Monday Measure

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(I Thessalonians 5:18)

When do we give thanks?

Perhaps when we receive a wanted answer to our prayers? When we sit down to eat? When something good crosses our path? When our finances are blessed?

When SHOULD we give thanks?

According to the Monday Measure for this week, we should be giving thanks over EVERYTHING. What?? So that means I should be giving thanks when a false rumor gets back to me? Or when we have a hard time making financial ends meet? When my children seem to be testing every button at the same time? How about when I get a flat tire unexpectedly? Well my friends, all of those things are covered in the words God used here: EVERY THING.

Our thoughts are not God's thoughts. He sees a magnificent purpose in ALL things, all of which have a splendid purpose of bringing Him glory in some way or another. The things we react to with negativity is simply our selfish flesh with an "I want" attitude.

First of all, Philippians 4:19 tells us that God will supply all our NEEDS. I don't recall reading a verse in His word that flashes the bling, bells and whistles before us promising to be a genie in a bottle flopping every want that comes to mind into our laps. Besides, if our hearts were in the right place, shouldn't our needs and wants all be the same wrapped into one? HIM.

Yes, I have been argued with here, being told that He gives us the desires of our heart, and if those desires are wants, well, why shouldn't our hands be ready to contain those blessings?

Let's look at that scripture in context:
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
(Psalm 37:1-5)

So if we're not looking at the things of the world, or being envious of the stuff the world has to offer, trusting in the Lord, and committing our ways to Him, the want list changes doesn't it? At that point why then should our home, vehicles, jewelry, hairdo's, collections, and credit card charges be such an important focus for us? Yes, if we have it, we need to take care of it. If we have made choices that put us in a position of responsibility to pay for such things, then those debts are there for us to work for and debts to clear ourselves of... but the focus... the focus should be purely on Him.

Our thanks should be given over everything that comes along besides the good fortune. Will that flat tire give us a chance to witness to the tow truck driver or pedestrian that stops to help us change the tire? Are the problems with our children giving us a learning moment for ourselves as we turn them over to God praying for guidance? Those false rumors, aren't they simply a way for us to demonstrate love for our enemies? Could the financial needs piling up be His way of slowing us down and showing us our choices and how to better prioritize them... or even an open door to a testimony when He makes the ends meet when they seem so impossible at the moment?

Yes! The answer to all of those is yes! They are ALL moments that should bring praises of thankfulness to our lips. ALL things will ultimately bring God glory, whether we see it at the moment or not. How much less stress and worry will we have in our lives if we submit to that? Instead of the grumblings and complaints, stopping to think about how the Lord is using the moment for His glorification!

This weekend we picked up an exchange student from the airport, that will be staying with us throughout the school year. She's only been here for two days, and I believe she has said thank you more times in the last two days than I have said in months. That humbles me. It makes me realize how much more I should be rejoicing in thankfulness for EVERY THING that crosses my path... regardless of how badly the flesh wants to gripe about the circumstance.

I hope you'll join me this week, learning and submitting to giving thanks for everything that crosses our path... after all, it's in His will and crossing our path for a purpose!

Monday Measure

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
(Ephesians 4:32)

Revenge, paybacks, alts, silent treatments, door slamming, angry retorts, bitterness, yelling, finger pointing... None of those words are in that verse, and yet they are often within our first responses to wrong doings, accusations, or hurt feelings. We KNOW those responses will get us no where quickly except with more hurt and additional amends to make it the long run. Flesh likes to open its mouth first, having a temper tantrum revolving around self.

If we could only learn to shut our mouths, whisper a prayer, and allow the Lord to intercede for us, so much could be gained for His glory, with so much more peace for ourselves in the process.

Whether someone cuts us off in traffic, spreads a nasty rumor, falsely accuses, hurts our feelings, spats with a spouse, or if our children disobey... we NEED to learn to be kind and compassionate, remembering we are not perfect, we are in daily need of forgiveness, and should likewise forgive others.

God's word is always uplifting, encouraging, loving, and compassionate to us no matter what the sin... what an awesome example of how we should treat others in our lives... strangers, loved ones, and acquaintances.

Keep this verse on my heart Lord, and only your words on my lips... thinking of your will before my own, forgiving others as I desire to be forgiven for my own faults.

Monday Measure

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
(1 Chronicles 16:11)

The verse speaks for itself. No situation, problem, circumstance, or person can out-do the power of God. We are given an answer to our prayers before they even escape our lips... we are to seek the Lord, seek His strength, and seek His face... continually! Not when we remember to, not after we try fixing a problem on our own, not according to an OCD agenda... the word of God says continually.

Prayer time doesn't always have to be about asking for help, reminding God of His promises, and naming off everyone we know... He knows our situation, He knows what He's promised us, and He is aware of all those in our lives that weigh heavy on our heart... He just wants us to find Him.

When you find something, you have to seek it out first. If you lose your car keys (and if you're anything like me), you dig through your purse (multiple times), scan every table in the house, flip over couch cushions, check the ignition... you seek out those keys until you know they are secure in your possession. Those are car keys! Shouldn't our time with God be handled with even greater care and effort than a set of replaceable car keys?

Our prayer time, our moments with God, should be spent seeking Him until we know He is secure in our possession, giving us a peace over everything that brought us to our knees in the first place without ever even having to mention them. He is that mighty... He can provide the peace that passes all understanding: if we seek Him.

Monday Measure

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:




Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7)

Oh how often we get anxious and impatient for what we know should be happening, could be happening, or want to have happening. With everyday lists of things to do, errands to run, bills to pay, and children to tend to the fleshly mind can't help at times to overwhelm itself and before we know it things are out of control and our week is unproductive.

However, keeping our eyes on the Lord, a prayer on our heart, and His words on our mind, can cause the day to be accomplished and full of a peace and joy only He can provide. Things will happen... on HIS timing... so this week I'll be thankful in all I do for what the Lord has in store for me for that moment, and that moment alone. If a burden arises, it will be taken to Him to handle for me... because everything IS under His control!

Monday Measure

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:




Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
(Deuteronomy 31:6)

This week I'm working some more on my strength... my spiritual strength!! I will not be weary in well doing, I won't let stress and nerves get to me when something is said or done that could otherwise ruin one's day, and I refuse to allow myself to get stirred up when a solution doesn't seem possible in my own eyes.

I will be strong, I will have faith, I will stand out among the crowd! Each time I remind myself of this verse this week, I will be assured that His word promises me that He WILL NOT fail me or leave my side, and that He is with me through EVERY situation, great or small, that I am faced with... from crowds at the grocery store to traffic holding me up, from bills that appear in the mailbox to unexpected incidents that try to steal my focus, from discouraging words said to or about me to the health of my loved ones, and all other circumstances out of my control... the Lord is with me, so whom or what should I fear, dwell on, or worry about? Nothing!

I don't know about you, but I'm going to have an awesome week!

What's YOUR Monday Measure?

Monday Measure

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:




And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28)

Hey! I love the Lord! I'm called! So guess what peeps?? No matter what comes my way this week, regardless how badly my flesh wants to flare up to huff, puff, fuss, complain, argue, or sulk... I can let it all go and be rest assured that it's going to be alright!

Why? Because He reminds me in this verse that it's all going to work out for the good, so why bother wasting my time with what the flesh wants to do in response! I'm going to sing, smile, laugh, rejoice, and ENJOY my week within ALL that I do, whether it be work, leisure, chores, errands, bill paying or child rearing, because NO stumbling block can contradict what the Lord reminds me of in His word! The situation may LOOK bad, the circumstance may SEEM impossible, the light at the end of the tunnel may APPEAR invisible, but it HAS to turn out good in the end because I love Him, I'm called, and HE SAID SO! Since it's all going to be alright, let's go enjoy the week!

What's YOUR Monday Measure?

Monday Measure

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:




Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
(John 14:27)

I'm often told (mainly by my husband) that I'm a lot like my dad. You rarely see him stressed out, worried, or bothered by anything. He literally goes with the flow. Knowing my dad, I'm also aware that this is a trait of his because he stirs the pot in other ways to relieve his frustrations... such as posting controversial political topics on Facebook, then sitting back to watch everyone around him go crazy with their responses... which in turn provides him with a laugh and he forgets what was bothering him in the first place (*sigh*).

I like to see it differently. I like to see my lack of bouncing off walls and blowing things out of proportion as a way of keeping my sanity. My view is, whether I worry about something or not, that the "thing" will still be present... so do I ruin my day by dwelling on it, trying to conjure up my own solution that could wind up way off track doing more damage, yelling at everyone around me because my day has been ruined by a situation or circumstance... or do I stop and say wait a minute, I WILL NOT allow this to ruin the rest of my day. It's happened... my immediate behavior is not going to pay the amount due on a bill or current expense, change the weather, alter my child's attitude, bring Mike home off the road, stop the dog from barking non stop at the squirrel out the window, change the cost of gas, repair what is damaged, or cause items on a to do list to become invisible (among a wide array of other ways in which a day can be attacked).

However, I DO have the ability to pause in the circumstance, take a deep breath, and absorb the peace my Maker provides for me! When young, we're expected to react promptly to what mom or dad instructed us to do... whether it be stop arguing with a sibling, doing the dishes, taking out the trash, cleaning our room, or answer a question... I don't know about you, but a response better happen fast or consequences came. So, how much greater should we respond to what the Lord instructs us to do. He said "Let not your heart be troubled"... I say, yes Father. He knows what is best for us, He knows what is to come, He knows our every need... whether we flip out when the need appears or not, He is still aware of it, and WILL provide for that need... we just have to accept that and allow His peace to overcome the circumstance before we allow ourselves to have our fits to fall into first.

So this week, I've decided to focus more on my reactions. Although I tend to not over-react or stress over things in general, my attitude can never have too much adjustment that focusing on this verse before I react won't help even more.

Lord, help me this week to pause before I react or speak regardless of the situation. Help me to envision how YOU would react to a circumstance or what YOU would say as a response before I allow the fleshly self to respond first. If nothing else, tie my tongue and hold control over my physical being, chastising even the thought of any reaction that is unlike one that represents you. Help me to follow by your example, and allow the peace you provide to comfort me, refusing to allow my heart or mind be troubled over any worldly appearances within my life. Amen!

So what's YOUR Monday Measure?

Monday Measure

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:

The LORD is good,
a strong hold in the day of trouble;
and he knoweth them that trust in him.
(Nahum 1:7)

This week I'm spending time on the road with my husband. I of course enjoy this because it's not very often my husband and I get time alone. As in any Christian's life, the devil seeks to destroy the goodness in our lives by throwing in stumbling blocks, obstacles, and trials. Last time I rode with Mike, we got one of those loops thrown at us through a phone call from our daughter's doctor. THIS time as I ride along with him, I'm going to enjoy it thoroughly without allowing the enemy to steal a moment of my joy.

This verse reminds me that HE KNOWS ME!! He's my stronghold in those twists and turns, and will ALWAYS see me through... and this week will be no different! His eyes are watching over our path and protecting our children while we're away from them. The verse sums it up in the first four words: the Lord is good!!

What's YOUR Monday Measure?

Monday Measure

How often have you seen or (more likely) used the coined acronym TGIF? I understand after a long week of work or busy agendas that the weekend is one many look forward to... perhaps covet is more like it. Why does the week itself have to be seen as such a bad thing? Perhaps the only reason Friday looks so joyous to so many is because the rest of the week is approached the wrong way!

Because of this, I've decided to create for myself a Monday Measure to set a precedent for my week. Measure is defined as a portion, standard, rule, or a scope. Only we can set the standard for how our week is  going to be. The day showing on the calendar shouldn't determine for us how that day, or the days to come, are going to lay out for us. Perhaps Friday looks so promising because we set ourselves up for failure as soon as we roll out of bed Monday morning... but that can be adjusted! Let's TGIM (Thank God It's Monday) for a change!

Anyone else that wants to give this a shot is more than welcome, but I've decided to use this as an accountability source between me and God. What better way than to use His own word to lay a foundation for myself and the week to come.

My "Monday Measure" for this week is:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped:

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

(Psalm 28:7)

This week, when the day seems to boggle me down, when struggles come my way, and when I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, I'll have this verse written on a note card to read aloud, reminding myself that He is there to carry me through the day when I trust in Him, helping me through every step... regardless of what day it may be!

What's YOUR Monday Measure?