The B-I-B-L-E, Yes That's The Book For Me!

At a Christian Life conference one summer a very dynamic preacher had us do this exercise every day before he began the scripture reading. He'd have us stand up, hold up our Bible, and say:

This is my Bible.

It is the Word of God.

It is called the sword of the Spirit.

And it is my spiritual weapon.

I am who it says I am.

I have what it says I have.

I can do what it says I can do.

Devil!

I am armed and should be considered dangerous.

As I operate according to the Word of God.

My mind is alert.

My heart is receptive.

I will never be the same again


Yesterday this came to mind as our speaker at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) talked about the Bible. She shared all of the things the Bible is to her: battery charger- to recharge each day in God's word; energizer- to keep her going; flash light- to light her path; tranquillizer- to calm her down; warm blanket- to feel comforted and surrounded by God's love. She also shared God's word can also be a sword -to conflict us of things in our lives that need not be there and that can be painful, like a stab with a sword. She shared these examples:

God wants us to be slow to anger. I am quick to get angry.

He wants us to forgive 77 times. Giving forgiveness to those who hurt us can be hard.

God wants us to be humble and I like to toot my own horn.

He longs for us to shine like the stars in the universe by our good attitudes while I argue and complain.

Truthes like these can hurt as we realize we need to change.

I had always thought of the Bible as a sword in battle with the Devil himself. I hoped I'd know the Word well enough to quote it as Jesus did after spending 40 days out in the wilderness and then was tempted by Satan. He used the Word of God and won a battle against evil.


I never thought about using "the sword" against the evil that is inside me.


My boys have a book called Will, God's Mighty Warrior by Sheila Walsh. Inside the book Will's dad says, "The battles you fight with God's armor can be in your heart, Will."


I am battling the devil with the sword of the Spirit, God's Word. Only the battle field isn't only out there in the world, it is also in my heart.

Dear God,

I thank you for Your Word which You have given us so that we may learn about Your character, Your love for us and how You want us to live. As I walk with You daily in Your word may I become transformed into the servant You desire me to be. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

James 1:19-20 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires"

James 14:6 "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

Philippians 2:14- "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like the stars in the universe.

Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times."

United in Prayer

Today may we all spend a part of our day, devoted to prayer. I especially want to pray for the families and friends of those who lost their lives seven years ago today. I also want to pray for the many men and women who are protecting our country right now, preventing another such attack. May they be comforted by the Lord's presence and feel surrounded by His love.






May we all put aside our differences and unite as Americans today as we lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer.


The White House Commission the National Moment of Remembrance
Compiled by a Navy Chaplain 2002



Almighty God,

The past year will be indelibly inscribed in our memories.


We looked with horror on the terrorist attacks of last September 11th.But we looked with honor on acts of courage by ordinary people who sacrificed themselves to prevent further death and destruction.


We shed our tears in a common bond of grief for those we loved and lost.We journeyed through a dark valley, but your light has led us to a place of hope.You have turned our grief into determination. We are resolved to do what is good, and right, and just.


Help us to remember what it means to be Americans—a people endowed with abundant blessings. Help us to cherish the freedoms we enjoy and inspire us to stand with courage, united as one Nation in the midst of any adversity.


Lord, hear this prayer for our Nation. Amen.



Matthew 5:9 "Happy are those who work for peace; God will call them his children."






Psalms 29:11 "The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with Peace."

The Lord Looks At The Heart

Today was my youngest official first day of preschool. She did great! She stepped out of the car, into the arms of her teacher, and walked right into the school. Meanwhile as I am driving away, my tears started flowing. Only during a phone conversation with a dear friend did I feel together enough to get on with the day! Thankfully I'd made plans with a friend for the morning---head to the gym for a run, then off to the coffee shop for a chat! My daughter and I survived the day! She had a great time and I did too.

Years ago when my daughter was still itty bitty CK gave me a book, Just Mom and Me Having Tea.



I decided on our preschool days we'd have a tea party lunch and read a sweet devotion together!









P&J's on my grandmother's china, what could be better!

She was delighted that I put the apple juice in the creamer pitcher so it would be easy for her to serve the "tea".



Our devotion talked about how we are special to God. During creation everything God made was..... "good." After making mankind God said it was..... "very good." The devotional story compared it to a lunch that was....good and then with a chocolate chip cookie saved for the end..... "very good." In our case, well my daughter's, it was a gummy worm for dessert that was.... very good!



As we focused on God's love for us, we answered questions about what things we like about ourselves, what we are good at doing, and how can we show our thanks to God for our bodies and our talents. I thought about my own self image; how I see myself directly affects how my daughter may in turn see herself.



If I constantly fret over outward beauty with many products, time, and negative comments on my outward appearance, she may begin to do the same. If I were to eat unhealthy and try all the latest diet crazes, she may begin to wonder if her body is adequate at her current size. She will be bombarded with these worldly attitudes enough without me adding to it. It is important for me to show her beauty that is eternal. Beauty that is important to God and not to man. Man looks at the outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart.



Dear God,

I thank you for the blessing You have entrusted to me, in the life of my precious daughter. She truly is Yours and You have made her perfect....perfect for the plans You have set for her. Help me to be a good example, by focusing on eternal beauty instead of outward appearances. This will be hard for me Lord, as I struggle with what people think of me. May I remember what is truly important.... What You think. May I glorify You and lead my children to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.


Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."


Genesis 1:31 "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."


1 Samuel 16:7b "Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."



1 Peter 3:3-4 "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."