When Duty Calls

Each and every one of us have responsibilities. Some of us have duties to raise children, or to keep a steady job, or to keep the house clean, or feed a dog. No matter what our duties are and how long our to-do lists may get we have one sole responsibility and that is to love God. Micah 6:8 says "..what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God."
I am such a busy person I always feel the need to accomplish 500 things at once and forget about this one simple reminder that all I need to do is to do the right things and love God. If I can do these simple things everything else will fall into place as it should.
But, in these simple commandments is a duty in itself. We are responsible to spread the word. I love to feel that going to church each week, reading the scriptures, raising my kids in a christian household, and attending many church activities is enough, but that's just barely scraping the surface of what we should really be doing.
Our Savior lived and died for us. He listens to us contradict ourselves. He watches us go against him time and time again. We have such an amazing Lord and we continue to let Him down, but even more so we continue to not spread His word. We can allow ourselves to look like the holiest people ever, but without spreading the light we remain in darkness ourselves.
Many people think this isn't necessary or doesn't apply to them because when they picture spreading the word of God as full on missionary work when this doesn't have to be the case. It could be as simple as mentioning God when someone is confused or playing a church hymn in the car with someone or praying before you leave. Little things like this can make a big difference in someones life and everyone deserves to know the truth!
Reading:
1 Corinthians 9:16
Reflect:
How can you better yourself by helping someone else find God?
Make it a mission this week to show someone God, even just in a small way! 

Struggling with Looks

Today I am here to talk about looks. Appearance is a funny thing, today esoecially. I know I personally have had a continual battle feeling "sexy." I am against showing skin. I am against showing off your body and I do believe modest is hottest, but sometimes I feel that I am the only one who feels this way and that I am looked over except on the rare occasion that I do show some skin in public.
A friend from out of town stayed the night with us last night and came to church with our family today. She packed one dress and it was so..immodest. I couldn't help but think "she can't wear that into church.." but she did. I think the reason I felt so almost embarrased was because I knew she was going into a house of God. I know that each Sunday I feel our Heavenly Fathers presence in our congregation and its disrespectful to be dressed that way in a house of the Lord.
For me, coming to this realiziation has made such an impact on me today because I want every where I go to be a house of God. My body is a temple and I want the spirit of the Lord to reside in me. By dishonoring myself I am also dishonoring the spirit living within me, and probably not allowing it to be there.
Also, today I read a perfect scripture for what I was feeling. I have never really thought about the fact that we look like God. Yes, we are His children but I never realized I look like Him and so do each and every one of you. Our appearances should be honored every day in every thing we do because we were made to look like Him.
Reading
-Genesis 1:26
Reflect
-Are you dressing in a way that will allow the spirit to WANT to reside in you?
-Are you honoring God's looks by respecting your own?

Willpower

So, as I'm sure you've noticed Clare and I have been slacking on blogging. Summer has come and Clare started summer classes, I am finally getting a quick breather before school starts up again in August, and filling in my "breather" with work and my little family. Because of our "priorities" our blog has taken seat on the back burner. But, we are both determined to get back into the swing of things.
Even though our purpose for this blog was to spread the word of God (hence "His hand extended") this has been the least of our priorities, which honestly, a) don't take up all of our time, and b) aren't really all that important. Which brings me to today's topic, willpower.
There are many times, most days actually, where I think "oh its okay, I've done so much, ill just take a quick nap." and neglect my scriptures which are now beginning to collect dust.  Or, "the kids are crabby, we can skip Bible time tonight." Simply because I don't want to deal with it and in the end I am robbing them of very important things. I think I can rely on my willpower and that alone and i am starting to see that that is not the case. Our bodies (mind, will, emotions) would love to run our lives, and these things are vital to a successful life and they can get you far, but they are never enough to let you cross the finish line.
what if, instead of relying on willpower we relied on God. He can instill HIS power, which is so much greater than our own, into us, and we will be able to run laps around everyone relying on their own willpower. Also, God will be getting the credit for all the wonderful things we wold be able to do, rather than ourselves.
John 15:5 says "Apart from me, you can do nothing." this is such an important verse to keep in mind during todays study.
Reading:
Galatians 5:16
Reflect:
-When looking at the things you get done and the things you don't, are you using your own willpower or are you using God?
-In what ways can you change your ways to stay motivated and glorify God?

Handling Criticism

I feel that I am critized a LOT because of my choice of religion. I usually do okay with it and am kind, but my boyfriend, now he gets angry! His anger when being judged does not reflect us or our religion in a positive way.
No one likes criticism but encountering some is inevitable. While people's words may make us angry you should remain calm and listen for great benefits come to those who consider what's been said.
If we refuse to accept reproof well limit our potential for Christlike character and spiritual growth. Some of life's best lessons come from hard times. If Christ aloud it you can be sure he wants to use it in a way to turn you into the person he wants you to become. Whether the criticism is valid or not, whether it's delivered in harshness or kindness, no matter what, you should responde in a way that glorifies the lord. Remember, you are only responsible for yourself, not how the other person is acting.
When criticism comes your way stay quiet and listen until the other person is done. Make direct eye contact so they know you're listening. When your critic is done tell him thank you for bringing this to your attention and you'll consider what was said. Pray to God and ask him to confirm your innocence if it is deserved and he will.
Every rebuke is an opportunity from God. A chance to show Christs character and show love to your critic. If he is spitting anger at you and you respond with love and kindness you become a powerful testimony. Criticism is also a time you can humble yourself and accept the Lords corrections.
Reading:
Proverbs 15:31-33
Reflect
What are you most often criticized for?
How do you usually deal with this?
What do you need to change when dealing with critics to show glorify Christ.

The Way God Works

God works in many ways. Some miraculous, some expected, some small, some large, and some in the most unexpected shocking ways. I don't want to say God works better in some ways than others because that's not right, but to me he shines brightest when he works in these crazy ways which is how he worked through me.
I was raised in a bad home around drugs and abuse in a trashy unsafe trailer park. I never knew about God, but my entire life I felt there was something bigger. Most my life I sent condemning God for the things I'd been through. I said things no person should say and lived a life that reflected those view points. But, some how, by thr grace of God I discovered the Bible. I read it all the way through in a matter of months and wanted more and more. I wanted church and missions and to help people and to live the way God demands.
People thought this was so strange that I, the girl from the trailer park, the girl on drugs, the teen mom, the "scrapper" now wanted God. After spending my life wanting material possessions that would never last and persecuting Jesus, He became all I wanted.
To this day I know that our savior is all I need.
We see a snipet of a story similar to mine in today's reading. A man who once persecuted Jesus would now be used.
Reading:
Acts 26:14-18
Reflect:
How did God find you?
If you were born into religion how has God kept you?
As Christians what can we do to make sure God can work through us to spread the scriptures to people who may not hear word otherwise?

Let Their Iron Swim

A common theme that seems to be coming up in my life a lot lately is "helping others." I keep finding myself bending backwards to help others even when it means causing additional stressors in my already hectic life.
Something I am really excited about is working at the Kiwanis camp! It's a camp for disabled children and adults where they can have a week of fishing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and friends. You can find more information about it here!
Because of all the "helping" that's going on in my life I know I am creating miracles. Whether or not these miracles affect me directly or not I know that when I go to camp these kids will experience something that they don't always get to. As small as it may be I want that week to be a miracle for them. My outlook on this brings me to today's reading.
In the reading a man drops a borrowed ax into the water. Elisha, a man of god, allows the iron to float to the man when he expresses his concern because the ax wasn't his.
By expressing his concern for OTHERS a miracle was preformed for him. Don't you think you could focus on others every single day to be making miracles no matter the size?
Reading:
2 Kings 6:1-7
Reflections:
-Are you currently trying to make a difference for OTHERS?
-What can you do to make a difference in others day to day life?
Goal:
Make it a goal this week to "make someone's iron swim." let yourself focus more on others needs and wants then your own.

Psalm 139:1-24

Psalm is definitely one of my favorite chapters in the bible, and I think that Psalm 139:1-24 is one of my favorite scriptures. The main idea's in this scripture are..
1. God knows everything about you.
2. There is nothing you can do to hide from Him.
3. He is always there for you, no matter what.
Psalm 7 states, "Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." There is no where or anything that will ever hide you from God. He can always see you. He is always there- whether you want him to be or not.
Psalm 4 says, "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." God knows everything you're going to say, everything you do say, even a thought in your head. This makes me a little nervous.. what if I think a bad thought? God can see that. But in reality, God can see & hear everything.
Reading: Psalm 139:1-24
Reflecting:
-Does it comfort you knowing that you can never hide from God?
-How do you feel knowing that God knows everything you are going to say, before you do?
-Write down an example in the past week how you exhibited a worried attitude and how knowing that God is always there, helped you over come that.

Death

Death has been weighing heavily on my heart lately. Yesterday, I got word that my friend's baby girl passed away. She was 7 months old and had a severe asthma attack & a collapsed lung. I've been thinking- why? Why her? It doesn't seem fair. I know though that God has a plan.
In Psalm 139:16, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." This is comforting to me, knowing that God has every day written out for us. No amount of worrying, or anything can change that.
We have to know and trust that God has a greater plan for us. God's plan is the best plan. We may not like the things He does, but He knows best. We have to trust in God. Even when times are tough. Even when we feel like He's not "there". He always is.. and he always will be.
Reading: Psalm 139:16; Psalm 147:3; John 14:1-3
Reflecting:
-How do you feel knowing that there is nothing about you that is not written out in God's book?
-When tragedy strikes, do you feel comfort knowing that God is in control?
-When something bad happens, do you take comfort in knowing that God is there? Or do you feel like God "disappeared"?