Pastor Greg Laurie....Daily Devotional....August 11th 2010
Jesus replied, " 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."
— Matthew 22:37–40
Oscar Wilde said, "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." Indeed. And Whitney Houston sang, "The greatest love of all is easy to achieve. Learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all."
That we love ourselves is pretty much an established fact. I don't believe it is necessary for us to learn to do it.
Ephesians 5:29 says, "No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church." Some people worship their bodies. They worship every day at the First Church of the Perfect Physique. They just can't get enough of working out. It becomes addicting. They become obsessed with it. However, some people definitely could benefit from a little exercise. Yet there are others who certainly go overboard when it comes to their appearance.
A survey revealed that 94 percent of age 18-and-under girls wish they were more beautiful. And 85 percent of women over the age of 40 said they were not as attractive as the average woman. They feel this way because they love themselves. If they didn't, then they would be happy they were ugly. The truth is that we all love ourselves.
When Jesus said the second greatest commandment is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39), He was not saying that we need to learn to love ourselves so we can then love others. Rather, He was essentially saying, ""Hey, you already love yourself. That is obvious. Love your neighbor in the same way. And love God even more."
So the sin is not loving yourself or caring about yourself. The sin is loving yourself more than you love God. And for some, their idol—their god—is facing them in the mirror every morning.
August 11, 2010
August 10, 2010
Year 26 begins.....
As I sit here and just ponder this last year, I think...Wow, I have been through a lot! I have seen a lot, experienced a lot and just been through a lot of life. God has allowed me too experience quite a bit of pain and disappointment, but more than that He has allowed me to experience a ton of good and I have grown so much from everything. I never thought that I would be in the situation I find myself in today but it definitely has allowed me to really know and experience the love of God. That although people around me may disappoint me and let me down, He will never leave or forsake me. The biggest thing in my life that has brought me so much joy and life is for sure Julia(big surprise). Seeing her little face reminds me everyday how much God has blessed me and that the good in my life definitely outweighs the bad. Everyday is a new adventure with her and she has taught me to really soak up and appreciate the little things in life. Being this little girls mommy has instantly changed my life and my outlook on everything. Every decision I make with her in mind and I pray God continues to give me wisdom in raising her.
Year 25 started out pretty rough, with Robert and I being pretty newly seperated and me starting the journey of single parenthood. Luckily, my parents have been such a huge help and support to me. I dont know where I would be without them. As much as I try not to rely on them to help me care for Julia, they are always there for me when I need a break and Lord knows we ALL need a break sometimes:)
In the last year I have experienced a deserting spouse, a loss of jobs, Julia entering toddlerhood, the discovery of a heart murmur, my aunts breast cancer which grew into amazing family unity, my stepdad being diagnosed with congestive heart failure, some family division, letting go of old friends and embracing new ones. Now as I begin year 26, I know the struggles are not over but that some of those year 25 difficulites have produced great love and strength....I begin this year with sadly, the beginning of a divorce, entering terrible two's, a cancer free auntie, a wonderful job and a group of cousins on my mommys side that have become closer than ever before. I am so grateful for the things God is teaching me about family, friends, and just life in general. Finding people that can encourage, love, and even convict you is so important. Whether blood relatives or new found friends and everyone in between these people in my life have made such a difference at my outlook on things. Most importantly is my focus to please and obey God. In everything I do, I desire to please God. As hard as it has been sometimes to not just give up and do things my way, perservering and doing things God's way has such a greater reward and I have so much more peace in my heart for the decisions I have made. I look forward to what God has in store for year 26 and know that as long as I am truly following Him, whatever fires lie ahead I will emerge "pure as gold".
Year 25 started out pretty rough, with Robert and I being pretty newly seperated and me starting the journey of single parenthood. Luckily, my parents have been such a huge help and support to me. I dont know where I would be without them. As much as I try not to rely on them to help me care for Julia, they are always there for me when I need a break and Lord knows we ALL need a break sometimes:)
In the last year I have experienced a deserting spouse, a loss of jobs, Julia entering toddlerhood, the discovery of a heart murmur, my aunts breast cancer which grew into amazing family unity, my stepdad being diagnosed with congestive heart failure, some family division, letting go of old friends and embracing new ones. Now as I begin year 26, I know the struggles are not over but that some of those year 25 difficulites have produced great love and strength....I begin this year with sadly, the beginning of a divorce, entering terrible two's, a cancer free auntie, a wonderful job and a group of cousins on my mommys side that have become closer than ever before. I am so grateful for the things God is teaching me about family, friends, and just life in general. Finding people that can encourage, love, and even convict you is so important. Whether blood relatives or new found friends and everyone in between these people in my life have made such a difference at my outlook on things. Most importantly is my focus to please and obey God. In everything I do, I desire to please God. As hard as it has been sometimes to not just give up and do things my way, perservering and doing things God's way has such a greater reward and I have so much more peace in my heart for the decisions I have made. I look forward to what God has in store for year 26 and know that as long as I am truly following Him, whatever fires lie ahead I will emerge "pure as gold".
August 8, 2010
Birthday Fun!
So yesterday we had a small bbq for my birthday. It was so much fun and just what i needed to relax and surround myself with some family and friends. I am so thankful for everyone that came and am sad for the few that couldnt make it, sorry it was kind of last minute but it was still a great time:) I am so bummed that i didnt get very many pictures, i was just so busy relaxin and spending time with everyone that I totally forgot. I did get a few towards the end of the night and made a small slideshow.
Here's to year 26! Excited to find out what God has in store. I finally feel like my life is starting to move forward and cant wait for what my future holds, with my little love by my side, of course!!
Here's to year 26! Excited to find out what God has in store. I finally feel like my life is starting to move forward and cant wait for what my future holds, with my little love by my side, of course!!
August 7, 2010
August 2, 2010
A new vision.....
I feel that this blog has two purposes now. Number one, to share my experiences and wonderful moments being Julia's mommy! This little girl has changed my life for the better. I never imagined I could love someone SO much. She is in my every thought and decision and my goal for her is for her to know and love Jesus. I dont care if she has a college degree, lots of money or every success in the world. As long as my little girl desires to love and serve Jesus, I have done the job God called me to do in her. Of course i want her to know that education is important and i want her to strive to be her very best in everything she does, but I also know that I will stand before God and answer for the things I taught her of Him and at the end of this journey, my only desire is to hear my God say to me "Well done, my good and faithful servant". Number two, this blog is to share what God is showing me through this journey called life. My life has taken some crazy twists and turns, but God has been my constant and my focus. I know that as long as i keep my eyes on Him and what He has promised me, then I will overcome any circumstance that comes my way. Lately I really feel Him shaping and molding me. I feel Him stripping things that I need to let go of. Hurt and bitter feelings, family drama, and things that have been taking my focus away from Him. He has been showing me more and more that I am not of this world, that I am to be different and to not be suprised if people i thought were my friends or my family start to reject or push away from me. There are a lot verses that talk about this, but a few that stick out to me most right now is John 15:19 "If you were of this world, the world would love its own, yet because you are not of this world, but I chose you out of this world, therefore the world hates you". Luke 21:16-17 "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends. You will be hated for My name's sake". And 1 Corinthians 6:14 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers, for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" So i guess for me to feel this way from some people I should be rejoicing because it means I am doing something right! As difficult as it can be I know that God has a specific calling on my life and that to me is so much more important than fitting in and being accepted by others, because in the end I know that it will only matter what God says of me. Even through this hard process, I have made some wonderful friends that have the same goal and mindset that I do and it has been so awesome to share and encourage each other. There have been times of laugher, tears and convictions, but i have come to learn that the true Christian life is going to involve conviction and correction and the way to determine a true Christian is how they respond to that conviction from others. There have been times that I feel convicted and my first reaction is to be offended or to justify myself, but then i realize, maybe this is an area I need to change in, an area that God is using someone else to bring conviction to my heart and say I want to work on this with you. Once i realize it, I feel such a sense of love and care from God. That He loves me so much that He would take the time for me, to teach me and grow me in area that needs to change.
Sorry this post was so long.....in the few short days that I have been less distracted, He has already shown me SO much and I am so looking forward to what else He has for me!!
Sorry this post was so long.....in the few short days that I have been less distracted, He has already shown me SO much and I am so looking forward to what else He has for me!!
IN or OF this world?
Just a little devotional I found, kind of bringing home the last post about not being of the world:) Enjoy!
Question: "How can believers be in the world, but not of the world?"
Answer: When we read of the "world" in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word cosmos. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this "cosmos" (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). By the simple definition that the word world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ's claims that believers are no longer of the world—we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world. In addition, we are being changed into the image of Christ, causing our interest in the things of the world to become less and less as we mature in Christ. Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something “different” about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us. Being “in” the world also means we can enjoy the things of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, as it once was, but rather the worship of God.
Recommended Resource: Balancing the Christian Life by Charles Ryrie.
I have to ask myself this question, everyday! Am I set apart? Am I different? Or do I fit right in? Is my desire to stand up for God or to just keep that aspect of my life on the down low? Am standing with one foot in the world and one foot with God?
Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me, is against me. He who does not gather with me, scatters abroad.
Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds. That you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot, but because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold. I will vomit you out of my mouth.
Question: "How can believers be in the world, but not of the world?"
Answer: When we read of the "world" in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word cosmos. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this "cosmos" (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). By the simple definition that the word world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ's claims that believers are no longer of the world—we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world. In addition, we are being changed into the image of Christ, causing our interest in the things of the world to become less and less as we mature in Christ. Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something “different” about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us. Being “in” the world also means we can enjoy the things of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, as it once was, but rather the worship of God.
Recommended Resource: Balancing the Christian Life by Charles Ryrie.
I have to ask myself this question, everyday! Am I set apart? Am I different? Or do I fit right in? Is my desire to stand up for God or to just keep that aspect of my life on the down low? Am standing with one foot in the world and one foot with God?
Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me, is against me. He who does not gather with me, scatters abroad.
Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds. That you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot, but because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold. I will vomit you out of my mouth.
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