Apron Strings Devotional for9/15/99

9/15/99

Good Morning....
Jesus loves You!!

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The man that habitually eats bread knows that he is nourished by it: the man that habitually lives by prayer to God knows that God hears him.

-Charles Spurgeon-

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Hi Dear Friends!!

Hope this finds you well in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!! I apologize for the lateness of this one. I got the wind riding on my coat-tails this week. ( laughing ) That's Southern talk for "I've been extremely busy!" Nonetheless here it is. It was a joy to do and I hope it blesses you greatly! My prayer is that your walk with Christ is ever increasing and always abounding continually in Him! God Bless, and see you at the end!

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me..
John 10:27-28

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have superhuman ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for? Some people say that there is no God, and that He never speaks to us anymore. But perhaps they can't see or hear Him because they aren't listening for Him. They are living for themselves, not for God.

If you are in tune with God, you will be able to notice Him at work in your life and in the world. And you'll be able to hear Him when He speaks.
"The Cricket"
-Author Unknown-
Received from: Curler7@aol.com
Thanks Glendia!

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"There is a practice that is most powerful in keeping us united with God.
That practice is the constant recollection of His presence."

-St. Alphonsus Liguori-

Received from: Hissong777@aol.com
Thanks Jan!

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We are to be fountains through which Jesus can flow as "rivers of living water" in blessing to everyone. Yet some of us are like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving, because our relationship is not right with the Lord Jesus. As surely as we receive blessings from Him, He will pour out blessings through us. But whenever the blessings are not being poured out in the same measure they are received, there is a defect in our relationship with Him. Is there anything between you and Jesus Christ? Is there anything hindering your faith in Him? If not, then Jesus says that out of you "will flow rivers of living water." It is not a blessing that you pass on, or an experience that you share with others, but a river that continually flows through you. Stay at the Source, closely guarding your faith in Jesus Christ and your relationship to Him, and there will be a steady flow into the lives of others with no dryness or deadness whatsoever.

-Oswald Chambers-
From: "My Utmost for His Highest"

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I Give You My Word

And they asked...
How will I know if
there will be enough food for my child?
How can I know if
the way I'm living is right?
How will I know if
my future is going to be brighter?
How can I be sure if
there is really an eternal life?
And He simply replied...
I give you My Word.

By: Lori Campisano - Poet4JC@aol.com
Thanks Lori!!

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I was recently fellowshipping with a group of women at a bible study, and near the end, the hostess asked a penetrating question. "What are you giving your children?" she asked. Well, some various answers came out, but as we continued, I noticed she was headed in a direction that was certainly Spirit-led. She then asked, "How will they remember you? What will they say about you after you are gone?" Well, by this time she really had my attention as she proceeded to share how the Lord has directed her own heart to get up early in the morning with her children, so they could pray together, spend time in the Word, and each other.

It really got my gears rolling when I heard that. I stopped to wonder, "How will my children remember me? If I don't make it home tonight, what heritage have I left behind? What have I really sacrificed for my children?" Sometimes, in terms of sacrifice, we think of clean homes, and material things, but, would we really be remembered by these things? My Sister in the Lord hit a homerun with this deep, thought-provoking question.

I pictured her children, Mike and Sarah, fondly remembering their mom with a loving heart, and somehow I can't imagine them saying, "She sure kept my bedsheets clean," or, "If it wasn't for her, I would forget to take a bath everyday." No, I can't imagine them mouthing those particular words. Even though those things are certainly important, there is something even more important, and if we're not careful, we could easily miss it.

My son Noah, now 2 1/2, came up to me the other night while I was busying myself in the kitchen, and he said, "Mom." I didn't look up right away, and I said something like, "Hmmm?" He paused a moment, then said, "Let me see your eyes." Well, by this time he got my attention, and I stopped what I was doing, and looked straight into those huge brown eyes. It was one of those moments that Max Lucado refers to as a "frozen moment." After a few seconds, Noah said in the most loving tone, "I love you, Mom!"

You see where I am going? God has convicted my heart to "be there" for my children, and it doesn't really matter if the house is clean or if supper is right on time. What really matters is how much of my time they get, and how much Jesus I share with them. We only have one shot at this, and I know that there are a million things we can do to fill the space called "Time." But what is really important? Eye contact is important. Noah taught me that. Praying with them is important. Listening to them is important. Reading the Bible together is important. I think they need to see that we aren't making a slot for them in our busy day. We need to make the slot for the other stuff, and make them a priority.

Time alone with God supersedes that priority, yet enhances it. I recently got a visual of two glasses of water. One very full, kinda sloshing over, and one with just enough to quench a thirst. When we get our quiet time with God, we have those two choices. Sometimes we grab the thirst quencher, so we can get on with our busy day. But, when we grab the glass that is brimming over, we pour out that same amount, and then some. When we grab the glass that has the small amount, we are only giving that much to others. And who are we usually giving it to? Most of the time it's our families that reap what we put in.

This dear friend's question not only inspired me, but challenged me as well. If the buck stops with the question, then I have learned nothing. If I apply it to my life, and ask the Holy Spirit to lead me, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I don't want my children to remember a clean house as much as I want them to remember a clean heart.

What do I desire to give to my children? A mom that is not too preoccupied with the hustle and bustle of everyday stuff. A mom that will drop a paintbrush or a dirty dish quicker than a five-year-old can say, "Read this book to me." A mom that will crucify the flesh and get up early with her children so that we all might offer each day to Jesus together.

This is what God has shared with me through the eyes of another mother, that took the time to ask that question that I so desperately needed to hear. Thanks for listening, and I hope you all have a FANTASTIC day in our Lord
Jesus!!

God Bless You All!!
And remember..
Jesus loves you and I do too!

In Christ!!
Carol
Justaservn@aol.com

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