be blessed & have a beautiful day
xo michelle
Saturday, January 1, 2011
. jan 1 2011
wow. it's jan 1 2011 and i stumbled upon this blog i started in 2007! seems like yesterday when i re- read the posts that brought me so much joy to share with others. God has made some major changes in my life. starting with becoming a wife, working at an amazing church and growing in His love & grace. I look forward to getting back to blogging, sharing inspiring quotes, stories & life.
Monday, February 23, 2009
. psalm 91
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
Monday, January 26, 2009
. we know God's truth
We Know God’s Truth: Jesus Christ
by Rick Warren
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NLT)
*** *** *** ***
The Bible says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Truth is not a principle. Truth is a person; truth is Jesus Christ.
One of the clearest and best-known statements by Jesus is: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).
Notice Jesus says, “I am the truth ….” He doesn’t say truth is a religion, or a ritual, or a set of rules and regulations. He says “I.” Truth is a person.
This is what separates Jesus Christ from every other leader of every other faith. Other leaders have said, “I’m looking for the truth” or “I’m teaching the truth” or “I point to the truth” or “I’m a prophet of truth.” Jesus comes and says, “I am the truth.”
A lot of people say, “I think Jesus was just a great teacher.” But he couldn’t be just that: No great teacher would claim to be God if he wasn’t. Either Jesus is conning 2.3 billion people who believe a lie, or he was nuts, or Jesus is who he said he was.
Everybody’s betting their life on something. I’m betting my life that Jesus is who he said he was.
“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!’” (John 14:6-7 NLT).
What do you do with the truth once you’ve discovered it? Four things:
1. Believe the truth!
2. Do the truth. Truth is not just an intellectual exercise; it’s something you obey.
3. Stand for the truth. The Bible tells us our responsibility is to never oppose the truth but to stand for it at all times.
4. Spread the truth. The Bible says, “Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you were in dead earnest about it” (Titus 2:7 LB).
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
by Rick Warren
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (NLT)
*** *** *** ***
The Bible says that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Truth is not a principle. Truth is a person; truth is Jesus Christ.
One of the clearest and best-known statements by Jesus is: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT).
Notice Jesus says, “I am the truth ….” He doesn’t say truth is a religion, or a ritual, or a set of rules and regulations. He says “I.” Truth is a person.
This is what separates Jesus Christ from every other leader of every other faith. Other leaders have said, “I’m looking for the truth” or “I’m teaching the truth” or “I point to the truth” or “I’m a prophet of truth.” Jesus comes and says, “I am the truth.”
A lot of people say, “I think Jesus was just a great teacher.” But he couldn’t be just that: No great teacher would claim to be God if he wasn’t. Either Jesus is conning 2.3 billion people who believe a lie, or he was nuts, or Jesus is who he said he was.
Everybody’s betting their life on something. I’m betting my life that Jesus is who he said he was.
“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!’” (John 14:6-7 NLT).
What do you do with the truth once you’ve discovered it? Four things:
1. Believe the truth!
2. Do the truth. Truth is not just an intellectual exercise; it’s something you obey.
3. Stand for the truth. The Bible tells us our responsibility is to never oppose the truth but to stand for it at all times.
4. Spread the truth. The Bible says, “Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you were in dead earnest about it” (Titus 2:7 LB).
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
We Love Because God Loves Us
by Rick Warren
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
The reason God wants us to love is because he is love, and he created us to be like him – to love. The only reason we’re able to love is because God loves us: “Love comes from God … because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).
We were created in God’s image to do two things on earth: Learn to love God and learn to love other people; life is all about love.
But love all started with God. He loved us first and that gives us the ability to love others (1 John 4:19). The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved you. And he showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for you. He showed that love by creating you. He showed that love by everything you have in life; it’s all a gift of God’s love.
In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don’t want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss about love; our need is to experience the love of God.
We need to reach a day when we finally, fully understand how God loves us completely and unconditionally. We need to become secure in the truth that we cannot make God stop loving us.
Once we’re secure inside God’s unconditional love, we’ll start cutting people a lot of slack. We won’t be as angry as we’ve been. We’ll be more patient. We’ll be more forgiving. We’ll be more merciful. We’ll give others grace.
But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you’ll also let him heal your heart so that his love can flow freely through you. It’s impossible to love others until you really feel loved yourself.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
have a beautiful day,
xo
michelle
by Rick Warren
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
The reason God wants us to love is because he is love, and he created us to be like him – to love. The only reason we’re able to love is because God loves us: “Love comes from God … because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV).
We were created in God’s image to do two things on earth: Learn to love God and learn to love other people; life is all about love.
But love all started with God. He loved us first and that gives us the ability to love others (1 John 4:19). The only reason you can love God or love anybody else is because God first loved you. And he showed that love by sending Jesus Christ to earth to die for you. He showed that love by creating you. He showed that love by everything you have in life; it’s all a gift of God’s love.
In order to love others and to become great lovers, we first need to understand and feel how much God loves us. We don’t want to just talk about love, read about love, or discuss about love; our need is to experience the love of God.
We need to reach a day when we finally, fully understand how God loves us completely and unconditionally. We need to become secure in the truth that we cannot make God stop loving us.
Once we’re secure inside God’s unconditional love, we’ll start cutting people a lot of slack. We won’t be as angry as we’ve been. We’ll be more patient. We’ll be more forgiving. We’ll be more merciful. We’ll give others grace.
But you cannot give to others what you have not received yourself, and so my hope is that, as you learn how much God loves you, you’ll also let him heal your heart so that his love can flow freely through you. It’s impossible to love others until you really feel loved yourself.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
have a beautiful day,
xo
michelle
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
. what if
What if you’re right?
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig,
What if you dig way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic and begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told and retold
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
Nichole Nordeman - What If
From the album Brave
And he was just another nice guy
What if you’re right?
What if it’s true?
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true?
What if he takes his place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then?
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
What if you dig,
What if you dig way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig?
What if you find
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside
That’s all you find
What if you pick apart the logic and begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told and retold
But what if you’re wrong?
What if there’s more?
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
You've been running as fast as you can
You've been looking for a place you can land so long
But what if you’re wrong?
What if you jump?
And just close your eyes?
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise?
What if He’s more than enough?
What if it’s love?
Nichole Nordeman - What If
From the album Brave
. letting the inside match the outside
your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you- matthew 6:4
. almost all of us live two lives: what people see outside and what is really going on inside. in school we learn what outward signs of attention will please the teacher. at a job we learn to put up a "good front" whenever the boss happens to stroll by. as if donning masks, we style our hair, choose clothes, and use body language to impress those around us. over time, we learn to excel at hiding problems.
chapters 5-7 in matthew announce that the time has come for us to change not just the outside, but the inside. in Jesus' day, religious people tried to impress each other with showy outwardly behavior. they wore gaunt and hungry looks during a brief fast, prayed grandiosely if people were watching, and went so far as to wear bible verses strapped to their foreheads and left arms.
in His famous sermon on the mount, Jesus blasts the hypocrisy behind such seemingly harmless practices. God is not fooled by appearances. we cannot fake behavior to impress Him. He knows that inside the best of us lurk dark thoughts of hatred, jealousy, pride and lust- internal problems only He can deal with. Jesus goes on to present a truly radical way of life, free of pretense.
the way of life described is more radical than anything before or since. Jesus' words turn many normal assumptions upside down. with statements like, "blessed are the poor in spirit...those who mourn...the meek...the peacemakers...those who are persecuted," Jesus attacks those who strive to build a good image by appearing powerful, successful and assertive.
perhaps the most radical of all, the sermon on the mounts introduces the possibility of living solely for God and not for appearances. at last we can bring our inner and outer together.
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
. almost all of us live two lives: what people see outside and what is really going on inside. in school we learn what outward signs of attention will please the teacher. at a job we learn to put up a "good front" whenever the boss happens to stroll by. as if donning masks, we style our hair, choose clothes, and use body language to impress those around us. over time, we learn to excel at hiding problems.
chapters 5-7 in matthew announce that the time has come for us to change not just the outside, but the inside. in Jesus' day, religious people tried to impress each other with showy outwardly behavior. they wore gaunt and hungry looks during a brief fast, prayed grandiosely if people were watching, and went so far as to wear bible verses strapped to their foreheads and left arms.
in His famous sermon on the mount, Jesus blasts the hypocrisy behind such seemingly harmless practices. God is not fooled by appearances. we cannot fake behavior to impress Him. He knows that inside the best of us lurk dark thoughts of hatred, jealousy, pride and lust- internal problems only He can deal with. Jesus goes on to present a truly radical way of life, free of pretense.
the way of life described is more radical than anything before or since. Jesus' words turn many normal assumptions upside down. with statements like, "blessed are the poor in spirit...those who mourn...the meek...the peacemakers...those who are persecuted," Jesus attacks those who strive to build a good image by appearing powerful, successful and assertive.
perhaps the most radical of all, the sermon on the mounts introduces the possibility of living solely for God and not for appearances. at last we can bring our inner and outer together.
have a beautiful day,
xo michelle
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
. spiritual warfare
How to Fight Spiritual Warfare
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:
1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). When you're being attacked, it's proof that you're a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it; it just gets more intense.
If there were no Devil, why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, "The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil" (NLT).
2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers are very ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples …" (NIV). He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he's given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20).
3. Put on God's armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle.
For instance, I will often pray, "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give me. I don't want to think the Devil's thoughts. I don't want to think my thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that that I may be a voice for you. I put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I want to lead people into righteousness."
4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life, in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul says the weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments – that's the way people think; they pull down pretension – that's the way people think.
We take every thought captive. In this battle for thoughts, we have four weapons: humility, faith, truth, and praise.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
There are four things we need to do when we are battling spiritual warfare in our lives:
1. Acknowledge the adversary. Satan is real (1 Peter 5:8-9). When you're being attacked, it's proof that you're a believer. The more you make an impact for God, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it; it just gets more intense.
If there were no Devil, why would God send his Son to fight what does not exist? The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, "The Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil" (NLT).
2. Accept God-given authority. Most believers are very ignorant about the authority they have to use against the Devil. Matthew 28:18-19 says we have all authority in heaven and earth. Then Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples …" (NIV). He transfers the authority to you and me. He does that because he's given us a specific mission (2 Corinthians 5:20).
3. Put on God's armor. When Paul wrote about the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17), he was in prison chained to a Roman guard. Paul used the Roman centurion as a model for spiritual armor. Paul says, just as the Roman soldier is properly dressed to do battle, we also need to be dressed for battle.
For instance, I will often pray, "Lord, I put on the helmet of salvation that will protect me from the thoughts the Devil will try to give me. I don't want to think the Devil's thoughts. I don't want to think my thoughts. I want to think your thoughts, so that that I may be a voice for you. I put on the belt of truth. Lord, I want to share the truth, not falsehood. I want to lead people into righteousness."
4. Aim the artillery. The battlefield for spiritual warfare is primarily in your thought life, in your mind (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Paul says the weapons God gives us to use demolish arguments – that's the way people think; they pull down pretension – that's the way people think.
We take every thought captive. In this battle for thoughts, we have four weapons: humility, faith, truth, and praise.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
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