Why Am I a Basket Case?

Let’s Get This Right

11/12/2023

WATCH JOHN 6

Have you ever considered that because Christ paid for your sins you are worthy of heaven? Say that a few times to yourself and let it sink in. “I am worthy of heaven.” Believers are found worthy of heaven ONLY because Christ is worthy and exchanged His righteousness for our sins. He gave us His righteousness. Colossians 1:10 reminds us of the implication – so that YOU will walk in a manner WORTHY of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” In other words, we’re to walk in a manner worthy of or “suitably” for our Lord. We may have a hazy understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, but we know what it means to be suitable. A child who puts on dirty clothes for school is told to put on something suitable, something clean for school. In the same manner, we are to walk worthy (suitably) of the Lord. Let’s get this right.

JOURNALING TIP:  I wrote in the Meditations section of my journal, “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” Colossians 1:10. It’s a verse I want to put to memory. Writing and reviewing it helps keep me focused on this important calling.

Lord, thank You for making us worthy of Your presence and of heaven. Help us walk worthy of You!

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A Sippy Cup Won’t Do

03/25/2022

When we come to God for a new life in Christ, we don’t come to a sippy cup of refreshing life. We come to an overflowing fountain of life. “Come to Me and drink!” Jesus invites us. (John 7:37) And don’t stop drinking. God’s fountain flows in the “innermost being” of the one who believes in Jesus.  From where does the living water originate? Psalm 36:9 tells us. “For with You is the FOUNTAIN of LIFE…” God is a FOUNTAIN of LIFE. During trying days, we can use our time to dive into the deep waters of Bible study. Why? We’ll refresh our soul that has been drained by the day’s trials and worries. There’s no better time than now to read or re-read “The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World.” Or if you prefer,  listen to the FREE audio.  Rather than let life drain you, drink in all God is and has for you.

Lord, You are the FOUNTAIN of LIFE! Thank You for Your Word, Spirit, and presence that fills us and flows in and through us when we drink richly of You.

 

 

 

 

 

The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: Introduction

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A Sippy Cup Won’t Do

04/09/2021

When we come to God for a new life in Christ, we don’t come to a sippy cup of refreshing life. We come to an overflowing fountain of life. “Come to Me and drink!” Jesus invites us. (John 7:37) And don’t stop drinking. God’s fountain flows in the “innermost being” of the one who believes in Jesus.  From where does the living water originate? Psalm 36:9 tells us. “For with You is the FOUNTAIN of LIFE…” God is a FOUNTAIN of LIFE. During trying days, we can use our time to dive into the deep waters of Bible study. Why? We’ll refresh our soul that has been drained by the day’s trials and worries. There’s no better time than now to read or re-read “The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World.” Or if you prefer,  listen to the FREE audio.  Rather than let life drain you, drink in all God is and has for you.

Lord, You are the FOUNTAIN of LIFE! Thank You for Your Word, Spirit, and presence that fills us and flows in and through us when we drink richly of You.

 

 

 

 

 

The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: Introduction

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Let’s Get This Right

01/02/2020

Have you ever considered that because Christ paid for your sins you are worthy of heaven? Say that a few times to yourself and let it sink in. “I am worthy of heaven.” Believers are found worthy of heaven ONLY because Christ is worthy and exchanged His righteousness for our sin. He gave us His righteousness. Colossians 1:10 reminds us of the implication – so that YOU will walk in a manner WORTHY of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” In other words, we’re to walk in a manner worthy of or “suitably” for our Lord. We may have a hazy understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, but we know what it means to be suitable. A child who puts on dirty clothes for school is told to put on something suitable, something clean for school. In the same manner, we are to walk worthily (suitably) of the Lord. Let’s get this right this year.

JOURNALING TIP:  I wrote in the Meditations section of my journal, “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” Colossians 1:10. It’s a verse I want to put to memory. Writing and reviewing it helps keep me focused on this important calling.

Lord, thank You for making us worthy of Your presence and of heaven. Help us walk worthily of You!

Excerpt from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case? 


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Women’s Luncheon

08/19/2019

Private Church Event
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GOD OPENS DOORS

07/04/2014

“praying…for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,

Colossians 4:3

Have you thought of the fact that God can open doors for you? He can! That’s the reason Paul asked for that specific prayer. He was conscious that God could do what he couldn’t do. Paul yearned to fulfill the mission God had given him. Therefore, his prayer was in accordance with God’s will. God can open doors for you, too. Are you praying that He does? Are you asking others to pray that for you? Are the doors you’re asking to be opened in accordance with God’s calling? Do the doors you desire to open have to do with furthering God’s kingdodm; or are they self centered? Remember, our purpose for remaining on earth after receiving Christ has nothing to do with “getting ahead in the world” or pleasure seeking. Our presence on earth has everything to do with Christ’s commissioning words, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” (Matthew 28:19-20) Christ’s focus while on earth and His final thoughts before ascending into heaven were on this age, this age ending, and the future age of eternity in heaven or hell. Let’s allign our priorities with Christ’s. Then, let’s pray God open doors for us to teach others about Him.

Heavenly Father, Forgive me when I become self-centered and think only of “doors” to my pleasure and happiness. Redirect my thoughts and impassion me with the same fire Paul had to walk through doors You opened for Him to share Christ with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?

NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2

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I PRAY with as ATTITUDE of THANKSGIVING

06/30/2014

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Have you ever said of someone, “He’s got an attitude!”?  Or said to a person, “You need a better attitude!” Thanksgiving, eucharistia, means thankfulness. If we can see other’s attitudes, don’t we realize God sees ours? How do we think it makes God feel when we pray with an ungrateful or negative attitude? Which of the following attitudes is reflected in your prayers?

  • I don’t know if You’re listening, God.
  • If You’re listening God, You probably won’t do what I’m asking, but just in case…
  • I don’t know why I’m praying.  It never does any good.

A few days ago I walked on the front porch and heard the loudest tweeting I’ve ever heard.  I expected to see a gigantic bird and watched for the branches to rustle so I could spot the happy caroler.  Instead, my eyes fell on a tiny little bird.  It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.  It was stretching and straining, causing the bough to bend up and down.  As I listened and found pleasure watching that little bird, I thought how much pleasure my heavenly Father must have when we stretch our tiny arms heavenward and praise Him.  Does God see us?  Of course He does!  Does God note the one who joyfully comes to Him thanking Him for answered prayer?  Yes!

A negative question from a negative loved one or negative co-worker doesn’t engage us as a positive question from a thankful one.  For instance, there’ve been times when my husband has asked me to do something I wasn’t in the mood to do; but I couldn’t resist his engaging grin and playful big brown eyes.  What does God see when we call on Him?  A sullen, doubting saint or an expectant, hopeful one?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are and all You are. Thank You that You are ever present for me to pray to You. Thank You that I can pray to You with confidence; knowing You hear and answer my prayers according to Your will. 

Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?

NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2

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I AM ALERT in PRAYER

06/27/2014

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it...

Colossians 4:2

As believers, we are not only to be devoted to prayer; we are also to be ALERT in it.  Alert is a powerful word. In this verse, it means “to watch, give strict attention to, take heed lest through remission some destructive calamity suddenly overtake us.” Does that describe our prayer life? If not, it should motivate us to give more strict attention to it. Why? What destructive calamity could possibly overtake us if we fail to be devoted and alert in prayer? We find the answer in 1 Peter 5:8 where Peter warns us of the devil who prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We’re reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:41 to keep praying because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Ephesians 6:11-18 warnings of principalities and spiritual forces of darkness in the heavenly realms come to mind. If we are wise, we will not only pray. We will be alert it in.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the warning to not only be devoted to prayer, but to also be alert in in it. In Christ, I have access to You 24/7. May I be an ever-increasingly devoted, alert prayer warrior.    

Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?

NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2

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I AM DEVOTED to PRAYER

06/25/2014

“Devote yourselves to prayer,

Colossians 4:2a

“In Christ,” we have the opportunity to be different from those who do not know Christ. We have the opportunity to scale the heights of heaven with our needs, concerns, and praises. We are not isolated or alone. The Holy Spirit is glued to us for eternity and is available to help us pray our deepest concerns. Our part? Begin the conversation with God. Open the spiritual door. And, keep it open. How? When your eyes open in the morning, train yourself to open a conversation with God. “Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You that You are with me. Thank You that You are with my loved ones. You are a good and gracious God. Thank You for your presence with me. Direct my mind and thoughts to honor You today.” Then, keep praying whatever is on your mind. You may pray while still in bed. You may begin while waking, then move to a place where you “meet with God” for Bible study and continued prayer. But the point is, as Christians, we are to do more than pray The Lord’s Prayer at funerals and weddings. Rather, God’s instruction is to DEVOTE myself to prayer. “Devote” comes from a word that means “be steadfastly attentive to, continue in, persevere, be in constant readiness for one.” So, we are attentive to our first thoughts when we wake and turn our thoughts to prayer. We continue in prayer through the morning, afternoon, and evening. We are in constant readiness to pray when concerns arise or we are tempted. DEVOTED. That is the word that describes the Christian’s prayer life; unlike the unbeliever’s occasional “arrow prayer” in crisis.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of being able to talk to You. May I never take the opportunity to pray for granted. Rather, may You know me as one who is devoted to prayer.   

Correction: The Scripture reference for the prior 365 Days of Praise:, “I HAVE a MASTER in HEAVEN, is Colossians 4:1.   

Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?

NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2

*http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/10/17/this-map-shows-where-the-worlds-30-million-slaves-live-there-are-60000-in-the-u-s/

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I WORK As for the LORD, Principle 5

06/11/2014

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men;

Colossians 3:23

In my book, If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?, I include “15 Principles of Work” that are related to this and the next few verses in Colossians. Principle 5 is: I Am to Work As If I Am Working for the Lord. When Paul wrote Colossians, slavery was an established institution in the Roman Empire. According to author Warren Wiersbe, there were 60 million slaves. Many were well-educated people with great responsibility, who served in the homes of the wealthy and helped to educate and discipline children. Christianity introduced a new perspective on slaves and masters. Masters were no longer to treat slaves as objects, but rather as fellow heirs of salvation. Slaves were not to halfheartedly serve their masters, but were to work as if they were serving the Lord. Paul points out that everyone has someone “over” them. In regard to our relationships, we are to work/serve in sincerity of heart rather than be “man-pleasers” who give external service with an insincere heart. The Lord often brings this verse to my mind when I’m faced with tasks I don’t want to do or if I’m having a difficult time completing a task. It’s a relatively easy verse to memorize and definitely worth it as it makes so much sense. If our lives are Christ’s, then both menial and important tasks should be done with integrity and without complaining; for we’re serving the Lord. If we’re exhausted at the end of the day and tired of taking care of little ones, being a care-giver, paying bills, or working a 12+ hour day, we can remember that God sees us. What we’re doing and the attitude in which it’s done is important to Him, even if no one else notices. It is God whom we serve.

See right here for more of what the scriptures have to say about work and what every Christian needs to know about it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to serve You in whatever work I am doing. Help me keep this verse on my mind as I remember who I am in Christ.

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Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?

NAS Bible Verses, Bible Gateway, #bgbg2

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