Friday, February 29, 2008

My 3x5 card for today, Friday, February 29, 2008

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, HE SAVED US, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7

“O Father who spared not Thine only Son that thou might spare me… help me to adore Thee with lips and life.. O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise.” (Valley of Vision, p 42, pp edition)

I just can’t get enough of the glorious gospel! How great and kind of God to save us according to his own mercy! Incredible! My desire is that the prayer of my lips all the days would be THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!!! May I never grow tired of praising God with my lips and my life! I want every part of my being to walk in the gospel of Jesus Christ! Look at that first sentence of scripture! Look at what I once was! BUT… the goodness and loving kindness of the Lord appeared!!! Oh Praise Him!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Good Morning!

My 3x5 for Thursday, February 28, 2008:

Romans 12:1

“I appeal to you therefore brothers by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship.”

Take My Life and Let it Be (Frances Havergal, revised by Chris Tomlin)

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold not a might would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use every power as you choose.

::Chorus::
Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it's all for thee.

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne. Take my love, my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee,
Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee.

Listening to this song this morning I was reminded of how each morning I used to get up and pray for God to order my day according to HIS will and purposes. I used to ask God to use my eyes to look at what pleases Him, to use my ears to listen to others and listen to what pleases Him; to use my hands and feet for His glory, etc etc.. and somewhere along the way I stopped praying that!

A couple of weeks ago I began again, though sporadically. Today, when I heard that song I know that by God’s grace I have the desire to consecrate myself to the Lord again on a daily basis.

I did that the other day. Then, as my day began to go differently than I had anticipated and I began to complain I remembered that I had asked God to order my day! It increased my faith and encouraged me to remember that God, in His sovereignty does indeed order my day and I depend on Him to do so! God, in His sovereignty of course orders my day whether I pray about it or not, however, how much sweeter it is to have consciously dedicated my day to the Lord. I pray I continue to do so with every part of myself!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Scriptures and Thoughts to Ponder for: Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Here is my 3x5 card:

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” Phil 2:3 (NASB)

Proverbs 21:21

“…pursue.. kindness…”

Puritan writer Matthew Henry was once robbed by thieves and recorded this in his journal:

“Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because, although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed and not someone else.”

This response from Matthew Henry particularly point #4 reflects a man who understood and lived out Philippians 2:3. He truly esteemed others as more important than himself .. in kindness for others he was GLAD it was him who was robbed and not someone else. Do I look at my misfortunes this way? Not always. When calamity falls upon myself am I thankful that it was on me and not someone else? I’m sure that I don’t wish that something bad happened to someone else instead of me, but am I openly thankful that others were spared and it was I who suffered instead? Isn’t that was Jesus did for us? He took upon himself the wrath of God and punishment for MY sin and was GLAD to do it! Hmmm… my prayer continues to be, Lord let me esteem others as more important than myself!

ps. I saw the Matthew Henry quote on this blogsite: http://www.theblazingcenter.com. The author had a different perspective on it but it caught me differently. Please go read his blog.. it's fantastic and great words of wisdom!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Do you want to be KIND? or RIGHT?
Good Morning!

“Will you choose to be kind? Or right?” (written in HUGE letters on the side of a building on Rolling Road in Burke, VA)

“As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” (Psalm 40:11)

“…show kindness and mercy to one another.” Zech 7:9

“Cause me to be a mirror of Thy grace, to show others the joy of thy service… Let me always esteem others better than myself.” (Valley of Vision, p 136 pp edition)

God continues to teach me and speak to me about the fruit of kindness. This is an area that He wants to cultivate. As I realize (by God’s literal handwriting on the wall of this building), that lack of kindness is often the result of wanting to be “right”, being annoyed, .. bottom line? Pride and ungodliness! As God is teaching me about kindness and showing me where I lack in this area the Psalm 40:11 scripture reminds me of the gospel. God shows me my sin and makes me more like Jesus. He does not restrain his mercy from me! WOW! His steadfast love and faithfulness will ever preserve me! I want to be more mindful of his grace than my sin. I cannot outsin God’s grace, nor do I want to! I'm excited to see the fruit of kindness grow in my life!

Have a beautiful day resting in the grace, love and mercy of God!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Scriptures to ponder today, Monday, February, 25, 2008
THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME!
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked… among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. BUT GOD being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved- and reaised ups up with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1, 3-7
Just reminding myself of the gospel today and singing the following song this morning:
Thank You For Saving MeThank you for saving me, what can I say?
You are my everything, I will sing your praise.
You shed your blood for me, what can I say?
You took my sin and shame,a sinner called by name.
Great is the Lord,Great is the Lord,
For we know your truth has set us free,
You've set your hope in me.
Mercy and grace are mine,
forgiven is my sin,
Jesus my only hope,
the Saviour of the world.
"Great is the Lord" we cry,
God let your kingdom come,
Your word has let me see,
thank you for saving me!
Written by Martin Smith ©1994 Curious? Music UK

Sunday, February 24, 2008



See that older guy on the left? That is Dennis, my husband who I've been married to for 30 years today!!!!!!!!!!! He is the best! God has been and continues to be so faithful to us!

HAPPY 30th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO ME AND DENNIS!

ps.. the other people in the pic are my 16 year old son, my 26 year old daughter and her husband!

RESCUED, not Right!

Scriptures on my 3x5 card today: Sunday, February 24, 2008

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ as welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:1-7

This morning as I read these scriptures I am once again reminded that I have been rescued! I am to live as one who was rescued, not one who is right. I am reminded to depend on God alone through scripture as my encouragement to live in harmony with others. It is important to remember that I have been rescued by Christ Jesus! I did not rescue myself! God Himself opened my eyes to see the beauty of His holiness! God and in HIS great mercy saved me from my sin and HIS wrath!
Oh the glories of God! How great they are!!!!! Oh Lord, help me to live in kindness and gentleness with others and bear the failings of others. Help me to live in kindness and humility. I need you Oh God!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

KINDNESS

Scriptures on my 3x5 today: February 23, 2008

Good morning!

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor.

Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Zechariah 7:9
Thus says the Lord of host, render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another.

Galatians 6:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness…

Last night I had the joy and privilege of watching one of our pastors display kindness about a situation. Once again, I am stunned and in awe at how easily kindness flows from the people in my church and it is modeled by the pastors.

For me, kindness is often an afterthought.. it is an “oops, this is how I could have shown kindness”..

I am going to follow the proverbs scripture and pursue kindness! I long to be kind with a kindness that is an overflow of my time with and intimacy with Jesus. This only comes from immersing oneself in the Word of God.

My prayer is that God would work in me and help me to show kindess, that the teaching of kindness would be on my tongue, that I would relentlessly pursue kindness that I would consistently show kindness and mercy to others.

When I first began attending Sovereign Grace Church I was stunned at the kindness of the people.. at first there were times I was even suspicious of this kindness.. thinking that perhaps I just “caught them on a good day!” ha! But of course, time revealed that this kindness is genuine and modeled and desired in my church and is evidence of grace and the Holy Spirit’s work from the top, down.

I have seen and been the recipient of this kindness over and over and over again and I long for it. Although these scriptures are on today’s 3x5 card I expect to meditate and ponder and pray about these scriptures long after today is gone.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Salvation Belongs to our God!

http://www.growingchristians.org/mfgc/delivered/Salvatio.html

Scripture meditation for today: My 3x5 card for Friday, February 22, 2008

Here is my 3x5 card today:

Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “GOD IS GREAT!” Psalm 70:4

The theme from yesterday continues in my heart as I ponder thankfully the salvation of my God! I want to be every thankful and bless His Holy name for God’s great mercy in CAUSING me to be born again! It is not of me, was never of me.. it was all God!! I included the Psalm 70:4 scripture again today because I just love that it says that those who love the salvation of God WILL say FOREVER that God is Great!!! I want to have that on my heart and lips at all times…

Lord, help me to constantly be thankful for your salvation and to think in my heart, sing with my voice and say with my lips, and with my deeds that You are great O GOD!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

GREAT IS THE LORD!




Scriptures for today: My 3x5 card for Thursday, February 21, 2008


Good Morning!!!! How are you today? Here is my 3x5 today!

“Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say forever more, “GREAT IS THE LORD,” who delights in the welfare of his servant. Psalm 35:7

“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation, say continually, “GREAT IS THE LORD!” psalm 40:16

“May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “GOD IS GREAT!” psalm 70:4

“Oh magnify the Lord me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

GREAT ARE YOU LORD!

I think my choices today are self explanatory. I am simply reveling in the greatness of God today!

What’s on your card today?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Scriptures to Ponder for today: My 3x5 card for February 20, 2008



Give Thanks! And it's not even Thanksgiving Day!!!! :)







“Let the Word of Christ dwell in your richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him… You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:16,17, 24b

“But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.. by grace you have been saved… Ephesians 2:4-5

Lord, give me a thankful and grateful heart for everything!

In my Wednesday night bible study that I do with a few ladies, we are studying Jerry Bridge’s book, Respectable Sins, Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. This week's lessons were about the sins of ungodliness and unthankfulness.



These Scriptures remind me to be thankful for EVERYTHING! The very breath I breathe, every beat of my heart, every time something good comes out of my mouth, every good work .. SALVATION! In EVERYTHING I must give thanks! In great circumstances, in poor ones.. I want to thank God for we know that God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose! He is making us more like Christ through every thing in our lives, good and bad!! This is worthy of thanks!!!!



We need God for every little thing in our lives. For this we should be thankful and express this to God. As we walk in thankfulness and remember God and give glory to Him, we will walk KNOWING we are in the sight of God! My desire and prayer for today and as a habit of my life is that I would walk in thankfulness to God for everything! I have sinned by taking things for granted. I want to have a thankful heart!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Scriptures to Ponder For Today: My 3x5 card for February 19, 2008

Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

2Cor9:7-8
Each one must give as has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

My card is full today to include a prayer for God’s help as our new season of Alpha/ESL begins today! In listening to a sermon online by CJ Mahaney this morning he said something which struck a cord with me: Pride would be serving in ministry to impress, humility would serve in ministry to “Serve” (my paraphrase).

The Matthew scripture, although speaking of prayer, reminds me that I must not serve to impress or to be seen but to serve the Lord! The 2 Corinthian scripture reminds me today to serve with joy, to serve cheerfully.

In the past as the sessions of Alpha go into the 6th and 7th weeks I often begin complaining, sometimes aloud, sometimes inwardly about being busy every Tuesday night. Ugh! I am deeply aware today that my complaints are sinful and I need God’s help, I need God’s grace so that I may abound in every good work in serving the Lord by serving the Alpha and ESL attendees tonight and EVERY Tuesday night.

My desire is that MANY, that ALL would, as a result of hearing the gospel, turn to the Lord in faith and repentance and be saved! I pray that these 2 Scriptures would remind me today of the BIG picture of serving God and not myself and serving with cheer and joy by the grace of God who is able to make ALL grace abound to me!!! Amen?

Monday, February 18, 2008


Last December I read on the Girl Talk blog ( http://girltalk.blogs.com/ ) a hint of how to keep God's Word before you during the busy holiday season. Carolyn Mahaney, one of the writers of the blog, told of how, in the morning, she writes a scripture, or a prayer, or a quote or something that she wants to ponder on for the rest of the day, on a 3x5 card and carries it around with her throughout the day! I thought it was a great idea!

I started around mid December doing this and decided to carry this out on a daily basis.

So, I purchased a pretty leather 3x5 card holder that holds the current day's card on the outside and previous days cards on the inside. You can see the picture above this entry.

I carry it in my purse when I go out, from room to room in the house...when I have a free moment I look at it, pray through it, meditate on the scripture, pray through the scripture etc.. It's been working great!!!
I realize everyone has a unique way to keep God's Word before them during the day, this one works for me. I will be posting my 3x5 card everyday..to share with you the thought, prayer or scripture of the day.
I pray it serves you and draws your eyes to the cross.
My 3x5 card today:
"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whome the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit... You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance!"
Psalm 32: 1, 2, 7
"Through grace let my will respond to Thee, knowing that power to obey is not in me, but that Thy free love enables me to serve Thee." (Valley of Vision, p 117, paperback edition)
Have a blessed day! Walk free in the grace and love our of our Lord!