As I enter into the last week of the year, I look back and recall what a whirlwind 2011 has been.
SO much has happened this past year. I hope as I have grown older physically, I have grown wiser and grown spiritually. I long to walk close to the Lord and allow Him to use me to bring His words of encouragement to others.
I pray God's blessings for you during the coming year.
Blessings,
Carrie
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Adventure Begins
We are up at 3 a.m. on June 9, 2011. My friends, sister and I are heading to Chicago to see my daughter, Amanda Kim and attend her baby shower.
I will journal our adventures.
I will journal our adventures.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Submission as a Discipline
There are so many verses on submission. This particular discipline makes some people put up a wall around themselves because they refuse to allow someone to "boss" them. As a Spiritual Discipline though, this simply means that we are to love each other and respect each other.
This is not a "tool" to be used to keep others under control or to weld power over someone.
Jesus was the example of submissiveness. He submitted to the authourities and gave His life for me and for you. He submitted to being beaten, tortured and crucified in order that we might have eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.
Each of the Scriptures I studied gave a different view of being submissive from allowing someone to slap my other cheek to considering others more important than myself. The main concept that I came away with was that being submissive does not mean that I am to be a door mat for someone else to use. It means that I, on my on, put the needs of others before my own.
If you are interested in further study here are the Scriptures I used:
Matthew 5:39
Matthew 5:44
Matthew 10:39
Matthew 22:39
Mark 8:34
Ephesians 5:21-22
Ephesians 6:9
Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:4-7
Colossians 3:13-14
1 Peter 2:13-14
1 Peter 2:18
1 Peter 2:21-23
May God bless you as you continue on your journey.
Be Blessed,
Carrie
This is not a "tool" to be used to keep others under control or to weld power over someone.
Jesus was the example of submissiveness. He submitted to the authourities and gave His life for me and for you. He submitted to being beaten, tortured and crucified in order that we might have eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.
Each of the Scriptures I studied gave a different view of being submissive from allowing someone to slap my other cheek to considering others more important than myself. The main concept that I came away with was that being submissive does not mean that I am to be a door mat for someone else to use. It means that I, on my on, put the needs of others before my own.
If you are interested in further study here are the Scriptures I used:
Matthew 5:39
Matthew 5:44
Matthew 10:39
Matthew 22:39
Mark 8:34
Ephesians 5:21-22
Ephesians 6:9
Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:4-7
Colossians 3:13-14
1 Peter 2:13-14
1 Peter 2:18
1 Peter 2:21-23
May God bless you as you continue on your journey.
Be Blessed,
Carrie
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Solitude
Solitude is something that most people just do not have enough of. We are constantly being pulled into the fray of busyness. The Bible speaks of solitude in the following Scriptures:
Matthew 4:1-11 - In this passage Jesus is alone in the wilderness. While there Satan comes to tempt Him. The temptations presented to Christ are the same ones we encounter each day - Jesus is tempted with food. In a nation that has a high obesity rate- we see how we, as a nation, are tempted by food. Each day we see ads for fast food, gourmet food, snacks of all sorts and when going through a drive through we can even "supersize" our meal. Jesus' statement to Satan was simple. "Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Maybe we should spend more time feasting on the Word of God and less time feasting on our supersized meals.
The next temptation which Satan brought before Jesus was one of testing God, to see if God would protect Jesus. Of course, Jesus had an answer for Satan. "Do Not test the Lord your God."
The final test came when Satan showed Jesus the splendors of the world. When I read this it makes me wonder just how many of our nations leaders and world leaders have fallen for this lie that Satan tangles. Jesus gave Satan an answer that needs to be used by our leaders today. " Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."
Jesus spent that time in the wilderness to be close to His Father- if Jesus needed time alone with God. I do believe that we also need time alone with God. Time for Him to comfort and advise us.
If solitude were not important it would not have been mentioned so often in the Bible.
Please take some time to be alone with Christ and read His teachings on solitude:
Matthew 14:13
Matthew 14:23
Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration) Time with God transforms us
Mark 1:35
Mark 6:31
Luke 5:16 - time spent alone in prayer
May God bless you and I pray that you will find time to be alone with God for some one to one time with your Savior.
Carrie
Luke 6:12
Matthew 4:1-11 - In this passage Jesus is alone in the wilderness. While there Satan comes to tempt Him. The temptations presented to Christ are the same ones we encounter each day - Jesus is tempted with food. In a nation that has a high obesity rate- we see how we, as a nation, are tempted by food. Each day we see ads for fast food, gourmet food, snacks of all sorts and when going through a drive through we can even "supersize" our meal. Jesus' statement to Satan was simple. "Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Maybe we should spend more time feasting on the Word of God and less time feasting on our supersized meals.
The next temptation which Satan brought before Jesus was one of testing God, to see if God would protect Jesus. Of course, Jesus had an answer for Satan. "Do Not test the Lord your God."
The final test came when Satan showed Jesus the splendors of the world. When I read this it makes me wonder just how many of our nations leaders and world leaders have fallen for this lie that Satan tangles. Jesus gave Satan an answer that needs to be used by our leaders today. " Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."
Jesus spent that time in the wilderness to be close to His Father- if Jesus needed time alone with God. I do believe that we also need time alone with God. Time for Him to comfort and advise us.
If solitude were not important it would not have been mentioned so often in the Bible.
Please take some time to be alone with Christ and read His teachings on solitude:
Matthew 14:13
Matthew 14:23
Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration) Time with God transforms us
Mark 1:35
Mark 6:31
Luke 5:16 - time spent alone in prayer
May God bless you and I pray that you will find time to be alone with God for some one to one time with your Savior.
Carrie
Luke 6:12
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Simplicity
How do we live a life of simplicity in a world that is so complicated? I know for me I enjoy gadgets, computers, etc., the thought of going back to time before Iphones, Ipods and Gps devices is not something I would want to do. However, you and I can live a life of simplicity if we look to the Bible for guidance.
There are at least 14 Scriptures that address the issue of simplicity. I would encourage you to look over and study these Scripture references.
There are at least 14 Scriptures that address the issue of simplicity. I would encourage you to look over and study these Scripture references.
- Matthew 6:19, 21
- Matthew 19: 16-22
- Luke 6:30
- Luke 6:20, 24
- Luke 12:15-21
- Luke 12:33
- Luke 16:13
- 1 Corinthians 5:11
- Philippians 4:12
- 1 Timothy 3:3
- 1 Timothy 3:8
- 1 Timothy 6:9
- Hebrew 13:5
- James 4:1-2
After studying these Scriptures, it seems to me that it is not the having of possessions that matters, it is the place the possessions have in your life: Therefore, if you are in accordance with God's Word and putting Him first in your life then living a life of simplicity amidst all the technology and advancments of the world can be achieved.
- Stay focused on God
- Buy useful items rather than status
- Reject anything that causes an addiction in you
- Make a habit of giving things away
- Do not believe everything you hear (ads)
- Enjoy things without ownership (park, beach, library)
- Appreciate nature
- Avoid buy now pay later schemes
- Use plain honest speech (Matthew 5:37)
- Do not oppress others
I pray that you will strive to live a live of simplicity.
God Bless you,
Carrie
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Study
Study is a discipline which we need not only in our Spiritual walk, but also in our daily life. We should always b learning something new. To stretch our minds, exercise our brain. Just as exercise for the body helps to keep us active and healthy, exercising the brain helps to keep it healthy.
There are four steps to study, those steps are:
1. Repetition
2. Concentration
3. Comprehension
4. Reflection
As we study the Scriptures, we should read the section of Scripture over and over. Allow it it soak into our minds. The next step concentration is where we really think about and ponder what the Scripture is saying to us, today at this stage in our life. Then we are to comprehend the Scripture, are there any words we do not understand, use a dictionary for further research. Then reflection, to reflect o n what we have read is the final step - this is a very important part of the studying process. As we reflect on the Scripture, this enables us to be able to recall that Scripture at a time when we most need it.
I have listed some Scriptures for you to study:
1. Deuteronomy 11:18
Impress these Words of mine on your hearts and souls, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads.
2. Psalm 119:11
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
3. John 8;31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in my Word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
4. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
5. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
6. 2 Peter 3:16
He (Paul) speaks about these things (salvation) in all his letters, in which there are some matters that are hard to understand. The untaught and unstable twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.
I pray that you will study the Scriptures, repeat them to yourself, concentrate on them, comprehend them, then spend time reflecting on the Words of our Lord.
May God bless you this day
~Carrie~
There are four steps to study, those steps are:
1. Repetition
2. Concentration
3. Comprehension
4. Reflection
As we study the Scriptures, we should read the section of Scripture over and over. Allow it it soak into our minds. The next step concentration is where we really think about and ponder what the Scripture is saying to us, today at this stage in our life. Then we are to comprehend the Scripture, are there any words we do not understand, use a dictionary for further research. Then reflection, to reflect o n what we have read is the final step - this is a very important part of the studying process. As we reflect on the Scripture, this enables us to be able to recall that Scripture at a time when we most need it.
I have listed some Scriptures for you to study:
1. Deuteronomy 11:18
Impress these Words of mine on your hearts and souls, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads.
2. Psalm 119:11
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
3. John 8;31-32
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in my Word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
4. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
5. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
6. 2 Peter 3:16
He (Paul) speaks about these things (salvation) in all his letters, in which there are some matters that are hard to understand. The untaught and unstable twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures.
I pray that you will study the Scriptures, repeat them to yourself, concentrate on them, comprehend them, then spend time reflecting on the Words of our Lord.
May God bless you this day
~Carrie~
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Fasting
Fasting as a Spiritual Discipline has always been one of those disciplines that I only did at Lent. I would give up chocolate or cokes or something along those lines and inevitably I wold have chocolate or drink a coke before the 40 days of Lent were over. The Bible has a lot to say about fasting. Number 1 is that it is something Jesus talked about, Queen Ester fasted and saved her people from complete destruction.
There are several Scriptures about fasting. I will not recite all of them here, but will give you a list of Scriptures that you can reference when you decide to have a Spiritual fast. Fasting has become so intertwined with the world of dieting, going without food to cleanse your body, detox treatments and such. A Spiritual fast is a two sided event. You give up something earthly (food, something you enjoy doing, etc.) and you replace that time spent in those activities with drawing closer to Christ. Instead of having lunch, you would get in a quiet place and commune with Christ, either in a Bible study or a time of prayer. Spiritual fasting is NOT just going without something and complaining about your sacrifice. Matthew 6: 16-18 gives directions on fasting:
There are several Scriptures about fasting. I will not recite all of them here, but will give you a list of Scriptures that you can reference when you decide to have a Spiritual fast. Fasting has become so intertwined with the world of dieting, going without food to cleanse your body, detox treatments and such. A Spiritual fast is a two sided event. You give up something earthly (food, something you enjoy doing, etc.) and you replace that time spent in those activities with drawing closer to Christ. Instead of having lunch, you would get in a quiet place and commune with Christ, either in a Bible study or a time of prayer. Spiritual fasting is NOT just going without something and complaining about your sacrifice. Matthew 6: 16-18 gives directions on fasting:
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Notice this Scripture does not say "IF" you fast- it says "WHEN" you fast.
My prayer for you is that you will draw closer to Christ and spend some time each day fasting as you give up a worldly time for a Spiritual time.
Other Scriptures regarding fasting include:
Leviticus 23:27
Psalm 35:13
Psalm 69:10
Daniel 10:3
Zechariah 7:5
Blessings,
Carrie
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