Monkey See, Monkey Do

Today I want to speak to all of the parents out there, all of the aunts and uncles, grandma's and grandpa's, teachers, and everyone who has any place in a child's life.

In the mornings while my sons and I drive to town we are usually worshiping and/or praying. The boys are 2 and 5 months, so really they are just there while mommy worships and prays. My 2 year old will sing and clap and dance and drum, even though he has no clue what he's doing, he's just having fun with mommy I know God smiles. He is learning. One day he will know exactly what he is doing.

Anyway, today was one of those Romans 8:26 mornings; "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." As I was praying and I was crying, my heart was heavy. Then I hear my 2 year old do this: (please picture how a 2 year old looks and sounds, shaking his head in the "nana-nana-boo-boo" type way) lalalalala-lalalalalala..... I erupted with laughter!!!

These children, no matter how young or how old, see everything we do, they hear everything we do, and then they repeat everything we do. 

What are you doing? What are you doing when your children aren't watching? What are you doing when you think that your children aren't watching? What are you doing out in the open in front of them, weather you think they're too young to know what you're doing or not?

The truth is, yes they are too young to know what you're doing, but that doesn't matter. They will repeat whatever it is that you're doing and saying because they don't know. They don't  know if mommy and daddy's drink is an adult beverage or not, they don't know if the words they are hearing are good and pure or corrupt, mean, degrading and disrespectful. They don't know if daddy is hurting mommy. They don't know if they are or are not supposed to take baths or have food to eat. They don't know if they are lifting their hands in worship to the Lord. They don't know if mommy and daddy love each other or not. They don't even know what love is.

BUT THEY ARE BEING TOUGHT. 

One day these babies will know what is going on around them. The sad thing is they may not know that there is another way. We need to make sure that we are doing what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

God, awaken us this morning. Awaken us to what biblical parenthood looks like. Awaken us to see that we are influencing little lives all around us. We know that no one is perfect, your word says that we all fall short of the gory of God. You also tell us that a righteous man may fall down 7 times, but he get's back up. Today, lift us up. We accept your grace and your mercy. Show us today how to be a positive, godly influence to those around us. Help us to be your light. We thank you for your unending forgiveness and your never failing love.

In Jesus' holy name we pray,

Amen

Go. Be encouraged today. Be a godly example today. You are always an example, make sure it's a godly one.

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

Deal With It

For about a month we have been remodeling our bathroom, OURSELVES!! For about a month now I have been cleaning my bathroom just to have to sand something else, make another cut or knock something else out.

The reason for our remodel was because some of the tile surrounding the tub fell and along with it some sheet rock. So we went to our local store, we picked out all the things we need to make the bathroom all new and pretty!

So it began. We have gotten our cabinets sanded and painted and put back up with new hardware. We've bought the paint for the walls. Ordered the countertop, bought the sink and faucet. We've finally got it all cut and only needing to be secured, but not before I had to clean out all of the drawers in my bathroom and sweep saw dust and the dust from cutting sheetrock out of every corner and crevasse in my bathroom. Finally, after what seemed like days of cleaning it is starting to look pretty.

And yet the issue still remains.

So I decided to dive head first into the issue. I took a hammer and started beating the shower wall. Dust went flying everywhere. Little pieces of porcelain tile went flying, sheet rock just falling to pieces landing all over my bathroom. Things got messy, AGAIN.

Today a had a breakdown. My house can't stay clean!! We're trying to get this bathroom redone and I keep cleaning up mess after mess after mess!! WHY WON'T THINGS JUST STAY CLEAN?!?!?! During this breakdown I heard God speak to me, this is what we do. Christian or not, we see an issue in some one or ourselves, just like with my bathroom, then we imagine how pretty they (or we) could be without the issue. So it begins. We start buying all the new shiny things we need to complete the picture in our brain.

And yet the issue remains.

We can't have the new and pretty until we deal with the old and ugly. We must deal with it! We must understand that while dealing with it things get messy. Really messy!! 

For most of us messy upsets us. We do not like things to be dirty or out of place. We do not like anyone to see our mess. Sometimes the mess is big enough if anyone comes to visit there is no way to hide it.

We must deal with it. Mess is hard. No one likes cleaning messes, especially huge ones!! But if we deal with it, if we push through and get the mess cleaned up and fixed. If we deal with it, in the end we get the new and pretty bathroom we imagined!!

Today my words to you may seem harsh now, but you'll be happy someone told you.

DEAL WITH IT.

Let God show you how. He knows the mess, it does not scare him. He has the answers!!

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Phillipians 2:12


This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zachariah 13:9


Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:35


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:12-14


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford

How Differently We Know Him Now!

"So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" 2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT

I was not always a Christian. I probably always said I was but I thought of Jesus from a very earthly point of view. I knew of Jesus because I grew up in Southeastern Oklahoma and everyone has heard his name. We've got liquor stores and churches on every corner.

Then one day, after my world went so bad that I was at the very bottom, I was given a proposition; I could come home but I must attend church on Sunday's. At that point in time I would've put up with anything to get out of my current place.

I started attending church. While the music was being played and the preaching was taking place there was always the spirit that surrounded me as if I were getting a hug. This spirit continued to love on me and cry with me until one day he asked me to let him love me. I was baffled! I had only ever thought of this spirit from a humanly view, and humans don't love other humans like that. How could he love me?! I didn't love myself!!

Then I did just as this scripture says. I accepted this marvelous gift!! I've never been able to forget it!! How differently I know him now!!

"As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NLT

"If you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and confess with your mouth that God raised him from the dead then you will be saved." Romans 10:9 NIV

"If anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Choose each day to know Christ in this intimate way and accept each day this marvelous gift!!

~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford

Unveiled; Supernatural, Holy Beauty

9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory in comparison with the suppressing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 ...to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read...only in Christ is it taken away. 16 But whenever anyone turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed to his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Have you ever heard someone speak of a person with supernatural beauty or a holy beauty?! I have and I wasn't sure what they were talking about at first, then I experienced it!

Let me give you some definition:
Supernatural: attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature

Holy: dedicated or consecrated to God; sacred

Beauty: a combination of qualities that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

Now put them together! You have a dedicated and sacred force beyond understanding that is  pleasing  to the senses!!

This story is referencing when Moses was leading the Israelites in the wilderness and God told Moses to meet him on a mountain and he would see God face to face. This is when Moses was given the 10 commandments. When he came down from the mountain his face was glowing so bright from being in the presence of the Lord that he had to put a veil over his face.

The other reference made is that through Christ coming and dying for our sins the veil was torn, the blinders were taken off. Now everyone can experience equality in the Lord. This equality is the freedom and forgiveness of sins.

So re-read this passage. Take note of the powerful beauty this is describing!!

Verses 9 - 11 describe the power of Jesus!! The glory that far surpasses any other glory!!

Verse 12 then starts making it personal for us! WE have hope. Therefore WE are very bold!! The scripture goes on to explain that in Jesus we have a promise of power and freedom that is the most beautiful and glorious thing anyone could ever fathom!! WE have unveiled faces that are shining Christ's glory everywhere we go!!

Today I want to encourage you that you do not have to put a veil on for anyone!! You shine that exuberant righteousness for everyone to see!! I have experienced times that I have let the closest people to me make feel as if I have to put a veil on because my Jesus was too bright for them. I am here to tell you in the most holy ways possible, foot on that!! You go to Jesus bold approaching his thrown, asking him to meet you face to face!! Then never put a veil on again!! Jesus came baring ALL of YOUR sin and suffering so that YOU can be FREE!!

Live free today!!

~Awaken Us~
Brenna Stanford

Clean House

I don't know about you, but when my house is filthy my anxiety is up. BIG TIME!! It feels like pure chaos. 

The other day I had worked hard on cleaning my home. By the very next day it seemed that trash had piled up, AGAIN. The dishes needed done, AGAIN. My floors needed swept, AGAIN. I wanted to explode!! Would the cleaning never end?!?!

We face the same battle spiritually.(19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Cor. 6:19) Weather we are first getting saved or we have simply had to be exposed to negativity and the world, our house gets messy. We clean it.

Then....

It gets messy AGAIN. I am reminded of 2 things; a song...

...Whatever you're doing inside of me

It feels like chaos somehow there's peace...

....Time to face up

Clean this old house

Time to breathe in and let everything out....

(Sanctus Real: Whatever Your Doing (Something Heavenly))

And a scripture...

Matthew 12:43-45New International Version (NIV)

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

In Matthew we find that the spirits came back to an empty house. We must learn from this and fill our house instead of leaving it empty. We must fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 6 the rest of verse 19 & verse 20 says, "You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

We have to understand that in this life we will get dirty. We will clean our houses then some dust will come floating in when you open your door to someone. But what is the most important thing to remember is that we have the Holy Spirit. He will help us clean our house every time we need it.

So start sweeping!!

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

Everlasting Glory & Power

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

- 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

How beautiful this is!! Thank you Lord for your magnificence and your freeing & redeeming grace!!

These men were asking about what our physical bodies would be like after the resurrection, but God always points us back to what matters; our spiritual bodies. This transformation described is true for us today!!

God says in his word that to follow him we must dies to ourselves (take up your cross daily, first must become last...). When we die we are then buried. It is because of Jesus's power that we are do not stay buried in our past sin. We are spiritually resurrected with an everlasting (imperishable) glory & power!!

Praise your name Jesus!! Praise your power!! Praise your grace!! Praise your love!! I accept it all by believing that you are the son of God, and declaring that God raised you from the dead! (romans 10:9)

Declare this freedom over your life and believe it in your heart. Then every day let the Holy Spirit fill you and lead you!!

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford

It Takes Time

"After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10

That's the happy ending we all want right? We read books about it, watch movies and TV shows about happy endings here on earth. This happy ending is in the Bible. As I was reading this morning I realized that I have always looked over this piece: it took time!

We all know the struggle took time, our struggles today take time. What I haven't paid attention to is that the blessing takes time. In this story a man named Job looses ALL of his wealth, chidden, flocks, money and even his health. The bulk of the story is the process of mourning and staying faithful to God and believing He has a plan even when we can't see what it is. At the very end is an epilogue of God blessing Job with TWICE as much as he had before. In verse 10 of chapter 42 (above) we see that the Lord made him prosperous again. This man's prosperity was children (they take time), flocks and herds (they take time) and even money takes time to accumulate! You can hit the lottery and win all the money in the world but you still have to wait for it to get to you!!

I think as Christians we can get through the struggle just to give up before the blessing.

What I mean is that we are fully aware when hard times are against us. Everything hits all at once! Then the storm subsides and our lives still don't look blessed and glorious like we think it should. I mean God just got us through a major storm so shouldn't we be looking on the up & up and all glommed out for Jesus?!

Think about when a physical storm hits the land. There's things that get messed up. Even when the storm is over and gone there's still rubble and debris left everywhere. The sun is out and shining and all it's shining on is the mess! People have to start the clean up process, put things back in order.

It's the same way spiritually. When we face a battle damage is done. The battle may be won but there are still things that have to be cleaned up before everything looks neat and tidy again.

Today, if you're in the middle of the battle or the battle is already over, hold tight and stand firm that God is still with you and making everything perfect!! Don't give up before your blessing! It takes time!

~Awaken Us~

Brenna Stanford