Friday, January 20, 2012

God's Plan for Your Life

The beginning of a new year we are always making promises or resolutions for that year.  Many times we just make up those promises because of current situations in our lives. We set goals and make alot of plans that we just don't commit to. During these times, we sometimes struggle to remember God’s promise to us.  And yet that is exactly what faith calls for and requires. The verse that came to mind in figuring out whats in store for me in 2012 is:

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I truly love this verse.  The message in all of this is that there are plenty of times in our lives when we simply do not know what God has planned for us.  We need to have faith in our Lord and wait patiently until he chooses to reveal His plans for us.  If you are like me right now and not sure what He has planned for you, you're in good company.  God will be God, and making us wait, whilst watching and praying and living by his words, is the way our God works.  Having complete trust in Him, and waiting patiently is the way we handle it.  Although I made my list of goals for 2012 I am fully prepared to make any changes or adjustments in my life according to God's will.  If I have to turn another direction because that is His plan for me, than its ok.....I trust in my good Lord with all my heart.

I find it really exciting that God has plans for me, don't you?  God is a God who invites us to renewal, redirection and fresh opportunities to serve in obedience to his will.  He never gives up on us....I am definitely a work in progress and so are you.

Blessings,

Friday, January 13, 2012

Feeling Overwhelmed!

There are days in everyone’s life when they feel overwhelmed by the stresses and tasks and projects and phone calls and emails that weigh upon them. Yes, even I get overwhelmed with all the day to day things that go on especially when unexpected things add to the list.

In order to fulfill my goals for 2012 its definitely clear that I need to get a bit more organized. Right now as a working mom there is little time left for free time. Evenings are short and the weekends are for house work and running errands. With this being said I am going to have to make a list of all I do on a daily basis including on weekends and prioritize what is important. In order for me to do the things that can help me grow spiritually, I need to go through my list and remove all the little things that I do that take up my time and are not important. In doing this I know for sure that I will have more than enough time to read my daily devotionals daily without rushing through them. I will have more time to read my bible.  And I will definitely have more quality time with my family.

So if you are feeling overwhelmed my recommendation is cut back, simplify your work load and deload.



Blessings,

 
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Planting a Spiritual Garden


In order to get on the right path for spiritual growth for 2012 we must first begin by planting a spiritual garden with the end results being a new you....following God's words and doing things that are pleasing to Him.
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  Plant four rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip.
2. Squash indifference.
3. Squash grumbling.
4. Squash selfishness.


Plant four rows of lettuce:
1. Let us be faithful.
2. Let us be kind.
3. Let us be patient.
4. Let us really love one another.


Plant a row of peas:
1. Peace of mind.

Make sure you grow enough thyme:
1. Time alone with God
2. Time for family.
2. Time for friends.


Remember, you reap what you sow.


Blessings,


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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Starting off 2012 with a new beginning!

Everyone loves a new beginning. And, the good news is, you can begin again! It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do in 2011.  You can begin in 2012.  It doesn't matter what you are or what you aren't.  You can begin again!  It doesn't matter what you have or what you lack.  You can begin again! Lets not see 2012 as just another year, because its not.  It's a New Year for a new begiining, new plans, and new accomplishments.  You may have had dreams and desires in the past which you left somewhere along your journey in 2011 because of negative experiences. I believe it’s time that you once again pull out those dreams and bring them along with your whole life into the hands of our great God and start anew for 2012.

For me my goal and new beginning for 2012 is growing closer to God.  Learning how to grow spiritually is a life-long journey which occurs as you read and apply God's Word to your life. In order for my spiritual growth to occur, I must read and learn God's Word. Then I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. This is the essence of spiritual growth. God works in different people in different ways. Some people grow rapidly, while others grow slowly, but steadily. This is my year to truly grow.  My focus will be to spend more time reading God's word, study and understand the bible scriptures, learn my bible verses and grow day by day spiritally with our amazing God.

So, remember 2012 is a new beginning! Remember this verse for 2012.....2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) “…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Blessings,

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