Having the End in Mind

^{Jeremiah 29: 11} I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.¹² Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.¹³ You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!¹⁴ I will let you find me," says the Lord. "And I will bring you back from your captivity. I forced you to leave this place, but I will gather you from all the nations, from the places I have sent you as captives," says the Lord. "And I will bring you back to this place."

God has already told me of the victory I will have with my weight struggle.  I will get over this.  I have to remember that it is not the victory, but the journey that will make me stronger.  HELLO.... do you hear that????  God wants me to turn to Him, not all these fad diets.  He wants me to not focus on all the frustrations and disappointments I am experiencing with marriage, motherhood, health, shortcomings in my eyes.  He want me to turn to Him.  I have known this, heard this and thought I moving towards this, but I believe since my struggles continue, I must not be focusing on what I am supposed to. 

God you are so great.  Why do I allow the evils of the world to downtrodden me so?

You are the Father who just wants us to need you and love you and to say it often.  I need you Lord.  I need you take these habits I have with food, self degradation, pity, and envy away from me.  I need you to be the focus in my life so that I can enjoy the blessings you have given me daily.  Take the burden of food and dieting away.  Help me to turn to you in all I do.  Help me to focus on the end product today and already see the victory.

LIFE GROUP: RUTH...If you haven't, you may be surprised at the Blessing you will receive.

History: Customs: practices of the Jewish people during that time; Important that a male heir relative would marry the in law to carry on the family name: Naomi encourages the girls to go back to their home life, but Ruth says she wants to stay with Naomi and wants her God in her life. She is making a stand to commit to her life to Naomi and God, even if it is against the "norm" of her customs. 
Bethlehem is "the house of bread" to Moab, "the trash can". She praises both daughter In laws and tells them to stay where they are.

Food for thought; Ruth is the great grand mother of King David

The prodigal son: leaves something wonderful to go find disparity, only to return with nothing: repeated passage and theme over and over

Chpt 2: God shows his grace in this chapter by delivering and honoring Ruth in her devotion to Naomi by giving a gracious situation that could have been a difficult situation. Ruth is trusting Gods law, and God is rewarding her by providing for her and protecting her in the worst of situations

Chpt 3. What is a kinsman redeemer? Someone in the family who would marry a widow so she could have children and take care of you.
Naomi is bitter prior to this. She changes in this chapter. She begins to think of Ruth. Selfishness leads to destructive behavior and bitterness. Putting others ahead will lead to change of heart. " rest for you" is seeking refuge in the lord.

Including other descendants in lineage is a sign that Christ came for Jews and Gentiles

Chapter 4:Kinsman redeemer is parallel to Christ
Related to us:

• Christ became man
• Take responsibility to take care of the problem for someone else
• Have the price to pay: life and precious blood was the only way to bring us to him
• Shows how relationships with Christ can develop. When Ruth lays down at Boaz's feet ( complete submission). God directs our steps... Can't have that relationship with Christ

What do I need to do to completely surrender to be the companion of Christ?

 

 

 

God.. the Superhero

Also always remember, Aimee, it is written;
 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
( Philippians 4:13 ) Because; You, dear children,
are from God and have overcome them, because
the one who is in you is greater than the one who
is in the world     ( 1 John 4:4 )  So, Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever
you go."   Amen!  ( Joshua 1:9 )

There has been a lot of conversation nowadays about the Avengers, and Ironman, and right in our home- Batman.  Kids including my little guy are facinated by super strength and powers, heck, so are adults.  To feel invinciable and capable to overcome all adversity and defeat all that is evil.  Sounds absolutlely AMAZING...exspecially when you find yourself facing daily battles and struggles that you just want to stop fighting.  I feel that way a lot.  Just yesterday I started my day off strong, ready to conquer this weight fight yet again, only to come home exhausted, drained and ready to cave in and throw in the towel.  I know this is a troubling time of year when I get exhausted so easily and I know that I must find the strength to be strong and courageous.  But maybe that is where my frustration lies... I am trying to find it within myself.  But I am not the strength and keeper... it is the Lord who is that strength and I must turn to him when I am weak to find that strength.  I must not be discouraged for in Him is the victory.  Only He is that super force.

Training me for Something

^{Phillipians 1:6}
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.

Just this morning I was thinking on the way to school "Why does this battle to lose weight never end?"  I actually thought about there being something I was to learn from this continual trial, and why I often ponder why I haven't learned it yet (while on earth) only to think that maybe, just maybe it doesn't have anything to do with me being on earth.  God clearly has a plan for me and He is surely molding me for eternity with him.  I know that I don't know my role and maybe will never have an understanding of this, but I am sure that God is trying to mold me and prepare me for something.  So, begins my search and quest.  What is it that God is trying to train me for... endurance, patience, compassion for those that struggle?  Will I be a leader to advise others?  That is a really cool thought!  That may really help me in this struggle- to think that God sees something in me that is worthy to mold me.  That may just make me thankful for the daily struggle and battle. 

Happy Mother's Day

Isaiah 66:13.
 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.

What an amazing thing to know, for I know that there is no comfort for me like mom. She is my go to, my strength, my heart. She is all that I can hope to be for my baby. That is the relationship we have with Christ. Wow. 

I spent my weekend with mom. Strong and supportive. Her health was good and her spirits were high. But I know that I am limited with my time with her. And I don't want to lose that time.  I got to hear today about when she got saved. That was a conversation and gift I feared but God gave me today. It wasn't detailed, but I can now say, that I know I will see my mom again in heaven, and what a blessing that is to me in itself. 

How Great is Our God

2 Corinthians 4
¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

So I have had a weekend of craziness with a hand injury and prednizone medication leaving me several pounds heavier, frustrated and crippled, yet in His word today I find the comfort in knowing that I can past this test and trial and work to achieve the plan He has in store for me.  I just need to pick up the pieces and move ahead and steadily know that God is in control and revealing to me daily the plan He has in store for me--- a plan for good and hope. 

Thank you Lord for your understanding and patience!  And Lord continue to guide me with your hands so that I may grow closer to you and overcome these worldly obstacles. 

Teaching Me Another Lesson

^{Exodus 14: 13} Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Well, I can definitely see that God is holding me in His hand.  He understands the obstacles I have been facing with my family and the items that are out of my control.  Once again, He is providing me with the assurance that all is good with what I am doing.  I will gain peace and comfort in my diligence and commitment in using the 7 habits and honoring Him with devoted time and prayer.  I am to remain quiet (neat that I have gotten the same message a couple days in a row!), and let God take this in His hands.  I think God is trying to teach me to wait on His timing and His leadership.  If I put my trust in Him, He will give me the peace I seek either in my reward and discipline with the tools He has given me, or in the desires of my heart to be fulfilled and have my family on board.  I need to remember that the circle of control is a powerful tool, and I need to use it whenever I get frustrated.  There are several things that eat at me that don't need to.  I need to surrender them to Christ.

Lord help me in my walk and journey daily, and help me to seek refuge and confidence in You in my every step.  Help me to understand your love, warmth, and comfort is there on my entire journey. 

A Quiet Heart

Proverbs 17
¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

This is something that I am really good at while at work, but boy I do have issues at home with it.  Just this week, I find myself struggling with the full brunt of lack of devotion from the family about the 7 habits.  Had it straight form the lips and said with sarcasm...like I didn't notice the disinterest in our last family meeting.  I started trying to place the value in the family meetings, but I have seen nothing -NOTHING- displayed that demonstrates a commitment from the family.  I have remained quiet, anxious to see if someone with rise to the occasion.  Nope, actually told this week also that my jobs are my jobs.  That isn't really showing effort to support the family.  So.... I have struggled this week because I have been so convicted by these things, positive if they were good for me, they would be great for my family.  Maybe though, God has another plan for me using them, because I don't think they are here for my family after all the resistance.  I am trying to hold true to this verse.  I am to be submissive--- maybe he hasn't been convicted of this- so I will remain quiet and calm so a dispute will not break out.  I will pray for God's calmness and peace.  I will apply what I know because I know that is what God has given me FOR ME and what I can control- at least WESLEY can be exposed.  I will pray for the family and hope that my leadership could be contagious. 

Get Your Minds Ready for Action

^{I Peter 1:13} So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you.¹⁴ Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted.¹⁵ But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy.¹⁶ It is written in the Scriptures: "You must be holy, because I am holy."^[a]
17 You pray to God and call him Father, and he judges each person's work equally. So while you are here on earth, you should live with respect for God.¹⁸ You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way, a way passed down from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver,¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb.²⁰ Christ was chosen before the world was made, but he was shown to the world in these last times for your sake.²¹ Through Christ you believe in God, who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory. So your faith and your hope are in God.

I woke up this morning not discouraged but weak and tired already of the constant pursuit that I find myself in.  I know that I am to hold true to what God has laid on my heart.  I know that Bruce and Wesley and mom and dad are obstacles that I will be faced with and I know the desire of my heart.  My obstacle only lies within me... the willingness to be persistent in Gods pathway and the drive to accomplish what He has set forth.  I am the problem.  I am physically tired, mentally tired. 

Lord hear my cry today and honor my faithfulness in this pursuit.  Help me to stand firm in this path Lord and not fall astray.  Help me to find the strength to continue to walk, to seek you, to obey you, and put into practice the 7 habits.  Help me to meet the needs of my parents and family.  Only this strength can come from you Lord Father.