Devothoughts

Worshipping God...
Enjoyed this today from "Purpose Driven Life" .com - and the email devotionals I just subcribed too... brought about lots of thoughts regarding my life, does it worship God and reminded me that life is worship - not just songs, deeds, etc... but every moment of every day...

"The Westminster Catechism says that the “chief end” of man is
to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. That’s another way of saying it
is the most important thing we were created to do. To do anything but
worship him is to inadvertently put us in His place, and I don’t think
anyone really wants to be there."

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the WHOLE duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Gardening...
Just been thinking alot about what we are exposed to day in and day out... so much of living in Japan has underscored in my mind the incredible spiritual truth that "this world is not my home"... how true and yet while we are aliens - there are so many things that are of this world that do cross our paths... and yet I read in a book recently the incredibly simple yet so true statement -

"if a man wants to keep his garden tidy -
he does not keep a spot for weeds".

I love that picture with regards to our spiritual growth... compromise is so easy - and yet so devastating... so often my humanity thinks that I can keep things segmented... and yet this statement reminds me that God did not call us to partial holiness, obedience or partial truth.

My Utmost for His Highest...
Well feeling a little ashamed of yesterdays blurb - oh well - honesty right - we all have our moments... am grateful for the realigned perspective I have been given... and thankful for friends to remind me of that... thank you. Been thinking lots about God's perspective... the big picture - and all of that... and have been reminded of Isaiah 40... with regards to gaining a new perspective...

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Waiting and trusting on the Lord, and He will renew my strenght, help me to soar, giving me a new vantage point, new hope and new energy... Wow - how wrapped up in myself I can be - and yet - how good God is to love us anyways - and desire to bring us ever higher...

I really really loved what My Utmost for His highst said today... well - okay - what Oswald Chambers wrote in today's devotional...

Never dull your sense of being your utmost for His highest— your best for His glory.

Reminded me of running the race... this world is not my home... and I need to remember that when it gets me down, trips me up, or lures me in... but "those whose hope is in the Lord... He will renew their strength, they will rise up like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint"
God is so good.

But I trust in your unfailing love...
Hi there - been a bit of a dissapointing day - searching - seeking for God's purposes for me here - why is it that I care about things so much when those who should dont... struggling in that.. and feeling a bit down... when I thought with a smile about Psalm 13...

How long oh Lord, will you forget me forever
How long will you hide your face from me
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
And everyday have sorrow in my heart
How long will my enemies triumph over me...
Look on me and answer - Oh Lord my God...
But I trust in your unfailing love
My heart rejoices in your salvation..

I will sing unto the Lord
For He has been good to me

Many may wonder why I smile as I remember that psalm... well it was on a tape mom first had when she became a Christian, and she played it non-stop... so when I first went to camp as a ten-year old or even younger... when the counsellor asked what our favorite psalm was... I panicked... this was the only one I knew... I am certain that she offered more than a few prayer requests for her depressed young camper!!!

Anyways - I also like it - because despite the despair and struggling that I feel - I like that - "I will sing unto the Lord - for He has been good to me" He has been good - ever so gracious - and I need to remember that on days like these.

Who am I???
This song has been on the internet Christian radio that I listen to while I sit here in my office... and means alot... I wanted to share the song lyrics with you...Who Am I
by Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

Being back in Japan has had its ups and downs... and yet ulimately I am forever reminded of God's goodness and His grace - and what He is teaching me here - I have also been continously blown away lately by His incredible gift of grace... the fact that none of it - nothing He has given me is because of who I am, or what I do... but all because of HIM... Futhermore in a world far away from all familiar... my eyes always water at the sound of this song... not only becuase of God's incredible gift of grace... but also with the reminder that "I AM YOURS"... Thank you so much God for that!

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

YIPPEE!
Only two more sleeps until I hop on that jet plane home - I can hardly wait - today's thought - well - all I can think of is home - I am so grateful today for my family and friends and just the way God is continually blessing me and teaching me through them. You are a part of that... thank you! Take care and God bless. I am not sure of my computer access for the next little while - but will look forward to returning to these times when I get back as a real way of staying connected... Take care - and God bless -

Running the race...
"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself" - 1 Corithians 9: 24-26

Sometimes, many times, I need this verse to remind me of my purpose, to remind me to realign my priorities - to be ever mindful that while I am in the world I am not to be of the world. I sometimes really appreciate the Message - "No sloppy living for me"...found this reminder challenging and at the same time encouraging this morning.

Energetic in goodness....
Was reading this verse in the new testament today and it challenged me - Here it is in the Message version
- 2 Titus 2:11-14

God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

Energetic in goodness... eager and enthusiastic about living for HIM, glorifying HIM! Why is it that so often the tangible things of this world lure us away from God's incredible gifts... he is truly whetting our appetites... and creating in us a true taste of His goodness so that we will not be satisfied with anything unless it brings us closer to Him - the one with whom we were designed to be in true relationship!
I like this verse... it challenges me on many different levels... firstly - to remember that salvation is public - I need to share that and live my life in a way that others want this gift too - another challenge comes from the words "we're being shown how to turn our backs" - so often we waver, compromise, mull over and think about so many things when really an issue might be plain as day... we have been shown not only how to turn our backs but also how to grow and have a God-filled life... and the ultimate reminder here too is of Him - Of God7s sacrifice and the atonement of Christ on the cross... something not to be taken lightly.

While reading Desiring God I just loved this word picture from C.S. Lewis... talking about how we so willingly accept what this world has to offer when He is ever-present, promising everything and yet how often we settle for mediocracy.

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

In regards to pursuing God - this was just an idea I found so interesting and so challenging... in the words of John Piper that "the great problem of human beings is that they are far too easily pleased. They don't seek pleasure with nearly the resolve and passion that they should. And so they settle for mud pies of appetite instead of infinite delight. Our mistake lies not in the intensity of our desire for happiness, but in the weakness of it."

Hmmm - something to think about - I am also well aware of my tendency to quote literature and great Christian ressources, which are all well and good, however if they are not founded on scripture nor bring it into focus- they are unnecessary... so I want to make sure to have plenty of biblical basis here as well... Speaking of finding joy and delight in the Lord... I wanted to share this verse...

Taste and see that the Lord is good... psalm 34:8

God desires and plans, and the joys found in living with him are supposed to be the ultimate... incomparable! Remember the joy found in Him!!! GOd bless -

The Chief End of Man...
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiates 12:13 (NIV)

I have always loved this verse... and have been thinking about it recently... I looked it up in the Amplified version - which I think, expands upon certain words, especially verbs, where our English language is sometimes limited and gives us a good idea of what was written originally in Greek or Hebrew... Here is what that verse had to say about the following...

"Fear God": [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is]

"the whole of man" [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun]

Good hey? So simple - fear God - and obey His commandments - Oh Lord how we sometimes make matters so complicated. Thank you for your grace.

I have started reading "Desiring God" online by John Piper - (I am continously amazed and astonished at all of the ressources that are online) and have just been intrigued by his notion of Christian Hedonism - enjoying life...

"The overriding concern of this book is that in all of life God be glorified the way he himself has appointed. To that end this book aims to persuade you that

The chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying him forever."

Interesting... so often we are known for our rules, for everything we are against and help paint the not-yet believer's picture of God as a "joy stealer" - and yet Piper says we are to ENJOY God, because as we "enjoy" Him we get to know Him more, learn more of His heart, His love, and are transformed ever more into His likeness... Will keep reading and keep you posted. God bless you - have a great weekend.

The power of God...
He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
8 He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
9 He covers the face of the full moon,
spreading his clouds over it.
10 He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
for a boundary between light and darkness.
11 The pillars of the heavens quake,
aghast at his rebuke.
12 By his power he churned up the sea;
by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
13 By his breath the skies became fair;
his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"
Job 26

Was thinking of this passage today... reminded of God's tremendous power and soveriegnty... WOW - all of these things are but an outer fringe of His works...
All I can say is what a mighty God we serve...

Being thirsty...
You are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

This verse encouraged me and made me think alot about reaching for higher things and "earnestly" seeking God... did you know that to be earnest means... "showing deep sincerity or seriousness:of an important or weighty nature; grave".

Question - am I earnestly seeking Him? seeking to grow, seeking to know more? Love the picture of thirst - and the idea of His word, His life, His grace all being like water to me a poor parched soul... how cool and refreshing is water - how necessary and life-giving it is.

Pondering higher things...
I have been thinking lately about the importance of filtering what messages we take in and give out, and in today's society how we can do this... these verses especially made me think of this and its importance...

Be careful what you see. "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "(Matthew 6:22, 23 NIV)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 5:23 NIV)

Oswald Chambers said:
"God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our "inner sanctuary" be kept right with God, but also the "outer courts" must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our "outer court" is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things...Never allow God to show you a truth which you do not instantly begin to live up to, applying it to your life. Always work through it, staying in its light."

As God reveals His truth to me - am I instantly applying it - working through it - staying in its light? Hmm- questions that challenge me and having put it in writing too I am challenged all the more - My mind also thinks of Phillipians...

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" - Phillipians 4:8-9.

Untouchable...
I am getting so excited about flying home - one more Monday of work - and then the next monday will be spent at home in Lethbrdige!!! YIPPEE!!!

Anyways - I will be flying home with China Airlines - apparantly they are notorious for crashes and the like - so many of my Japanese students and friends are quite concerned for me - and my co-workers - lovingly said that as long as I have next semester planned - have a great trip! Anyways - I have been able to say to them that whenever God determines that it is my turn to go - that is when I will go home - heavenward... and will not live my life in fear of crashes, earthquakes and the like. From a similar discussion a friend reminded me of this great quote from the great man David Livingstone - who stated that "I am untouchable until the will of God is finished in me" - that is only from memory... but conveys the message. How true, isn't it... to be reminded that God is sovereign in all!

Faithful in the small things...
Today a friend emailed a quote from "The prayer of Jabez" daily calender... and reminded me of the simplicity of what God asks of us... here is the quote:

"Notice that our God is not scanning the horizon for spiritual giants or seminary standouts. He eagerly seeks those who are sincerely loyal to Him. Your loyal heart is the only part of His expansion plan that He will not provide." - Prayer of Jabez

This made me think of the parable of the talents, and God's remark to His faithful servants...
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Matthew 25:11

I love the expression "come and share your master's happiness" - but I love the wording of the NASB text even more as it says to "Enter into the joy of your master"... Is there anything else I should desire but to enter into the joy of my heavenly Father... and yet how comforting to know that in order to do that God doesn not require a perfect Saint, a tower of Strength, or a wise sage, but instead - a loyal, faithful servant.

God's word....
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do."

2nd Timothy 3:16-17

Just loved this version of this verse - reminding me of the wealth we have in the bible and its necessary place and the need for its application in our lives...

Hope you have a great day - God bless - Cheryl

Instructions on how to comment...
Hi there - if you are reading this that means you got my email! Hurray!

If you want to post a comment it will not work on most of the entries as I made - except for Thursdays and Mondays... so from now on though you will be able to comment -just use the anonymous button... and it will work. LOoking forward to hearing what you have to say - God bless - Love Cheryl

Enough manna for one day...
Had a great weekend - slept in this morning and did not leave the house early enough to have my regular date with the computer, God and "you" so I have had to wait to the end of my work day to put down my thoughts on what God is teaching me lately. Read Elizabeth Elliot's fantastic book "Let me be a Woman" again this past weekend and have just really enjoyed her challenging words and her encouragement regarding our purpose as women and our uniqueness! I especially liked this section about life questions...

"The truth is that none of us knows the will of God for his life, I say for his life - for the promise is "as thou goest step by step I will open up the way before thee". He gives us enough light for today, enough strength for one day at a time, enough manna, our daily bread. And the life of faith is a journey from Point A to Point B, from Point B to C...."

I really liked that as I mull over decisions, dreams, expectations, and thoughts - and realize that God has it all under control - and step by step he will guide me - Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path - right - not a floodlight - stretching out way into the distance - but a lamp - lighting the way just enough so I can step directly into it without fear, but with confidence...

A friend said to me that "it is easier for God to steer a ship when it is moving, rather than when it is stopped, anchored, or paused - awaiting what comes next"....

God bless you today as you move step by step in God's Glorious master plan!

Being transformed by the renewing of your minds...
Things have been going well here in Japan - one of the most recent highlights has been a bible study with two girls who lived in Lethbridge a while ago and attended my church there - they are Christians and live in this area... one is a new Christian and was really struggling, trying to bring her "western" faith and all that was easy for her in Canada back to her life here in Japan - anyways - we were looking up various passages and this one was especially helpful in our discussion...

9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- 11 - COlossians 3

Despite language difficulties and all - it was so neat to hear her explain this verse back to me - that we had dirty, old clothes that made up our old selves, and now have been given a beautiful new wardrobe and every day - throughout the day - we have the choice which garments to put on...

she was a little puzzled about the renewal part... and it was so great to explain that we are being renewed in HIM - my version said we were being renewed in HIS IMAGE - and this one "to a true knowledge of HIm" - How encouraging that we do not only have beautiful new garments, and a choice everyday - every moment to adorn ourselves with them - but every step these garments are transforming us more and more into His likeness, - exhibiting HIS qualities to the world!

God bless you today...

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