Jun. 3, 2006 - James 1:2-3
Another devotion for one of our pastors at church
A simple devotion by Tammy Watson from
James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because it is the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
When I came to the Lord the first Bible Study I attended was a senior girls group we went through Paul E. Littles book Know Why You Believe I was grounded at the beginning of my walk with Jesus. So I try to obey Jesus and wait on Him and He has always been faithful to help me.
Also I have always been the type to obey during a trial. I dont want to have to go through the same trial over again until I learn from it. So I try to have that joy during a trial knowing that it is not going to be like this forever and the blessing will flow again.
Knowing Romans 5:3-5, we can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectations of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to full our hearts with His love. I know God has a purpose for going through hard times and I want to turn hardships into learning tools for growth.
My family is very important to me and who wants to be around a negative person. I dont ever want to be a negative mom. So that is enough for me to keep up my joy. I dont want to complain I want to know that Jesus is in control and through faith I have peace. And I want my kids to understand that also.
To help me keep my mind focused on God. (Isaiah 26: 3-4 you will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thought are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. ) I carried around in my purse a small journal filled with promises it was and still is in my purse, so when ever I become anxious I can read these promises and know that Jesus was in complete control of everything that happens to me. I could also share it with others during chemo to help them out also. When my head is full of all the chemo it is hard to concentrate and the Bible promises are perfect to help comfort me. When it came to my battle with breast cancer, I try to trust Jesus to comfort me at all times.
And now to end with my favorite verse
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hears are fully committed to Him.
2 Chronicles 16: 9
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Jun. 2, 2006 - Prayer for our Family
For this reason, since the day we heard about you we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will though all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pay this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit of every good work growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who is qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Colossian 1:9-12
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Apr. 28, 2006 - Our new library
I was so excited about our city library. We had a quaint little branch that was nice and the workers were very helpful and friendly. They new me by face and name, when I came up to pick up books that I had on hold they would pick them up before I would say my name. We would see them out around town and the grocery store or other local store shopping.
We have been waiting for two years for the new library to open bigger and better they said. Well not to me. We went in during school hours so it children section was small and full of twaddle. We homeschool and use the library to off set the cost and storage of many of the wonderful books we use. I love a great biography rather than a little excerpt from a textbook and as homeschoolers we can enjoy the library at times when it is slower. But the school next to the library has more than Β½ of the books and all of the good educational books. So that was disappointing to me and my children.
Then I went to pay my fine at the desk. Then man takes my money no small talk nothing all business. Then I say I have books on hold. Well he points to a book case and we go help our selves to the books. And the check out is do it your self. Well we didnβt really know what we were doing and walked out with three books that didnβt scan on the machine.
What a disappointing trip to the library. I realized we can order books from our home computer put them on hold, pick them up check them out and return them with out talking to a person in the library.
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Apr. 19, 2006 - One of the things I love about homeschooling
This week we are taking it a little slow and enjoying our time together and spending two weeks to do one weeks worth of school so that we can work on some character development with the kids. It is so nice to have the flexibility to do work on those areas and then also have the time to enjoy each other, to take a little longer walk and enjoy the day more. I really enjoy the time we spend together but it is even sweeter when it isn't always academic. And to work on those areas that they really need to think about to build honor and integrity in their lives.
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Apr. 12, 2006 - Romans 8:28
This is an assignment I received from an elder at our Church to write him a report of the verse Romans 8:28 so I made it into more of a devotion on the verse and the reason I felt the Lord took me through my trial of breast cancer.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose of them.
For me I had a peace from the beginning as to my purpose for going through this hard trial of cancer. Since I had come to the Lord as age 17 I always struggled with my kids growing up in a Christian home where we homeschooled them. I knew they had no peer pressure or struggle in their walk with the Lord. I knew they had a Christian Worldview, but worried about what would happen when they grew up and were out in the world with other points of view, not having any personal foundation for their faith.
So I felt a peace from the beginning that I would struggle through this trial and be healed. Though I knew it would be hard. I had a complete peace with my battle. And it was so long, most of the people I knew only had to have 4 rounds of chemo, when I needed six rounds. It was hard to see my kids struggle with me unable to fully care for them, but I knew they needed to see my attitude and see the Lord answer their prayers. I knew they needed to trust in Him alone to build their faith in Him.
I see both of them more joyful and strong after this long year of trails and problems. They have a confidence in their prayer life and relationship with the Lord. That I didnt see prior to my diagnosis. I am so proud of them as they are growing in their personal relationship with Jesus. They trust in Him more now that He has answered their prayers of healing for me. It has also been neat for them to see their dad stand up with me every step of the way.
This was His plan form all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 3:11
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Apr. 10, 2006 - Favorite Quotes
This year since we have been home so much with my health I have two favorite quotes about being home.
Ah! There is nothing like staying home for real comfort.
Jane Austen
Stay, stay at home, my heart,
and rest. Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
to stay at home is best.
Henry
Both of these really helped encourage me when I needed to be home with my family and happy not to do what I use to do before I was sick.
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Apr. 9, 2006 - First Time
I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and joys of homeschooling my two blessing. We really enjoy our time learning together. Even as they are getting more challenging in the upper grades.
We have homeschooled from the beginning. And really love it. I am also a Breast Cancer survivor. I was diagnosed last summer (6-05) I started Chemo in July and ended in October. I have surgery in December and am cancer free. Praise the Lord.
I hope to post more often but It will probably be a little while before I do it each day or week.
Tammy
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