A blessing or a curse?

Proverbs 27:14
A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning
will be taken as a curse!

Okay, so anyone with children probably can relate to this passage. Anyone who is a night owl would also agree. I happen to have children and be a night owl. I actually think it is pretty funny how this was my verse for today. I know that there are times that I think I will find something so profound in God's Word that it changes my very way of thinking. It is not very often that I find a verse like this and think it was written just for me!!!

It is true that not everyone can wake up in the morning and have instant cheerfulness. In fact, in our house, our children have learned that just because it is light out doesn't mean it is time for mommy to get up. Lately, as I have been changing my lifestyle to be healthier, I have woke up to the alarm at 4:50 am and thought to myself how I could destroy the alarm. To me, it is a curse to wake up that early in the morning. It takes a few minutes and I am up and out and walking with my friends who put up with me and my not-so-cheerful early morning self. Partially through the walk, I begin to wake up and have witty and thoughtful things to say. I have forgotten how bad it was to get up that early and I am somehow blessed that I have given myself some me time to start my day off. It is amazing how just a few minutes can change your whole day.

I have a friend who says she goes in to her children's rooms in the morning and lays down next to them and slowly wakes them up. She uses gentle words and kind gestures to pull them from their dreams and back in to consciousness. How pleasant that is, how awesome it would be to experience a loving and kind wake up call.

How is it at your house. Whether you have children or not, what is your routine? This is a great verse to share with your children. How they can be a blessing in the morning by playing quietly or reading or looking through a book until mommy and daddy are up. It is also a reminder that we have an opportunity to bless our children with an amazing day by carefully choosing their method of wake up routines. Are we concerned about their health, their days. Can we be a blessing to them as well as asking them to be a blessing to us?

What will you do tomorrow morning? Each new day is a blessing. The first few minutes can lay out the pattern for the entire day. Make it a habit to praise God for each day before your feet even hit the floor. Offer a prayer or a praise as your first words. Let me know how your day goes.

Dear Lord, help us to take the time to be a blessing to others in the morning. Help us to be kind to those who may wake us up earlier than we would like. Lord, help us to look to you and give you the first of our day by reflecting your love to others and by praising you for each new day.

Please pray for Chloe F. this week. Thank you.

Beatitudes

Okay, so I want to get real with you if you do not mind.

When Angela and I talked about this great idea of Words of Wisdom, I was the first to say we needed to be open to the Holy Spirit and what He wants us to teach. However, when it came down to making the decision to what I was going to write about, I wanted to take the easy road. Being the first week in this new study on Words of Worship, I decided to write about Baptism, it’s an easy subject for me because I have studied it several times and I could pull something out of the “files” and no one would know. After all, I would not want to actually write about something this early on and have it not be received so well. The fact was that I did not even consider asking God to lead me to the Word for the week. Not because I did not know any better, but because I was afraid and I did not want to write about something I did not know much about. However, God had a much greater plan of accountability for me and if A had not already been used last week, I would be humbly writing about Accountability. Anyway, I thought I would share that I am human and have very real fears about being so open and trusted to provide you with God’s word. What I have learned is that God would not let me disappoint you. I hope that there is one person out there that asks themselves if God is speaking directly to them through this devotional this week. I pray you are open to whatever it is that He wants you to hear. I promise to ask Him for direction this entire devotional, since He seems to care a whole bunch about teaching you what you need and not what makes it easier on me. Even when there are times that I have no idea how it will be received, I will still write it. I just ask that you send out a praise or something so I know that I am on the right track, Deal?
With love and a new level of respect for our wonderful God, Heather.

Day 1

Beatitudes

God’s word for this week is Beatitude which is Greek for Blessed.

The meaning of this word is
1 - Spiritual well-being and prosperity
2 - deep joy of the soul

You will find the Beatitudes in

Matthew 5:3-12
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Dear Lord, I thank you for the lessons I have learned through this devotional. I thank you that you are and always will be concerned about the health of myself and those that receive this email devotional. That you are in the midst of our spiritual, physical and mental well being. Lord, I praise you for the adoption into your family and because of our adoption, we are to experience the amazing gifts that only you can give. Thank you for loving us. Amen.




Day 2

A Closer Look

As we look closer at this passage, we find this
The word blessed means Happy
The poor in spirit are those who recognize their Spiritual Poverty
The mourners are truly sorry for their sins
The meek have disciplined strength
Those who search for Righteousness will be satisfied
The merciful will receive mercy. Mercy is God’s love that causes him to help the miserable. Those who are this way because they broke God’s law or because of circumstances out of their control.
The pure in heart will see and understand the heart of God
Peacemakers are God’s children
Those who endure persecution for doing God’s commands will inherit the kingdom.

Many writers of the last century called the Beatitudes “Integrity Builders” and the 8 declarations of blessedness.
The Beatitudes are recorded in Matthew 5:3-12, written in red, which means that Jesus himself said these words. The Beatitudes are best known as the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began one of his most important public teachings with stating the way to happiness.
As we look at this piece of scripture we see that when Jesus states the way to happiness, he is speaking about how to share in salvation, the words describe entering the kingdom of God and experiencing a fore taste of heaven. It describes the ideal disciple and the rewards of both the present and the future. These character qualities are among those inside the Kingdom which differ from those of the World.

Day 3
Looking up the Beatitudes in my study bible, it references the verse

Matthew 7:29 “He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”
What does this say to you?

There are many teachings in this world. We must remember that the Word is our ultimate teaching and we should reference anything we hear with the Word before we consider it truth.
Have you mistaken something you have heard as truth in the past?

When you read about the blessed (the 8 beatitudes), how many of those qualities do you see in yourself? How many do others see?

Do you know anyone else that could be encouraged by this passage? How will you share it with them?

Does this passage give you hope? Direction?



Day 4

You can find the beatitudes referenced in

Luke 6:20-23
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “ Blessed are you poor,For yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

The qualities found in the Beatitudes can be found in both the Old and New testaments. Here are just a few of those passages:
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalms 65:4 Blessed is the man You choose,And cause to approach You,That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.

Psalms 128:1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,Who walks in His ways.

John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas,[a] because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Romans 14:22 Do you have faith?[a] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelations 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[a] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

You can also look up Sermon on the Mount and find several other passages.

Ask God to strengthen your qualities that are found in the Beatitudes.

Confess any resistance you have in sharing this passage with others. Don’t forget what you have experienced in your life to come to a loving and accepting relationship with God.

Reflect on the many ways that you have been blessed and how those blessings should be an outpouring in your life.

Praise God for His blessings in your life and for your blessing here and in the future.


Day 5

Promises in Scripture that relate to this passage are found in

Revelations 21:4
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Will you commit with me today to vision yourself going to the best ever conference around? Imagine the headlines, posters, fliers and email notices about the famous Jesus coming to your area. What seats would you pay for. Would you come early to make sure you have the best seat. How would you have received the words that Jesus shared? Picture yourself hearing him say those words. Does it motivate you? Join with me this weekend in resting in his peace and presence. Attend a conference with him in scripture. Start with a favorite passage and let it speak to you as this one spoke to me. Allow yourself to be transformed and motivated to make a change in your life today. Share this with someone else as a witness of God’s amazing transformation in your life.

Praise Friday Praises

Dear Lord, I am in awe of your ways. I could probably study this topic for another year and still not fully understand all the dynamics of it. But one thing is true, you came here in human flesh and new what was to come, you gave us insight and direction and you have blessed us with your wisdom. Please continue to speak to us concerning your kingdom and the promise of our future. Please reassure us of the things which we do not fully understand and which we do not yet see. I praise you for your teachings and I am forever changed by your Sermon on the Mount. Please continue to use others to multiply your Kingdom and the multitudes of followers that will come because of those teachings. Lord, I pray that you will use me to reach and teach all those you put in my path. You are amazing. I love you. Amen.

Ruth

Day 1

I am so excited to be back in the word, not that I haven't read the last two weeks, but I love to study and learn new things. This week I am particularily excited because I kind of attach myself to the story of Ruth, more about that later, here is her story.

Ruth

Her name means Friendship.

How cool is that? A name that describes the very core of a woman. Women long for friendship, they seek it and at times they challenge it. It is one word with a thousand emotions.

Her character is generous, loving and strong. She is serene, able to take unusual risks and deal actively with the consequences.

Her sorrow was losing her husband, homeland, and family.

Her joy was to discover firsthand the generous, loyal, and loving nature of God, as he provided her with a husband, a son, and a home to call her own.

Key Scriptures. Click here to read Ruth 2 - 4

Matthew 1:5 Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse,

I am so excited I get to do this devotional on Ruth. She was one of the first women in the Bible that I ever learned about. As a new Christian, her story gave me hope and as a more experienced Christian, her story continues to show me that God is in every circumstance, He wants to orchestrate our lives so that we experience His love and mercy, so we have hope in the midst of any storm. Praise God.

Day 2

Kinsman - Redeemer-
Had Ruth and Naomi gone their own ways, Boaz would have never met nor married Ruth. She was a gem to him. He didn’t realize the rich blessing from God. Their son, Obed became the father of Jesse and grandfather of David. They became the great-grandparents of King David. They are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus of Nazereth, who is, after all, our own great Kinsman - Redeemer. We have been united to Him, healing our sorrows, giving us a future full of hope.

Gleaning -An act of gathering leftovers that harvesters leave behind. It provided enough food for Naomi and herself. It was law that the leftovers be left available to the poor and aliens. Ruth fit both categories as a Moabite and no one to support her. (Leviticus 19:9; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19 - 22)This was a “welfare system” set up by Moses. It wasn’t a handout, because the poor still had to work for it. They would have to compete with the other poor and alien that were gleaning behind the harvesters, which made it hard to survive at times. Boaz ordered that the harvesters leave behind grain as Ruth followed, going above and beyond the Law. Because of his character, he became a “friend” to Ruth. Together, they became ancestors of Christ.

Praise God that he is in the small stuff, preparing an abundance of blessings in our future.

Day 3

Ruth 2

1. What is Ruth known for? What reputation goes with her to the field?
2. Describe this what this day’s work must have been like for Ruth.

Ruth 3

1. When Boaz was sleeping at the threshing floor instead of at home, was Ruth’s behavior immoral? What was she asking Boaz by her behavior?

Ruth 4

1. Who do you think was happiest at this wedding? Ruth? Boaz? Naomi? Why? The Wedding takes place in verse 13.
2. What does the outcome of this story tell you about God’s Providence, his divine guidance?
3. How have you experienced God’s Providence and his divine direction in your life?
4. After all of Ruth’s sorrows, what is her situation now?
5. Naomi’s restored joy is described, but nothing is said of Ruth’s. In your own words, describe what sort of joy Ruth must have been experiencing.
6. Think about a time in your life when your joy was restored.

Day 4

Her legacy of Prayer
Ruth 4:14 - 15

14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”

Reflect on Ruth 3 -4
Praise God for providing for those that have no one to provide for them.

Offer thanks for the way God has used other women, your mother or mother - in - law, your sisters or daughters, to provide for you.

Confess any tendency to compete with other women

Ask God to help you appriciate your own mother and mother - in - law and to give you a vision for the power of two women, linked by love and faith.

Day 5

Lift your Heart.

It is easy to assume the important women in our lives know how much we cherish them. But Mother’s Day cards and friendship cards, nice as they are to get and give, don’t always do the trick. We also need to verbalize our love sincerely and regularly. Don’t wait until Mother’s Day to treat those important women to tea or a leisurely lunch. Tell them how much they mean to you and how much you care about them. Be specific and make sure to make a mental note of all the good qualities that person possesses. You could make a book for that person decorate it with colorful stickers and stencils, record all the wonderful qualities and package it with scented soap, bath salts and candles, give it as a keepsake for her to treasure and use as a resource when she may need a self-esteem booster.

Father, I thank you for the women who have played such an important role in my life. Please bless each one in a special way today and help me find ways to express to them my love and gratitude.