Saturday, August 29, 2009

GO!

Last Sunday morning I was talking to my sixth grade girls about what happens when we do not follow God's will. We learned about Jonah and how he ended up in the stomach of a big fish because he did not obey the Lord. We also talked about how we should always follow God's will, even when it requires for us to step out of our "comfort zones." I do not know about you, but it is extremely hard for me to step out of my comfort zone. This is something that God has been asking me to do in many areas of my life, but that is another story for another day :).

I began to think after reading "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper...excellent book by the way. How many people in the world are walking around wasting their life because I didn't have the courage to step out of my "box" and share God's love with them. How many missionaries are out sharing the Gospel in countries where they can be killed for telling others about Christ? Yet here I am, in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave too stuck in my own ways and too comfortable in my zone to tell someone about Christ. Most of us are familiar with Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." God commands you and I to GO! Not to sit back and let the missionaries or pastors of our church do all the work. We need to get up and go out into the world and share the love of Christ.



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

WOW

As I shared with you a couple of days ago, this month has been a tough month for us financially. This morning as I read my devotion, God reminded me that His promises are strong enough to handle any trial, situation, or circumstance in my life. In the devotional that I am reading, Catherine Martin wrote, "The promises that God has given you are worth more than any earthly possessions; the promises of God make you a spiritual multimillionaire." I am rich in the Lord and He is all I need.

As I checked our bank account online this morning and reminded myself that my hope is in the Lord, I received a phone call from the insurance company who is working our case. For those of you that do not know, about a month ago the kids and I were in a car accident. Thankfully it was not my fault and the other driver's insurance has taken responsibility for the costs. The representative wanted to talk to me about the bill from the hospital. Now you may want to take a seat, because what happened next is amazing. It went something like this.....

Representative: "ma'am I also wanted to know if you would accept a check for your pain and suffering"

Me: "You mean like you are going to give me a check...for me?

Representative: "Yes, and would you accept this amount for your son?"

Me: "You are sending me money for my son too...ok yes..." (As I thought to myself, is this really happening)

Representative: "Ok well I will go ahead and send you the check for the depreciation of value, a check for your pain and suffering, a check for your son's pain and suffering, and we are also going to send you a check in the amount of $___ to replace your car seats."

Me: "Ok...wow..thanks. So I don't need to buy them first and then send you a receipt to be reimbursed.

Representative: "No, we will go ahead and send you the check. I am sending them out today."

After our conversation was over I was overwhelmed in joy. I went and told Joseph and he did not know how to respond. I was speechless, but at the same time I wanted to scream and shout Praise God, Praise God!! The amount they are sending is exactly what we needed to get through the month.  How awesome it is to know that when you give it all to the Lord you will have no regrets! I sit here and my eyes are full of tears because I am so thankful and feel so blessed! Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." I am living proof of that. God wants us to cast all our fears and anxiety on Him because he cares for us. He loves us so much that He says "hey, I got this."

Trust the Lord and give it all to Him. When you do, hold on because He WILL show up!
The same promises that I hold on to are yours as well. Hold on to His promises, trust in Him, cast all your anxiety and fears on Him and sit back and watch Him work.

I Love Ya'll
Maggie

826 6:55 pm

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Faith Like Abraham

have been blessed with being able to stay at home with my children. I thank God everyday that he continues to provide. I am thankful that I have a husband who works one full-time job, one part-time job, and an off duty security job where he works twice a month. In the past two months Joseph's health insurance increased and his hours at the off duty job decreased. I spent a few days maybe even weeks frustrated and upset. Over the past year Joseph and I have cut many "luxuries" out of our budget and have concentrated on living a simple life. This month has been one of the toughest months we have had, but in the past few days I have experienced God's peace like never before. Please do not feel sorry for us, this is not why I am sharing this. We are very blessed and God continues to bless us beyond belief. I share this because of what I want to share with you.

In Romans 4:18 it says, "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed....." Abraham continued to believe in God even when all human possibilities seemed impossible. This is what God has shown me in the past few days. Even when everything seems impossible, nothing is impossible for God. We have to have faith like Abraham and believe in the Lord's promises. In Romans 4:20 it continues to say "Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strenthened in his faith and gave glory to God. Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." We should not waste our time wavering in unbelief and living with doubts of God's power. We should be strengthened by our Faith that God is all-powerful and keeps His promises. 

Maybe you are not struggling financially, maybe your struggles are different than mine, but one thing is the same. That is the power of Jesus Christ and if He lives in your heart then you have the assurance that He is with you all the time. No matter what your circumstance is, give it to God! Do not just give some of it to Him, give it ALL! For a long time I wanted to fix things and do things my way, but I have realized that I am not strong enough. That is why I have given it all to Him and I think that for the first time in my life I am experiencing what that feels like. I am standing on His promises and trusting in Him completely. I do not know what tomorrow brings, but I know that I can face it because He lives in me.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,
it's builders labor in vain
Unless the Lord watches
over the city
the watchmen stand guard
in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat
for He grants sleep to
those He loves
Sons are a heritage from the Lord,
children a reward from Him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to
shame
when they contend with
their enemies in the gate.



Happy Birthday Mary Elisabeth

What a difference a year makes!!! This morning Josiah and I went into Mary Elisabeth's room and sang Happy Birthday! I can not believe she is one. It seems like only yesterday I held her in my arms for the very first time. I dream of the days when we will be able to have mom and daughter talks, spend daddy's money, get our nails done, shop for homecoming and prom dresses, and many more experiences! I know that it is a long time from now, but I can not wait to see my baby girl in her wedding dress escorted by daddy to the altar. I pray that the man that God has chosen for her will be a man after God's own heart who loves the Lord and lives to serve Him. I know I am getting ahead of myself...haha! I am enjoying her as she is now and I am not wishing her away, but I can not help but dream and imagine :) 
For now, I will enjoy her as she is.... She is walking on her own, has a mouth full of teeth, and is so fearless. I thank God everyday for blessing my life with this beautiful baby girl! I thank God that he has allowed me to experience being a mom. At times it drives me crazy and I feel like I can not go on, but I know that God is with me every step of the way.




Leaving the hospital



This morning