Lessons in Construction – Part 2

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abundant life, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, construction lessons for the christian, course correction, encouragement, encouraging, lessons in construction, measuring life

Measure. Measure. Measure. And then, measure again.

This is an obvious lesson to many of us…me included. I knew that you checked and re-checked measurements on a construction site, but then everything stayed stable, right? You know, once whatever you are working with is where you wanted it, it would stay.

Boy, was I wrong.

Last week, https://tinyurl.com/2p92t2aj I mentioned that my man and I set a few posts our first few days of working together. What I didn’t tell you was how many times those crazy posts were measured, leveled, leveled, leveled, leveled, and leveled again… over and over.

Checked and re-checked.

Every single one.

Over and over again.

It was shocking to me how often things had to be re-leveled and checked. I thought it was unnecessary until I remembered a previous job we had finished for someone earlier in the year…before Mark’s company became “official”. My man had to cut panels (that should have not needed to be cut) because every post was off by just a few inches, or less. A job that should have taken a couple of hours, turned into eight. Why? Because the people before us did not keep checking the status of the posts.

A successful, abundant, purpose-driven, whatever positive word you want to put in front of the word life, requires constant leveling, measuring and re-checking.

What I found when we set our posts for the deck was the slightest breeze, bump, or bug (sort of kidding) could cause it to barely shift from where it needed to be. Once it was stable, it was a different story. Now, it would take something major to shift the posts from their correct placement, but in the beginning… measure, measure, measure, level, level, level. It was the only way to make sure the posts stayed where they needed to be.

So, what is our “level” in life? What are we measuring our lives with?

Hebrew 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.”

This verse reminds us that the Word of God is what judges our ideas and thoughts….that’s our level. That’s our measuring tape. That’s what we check and re-check the direction of our life with. We don’t just say, “Yes” to Jesus and BOOM! we are perfect, mature Christians. It requires checking, re-checking and re-checking again. But, don’t be discouraged! That’s the fun part! Checking and re-checking can be done with others!! Think small groups, podcasts, church, Bible studies… anything that is helping us learn the truth of God’s Word is a way to keep the level on our lives. When the bubble strays from one side to the other (see above image), you recognize it quickly and can adjust immediately. Then, the struggle to stay in the correct position isn’t nearly as difficult as going a few years and realizing you are way off course.

Lesson Two from the construction site? Re-checking over and over again is always worth it.

http://www.seekinghearts.org

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A Good Day to Praise

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encouragement, encouraging, getting the right perspective, how to put the focus where it needs to be, how we fight our battles, praising Jesus, putting the focus where it needs to be, refocusing, short word of encouragment

Psalm 150 verse 6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!”

So many times I am guilty of reading a verse of Scripture, thinking what a great idea it is, but then falling short of implementing it.

Psalm 150:6 invites everything that has breath to praise the Lord. So today, instead of reading through Scripture and thinking it’s a good idea, let’s take a moment and actually do it.

Father, I praise You today for Your awesome greatness. There is no one like You. You formed every planet and creature with only Your word. You formed mankind out of dust and breathed into him the breath of life. You are Creator and I praise You.

Father, I praise You today for Your kindness. You sent Your only Son to live among us and sacrifice Himself for us on the Cross. Your Word tells us that Your kindness leads us to repentance and I praise You today that no kindness is greater than Yours.

Father, I praise You today for Your healing power. Whether You choose to heal on this planet, or in eternity is not the point, but the fact that there is hope in You is why I give You praise today. You are the Great Physician and I praise You that nothing is beyond Your ability. We always have hope in You. You are the Great Healer of all and I praise You today.

Father, I praise You for Your power. I thank You for leaving Your Holy Spirit with us to empower us with the same strength that raised Jesus from the dead. Nothing is too difficult for Thee and we look to You for the ability to run through troops and leap over walls (Psalm 18:29).

Father, I praise You today for Your unbridled love of us. You never let go. You never give up. You are the Great Shepherd that cradles the lost sheep in His arms. You are the Great Defender of the lambs and Protector of our souls. Nothing can strip us from Your hand (John 10:28-29). I praise You today that we are safe and secure in Your arms.

Father, I give you praise today and ask You to remind me to praise You daily in the way in which You deserve. Let every breath I take breathe out praise to You.

You alone are holy.

You alone are God and I choose to praise You today.

What are you praising Him for today?

Seeking Hearts Ministries

*image by myocn.net

 

Let’s Celebrate!

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celebration time, encouragement, encouraging, let's celebrate, music, worship time

The last blog post was number 200! Crazy to think about how intimidating it was to press “publish” for the first time all those years ago. God really does grow us in amazing ways when we allow Him to.

So, today, with post 201, let’s celebrate with some amazing music. Kick your shoes off, stretch your arms in complete abandonment, and worship the one and only God of the universe.

Who Am I

No Other Name

There’s No Other Name

Reckless Love

How He Loves Us

Jesus We Love You

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop there. Breathe these songs in and enjoy the celebration!

Much Love,

Melissa

Seeking Hearts Ministries

*image by voice.fgs.org

Steadying Hands

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battles, burdens, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, encouraging, encouragment, God of hope, God's eyes to see, healing, holding each other up, hope, hope in God, inspire one another, perspective, steadying hands

“Every time I faltered, God steadied me. It’s just that He used other people’s hands.” This was in the book I was finishing this morning, the morning after I had received an e-mail that a friend’s father had given up hope. Her father’s disease is not life threatening, but it is super serious in regards to quality of life. He has been given an opportunity to turn things around and is skeptical. (I totally get that. I was one of those who were born saying, “Are you really my momma?” Don’t judge, some of us are just wired that way.)

When I woke up this morning, before my head even rose from the pillow I was reminded of Exodus 17. I was reminded that there was a time in Moses’ life where he was beat down, exhausted and needed some brothers to hold his arms up for the ensuing battle. Exodus 17:9-12 says, “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

I knew in my heart of hearts that this was what I was called to do for my friend’s father. He was beat down. He had lost hope and was scared to hope again. But…now I know that I am called to hold one of his arms up for the ensuing battle. I’m going to e-mail my friend and see if she is willing to do the same.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that a cord of three strands is not easily broken and I often forget that. I’m honestly such a loner that I excuse myself from that verse by saying that the strand Solomon (the writer of Ecclesiastes) was talking about is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. In some cases it can be, but often I forget that my brother, or sister, in Christ really could use someone to raise their hands up. Notice I did not say that I should help them reach to me. I need to help them reach all the way up to the only True Hope…God Himself.

Lamentations 3:24 says, “The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” We need to remind each other that our hope is the Lord, not what we expect Him to do, but the Lord Himself. Hope in something other than God is not sure, but hope in God is never wrong.

Sometimes, our arms grow tired and we need each other to help us reach out to our only True Source of strength and stability.We need each other, but often we turn away unconcerned that someone has lost hope. We think it’s just another casualty in this battle of life, sadly shake our head at their demise and pray it doesn’t happen to us. But, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to change our perspective. Let’s ask Him to give us His eyes to see those He would have us to encourage. Let’s look around in new determination and ask God today who needs their hands raised. There are many battles raging around us. Many have lost hope. Let’s see who we can inspire today.

O, God of all hope, we pray today that you would inspire each one of us to look around with Your eyes and see who You would have us to encourage. Give us wisdom in how to raise their hands for their particular battle. Help us to be Your mighty warriors, willing to go into someone else’s battle to help them come out victorious in Your Name. 

Seeking Hearts Ministries