Ephesians 1:4-5(amplified version) Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.
5For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [[b]because it pleased Him and was His kind inten
Wish definition 
wish
- verb (used with object)
to express a hope or desire for
2.to yearn
the thing desired
- verb phrase
to force or impose (usually used in the negative) . to make a wish using some object as a magical talisman.
In watching Dora the Explorer with my four year old I got to thinking about wishes and wishing. A question rose up inside of me, If I had one wish what would it be? Recently I have said things that maybe I shouldn't have , I have lost my car keys , I bleached one of my favorite shirts, had a few family issues, maybe even lost my temper a time or two, and have been enjoying all the messes that come along with potty training a two year old boy and these are just the highlights. So if I had a wish would I wish some of these situations away? The more I thought about it I don't think I would. Even though I think it would just be nice to miss all the messes and the laundry that comes along with potty training how much of his life would I miss and how would I be able to be there when he finally got it and be able to celebrate in his accomplishment of being a big boy? Sometimes we just have to go through the messes. Hard work never hurt anyone.
Surely I would want to use my one wish to take away the words that I said that were not uplifting or maybe even the whole situation, Yes that's it . But wait no, if this situation had not occurred would I know that yes indeed I need to allow God to work a little more in this area of my life. I am able to understand yet more of His grace by asking forgiveness then receiving it then giving it away.
So maybe I would use my wish for something as simple as wishing that I had not bleached one of my favorite shirts. No doesn't seem like a good fit. In fact this could be the one mistake that I could learn a lot from. I have had so many issues with accepting myself. Well here is a hint as much as I do not want to sin or even do things wrong I still do. Learning how to accept me when I make mistakes is important. How can I reject what God has created? So this would not be a good choice either.
And so in my mind I kept going over each thing I have listed above and each time I said no there is too much to learn from every mistake and obstacle. Could this be the point to every frustration ? To learn to be able to accept ourselves as only human but with so much potential to do everything that God has called us to do?
Ok so would I wish to suddenly be rich? Though that thought is very interesting to kind of fantasize about for moment. I have to think what else would have to change in order to be rich? Would I use my money to help people? Would my family be the same? Would I value money more than I should? No I think that my current financial state is ok. Not perfect and Yes definitely open for Gods plan and Blessings but my desire is not to be rich in money.
No I wouldn't wish any problem or mistake away. Though at this moment there are things that yes I want to see changed and yes I have made mistakes and NO my life is not perfect. But I wouldn't trade any experience problem or obstacle for all the riches or fame in the world. I have to say that yes I am enjoying the journey that God has placed me on.
No I think my one wish my one desire is to Know Him more. To have an intimate real relationship with the one that created me. However I know this doesn't and will not come by wishing and hoping alone. I believe it will come by realizing what these obstacles and mistakes are in my life then choosing to ask God to help me one change and two to be able to go through the fire and act right. You see wishing according to the above definition is to express a hope and or desire. The definition also mentions magic. God is not our genie that we go to every time we need out of a jam or every time we do not want to do some hard work. No He is there for us always in the good and the bad. And yes he will give us the desires of our heart when they line up with his will and word. To get His desires we must know His word.
So my question to you today is, are you wishing your life away? Could there possibly be something in your circumstance that God can teach?
Hike Hike
In watching Football with my husband I got to thinking about God and the church. Don't you ever find it neat that when one player gets a touch down or first down or whatever that gets them closer to scoring points they all rejoice. They run around high fiveing each other etc. You know the old saying there is no I in team. So why do we not see the church as a team. Each one of us having our parts. Does it really matter who gets the attention as long as souls are won and God is glorified? When one of us get a blessing we should all be there cheering them on when they need encouraging we surround them with nothing but love and support and if necessary surround them protect them and do not let the enemy tackle them. Help them and allow them to carry their dream till they get a touch down which will only bring more people into the kingdom of God. As Christians our goal is to show the world what is like to have the love of the Father why does it matter so much how or by whom this is carried out as long as lives or touched changed and transformed. An example you are planning a party its going to be huge well you are going to have to have a committee. One for decorations sort of like a prom there has to be people over different areas for the whole thing to come together and make for a great party. Well we need Christians to come together and form committees for this to be a great life for not just ourselves but others as well. 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12
Presence
So not too long ago I was driving down the highway. I tend to not be a very detailed or observant person which when I was first learning to drive was not very good. Anyways I noticed everyone in front of me was slowing down and then I realized as I was passing there was a cop sitting in the median. Well because of the one ticket I had which happened on this particular road I am pretty much a stickler for the speed limit. Before the cop had been noticed by myself or by any of the other drivers I noticed a car behind me riding my bumper and the semis in front of me were going faster. Even though I was not speeding when I recognized the presence of the cop I changed what it was that I was doing my demeanor had changed and so had everyone else's in the area. You see when we get into the presence of God almighty our demeanor should change we should slow down see what he is going to do. Will we slow down and allow him to capture us and bring us in for questioning? There is no need for him to announce his self because the very presence of him should immediately strike a healthy amount of fear in us. But here is the difference when we get out of sight from that cop we usually go back to talking on our cell phones texting speeding playing with the radio putting make-up on etc. Just because you can not see or feel His presence does not mean he is not there. You must always do what is right whether you feel like it or not. Here is also another hint you see his presence is not limited to only showing up with you at church but most often he shows up when we our simply doing those small things and especially those small things that only you and He know about. As most everyone knows who have read any of my writings know that Psalm 139 is my favorite chapter in the whole Bible. Well in the message version I love uses of the words such as investigate and open book and bit by bit. But I do believe my favorite line is as follows, You'd find me in a minute—
you're already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I'm immersed in the light!" In our darkest time in your midnight hour through his presence you can be surrounded in light. Are you allowing his presence to light up all those dark areas of your life?
you're already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I'm immersed in the light!" In our darkest time in your midnight hour through his presence you can be surrounded in light. Are you allowing his presence to light up all those dark areas of your life?
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