Monday, February 8
Wednesday, February 3
Step Up
I believe that God is calling Christians to step-up to a new level in their relationship with Him.
"Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message: " 'Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place." Jeremiah 7:2-3
The people followed a worship ritual but maintained a sinful life-style. It was religion without personal commitment to Christ. That appears to be happening more and more in the church today and if we are not cautious we can easily do the same. Attending church each time the doors are open, participating in commuion, singing in the choir, leading a mentorship group, teaching Sunday School - all are empty exercises unless we are doing them with the correct motive.
It seems that many Christians today are comfortable and stagnant in their walk with Christ. Instead of stepping up they are satisfied remaining at the same level year after year after year in their relationship with God. How can we ever achieve God's purpose and plan for our lives when we are unwilling to sacrifice, commit and obey Him?
Pressures, demands, and overwhelming expectations push in from all sides and absolutely assault our lives. Some days it seems everyone is demanding something from us. At some point we may find ourselves rushing through life, attending to the "must do" list, the urgent and what we interpret as necessary. The important is all too often forgotten., Our challenge is not the number of demands or lack of skills when it comes to prioritizing our time, but values - what is truly important to us.
Where is God on our "to do" lists? Our actions speak much louder than our words. If we are struggling daily to read our Bibles and spend quality time in prayer with the Lord we have a priority issue.
My desire is to be the best I can be as a woman of God. If I am going to pursue that goal my priorities on my "to do" list must be God first in all things.
What is God speaking to you today? Put all aside and obey him.
Blessings friends!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Christianity, Relationship
Wednesday, January 27
You Are What You Think
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 0 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Self-Confidence
Monday, January 25
Caution!
How many times does God scold us through the conviction of the Holy Spirit because we are doing something, thinking something, or watching something that we know we should not be a part of? Tori knew the melted wax pot was off limits but she could not avoid the temptation of playing in it. Many times weak Christians react the same way to sin. When we are not prayed up and are slacking in our devotional time with Christ, we become welcome mats for satan. The temptations often times become more than we can resist.
The adult Sunday School class that I teach has been studying Jerry Bridges books on Godliness and Holiness. I have realized that there is so much more to becoming Christlike. I feel such urgency in my spirit to learn more, read more, pray more and allow God to mold me into a stronger Christian throughout this year. God has a plan for each of us but giving into temptation only hinders what God wants to do in our lives.
The lesson for today.................Stay away from those hot melting pots! Blessings friends!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Monday, January 25, 2010 0 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Sin, Temptation
Saturday, January 23
Enlarge Our Territory Lord!
To ask God for a blessing is to ask for all God has for us. We are to use those blessings to benefit the body of Christ.
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (NIV).
Many years ago a man went into the office of a well known CEO of a major company. The man was requesting some assistance for missionary work. He asked the CEO for $10,000 for a particular project. The CEO had a very disappointed expression on his face. The man asked him if there was a problem and the CEO proceeded to tell him he was prepared to write a check for $100,000! The CEO told the man that he was disappointed he had asked for something so small.We serve a great and awesome God and by faith we need to think large when we pray.
We should pray that God will give us greater opportunities than we have ever had before. Ask Him to increase your influence. Ask Him to open huge doors that no one can close. Pray that God will give you bigger dreams and visions for your future. May we never come to a place in our walk with Christ that we settle for less than the best. Ask God to take you places you have never been before. To give you greater faith and greater power in your Christian life. Pray that God will continually make a way where there just doesn't seem to be a way.
Ask God today to enlarge your territory. Make yourself available. That's all He needs to get started - your availability. If we can make ourselves available to Him, God will make amazing things happen through the greasy, grimy, filthy mess of our lives. God will deliver the priceless, pure, wonderful message of Jesus through the flawed, failed fabric of our lives.
Dear Jesus, we pray today that you would increase our territory! Give us a vision and the will and the capacity to grow in faith everywhere you lead us. Shape us to be flexible in the work and quick to react to changing needs. May we be generous with our time, our resources and the Spirit. Help us to be open to all and to reflect Godliness in all areas of our lives. May we be courageous to grow and to go as you lead each of us according to your will. Make us aware of the people you have so carefully placed in our paths. Lord, make us ambitious to win them ALL, that no one would go through life without the hope and love you offer. God make us assertive and fearless in our spiritual warfare to see lives totally and completely changed. Oh God, enlarge our territory!
Blessings!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Saturday, January 23, 2010 1 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Tuesday, January 19
Refuse to be Average
"Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will." Aiden Wilson Tozer
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 0 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Thursday, January 14
Search My Heart Lord
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Thursday, January 14, 2010 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Attitude, Christian Living
Tuesday, January 12
In "other" Words - God's Blessings
Thank you for the privilege of hosting IOW today.
God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways. 2 Corinthians 9:9 (MSG)
Many people are experiencing financial difficulties in this current economy. Many have lost their homes and many families have been forced to live in shelters. Desperate times produce desperate people with no hope. I receive numerous emails weekly asking for prayer regarding financial struggles and what appear to be hopeless situations.
Have you ever been in a situation that seemed quite hopeless? Have you ever been desperate?
I read the following this week and found it was so appropriate for this post.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the six million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
2 Kings 4 tells the story of a woman in a very difficult situation, but God offered a solution for her. He did a miracle through a prophet. God had a plan even in a hopeless situation. Even when there seemed to be absolutely no way He offered a solution. He poured blessings upon this woman and her sons and He is still doing that for you and I today.
The scripture tells us that the wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
Elisha was concerned for this poor woman and asked her what he could do to help. Her situation seemed hopeless until she saw Prophet Elisha. She cried out to him, not because she believed Elisha could give her money because prophets were not rich. But in her times, prophets were spokesmen for God. Her late husband was a prophet, so she wanted to seek God’s help. She wanted to ask God for answers to her problem.
Elisha looked at her and said, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house.” God had a plan and He revealed it to Elisha. Elisha convinced the woman to examine her own resources. He asked her what she had in her house.
God creates something out of nothing. He brings hope to the hopeless. He blesses beyond measure.
When Elisha asked the woman what she had she told him nothing but a little oil. Elisha instructed her to go to the neighbors and collect empty jars. And he told her not to ask for a few.
The passage tells us that the woman left Elisha, shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
The woman and her sons collected jars from their neighbors, pouring oil into them from their one pot. The oil was probably olive oil and was used for cooking, for lamps, and for fuel. The oil stopped pouring only when they ran out of containers. The number of jars they gathered was an indication of their faith. God’s provision was as large as their faith and willingness to obey. Beware of limiting God’s blessings by a lack of faith and obedience. The woman had faith that God had a plan. She just had a little oil in a small jar, and God used it to solve her big problem.
Look how God blessed them. The woman and her sons trusted God and He helped them, not only to pay the debts but more.
Years ago, in a former pastorate, our finances were very limited. Some weeks we only had a few dollars after paying our bills. Our children were both in high school and we learned quickly how to be very frugal with our income. I remember one week in particular when we had $5 after we paid our bills. I prayed continuously that week asking God to please help us. As I walked to the mail box that week, I discovered a card from a dear friend and a check for $100. I wept as I walked back to the parsonage, ashamed of myself that I had doubted God’s provision for our family.
God has blessed our ministry beyond measure over the years. He always shows up in the midst of the storm. Even when life just does not make sense God brings hope. His blessings are abundant and amazing.
If you are in a mess today, feeling hopeless and helpless, then know God has a plan. Blessings are missed because we fail to put God’s purpose, priorities and plans first.
Blessings!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: God's Blessings, IOW
Wednesday, January 6
Listening For God's Voice
I can honestly admit I have never heard the audible voice of God speaking to me but I have felt God speaking to my heart many times. Sometimes I was even tempted to ignore it but the Holy Spirit would not allow that to happen. God penetrated my heart and there was no peace until I acted upon His instruction. Ever been there?
The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 11-19, reminds us that God doesn't only reveal Himself in powerful, miraculous ways. Elijah knew that the sound of gentle whisper was God's voice. To look for God only in something big like rallies, churches, conferences, or highly visible leaders, may cause us to miss Him. God is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart.
Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.
Blessings
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 2 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Listening
Tuesday, January 5
In "other" Words - Whiners or Winners
Karen at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus is hosting IOW today. She has selected an awesome and challenging quote. Check out her blog for other comments about this topic.Whiners choose to live their lives in a pit of worry. They always look at the negative in every situation and immediately focus on the absolute scenario regarding the circumstance before them. The attitude of a whiner is everything but encouraging and people tend to shy away from these folks. They consistently put their own needs above the needs of others. They feel the world owes them everything. They lack trust and faith in Jesus Christ and are a welcome mat for the enemy.
As Christians, there is constant spiritiual warfare around us. If Satan can discouarge and distract us he wins. When we choose to waste valuable time focusing on things that really don't matter instead of things that can further the Kingdom of God we become great whiners who cannot do anything positive to influence others for Christ.
"Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
I want to be known for a consistent commitment to Christ. One who has a positive impact on those around me. One who is known for following Christ with my whole heart and encouraging others to follow Him as well. I want to be known as a winner for the Kingdom of God.
This is a New Year with a new beginning. We cannot change our past but God has forgiven us for those things we may not be proud of. He has equipped us with all that we need to conquer the obstacles the enemy places in our paths. God loves us and He has an awesome purpose and plan for each of us. I am not willing to waste God's precious time by listening to the discouraging, intimidating nonsense from the enemy. My goal is to be a winner for Christ. My hope and confidence is in the cross of Jesus Christ. He is my everything. I choose to be a WINNER! What about you?
Blessings!
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 3 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: In "other" words, Whiners, Winners
Monday, January 4
Respecting Each Other's Attributes
Maybe one of today's worst reactions is a self-destructive tendency that needs to be checked as a hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears down in order to build oneself up. Jesus is not giving a blanket statement to be naive toward others in Matthew 7: 1-5. He is not telling us to overlook wrong behavior just for the sake of tolerance. Jesus knew that the Pharisees dominated the religious landscape of His day with their judgmental attitudes. Today His words of warning against judging are even more needed in a world of angry, critical, destructive and cynical thinking.
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Monday, January 04, 2010 1 Joining me for chocolate and coffee
Labels: Respect
Sunday, January 3
Good Morning Girlfriends! God has blessed us with a new year filled to overflowing with new opportunities. I pray that you, your family and your ministry will be blessed beyond measure. I pray that you will be refreshed and renewed today as you seek God for those new possibilities this year. I pray that God will bless you as you minister to others and speak into their lives. Don't forget that we serve a great big God and nothing is impossible with Him! Don't allow the devil to discourage you. God is bigger than anything he can throw in our path.
Thank you for being a part of Chocolate and Coffee and for encouraging me throughout 2009. You are a blessing in my life. We truly need one another and I sincerely appreciate you and what you do for the Kingdom of God.
I pray abundant blessings upon you today. I love and appreciate you. You are very special and God loves you and has an awesome plan for your life.
Hugs,
Debbie
Posted by Chocolate and Coffee on Sunday, January 03, 2010 0 Joining me for chocolate and coffee











