How Do You Do That?

 I watched two little girls playing on a climbing frame. One of them was like a little monkey, moving along easily and quickly. The other one moved inch by inch. For her to reach the other end took huge effort. She said to the other girl, “How do you do that?” The other girl had no answer. She just does it!

What a picture of the different talents God has given us. There are some things we do effortlessly and naturally. Someone else looks at us and says, “How do you do that?” We don’t know, we just do.

We look at someone else who can do something so well that we struggle to do. “How do you do that?” They don’t know, they just do.

It’s easy for discontentment to creep in when we look at what others do. It’s easy to forget that others look at us and think, “How do you do that?”

We need to appreciate the gifts that God has given us, and the gifts God has given others. Instead of being discontent with the gifts we don’t have, we can still learn to get better at the things we can’t do well.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Romans 12:6

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

If You Wait until You can do it Perfectly...

Last week I started mowing our lawns. My 6 year old son asked if he could help. I let him, thinking he'd get tired of it pretty quick as we have large lawns. But he surprised and impressed me! He kept on going until he had done at least half of them.

He didn't do a perfect job. I had to go over places he had missed and I finished up around the edges. But he did his best and he did a good job. He didn't wait until he was able to do it perfectly. He'll get better by doing it.

Sometimes the only way we learn how to do things is by doing them! If we wait until we know how to do them, it never happens. But if we just start and do what we can do, we figure it out by experience along the way.

Before I started this blog, I didn't know how to start a blog. A friend later said to me "I wouldn't have a clue how to start a blog." I thought, 'I didn't know either. You just google 'how to start a blog' and follow the instructions step by step!'

Is there something you believe God wants you to do but you don't know how? Don't wait until you can do it perfectly. Try taking the first step!

 

Bloom Where God Planted You

Where are you right now? Maybe you are living at home with your family. Maybe you are the oldest or maybe you are the youngest. Maybe you have a job or maybe you wish you had a job. Maybe you are at school or maybe you are homeschooled. Maybe you are very busy or maybe you are bored. Maybe you are sick or have a health problem. Maybe you have lots of friends or maybe you are very lonely. Maybe your life is happy or maybe you are going through a tough time.

Where ever you are right now, you can learn to be content! God has you where you are for a reason. When the time is right, God will move you somewhere else. But if you don't learn to be content where you are right now, you probably won't be content where you want to be. If you don't find your fulfillment and joy in God while you are single, you most likely won't be very happy when you get married. If you aren't content at home, you probably won't be content when you move out! Wherever you are, there will always be things you don't like. Nothing is ever perfect. Instead of always wanting to be somewhere else, you can bloom right where you are. Be thankful for what you have right now and what God has done so far. Trust that He will move you on when the time is right. Make the most of your time and opportunities right now. Live today to the full instead of wishing it were tomorrow.

What is in Your Hand?

  Lessons from David and Goliath #3 (1 Samuel 17)

1. David used what he had

When David convinced King Saul that God would help him fight Goliath, King Saul got what he thought David needed. A suit of armor. But poor David could barely move in them! He took them back off and got what he was used to. A sling and some stones. That is what he had killed the lion and the bear with and that's what he would use to kill Goliath. He hit him in his forehead in one go!

Sometimes God uses unusual ways to get the job done. The usual way would be with a sword and a spear. But they are not the only kind of weapons! God is bigger than that.

God can use what is in your hand to do the job He wants you to do. David's trust was not in his sling or in his skills, but he used what was in his hand for God's glory and God blessed it.

This little song sums it up!

Shamgar had an ox goad, David had a sling,

Dorcas had a needle, Rahab had some string,

Samson had a jawbone, Moses had a rod,

Mary had some ointment, but they all were used for God.

What is in your hand? What do you have? What are you good at? What opportunities do you have?

Give them all to God and use them for Him. Then you too will see what God can do!

Lions and Bears Prepare You for Goliaths.

 Lessons from David and Goliath #1 (1 Samuel 17)

We have been reading through 1 Samuel in our family devotions and we have just finished the story of David and Goliath. I couldn't help but see lots of lessons in this story for teenagers/youth. So I am planning to share them one or two at a time. Read the story for yourself for the full benefit.

1. David's challenges as a shepherd prepared him for Goliath.

"David said...The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:37

David was a shepherd boy. Growing up I was a farm girl. I helped my dad a lot on our family farm. I had my heart set on being a missionary so shifting cows and pulling weeds to me seemed very unimportant. I wanted to do stuff that really counted! I regret that I didn't realize that anything God has given us to do is important! 

Do you feel like what you have to do right now is unimportant? Are you looking forward to the future when you can do what you are dreaming of? Marriage? Motherhood? A Career? Missionary? Some kind of Ministry?

What are you doing right now? Schoolwork? Work? Learning an instrument? Learning to cook? Helping with your siblings or helping your parents? Whatever you have to do right now is IMPORTANT! David's time as a shepherd was preparing him for bigger things. The skills he learned and his relationship with God was preparing him for Goliath.  Would he have trusted God with Goliath if he had never learned to trust God with lions and bears? Would he have been able to kill Goliath if he hadn't first learned how to use his sling to kill wild animals? 
Whatever you have to do now is preparation for the future. Will you be like David and make the most of your 'shepherd boy' time? Or will you waste it dreaming of when you will 'fight Goliaths'?
Whatever is in front of you right now--no matter how monotonous or unimportant it seems to be--give it to God. Give yourself to God and ask Him to teach you to trust and know Him NOW. Ask Him to help you to be faithful in what you have to do now, so that you will prepared for future challenges.
The Bible says "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10

Occupy Till I Come

(A devotional by my sister Ruth Lauridsen) 

A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy til I come. But his citizens hated him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom  he had given the money, that he might know how much every man has gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layest not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man: taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow; Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own in usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you. That unto every one  which hath shall be given; and from them that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies. Which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. Luke 19:12-27

I was struck by the words this man said “Occupy til I come” (Occupy= to busy oneself with….) I have been noticing in me a heart that is frustrated and annoyed at life because it isn’t the exact way I want it. But looking at this story gives me a different prospective. Just like this man, God has given each of us “pounds”- jobs to do, and the challenge for me and for you is; what are we going to do with these “pounds”? Are we going to look at them in disgust and say “Lord, this isn’t what I wanted” or are we going to Occupy until God comes again? Are we willing each day to serve God to the fullest with the jobs He has given us to do?
It will be worth it one day when we hear God say “Well done, Thou good and faithful servant” if we occupy til He comes!

Will You and I occupy until Jesus comes?



When Jesus comes to reward His servants,
Whether it be noon or night,
Faithful to Him will find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

O can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

If, at the dawn of the early morning,
He shall call us one by one,
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee “Well done”?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,
We shall have a glorious rest.

Blessed are those whose the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?

No Regrets

Last night when everyone in my house was asleep, I was looking through some old journals from when I was in my late teens. I mostly wrote down verses and other things I read in devotionals books that I found helpful.
Reading through these journals, I couldn't help but be happy that I have no regrets from my teen years. Sure, I did dumb things sometimes and I was far from perfect, but in general, I have no regrets. I had a real relationship with God, I read the Bible and prayed for myself and I used my talents to serve God and reach out to others. I am not boasting. I could easily have ruined my life. I really don't know how I would have turned out if I had grown up in another family or in different circumstances. 
But the point is, are you living your life in a way that you will regret?
Are you wasting your teen years? Or are you making the most of them?
Do you flit from boy to boy with no purpose? Or are you praying for wisdom to know God's choice for you when he comes?
Do you read the Bible for yourself? Do you communicate with God yourself?
Are you taking every opportunity to serve God?
One day you will look back on your teen years. Will you be happy like I am, or will you think, What a waste? 
I know you can't change what you have already done. But you can change what you are doing right now. You can change your future.
Live your life with no regrets.
I would like to share some of the notes from my journals with you over the next few weeks.
This is one of the quotes...

Wanting is Not Enough!

A famous violinist, who was very old, was playing his last concert. The whole world came to hear him play. After he got through playing a young violinist came up to him and said, "Sir, I would give my life to play like you." The old man looked at the young boy and said, "Son, I have given my life to play like me."

I can relate to that young boy. I look at people and admire their abilities or their character and I want what they have.  But often I forget what it took for them to get where they are. I just want to have what they have without any work! Are you the same?
To get good at something, you need to work hard and practice. You need to cut out other things that hinder or distract.

Do you ever look at someone and want what they have?
      ...a close relationship with God
      ...a great knowledge of the Bible
      ...closeness to God in prayer
      ...a talent--playing a musical instrument, art, speaking, writing, a sport, etc.
      ...a character quality--patience, self control, friendliness etc.

These things don't just happen. You may want lots of good things, but unless you are willing to put the time and effort in, you'll never get there.
Even when someone has a natural talent for something, they still need to practice and work hard to develop and improve their God-given ability.

If you want to know God, you need to do something.
If you want to know the Bible, you need to do something.
If you want to learn how to pray, you need to do something.
If you want to be good at something, you need to do something.
If you want to have great character qualities, you need to do something.
Of course, you should pray and trust God for them. But don't stop there! Use the means God has given you. Don't be a sluggard!

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Count Your Blessings!

Are you ever jealous of your friends or other people you see? Do you envy their good looks, talents, personality, job, family, church, friendships, money, clothes, opportunities etc.?

Our very first photo together!

When I was around 20yrs, I attended a friend's wedding. I was in a relationship with my future husband at the time. As I thought about this friend's relationship with her groom, it seemed to me like she had everything easy. I faced difficulties in our relationship for several reasons. My man was from a different country and culture. He couldn't speak English very well, so communication was difficult. He was from a different kind of church, which meant lots of issues to talk through and work out. He lived 41/2 hours away, which meant getting to know each other was very slow. Also, I had always hoped for a short relationship before marriage, but instead it was stretched over 3 years.
This friend didn't have most of these challenges and I started to feel jealous.
All of a sudden I felt very ashamed of myself when I remembered her family situation. Her parents were divorced and at her wedding she had all the awkwardness that brings.  I didn't have that.
True, I had my difficulties, but my friend had hers, too, and there was no reason for me to be jealous. I wouldn't have swapped my problems for hers and she probably wouldn't have swapped hers for mine.
I was even more ashamed a few years later when I found out that she and her husband are unable to have children, while I've had no trouble in that area.
I have a friend who has her mother living quite close. As my mother lives 41/2 hours away, sometimes I've felt a little jealous of this friend. And then one day she confessed that she is sometimes envious that I have so many sisters (as she has none). That made me laugh because here I was envying her! But we each have our blessings to be thankful for.
I thought I had this lesson learned, but just this week I was watching a video of a young
lady and she was talking about a particular blessing in her life. Once again I started to feel discontented and envious, because what she has is something I would love. Then I remembered! That young lady had 3 miscarriages in a row, while I have had 3 healthy children in a row. I was convicted again!
We all have troubles, so don't look at the good things in others lives and feel jealous . They also have trials that you wouldn't want. And there are probably things you have that they would love to have!

Give of Your Best to the Master

by Howard B. Grose

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave.
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

 

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave.
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

 

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love.
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save.
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.

 

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

 

 

The Big Question--Why?

Lessons from Potiphar's Wife

Read Genesis 39 for the whole story.
"And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, lie with me." 39:7

Why would Potiphar's wife want such a thing? She was really risking her life. Some women were executed for adultery back then. She lived in different times than today.

She had everything—her own husband who was very important and she had riches.




 

So...why?
Obviously being married and being rich don't make us fulfilled. If she was happy and fulfilled she wouldn't have suggested such a thing. Her marriage wasn't in the best shape. Maybe her husband had no time for her. If her love tank had been full she wouldn't have gone looking for love from someone else. This is a warning to us.
Wrong desires can result from lack of fulfillment. It can make us vulnerable to temptation.
As a teen, you'll always face temptation, but it won't be so strong if you are fulfilled.

So...how can you be fulfilled?

1)Find fulfillment in the right place—Jesus Christ—then you won't go looking for fulfillment in the wrong things.

You first of all need to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God created us to walk with Him. He fills a gap that no one or nothing else can fill. How can we be fulfilled when we're missing that?

2) Serve God and others.

One definition for 'fulfilled' is satisfied or happy because of fully developing one's abilities or character.

God didn't save us to put us on the shelf and watch the world go by. He also didn't save us to live comfortable lives serving ourselves.

God has given each of us talents and people around us. We need to use our talents to be a blessing to others in whatever way we can.

Do you have a personal relationship with God?

Are you using your talents to serve God and others?

Use Your Talents for God

by Ruth Lauridsen

This is something that I have/am learning.
A couple of months back, a girl said to me something like this. “ It had taken me a while to realize that if I enjoy doing something I should do my best and do it unto the LORD.” That has stuck with me. If I enjoy doing something I should do it to the best of my ability. For example I really like to sing. But instead of singing only just so people can hear my voice. I should be singing to the LORD. So now I don’t need to be afraid to sing my best in case people think I am showing off. But I can sing by best and sing it to my LORD. If you  have an ability to do something, use it. Find out ways to use the talent God has given you and do it the best of your ability, to the LORD.
But don’t get proud about it and make it become your idol. Just use the talent God has given you and for His glory.

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee,………… give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
                                                                    1 Timothy 4:14a & 15b

“ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of  God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it to the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”      
                                              1 Peter 4:10-11  
 

“ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
                                                Colossians 3:23-24

              Give of Your Best to the Master       

     Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth; Armed with the sword of salvation, Join in the battle for truth. Jesus has set the example; His life for others He gave; Give Him your loyal devotion, Give Him the best that you have.

    Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service, Fully surrender each part. Give, and to you it shall be given; God, His beloved Son gave; Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.

    Give of your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His love; He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above: Laid down His life without murmur, You from sin’s ruins to save; Give Him your heart’s adoration, Give Him the best that you have.
                                         - Howard Grose -

 

I Know Not the Day of My Death

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. Genesis 27:2-4

Isaac was an old man and knew he was near death. He didn't know when it would come so he wanted to be prepared. He wasn't ready yet—there was something to be done first. So he got busy.

But not only old people die. Many young people never get old. In the last few months there have been quite a few teens in my area who have died in car crashes. I heard of a thirteen year old girl who died in her sleep. Another girl came down with a rash and died within a few hours.
None of us know the day of our death. We don't know if we will ever get old.
If you were to die soon, what would need to be done first? What things need changing? Are you ready to meet God?
You need to be preparing now.
If you knew the day of your death, what would you do before that day?
The Bible says

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14

*First of all, are you saved?

Have your sins been taken care of? Do you know God?

*If you are saved, do you have a right relationship with God?

  Is there any unconfessed sin or anything that has come between you and Him? Are you walking with Him?

* Do you have a right relationship with others?

Are there things that need to be put right with other people? Is there someone you won't talk to? Someone you haven't forgiven?

*Are you collecting memories or things?

I saw that saying on a t-shirt the other day. What is more important to you? Things or people? I'm sure if we knew we didn't have much time left, we wouldn't be so focused on things.
 

*Are there any past wrongs that need to be put right?

Is there anything you've done in the past that you still haven't put right yet? I know of someone who was dying, but there was something he had done a long time ago that he couldn't forget about. He got that off his chest by confessing it and was able to die in peace.

*Are you laying up treasure in Heaven?

Are you spending your time living for God? Are you serving Him with your talents and time?

                                      Don't wait until it's too late!