You are Worthy

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In the book of John there is a phrase said 4 times and honestly it made me LOL! Literally I laughed out loud. It is "the disciple whom he loved." Now why does this make me laugh? It is not completely for certain that John wrote the book of John but, it is pretty certain. So, that means John said this about himself. At first I thought, "How arrogant!" Then after some thought, prayer and a sermon or two I realized this isn't his ego, this is knowledge. He knew he was greatly loved by Jesus. I don't think this is ridiculous of him to think. John was one of the three that Jesus would take with Him to close quarters. John was also found to be sitting on Jesus' lap, and at death Jesus asked John to take care of His mother. It's not hard to say these 2 had a close relationship and that he was a disciple whom Jesus loved.

Through this we can learn something from John. We can have the confidence to say; "I am someone who Jesus loves." Sometimes we forget how much we are loved by Him. We look at our mistakes, failures, shortcomings and we say; "God can't love me, or maybe God loves me but, I am not one of His favorites. Shoot! I am not even a blip on His radar." That isn't true, you are one of His favorites, He doesn't look at your shortcomings, failures, or even sins. He looks at you and sees you covered in Jesus' blood, He sees you as someone His son died for so that He could have a close intimate relationship with you. Don't believe me? Let's look at some scriptures that tell us what he thinks of you. 

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,

(read all of 139, it's great!)

Song of Solomon 6:3

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine;

Matthew 10:30-31

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

(replace world with me)

I could go on and on but, I think this is enough to prove my point. He created you knowing you would make errors and have mistakes. He spent time creating you and He did not make a mistake! He claims you as His! He has spent time counting the hairs on your head, planned out your future and sent His son to die so He could be intimate with you.

This week look in the mirror and say; "I am someone who Jesus loves." Every time one of your shortcomings, mistakes, sins pops up it's ugly head remind yourself; "I am someone who Jesus loves." Any time you feel lonely or unworthy shout out; "I am someone who Jesus loves." Repeat; "I am someone who Jesus loves." until it's so written on your heart that you won't ever forget that You, yes You, You are someone whom Jesus loves. Take a cue from John crawl up in His lap, hear His heartbeat and be reminded that He loves you!

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Dorinda

Enjoy Today

Matthew 6:34New International Version (NIV)

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

So, as the days drag on this time of year I started a countdown on my phone to encourage me to keep looking forward. On there I had anything and everything I could look forward to until baby number 2 comes. I told myself I was also using the countdown to remind me that time is running out and I need to get stuff down. Eventually the countdown started to consume me, I got so excited everyday to move the numbers down one. As I started to realize this the Holy Spirit pointed out that I was no longer enjoying that day, just rushing through it so I could mark it off as done. 

Realizing He was right (DUH!).  I started trying to slow down and enjoy the day for what it is, a day the Lord has created to rejoice and be glad in (Psalm 118:24). One of the best ways I decided to do that was to be thankful!

Everyday I want to find 3 things I am thankful for, one first thing in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one before bed.

This is inspired by the book 1,000 gifts by Anna Voskamp and the scripture 

1 Thessalonians 5:18.

There are always things to be thankful for what are you thankful for?

Now, I know that Halloween is here and this month of Thanksgiving is an easier time to accomplish this task, but this is something we should do everyday of the year! It is also great to do when things don't seem to be going your way. I hope you found this post an encouragement for you during the month of November to  give thanks for everything around us but, I hope you continue to do this through out the next year. If you are going through a difficult time I really encourage you to do this and maybe even journal it, it might seem difficult but, I do know it will help!

Have a Halloween and remember to Enjoy Today!

Dorinda

Breaking Out of the Beauty Mold

A week or so ago I was invited to a jewelry party, I was also asked while at the jewelry party if I would do a short devotional on the Proverbs 31 woman. 

I was super excited and said "Yes!" right away. I later then thought, I never teach on the Proverbs 31 woman. It's not because I don't think she is great, I just think everyone always teaches about her, so I like to do something different. Plus, I have always had a connection with Esther. So, I started into studying. The hard part was this was going on the week we were moving and packing, playing with a toddler, working, being pregnant; and studying was a lot to take on. I constantly prayed for the devotional and gave time to study wherever I could but, not as much time as I usually do going into these things.

The message turned out great and I wanted to share it with you.  What made me most excited about the devotional was with my lack of prep time, I knew going in that what I would say was from the Holy Spirit. It had to be I didn't have time to make it up. So here it is.

Breaking Out of the Beauty Mold

The Proverbs 31 woman has a lot of characteristics we all want to achieve peace, hard worker, good mom, amazing wife and so on. When reading the Proverbs 31 woman we rarely look at her as someone who desired to be beautiful. Yet here it is in verse 17 and 22

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

We know she cared how she looked because she took care of herself and she dressed nicely. Dressing in scarlet is like dressing in Michael Kors. By reading on we do know that the Michael Kors was bought at a great deal, and probably on sale. So many of us become captive by the beauty mold by obsessing with how we look, or ignoring our looks, comparing ourselves to Hollywood, which eonline has made the perfect botched woman based on people votes for who has the best body part, 

eonline

We are held prisoner by comparing ourselves to friends or women we see on the streets, or maybe you are ashamed of your beauty so you hide it. We as women don't want to be admired for our beauty but we don't want it dismissed. We want to display both inner and outer beauty. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman. To break free from this captivity we need to realize the only way is through Christ, and if our freedom is going to be a reality we are going to have to walk it independently with Christ. Here are 3 things to help you break out of the beauty mold.

1. Know that the King already finds you beautiful!

Psalm 45:11 (NCV) the King loves your beauty

Psalm 45:11 (KJV) the King desires your beauty

Psalm 45:11 (NIV) the King is enthralled by your beauty.

I just love that last one I want to put it on a sign and place it all over my house. God finds you beautiful as He was designing you He didn't accidentally mess up your nose and say "Oh, Well, I guess she is good enough", As He designed your hair He didn't get frustrated and say; "I guess that will just have to do." No, He spent time making you exactly how He wanted you. He made you that way and He finds you beautiful.

2. Seek His face!

Hey, that's a beauty regime in itself. Look at Jesus and Moses.

Exodus 34:29 but Moses did not know his face had been shining because he had been talking with the Lord

Luke 9:29 While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became shining white.

The more time you spend seeking Him the inner beauty becomes outer beauty. Also, the less you focus on what others think, or obsess over your looks because you realize He loves how you look. The shackles of the beauty mold start to break free.

3. Everyday remind yourself that He finds you and He made you beautiful

Psalm 139:13-16New International Version (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

I know this seems to be a repeat of number one but, this is a reminder that this is a daily challenge. You aren't going to be able to read this and suddenly the chains have broken and you are out of the beauty mold. Everyday remind yourself He made you perfectly, spent time forming you and created you to be a representation of Himself. 

4. Don't let the mirror rob you of your beauty!

How do we get mugged by the mirror you ask? If we seek our identity in what is staring back at us and how we can "fix"it.

If we want to lose weight to be healthier, by all means go on a diet.

If we want to be in better shape to have more energy, by all means, workout.

But, 

if we think we need to do those things to find happiness, to make people like us or love us, that if we could change our appearance to be thinner, stronger, more shapely, and by doing that we will be happier, more successful, have a better life, we are being mugged by the mirror.

Sidenotes:

There is nothing wrong with enhancing your beauty. Working out or putting on makeup, dressing in nice clothes. (Psalm 45:13, describes a beautiful wedding dress) We know the Proverbs 31 woman took care of herself we discussed earlier. Just don't let those things take over. Proverbs 11:22 says like a ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Basically, a woman who flaunts her beauty by showing no modesty, or knows she is desirable, prideful is a silly looking and useless as a ring in a pig's nose. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says; Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles or wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Rather it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a quiet and gentle spirit, which is of great worth in God's eyes.

Beauty comes at all ages Esther was a young lady found to be desirable by a King. Sara was 65 when a King invited her to bed before finding out she was married. This happened two times to Sara in her old age.

To close up I want to share this letter a friend posted on her blog. 

My Pretty Little Princess, 

I want you to know how very beautiful you are to me. I adore you, my daughter! I love the way I created you. When you look into the mirror, remember that I carefully chose the color of your eyes and the highlights in your hair. I love you so much that I know exactly how many hairs are on your pretty little head! I designed the shape of your nose and your happy smile. I made every part of your precious body. Don’t ever try to look like anyone else but you. I think you are perfect just the way you are. I love every little thing about you, my princess. There is no one in the world like you. 

Love, Your King who created a perfect you”

“I Made You Beautiful” 

 “His Little Princess: Treasured Letters from Your King.”

Fight Like a Girl: We are the Answer

We are the answer!

This is part 3 to my Fight Like A Girl Series. You can read the rest here: intro: part 1: part 2.

I know as a woman I have been told I am being too emotional or this wouldn't be a problem if I kept my emotions in check. How about you? Words like that tend to make me think I am more of the problem than the answer. I will admit I have had moments where my emotions have gotten the best of me. Haven't we all? That doesn't mean I am the problem. In fact so, so many times God has used women as an answer to a problem.  Gosh, I could name so many. Eve to Adam being overwhelmed. Deborah in Judges that is a funny story to me; read it in Judges 4. Esther saving her whole nation! Can't forget Mary to save the world!

Stop looking at yourself as a problem and realize you are the answer! One of my favorite scriptures is Esther 4:14. You are raised for such a time as this! You have a job no man can do! Step up and do it!

You may be thinking but I am a stay at home mom, or I am just a working lady. What I do doesn't matter I just raise kids, or I just make dinner for my husband, I just work for my boss. The position you are in is a position no man can complete. I am not talking the actual physical work. I am talking the ministering you are doing. The example you are setting. You are where you are because God needed a woman's touch in that spot, and that woman's touch is yours. Stop letting people tell you, you are the problem and realize you are the answer! 

As I was studying the past few weeks I read a blog by a girl named Andi Andrew. At the end of one of her blog posts she said this.

Women – we need each other. God is doing something so powerful with His women… It’s explosive, it’s catching fire. The walls are falling down, we are uniting as one, girded in Jesus, with one cause. The women are rising up. The women have found their voice. The women are free.

You are the answer for such a time as this. To reach the world in such a time as this. To change lives of those around you for such a time as this. You are a woman and it's time to ROAR!

This is the final part of my Fight Like A Girl Series. I am sad to see it end and I really enjoyed it. I plan on writing a few more devotionals up and coming. I hope you enjoyed this series as much as I did and I hope it encouraged you as much as it did me! Tell me in the comments if you liked the series and in any way it encouraged you. I love to hear your stories! 

Fight Like a Girl: Our Greatest Weapon

This is a continuation of a devotional I taught at our Church at our Women's tea. I loved it and wanted to continue studying so I brought it with me to the blog. You can read part 1, and part 2. Now onto the next point Our Greatest Weapon!

A lot of times we are told to think of ourselves or to move up in this world you must step on people. Jesus says something different to the disciples in Matthew those who are last will be first. I think Women especially are gifted and talented in the area of hospitality, we are going to look at a few women in the bible as our example.

Let's start with the first woman Eve she was called to be Adam's helpmate that's it. Designed and created to help Adam her job was to serve him and help him accomplish what God had called him to do. I bet there were times she felt like a doormat, Adam would say; "hey honey will you help me with....." She probably was thinking; "seriously you can't do this one thing by yourself?" Yet, that was her job. Sometimes when serving others you feel like a doormat, I hear a lot people say don't be a doormat and it sounds good but, I looked in the bible and I can't find scripture to back that up. I did find Matthew 5:38-40; 

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

Gosh, I am pretty sure that defines doormat right there. Sometimes you are going to feel stepped on and walked on and used. Keep on serving, and serve with a smile. God's Word contains promises saying, promotion comes from God, and do everything as doing unto the Lord, and the last shall be first. Serving isn't the easiest way but it is the only way recognized by God.

Before we continue onto our next lady I want to mention that there isn't room for physical or mental abuse. If you are being abused get out of the situation, it is bad. You can use your gift of serving else where.

Next lady I want to look at is one of my favorite, in fact whenever I am asked to speak to women I almost automatically plan on teaching from her story. I love a story with spa and fashion!! It is Queen Esther! When it was time for her to save her people and ask the king for a favor, she choose to serve him dinner. She called the King and her worst enemy; the one planning the whole plot to kill not just her family but, her whole race of people, over to dinner. After she served him food the king says; "What is your petition? Even up to half the kingdom is yours at your request." Wow!! What an answer just for giving him some dinner!! Guess what! The king gave her, her request and destroyed the one who had plotted to kill her whole nation! What can we accomplish by serving someone else? 

Don't give up on your dream plant seeds by helping others reach their dreams. God will make sure others help you do the same. Serving is planting seed in the lives of others whether they are Christian or not. Your servanthood could make a non- christian see the love of God and run into His arms. Don't under estimate the power of serving!

There is a flip side to serving and again since this is our greatest weapon sometimes we can over use it. Whenever I think of serving I also think of Mary and Martha. When Jesus came to the door Martha was in the kitchen and Mary sitting at His feet. Martha gets upset and says; "Jesus, tell Mary to help me." To which he replies; "Mary has chosen the better thing." There is time to serve and there is a time to listen. To become truly skilled at our weapon when we need to know when to use it and when to not. Martha didn't choose the wrong thing, she just choose the wrong time to do the right thing. Sometimes when serving we let it take place of everything and forget we need to take time and sit and hear from God. When we don't do this it builds resentment, I know I have been there. Don't let serving take the place of hearing.

Serving is our weapon! Like a sword if you were to practice with it everyday and never sharpen it, when time came to go to battle it would be dull and of no use. You could be great and talented at it, but because you are so tired and dull you can't do any good. To sharpen our sword of serving we need to take time listening. First at home, and second at church. Don't serve every Sunday in the nursery make sure you are in listening to your Pastor preach the Word. Don't let the kids be your alarm clock take back your mornings and listen to God before you serve them and your husband. Before you go to work, listen, so you can better serve your boss. 

Romans 12:13 says; Share with the Lord's people who are in need; practice hospitality. An old saying comes to mind "They don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." The greatest way to reach people and to show people God is to serve them, show them God's love.

I want to encourage you again, to join me in the Rise and Nine challenge. Wake up 3 minutes praise, 3 minutes prayer, 3 minutes read. 

I have a few book suggestions on this topic;

Mary heart in a Martha world; I have no actually read this one but, it does have some great reviews and I do want to read it.

Women after God's own heart; Great read!!

Keep serving and keep listening! In two weeks I will talk on the last point!

Kidmin: I Am Back!

I have rejoined the teaching world and I am excited! Only once a month to begin with but, I missed it!

I thought I would celebrate my return with a kidmin post. 
The most important part of kidmin is scheduling. If you don't have a plan for the kids they will make a plan for you. There are two foolproof plans that I use for my scheduling needs. 

First here's a real quick review of my Sunday.

I got teach on Prayer is talking to God. What a great lesson! I love teaching kids that they can pray. This was lesson 2 in the Fearbuster lesson by New Spring. This is a great resource for free curriculum, including inexpensive decorating ideas and videos. 
Thank you Kim for introducing me to it.

Schedule went great until 11 when church was supposed to be out. Apparently my first week teaching was also Genesis' longest service! So games were the filler same with more songs!

I choose to go with the hourglass schedule. Essentially if you picture an hourglass you want fun at top, serious in middle, and fun at end.

Example of:

5min: opening song

10min game

15min: praise and worship

10min: skit

15min: message

10min: memory verse

10min: review game

To really help this plan make sure all music and games reinforce the lesson. The best part of this lesson is it gets the sillies out, hits them with the lesson and gets them moving again before they get restless.

Second lesson plan is the up downs. Keep the kids moving is the goal.

An example is:

5min: welcome

10min: game

5min: bible story

10min: music

10min: message

10min: review game

10min: memory verse

10min: game

Split up your sit downs with stand ups. I love this schedule because it keeps the kids guessing, they don't know what's coming up next.

I hope these schedules help you in your kidmin adventures!

Kidmin loves,

Dorinda