Pruning

We have a beautiful yard . It is one of the things I love most about where we live. We have several large trees in both our front and back yards. Unfortunately, these are older trees and some of the top limbs are beginning to die. For this reason I keep everyone away from them when the wind is blowing real hard because it never fails that some of the limbs come down. Sometimes very large ones do.
Two nights ago we had some severe thunderstorms move through our area. These storms spawned several tornadoes so to say that they contained some heavy damaging winds is putting it lightly. When I looked out my window the next morning there were limbs of all sizes laying scattered throughout our yard. I couldn't help but think that our trees had received some all natural pruning, free of charge. Our trees needed that pruning. It got rid of those old dying limbs that were draining the rest of the tree and were posing a danger to my family.
Looking outside at the effects of the storm; God brought to my mind that wonderful story in John 15:1-8  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  (2)  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  (3)  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  (4)  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  (5)  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (6)  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  (7)  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  (8)  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
I got to thinking how this story reminded me that we are just like those branches on my trees. Sometimes God has to do a little pruning on our lives since we are part of the vine. Sometimes He uses storms in our lives to get rid of the useless twigs that grow on our “vines’, like doubt, fear, worry and other things. These are “twigs” that can drain the life out of our walk with God;leaving us struggling to bear the fruit He longs to see us produce.Our fruit bearing brings Him glory after all.(John 15:8). So next time the storms come in our lives whether it be health , financial or marital issues, trust that God is using this time to work on the “vine” and clear out things we don’t need in our lives so that we can continue to grow in His Grace and glorify Him.
Blessings ~ Nikki
copyright 2011 LNS
*A printable PDF is available from the left sidebar*

New Spring Invitations

These are available for download from the left sidebar.They are listed as Spring Invitations (2011) Blessings! ~ Nikki

Knowing That You Know

My Pastor often asks the question, "Do you know that you know that you know you are saved?" It is indeed a question worth asking. So I put it to you; do you know?

We were blessed to visit my in-laws this weekend and to attend church with them. Their church feels just like home to us. Although I'm sure the people there have their faults and failures(who doesn't) they never fail to make us feel welcome and the Holy Spirit never fails to be in the service. Their Pastor is a man who loves the Lord and has a heart for his congregation. He stands on preaching the truth whether it angers anyone or not. To paraphrase his words, he is there to preach the Word as God would have him to speak, how you deal with the conviction afterward is up to you. Sunday his sermon was on being lost and how you can know that you are even if you think you are a Christian. Like he was saying, there are many people who think they are Christians but are not. They heard the call to salvation, went to the alter when they felt the draw to salvation yet never accepted the salvation.They got up from the alter and went to work in the church and ministry yet never truly "knew" the one they claimed to serve. Lots of times we hear of church services where pastors, pastor's wives, deacons, youth leaders and Sunday School teachers get saved who have been working for the Lord for years. The Scripture for his sermon was Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Below are what the Pastor called Markers. I had to agree with all of these and just felt compelled to share them with the cyber world.  Please read over them and reevaluate your life. Take the time to "know that you know that you know". Blessings! ~ Nikki

Markers That May Indicate Lost Condition:
If you:
Maintain a lifestyle contrary to the Word of God without judgment ~ Hebrews 12:8

Can practice any sin in your life without conviction and guilt ~ Hebrews 12:11

Are religious but have no heart for ministry ~ Titus 3:8

Retain the tithe without suffering financially ~ Malachi 3:8-10

Have no desire for the House of God and fellowship with the saints ~ Hebrew 10:25
This is one I am adamant about, we should have a desire to be among fellow Christians (even though they fail just like we do). Fellowship is important to our Christian walk because being among others keeps us accountable to our walk with God because we have someone to help lift us up when we begin to stumble and fall. As the days in this world get worse it is more important that we have that fellowship.

You have no heartbeat for the Word of God ~ Colossians 3:16

Have a fear of dying ~ John 11:26

No peace in your heart ~ Isaiah 26:3

Some of you might not agree with these and that's ok. I just want everyone to be sure that they are saved. I want you to have that peace about your eternity.  Blessings!
copyright 2010 Lisa "Nikki" Simcox

Cheese slices on the bathroom sink

Cheese slices on the bathroom sink. What?!

Yes you read it right. I found a cheese slice on the bathroom sink. It wasn't even "real cheese." Yes, I buy pasteurized, processed American cheese product. Now you know my secret.

I'm not sure how the cheese got there or even why its there. With four kids stuff like this happens all the time. I just did the natural "Mom" thing and threw it away. I have learned at times that it is best not to question my kid's motives for doing things. They get upset when they are trying to explain themselves and you are laughing so hard you cry, you know.

When you have children these little unexpected things pop up all the time. Sometimes they are funny (like the cheese) and sometimes they are not. Like my oldest Daughter's bout with skin cancer at age 13. With much praise to our King Jesus and our Father God, my Daughter, now almost 17, is doing great. Twice a year checkups have turned into once a year checkups. I have seen the fear leave her eyes over the last few years and I find it easier not to panic when we visit her skin doctor.

I have also learned that my Christian walk has many unexpected turns. As God's children we must realize that in the unexpected we sometimes find our greatest growing moments. There are no surprises for God; unlike my husband Todd and I. Seven days before Christmas 2008 Todd received a lay-off slip from his employer with still worse news that he would not be getting his Christmas bonus. Needless to say, we were floored. We are a single income family except for a small cleaning job I have. I am a stay at home Mom and homeschool three of our four kids; so it was Todd who had the responsibility to be our family breadwinner. We were comforted by the news that the lay-off would only last a few months.

March was Todd's expected return time. March came … and went with no hope in sight of his being called back to work. Every job he applied for returned no results. I tried hard not to panic. Honestly I did! At times I did really well too. We prayed. We had friends and family praying for us. Then moments of doubt would come and I would ask God, "What are you doing?" My heart would begin to race and my mind would start running in fifty different directions. Yep, panic. Then I would start to pray and have people pray for me. Sometimes waiting on God is hard, especially for me. That is why he repeatedly sends me to this verse in His Word; Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God… That my friends is my life verse and has been for many years.

This lay-off was so unexpected for us, even more so when the months turned into a year. Todd put in over a hundred job applications and only received two hits that turned into nothing. There were so many lay-offs in our area that competition for jobs was fierce. In a normal economy you might have ten people apply for one job but now you might have a hundred.

This unexpected surprise took our breath away. Not because of joy but fear. Then, another unexpected surprise came our way. This time it was joy that took our breath away (and a lot of relief). Fourteen months after his lay-off, Todd got a job. A job that fills lots of needs we had that his other job didn't fill. We never imagined that he would be blessed in this way. Sometimes we can have low expectations for God. It's a great thing He blesses us anyway.

This fourteen month growing period has been rough for us but we have definitely learned some things. We learned there are some things we became dependent on that we don't truly need. We learned to cut corners we didn't think we could cut. This new frugality will come in handy. Maybe we can see our savings grow again. Maybe our Saturday family time can kick into high gear again. We love to take meandering road trips and hikes. We have definitely learned that all things are usable by God to make something great. I once heard that it's great when God tells you something but its amazing when He goes out of His way to show you something. He showed us Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. God will always use our circumstances to show His love and His Glory. If we are in the midst of His will or even when we step outside the boundaries of His will for us; he uses it for our good. So my words of advice… if you are in his will, rest in it. If you are not, then step into it and find rest. Blessings! ~ Nikki

copyright 2010 Lisa" Nikki" Simcox