Bible Study For The Busy

Home Haven will be a more welcoming place because I will be more refreshed by having time in God's presence praying, reading devotions and reading the Bible.


So often, I have buzzed through spiritual devotions and not taken my time to read them slowly and think on what I just read.


For so many years, I just couldn't get my act together to get Bible Studies done.  I'd get discouraged.  Some of the studies  required hours a day to get the homework done.  I just couldn't put the time into it with active children running about.  Nap Time was a time to rest or do the basics that needed attention...like washing dishes, doing the laundry, running a vaccuum, dusting, paperwork, paying bills, etc.


I admire more than ever a framed scripture hanging on the wall that you can glance at and then think on what it says.  Also scripture on the fridge is a great place to sneak a peek at scripture every time you walk past the fridge. 


I have been an enabler at put downs.  No matter what got done, the satisfaction of completing SOMETHING just didn't cut the mustard.  Life this way is exhausting.  Self-centered to say the least.  


Self absorbed in a very negative way.


Once you catch on that this way of doing things is self-destructive and bad for those you live around to experience the momma figure being so negative...it can rub off...but...you can change. 


In my opinion, a tearing down of one's own home can come from the not allowing yourself a sense of fulfillment when getting a little something completed.  Like I made the Bed!!!!  A load of dishes got done!!!!  I scrubbed the toilet!!!!  Praise God, I can walk.  I can talk.  I can think.


It doesn't have to be such a let down.


Not to be big headed or full of flattery, the words that come out of our mouths ought to include words of encouragement.  Certainly there are times to talk about serious matters that need a stiff upper lip and straight forwardness spoken in love.  My love language at times can be really heated.


If I'm more refreshed, I'll be easier to live around. Right?


A glance at some scripture, a sincere prayer in the early morning or late at night when no distractions are taking place, will be refreshing.


We can ask God to deliver us from being destructive, self-centered, self absorbed.  We all need help.  Life is ever changing.  Every day and year is different.  I'm not the energetic young woman I use to be.  What you see now isn't how it has always been, but even then I had serious challenges.  Sickness can come at any time.


When illness comes forth...it more than likely means the way things are NORMALLY DONE have to be tweaked.  It may mean the floors are not clean enough to eat off of or the laundry piles up.   A trip to the laundry mat is in the forecast even with owning a working washer/dryer.  Maybe eat sandwiches/cold cuts off of paper plates.  A tv dinner, a meal out.  


The mercies of other family members or friends might have to be used.    


I understand illness in life.  At age 6 I had Rheumatic Fever which left me with a heart murmur that produces fatigue and the emotional desire to be an over achiever.  I just had to keep up with others. I've had difficulty with energy for years and this became a burden on my soul.  When you're not as sympathetic as you should be even toward yourself...you can develop a hardened heart. 


Tender loving care will have to be brought to you by the Lord that opens your eyes as to what needs tweaked in your life.


I understand being the momma of three VERY active children and wanting and needing to keep up with all that has to be done within one's home.  I had seriously painful urinary tract infections that stole what energy I had from the time I was 25 until I was about 35.  After a multitude of going to doctors, specialists, taking antibiotics and being exhausted from sickness, I cried out to God and visited with Him as to why???  My youngest child had a sick momma the first 10 years of her young life.  My sons being just a few years older knew me the way I was.  I would forge ahead and stay active with my momma duties, but it was horribly difficult.


God carried me through, but I regret that I didn't go to the Lord in prayer and have a long, serious visit with Him and ask Him...what should I do?  This was where I was in my Christian Walk.  I didn't confess that I was never alone even though I was a Christian.  I felt very much alone and had much growing to do.  Have you ever gone through life as a Christian and didn't acknowledge that God was right there with you?  I did.


I asked the doctors so many questions during this time and it wouldn't be until there was 10 years of suffering that a doctor heard my cry and said yes, this can happen.  I thought my husband and I were passing something back and forth between the two of us.  Finally, we would both take antibiotics at the same time.  Yes, it worked.  I had a specialist tell me, well sometimes we just don't know what causes these infections.  This is true, but God knows.


I also learned that you can be dehydrated and still have to go to the toilet over and over again.  There is more urine to get rid of even when dehydrated.  It doesn't make sense to me.  Also you can still have a urinary tract infection after taking the full course of antibiotics.  When a urine sample is taken, you may get a false reading saying you're alright, infection gone.  If a sample is given too soon after running the course of taking antibiotics, you can get a reading that says...you're alright, but within 3 days, you are suffering and have to go back to the doctor.  Why yes, you have a raging infection.


We relocated countless times when I was ill and this can be trying even when you are physically fit.


Then I had huge heartache in my marriage that I won't address right now, but it left me beyond tired and a victim.  It would take God to walk me through enormous pain and show me I can be victorious even when it looks like the boat is sinking.


Also relationships can go sour.  I know.  Challenges from what you are living can add extra tension and emotional fatigue to life.  Estrangement from in-laws isn't a piece of cake.  Others may play the forgiveness card on you.  And yes, I know forgiveness is part of the Christian Walk, but there is a whole lot more to the Christian Walk than just forgiving others.  There's treating others with respect, you're not suppose to bare false witness against others.

You can forgive the offenders, but you may not be able to stay in certain situations or stay active in the relationships that hurt you to the core.  Serious offenses should not be completely ignored.  Knowing how to deal with offenders is something God will help you with.  


Cancer can zap your strength and time.  Mercy needed.  Cutting corners with home duties will be a must.  Give it up.  Allow yourself time to pray and rest without those ugly put downs that you might put on yourself.  Yes, frustration can enter the picture, but then so can peace.  


Bible Study for the busy, may be just a verse or two.  A chapter here and there.  Allowing yourself to be on a slow course can be life changing and feed your soul.  It isn't how fast you can read the Bible.  It is how deep the words will go.


Love,
~Deanna~


  


Still tweaking things. 
Surprise!!!
~Deanna~


  

Eternal Values For Eternal Beings

Greetings Beloved!Years ago I lived in the Houston, Texas area. Seems odd to think how long ago that was. In my head it is a fresh memory, but according to actual years...it's been over 20 years ago.

It would be during this time that I would learn that I HAD HAD A PART IN CREATING ETERNAL BEINGS that will spend an eternity somewhere. Either Heaven or Hell. To think that I had a part in creating eternal beings was a new concept to me.

Back then I found myself involved in a Bible Study that required so much reading that I couldn't stay caught up and still get the dishes done along with everything else. So I plugged away the best that I could and called it good. If I didn't get all the reading assignments completed and my weekly lesson's questions answered than that had to be alright. The very fact that I had worked on it and was attending the weekly meetings was a VICTORY. This is a far cry from being a High School perfectionist that had to ace every class I took.

The Godly values I would be instilling into my children was extremely important...not in vain. The little munchkins (my children) that were entrusted to me were eternal beings. What I had the priviledge to teach my children was of eternal value.

All the things I had worked so hard at to raise a family was a part of ministering to eternal beings.

Far above everyday chores and activities is the importance of a Christian upbringing where there's respect toward Father God, Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the word of God and is Truth. A personal relationship with a personal God. Salvation.

As Children of the Most High God, we are royalty. Not in an arrogant way, but in a cherished way. It isn't correct to call ourselves children of God because we are a human being that's been created by God...we have to be adopted into the family of God to be called a Child of God. This adoption takes place after we accept God's perfect plan of redemption for mankind through accepting Jesus as our Personal Saviour.

Would all the day to day doings be in vain?
Would all the times I shopped, prepared meals, did dishes, cleaned the house, picked up toys, did laundry, taught grooming habits, taught right from wrong, taught proper manners, helped with homework, wiped runny noses, bedtime curfews, etc. be in vain?

No, all of this wasn't in vain. All the things I had worked so hard at to raise a family was important because by doing all of this I was ministering to eternal beings.

All this activity was needed to develope life long behaviors that contribute to being a decent person, but none of this makes a person a child of God that will be eternally present in God's presence.

Please don't forget while you are so busy with the day to day activity to include the eternal values that have an everlasting effect on one's soul by leading one's precious children to the Lord. Don't forget that the way you live your life will have a profound impact on your children.

The next time you sigh because it's been the millionth time you told the little one to stop hitting their sibling and to stop picking their nose in public, try really hard to recall that you have an eternal being that you love and are teaching. This has importance. When you've picked up the room for the millionth time and will have to do this all over again tomorrow, remember that you are creating a safe place for your children to call home and be loved in. This has importance.

You my beloved are an eternal being that will spend an eternity somewhere. Do you know where?

May your Home be a Haven that ministers God's love to your husband, your children and others that come for a visit.

Til next time...don't forget to pray.
~Deanna~