Discerning Hearts Ministry
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts
  • Home
  • About
    • Founder
    • Contact Information >
      • Connecting
    • Doctrinal Statement
    • Foundation
    • Values & Vision
  • Resources
    • Seminars & Workshops
    • Ellen Krahn
    • NextLEVEL Leadership
    • Following Jesus

 

Declare God's Glory

9/28/2020

0 Comments

 
If you are like most people, you have felt inadequate and lacking in confidence at times. There have been many self-help books written to help us improve ourselves and grow in self-confidence. I have read some of these. One thing I have noticed is that they put the focus on “me.” They stress that I am the answer and solution to make things better. These books don’t give a complete answer to the problem.  When we add surrendering to God, our insecurities diminish.  Positive thinking and self-talk strategies go only so far for those who struggle with self-worth. These strategies can seem like good ideas that we should embrace, but only work for a while.  I looked up self-talk and could agree with most everything I read.  However, what I find distressing is that it is only part of the solution.  Much what the world communicates today provides only part of the answer.  Without the whole truth, without balancing these ideas with what God teaches in His Word, we get just half of the truth, which can lead us into believing lies.
 
Please take time to read these few verses. The author of Psalm 119: 137-144 writes from his personal struggles and pain.  Yet, he focuses on the joy and fulfillment that God provides.  The writer does not dwell on himself or his situations.  He names and proclaims, with a joyful and thankful heart, the attributes, gifts and even requirements of God.

  • Righteousness 
  • Faithfulness
  • Promises
  • Precepts
  • Commands
 
Words such as precepts and commands conjure up thoughts of rules and limitations confining and limiting our freedom and happiness. Yet the writer realizes that obedience to God’s Word brings about its own liberty.  It brings freedom of spirit and eternal joy.
 
Each verse reflects the writer’s love and devotion to God’s Word. They reveal the fulfillment the author receives through scripture and the protection God provides through life’s situations.
 
My prayer is that God’s Word will fulfill the deep needs of your heart and life and that you will be able to declare God’s Glory through His Word.  
 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4: 7

0 Comments

Trusting Step by Step

9/21/2020

0 Comments

 
Have you ever had the privilege of holding the hand of a little one just learning to walk?  They hold on with all the strength their tiny hands can manage. They look up with trusting eyes, knowing that with every step they take, you will not lead them into danger but will keep them safe. God desires that same trust and devotion from us. 
 
Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Psalm 119:133
 
The Psalmist asks God to keep his footsteps steady, not wavering off the right path.  He claims God’s promise to help and requests that God keeps sins from having control over him. 
 
In Proverbs 4:20-27, we read of God’s clear instructions that show us how to follow God step by step and avoid having sin take dominion over us.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
 

As you read the verses try to identify the steps to keep one close to the Lord.
#1 _________ Attention   verse 20               
#2 _________ God’s Word verse 21 & 22
#3 _________ My Affections verse 23
#4 _________ My Conversation  verse 24
#5 _________ My Gaze  verse 25
#6 _________ My Steps  verse 26
#7 _________ From Evil  verse 27
(Answers not in order:  keep, guard, watch, pay, know, control, fix)
             
COVID-19 could overtake our hearts and minds.  Don’t let it.  Focus on God’s Word daily, and He will guide you Step by Step.
 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”    
Philippians 4: 7
0 Comments

Frustrated Prayers

9/14/2020

0 Comments

 
Sometimes my “by the book” personality gets me into trouble. Most of the time, I like things done, “decently and in order.”  Scripture teaches us that principle.
 
Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
 
Several years ago, I was co-leading a ministry team to Romania.  I was very frustrated when the schedule and plans kept changing.  One of the younger team members was a great example to me, teaching me to enjoy the moment and to relax.  God was in charge.
 
When I read Psalm 119:121 - 128, I saw my personality show up in verse 126:
 
It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.
 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A121-128&version=ESV;HCSB;TLB
Do you feel that way about many of the things that are happening in the world today? 
 
It seems the world has gone crazy!  People break the law and get away with it.  Some of the laws written by our current governments are contrary to God’s Holy Word. It’s hard not to want to say to the Lord, ‘Please put a stop to this insanity, we have had enough!’ “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”
 
Thankfully, God did not turn away the prayer of the writer of this Psalm, and He will not turn away those who come to Him with their honest, obedient and faithful hearts.  We can go to God with all of our frustrations.  We can speak to Him with everything we are thinking and feeling.  He wants us to admit these to Him, and then lay them at His feet to handle and take care of according to His will and timing.
 
God wants to hear our honest hearts, coming to Him in humble obedience, being like Christ. 
 
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2: 5-8
 
If you are feeling frustrated today and want to say as the Psalmist said:
IT IS TIME FOR THE LORD TO ACT!
 
Admit it to the Lord and claim the following verse for yourself.
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 

Philippians 4:7

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Debi Snider... more

    Go here to sign up for New Blog Notifications.

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    Attitude
    Brave
    Christmas
    Courage
    Creation
    Despair
    Discipline
    Family
    Following Jesus
    Freedom
    Gifts
    Gladness
    Goals And Aspirations
    Hope
    Liberty
    Marriage
    Memories
    Mentoring
    Praise
    Prayer
    Promised Messiah
    Quiet Time
    Sacrifice
    Sharing The Gospel
    The Mind Of Christ
    Valentines
    Wise Men From The East

    RSS Feed

Connect with Debi
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
    • Previous Posts
  • Home
  • About
    • Founder
    • Contact Information >
      • Connecting
    • Doctrinal Statement
    • Foundation
    • Values & Vision
  • Resources
    • Seminars & Workshops
    • Ellen Krahn
    • NextLEVEL Leadership
    • Following Jesus