An interesting thought to ponder....

The way you keep your house, the way you organize your time, the care you take in your personal appearance, the things you spend your money on, all speak loudly about what you believe. The beauty of thy peace shines forth in an ordered life. A disordered life speaks loudly of disorder in the soul.

~Elisabeth Elliot

~Breanna

What am I doing??

Not that we are fully settled into our new home and area, as this will take time but our home is 90% done and the time has come to get back on track.  The Lord has really been prompting me, through the Word, to do a better job at guiding my home and to kill every lion that I see in the street so as to not hinder me from being about that which He has called me to.  (Proverbs 22:13)  As I have been seeking the Lord for wisdom and direction in this matter I came across an old study that I had done a few years ago and I was so blessed by it that I revamped a few goals and am seeking to walk forward in these areas.  I share this with you for several reasons.  

1.  I thought that perhaps it might be a blessing to someone else and 

2.  For accountability for me.  :-)

A Challenge and Encouragement - New Every Morning

Just as the sun rise is new every morning, so is the Lord’s faithfulness, love, forgiveness, and strength!

This morning, after waking to a breathtaking sunrise, the Lord really challenged me in some areas.

Using my time in a truly profitable way is often a challenge for me, and wasting that precious time often results in a lack spiritually.  This doesn’t just effect me; it effects all those around me!

I would like to share briefly with you the things that the Lord showed me this morning through His Word, in hopes that it will be a benefit and encouragement to you as well as it was to me.

“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.   For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”   –Philemon 1:4-7

Philemon’s love and faith brought about much joy and comfort to Paul, and was a refreshment to the saints.  Take note that Philemon was sharing his faith!  When we are about worthy spiritual pursuits, we will incur the prayers and support of the body of Christ.

“Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.”   –Philemon 1:20

We should be of benefit and refreshment to the body of Christ.  This only happens when our focus is right.

“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.”   –Philemon 1:21

Can the same be said of me?  Will I truly obey the voice of the Lord, or do I just slide back into the easy path?  Will I walk in faith and love and zeal for my Lord and for those He has placed around me?

This following quote by Charles Spurgeon, which I also read this morning, fit so well with everything else the Lord showed me.

“If we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.”

-Charles Spurgeon’s Morning Meditation, November 19th

We each know the areas in which we fail, and those things that distract us from serving our Lord as we ought.  But there is no room for defeat.  His mercy is always there, and with it He provides new strength.  May we each press on to walk steadfastly in the calling that we have received from the Lord!

~Post shared by Brittany

How do you spend your time?

Recently in our family, a topic of conversation has been time management. Just this morning, Seth and I were talking about some areas that we see as time wasters and what the fruit of walking in the flesh in any area will produce given a little time.

I poured my cup of tea and headed upstairs to spend some time in prayer and reading in the Bible; as is my normal practice.

I usually start my computer and open up e-sword (an awesome free tool), review my memory work (currently I am working on memorizing James 1. I am on verses 5-9 right now).

I read Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional, morning section only :-) and then proceed on to prayer.

Well this morning, I read the devotional and immediately went downstairs to share it with the family.

God is so good! When He wants to teach you something He is so faithful to show you in many ways. What a great teacher!

Anyways, I wanted to share it with all of you. Perhaps it will serve to encourage someone else in how you spend your time. Time is a gift from God and needs to be used wisely for His glory.

So on to the devotional . . .

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
- Ecc_9:10


“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.”

One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we “find to do” day by day.

We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God.

Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. 

Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do-”do it with thy might.”

Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day.

Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts.

Then let us seek his help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.