Tuesday, January 25, 2011

LIVE FOR HIM!....EXHORTATION FROM CARLA MCDOUGAL

BERNIE'S NOTE: 
What I like about this message from Carla is the encouragement for us to allow the LORD to reveal a Life Verse to us, through His Spirit as we think about this piece. God is Faithful and True as He IS the Word and it will never return void! So enjoy this short blog as the first month of the new year roars to a close! By the way,  my life verse for the past decade has been Psalm 27:4....I have a secondary one (Jeremiah 20:11) but Psalm 27:4 has spoken Life to me constantly! Amen!!!


Carla McDougal, Author/Speaker

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:11

When God speaks...


Listen.


On January 1st, the Lord planted a thought in my headed. One that surfaces on a daily basis. I can't shake it from my heart and mind, so I must share it with you.
At the beginning of each year, I enjoy scanning a mental survey of the past year... evaluating the accomplishments, reviewing the changes, and setting the goals for the next twelve months. As I have matured (Ok, gotten older) I've come to realize and believe God knows what each year brings. Trusting Him for the future is what He calls me to do. So, as a result he is taking down a fresh path. A new journey for 2011!


Reading the Word of God is so much fun! It's almost as if a verse I've read over and over will all of a sudden come alive. Do you know what I mean? The freshness of the Holy Spirit connecting my thoughts to the heart of Jesus through God's Word amazes me!


The morning began with a fresh cup of coffee, a quiet house, my 5 lb Maltese at my side, and Bible in hand. The scene was perfect to spend a few moments with the Lord. So, in my cozy place, I decided to play the "Bible Bingo" game. You know... The "Lord, what do you want me to read this morning" game. I flopped open my Bible to 1 Peter 4. The words literally came off the page and into my heart! Reading 1 Peter 4:11,
"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."


Immediately, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge my heart strings as these powerful words filled my soul with freshness...


Here is your Life Verse for 2011!


Memorize it. Believe it. Live it!


God what does this mean... Life Verse? What are you saying to me?


Carla, every time you open your mouth let My words flow. When you serve as a wife and mother or in ministry through RLM let it always be through the strength that I give you. Never in your own power! So, in all things I will be glorified through your relationship with my son, Jesus! I am giving you this verse to live by in 2011.


Claim it. Apply it. Live it!


As a result, I am following the prompting of the Holy Spirit and making 1 Peter 4:11 my Life Verse for 2011. I am so excited to live for Him through this verse by letting God use my vocal chords. To serve in the strength He gives me. In fact, for the next few weeks we will make our way through 1 Peter 4. Each sentence is packed with a powerful message for believers. Let's enjoy learning and growing together!


Challenge for the Week... Ask the Lord to show you a Life Verse for 2011! I promise this is a fun and exciting treasure hunt. Write it out. Memorize it. Place it in a strategic place: on your bathroom mirror, in your car, a sticky note on the computer, and more. Have fun as the Lord shows you exactly your verse to focus on for the year. Let Him teach and lead you through the learning process. Share this idea with other people. You never know how the Lord is going to use your "vocal chords" to spread His message to others
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1 comment:

Nikole Hahn said...

I remember this on her blog. Nice!