Clumsy and Forgiven

(S)"Why are you sleeping?" he asked, "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." -Luke 22:46 (O)Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, as usual. This was not a one time thing, or something he did occasionally, but he did this as he usually did. He knelt down and prayed. The disciples followed him. His instructions to them were, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation. " When he returned to them after praying, he found them sleeping and replied, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." (A) Jesus went to the Mount of Olives as usual. This was his prayer closet or 'war room'. Where is your Mount of Olives? And, when do you go there? (P) Father, Forgive me for my inconsistent, deep intentional prayer life. Thank you for Jesus' beautiful and perfect demonstration on the Mount of Olives. Help me to follow this example. Help me to draw closer to you. Help me to trust you. Help

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" -Luke 17:5 Luke 17 starts with scripture stating if someone causes another to stumble, it would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck. Ouch! This is definitely discouraging.  But, just a few short verses later, the apostles reply with "Lord, increase our faith."  There is nothing that we in our own power are going to be able to do to resist temptation.  But if we cling to Jesus, we can withstand the evil temptations that WILL arise. Jesus replied to the apostles, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you." Cling to your mustard seed of faith. Your mustard seed of faith is bigger than your temptation. Father, thank you for accepting my mustard seed faith. So often, in times of trial and temptation,  I feel weak and drop and lose my mustard seed. Help me to

Read Luke 21:1-4 She out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. Luke 21:4 “The Little Drummer Boy” is a popular Christmas song written in 1941. It was originally known as “Carol of the Drum” and is based on a traditional Czech carol. Although there isn’t any reference to a drummer boy in the Christmas story in Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2, the point of the carol goes straight to the heart of the meaning of worship. The carol describes how a boy is summoned by the Magi to the scene of Christ’s birth. Unlike the wise men, however, the drummer has no gift—so he gives what he has. He plays his drum, saying, “I played my best for Him.” This echoes the worship Jesus described when He told of the widow and her two coins: “ ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’ ” (Luke 21:3-4). All the drummer boy had was his drum and all the poor w

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." -2 Cor. 3:13 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, Moses didn't realize that his face was shining because he had been talking with God.  He did not  realize this, but boy did those around him.  There was something different about him.  He had a glow to him.  And, each time that he spoke with God he again would have this glow.  Everyone saw this, and they realized he was different.  Moses only had the opportunity to speak to God periodically.  But, everyone around him could definitely tell when he had been in "contact" with God. There is something about pregnant women.  They are absolutely beautiful.  They have what many call the "pregnant glow".  They have this beautiful glow about their face, showing you that they have a sweet baby in their tummy. 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. -2 Cor. 5:7 Recently, I just completed a study by Lysa Terkeurst, titled "What Happens When Women Walk in Faith."  If you have not already completed this study, I high recommend it!  Thank you Lysa for helping me realize what it looks like to step in faith.  In this study, we looked at many characters in the bible.  One in particular was Joshua.  God prepared Joshua to lead.  When Moses was instructed to lead, he responded much the way that I usually do.  But God, I don't speak well.  But God, I'm not the man for the job!  Joshua did not do this.  Joshua did not focus on his shortcomings, but followed obediently.  When God instructed for him to lead Israel through the Jordan, he did not whine, or say there's no way.  They went in to the Jordan without hesitation.  They were willing to get wet it that's what it took.  They stepped in faith into the Jordan!  WOW!  WOW!  I want to be that type of leader.  So frequently, I

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 Good morning father,                                                                                                                                        So often, I confuse your will with mine.   I confuse my desires for yours.   To name a few, foreign adoption, Africa, Mexico, mission work, writing and speaking.   I want to do your will.   I want to follow your path.   I want to bring you glory.   I’m not sure which of the above are part of your plan Father.   But, I lay them all at your feet.   I surrender!   Be my king.   More of you, and less of me is my desire.   Help me to stay fixed on you and wait for your direction.   I love you!   I’m such a mess.   I always screw up.   I tend to make my own path, and father, I know how that ends up.   I know my path leads to a dead end.   Help me to follow your path only.   You are my King.   Your path is perfect.   Help me to quit

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.   -Psalm 27:14 OK.  The first word on this verse is wait .  WOW!  Immediately, my attitude changes when I see this verse.  Wait?  Really?  Does no one realize how busy I am?  Doesn't anyone know that I need an  answer now?  But does waiting have to be negative and bad?  I just read the bible story of the bleeding woman.  She had to deal with her bleeding for 12 years.  She had been to doctors, who could do nothing.  A cure could not be found... A cure could not be found, yet she still had hope.  She knew that she could touch the robe of Jesus and be cured.  She believed in his power, his strength, and knew that he could heal her.  After 12 years!  She continued to wait. She still had the hope and the faith in Jesus!  When I do not have the answer I need after 12 hours, I whine and cry and complain!  But 12 years!  She was labeled as unclean.  She was segregated, ignored, looked down up

"You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." -Matthew 5:14 I attended bible study on Monday.  Honestly, I almost did not go.  I had a million things to do.  My house looks like a tornado hit it.  I was tired.  I imagined the feel of my PJ's, a warm blanket, and some nice sofa time at home.  But, I decided to drag myself out the door and to get my butt to bible study.  We studied the book of Jonah.  We were looking at chapter 3 and 4.  We all have heard the story.  God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh.  He tells God no.  After being swallowed by a large fish, Jonah has a change of response.  After God asks a second time, he decides to go to Nineveh.   He delivers the message from God..."Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!"  At this, the people of Nineveh immediately  believed God's message. I have read this story many times.  And, this time, the story hit me in so many different ways it's ridiculous!  Like J

"You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.  Love each other deeply with all your heart."  1 Peter 1:22 Tuesday night, I had bible study with my ladies.  Study was good.  We have been studying 1 Peter.  One of the verses we looked at was 1 Peter 1:22.  The question that was discussed was, "what does sincere love look like?"  The only example I could come up with had to do with my parenting experience.  When one of my sons would mistreat another son, as mom, I would make them apologize.  Many times, they would begrudgingly say "sorry" in the most insincere tone of voice.  I would then follow it up with, "say sorry like you mean it".  I think sincere love is the same way.  Make your love genuine!  Love like you mean it!  The question that was discussed last week was..."is there anything hindering your relationship with God?"  Yikes!  Ouch!  Tough