Catch Up Day!

What do you do when your kids fall behind in their school work?

Well, you buy them a huge present,

wrap it,

and leave it out all week as a motivator!

I placed my two youngest's present in the den on Monday morning.

When they came down and saw the present they were so excited.

They got HAPPILY busy!

They had to complete four pages of math a day.

By Friday morning, they did it!!!

Day 100!

Now for the present!

They were so curious!

I found it at the ReStore for $7!

It's a suitcase...

with a little village inside!

When I saw it at the ReStore I fell in love.

I had never seen anything like it before, 

but knew that the kids would love it!

And after finishing all their work

they were able to play the rest of the day,

and that is exactly what they did!

Why not reward hard work?
They faced their fears- which is math
worked hard and were rewarded for their efforts!
God gives us rewards:
"The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight." (Psalm 18:24)

Morning Moments with God- Day 32

               

Day 32: The DOUBLE healing

Please read the Bible verse for today:

Matthew 8: 14-17

Jesus Heals Many

14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

"He took up our infirmities

and bore our diseases."

Jesus entered Peter's house! The King of kings and the Lord of lords went into Peter's house! (It makes we want to pray right now. Jesus, you are welcome  to come into my home. Jesus, come into my home and stay. Be with me and my family and never leave. In Jesus' name, Amen). 

Jesus sees Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever, He touches her and she is healed. It doesn't say that anyone asked Jesus to heal her. He just did it. His compassion on all of us is never ending. But the part that I love is, as soon as she is healed "she got up and began to wait on him." (Matthew 8:15) I thought about when I have had a fever how completely miserable I feel, sometimes even after the fever leaves. So, I went a head and looked up on WebMD for what their definition of a fever is- here is the definition: "A fever--also known as a high fever or a high temperature--is not by itself an illness. It's usually a symptom of an underlying condition, most often an infection." Peter's mother-in-law had some infection-something that was causing the fever. Jesus didn't just heal the fever, but whatever was causing the fever too! She was made wholly perfect, so much in fact that, 'she got and began to wait on him.' 

I believe that Jesus always does a double healing, even when it looks like He is performing one. He healed the fever, but he also healed the infection within her that was causing the fever. For me, I believe whenever Jesus has healed my child from sickness, or my husband or myself, I cry in seeing His mercy and compassion within my own home. My faith deepens. My heart is healed from doubt. Or whenever Jesus heals my heart from a recent wound or hurt, I find that He also goes ahead and heals a hurt from my past at the same time. Sometimes we see the double healing right away and sometimes it takes time, but a touch from Jesus is powerful and reaches down into more than the one miracle.

In verses 16-17, Jesus healed the demon-possessed, and drove out the spirits, and healed ALL the sick! Two things are coming to me: 1) It specifically says He healed them, "with a word." Jesus SPOKE the healing for all these people! The creator, who SPOKE everything into being, SPOKE healing too! (In the first few verses of Matthew Jesus TOUCHED the leper). Jesus' words are powerful. 2) He healed everyone, no matter what sickness, disease or demon that had them captive. Think about being healed from a illness. What would the double healing be? Maybe, faith in Jesus, belief that God cares about your pain, God knows your suffering- He knows you. What about if after you were healed and you saw the crowd being healed? What about the effect on your family seeing you healed? Would it restore the relationships within your home? Maybe some of them became disciples of Jesus after this. I wasn't there, but I am sure that more than physical healing was happening that night.

Pray with me:

Jesus, come. Come into my life, come into my home. Be Lord of it all. Jesus, come and heal me. Heal my body. Heal my mind. Heal my heart. Come and do it all. Come and strengthen my faith. Come and change me. Come and let others see YOU in my life. Wash me clean and make me whole. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Morning Moments with God, Day 31

             

Day 31: Great Faith

Please read the Bible verse for today:

Matthew 8: 5-12

The Faith of the Centurion

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “My servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 

 A Roman centurion was, "an officer commanding a Roman century" according to Merriam-Webster. What is a century? According to Wikipedia, "A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded groups of centuries of around 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion." What is a legion? "A Roman legion was the largest unit of the Roman army involving from 3000 men in early times to over 5200 men in imperial times, consisting of centuries as the basic units." So, this centurion, who came before Jesus, could have been over 80 men and up to 5200 men! This very centurion who is talking to Jesus is the real deal. A real Roman solider, captain, colonel guy. He stands and gives his life for Rome. He believes Ceaser is god. And he has been called to fight and kill many people for Ceasar. I would have been pretty scared to meet him. With all of his credentials you would think he would have sent a servant or lower soldier to talk to Jesus, but he himself approaches Jesus and talks with Him. May we have the same boldness, under the blood of Jesus, to boldly enter the Holy of Holies and talk with Jesus.

The centurion tells Jesus, "My servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly." I love that this centurion cares about his servant. I love that in his desperation he seeks out Jesus. And I LOVE how Jesus responds, "Shall I come and heal him?" Jesus is willing. (Just what we read in Matthew 8:1-4. The Leper asked Jesus, "Are you willing/" and Jesus replies, "I am willing." So, now Jesus is with a man that is not Jewish and He is still willing to perform a miracle.

"The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” This guy is awesome! He equates his own authority on earth with Jesus' authority in the Heavens. Now maybe this centurion thought Jesus would send a disciple to heal his servant or maybe he knew that Jesus was from God and could command angels and miracles just by his words. Either way, his faith in Jesus is pretty amazing.

10 "When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus is saying that within His own people, the Jewish people, He hasn't seen as much faith as in this pagan. This man, this centurion, has more faith in Jesus than the people who have read the Torah. Those that have been praying and waiting for the Messiah! And then Jesus declares it- 'many will come from the east and west,' people will come from all over the world and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior- as their Messiah, and feast in heaven with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. No longer is salvation only offered to Israel, but to the world. But his own, the Jewish people who do not accept him, will not enter the kingdom of heaven. On one hand it is exciting to see that Jesus had come for the world, but on the other hand, how sad for those who do not believe on the name of Jesus.

 13 "Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment." Jesus SPOKE healing. He just said the words and it was accomplished, 'at that moment.' No waiting. No begging God. Done!

Pray with me:
Jesus, I pray that I would have faith like this centurion and more! Forgive me of my faithlessness. Forgive me for doubting. Help me to know you. Help me to see you. Place in me a hunger to seek you every moment of every day. Help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Morning Moments with God Day 30

                          

Day 30: Jesus TOUCHED a Leper

Please read the Bible verse for today:

Matthew 8: 1-4

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him." (Matthew 8:1) Jesus has spoken, all of chapters five, six and seven, on the mountain- known as the 'Sermon on the Mount.' (If you look at these chapters you will see that all the words are in red, signifying these are Jesus' words). Anytime I see red lettering in the Bible I read it over and over again. THEY are JESUS' words! How awesome is that! We hear His heart. And just as a side note-"large crowds followed him" YES! Of course! and I would have been one in that large crowd =)

2 "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2) How desperate this man must have been. Lepers were kept away from the town- this guy was in town, or at least near people, near a moutain. Lepers were kept away from other people- this guy went straight up to Jesus and knelt down before Him. In all my years in the church, Catholic and Born-Again Non-Denominational, I have never knelt before the priest or pastor. I have never knelt before a Bible teacher. This Leper knew Jesus was more than a preacher, more than a teacher, more than a prophet. I believe in his heart he hoped he was kneeling before the Messiah. And He was right! I say he hoped he got it right because he then says, "IF you are willing..." This leper wasn't too sure what Jesus would say. He wasn't sure that Jesus wanted the best for him. But if you know God, if you know Jesus, you know He does want the best for us, the very best. 

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." I love when I read about anyone in the Bible that Jesus touched. One of my love languages is touch and for me touch is very important. I'm thinking, to the leper touch was important too. Having the disease leprosy and with how contagious it was, no one had touched this guy in a really long time. Why am I talking about touch? Well, Jesus is God. He SPOKE creation. He certainly could have SAID, "You are healed" and the leper would have been healed. But Jesus, "...reached out his hand and touched the man." That touch meant more to that leper than we can imagine. Jesus is not only touching this leper's disease, but touching his heart. Touch is, for me, a sign of acceptance. A sign of love. A sign that you know me. When I walk in the door of a friend's house or even church, I hug everyone I know and love, but those I haven't met yet, they get a "hello." A hug, a touch, carries a meaning. Jesus touched the man. I think anyone watching must have thought, "Wow, it must be safe to touch him now!" Others may have hugged him and received him back into the community. Jesus wasn't afraid to touch the man, even though everyone else was. Jesus isn't afraid or overwhelmed by our sin. Jesus knows our struggles and will heal us with a Word or a Touch.

"I am willing." I can not imagine a time where Jesus wouldn't be willing to heal us. Willing means to be "inclined or favorably disposed in mind," according to Merriam-Webster. I think that sums up Jesus- he is inclined or favorably disposed in mind to heal any one of us. So, why aren't we all healed? That's the question of the ages! I believe after reading chapters five, six and seven of Matthew, I found that Jesus is more concerned about our heart than anything else on this earth. If healing us physically will heal our hearts, than I believe there is healing, but if our hearts our at peace with Jesus, I believe He takes us home. And so, we see an immediate healing of leprosy! 

4 "Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Now this part of the story I cannot visualize. I can usually close my eyes and picture the stories I read, but this one has got me stumped. Here in verse one we read, 'large crowds followed Him," but in verse four we read, "See that you don't tell anyone." Didn't this happen in front of the large crowd? If, they were walking side by side and Jesus nonchalantly touched and healed him that would be different, but the leper knelt in front of Jesus. Jesus had to stop walking. People noticed, right? Maybe what Jesus was saying was, "Don't go down into the town yelling, "I'M HEALED!!! LOOK AT ME!! I'M HEALED!" Maybe Jesus wanted him to go quietly into town, see the priests, and go home. I believe Jesus didn't want His presence in a town to only be about healings. He wanted to reach the people's hearts with the Good News of Salvation first. 

Pray with me:
Jesus, I love you with all my heart! Thank you for teaching us so much in Matthew chapters five, six, and seven. Thank you for wanting my heart, wanting a relationship with me. Thank you for touching the leper and healing him. Thank you for not being afraid of my 'leprosy'- my sin. Thank you that you can heal my heart and wounds with one word or touch. Jesus, I know you are willing, heal me. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Morning Moments with God- Day 29

                             

Day 29: Choose to be a 'Wise Man'

Please read the Bible verses for today:

Matthew 7:24-29

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."

I don't know if you are like me and think of the song that someone wrote, for children, that goes with this verse, but I do...

             The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock

And I have to say it's not helpful when you're trying to read the Scripture. 

Verse 24, all by itself, "“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." If you have been tracking with me, remember all that Jesus has been talking about, 'Treasures in Heaven' (Matthew 6:19), 'Ask, Seek, Knock' (Matthew 7:7), and 'The Narrow Road' (Matthew 7:13). All of these verses are talking about a choice we have, a decision we make. No one can force us, only we can decide to follow Jesus or not. And yesterday we read about how Jesus calls us to be true disciples. I love these verses, Matthew 7: 24-29, because it summarizes chapters six and seven for us. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine, (What words? These words-"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.") and puts them into practice, ("but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" will enter the Kingdom of heaven") is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

If you hadn't understood all that Jesus has been saying in Matthew chapters six and seven then the verses 25-27 are a perfect picture story to pull everything altogether. Just imagine building your house on the sand, and after one heavy rain storm it crashes down to the ground. That image is anyone of us that tries to live his/her life without Jesus, our Rock. We work hard every day in our own strength building our lives without Jesus' guidance. We think we can do it all on our own. "I've got this," we say to ourselves. But then tragedy hits- someone you love dies, your spouse is cheating on you, an addiction is now a part of your life, your child is mixing with the wrong people, and it feels like everything you tried to do and work to keep life going is slipping out of your hand like grains of sand. When we chose to go this life alone, without Jesus, your 'house' will fall with a 'great crash.' I don't think Jesus could have made it more clear.

Our final verses for the day are, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." I cannot imagine what it would have been like to sit in the presence of Jesus and hear Him teach. He is man and GOD. God was in the room with them that's why he taught, 'as one who had authority.' God is speaking to us now, through His Word. If your life is in disarray. If you relate to the person who built his house on the sand and you feel like everything is falling in around you. If you haven't made a decision to follow Jesus, today is the day. Jesus wants your heart. He doesn't want a perfect person. He doesn't want your strength. Jesus wants you, in all your weakness and failure to come to Him surrendered so He can show you a new path, a new way to live. Stop trying to make it on your own and choose to walk this road of life with Jesus. 

Pray with me:
Jesus, I come to you in all my weakness and failures. I leave them all at your feet. Here is my heart. Come into my life and be my Lord. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I believe you are alive and Lord of Heaven. Come now into my heart, into my life. Lead me in the way I should go. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

If you already asked Jesus into your heart:
Jesus, forgive me for trying to walk this narrow road without you. Forgive me for being controlling. Forgive me for trying to live a perfect life without your guidance and thinking, "I can do this." Jesus, I can't do this. I surrender my life to you and ask you to show me the path you want me to walk on. Jesus, I am scared, but be with me and send Holy Spirit too! I want all of you in every area of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Morning Moments with God- Day 28

                                 

Day 28: False Disciple- Are You One?

Please read the Bible verse for today:

Matthew 7:21-23

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Yesterday we read about, 'True and False Prophets,' wolves disguised as sheep. Today, the Scripture is on True and False Disciples. According to Merriam-Webster, the word false means, "intentionally untrue, adjusted or made so as to deceive, intended or tending to mislead." To be a false prophet is to lead God's people away from the Lord, but what does it mean to be a false disciple? 

1. I remember the first time I read this Scripture I was scared. I thought, "Maybe, when I say, "Lord, Lord" Jesus would say to me, "I don't know you." But then I realized that I asked Jesus to come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. I believe in Jesus' death on the cross for my sins and His glorious resurrection. "16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16) I am a true disciple and the Lord does know me. I believe one thing that the Lord keeps speaking to my heart since I began reading the Book of Matthew, is that His acceptance, His love, His forgiveness, is simple. We complicate things and think that Jesus wants more from us than we can give. He doesn't. He wants our heart. Give Him your heart and you are a true disciple. 
2. Years ago when my husband and I were youth leaders in New York, we had one teen who did not want to ask Jesus into his heart. I sat with him one day and asked him why. He told me, "If I asked Jesus into my heart than I have to give up drinking, getting high and sleeping around. When I get tired of this life style I will turn my life to Jesus, but for now I will not live as hypocrites like my parents. (His parents were followers of Jesus, and helped out in different ministries, but in the home they were abusive, cussing, alcoholics). 
3. Are we living a life completely sold out for Christ? Are we surrendered to Him? Or are we going to church, helping out in ministries and yet deep in addictions? or doing what we want? Jesus is calling us to surrender. He is calling us to 'send up the white flag.' Can we live, in all areas of our lives, as Jesus wants us to? 
4. Pray with me:
   Jesus, I want to be a true disciple, not a false one. I want to be a person of integrity in and out of my home. I want to be surrendered to your will and not mine. Help me to live for you always. I love you with all of my heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Morning Moments with God-Day 27

                                 

Day 27: False Prophets are Real

Please read the Bible verse for today:

Matthew 7:15-20

True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

At the end of chapter six in the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us, "Do not worry" -to trust Him. In chapter seven in the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us to, "Ask, seek, knock and also about entering the narrow gate. Jesus has set out the truth for us to know Him. In today's reading, He prepares us for what could happen on the narrow road.

"Watch out for false prophets." Jesus could not have been more clear, "Watch out for false prophets." I remember I was sitting in my Bible study class, a few years ago, and this Scripture came up. The ladies were talking with one another about how there are no longer 'false prophets' in our day to worry about. I was shocked. How can anyone read this verse, "Watch out for false prophets," and think that Jesus was only talking about way back in His own day? Nowhere in this verse does He say to stop watching for false prophets. Read the Scripture with your eyes open. Read it and hear what Jesus is saying- "Watch out!"

After arguing with them some, they moved onto the next verse: "They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." One lady said, "What in the world does that mean?" So, I explained that a false prophet will come into the church or your life or work place looking like a Christian, a holy and God fearing person, but in their hearts they are there to deceive you. I couldn't convince one person. So, I told them my story of how I met, in 1991, a false prophet. 

She, the false prophet, came into our church, with her husband, two children and best friend. She looked normal. She mingled and talked with the other women and was accepted by most. She attended every prayer meeting and prayed Scriptures. On Sunday mornings she would stand up and hail out a prophecy. She looked like a, 'sheep.' She acted like a, 'sheep.' She was accepted as a, 'sheep.' But she a ferocious wolf. She was a leader of a cult. She came into our church looking to destroy it and win over the members for herself. Although she did not take over the church, she did win a few members. My family and I were some of them. 

One day I will write out the whole story, but for today I will share that the day I tried to escape the cult, she took off her sheep costume and revealed the wolf that she is. She turned my own family against me and planned my murder. 

The Scripture is true for today. Don't think that it cannot happen. Don't change the Scripture to give yourself a false sense of safety. Pray to be wise. Pray for eyes to see what Jesus would have us to see- the wolf. Pray to be the one who stands on the wall and watches over the church. 

"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Before I said, "she was accepted by most." Those that didn't accept her, later said, "She was weird." Some said, "There was something about her that scared me." Some people sensed the wolf, but didn't do anything. They were noticing her, the false prophet of our church, fruit. They didn't investigate, they just stayed away from her. 

Pray with me:

Jesus thank you for your Word that is true today, tomorrow and into eternity. Thank you for your warning. Help me to be on guard. Help me to resist passivity. Help me to have a heart for others to protect them. Help me to stand and pray. Jesus, help me to not be over taken by the 'sheep in wolves clothing.' Help me, Holy Spirit to discern your truth. In Jesus' name, Amen.

To read more about how the, 'sheep in wolves clothing' pierced my life: 

Hope Eternal

On the Bus

One Night of Beatings and I Never Felt a Thing