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What would it be like if: We were as attached to God as we are to our phones? What if we talked to God as much as we text or play with our phones. Or what if all phone communication was broken as we know it? All phone lines were cut and all towers were down. What would it be like if technology as we know it today could no longer be, but our direct line to God got stronger? Is it possible that technology has become an idol in our life, taking the place of our time with God?
I have found my self at times listening to worship music on my phone and then my mind begins to roam in another direction (face book, Instagram, and other social media platforms) causing me to be distracted from my original intent of spending time with God in the quiet place where I can hear him speak. Just Him and me isn’t just Him and me when all these other distractions come into play. Even that which started out to be a good thing (listening to worship music, listening to biblical, teachings) can become an idol if you let it. It is easy to get distracted with the daily routine of life. When our time with God is no longer the passion of our heart but a daily routine. We need to take another look at the position of our heart. As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated with finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (TPT) The more time you spend with the person of the Holy Spirit the more you get to know Him. The more you know Him the more you love Him. It’s not about you and how much you love Him. It’s about Him, and how much you realize His love for you. It’s about posturing your heart before Him in the quiet place of rest with Him. Not being distracted by the things of this world but sitting at His feet. Holy Spirit lead us into a deeper revelation of who you are. Help us to open the communication line in our life’s between Heaven and earth, so that it sets a fire within us to worship you and you alone. Many times in life, we go around the same mountain again and again. Even though our navigation system is the same and nothing has changed, we continue to expect a different result.
Some of us need to change our navigation system because the direction we have been going hasn’t been working. Things can not continue as they have always been, in the way we think, act, feel or move if we are to expect a different outcome. The Israelite's roamed around in the wilderness for forty years on what should have been an eleven-day journey. Deuteronomy 1:2 Before they left for the journey, they were given all they needed to complete it. And even though it took the Israelite's much longer than anticipated, God was with them every step of the way. He continued to provide for them and protect them. Yet they chose to remain in the same familiar mindset to which they were accustomed. Rather than shift their thinking from complaining to thankfulness, they remained in denial of who God really was. They chose to worship idols rather than the God who had rescued them. Because of their mindset, disobedience, and unbelief, only two, Joshua and Caleb were able to enter the promise land. Exodus 1-10 Sometimes we blame God or others for things that happen to us when many times, it has more to do with the decisions we make and the consequences of them. God is a loving God who gives us the freedom to make choices on our own, and with those choices come good and bad results. While the Israelites followed Moses with God's leading out of Egypt, they also chose to disobey, continue in unbelief, and murmur and complain all along the way. Some of us have been drinking from a well of bitterness for many years, yet we continue to seek out other wells that contain the same bitter water as the previous well that we left behind, thus getting the same results. We tend to make the same type of friendships and financial decisions and remain in the same lifestyle we long to escape. Yet we continue to roam around the same mountain yearly, expecting a different result. Maybe it's time to seek the Lord while He may be found. Time to seek wise counsel and abide by it. To seek out new relationships and make new choices. Maybe it's time to speak to the mountain in your life and tell it to get out of your temple and off your land. It's time to leave the familiar territory where your footprint is in stone and move to another unknown place, trusting God to lead and guide you. Maybe it's time to stop blaming others and accept responsibility as your own. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 Maybe it's time to change how you think, speak, and live, for this is a new day. The past has passed, and the future is what you make it. It’s time to see things from God's point of view rather than man's. Maybe it's time to enter your promised land rather than remaining in the wilderness and drinking from the well that will always run dry. If you're having problems in this area of your life, I would suggest you read and take to heart the book of Proverbs in the Bible and seek Godly counsel. So this is Christmas? The day that is set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Son of God into
the earth. All over the world, Christmas is celebrated and in almost every home. Even those who don’t believe in the Son of God, (which is the whole reason for the season) celebrate Christmas. At Christmas time a big deal is made about giving gifts and being happy. But many who celebrate the holiday are not happy. Some have a religion but no relationship with God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit And some don’t have a relationship, a religion, or even believe in the one true God. What if this Christmas, the gift you give to others is Jesus? What if instead of spending money to buy gifts that others may not want and in most cases don’t need, we spent our time telling others about Jesus? Or what if we spent all the time it takes to shop, bake, decorate, and write Christmas cards, praying for others, or worshiping the one the holiday is supposed to be all about? What if we just stayed still, long enough to know, really know that He is God? Many don’t know how to be still. Of course, we know how to sit down or to collapse in bed exhausted at the end of the day. But we have not trained our minds and our spirit to become still. If the real reason for the season is Jesus (the Son of God) I challenge you this Christmas to: Be still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10 David picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
1 Samuel 17: 40 {entire ref. 1 Samuel 17:1-58} Although the Bible does not clearly state why David took 5 stones nor the meaning of each stone, I have come to believe each stone represented the following: 1. Love vs Hate: John 15:13 For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends.
God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory
3. Humility vs Pride: 1 Peter 5:5 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
4. Wisdom vs Foolishness: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make.
5. Joy vs Sorrow: Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
David was able to stand before a giant when the mighty warriors of the land were shaking in their boots because David knew his identity. Although a young boy, David was obedient to the God he served and refused to let a nation be sacrificed. Obedience is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22b Moses: Had a staff in his hand.
He went from:
He went from:
He went from:
He went from:
as unique as He made you to be. “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you”. Proverbs 4:25 "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand”. Zechariah 4:10 “Commending his servant, the master replied, ‘You have done well, and proven yourself to be my loyal and trustworthy servant. Because you were faithful to manage a small sum, now I will put you in charge of much, much more. You will experience the delight of your master, who will say to you, “Enter into the joy of your Lord!” Matthew 25:23 |
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Kathleen M. VonSeggern Copyright © 2016 Treasures of the Heart Ministries
All Writings are Original All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication except Bible scripture, may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission
All Writings are Original All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication except Bible scripture, may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission