Pastor Reed preached a great, timely message about discouragement on Sunday morning. God knows just want we need and when we need it. He is so good! I decided to write the points to the message on here. Hope it can encourage someone else!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "We Faint Not"
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Colossians 3:2- "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
Matthew 6:21- "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Proverbs 4:23- "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Your discouragement is directly related to the things that you treasure. Paul managed to faint not though his outward man was perishing. If anyone had reason to be discouraged it was the apostle Paul. But he learned to treasure the things that were important.
"Things Paul Treasured"
1) Paul treasured the inward man more than the outward man.
"the inward man is renewed day by day"
We must daily take the time to refresh our spirits with prayer and the Word of God. He did not focus on his looks or appearance, but he was more concerned with keeping his inward man encouraged.
2) Paul treasured the eternal more than the temporal.
Each trial or heart ache we face is but a "light affliction" compared to Heaven and eternity. Is this specific thing that is bugging me or causing me pain going to pale in comparison to eternity?
It will soon pass!
Psalms 37:5- "Commit thy way until the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Ecclesiastes 7:8- "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
3) Paul treasured weakness more than strength
2 Corinthians 12:9- "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power if Christ may rest upon me."
*Treasure affliction!
Romans 5:3- "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;"
4) Paul treasured the unseen more than the seen
Sometimes you can't see what go is doing behind the scenes, but He is always working!
You might just have to listen to the message online because I know I didn't do it justice! The website to our church is on the blog, so go listen to it if it sounds like something that might help you. Sometimes we might think that we don't have all the money we need or the job we need, but we have just what God wants us to have! Treasure the things that God wants us to. I think if we could learn to take our eyes off earthly things, then we would be much more happy and content!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Jack's Clothes
Jack has been getting a multiple of new things! Here are just a couple.
Corey's mom bought him this. So cute!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Clara's Baby Shower
Clara and I have been best friends since our senoir year of high school. We got married one month apart and now we are both having baby boys two and a half months apart! We had her baby shower today and it was so much fun. She only has 2 weeks to go and little Samuel will be here!
Carrie Warner, from our church, made this cake for her
shower. It was so good!
I Must Tell Jesus
I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.
Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.
O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
Discouragement
"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6
"Thus apt are we, when we are in trouble, to fly into a rage against those who are in any way the occasion of our trouble, while we overlook the divine providence, and have not that regard to the operations of God's hand in it which would silence our passions, and make us patient." -MH
"Things are sometimes at the worst with the church and people of God just before they begin to mend." -MH
"David bore it better, though he had more reason than any of them to lament it; they gave liberty to their passions, but he set his graces on work, and by encouraging himself in God, while they dispirited each other, he kept his spirit calm and sedate." -MH
"Those that have taken the Lord for their God may take encouragement from their relation to him in the worst of times. It is the duty and interest of all good people, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in God as their Lord and their God, assuring themselves that he can and will bring light out of darkness, peace out of trouble, and good out of evil, to all that love him and are the called according to his purpose, Rom. 8:28. It was David's practice, and he had the comfort of it, What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. When he was at his wits' end he was not at his faith's end." -MH
"Physical exhaustion leaves us wide open to discouragement."
-R.B. Ouellette
When Elijah was discouraged God gave him "food and rest" to start the process of deafeating his discouragement.
"Don't make major life decisions while you are discouraged." -R.B. Ouellette
"We think that God is going to deal with the source of our problems. We think God will take away the cause. We think God should remove it. If He doesn't, we think He isn't doing anything. But taking the problem away is not the way He usually works."
-R.B. Oullette
"Never forget, especially when discouraged, what God has done for you in the past."
-R.B. Oullette
"It's tempting to try to deal with our problems by refusing to admit they exist. However, when the stones are being sized up for throwing potential, it's time to face the facts. To conquer the problems we face, we must address them as they really are."
-R.B Ouellette
"Thus apt are we, when we are in trouble, to fly into a rage against those who are in any way the occasion of our trouble, while we overlook the divine providence, and have not that regard to the operations of God's hand in it which would silence our passions, and make us patient." -MH
"Things are sometimes at the worst with the church and people of God just before they begin to mend." -MH
"David bore it better, though he had more reason than any of them to lament it; they gave liberty to their passions, but he set his graces on work, and by encouraging himself in God, while they dispirited each other, he kept his spirit calm and sedate." -MH
"Those that have taken the Lord for their God may take encouragement from their relation to him in the worst of times. It is the duty and interest of all good people, whatever happens, to encourage themselves in God as their Lord and their God, assuring themselves that he can and will bring light out of darkness, peace out of trouble, and good out of evil, to all that love him and are the called according to his purpose, Rom. 8:28. It was David's practice, and he had the comfort of it, What time I am afraid I will trust in thee. When he was at his wits' end he was not at his faith's end." -MH
"Physical exhaustion leaves us wide open to discouragement."
-R.B. Ouellette
When Elijah was discouraged God gave him "food and rest" to start the process of deafeating his discouragement.
"Don't make major life decisions while you are discouraged." -R.B. Ouellette
"We think that God is going to deal with the source of our problems. We think God will take away the cause. We think God should remove it. If He doesn't, we think He isn't doing anything. But taking the problem away is not the way He usually works."
-R.B. Oullette
"Never forget, especially when discouraged, what God has done for you in the past."
-R.B. Oullette
"It's tempting to try to deal with our problems by refusing to admit they exist. However, when the stones are being sized up for throwing potential, it's time to face the facts. To conquer the problems we face, we must address them as they really are."
-R.B Ouellette
Thursday, April 24, 2008
TWINS?!?!?
No...we are not having twins! lol But apparently the cashier at lunch today thought that I was big enough to be carrying twins! He referred to my belly as "they". Now if that's not discouraging, then I don't know what is! I am only 6 months! haha
Friday, April 18, 2008
Flowers!
They are allowing me to plant flowers at our new house! I am so excited. I have never planted flowers or anything and I have this inkling to plant something! I am going to do a rose bush as well. I probably will not get around to it until June, so I will post some pictures when I do. By the way.....if anyone knows how to plant things, then let me know!
A Crown to Your Husband
I have been reading in 1 Samuel for a week or so now. This is an enjoyable book of the Bible. It is full of interesting stories. I came across something that I have never noticed before. I told it to Corey and he suggested that I write it on the blog, so here I go...
In chapter 16 Samuel is told to go to the house of Jesse and there he will find and anoint the next king. Eliab, Jesse's first son, is brought before him and Samuel says "Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him." I am sure he was "good to look upon" or he would not have said that just from seeing him. He probably looked like he had it all together. :) Then, God tells him not to look on the outside but to look on the heart. Many ladies like to use this verse and 1 Peter 3 to say- "it shouldn't matter to my husband what I look like on the outside....he should love me for what's inside." It does matter. Don't let the outside appearance be ALL there is to you. Love the Lord. Seek to please Him and your husband. Have a" meek and quiet spirit" AND look beautiful for your husband.
If you read the next couple of verses in Samuel 16 you will see something I never noticed before. David was good looking. lol That's what it says! He was godly and nice looking.
"And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he."
The Lord never said it was wrong to look nice or to fix yourself up. But, let the "hidden man of the heart" be where you place the most emphasis.
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." -1 Peter 3:4
I enjoy putting on make-up and doing my hair. I like to look pretty for Corey. But, I also like to read my Bible and spend time in prayer. There needs to be a balance. Why not do both? Be a "crown" to your husband. Make him happy to be yours. Look pretty and love the Lord.
"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us:" -Psalms 90:17
"A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones." -Proverbs 12:4
In chapter 16 Samuel is told to go to the house of Jesse and there he will find and anoint the next king. Eliab, Jesse's first son, is brought before him and Samuel says "Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him." I am sure he was "good to look upon" or he would not have said that just from seeing him. He probably looked like he had it all together. :) Then, God tells him not to look on the outside but to look on the heart. Many ladies like to use this verse and 1 Peter 3 to say- "it shouldn't matter to my husband what I look like on the outside....he should love me for what's inside." It does matter. Don't let the outside appearance be ALL there is to you. Love the Lord. Seek to please Him and your husband. Have a" meek and quiet spirit" AND look beautiful for your husband.
If you read the next couple of verses in Samuel 16 you will see something I never noticed before. David was good looking. lol That's what it says! He was godly and nice looking.
"And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he."
The Lord never said it was wrong to look nice or to fix yourself up. But, let the "hidden man of the heart" be where you place the most emphasis.
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." -1 Peter 3:4
I enjoy putting on make-up and doing my hair. I like to look pretty for Corey. But, I also like to read my Bible and spend time in prayer. There needs to be a balance. Why not do both? Be a "crown" to your husband. Make him happy to be yours. Look pretty and love the Lord.
"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us:" -Psalms 90:17
"A virtuous woman [is] a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed [is] as rottenness in his bones." -Proverbs 12:4
Thursday, April 17, 2008
SPEEDING TICKET
A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license. She replied in a huff, "I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you!"
"What a Husband Needs from His Wife"
I love being a wife! I love being married to the man I am married to. I love learning new ways to make Corey happy. That is my job! I know his happiness ultimately depends upon God, but I can do my part as well! I am reading a book by Melanie Chitwood on being the kind of wife your husband needs. It is an excellent book. I have learned so much from it. I have highlighted along the way some of my favorite quotes.
"Friendship with our husbands is strengthened when we share activities"
"The woman who is having fun with her husband is incredibly attractive."
"A marriage is not a joining of two worlds, but an abandoning of two worlds in order that one new one might be formed."
"Christians are told in Colossians 3:14 to "put on charity." Just as we choose the outfit that will clothe us each day, we also can choose the attitude of love to clothe us."
"Sin doesn't cause God to remove His love from us, but sin does block God's love flowing through us."
"Loving sacrificially means you want what is best for your husband and your marriage more than you want what is best for you personally."
"My obedience to God, however, cannot be determined by my husband's actions."
"Submission is choosing not to say or do something you know irritates your husband."
~There was a chapter I just read on attitude adjustment. Oh boy did I need this one! The main theme of the chapter was what type of wife a husband needs. lol Here they are.
A husband needs a wife who is....
*Thankful, Not Ungrateful
*Content, Not Complaining
*Cheerful, Not Downhearted
*Flexible, Not Controlling
*Self-Controlled, Not Emotional (This is me!!! Emotional!)
*Encouraging, Not Critical
*Gentle, Not Harsh
"Friendship with our husbands is strengthened when we share activities"
"The woman who is having fun with her husband is incredibly attractive."
"A marriage is not a joining of two worlds, but an abandoning of two worlds in order that one new one might be formed."
"Christians are told in Colossians 3:14 to "put on charity." Just as we choose the outfit that will clothe us each day, we also can choose the attitude of love to clothe us."
"Sin doesn't cause God to remove His love from us, but sin does block God's love flowing through us."
"Loving sacrificially means you want what is best for your husband and your marriage more than you want what is best for you personally."
"My obedience to God, however, cannot be determined by my husband's actions."
"Submission is choosing not to say or do something you know irritates your husband."
~There was a chapter I just read on attitude adjustment. Oh boy did I need this one! The main theme of the chapter was what type of wife a husband needs. lol Here they are.
A husband needs a wife who is....
*Thankful, Not Ungrateful
*Content, Not Complaining
*Cheerful, Not Downhearted
*Flexible, Not Controlling
*Self-Controlled, Not Emotional (This is me!!! Emotional!)
*Encouraging, Not Critical
*Gentle, Not Harsh
Pastor Tom Nelson
Aimee, my favorite sister-in-law, recommended a preacher/sermon to me last month. I really have enjoy listening to Pastor Tom Nelson. I try to listen to one of his sermons whenever I am cleaning or just have free time. Usually, it's when I am cleaning....He has tons of sermons on marriage. Here are just a couple that I have listened to and enjoyed.
~Mates and Money- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3097&cat=0&page=1
~The ins and outs of in-laws- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3079&cat=0&page=1
~The Doctrine of Romance (this one is for married couples)- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3100&cat=0&page=1
~God and the fairer sex (that's us ladies)- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3064&cat=0&page=1
~Mates and Money- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3097&cat=0&page=1
~The ins and outs of in-laws- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3079&cat=0&page=1
~The Doctrine of Romance (this one is for married couples)- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3100&cat=0&page=1
~God and the fairer sex (that's us ladies)- http://www.dbcmedia.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3064&cat=0&page=1
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
"He particularly recommends to us, love, to God especially, and to one another for his sake,—joy, by which may be understood cheerfulness in conversation with our friends, or rather a constant delight in God,—peace, with God and conscience, or a peaceableness of temper and behaviour towards others,—long-suffering, patience to defer anger, and a contentedness to bear injuries,—gentleness, such a sweetness of temper, and especially towards our inferiors, as disposes us to be affable and courteous, and easy to be entreated when any have wronged us,—goodness (kindness, beneficence), which shows itself in a readiness to do good to all as we have opportunity,—faith, fidelity, justice, and honesty, in what we profess and promise to others,—meekness, wherewith to govern our passions and resentments, so as not to be easily provoked, and, when we are so, to be soon pacified,—and temperance, in meat and drink, and other enjoyments of life, so as not to be excessive and immoderate in the use of them."
~Matthew Henry
"He particularly recommends to us, love, to God especially, and to one another for his sake,—joy, by which may be understood cheerfulness in conversation with our friends, or rather a constant delight in God,—peace, with God and conscience, or a peaceableness of temper and behaviour towards others,—long-suffering, patience to defer anger, and a contentedness to bear injuries,—gentleness, such a sweetness of temper, and especially towards our inferiors, as disposes us to be affable and courteous, and easy to be entreated when any have wronged us,—goodness (kindness, beneficence), which shows itself in a readiness to do good to all as we have opportunity,—faith, fidelity, justice, and honesty, in what we profess and promise to others,—meekness, wherewith to govern our passions and resentments, so as not to be easily provoked, and, when we are so, to be soon pacified,—and temperance, in meat and drink, and other enjoyments of life, so as not to be excessive and immoderate in the use of them."
~Matthew Henry
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
We're moving!!!
We have been praying for a place to live and the Lord has worked it out. It is a two story town house with a fenced in back yard. We love it. We are moving into it in May. Here are a couple of pictures.
Our cute kitchen which is fully furnished!
Master bedroom
HUGE walk-in closet!
Our cute kitchen which is fully furnished!
Master bedroom
HUGE walk-in closet!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sweetest Husband
I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me and Corey to get married! I could not have asked for a better husband. He said one of the sweetest things to me yesterday...I had to put it on here. :)
Corey: "I'd be so sad if I could not snuggle with you. I'm glad we are not porcupines."
Corey: "I'd be so sad if I could not snuggle with you. I'm glad we are not porcupines."
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Best Feeling
To me one of the best feelings is when you have been sick all day or all night and you can finally stomach to eat something (chicken noodle soup) and then you fall asleep for a long nap...you wake up feeling so refreshed and so much better! Well, that is what me and Corey got to experience today. We were both up all night with some stomach bug. I managed to eat some chicken noodle soup around 9 this morning and then we both fell asleep for about 2 hours. That was the best 2 hours of my life. Corey went to work for a while after he woke up and I ate some more soup and then fell back asleep. You see...I am pregnant and not eating for 14 hours does not feel too good! The baby decided to stay up all night with me to remind me how hungry he was. He kicked every other minute! That only made things worse. Well, Corey is sleeping right now and I am day dreaming about some more soup. I am not saying that I would like to get sick again just to have this feeling. :) But when you finally do get to feeling better, there is no greater feeling at that time!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
House hunting
We spent most of our Saturday evening looking for houses. We found a nearly new neighborhood that had beautiful town homes in it.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Favorite Hymns
O Rejoice In The Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead,
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Count It All Joy
When the ways of God unequal seem to be,
and the trials He sends appear too hard for thee,
He has promised you His wisdom shall be given liberally;
If you ask in faith with patience,
soon His purpose you shall see.
Count it all joy when darkness clouds the path you've trod;
Trust in His word that the secret things belong to the Lord our God.
Count it all joy and for the crown of life endure;
Let your patience make you perfect and complete in all His will,
And the grace of God employ to count it all joy.
As with job, the Lord doth often hide His face;
Still He's faithful to provide a secret place,
To escape from each temptation through His all sufficient grace,
So rejoice in tribulation, and your trial now embrace.
Count it all joy when darkness clouds the path you've trod;
Trust in His word that the secret things belong to the Lord our God.
Count it all joy and for the crown of life endure;
Let your patience make you perfect and complete in all His will,
And the grace of God employ to count it all joy.
God never moves without purpose or plan.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead,
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
O rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
Count It All Joy
When the ways of God unequal seem to be,
and the trials He sends appear too hard for thee,
He has promised you His wisdom shall be given liberally;
If you ask in faith with patience,
soon His purpose you shall see.
Count it all joy when darkness clouds the path you've trod;
Trust in His word that the secret things belong to the Lord our God.
Count it all joy and for the crown of life endure;
Let your patience make you perfect and complete in all His will,
And the grace of God employ to count it all joy.
As with job, the Lord doth often hide His face;
Still He's faithful to provide a secret place,
To escape from each temptation through His all sufficient grace,
So rejoice in tribulation, and your trial now embrace.
Count it all joy when darkness clouds the path you've trod;
Trust in His word that the secret things belong to the Lord our God.
Count it all joy and for the crown of life endure;
Let your patience make you perfect and complete in all His will,
And the grace of God employ to count it all joy.
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