{devotion} exploding eggs and His voice

Beep, Beep Beep.

I heard the timer. I'll get it as soon as I finish this, I thought. Obviously, scrolling through Pinterest is way more important than the eggs boiling on the stove.

The next thing I hear....BOOM!

The EGGS!

All of the water had evaporated causing one of the eggs to explode.

Whoops.

I hear His soft, gentle whisper. But obviously, whatever I'm doing at the moment is more important than what He is telling me to do, right?

If I don't heed His voice, He will eventually get my attention. BOOM!

Whatever I'm trying to get done on my own will explode. I turn and finally obey His commands.

Why does it take an explosion? Why don't we heed His voice the first time?

We would end up with such a beautiful, perfect product instead of burned, dry eggs!

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you

~

       



{devotion} like squirmy first graders...

Priorities.
They're like first graders arguing over who gets to be the line leader.
Each child has a reason why he is best fit in front.

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As the new school year begins, many things are calling my name. Each priority has a reason why it should be number one. The hard part is getting them in line and keeping them there. Yet, like first graders, priorities are squirmy. They continue to plague me with reasons, vying for my time.

How do I keep them straight? What is most important? What comes first?

Searching answers today with prayer and 1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
~
How do you deal with priorities? Are yours in line?
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christian priorities?

convicting, no?

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{devotion} tugging conviction

I knew I shouldn't have watched it. I ignored the tugging at my soul as I told Sister don't tag me on Facebook at this movie.

That tugging? Conviction.

 
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My holy Savior reminding me, gently, that it wasn't pure and holy.

Yet, I listened to the enemies lies. The movie is harmless, right? It's not going to change the way I think or live. I'm still a good girl. Movies don't affect me.

It's not easy. It's not very pretty either, that tug of war.

When I feel it at my soul, I fight it. But I know I must give in. I must confess. I have to speak my feelings, raw and unedited. Yes, it's painful. No one wants to admit wrong.

 But then....

 After conviction and confession comes sweet healing. Peace and closeness fills my soul. I am in harmony with Him again, with the sin guilt out of the way.

 Proverbs 28:13 He that coverth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

 Don't let tugging conviction and open confession scare you. After comes the blessedness of forgiveness, tearful mercy, wonderful grace, and quiet peace.

 Psalm 32:3-5 When I kept silence my bones grew old through my groaning all day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my vitality turned into drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the inquity of my sin. Selah.

   

{devotion} burden or banner?

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

When I see myself taking up my cross, it's heavy. I imagine unbearable weight and stumbling. It's a burden after all, right? Isn't that what Jesus means in this verse?

Studying further into this verse, I was astounded. "Take up" here in Luke actually means "to hold high, like a banner, for all to see."

So the cross I bear to follow Jesus is not a heavy burden, but a brazen banner! I've been going about this all wrong. To follow Him is not a heavy yoke, but a banner to proudly wave so all others can know and see HIM.

~

counting...

#75 buttery popcorn, homemade

#77 soft conviction

#78 friend, non-judgemental

#79 mucinex!

#80 19 yr old brother showing maturity

#82 budding friendship



{devotion} Ugly lies or Beautiful truth?

"I just want to work on my abs."

"I just want to lose X inches."

"I really need to work on my thighs."

"I need to get back to how I used to be."

All day long I hear this. All day long I see unhappiness written across faces. All day long I watch women struggle with self-image. It's my job to "fix" them and make them happy again.

These ladies are some of the most beautiful ladies I have known. Yet, Satan plagues them with ugly lies. I get it. I know the battles they face. I took it to the extreme once.

But now I know the truth. and I want to scream at them, "You are beautifully and wonderfully made!"

I love how Paul put it in Romans. He basically says who are we to question HIS work??

Romans 9:20
     But indeed, O man [or woman], who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

When Satan plagues you with lies, whether it's about physical, spiritual, or mental image, exchange those lies for the Lord's healing truth!

Ecclesiastes 3:11a
    He has made everything beautiful in its time.

{devotion} perfect restoration

Psalm 19:7a The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.

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When I am down and depressed, HIS Word restores me.

When I am desensetized to evil, HIS Word builds boundaries.

When I don't know where to turn, HIS Word points the way.

When I am weary, HIS Word revives.

When I don't understand, HIS Word gives wisdom.

When I am in darkness, HIS Word shines.

When I am lonely, HIS Word whispers comfort.

When I am broken, HIS Word bandages.

The Book is there, waiting to be opened. Don't wait!

~

Come back Thursday for a stay-at-home post holiday workout!

{devotion} thankfullness.

Even in this seemingly unbearable heat with broken air condition, thanks can be given!

#41 witnessing Proverbs 11:24a
#48 vanilla pear cupcake with butterscotch frosting





 #58 1 1/2 hour break for coffee, devotion and reading.



#63 motherly love notes found in diswasher!

#64 gifts from brother #3







#73 sibling talk around pumpkin pie

#76 sweet purple plums, like sugar

 ~
 Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.



{devotion} Why didn't I listen?

"O my goodness. You have to see this picture."  My voice rang in my ears just as I heard a soft warning in my head.  

     Meagan, stop what you’re saying. That person is My child too. Who are you to talk badly about her?

I wish with all my heart I could say I listened to His warning.

 Instead....  

"Can you believe she would do that? I would never...."

 

     Meagan, didn't you just teach your Sunday school girls about gossip? 

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Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

 After I stopped talking and actually listened, I felt like such a hypocrite. I tell my sweet youth group one thing, and do the complete opposite.

 How often do we hear His warning and continue to do "what is right in our own eyes?" The tendency to ignore is so, so easy.

I run Ephesians 4:29 through my head all day. I try and fight my tongue.

I know I will fail, but with His grace, I will keep trying.