Focusing on God

Sorry for not posting in a while ya'll! Life for me has been... busy! :)

Actually, that's kind of what I wanted to post about... have you ever had that moment in life when you finally...get to breath?! Life has been going super fast for me right now. I'm teaching Piano all day on Monday's, Wednesday's, and Thursday's right now. Tuesday's and Friday's are really the days that I can kind of lay back... not really, but hey! :) I cook all the dinner's in our house, which means that I have to prioritize my time wisely.
I usually only open my computer at night after my younger siblings have gone to bed. By then, I just want to relax, sit in bed with a good book, and sleep! My mom and I have been talking about how God didn't create us to go from one thing to the next. He created us to have rest... which is also why the Sabbath day is super important! A day to really focus on God. Put all things aside, and pray, think on the Lord, and worship Him in all His greatness! Now, that's not to say that we shouldn't focus on God the other days of the week, which brings me to my next point...
If we are so busy and pre-occupied the whole week... when do we make time for God?
For me, it used to be when my little brother would take a nap. Now that he doesn't take naps anymore, his rest times are... loud! What can I say... he's a boy! ;)
But, I try to focus on God during this time. Many times, I find myself not even doing my Bible Study because life throws me in loops. I'm sure you moms and sisters know what I'm talking about!...this baby needs a diaper change, this child needs to be fed, this child has to go to this place at this time, you have to meet your friend here and there... etc... the list goes on. So, when does it stop? When do we take a moment, and breath? When was the last time that you took an hour and completely focused on God, without all the distractions of life? I think I told many of you a couple months ago, that I told my mom that I'm going to leave for the day, take my Bible Study and Prayer Journal with me, and go to a quiet place by the lake to rest, think, ponder, and pray.
So, if you don't have a car, have someone you know (daughter/sister/husband/mother/father) take care of the kids for a little, while you go and focus on God; for my mom, focusing on God is easy when she goes for a walk. Now, I'm not saying that you can't focus on God in the midst of your own home, but when your life gets to be so busy that you can't even breath... it's time to prioritize your life.
So, how can we stop and breath? Easy!... learning to say "NO!" Now, that's easier said than done...right?! I'm still learning it, but if there's one thing my mom taught me, it's to say no to things. Yes, that means you might miss out on this party or that party, but, is it really worth the time you don't get to spend with God because your busy with other things? How important is your time with God? If it's not as important as it should be, then maybe you need to let some things go. Believe me, it's not easy!
 But in the end, it's so worth it!!! 

What are our Priorities?

These past few weeks have been really busy for me.
I've got so many things to do during the week that sometimes I forget to do the most important things in life. I forget to read the Bible, I forget to spend quality time to my siblings, I forget to fold laundry, I forget to... well, you get the idea.
It's so easy to forget, isn't it? Sometimes our life get's so busy and so full, we forget to do the most important things in life. Doing family worship every night is our family's priority, and we've noticed that when we don't do it, that everyone seems to be more grumpy.

I try to write in my Prayer Journal a couple times a week, and lately, I haven't had the time. So, when do we need to say no? It's hard for me to say no to someone who needs my help. So, this past week, as I was listening to a sermon about priorities, I started to realize that I hadn't been doing the most important things in life. Sure, I picked up the Bible, but I didn't study or give my time to God. I prayed during family worship, but, I found that I hadn't prayed to God that entire week! I couldn't believe how fast the week went by, and I had done... almost nothing! Sure, I accomplished things, but how much time did I spend with God? did I spend time with my siblings? Was I grumpy? Did I spend more time with friends than I did with my own family or even God? When was the last time I memorized scripture?

All of us deal with priorities in our life. We forget. In the Bible, the Israelite's are constantly forgetting the commandments of God, and even the God that brought them out of the land of Egypt. We complain... a lot! We don't realize how easy we have it!
God created us, doesn't he deserve out time?
So, try to put God first. If you find that you're doing too much and not focusing on God, maybe it's time to say no to some things. Maybe instead of doing your Bible Study whenever you find time, maybe you could do it when the little one's are taking a nap, or at night when everyone's in bed. Find time for God. He's waiting there for you! :) 

When Life Get's Busy

When Life Get's Busy...I seldom remember things.
I have so much on my mind, that my life just get's the better of me.
It brings me to the question...when life get's busy, do you still have time for God?
I don't mean just a quick prayer, but I mean do you really have time for God? Do you put him above your other priorities? Sadly, I don't all the time...

There have been times in my days, where I want to go do the next thing, and the next, and then eventually, my life starts to fall apart, because I haven't taken the time to be with God.
Now granted, not all of us have hours in a day to give to God...but that's not what God wants, even if it's just 5 minutes to read the bible, and 5 minutes to think, ponder, and pray...God loves it! Now think...that's only 10 minutes put aside per day to God...can't we do that? Some days, yes we can do more than just 10 minutes. However, God does NOT want a heart that says, "do I HAVE to?" Instead, he wants a heart that yearns for His words, and that says, "Yes! I am going to set aside an hour to day, so that I can be with you God."...see the difference.

So, my question to you is...is God your priority in life? When life get's busy, just slow down, and remember that God is a jealous God. He wants your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
The question is...when life get's busy, do you have time for God?

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
~Hebrews 4:16

Getting Our Priorities Straight

What do I mean by getting our priorities straight? I mean putting God first. A few nights ago we were doing family worship, and after reading Proverbs 23, I started thinking, "What kind of things in life can stop us from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?" There were so many answers, and other questions, however, it could be anything you desire...such as movies, computer games, friends, and even family. Whatever makes you happy during your times of need is an idol in God's eyes.

When I first graduated high school, I knew that I had much more free time. A few weeks after I graduated I realized that I hadn't really picked up the bible and read it...except in church. I then started thinking of all the things that I had done instead of reading the bible. What I found was shocking.

It is so easy to get sidetracked from the word of God. It's not easy to put studying the bible above everything. You have you be willing to give up certain things.

God is a jealous God!!! He wants you, and every part of you.

Next time you have been busy, and are maybe tired, or just don't really feel like studying the bible, Maybe you could pray...remember: you can find rest in Christ. Set your priorities straight, give God your highest priority.

Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

More Than Ever:

In Today's chaotic world,

with everything around us crumbling,

Morality held in contempt,

Our leaders false, corrupt, or bumbling,

More than ever, we need Christ,

to Lead us through this darkening place;

His absolute truth will light our way;

He'll lift us with His love and grace.

The Bible is our cornerstone;

in God's word, we take our stands;

Role models we will strive to be,

Examples of our Lord's commands.

Dear Lord Jesus, strengthen us

to complete the tasks you'd have us do;

We pray you'll lead us, guide us now

to know and love and follow you.

~By Joanna Fuchs

http://www.poemsource.com/Christian-Poems.html