Expect the Unexpected!

August 4, 2011 at 10:07 am (Thoughts)
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Yesterday I was recording my son, Malachi. We were making a video to send to his grandpa (Poppie), my dad, just to say hi! There is a surprise at the end of the video that was not expected.

Life can sometimes be the same way, the unexpected hits us suddenly! Some times it is a good circumstance, others are harder to deal with. But guess what! God promised that as long as we seek Him in ALL circumstances, He will never leave us!

Check the video out and get a good laugh and a great reminder of a faithful God!

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God is in the business of change…

July 30, 2011 at 4:26 am (Uncategorized)

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

God is a God of change. Once we find Him our eternal destination changes. When we walk with Him our heart changes. When we grow with Him our life changes.

Think about Saul, he is headed on the road to Damascus, to do what he has always done, kill Christians. Then WHAM God literally knocks him off of his donkey! He meets God and is physically blinded. He spends three days with Him and his heart begins to change. As he continues to grow with God his intire life changes! He does kill Christians anymore, but he spreads the Gospel creating more Christians. He goes ob several missionary journeys planting new churches and trianing up new leaders and pastors! He writes what will become two-thirds of the New Testament! Why? Because he met God and allowed Him to change his heart and life. How?  Through the renewing of his mind.

1. Spend time with God. We need to allow God to talk to us and pour out vision in our hearts and develop passion in us.

2. Pray. We need to not only talk to God, but listen to Him too. This is when we can learn more about what He has for us. We can increase our listening ears by fasting too.

3. Get in His Word. Don’t just read it. Study it. Memorize it. This is when we transform the way we think and live!

LORD, help me become more disciplined in these areas. I desire to transform my heart, mind and life for YOU and Your glory! Use me! AMEN!

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Undeniable Faith

May 27, 2011 at 3:36 am (Uncategorized)
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Reflect : Today I got to hang out with my little sister! We had lots of fun chillen, eating ice cream and going to the movies!  :)

Read/Respond : I read 1st Thessalonians chapter one. I really enjoyed the first couple verses in faith, hope and love. “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your produced by faith,  your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ” ( 1:20 and 3)

Because of our faith we work hard.  All that work hard at is prompted by love.  Our inspiration and endurance comes from the one and only hope that we have in Christ!

“You became imitators of us and of the LORD ; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ” ( 1:6)

If we are strong in faith, we need to be willing to suffer. Then we will truly be imitators of Christ. No matter what we can find joy and hope in the Holy Spirit. We will never be left alone.  The Holy Spirit will guide us and be a Counselor. 

The thessalonians were known for their faith.  Verse eight says,  “your faith in God has become known everywhere. “

Requests : LORD thank You for the Holy Spirit! I want a faith like the thessalonians,  not just that it would be known everywhere, but that I would be willing to work for my faith.  I want to endure because of your hope and I want to do all that I do because of love. I also pray for baby P. to come quickly. We have our appointment tomorrow, I pray that there is much progress and that baby P.  is healthy. Thank You LORD for our baby, what a blessing. Help me to be the best mommy I can possibly be.  Give me patience, wisdom and discernment. I love You!  I also want to pray for Nate’s concert tomorrow night.  I pray You would anoint him and Kyle, may they be guided by you. I pray for many salvations tomorrow night!  AMEN!

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Jude

May 24, 2011 at 1:51 am (Uncategorized)
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Reflect: Today was a good day. I went on a walk and got caught in the rain! Then the weather wanted to be warm and sunny.  :)    So after Kyle got home, we climbed the Newaygo stairs together. It didn’t induce labor,  but I could feel it working out my legs!  Thank You LORD for our baby.  Thank You for my health during pregnancy. We pray baby is strong and healthy,  I feel so blessed that You would give us a child.

Read/Respond: Today I read 2nd and 3rd John. I also read the book of Jude, which I want to blog about. If feel that it is timely. The author wrote to the Christians and encouraged them to preserve in their faith.  A Christian claimed that this last Saturday was the Judgement Day of Christ. We as Christians need to know the truth, more now than ever before, so that we stand up for it and share it.  The truth is found in His Word.

“I felt I had to write to urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. ” ( verse 7)  There are going to be people, trends, culture, and media that will say things are okay. And it will be something that will be compromising to our faith.  We must not fall into these temptations. 

“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you,  who follow the mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. ” ( verses 18th and 19)

Here is the part that we must be diligent in.

“But you,  dear friends,  build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. ” ( verse 20)

We need to not only be strong in our faith,  but be holy too.  Holiness is a witness to the nonbelievers. It is a transformation from our old life to a new one.  If we are not seeing transformation, we need I Requests: LORD, I desire to be a woman that know Your truth and Your Word. I want to have even a deeper passion for the Bible.  I want to love You more and know You more with each passing day. May I continue perservering in the faith entrusted to the saints. May we never give up and continue to share Your unconditional love with all those we come in contact with. In Your beautiful and powerful name I pray,  AMEN!

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May 6 ~ 1 Samuel 23

May 20, 2011 at 12:54 pm (Devotion, Journal)
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On the run.

David had noticed that the Philistines were attacking Keilah, so he asked God if he could go attack the Philistines.  ”The LORD answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” (23:2b)  But David’s men were fearful to fight.  So David inquired of the LORD again.  The LORD promised that He would give the Philistines into his hand.  David and his men inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines, took their livestock and saved the people of Keilah!

Saul found out that David was in Keilah and headed in pursuit towards him.  When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he called out to Abiathar the priest and told him to bring the ephod. David prayed to the LORD and asked if Saul was on his way and if the citizens of Kielah would surrender him over to him.  The LORD said that they would.  David asked again just to make sure, and the LORD confirmed that he ans his men would be surrendered over to Saul.   “So David and his men, about six-hundred in number, left Keliah ans kept moving from place to place.  When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keliah, he did not go there.” (23:13)

David stayed in the desert of Ziph.  Saul kept looking for him, but the LORD did not give David into his hands. Johnathan learned that David was in Horesh and came to him and helped him find strength in God. The Ziphites went to Saul and told him where David was.  ”Saul replied, “The LORD bless you for your concern for me.” (23:21)  Saul had them find his hiding places and bring the information back to Saul. So they went to find him.  David was told about this and he went to the rock ans stayed at the Desert of Maon.  When Saul found out and he went there to find him.

“Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul.” (23:26a) As Saul was closing in a messenger came to him and said, “Come quickly!  The Philistines are raiding the land.”  (23:27b) So he broke off of his pursuit to David and headed back.  David left there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.

There is quite a bit that happens in this chapter. I find it interesting that David saves the people of Keliah from the Philistines and the LORD told him that they still would have turned him into Saul!  I can’t believe how many times David has to keep moving because Saul is in pursuit of him.  David has six-hundred me with him and Saul still can’t find them.  I love to see the LORD’s protection in the last part of this chapter, when Saul and David are literally on opposite sides of the mountain and the LORD still keeps him safe!  LORD I pray that no matter how many times I might not understand your plan, may I still serve You faithfully.  I can’t imagine what would be running through David’s head, but it must be hard to understand Your plan in all of this.  Through out this chapter David inquired of You and trusted to hear back from You.  And You ALWAYS replied.  When I pray help me to remember my prayers are not falling on deaf ears- but that the King of kings hears my cries!  Thank You LORD for who You are.  I pray I would continue to learn, grow and understand more of who Your character is!  You are God and You are worthy of all of my life and my praise!  Glory to You, AMEN!

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Walk. Stand. Sit.

May 19, 2011 at 11:38 pm (Devotion, Journal)
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“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by the streams of water,  which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.  Psalm 1:1-3

In this chapter you will notice three verbs.  Walk. Stand. Sit. This is how we get tangled into sin and it destroys our purpose.  First,  we just start ‘walking the line.’ We think we are strong enough to handle sin and we start compromising.  Or the enemy will tempt us with something we struggled with in the past.  Then,  eventually,  we get comfortable and we stop walking and we find ourselves standing in the midst of sin and sinners.  We aren’t surrounding ourselves with God or Christians and accountability.  Finally, we sit right down and join the crowd! We have become one of them.  We not only are wicked and sinning,  but now are mocking the righteous!  Do you see how the roles reverse when we mess with sin?  Our lives are wasted and our purpose is gone.

But,  there is another way!  Verse two and three says that if we delight ourselves in the LORD and what He has for us,  our lives will be fruitful. Not just every once in a while,  but morning and night, we spend time with Him.  We know His laws by reading His Word!  We know the path He has for us by spending time in prayer with Him. Then,  we will be used by Him and what we do will be purposeful. What we do will be fruitful and live beyond our years here on earth. I want purpose in my life!  Every day!  Not just Sundays or Wendesdays or good days or bad days… Everyday!

LORD, I pray that I would spend time with You everyday! I want to meditate on You and Your Word regularly. I don’t want to be half hearted and get caught up in sin.  I pray that You would evaluate my heart and let me know where I am walking the line. I want to have purpose to everything I say, do and even think. I desire that my life is fruitful for Your name, LORD. I pray that Your name is glorified through my heart, passions and life.  I love You and I want to serve You faithfully all the days of my life!  AMEN!

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This Generation

May 18, 2011 at 7:23 pm (Thoughts)

I love my job!

I am a missionary associate for Youth Alive and I get the privilege of emailing and connecting with hundreds of students across our state that are Campus Missionaries!  What is a Campus Missionary (CM), you ask?  A CM is a junior high or high school student that sees the bigger picture.  They recognize that God has a plan for their lives for such a time as this.  They see their peers, faculty and staff up five times a week for six hours at a time- this is the perfect opportunity.  Their Campus is their Missions field!  Students are being used now, at the young ages of even 11 and 12 to minister to their friends and bring the Hope and Love of Jesus Christ to this world.

Here is where I am getting hung up.  Just today, I have had a couple students contact me.  Each in their own way told me that they were just ready to give up.  They felt like pain and circumstances were just getting too hard to handle.  I am praying that this generation rises up!  I pray that this generation seeks out the Creator of their life and the King of all kings with all of their being!  My desire is that when these students face tough circumstances and painful situations, they remember what Jesus Christ did for them!  May they seek STRENGTH and ENDURANCE in Him.  Don’t allow the enemy to make you feel hopeless, you have JESUS CHRIST as your Savoir and He is the HOPE that the world is looking for.  My prayer is that they don’t give into this world and its watered down standards and “do whatever you want-serve whomever you want-we are all getting to heaven in our own way” lifestyle.  It is LIES!  We need people who are willing to seek and find the TRUTH!  THEN when they have found it they TELL OTHERS without any shame!

I am getting so close to having my very first baby.  Do you know who are going to be Baby Pennell’s pastors, teachers, doctors, police officers and presidents?  THIS GENERATION!  If they are giving up and giving in… Then my little baby is not going to have a leaders to look up to and examples to learn from.  Please don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying that I will not be an example as a mom and minister.  BUT my baby needs this next generation.

So, students, I ask you.  Will you be a REAL Christian?  Will you choose to seek out the TRUTH?  Will you dig your roots deep into God so that you are not blown around in the wind by this culture and this world?  Will you be the Godly pastor, teacher, doctor, police officer, or even president that my baby can look up to?

It starts with YOU!

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The Word

May 16, 2011 at 3:59 am (Uncategorized)
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Reflect: LORD,  today has been a great day filled with You and friends, and challenges from Your Word.  Pastor Bud’s brought a great message on prayer.  And I got to have lunch with some AMAZING ladies!  Then we helped Judy clean and organize her new place,  and finally got to hang out with the MIX young adults.  Norm challenged us and inspired us with getting into Your Word MORE!

Read/Respond: Norm used a Scripture from Titus, so I read Titus,  chapters one through three.  Paul is encouraging Titus and his church in their faith.  What better way to grow in your faith then by getting into the Word.  “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. ” (Titus 2:1)  In order to do this we must know the doctrine… or God’s Word. How can you teach it if you don’t know it?  “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. ” (Titus 3:14)   I don’t want to look back on my life and realize I had missed opportunities and had a lazy faith that made my life unproductive.  The gospel is that Christ gave His very life for us.  Why wouldn’t I want to do the same for the cause of Christ? 

Requests:  LORD, I ask that I would no longer waste my time and precious life that You have blessed me with for selfish motivations and a lazy faith.  I desire to be STRONG in my faith because I am spending time in Your Word and in expectant prayer with You.  Please keep our baby healthy.  Help me to endure and work hard during labor and delivery.  Keep myself and baby P.  healthy during labor and delivery.  And lastly,  give Kyle and I wisdom and discernment of what Your will is with this new apartment opportunity!  Thank You for Your love,  Your Word and Your provision.  AMEN!

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May 5 ~ 1 Samuel 22

May 14, 2011 at 1:25 pm (Devotion, Journal)
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David continues his journey.

David left Gath and went to a cave in Adullam.  “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he bacame their leader.  About four hundred men were with him.”  (22:2)  David then went to Moab and asked the king if his father and mother could stay with the king while he learned what God would do for him. The prophet of Gad eventually talked to David and told him not to stay in the stronghold, but to go to the land of Judah.  ”So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.” (22:5b)

Saul had heard that David and his men were discovered.  Saul had an spear in his hand and all of his officials surrounding him and was asking them why they were turning their backs on him.  ”No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse.”  (22:8) Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul’s officials, told him that Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for David and gave him the sword of Goliath.  This enraged Saul and so he sent out for Ahimelech and his entire family to come to him.

Saul questioned the priest and asked him why he did all of this for David.  ”Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all of your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your body guard and highly respected.”  (22:14)  Then he claimed that he knew nothing of this affair.  King Saul was still so mad that he ordered that the priests be killed because they sided with David and did not let him know that he was fleeing.  The king’s official’s were not willing to kill the priests.

But the king ordered Doeg the Edomite to kill them and he struck them down- eighty-five of them who wore the linen ephod.  ”But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David.  He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the LORD.”  (22:20&21)  David assured him that he would be safe with him.

LORD this story is growing in intensity with each chapter.  I can’t believe all that Saul is doing- and is all started with just some jealousy!  It goes to show what will happen with our lives if we don’t deal with sin and we allow it to entangle and eventually rule our lives.  I pray that You would reveal to me sin in my life that I need to get rid of!  I do not want to allow sin to grow- I want to kill it.  LORD I want to be sensitive to Your Spirit and walk with You every day, even if it feels like I am lonely and in hiding for a season.  LORD I desire Your will more than anything else in my life, please help me to see and hear it clearly and follow it whole heartily!  I love You, in Your name I pray! AMEN! 

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May 4 ~ 1 Samuel 21

May 14, 2011 at 1:24 pm (Devotion, Journal)
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David starts running.

After David heard the news from Johnathan he decided to flee, first he went to Nob and met with Ahimelech the priest.  When David got to him he asked for 5 loaves of bread.  ”But the priest answered David, “I don’t have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here- provided the men have kept themselves from women.” (21:4)  David replied and let Ahimelech know that women were kept from them.  ”So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hit bread on the day it was taken away.”  (21:6)  David then asked for some weapons.  The priest told him that the have the sword of Goliath.  “If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.”  David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”  (21:9b)

David then fled and went to Achish king of Gath. His servants had mentioned that David was the one they sing and dance about.  This made David fearful and he pretended to be insane.

LORD, this chapter was hard for me to understand at some times.  BUT I know that Your Word is truth and that You will teach us something EVERY time that we read it!  I find it awesome that David was able to use the weapon of the very enemy that he had destroyed a few chapters ago!  What a victory!  I pray for victory in our lives.  LORD I pray that Your people walk in the freedom that You have designed for us.  May we not be caught up in our old, dead, life.  May we walk new and free with You everyday!  Thank You LORD for Your freedom!  I love You!  AMEN!

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