I suffer from prayerlessness, sometimes because I sin and I am either too ashamed or too stubborn to approach the throne of God. I am also afraid that when I pray , I might be doing it the wrong way.
I am trying to change this habit as prayer can ultimately help me grow in my walk with the Lord.
What's the right way to pray? As woman's author/teacher Elizabeth George wrote, " There is no right or wrong way to pray....except not to pray!" Therefore I shouldn't let my thoughts that I am praying the wrong wat stop me from praying.
God's Word tells me that I must pray for anything, and I must believe what I am praying! ( Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14). I must pray with boldness and confidence because of my faith in Christ ( Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16). I must pray at all times ( Ephesians 6:18). I must make my requests known to God and I must not be anxious about anything ( Philippians 4:6)! I must pray wherever I am without anger or quarreling ( 1 Timothy 2:8). And I must pray for others ( James 5:16).
With these verses and commands I am ready to start the journey of a life dedicated to prayer!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Proverbs and Extreme Devotion
So yesterday I finished going through the book of Proverbs. I learned a lot! I learned about wisdom, laziness, discipline and what is an excellent woman! In the next few weeks I'll share what I have been learning.
I also recently started going through Extreme Devotion from the Voice of Martyrs, each day I read about people who have suffered for their faith. As I read on a realize how I want the same faith that the various people have, I want to have a faith that is willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus Christ! Today I read about Rachel Scott, she was a Christian teenager who was killed at the Coloumbine High School shooting because she was willing to stand up for her faith even if it meant death! I highly recommend this book of devotions!
God Bless!
Janelle L.C.
I also recently started going through Extreme Devotion from the Voice of Martyrs, each day I read about people who have suffered for their faith. As I read on a realize how I want the same faith that the various people have, I want to have a faith that is willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus Christ! Today I read about Rachel Scott, she was a Christian teenager who was killed at the Coloumbine High School shooting because she was willing to stand up for her faith even if it meant death! I highly recommend this book of devotions!
God Bless!
Janelle L.C.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Trusting God
About a week ago my mom asked me if I wanted to go back to public school next year. I instantly said yes, the only problem was my dad was not to sure about it.
My mom told me to pray about it. I did, but instead of asking God if this is what He wants me to do, I begged Him to let me go back.
Two days ago I came across these well-known verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Isaiah 55:8-9- " ' For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
Jeremiah 29:11- "' For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, ' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"
I had not been trusting in God and had been leaning on my own understanding. I never stopped to think that maybe God's plan for me is to be home schooled for my senior year and that His ways are completely different to my ways. So I prayed about it and I finally have peace about what I am going to do next year.
Trust the Lord
My mom told me to pray about it. I did, but instead of asking God if this is what He wants me to do, I begged Him to let me go back.
Two days ago I came across these well-known verses:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Isaiah 55:8-9- " ' For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
Jeremiah 29:11- "' For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, ' plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"
I had not been trusting in God and had been leaning on my own understanding. I never stopped to think that maybe God's plan for me is to be home schooled for my senior year and that His ways are completely different to my ways. So I prayed about it and I finally have peace about what I am going to do next year.
Trust the Lord
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Passion Week : Wednesday
Today I will be sharing about Wednesday of Passion Week.( Matthew 26:3-5, 14-16; Mark 14:1-2, 10-11; Luke 22:1-6)
The chief priests and elders plot to kill Jesus. Judas bargains with the chief priests and tries to find an opportunity to betray Jesus. He was promised money in exchange for Jesus.
I know today's post is short, but tomorrow I am looking forward to sharing about Thursday, The Last Supper !
Bye for now!
Janelle L.C.
The chief priests and elders plot to kill Jesus. Judas bargains with the chief priests and tries to find an opportunity to betray Jesus. He was promised money in exchange for Jesus.
I know today's post is short, but tomorrow I am looking forward to sharing about Thursday, The Last Supper !
Bye for now!
Janelle L.C.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Passion Week : Monday and Tuesday
So yesterday I said I was going to spend this week concentrating on the events of Passion week. Yesterday I shared about Jesus' Triumphal Entry that happened a week before His resurrection. Today I will be sharing about Monday and Tuesday of Passion week.
Monday: ( Matthew 21:12-13, 18-19; Mark 11:12-17; Luke 19:45-46)
Jesus cleanses the temple by overturning the tables in the temple. He drove the sellers out of the temple. He quotes Isaiah 56:6 and Jeremiah 7:11. Jesus curses the fig tree.
Tuesday: ( Mark 11:20-25; Matthew 21:23-23:39)
The apostles see the withered fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. The Pharisees try to challenge Jesus' authority. Jesus then tells them the parable of the two sons. Jesus tells them the parable of the landowner . Jesus tells them the parable of the marriage feast. They try to test Him by trying to get Him to tell them not to pay their taxes but instead he tells them to pay their taxes. The Sadducees try to test Him again by using the example of a woman who is married and her husband dies and he has 6 brothers she marries the second one and he dies basically she marries all 7 but they each die and then she dies and they ask which will she be married to in Heaven and He tells them that there is no marriage in Heaven. The Pharisees ask Him which is the greatest law of all. His reply is ," ' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ' You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Christ exposes Pharisaim to be a fraud. he then gives the Pharisees and the Scribes the 8 woes . Jesus again prophesies the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem.
Tomorrow I will studying about Wednesday of Passion week.
Bye for now!
Janelle L.C.
Monday: ( Matthew 21:12-13, 18-19; Mark 11:12-17; Luke 19:45-46)
Jesus cleanses the temple by overturning the tables in the temple. He drove the sellers out of the temple. He quotes Isaiah 56:6 and Jeremiah 7:11. Jesus curses the fig tree.
Tuesday: ( Mark 11:20-25; Matthew 21:23-23:39)
The apostles see the withered fig tree that Jesus cursed the day before. The Pharisees try to challenge Jesus' authority. Jesus then tells them the parable of the two sons. Jesus tells them the parable of the landowner . Jesus tells them the parable of the marriage feast. They try to test Him by trying to get Him to tell them not to pay their taxes but instead he tells them to pay their taxes. The Sadducees try to test Him again by using the example of a woman who is married and her husband dies and he has 6 brothers she marries the second one and he dies basically she marries all 7 but they each die and then she dies and they ask which will she be married to in Heaven and He tells them that there is no marriage in Heaven. The Pharisees ask Him which is the greatest law of all. His reply is ," ' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ' You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
Christ exposes Pharisaim to be a fraud. he then gives the Pharisees and the Scribes the 8 woes . Jesus again prophesies the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem.
Tomorrow I will studying about Wednesday of Passion week.
Bye for now!
Janelle L.C.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Passion Week : Sunday - Jesus's Triumphal Entry
So for this week I have decided to dedicate it to sharing what I am learning about Passion Week, and especially Jesus' Crucifixion and Ressurrection. I thought it would be fitting this week that in addition to my quiet time I also read what all four gospels have to say about Passion week.
The first day is Sunday, a week before Jesus' ressurrection.
(Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10 ; Luke 19:28-44 ; John 12: 12- 19.)
This day is known as Palm Sunday because this was the day that Jesus made His triumphal entry through Jerusalem.
It is referred to as Palm Sunday because in all four gospels it tells us that the people placed branches in the street. John 12:13 tell us more specifically that they were palm branches. Just as His birth took place in the humblest of places. so was the animal that He rode because usually when I think of a king I think of him riding a majestic horse. But the King of kings rode on a humble donkey which is also known as "the beast of burden" ! This was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. At first the apostles did not understand what was happening.
The crowd that was worshipping Him and rejoicing Him would also be the same crowd, days later, that would order His Crucifixion! During our Lord's triumphal entry the pharisees tell Jesus to tell the apostles to stop praising Him. Jesus replies to them saying that if the apostles and the crowds were made silent the stones on the street would weep! Jesus then also prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem. The pharisees become jealous and angry at Jesus.
I look forward to the week ahead !
Bye for now!
Janelle L. C.
The first day is Sunday, a week before Jesus' ressurrection.
(Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10 ; Luke 19:28-44 ; John 12: 12- 19.)
This day is known as Palm Sunday because this was the day that Jesus made His triumphal entry through Jerusalem.
It is referred to as Palm Sunday because in all four gospels it tells us that the people placed branches in the street. John 12:13 tell us more specifically that they were palm branches. Just as His birth took place in the humblest of places. so was the animal that He rode because usually when I think of a king I think of him riding a majestic horse. But the King of kings rode on a humble donkey which is also known as "the beast of burden" ! This was to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. At first the apostles did not understand what was happening.
The crowd that was worshipping Him and rejoicing Him would also be the same crowd, days later, that would order His Crucifixion! During our Lord's triumphal entry the pharisees tell Jesus to tell the apostles to stop praising Him. Jesus replies to them saying that if the apostles and the crowds were made silent the stones on the street would weep! Jesus then also prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem. The pharisees become jealous and angry at Jesus.
I look forward to the week ahead !
Bye for now!
Janelle L. C.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
What I learnt from Psalms 11-15
This is a continuation of my study on the book of Psalms and how it applies to me that I started last Thursday .
Psalm 11:
God is my Refuge. Those who are wicked hate believers. It also talks about temptation and how I can, will, and have been tempted. If I allow the devil to succeed, my foundation in Christ is destroyed. God tests my faith in order to make it stronger. God does not like the ungodly. verse 6 talks about the judgement of the wicked. I must have righteousness as God is righteous and He loves righteousness.
Psalm 12:
Those who are godly are rare. There are those who say they are godly yet they still live in the world. God does not like flattery, especially if it is false flattery. The ungodly do not see their own wrongs. God will keep me safe. Everything about God is pure, while I am impure. The ungodly are the pretenders.
Psalm 13:
If I sin and continue to sin ultimately God will give me over to that sin ( see Romans 1:24-32). But if I acknowledge and abandon my sin, God will forgive me. God can take my life from me me when He so chooses. I must put all my trust in Him. I must rejoice in His salvation. I must worship Him.
Psalm 14:
Those who don't believe in Christ are foolish. Those who do wrong to the believers and do not repent of their wrongdoing must be in dread of the Lord. God is my refuge.
Psalm 15:
I believe in Christ therefoe I have become a citizen of Heaven. As a citizen of Heaven , I must not have anything bad come out of my mouth. I must do evil to anyone. I mujst not shun my friends. I must honor those who fear the Lord, and I must also honor authority even if they are not believers. I must not swear oathes that I can not keep. I must not take bribes against others.
I am looking forward to sharing more about what I am learning from God's Word in the coming weeks, months and Lord willing , years.
Bye for now
Janelle L. C
Psalm 11:
God is my Refuge. Those who are wicked hate believers. It also talks about temptation and how I can, will, and have been tempted. If I allow the devil to succeed, my foundation in Christ is destroyed. God tests my faith in order to make it stronger. God does not like the ungodly. verse 6 talks about the judgement of the wicked. I must have righteousness as God is righteous and He loves righteousness.
Psalm 12:
Those who are godly are rare. There are those who say they are godly yet they still live in the world. God does not like flattery, especially if it is false flattery. The ungodly do not see their own wrongs. God will keep me safe. Everything about God is pure, while I am impure. The ungodly are the pretenders.
Psalm 13:
If I sin and continue to sin ultimately God will give me over to that sin ( see Romans 1:24-32). But if I acknowledge and abandon my sin, God will forgive me. God can take my life from me me when He so chooses. I must put all my trust in Him. I must rejoice in His salvation. I must worship Him.
Psalm 14:
Those who don't believe in Christ are foolish. Those who do wrong to the believers and do not repent of their wrongdoing must be in dread of the Lord. God is my refuge.
Psalm 15:
I believe in Christ therefoe I have become a citizen of Heaven. As a citizen of Heaven , I must not have anything bad come out of my mouth. I must do evil to anyone. I mujst not shun my friends. I must honor those who fear the Lord, and I must also honor authority even if they are not believers. I must not swear oathes that I can not keep. I must not take bribes against others.
I am looking forward to sharing more about what I am learning from God's Word in the coming weeks, months and Lord willing , years.
Bye for now
Janelle L. C
Sunday, April 10, 2011
What I learnt from Psalms 1-10
On Thursday I decided to do a study on the book of Psalms. I managed to get through the first 10 Psalms.
Here are some notes I took on them and how they apply to my life:
Psalm 1:
I must not be friends with the wicked,(for example: Hollywood, etertainment in general, but not all of it there is some entertainment out there that is good.) but this also doesn't mean I can't be friendly to them. I must to meditate on God's Word, if I do this I will produce the fruits of my "labour". I will prosper if I do this. The wicked are condemned. I am to follow the path of righteousness as I will perish if I follow the way of the wicked. (for example: most of today's top entertainment stars.)
Psalm 2:
Mankind takes counsel against the Lord. God mocks those who are evil. 2:7-9 talks about Christ. I am to worship and rejoice God. Those who are unsaved must ask Christ into their hearts so that His wrath for us will fade, and that I can find refuge in Him!
Psalm 3:
It talks about how the Lord prtotects us.
3:8- " This is a broad sweeping, all-inclusive deliverance, whether in the temporal or eternal realm." ( The MacArthur Study Bible) The Lord sustains us. I must not be afraid of mankind as the Lord will deliver me no matter what, whether it means protecting me or taking my life to be with Him in Heaven.
Psalm 4:
Talks about how unbelievers love what is worthless and deceptive. God hears the godly. I must meditate on the His Word. I must trust the Lord at all times. God alone keeps me safe from harm and gives me peace.
Psalm 5:
God hates evil, no evil dwells in Him. He hates boasting and troublemakers as well as murderers. Believers experience His lovingkindness. God can choose to take an evil man's life, actually anyone's life. God blesses and shields those who are righteous.
Psalm 6:
The Lord rebukes me when I anger Him, usually in the form of someone whom I have sinned against or is an authority. The Lord is gracious to me. He can heal us, but sometimes He doesn't as our death is all a part of His plan and His plan might be helping someone through that. The Lord loves me and He won't let my soul go weary if I follow Him, and don't sin. Sinners don't give Him thanks now, so therefore in hell there will be no thanks given to God. God listens to my prayers and my tears if I just let Him.
Psalm 7:
The Lord is my only true Protection. God does allow things to happen to me when I don't follow Him. Also when we disobey or choose the wrong path I experience the consequences and ultimately I need to go through that in order to learn that that is wrong. God is a righteous and just God. He is my sheild, He saves the righteous. I must give Him thanks and praises for all He does for me.
Psalm 8:
All of nature that I see was made and hand-crafted by God. He is the ultimate, most awesome Artist of all time! He crafted and moulded and shaped everything in nature and the universe! God thinks highly of us as He put mankind as overseers of His creation. His Name is truly majestic in all the earth, whether it is in the forests, cities, mountains, deserts and seas!
Psalm 9:
I must give thanks to God with all my heart. I must sing His praises, I must tell others of His wonders. I must exalt Him! Sinners will perish. God is the ultimate Judge. God can destroy nations and blot out their names forever. ( Read the book of Joshua)
The Lord is eternal! He judges righteously. The Lord is my Safehouse in my times of trouble. If I know Him, I must put my trust in Him, He will not forsake me if i seek Him. I must declare God's good deeds to the whole world. He does not forget the afflicted. He does not forget the needy. He gives me hope. I must fear the Lord.
Psalm 10:
Sinners boast and those who are greedy curse God. They thin that there is no God. God does not forget those going through hard times. God helps those in need. The Lord is the Almighty, Most Holy, King of Kings! The Lord strenthens and hears the heart of the humble. There will come a day when there willbe no more evil to cause terror in the earth.
I hope that in the next few weeks I will be able to share more about what I am learning from the book of Psalms.
Bye for now!
Janelle.
Here are some notes I took on them and how they apply to my life:
Psalm 1:
I must not be friends with the wicked,(for example: Hollywood, etertainment in general, but not all of it there is some entertainment out there that is good.) but this also doesn't mean I can't be friendly to them. I must to meditate on God's Word, if I do this I will produce the fruits of my "labour". I will prosper if I do this. The wicked are condemned. I am to follow the path of righteousness as I will perish if I follow the way of the wicked. (for example: most of today's top entertainment stars.)
Psalm 2:
Mankind takes counsel against the Lord. God mocks those who are evil. 2:7-9 talks about Christ. I am to worship and rejoice God. Those who are unsaved must ask Christ into their hearts so that His wrath for us will fade, and that I can find refuge in Him!
Psalm 3:
It talks about how the Lord prtotects us.
3:8- " This is a broad sweeping, all-inclusive deliverance, whether in the temporal or eternal realm." ( The MacArthur Study Bible) The Lord sustains us. I must not be afraid of mankind as the Lord will deliver me no matter what, whether it means protecting me or taking my life to be with Him in Heaven.
Psalm 4:
Talks about how unbelievers love what is worthless and deceptive. God hears the godly. I must meditate on the His Word. I must trust the Lord at all times. God alone keeps me safe from harm and gives me peace.
Psalm 5:
God hates evil, no evil dwells in Him. He hates boasting and troublemakers as well as murderers. Believers experience His lovingkindness. God can choose to take an evil man's life, actually anyone's life. God blesses and shields those who are righteous.
Psalm 6:
The Lord rebukes me when I anger Him, usually in the form of someone whom I have sinned against or is an authority. The Lord is gracious to me. He can heal us, but sometimes He doesn't as our death is all a part of His plan and His plan might be helping someone through that. The Lord loves me and He won't let my soul go weary if I follow Him, and don't sin. Sinners don't give Him thanks now, so therefore in hell there will be no thanks given to God. God listens to my prayers and my tears if I just let Him.
Psalm 7:
The Lord is my only true Protection. God does allow things to happen to me when I don't follow Him. Also when we disobey or choose the wrong path I experience the consequences and ultimately I need to go through that in order to learn that that is wrong. God is a righteous and just God. He is my sheild, He saves the righteous. I must give Him thanks and praises for all He does for me.
Psalm 8:
All of nature that I see was made and hand-crafted by God. He is the ultimate, most awesome Artist of all time! He crafted and moulded and shaped everything in nature and the universe! God thinks highly of us as He put mankind as overseers of His creation. His Name is truly majestic in all the earth, whether it is in the forests, cities, mountains, deserts and seas!
Psalm 9:
I must give thanks to God with all my heart. I must sing His praises, I must tell others of His wonders. I must exalt Him! Sinners will perish. God is the ultimate Judge. God can destroy nations and blot out their names forever. ( Read the book of Joshua)
The Lord is eternal! He judges righteously. The Lord is my Safehouse in my times of trouble. If I know Him, I must put my trust in Him, He will not forsake me if i seek Him. I must declare God's good deeds to the whole world. He does not forget the afflicted. He does not forget the needy. He gives me hope. I must fear the Lord.
Psalm 10:
Sinners boast and those who are greedy curse God. They thin that there is no God. God does not forget those going through hard times. God helps those in need. The Lord is the Almighty, Most Holy, King of Kings! The Lord strenthens and hears the heart of the humble. There will come a day when there willbe no more evil to cause terror in the earth.
I hope that in the next few weeks I will be able to share more about what I am learning from the book of Psalms.
Bye for now!
Janelle.
Friday, April 1, 2011
10 Ways To Get Over Boy Craziness. ( From Lies Young Women Believe)
These 10 things are not my own but are from a book a recently finished called Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh. I like these ways to get over boy craziness because I know how obsessed I can be when I become boy crazy. And instead of putting God first in my life , as we should, I start putting some guy first, usually someone who isn't even a Christian. So today I am going to start these 10 ways of getting over boy craziness:
1. Write love letters to God.
2. Create a list of great books and movies that don't fuel impure thoughts and romance.
3. Hang out with friends who aren't boy crazy .
4. Invest time in the "man of your life" - your dad.
5. Exercise or get involved in sports.
6. Get a mentor to talk about it.
7. Write a list of your future husband's qualities.
8. Begin a journal to your future husband.
9. Read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot.
10. Go on a mission trip ( if you can!).
I highly recommend Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh. It is very eye-opening as it uncovers 25 of the most popular lies young women are most likely to believe. Quite a lot of them I know I have believed and even now still sometimes believe them!
1. Write love letters to God.
2. Create a list of great books and movies that don't fuel impure thoughts and romance.
3. Hang out with friends who aren't boy crazy .
4. Invest time in the "man of your life" - your dad.
5. Exercise or get involved in sports.
6. Get a mentor to talk about it.
7. Write a list of your future husband's qualities.
8. Begin a journal to your future husband.
9. Read Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot.
10. Go on a mission trip ( if you can!).
I highly recommend Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh. It is very eye-opening as it uncovers 25 of the most popular lies young women are most likely to believe. Quite a lot of them I know I have believed and even now still sometimes believe them!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What I Learned in Youth: 7 Ways to be A Great Learner! ( based on the book of Proverbs)
Last night at youth was our last Bible study on the book of Proverbs. The guest speaker shared with us 7 ways to be a great learner, based on the book of Proverbs. First he talked about Proverbs 20:18, which says: " Prepare plans by consultation, ( in other words by seeking advice) And make war by wise guidance."
The reason why we don't seek advice is the fact that we are fools!
He then went on with the list of 7 ways to be a great learner:
1. Get curious!
Proverbs 1:1-3
You gotta want it, and you gotta get it!
12:15 : " The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
If we are wise we seek counsel.
Start asking questions!
1:4 - talks about teenagers.
We will gain wisdom once we start acknowledging that we don't know everything.
2. Grow up !
1:5-6
Once we do this, we start the process of gaining wisdom.
3. Fear the Lord!
Proverbs is all about wisdom . Non-Christians also fear God , but their fear is completely different to how we as Christians fear the Lord.
1:7 says it! " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The more we know about God, the more we fear Him, which is the basis of wisdom.
4. Be humble!
9:11-12
It is not about you.
God owns us.
We don't need to share our wisdom with the whole world!
15:33
To be honored, we must first be humble!
5. Listen to your parents!
This means we should listen and obey them whether they are saved or not.
1:8; 1:10; 1:15; 2:1-2; 3:1; 3:11; 3:21; 4:1-4; 4:10; 4:20; 5:1; 5:7; 5:20; 6:1; 6:20; 7:1 etc. All the way through Proverbs.
Have grown up conversations with your parents.
6. Shut your mouth and listen!
7:5 ; Ecclesiastes 10:12-14.
18:13, " He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him."
We mustn't interrupt , we must listen , and pay attention.
7. Look for trouble!
1:22-30
There are 2 main things from this passage:
- If we don't seek trouble - destruction
- If we do seek trouble - reproof.
And we need a lot of reproof!
3:11; 6:23; 13:1; 15:5; 15:12; 15:31; 17:10 etc.
12:1 , "Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Yes, the Bible says that if we don't like being corrected we are stupid.
Therefore the pathway to wisdom is not easy!
The reason why we don't seek advice is the fact that we are fools!
He then went on with the list of 7 ways to be a great learner:
1. Get curious!
Proverbs 1:1-3
You gotta want it, and you gotta get it!
12:15 : " The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel."
If we are wise we seek counsel.
Start asking questions!
1:4 - talks about teenagers.
We will gain wisdom once we start acknowledging that we don't know everything.
2. Grow up !
1:5-6
Once we do this, we start the process of gaining wisdom.
3. Fear the Lord!
Proverbs is all about wisdom . Non-Christians also fear God , but their fear is completely different to how we as Christians fear the Lord.
1:7 says it! " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The more we know about God, the more we fear Him, which is the basis of wisdom.
4. Be humble!
9:11-12
It is not about you.
God owns us.
We don't need to share our wisdom with the whole world!
15:33
To be honored, we must first be humble!
5. Listen to your parents!
This means we should listen and obey them whether they are saved or not.
1:8; 1:10; 1:15; 2:1-2; 3:1; 3:11; 3:21; 4:1-4; 4:10; 4:20; 5:1; 5:7; 5:20; 6:1; 6:20; 7:1 etc. All the way through Proverbs.
Have grown up conversations with your parents.
6. Shut your mouth and listen!
7:5 ; Ecclesiastes 10:12-14.
18:13, " He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him."
We mustn't interrupt , we must listen , and pay attention.
7. Look for trouble!
1:22-30
There are 2 main things from this passage:
- If we don't seek trouble - destruction
- If we do seek trouble - reproof.
And we need a lot of reproof!
3:11; 6:23; 13:1; 15:5; 15:12; 15:31; 17:10 etc.
12:1 , "Whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."
Yes, the Bible says that if we don't like being corrected we are stupid.
Therefore the pathway to wisdom is not easy!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
10 Things I am Going to do to Stop Procrastination and Laziness
Last night at youth we heard about the Sluggard that is mentioned in Proverbs , and how each of us as acted like a sluggard at one point or another.
In our small groups we were talking about laziness and also how most of us has a problem with procrastination.
This morning during my devotions I came up with a list of 10 things I am going to do to stop laziness and procrastination in their tracks.
1. Pray!
2. Remember that whatever work I have to do , I must do it to bring honour and glory to God.
3. Read my Bible ( especially the book of Proverbs which talks a lot about the sluggard).
4. I must concentrate on the task I am doing .
5. PROCRASTINATION = STRESS , and I do not like or even want to be stressed!
6. Work is more important than watching TV or Facebook
7. If I am asked to do something , I must stop whatever else I'm doing and do it ( if it is a short-term task), so that once I complete the task I can get back to doing whatever I was doing before I was asked to do the task.
8. Remind myself of the affects of being a sluggard ( annoys people, unreasonable, unreliable , sleeps , makes excuses , thinks they are more wise but they are actually more foolish , also could end up in poverty, a lot more in Proverbs)
9. DO NOT HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON, ( OR DO NOT TURN OFF THE ALARM CLOCK AND GET BACK INTO BED!) DON'T BE A SLUGGARD!!! ( this is one we discussed in our small groups)
10. I must ask my self this question if I feel a bit of laziness coming on :" As a believer I am supposed to be like Christ, and Christ was never lazy , so why am I ? "
With these 10 things I am sure I will combat laziness!
Bye for now !
In our small groups we were talking about laziness and also how most of us has a problem with procrastination.
This morning during my devotions I came up with a list of 10 things I am going to do to stop laziness and procrastination in their tracks.
1. Pray!
2. Remember that whatever work I have to do , I must do it to bring honour and glory to God.
3. Read my Bible ( especially the book of Proverbs which talks a lot about the sluggard).
4. I must concentrate on the task I am doing .
5. PROCRASTINATION = STRESS , and I do not like or even want to be stressed!
6. Work is more important than watching TV or Facebook
7. If I am asked to do something , I must stop whatever else I'm doing and do it ( if it is a short-term task), so that once I complete the task I can get back to doing whatever I was doing before I was asked to do the task.
8. Remind myself of the affects of being a sluggard ( annoys people, unreasonable, unreliable , sleeps , makes excuses , thinks they are more wise but they are actually more foolish , also could end up in poverty, a lot more in Proverbs)
9. DO NOT HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON, ( OR DO NOT TURN OFF THE ALARM CLOCK AND GET BACK INTO BED!) DON'T BE A SLUGGARD!!! ( this is one we discussed in our small groups)
10. I must ask my self this question if I feel a bit of laziness coming on :" As a believer I am supposed to be like Christ, and Christ was never lazy , so why am I ? "
With these 10 things I am sure I will combat laziness!
Bye for now !
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Good Beginnings
This week I decided that instead of watching hours of TV , I was going to limit myself to watch no more than one hour a day . Instead of watching TV I will spend more time doing devotions and praying . I am also only listening to Christian Contemporary music , which has a much a better meaning than most of the world's secular music today!
I have already started reaping some of the benefits of spending more time "with" God. I have noticed that I am not snapping as much at my family as I used to and that once I start reading my Bible I don't want to stop !
A reason why I called this blog Seeking To Be A Teenage Girl After God's Own Heart is that I do want to be a teenage girl after God's Own Heart . The name also comes from a book by Mrs Elizabeth George called A Young Woman After God's Own Heart.
Bye for now !
I have already started reaping some of the benefits of spending more time "with" God. I have noticed that I am not snapping as much at my family as I used to and that once I start reading my Bible I don't want to stop !
A reason why I called this blog Seeking To Be A Teenage Girl After God's Own Heart is that I do want to be a teenage girl after God's Own Heart . The name also comes from a book by Mrs Elizabeth George called A Young Woman After God's Own Heart.
Bye for now !
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