September 23, 2011
Today, September 23, 2011 I took Olivia to science lab at school. My kids are both in school…something I am not used to…Isaac’s first week of school for pre-school boys with autism, Olivia now in Kindergarten….
Listening to Kwve and the LORD in His perfect timing puts on a message for ME. I pull over and listen, cry and type these notes….I hope this blesses you as it did me. This is Allistair Begg’s Commentary on Romans 8:28 paraphrased my me and with my thoughts too…
Allistair Begg’s Commentary on Rom 8:28
My notes from Allistair Begg's message--
There is much to discover from this familiar passage---
Rom 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. (New Living Translation)
Rom 8:28
We have to be careful to keep Romans 8:28 in its context
Love for God is the chief distinguishing feature of the child of God. (Romans 8:28 applies to the child of God)
The Child’s Attitude towards God- one of love. Supreme love. Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
God’s action toward us-the love of God expressed through the call of God
God’s the initiator- HE LOVED US FIRST
Instead of going to Rom 8:28 as a “mantra” like this, “Don’t worry, God works all things for good…”
He writes to all believers in Rome, who are LOVED by God and called to be His saints and who LOVE GOD
The comprehensive nature of this statement is that is limited to those who identify with God as their Father.
This is not a “self help” scripture that can be applied to everyone
Has this “call” reached you?
To those who are CALLED according to His purpose
Are you one who says, “I am His and He is mine”
How do you know if you are “called” ?
You know by the way God providentially, divinely and gracefully called you to Him (a drawing…a pulling, like a chords that draws you in)
God uses Sunday school teachers as a privilege to effectually plant a calling in a child’s heart. (wow)
“God works”
NIV- In all things God works
Its not a jig saw puzzle where the puzzle haphazardly fit together…
Example of Joseph’s life- it was A BAD THING for him to get sold into slavery, A BAD THING to get thrown into jail, etc. It appeared, the things were working against him. In all of the stuff, good bad and ugly GOD WORKS
John Murray- not one detail God works for evil to the child of God. Not one thing that happens in the child of God’s life will work for evil…in the end….even sufferings work GOOD (see Rom 8:18-27)
In the present life there is suffering…there are so many things that work AGAINST US. But things are not working haphazardly, in all things GOD WORKS.
All these things (good, bad and ugly) are working for a purpose
Rom 11:33-36 ----How unsearchable are his ways
You can’t use Rom 8:28 to remove you from the storm…(wow)
The foreknowledge of God-
God’s foreknowledge doesn’t mean this, “He knows those who would believe and so He gives them a little bit of help.”
Deut 7 paraphrased God says, “the reason I have loved you is because I have loved you” He loves because he loves….
Romans 8:28 provides fundamental encouragement to all believers.
My thoughts---
I needed to hear this. I remember things when I take notes so I took notes as Allistair Begg spoke on the radio air waves.
Divine- I JUST READ this morning a passage in Psalms about Joseph and it spoke to my heart about trusting in what God’s Word says, WILL come to pass. So awesome that I read about Joseph, I shared my thoughts, and then again, within only 2 hours, God repeated it for me on the radio air waves.
My heart—
My heart has been so heavy missing Isaac as he is in a new school. He cried when He got on the bus this morning. God over and over keeps telling me, “I have a plan.” I choose to cling to God’s Word and all of those scripture promises of God’s love, God’s sovereignty and God’s divine WORKING out of His plan.
Isaac just got diagnosed with Autism on September 14, 2011. My heart, mind, emotions are everywhere. Yet, again and again God is speaking to me and encouraging me. Some of my prayers this week have been ---Jesus help me. Jesus let your will be done. Jesus protect my babies when they are in school. Simple prayers from a little girl (me), who loves her Daddy (Abba Father)
Wow! I hope this encourages you….God is supremely GOOD. I am loved by Him and so are you!!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Children Spared on 9-11, Children Spared Today
I was explaining 9-11 to Olivia and she said, “it’s sad a lot of people died…even kids.” I had to correct her… “No Olivia there weren’t children in the twin towers, it was a place where grown ups worked”
It hit me…Children saved...parents saved…another example of God’s mercy on 9-11-01.
I thought of the fact that many people were running late to work that day because it was the first day of school. This year, August 30, 2011, was Olivia’s first day of school. As a parent, my mind was not on any other obligation, errand or task…I wanted to get my child to school, meet her teacher and make sure the school year went off to a great start.
This was the same mentality for many parents who survived simply because they were fulfilling their responsibilities as parents and were intentionally “running late” to work that day…
“I knew I was going to stay at the school. A lot of parents were staying around the school anyway because it was beginning of the school year, it was a very touchy-feely school and at the beginning of the school year they let parents stay in the classroom for the first half hour or hour.” Jacques Menasche, a New York-based writer, editor, and filmmaker speaks about his experience taking his son to school on the first day, 9-11-01
I also learned that to the best of our knowledge, no child was left as an orphan as a result of 9-11.
Nina Bernstein of The New York Times writes that there is "Not a single child who needs foster care or adoption by strangers. Not a single documented case of a child who lost both parents."
Amazing Grace….
I thought of school field trips to the twin towers…As far as we know, there were no school field trips that day…
The terrorists did not discriminate against man, woman or child….anyone could have been a victim that day… but I believe God in His mercy spared many parents and children as they were at school, the first day of school, and fathers and mothers were staying behind in the classroom to make sure all was well. Even President Bush was in a classroom with children when the twin towers were hit.
A firefighter said it best, “We talk about how many people died on 9-11 but we forget how many were saved…”
People try to explain the “why” of 9-11. Why did this happen? I cannot answer that. However, I was so blessed by something Pastor Bob Botsford said on KWAVE this week. He said the tomb is empty, the throne is and always has been occupied. That really blessed me. God is sovereign. We don’t understand His ways or why He allows certain things to happen in this life. (Isaiah 55:8)
If we read His Word and get to know His ways by studying Jesus we learn that ALL THINGS, not some things, but all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God’s children will turn closer to Him during times of trial and God in His amazing grace and mercy will indeed bring beauty from ashes. Just look at plants. A rose plant must be pruned and cut down in order to produce blooming roses. A fruit tree must be pruned to bear “more fruit.” John 15:1-5.
One amazingly beautiful thing that came out of 9-11 was a nation brought to her knees in prayer. We saw unity in prayer as people were praying for our nation, for safety, for healing from the wounds of the attacks, for peace for the families, and for peace in trying to stand up again after such a devastating blow on our country.
I read Job this week and saw something new…Something I never saw before. Job went through trial after trial after trial. He lost his children. He lost his business/livelihood, he lost compassion from his friends, he lost intimacy with his wife, his health deteriorated…He lost a lot…but the Word clearly says that after God spoke with Job, he instructed Job to pray for his friends.
“…My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him” (Job 42:8b)
Job’s friends did not have an accurate view of God and they assumed Job must have sin in his life and that was the cause of his trials. Many people after 9-11 thought God was judging America.
“And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
Did you catch that? Job was restored when he prayed. How can we play a part in the after math of 9-11? PRAYER.
I am sure you feel like I do…totally inadequate and unworthy of the many blessings God gives me. I am thankful for God’s amazing grace through the blood at Calvary’s cross. One of my favorite blessings is motherhood…
Just like God showed mercy on so many parents and children on 9-11 in New York, God is giving us mercy and an opportunity to be part of restoration in America through prayer, and through raising children after His own heart.
LORD Jesus, we don’t know why so many evil things occur in this world. We know Satan is at work big time in America. Father, you are no longer allowed in schools, in work, or even in public open prayer at the Sept. 11, memorial service, but we cannot be silenced. As long as there is breathe in our lungs we will pray. As long as we walk in this life, we will be people who serve you and are committed to raising our kids to know you love you and share your truth with the lost. Jesus, please, please bring beauty through ashes to the families of firefighters, police officers, first responders, twin tower workers, airplane travelers, pentagon workers, and others who died on Sept. 11. May the families and friends turn to you in their times of grief and know that they have hope in seeing their loved ones again for there is hope for those who know and trust in Jesus. We have no words at times LORD and for those moments, Holy Spirit, intercede for us. May we continue to be one nation under God and have mercy on America. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
It hit me…Children saved...parents saved…another example of God’s mercy on 9-11-01.
I thought of the fact that many people were running late to work that day because it was the first day of school. This year, August 30, 2011, was Olivia’s first day of school. As a parent, my mind was not on any other obligation, errand or task…I wanted to get my child to school, meet her teacher and make sure the school year went off to a great start.
This was the same mentality for many parents who survived simply because they were fulfilling their responsibilities as parents and were intentionally “running late” to work that day…
“I knew I was going to stay at the school. A lot of parents were staying around the school anyway because it was beginning of the school year, it was a very touchy-feely school and at the beginning of the school year they let parents stay in the classroom for the first half hour or hour.” Jacques Menasche, a New York-based writer, editor, and filmmaker speaks about his experience taking his son to school on the first day, 9-11-01
I also learned that to the best of our knowledge, no child was left as an orphan as a result of 9-11.
Nina Bernstein of The New York Times writes that there is "Not a single child who needs foster care or adoption by strangers. Not a single documented case of a child who lost both parents."
Amazing Grace….
I thought of school field trips to the twin towers…As far as we know, there were no school field trips that day…
The terrorists did not discriminate against man, woman or child….anyone could have been a victim that day… but I believe God in His mercy spared many parents and children as they were at school, the first day of school, and fathers and mothers were staying behind in the classroom to make sure all was well. Even President Bush was in a classroom with children when the twin towers were hit.
A firefighter said it best, “We talk about how many people died on 9-11 but we forget how many were saved…”
People try to explain the “why” of 9-11. Why did this happen? I cannot answer that. However, I was so blessed by something Pastor Bob Botsford said on KWAVE this week. He said the tomb is empty, the throne is and always has been occupied. That really blessed me. God is sovereign. We don’t understand His ways or why He allows certain things to happen in this life. (Isaiah 55:8)
If we read His Word and get to know His ways by studying Jesus we learn that ALL THINGS, not some things, but all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). God’s children will turn closer to Him during times of trial and God in His amazing grace and mercy will indeed bring beauty from ashes. Just look at plants. A rose plant must be pruned and cut down in order to produce blooming roses. A fruit tree must be pruned to bear “more fruit.” John 15:1-5.
One amazingly beautiful thing that came out of 9-11 was a nation brought to her knees in prayer. We saw unity in prayer as people were praying for our nation, for safety, for healing from the wounds of the attacks, for peace for the families, and for peace in trying to stand up again after such a devastating blow on our country.
I read Job this week and saw something new…Something I never saw before. Job went through trial after trial after trial. He lost his children. He lost his business/livelihood, he lost compassion from his friends, he lost intimacy with his wife, his health deteriorated…He lost a lot…but the Word clearly says that after God spoke with Job, he instructed Job to pray for his friends.
“…My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him” (Job 42:8b)
Job’s friends did not have an accurate view of God and they assumed Job must have sin in his life and that was the cause of his trials. Many people after 9-11 thought God was judging America.
“And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
Did you catch that? Job was restored when he prayed. How can we play a part in the after math of 9-11? PRAYER.
I am sure you feel like I do…totally inadequate and unworthy of the many blessings God gives me. I am thankful for God’s amazing grace through the blood at Calvary’s cross. One of my favorite blessings is motherhood…
Just like God showed mercy on so many parents and children on 9-11 in New York, God is giving us mercy and an opportunity to be part of restoration in America through prayer, and through raising children after His own heart.
LORD Jesus, we don’t know why so many evil things occur in this world. We know Satan is at work big time in America. Father, you are no longer allowed in schools, in work, or even in public open prayer at the Sept. 11, memorial service, but we cannot be silenced. As long as there is breathe in our lungs we will pray. As long as we walk in this life, we will be people who serve you and are committed to raising our kids to know you love you and share your truth with the lost. Jesus, please, please bring beauty through ashes to the families of firefighters, police officers, first responders, twin tower workers, airplane travelers, pentagon workers, and others who died on Sept. 11. May the families and friends turn to you in their times of grief and know that they have hope in seeing their loved ones again for there is hope for those who know and trust in Jesus. We have no words at times LORD and for those moments, Holy Spirit, intercede for us. May we continue to be one nation under God and have mercy on America. In Jesus Name, AMEN.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
More Alike Than Different
I was next to Isaac the other day and had one of those special moments with the LORD and with my son....
I was looking at Isaac and realized...I am like him in many ways.
He doesn't communicate with words. Isaac has what the world calls a "speech delay." While other kids his age are talking and using language to communicate, Isaac doesn't....(yet).
He can be strong willed and desires to do his own thing...even if it can cause him danger. He doesn't like being in crowds and he much rather play by himself.
How alike you two are...I felt the LORD tell me.
I disagree. I love to talk and I love to be around people....but that's not what I felt God was showing me...
The Word says, "Ask and it will be given to you." Instead of praying, we try to do things on our own.We want to be independent and do our own thing. We think our way is the best way and we only go to God when it will help us.
I look at Isaac and think, "Just tell me how you feel. Just share with me...Just talk and open up your thoughts and communicate."
This is the LORD's heart. He just wants to be near us. He just wants to communicate with us and share and have a relationship....It's pretty simple if you think about it.
So while I continue to be a "talker" in the family, sharing and talking and communicating with words...Isaac remains non-verbal.
May this cause us to remember how important prayer is. God just wants us to chat with Him...to share our thoughts, our hearts, our lives.
As a mother of a non-verbal child, I can tell you how I long for the day when Isaac and I can sit and have a "chat." That's all God wants from us too...
Let's continue to pray without ceasing and enjoy the company of our Abba Father.
I was looking at Isaac and realized...I am like him in many ways.
He doesn't communicate with words. Isaac has what the world calls a "speech delay." While other kids his age are talking and using language to communicate, Isaac doesn't....(yet).
He can be strong willed and desires to do his own thing...even if it can cause him danger. He doesn't like being in crowds and he much rather play by himself.
How alike you two are...I felt the LORD tell me.
I disagree. I love to talk and I love to be around people....but that's not what I felt God was showing me...
The Word says, "Ask and it will be given to you." Instead of praying, we try to do things on our own.We want to be independent and do our own thing. We think our way is the best way and we only go to God when it will help us.
I look at Isaac and think, "Just tell me how you feel. Just share with me...Just talk and open up your thoughts and communicate."
This is the LORD's heart. He just wants to be near us. He just wants to communicate with us and share and have a relationship....It's pretty simple if you think about it.
So while I continue to be a "talker" in the family, sharing and talking and communicating with words...Isaac remains non-verbal.
May this cause us to remember how important prayer is. God just wants us to chat with Him...to share our thoughts, our hearts, our lives.
As a mother of a non-verbal child, I can tell you how I long for the day when Isaac and I can sit and have a "chat." That's all God wants from us too...
Let's continue to pray without ceasing and enjoy the company of our Abba Father.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
