Check your Reflection

Proverbs 27:19  As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart. (NIV)

The English Standard Version says it like this; As in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

As humans, we tend to judge someone before we even say hello to them for the first time. We sum up who we think they are by how they look. Because she appears to be as sweet as honey, we assume she is. Because he seems to be a push-over, we assume he is. But then, as we get to know them, we begin to see their hearts. Most of the time, people are not who we first thought they were - good or bad.

Do the things we say or think really come from our hearts?

Luke 6:45   A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Now, let's turn this inward. When I feel that I am inadequate and start talking about my weaknesses, this will show in my reflection. And, when I am feeling confident and ready to take on the world, this will show in my reflection as well.

What we think about ourselves will influence what others think about us too. We have to get to the place that when others see us, they see a reflection of Jesus. We must reflect God's heart. His thoughts need to become our thoughts. His ways need to become our ways.  

So, check your reflection with the Word of God. What does He see when He looks at you?

• He sees a child who is fearfully and wonderfully made. Ps. 139:14

• He sees a child whom He created in His image. Gen. 1:27

• He sees a child who is His workmanship created to do good works. Eph. 2:10

• He sees a child who has been raised up with Christ. Col. 3:1    

              ....and the list goes on!


Be blessed,
Dawn

The Name Changer

Have you ever wondered how your parents chose your name? When choosing names, some parents spend time researching; going through baby name books, looking for meanings of the names they like. Some choose to give a new baby a family name. Others will just choose a name based on if they like it or not, not really thinking about what that name might mean.

Names are important to God. There are instances in the Bible where God changed the names of men.

• Gen 32:22-32, relates the story of Jacob wrestling with God. Jacob would not let go until the man blessed him.  V.26, Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he said. 28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

• In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples who the people of the region say that He is. After they had given their answers, He then asked them, "who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus then blessed Simon and then told Simon that he would be called Peter, which means rock. 

You see, God has given each of us a name that represents His character. Jacob was given a name which means overcomer. Peter was given the name which means rock.

Well, what about me, you ask? Yes, God has given you a new name too.

• Rev 2:17  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna,  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him.

God does not see us as who we are, but who He wants us to become. He is waiting for all of us to accept that we can overcome when we totally surrender to Him. 

Be blessed,
Dawn

Do you hear me?

Do you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling? I know I do at times. As I was reading this passage, I realized that even the little sins can keep us from hearing or seeing answers to our prayers. When our spirit is out of line with God's, it affects our communication with Him.

Isaiah 59:1-3
1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Verse 3 shows us that even the words we use can keep us from hearing God speak to us. When we use slander or gossip about someone, we are keeping God at a distance. He is righteous and holy, and simply cannot dwell where sin is present. Sin separates us from the love of God. Does that mean he stops loving us when we sin? Absolutely not!! It simply means that when we sin, we turn our backs on Him.

Psalm 19:14 is one of my favorite verses. It says; May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. Each day, I make this my prayer to Him. Day to day life can sometimes pull us down but Praise God, His mercies are new every morning. What exactly does that mean? It means He does not hold yesterday's sins against us when we ask His forgiveness.

I encourage you today, to keep your heart and your mouth pure. Avoid the things that can keep you from hearing God speak. Don't be tempted to participate in conversations with others that do not please Him.

Be blessed,
Dawn

Dwelling in Hope

Acts 2:26 I am glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the land of hope.   (MSG Bible)

The word HOPE has lost its meaning in today's society. When we say "I hope it happens" what we are really saying is "I wish it would happen." Hope and wishful thinking are not the same. As believers, we often confuse the two words and lean more toward wishful thinking instead.

1) Hope is believing that something COULD happen.

Hope is fully knowing that something is possible and can happen. For instance, when we say something like; I hope it all works out, do we really mean it? If we are truly hopeful about something we should instead say, I have hope that this will happen. When used this way, the word hope is a noun; a thing that we can hold onto.

True hope puts your spirit in motion. It sets the stage for faith. We first have to believe that what we want to happen, will. It is then that we begin to envision what we are praying for. We are drawing out the blueprint in our mind. Without seeing or imagining what the outcome will be, we cannot have faith that it will come to pass.

Once we begin to see the blueprint, we can then focus on the actual result of our prayers. We can see the answer, knowing that it will happen.

Heb 11:1, Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. 

Be blessed,
Dawn

Are you a stone thrower?

John 8:1-11

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, surrounded by many people, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery and made her stand before the group. They said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now, what do you say?" They were trying to trap Jesus.

Characteristics of a stone thrower;

1)   condemning spirit. v 3  ...they made her stand before the group.

• People who need to be forgiven the most are usually the first to condemn others. A lot of times, we are quick to criticize because we feel that it will somehow make us feel better about our own inadequacies.

 2)  operate under the law.  v 5 ... In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.     

• People who look to the law for correction often forget about looking for the grace of forgiveness. 

The Pharisees overlooked the rest of that law which says that BOTH the man and the woman must die. Deuteronomy 22:22 (hmmm...)

3)  judgmental. v 6... they were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.    

• The Pharisees did not have a valid reason to accuse Jesus so they were judging everything He did so to find fault in him. 

4)  feel the need to be right. v7... when they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone."

We must purpose in our hearts that we will not look for the bad in people but instead, focus on the good that Jesus did for His people. He sacrificed Himself on the cross so that all men might be saved. None of us are above reproach. God has given each of us the same measure of grace. It is up to each individual to decide what to do with it. Each of us will have to stand alone and give an account for our lives, attitudes, and actions.

Spend time in the Word. Look for scriptures that will help you control your tongue and help you to not be a stone thrower. 

 Galatians 6:1 says, Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.

Be blessed,
Dawn

Resolution

Resolution - a decision or determination; firmness of purpose

(Synonyms -resolve, determination, perseverance, tenacity; strength, fortitude)

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word RESOLUTION?

For me, it is means making better choices than those from the previous year. You know, dieting, exercising, trading old, bad habits for good, new habits, etc...

Many of us use this tactic of changing our behavior in hopes of changing our lives. But, unfortunately, what happens in a lot of cases, those resolutions just become wishful thinking. We really DO want to change, but the time and effort that goes into making those changes loses its luster after the first few weeks.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says, You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Since we were created in the image of God, we have the power to resolve that we can live a life that reflects His nature.

So, make the resolution (or determination) that your life will reflect His love to everyone you know.

Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Be blessed,
Dawn

Choices

Is life dictated by our choices?

or 

Are our choices dictated by life? 

Well, yes and yes.

As humans, a lot of choices that we make are dictated by how we were raised. Why we do things the way we do are shaped by these factors. For instance; family traditions, values, even how we relate to others can be dictated by our upbringing.

So many times we hear, "if only my life was different, if only my childhood had been better, if only ________ (fill in the blank)  then my life would be better."

Many people feel they have to drudge through the life that fate dealt. They have no hope. They don't see that things can be better. The world has convinced them that the "Forest Gump" mentality is reality and change is beyond their control.

Not true, change is within our control when we choose to change the way we think and find out what God's Word says.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

1 Chronicles 21:11... this is what the Lord says, "take your choice."

Psalm 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- (choose to) think on these things.

God has given us clear direction on how to make good choices. Spend time with Him and ask Him to show you how to make choices that please Him.

Be blessed,
Dawn