1 Corinthians Chapter 3

Great Chapter today.....the verse that struck a chord in me was the following verse 18 "If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so you can become wise by God's standards." 19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.", "God catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness."

It made me think about how often that I try to rationalize something for my own desires, not God's. That I spend money on something that I think that I need but truly it is a want. Why is it so easy for us as society to get wrapped up in what we think that we "need"? I am challenged and convicted by these verses.

Lord,

Help me to live by your desires and by your wisdom that I read of versus relying on my own beliefs that are warped by the world and culture that I live in. Let my actions and words be for you instead of for me which is against you Lord. I pray for the strength to do better and to be challenged by your words. Let them soak into my soul so that they come easily to me, that I can portray those words and actions in your name my savior.

I ask for all of this in your sweet name!

Amen.

1 Corinthians Chapter 2

A chapter on wisdom. Who doesn't need more wisdom in this world? Wisdom to be a better parent, wisdom to be a better wife, wisdom to know what to say to your unchristian friend. There are so many things that we need wisdom for that, right now at this moment, it amazes me that more people are not grabbing the bible to try and get more wisdom. Seriously, why don't we try and gain more wisdom from the book that promises us wisdom through its readings and teachings? Is it that it is too easy? Too available?

The verse that jumped out at me today was "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." Isn't this SO true? We will never be able to see, hear or be able to imagine the greatest that God has prepared for us. This is the truth and wisdom that we know and read.

God, I pray today that you provide me the wisdom that you provide in order for me to become the person that you have intended me to be. To take that wisdom and bring it into the other relationships that I have. With my children, my husband, my friends, my family and the girls and people that I am working with at church. Help me take that wisdom into the relationship with my Mother. Let me truly forgive her and love her but still remain unhurt by her ways. I ask for all of this in your sweet name. Amen.

1 Corinthians Chapter 1

I'm a little ashamed at how long it's been since I have journaled. There's really no excuse for this.

The verse that stood out to me this morning was "The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done."

This has been something of trouble for me in the past. I've been trying not to boast about the things that have been provided or the events that have occurred in my life. Instead I should look at it as if I do boast to just do it as a blessing that God has provided. It's not wrong to boast if it is done in His name.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all that you have provided me. A beautiful family of little boys a, wonderful husband and all of the materially things that we own.....because of you. Lord, without you none of this would be here, none of this would feel as a blessing. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to know you, love you and have a relationship with you. Lord please give me the strength and wisdom to remember you in all areas of life. To never put you second over anything. Lord I also pray for safety over my husband until he returns. Keep him safe and protect him from all things harmful and evil.

I ask all of this in your sweet name!

Amen.

Psalms 11

This morning as I was reading chapter 10 again and then 11 it was interesting to me how much the evils ones are talked about, how there is so much resentment against these people who are cursing, lying and doing evil things. To the point that is mentioned to destroy them, rid of them and for the Lord to be keeping track of the evil things they are doing. It made me think of the things that I do and the things that I know other people do that would be considered evil and thought is there really a tracking system for all of the sins people commit because if so that is quite the tracking system up there ;) But then I came upon verse Psalms 11:1 "I trust in the Lord for protection." This simply but so powerful verse amoung all of the evils deeds and tracking.

I feel that in the last few years of my life that I have had many people in my life some I considered my best friends, others just friends that have sinned against me and our friendship. It's been hard to forgive them and for most I would say that it is still a process of forgiving. But during this time I will hold close to know that as long as I put my trust in the Lord that he will protect me from their sins. It's almost as a boundry set by the Lord that their sins will not hurt me. That might be a little far fetched as I can still feel the pain from some of them but I will say that there have been some recently that have cursed or lied about me behind my back and I do not feel the pain. I actually have began praying for them that they will also feel the Lord's protection. So in closing here are the thoughts that I pray for...

Dear Lord,

I praise you Lord for giving me the protection that I need to not feel the curse and sins of some. That I can fully submit my worries and pain to you so that you may protect me. I trust you with all that I am and ask for continued strength to do this as with some it is easier than with others that you truly love. Lord I ask for protection for those that do sin and do not know you fully. That you may touch their hearts and minds for them to know you and want to be close to you in a way that would make them not want to sin against not only me but all the others.

Lord I know that somteims going through pain makes us stronger, that our faith is tested through these times. that this is unfortunately the only way that we can learn to grow closer to you. I want the strength to get through these times and to be able to reflect on them with joy. that in going through this I will become a stronger Christian that will be serving you Lord.

I ask for this in your name.

Amen.

Psalms 9 - 10

The psalms are full of interesting verses and you can hear that there is so much trouble yet so much hope all at the same time. The verse that stood out to me today was Psalm 9:1 "I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done."

It seems like a pretty simple thing to say thanks, doesn't it? I say thank many times throughout the day to many different people, for many different reasons. When I start my prayers off the first thing I do is thank God for all that he has given me. Yet, I question after reading that verse do I do it with ALL of my heart or is it just something that I do because it's the right thing to do. There's a difference. There's the politeness of saying "Thank You" and then there is how this verse is defining it. Do I thank the Lord with ALL of my heart? Do I tell of all the marvelous things He has done? No, I don't. I want to so why don't I. Honestly, I think it's unfortunately because I get too wrapped up in life and blame it on being busy. This is definitely an area of opportunity.

Dear Lord,

THANK YOU for ALL that you have given me. The good, the bad and the ugly :) I know that each one I should view as a blessing Lord. That I should cherish all that is around me and see the beauty in what you have created and provided to me Lord. Lord I ask that you help me to appreciate the good more, to understand the bad and grow from it and to really see that the ugly is not truly ugly but something that was provided by you to help me grow more into the person that you had planned for me to be.

I ask all of these things in your name.

Amen.

Psalms 7 - 8

I'm tired today and the kids watching TV is an annoyance to me. Why can't I just have some quiet time to reflect and read in the bible. Agh....trying to look past it. Psalms 8: 9 "O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the Earth."

It does, doesn't it. Even in the darkest alley He is there. It's that the people in the alley are refusing Him but He is there. Why is it at our darkest hour that we feel so alone when really God is right there. Holding us and trying to help us through with His love. Is it because Satan is attacking us and taking advantage of the situation? Is it that we are just so down that anything of comfort seems to be impossible? Why is it that can't see that His majesty is filling the Earth?

Dear Lord,

I thank you for all that you have provided. The weather, the world, my family. Lord such precious gifts that you have given to me please help me to remember how short life is and to be grateful for these gifts all of the time and not when it is easy for me. Lord help me to know that you are filling all of the Earth with your majesty. That you are here in my home, with my children, with my husband and that your majesty is all that we need in life. Lord, our Lord, your majesty fills this Earth and how we are thankful for that and love you.

Amen.

Psalms 5 - 6

Finally a quiet time to read the bible. It is 6:55am and all of my children are sleeping or at least being quiet in their rooms. This is an odd event in my house but one that I cherish. In reading this morning the verse that stood out to be was Psalms 5:8. "Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me." How true is this. Amazing that these "simple" words can move my heart so much that I feel like they were written just for me on this day. I know that is not true but that is the way that it feels. I do want to be lead by the Lord down the right path so I am not destroyed or conquered by my enemies. Who are my enemies? Is it the neighbor who gossips too much to please her unhappiness? Is it a coworker who uses foul language? Is it the TV show that displays lust and greed? Is it me? Am I my own enemy who is not listening to the Lord who is trying to guide and lead me down the right path? Honestly, I the enemy is all of these wrapped up together.

After all if the neighbor gossips do I partake in it? If the coworker uses foul language to I respond with foul language? If the TV show is lustful and greedy do I change the channel? Sure, sometimes I make the right choice and go down the right path. At these times I do feel a tug from the Lord help to lead or guide me. But all too often I feel the tug and I ignore it and go down the wrong path. It's hard to make the right choice all of the time. It's hard to listen to the Lord all of the time, in every situation.

Dear Lord,

Today I thank you for the small bit of quietness to be able to reflect and read in your word. I thank you for all that you provide to me and my family. Lord you know my faults, you know my weaknesses. I pray that you can give me the strength not to avoid the tugs and nudges when I am headed down the wrong path. Help me to rise above the urge to do it my way, to go down my own path. Instead give me the clarity that your path, the right path has so much more in store for me Lord. That it will bring me closer to you Lord and help me to serve you better. Be with me Lord in these moments so that I can be a better daughter, wife, mother, friend, employee and every other role that I lead in this beautiful life that you have given me.

Amen.

My middle son is now with me and asking me to workout with him. Thank you Lord for his amazing energy and cute freckles ;)