Why read my blog?

Well, I don't really want to brag about my blog. I guess you should all read it because it's realistic. I go through the same things that others go through, and I learn from it. If you want to learn what I learn, read my blog. It's as simple as that. =] Of course, I learn these things from God. Let's not forget Him. (He is the most important.)


Special thanks to Purell Hand Sanitizer for sponsoring this blog hop.

Time to laugh!

I'm trying out this new blog hop. I'm supposed to write a joke, cartoon, or something funny. This is it. =]

Amiss

James 4:3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

When we ask for something, are we really asking for a good reason, or are we being selfish? We have all taken advantage of prayer by asking for material things, and although this is not necessarily a bad thing, there are times to ask God for materials, and there times when we should not. If you are praying for a Bible or financial aid, that's not what this verse is referencing. (Unless you plan on spending the money on yourself...) The keyword to whether or not you are praying selfishly is "amiss".
According to blueletterbible.com, the Greek root word of amiss is kakos. One of the three meanings of this root is "miserable, to be ill."*
What does that show you? God doesn't give us the things we ask for because we are asking to be miserable. Of course we don't say "Lord, give me this so that I can be miserable," but He knows what will happen when we get all that we want. God wants to prevent any changes in our attitude and lifestyle that may occur because of material items.

1 John 3:17
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

If we have so many material possessions, we may no longer see a need for God. We get so caught up in what we still need, that God is totally out of the picture. No longer do we need Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. We can provide for ourselves. But no matter how many things you have, if you forget about your Creator, then you can't feel your purpose in life. You'll wander aimlessly. Have you ever noticed that the poor are often happier than millionaires and movie stars?

James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world [to be] rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

See? God doesn't care if you have nothing, he has chosen these people to be heirs of his kingdom. I don't know about you, but I would rather be an heir of heaven than pray to be miserable.

*-http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2560&t=NKJV

Faith, Hope, Love

Have you guys ever thought about Ephesians 3:14-21? I love these verses.

Eph 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Vs.17- What is faith?

Hebrews 11:1 says: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

Because we know God is there, even though we can't see Him, we have faith. It's just like my testimony. I was hoping for God to do a miracle- I wasn't wishing... There's a difference. When you hope, you know there's a way. When you wish, you know there's not. Through me hoping, not wishing, God was able to provide that "evidence of things not seen" and give me (vs.20) "immeasurable more than all I ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us." Also, have you ever realized that our Christianity is based on relationships and love?

1Cr 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of
these is love.

Even though what I mentioned before is important, love takes a higher ranking. If we don't love God in the first place, we won't have the hope and faith that He will pull through when we need Him. Other religions are self-based. ex- Buddhism where you are nice to others only so you can experience that enlightenment or self peace. When Muslims kill and hurt people, so that they may have a higher place in after they die, are they focused on loving their neighbor? But even though they may not focus on love, we still need to love them back. That's what we're all about. Love your neighbor as yourself. Treat them the way you want to be treated. Don't take to heart bitterness because they are different.
Where the whole love concept is brought back in is at the end of that verse. (vs. 17) "being rooted and established in love" Established in love. Rooted in love. Can a tree survive without its roots? Of course not. It will die. If we don't have the right focus... love.... then we can't thrive spiritually. It's not possible to grow a tree if it doesn't have roots. vs. 19 "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Even though we don't know how to explain God's love with our knowledge, it's there.
What they're trying to say is that they were praying that the people would know this Love, even though we don't understand It with our human minds. They were praying that the people would be filled with everything that God is. God is love.

1 John 4:8- Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

He's waiting for us to acknowledge the love He has for us, so that we may give Him the glory that He deserves.
Thanks for listening (or reading ),
Amy ♥

Patriotism

We are so fortunate. The sad thing is that people don't realize how fortunate we are. We have a military of dedicated soldiers willing to risk their lives for the freedom of our country and others. I can't believe that people would under-appreciate our country and the effect it has on our lives. Wow... All I know is that I am truly thankful for the lives that have been taken for my sake. And I am truly sympathetic for the grieving families of lost soldiers. It would break my heart to know that the people my relative/friend died for don't appreciate the life that he gave. I hope some of you realize how important it is to support our country and troops- even if you don't agree with them. Our country needs to have the support of every citizen.
May God bless America,
Amy

Mothers

Hey all of you moms out there!
I know that no one ever looks at this blog, but if you're looking, and you happen to be a mom, I have one thing to say, "Happy mother's day!" Thanks for everything you do! It's very appreciated.

Silence

Silence. Sometimes awkward. Mostly awkward. :) What we don't realize that silence is SO important. Without it in our relationship with God, we would do all of the talking. We still sometimes do... In fact, sometimes our lives get so chaotic that we put God out of our lives completely, only to crawl back to Him when we need something. Even if we do stop, we just start right out with our list of requests. Now, I am going to ask you. What if during the only time people talked to you, they asked you to do something? What if they didn't show any compassion, care, or love, and they just used you to get things done? What if they forgot about you for days, weeks, months, or even years, just to come back and ask you to do something? What if they blamed you for not doing something for them after they did all of these things? How would that make you feel? It would make you think that that person doesn't care, wouldn't it? It would make you feel like they didn't think you were important enough. It might even make you mad. Let's see how this fits with your walk with God. Instead of all of this, we need to read Matthew 6 and apply it.

"But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door,
pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in
secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:6) "In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be
done On earth as it is in heaven."(Matthew 6:9-10)

Jesus tells us that when we pray, we need to start out by praising His Holy Name and getting into a mood of worship. We need to make it known to Him that we only want His will in our lives, not our will. You won't believe how much that will help! Once you do all this, start asking what you need to ask. Although, sometimes it's helpful if you just forget about your problems and love on God. These things help a lot! Talking to God as if He was a close friend gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding. I assure you that it will help you in all situations.
~Amy