putting on of the new self; which is in the likeness of God. Here in these verses he encourages us to "let all bitterness....be put away from you" and to "forgive just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."
Bitterness is a steady harboring that poisons the whole inner man. It will rob you of joy and wreak havoc in homes. Instead in Psalm 133:1, we are encouraged to dwell in unity. When evaluating our legacy, an array of emotions can surface, but we must remember to filter them through the lens of Truth and not act on them alone. Harboring bitterness grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in our heart and we lose the joy of our salvation. It also grieves the Son of God who gave His life for us and our Heavenly Father who loves us and desires us to be walking a life that honors and pleases Him.
Unforgiveness is Satan's playground, and too often Christians turn it into a battleground. Satan wants a foothold because he desires to use that which may be a shortcoming in our family legacy as a stumbling block to our faith. God wants us to forgive with an attitude that is gracious.
- Forgiveness is choosing to deny a transgression (name it) the power to adversely affect my relationship with the transgressor (name him/her).
Read Colossians 3:12-15. We are reminded that we are chosen and must put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We must bear with one another and forgive, for love is the perfect bond of unity. Then we are encouraged to let the peace of Christ rule (or umpire every circumstance in life) in our heart.
Forgiveness and gratefulness alone are an extraordinary witness to the work of God in our lives when it comes to overcoming difficult circumstances that we did not choose for ourselves. You have been carefully watched over by God and He will give you the ability to live that honors Him, regardless of what you bring along with you.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Trying to get back in touch....
Hello! I am so sorry I have been MIA... We have been fighting illness in this house and my "little blog that could" has become the "little blog that isn't"!
I am going to be catching up with the Abundant Joy study in the next few days, so check back! Thank you for your patience! :)
I am going to be catching up with the Abundant Joy study in the next few days, so check back! Thank you for your patience! :)
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