Little Natural Cottage Give away!

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Cultivating Peace

I've been teaching my Sunday school class (which now consists of two students. YAY!) the Fruits of the Spirit. In order to help me along, I began reading a book on that very subject, written by Tom Ross. Today I read about Cultivating and Promoting Personal Peace. And wouldn't you know, this reading has helped me far greater than I thought it would. Its a blessing to learn as you strive to teach.

Five Ways to Cultivate Personal Peace

 

1. Read, Love, Obey and Apply God's Word.
2. Meditation On God's Truths. (What is our mindset? Is it on sin, fear or worry? Or is it upon spiritual things?)
3. Trust God. Be confident in Him! 
4.  Prayer is a Refuge.
5.  Be obedient and righteous.

 

All of the points are challenging, but there were two I NEED to work at. I MUST meditate on spiritual things. My mindset can be so off =(. And I MUST have a better confidence in God. I am a sinner. I think that I can do it all on my own. BUT I CAN'T!! God is in control, not me. This passage was extremely encouraging to me. Hope it is for you also! =) 

 

In Him,

Claire

 

 
ISAIAH 26:3-4

³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.⁴ Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

One Of Histories Most Wonderful Love Stories

 

The two books of the Bible that I've read the most are Genesis and Romans. Genesis is one because I've tried many times (and failed) to read the Bible in a year. Almost all of the reading plans start with Genesis. So I at least make it through one book. When it comes to Romans I just plain love reading it over and over. Its funny though. Even though I've read these books several times, I'm often reminded about how much I miss when I read. I'm so very happy God knows just what to put into my Pastor's heart and mind to preach. He has just started a series that is basically a slow, verse by verse study in Romans. I love it! Also he has recently been shown much more about Genesis that many don't know about. I'm greatful God has shown him these things and that he has shared them with us!

I enjoy reading the "love stories" of the Bible. For example, my favorite, Isaac and Rebekah. But Pastor Graber (My Pastor is my father-in-law!) pointed out an even more wonderful love story! Of course the #1 love story is of Christ and His bride, but I think this one comes in 2nd for sure. Most know that Adam is a type of Christ, but most of us fail to realize to the great extent he was! 

As a child and honestly only a few months ago I saw Adam and Eve as two ignorant sinners. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the Serpent. MAN WAS I WRONG! Adam was made in God's likeness and image. Adam was SMART. He in no wise was ignorant. 


What do you think when you see this verse?

   Genesis 3:11-12

¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
¹² And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

I use to think Adam was blaming Eve. "THE WOMAN!" Well, look again. In verse 11 God asks Adam TWO questions.  So it goes like this...
God-"Who told you, you were naked?"
Adam-"Eve"
God-"Did you eat of the tree?"
Adam-"I DID EAT."


Eve was Adam's wife. Think of how much you love your spouse. Eve was tricked, Adam was not. Adam was caught between a rock and a hard place. He knew Eve and him would be separated forever...UNLESS! There was only one thing he could do. He gave up his life by choosing to eat the fruit to save Eve. If he hadn't eaten the fruit, Adam and Eve couldn't of been together. Therefore the line to Jesus, out savior never would have been. Adam was smart HE KNEW THIS! By him giving up his life by purposefully eating the forbidden fruit, he saved his wife and got the line to Jesus going. 


This makes me realize how horrible of a wife I am. Look what Adam, and more so Jesus, gave up for their bride, their love. They gave their lives. This encourages me to keep on keepin' on to becoming a better wife and child of God. Would you give up your life for your love?
 

Joy or Discontentment? Its Your Choice!

I'd be lying straight through my teeth if I were to tell you I'm always a perfectly content stay-at-home wife. In all honesty, there are days I want to break through my front door and full out sprint away from home. Is this a right attitude? No =(. Lately, the Lord has been really pressing the lesson of contentment upon me. Yes, I get lonely at home. Yes, I do get bored too. BUT just because I get lonely and bored, does that mean its not what I'm suppose to be doing? Not at all. On the contrary, its usually the tougher things that are the right things to do. Instead of living in discontentment, I need to learn to choose to be thankful. I've been reading through the book (for the 4th time) Created To Be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. Today I read a chapter on choosing to do just that, have a thankful heart. A thankful heart creates a joyful heart. But it won't just happen. We must CHOOSE to have a thankful heart. So, here I am, alone and still awaiting for my man to get home. What will I choose? I think its time to be thankful=) 

PHILIPPIANS 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."