Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (2)

[powerofprayer]

I think Cristianna's post pretty much summed it all up for me! I have such a variety of friends, most of them are either not strong in their faith or non-believers. I, too, believe that if we only befriend other Christians than how do we bring others to the cross. After all, look at the beggars, thiefs & prostitutes that Jesus befriended. I know that when I'm in the company of non-Christians that my actions speak louder than words so I am very careful to not stray from God in ANY way. I pray not only for them but for myself - that God will use me in their life. I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason... whether they are Christians or non-Christians so I do my best to serve them as God tells me to.

I do go to small group at my church once a week so I stay surrounded with godly people and have those friends to go to for advise.

 

[ImHisServant]

Before posting today's topic I just want to throw this idea out here and see who bites.

I'd like to see more people posting topics then me... like we could all take turns - either pm me or post here if you are interested in helping out occasionally or even more often.

You don't have to use the same format as me... it doesn't have to be a devo... it can be a struggle you need help with... just a topic you want to discuss that's not a devo... there are not limits or boundries here - do it your own creative unique way and have fun with it.

Thanks so much...

Gina

 

[ImHisServant]

Wednesday 1/24/07
God's Word


We must pay more careful attention therefore, to
what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1
​

It seems that we are constantly being bombarded with information. The internet, the media, your job and people around you are continually dumping information on you. That makes it difficult to stay focused on what is truly important.

The preaching and teaching of God's Word should be of primary importance to you. In fact, you may say that it is... but with all the information blitzing your mind, the truths of God's Word can sometimes get pushed aside.

Be careful not to let that happen. Keep the teachings of God's Word in the center of your mind so you don't drift away from them.​

 

[Maharg]

Good word today - thank you. Yes it's so easy to get distracted isn't it? For me, there is a lot of bureaucracy in my job - to the point where I can end up spending so long on paperwork that the core element of my job suffers, and it really has been suffering thies week. I pray for fresh revelation for all of us of the power of God's word and the need for us to spend as long as we possibly can in it - making His priorities our priorities.



Maharg

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Wednesday 1/24/07

God's Word​

We must pay more careful attention therefore, to
what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1​

It seems that we are constantly being bombarded with information. The internet, the media, your job and people around you are continually dumping information on you. That makes it difficult to stay focused on what is truly important.​

The preaching and teaching of God's Word should be of primary importance to you. In fact, you may say that it is... but with all the information blitzing your mind, the truths of God's Word can sometimes get pushed aside.​

Be careful not to let that happen. Keep the teachings of God's Word in the center of your mind so you don't drift away from them.​

This is why memorizing scripture is so important ladies, so that God's Word is on our minds throughout the day. Memorizing and meditating on scripture go hand in hand. Tape scriptures to your fridges, put them in your purse, tape them near your sink. I use 3x5 recipe cards and write verses on them. It really helps. By having scripture memorized you will call them up when you need them. Also, with all the Christian books available always remember that the bible is what is inspired not the book about the bible. I love reading Christian books and novels but I have to make sure I'm also reading from God's Word.

~Christina

 

[MeekOne]

This is why memorizing scripture is so important ladies, so that God's Word is on our minds throughout the day. Memorizing and meditating on scripture go hand in hand. Tape scriptures to your fridges, put them in your purse, tape them near your sink. I use 3x5 recipe cards and write verses on them. It really helps. By having scripture memorized you will call them up when you need them. Also, with all the Christian books available always remember that the bible is what is inspired not the book about the bible. I love reading Christian books and novels but I have to make sure I'm also reading from God's Word.

~Christina

This leads me to invite you ladies to join us in the Bible Verse thread in my signature too. I hope you don't mind, Gina, but we can be members of both threads, yes? I know you are, Gina, and I am. I hope you all join us there. Thank you.

 

[burn97]

Very Good Point Christina!
I sometimes get so wrapped up in reading books, that I forget to read the bible. I've been trying really hard lately though, to make sure to read the bible everyday.

I've heard it said that if you read three chapters a day, that in one year you've read the whole bible. (Even a little adds up to alot )

 

[cristianna]

For me it's very easy to get distracted with the amount I have on my plate. Quite embarrassingly enough there are times I don't even get in the shower until 1 pm or even 3 pm. Don't worry today... I'm not stinking up anyone's screens-- I got in at 10 am! Woohoo!!! LOL

It did bother me that there were times I'd allow every day stresses and the whole wife/mother/sister/friend roles interrupt my time with God. Through my Sista I was given the idea to start my time first thing in the morning. Now if I wake up late, or am really stressed for the day, I'll make it up in the evening.

Burn I recommend: The One Year Bible. I love it! It breaks it down into daily 15 minute readings from OT, NT, Psalms and Proverbs, so you get a little taste of everything daily. And something is always bolded-- great for memorizing. The beginning also explains how to read it in three years, two years, etc.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Wednesday 1/24/07

God's Word​

We must pay more careful attention therefore, to
what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Hebrews 2:1​

It seems that we are constantly being bombarded with information. The internet, the media, your job and people around you are continually dumping information on you. That makes it difficult to stay focused on what is truly important.​

The preaching and teaching of God's Word should be of primary importance to you. In fact, you may say that it is... but with all the information blitzing your mind, the truths of God's Word can sometimes get pushed aside.​

Be careful not to let that happen. Keep the teachings of God's Word in the center of your mind so you don't drift away from them.​

This is such a great reminder! Thank you!

 

[powerofprayer]

Cristianna, I just started reading The One Year Bible this week & I love it!
I also get so caught up reading other Christian books that the Bible usually gets left out (I'm ashamed to say). And I have an awful memory so I really struggle with memorizing scripture. I carry around a small notebook in my purse with lots of scripture in it. I read it often. I pray everyday that.. when I need it, God will bring the appropriate scripture to my mind & out of my mouth!! Does anyone else have a hard time memorizing scripture?!

 

[rosiecotton]

Cristianna, I just started reading The One Year Bible this week & I love it!
I also get so caught up reading other Christian books that the Bible usually gets left out (I'm ashamed to say). And I have an awful memory so I really struggle with memorizing scripture. I carry around a small notebook in my purse with lots of scripture in it. I read it often. I pray everyday that.. when I need it, God will bring the appropriate scripture to my mind & out of my mouth!! Does anyone else have a hard time memorizing scripture?!

My mom let me borrow her One Year Bible and guess what? I'm already behind!! One of my goals this year is to spend more time reading the Bible and in prayer, but I've already had a hard time with it.
I think many of us find it a lot easier to read books than the Bible. They usually take a lot less actual thinking!! I love to read and I'm always in the midst of reading one or two books. But, some days my Bible lays untouched. I think sometimes, too, we aren't sure where to 'start' in the Bible. Many people just begin reading at Genesis and try to read straight through, and once they reach a book like Leviticus, get discouraged & give up. (this is what makes the One Year Bible so good to read!)
I wonder, too, if memorizing scripture is so hard because we look at it as a chore. As something we "have" to do. Think how easy it is to remember all the words to your favorite songs. Or, I know many of the lines from some of my favorite movies. But yet, I can't really quote a whole lot of scripture. Sure, I know some of my favorites, but not a whole lot. I just think sometimes it's hard because we feel it's something that as Christian's we have to do, and then we feel guilty if we aren't doing it, so we force ourselves to write verses down on cards and other places and try to memorize them. Kinda of like that hated homework we had to do in school.
So, I don't know. Maybe we just need to change our mindset towards it and not look at it as something we have to do. Maybe we need to just not beat ourselves up about it if we aren't doing it.
Maybe just choose one verse/passage a week to memorize, or even a month to focus on and memorize?

 

[ImHisServant]

Thursday 1/25/07
Daily Praise


Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:1-2
​

When it comes to setting priorities in life, what could be more important than praising God? Now, it might seem that this is an unnecessary priority to mention. After all, who would dare say that we shouldn't praise God? But how often does praise for God get lost among all the requests we make of Him? How often does the praise get tlost in puddles of disappointment when He doesn't do what we think He should do?

Make it a priority to push aside all the requests, and just praise Him for who He is. Enjoy all that He does for you. Praise Him every day. Doing so will help your attitude!

What are some ways we can praise God?​

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

My mom let me borrow her One Year Bible and guess what? I'm already behind!! One of my goals this year is to spend more time reading the Bible and in prayer, but I've already had a hard time with it.
I think many of us find it a lot easier to read books than the Bible. They usually take a lot less actual thinking!! I love to read and I'm always in the midst of reading one or two books. But, some days my Bible lays untouched. I think sometimes, too, we aren't sure where to 'start' in the Bible. Many people just begin reading at Genesis and try to read straight through, and once they reach a book like Leviticus, get discouraged & give up. (this is what makes the One Year Bible so good to read!)
I wonder, too, if memorizing scripture is so hard because we look at it as a chore. As something we "have" to do. Think how easy it is to remember all the words to your favorite songs. Or, I know many of the lines from some of my favorite movies. But yet, I can't really quote a whole lot of scripture. Sure, I know some of my favorites, but not a whole lot. I just think sometimes it's hard because we feel it's something that as Christian's we have to do, and then we feel guilty if we aren't doing it, so we force ourselves to write verses down on cards and other places and try to memorize them. Kinda of like that hated homework we had to do in school.
So, I don't know. Maybe we just need to change our mindset towards it and not look at it as something we have to do. Maybe we need to just not beat ourselves up about it if we aren't doing it.
Maybe just choose one verse/passage a week to memorize, or even a month to focus on and memorize?

I totally understand where you are coming from with regards to scripture memorization. It should be something that you want to do, not have to do. Something as simple as writing a verse on a card and sticking it to your fridge does wonders because you end up reading it each time you open it. Just by reading the same verse over and over again lifts you up and it stays in your memory. We are to delight in the Lord with all our hearts, one way to delight in Him is to meditate on His Word.

Before I ever memorized one verse I resisted completely because it just seemed too much, too hard. A friend helped me by sharing some of her simple techniques and it helped a lot. Just trying to pass it on.

~Christina

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Thursday 1/25/07

Daily Praise​

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Psalm 146:1-2​

When it comes to setting priorities in life, what could be more important than praising God? Now, it might seem that this is an unnecessary priority to mention. After all, who would dare say that we shouldn't praise God? But how often does praise for God get lost among all the requests we make of Him? How often does the praise get tlost in puddles of disappointment when He doesn't do what we think He should do?​

Make it a priority to push aside all the requests, and just praise Him for who He is. Enjoy all that He does for you. Praise Him every day. Doing so will help your attitude!​

What are some ways we can praise God?​

So True Gina! One of my very first Christian friends once told me, "I always spend the same amount of time if not more thanking God as I do asking Him for something." Her comment has stuck with me.

Ways we can praise God:

• Prayer
• Song
• Journalling
• Helping others

Looking forward to reading all your comments today.

~Christina

 

[rosiecotton]

I totally understand where you are coming from with regards to scripture memorization. It should be something that you want to do, not have to do. Something as simple as writing a verse on a card and sticking it to your fridge does wonders because you end up reading it each time you open it. Just by reading the same verse over and over again lifts you up and it stays in your memory. We are to delight in the Lord with all our hearts, one way to delight in Him is to meditate on His Word.

Before I ever memorized one verse I resisted completely because it just seemed too much, too hard. A friend helped me by sharing some of her simple techniques and it helped a lot. Just trying to pass it on.

~Christina

Thanks! But, I guess I wasn't 'applying' my post to just myself. I mean, I guess I was just thinking through why so many struggle with scripture memorization...not that I necessarily look at it as a chore. Just that maybe many of us look at it that way, and feel guilty if we aren't doing it.
I know the scripture memorization is a great thing! I guess it's just actually getting yourself to do it. I actually like the idea I had in my previous post, about focusing on one verse/passage for a week, or even a month. I may try that!

 

[ImHisServant]

My primary way of praising God is through singing and dancing. Yet anything we do that glorifies God is praise I think. That being said... I truly believe that my diet and exercise program is praising Him... making His temple healthy - and He is my source of strength as I get through this journey.

 

[liveandlove]

.

 

[cristianna]

Before I post with today's topic I have to admit I despise... no scratch that it should read: D-E-S-P-I-S-E reading. I read so much as a child, I really think I have capped out in the reading department. It takes so much for me to sit down and read. If it's something of great interest I can finish it in a day. For instance I read A Table In the Presence and Sea of Glory in a day (not the same day though). But they deal with topics of intense interest to me (nott hat God's Word isn't) and were written in a style I enjoy. Since graduation I can honestly say there's maybe (that could be a stretch) five books I've read.

Because I really don't enjoy reading it's hard for me to memorize scripture and read the bible. I've always read bits and pieces of the bible, never from front cover to back. Then our church handed out the One Year Bible, so I've given it a chance. It was hard to do at first. But I force myself to commit to reading it. If I didn't it would be a dust collector.

I have to agree with RosieCotton about lyrics... if someone would just put the entire bible to a song that would be the life! I know I could memorize anything if it was in that format.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

Before I post with today's topic I have to admit I despise... no scratch that it should read: D-E-S-P-I-S-E reading. I read so much as a child, I really think I have capped out in the reading department. It takes so much for me to sit down and read. If it's something of great interest I can finish it in a day. For instance I read A Table In the Presence and Sea of Glory in a day (not the same day though). But they deal with topics of intense interest to me (nott hat God's Word isn't) and were written in a style I enjoy. Since graduation I can honestly say there's maybe (that could be a stretch) five books I've read.

Because I really don't enjoy reading it's hard for me to memorize scripture and read the bible. I've always read bits and pieces of the bible, never from front cover to back. Then our church handed out the One Year Bible, so I've given it a chance. It was hard to do at first. But I force myself to commit to reading it. If I didn't it would be a dust collector.

I have to agree with RosieCotton about lyrics... if someone would just put the entire bible to a song that would be the life! I know I could memorize anything if it was in that format.

Hey I have any idea, you could always buy one of those childrens music CDs which put scripture to song. Tyler has one and I've learned SO much just by listening along with him. I've heard Steve Green has made a good one. I'm serious though....it might do the trick....and maybe your kids might even like it.

Just a thought.....just tell me to be quiet everyone.

 

[cristianna]

Ways I Praise God:

• Reading His Word
• Prayer-- for others and myself
• Thanking Him routinely for everything he's done for me and fulfilled
• Helping others-- monetarily, physically or just being there
• Song
• Witnessing to others about the great things He's done for me: Today I did a workshop/seminar at a local church. I haven't done public speaking for years! While I knew I was good at it, I was worried maybe I would be rusty, nervous and fidgety, physically shaking or umming and uuuhhing left and right. I prayed and prayed (I'm sure He doesn't like my broken recordness-- and at times I do believe He tells me: I heard you the first time) for me to breeze through it. It was just like being on a bike... I zipped through with very little problems other than running out of time! Thank You Lord!
• Asking for help: This may sound weird or odd, but I really believe by me saying I cannot do this without Your help I am praising His Holiness along with my need for Him.
• I also believe the simple fact that I try to live a life according to Him is praise in itself. I can't verbalize it too well, but I hope everyone understands what I mean.