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Becky's Blog  Obedience Is Of the HeartTuesday, August 24, 2010
For the last few months on Wednesday nights at church, we have been teaching an evangelism course on “The Way of the Master”. These services have not only shown us about winning the lost in all situations but also about being obedient to listen to the voice of the spirit when God speaks to us about witnessing.
As Christians we sometimes settle for doing things that are easier rather than doing what is right. When God speaks to us about sharing our faith, instead of being a little uncomfortable we take the easy way out and shut our mouth. Even in other areas of our life - whether it is about prayer, reading the word, becoming more committed or an area of ministry, instead of obeying the voice of God speaking to our heart we reject it. We refuse to listen - we stop the plan of God for our life, dead in the tracks and we choose the easy way instead of the right way.
Remember the story of Saul in I Samuel. God told King Saul to destroy Amalek and to leave nothing behind. But Saul listened to the people and he willfully left behind the oxen and the sheep. He told Samuel that his intention was to use the animals for sacrifice. But Samuel knew he disobeyed God and told Saul that “Obedience is always better than sacrifice”. This would become a common theme that is found throughout the Bible.
Saul chose the easy way instead of the right way and it eventually led to him losing his throne. It also led to his death. In I Samuel 15 the Word tells us that God even regretted making Saul king in the first place. I don’t know about you but I would never want God regretting my existence.
As believers we need to search our heart daily. Become more intimate with the Father. Learn more about his ways, learn more about his desires. For the better we know Him the more we will learn to obey him.
Listen to your heart when God speaks and commit to obey Him. When He says give – then give! When he says to speak – then speak! When he says to preach – then preach! Remember obedience is better than sacrifice!
In I Peter 3:10 it reads to truly love life and see good days we must obey our creator. I choose to truly love life and see good days so therefore I will obey!
Becky McCann
Becoming a Passionate Parent for God!Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Children will invariably talk, walk, think and respond just like their parents. Give them a target to shoot at. Give them a goal to work toward. Give them a pattern that they can see clearly and you will give them something that silver and gold cannot buy. Rev. Billy Graham
I have said many times before that parenting is the greatest calling on earth. We are given our children from God for such a short time. God expects us as Christian parents to take this time to train them up to be honorable and moral men and women for God.
It is so sad to me to see parents today becoming so busy with their jobs or secular activities that they spend very little quality time with their kids. When they do spend time with them it is usually in front of a television or x-box and very little one on one communication is actually shared.
Parents invest more time in their employment so they can buy more toys, more games and more things for their family while all the time their relationship with their children is weakening.
As a parent myself I can truthfully say that your kids want you mom and dad… yes, more than your money!
Children need you as a parent to spend quality time “just with them”…talking to them, encouraging them, listening to them.
They need your affection, they need your hugs and they need you to be the pattern that they can follow.
The word of God tells us to “train” our children in the way that they should go… I ask you, what are you training your child to do?
Are they seeing you read the Bible, are they seeing you kneel down to pray and are they seeing you committed to the church with regularity.
Remember, your child will grow up to be a lot “like you”…what target are you giving them, what goal have you set before them…I choose to put Christ first in my home.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
Blessings always, Becky McCann
Hurry SicknessWednesday, June 09, 2010
The most serious sign of “hurry sickness” is a diminished capacity to love. Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time and time is the one thing hurried people do not have.
Do you ever feel like you are running from can to can’t, burning candles at both ends and feeling like there isn’t enough time by the end of the day to even catch a breath? Well, if you do then you are in good company. Statistically speaking, most people invest more time in their workplace than they do in their own family.
The loss of time has played a definite role in the balance of home and marriage. Television, internet and cell phones have become our children’s babysitter. Most children and teens spend more time on a media tool each day than they do with their own family. Husbands and wives communicate “one on one” less than an hour each week.
You see when there is a lack of time invested into the people we love then it becomes more than a relationship problem, it becomes a spiritual problem.
In order for us to grow in Christ we must slow down. Everything we do spiritually speaking - prayer, the word, Bible study…. takes time and these things are essential to our family and marriage relationships. It all connects.
We know that people have to work, we have to make an income and provide for our families, but there are areas that we can slow down and prioritize better. Why do we have to consume every minute with a sport, activity or hobby? Why do we always have to be concerned about a better house, new car or new toy? When our lives are consumed every minute then we began to burn out, stress out and lose interest with the things that matter most. Especially when it comes to our relationship with God….God always gets put on the back burner.
Did you ever notice that Jesus never seemed to be in a hurry? He took time with each of the twelve disciples to invest into them what they would need to fulfill the great commission. He spent time in the home of Mary and Martha, he took time with the woman at the well and had dinner in the home of Zacchaeus. He never seemed rushed, he never seemed hurried and yet pulled away from the crowds to spend time communicating with his Father.
We cannot change the hours in a day, we cannot make time slow down but we can change the way we fill up our time. Remember your most priceless possessions are worth your time….your relationship with God, with your spouse, with your children. They are more important than anything else. So whatever you need to do, DO IT!
Don’t let your busy lifestyle, things, people, and clutter stand in the way anymore. Invest in your relationships that matter the most, relationships that will last for eternity. Blessings follow those who follow God!
Becky McCann
The Divine Purpose of WomanhoodFriday, May 07, 2010
Many women today have asked themselves the question why did God create me? Why I am here and what is my purpose on the earth? The answer is found in Gen. 2:20 where the Bible says, “but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him.”
The theme of the creation story is that man was incomplete until God created a helper, an equal, one that was suited just for him. “After they were created, God then gave them dominion over the earth.” Gen.1:26.
We as women need to acknowledge and realize that our marriage is a God ordained institution. The rules of the world do not apply when it comes to your home, family and marriage. The word of God should always be our standard and our rule to every situation and to every circumstance.
Eve in the book of Genesis is called the mother of the living. She was the first wife and also the first mother. Her role was the center of the family home. Her responsibility was to provide comfort, peace and joy as well as stability for the household.
So many women today are irresponsible, selfish and untrustworthy when it comes to their home and family. They confide in worldly counsel, seek after sinful addictions and never give time or place to the things of God or the word of God.
God created women for a divine purpose. He created them to show forth the love of God, He created them to be “more than a conqueror”, Phil 4. And He created them to be an honor and crown of glory in the hand of the Lord. Isa 62:3.
My prayer for each of you on this Mother’s Day is that “the eyes of your understanding, being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of his glory of his inheritance in the saints. Eph. 1
Blessings to you all on this Mother’s Day,
Becky McCann
What Do You Desire The Most?Monday, April 19, 2010
In I Peter 2:2, the word of God tells us that we are to crave or earnestly desire the spiritual milk of the word of God. Other translations read to thirst for, long for and deeply hunger for the word of God unto salvation that will change your life and grow you up into the mature person of God.
Have you ever seen a newborn when they are hungry? They make their hunger known - crying, flinching or whatever it takes. When they are hungry for their milk, they want it and they want it now! One or two drinks a day is not enough. Sometimes they want it every three to four hours and several times during the night!
I do not think that the apostle Peter used the word newborn in this verse just by happenstance. I believe he used it for a very strong reason.
Newborns always seem to have a constant hunger! One that is very hard to quench! As a matter of fact, most pediatricians will tell you if your infant does not seem hungry it is usually a sign of illness.
As I began to meditate on this I realized that of all the things that we crave in life there is NOTHING that can be compared to as the Word of the living God. It is only the Word of God that will change us into the very image of Christ. It is only the Word of the living God that can cause God’s plan and purpose in our lives to become manifest. And it is only the Word of God that will bring joy, peace and fulfillment into our homes and family.
No wonder Satan uses so many distractions to keep us out of balance and out of focus. When we as the body of Christ no longer desire and hunger for the Word of God, then spiritual anemia sets in.
Our cravings and desires are either related to food or fashion, sports or leisure, media or networking…. anything but that which matters the most. And we of course we feed into the frenzy giving up our time, money and strengths on all that will never matter in the kingdom of God. Spiritual giants – I think not!
My prayer is that we all have a reality check. Realize what matters the most. What will count for eternity? What will produce longevity of spiritual fruit in our life?
Lord, help us all to be balance. May we all live a life of control and keep our distance from distractions and our eyes on the wonderful Word of God.
Blessings Always,
Becky McCann
The Bible will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from the Bible. (Dwight Moody)
Don't Think Too Much!Tuesday, March 23, 2010
When you were a child did your mom or dad ever tell you to use your head or to think about what you are doing? I know mine often did. Well, their advice must have stuck pretty well because even as a adult, I have a tendency to really think about things a lot.
My personality is the type that tries to figure out everything and ponder every solution. I roll things around in my brain over and over again, not so much in a worry some way....but in a way to rationalize or reason around every answer and every angle.
In Proverbs 3:7-8 it reads, "Be not wise in your own eyes, reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow to your bones".
This scripture brings me back to remember when we were at Rhema Bible Training Center. We had so many difficulties and new situations. I was always trying to figure out everything. How we were going to pay the bills? How we were going to find a place to live? How we were going to handle full time school and full time jobs? And the list went on and on!
Jim would tell me, it is not in our wisdom, but it is in God's wisdom. We have to trust Him. Our plans are not always His plans, but if we acknowledge Him, trust Him, worship Him and reverence Him....He will take care of the rest.
Did you know that it is not healthy to always have your mind running and racing. In I Peter 5:7 the Bible tells us about casting our cares, worries and anxieties on God....once and for all (the Amplified reads). But the ONLY way we can do that is
by trusting, worshiping, and reverencing the Lord. And guess what, it doesn't come over night.
It is a life style, a habit, a practice that we continue over and over again. We gain confidence and trust by knowing and doing the word. We worship God by praising Him and acknowledging what he has done in our life. And we reverence Him by obeying the word and becoming a
person of integrity and holiness.
My prayer is that we learn how to totally lean and rely on God. We must allow God to control our lives, our mind, and our hearts. It is good to do our part but when we become frustrated and irritated then we began to lose control and our joy and peace.
When we rest our mind, we are trusting God to take direction, to handle our life and direct our path so the answer can come more quickly. Leaning on God will allow us to be more healthier ....in our spirit, soul and body!
Blessings, Becky
Sacred BalanceWednesday, March 10, 2010 Single or married, children or not, young or old, whatever your status in life, all women have one thing in common – we have ALL struggled at one time or the other with balancing our life’s demands.
Endless activities, daily routine, stressful work load, family duties and obligations….are just a few things that keep us in high demand. Do you ever wonder how I got here and how do I stop?
Well to answer “both” of the above questions the answer is the same….”WE” got ourselves into this situation and only “WE” can get ourselves out!
God never meant for us to handle everyone’s problems, answer every beckoning call and be a “super woman” with “super strength” at all times and in every situation.
In Romans 8 we read that “all things work together for good to them who love God and who are called according to His design and purpose…if God be for us, who can be against us …and in all these things we are more than conquerors.” (Read Romans 8 from the Amplified)
God desires for us as women of God to evaluate our life and our priorities. Ask ourselves the question, am I living to serve God or others? Am I planning my life by His design or by what I feel I need to do?
Remember… you cannot do everything and you cannot be everything to everybody.
God himself is speaking to you. He will always continue to speak to you….Will you let Him help you with your life? Will you surrender all and everything to him?
Jeremiah 33:3 reads, Call to me, and I will answer and tell you great and wondrous things you do not know.
Blessings, Becky McCann
Attitude of Ingratitude!Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Have you ever found yourself moaning and complaining to God about what you don’t have or prayers that seem to go unanswered? It seems the more we gripe and murmur the longer it takes to get results.
Do you remember the children of Israel? When they were in the wilderness with Moses they witnessed firsthand the miracles of God. He provided divine protection with the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Every day they received heavenly manna and yet, they still grew weary and were ready to stone Moses in just a few short years.
Let’s just be honest, sometimes our attitude is just plain “faithless”. We look at the situation that surrounds us or the pain we feel in our bodies and begin to lose sight of what the word of God has promised us. Our mind becomes weary and instead of focusing our attention upon the faith of God we focus our attention on the circumstances that are around us.
I am sure for the most part our delay in receiving what we have asked is simply because we are taking another trip around Mount Zion. Just like the children of Israel, we forget about what God has already done and impatiently lose faith and become weary in well doing when it takes a little longer than we expect.
Remember, your attitude is EVERYTHING when it comes to “receiving by faith”. In Psalm 68 it reads, Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits.
The blessings are there for us…today and everyday. I pray that we will all have “an attitude of faith”.
Blessings
Becky McCann
Life Is A Transition!Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Did you know that your life is continually in transition? Oh, you may wake up every morning the same person, but the things and situations around us are constantly changing. Even our bodies are always changing – which I am personally aware of more and more everyday!
For the most part, a lot of our “external” life is beyond our control. We can’t control the weather, the traffic, the interest rate, the job market, the school system, our neighbors and other issues that daily touch our family and ourselves. Sometimes we even feel totally lost or helpless when certain situations become such a concern that it interferes with our daily routine.
So what are we to do? How can we move past these situations and begin to be joyful and peaceful even in the midst of these “transitions of life”. Well, very simply, you must realize that although we can’t control the outside we can certainly control the inside. You see, God never promised us a rose garden all the time but he did promise us joy in the midst of the thorns and thistles.
In Gal. 5, we read that when we become a new creature in Christ that his very nature, part of God’s character begins to live on the inside of us… God’s word tells us to live in or by the spirit of God so that the flesh and things outside the flesh do not dominate or control our lives. We do this by developing that wonderful character of God that is already in us….Gal. 22:5, but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, …and verse 25, if we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit.
What we choose to do “on the inside” is up to us…we choose joy, peace, temperance, we choose faith. The choice is yours!
Blessings!
Becky
The Bridegroom Is WaitingWednesday, February 17, 2010
In just a few short months we will have the joy of uniting two precious couples as they begin their life together in holy matrimony.
When young engaged couples prepare for their wedding day, there is such excitement and anticipation in the air. Everything must be perfectly planned and orchestrated for a flawless and memorable ceremony.
Perfect dress, perfect tux, beautiful flowers, delicious cake and the list goes on. Why is this so important? Because they are marrying the person of their dreams, their soul-mate and lover of their life. Marriage is a union, set apart by God, for two people who will share the rest of their lives together, forever and ever.
The same is true with us who are in Christ. The bible calls us the bride of Christ and He, the bridegroom. The love that God has for each of us is more real than any human love can ever imagine.
From the beginning of time God has been longing and waiting for his bride, “the
church”... for the day that we will join Him at the marriage supper of the lamb.
For now however, God still has taken care of our every need. He has given to us His word, to guide us and direct us in this life. He has given us the Holy Spirit to comfort and counsel us. He has given us His gifts that we may show forth the works of God to others.
He has given us His church to strengthen us and sustain fellowship with other members of His body.
Our relationship with Him is more important than any other thing. The Bible says that he is preparing a place for us, where one day we can all be together. John 14:2-3. In Col. 3 we read that one day we will be with Him in glory.
Are you ready? Are you preparing? Are you excited and anticipating His arrival?
Remember, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, who should show forth the praises of Him.... He has called each of us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Let God find each of us “ready and waiting”!
Blessings!
Becky
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