God is HERE!

Today's reading is Genesis 12-15.


I slacked off again, I let life get in the way and didn't make time for God.... But I am back and I am praying that I will stay faithful in my reading like God was faithful to Abram. God tells Abram to leave his country and He will bless him with a great nation and make his name. Abram has to take a huge leap of faith to do this, to leave his home, firmiliar ground, and go to a new land that he did not know. Abram faces some trials and troubles along the way but he stays faithful to God.

This year, 2010, my church is celebrating 200 years. How truly amazing! And how amazing to see how God has been so very faithful to our congregation. About 10 years ago we decided to build a new building in a different part of town, a bigger building. At this time people were upset, sad, happy, uneasy, scared and many other feelings flowed through each and every member, but we moved anyway. Right before we moved our current pastor retired.... But my congregation, my church, felt that God had been plans for us and we had to make the move. God had (has) big plans for our church. We have since been blessed with an amazing pastor who has such a heart of God and a heart for the people in our congregation, an amazing teacher and friend. My church gives me inspiration and courage to take big steps of faith. My church named the town of Smyrna and has gained the nick-name, "The Church that named the Town". God is so good and so faithful but in return we have to remain faithful to him. I feel privledged to be a part of such a God filled, amazing church and because of the church I belong to I feel like I need to step up and give back because God has given me/us so much.

Remember to listen to God and walk through the doors he opens for you, don't hold back as hard as it may be sometimes.


Dear Lord thank you for 200 years for my church. I see you at work everyday in my church, the people of my congregation and in myself. Please give me and my church the courage and faithfulness to continue to walk through the doors you open for us. Thank you for the accountability and the support you provide me through my congregation and I pray that you could allow me to be that to others. In your name I pray, Amen.

the end of the book of Job.

Todays reading is Job 40-42

This book has a great ending. Throughout chapters 40 and 41 God continues to speak to Job, some of which I don't really understand but that is ok.... It is Chapter 42 that really gets me and draws me in. Job replies to the Lord telling him that he has listened and he despises himself. God answers Job after all this by blessing the later part of this life. He blesses him with all sorts of livestock and several more children. In the end Job ends up with more than he had before all of these things ever happened. This just goes to show that if you stay faithful and never turn your back on God, never curse him, then he will bless you. Sometimes bad things have to happen to make us see the good. We don't always understand why things happen, especially not at that very moment, but maybe later on down the road the Lord makes it known to us.

God is so good and works in very mysterious ways, we just have to remember to stay faithful in the good times and the bad. Being a Christian isn't easy but I wouldn't want to be any other way.

Lord thank you for always keeping us on our toes, humbling us before you. Thank you for the blessings you give us and those that are blessings in diguse. Thank you so much for watching over my mom on her way home yesterday. God please watch over Corey, my sisters boyfriend, as he travels from Alabama to Tennessee today, allow him safe travels. In your name, amen.

God spoke.

Todays reading is Job 38 and 39.

Chapter 38 starts out with God speaking to Job and it continues throughout both chapters. God basically is reminding Job that he is not almighty and does not know all things. All throughout these two chapters God keeps asking Job if he made the earth or if he watches over all creation. The first verse of chapter 38 says that God spoke to Job through the storm and he did just that. Basically God is reminding Job that he is not in charge, he is not God, he did not create the heavens and the earth, he is trying to humble Job.

Yesterday my mom was heading back to Arkansas after spending a great weekend with my sister and me. I went to church and my mom left town. As soon as I got out of church and was heading to lunch with the youth my mom called, she had broken down on the side of the interstate. She was paniced of course and freaking out scared to death. She was on the side of the interstate about an hour and a half away from Smyrna so I went straight to her. When I arrived we waited on the tow truck for about an hour. It was very scarey being on the side of the rode with big semis flying by but the Lord was totally with us, no doubt about it. Let me back up just one second and let you know the ways the Lord showed himself to me. I was texting a few people from my church, one was out to lunch with her family and the other was in a session meeting at church with all the elders and our pastor. Both of these people stopped everything to help us in some way. My friend at lunch, her step dad is a state trooper and her  mom called dispatch and had a local sherrif go check on my mom. This made my mom feel safe and for that we are so thankful. The man in the session meeting shared with everyone what was going on and they stopped the meeting to pray for my mom, wow! =) Then he excused himself and called me to check on my mom. We were able to have her car towed to a town close to where she broke down because again, God was involved. There is a friend of a friend who has a shop in this town and is willing to work on it for my mom. AMAZING! On our way back home after having her car towed my pastor called, she informed me that the church is praying for my mom and is willing to help us as much as they can. Now my mom is a worrier but never once did she get angry at God, not once. She was in tears when I told her what my pastor said, "Your mom may have moved away but she will always be a part of our church family". God is so good and he works in mysterious ways. Thanks to everyone who stopped their day yesterday to pray for my mom and our situation and to help us out in some way.


Dear Lord thank you for humbling me yesterday and for showing me all the people that care about me and my family. You are truly amazing and we know that all of this is in your hands and we put our faith in that. In your name, amen.

God.

Todays reading is Job 35-37
This man Elihu is very wise in the things he is saying! I love how 36:5 says, "God is mighty, but dispises no one; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose." He reminds us that God is almighty and does not leave us to struggle like Job thinks he does. He reminds us that if we are "bound in chains" or in other words if we are still of this world and sinful people then he will tell us what we have done wrong, how truly humbling that is to know....

Also in verses 10-12 of chapter 36 Elihu reminds us that being a Christian on Earth is not going to be easy. Also that God uses trouble to gain people's attention...That is something to really think about. When something bad happens to you or your family or something then we tend to blame God or ask why when really we should be praying to God, praising him and trying to get to know him better because something probably isnt right with our walk with him.

I want to leave you all thinking about verse 16 in chapter 36, "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food" - Just remember that God is preparing us for eternity, it is not going to be an easy walk here on earth in this fallen world but it will be well worth it, i can't even fathom how worth it that it's going to be.


Dear God please don't let me forget who I am living for and what I am living for. I can do all things through you because you are my strength and my redeemer. Also Lord I ask that you please be with my mom on her way back to Arkansas today. Thank you for the weekend you blessed us with full of laughter, memories and love. In your name, Amen.

age does not make you wiser.

Todays reading is Job 32-34

There is a younger man who has been quiet and listened to everything that Job and Jobs friends have said, he has remained silent because he is younger and felt as though the other men had more wisdom. In 32:9 he realizes that age does not necessarily give you more wisdom.

This younger gentleman, Elihu, who speaks in these chapters is not impressed with Job or his friends. Job has only spoke of how righteous he is in his own eyes which is not how we should be, we should be humble before God. And his friends have not proven Job wrong as Elihu says in 32:12.

Elihu calls Job out in 33:13-14 and I believe he is calling all of us out, because we do we complain to God and that he responds to no ones words?... God may not answer our prayers or respond to us in the way we want Him to but He does answer them and He should never be questioned for that.

Dear God, please forgive me for not always having complete faith in you and for complaining quite often. I know that you know what is best and will do what is best for me and that may not be what I think is best, please help my faith grow in you God. Lord Help me shine your light through my life so that others may see that you live in me. Thank you for allowing my mom to make it here safely and please bless my visit with her. Amen.

final defense.

Today's reading is Job 29-31

On this Chapter Job is reminding God about how he has never forsaken him. Job remains confused as to why these bad things have happened to him but still without ever cursing God.
Chapter 30 verse 18 says, "In his great power God becomes like clothing to me".... AMEN!!!! =)
In Chapter 31 we are reminded that we will be held accountable for our doings, wrong and right. I  also like how Job talks about how we cannot hide our sins in our hearts for God knows them and we must be honest and upfront with Him.

The next chapter for tomorrow seems to take a little bit of a different path instead of the non stop dialogue.

Lord I ask for guidance through life here on Earth, guidance to walk with you and never be astray. I also pray for my mom's trip here to visit me and my sister that she may have safe travels. In your name, amen.

lost souls and wisdom.

Reading - Job 24-28

I think I took more notes in these 4 chapters than any others so far.
Ok so in chapter 24 Job is talking about lost souls and those not following Christ like they should. Job 24:13 says " There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths." ---true that! Those of us who are God's who have chosen to let God live in us and who are saved by the grace of God have to remember to stay in the light and on the right path. Chapter 25 is short but to the point. I like the first verse in chapter 25 where it says that God establishes order in heaven and all awe belongs to Him. Toward the end of chapter 26 Job talks about how impressed he is with God and the little understanding that we as humans can have of Him. Now in chapter 27 Job still will not curse God. He says in verses 3 and 4 say "As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils my lips will not say anything wicked."

Chapter 28 is my favorite though, it discusses wisdom and where it is found. In verse 12 of this chapter Job says "But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?"....I related to this verse because I have been having a very hard time understanding this book of Job in parts and here after reading this I prayed it to God and wrote a little prayer in my Bible about wisdom and understanding when reading God's word. But here in chapter 28 verse 23 Job sums it up for us by telling us "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells."

This 23rd verse of chapter 28 hits it home for me, God knows all ya know? If we would just truly, honestly, take a leap of faith and some how, some way, give EVERYTHING to God (I mean it is all His anyway, we just need to profess that) then we would find the answers to a lot of things.

Dear Almighty, Heavenly Father, you are my best friend, my maker and my redeemer and I thank you for having patience with me like you do and for loving me all the time, even when I stumble. You are truly an AWEsome God and I kneel at your feet in awe of everything that You are. Thank you for giving me the strength, will and capability to read through Your holy and precious Word. Amen.

job.

Todays reading is Job 21-23

I was discussing with one of my friends today about how hard this book is to read and understand. But as you are reading don't forget that it is not God cursing Job or causing all of this on Job, it is Satan. Remember back to the first few chapters when God tells Satan he can have his way but must spare his life. Don't forget this as you are reading. People often forget and blame God for the things that happened to Job.

Dear God, help us remember that it is not the Lord who tempts us. Help us stand strong in our faith and not be tempted or go astray from our path with God. Amen.

satan.

Today's reading is Job 17-20.

Job is a very hard book to read. But how real is this argument that he is having with his friends, I mean I feel like I have had similar arguments or problems with my friends. I mean of course not as intense but I believe Job and his friends say some honest things to each other that we probably wish we had said at some time or another.

Another interesting thing I find about todays reading is chapter 20 when Zophar speaks about Satan and all evil things. The way he describes Satan is just like wow.... I mean he really hit the nail on the head didn't he?

This book is getting hard for me to read but I will not give up....keep on reading with me!

Dear God, thank you for rescuing our souls. Thank you for sending your ONLY Son to die for our sins. We love you so very much and lay it all down for you. In you'r name we pray amen.

confusing.

Today's reading is Job 14-16.

This book has been very hard for me. I am trying to understnad but still some of it goes over my head and still, I know that is ok and I am not giving up. Job and his friends continue their talk and Job lets them know they aren't being very helpful or uplifting friends. I am still sort of confused why Job continues to curse himself but maybe as we continue to read it will come to me a little better.

I do know how Job feels though about his friends. I have had friends and people I am close to not be very understanding or supportive, it gets frustating. Regardless of how ridiculous Job is being his friends are not being friends they are just "preaching at him" as we would say.

I hope as I continue to read that God will help me better understand. I encourage each of you to comment below and tell me what you understand from each passage.

Dear Heavenly Father, as we continue to read through your word please help us to understand it better and be able to apply it to our lives. Please bless our week and it is in your Holy name we pray, Amen.

accountabilty.please.

Friends... I need you all to help hold me accountable with this Bible reading. I slacked off this weekend and I am not proud....Thank God for a good friend who text me and asked if I was posting on the weekends. That text help remind me that I am not just doing this for my own selfish reasoning. I am doing this to grow closer to God and to help my friends and readers grow closer to Him also.

With that said, I am only posting one reading instead of today and yesterdays because I do not want yall to get overwhelmed with 2 days reading because I chose to slack off....
Today's reading is Job 10-13.

This is still a continuation of Job and his friends conversation. But what I have found interesting is Job barely even replies to his "friends", he is spending most of his time talking to God and he isn't holding anything back. He is talking to God like God is sitting right in front of him, which is what we should do. So many people, myself included, have at some point been scared/nervouse/shy to pray out loud or maybe even in private because we didn't think we could find the right words to say. Well this dialect that Job is having with God should be an eye opener for us because Job is not using big words or speaking all proper, he is just talking to a friend. And that is what we need to remember everyday, praying is just talking to our Best Friend, our Lord and Savior. Don't be scared, speak to Him and hold nothing back, he wants us to be real and upfront with Him. I mean hello, He can hear our thoughts...So why not just tell  Him instead of Him having to find out by just listening in, ya know?

If nothing else just let this book of Job be inspiring in how honest you can and should be with God.

I am so proud of my middle schoolers, they volunteer to pray at youth and it is so amazing to hear them pray. They are so honest and precious when speaking to God, it is truly a delight and makes me appreciate them even more.

With this I ask each of you to make it a point to pray with people whenever you can, out loud ;)

Dear Lord let us not be nervous or scared to speak to you, you are our friend and we should be able to speak to you so easily. I also ask you God, as my friend who walks with me everyday, hold me accountable and please send people into my life that will help hold me accountable and remember what is important. Thank you for giving us the Bible so that we may get to know you better and Lord thank you so much for allowing me and my friends to live in a nation where we can freely worship you. I pray for those nations that cannot openly worship you Lord and I thank you for their faithfullness and their inspiration. And all God's children said, AMEN!

strength.day 5.

Today's reading is Job chapters 6-9.

This is a continuation of Job and his friends conversation about Job's situation. Job at one point feels like his friends are not being very helpful, he needs spiritual help and he sees his friends as undependable. I see the opposite though and maybe I am wrong but I mean his friends are sitting with him having this discussion, listening to what he has to say and they are responding with things that I would want to hear from a friend. I guess maybe they are not being very sympathetic? I am not sure. He says in chapter 6 verse 14, "Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." - something to remember in our own personal friendships.

My favorite verses from today's reading is Job 6:24-25, "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words!" How raw and real is this? I mean even though Job is in pain and is frustrated and his cursing his own life and birth he is still being completely raw and real with God. He is putting his thoughts and feelings out there. He even goes on to say "How can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?" in 9:2b. I mean Job is being so real with us its crazy! I love his rawness and lack of pride here but on the other hand I just wish I could shake him and be like, WAKE UP its Satan and you are being tested, dont curse your birth or second guess God!.... but we must continue tomorrow....chapter 9 leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat!


Dear Lord, please allow us to be raw and real with you remembering we can't hide anything from you. Help us remember you are always on our side even though we may not think so sometimes. Thank you for loving us and never forsaking us. Amen.

what a man.

Todays reading is Job chapters 1-3

What a man Job is! His children were killed, his farmland ruined and servents died but he still fell to his knees and worshiped the Lord. It wasn't until Satan cursed Job with boils from head to toe that he began to become discouraged but I believe his wife played a part in his second guessing. At first Job said back to his wife, "You are talking like a foolish woman, shall we accept good from God and not trouble?". But then after sitting silently for 7 days with his friends he begans to admit his discouragement and curses his birth.

Job says some things most of us think, he admits them to his friends and before God and does not feel ashamed but instead, vulnerable. I know, myself personally, I need to sometimes put my pride away and stop pretending I am much tougher than I am but instead be raw and vulnerable with God and my fellow Christian brothers and sisters. I believe sometimes we forget that we can't hide things from God, we trick ourselves into forgetting about things or pretending like they happened differently. Job praised God when he lost his children, he praised Him! This man, Job, could really teach us a few things. And what amazing friends he had to sit there with him in silence for so long and then to remind him of God's glory and all the great things God has done for him and will do. I want friends like that and I want to BE a friend like that! =)

Keep reading with me.... =) And post your thoughts!

Dear God, help me be more like Job, honest and vulnerable with you. And may I have friends that remind me of your Glory and greatness daily like he had. Thank you for always being there, even when I push you to the back of my mind. Thank you for never forsaking me. Amen.

rainbows.day 2.

Today's reading is Genesis 8-11.

The story of the ark is continued and wow! How amazing to read God's words saying that the rainbow is the sign of his covenant between Him and Noah and every living creature and all generations to come(thats us!!). It is a shame that some social groups use the rainbow as a sign that it was not ment for and it's a shame that people outside of that social group relate a rainbow to that meaning. The rainbow is a sign from God promising us He will never destroy life by waters of a flood ever again. How amazing to think that the rainbow we see after a big rainstorm is God reminding us of his promises, it gives me chills just thinking about it!

Keep reading with me! =)

God thank you for your promise, your covenant. Thank you for the rainbow that it is a reminder from you that you will never flood the earth again. How truly amazing it is to have a covenant with you and to see the reminder of it so often. We love you Lord, AMEN.

reading through God's word.

So... I have started a new Bible reading. I am determined to read all the way through the Bible and I know people that may read this may have the same desire. Yesterday morning I started a "Reading the Bible in Chronological Order" study. Everyday I will post that days reading, it may be at the end of one of my post or just a post itself. I hope some of you will do this reading with me, it should be pretty interesting.

Yesterdays reading was Genisis 1-3, creation story.
Todays reading is Genisi 4-7, the account of Cain and Abel and the story of Noah and the flood. You know I find it amazing how we use the story of "Noah and the Ark" for nurserys and childrens stories but if you really think about it, it's one of the most terrifying stories in the Bible. I mean God was "deeply troubled", upset and angry. He destroyed all of mankind, all of the animals and birds, WOW! What a story! I encourage you all to read with me through this study and as you read don't be afraid to underline in your Bible or make notes or keep a journal, it helps to take notes. And pray before you read God's Word, take it seriously. I mean this is God's Word, God breathed, for US! =)

Here we go.... =)

Dear God, Thank you for giving us Your Word to read daily and to study. It is only by the Bible that we will better understand You Lord. So thank you, as we read please help us better understand everything you have to say to us. In your most heavenly name we pray, Amen.

lyrics of my soul

"I can finally see
That you're right there beside me

I am not my own
For I have been made new
Please don't let me go
I desperately need you"
-Meteor Shower, Owl City.

So I heard this song and just loved the melody and everything, it was so catchy. I fell in love. After listening to it a few times I finally paid attention to the lyrics and WOW. I mean it's not even a Christian band but what amazing meaning and truth it has. God definitely spoke to me through this song and these lyrics. It's such a simple song but has so much power!!

I encourage everyone to really listen to the lyrics of songs and find a song, or a few, that truly speak to your soul.

=)