Scripture & Snapshot

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

~Hosea 6:3

Which kind of FROG are you?

In life, daily, we are faced with choices. This morning my Bible reading in Proverbs: 4 took me through the contrast between light and dark, good and evil, the wise and the wicked. We are told to depart from evil, to recognize it for what it is, and to not be drawn into it.

As Christians, how are we so often led away by the evil? Is it because we purpose to let our guard down? No, I do not believe so.

Did you know, that if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will jump right out? However, if you put the frog in tepid water, and slowly turn the heat up, the frog will stay there and allow itself to perish under the heat. Why? Because it adjusts to the heat as it increases and it doesn't even realize that it's complacency is allowing it to be destroyed.

I think *this* is the biggest stumbling block for Christians. We do not purpose to allow wickedness to seep into our lives. However, we are so immersed in it that we slowly allow sins to creep back into our lives. Things that were once a shock to us and our sensibilities are now common-place. We become like that frog and sometimes are totally oblivious to the evil that has permeated and in return we reflect that evil and live it. Maybe it is in the way we dress. Maybe in the way we speak. Maybe it is in which TV shows we indulge. Whatever it is, if it is not good, it is bad. God does not say there is a way of the wicked and a way of the righteous and a way of the in between. As a matter of fact, we are told in Revelation 3:15-16 that God wants us to be either hot or cold for him, because if we are lukewarm he wants to spit us out of his mouth.

Proverbs 4:20-27 (King James Version)

²⁰My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

²¹Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

²²For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

²⁴Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

²⁵Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

²⁶Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

²⁷Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

We are guided to purpose our steps. to keep our feet on the path and do not look away from it. You see, God expects us to PLAN out our days and our ways. He is telling us that failing to plan is planning to fail (no, this is not a scripture, but it is a good summary). We should be prepared to battle evil. We need to have his word DEEP in our hearts so that we can effectively "jump out" of any pots we stumble on, be they boiling or tepid. We are expected to not be the frog in the pot, but the other kind of F.R.O.G. The "Fully Rely On God" frog!

So, what kind of frog are you?

Thoughts on Ruth

The other day as I began my morning Bible reading, I opened up at the start of Ruth. Confession time here. I have never read the Bible in it's entirety. Yes, it is on my "goal" list and I am planning to embark on the next "Read your Bible in 90 days challenge". Anyhow, I had never heard much about Ruth, but I decided to read the book of Ruth that morning. I was (and am) astonished at the level of sacrifice and commitment that Ruth had to Naomi. Her trust in the Lord. I thought, how can we live to be more like her?

This morning as I was chasing squirrels through blogs (that is what I call it when I link from one blog to another to another to another) I found this blog: Living the Ruth Life in an Eve World. This looks like a great little "study" to do.

Also, I found this blog, and I found it beautiful and definitely though provoking. I guess that is why she has named her blog "Thoughtful Spot". I enjoy this one so much, not only did I subscribe (because I cannot find a button to follow), but I also added it to my top of page bookmarks in case the subscribe doesn't come through for me. I do not want to miss any of this.

I love the insight of others into the word of God. I like being challenged to think more thoroughly, to dig digger, to seek that discernment that God wants for us to have. As a matter of fact, as I was reading Proverbs 2 this morning, the following really stuck with me in relation to what I am speaking (eer, typing) of today.

Proverbs 2:1-5

1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

31 Days of praying for your husband

Last year my friend posted this on her blog, and I made a "note" of it so I could "do" it. Well, here is my confession. I never did. I forgot I had noted it. Although I do pray for my husband, I love the way this leads you and gives my prayer a break up from the everyday requests (which sadly have become the same daily) and it also gives my prayer time better purpose.

I thought I would re-share with you all so you could benefit from it also.

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

31 Days of Praying for Your Husband
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

“She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a)

Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18). This includes wives’ responsibility and privilege to pray for their husbands. Earnest prayer for your husband is good for him, for you and the spiritual health of your home (Proverbs 31:11-12).

Satan desires to destroy your husband, especially his character and his leadership in your relationship. Trust God through prayer as you daily surrender your husband and marriage to the Lord’s wise, loving care.

Day 1
Pray that your husband will grow spiritually and consider his accountability before the Lord. Pray that he will guard his heart by developing spiritual disciplines—Bible reading and study, prayer, meditation, scripture memorization, etc. (2 Peter 3:18; Prov. 4:23)

Day 2
Pray that your husband’s relationship with God and His Word will bear fruit in his life. Pray that he will be a man of wisdom and understanding, fearing the Lord. (Prov. 3:7, 9:10; Ps. 112:1)

Day 3
Pray that your husband will be humble and quick to agree with God about his sin. Pray that his heart will be tender toward the voice of the Lord. (Ps. 51:2-4; Micah 6:8)

Day 4
Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Day 5
Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)

Day 6
Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Day 7
Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex. Pray that his heart will be pure and undivided in his commitment to you. (Prov. 6:23-24, 26; Rom. 13:14)

Day 8
Pray that your husband will work hard to provide for your family, to the best of his ability. Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and ministry will be a growing part of his character—persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people, determination, etc. (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 15:58)

Day 9
Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Day 10
Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. (Prov. 20:7; 1 Tim. 1:5, 3:7; Eph. 6:10-12)

Day 11
Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Prov. 15:33; Eph. 6:6)

Day 12
Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. (Prov. 5:15, 18; 1 Cor. 7:3; Song of Solomon 7:10)

Day 13
Pray that your husband use practical skills to build your family and make wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that he will serve unselfishly. (Gal. 5:13; Phil. 2:3-4)

Day 14
Pray that your husband will speak words that build you and your family, and reflect a heart of love. Pray that he will not use filthy language. (Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29)

Day 15
Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who will encourage his accountability before God, and will not lead him into sin. (Prov. 13:20; Prov. 27:17)

Day 16
Pray that your husband will choose healthy, God-honoring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habits or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yields to the Spirit’s control. (1 Cor. 6:12, 10:31; 2 Tim. 2:4)

Day 17
Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Christ and strong men in the faith. Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength. (Eph. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Cor. 10:11)

Day 18
Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Eph. 5:16; Ps. 90:12)

Day 19
Pray that your husband will be patient and a man of peace. Pray that he will not give in to anger, but will allow the Holy Spirit to control his responses. (Rom. 14:19; Ps. 34:14)

Day 20
Pray that your husband will yield his mind and thoughts to the Lord. Pray that he will not entertain immoral or impure thoughts, and that he will resist the temptation to indulge in pornography. (Prov. 27:12; 2 Cor. 10:5)

Day 21
Pray that your husband will learn how to relax in the Lord and, in his greatest times of stress, find joy and peace in his relationship with God. Pray that he will submit his schedule to the Lord. (Neh. 8:10; Prov. 17:22; Ps. 16:11)

Day 22
Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Day 23
Pray that your husband will be a good father—disciplining his children wisely and loving them unconditionally. If he is not a father, pray that he will find a young man to mentor in the things of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 2 Tim. 2:1-2)

Day 24
Pray that your husband will have a balanced life—that he will balance work and play. Pray that he will fear God, but also gain favor with people he knows at work and church. (Luke 2:52; Prov. 13:15)

Day 25
Pray that your husband will be courageous in his stand against evil and injustice, and that he will stand for the truth. Pray that he will protect you and your family from Satan’s attacks. (Ps. 31:24; Eph. 6:13; Ps. 27:14)

Day 26
Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)

Day 27
Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

Day 28
Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)

Day 29
Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)

Day 30
Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

Day 31
Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com. Info@ReviveOurHearts.com.

Today is March 31, if I begin this today I will finish it on the last day of April. Of course, it will not "finish" me praying for my husband. I will come back and update you to the fruit of my prayer and the changes I see. I know the Lord is faithful and that if we pray earnestly, we will reap benefits.

I also found this cute little etsy site with "How to Pray" cards. What a neat idea!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/htpc?ref=seller_info

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, part two...

When we reflect upon cleanliness, we will never achieve a true clean until we deal with the other type of cleanliness, a cleanless that penetrates completely to our soul. The Bible is very clear and talks about this subject repeatedly. I have little "pictures" here with three of the verses, but here they are listed out for you:

Isaiah 1:16

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51:7

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Matthew 5:8

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Ezekiel 36:25

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

Leviticus 19:28

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

If you really read and reflect upon these verses, it is pretty convicting. At least I know for myself it is. I do believe that there is more he has given us to reflect on, and these next two verses encompass the full jest it:

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

To keep you spirit pure you need to acknowledge your sin, ask forgiveness for those sins, and make a concerted effort to forsake those sins. In everything we can use Philippians 4:8 as our guide:

Is it true?

Is it honorable?

Is it just?

Is it pure?

Is it lovely?

Is it commendable?

Is it of excellence?

Is it worthy of praise?

If our answer to any of these is "no", then it is probably dirt for our spirit.

When out spirit is dirty, it doesn't matter what the outside. Think of it this way...you can have an immaculately clean vehicle of the finest quality. However, if the engine is full of dirt and debris, it is going to break down and it's worth greatly reduced.

Don't let your engine get bogged down...