B90 Day 32 Encourager - A Must Read

I have had a lot of great new lessons lately to grow in. But this last week was such a great time learning in God. I have just been in awe of Him over this last week as He speaks and moves personally in my life and watching Him in my little ones. Over the weekend I was reminded that as we learn daily we can learn from anyone and really anything. Right, I knew that. I guess I just needed to be reminded. Over the weekend I sat and listened to my youngest speak the words from the Lord during her prayer. You see each night typically daddy or myself will do the praying over our children.

This last week each of them have begun a curiosity of prayer. So they each have been asking to say a prayer. For the most part they usually need a gist of help but my youngest, she insisted on no help that she knew what needed to be said and she really did. She called out specifics, individuals and coverd every need that was unknown to her.

She is almost 3 (sibs 4 & soon to be 5) yet at times she and her sibs may speak a much bigger language then themself - I beleive that is meant for Gods purposes. :). My oldest was the same way. But on this particular night, it seemed the Lord wanted my full attention [Well needless to say, He Had it!] He used her as a reminder to me of what He has done in my past, what He can and will do for our future and who He can and will use to teach us daily. [From the mouths of babes, I warn you always "Listen"]

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Psalm 8: 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

Matthew 21: 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, " 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise?"
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You see there is nothing that is too big for our father. He sees tomorrow before tomorrow is even here. So in the midst of our growing we should always have faith and trust in the Lord. "He is who He says He is, He will do what He says He is going to do!"

I'm just gonna come right out and say it, "I care about you and your circumstances, But there IS NO EXCUSE for slacking in learning from the LORD." Big slap in the face, I know, I felt that twice this week. OUCH! There really is no excuse for our slacking.

The truth is, in this day and age, We live in a busy society. Easily to be side tracked. WE get up start our day with teeth brushing, showers, breakfast, off to work we go or school, Lunch, small break in between, head home from work, any practices or errands, dinner, teeth brushing, Pj and evening showers for the kiddos, off to bed.

During this time, Where did we make room for time with our Father individually and as a family?

[ I am reminded of a poem that is floating somewhere out there that simply is almost like the Lord sits standing aside of us daily, Patiently waiting as we get up, shower, brush our teeth, eat our meals, head out the door, come home, do our errands - practices and games, Dinner, head off to bed. We are so busy we dont even speak a word to Him all day long and we are so exhausted to even get in a nightly prayer in. Yet we wonder why our circumstances are so difficult or why we struggle in this life! - Yet He still waits patiently on us and loving each of us unconditionally!]

I can name excuses that I have heard and even said myself! [ex:] I will make time on break at work to read my bible, I will pray in my vehicle as I head out, I will make time before bed time to read and pray, I will say a brief prayer or read at kids nap times [that sometimes never happens because the kids wont nap], O but I have little ones or a baby in the house, God understands I have no time right now... - I will... I will... I will... I have no time because... You fill in the blanks.

Would you still be waiting patiently, loving unconditionally - if the role was reversed? [Truthfully I dont see it happening]

Time with our father consists of not just reading his word. [been guilty of that one many times with little kids running around the house, I bet I used every excuse in the book!]
Reality check - First off, I have been there and done that lots of times and I even had 3 babies back to back that shed a little light on what it would be like with triplets. [So you know, I used every excuse that came about and was ever probably printed in a book to get out of doing this or that.]

There is simply no excuse as to why we are not making any effort giving Him our time we need to grow in Him, Trusting Him, Having Faith with Him. Remember our walk with Him is built on a relationship. Relationships are not just about one person doing all the talking, listening, planning and etc. We have a relationship to build with our Father and now is the time a very important time at that to get the building going and accurate!

[ I think alot of times we are just simply too afraid to give in this relationship, We feel like we must have some sort if not all of the control!]

Truthfully, I felt convicted. Using our kids as an excuse is simply wrong. I would rank that as close as a sin. I say that because God gave us our children - Dont we think - if we would just give Him our days, Surrendering everything and everyone, Dont we think that He would not provide time in our days for us so that we could be with Him? HELLO, He is our creator, He created days and nights! I do believe that He would make time for us so that we could find rest in Him and sit at His feet and spend time in His presence. [Thats not alot to ask for and that is all He is asking. Time, Faith, Trust In Him is not to much to ask for, we would ask for the same thing in our relationships, Right!

The hardest part for each of us is SURRENDERING OUR DAY, OUR SCHEDULES, OUR LIFE PERIOD. Again, this is in a huge relation to FAITH and TRUST!

You see, God wants us to have the very best of everything. But sometimes getting the very best is going to cost. So what does that mean for you and me. It simply means that we will endure much in this life in order to get where God wants us and to receive what He has waited so long to give to us. This is all apart of the GROWING process. WE have to grow in order to understand His ways and why they are best for our life.
WE simply can not get something for nothing! So often that is what many want to think and choose to believe.

In a sense, He is like a child that waits patiently yet impatiently to give or receive from another. I can picture Him almost jumping up and down, hooting and hollaring for each of us as He cheers us on during this journey! Can you hear Him shouting? - "Hold On my child, Your almost there! - "You can do this, I know you can do this!" "Keep going, Keep going!" "I am here, I am here - We will run this race together!"

I am sure He has much to say from the sidelines as we run this race in life. Aren't we so blessed to have such a caring loving father, WHO IS ALWAYS there in time of our need!

So what have I learned this week, I am, [along with my family] WE are beginning a step forward in to the unknown. We dont know what is ahead but God does. Now will be a time of more FAITH growing, TRUSTING in Him and Standing with Him as we move forward.

We have faced just about everything you can think of over the course of the last few years. Most difficult is Finances. Many are facing the same thing right now. I want to encourage you to walk forward in to the unknown. That means Getting out of our comfort zone - Get out of our boat and walk on the stormy waters and take hold of Christs hand. Can We Do This? Yes - I believe we can!

Check Note: Ask yourself this- Is God in charge of My heart, My mind, My career and My finances? Does He have Total and Full control over everything we are doing in our day? If the answer is No, Then now is the time to set things straight.

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Psalm 32:8 [niv] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. [ref: Psalm121:1-2]
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As I close this to you today, I want to encourage you- No matter where you are in this bible challenge- What the Lord has been instructing you to do or If you havent heard from Him at all. Its time to sit down and check ourself.

Are we really doing what ever He asks us to do? Are we willing to make sacrifices where needed and when? Do we really make the attempt to have time with Him and Listen for His Directions before making our own plans?

If you are struggling with hearing from Him there are one of many reasons, Why! It may be your to busy to give Him your complete attention and focus on Him. [Sometimes we do this knowing and unknowingly] Maybe you have been trying to focus on Him - chances are you are trying to hard. [in this case go to Him with your word open, say a simple prayer like - Lord, I need your help, Please open my eyes and ears so that I might see you and hear your voice when you call.- Amen] Maybe you pray consistantly but have not just sat before Him to listen. [in this case, say a simple prayer and then sit in silence waiting on Him or read your word, Try beginning out with a form of praise- speak your praise, sing your praise]

What ever the case, This question is directed for all of us today: Do we really want a breakthrough in Our life? In Our finances? In Our body? Do we really want what He has waiting for us? Are WE willing to make whatever sacrifice He requests and surrender all of us, Everything in our day, At our jobs, In our families and "GIVE" it all fully completely over to Him?

CAN WE CONSECRATE EVERYTHING! This means we have no control over anything? We must lay it ALL down in to His hands, His control. If we are willing to do just this, I guarantee you we will see our rewards and RECEIVE them..

2010 is a RECEIVING year, Are we ready to receive what is OURS!
God Bless you my friends!

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in this issue

Today's reading
Something to ponder
Key verse
Reminder
Encouragement
Resources + Community

Today's reading
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Pages 372-384 (2 Chronicles 7-22)

Something to ponder
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God promises to heal the land if Israel will keep certain conditions. Which conditions do you think is most important today? (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Key verse
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As for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. 2 Chronicles 13:10a

Reminder
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Read Chronicles aware of the repetition, but looking for distinctions from earlier accounts.

Encouragement
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"The English Bible - a book which, if everything else in our language should perish, would alone suffice to show the whole extent of its beauty and power."

Thomas B. Macaulay


Resources + Community
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Have you spent time recently in a church bookstore or the Bible section of your local bookshop? If not, drop by and browse the aisles. After experiencing God's Word this way for the past month, you may discover that you are visiting with a new set of eyes.

More on Resources + Community

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Blessings,
Ted Cooper Jr.
Founder
Bible in 90 Days - The Ministry
www.biblein90days.org