As 12 midnight struck for December 31, 2008, with all my email subscriptions infront of me, I had to choose one out of 40 emails. The last day for the year 2008, I wanted something different. Of course since it was from the US, it was a December 30 subscription. hehehe!
Before that, I was thinking of my relationships this year that I desire to have changes with. First, my relationship with my boyfriend (better changes, of course). Second, I have been burdened with a very close friend of mine who is a friend for almost 5 years now (spiritual changes for her).
Okay back to the emails...I chose "TODAY GOD IS FIRST"
I was astounded as this is what it said...
Is Anything Too Hard for God?
Genesis 18:12
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son who would be the seed of a whole nation. Sarah was now beyond childbearing years. So when some angels from God paid Abraham and Sarah a visit to inform them that Sarah was going to have a child, she happened to be listening outside the tent and erupted with laughter. The thought seemed preposterous to her. The angels reminded her that nothing is impossible with God. "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son" (Gen. 18:14). Sarah gave birth to Isaac as foretold.
Recently, I was considering putting on another marketplace-leader summit for ministry leaders who minister to those in the workplace. I had been involved in such an event a year earlier. My friend Gunnar Olson, who is the founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce of Sweden, had been involved with me in putting on the first event, so I inquired whether he would be willing to participate in the second event. He wrote me an e-mail letter informing me that an international gathering of Christian marketplace leaders would be taking place on the island of Cyprus in March and asked if I could postpone my event and instead participate in an event in Cyprus and invite other leaders. My initial response was laughter due to my current financial condition. In fact, I had to go to a map to see just where this place was.
The following day I received a call from a man I had met only 30 days earlier. We had not discussed this event in March. "What are you doing tomorrow? I would like you to go to the airport with me to pick up a missionary whom I want you to meet. We'd like to propose an idea to you. Can you come?"
"Sure," I said.
The next day he picked me up and informed me that we were picking up a missionary who was flying in from Cyprus. "We are planning to take 25 businesspeople to Cyprus for an event that Gunnar Olson is involved in and would like you to come and teach your Esau-to-Joseph workshop the day before. We will cover your expenses. Would you be interested in doing this?" Again, I had to laugh as I saw the hand of God orchestrate in such a miraculous way and in such a timely manner to assure me of His involvement in the new directions in my life.
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).
Are there things that make you laugh when you think of the miracle that would be required for it to take place? Ask God for the miracle you need today.
Click on the image for the website of Mr. Os Hillman. Click this ~>Christianity for email subscriptions from him.
After reading this, I went to sleep. I woke up at 9am so I had to do my morning devotions. Again, I was surprised with my Scripture devotions. Here it is...
Romans 9 <~ Please click for the full chapter. I'd like to focus on verses that struck me.
For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return..." ~Romans 9:9
"I will call them 'my people' who are not my people;
and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one," and,
"It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,
'You are not my people,'
they will be called 'sons of the living God.' " ~Romans 9:25-26
Dreams of a brighter tomorrow. Our GOD is our Dream Giver and Dream Fulfiller. I have dreams for 2009 but I will let GOD's Perfect Will be done in my life.
Before all of these, I first had my evening devotions from my new Bible. Here is what it said...
From Cowardice to Compassion
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
THREE TO ONE - that's GOD's ratio for success, according to 2 Timothy 1:7. A trio of GOD-given attributes - power, love and self-discipline - offsets one characteristic that doesn't come from HIM: timidity. The Greek word translated here as "timidity" also means "fear" or "cowardice."
But here's a refreshing perspective when confronting our own cowardice: Rather than looking at people with fear, we can see them as JESUS did. HE was willing to go out and seek each one like a shepherd looks for a lost sheep. HE saw each person's potential to become a child of GOD. We should see each person, not as a foe, but as a potential brother or sister. Do you see the difference such a change in perspective could make? It can move us from cowardice to compassion.
Who do you know that needs to hear about JESUS? A family member, a coworker, a next-door neighbor? Have they heard you speak on every subject except eternity? Regardless of what is holding you back, GOD has already replaced your timidity with power, love and self-discipline.
Power: 2 Corinthians 6:7
Love: 1 Corinthians 13:8
Self-discipline: Self-discipline means that we have a sound mind, good judgment and discretion.
*This is not the full article.
I was deeply touched. I felt sad knowing that my friend is going abroad this January to work at a casino. GOD has put a burden in my heart. My heart was crying. I didn't know what to do. I asked HIM for wisdom and revelation. HE gave me an idea. I will give her a gift. For now it will remain a secret until I've given it to her. Please help me pray for her. I really need Christian friends to be praying for her soul. She is not a bad girl. She is just lost in our materialistic world. I know only GOD can change her heart. I need your prayers and petitions to GOD.
Hope my devotions have been revelations for you, as well. So I'll ask you, IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD?
Let's be selfless this coming new year. Before anything and anyone else, GOD IS FIRST!
GOD has blessed us so much in the year 2008. Let's live this year 2009 for the greater glory of our LORD.
PROSPERITY, HAPPINESS, FAITH, LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOOD HEALTH, LONG LIFE, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, ANOINTING, BREAKTHROUGHS BE UPON YOU THIS NEW YEAR!!! HAVE AN ABUNDANT 2009 FILLED WITH GOD!!!
HAVE A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR!!!
Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a ripple. Tip the scale.
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL-YEAR ROUND! GOD LOVES YOU ALWAYS!
ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!
P.U.S.H.
When you feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!
Before that, I was thinking of my relationships this year that I desire to have changes with. First, my relationship with my boyfriend (better changes, of course). Second, I have been burdened with a very close friend of mine who is a friend for almost 5 years now (spiritual changes for her).
Okay back to the emails...I chose "TODAY GOD IS FIRST"
I was astounded as this is what it said...
Is Anything Too Hard for God?
Genesis 18:12
So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
God had promised Abraham and Sarah a son who would be the seed of a whole nation. Sarah was now beyond childbearing years. So when some angels from God paid Abraham and Sarah a visit to inform them that Sarah was going to have a child, she happened to be listening outside the tent and erupted with laughter. The thought seemed preposterous to her. The angels reminded her that nothing is impossible with God. "Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son" (Gen. 18:14). Sarah gave birth to Isaac as foretold.
Recently, I was considering putting on another marketplace-leader summit for ministry leaders who minister to those in the workplace. I had been involved in such an event a year earlier. My friend Gunnar Olson, who is the founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce of Sweden, had been involved with me in putting on the first event, so I inquired whether he would be willing to participate in the second event. He wrote me an e-mail letter informing me that an international gathering of Christian marketplace leaders would be taking place on the island of Cyprus in March and asked if I could postpone my event and instead participate in an event in Cyprus and invite other leaders. My initial response was laughter due to my current financial condition. In fact, I had to go to a map to see just where this place was.
The following day I received a call from a man I had met only 30 days earlier. We had not discussed this event in March. "What are you doing tomorrow? I would like you to go to the airport with me to pick up a missionary whom I want you to meet. We'd like to propose an idea to you. Can you come?"
"Sure," I said.
The next day he picked me up and informed me that we were picking up a missionary who was flying in from Cyprus. "We are planning to take 25 businesspeople to Cyprus for an event that Gunnar Olson is involved in and would like you to come and teach your Esau-to-Joseph workshop the day before. We will cover your expenses. Would you be interested in doing this?" Again, I had to laugh as I saw the hand of God orchestrate in such a miraculous way and in such a timely manner to assure me of His involvement in the new directions in my life.
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).
Are there things that make you laugh when you think of the miracle that would be required for it to take place? Ask God for the miracle you need today.
Click on the image for the website of Mr. Os Hillman. Click this ~>Christianity for email subscriptions from him.
After reading this, I went to sleep. I woke up at 9am so I had to do my morning devotions. Again, I was surprised with my Scripture devotions. Here it is...
Romans 9 <~ Please click for the full chapter. I'd like to focus on verses that struck me.
For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return..." ~Romans 9:9
"I will call them 'my people' who are not my people;
and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one," and,
"It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them,
'You are not my people,'
they will be called 'sons of the living God.' " ~Romans 9:25-26
Dreams of a brighter tomorrow. Our GOD is our Dream Giver and Dream Fulfiller. I have dreams for 2009 but I will let GOD's Perfect Will be done in my life.
Before all of these, I first had my evening devotions from my new Bible. Here is what it said...
From Cowardice to Compassion
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
THREE TO ONE - that's GOD's ratio for success, according to 2 Timothy 1:7. A trio of GOD-given attributes - power, love and self-discipline - offsets one characteristic that doesn't come from HIM: timidity. The Greek word translated here as "timidity" also means "fear" or "cowardice."
But here's a refreshing perspective when confronting our own cowardice: Rather than looking at people with fear, we can see them as JESUS did. HE was willing to go out and seek each one like a shepherd looks for a lost sheep. HE saw each person's potential to become a child of GOD. We should see each person, not as a foe, but as a potential brother or sister. Do you see the difference such a change in perspective could make? It can move us from cowardice to compassion.
Who do you know that needs to hear about JESUS? A family member, a coworker, a next-door neighbor? Have they heard you speak on every subject except eternity? Regardless of what is holding you back, GOD has already replaced your timidity with power, love and self-discipline.
Power: 2 Corinthians 6:7
Love: 1 Corinthians 13:8
Self-discipline: Self-discipline means that we have a sound mind, good judgment and discretion.
*This is not the full article.
I was deeply touched. I felt sad knowing that my friend is going abroad this January to work at a casino. GOD has put a burden in my heart. My heart was crying. I didn't know what to do. I asked HIM for wisdom and revelation. HE gave me an idea. I will give her a gift. For now it will remain a secret until I've given it to her. Please help me pray for her. I really need Christian friends to be praying for her soul. She is not a bad girl. She is just lost in our materialistic world. I know only GOD can change her heart. I need your prayers and petitions to GOD.
Hope my devotions have been revelations for you, as well. So I'll ask you, IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD?
Let's be selfless this coming new year. Before anything and anyone else, GOD IS FIRST!
GOD has blessed us so much in the year 2008. Let's live this year 2009 for the greater glory of our LORD.
PROSPERITY, HAPPINESS, FAITH, LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOOD HEALTH, LONG LIFE, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, ANOINTING, BREAKTHROUGHS BE UPON YOU THIS NEW YEAR!!! HAVE AN ABUNDANT 2009 FILLED WITH GOD!!!
HAVE A FRUITFUL NEW YEAR!!!
Make an impact. Make a difference. Make a ripple. Tip the scale.
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL-YEAR ROUND! GOD LOVES YOU ALWAYS!
ALL THE GLORY BELONGS TO GOD ALONE!!!
P.U.S.H.
When you feel GOD's love, OVERFLOW!
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3 comments:
What a great way to start the New Year! Very well put hon! Love it. You know, I can testify to the timidity part. I had once been that shy, scared little girl, (just a couple years ago) and now that I am walking with the Lord, that has gone by the way side. I sometimes still think, wow, did I really just do that. Gosh it feels good not to be timid any more. Thank you Lord!
May you have an abudantly blessed New Year! I'll be praying for your friend. God Bless!
The evening devotion thing from your Bible is helpful. I have a friend who doesn't believe in God, and I would love for Him to see the goodness and awesome splendor of the God we serve. Instead of seeing him as a 'lost soul (which I really don't)', I'll start thinking of him as my potential brother in Christ.
Be blessed sis!!
-Leslie
Tammy ~> Yeah the boldness comes from our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Since we love HIM truly, we want to overflow and do not think about the persecutions. Yes it really feels good to not be timid anymore. It can be funny, too. hehehe! Thank you for your prayers. GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! P.U.S.H.
Leslie ~> The new devotional Bible is very helpful. I declare that someday, in GOD's Perfect Timing, your friend will serve GOD wholeheartedly in HIS ministry. Just continue planting the seed. It is never wasted. You are a blessing to many, my dear friend. HAVE AN ABUNDANT 2009! Win more souls for CHRIST! P.U.S.H.
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