Friday, July 29, 2005

Happy Friday!

I hope that all of you have had a peaceful week!

I was just in the shower and the Holy Spirit put a thought in my head about the whole sharing + faith = multiplication bit. (I'll be sharing the rest of what the Spirit showed me about this tmrw)

When we give/share it ends up feeding many, one way or another. Now, we can be tempted to think that we are giving up something we need desperately, but did the lad who gave up his lunch go hungry when Jesus started passing out the goods? Hardly! He was filled along with the rest of them--and I'm betting that the lunch he received in place of what he gave was MUCH better--whether it was because of the actual flavor or because of the miracle surrounding him, I dunno. :)

My point--Don't think you are going to be missing out or going without if you give whatever it is that the Holy Spirit is leading you to give. Not only will many be blessed because of it, but you will be also.

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Sunday, July 24, 2005

Sharing + Faith = Multiplication

Before I go into what the Holy Spirit was showing me this morning, let me just note that you should never EVER teach a child's bible lesson thinking you won't learn anything. *cough* And I know a certain friend of mine is going to love this because we were just talking about it the other day. The Lord knows how to get us ready! :)

My daughter and I were studying John 6:5-14. This is a pretty well known section of scripture in which Jesus feeds five thousand people (not counting women and children). With such familiar stories it is easy to gloss over things and miss the details. The first thing I want to point out is this:

9"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

This "lad" had more than likely been following Jesus around like the rest and seen all of the miracles He had been performing. He knew there was a need for food and he had some. Did he stop to think that he only had a few loaves a couple of small fish? I don't know. But either way, he took the step of faith and handed 'em over.

So how does this apply to us? Well, the Lord has given us all gifts, talents, and material things that we can use to "feed" others. However, we often let ourselves think that the thing(s) we have to offer aren't good enough or are too small to really matter. Boy, that is such a lie.

Let's continue on to what happens in John 6 and see what God does with this young boy's small offering:

11And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.

EH? FIVE THOUSAND men along with all of their wives and children (I imagine there was more than a handful of teenage boys present) ate AS MUCH AS THEY WANTED. Huh.

What do you think your Father can do with that extra two dollars you give every month to help destitute families? What about the coat you gave to the needy when you noticed it hanging in your closet and realized you hadn't worn it since you bought it? Sure you struggled with your flesh for a bit cuz it was such a pretty coat--but then you gave yourself a good talking to and off it went anyway! Do you think that your words of encouragement to a depressed person have been unheard by Him? How about the prayers you offer up every day for that lost loved one? Take this example to heart. Realize that it isn't about you and that God is just waiting for you to start stepping out in faith and share what He has given you to share so He can glorify Himself and knock your socks off in the process!

Onward...

12So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." 13Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.

So, not only did the people get all they needed, there were TWELVE baskets full left over! When the Lord blesses us, it isn't just intended for us to keep and hoard. It's supposed to OVERFLOW to others. Do you think that the leftovers went unused? Doubt it! So that nothing is lost. Let's not waste what He has provided!

In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 we read this:

8But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The next time you feel silly giving someone a pair of socks, remember what HE can do!

More to come....




Saturday, July 23, 2005

Welcome and Introduction

Hello all,

I'm not sure how you found yourself here, but welcome and I hope you find something that encourages you.

Let me introduce myself. :)

I love Jesus and I seek to honor Him with my life. I don't always do and say the things I should, but He has brought me a long way. I'm so thankful that He has promised to never leave or forsake me. I'm even more thankful that He is quick to forgive and heal. At some point I may get into some of the ways He has delivered me from my self-made messes.

I believe that He is the only way to salvation. I believe that He is the perfect answer and cure to all that ails us as humans and this world we live in. He brings absolute peace and comfort. I believe that His Word is 100% true and actively works to change men's hearts and lives. I also believe that the only way anyone else is going to buy anything I just said, is for me to LIVE that very same Word.

My "real" name is Tammy and I live in Arizona with my husband and daughter. I love them both dearly and besides God, they are the best part of my life. You may be thinking that that was a nice and obligatory thing to say about my family. I can tell you that I did not always feel that way and the fact that I REALLY DO feel that way now IS HUGE.

We started homeschooling when our daughter entered the second grade. It has had it's challenging moments, but believe me, she wasn't the only one learning. Again, at some point I'll probably share why we decided to homeschool.

We have two very tolerant kitties who rebel in their own goofy ways. Just last night Jake, our oldest kitty, decided that pawing tissues out of the box was a great way to show me that he wasn't happy with me. I'm assuming it's because I (gently) pushed him off of me when he attempted to lay on my side--note that I said ON not NEXT TO. He's a big kitty and his feet feel like little bricks when he walks on me.

Well, that's about all for now.

Stay tuned for more stuff soon.