Something comical in my mind happened last night due to sharing with others earlier in the day that it sure smelled good in my kitchen!! I had a crock-pot of 15 bean soup going and fresh cilantro to top it with. Now if your not a cook, this may not be comical to you, but I love to be in the kitchen! What was comical is that I had several ladies comment that they didn't even know there were 15 different kind of beans, let alone a bag already put together at the grocery store that had 15 beans in the container. Please know that I am not making fun of them, because I do this as well! How many times do you think these ladies saw the 15 bean soup package but never let it process as they were looking only for pinto beans?
It got me to thinking about how often do we truly slow down and process what is before us when we are shopping? But it got me to thinking on a much more deeper level, a spiritual level, how often do you and I slow down and process what is before us in God's word?
I already know what my February 1st scripture memory is going to be as I only know part of the verse, not the entire verse.
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 NAS, this verse in the NIV says, BE STILL. Both in my mind is about slowing down, to enjoy the moment, to enjoy our surroundings, to KNOW THAT GOD IS GOD.
Father God, thank You for visuals as I'm a visual learner. Thank You that You continue to speak to my heart and to my mind through Your word, Your truths. That You allow that process to be slow similar to the cooking of a crock-pot. That You are slowly bringing about the changes that need to take place deep inside of me to become soft and pliable, as well as tasty just like that 15 bean soup. Father when I'm placed in HOT WATER, that the good You've deposited inside of me will bring You glory and honor. Father that when I'm in Your word as well as Your presence that I will process not only the big picture, but the small one as well. Give me spiritual eyes to see Lord Jesus. Amen.
With God's love,
Yolanda
PS: I googled "how many different types of beans are there in the world?" and the reply was, 1,000's.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Looking for some juicy fruit
Today I begin simply by asking you and I to read Galatians 5:22-26 from The Message:
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good - crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
God's word tells us that we will recognize others by their fruit. Others will recognize us by our fruit. Fruit that aligns with God's design for us is sweet, juicy and desirable. It thinks the best of others, encourages, loves, and gives freedom. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. Remember that Satan loves to mimic God and he does so with a counterfeit. The evil one's fruit is hate, strife, jealousy, envy, discord, provoking others, legalism, all about self.
Which will you choose today, and EVERY DAY?
As for me and my household , we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:16 NIV
Father, cause not only our thoughts to please You but our actions. Let my thoughts and actions be intentional Lord in pleasing You. Lord, today and everyday I desire to bring glory and honor to Your name. Help me Father, when I fall short. Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your word that is truly life. With out Your life, I am nothing. Thank You Jesus, Amen.
With love and desiring good fruit,
Yolanda
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good - crucified. Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
God's word tells us that we will recognize others by their fruit. Others will recognize us by our fruit. Fruit that aligns with God's design for us is sweet, juicy and desirable. It thinks the best of others, encourages, loves, and gives freedom. It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. Remember that Satan loves to mimic God and he does so with a counterfeit. The evil one's fruit is hate, strife, jealousy, envy, discord, provoking others, legalism, all about self.
Which will you choose today, and EVERY DAY?
As for me and my household , we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:16 NIV
Father, cause not only our thoughts to please You but our actions. Let my thoughts and actions be intentional Lord in pleasing You. Lord, today and everyday I desire to bring glory and honor to Your name. Help me Father, when I fall short. Thank You for Your faithfulness and Your word that is truly life. With out Your life, I am nothing. Thank You Jesus, Amen.
With love and desiring good fruit,
Yolanda
Friday, January 7, 2011
Be mindful
Ladies, I was sitting at the breakfast table one morning this past week with my Man discussing some things. Isn't it amazing how being at the table, over a meal, so much of our hearts can come pouring out? There seems to be a "safeness" that comes from sharing a meal. I was doing the majority of the talking while Bill listened to me as I shared that I really believe that the Body Of Christ is beaten and bloody. We seem to be chewing one another up and then spitting them out. We are doing this to our own Brothers and Sisters in Christ. If we'll be honest with one another, I would say we've all found ourselves on both sides of the fence. The one doing the chewing or the one being chewed on.
My prayer for 2011 is that I will become much more aware of my words, actions and re-actions to others. That I will be so immersed in Christ that I'll have the power of the Holy Spirit readily available to turn the cheek, to forgive 70 x 7, as well as to not take offense to a fellow Believer's words or actions. To not bloody another or to spit them out, basically tossing them to the wolves. That is going to be a big bill to fill, but honestly, if I become more: mindful, aware, prayerful, and obedient, all because of Christ living on the inside of me, then I believe it can be accomplished.
**And when I believe something that powerful, guess who is going to come knocking at my door? I've got to be prepared and remember that he will come knocking!**
In no time at all, after sharing my heart with Bill, this is what I read in my current bible study:
"Satan so vehemently despises what Christ has done for the mortals that one of his chief objectives is to make the clean feel unclean. Oh, how he desires to stain the beautiful bride of Christ. Satan can't MAKE the bride do anything, so he does everything he can to GET her to. How is this best accomplished? He tries to corrupt thoughts to manipulate feelings.
Satan knows the nature of humankind is to act out of how we FEEL rather than what we KNOW. One of our most important defenses against satanic influence is learning to behave out of what we KNOW is truth rather than what we FEEL. Satan's desire is to modify human behavior to accomplish his unholy purposes." **When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, by Beth Moore**
A scripture that back this up is found in 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT "Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."
Are you allowing yourself to be caught in the devil's trap, doing his will? Have you allowed your mind and thoughts to become corrupted and manipulative? Have you acted out towards your brothers and sisters with what you "feel" versus what you "know"?
I had a friend this past year share something from her heart that was rich to me, "Church is hard, Jesus is easy." Girlfriends and guy friends, let's be Jesus!
I am praying and believing that we will begin to come together in 2011 as the Body Of Christ, seeking healing and forgiveness. Uniting instead of dividing. Building up instead of tearing down. Restoring instead of demolishing. Will you come along side me and pray for the Body of Believers? Will you come along side of me and be much more mindful as well?
With much love,
Yolanda at Higher Grounds
**Eph 4:20 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
My prayer for 2011 is that I will become much more aware of my words, actions and re-actions to others. That I will be so immersed in Christ that I'll have the power of the Holy Spirit readily available to turn the cheek, to forgive 70 x 7, as well as to not take offense to a fellow Believer's words or actions. To not bloody another or to spit them out, basically tossing them to the wolves. That is going to be a big bill to fill, but honestly, if I become more: mindful, aware, prayerful, and obedient, all because of Christ living on the inside of me, then I believe it can be accomplished.
**And when I believe something that powerful, guess who is going to come knocking at my door? I've got to be prepared and remember that he will come knocking!**
In no time at all, after sharing my heart with Bill, this is what I read in my current bible study:
"Satan so vehemently despises what Christ has done for the mortals that one of his chief objectives is to make the clean feel unclean. Oh, how he desires to stain the beautiful bride of Christ. Satan can't MAKE the bride do anything, so he does everything he can to GET her to. How is this best accomplished? He tries to corrupt thoughts to manipulate feelings.
Satan knows the nature of humankind is to act out of how we FEEL rather than what we KNOW. One of our most important defenses against satanic influence is learning to behave out of what we KNOW is truth rather than what we FEEL. Satan's desire is to modify human behavior to accomplish his unholy purposes." **When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, by Beth Moore**
A scripture that back this up is found in 2 Timothy 2:26 NLT "Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants."
Are you allowing yourself to be caught in the devil's trap, doing his will? Have you allowed your mind and thoughts to become corrupted and manipulative? Have you acted out towards your brothers and sisters with what you "feel" versus what you "know"?
I had a friend this past year share something from her heart that was rich to me, "Church is hard, Jesus is easy." Girlfriends and guy friends, let's be Jesus!
I am praying and believing that we will begin to come together in 2011 as the Body Of Christ, seeking healing and forgiveness. Uniting instead of dividing. Building up instead of tearing down. Restoring instead of demolishing. Will you come along side me and pray for the Body of Believers? Will you come along side of me and be much more mindful as well?
With much love,
Yolanda at Higher Grounds
**Eph 4:20 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Peace
Peace....something that I was searching for and hungering after when God truly began drawing me years ago and yet it seems just like yesterday.
This year, I firmly believe as December 2010 began to come to a close, God spoke softly to my heart that my theme with Him for 2011 would be....PEACE.
Then the test came!! I quickly found out that not only was I weary, but that I was battered and bruised. I thought to myself, did I hear God correctly? And yet as I began to allow myself to truly abide in God as 2010 came to a close, I realized I did hear Him correctly. When I abide in God, then the encouragement and strength come. And with that, even though chaos is all around us, with-in us is the most amazing thing....peace. Why? Because I am the temple of the Holy Ghost. The very moment I gave Christ Lordship, God came to dwell with-in me. And so my first verse for 2011 to put to memory is:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NIV
The Prince of Peace, dwells on the inside of me. When I abide in Him, Peace resides in me.
Peace-
Yolanda
**1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
**2 Corinthians 6:16b NIV "For we are the temple of the living God."
This year, I firmly believe as December 2010 began to come to a close, God spoke softly to my heart that my theme with Him for 2011 would be....PEACE.
Then the test came!! I quickly found out that not only was I weary, but that I was battered and bruised. I thought to myself, did I hear God correctly? And yet as I began to allow myself to truly abide in God as 2010 came to a close, I realized I did hear Him correctly. When I abide in God, then the encouragement and strength come. And with that, even though chaos is all around us, with-in us is the most amazing thing....peace. Why? Because I am the temple of the Holy Ghost. The very moment I gave Christ Lordship, God came to dwell with-in me. And so my first verse for 2011 to put to memory is:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NIV
The Prince of Peace, dwells on the inside of me. When I abide in Him, Peace resides in me.
Peace-
Yolanda
**1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
**2 Corinthians 6:16b NIV "For we are the temple of the living God."
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