Day 7 - What are you willing to sacrifice?

GENESIS 21:8-23:20; GENESIS 11:32; GENESIS 24:1-67

God calls Abraham to sacrifice his only son! After waiting for so long to be able to have a child, could you imagine being asked to offer your child up as a sacrifice? Issac was everything to Abraham and Abraham was giving everything to him. Abraham had to forget his dreams and do what God was asking of him. God tested Abraham's belief in the impossible. Do you think on the journey to the place God had planned, Abraham was angry? sad? full of guilt? full of questions? was he asking God why his only son? Was he concerned with the future or what would be coming next? After becoming a mother, I simply could not imagine! Just the thought of the journey to sacrifice my child makes my heart break. Isaac seems to be a strong teenager that was willing to give up his life. There doesn't seem to be any physical struggle to have Isaac lie on the altar. By carrying the wood, we know Isaac was at least a young man. Isaac, it seems, willingly gave up his life at his father’s request just as Jesus did. What fear would your child have? As parents our children trust us. They trust their lives in our hands. We are called to love and respect God above any one else! Abraham demonstrates this in the same way that God gave us His son!

God made us love our children, treasure them, and to ask us to give them to Him... Wow, what a struggle. After almost loosing a person that is SO dear to me during child birth, I look at the sweet face today and I am in awe that she is still with us!! In the same since that I am in awe of this child, there is another that I am saddened for the family! In 2 days tomorrow a son was lost to SIDS 2 years ago. Seeing a mom and dad, grandparents, family, and friends go through the unexpected loss of a child. This child is with God now and we do not understand why. If God is calling you to give something in your life to Him are you willing to do follow Him? What if He asked you to not do something that you wanted to do for so long and now you think you have a chance to do it? What about an item, is there something that you hold so dear you wouldn't give it to anyone? What about something that you love to do... or something that you know you should give up and won't? Why? Why is it so hard to give up ANYTHING in life when we know it is what God is calling us to do?

Abraham is our example, we are to take his actions and his faith and not just learn from it, but do it! What are you willing to sacrifice? What are you willing to lay down for God? What is God calling you to do in your life that you aren't ready to do? What are you doing that God is calling you to stop? I hope these questions are affecting you like they are me... God has called me to be a wife, a mother, a child, and a friend... He has and is asking me to lay down the wrong in life, to start doing right, to live by His grace, to live by His word!


Very Respectfully,
Leslie

I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. - Ephesians 1:7

Day 6 - Look at the sins of the world today! Are you going to be saved from the sin in your life?

GENESIS 18:1-21:7 (NIV)

For years the sins of Sodom and Gomorah have been discussed, what was the sin? The cities of Sodom and Gamorah were full of sin! And although there wasn't only one sin in the land, Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a powerful example of how God feels about sin in general and homosexuality specifically. How does God see your sins? How does He feel about your sins? What are your sins? Does God provide resources to you to help you overcome your sins and teach you how to deal with them?

Sodom and Gomorrah were guilty of many other horrible sins, homosexuality was the reason God poured fiery sulfur on the cities, completely destroying them. To this day, the area where Sodom and Gomorrah were located remains a desolate wasteland. The other sins recognized and talked of are in examples such as Ezekiel 16:49-50; Jude 7; and Leviticus 18:22. These passages talk about the arrogant, overfed, not helping the poor, homosexuality, sexual immorality, and perversion. While homosexuality does appear to be the primary reason for the destruction of the cities the other sins were to be completely wiped away as well. Where are we in the world today with these exact sins?

Homosexuality is a part of our every day life of others around us. As Rob and I were watching a TV show that we love the other night, we saw two women actually kiss on national television, and were announced as girlfriends. It really made me stop and think. I do not want my children to think just because today's society is accepting that it is right. The bible teaches us the exact opposite. What resources are we given as Christians to face our sins? Are you open about your sins? Do you confess them and try to receive help on overcoming these sins or are you closed off and trying to cope on your own? Do you put on the armor of God when being confronted with your sins or do you fall into the temptations of the devil? Failing because of our sins in something that is easy to do, falling on our knees because of our sins is something that takes a swallow of pride and an understanding of Gods unfailing love and grace for us! It takes being a part of reading Gods words and understanding that they are meant for us. They are meant for our daily lives, not just when we feel like we need them. When sin is active in our lives we need to turn to God and ask for His for his help and his guidance. Even though it isn't easy, I have my husband who I talk to about my struggles. Not to make him worry, but to make him aware that I am human, sin is present, and knowing that he knows and can pray for me helps me. It makes me feel accountable and is one of the ways that I can show him I trust and respect him and his guidance in my marriage, family, and individual life.

The rapture is being talked about in a real and present since right now. With the sin that was in these two cities alone God wiped the cities out with burning sulfur! Have you asked God for forgiveness of your sin? Have you taken an active roll of trying to get rid of the sin in your life? My challenge for myself today is to recognize that there are sins in my life that I have not repented for or asked forgiveness for. I need to humble myself before the thrown and lay it at the feet of the almighty healer and know that eliminating the sin in my life is what will change my life.

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. - Ephesians 6:10-11

Day 5 - Do you wait in faith?

GENESIS 15:1-17:27 (NIV)

As I have read through the passages of today's reading, my question is this: Do you wait in Faith? How much faith do we put in God that He knows everything? Are we afraid of what is happening or not happening to us when we think it is the right time in our minds?

Abram who becomes Abraham and Sarai who becomes Sarah after longing to be fruitful are finally blessed. Abraham even questioned the Lord in His timing. He and his wife took he Lords words into their own hands. Sarai had Abram lay with her maid servant so she could bare his child. The maid servant, Hagar, was not good to Sarai any longer. Sarai was not going to stand for any disrespect. Sarai told Abram about the situation and Abram gave Sarai the control to decide what was best. Sarai told Hagar to take Ishmael away. She was tired of Hagar acting superior to her and did not want the disrespect being protrayed from Ishmael and Hagar to Sarah and Abraham's son Isaac. The Lord told Abraham to trust Sarah in her decision even though it meant giving up his first born son! Do you think this was easy for Abraham? Do you think Sarah wanted to tell her husband whom she loved that he had to tell his first son goodbye? Do you think this put a strain on their marriage?

Do you wait in faith or do you take obstacles and situations into your own hands? There are times when it is really hard to understand what God is trying to teach us. There are times where it is really clear what he is trying to teach us! I find that there are many times I don't wait to see and understands God's ultimate plan before I try to act on it and try to make it happen in the timing I think it should happen. "It's all in my timing, when I feel like moving on, I keep holding on..." is lyrics to a great song I know. They make me think about the timing that we have for our own lives. Maybe it isn't the same timing that God has for our lives, have you thought of that? When we move on and make the decision on what we want to happen or what we "think" God is telling us, it more times that not leaves a void that we keep holding on to the thought or idea that things may have turned out differently! Have the thoughts, I wonder if I had..., if I had waited,... if I just do this,... if I wait... ever crossed your mind? Do you imagine your life better? Do you imagine your life different? Do the decisions you make instead of waiting in faith affect anyone around you?

Sarah and Abraham did not wait on Gods promises. They took what they were being told and made them happen when they thought it was right. In my life, I do the same thing! I jump on any thing new in life. Instead of waiting in faith and making sure that it is something that God is going to bless. God blesses us each and every day! Do you think that if you are waiting in faith, following His guidance, and praying for His perfect guidance, that you are going to be blessed beyond your wildest expectations?! Blessed because God is the one that the center of your waiting, your acting, and your final result?! I do! Challenging myself to not just step out in faith every chance I have, but to wait in faith more often. God is in control - what a humbling and comforting feeling that is to know!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

I know He can be trusted and that nothing is too big or difficult for Him. -Jeremiah 32:17

Day 4 - Have you ever pre-judged some one? Who is our ultimate Judge?

GENESIS 11:1-31; 12:1-14:24
1CHRONICLES 1:24-27 (NIV)

Prejudging can be one of the hardest things to get past when you are first meeting a person or learning of a person from a family member or friend. What does this do to you if they prove your initial thoughts wrong?

In Genesis 11:10-20 Abram went to Egypt to escape famine. Taking his wife he knew that the Egyptian Pharaoh would think she was beautiful and try to take Abrams life. Abram decided to allow the Pharaoh to think that she was his sister and in doing this allowed her to do so the Pharaoh took her as his own wife. Instead of Abram putting faith in the Lord to protect himself, his wife, and bless their marriage he caused the Lord to inflict disease on the Pharaoh and his entire household. Instead of Pharaoh doing what Abram thought he would do if he brought his beautiful wife to the country as a wife, Pharaoh told his men to send him on his way, with his wife, and everything he owned. He spared Abram his life and gave back the woman he had taken as his wife for the time he had her. Does sound like a man that would kill another man just to take his wife? OR do you think that he spared Abrams life and gave him back everything that was his because of what serious disease the Lord had placed on him? We may never know the answer to this.

What we as humans do know is exactly how easy it is to judge. It is easy to judge a person by appearance, clothing, color of skin, hair color, attitude, and wealth. I am not saying that initial impression doesn't mean something. What I am saying is it shouldn't be the judge of your whole opinion. In learning of someone from a family member or a friend (without ever physically meeting a person), what do we learn? We learn what the person telling us about that individual wants us to know. We usually only hear extremely possitive or extremely negative information. What right do we have to then judge that person? Do we have the right if after being told the negative, to not like a person, to not desire to meet the person, or to not trust the person? After meeting someone who I had heard an awful lot about last night, I learned that the initial judgment that I had cast was wrong. After talking for a good while, it was clear... the opinions we form about a person after meeting them depends on the way they talk to you, the way they look at life, the way they care about others, the way they love, the way they support the ones they "love", and they way they take care of the ones they love. Needless to say, I was trying to learn about a person who turned out to be who I initially thought he was through conversations. There is disappointment in me, there is hurt and anger. When I say I was wrong last night, this is what I mean: God is not calling me to judge! He is not asking for my opinion on the people that He put here on this earth. What He is doing is calling me to love. Right now I will not love the person I met, what I will do is love the person who caused us to meet. Praying for Gods perfect plan in both of their lives to be evident. Praying for a closeness that once there with Christ that can be there once again!

You see, Abram judged and God made His wrath known. Do you think Abram was sorry to God? to his wife? to the Pharaoh? God has an ultimate plan for each of us. His judgment and His will should be the only thing that our focus is on - NOT for others, for ourselves. When is the last time that you looked at yourself as others see you? What do you think their judgment of you would be? Will they see Christ in your life? Will they see the love you have for your Lord, your spouse, and your children or will it be the love that is for the sin in your life, your job, or your belongings? I challenge myself: do not be swayed by the words of others, learn the truth, remember that Gods judgment is coming! He is our ultimate Judge!!!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

I will not be condemned by God, I have been set free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

Day 3 - Do you think God wishes he had never made the coventant to never flood the earth again?

GENESIS 7:1-10; 10:6-20; 10:21-30; 10:31-32
1CHRONICLES 1:5-7; 1:8-16; 1:17-23 (NIV)

As I look at Genesis and this flood that covered the earth, that killed all but this one family and the sets of all animals, I can't help but wonder if God wishes he had never made the covenant to never flood the earth again. Just look at today! God wiped this earth clean because of all of the sin! What is so different from then to what we see when we look at the world today?

Why did God see Noah as a blameless man? Noah followed the Lord and obeyed Him. Having done this and raised his family right they were worthy to live, in Gods eyes... How was Noah so good with all that was around him such as sin, evil, betrayal, murdering, slandering, fathers having children with their daughters, violence, weaponry, and they had even begun forms of technologically? Is there a difference in what God was disappointed in and what caused Him to want to wipe this earth clean and start over - from where we are today? How are we living our lives with the world as it is today? Look at everything around us! This world is full of sin, corruption, lies, New World Order!! Can you believe all of our surroundings? Are we teaching our children what the bible says about the life we are called to live or are we teaching our children that it is okay to accept certain things of the world? So many prophecies are being filled in today's times. Our war on terrorism and the wars around the world in our own neighborhoods, the weapons of mass destruction that are being built and talked about. Over 5 billion people suffer from a food shortage ranging from those her in our own back yard to all over this country! Look at how many children are in orphanages or foster homes from parents that simply can't take care of them! From 1890 to 1900 (10 year span) there was only one major earthquake in the world. In the past 30 days alone we have on record 693 earthquakes around the world (http://www.iris.edu/seismon/last30.html). The tribulations that so many christian people are under today! Look at China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christians suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith! Then there is Matthew 24:14 - between Media, World Wide Web, Missionaries, Radio, the translation of the bible in so many different languages and through all of the technology we have in today's society, we are preaching the gospel throughout the world! In II Timothy 3:1-5,7 it is evident what we are being told about the end times. Just watch the nightly news, look at those around you in this world.

Praise God for the teachings in the Bible to teach us how to live a life that is obedient and pure. Though at times it isn't always an easy life to follow that path of Gods will and instruction for our lives is what will save us from the very end of this earth. We will live in eternity with Him. We need to be teaching our children that it is only the bible that we look for answers from not this world. Lead by example, lead with knowledge, and lead by and with love - just as Noah did. His family was blessed, his family was asked to be the start of the world again after everything and everyone else was destroyed. Why do you think this is? It is because God saw that Noah would teach his children His way. God knows what this world is today. He knows the outcome and the specific day that His Son will return to earth! He is in control! He is Sovereign and Mighty!

Though far from a perfect mother, wife, daughter, and follower my desire is to know Him more. To learn His will, to follow His word! My thought and prayer today is that in all that is surrounding us in the world that is evil and deceptive, that we as Christians will be able to look into the future of a brighter day when we are all joined as one with Him. Not looking to the worldly possessions that make us happy in the moment, but the ones that give us Eternal happiness.

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. - Romans 12:10

Day 2 - How do we effect others? Do you understand that every action, every word, every decision is effecting others?

GENESIS 4:1-5:32; 1CHRONICLES 1:1-4; GENESIS 6:1-22 (NIV): Day 2

After reading these passages today I learned that every thing we do effects those around us. Even when we don't want it to or intend on it touching some one else. Just think, how we treat our children, how we talk to our children, how we talk to those around us... it is picked up, learned, and used by our children. Have you ever sat and talked to a good friends, lets say, 5 year old? When they are telling you a story does their body language, their tone of voice, their eye connection, and/or their words sound familiar? Does it remind you of your friend? I hear the words I say come back back to me 99% of the time from my children. Not only the good ones such as I love you, thank you, please, but more often the bad ones... I said no, don't ask again, how many times do I have to tell you... Although at times it is hard not to laugh that they are saying the very words I have spoken, I teach a double standard in telling them to not talk to me in that manor! Many times have I said something to my kids to think to myself at the very end of the sentence, "Man I sound just like my mom!". I can just see each of my kids now telling their kids the exact things I have said to them instead of having the patience, the time for, and the love for... What am I teaching my kids when I am too busy doing something that seems important to me at the time and not stop what I am doing and help my child, play with my child, or just be there for them?
In today's reading we start with Cane and Abel. Cane's offerings were not in the Lords favor although Abel's were. Cane could not except that he needed to work harder and do what the Lord was calling of him to receive the Lords favor. Instead, he took his brother to a field and killed him. Cane's sin took hold of his life. How true is Romans 6:23a " . . .the wages of sin is death."? Sin that is not dealt with, not confessed, grows and takes control. When you stop sin and confess it cannot grow. We need to rule over our own life and determine do what is right. We need to recognize what sin does to us, confess, and over come!
As I look at my kids, all four of them, I do not want any of them to feel as though I am looking upon one with favor and not the others. There are different things I love and adore about each one of my children. Sean, he is a strong young man who looks to his father for guidance while trying to make a life for himself. Brooke, she is so beautiful inside and out! She loves the tender touch when you walk past her. Brianna, she is the most strong willed child we have! She is rarely indecisive, she knows what to say that will push your buttons, and she has a tendency to try to rule the house. Yet, when Brianna wants to be close to you she can say the most sweet words, give the greatest hugs, and know what you need when you need it. Jayce, our little man, he 3, we are learning more and more about him. He gives the best kisses, and I find that he compliments and says positive things to people. Each of my children are different, yet they are all loved the same. The journey each of them have gone through so far in life has come with love and the desire to be raised in a Christian home. My prayer for my children is that they all feel the love that is shared in our home. That they continue to love one another! I want to be a mother after Gods own heart and listen to His calling for my childrens' lives! Living a Godly life, teaching by example, and Teaching the Love of the Bible!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32

Day 1- God made Rob for me, who did God make for you?

Genesis 1:1-3:24 (NLT) - Day 1

Do you believe in marriage? Do you believe there is one person that God created just for you? He created Eve just for Adam! He created her for his liking and to be his partner. With the tree of life, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He gave us full will of knowledge and understanding, but leaves it in our hands to decide what is good and evil. He specifically placed someone special in Adams life. He gave him a wife, a partner. He did not call us to be alone. He called us to be happy with and in one another. After thinking about it and knowing that God specifically calls us to not be unequally yolked, it finally makes perfect sense to me. After my first marriage ended, I quickly realized I did not love the man I had married, I loved the idea of trying to make it on my own. Being a girl raised in churches I knew God, I had accepted God as my Lord and Savior, while my ex denied there could be a God. Now, knowing that the first marriage Rob entered into was between two people who were unequally yolked as well, it makes the path that God has in our lives clear. Though at times, I have not followed God and the calling He has for my life, He now has made it evident that His Will will be done! He placed Rob in my path when He knew I was in need of a lifelong partner. A partner after Gods heart too! After the first dance we shared, the first date, and all of the firsts in between... He has called me to be Robs wife, to be his partner; He made me for Rob and Rob for me.
Now, I find what the Lord spoke to Eve, then to Adam, to be one of the easiest things to see today. He told Eve that pregnancy and birth will cause pain, and went on to say how we as women will want to rule over our husbands, though our husband is the head and rules over us (NLT Genesis 1:16). Do you find this true? It isn't that I want to "rule" over my husband, however, I would like not to feel ruled over. As for what the Lord told men, it is more true today then ever... it takes the sweat of your brow to make a living (NLT Genesis 1:17-19). Understanding that God knew at that point in time that there was going to be struggles between woman and man he could have stopped it, He didn't though. He let the earth grow, be sewn, the fruits multiply and here today we are! We were all made for a purpose. We are all made in the image of His Majesty!
As wives let us remember today, that our husbands are our 'ruler' and as long as they are obeying God and His commands, we are to abide and follow! Respect the men in your lives with words of encouragement and not discipline. Make home life a pleasant place to be. It isn't always easy to want the best for your husbands, but they should come before yourself! They should be the first person you are praying for every morning when you wake up and the last person you are praying for every evening before you close your eyes. Ladies let me tell you something I have learned, even if it isn't said, you are appreciated! Men, husbands, remember this, as women we look to you for direction. We lean on you for your example and for understanding. All though you sew the ground and work HARD for the living we (women) look for the tender touch and tender hand that closes our day. Pray for us, pray for the mother of your child/children, pray for the words of tenderness through the day so you can come home and feel comforted in your home.
God uses marriage to help us not be lonely, but to enjoy life, establish families, and raise children. It is a beautiful gift! After going through a study (even though not completed), I am starting a new chapter here... In believing in marriage and it isn't only about the other person and what they need to change, it is about yourself, about dealing with our own issues with the help of our life long partner. God put them there for a reason! Do you know the reason He put them in your life? My thought for this journey in my life today is this: appreciate what I have right in front of me, be patient, respond positively (even when I am upset), and to love!

Very Respectfully,
Leslie

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ~Ephesians 4:2