What Are You Seeking in 2015?
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
There is no greater goal, no greater resolution than to seek God more in 2015. The world is obviously a little bit stressed out lately. 2014 saw a whole bunch of chaos. No matter what your political views, there’s no denying the chaos was and is there even on this last day of the year.
You may have had a wonderful year, or one filled with struggles. In any event, the new year brings a new opportunity to set some goals and work toward some changes. Now you probably know from the past that most of these changes just do not get done. It’s like decluttering your house. How many times have you vowed to do it, and how many times have you failed? That’s what I thought…me too!
The only thing I can guarantee you and myself, is that seeking God first is the real solution for everything. Check out the following:
Matthew 6:25-34 (HCSB)
25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying?
28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!
30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith?
31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
32 For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Notice how the seeking part, is buried in the worry and the stress? Matthew has it smack dab in the middle of the mess. Why? Because it works. The emphasis though, is on what to seek first. In the middle of 2014 and 2015, lies the chance to do some serious seeking. One day at a time. It may be a little late to recover the time from 2014, but tomorrow is just a few hours away. Start now, seeking Him in prayer as you offer Him your new year.
If you don’t know how to seek Him, or what it means to have a true relationship with Him, visit the Knowing God page on this blog. Feel free to research and discuss what it means to seek both His kingdom and His righteousness.
If Christmas taught you anything, it’s that all the stuff you may have been seeking either didn’t show up under the tree, or it didn’t make you happy. I write from reality and I can tell you you will always have struggles and chaos in the midst of peaceful days. Happiness is never lasting. The choice though, is to seek Him through every year you have on the earth. There is no other way. Seek Him first. Not Facebook friends, not alcohol, not drugs, not money. Seek Him first. Not status, not the perfect career, not toys and the fastest greatest car. Him. First. Above all. Right now before you land in the middle of a new year. And for the record, can you believe another year has come and gone already? Start now!
Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)
20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Glory to God in the Highest
Luke 2:1-20 (NASB77)
1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 ” Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Struggling with Prayer?
I’m a bit behind in my study of Max Lucado’s new book. Proverbs 31 Ministries has been doing the study in the online Bible study (OBS) format, and it has been a real blessing. Lucado offers a very concise prayer model, that you can utilize and modify for your daily prayers. I wanted to make you aware of a different site, so you don’t feel like you have to fit the time frame of the OBS study. This is the last week of that study, but these resources have no time schedule. Take a look, read the book and let me know what you think. I find Lucado’s style to be very warm and encouraging, and I think his model prayer is a great place to start, or continue your prayer life from. Just as he suggests, his pocket prayer will provide you with something to focus on the minute you get out of bed in the morning. Instead of running to tune in to the news, take time to pray
Visit the site for more information and sign up for a four week prayer challenge. While there, take advantage of the free sample chapter, free worship song download, and sample video.
Simply Thankful, 2014, 2015
If you have spent any time in the Bible at all, you know you don’t have to look far to find reasons to be thankful. The Word itself is overflowing with reasons to give thanks to the Lord. I’ve heard various authors declare that if we would just list a few things to be thankful for, we won’t stay in a sad state of mind for very long. What are you thankful for this year? Has He been your strength and shield? Has he delivered you from addictions, financial woes, illness, dangers of any kind? Has He blessed your home and family this year? Maybe things have not gone so well, but you can still find glimpses of the miraculous in your life. Make a list this year, and share it with your family around the table. Have your children make their own lists to share. Do a word study on any Biblical passages referring to giving thanks.
Recognize His work in your life. Reflect on it on this special day. Respond, by giving back to Him and to others who might just need some encouragment.
Psalm 28:6-7 (NASB77)
6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Encouraging words from The Word
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB77)
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Maybe, just maybe, someone will be stopping by to read this blog. Though I have a very urgent desire to write, I don’t get to spend all the time here that I intend to. Not yet. However, I do believe in the power behind His Word, which is far greater than anything I could ever share. My prayer for you is that you know Him as your God and you know He strengthens you. There are an awful lot of places online and elsewhere, which cause anxiety. These few verses give reasons to stop looking all around at those. Take your eyes off the news for awhile, and focus instead on the Good News.
Luke 1:32-33 (ASV)
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Life might not seem like it is so simple for you right now, and your faith might be challenged. Hang on, and trust that His hand is upholding you through whatever it is, no matter how great or small the situation. If you need to access online study resources and don’t know where to look, please leave a comment. If you don”t know Him, click the page by the same name off to the side of this page. Finally, if He has provided you with strength and help recently, please feel free to share. Your story might just boost someone’s faith right now.
Lucado’s New Book on Prayer and a New Online Study
Proverbs 31 Ministries is offering a short study of Max Lucado’s new book on prayer. The study details can be found at the OBS (Online Bible Study) site. All you need is a book. And this time they are throwing in their special study conference calls for free. If you’re like me, you are always looking for something new on the topic of prayer. This probably won’t disappoint.
One of my goals with this blog is to make information available regarding online studies and resources. I’m a huge believer in seeing the Internet used for good, and a huge believer in Bible study. God’s Word and the study of it, is crucial to walking by faith. Perhaps this is your time to jump in? The days before Christmas could benefit from taking time to slow down and spend a few moments with Him and with other believers online.
See you there? Visit their Facebook page for further info…
And…if you have participated, share your thoughts here!
View from the Window
![dreamstimefree_207706[1]](http://dancingwithsimplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/dreamstimefree_2077061.jpg "© Carsten Erler | Dreamstime Stock Photos")
Every year I say I am going to …Declutter my house, journal, read more, bake, learn a new craft and organize paper clutter in my office.
And every year it does not happen. Well, not most of it anyway.
It’s like the view from my kitchen window. We have a backyard that is split in half, with a little gate in between. It is a long, narrow yard, very close to the neighbors. Since we acquired our little rescue dog four years ago, we have had nothing that resembles a lawn. Instead, we have a lot of odd trees and weeds that like to keep coming back every year. Let’s call it yard clutter.
This year we finally paid to have the overgrowth removed. We also tackled a downed tree. Everything was pretty, though still not grassy. The yard cleaned up nicely. Both halves were done, but the view from the kitchen window revealed the side that was the cleanest, and the most conquered. Despite the lack of much greenery, it was something to behold.
Now however, months later, the weeds are back with a vengeance. Yard clutter.
So it is with our yearly, weekly, daily, goals, and plans. The space is cleared. We make room in our homes, our schedules our lives for all sorts of things. Unfortunately, before we know it the whole mess has grown back again. Weeds filling the schedule, our thoughts, our plans, blocking out our attempts to dream some big dreams. Some weeds show up because of our own bad behavior! Botttom line, our attempts to simplify, declutter, get rid of the weeds, are thwarted every time.
Now you might think this is a bad thing, but it really is no surprise to God. He knows we have no good thing in us, and He knows our sin will come back. Smooth sailing doesn’t last long in a fallen world. The weeds will come back. And with it, things like anxiety, stress, depression, pride, stubbornness, clutter. Notice these are not all blatantly sinful things. Sometimes, they are just time robbers. Sometimes they simply drain you and zap your energy. They grow in like those weeds, quickly, subtlely, unnoticed. Just like in my backyard.
The remedy?
Romans 7:18-25 (NLT)
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.
19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
22 I love God’s law with all my heart.
23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Maybe, it’s time to remember the weeds and clutter are simply going to be there. Instead of being surprised by them, clear them up and move on. And if they grow back, tear them down again. If it takes some repentance and confession, so be it. Ultimately, Paul’s answer, Jesus, will be the one who fights through the clutter. Let God’s presence fill up the overgrown messy weedy places. You may find opposition coming back, and taking over. Opposition to your plans and choices comes in all sorts of forms. Though it is a battle you may deal with every single day for the rest of your life, in the end He has conquered it all. And finally, things will be clear for good. For now, try planting His Word in the barren yard.
Next time you take in the view from the window; don’t be surprised by what is growing in the yard. Recognize it, expect it, and conquer it. Tear it down. Deal with it when it grows and back better yet, let Him be the gardener. Simplify your life, by anticipating the opposition. Be prepared for it, and keep moving forward.
Online Bible Study: The P31 OBS
I’ve had about enough lately of spending time on meaningless things. Perhaps that’s why simplicity has become my goal. I dare say I haven’t reached it but I surely want to.
I was reminded to let my readers know, Monday September 22 is the beginning date for Proverbs 31 Ministries next online Bible study.
You can sign up and learn more about P31 via their web site. Thousands of women sign up for these studies, women from all around the world. You only need to obtain a book to get started. There are numerous ways to plug in, and you can choose your level of participation. Current study information is available via this link.
This time around, you can look forward to reading and working through Lysa TerKeurst’s The Best Yes. Don’t miss any of the resources Lysa has made available via her web site.
And isn’t that what it’s all about? I am simply overwhelmed at times by how cluttered my days are. I do not do the things I want to do.
Romans 7:18-20 (NLT) 18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
It may not seem as drastic as some sin, but not spending time on the right thing can be a real problem. Normally I wouldn’t see my choices in this light. Sometimes however, I believe my choices really are sinful. Or selfish. My priorities are simply wrong. Just this week an avalanche of issues robbed me of my time. In some instances I felt spiritual opposition had been directed my way. In other situations, better choices could have been made. Above all, people matter more than meaningless endeavors.
Update: due to some business issues, I haven’t had time to plunge into this study. I have not read The Best Yes yet but I plan to because I want to see if I am on track with my thinking. If you have any questions, feel free to comment here. Are you reading the book or participating in the OBS (Online Bible Study)? Feel free to share your thoughts here.
Simple Living?
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NLT)
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.
This verse has always captured what I am trying to do with my life and in my family. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as it looks. I’m hoping to use this blog to zero in on these qualities. Now, I am plugged in to social media, Facebook and Twitter with my various technological tools. I’ll probably even subject my writing to spell checks, and grammar programs. If I must. Maybe that’s all the polar opposite of what I’m trying to say. Maybe not.
I want to delve into crafts of all sorts. I want to read and study. Not just the Bible, but literature. I want to lead a quiet life with the husband God has blessed me with, my four adorable critter children and my praying, Godly Mom. I don’t want a bucket list. I want a God-centered Word driven daily to-do list.
I’ve just ordered a book that I think may help along those lines. Lysa TerKeurst’s The Best Yes. #TheBestYes. I’m trying quite hard to say no, not necessarily to people, but to demands that waste my life and time. I don’t necessarily see those things in people, I see them in time wasting endless mounds of paperwork. I see them in taking business calls after hours when it’s time to shut the office door. That’s the plight of the self-employed. I see distraction from the best path, coming in the form of anything that takes a focus off God and puts it on man. He is the ultimate goal of our adoration, time, money and resources. He is that perfect yes. He is the one the prowling lion seeks to keep us from.
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Is this simple living? Is it possible? Again, I don’t like the bucket list idea. I prefer that “live a quiet life, mind your business, and work with your hands” stuff. Put your home and family under His care. Love the ones He has surrounded you with. Even the furry children. Dance in His simple plan for your life and walk in faith.
If any of this resonates with you, feel free to share. Is it even possible to live a life like this? It does seem that my efforts are thwarted at every turn. How about you?
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Your Revelation is the Tune I Dance To
Psalm 119:77 (MSG)
77 Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
Feeling a little tattered lately?
Unravelling?
World in turmoil?
It’s all about joining the dance of simplified living, with a walk of faith. His Word is the foundation. Stay tuned for the journey…….Laura Lynn, dancer, author, blogger, believer![dreamstime_s_5373580[1]](http://dancingwithsimplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dreamstime_s_53735801-3-250x300.jpg "(c) Miflippo | Dreamstime.com")
![dreamstime_s_5373580[1]](http://dancingwithsimplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/dreamstime_s_53735801-3.jpg "(c) Miflippo | Dreamstime.com")
Psalm 19:7 (NASB77)
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalm 119:130 (NASB)
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 30:11 (NLT)
11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
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