Panic

You know the feeling you get when you suddenly realize you've slept longer than you need to?  How about the one when you wake up at 8:03 and school started at 8:00?  If you've never experienced it and are unable to relate, let me just explain what happens- panic.

That's how my day started on Thursday and I sort of feel like I've been running to catch up ever since then.   At least where the blog is concerned.  I have not followed behind in reading or praying, though, which I am very grateful for.  I have been learning a lot.  So here is a quick list of the things I've covered in the last couple of days.
Pray for the entire world:  Suriname (South America), Swaziland (Africa), Sweden (Europe)
Read through the Bible:  Genesis 16-20, Matthew 6, Psalms 7-8, Proverbs 2:1-15

On Wednesday night I attended a new ladies small group Bible study and have fallen in love with the women leading it.  What wisdom and insight they possess!  This first week we talked about the "how to" of really spending time in the Word and how to hear God in the Scriptures.  The process we talked about includes three things- read, hear, heed.  There were so many things said that really resonated with me:
1. circumstances around us can effect the tone that we hear from the Word.
2. we have to spend enough time listening to let the Holy Spirit breathe life into the Words.
3. there is no need to search for answers through the whole Bible, meaning the Lord will speak to us from where ever we happen to be studying.
This last point was proven to me just yesterday as I went through this process in the book of James that we are all going through together.  My concerns from the week were address in the first couple of verses I read.  How amazing is the Lord?!

So that brings me to today.  One of the things I am praying through right now is how to be spending my money.  At this point, the only thing I have really changed is using my resources to strengthen relationships.  Basically, taking friends out for meals, coffee, a movie, or whatever it may be so I can spend time with them.  I am loving it!  I know there needs to be more in the way of monetary sacrifice, though.

Prayed For:
Switzerland- This nation is struggling with stagnation where the church is concerned.  There has been a large decline in those attending church, or who even consider themselves religious.  I was able to pray for renewal.  I have been to Switzerland, so it was cool to pray for a place I can picture.  This place is so beautiful!  I also attended a mass while I was there and saw for myself a huge, old church with just a few people scattered here and there in the pews.

Read (and recap):
Genesis 21-22
Sarai takes matters into her own hands and gives her servant to Abram to produce an heir.  As you can imagine, this only creates problems!  God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah, and promises that Sarah will bear a song in a year's time.  Sodom is corrupt and Abraham prays for it, but there are not enough righteous people for God to save it.  He does rescue Lot, but Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt.  Sarah must have been really stinkin' beautiful because she was taken again by a king, even in her old age.  God avenges her again and she is returned to Abraham.  Then, true to God's word, Sarah gives birth to Isaac.  God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but provides a ram for the sacrifice instead because Abraham was faithful and feared the Lord.

Matthew 7
Do not be anxious or worry- God will provide.  When we seek the Lord, we will find Him!  A tree will be recognized by it's fruit.  Those who listen and do what Jesus was teaching will be wise.  This is the end of His sermon that started in chapter 5.

Psalm 9:1-12
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" 8:1
"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart." 9:1
"But the Lord sits enthroned forever." 9:7

Proverbs 2:16-22
The Lord gives wisdom so we will be delivered from those who speak smooth words but lead to death.