My Devotion
My Heart
At Home
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
Therefore we are always confident and know as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2Corinthians 5:6-8
I often wonder why I internally struggle with so much. For example, I can get into a confrontation with someone, it doesn’t really matter who, but the closer I am to the person I have a conflict with the more I struggle with it. Whether I’m right or wrong in the confrontation does not matter, if I’m right it is no justification that I’m right and if I’m wrong I struggle just the same. I DO NOT like confrontation, disagreements, and strife. I don’t go around seeking out trouble, I don’t stir the pot, sometimes I step outside my boundaries and accidently offend someone, but I don’t maliciously set out to embarrass and hurt other people. What makes me angry in the situation is not necessarily what the other person did, but how I “fleshed out”. That’s what my husband calls it, “fleshing out” allowing my fleshly nature to control me, the ego who will lash out in defense or offense…it always makes for a very ugly scene…and the healing time takes much longer to get over and off on the sideline is an evil bystander hissing his evil laugh because once again individual egos did his job for him. Damaging relationships and even worse personal testimonies of people professing to be children of God.
I am learning that the struggle of human nature, the flesh, goes much deeper than what we can see or communicate. Paul nails it; we are not at home with the Lord. As long as we live in this body, on this planet, in this world of sin we will always be at conflict between good and bad. But there is just enough good in this life that keeps us torn up between what we have and what is waiting for us with the Lord. We can only imagine what God has waiting for us, He gives us clues and glimpses of heaven in His word, but here we can see some good that is good enough to keep our hearts torn between the two.
Yet the Spirit inside us, the Holy Spirit, knows the mind of God, and it’s that knowledge that our words cannot describe that puts a long in us for something better but since we cannot see it we are drawn and held captive by what we can see. What makes you happy in this life? What brings you joy? What do you take pride in? A good job, a family, a nice house, travel, or friends? There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of your answers, those are blessings from God, much of what God blesses us with in this life is just a taste of what He has in store for us when we get to heaven. But it is what we know, it’s good and we are tied to it physically what is heavenly we cannot see with these eyes that we see with.
So if we are at home in the body, but we are not at home it is no wonder we struggle with so much. The more we surrender to the Holy Spirit is the key to learning how to live in this world until Jesus calls us home either individually or when He calls us as a group. If we not only have the mind of Christ, but learn how to use the mind of Christ petty differences would be non-existent. But we just can’t let go of what we can see to hold onto what we cannot lose. If the mind of Christ controlled our mind instead of the other way around how would life be any different? Oh to even imagine it is difficult, but I think it would be as close to being at home with God as it could be this side of eternity.
When we all get to heaven will be a day of rejoicing we have never seen that will never end. What if we practiced that now? What if we lived as if the kingdom was already here? Wait a minute the kingdom of God is already here, the kingdom is within each person who professes the name of Jesus Christ and He lives within the hearts of every believer, we are citizens together waiting for our return flight home. Until then nothing should be more important than living the kingdom life right where we are.
Impossible? It all depends with which set of eyes you are looking through. Paul prayed; I keep asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his might strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power, and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:17-21
With all that on our side, what on earth are we upset about? Nothing is more powerful than the power and might that God used to raise Christ from the dead after being dead for three days and that same power is at work in you and me. I don’t know about you, but I want to surrender my life, my will, my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, what I know and what I cannot know to God give Him full authority, rule and reign over my life so that I can experience that power working for me. Lord help us see you bright and wonderful with the eyes of our heart and blind us to the illusion that life in the body is much better than life in You. I want to be at Home in You. In Jesus Name…Amen.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston | ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 17, 2010
My Devotion
My Heart
Every Six Steps
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all His might, what He and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2Samuel 6:12-15
To carry the ark of the Lord was a great burden and privilege, with that responsibility came great awareness of who God was and is. The ark had been stolen and had not been with the people for a long time, it had been a long time since they had possession of it. I’m no historian, but even though things aren’t holy, they can help us to relate to the holiness of God and where He chooses to dwell, Today you and I are the ark of the Lord. WE are sacred like the ark was to the people of Israel because Jesus came to live in us the moment we accepted Him. Every time the ark was brought into their camp or moved, great shouts of praise and worship and honor was given to God. David took thirty thousand men to go get the ark and bring it back to the people as they began to return home the verse says those that carried the ark took six steps and worshipped and praised God. I’m not sure how far they had to travel, but I’m sure it took a while to get back home because they were praising God every six steps meant they were continuously praising God for His return to them. Have you ever heard the saying life is not about the destination, but the journey.
I am on a journey to the place where the Lord dwells. I am desperate for His presence in my life. It is what I think about all the time these days, but I fail in some way every day. I allow everything else to be first in my life. I get up with every good intention, but so quickly the unfolding agenda of the day captures my mind and heart. Before I realize it my mouth is pouring out filth of complaining and arguments, instead of worship and praise and encouragement. I find myself in the pit of resentment and disappointment instead of contentment and peace. Just as quickly as the ugly moves in the guilt and shame moves in and I have to go back and make apologies for things I said in a desperate attempt of venting it out of my system. My heart needs a remodel, a total reconstruction…
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, you whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness. Matthew 6:21-23
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in Him. Matthew 12:34-35
I cry in my spirit for the evil thoughts I allow to flow out of me. Father forgive me, where I fail to bring light by the words I speak for allowing my heart to be darkened by the abundance of negativity, jealousy and fear that ultimately keeps me from your presence. How many times a day are any of us guilty of allowing darkness to pour out by the bad things we think. Its ugly like a thick crusty scab of a wound on the skin. I want no more of it poisoning my heart and attitude. So how do we get rid of the darkness, bad thoughts, bad attitudes, and sin that flows from our mouth because our hearts have become corrupted?
There is only one way and that is through abiding constantly in His presence and His presence abiding in us. Before you argue that if we have accepted Christ He is always with us and in us. While that is true, the question is; how much are we allowing Christ to live out loud in us. Yes we keep him quietly tucked away until the next crisis, but rarely allow Him to have TOTAL CONTROL of our every thought, movement, and action. We have to actively, consciously remove any unclean and unacceptable thing from our heart and replace it with the fullness of God. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 Be careful this is the place where it hurts and the battle rages against us. The struggle to cleanse our heart from evil will be a messy battle because we are not only battling against ourselves, but every force of evil will rise up and fight against us because the cleaner we become the more of Christ is evident in us and their imminent defeat is drawn closer. Jesus has already won the war against Satan and his evil demons, but while we are here we must face their force every day. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then…Ephesians 6:12-14
Ladies and Gentlemen the day of evil comes every day. There are evil forces trying to keep us down and defeated so that no more will find Jesus, so that when Jesus does comes our reward will be less than what it ought to be and there will be less people to enter the gates of heaven because Satan and his schemes have kept our hearts corrupted with bad thoughts and attitudes that keeps us from testifying of the love of Christ in us. His presence fully alive in us is crucial to His kingdom and His holiness within us. Don’t let him devour you and the joy of your salvation. Don’t give away the Power that is at work in you. Stand firm and fight the good fight of faith; praise and worship the Lord your God and rise in victory over the battles you come against. The victory is in His presence, live in the continuous victory through continuous praise and worship
We are the dwelling place of God, the ark that carries His presence, worship and praise God, dance in the street like David every six steps. Give Him the praise and the glory all day long!
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston | ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
My Devotion
My Heart
Every Six Steps
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the city of David with rejoicing. When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all His might, what He and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 2Samuel 6:12-15
To carry the ark of the Lord was a great burden and privilege, with that responsibility came great awareness of who God was and is. The ark had been stolen and had not been with the people for a long time, it had been a long time since they had possession of it. I’m no historian, but even though things aren’t holy, they can help us to relate to the holiness of God and where He chooses to dwell, Today you and I are the ark of the Lord. WE are sacred like the ark was to the people of Israel because Jesus came to live in us the moment we accepted Him. Every time the ark was brought into their camp or moved, great shouts of praise and worship and honor was given to God. David took thirty thousand men to go get the ark and bring it back to the people as they began to return home the verse says those that carried the ark took six steps and worshipped and praised God. I’m not sure how far they had to travel, but I’m sure it took a while to get back home because they were praising God every six steps meant they were continuously praising God for His return to them. Have you ever heard the saying life is not about the destination, but the journey.
I am on a journey to the place where the Lord dwells. I am desperate for His presence in my life. It is what I think about all the time these days, but I fail in some way every day. I allow everything else to be first in my life. I get up with every good intention, but so quickly the unfolding agenda of the day captures my mind and heart. Before I realize it my mouth is pouring out filth of complaining and arguments, instead of worship and praise and encouragement. I find myself in the pit of resentment and disappointment instead of contentment and peace. Just as quickly as the ugly moves in the guilt and shame moves in and I have to go back and make apologies for things I said in a desperate attempt of venting it out of my system. My heart needs a remodel, a total reconstruction…
For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, you whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness. Matthew 6:21-23
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in Him. Matthew 12:34-35
I cry in my spirit for the evil thoughts I allow to flow out of me. Father forgive me, where I fail to bring light by the words I speak for allowing my heart to be darkened by the abundance of negativity, jealousy and fear that ultimately keeps me from your presence. How many times a day are any of us guilty of allowing darkness to pour out by the bad things we think. Its ugly like a thick crusty scab of a wound on the skin. I want no more of it poisoning my heart and attitude. So how do we get rid of the darkness, bad thoughts, bad attitudes, and sin that flows from our mouth because our hearts have become corrupted?
There is only one way and that is through abiding constantly in His presence and His presence abiding in us. Before you argue that if we have accepted Christ He is always with us and in us. While that is true, the question is; how much are we allowing Christ to live out loud in us. Yes we keep him quietly tucked away until the next crisis, but rarely allow Him to have TOTAL CONTROL of our every thought, movement, and action. We have to actively, consciously remove any unclean and unacceptable thing from our heart and replace it with the fullness of God. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 Be careful this is the place where it hurts and the battle rages against us. The struggle to cleanse our heart from evil will be a messy battle because we are not only battling against ourselves, but every force of evil will rise up and fight against us because the cleaner we become the more of Christ is evident in us and their imminent defeat is drawn closer. Jesus has already won the war against Satan and his evil demons, but while we are here we must face their force every day. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then…Ephesians 6:12-14
Ladies and Gentlemen the day of evil comes every day. There are evil forces trying to keep us down and defeated so that no more will find Jesus, so that when Jesus does comes our reward will be less than what it ought to be and there will be less people to enter the gates of heaven because Satan and his schemes have kept our hearts corrupted with bad thoughts and attitudes that keeps us from testifying of the love of Christ in us. His presence fully alive in us is crucial to His kingdom and His holiness within us. Don’t let him devour you and the joy of your salvation. Don’t give away the Power that is at work in you. Stand firm and fight the good fight of faith; praise and worship the Lord your God and rise in victory over the battles you come against. The victory is in His presence, live in the continuous victory through continuous praise and worship
We are the dwelling place of God, the ark that carries His presence, worship and praise God, dance in the street like David every six steps. Give Him the praise and the glory all day long!
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston | ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Everything else...
My Devotion
My Heart
Everything else…
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
I wrote not too long ago about what we get out of getting closer to God. What’s really in it for us? What do we get out of seeking Him first, asking Him first? Most of what we want or think we need we can get on our own, right? With a little hard work and determination we can do most everything on our own, right? Well that’s a delusion the world wants you to believe and for the most part we have but even our abilities and determination are gifts from the one who created us. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 Every good thing we think we’ve done on our own was still a gift from God.
Jesus asked a very straightforward question; What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26) Yet that is exactly the very trap we fall into, giving up our families, our very lives just trying to get ahead or to provide all the amenities of this world for our family when the key to life is life filled with Christ. Do you really think Jesus would just ask a rhetorical question for the sake of argument? We trade our soul every time we chase after something that is less than what God wants to give to us. Instead of taking God literally for what He says…”seek Him first.” We think we have to chase the illusive American dream.
It is completely about getting to know the perfect gift giver, not about what we can get for ourselves. We work way too hard at what is not even important in the grand scheme of life. What are your hopes? What are your dreams? What are you working for? What do you want? Now where are you looking to find your hopes and dreams? There is only one door that holds every dream you dream and even the ones you don’t even know you’re dreaming of. Jesus is the only one who can open the door. Ask Him for guidance. Seek His way to find His door of opportunity. Knock and it will be opened for you. There is only one way to life that you hope for, and that is through Jesus. He said; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7
It is all about knowing HIM first…then…everything else will come.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Heart
Everything else…
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
I wrote not too long ago about what we get out of getting closer to God. What’s really in it for us? What do we get out of seeking Him first, asking Him first? Most of what we want or think we need we can get on our own, right? With a little hard work and determination we can do most everything on our own, right? Well that’s a delusion the world wants you to believe and for the most part we have but even our abilities and determination are gifts from the one who created us. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 Every good thing we think we’ve done on our own was still a gift from God.
Jesus asked a very straightforward question; What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16:26) Yet that is exactly the very trap we fall into, giving up our families, our very lives just trying to get ahead or to provide all the amenities of this world for our family when the key to life is life filled with Christ. Do you really think Jesus would just ask a rhetorical question for the sake of argument? We trade our soul every time we chase after something that is less than what God wants to give to us. Instead of taking God literally for what He says…”seek Him first.” We think we have to chase the illusive American dream.
It is completely about getting to know the perfect gift giver, not about what we can get for ourselves. We work way too hard at what is not even important in the grand scheme of life. What are your hopes? What are your dreams? What are you working for? What do you want? Now where are you looking to find your hopes and dreams? There is only one door that holds every dream you dream and even the ones you don’t even know you’re dreaming of. Jesus is the only one who can open the door. Ask Him for guidance. Seek His way to find His door of opportunity. Knock and it will be opened for you. There is only one way to life that you hope for, and that is through Jesus. He said; “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7
It is all about knowing HIM first…then…everything else will come.
In HIS Time
Teresa
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Good Sunday morning!
I have posted some of my latest devotionals recently, but rarely do I post what is going on directly in my mind and in my life. My devotionals are a direct result of that is going on in my world, in my thoughts and feelings and in my activities and relationships. It is my goal and desire to relate to others that life is life, we are all going through similar struggles and victories. Good and bad are all a part of life, but we get so distracted by the newsmakers we end up thinking we are the only ones with average lives and average problems, that God it too busy with all the catastrophes going on in the world. I'm here to speak out that we outnumber the newsmakers and God cares about each and every one with as much passion and love that He has and that is more than we can imagine. So if you are reading this and other posts, thank you and God bless you. Allow me to encourage you to press on, lean fully on Him and He will take you through your life and even though we may not make the evening news or entertainment weekly, God knows and more than that we have His loving attention. So go through your day with this thought "God is interested in what I am doing and how I feel."
In HIS Time
Teresa
I have posted some of my latest devotionals recently, but rarely do I post what is going on directly in my mind and in my life. My devotionals are a direct result of that is going on in my world, in my thoughts and feelings and in my activities and relationships. It is my goal and desire to relate to others that life is life, we are all going through similar struggles and victories. Good and bad are all a part of life, but we get so distracted by the newsmakers we end up thinking we are the only ones with average lives and average problems, that God it too busy with all the catastrophes going on in the world. I'm here to speak out that we outnumber the newsmakers and God cares about each and every one with as much passion and love that He has and that is more than we can imagine. So if you are reading this and other posts, thank you and God bless you. Allow me to encourage you to press on, lean fully on Him and He will take you through your life and even though we may not make the evening news or entertainment weekly, God knows and more than that we have His loving attention. So go through your day with this thought "God is interested in what I am doing and how I feel."
In HIS Time
Teresa
June 13, 2010
My Devotion
My Heart
ADHD Christianity
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody 1Thessalonians 4:11-12.
How focused are you? As a teacher I am well acquainted with talk about the disorder Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. My personal opinion is that in this day and age we could all be diagnosed with one or the other. As for me, I think both disorders take their turn swapping places, sometimes I suffer from ADD I just can’t stay focused on the task at hand. I get distracted by other thoughts and I just drag through my day without getting anything accomplished. It just happened…I’m writing and all of a sudden my mind clicks to the date and then to my plans for the next three weeks.
Then there are times when the ADHD kicks in and I’m bouncing from one activity to another like a ping pong ball out of control. Comically we can all look at this with humor as we mentally watch ourselves like an old cartoon. We all can relate, I think. I also think it is a very small number of people who are naturally good at staying focused and on task until each job is complete, why else has there been so many things invented to keep us on task, it’s a multi-billion dollar business.
Our way of life has dictated that we multi-task everything, we have to combine our work life, our family life, and even our spiritual life all into one activity in order to hopefully get anything accomplished. Why else do you think we see so many moms and dads at their children’s functions and activities with their phones to their ears or their techno-whatever in their hands working on something else. It has only been in recent years that at the beginning of every play or concert the director or announcer requests that all phones be turned off or on silent during the performance, what is really sad is now it is even posted on the big screen of churches as a reminder to the congregation to do the same during the worship service. And we wonder why stress is the number one cause of all our physical and mental problems.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:17 I think we could add “what cut in on you?” We are bombarded 24/7 not only with the information highway, it has now turned in to cyberspace and there are no limitations. We are on information overload, it is no wonder ADD and ADHD are so prevalent it is more than one mind or body can do. Yet we try, we are so busy trying to catch up we completely miss our life altogether.
But this is only a fraction of the problem, the other major problem is in the mirror. It is you and me. We are the biggest obstacle to living the life we are supposed to live. I allow my attention disorders to control me instead of controlling them. Please don’t get me wrong, I know that these are very real disorders, I have worked with children who suffer from it and I know adults who suffer from it, it is very real, but I also know in minor forms plagues us all and can become a major pitfall if we don’t do something about it. The verse above says make it your ambition to live a quiet life, taking care of your business. I fall short of this a lot because there is nothing quiet about my life at all…and if it does get quiet, something must be wrong.
We know the verse that tells us that God knows His plans for us, but are you of the mindset that if God has plans for us they must be big plans? After all God is God, He is Almighty and all that you know. So when we learn of these plans we get ourselves busy trying to figure out all His BIG plans and start listening for the trumpet call announcement of what those plans are. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…” No that couldn’t be God’s plans, we are supposed to be advancing the kingdom, doing as much as we possibly can, right? Yes, sort of. The hardest part these days for most of the population is leading a quiet life and even harder than that is minding your own business. C’mon, you know it is true, it is so much easier to be all up in someone else’s business than taking care of our own boring quiet life. Example, the popularity of FaceBook and other networking sites. If we are not careful we can addict ourselves to knowing what is going on with our friends. It is yet one more distracting tool that has the potential to keep us from minding our business and leading a quiet life.
If we can master the small things we will be given bigger things. So if you’ve ever wondered, as I have, why God has not given us more to do in His plan maybe we should look at what we are doing now? Remember God will never give us more than we can bear, the job He has planned for us may never be ours if we can’t be good stewards of what He has already given us to do. You are exactly where you are supposed to be at this exact moment in time, where you go from here and when is not in His time, but when you decide to move forward. God can’t open a door before you get to it and He can’t close a door if you don’t walk through it. Focus, follow the plan, do what you’re given to do. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and mind your own business…and your business will grow and your life will be productive for the kingdom and glory of God.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston | ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
My Devotion
My Heart
ADHD Christianity
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody 1Thessalonians 4:11-12.
How focused are you? As a teacher I am well acquainted with talk about the disorder Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. My personal opinion is that in this day and age we could all be diagnosed with one or the other. As for me, I think both disorders take their turn swapping places, sometimes I suffer from ADD I just can’t stay focused on the task at hand. I get distracted by other thoughts and I just drag through my day without getting anything accomplished. It just happened…I’m writing and all of a sudden my mind clicks to the date and then to my plans for the next three weeks.
Then there are times when the ADHD kicks in and I’m bouncing from one activity to another like a ping pong ball out of control. Comically we can all look at this with humor as we mentally watch ourselves like an old cartoon. We all can relate, I think. I also think it is a very small number of people who are naturally good at staying focused and on task until each job is complete, why else has there been so many things invented to keep us on task, it’s a multi-billion dollar business.
Our way of life has dictated that we multi-task everything, we have to combine our work life, our family life, and even our spiritual life all into one activity in order to hopefully get anything accomplished. Why else do you think we see so many moms and dads at their children’s functions and activities with their phones to their ears or their techno-whatever in their hands working on something else. It has only been in recent years that at the beginning of every play or concert the director or announcer requests that all phones be turned off or on silent during the performance, what is really sad is now it is even posted on the big screen of churches as a reminder to the congregation to do the same during the worship service. And we wonder why stress is the number one cause of all our physical and mental problems.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:17 I think we could add “what cut in on you?” We are bombarded 24/7 not only with the information highway, it has now turned in to cyberspace and there are no limitations. We are on information overload, it is no wonder ADD and ADHD are so prevalent it is more than one mind or body can do. Yet we try, we are so busy trying to catch up we completely miss our life altogether.
But this is only a fraction of the problem, the other major problem is in the mirror. It is you and me. We are the biggest obstacle to living the life we are supposed to live. I allow my attention disorders to control me instead of controlling them. Please don’t get me wrong, I know that these are very real disorders, I have worked with children who suffer from it and I know adults who suffer from it, it is very real, but I also know in minor forms plagues us all and can become a major pitfall if we don’t do something about it. The verse above says make it your ambition to live a quiet life, taking care of your business. I fall short of this a lot because there is nothing quiet about my life at all…and if it does get quiet, something must be wrong.
We know the verse that tells us that God knows His plans for us, but are you of the mindset that if God has plans for us they must be big plans? After all God is God, He is Almighty and all that you know. So when we learn of these plans we get ourselves busy trying to figure out all His BIG plans and start listening for the trumpet call announcement of what those plans are. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…” No that couldn’t be God’s plans, we are supposed to be advancing the kingdom, doing as much as we possibly can, right? Yes, sort of. The hardest part these days for most of the population is leading a quiet life and even harder than that is minding your own business. C’mon, you know it is true, it is so much easier to be all up in someone else’s business than taking care of our own boring quiet life. Example, the popularity of FaceBook and other networking sites. If we are not careful we can addict ourselves to knowing what is going on with our friends. It is yet one more distracting tool that has the potential to keep us from minding our business and leading a quiet life.
If we can master the small things we will be given bigger things. So if you’ve ever wondered, as I have, why God has not given us more to do in His plan maybe we should look at what we are doing now? Remember God will never give us more than we can bear, the job He has planned for us may never be ours if we can’t be good stewards of what He has already given us to do. You are exactly where you are supposed to be at this exact moment in time, where you go from here and when is not in His time, but when you decide to move forward. God can’t open a door before you get to it and He can’t close a door if you don’t walk through it. Focus, follow the plan, do what you’re given to do. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and mind your own business…and your business will grow and your life will be productive for the kingdom and glory of God.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston | ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Waiting or Withhold?
My Devotion
My Heart
Waiting or Withhold?
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Oh Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11-12
Do you ever wonder, in comparison of course, why it seems like others are being blessed more than you are? First let me say that comparisons are just another form of judgments that we hide behind a lot. Our observations should be totally on ourselves not comparing ourselves to anyone but Christ. If we are focused and committed to pleasing God, then what does it matter what anyone else’s blessings are, except to rejoice for them and with them? I have also become a firm believer in the fact that all blessings are not material or physical. But we are so busy in trying to keep up with what we see, we completely forget all the blessings we do have.
Since we are so caught up in the comparison game and become jealous and envious because of what we see others getting, let’s look at the possibilities of how they received such blessings. There are two possible scenarios, one they could be living a life completely pleasing and blameless before God and God has opened the floodgate of blessings on them or they could be going about their life doing what they want when they want and working hard to appear to be blessed, but they are so stressed from the masquerade and hiding from the truth, they can’t stop because the lie is much easier to hide in than living in the truth is. The second scenario is short-lived and usually ends with a huge crash. People trying to live in a lie that they have so many blessings are more than likely up to their ears in debt and have gotten so addicted to the attention they think they are getting their demise is even greater.
Yes it is true that living a blameless life and pleasing God, does not always show immediate gratification in fact it gets really hard to keep it going, because we are always fighting the flesh for what we can see. Again I have to go to the words of Peter; In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:6-7
I have to work through this every day. There are things that I want to have and experience in this life and while God has been good to me all my life, my eyes just keep wandering to the things that this world dresses up and makes what I want look so good. I have even gotten so caught up in my desire for what I want I don’t even dream of the best thing, but will catch myself praying, God if you’ll just give me, that little shabby one over there or something like that…I don’t need much, I just want one of my own. Now I’m not even talking about the worldly things that are sinful like the obvious wild parties and the like, I’m talking about the things that are not harmful, like the great American dream, of cars, houses, clothes, travel and so on. These things are well and good, but I’ve heard of many people who have nearly sold their soul to attain such possessions, those aren’t blessings; they become the product of sin. Lust is not only limited to the lust of the body, we can lust for things just as easy and completely miss the blessings of God.
Psalm 84 tells us that NO GOOD THING does God withhold from those who walk is blameless and blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in God. It’s easy to trust in God when things are good and blessings abound both physically and spiritually, but what about those times that God feels so far away and we have to wait for His time, that is tough. Trusting God when we can’t see Him doing anything in our lives, no changes are being made, we aren’t moving forward and we aren’t moving backward, the blessings we can count are the ones we have had not the ones we are longing for. Be very careful that is exactly the time that our walk can end being blameless. It’s like we’ve worked an inner agreement, as long as I’m getting my way, I’ll be good, but the minute it gets hard and the blessings stop pouring from heaven I’m going to do it my way. God wants us to trust His heart more than we trust His had working where we can see it. God always has our best interest in His heart and He knows what is best for us. Remember He knows the future; He is already there. He knows every possible outcome and every ending to every possible way that we choose to go.
I have a question for you; Since when did life become about you? When did the purpose change? God created us for His good pleasure, we are for His good purpose so when someone tells you that God will bless you no matter what you do, don’t be fooled God will withhold blessings when we are out of His will and not living life pleasing to Him.
Now I’m not saying that because you are not being blessed right now with the good things you want that you aren’t walking blameless, I’m saying stand firm, keep walking, keep doing what you know is right, keep pressing on, the breakthrough is at hand, God will bless you when you trust in Him even when you can’t tell what He is doing. When it seems that He is silent or off busy doing something else…remember God is always here with you, His word says He will never leave you or forsake you. Sometimes to bring the blessing to you and me, many other things have to line up and be just right before the breakthrough can come through. This is why it is so very important that every person do everything that they know is right. God holds us accountable for what we understand at the level of understanding we are at. It takes time and effort to learn God’s word and apply it to your life, God will not punish you because you don’t completely understand the word of God. But He will instruct you and help you understand. Graduation is in the future, so keep studying, there will be a final exam and the questions will include what you did for Him while you were here? The redeemed will be judged for every action, thought, and word spoken.
Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debaucher; but be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart. At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:15-20(MSG)
See it’s not so hard, look it up God will show you the way, the truth, and the life. Every instruction and advice has been written in His word for you and I to access anytime we need it. Do what you know to do and get to know even more make every effort to make your walk blameless in God’s sight, no good thing will He withhold from you and blessed beyond measure you will be when you trust completely trust Him all the time. Is God withholding good things from you or are you just waiting for His perfect timing? When the tough gets going, the tougher hit their knees.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Heart
Waiting or Withhold?
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Oh Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11-12
Do you ever wonder, in comparison of course, why it seems like others are being blessed more than you are? First let me say that comparisons are just another form of judgments that we hide behind a lot. Our observations should be totally on ourselves not comparing ourselves to anyone but Christ. If we are focused and committed to pleasing God, then what does it matter what anyone else’s blessings are, except to rejoice for them and with them? I have also become a firm believer in the fact that all blessings are not material or physical. But we are so busy in trying to keep up with what we see, we completely forget all the blessings we do have.
Since we are so caught up in the comparison game and become jealous and envious because of what we see others getting, let’s look at the possibilities of how they received such blessings. There are two possible scenarios, one they could be living a life completely pleasing and blameless before God and God has opened the floodgate of blessings on them or they could be going about their life doing what they want when they want and working hard to appear to be blessed, but they are so stressed from the masquerade and hiding from the truth, they can’t stop because the lie is much easier to hide in than living in the truth is. The second scenario is short-lived and usually ends with a huge crash. People trying to live in a lie that they have so many blessings are more than likely up to their ears in debt and have gotten so addicted to the attention they think they are getting their demise is even greater.
Yes it is true that living a blameless life and pleasing God, does not always show immediate gratification in fact it gets really hard to keep it going, because we are always fighting the flesh for what we can see. Again I have to go to the words of Peter; In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:6-7
I have to work through this every day. There are things that I want to have and experience in this life and while God has been good to me all my life, my eyes just keep wandering to the things that this world dresses up and makes what I want look so good. I have even gotten so caught up in my desire for what I want I don’t even dream of the best thing, but will catch myself praying, God if you’ll just give me, that little shabby one over there or something like that…I don’t need much, I just want one of my own. Now I’m not even talking about the worldly things that are sinful like the obvious wild parties and the like, I’m talking about the things that are not harmful, like the great American dream, of cars, houses, clothes, travel and so on. These things are well and good, but I’ve heard of many people who have nearly sold their soul to attain such possessions, those aren’t blessings; they become the product of sin. Lust is not only limited to the lust of the body, we can lust for things just as easy and completely miss the blessings of God.
Psalm 84 tells us that NO GOOD THING does God withhold from those who walk is blameless and blessed is the man (woman) who trusts in God. It’s easy to trust in God when things are good and blessings abound both physically and spiritually, but what about those times that God feels so far away and we have to wait for His time, that is tough. Trusting God when we can’t see Him doing anything in our lives, no changes are being made, we aren’t moving forward and we aren’t moving backward, the blessings we can count are the ones we have had not the ones we are longing for. Be very careful that is exactly the time that our walk can end being blameless. It’s like we’ve worked an inner agreement, as long as I’m getting my way, I’ll be good, but the minute it gets hard and the blessings stop pouring from heaven I’m going to do it my way. God wants us to trust His heart more than we trust His had working where we can see it. God always has our best interest in His heart and He knows what is best for us. Remember He knows the future; He is already there. He knows every possible outcome and every ending to every possible way that we choose to go.
I have a question for you; Since when did life become about you? When did the purpose change? God created us for His good pleasure, we are for His good purpose so when someone tells you that God will bless you no matter what you do, don’t be fooled God will withhold blessings when we are out of His will and not living life pleasing to Him.
Now I’m not saying that because you are not being blessed right now with the good things you want that you aren’t walking blameless, I’m saying stand firm, keep walking, keep doing what you know is right, keep pressing on, the breakthrough is at hand, God will bless you when you trust in Him even when you can’t tell what He is doing. When it seems that He is silent or off busy doing something else…remember God is always here with you, His word says He will never leave you or forsake you. Sometimes to bring the blessing to you and me, many other things have to line up and be just right before the breakthrough can come through. This is why it is so very important that every person do everything that they know is right. God holds us accountable for what we understand at the level of understanding we are at. It takes time and effort to learn God’s word and apply it to your life, God will not punish you because you don’t completely understand the word of God. But He will instruct you and help you understand. Graduation is in the future, so keep studying, there will be a final exam and the questions will include what you did for Him while you were here? The redeemed will be judged for every action, thought, and word spoken.
Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debaucher; but be filled and stimulated with the Holy Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart. At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. Ephesians 5:15-20(MSG)
See it’s not so hard, look it up God will show you the way, the truth, and the life. Every instruction and advice has been written in His word for you and I to access anytime we need it. Do what you know to do and get to know even more make every effort to make your walk blameless in God’s sight, no good thing will He withhold from you and blessed beyond measure you will be when you trust completely trust Him all the time. Is God withholding good things from you or are you just waiting for His perfect timing? When the tough gets going, the tougher hit their knees.
In HIS Time
Teresa
Sunday, May 16, 2010
From the Cross to the Crown
My Devotion
My Heart
From the Cross to the Crown
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25
Why do we have to suffer so much? Go through so many trials of every kind? Life seems to be one battle after another; why? If God sent His son to save the world and not condemn it shouldn’t all the struggle be over? As long as we live in an imperfect world still full of greed and sin, good will always battle bad. It won’t always be like this, Jesus came first to offer us salvation and a new life in Him, He is coming back to take us to the perfect life and place He is preparing for us where there will be no more pain, sickness, disappointments, sorry, grief, or any other hardship known to us now. We can rest in the truth that any condemnation we may endure now is not from God. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
As long as we live here before Christ returns again to claim us, we will struggle, but because we live according to the Spirit we have a spiritual weapon that is more powerful than just being law-abiding citizens. When we live only by the law, we die by the law, because of our weak sinful nature it is impossible to follow the law perfectly, but when we allow the Spirit to have full, total, and complete access to our heart, mind, and soul we are powerful to even follow the law that we can’t even quote. There are so many rules and regulations and new laws being written every day in an attempt to keep everyone safe and fair there is no way we can know every single one of them, but if we have Christ in our heart and we rely on Him we can be perfect law abiding citizens.
Jesus tells us that we have to take up our cross daily and follow Him. He is the perfect example of a perfect life. He said that He did nothing without the Father telling Him what to do. Jesus was in perfect communication and listened to the Father intently about how to live, what to say and what to do in each and every situation all the time. Jesus said if we are to follow Him, we have to give up everything we know and love and take up our cross. Ok, does that mean we have to completely walk away from the life we know, the people we love, and all that we have worked for? Maybe, or maybe not. What it does mean is that we have to be willing to do whatever God tells us to do. That is why it is important to know Him as well as possible. Accepting Christ as your personal savior is only the beginning. Living as Christ is the goal; becoming so in tune with Him that our old self is no longer recognizable.
Have you ever noticed that everything worth achieving or doing is like an endurance race? The easy stuff comes and goes like the wind, but the stuff that means so much, that gives us a sense of accomplishment or is more precious than anything is hard or comes with a great struggle or endurance? Getting a higher education takes time, effort and test after test then one day you receive a degree that proves you’ve earned it, it wasn’t given to you, you worked hard through the struggles with administration, demanding professors, work that seemed pointless, you endured it all and accomplished what many do not. To become successful in business you have to climb a long ladder of endurance, work long hours, do jobs no one else is willing to do, every owner of any business knows the difficulty in making it successful, weariness is your closest companion. What about giving birth? Now that’s an endurance that is long, hard, uncomfortable and very painful to get through, but what you hold in your arms is a prize that is so worth every sleepless night and sick morning for nine long months.
We all have a cross to carry, a hardship to bear, a life to sacrifice. No God isn’t saying we are to be crucified in the same way Christ was crucified, but we are to crucify everything that isn’t pleasing to Him and commit our way and everything we do to Him. Jesus endured the cross because that is what God sent Him to do and now He sits on the throne next to His Father. Whatever it is that you are suffering through in Jesus name, there is a crown of life to gain. We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-6 The opposition and struggle we face is nothing to the love God has poured into our hearts and the life we live in Christ. It’s not even about the suffering, it’s the victory through the suffering that illuminates His glory in our life. Everything we go through is nothing compared to what Christ went through for our sake.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 Jesus suffered so much more than you and I can even imagine and what we do go through is very small in comparison, so then when we consider all that Jesus did, we don’t lose heart and we don’t grow weary, because the life and crown we will receive because we have taken up our cross will be the ultimate prize that everything else we thought mattered will completely disappear in the light of His glory.
Life is the time of the cross we must bear to get to the crown we will gladly lay at His feet and live forever praising Him. Weeping will last for the night, but unspeakable joy will come in the morning. Hold on, and press through the crown is on its way.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
My Heart
From the Cross to the Crown
By Teresa Preston Jenkins
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25
Why do we have to suffer so much? Go through so many trials of every kind? Life seems to be one battle after another; why? If God sent His son to save the world and not condemn it shouldn’t all the struggle be over? As long as we live in an imperfect world still full of greed and sin, good will always battle bad. It won’t always be like this, Jesus came first to offer us salvation and a new life in Him, He is coming back to take us to the perfect life and place He is preparing for us where there will be no more pain, sickness, disappointments, sorry, grief, or any other hardship known to us now. We can rest in the truth that any condemnation we may endure now is not from God. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
As long as we live here before Christ returns again to claim us, we will struggle, but because we live according to the Spirit we have a spiritual weapon that is more powerful than just being law-abiding citizens. When we live only by the law, we die by the law, because of our weak sinful nature it is impossible to follow the law perfectly, but when we allow the Spirit to have full, total, and complete access to our heart, mind, and soul we are powerful to even follow the law that we can’t even quote. There are so many rules and regulations and new laws being written every day in an attempt to keep everyone safe and fair there is no way we can know every single one of them, but if we have Christ in our heart and we rely on Him we can be perfect law abiding citizens.
Jesus tells us that we have to take up our cross daily and follow Him. He is the perfect example of a perfect life. He said that He did nothing without the Father telling Him what to do. Jesus was in perfect communication and listened to the Father intently about how to live, what to say and what to do in each and every situation all the time. Jesus said if we are to follow Him, we have to give up everything we know and love and take up our cross. Ok, does that mean we have to completely walk away from the life we know, the people we love, and all that we have worked for? Maybe, or maybe not. What it does mean is that we have to be willing to do whatever God tells us to do. That is why it is important to know Him as well as possible. Accepting Christ as your personal savior is only the beginning. Living as Christ is the goal; becoming so in tune with Him that our old self is no longer recognizable.
Have you ever noticed that everything worth achieving or doing is like an endurance race? The easy stuff comes and goes like the wind, but the stuff that means so much, that gives us a sense of accomplishment or is more precious than anything is hard or comes with a great struggle or endurance? Getting a higher education takes time, effort and test after test then one day you receive a degree that proves you’ve earned it, it wasn’t given to you, you worked hard through the struggles with administration, demanding professors, work that seemed pointless, you endured it all and accomplished what many do not. To become successful in business you have to climb a long ladder of endurance, work long hours, do jobs no one else is willing to do, every owner of any business knows the difficulty in making it successful, weariness is your closest companion. What about giving birth? Now that’s an endurance that is long, hard, uncomfortable and very painful to get through, but what you hold in your arms is a prize that is so worth every sleepless night and sick morning for nine long months.
We all have a cross to carry, a hardship to bear, a life to sacrifice. No God isn’t saying we are to be crucified in the same way Christ was crucified, but we are to crucify everything that isn’t pleasing to Him and commit our way and everything we do to Him. Jesus endured the cross because that is what God sent Him to do and now He sits on the throne next to His Father. Whatever it is that you are suffering through in Jesus name, there is a crown of life to gain. We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-6 The opposition and struggle we face is nothing to the love God has poured into our hearts and the life we live in Christ. It’s not even about the suffering, it’s the victory through the suffering that illuminates His glory in our life. Everything we go through is nothing compared to what Christ went through for our sake.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3 Jesus suffered so much more than you and I can even imagine and what we do go through is very small in comparison, so then when we consider all that Jesus did, we don’t lose heart and we don’t grow weary, because the life and crown we will receive because we have taken up our cross will be the ultimate prize that everything else we thought mattered will completely disappear in the light of His glory.
Life is the time of the cross we must bear to get to the crown we will gladly lay at His feet and live forever praising Him. Weeping will last for the night, but unspeakable joy will come in the morning. Hold on, and press through the crown is on its way.
In HIS Time
Teresa
My Devotion, My Heart by Teresa Preston ISBN # 978-1-61566-460-3
http://mydevotionmyheart.blogspot.com
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