2011 - The Year in Review

In 5 days, the year 2011 will be over and a new year2012 will be ushered in.   So for today’s post I would like to leave you with some thoughts to ponder as you reflect on the year 2011.  For some of us as we reflect on this year we have different emotions- joy, and happiness, and for some sadness and despair.  Some cannot wait to say goodbye and others are clinging to it, embracing every last minute. Regardless of your emotion let us pause to thank God for His goodness and Mercy knowing that regardless of what we went through He was with us all te way as well as understanding that things could have been worse.

Most of us had plans, for what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do them.  Others had no plans and just rolled with the punches.  In whatever category you found yourself- Did you achieve the goals you had for 2011, your personal goals, as well as your family goals?  For some, our goal was to spend more time with the children and grandchildren.  For some it may have been to have more family prayer time, for others it may have been more family bible study, to get married, to get that promotion on the job, a new car or a new house.  Were you at least close?  If the answer is no, think about the reasons why you were not able to achieve them?  If you answered yes, think about what you did to accomplish your goals and see what you can repeat for 2012.

Here is some food for thought as you make your plans for 2012: What or who did you align yourself with in 2011 that was a hindrance to your progress and success, which you must leave behind and not drag into 2012?  Were your plans similar to the plans that God had for you?  Did you do what you promised God that you would have done for Him in 2011?

God has a purpose for you as a mother; do you know what this purpose is?  Have you wondered how many destinies may be wrapped up in your obedience to what God is asking of you?  Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. So why not ask Him for 2012?

 It is better to be unsuccessful doing what God has planned for you to do, than being successful at what He did not ask you to do.
For 2012: It is my prayer that as mothers we will operate in the will of God and according to the word of God.  It is my hope that we will not do what is popular but instead will do what is righteous.  It is my hope that we will love not just our children more, but our neighbor’s children and the nation’s children.  It is my hope that we will remain steadfast, and will not give up easily, that we will exemplify the fruit of the spirit in our homes and everywhere we go.  It is my hope that any broken relationships with our children in 2011 will be mended for 2012 and that your children will rise up and call you blessed.

In His Service,

Vilma

The Perfect Gift

In 6 days it will be Christmas day.  The Christmas season on a whole is one of the most celebrated holiday seasons in a number of countries.  It would be correct to say that every person in this country regardless of their religious belief is usually affected in some way by the Christmas season.  The merchants are busy stocking and restocking their shelves, offering the latest and best in toys, appliances, electronics, and clothing, trying to satisfy the demand of shoppers giving them what they want and much more.  There are also the shoppers who are very busy depleting the store shelves giving the merchants and credit card companies what they want, money.  Some are finished shopping and are busy wrapping gifts, or hiding gifts, so that are can give what their children, other relatives, and friends want.  Some are working extra hours to give themselves the extra cash they need to spend.

There are still others who have just had relationships severed with little or no warning; there are those who are giving into depression because of loneliness, homelessness, or joblessness.  There are still others who have given into memories that make them dread the season, for some it may be the loss of a loved one or some other catastrophic event.  Last but not least, there are others who are filled with excitement and hope, knowing that if there was no Christmas, there life would be utterly meaningless.  Good or bad we are affected.

 There is one word that seems to be evident it all the scenarios I just described and that is the word “Giving”.  Hence we can come to the conclusion that the Christmas season is a time of Giving.  I sometimes question how many times we really nail it by giving or receiving the perfect gift?
For me I just do not like shopping, the crowds are one thing, but the main reason is that some people are just too hard to shop for.  Sometimes even when you are told the color you still get it wrong, for example a red sweater is not just a red sweater, because of the many shades of red, sometimes the size is off, or the brand is wrong, it may be too short too tight too…., (you can add yours) and sometimes even when you get it right, then they may have changed their mind and want something else. Did I hear somebody say GIFT CARD!!?
 It seems that the “perfect” gift was always elusive.  Why is this?  I am so glad you ask.  I believe it is impossible because THE PERFECT GIFT WAS ALREADY GIVEN, OVER 2000 YEARS AGO.  The name on of this gift was JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

“Twelve days of Christmas” is a very funny song that we usually sing around this season, but as I think about this little song, I reflect on my true love and what He gave to me and this is what I now sing. 

Many thousands of years ago, My True love looked on earth and He saw some sinners that He truly loved.  He tried different ways to wash away their sins, so He could have a relationship with them.  No person or thing He tried was able to get the job perfectly done.  Finally over 2000 years ago He looked at his son Jesus, perfect in every way and decided He would be the one.  In obedience to His father’s will Jesus did not hesitate but left his home in Heaven and came down to earth.  He was born in a manger to the virgin Mary, He was ridiculed, talked about, hated, and eventually was sacrificed on a cross, but as promised He rose up after 3 days with all power in his hand.  He had accomplished His mission, to save the world from their sins, and also to heal all their diseases.  Now He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us, and where He is we will also be. 

This perfect gift keeps on giving.  It will never get outdated.  After He went back to heaven He left us the Holy Spirit, to be our comforter and guide revealing to us all truths.  He gave life and Life more abundantly (John 10:10).  He has given us power/authority (Mat. 10:1), the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20).  The gift gives Love (John 3:16), Peace (John 14:27), Joy (Nehemiah 8:10), Faith (Romans 12:3).

 As a matter of fact whatever you need this gift can provide.  This gift is the right color, size, shape, and name brand.  It is not battery operated, neither does He depend on electricity.  It will never become outdated, will never spoil, and fits into every season of the year.  All you need to do is to accept this gift, do not worry that you may mess it up, it does come with a manual (the Bible) that will show us how to operate it, so that we can maximize His potential.  Every day you will discover new possibilities about this gift, and the more you share Him with others, the better He gets.
So for this very busy season as you give and receive gifts, remember what I have shared in this blog, and somehow start a conversation about this gift.  

Isaiah 9:6- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In His Service,
 

Vilma

Looking at His Promises - Isaiah 44:3-5

We have just completed our prayer for our children to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.  I hope this was helpful to all who were able to read them. 

Starting with today’s blog I would like us to look at some of the promises from God concerning our children.  As I mentioned in a previous post it is important to know these promises, so we can constantly remind ourselves of them, knowing that He who made these promises, will never go back on what He promised.  When we look on our children, what do we see?  Do we see potential/Possibilities?  Do we see hope and a future?  

I would like to share with you a promise form the book of Isaiah.  
Isaiah 44:3-5.  For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.  They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.  One will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.  (NIV)

God has promised not to sprinkle, wet, or make damp, but to Pour out His Spirit on your children (offspring) and His blessings on your descendants.  Not only your immediate child or children, (offspring) but their children and their children’s children and as far down the line as you can possible imagine (descendants).  It is the gift that keeps on giving.  God says our children will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing springs – think about it.  The poplar tree translated “white tree” though usually a shrub can grow up to twenty feet.  A shrub is not a tree but with the right care- by flowing streams -it can surpass many trees.  Do not discount what or who they are, with the right care you can bring them to their 20 feet. 

Father I thank you for my children, I pray that as they grow in your grace they will recognize who they truly are in you.  I pray that they will confirm who they are by the words from their mouth ‘I belong to the Lord’ or call themselves by the name of the Lord or they will confirm this by writing on their hand, “The LORD's,' In Jesus’ name Amen

Do you believe this?  If you do, then try to maintain your focus on it; though it may tarry it will surely come to pass.

In His Service,

Vilma

Prayer for Self-Control/Temperance .............. Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5: 22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is ……..meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.
For this post we will look at the the final aspect of the fruit of the spirit which is TEMPERANCE. In the NIV the word SELF-CONTROL is used instead of the word TEMPERANCE. The word self-control  is self explanatory, however, I would like  share with you the definition from the New Ungers Bible dictionary which states: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites. In other words having control over our “temper and emotions”.
Controlling our temper and emotions seems to be a difficult thing to do for most of us. We frequently will hear people justify their actions as being triggered by another person or thing. Whereas we cannot control other people’s action, we certainly need to know that we can control ours. We do have a choice of how we respond when confronted by certain situations. Because it is an “all you can eat buffet”, does not mean that I need to eat myself sick. Because the driver cuts me off, it does not mean I give him the finger, because a male may pay me a compliment , does not mean I need to  pursue a realtionship, because the cashier gave me too much change does not mean I put it in my wallet and leave. In all these situations I had the choice over my actions.  In other to control our emotions and passions we need to first start with the mind, we need to make sure that our minds are renewed daily with the word of God. We need to pause before we react and think of what would Jesus want us to do,counting to 10 may not be enough.

Father, I pray that my children will exhibit the fruit of self-control/temperance in their everyday life. Control over their emotions and passions, knowing when to say No, or Yes, or when to walk away. I pray that they will renew their mind with your word, and will pause before reacting to situations.  That they will not see this as a weakness but as a strength. As I pray for them, I pray that I too will exhibit before them this fruit of Self-control/Temperance in the way in which I respond to situations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Of such there is no Law” Any person who exhibits these virtues of the fruit of the spirit, cannot be condemned!!!!!

In his Service,

Vilma  

Prayer for MEEKNESS - fruit of the Spirit

For today’s post we will continue to look at the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is ……..MEEKNESS, temperance: against such there is no law.

MEEKNESS is a fruit of the Spirit that tends to be quite misunderstood by many.

What is Meeknes? According to the strong’s concordance the Greek word for Meekness is Praotes which means gentleness or humility. A furthur look at Humility denotes a lowliness of mind, an inwrought  grace of the soul that allows one to think of himself no more highly than he ought to think (New Ungers Bible Dictionary). The word gentleness, expresses a spirit of willingness and obedience and a lack of resistence to God’s dealings with us (New Ungers Bible Dictionary).

Most people associate meekness with weakness,and tend not to admire people who are meek. I prefer to agree with those who describe meekness as strength under control.

Meekness is a very important characteristics for christians.  Jesus addresses the issue of meekness in his teachings of the sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes. He said “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth”  So in order for us to inherit the earth that Christ has placed us in we need to have an attitude of meekness. The bible gives us examples of people who were meek,Jesus Christ was our greatest example, and at no time could he be mistaken as weak. At all times He had His strenth under control. Moses was another example of a person who was Meek, He delivered the Children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness millions of complaining people, there was nothing weak about him.  Numbers 12: 3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)  
   Having an attitude of meekness, is saying that we are dependent on someone other than ourselves and we do not get upset about things as we have the confidence that God is working things out on our behalf. In today’s society it would seem like agression is the way to go, bulldozing our way through people to get what we want, being loud and argumentative. Unfortunately as christians we cannot go with the world’standard.
Is it easy to be humble, and to think of others more highly than ourselves, to express a spirit of willingness and obedience and a lack of resistence to God’s  dealings- No but it is doable, why? God does not ask us to do what is impossible, that is His Job.

So here is our prayer for our Children: Father I thank you for my Children. I thank you that you want the best for them at all times. Father I thank you that you are the greatest example for us to follow, and that there is no temptation common to man for which you have not given us a way of escape. I pray that the spirit of Meekness will be manifested in my children. Help them to realize that by being meek they are showiing their confidence and dependence on you. As I pray for their meekness, help me as their mother to also be an example of meekness before them, In Jesus’s name Amen.

In His Service,

Vilma

Prayer for Faith/Faithfullness Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is…………FAITH, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Faith was previously addressed in my blog post on August 22, 2011.  I will include some of the information that was presented in that post, Just in case you prefer not go to the archives to find it.

The Greek word for Faith is “pistis”, which is translated as belief, trust, reliable and faithful.  The fundamental idea of Faith in the scripture is steadfastness and faithfulness.

Hebrews 11:1 now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (NIV).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (KJV).

Faith is extremely important for Christians.  The bible says in Hebrews 11:6- And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (NIV).

 Put another way we cannot please God by our works, we can only please Him if we Trust/ believe in Him and in what He has done for us.  How would you feel if some person who you have always being kind and helpful to over the years, one day decides that they no longer believe or trust in your ability to help them?  Remember you have always been there for them, always come through for them.  I believe that this would make very unhappy, I know I would not be pleased.  This is what happens when we do not trust or believe the things that God promises to do for us, even when we know what His track record is. 
I often hear people saying things like “you have no faith” or he or she has more faith than I do.  However I would like to disagree with statements like this.  Here is my reasoning:
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The measure refers to a specific unit of measurement or amount.  If the Bible said a measure of Faith, then I could agree with you because it could mean that the amount of faith given differed according to what was used to measure it- a spoon, a cup, a glass or a bucket.  So why do some people seem to have more than the next person.  I would say that the more one exercises his Faith the more his Faith grows.  

In addition to having trust and a belief in God, we need our children to exhibit a character of faithfulness, and loyalty in their everyday life.  They need to exhibit faithfulness to God, to their family, in their church, on their job, in their school. As we pray for our children to exhibit the characteristic of FAITH, we need to make sure that we are an example to them of what it means to be faithfull.

Father, I thank you for my child/children.  I pray that they will develop trust, belief and loyalty in You and in your Word and as they grow in their trust, belief and loyalty for you this will be translated into a life of faithfulness in everything they say and do.  In Jesus’ Name Amen.

In His Service,

Prayer for Goodness - fruit of the Spirit

But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, GOODNESS, faith ……of such there is no law.  

GOODNESS is the next portion of the fruit of the Spirit that we will look at in today’s post.  To fully understand what we are asking for when we pray for our children to exhibit goodness as a part of their everyday lives, let us look more closely on what Goodness means.
  The Strong’s concordance Greek translation of GOODNESS is agathosune {ag-ath-o-soo'-nay} which means virtue or beneficence.  We can further define the word virtue as a benefit, a quality, an asset, or a plus.  The word beneficence on the other hand (from an ethical point of view) usually means “to do no harm”.  

Why should we strive to be good, or to do no harm to others?  Why should we strive to do the right thing and to do it for the right reason?  According to Pastor Melvin Newland, “One of our problems with goodness is the same problem we have with love.  The word "good" is used in so many ways, just as we use the word "love."  I do agree with this statement.  The word good does seem to be used indiscriminately and sometimes glibly and takes on the meaning of its context.

Our Standard for what Goodness is should be patterned after Jesus- that is the type of goodness that we should strive to exhibit.  The Bible tells us that Jesus went around doing good- He did no Harm

Acts:10: 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Jesus went around doing good.  We also can, and should go around doing God.  He did not choose to do good to those who could reciprocate; neither did he do so just for those who followed Him or Loved Him.  He did good whenever there was a need.  A key point to notice is that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power as well as the fact that God was with Him.
The act of goodness should originate from the heart; it is not an act to draw attention to us.  Again this may be difficult to achieve, however it’s attainable.  This same power that Jesus Christ had while He was on earth is the same power that He left with us when He returned to heaven.  He also left the Holy Spirit with us and we too can get this anointing upon us.

Father I thank you for (insert name/names).  I pray for the spirit of goodness to be exhibited in their life.  I pray that they will seek to always do good and not evil to others.  Father I pray that they will not just do good things to be seen but will do good things as a prompt from their hearts.  As I pray for this attribute to be exhibited in (insert name/names) I pray that I myself will become an example of goodness to them.  In Jesus’ name. Amen