Category Archives: Christian Living/Personal Growth

Self-help, self-improvement books to help us on our journeys/paths throughout our lives

An Element of Surprise: Gifts From God

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Ephesians 2:8-10: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Recently, my husband and I watched an unusual movie entitled, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, in which Walter is depicted as a man who lacks self-confidence in himself and fantasizes that he is stronger in another life. The photographer who he works for gives Walter an anniversary gift for his past 16 years of faithful, loyal service. It was a wallet with a beautiful inscription in the center; however, the wallet was empty–so he thought.

Walter wondered why he would be given an empty wallet, and then he sets out on a quest to find Sean, the photographer, in order to get the final cover photo he needs for the magazine they worked for. They eventually meet in a most unlikely place. When Walter asks about the photo, Sean asks whether he looked inside the wallet. Walter tells him that it was empty so he threw it away. The photographer smiles, then says, “I gave you a special gift and you did not go deeper in the wallet to find it!”

It turns out that what Walter was searching for all along was inside the wallet. He just didn’t look deep enough. He returns home and is able to locate the wallet and finds the final cover photo, which he gives to his publisher. To Walter’s surprise, the photo depicts himself on the front cover. The photographer credits Walter and other employees for his apparent success because without them he would not have succeeded.

When God gives us a free gift, sometimes we are like Walter–we forget to look further or deeper to understand the gift He has given us. The scriptures are filled with God’s promises–free gifts–for all of us to accept and to use them in serving others.

Good and perfect gift: James 1:17-18: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

Spiritual Gifts: I Corinthians 12:4-6: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”

Eternal Life: Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Serving Others: I Peter 4:10: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

There is a song that depicts going “deeper” in our faith and in the wisdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. “Deeper, Deeper” was written in the 1800’s by Charles Price Jones, a pastor of the Mt. Helm Baptist Church in Jackson, MS. The words of this great hymn are still sung in our churches today:

Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus, Daily let me go.
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom, More of grace to know.
O deeper yet, I pray. And higher every day. And wiser, blessed Lord.
In Thy precious Holy Word.”

May the Lord bless you as you go deeper in His Love.

Blessings on you,
Yvonne

Are You Living Your Life “On Demand?”

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As mothers and wives, we have a number of demands and responsibilities that dictate our daily lives. Sometimes they can become overwhelming and there is very little time for yourself, let alone setting aside time for reading your Bible and prayer.

In our home, we subscribe to a local cable company, and one of the features that we selected included watching TV shows On Demand. If we couldn’t watch a show when it was scheduled, we could watch it at a later time. Since there were several programs that I often missed, I compiled a “watch later program” list. However, the list kept getting bigger, and I actually felt overwhelmed by all of the TV shows I tried to keep up with. I decided to pray about it, and the Lord answered me immediately because my black lab chewed up the list. How is that for a quick answer to prayer? I was actually relieved about it, laughed out loud, and thanked the Lord for the answer. I have not compiled a list since that time.

Sometimes this is what happens in our lives. We can become sidetracked by the things of this world and forget to keep our eyes fixed on the things of God. I still enjoy watching TV shows, but the list I previously created no longer exists or controls me.

According to the Word of God, we are to put God first in our lives and not be controlled by the things of this world. All of the scriptures are from the NIV translation.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

John 3:30 says, “He must become greater; I must become less.”

Romans 8:5 says, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Only God can speak to our hearts and let us know if there are things that he wants us to change. All we need to do is seek Him and ask.

Blessings on you,
Yvonne

Reading in May: “The Heart of a Woman Who Prays” by Elizabeth George.

A Forgiving Heart Heals the Soul: Forgiveness for One Another

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Matthew 18:15: “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”

As a young girl growing up in my family, we were (without a doubt) considered dysfunctional in so many ways. My father was an alcoholic (although he denied it), and all of my brothers and sisters and I endured many years of verbal and physical abuse because of it. Some of us learned to forgive him while others held an unforgiving heart towards him up until his death at the age of 72.

As a Christian, I believe that forgiveness and acceptance go hand-in-hand. This was a hard lesson for me to learn, and it took me a number of years before I finally came to terms with my dad’s “faults.” I had to learn to love, accept, and forgive him for the way he was and allow God to work in his heart and life.

Sometimes we ask the Lord to “change someone else”, when in reality we need to ask the Lord to “change us.” With a new attitude and change of heart, I began to heal and had a greater understanding and peace of mind as I relied on God to change my relationship with my dad.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

It took my mother’s death (died of lung cancer at the age of 69) to change my dad’s attitude and heart toward God. The night before he passed away, he asked God for forgiveness for his sins and accepted Him into his life. In the Emergency Room the following evening, as my husband and I stood by his bedside, he went to be with the Lord.

How many times should we forgive one another if someone offends us?

Matthew 18-21-13 says, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy seven times.”

Forgiveness does many things for us:

It gives us peace of mind (mentally). In Philippians 4:6-7, it says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It heals us (physically). In James 5:16, it says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

It frees us (spiritually). In Ephesians 4:25-28, it says, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

When we hold anger and bitterness towards one another, we lose compassion for one another. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.”

Unless we are willing to forgive one another, God will not forgive us. Matthew 6:14-15 further says, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

When we love and forgive one another, we are following His commands so that we can grow and mature into the person He desires us to be.

May the Lord help each of us to forgive and love one another so that we can grow mentally, physically, and spiritually whole.

Blessings on you,
Yvonne

Scriptures to Live By: Hope

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As a pastor’s wife, I have had numerous opportunities to have conversations with individuals who are hurting and who are going through difficulties in their lives–the loss of a loved one, a separation or divorce, children who have lost their way, the loss of a job (or looking for a job), to name a few.

Hope almost invariably becomes the topic of conversation because they are all seeking strength from the Lord and oftentimes have lost all “hope” because of their situation.

The following are just a few scriptures that tell us about “the reason for our hope” and that it is in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. All of the scriptures are from the NIV translation, but I would encourage you if you have access to other translations to examine what they say on hope as well.

Psalm 31:24: Be strong and take heart; all you who hope in the Lord.

Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 8:24-25: We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Romans 12:12: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord richly bless you as you seek His face for continued hope in your life’s journey.

Blessings on you,
Yvonne

The Importance of Reading God’s Word

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Have you ever thought about why you read God’s Word? Is it expected of all Christians? If so, for what reason(s)?

Below is a list that I have compiled of just a few of the reasons why I feel it is important for us to read God’s Word. All of the scriptures are taken from the NIV translation.

1. To equip us to serve Him.

II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

When we know what God’s Word says, we will be better equipped to handle all kinds of situations and circumstances that come along in our lives.

2. To grow in maturity.

I Peter 2:2-3: “Like newborn babies crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

When we first became a Christian, we were like newborn babies and could not understand fully; but as we matured and grew in life’s experiences, we craved more of the “meat of the Word” on a daily basis.

3. To give a reason for what you believe.

I Peter 3:15-16: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

We should be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks us for a reason why we are a Christian.

4.To learn how to become more like Him.

Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

God created us in His likeness so that we could be a reflection of His love.

5. To learn how to live and treat others.

Mark 12:30-31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind and with all of your strength. The second law is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

If we live according to these two commandments, we will love and treat others the way God instructed us to.

6. To seek knowledge.

Psalm 19:7: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Our knowledge will be increased and our souls will be revived and refreshed as well.

7. To learn more about His salvation plan.

Hebrews 4:12: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. For nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

God knows everything about us–He only can look at the heart and convicts the soul.

8. To seek His guidance (plan) for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11-13: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to protect you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.”

God wants only good things for us and has a plan for all of us.

9. To increase our faith.

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

We have no doubt that God can do what He says even before He does it.

Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Faith also requires action on our part.

What are some of the reasons that you read God’s Word? When do you read God’s Word (i.e. morning, afternoon, evening)? And, why do you personally read His Word?

Blessings on you,
Yvonne