On a regular basis we evaluate what jobs we will accomplish that day. Each of us has 24 hours to try to accomplish what is needed. There are so many things that pull at us and DEMAND our attention and time. Sometimes it is a real struggle to know what to do first! There are some things that are obvious...a deadline, an appointment....things that are a commitment. But while we want to show forth excellence, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
Prioritize...this gets your head above water every time.
Try it!
Our job description is not how much we get accomplished, but the way it is accomplished.
We are to show excellence in our endeavors, but foremost our given job description is SALT and LIGHT
These actions and attributes will place us in areas of authority, service, and recognition.
In the natural world as well as the spiritual world, what is sown is reaped.
At times, I find myself being pepper instead of salt. It may be hot but it is not digested.
Our actions should make others thirsty for the good things of God.
When we commit ourselves and our given job/ or duties to the Lord, we will be light.
This action causes blurry to come into focus and darkness to scatter. Fear not...be a light. Everything can be diligently accomplished if you remember and commit to your job description as a child of God.
Remember...we are to be(active verb=action) SALT and LIGHT.
~Debbie
Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Word Parables and Art Parables - Writing Encouragement, Poetry, and Art from the study of God’s Word ~DebbieTurner Chavers
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
And The Winner Is?
Chosen. Most people want to feel special, singled out for notice. The world has many traditions of bringing notice to those they want to honor. Think about how excited people become at the thought of being a star on the red carpet. Red carpet runways usually signify a special occasion. Someone is being honored.
But before the world was made God had already chosen us to belong to Him and to shine in a dark place. The shed blood of Jesus made a royal way for us to walk into the presence of God, the ruler of the Universe. On life's stage, we all have a spotlight to stand in. That light is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
You have the unique ability of sharing what God has done in you and for you through His son, Jesus Christ.
You are a star! And the winner is? Insert your name. Shine...for indeed... we are watching.
~Debbie
1Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
But before the world was made God had already chosen us to belong to Him and to shine in a dark place. The shed blood of Jesus made a royal way for us to walk into the presence of God, the ruler of the Universe. On life's stage, we all have a spotlight to stand in. That light is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
You have the unique ability of sharing what God has done in you and for you through His son, Jesus Christ.
You are a star! And the winner is? Insert your name. Shine...for indeed... we are watching.
~Debbie
1Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Philippians 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Sunday, April 12, 2009
If God asked you a question, what would it be?
I find myself on a busy day sending a quick note or quick question for needed information to those that I know.
I never really considered how often I ask a question. Being a fairly practical person I want to get an answer and bring any subject to completion when dealing with business.
But relationships don't happen that way. And that is the difficult part! There are so many nuances and reasons why people do what they do. And usually they do not give a second thought to any of this! Well, I believe we need too! Have you ever tried to work on a puzzle where one of the pieces is missing or there is a piece that almost fits, but, not quite?
Ugh! This will send me to my knees. Literally. Where is that piece?
That's the way I feel at times dealing with people who make me look for the missing piece in a relationship and look and look and look.
This train of thought was brought about by mulling over some personal issues. Well, like I said...I like completion. So my thoughts were twirling around in my brain sphere with WHY don't they just tell me...why don't they listen?
And then......it happened.
I found the piece I was missing in this puzzle as I lay quietly pondering my WHY"S. I didn't need to keep asking Him questions. My answer was in His question to me!
If God asked you a question, what would it be?
Ask Him.
God what do you want to ask me? I bet the question has something to do with what you are experiencing. I did and His question got right to the heart of the matter! My heart.....my center.
You see...you can't ask for me and I can't ask for you.
But if you ask Him......you might be amazed at His question and your answer.
I asked Him.....Lord what would you ask me?
Go ahead....Ask Him. He loves to tell us His heart.
Debbie
Mark 11:29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
I never really considered how often I ask a question. Being a fairly practical person I want to get an answer and bring any subject to completion when dealing with business.
But relationships don't happen that way. And that is the difficult part! There are so many nuances and reasons why people do what they do. And usually they do not give a second thought to any of this! Well, I believe we need too! Have you ever tried to work on a puzzle where one of the pieces is missing or there is a piece that almost fits, but, not quite?
Ugh! This will send me to my knees. Literally. Where is that piece?
That's the way I feel at times dealing with people who make me look for the missing piece in a relationship and look and look and look.
This train of thought was brought about by mulling over some personal issues. Well, like I said...I like completion. So my thoughts were twirling around in my brain sphere with WHY don't they just tell me...why don't they listen?
And then......it happened.
I found the piece I was missing in this puzzle as I lay quietly pondering my WHY"S. I didn't need to keep asking Him questions. My answer was in His question to me!
If God asked you a question, what would it be?
Ask Him.
God what do you want to ask me? I bet the question has something to do with what you are experiencing. I did and His question got right to the heart of the matter! My heart.....my center.
You see...you can't ask for me and I can't ask for you.
But if you ask Him......you might be amazed at His question and your answer.
I asked Him.....Lord what would you ask me?
Go ahead....Ask Him. He loves to tell us His heart.
Debbie
Mark 11:29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Save the Date
Have you ever prepared a meal and had your guests not show up? Or have you ever made a really great meal and wished there were someone to share it with you? The majority of people like to entertain and commit a lot of time and effort in sharing a meal. Even if the meal is not a feast, the breaking of bread with others is usually a wonderful event. At times we choose to eat alone but the Lord desires to eat with us and has gone to prepare a place and a wonderful meal for us.
I like to eat in my dining room at times and remember meals eaten with others as I sit there. This is usually a good memory, but the other day I saw it in a different light. I sat there eating the simple meal that I had prepared and I realized that none of my loved ones were seated in their appointed chairs. No one on this day showed up for supper, but they all know that they have an open invite to share a meal with me. Some days they take me up on my invitation, but this day I sat alone.
As I contemplated this train of thought I began to think about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Corinthians 11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
I like to eat in my dining room at times and remember meals eaten with others as I sit there. This is usually a good memory, but the other day I saw it in a different light. I sat there eating the simple meal that I had prepared and I realized that none of my loved ones were seated in their appointed chairs. No one on this day showed up for supper, but they all know that they have an open invite to share a meal with me. Some days they take me up on my invitation, but this day I sat alone.
As I contemplated this train of thought I began to think about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
I wondered how the Lord will feel if you and I are not in our appointed seat when the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is seated. He has issued an invitation to Come and Dine. We have received an invitation from the Lord of Hosts to partake of His glory in heaven and be seated in Heavenly places with Him. He left us with the ability to take communion, rejoicing in His shed blood and by His stripes we are healed and can now have forgiveness of our sins and open communication with God.
If for any reason you have not RSVP' d or in modern lingo "Saved the date" for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. What are you waiting for? God loves you and has a place for you. Do not delay. Respond today.
Debbie
Luke 22:19
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Corinthians 11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Onion Layers
Lately I have been searching for more in my everyday exchanges with the Lord. Many years ago I heard someone say that reading and understanding the Bible was like peeling an onion layer by layer.
This thought stuck with me through the years, so it was not surprising to me for the Lord to use an onion skin to make a point with me.
I look for active ways to live my life in Him to the fullest and yet on some days it all seems pointless....to my flesh.... all my striving to love others as He loves me.
And yet there is that onion thing!
If you reach out regularly to be a blessing to others, you probably get discouraged. I know that I become discouraged! At times it is a real struggle to keep moving forward in my love walk.
Recently someone I love dearly, threw years of love and care away.
I cried, then I got angry, and then I surrendered.
I surrended the thing I had given and placed it in my Father's lap.
As I sat tearfully before the Lord, listening to praise music, I noticed a piece of onion skin nearby.
An onion skin?
Well, all I can tell you is that God spoke to my heart with that layer of onion skin.
I was reminded that my walk came in layers also and that I needed to peel back another layer to get to the heart of the matter.
I saw that another layer of my walk with Him was to worship Him even as I felt sorrow.
So I perceive that....my walk with God is in layers too, just like the onion.
Because it seems that layers are peeled away as I seek Him and His way.
An onions odor seems to get stronger as you peel it and get to the core.
I pray that my layers and yours will have the sweet odor(to exhibit the peculiar characteristics ) of Christ as we learn how to live this life, layer by layer.
Debbie
2Corinthians 2:15
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
New Living Translation
Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing:
Galations 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galations 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
This thought stuck with me through the years, so it was not surprising to me for the Lord to use an onion skin to make a point with me.
I look for active ways to live my life in Him to the fullest and yet on some days it all seems pointless....to my flesh.... all my striving to love others as He loves me.
And yet there is that onion thing!
If you reach out regularly to be a blessing to others, you probably get discouraged. I know that I become discouraged! At times it is a real struggle to keep moving forward in my love walk.
Recently someone I love dearly, threw years of love and care away.
I cried, then I got angry, and then I surrendered.
I surrended the thing I had given and placed it in my Father's lap.
As I sat tearfully before the Lord, listening to praise music, I noticed a piece of onion skin nearby.
An onion skin?
Well, all I can tell you is that God spoke to my heart with that layer of onion skin.
I was reminded that my walk came in layers also and that I needed to peel back another layer to get to the heart of the matter.
I saw that another layer of my walk with Him was to worship Him even as I felt sorrow.
So I perceive that....my walk with God is in layers too, just like the onion.
Because it seems that layers are peeled away as I seek Him and His way.
An onions odor seems to get stronger as you peel it and get to the core.
I pray that my layers and yours will have the sweet odor(to exhibit the peculiar characteristics ) of Christ as we learn how to live this life, layer by layer.
Debbie
2Corinthians 2:15
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
New Living Translation
Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those being saved and by those perishing:
Galations 6:9
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galations 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Look for Beauty
Today I want to encourage you to look for beauty around you. It is easy to perceive the negative and yet there are examples of God's goodness and beauty all around us. Beauty is like a smile to your soul. Scripture tells us to think on good things or things of beauty. Beauty is not just the obvious of face and form, yet can be found in kindness, honesty, flowers in unexpected places, a smile instead of a frown. This is a generalization but you understand what I mean.
Life has a way of throwing rocks in your path. I'm asking you to pick them up and build something great with them. Look at them as free resources! You know... lemons make lemonade.
You are a smart person, well able to make a positive out of the not so positive.
Life is calling and there IS beauty all around you. Look for it.
Debbie
Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Life has a way of throwing rocks in your path. I'm asking you to pick them up and build something great with them. Look at them as free resources! You know... lemons make lemonade.
You are a smart person, well able to make a positive out of the not so positive.
Life is calling and there IS beauty all around you. Look for it.
Debbie
Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)