Week 13

I am horribly behind in my weekly blog! I fasted on Monday, but I am just now able to work on it! Work has been hectic, but in a good way. We have had to put out a few fires, but the outcome was good. But, the main thing is that I’ve been working on my church’s newsletter, which comes out Sunday.

I was telling a fellow editor that God is maturing me. I spend a lot of hours editing and laying out the material, and I am always very upset when we miss something. BUT, the mission of the newsletter is to edify people with the written word. Anyone can open the newsletter and find mistakes if that is what they are choosing to do. What I really want to know is are the articles identifying the reader.

I am starting to get a glimpse of the person God created me to be. It’s actually pretty cool to see. What I have realized is that there are people and situations that are coming against to me to challenge this. However, I told God my light needs to shine that much brighter to battle their darkness. People can choose to be bitter, angry, and resentful, but that is NOT who I am.

Last week, my pastor asked us to fast and pray Wednesday and Sunday, so I was able to join in those fasts as well. He has us praying for:

• The spiritual and natural growth of the church
• The protection of the saints (pastor & wife esp.) from satan's attacks
• For an outpouring of God's power in our services
• For those that are sick

On Sunday, he spoke out of Psalm 127, which I used for my devotion.

1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

I focused on verse one. I went for a walk during lunch, and I was thinking about the marriages that have ended in divorce. I started thinking about marriage and how God’s hand is crucial in a marriage. I kept thinking, “Except the LORD build the marriage,” and “Except the LORD keep the marriage.” It just seems like marriages are being infiltrated by outside forces and destroyed, which is very sad!

I started thinking about my life. I know that God has His Hand on me. I am very thankful for God’s favor in my life. I am thankful that God has built and kept my life. I think of the times I have left my front door unlocked on accident. Thankfully, no one broke into my place. I remember the time I left my car unlocked parked on the street (I normally park in our garage) for a week, and my car was still there when I got back. I think of the safety and protection during my travels.

I prayed for the points my pastor asked us to. I prayed that my church would show love one to another. I prayed that God’s presence be shown not so much in the jump or the shout, but in the outpouring of His love!