kathybrott.com

I understand that if you were given a choice to receive one million dollars in one month or a penny doubled every day for 30 days, the penny would be the better choice. At the end of one month you would have over five million dollars!

If we all would take that same concept and apply it to spiritual things how much more content we would all be!  If we would start by doing one thing, like being thankful, for instance.  In the midst of every day thank God for what is good and there are always good things to be thankful for.  Knowing God is number one on the list! 

I am learning to do just that and though I sometimes forget, I always come back to it because I know it’s a principal from the word of God and and God’s principals ALWAYS work.  There is a brother in Christ who has been through some really tough times.  This statement he made recently in an email, jumped out at me:  “You can find beauty in every single day of your life. I can’t explain it all; however, I do know that there is something that God does very special for people who are thankful…”

Sometimes I am in a grumbly mood, though I still feel grumbly I will turn my thoughts from grumbly to good and make myself speak thankful, good words…eventually my feelings follow.  That’s a pretty amazing concept to me really, but when you consider the Amazing God we serve, well, what more can I say?!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

My husband and I have had the privilege to travel many places in the USA and the world.  As we worship and speak in many different churches I have noticed from time to time I hear a theme.  I may hear one sermon in Australia, another in the Philippines, then yet another in a conference in the US.  The preachers are different, the countries are different, even the sermons are different but one message will come out clear and strong.  God is speaking to His Church.  His Spirit knows no bounderies of space and time.  We are all one body and He speaks to the hearts of ministers across the globe and they deliver His message to His people.

God also gives us personal messages.  It happens to me over and over again…growing in the Lord is a lifetime journey for the child of God.  I will be reading God’s Word, hearing a sermon, reading an article, or I may be having a conversation with someone and I begin to realize I am hearing Him speak something specific to my heart.   Lately it’s been the subject of words.  My words count, I cannot speak idly.  I must speak Life into the lives of others.  I believe the older we grow, the more we experience life, our influence widens; we affect more people.  So I am asking the Lord to help me in this area. 

Just as a soldier in an earthly army, or a doctor in the medical field is constantly learning, Christians are always learning from The Teacher.  His Word, the Bible, being our standard to test what we hear in our spirit.  Don’t let yourself get in a rut, that’s boring. 

Walking with Jesus, the living Christ, is definitely an aventure.  This journey takes us from the mountain top to the valley and through the everyday walking in the plains. But dull and boring?…NEVER!  If we will spend time in His Presence along the way, He is joy unspeakable and full of glory…ALWAYS!

 So what are you hearing The Spirit say to you? 

The driver education teacher I had in High School gave me some great tips on driving.  I was having trouble driving straight.  I was watching the lines on the right and left, trying to stay in the middle of my lane.  The teacher told me to just look straight ahead, where I wanted to go and my hands would automatically steer the car to follow in that path. I tried it and it worked beautifully!

This little tip seems very simple but became invaluable; especially later when living on the mission field in Manila, Philippines.  The traffic there is bad…you cannot imagine, you have to experience it.  The vehicle next to me would literally be a couple of inches from my van.  The only way I kept from having an accident was heeding the advice of keeping my eyes where I wanted to go, not looking to the right or left.  There were often drop offs, and again, I would concentrate on keeping my eyes where I needed to go and my vehicle would follow.

The same is true with my body .  The things I look on I seem to eventually become…my eyes look, my mind thinks, my body follows.

God of Heaven and Earth and Master of my heart, Help me keep my eyes on you.  Then as I read Your Word, meditate on your goodness, praise and worship you, my body will follow with actions that please you.  Since I am human and will make mistakes, those actions will include getting up when I mess up.  I love you and trust you.  In Jesus Almighty Name, Amen!                                  

Psalm 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:

Do you ever feel like the Lord is stirring up your nest?  I do.  I was so comfy in my little spiritual nest.  Then I began to feel the Lord Jesus nudging me, making me feel uncomfortable.  Urging me to come up higher to soar the heights of His love and wisdom.  I want to go but it’s just so comfortable where I’m at…I hesitate to venture out.  But there He is, gently, patiently but persistently calling me to come up higher.  I know it is best for me to heed His call.  I need not fear the heights for the closer I get to him, the safer it is for my soul. I cannot stay at one level for long. The devil is more ruthless and aggressive than ever, in a frenzy to kill, steal and destroy the souls of mankind, he knows he has only a short time left to do his dirty work.  So I begin to be more diligent in asking, knocking, seeking that I might find that higher place in Jesus.  That place of power, peace and safety…close to the heart of God.  In prayer, devotion and obedience, I want to soar, high above the clamor of this world, to be able to hear His voice as He speaks words of love and direction for my life.  I want to make a difference in this world, not just for time but for eternity and passionate prayer coupled with loving obedience is the only way I know to do that. 

As Christians we will always climb higher and higher during our lifetime until at last we are Home with Jesus.  I can hardly wait for that day!

Thank you Lord for stirring up my nest and bearing me on the wings of your love, joy and power.  I don’t want to be lazy and complacent.  Time is too short and You are coming so soon.  I am not promised tomorrow. I want to follow your call today and everyday I live.  In Jesus name, Amen!

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:”  Deuteronomy 32:11 (KJV) 

Thanksgiving then Christmas…could these meaningful Holidays really have come and gone so quickly?  Already a new year is ready to make its grand appearance.  With the coming New Year advancing so rapidly people are making goals and plans.  As Christians, we want to make a difference in the world for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.  But with so much that needs to be done, we tend to try and take on too many responsibilities.

Below is an excerpt on Setting Priorities, written by author Max Lucado, that might be helpful for us to keep in mind.

“There is only so much sand in the hourglass.  Who gets it? You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?…

“The PTA needs a new treasurer.  With your background and experience and talent and wisdom and love for kids and degree in accounting, YOU are the perfect one for the job!”…

It’s a tug-of-war, and you are the rope…

“Blessed are the meek,” Jesus said.  The word meek does not mean weak.  It means focused.  It is a word used to describe a domesticated stallion.  Power under control. Strength with a direction…

Blessed are those who recognize their God-given responsibilities.  Blessed are those who acknowledge that there is only one God and have quit applying for his position.  Blessed are those who know what on earth they are on earth to do and set themselves about the business of doing it.”

Well said and great advice, wouldn’t you say?  :) 

HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR!

One of the most freeing concepts of praying is the lifestyle kind of prayer.  Coupled with embracing the Word of God (Bible) lifestyle prayer has taken my relationship with God to continuing higher heights and deeper depths. 

What is lifestyle prayer?  Simply a continuing conversation with God throughout the day and any waking periods of the night.  I believe the Bible is refers to this style of prayer when it states, ”pray without ceasing.” Now this is a concept so simple and natural; its like breathing, but its one that was very hard for me to grasp. Our human nature seems very good at making the uncomplicated, hard to understand, especially when it comes to serving God.

Years ago as a young Mother with small children, I used to beat myself up mentally when I did not give an allotted time to prayer on my knees.  Throughout the day I would keep telling myself I would get to my “sweet hour of prayer” as soon as I got the baby to sleep, or when I got home from the grocery store. You get the picture; there never seemed to be a big enough slot of time for my perfectionist idea of prayer.  Then as the day would come to an end, I would say a simple “now I lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer and fall exhausted into bed.

I would do this day after day until desperate with guilt, I would finally fall on my knees and spend most of the time repenting.  That is a pitiful way to try and build any relationship and to think I was acting that way with my God!  Looking back I see how ridiculous that was.  But God is good and gracious and full of mercy.  His indwelling Holy Spirit and His Word finally penetrated my heart and changed my lifelong miserable habit of waiting for the perfect time to pray.

I now talk with God always.  Yes, I still need those daily times alone to worship Him and to intercede for others.  But through lifestyle prayer I have found new meaning in the words of an old Hymn, “Friendship with Jesus, fellowship Divine. Oh! What blessed sweet communion, Jesus is a Friend of mine.”

“Thank you Lord, for always being so patient with me.  Your Spirit, your Word and your people have had a profound effect on my life, I have learned so much.  Please help me to continue to grow in You and to pass on the things I learn to others. In Jesus precious name, Amen!”

The Holy Spirit living in us developing in us the character of Jesus Christ in us is one of the greatest miracles of God! I’d like to share something on holiness/character that I read recently. 

The last line of the quote is my favorite part!

“Holiness is beauty.  There is no beauty like that of a pure character.  The grandest sight on this earth is not the march of the all-conquering storm…the most beautiful thing on earth is not the garden which opens, and sends forth from its censers fragrance; the beauty of the soul lies in its secret chambers; and the rich, deep, just, holy and loving natures-these are the beautiful things of this world.  There is nothing so beautiful as Christ in man.”  Henry Ward Beecher

The following verse comes to mind:

Acts 17:28 (a) NKJV
 for in Him we live and move and have our being…

May the world see Jesus in us!

It’s such a joy to talk with people who are sold out to Jesus Christ. This may bring an image to some minds of someone standing out on the sidewalk preaching to all who pass by…could be, but what comes to my mind right now is the everyday, loving God, faithful Christian. This is the kind of people I rub shoulders with every time I go to church. Take last night as an example.

It was just before the Wednesday night Bible study. I began talking with the lady in front of me, starting out with general chit chat. This sister, who is a charge nurse at a local hospital, began to tell me how God helped her overcome major obstacles in her life allowing her to become a nurse. She told me God had given her special abilities. She is sought after to help in many situations in the hospital because of this.

As she goes up the elevator to her job everyday, she gives thanks to God. Her work is a way for her to serve her God by helping others unselfishly.

Oh, and she also is a faithful tithe giver. She doesn’t have a financial need to work outside the home, her husband’s job provides all they need and more. She told me that issue was settled before she ever began working outside the home. She would faithfully tithe or she wouldn’t take the job. Obedience to God and loving her God is one and the same to her…as God’s Word says it will be.

As she spoke she glowed with the joy of the Lord. We finished talking and the service started. I sat down in the pew feeling God’s smile in my heart, ready to hear Word of the Lord.

Prov 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
NKJV

I have a two year old grandaughter who enjoys thinking about what she is going to get for her “Happy Christmas” gift.  This site happens to be my “Happy Christmas” gift.  It was set up for me by some very dear friends, the Poe family.  They have a God given  talent of knowing how to do special things for people! 

Here is a big Thank You! to them for this thoughtful gift.

 It is one of the great joys of life to have friends.  God bless you richly.  And as little two year old Macie says, “Happy Christmas” to all!

For you from us — because you have wonderful wit and wisdom and we want to read it, too!

We look forward to your inspiring meditations of the heart.