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“Bucket of Blessings”

By Zoë Elmore

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Devotion:

It was Friday afternoon and Tom arrived home early from work carrying a beautiful arrangement of cut flowers. I took the flowers from him, placed them on the counter then threw my arms around his neck squealing with delight and kissed his face.

Tom lowered my arms and he lowered his head as he began to tell me that his job had just been eliminated, and in a few short weeks, he would be unemployed. I couldn’t breathe or even speak.

We spent much of the night crying and discussing the details of what we would need to do while we waited for the Lord to open the next job opportunity. Over that next week I enjoyed carrying my beautiful flower arrangement from room to room not wanting to miss one moment of their beauty. Sadly, the blooms on my beautiful arrangement began to fade and I removed the wilted and brown flowers from their container and placed them in the garbage. I thought about holding on to a few of them as a memory of my husband’s tenderness toward me, but the Lord whispered, “Throw the blooms away but save the little blue container. I am going to fill it to overflowing.” Reluctantly I threw out the flowers, placed the little blue container in my kitchen and named it our “bucket of blessing”.

Throughout the long ten months of waiting for Tom to begin working again we received many cards, e-mails and phone calls encouraging us to persevere. Month after month we placed these encouragements in our bucket of blessing and before long it was filled to overflowing. It contained words of encouragement from friends and family, and stories of my husband’s integrity in his former job. Additionally, we placed in there reminders of kind gestures, unexpected gifts of kindness and nuggets of gold from God’s holy word. When either of us was tempted to feel discouraged we would remove one of those blessings from the bucket and read it. Each one was not only a reminder of God’s faithful provision to us but also God’s very presence with us.

Although Tom and I did not know what our future held, our confidence that God’s hand sustains and provides through times of uncertainty was greatly magnified. Although the flowers in that container were beautiful, their beauty only lasted a few days; however the blessings now held in our bucket will last a lifetime. Our circumstances may have changed, however God’s faithfulness does not ever change. The Bible is filled to overflowing with rich words of encouragement to trust the One who created us and who is faithful to sustain us.

  He is faithful to provide!

Dear Lord, You are faithful beyond measure and I thank you for sustaining my family through difficult and trying times. Thank you for the Bible that reminds me of your faithfulness; and thank you for holding my future securely in your hand of provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Although this is not about me, it does speak to me in many ways. I too have some very trying times financially in the last 20 years since I have left the comfort of mom and dads home. Stepping into reality was a huge slap in the face. I went from basically having everything I needed to needing everything. It was hard, and what made it so hard was that my first husband turned out to be a man who felt he did not have to live up to his responsibilities as a husband and a father.  But as the devotion says, with God you can get through anything, if you just have faith, and I did and always will count my blessings. I have learned that it is not how much you have in life, but that you JUST HAVE..............Kitty

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Sunday, July 29, 2007
Unconditional Love

Posted in From the Bible

July 28-29, 2007 – From Condemnation to Unconditional Love – Ephesians 6:4 

            God gives parents the awesome privilege of demonstrating His love to children. With support from family and friends, Mom and Dad can help their kids discover the joy and satisfaction of a personal relationship with Jesus. 

            Sometimes, though, we can become a stumbling block for our children, rather than a bridge to God. For example, it’s important to respond to their efforts with wisdom. Some parents want their kids to succeed so badly they constantly “raise the bar.” If your daughter brings home an A, do expect an A+ next time? When your son finishes third, do you ignore his effort and push him to place second in the next race? 

            Unless we’re careful, children may mistake their age-appropriate efforts as inadequate and disappointing to their parents. Later in life, they could dangerously assume the same is true of God. Kids might ask, “If I can’t meet my earthly parents’ standards, how can I ever meet the heavenly Father’s?” 

            We should encourage our children to achieve. But we must be balanced. And we must confirm their identity outside of any dependence on performance. When we do, they’ll know we appreciate them. Not only that, but they’ll believe that God values them, too. 

            Of course, the desire of all Christian parents is for their children to depend on God and receive Christ as Savior. Parental acceptance and appreciation will help them embrace God’s unconditional love. It will also reinforce the amazing truth that He’s forgiven their sins and erased all condemnation.

Happy Sunday................Kitty

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Saturday, July 21, 2007
God's Emergency Numbers

Posted in From the Bible

This is from my inbox of this morning. I thought it was cute, and true, and helpful, so I wanted to share it.

When in need please use the following EMERGENCY PHONE  NUMBERS:

       When in sorrow, .....................................................call John 14.
       When men fail you, ................................................call Psalm 27.
       If you want to be fruitful, .......... .............................call John 15.
       When you have sinned, ....................................... call Psalm 51.
       When you worry, ...................... .................call Matthew 6:19-34.
       When you are in danger, ..................................... call Psalm 91.
       When God seems far away, ............ ...................call Psalm 139.
       When your faith needs stirring, ..... .....................call Hebrews 11.
       When you are lonely and fearful, .... ...................call Psalm 23.
       When you grow bitter and critical, . ....................call I Corinthians 13.
       For Paul's secret to happiness, ........................ call Colossians 3:12-17.
       For understanding of Christianity, ...........call 2 Corinthians 5:15-19.
       When you feel down and out, ....... ......................call Romans 8:31.
       When you want peace and rest, .. ......................call Matthew 11:25-30.
       When the world seems bigger than God, .........call Psalm 90.
       When you want Christian assurance, ...............call Romans 8:1-30.
       When you leave home for labor or travel, .. .......call Psalm 121.
       When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, ...... call Psalm 67.
       For a great invention/opportunity, ... ....................call Isaiah 55.
       When you want courage for a task, .................... call Joshua 1.
       For how to get along with fellow men, ............... call Romans 12.
       When you think of investments and returns,..... call Mark 10.
       If you are depressed, ..................... .......................call Psalm 27.
       If your pocketbook is empty, .............. ..................call Psalm 37.
       If you are losing confidence in people, .............. call 1 Corinthians 13.
       If people seem unkind, ......................................... call John 15.
       If discouraged about your work, ....... ...................call Psalm 126.
       For dealing with fear, ........... ...............call Psalm 34:7.
       For security, ................... .......................call Psalm 121:3.
       For assurance, ................... .................call Mark 8:35.
       For reassurance, ................................ call Psalm 145:18.

       All lines to Heaven are open 24 hours a day!  Therefore feed your
   Faith, and Doubt will starve to death!  Have a Wonderful Weekend
   and always remember that God answers all Knee mail!   Amen.

  
Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend................Kitty

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Sunday, February 4, 2007
Sunday Morning

Posted in From the Bible

Sunday February 4, 2007
Accepting God’s Solution
2 Chronicles 20:14-25 

“God, my boss is intolerable. Please help me find another job.” 

“Lord, this back pain is ruining my life. Have mercy and heal me!” 

Christians almost universally agree, “God answers prayer.” But many people, if they were honest, would amend the phrase to say, “The Lord answers most prayers, but not mine.” A believer can fervently call upon God without receiving what he considers a satisfactory answer. The stumbling block isn’t God’s unwillingness or inability to respond, but rather the word satisfactory. If we come to God with a preconceived idea of how to solve our problem, we will likely overlook His true resolution. 

Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, arrayed his soldier in armor, and set up battle lines. God’s solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choir out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat’s soldiers had attempted combat, they would have lost Jerusalem. 

Sometimes we don’t like God’s solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than an extra measure of grace to endure the hurt. Or we want a new job, not a command to seek the boss’ forgiveness for our poor attitude. In essence, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. But our willingness to obey is key to answered prayer. When He tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never be satisfied.

Have a blessed week and thanks for visiting...............Kitty

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Sunday, January 21, 2007
Rest on Sunday

Posted in From the Bible

                                      

                                                         REST

   In this fast paced world in which we live, the very thing we need to do is what we often don't do: We need simply to sit still and open our heart to the counsel of God. Then we will be well prepared for whatever the day brings.

        

   Sometimes the most godly thing we can do for ourselves is go to sleep. Sometimes the most godly thing we can do for our family and friends is to take a break and regather our strength.

        

   Perhaps the words of the carpenter, promissing rest, are so compelling because of our endless desire and quest to rest-- not just to rest in the body, but to rest the heart, to find peace, to finally settle down in a valley fertile with contentment.

         

   Do you know where to find rest? Where you find a clean conscience? Were you find the ability to sleep at night and live with yourself? By living in the pleasure of the Father who made you.

         

    If you want to bring under control a fast-paced life-style, you must eliminate the unnecessary; if you want to be where God wants you to be, you must concentrate on the necessary.

       

Father, help us to use our time wisely, to take advantage of the opportunities we have to be just the type of Christians you want us to be. When it seems like we don't have enough time to do what we need to do, increase our gratitude for the challenges of each day. And help us meet those challenges in ways that please you.

                                                

Thanks for visiting................Kitty

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Sunday, January 14, 2007
Happy Sunday

Posted in From the Bible

                                          

                                        

                                                         WORRY

   The same God that gave us commandments such as "Do not commit adultery, and do not murder" said, "Do not worry." It's a violation of our relationship to God to question his authority by worrying.

   Has any good ever come out of any worrying that you've ever done? Worry only compartmentalized us and makes us unable to do what we set out to do. If you are worried about a problem, what you need to do is simply trust the Lord and do good.

   The word worry comes from a word meaning "to divide." When you worry, you divide your energy. Do you worry? All of us worry, but we shouldn't. Jesus commands us half a dozen times, "Do not wory." When we worry about a situation, the problem gets us instead of us getting it.

    Jesus is not afraid of the things that cause us fear. He never said, "Don't bring your fears to me; I'm too busy." Instead, he said, "I'm not afraid of the things that cause you fear, bring your fears to me."

 

Father, we are afraid of things, and Father, we offer these fears to you and ask you to give us more courage as we look at you, the One who knows no fear.

 

Have a blessed day and

Thanks for visiting................Kitty

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Sunday, January 7, 2007
Happy Sunday

Posted in From the Bible

                                  

                                                      TEMPTATION

    It is very concerning as we hear more and more about how people flirt with immorality and how people dance with materialism and how they consider themselves invulnerable to Satan. We are not invulnerable to Satan--he's wise, he's crafty...and just as God wishes you to spend forever with him in heaven, Satan wishes you to spend eternity separated from God. Guard your heart !

   When you think of the temptation with which you stuggle most in your life, you can deal with it boldly. You can have the confidence that God has given you a spirit of self-discipline. It's up to you to tap into that gift.

 

   Father, when we confront temptation, when we stand face to face with evil, we pray that you would give us strength and that you would use your power to block the path of evil. Thank you for your promise that if we do what is right, eventually truth and justice and goodness will prevail. As we face the dilemmas and options of this time, remind us that good does reign supreme.

Have a blessed day and

Thanks for visiting.............Kitty

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Sunday, November 5, 2006
Sunday Morning

Posted in From the Bible

                                    

          

   Sometimes it seems that the more we try to do something good, the more bad things happen. It's tough to have problems when you are trying to be a faithful servant of God, or trying to be loyal to your family. Life was not designed to be problem free, but with the hope promised us by the Father, we can handle the problems that come into our daily life.

   If you're facing a problem, perhaps what you need to do is just simply calm down, settle down, and start thinking. Don't try to douse it, don't try to rationalize it. Don't try to escape it. Just think it through, with God's help. Don't retire your brain when you become a follower of Christ, be a thinker.

Taken from my bible.

Thanks for visiting today and have a blessed day

Kitty

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Sunday, October 1, 2006
God's Love

Posted in From the Bible

                                

 

    When we look at the  world around us, sometimes its's difficult to understand the unfairness of life. It's not fair that the young should suffer. It's not fair that the innocent should go hungry.  But nor is it fair that a God would have to come to earth and hang on his own cross to protect us from the evil one. It's not fair.... but that's love. And that's God.

    God's love for you is not dependent on how you look, how you think, how you act, or how perfect you are. His love is absolutely nonnegotiable and nonrefundable. Ours is a faithful God.

    No matter what you do, no matter how far you fall, no matter how ugly you become, God has a relentless, undying. unfathomable, unquenchable love from which you cannot be separated, Ever!

    Run to Jesus. Jesus wants you to go to him. He wants to become the most important person in your life, the greatest love you'll ever know. He wants you to love him so much that there's no room in your heart and in your life for sin. Invite him to take up residence in your heart today.

 

For the Lord knows  the way of the righteous............Psalm 1:6

Thank you God for all your blessings in my life.

Thanks so much for visiting..............Kitty

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