What do we Really Expect?

6/27/17                                       rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

Reading for Wednesday  6/21/17 from the LGG teaching on being "Sold Out" Mark 10: 35-45 Soap is Mark 10:35-38.

A Painting by my wonderful husband, Timothy A. Smith,

Dear God,

I have read these verses and then I went back and I read more of the surrounding verses.  Just so I might be able to get a feel for where James and John were coming from...Not entirely sure, but I have some thoughts.  When I finally get to see you face to face maybe we can discuss it.



So James and John went to Jesus and talked to Him about sitting one at His right hand and one at His left.  Does this seem presumptuous?  I don't think so. I think they where feeling so grateful and loving toward Christ that they wanted to be close to Him and to serve with Him always.

But we can think this through a little differently because we, or at least some of us, have read the book. When Jesus says , "Ye know not what ye ask..."  Do they know that Christ will be beaten so severely that He will be basically unrecognizable? No I don't think so.  Because I honestly don't think that they, James and John, nor the rest of the disciples would want that fate.

I often think about just what Christ did for us, taking that beating, being treated so so horribly, being nailed to the cross, and so much more.  For me.  He loved me, that much.

And then when I became a parent I started thinking about this in a slightly different light.  What did God have to feel for us that He would have a Son born of an earthly women, watch Him grow and then watch Him be slaughtered as a lamb is slaughtered, except the lamb doesn't get a beating.

Am I one of the few that think about these things or do others as well?

S ~ 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

O ~ My initial observation is, they sure do think they are all that and then some.  But that is really not a very nice thought. So let's go a little deeper.  These two men really loved Jesus as did the rest of the disciples.  However they didn't yet know the whole picture.  They just were scratching the barest of the surface.

A~ So how do we apply this to ourselves? Do we at times think more of ourselves than we should.  I think we probably do. Is this a product of getting older? I hope not, but I can remember my mother and grandmother and my aunt.  As they got older they did get a bit more cantankerous then when they were younger.  I think Father I will work very hard to not let that become a primary part of my make up.  I find it difficult being in the presence of people who are always right. Ignorance and intolerance are two traits I have a great deal of difficulty  dealing with...oh I do believe I am ranting.  Father save me from Me! Please.

P ~ Father God, there are some days that are so long...I am busy and sometimes there is just to much busyness.  Help me Father to enjoy even the moments I do not find that pleasant to be pleasant.  I know it's all about attitude  and I pray for improvement,  I want to always be who and what you want me to be, I don't need to not need to be at the right or left of you, but please Father let me be at your feet, and perhaps washing them.  I ask this all in Jesus precious name....Amen

Are we walking alone?

6/25/17                                       rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

Reading for Tuesday  6/20/17 from the LGG teaching on being "Sold Out"

Dear God,
What happens to my days, Father?
Do I miss manage my time,  I want so badly to be here at this keyboard pouring my thoughts and heart out to you each and every day...Help me Father to do just that!

Okay so here it is Sunday morning and I am working on Tuesday.  What do you think of that?

S ~ So the reading for the 20th is Luke 9:51-56 and the soap is Luke 9:53-55  And they did not receive Him, because His face was as though he should go to Jerusalem.  54 And when His disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord , wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them even as Elias did? 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.  

O ~ Can you imagine being on the road, a dirt road mind you, and all you have on your feet is thin leather sandals.  And you are walking for days, with just a brief respite here and there.
Can you imagine how extremely bone tired these men must have been?  And then there was Jesus.  My thought would be that He would have been not only bone tired, but oh so weary.  He was away from his Father, except when He was in prayer with Him, and He knew what He was heading towards.  I know, that my Christ, willing sacrificed Himself for me. I still struggle with what He did for me and for all of you that might be reading this blog, and I hope you are reading it thoughtfully.  Just imagine.
So Jesus and the disciples where heading towards Jerusalem, but Christ wanted to stop in a town that laid ahead.  Did he know that these Samaritans would not want Him there?  Did He know the response the disciples would have to the rejection? "Let's just burn the town down!"  No this was not the response Jesus was looking for, was it.  The message is still the same, we are to Love men, not destroy men.

A ~ So how do we apply this to us?  If we are smitted on one check, offer the other.  If someone speaks out of turn to us, how should we respond?  We should respond with some thought and not brashly.  With Love.  Is this always the way we should respond?  I think yes.  will there be extenuating circumstance on occasion, I think probably so.  Try to always keep uppermost in your mind, What would Jesus do?

P ~ Oh Father God, there are some times when I am studying your word that I think how do I do this?  There is only one answer to this and that is with your help.  Father make this be my desire to want to behave always as you would have me to behave.  Not as fleshly desires, but as you would desire for me, as a child of yours.  I ask this in Jesus precious and most Holy name. Amen

Straightway

6/22/17                                       rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

Reading for Monday 6/19/17 from the LGG teaching on being "Sold Out"

Dear God,

First of all Father I would ask you to help me to stay more on time with my devotions for you and my devotion to you.

You are so much more faithful to me than I am to you and I want to see that change in my life.  Help me Father to be more directly in tune with you than I am with all the other things that are constantly invading my eye gates, and my ear gates, and just my pea brain.

Today Father I am looking at Mark 1:16-20 and 3:17 and I will SOAP Mark 1:20

I titled this letter to you Father as "Straightway."  If you look up this word you will find it to be quite powerful. Immediately is a synonym for this word. Which also means, this minute, directly, instantly...and so much more!

When Jesus was speaking to Simon and Andrew his brother, he said to put down your nets and I will make you fishers of men,  and your word then tells us that they "straightway," put down their nets and followed after Jesus.

Now I know that that is the way we would like to be listened to, whether we are speaking to our sons and daughters, or our spouses.  Wouldn't that be great.  Say things one time, and your heard and obeyed!  

We really need to do this!  We have the best instruction manual in the world on how to live our lives. We read it on occasion and should follow what we read, but do we.  Father you are so faithful!

S ~ Mark 1:20 And straightway He called them: and they left their father Zeebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him.

O ~ Okay now this may seem a bit harsh if you are the parent.
I think in all honesty my feelings would be a bit squished! However let's look at the bigger picture, look who stopped by along the riverbank and called to Simon and Andrew.  Just think on that a moment.  Talk about an engraved invitation!

A ~ Father I know that as we are reading your word and going to church on Wednesdays and some on Saturday evenings and Sundays we are to be learning from what You are trying to teach us.  Your book, The Bible is an invitation for us to do the very same thing.  You are asking us to straightway drop whatever we are doing and follow you. When we are out shopping and see someone who is in need of prayer, help us to have the gum shin to stop our shopping and take a moment and pray.  Or if you see something that Holy Spirit is telling you is awesome and wonderful and beautiful, address it, don't let these moments slip past us.

P ~ Oh Father I feel so inadequate most of the time, I have a very busy schedule and I sometimes don't know which end is up.  Help me Father to see with fresh new eyes, eyes from you Father, I want to respond as you would have me respond, not in a minute, but straightway.  Thank you Jesus for allowing me to share these thoughts and verse for you, in your precious name I pray. Amen

The Cornerstone

This is for 6/16/17                    rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

Dear God,

     First of all I must apologize for being absent for a couple days...Life happens!  Not excuse, just my reality.

     The cornerstone....do you know what a corner stone is, it is a pivotal stone, without which the building would collapse. Some synonyms for this are foundation, keystone, bedrock, backbone, key, heart, and center.  Christ is sometimes referred to as the Cornerstone.  

Isn't this a perfect example of a cornerstone!  I love it!
Thank you Jesus for showing this amazing example of you.

You are such a wondrous God. You fill us with awe and inspiration constantly, if we are just open to seeing, hearing, and feeling you.  Thank you Jesus!

This morning we are doing the last day of last week, which was 6/16/17 we are to read Matthew 16:13-18 and Acts 4:1-13.
The SOAP portion is Matthew 16:18 and Acts 4:13.

S ~ Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

O ~ A wait a moment, didn't we just speak of Peter denying Christ? Peter was human...he must have felt like he was on top of the world when Christ said this to him, and yet it's later that Peter denies Christ.  No wonder he went out and cried, can you imagine, it was probably one of those cries that completely racks the body.  Such insurmountable sadness he must have felt.  Holy Spirit just spoke to me saying, "What I felt, was so much worse than what Peter felt, but I did for all of you."  

A ~ Oh Jesus I am so sorry for any and all of the times I have made you sad. This is the only way to apply this.  We must fix it!

P ~ Jesus you are so good to us, far great than we could possibly deserve, and I thank you for all the blessings you constantly shower on us.  Thank you Daddy.  I feel so unworthy at the moment, I have much to be sorrowful about, and I pray Father that you will forgive me of my sins, for they are great.  In Jesus most precious name I ask this. Amen.

S ~ Now the second soap is Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

O ~ Can you imagine opening your mouth and having words come out and then you think back and marvel at what you spoke?  That is what must have happened with Peter and John.  Because they weren't speaking Holy Spirit was speaking thru them.

A ~ If we too simply ask the Holy Spirit to work thru us and speak thru us the same thing can happen for us.

P ~ Oh Jesus as I close this out for the moment I pray that all who have ears, let them hear, and all those who have mouths let them speak.  But help us to hear and to speak the words of the Trinity, words of Christ, words of the Father and words of the Holy Spirit.  In your precious name I pray, Amen...

The devil Tries to Have his Way.....

                                                                       Rebeccacreates2012@Gmail.com


June 15,2017

Dear God,

     This morning in looking at you word I am reading from Matthew 26:30-35; 69-75 and I will soap verses 34-35 and 74-75.

Have you ever told a fib, an untruth, a lie, or perhaps you said something that stretched the truth because you didn't want to hurt someones feelings.  Or maybe you trying to save your skin.

Has one of your children ever come up to you and said, "What do you think Mom?"  Your thinking in your head oh my, does she really want to wear that to church.  But because you would prefer not to start Armageddon, you soften your response.  But really is that the best thing to do?  After all shouldn't our children learn to take criticism from us at home first.  Oh life, family can be tough.  Being truly honest is really quite a feat.  Oh that devil, he can be truly devious. 

In the first passages of scripture, Jesus is telling Peter out right what is going to happen.  And Peter, being Peter, says No way Lord.  I will die with you.  Peter, I feel, really believes this.  He feels this so deeply, I can imagine he has tears running down his face. Just put yourself in that position. Close your eyes and just go back there, you've just had basically  the first communion.  You feel the overwhelming presence of Love.  The purest form of Love that there could possibly be.  Christ's love for us.  I sit here typing these words as my eyes are filled with tears, not tears of sadness, but emotional tears.  Hard to comprehend tears....God you are so good to us, and we are so undeserving.  Help me to love You more and more today and still more and more tomorrow and more and more the next day and the next and the next....

S ~ 34: Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35: Peter said unto Him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.  Likewise also said all the disciples.
74: Then he began to curse and swear, saying, I KNOW NOT THE MAN.  And immediately the cock crew. 75: And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shall deny me thrice, and he went out and wept bitterly.

O ~ Can't you just feel the agony.  Just consider mis-speaking and how you feel.  Now just imagine you mis-spoke to Jesus....I really don't think there is a need to say more.

A ~ So how to apply, that is the question.  We can say well I will always be honest...well that right there is a bit of a whopper!  I think perhaps the best thing to do is to constantly be in touch with the Holy Spirit and when I say constantly, I mean constantly.  It is not that difficult to have an ongoing conversation with the Spirit as we walk thru out our days.
People are constantly multi-tasking, so don't tell me you wouldn't be able to do it.  How often, any more, are you on your phone, and also involved in a conversation with someone?  I see this happen all the time.  I am sadly also part of that group, I do try not to be though.  I really get upset when I see a parent speaking to there child while cruising FB.

An original painting by my wonderful husband Timothy A. Smith.

I bet I am hitting the nail on the head with some of you. Don't do it.  Cause you are teaching your children the fine art of communicating.  Teach them well.

P ~ Father, I hope and pray that I am speaking for you this day.  Would this be advise that you would give to us, Lord?  I do not want to be presumptuous.  But somebody needs to speak these things.  Lord help me to be honest, not when its convenient, but always Lord.  Bless me Father, and bless me again and again as I bless you and thank you and Love you always.  Help me Father to Love you as Christ Loved all the people that were at that Last Supper.  Oh He loved them so deeply.  I can only hope. Amen

Oh Ye of little Faith, or Doubting Peter or Loosing it me

June 14, 2017                                                                                     Rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com  

Dear God,

This morning I read in your word from Matthew 14, verses 22-33.  These verses are so real to me because a bit ago I was on my way to work.  Now that may not sound like to much of a challenge for most, but for me on this particular day it was a bit of a challenge.

When I walk to work I have to walk thru a creek.  The Bermudian Creek.

The Bermudian Creek and my dog Louis

And on this particular day the creek was a bit high, higher than my muck boots. So as I was in the habit of doing I was singing a hymn, "I Walk Thru the Garden Alone," and I knew there was a tree down over the creek that I thought I could get across.  So I continued in my hymn sing as I traversed the creek on the log.

As I was getting close to the other side I realized due to the way that a branch came off of the tree that I would need to turn side ways to complete my task.  As I was starting to turn I stopped singing my praises to you father, and in that split second...SPLOSH...I was in the creek.

Wet up to my chest.  Obviously I had to go home and change...couldn't go to work like that!  And I realized what an amazing lesson I had just learned.  I took my eyes off of you Lord, for just that brief second and down I went, Just like Peter.

Now on with my study of your word Lord.  If you all out there in cyber land have read these verse you should be able to make the correlation in this story I just related to you.  This is about faith and trust and obedience.  for the SOAP part of this lesson I am using Matthew 14: 28-33.                          

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. King James Version (KJV) Public Domain O - Remember yesterday I said that these men are like us, well they are.  Peter took his eyes off of you Lord for just a split second, and he sank!, I SPLOSHED.  The rest of the men, once you got on board, were singing your praises.  But even they where not sure what you where until you were on board.  Then once they realized this was you. they lost their fear and believed once again. This demonstrates doubt or maybe even a bit of a lack of faith. A - Okay so I don't want to speak poorly of any of these men. I am just trying to show that they are like us, except that they have you with them. Tangibly with them.  We have you too, just not so tangibly. And that is why we call it faith. P - Father, I love you, and I so appreciate that you can bring your words together into a wonderful story.  A story that makes sense to us, and I bet if we think about our own different lives we can see these moments when we took our eyes off of you and got a dunking. Maybe not so literally as me but a dunking just the same.  Father thank you for giving us this ability to see you more plainly in all the we are and all the we do.  Help me to have my mind centered on you always. In your wonderful Son's name I speak these things, Amen

                          

Well all we are going to take a step in a different direction for just a little bit.
Come along on my journey with Loving God Greatly...

Rebecca K. Smith	Rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

6/12/17

Dear God,

This morning I am studying a small portion of your word.  I am doing this with an organization call LGG or Loving God (you) Greatly. 

This morning we are looking at John 18:10; 13:5-9 and we are soaping John 13:8-9.

This portion of scripture deals with the relationship that your wonderful son Jesus, had with His disciples. You know God I can see everyday relationship in this light.  That is what you have been trying to teach us.

S-John 13:8-9 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.  Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 

O-Jesus is speaking directly to Peter, of that we are sure, however, everyone else is also there and hearing the conversation. Meaning that while Christ is speaking directly to Peter, what is being said, all will learn from should they choose to learn this.

A- When I was younger I was tired of always fighting with my Dad about him not wanting to have gifts.  For his birthday, for Christmas, for Father’s Day, whatever the occasion might be.  And it was tiresome!  Finally, one day I said to him, “You know Daddy, we all need to be as gracious in receiving as we are in giving.”  He enjoyed giving but I believe it was to humbling for him to receive. And he had a hard time biting that bullet.  But he has.

P- Father help me to be gracious. Father help me to be a part of you always.  Father help me to always appreciate the words you have here for us to learn from.  God, you are so good to us all the time and we just don’t see it as often as we should.  You are always there and always watching over us.  Help us to see this and appreciate you and love you as to the best of our abilities and then some…Walk with me today and constantly be on my mind and in my heart.  In your precious name, I ask these things.  Amen

Warm regards,

 R. K. Smith

Rebecca K. Smith	Rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

6/13/17

Dear God,

God your book is so amazing! And now with the technology we have we can take you with us all the time.  Thank you for this God.  Help me always to be a blessing to you and to others and to do so with grace and not mumbling or murmurings under my breath.

Thank you, Father, for all you do for us on a constant basis.

Today Lord, I am looking at Luke 5: 1-11 and I will SOAP verses 10 and 11.

I am sure if we all think a little bit we can remember this story.  It’s about Jesus talking to the multitudes, but He did it from a boat.  Jesus was so smart He knew that if He spoke to the crowd from on the lake that His voice would carry out and up to them.  He was standing in a well-built (by God) arena.  Great acoustics.

Plus, Jesus was in the beginning stages of picking His disciples. He shows us how doubtful we can be.  He says to Simon, “Let’s go out a little further and put out your nets.” And Simon says, “Hey we have worked hard all night and caught nothing and you want us to do it again…well okay.” We all remember what happens next! Simon did as Jesus asked and when they were bringing up their nets they were starting to rip, (that’s a lot of work, repairing those nets) so Simon called to his partners to come and help, they filled both boats…. but wait, here’s the best part….

Simon Peter says to Jesus, “Leave me, I am not worthy of you, I am a sinful man.”  He knows he doubted Jesus and he shouldn’t have.  Hmm…that sounds like me at times.

Simon, and James, and John were like me, where like us. But they did put down their nets and follow Jesus.  What is it that Jesus is calling us to put down to come and follow Him.  Or maybe He wants you right where you are and still follow Him.  Something to think about.

S- Okay now for my SOAP: Luke 5:10-11 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

O- Can you imagine?  Jesus didn’t need to order them, to drop what they were doing, they just knew that this was going to be their path.  Jesus told them, they were going to catch men from that time on. And they knew it was the truth.

A- So how can we apply this to our daily lives.  Listen, listen to that still and small voice that you hear in your mind or read on a sign. Or hear repeated several times from others.  Just listen, pay attention.

P-Father open my ears that I may hear, open my eyes that I might see, let me use all the senses that you have given to me that I may hear and feel your presence always.  I really want to hear you and I want to be your hands and feet to do the things that you would have me do.

Thank you, Father,

Rebecca