Weekly Wisdom: Giving God the First Fruits

God, Jesus Christ, Bible, Scripture, first fruits, Hannah, words of wisdom, truth

You know how they say that children learn by repetition? Well, I think God has been using that method with me lately in order to press upon my heart the importance of giving Him the first fruits not only every morning but in everything I do. I had been reminded gently of this truth thru a couple of blog posts that I read recently. It obviously didn’t get thru to me the first time so God reminded me again thru a sermon I listened to while driving 3 hours to pick up my daughter from sleep away camp, and then again thru the Women in the Word series at She Reads Truth when I read about Hannah. But what does it mean to give God the first fruits? I don’t think it’s my place, nor is it my intent to delve into the theological meaning of the first fruits as referred to in the Old as well as the New Testaments, but I’d like to share some of the spiritual meanings that God has been conveying to me lately. Continue reading

Weekly Wisdom: No Matter What…I’m Bankrupt Without Love

wisdom, faith, love, God, Jesus Christ, Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:3

If you were told that you had one week to live, what would you do with your time left here on earth? Who or what would you want to see during the final days of your life? And how many people do you think would come to say goodbye? When Moses was told by God that he would die soon, before entering the Promised Land, Moses’ main concern was to make sure the people of Israel had a shepherd after he was gone. He loved his people so much that even in his final days, all he cared about was their well being. Moses knew what love was and he knew how to love.

In his book, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren states that he has been at the bedside of many people in their final moments and that he’s never had anyone ask to see their achievements, diplomas, medals and awards, one more time before they die. Instead, they want to be surrounded by people they love. You can’t take achievements and accomplishments with you to heaven but love stays with you forever. He goes on to explain that God is love and one of our main purposes here on earth is to learn how to love.

And how do we learn how to love? Continue reading

Weekly Wisdom: The Race of Your Life

God's Word, Scripture, faith, truth, wisdom, Hebrews 12

I confess, I have been out of focus lately, feeling a little out of sync, as if I’ve lost my sense of direction. I feel like a ship that has lost sight of the lighthouse and is being tossed around by the waves, slowly drifting away from its intended path. Ever since BSF ended in the beginning of this month, I have not been consistent with meditating on or digging deep into Scripture, and I feel the difference. Knowing how amazing it can be when I dwell in God’s Word, being able to discern His urgings more clearly, and experience Him working within and around me, there’s really no other place I’d rather be and all I want is to get back in God’s path. Just like Moses and the Israelites, I want to follow His cloud by day and His pillar of fire by night, and have a sense of direction as I live out my God-given purpose in this life. Continue reading

Weekly Wisdom: His Grace is Enough

wisdom, truth, faith, grace, God, Bible, Jesus, Your Grace is Enough

“Wake up, girls! It’s time to get up and get ready for church!” I yell out as I walk down the hallway towards the girls’ bedrooms. I hear a faint “okay” followed by moans. Seeing that the girls have started to move about, I go back to my room to start getting ready myself. A few minutes later, my middle one shuffles in and asks, “What should I wear?” I tell her to just pick out a long-sleeve top and a pair of leggings. She says (whines) that she wants to wear a skirt and needs my help. I follow her back to her room and run thru several outfits, going back and forth between her non-stop whining and me doing my best to maintain my cool. I finally just step away and tell her to figure something out. After prodding me for more suggestions, she finally settles on an outfit and goes downstairs. Continue reading

Weekly Wisdom: You Are God’s Masterpiece

God, Christ, Bible, faith, truth, Psalm 139, Ephesians 2:10

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain… For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. ~Psalm 139:1-6; 13-15

This passage from Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It’s beyond my comprehension that a God so awesome and majestic knows me so intimately. How amazing is it to know that God created each one of us with the utmost love and care and that He is familiar with all of our ways. Every part of us was made with meaning and purpose. No part of us is an accident. Continue reading