Please Bear With Me...

I am making some changes to the layout of the blog, please bear with me as I add new things.

Thank you!

ChristinaLynn }i{

New Blog Buttons!

YAY!  I'm very excited to share with you that I learned how to create my own blog button and also learned how to add someone's blog to my page!  Please help me spread the word and feel free to tell me about blogs that you would like to see here!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Notable Nuggets

"Get on your knees and fight like a man!"

Notable Nuggets are quotes or tidbits acquired through previous sermons, fellowship or instruction gleaned at Creekside Christian Church.
ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer - Week 3

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your husband through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.

Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• he will be a wise steward of our finances and all we possess, remembering that all things are Yours and entrusted to us for Your purposes (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 16:10-13).

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Wife Through Prayer

Here's the first in a series of prayer card posts I promised you to pray for your wife.  The information here is taken from a prayer card my husband received many years ago and is published by FamilyLife.  Let it minister to you!

Lord, I lift my wife to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• she will know Your will for her life, pleasing You in all respects and bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:9-10).

Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV)
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
ChristinaLynn }i{

Praying for Your Wife

My husband also has a prayer card to help husbands pray according to God's Word for their wives.  So, I'll borrow this card from my husband and you can expect to see these posts on Tuesdays.  Let your husband, brother, father, son and the other men in your life know to look for Lifting Your Wife Through Prayer and don't forget about Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer on Wednesdays.

This is a great opportunity to apply God's Word to your life in a practical way.  Read the prayers and included scriptures and pray the fruit of God's Word into your spouse throughout the week.

Don't have a spouse? 

Pray for your future spouse.  Pray for your parents.  Pray for your children and their spouse or future spouse. 

Let God lead you.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer - Week 2

From a "prayer card" published by FamilyLife. Use this opportunity to lift your husband through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.

Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• You bless his work and show him daily how to honor You in his attitude and spirit; confirm the work of his hands unto Your purpose (Psalm 90:16-17; Daniel 6).

Psalm 90:16-17 (NIV)
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.


Daniel 6 (NIV)
Daniel in the Den of Lions

1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Priorities

Have you ever had one of those moments where you had to make a decision about what would make "the list" today and what would just get bumped? 

I had one of those moments today.  Even though I thought when school started back things would calm down and give me a little more time to get things done, I have been running from one appointment to the next for the past three weeks and today was no exception. 

As I was readying the little ones for preschool and gettin the baby fed and changed, I was reviewing my day in my head.  Open house tonight for the older two kids, two different schools but at the same time.  Well, I can't be in two places at once.  Have to pick up a few things at the drug store.  Need to make a grocery shopping list with coupons to complete before the sale ends tomorrow.  Finish laundry that was started late yesterday.  Oldest son has a doctor's appointment in the afternoon, so daughter will have to wait after school until I get back.  So the question creeps up:  Do I really have time to go to Ladies Bible Study this morning?  Well no, honestly, I do not have time to go.  It's the first meeting of the fall session, maybe they won't be doing much except going over the layout, routine, etc. 

I drop the twins off at preschool and start heading down to the church, then pull into a parking lot to make sure I have some cash for the book or if I'll need to run back home to get my checkbook.  Ok, cash is there, time to decide.  The Still, Small Voice speaks to me:  "Go, God will provide." 

No arguing with that.  I'm on my way. 

I arrived a few minutes early and decided to check my phone for any news or messages.  Started out of the car, unpacked the stroller and I over hear someone referring to my business.  Exciting!  She wants to book with me.  As I went into the sanctuary, it was refreshing to be back in the fellowship of other women.  I was able to spend some time with our Children's Minister who has been diligently praying for and checking up on our baby who's been having some medical challenges.  It was nice to see some familiar friends, some I've known for years and some I've just met.  It was also nice to meet some new women who've recently joined our church or who are visiting.  Even though it was the first meeting of the fall session, it was a full lesson.  A refreshed video study, A Woman's Heart:  God's Dwelling Place by Beth Moore.  The audio wasn't working on the overhead screens, so we had to view on a small TV on a cart.  I didn't have the exact amount for the book and there was no change, but our Children's Minister was able to make change for me.  The baby was being loud and wanting to pull everyone's attention to him.  A very sweet lady helped me rock and soothe the baby.  I'm sure it was nice for him to see anyone other than me for even just a few minutes.  Another friend helped soothe a baby, giving the mom a quick break. 

I was truly blessed to be in the house of the Lord today and so touched by the encouragement and support of such godly women.  Now, to carve out time for the daily homework that is part of the workbook study because the Voice has returned, "Do it, God will provide."

When we set our priorities in-line with God's will, He will fill our cup to overflow.  That's not to say there won't be challenges, but that those challenges will be met with a means of fulfillment that can't be matched.   

ChristinaLynn }i{

An Honor Received

My post, My Utmost, was recently published in a not-for-profit online Christian magazine.  I am honored to be able to share this with you!  Check it out at http://www.gracesabarus.org/.

ChristinaLynn }i{

Lifting Your Husband Through Prayer

**I received a "prayer card" many years ago, created by FamilyLife.  I plan to share a portion each Wednesday throughout the next several weeks.  Use this opportunity to lift your husband through prayer, concentrating on God's Word and hiding it in your heart.  I have been using this prayer card almost daily since I found it cleaning out my bookshelf for donations to a library my church is forming.  I am once again amazed at how God works in my heart as I reach out to pray for others.  I hope it will minister to you even more so. 

Lord, I lift my husband to You today and pray, according to Your Word, that:

• You give him strength to lead (Joshua 1:7), time to know his family (John 10:14) and a passion to manage his home (I Timothy 3:4).

Joshua 1:7 (NIV)
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

John 10:14 (NIV)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
1 Timothy 3:4 (NIV)
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.

ChristinaLynn }i{

My Utmost

 Several months ago, I began a journey though I didn’t realize it at the time.

My Mother-in-law had passed away a few months prior and I had recently given birth to my fifth child. It was time to re-evaluate life. My husband has an excellent work ethic and we knew God would provide financially. I love my kids and enjoy being a stay-at-home mom. I needed to find a way to be a woman again, mentally as well as physically. Take the opportunity to have lunch alone or with friends, or “splurge” on a pedicure, sans kids.

Ironically, it was through my kids that I found my sponsor for Thirty-One Gifts. I had only purchased two items at the time and had never been to a party, but the more I looked at the catalog and reviewed the information, I felt God leading me to make a decision. Then, I found out there would be a temporary freeze to join as an Independent Consultant. On the last day before the freeze, I sent in my information and decided that if I didn’t make the deadline, it would mean there was a better opportunity for me down the road. I found out two days later that my application had been received and I would begin my new career!

I had my first party weekend and exceeded all expectations I could have had. I had thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the women, showing all of the products and all of the wonderful uses, and seeing everyone’s faces light up when they heard the special for the month!

The next month proved to be just the opposite and I found myself wondering if it was all going to be worth it. How was I going to keep this going?

My husband would see my discouragement and remind me that we had decided that if it became too stressful for me, we would walk away. I enjoyed it so much; I wondered how I would ever be able to walk away. But, I couldn’t stand the disappointment in myself. Finally, I gave up control and left it in God’s hands. I knew that if He led me to this, He would provide a way.

As soon as I allowed God to have control, I began to see improvements again in my business. Over the next few months, I went along this “yo-yo” path.

My first six months as a consultant taught me more than I could have ever imagined. My Mother-in-law used to tell me that I had moxie. I never quite knew what she meant until this journey led me to the Merriam-Webster definition.

mox•ie \ˈmäk-sē\

1: ENERGY, PEP active strength of body or mind

2: COURAGE, DETERMINATION strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger;

3: KNOW-HOW knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something;
I have learned that I have more energy than I ever thought possible and the pep I had from long ago has returned. Some would say that I am courageous to speak publicly the way I do in small or large groups. Many say public speaking is their number one fear and yet it seems God has blessed me with this talent, for which I am grateful. The knowledge I have gained is truly priceless and I could never have leaned it without living through the beginning stages of this new career nor without the strength and encouragement of my sponsor and fellow consultants.

One of my favorite aspects of this business is that I am able to give so much away. Fundraisers specifically designed to donate products or cash, hostess benefits pre-determined by Thirty-One Gifts, donations and additional incentives and giveaways that I provide on my own; it is such a blessing to be able to give back to my community, those in need, and those who make this dream possible.

I am continuously being taught that the more I rely on Him, the less stressful life becomes. The more my husband sees how much I enjoy this, he wants me to keep going too!

I understand that in order for me to give Him my utmost, in order to see my husband pleased in me, and for me to see myself as enterprising, I have to give up control to my Lord and Savior. In His hands, I can have simplicity and success. In His hands, my worries seem so small!

ChristinaLynn }i{

Not for the Squeamish

About a month ago, we were taking a 6 day vacation in South Florida & the Florida Keys.  We had taken the camper and parked it in a state park midway down the Keys and drove during the days up to Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami and down to each of the islands to Key West. 

One of the days, had been much like the others.  We had spent the day out and about and it had started to rain as we were heading back to camp.  We stopped at a gas station to fill up the tank, hubby and I took turns for a bathroom break.  As I was returning from the restroom, hubby had completed gassing up the tank and he was handing me the keys as I was walking back to the van.  It was an exchange we have done often, never wanting to leave the kids in the car in an unfamiliar place without an adult. 

This time was quite different.  I missed the inital exchange and as I turned to reach back and grab the keys my feet slipped on the wet concrete and I fell down on my wrist, elbow and hip - hard.  I was lying there on the concrete, in the rain, in pain and embarassed.  A complete stranger came over and helped my husband lift me off the ground and walk me to my car. 

I sat in the car and assessed my injuries.  Would there be an out of town, late night hospital visit?  My wrist was hurting the most.  I was trying to stay calm and focused enough to determine if it was broken.  There was a knot on one side, but it didn't hurt to touch it.  I was able to reset the bone, realizing it was displaced.  It started feeling better within a few minutes. 

Next was my hip.  Already having arthritis in my hip, I did not want to have any further damage to it.  It hurt terribly and felt badly bruised but showed no signs of a topical bruise so I assumed a soft tissue injury needing rest. 

Lastly, my elbow.  I could bend my arm and rotate it, so I didn't think it was broken.  It just hurt so much!  I rested it on a pillow through the night and planned to make a day trip to a local hospital if it wasn't any better.  While it was better and the remaning two days of our trip continued, it is actually still bothering me.  Ocassionally if I rest it on a table or even gently bump it, it burns deep into my bone.  I assume that I cracked the bone and probably should have had it x-rayed even though I don't know if anything could have been done for it other than keeping it immobile. 

Through it all, I have often thought back to the nice lady who stopped what she was doing in the dark, pouring down rain, along a travel route to help someone she didn't know.  Would I have done the same?  I would like to think I would have, but in today's environment it is really a gamble.  Too many times, I have heard horror stories about the "good samaritan" who stopped to help someone only to be mugged or murdered.  It has truly tainted my nature.  Either way...

God bless her, whoever she was.

 ChristinaLynn }i{

Life Happens

I am always amazed by the "ups and downs" of life.  Days like today, where nothing seems to go my way and everything is a struggle.  Just about the time I think about giving up on a certain project that just doesn't seem to be very consistent, God brings something new to the table to get me excited about it again.  I have to believe that He is in control and wants me to continue to perservere or the doors would continue to close. 

As Christians, we were never promised a life of rainbows and roses - or, maybe we were - rainbows don't come without rain and roses always have thorns.   We must not only survive the low points and the biggest challenges, we must thrive in order to make it to the soft petals of the rose and beautiful colors of the prism. 

I think the biggest challenge of all is recognizing the petals and the prism when we come to them.  Appreciating them both while they are occurring and after they have passed.  Cherishing those times that God has brought us to the mountain top and being grateful for the journey that led you there.

ChristinaLynn }i{

I was listening to today's sermon, one of a series about running the race with passion.  I heard Pastor Chuck say, "Things don't move from disorder to order unless God is involved."  While he was referring to the theory of evolution and how it couldn't possibly be true, God had a different plan for me this morning. 

He brought a verse to memory, although I couldn't remember it exaclty and I couldn't think of the reference.  So, as I was searching through my Bible's concordance and previous sermon notes, God brought me to these verses:

• James 5:16a - Confess your faults one to another.
• I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful & just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I did eventually find the original verse, but it was quite an interesting path.  The verse I was Matthew 5:23-24:  So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar and go and apologize and be reconciled to him, and then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 

You see, I have a friend that believes she has something against me.  Even though what I originally did wasn't wrong, she was hurt by it.  I have apologized for the hurt.  I have asked God's forgiveness for hurting her.  Then, believing I could "clear the air" with all parties involved, I hurt her again.  I was concerned that I would be offering my sacrifice to God with something in my heart and life that would make my sacrifice unacceptable to God.  God continually brought me to verses to show me that I've tried to do everything I can to make the situation right.  

Unfortunately, it does not work like a giant eraser. There are still hurt feelings on both sides.  There is still quite a bit of awkwardness.  It is something we will both have to work through.  And, I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28

God is good.  All the time!

ChristinaLynn }i{

C.S. Lewis said, "Unless Christianity is wholly false, the perception of ourselves which we have in moments of shame must be the only true one."

Aren't you glad God doesn't use that as His perception of us once we are covered by the blood of JESUS?!

Truly, the worst possible perception of us doesn't even come close to how awful we are.  That's why we need salvation.  That's why Jesus had to die on the cross.  To make a way for us.  Without Him, there is no way.

Once we are covered by His blood and enjoying a relationship with Him, He sees the love poured out on the cross! 

Isn't that AMAZING!

ChristinaLynn }i{

When Life Gives You Lemons

Everyone will tell you to make lemonade.  Are you familiar with lemonade?  It really isn't an easy drink to make from scratch.  It can easily be too sweet or too tart, too strong or too weak.  But, my favorite part is that it is always better the next day. 

That's often true with life.  Most things in life are better the next day.  When we are able to step back from the situation, things are not quite as charged.  Emotions.  Aggravations.  Stresses.  Things don't seem quite as intense when you've had a chance to "sleep on it." 

And then, some things are just as strong no matter how many nights' sleep you've had.  These are often the things that truly matter.  It can put things into perspective to know that if you allow enough time for things to settle, you can see what is really important.  There's nothing you can do about a flood until the river crests.  The butterfly has to stay in its cocoon until just the right time.

Just like the message I received a few days ago:  "God wants you to know that all is well.  All is going according to plan.  Trust that there is a bigger picture.  Trust that life is unfolding as it should."

ChristinaLynn }i{

Seeking a Sign

My devotional today was again an interesting one.  From Luke 11:29-30, Jesus talks about people asking for a sign from God and He says "The Son of Man will be a sign for the people of this time."

We have to be clear here, Jesus was talking about a sign or proof to the doubters.  Phile Ware says, "Let's believe, trusing that what Jesus promises is just as true as God's promise was to send Him!"

I believe this can not only be applied to those seeking Christ, but also to those who know Him, but are struggling in their faith.  We may not receive a sign or a miracle.  The author tells us, "The faith hurdle is to trust when all looks hopeless and the miracle we desire does not happen before our eyes and on our time schedule."   

Mark 9:24 states, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Even when we believe, we still have unbelief.  How much we believe and how much unbelief we have may vary at times.  As one goes up, the other goes down.  So, the daily life application here is to figure out what makes our belief rise and our unbelief diminish.  It's a truly personal answer and may vary greatly through our circumstances.

"Lord, help my unbelief!  Help me to find the ways that cause my faith to increase.  As I decrease, You increase and my relationship with You grows!" 

ChristinaLynn }i{

Cleaning Out the Bad

I just read an interesting devotional based on Luke 11:24-26.  These verses refer to the time when Jesus cast a demon out of a man.  Jesus went on to say that the demon was cast out, but still existed and was searching for a place to rest.  When the demon could find no suitable place to rest, it went back to the person it had left and found that the person had removed all of the bad, so now there was plenty of room for seven more evil spirits, more evil than even it was, to live inside the man.  Now, the man has more trouble than before.

Ever feel that way?  You got rid of one bad thing only to have seven more show up at your door? 

I know I have!  Sometimes it feels as though we can never win.  We can never get ahead.  Like we are getting rid of the bad, only to have more and more bad take its place.  My husband says regularly that we have too much stress in our lives and we just keep adding more.  And he's right.  So, what do you do?  How do you stop this vicious cycle?

The teaching here is to replace the bad with the good.  Phil Ware says, "We must replace the old bad things with God's presence, power, and purpose in our lives. Let's pursue Jesus and the character and concerns of His kingdom, letting the Holy Spirit fill and empower us and make us truly instruments of grace in God's Kingdom."


"...instruments of grace..."  What does that really mean?  I've often heard the acronym, God's Riches At Christ' Expense.  Merriam-Webster defines grace as unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification and goes on to say:  approval, favor, privilege, reprieve.  The thesaurus also says that grace is a quality that gives something special worth.  Christ's death on the cross certainly gives us special worth.  I believe God expects us to treat others as though they have special worth as well.  After all, He died for them, just as much as He died for us.  Treating others as if they have God's grace, helps further His Kingdom.  But, we must also remember to treat ourselves as if we have special worth.  Filling our hearts, minds and bodies with things that support and encourage that grace. 

You see, if we simply clear out the dust, dirt and cobwebs from our homes we leave room for the dirt, dust and cobwebs to return - along with much more.  We have to add the air purifiers, fresh flowers and scents to make our homes pleasant.  We must continue with daily cleaning and maintenance to keep the dirt and cobwebs from coming back.  We must "pledge" the surfaces to keep the dust from sticking.  The same applies to our hearts and minds.  We must fill our hearts and minds with the things of God to keep the evil from returning - and bringing its friends!


ChristinaLynn }i{

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies, & ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, & truth."

The boy thought about it, and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old man quietly replied, "The one you feed."


ChristinaLynn }i{

It was great to be in the house of the Lord today!!  Pastor Chuck delivered a message titled Run With Passion:  Stoke the Inner Fire based on I Corinthians 12 & 13.  I was blessed to receive this message!

Many of you who have been around the Christian circuit for a while have heard about agape love.  Many of you will say that agape love represents God's unconditional love toward us.  Did you know that our word "agony" comes from the word agape?  Alan Redpath defines it as "the actual absorption of our being in one great passion."  The same work is used to describe man's love of sin and the world in John 3:19 and I John 2:15. 

As Pastor Chuck explained it today, when you look at it that way - we all need a heart transplant and a blood transfusion!  The infections of our heart - anger, envy, pride, jealousy, selfishness - can not simply be removed.  The heart must be opened up.  Each infectious part must be cleansed and the heart allowed to heal before it can function usefully again.  We know that only God's love has the healing power to make this happen.  It's that love that we then need to express to others.  It must live in every crevice of our heart, replacing the infectious, rotting flesh of our sin in order to shine through us to others. 

We know in I Corinthians 13 it says Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.  I ask you:  Can you have Faith and Hope but not have Love?  Of course you can!  Many who do not believe in God have faith in other people and things.  They still have hope for their uncertain future.  But they can never have the agape love that God uses to heal our hearts.  That love that exudes from those who fully trust in Him and allow Him to slice open their hearts and cleanse them with the love His Son poured out on the cross.  That love doesn't exist without Him.  Without the Faith in an everlasting Messiah.  Without the Hope of an eternity at His feet.

What infections have you been harboring in your heart?

Lord, I have been selfish with the time and resources You have allotted me.  At times this selfishness has led to laziness, anger, envy and jealousy.  Please help me to adjust the microscope of Your Love to focus fully on You.  Remove the infections of my heart through the cleansing power of Your blood and replace it with the Faith of The Messiah who rose again, the Hope of an eternity with You and the agape Love of an all-powerful Saviour!

ChristinaLynn }i{