Still Reading.

I have bee reading throughout the holiday the best I could. How are you doing?? I am on Psalm 63 because some days I skipped and other days I read more than one.

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas season. My prayer for this year is to dive deeper into the Word and make it my daily mana. I need to crave it more don't you??

Speaking of the new year, do you make resolutions?? I usually pick a word for the year to keep me focused. I have really been trying to listen to what word God wants me to choose. I played with a few, ignored a few, and thought I had settled on one, before I went to a blog tonight and saw she had chosen the one I had decided was gonna be WAY TOO HARD!!!
I tried to ignore it, really I did. But God work in and through people doesn't He?? And although I am pretty dense sometimes, I don't need to beaten over the head to realize that God wants me to embrace this word.
I will be honest and say i don't feel up to the challenge at all. So pray for me, please!

My word/concept for 2012 is : Extending Grace.


To myself, to others, to my children,to my husband, in my choices, in my speech (gulp) Gracious living. Believing the best in others.
I fail in this area daily.

According to dictionary grace means, "elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion or action; a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment; favor or goodwill; a manifestation of favor; mercy, pardon."

Ugh, I'm in trouuuuuuble!!!

The verse that I am pondering with this right now is Philippians 2:3-5, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."


I covet your prayers!!

Kare

Psalm 18-20

Still reading everyday and it is becoming a habit.
Slacking on writing about them but it is that season of craziness!

There are things in my life right now that are causing our family great stress. I am so thankful for these psalms that remind me I can call out to God for help and that He is my rock.

Psalms 15,16,17.

Chapter 15

Theme:How to live a blameless life.

Chapter 15: 5 - He who does these things will never be shaken jumped out to me. It made me think about being able to stand firm through the storms of life.And deepened my desire to attempt living by these guidlines.

But man, what a tall order this one is eh??


16-The joys and benefits of living a life in companionship with God.


We must learn to seek God's face and not just His hand. Seeking God for Who He is, not just for what He can do for us, assures us "fullness of Joy" Psalm16:11 and is vital to our victory as believers.


17- The goal of life to know God and see God oneday.

Verse 15
And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness

This one confirmed my desire to wake up in the morning and see His face.

Advent.

Psalm 14

Okay, I was so tired this morning this was a dud of a devotion time for me. I showed up physically, but mentally I was still asleep!
Sigh.
Did anything jump out to you in this chapter??

I reread it tonight and these verses filled my heart with sadness.

The LORD looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

He is looking to see if there is anyone who seeks Him.
Oh, i want to be counted in that number don't you?

Psalm 13

I noticed right away that David asked over and over "HOW LONG LORD????"

I have been that desperate, haven't you??
"How long must I endure this?"
And yet David quickly went from great distress to a calm assurance by the last verse.
I want to get there that fast, don't you?

God is really hammering us on the trust issue in these last few Psalms. I am praying that He is doing a mighty work in each of our lives as we faithfully meditate each day.

Psalm 11-12

Psalm 11 speaks of God's stability in the midst of panic. Because we can trust Him we can face our problems!


11:5- God doesn't shield us from difficult circumstances in this life.

He examines,tests, and refines us all. I know this, and yet can't seem to stop trying to defy the tests and challenges that come my way.



Chapter 12-

My Bible says the theme is -The proud and lying words of people versus the true and pure words of God. A call for protection against those who try to manipulate us.


James 3:5
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Ugh, mastering our tongues is a tough one isn't it?? That is part of the reason I want to start my days with gathering from His word.
Anyone else battle with it??
Tips to share of how you are working on it?

I love quotes so I often write out quotes on my desktop and around my house to try to put good stuff in, and remind me of how important our words are.

This one has been on our fridge for over a decade now- Warning this verse may cause nausea!

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless!
James1:26

OUCH!!

Now, I must admit when I first copied this quote down and decided it should take up residence on our refrigerator it was not for my benefit ;)
However, while I may have thought I was posting it for others, I know now that it most certainly was a memo from God addressed to me!

Can I get an amen?