Have you ever made a meal and then discovered that you left out that one key ingredient? That one seasoning or spice that provides all the flavor? Instead of a mouth-watering feast you ended up with a tasteless flop. Spices enhance the flavors; it's still beef, chicken or potatoes only better, much better. Of course you could live without it, but if there's no zip what's the point?
This is how God feels about you when you're bland. Are you lacking flavor in your spiritual walk? Are you just vanilla for God? Do you enhance the room when you gather with friends and family or are you weak and forgettable? Do you sprinkle God's love everywhere you go and leave a pleasant taste for Jesus? You don't have to be a culinary expert, just ask God to infuse you with His word.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the seasonings that enrich our food and our lives. You have given us so many flavor combinations; some sweet, some savory. Lord, show us how we can add flavor to the lives of those we touch. Forgive us for being tasteless and indifferent. We no longer want to be bland, we want to be You so that others will hunger for You. You have given us all the ingredients, we just have to follow the recipe. When we measure and integrate Your word into our lives, it's easy to reveal the heavenly banquet that You have prepared. You are the Alpha and Omega, Lord - that means that You are the one who cultivates the thirst and then You are the one who quenches it. What a glorious God you are! You are the sweet aroma among the stench of our society. Praise You Father that You are able to use us to pour out Your flavor on the world.
Amen
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage." Matthew 5:13
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
On Our Hearts: Knight in Shining Armor
He leaves his socks by the bed or forgets to put the cap back on the toothpaste - that's right ladies, I'm talking about your husband. That one you stood beside and vowed to love and to cherish. Time has passed and you may look at him now and think he's just an ordinary guy, but he's still your knight in shining armor. Yes, I realize we don't live in medieval times and your husband probably doesn't resemble a noble knight no more than your home resembles a majestic castle. But he desires the adoration and respect just as those brave knights of ancient days had.
Is your knight's armor a little rusty and in need of some polishing? Well then get out the cloth and start scrubbing. Just like the silver your grandmother handed down to you, it's not going to get sparkly and shiny just by sitting in a drawer. Your husband is the same way. You may not have intentionally left him to sit idly by while you take care of the kids, the house, your job or whatever else you've committed yourself to. Take the time right now to take care of him. He's just waiting for you to carefully reveal the hidden layer that attracted you to him. However, instead of using polish apply words of praise. Instead of a soft cloth try buffing him with hugs and kisses. Make his armor shine so bright that he's reflecting you!
Father God,
Thank you so much for the man that you have given me to be my husband. You have divinely put us together to glorify you, Lord. Help me to overlook his blemishes and imperfections. Instead show me my flaws Lord and give me your wisdom and guidance that I may overcome my own faults. Lord show me how I can demonstrate true love to my husband. Give me the desire and ability to make him shine. Even when he I feel he is least deserving, may I still give him the honor he deserves. Let me fulfill his righteous desires and be the wife he longs for.
Amen
"A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord. A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first. Ephesians 5:22 - 24
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10, 11
Is your knight's armor a little rusty and in need of some polishing? Well then get out the cloth and start scrubbing. Just like the silver your grandmother handed down to you, it's not going to get sparkly and shiny just by sitting in a drawer. Your husband is the same way. You may not have intentionally left him to sit idly by while you take care of the kids, the house, your job or whatever else you've committed yourself to. Take the time right now to take care of him. He's just waiting for you to carefully reveal the hidden layer that attracted you to him. However, instead of using polish apply words of praise. Instead of a soft cloth try buffing him with hugs and kisses. Make his armor shine so bright that he's reflecting you!
Father God,
Thank you so much for the man that you have given me to be my husband. You have divinely put us together to glorify you, Lord. Help me to overlook his blemishes and imperfections. Instead show me my flaws Lord and give me your wisdom and guidance that I may overcome my own faults. Lord show me how I can demonstrate true love to my husband. Give me the desire and ability to make him shine. Even when he I feel he is least deserving, may I still give him the honor he deserves. Let me fulfill his righteous desires and be the wife he longs for.
Amen
"A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord. A husband is the head of his wife, as Christ is the head and the Savior of the church, which is his own body. Wives should always put their husbands first, as the church puts Christ first. Ephesians 5:22 - 24
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10, 11
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
On Our Hearts: Three Simple Words
Just do it. What do think when you hear those words? Perhaps a popular shoe company comes to mind. Maybe you see images of sculpted athletes in their quest to achieve success. Hard to believe that just three simple words (and a large advertising budget) would have the ability to motivate and inspire. However, I think there is another set of three words that has an even greater ability to touch lives. God is love. Some poets, song writers, and artists have spent their entire lives trying to portray what love is and there's the answer right there in the bible. It's so simple, and yet so lost on so many people. Fortunately God doesn't need a mega-million advertising campaign complete with sports stars, two-page magazine spreads, or a 30 second TV spot during half-time - He's got you!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love. 1 John 4 tells us that we must love one another, but in order to do that we must accept your love. We are so thankful Lord that you are able to love us despite all the despicable things we have done. You love us unconditionally, and now it's our turn. It's our turn to share that love with the world, to reach out to those who don't know you. It's our responsibility to show our family, our neighbors, and everyone we come in contact with who you are, God. Let us wait no more, we're done with excuses. Lift us up over the obstacles that stand in our way, remove the fear that holds us back and show us those who need your love the most. Lord, we are moms with a special assignment and we will go. We will go out in our community, our nation and then to the world to tell others three simple words: God is love.
Amen
"Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other." 1 John 4:10,11
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love. 1 John 4 tells us that we must love one another, but in order to do that we must accept your love. We are so thankful Lord that you are able to love us despite all the despicable things we have done. You love us unconditionally, and now it's our turn. It's our turn to share that love with the world, to reach out to those who don't know you. It's our responsibility to show our family, our neighbors, and everyone we come in contact with who you are, God. Let us wait no more, we're done with excuses. Lift us up over the obstacles that stand in our way, remove the fear that holds us back and show us those who need your love the most. Lord, we are moms with a special assignment and we will go. We will go out in our community, our nation and then to the world to tell others three simple words: God is love.
Amen
"Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other." 1 John 4:10,11
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