Today I was reminded of how important it is to make our souls 'bless the Lord'. My brother, sister, and I ran to town this morning to do a few errands. Nothing big, but my attitude stunk. On our way home, my sister was reading off scripture in Deuteronomy, which made my heart think of this song, "Oh My Soul" by Laura Story. I sang a part of it right there, then had Sharon read off Psalm 103. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul. All that's in me bless his Holy Name'. As she read, the Holy Spirit was opening my eyes to how self centered I have become lately. Instead of choosing to let God direct my attitude for His glory, I chose instead to let it control me. The only things that seemed to be coming out of my mouth were excuses for how I was behaving instead of Praises for the Glorious One who has made all things for his Glory (which includes me).
No more for today. I choose to make this day one of Praise instead of apathy. To bless the Lord and others, instead of focusing on how I can make myself happy.
Till next time, ~ Bell Out. (aka His Pearl of Praise.)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
Roses
This past Sunday my boyfriend surprised me with a dozen red roses. :) I was a bit overwhelmed with all of them...I would have been happy with one, but now I have 12 beautiful reminders of how Awesome God is. <3
I kept looking at them today and going "those are mine ^_^. Not Mom's or Sharon's, but mine. <3"
My boyfriend does not think flowers serve much of a purpose, but for me, they are physical reminders that I can touch and see to remind me of his love and God's grace. I grow more grateful for them every time they catch my eye. :)
One rose in particular has a pink stripe on it that looks like a long heart. That was totally a God thing. <3 It made my heart soar to see that color mixed in with the red. (Pink is my favorite color but I don't mind a red rose now and then... ^_^. )
I wish I could say that whole day was like seeing that special rose, but it had its share of rotten (or selfish) petals. Praise God for His Faithfulness!!! He helped us snip them off before we said good-bye and goodnight. It is not the easiest thing to loose a piece of who you thought you were to become who He made you to be. But believe me, it is worth more than all the flowers in the world. <3
Forever and Always,
~ His Pearl Of Praise~
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Journal Entry
Disclaimer: I wrote this over a year ago, and have shared it with a few people already, but thought it would be a good first post. I don't claim to know everything, so please, let me know what you think. :) I would love to be sharpened.
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
2 Peter 1:1-11. (Pastor spoke on this today)
Verse 3 says;
"His divine power has given us everything* we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
now listen to verse 4;
"Through these he has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
one such promise is found in Romans 6:14
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
So, God has been pressing upon me to practice what I preach. He has been showing me through others how much it matters. Our attitudes must be above reproach. How can we teach someone something we do not know? You can be above reproach in your actions, but if your attitude stinks, what good is it?
We should do right, not just because it is right, but because we love the One who calls us to do it.
In 1 Peter 3:15 it tells us;
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
If we have really set apart Christ in our hearts as Lord, then giving and answer as they did in Acts 4:20, will not be hard.
'But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.' verse 16
People are watching. Not really to see how good you are; but watching for a slip up, a crisis, or trouble to come upon you. They are watching your attitude. How you respond, not just to the trials, but to each other.
Jesus said the world would "know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Our love must not come from our heads; it must come from our hearts.
Character could be defined as the attitude of our life. If we are to have Christ's character-which springs from our attitude to reflect our hearts-should not it be above reproach?
To do this may seem impossible, but look again at verse 3 [of 2 Peter 1]. He has provided for your every need. We have to but ask, and he is more than able to deliver. He is Faithful. The question is, are you? Do you want to know him with the same passion of wanting to breath?
'Through our knowledge of him..'
There is a difference between knowing about someone, and truly knowing that person. I want to know him intimately. How about you?
Sunday, April 25th, 2010
2 Peter 1:1-11. (Pastor spoke on this today)
Verse 3 says;
"His divine power has given us everything* we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
now listen to verse 4;
"Through these he has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
one such promise is found in Romans 6:14
"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."
So, God has been pressing upon me to practice what I preach. He has been showing me through others how much it matters. Our attitudes must be above reproach. How can we teach someone something we do not know? You can be above reproach in your actions, but if your attitude stinks, what good is it?
We should do right, not just because it is right, but because we love the One who calls us to do it.
In 1 Peter 3:15 it tells us;
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
If we have really set apart Christ in our hearts as Lord, then giving and answer as they did in Acts 4:20, will not be hard.
'But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.' verse 16
People are watching. Not really to see how good you are; but watching for a slip up, a crisis, or trouble to come upon you. They are watching your attitude. How you respond, not just to the trials, but to each other.
Jesus said the world would "know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Our love must not come from our heads; it must come from our hearts.
Character could be defined as the attitude of our life. If we are to have Christ's character-which springs from our attitude to reflect our hearts-should not it be above reproach?
To do this may seem impossible, but look again at verse 3 [of 2 Peter 1]. He has provided for your every need. We have to but ask, and he is more than able to deliver. He is Faithful. The question is, are you? Do you want to know him with the same passion of wanting to breath?
'Through our knowledge of him..'
There is a difference between knowing about someone, and truly knowing that person. I want to know him intimately. How about you?
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