By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts...Hebrews 11:4a (KJV)

I would like to start by looking at two words in their original Greek meanings...

Excellent - pleion (pli'-on): Figuratively of worth, importance, dignity, meaning more, greater, higher, to abound.

Testifying - martureo (mar-too-reh'-o): Emphatically, to testify strongly, bear honorable testimony, to be well testified about, to have good witness.

It wasn't so much "what" they gave that made one better than the other. It was how they gave. Abel gave the first born of his sheep. That was a HUGE step of faith. Cain gave with the wrong heart and motive. He gave without faith. God was more pleased with Abel's offering because of the FAITH behind it. He even went so far as to testify about it.

Can you imagine GOD speaking well about you? Can you imagine the King of Kings Himself bearing good witness about YOUR offering? Well, you don't have to imagine, if you give by faith with a pure heart and motive.

We can give and give and give without ever pleasing God. Giving in and of itself is fine. However, when we give by FAITH, then we are going to a whole new level. Please don't misunderstand me, you cannot just give to get. It's not only a matter of faith, it's a matter of the HEART. Faith is what will sow the seed properly. The right heart is what will help it to reap a good harvest.

I encourage you to pray about how you can give a "faith offering." Do not limit yourself to "materialistic" things. You can offer your time or talents too. The point of the exercise is to help you to DEVELOP your faith. If you never use your faith, it will never become all that God intended it to be.

Keep this in mind...Not one person was healed by Jesus while He was here that did not already BELIEVE that He could heal them.

Faith is what makes things happen!

Let's pray,

Daddy God, thank You for the gift of faith. Thank You for all that You want me to become. Help me to learn how to exercise and develop my faith. Help me to learn how to give faith offerings unto You. I know that You are my Abba Father. I know that You will provide ALL of my needs, because by faith, I believe what your Word says. And by faith, I know that You love me and want ONLY the best for me. Thank You, Daddy God. I love You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,
Lara ;)

Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest, and proper and noble, aiming to be above reproach in the sight of everyone. Romans 12:17

Unfortunately, this is the opposite of what we see in this world. We live in a world where real love does not exist. It's all about self.

Real love is self-LESS.

Let me give a practical example of this Scripture in action:

You are having one of those days with your husband...you know...the kind of day where one wrong word and there could be a fight. We have ALL had them I am sure...

Well, let's say that you're the one that triggers the bomb, and your husband explodes. He says something without thinking, and hurts your feelings.
You have two options...you could bite back (NOT recommended!)...or you could really create a shock wave and apologize for whatever triggered the response. EVEN if it really wasn't "apology worthy." EEEK! LOL!

The point is to show character and replace the wrong (no matter who did the wrong) with LOVE.

This is NO EASY task.

Honestly, there are days my flesh would love to get in a ring with my husband for just five minutes. However, I know that the only thing that will produce is more rotten fruit and more fighting.

On the flip side, when I extend UNDESERVED grace, love, and mercy towards him, it almost always cools the fire. Doesn't God show us this same UNDESERVED grace, love, and mercy EVERY day?

When we let our flesh die, and submit to God's ways, it WILL ALWAYS turn out better. Even when we do not see an immediate manifestation of our obedience, it IS working!!

So, the next time your husband, friend, or beloved child sends you...Do what will put a smile on your Daddy's Face...LOVE 'EM!

Let's Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for Your UNDESERVED Grace, Love, and Mercy. Thank You for always looking past my imperfections and focusing on the positive. Help me to show that same character towards others. Help me to NEVER repay a wrong. Help me to always take the high road even when I may be right. Help me to lear to not need to be right. Thank YOU!!! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Mercy,
Lara ;)

Think you can't forgive that one person who hurt you really bad?

THINK AGAIN!

Tonight was a HUGE step for me....Let me give a brief history...

Last year there was a dispute between a leader in children's ministry (at my church) and myself. I was going to bat for an injustice against my daughter and lost the fight. I prayed and prayed and prayed...no grace was given from the lady in charge. She seemed to be a very cold hearted person...

I still feel that she was wrong and unkind...no, I KNOW she was. HOWEVER, God allowed my daughter...and our whole family to go through this VERY hurtful situation for a greater purpose. And it has taken almost a year for me to finally understand what that purpose was.

Forgiveness...We all get it freely from the Father...but do we freely give it?

Fast forward to tonight...

I was invited to come to a couples group from church and that lady would be there. I haven't seen her since our awful confrontation almost a year ago.

Anyway, it was VERY difficult to go...but I did...AND...there was a miraculous light bulb moment! During the praise and worship God completely cleansed me and I forgave her in my heart. I even had nice feelings towards her!

You must understand....this woman DEEPLY hurt my daughter...my husband...and myself. It was a VERY difficult thing to come to terms with. I was very angry...you know the Mother hen type of anger?

I asked God to scold her. Silence. I asked God to help me. Silence. I begged God to help me forgive her. Silence. I did not give up though. And when the opportunity came to be in a room with her again...I didn't run and hide like I wanted to. I stood tall...asked for Daddy's help...and GOT THE VICTORY!!!

Are you struggling with forgiving someone? Have you asked and asked and asked? Your answer may be right under your nose...your answer may be this...

How willing are you to forgive? How willing are you to make the first move? How willing are you to be vulnerable? If you are willing, like I was...your victory is right before you...just reach out and GRAB IT!!

God Bless YOU!!

Walking in His forgiveness...and freely giving mine,

Lara ;)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it for death or life. Proverbs 18:21

I think it's important that we really get this Scripture. Our tongue is VERY powerful. It can produce life or death...our choice.

If you are someone who spends a lot of time...

~ Bad mouthing yourself by saying things like; I'm stupid, I'm fat, I'm ugly, I'll never, I can't, What's wrong with me, I'm such a this and I'm such a that...

~ Verbally judging others....

~ Speaking negatively...


Then you will produce the fruit of death in your life. We need to speak the Truth about ourselves. We need to understand who we are in Christ.

We need to say things like...

~ I have the mind of Christ, which means I am pretty smart.

~ I was created in the image of God, which means I am GORGEOUS!

~ I can do ALL things through Christ Who strengthens me.


If we speak the Truth of what God says about us over our lives, we will produce an awesome harvest of life, and be much happier, filled with peace, and able to go the distance.

Start thinking BEFORE you speak. Change your mind and speak the Truth...even if you don't believe it with your "mind" right away. After speaking Life for a while, you will not only begin to believe the Truth, you will KNOW the Truth, and the Truth WILL set you free!

This wasn't my brilliant idea...it's in the WORD, and the God does NOT lie! Trust God...believe what God says about you in His Word...know who you are...and SPEAK IT OUT LOUD!

Let's Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for giving me the opportunity to change my life for the better simply by putting the principals of Your Mighty Word into daily practice. Please help me to remember Your Truth and to speak it out every day. I am Your precious baby girl and I want to WALK in the knowledge of that. Thank You! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,
Lara ;)