WHO'S CALLING...?

Is your heart faithfully driven to God's Word? It is my hope to encourage you and remind you to live abundantly, wherever God has placed you

FYI, I have moved to faithfullydrivenhearts.com, come join me there! And if you have enjoyed getting these devotions and Bible studies in your inbox then I encourage you to subscribe to my new site, Faithfullydrivenhearts.com

Here is my most recent post. Enjoy!

Thanks for all your support and prayers! Katie

Dear Lord,

I want to be pleasing to You in thought, word and deed. Sometimes I worry about what others may think of me. What I say or how I say it. How I look or how I should look.
I have learned this lesson, to not only abide in You for all things, but to except myself as Your own. Help me LORD to do the things I know to be right, so I may glorify You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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As I prepare for our Bible study on Defining Your Noble Character, I stumbled across my old Bible study notebook. I'm guessing I wrote this prayer over ten years ago. My oldest was just a baby then, now twelve.
Just got goose bumps reading the part; excepting myself as Your own. Yes, I am a child of the Living God and He Loves me. (OK just made myself hold back a few tears so I can keep writing)
If you have ever prayed this prayer or you have now for the first time, please know that you are not alone.

Jesus is calling you to be His own. You are a child of the Living God and He Loves you!

Over the past decade I have grown in my faith so much. A big hurdle has been learning how to submit to God over everything ells in my life, including my husband. (we will tackle the 'S' word more in D.Y.N.C.)

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On a lighter note I thought I would share a little devotion that my daughter and I shared the other day. It's from Elizabeth George, A Girl After God's Own Heart.
One quick not here, try not to look over scripture that you are already familiar with.

God's Word is Living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  (Hebrews 3:12-13)

Without sharing all the details of how my daughter was feeling this particular day. Lets just say she had had enough with one of her siblings. If you have siblings, then I need say no more!

God is Love (1 John 4:8). What do you learn about God in this verse?
Her answerer; God is love and always caring.
God so loved the world (including you!) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus, God's one and only Son, died for sinners. What does this tell you about how much God loves you?
Her answerer; God will do anything for me.

What a joy to see the Holy Spirit active and alive in those who are close to you. We had a wonderful talk about how God will do anything for us ,that is in His will for us. We just need to ask. He loves us so much that he sent His Son to die on the cross, to take away our sins so that we might be with him in heaven one day. What a beautiful message the Gospel tells us!
And this sums up one joyful mom;

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). How will the Bible help you?
Her answerer; The Bible helps me feel happy and I like it when songs are made with words from the Bible.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). How will learning and memorizing God's Word help you?
Her answerer; It helps me be closer to God.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how God works in our lives and the lives of our loved ones!
Thank you for sharing your time with me.
Blessings!
Katie

YOUR 'HAPPY PLACE'

You have made known to me the paths of Life; You will fill me with joy in your presence. (Acts 2:28)

Have you ever lost your ‘happy place’? Better question might be have you ever found it? You know that place or feeling that know...

To continue reading this message please go to www.faithfullydrivenhearts.com / Blog / YOUR 'HAPPY PLACE'

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Blessings!

Katie

FRESH START

We have a fresh new platform for our Bible studies, plus I get to add in some fun and practical tips for us Alaskan-grown women of Faith. Join me over at www.faithfullydrivenhearts.com

The site is still a work in progress but I managed to get my first post up! Check it out!

TRUE FACE TIME

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, (Hebrews 10:24)

Do you remember the time when you opened your Face Book account? When you first re-connected with old friends? It was exciting and addicting all at the same time, right?  More then likely you have made even more 'friends' because of social media. But have you really taken the time to examined weather you are in good company or not?

Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

Social media can appear to be the best way to connect with people. Especially for those of us who feel like we live 'in-the-middle-of-know-where' ( you know, when your package you just ordered online says 'undeliverable', physical address unknown or no shipping outside the continental USA, aka Alaska and Hawaii) Or quite possibly in the middle of a big city. I could only imagine how it could very well be the same for those who live in a BIG city. Where there are SO many people it seems impossible to connect with anyone.

Don't lose site of God's Word. And, although Face Book is a great way to stay connected and meet new people it can also take you away from 'true face time' with people who need Christ's light. That's you! When Christ called you to be His, He also gave you The Holy Spirit in order that you might be light for Him. (Read Matthew 5:13-16)

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25)

(Note: The 'Day' when Christ returns)

How would you examine your 'true face time'? In your journal today write down ways you have reached out to someone 'face to face'. Also consider how you might meet with one of your 'face friends' (aka face book friend).

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father In heaven. (Matthew 5:25)

Blessings!

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

Sounds sweet and all but what if you didn't choose where you are today? What if you live where you live by calling and not by choice? 

I've often said that there are two kinds of Alaskan women; those who choose to live here and those who are called to live here. Don't get me wrong I love Alaska, its beauty and wide open space. But there defiantly has been seasons in my life where its not by choice I live in Alaska but by God's calling. I think some of you can relate with me. It may not be your location but your circumstances in life.

As I pondered on these thoughts today I went to the scriptures and found some encouragement for us.

 2 Peter chapter 1

Making One's Calling and Election Sure

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-11)

Read the full chapter on your own. Pay attention to the warm introduction from Peter and his conclusion as he gives all the credit to our Savior, taking non for himself.

Thank you for being on this journey with me!
I am blessed,
Katie

PS, I believe when the scriptures are referring to brothers, we as sisters in Christ are also included.

Beyond LadyLike

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior... (Titus 2:3a)

How old do you think these 'older women' were at the time Paul was encouraging them?

Although it is not clear of the age it is assumed, according to an esv commentary, the median age of death for women was 34 years!  Shocking, right?  As I studied our text further I realized that I am the 'older woman' to those younger then me. I have a responsibility to be reverent in behavior, teach, train and lead by example the road God has laid out before me. Recognizing that it is not for my gain but for the teaching of sound doctrine.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5)

If you, like me have past this age, know that you are the 'older woman' and someone is looking up to you. What would they say about your faith life? Do they know how much you honor the Lord by your actions or how you fail to do so? Don't be offended, our failure's are proof that we are by nature human and all humans are sinners in need of a Savior.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

My challenge for you this week is to think of a young lady whom your heart goes out to, pray for her and also pray, if it be in God's will, that you might have the opportunity to show her by your example what is 'good'.

When I was a teenager I was blessed with such a woman who loved the Lord and lead by example. She was someone I could trust and talk to. She wasn't afraid to pray with me and tell me the truth about growing up as a teen. Sadly she and her family moved away before I graduated. But God surprisingly brought her back into my life most unexpectedly. Just before we reunited I was off in collage living on my own, making my own choices, doing my own thing all wile going to church and realizing that I couldn't live a double life. I was drifting away from my faith. (Thank the Lord he will never leave us or forsake us!) We had no idea that we would have ended up in the same town, let alone going to the same church. Long story short I needed a place to stay for a few months and she lovingly opened her home to me. I felt a peace that only Jesus could give. Randomly she would leave little words of encouragement or scripture to remind me not to be of this world but to remember who Christ made me to be. How he loved me and had a plan for my life.

I hope you have had the blessing of being mentored in your life. If you haven't, I encourage you to be a mentor to the young lady your thinking about right now.

3 simple steps on mentor beyond ladylike

   1. Pray for her

   2. Listen to her

   3. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. (1 Peter 3:15)

Blessings to you Older Women of Faith

'Who do you say that I AM?'

The other day my father sang for me this song, 'Who do you say that I AM', by Andrew Culverwell.


Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17) Read Matthew 16:13-20 and look up this old song. You will be blessed.

Wow, there sure is power when the written Word of God is turned into music!

Years ago before I started helping with our song selection at church I really hadn't paid to much attention to the connection between the song and the scripture readings each Sunday.  I was just waiting and hoping that the song I liked the best would be played. I still have my favorites, but when a song comes along that I just don't know that well or I am having a hard time singing with everyone ells, I just focus on the words and trust that His Word is being delivered to me.

Next Sunday, when you hear a song that your just not too excited about, trust that there is a purpose for that song and keep praising Him!

I found this quote in my Grandmothers old Hymnal. I think it goes very well with this post.

Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music. (Martin Luther)