Repenting for Not Loving.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3,11 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Wow! Let's just say it was a morning for a good spiritual spanking. Have you ever gotten one of those? What conviction I received as I read this morning, all started from a book I'm finishing up. The topic of the section I was reading was "love."

The author gave the analogy of dirty pipe. In one side of the pipe, an ABUNDANCE of water was gushing in. On the other side of the pipe, only a small trickle of dirty water was coming out. The water gushing in represented the glory of the Lord. The pipe, represented "our" spirit. The trickle of water coming out of the pipe represented the presence of the Lord after going through us. The Glory of the Lord in its fullness, came out of the pipe in such minimal proportions, that it would create a dirty, yucky pond at best. Why? Because of all the dirt in the pipe. All of the sin, unforgiveness, lack of love that was in the found in "our spirits." What this was doing? It was LIMITING the Blessing of the Lord to show up in our lives, in any and all areas. 

I hesitantly allowed myself to begin to reflect. Were there any people that I held unforgiveness or bitterness towards? I allowed my mind to run through possibilities. What about love? Was there anyone who I had not shown love to? I immediately had a few people come to mind. They were people that I chose not to associate with. Why? Because they were completely different than me. Different political view, different spiritual view, different personality, different everything! Ok.... I'm airing my dirty laundry here, so put down your stones for a minute. So here this person is, I have had the opportunity to show love to, and I have not. Not even once. Instead, I put on judgmental glasses, in my heart felt more disgust towards them than anything. It makes me sad to just say that "out loud." All because they are different than me? And, of all people, the Lord reminded me as I received my spiritual spanking, 

"Amy, as it stands, _______________, is currently on the path to hell. So is her husband and children, unless people step in with love. Amy, you did nothing but in your heart condemn her because she is not like you, because her beliefs are different. Amy, I desire you to see people with MY eyes, through eyes of love. Judgement is not for you to do. One day, based upon people's decision, judgement will come, and if you have LOVED them, hopefully they will be judged as righteous, and enter into the Kingdom of heaven."

My lack of love, was not getting this person anywhere closer to coming into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. After receiving what I needed to receive, other than being thankful that I listened, I immediately had to repent. What a skewed focus I have had on people, all because of differences. My love or lack of love, may be the ONLY thing some people see that may ever draw them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If I look through the eyes of love, I would see people who need Jesus. Not only them, but THEIR CHILDREN!

I am repenting for NOT LOVING. It should be my UTMOST desire to show and share the love of Jesus, because the lives of FAMILIES depend on it. I think of 3 year olds and 2 year olds, newborn babies. Based upon how their parents believe is going to be how these kids are raised for the next 18 years. If the parents KNOW Jesus, the kids will grow up in a Christ-Centered home. If the parents DO NOT KNOW Jesus, these kids will grow up in a World-Centered home vs Christ-Centered home.

I need to show love.

Lord, forgive me! Forgive me for not loving! Forgive me for being judgmental. Lord, forgive me for being selfish! I will do my best to show love from now on. Lord please quicken inside me if I revert back. Please remind me, when I'm around those who are different than I am, remind me to show love. Remind me to be attentive. Allow me to hear your Voice in how to minister to them. Whether it just be listening to them, asking them questions about their life, offering to help them in some way. Lord help me to love. Help me to show Your Love to people who desperately need it. Help me to love people the way YOU want them to be loved!! Lord please CHANGE ME!!! Change ME, so that I can encompass love, so that I can show love. Please help me not to get caught up with acting like those I am around. I don't desire to be like others, Lord I desire to be like You!!! Father thank you that according to 1 John 1:9, you forgive me! Thank you for forgiving me! It is my desire to do better! It is my desire to show love! I love you Father! I praise you! And THANK YOU for loving me! Thank you for correcting me! Thank you for steering me back on course. I love you!

#110 - Leading by Example: Tyler McCart

Good morning! Bath morning again for the boy! I guess that means that it's time to go up a size on his diapers?! Argh. :) He's so cute when he wakes up, but definitely cuter if he's not wet up to his NECK! Nothing like fresh sheets everyday! Ha! 


Well... I already know this mornings devotion is going to be a bit unconventional. I have done one like it before....it will be good though! 

Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 

I've been thinking about this for the past several days. I didn't necessarily plan on writing about it, but the Word this morning leads right into it. What a great opportunity to share. It could be called "A Tribute to My Husband", or "All the Great Things I've Learned from Tyler".... you get the idea. 


As the verses this morning talked about meditating on the Word day & night, the first person I thought of was Tyler. If you haven't ever met my husband, I hope one day you will be blessed with the acquaintance. He is the most amazing person I know. In Psalm 1:2, I have watched my husband live this verse. I have watched him take a scripture and meditate on it for days, weeks and even months. I've watched him take something and keep going over and over it. Looking at it, reading it outloud, praying about it. I've watched over the last couple years the Lord reveal amazing revelations to him through him taking the time to meditate on the Word. When we first got married, for our first year we were both pretty consistent with taking a Day of Rest. Then, we got caught up in life for 4-5 years and just worked, worked, worked. Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit, but about 3 years ago, we got back into the habit of taking a Day of Rest. What a blessing! I remember coming home from work on the day Tyler would take his Day of Rest. It was always my favorite day of the week! Typically it was Wednesday. But HIS Day of Rest was my FAVORITE! Why? Because we would go out to dinner, and I would just sit there .... typically at Carrabba's pasta bar, I would just sit there and take it all in. Tyler would just tell me all about what the Lord revealed to him that day. The revelations, what he learned from some broadcasts online, through all of our dinner he would just pour out what he had learned. What had be revealed through meditation. I just sat there like a thirsty kid, drinking it all in. I marveled at how he learned and the revelations God gave him. Tyler taught me how to meditate. He taught me how to do what Psalm 1:2 says. 


"Nor sits in the seat of the scornful..." - Tyler had lunch the other day with a guy who I used to work with. This guy is quite an extraordinary person in the corporate arena, very driven, very goal oriented and with a great desire to lead a life of significance. As Tyler returned from their lunch appointment, I was just again amazed at his desire to pour into the lives of others, to add value, to encourage, to build up & to help provide resources that Tyler knows will be able to help people. This person is definitely not a "scornful" type of person, but optimistic and ambitious. As I listened to some details of their lunch appointment, I just heard of "friends" having lunch, but Tyler pouring out some situations from his day, and being able to bring it back to the Word... what he had received from meditating and how the WORD completely turned around his morning. Tyler was not trying to teach or preach, but just sharing. And I found it pretty interesting that at the end of their lunch the guy asked, "So, do you read your Bible every morning?" Even that question just made me smile. This gentleman, probably a Christian, but most likely doesn't read his Bible every morning. In how Tyler lives his life, he was attracted to it. He was attracted to what Tyler received from the Word. He was attracted to how the Bible is not just words on paper to Tyler, but that it is ALIVE and LIVING, ACTIVE. For someone desiring to live a real life of significance, he was drawn to the Word, because the Word has a way of revealing the depths of true significance. A life built on the Word. 


"Whatever he does shall prosper." - Over the years, I've obviously watched Tyler. Even when I first met him, I was drawn to him. I knew he was going to do really great things for the Lord and the Kingdom of God. I was drawn to that. I was attracted. It was more than his build and good looks (hehe!)... Tyler was going places and I wanted to be a part of that. I've watched set-backs over the years, but I've watched Tyler press forward. I've watched him not wallow in discouragement, but continue to put his trust in the Lord. I've watched him continue to dig deeper into the Word to find answers to situations we may have been going through. When things got hard, Tyler got in the Word more. When he got squeezed, the WORD came out of his mouth. He is such an amazing example to me. Even recently, I mentioned to him some things that were noticed by some close people to us. It wasn't something easy to tell him, nor was it probably something easy to receive. But, it was a perception. And whatever someone else's perception, is their reality. He didn't get mad, but he said, "Well, I guess I will just need to work in that area so it does not things are not perceived in that light." He took something hard to receive and did not get defensive, but said, "I'm going to work on that!" Talk about humility. Talk about laying down ego. 


"Whatever he does shall prosper." - Tyler, I know you will read this at some point... and I want you to know this. From the day I met you, I KNEW that this verse was you! I knew that WHATEVER you did, you were going to prosper. I just want you to know that I am so thankful to be on this journey with you. My train will always be linked up to you because I know where you are going, you are making a difference. You are doing things that matter and you are prospering! I'm so blessed to be married to a man that continue to move forward. That continues to lead by example and press forward. I AM SO BLESSED! I feel like the most blessed life in the world! Thank you for pouring into the lives of so many men who need it. I've watched you pour yourself out unselfishly to help other people. You are such a blessing to me! Thank you Tyler for always leading by example! I love you!


----- If you are not linked up with someone who you KNOW is doing things that are going to matter! You need to meet Tyler! You need to link up with HIS train because I know he is going to do great things for the Lord & Kingdom of God! 


Here is a recent "VLOG" Tyler did on the Life of Joseph. It's good stuff! Check it out!


Bless you all! Have a great day! Time for MYGYM! :-)

         

#68 - YOU were called to make a DIFFERENCE!

Good morning! A beautiful morning! :) I have a little brown lizard running around on my porch right now. He's pretty cute. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't touch him... but it is pretty interesting to watch his little legs run so fast! That was one thing I didn't see growing up in Indiana! No lizards up there! Well, it's better than a spider! *deep breath* YUCK! 


Ok... well, let's get going and see what the Lord has to say right today. 
Oooh... just looked off my porch... I have a nice red tomato on my tomato plant! Yummy! Ok... focus Amy, focus!


Today's Reading Schedule: Proverbs 14, Psalms 14, 44, 74, 104, 144, Proverbs 31:10-31

Proverbs 14:34 - Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Psalm 14:2, 5, 6b - The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him [of vital necessity]. There they shall be in great fear [literally--dreading a dread], for God is with the generation of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).... but the Lord is his safe refuge.

Proverbs 31:29 - Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.

I believe if we were all honest about it... whatever country you are living in, we would like to see God BLESS our country. We would like to see our country be elevated and favored? Well.... YOU make a difference in that happening for your county! Do you live in the US? Canada? Denmark? The UK? YOU MATTER!


I've heard before this statement, "You can't change God's mind." BUT.... through reading scripture, I believe you can! Let's take a look back in the old testament, you all probably remember the story of Sodom & Gomorrah. Let's pick up where Abraham is talking to God in Genesis 18:23, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴ What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?"


The Lord goes on to say, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake."


The conversation continues.... Abraham asks what if there are only 45 righteous? 40? 35? 20? 10? At each question, the Lord says basically, Ok... I will spare the city. If you remember in the story, the city did get destroyed because of the great wickedness, the righteous of the city are spared. But the point I want to make is this, we CAN cry out to God, we can plead with Him. On behalf of OUR righteousness, He will hear our cry! We can, like Abraham CONVERSE with God (the Holy Spirit). We CAN make a difference on behalf of our nation. And it all begins with OUR UPRIGHTNESS. OUR RIGHT STANDING with God. OUR INQUIRING of Him and REQUIRING Him to be the center of our lives!


God is with the generation of the RIGHTEOUS! The RIGHTEOUS need not fear, because WE have a place of REFUGE in the Lord! 


BUT... let me ask you this? Are you not happy about what is going on in YOUR COUNTRY? Do you not like the way things are going? Then, YOU BE THE RIGHTEOUS so that YOUR nation is elevated! Like it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


Today... make a difference in YOUR nation. ONE person can make a difference! You may not think it... like I recently heard a family member tell me, "One person can't really make a difference." I disagree. One person CAN make a difference. Recently my business mentors saw a need for a Christian School. No one was doing anything about it. They decided to take it upon themselves to be DIFFERENCE MAKERS! They said, "There is a need in our area for good Christian Education, no one is doing anything about it, so WE are going to step up to the plate and do something!" THEY, Doug & Amie Weir, began the process, learned about education, began campaigning, started a 2 year project of STARTING A SCHOOL!!! Well, this fall, August 23rd the doors of their school were opened. They filled their first year to capacity with over 100 students, and have a waiting list already of over 100 more students. ONE PERSON CAN make a difference. Because of Doug and Amie, over 100 families are going to be impacted with a positive Christian education. 


You may not open a school, but YOU CAN make a difference. Praying for your country. Choosing to be one of the righteous. Praying for your family. Friends. Or, just listening to God to MAKE SURE you are following HIS CALLING for YOUR LIFE, and not just going through life "Ho-Hum" living by YOUR agenda. 


YOU WERE CALLED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! YOU ARE A WINNER! I mean think about it.... excuse my analogy... it's kinda interesting to think about... but when your parents came together and your mom got pregnant, YOU were the fastest little swimmer! YOU WON! You beat out all the "other little guys" who were swimming trying to find the egg! YOU were the fastest! I know... I can see my sister Kimmi laughing at me now... but from the beginning of time, when you were even born, you started out a WINNER! NOW, LIVE LIKE ONE! 

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Random Health Tip: Are you drinking enough water? Half your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking 70 ounces. Did you know, that drinking water can help you to loose weight and stay healthy! Water helps flush things out of your system. It can also help to get rid of a cold, or prevent you from getting one to begin with. Water does a lot of good things! Fill up a bottle of water and take it with you today! Then RE-FILL it and drink another!