A Crown Of Glory

Did you know that there are a number of "crowns" mentioned in the Bible?
The other night I was "doodling" with no idea what the final product would be -
Here is the end result...

Immediately I entitled it "Crown Of Glory" because I could picture it filled with jewels and glitter - like any Prince or Princess' crown should be - right?

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

The greek word for 'crown' is stephanos -which means a "garland of victory" ... in the times of the Grecian games the winner was given a crown of victory woven from ivy, parsley, myrtle. Of course, over time, these crowns would fade and fall apart. Not so with the crowns that we are given as faithful servants of God! Peter tells us that this Crown of Glory will never fade away! However, dear ones, it is not ours to keep and become prideful over. We will one day lay our crowns before the throne and praise our Lord.

Does that excite you?
Oh, It excites me!
We will sing this to HIm -
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they have their being.
Revelation 4: 10-11

This Crown of Glory will be awarded to those who have been leaders in His Kingdom... preaching, teaching, "feeding" His sheep with His Word. This crown is so much more valuable than any wealth we might have here on earth! The result of the work will be souls in the Heavenly Kigdom! How awesome is that! :)

I hope this encourages you today! As a leader in your church ministry - whatever that might be - please know that you will be rewarded someday with a crown of glory!
For all believers - leaders and non-leaders alike - there is another crown for us when we persevere thru temptation ... "The Crown Of Life" ... see James 1:12

My prayer for each one today is that you will see every opportuniy - be it little or big - as a ministry to our Lord. You may not "feel" rewarded here on earth but God sees; He knows - and He will reward you! Whatever you do - do it as if you are working for HIM! Not for man.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men - Colossians 3:23

Blessings on you today, sweet friends!
"I KNOW whom I have believed!"
Ruthie

Who I Am - not - How I Feel!

“I acted out of who I was, not by what I felt.”
Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22 (the Message)

Whoa ....
This is God speaking here –
Does this mean He might have acted out of what He felt? As I read this I have to think that He was at a place where He might have acted on His feelings. The Israelites were not obeying Him; not living by His statutes. They were making idols and worshipping them and living in unholy ways. God was angry with them – but –
He acted out of who he was, not by what he felt.

These words give me “goose bumps”!

How often have I acted on my feelings; how often have you acted on your feelings?
Take a moment or two to think about this ... did it happen just this morning?
Yesterday?
When?
What occurred?
How did you act?
It’s not a nice picture, is it?

Now – think about this....
What would have occurred if you had acted on “Who You Are” instead?
Do you know who you are?
Do you know that you are who you are because of Christ’s love for you?
You were created to be in relationship with our Heavenly Father – His desire is to make you more and more like Him every day!
I say, “bring it on”!

So many moments in relationships are destroyed because we act on our feelings....
Have you ever thought to yourself "How did this happen? I wish I could go back and start over?"
All because you acted on your feelings!
Just a short while ago I said to hubby - "why don't you go out and come back in and we'll start this all over." We were both "acting on our feelings" ... and we needed to change that!

A New Year always brings with it introspection, evaluation of the past year, and resolutions for the new one. I am praying that you, Dear Reader, will ponder “who you are” – in Christ! And will prayerfully humbly ask God to help you to make this New Year one of acting on “who you are” not on your feelings!

Wouldn’t that be awesome?

To discover who you are - spend some time in the Word!
Ephesians 1: 3-8; 13; 2:8-10
Romans 8:1; 37-39
2 Timothy 1: 7; 9
Hebrews 4:16
1 Peter 2:9, 24,
Revelation 21:7

I leave you with these words ...
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3: 17

Blessings on you today!!
Ruthie

I Cannot Be Shaken

Psalm 62 - a Pslam of David - in which he claims he cannot be shaken...... Hmmmm.
Can I say that?
Oh God! I pray that no matter what comes my way I, too, can claim that I cannot be shaken ..... because of YOU and my Faith!

v1. My soul waits calmly for God alone. My salvation comes from him.
v2. He alone is my rock and my savior - my stronghold. I cannot be severly shaken.
v5. Wait calmly for God alone, my soul, because my hope comes from him.
v6. He alone is my rock and my savior - my stronghold. I cannot be shaken.
v7. My salvation and my glory depend on God. God is the rock of my strength, my refuge.
v8. Trust him in all times, you people. Pour out your hearts in his presence. God is our refuge.

This is my lament - my prayer - my heart's cry - this morning!
He IS my ROCK and STRENGTH; my REFUGE and my SAVIOR!
Thank you, Father!

If you are not at the place today where you can claim these words as your own I pray that you will spend time in HIS presence.... ask Him to increase your faith; to show Himself in a very real way; Seek Him with all your heart and soul and mind; Allow Him to become very real to you!

Blessings on you sweet ones!
In Him
Ruthie

"STOP Worrying"

Luke 12: 22-34 and Matthew 6:25-34 record Jesus talking to his disciples regarding worrying. I hope you'll take some time today to read both of these portions of Scripture.

When I think of "worry" I am taken immediately to these Scriptures and the picture of a bird finding food and shelter... he or she doesn't worry about any of that - they know they'll be OK as long as the predators don't get them. If my feeder is empty then the gal up the road will have food for them! [Right, Em?]

Jesus says, "Yet God feeds them. You are worth more than the birds. Can you add an hour to your life by worrying?"
NO!
I cannot add any time to my life by worrying! All worry does is take away from the precious time I have been given today. Worrying says that I'm trusting in my own strength - not in God's!
Whoa!
Worry means I don't have enough faith to stand firm in HIM!
Whoa!

How are you doing in this area? Are you a worrier? Do you go over and over the "What Ifs" til you drive yourself crazy - or do you trust HIM to carry you and see you through?

I love this Scripture found in Matthew 6:34
"So don't ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Dear ones - focus on today with a Heart turned to Him and tuned in to Him! We're told He will carry our burdens for us - let HIM do that!
REST in Him... your Rock and your Strength.

I hope this "doodle" of mine will give you a visual of "not worrying"!

Blessings on you today as you learn to give ALL over to the ONE who knows you inside and out; the ONE who Loves you beyond anything you can imagine! The ONE who was with Daniel in the lion's den; The ONE who was in the furnace with the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego... and the One who is right there along side of you!!!!

In Him
Ruthie

After The Storm

Yesterday the storm raged around us -

Today there is peace and calm...

I can't help but think that this is so like our lives.

Trouble and turmoil - peace and calm - and on and on it goes.

Even as the storm dumped snow on us yesterday I lived in a sense of peace and calm - Thank you, Lord, for that - for I know it only comes from You!

His Word tells us we will have trouble - but - He is our rock, our strength, our peace, our anchor. Hallelujah!

I give thanks today for HIS steadfastness - HIS never changing ways - HIS faithfulness.

I pray you will spend some time today doing likewise .... tell HIM know how much you love Him - live with a thankful heart!

May you "Live with INTENTION today"!

Blessings sweet friends!

Ruthie

Do Not Forget....

Proverbs 3:1-4

My son,

do not forget my teachings, and keep my commands in mind,

because they will bring you long life, good years, and peace.

Do not let mercy and truth leave you.

Fasten them around your neck.

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will find favor and much success in the sight of God and humanity.

I find myself pondering these words...

I KNOW that remembering HIS teachings & keeping HIS commands brings peace!

Hallelujah!

I am writing Mercy and Truth on my heart each day!

I know God's Favor (Grace) in my life!

As I read and re-read these verses from Proverbs I see that they are filled with action -

action for me.

So, today....

my INTENTION is to do as these words tell me!

To act accordingly!

With the help of the Holy Spirit!

What about you?

Are you reading because you have made a resolution to get back to God?

to renew your relationship with Him?

or are you reading because it is what you do everyday?

This blog is not about me - it is ALL about HIM!

Don't forget....

Who He is -

What he has done for you in the past -

His desire for a relationship with you -

His Word - filled with truth and wisdom!

Take some action today...

He will favor you with His grace, love and peace!

Blessings on you, sweet ones!

Ruthie

Happy New Year!

Blessings to you all in 2010 -

May His Peace and Joy

reign in your hearts!