A thought from Amy
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. - 1 John 3:16I just love this verse! J It’s so beautiful to think that Jesus loved us SO much that He laid down His life for us!! JAs I think about this verse, I think that there are more then one way He did this; Yes the biggest and most wonderful thing was that He died on the cross to take away our sins! J But, there are other wonderful, amazing ways in which He laid down His life for us as well! The whole time He was here on earth, He was laying down His life for us – He healed the sick, He drove out demons, He preached God’s Word, He cared for us, He was beaten and spit upon for us, He was nailed to a cross for us, He died for us, He forgave all our sins!… The list goes on and on and on!!At the end of the verse it says “And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” A lot of 1 John is talking about love, and in this verse it tells us how we know what love is – Jesus Christ lay down His life for us!!! But it doesn’t end there! It goes on to say that we also should lay down our lives for our brothers – That’s what love is! Laying down our own lives, and doing what God says to do – laying down our lives for others.It is not probable that many of us will have to literally die in the place of someone else. (But if God put you in that place, He will give you the grace to go through it, and do what He wants you to do! And literally dieing for someone else, would be a huge way of showing love!). But, I want to talk about some more practical things of laying down our lives –Cleaning the house, doing our chores, (with out complaining I might add!), cooking for the family, playing with siblings, helping mom when she needs it, wiping up spills, taking the dog out, putting the baby to bed. Being cheerful, not complaining, being respectful to your parents, helping someone in need, being there when a friend needs you, taking the time to pray for someone/with someone… The list goes on and on! J What I’m trying to say is that every time you give up what you want to do at that moment, and do what your parents want you to do, or help someone who needs it, or spend time with a sibling, (when you’d much rather be reading your book!), those are all ways to lay down your life for others, and show you love them, and that you love God. It’s certainly not always easy to do this! In fact, most of the time personally I want to just do my own thing, or it’s much easier to sigh, and throw down what I am doing in frustration, and do what Mom wants rudely, or what would help her with a bad attitude, and it’s hard to stop what I’m doing on the computer to go play with one of my siblings. But “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "Remember to “Do everything in love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:14!! J And if you are having a hard time doing things in love, just remember that you are working for Jesus, who loved you so much He laid down His life for you, and asked you to do the same for others, in all the ways you are able! JGod bless you!!Amy P.S. This is by no means saying that you can never read a book you want to, or do something you enjoy, or always play with your siblings when they ask, (you could be playing all day in that case! ;-)), but just to keep in mind to “Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) And remember to lay down your lives for others, just as Jesus did for us!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thought from Amy
I am so sorry for taking so long to post this, Amy. But I did not see it in my PM box until this morning. :( It was very good, and I'm posting even though Sanctity of Life Sunday is over. :)
Thank-you again!
Thought from Amy
Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday, the day when Churches around America are praying and calling our government to protect pre-born children and for people to repent of our nation’s sin of abortion, and pray against it. A baby’s life is a wonderful miracle, Psalm 139:13-14 says – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” David points out that he is fearfully and wonderfully made, and says that God’s works are wonderful while talking about being created! God creates every baby wonderful, and amazing! The Bible also says in Psalm 127:3 – “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” Children are a reward from God!!! And here is our nation, allowing millions of baby’s to be killed! And saying it is alright because they are not yet born! Just because a baby is not yet born, does not mean that it is not a person! Even before it is born it is a person, fearfully and wonderfully being made by God! When someone is killed it is called murder, and killing un-born children is no different from killing the person who is standing in front of you! It is murder!!! Also, I have heard it argued that in some cases it would be better for a child who will have severe physical and or mental problems during it’s life to be killed before it is even born as to save it from a life of pain. But how is that trusting that God knows what He is doing? God knows what He is doing, and the child that has physical problems is still made by a kind and loving God! He knows what He is doing when He makes someone well and whole, and He knows what He is doing when He makes someone with physical or mental problems! They are still His wonderful works!!! And who are we to say who can live, and who can’t? Lets leave that up to God! So, throughout this week, let us pray hard against this sin, this murder that is being done in our land! God bless you all!!!
Thank-you again!
Thought from Amy
Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday, the day when Churches around America are praying and calling our government to protect pre-born children and for people to repent of our nation’s sin of abortion, and pray against it. A baby’s life is a wonderful miracle, Psalm 139:13-14 says – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” David points out that he is fearfully and wonderfully made, and says that God’s works are wonderful while talking about being created! God creates every baby wonderful, and amazing! The Bible also says in Psalm 127:3 – “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” Children are a reward from God!!! And here is our nation, allowing millions of baby’s to be killed! And saying it is alright because they are not yet born! Just because a baby is not yet born, does not mean that it is not a person! Even before it is born it is a person, fearfully and wonderfully being made by God! When someone is killed it is called murder, and killing un-born children is no different from killing the person who is standing in front of you! It is murder!!! Also, I have heard it argued that in some cases it would be better for a child who will have severe physical and or mental problems during it’s life to be killed before it is even born as to save it from a life of pain. But how is that trusting that God knows what He is doing? God knows what He is doing, and the child that has physical problems is still made by a kind and loving God! He knows what He is doing when He makes someone well and whole, and He knows what He is doing when He makes someone with physical or mental problems! They are still His wonderful works!!! And who are we to say who can live, and who can’t? Lets leave that up to God! So, throughout this week, let us pray hard against this sin, this murder that is being done in our land! God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thought from Sam
Honoring God
A thought by Sam
Eric Liddell: God made countries, God makes kings, and the rules by which they govern. And those rules say that the Sabbath is His. And I for one intend to keep it that way. "
"Chariots of Fire" is one of my favorite movies. Eric Liddell is one of my heroes. We watched that movie last night. I had not seen it in ages. Eric Liddell's immovable faith awed me. There was one line in the movie that really stuck out to me. Not the one above, but it's a piece where someone says "Run your best to honor God, and let the world stand back in awe." (Not the exact words, but that was the meaning...) How many of us waste our time wishing, "I wish I had a better singing voice!" "I wish I could draw like that!" "I wish I could play such and such an instrument like that person." "I wish.." "I wish.."Stop wishing! You have your talents! God chose those certain talents to suit YOU. So waht, someone else is better than you at singing. So what if someone else is writing best-seller novels. It doesn't mean that your talent is beneath those. Your talent is a gift from God. A BLESSING. Let's use our talents to HONOR God. Not ourselves. Not our family. GOD. If we do that, the world just may stand back in awe. If not, who cares. God is still watching. And isn't His opinion the one that matters?
I highly recommend this movie. Don't watch it just to watch a movie. Watch it to learn something. There is much you can learn from Eric Liddell.
(Thanks, Sam! I really enjoyed reading this!!! Maiden4Him)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Thought from Amy
Sam here! Maiden4Him couldn't get on, so I agreed to put this new encouraging submission from SarahJane on here. She says "THANK-YOU SO MUCH!" to you SarahJane. :)
Oh, and I must apologize for the music, Maiden4Him...I accidentally put my music thing-a-ma-jig on here when I tried to change the music...Oops! I'll change it right away! :)
A thought from Amy (Sarah Jane). Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. This Bible verse has been really helpful to me in my daily life. I have begun to pray that I will do everything heartily, as unto the Lord, and to unto men, for in is God who I am serving, and not man. It is amazing how your outlook on the daily things you do will change when you begin to do them as unto the Lord, and not to men. When you do things for men, it does not give any inner joy, you find yourself feeling, “Why am I doing it for this person? They aren’t nice to me anyways.” And “I always have to do all the work around here, no one ever helps me, and I always have to pick up their stuff!” But, when you view things as doing it for God, it can change your outlook, and instead of cleaning up your sibling’s mess, you are suddenly working for God, and doing what He calls you to do! I wrote this partly to myself as well, as I wrote it I found myself seeing how much I view things as doing them for men instead of God. I need to remind myself daily that I am not working for men, but for the God who made me, and the heavens and the earth, and Who sent His only Son to die for my sins! Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God prepared the good works he wants us to do in advance! He was the One who said that cleaning the living room would be the good work that you would do! That amazed me when I read this verse, it stood out to me like never before. Well, I just wanted to share those things with you, and hope that they are helpful to you, the way they are to me!
Oh, and I must apologize for the music, Maiden4Him...I accidentally put my music thing-a-ma-jig on here when I tried to change the music...Oops! I'll change it right away! :)
A thought from Amy (Sarah Jane). Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. This Bible verse has been really helpful to me in my daily life. I have begun to pray that I will do everything heartily, as unto the Lord, and to unto men, for in is God who I am serving, and not man. It is amazing how your outlook on the daily things you do will change when you begin to do them as unto the Lord, and not to men. When you do things for men, it does not give any inner joy, you find yourself feeling, “Why am I doing it for this person? They aren’t nice to me anyways.” And “I always have to do all the work around here, no one ever helps me, and I always have to pick up their stuff!” But, when you view things as doing it for God, it can change your outlook, and instead of cleaning up your sibling’s mess, you are suddenly working for God, and doing what He calls you to do! I wrote this partly to myself as well, as I wrote it I found myself seeing how much I view things as doing them for men instead of God. I need to remind myself daily that I am not working for men, but for the God who made me, and the heavens and the earth, and Who sent His only Son to die for my sins! Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God prepared the good works he wants us to do in advance! He was the One who said that cleaning the living room would be the good work that you would do! That amazed me when I read this verse, it stood out to me like never before. Well, I just wanted to share those things with you, and hope that they are helpful to you, the way they are to me!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thought from Amy
Thank-you so much, Amy, for sending this in...Sorry, I didn't put it up sooner...Samantha only sent it on to me this morning. Thanks again!
Just a thought from Sarah Jane. (Amy)
“From Voice of the Martyrs:
Around the world today Christians are being persecuted for their faith. More than 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith since 33 AD. This year an estimated 160,000 believers will die at the hands of their oppressors and over 200 million will be persecuted, arrested, tortured, beaten or jailed. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, change your faith or allow children under 18 to attend a religious service.”
As today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, this quote from the voice of the martyrs appeared in our churches bulletin this morning.
Things like this often set me thinking about how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can worship God freely. It makes me think about how ungrateful I am, and makes me think how I complain so much about things, when I have SO MUCH!
Just think, we complain that we don’t like dinner, when some people don’t have ANYTHING to eat! We complain because we are to cold, when some people are freezing to death! We complain because we don’t like the color of our clothes, when some people wear rags in winter. We complain, and complain, and complain! I don’t think that most people today really realize how fortunate they are!
· Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
· Philippians 4:12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
· Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Colossians 2:7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 3:15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Just think about it…
Just a thought from Sarah Jane. (Amy)
“From Voice of the Martyrs:
Around the world today Christians are being persecuted for their faith. More than 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith since 33 AD. This year an estimated 160,000 believers will die at the hands of their oppressors and over 200 million will be persecuted, arrested, tortured, beaten or jailed. In many nations it is illegal to own a Bible, share your faith, change your faith or allow children under 18 to attend a religious service.”
As today is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, this quote from the voice of the martyrs appeared in our churches bulletin this morning.
Things like this often set me thinking about how fortunate we are to live in a country where we can worship God freely. It makes me think about how ungrateful I am, and makes me think how I complain so much about things, when I have SO MUCH!
Just think, we complain that we don’t like dinner, when some people don’t have ANYTHING to eat! We complain because we are to cold, when some people are freezing to death! We complain because we don’t like the color of our clothes, when some people wear rags in winter. We complain, and complain, and complain! I don’t think that most people today really realize how fortunate they are!
· Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
· Philippians 4:12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
· Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Colossians 2:7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 3:15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 4:2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Hebrews 12:28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
Just think about it…
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thanks...
So I'm excited about how you girls agreed to try to send in articles for this blog! :) I can't wait to see what you'll write. :)
I hope you all enjoy the music on here...Sam, thanks for putting it on for me. :) I wouldn't have been able to do it myself! And thank-you for the music recommendation. It IS very peaceful sounding! :) Perfect for the blog.
I hope you all enjoy the music on here...Sam, thanks for putting it on for me. :) I wouldn't have been able to do it myself! And thank-you for the music recommendation. It IS very peaceful sounding! :) Perfect for the blog.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Beauty
Beautiful"I was so unique Now I feel skin deep I count on the make-up to cover it all Crying myself to sleep cause I cannot keep their attention I thought I could be strong But it's killing me Does someone hear my cry? I'm dying for new life [Chorus]I want to be beautiful Make you stand in awe Look inside my heart, and be amazed I want to hear you say Who I am is quite enough Just want to be worthy of love And beautiful Sometimes I wish I was someone other than me Fighting to make the mirror happy Trying to find whatever is missing Won't you help me back to glory [Chorus]You make me beautiful You make me stand in awe You step inside my heart, and I am amazed I love to hear You say Who I am is quite enough You make me worthy of love and beautiful
~*~
You may not think yourselves pretty, but in God's eyes you are BEAUTIFUL!!! And you know something? God's opinion is the one that matters the most!!! :) He created you to be exactly you. Perhaps you aren't beautiful to look at outwardly, but what about the other areas...perhaps you are beautiful in the way you are cheerful, the way you take care of your siblings gladly and kindly, perhaps you are beautiful in your patience....no matter what it is, God thinks your inward beauty is the more beautiful than your physical beauty. When someone critcizes how you look, just ignore them. God loves you for who you are. :)
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