Rejoicing in God's Will

Psalm 119:10-16

I seek you with all my heart;
    do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
 Praise be to you, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.
 With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.
 I rejoice in following your statutes
    as one rejoices in great riches.
 I meditate on your precepts
    and consider your ways.
 I delight in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

Adam & I have been spending more time studying scripture this week.  We spend more time in prayer as well, searching to find God's direction as we make our future plans.  As I look for open doors and seek the keys to unlock job opportunities, I am asking for God's guidance.  I keep reminding myself that my heavenly Father already knows what I need before I ask for it.

Prayer is all about building a relationship with God, not about requesting favors to have your wishes granted.  When you are investing your time to build your relationship with God, seeking to understand his will and pursue his righteousness, He will direct your paths.  Prayer is about gaining a closer fellowship with God and about developing a lifestyle of thankfulness and faith.

We pray that God's will be done.  Please pray for us to grow in His wisdom and in knowledge. We seek a growing awareness of God's will for our lives and we look for a confidence in discerning his will.

Psalm 119:34-38, & 66
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.

My Favorite Book: James

When Claudia texted me a verse from James this morning, I was encouraged.  She texted me a verse from one of my favorite chapters out of my favorite book:

 James 1:4,  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

As I pursue new employment, this verse is very encouraging. Anyone looking for a teaching position in Los Angeles could tell you perseverance is required to pursue your career  in the classroom.  James 1:4 reminds me that my time applying is not wasted, since even dead ends and discouragements in my job searching are building my perseverance.  And, James 1:12 goes on to say:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Praise God for the hope he gives his children. 

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Thanking God

Colossians 3:1717 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I want my entire life to praise God and bring him glory.  He has blessed me tremendously.  I thank God for my health, for a place to live, for good food, and for the love of my life.  

I thank God for hope he has placed in my heart.  I praise God for the blessings I overlook every day.  I thank him for the simple things I take for granted.  I praise him for the beautiful places and lovely people that surround me.  

Life is 'alright!'

Excerpt from Alright by Darius Rucker

When I lay down at night I thank the Lord above, 
For giving me everything I ever could dream of.

Understanding God's Love

Romans 8:32-39
³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I John 4:18
¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Although it might be impossible to fully comprehend the amazing love God pours out daily, I will try to appreciate the richness of his powerful, perfect love.  Perfect love drives out fear...and some days, I am full of fear. 

I fear the unknown future, I fear failure, I fear being without what I need or wish for...but God is gracious, and He is ready to save me.  Christ Jesus sacrificed Himself for me, proving that not even death can separate me from the love of Christ. 

Instead of living in fear, I must learn to live as a conqueror.  The God of the universe loves ME.  Perfectly.  If I can come closer to understanding the height and depth of God's love, my heart will heal as I find my confidence in His love. 

Romans 15: 13
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Praising God

Romans 11: 33-36
³³ Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and^[a] knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
³⁴ “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”^[b]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”^[c]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Time spent glorifying and praising God frees us to see our daily life activities with the correct perspective.  When our faith is weak, or if our view of God is small, our problems seem enormous.  But when we take the time to count our blessings and thank God for His gifts, life's hardships seem less difficult.  Praising God, appreciating His power and omniscience, enables us to view our circumstances with the proper perspective.  We are better able to see life's events as they truly are: part of God's plan for our life journey, each trial helping us to develop patience and mature in our faith. 

The more time I spend praising God and reading Psalms as I glorify Him, the more I see His grace and His blessings in my life. 

Romans 15:13
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Happy Birthday Audrey Hepburn!

Today would have been Audrey Hepburn's 85th birthday. 

 

Philippians 4:4-7

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Unlike most stars, Audrey grew even more beautiful as she grew older.  Her inner beauty shined as she used her talents to serve others.  All her life, Audrey's elegance and grace was a blessing to those around her.  She knew life was too beautiful to worry about 'worry lines' on her forehead.  Audrey was humble, loving, and self sacrificing. 





 

In a world of self centered beauties and superficial loveliness, Audrey used her fame to promote children's charities.   Audrey is a refreshing inspiration, reminding actors of the meaning of

true beauty.   

 

Philippians 3:12-14

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.