ARE YOU READY TO BE OFFERED?
*********************************
"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all." Philippians 2:17
Are you willing to be offered for the work of the faithful - to pour out your life blood as a libation on the sacrifice of the faith of others? Or do you say - "I am not going to be offered up just yet, I do not want God to choose my work. I want to choose the scenery of my own sacrifice; I want to have the right kind of people watching and saying, 'Well done.'
It is one thing to go on the lonely way with dignified heroism, but quite another thing if the line mapped out for you by God means being a door-mat under other people's feet. Suppose God wants to teach you to say, "I know how to be abased" - are you ready to be offered up like that? Are you ready to be not so much as a drop in a bucket - to be so hopelessly insignificant that you are never thought of again in connection with the life you served? Are you willing to spend and be spent; not seeking to be ministered unto, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work and remain saints because it is beneath their dignity.
My Utmost for His Highest - Feb. 5
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
God is the Very God of Peace
I received this devotion from a group on Facebook called "Getting to Know God"...
I thought it was really good!
Subject: God is the Very God of Peace
1 Thess 5:23-24
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
God is the Very God of Peace
Our God is working on us. He is working on our spirit, souls and bodies. What is motivating our God in this process of setting us apart from those who don’t know Him? The fact that our God is the very God of peace. This means that whatever He is doing in our spirits, souls and bodies to change us is being directed by a God who desires peace for our lives. Sometimes when the Lord calls us on something, we can feel anything BUT peace. We might even feel shaken, confused and find ourselves in a bit of a struggle. Peace comes through surrender. Yield to His work in your life. Trust that the eventual outcome your God of peace is desiring for you, is peace. Whatever He is speaking to you and I about changing will bring about a peace that passes our own understanding. Sanctification is intended on bringing us peace from the very God of peace.
***
Second Peter 3:14 says, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Perhaps some sort of restlessness or conflict within you is a direct result of resistance to what the God of peace is asking you to do even now. Ask the God of peace to have His way with you. Thank Him that He has good plans for you resulting in the peace that only He can give.
I thought it was really good!
Subject: God is the Very God of Peace
1 Thess 5:23-24
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
God is the Very God of Peace
Our God is working on us. He is working on our spirit, souls and bodies. What is motivating our God in this process of setting us apart from those who don’t know Him? The fact that our God is the very God of peace. This means that whatever He is doing in our spirits, souls and bodies to change us is being directed by a God who desires peace for our lives. Sometimes when the Lord calls us on something, we can feel anything BUT peace. We might even feel shaken, confused and find ourselves in a bit of a struggle. Peace comes through surrender. Yield to His work in your life. Trust that the eventual outcome your God of peace is desiring for you, is peace. Whatever He is speaking to you and I about changing will bring about a peace that passes our own understanding. Sanctification is intended on bringing us peace from the very God of peace.
***
Second Peter 3:14 says, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” Perhaps some sort of restlessness or conflict within you is a direct result of resistance to what the God of peace is asking you to do even now. Ask the God of peace to have His way with you. Thank Him that He has good plans for you resulting in the peace that only He can give.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I never regret what I don't say...
But I often regret what I do say...
Let's ask for God's wisdom before we speak and the wisdom to keep silent!
But I often regret what I do say...
Let's ask for God's wisdom before we speak and the wisdom to keep silent!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Touching Godliness Through Submission
I am reading a great book that I highly recommend called Touching Godliness Through Submission by K.P. Yohannan. It is one of those life-changing books for me! It is so good (and convicting) that I thought I would share some highlights...
***
As we submit to God, we are to submit to every authority whether it is a believer, or unbeliever...
***
All submission is a choice we make - whether to a husband, an employer, a church leader or a government official - not because of their great leadership skills, not because we are weak or inferior, but because we choose to lay down our lives and place ourselves under the protective covering God provides for us.
***
There are four major areas of delegated authority that God has established for us: government, church, home and work.
***
God tells us in Ex. 22:28, you shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Not only has God made it clear that we are to obey rulers and the laws they make, but we should not speak against them.
***
Paul says to the church in Thessalonica, now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work (1 Thess. 5:12,13)
***
A women who wants to follow the Lord and please Him will choose to bring her heart under submission to her husband.
***
When we truly seek to follow our authority, we won't be trying to hide anything. To cover something up implies that we believe we wouldn't have proper approval if our authority knew. If that's the case, then we are not submitting in our hearts. It may not be outright disobedience, but we have certainly not submitted to the overall guidance given. The saying, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, is not God's way.
***
If we are truly sincere and upright, we will be open and honest with our parents, pastors and leaders.
***
When we are truly submitting to authority, one of the evidences will be maintaining loyalty. We won't gossip and pick up the telephone to get our friends to go against our leaders.
***
Titus 3:1,2: Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
***
We find that God's view of a leader is quite different from what we may think on the surface. Roy Lessin's poem, A Godly Leader, puts it well:
A Godly leader...
finds strength by realizing his weakness,
finds authority by being under authority,
finds direction by laying down his own plans,
finds vision by seeing the needs of others,
finds credibility by being an example,
finds loyalty by expressing compassion,
finds honor by being faithful,
finds greatness by being a servant.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Happy Birthday sweet girl!
Our sweet girl had a wonderful family birthday party!Happy 6th Birthday baby!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thank You Letter to the Lord - 2009
Letter to the Lord – 2009
By Julie Krombein
Lord, I thank You because You are good and You are worthy of all of my praise! This is true regardless of my circumstances. In Your infinite wisdom, You have seen fit to have me go through, yet, another year of not feeling well. As You know, Lord, this year has been one of the worst years (of not feeling well) since I’ve been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue/ Fibromyalgia. As I look back at 2009, many of my days were a struggle to just do the bare minimum. Lord, You are worthy of my praise and yet I must confess… I am much too quick to grumble rather than praise You for my circumstances. I would rather feel good and work for You than feel lousy, and be content right where I’m at with praise on my lips to You.
January started with a trip to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if the best of the best medical doctors could help me. O God… I was so filled with disappointment and despair to find out that they didn’t know the first thing about my situation. Instead of coming home with help and health, I came home with a bad case of pneumonia. Yet, nothing catches You by surprise. You are my all-knowing, all-seeing, good and faithful God.
Thank You, Lord, for the book of Esther (and the great Women’s Bible Study we had in this book). It is such a great reminder that You are working behind the scenes to do a good work in me and through me even if I don’t see You or even hear You at times. Lord, I want to see You; really see You in the details of my life! Help me, I pray!
Jesus, I am so, so thankful for Todd and all that You are doing in Him. I am very proud of him and his incredible discipline that he displays in his studies, preparing for Sunday mornings. Thank You for the wonderful husband You have given to me and the awesome Daddy he is to Sophie. Thank You for the fun and laughter we have as a family. Laughing together and being silly are some of my most cherished memories.
Dear Faithful Father… You know just how thankful I am for my sweet daughter. The joy Todd and I have as her mommy and daddy is indescribable. I am thankful for so many things concerning her. Thank You for who You made her to be. Thank You for her Christian School, gymnastics club, and kid’s church. Thank You for making her with a heart for You at such a young age, for her intelligence, talent, and a great sense of humor. Thank you also for Edie and all of her love and help with watching Sophie and being an awesome Grandma.
Though I have been home more than I ever have in my entire life, God, You asked me to speak at the Day of Refreshing, Leader’s Retreat & our Christmas Luncheon. In my weakness, You are made strong and I thank You for the strength You’ve given to me throughout the year. Although, I don’t really have a social life and I’ve missed many church events and Bible Studies… I know that’s where you have me. I know this in my brain but my heart often questions this plan. I do want to trust You more than I do. Thanks so much for providing people to fill the gap in ministry. I feel so blessed!
Just as Sophie wished upon a star not too long ago… her wish was to love You more! That is my prayer too… Help me to love You more, Abba Father.
This past year was so exciting; almost serial... we had so much fun planning to move the church into our very own place and out of our moving “boxes” (trailers). I don’t know if Todd would call all that we did fun, but it was definitely super exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed picking out all of the décor and details. Thank You Lord for providing such a wonderful building our church body can call home. Thanks for providing such amazing people to help with this God-sized project! O, how I stand in awe of what you are doing at Calvary Chapel Surprise and in our community. Thank You for the many souls that were won at CCS and for the many believers that have been encouraged to walk with You with all of their hearts.
I feel like I can go on and on speaking of Your faithfulness… it is evident in every detail.
I can’t forget to thank You also for our great Women’s Ministry Leaders’ Retreat, Shaped to Serve. Thank You that I felt well and for the great time we had together. Thank You for our Women’s Retreat and the messages we heard from Janie Alfred on our Journey of a Lifetime! Lord, thank You for every event this year. Your name was truly magnified.
Thank You for my dear friend Teddy! Her unending love is priceless to me. Thanks for our extended family and friends! Thanks for the Women’s Team… I am constantly blessed by them. Thanks for the sweet encouragement You send my way. Thanks for Pinky (such a fun addition to our family). Thanks for our family get-a-ways and especially our great family vacation to Hawaii.
In closing, I ask that You would use this past year for Your glory in spite of me.
Change my stubborn heart to submit to You and Your plans for me. Give me a heart after Yours… longing to be more like You and content right where You have me. : )
By Julie Krombein
Lord, I thank You because You are good and You are worthy of all of my praise! This is true regardless of my circumstances. In Your infinite wisdom, You have seen fit to have me go through, yet, another year of not feeling well. As You know, Lord, this year has been one of the worst years (of not feeling well) since I’ve been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue/ Fibromyalgia. As I look back at 2009, many of my days were a struggle to just do the bare minimum. Lord, You are worthy of my praise and yet I must confess… I am much too quick to grumble rather than praise You for my circumstances. I would rather feel good and work for You than feel lousy, and be content right where I’m at with praise on my lips to You.
January started with a trip to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to see if the best of the best medical doctors could help me. O God… I was so filled with disappointment and despair to find out that they didn’t know the first thing about my situation. Instead of coming home with help and health, I came home with a bad case of pneumonia. Yet, nothing catches You by surprise. You are my all-knowing, all-seeing, good and faithful God.
Thank You, Lord, for the book of Esther (and the great Women’s Bible Study we had in this book). It is such a great reminder that You are working behind the scenes to do a good work in me and through me even if I don’t see You or even hear You at times. Lord, I want to see You; really see You in the details of my life! Help me, I pray!
Jesus, I am so, so thankful for Todd and all that You are doing in Him. I am very proud of him and his incredible discipline that he displays in his studies, preparing for Sunday mornings. Thank You for the wonderful husband You have given to me and the awesome Daddy he is to Sophie. Thank You for the fun and laughter we have as a family. Laughing together and being silly are some of my most cherished memories.
Dear Faithful Father… You know just how thankful I am for my sweet daughter. The joy Todd and I have as her mommy and daddy is indescribable. I am thankful for so many things concerning her. Thank You for who You made her to be. Thank You for her Christian School, gymnastics club, and kid’s church. Thank You for making her with a heart for You at such a young age, for her intelligence, talent, and a great sense of humor. Thank you also for Edie and all of her love and help with watching Sophie and being an awesome Grandma.
Though I have been home more than I ever have in my entire life, God, You asked me to speak at the Day of Refreshing, Leader’s Retreat & our Christmas Luncheon. In my weakness, You are made strong and I thank You for the strength You’ve given to me throughout the year. Although, I don’t really have a social life and I’ve missed many church events and Bible Studies… I know that’s where you have me. I know this in my brain but my heart often questions this plan. I do want to trust You more than I do. Thanks so much for providing people to fill the gap in ministry. I feel so blessed!
Just as Sophie wished upon a star not too long ago… her wish was to love You more! That is my prayer too… Help me to love You more, Abba Father.
This past year was so exciting; almost serial... we had so much fun planning to move the church into our very own place and out of our moving “boxes” (trailers). I don’t know if Todd would call all that we did fun, but it was definitely super exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed picking out all of the décor and details. Thank You Lord for providing such a wonderful building our church body can call home. Thanks for providing such amazing people to help with this God-sized project! O, how I stand in awe of what you are doing at Calvary Chapel Surprise and in our community. Thank You for the many souls that were won at CCS and for the many believers that have been encouraged to walk with You with all of their hearts.
I feel like I can go on and on speaking of Your faithfulness… it is evident in every detail.
I can’t forget to thank You also for our great Women’s Ministry Leaders’ Retreat, Shaped to Serve. Thank You that I felt well and for the great time we had together. Thank You for our Women’s Retreat and the messages we heard from Janie Alfred on our Journey of a Lifetime! Lord, thank You for every event this year. Your name was truly magnified.
Thank You for my dear friend Teddy! Her unending love is priceless to me. Thanks for our extended family and friends! Thanks for the Women’s Team… I am constantly blessed by them. Thanks for the sweet encouragement You send my way. Thanks for Pinky (such a fun addition to our family). Thanks for our family get-a-ways and especially our great family vacation to Hawaii.
In closing, I ask that You would use this past year for Your glory in spite of me.
Change my stubborn heart to submit to You and Your plans for me. Give me a heart after Yours… longing to be more like You and content right where You have me. : )
Love,
Your Tired Daughter. :0
Monday, January 25, 2010
Happy Anniversary Babe!
.JPG)
Also, Todd and I celebrate 18 years of marriage today! These 18 years have been filled with ups and downs but I am so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness to us! He has redeemed us and our marraige and I am so grateful for the work He is doing in us and through us. I thank God for Todd everyday and I have been so blessed to have a husband that loves Jesus and is constantly growing and changing to be more and more like Christ! I Love you Babe!
Happy Anniversary!
My Sweet Girl Celebrates her 6th Birthday
.jpg)
Today is S~ celebrates her Birthday and I celebrate her! One of God's sweetest gifts to me (and Todd) is our amazing girl! She is 6 years old! Wow! Time flies when you are having fun! : ) I love you to the moon and back!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Polar Express
Please feel free to mute my music on the right side bar. : )
We celebrate Jesus and not Santa... but it was fun to experience the "North Pole."
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
.jpg)
.jpg)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hallelujah Party 2009
I escaped the dunk tank. Thank you Lord!
.jpg)
Hannah and S~ as little kittens. So cute!
S~ dressed our dog up as a cow (she would have rather been a "dog." HA)! Todd and I went to the party as Hallelujah praisers! Our church Hallelujah Party was great! I loved watching the body of Christ come together to serve (over 100 servants), I loved seeing the Youth hand out tracks and seeing the kids play games, and what a blessing that the community came to a safe place where the love of Jesus was shining brightly! What Satan meant for evil, God uses for good --- although this night is used for evil... God is still desires for us to use it for His good!This is the day that the Lord has made (yes... even October 31st)!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
