Going back again to another day's devotional from "Jesus Calling", the topic was "life-clutter." And most of us have it. I know I have too too much of it. You know, the endless to-do lists that steals time and occupies mind space, even when we are with the Lord. It kind of floats in the back of your mind while you are studying or praying, sometimes even squeezing Jesus out completely!
The reading reminded me of Luke 10:41-4: And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Martha had been running around, working, fixing, making sure everything was done and ready for the dinner party while Mary was just sitting at the feet of Jesus, basking in His presence and listening to Him speak. And while I could certainly argue in favor of Martha (stuff had to get done, right?), I believe that putting Jesus first, and then serving is what He was asking for. Perhaps spending a little time at the feet of Jesus would have freed Martha's attitude to serve with joy. I am not condemning this hard working woman, I am in her shoes all too often. It's just that like Martha, my attitude in service is not one of joy, but of duty and then resentment because I don't take the time to sit at the Master's feet and gain His direction, strength and peace to guide my day. This has been a battle for me over the years. Geez I am a slow learner !!!
If I choose to focus on the never ending list of chores and errands and projects--the one good thing gets crowed out. But if I choose instead, to put Jesus first not just in my time, but in my thoughts, His presence will not be taken away from me.
Lord, help me to put this into practice today.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Asked and Answered
It's been a bit since I posted....the holiday madness, topped off with a computer that has been giving me problems, well it seems like everything is giving me problems these days, and my attitude has reflected that. But God has been faithful, putting up with me and still speaking, visiting and extending His hand in loving care. Some day I am going to get this and NOT let go like I do so often now.
One of the devotionals I read in the last couple of weeks spoke of letting Jesus fill the empty spaces inside of me while I sit in His presence. Empty spaces? I don't think I have them....I have plenty of spaces filled with disappointment, anger and bitterness, but they sure aren't empty! What I want is those spaces to be filled with His love, joy and peace!! I want His righteousness and purity to fill my heart and being!!
So I prayed this. I pray for Him to replace all the negative, life strangling, joy stealing emotions with His peace filled, all encompassing loving presence. I pray for righteousness, for joy, to be able to love others, and to be able to love God with all my heart.
I looked up the first verse the devotional was based on. And here is the "answered" part of this visit:
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
That is not usually what happens. I don't regularly get a verse given right after I pray for something. But it did this time and I was amazed and thrilled. God is so kind and loving. How blessed am I?
The Lord promises me, and all who desire righteousness in their lives, that we will be filled. It surely doesn't seem to happen overnight. Right-ness of heart and life will be an ongoing process until Jesus returns or we are called home. But God promises it will happen!! And the more time I spend with Him the more He will change my dark spaces to His light filled home.
Lord, thank You for answering the cry of my heart. Thank You for Your promises and for comforting Your struggling child. Help me to step out of the dark prison of my heart and walk with You in the light, walking across the water in the beautiful plan You have for my life, freely, not minding the waves or the wind. Let me not forget You are with me. Let me let go of the negative that holds my heart and embrace Your peaceful, joy-filled presence that You desire to fill me with instead. In Jesus holy and precious name. Amen.
One of the devotionals I read in the last couple of weeks spoke of letting Jesus fill the empty spaces inside of me while I sit in His presence. Empty spaces? I don't think I have them....I have plenty of spaces filled with disappointment, anger and bitterness, but they sure aren't empty! What I want is those spaces to be filled with His love, joy and peace!! I want His righteousness and purity to fill my heart and being!!
So I prayed this. I pray for Him to replace all the negative, life strangling, joy stealing emotions with His peace filled, all encompassing loving presence. I pray for righteousness, for joy, to be able to love others, and to be able to love God with all my heart.
I looked up the first verse the devotional was based on. And here is the "answered" part of this visit:
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.
That is not usually what happens. I don't regularly get a verse given right after I pray for something. But it did this time and I was amazed and thrilled. God is so kind and loving. How blessed am I?
The Lord promises me, and all who desire righteousness in their lives, that we will be filled. It surely doesn't seem to happen overnight. Right-ness of heart and life will be an ongoing process until Jesus returns or we are called home. But God promises it will happen!! And the more time I spend with Him the more He will change my dark spaces to His light filled home.
Lord, thank You for answering the cry of my heart. Thank You for Your promises and for comforting Your struggling child. Help me to step out of the dark prison of my heart and walk with You in the light, walking across the water in the beautiful plan You have for my life, freely, not minding the waves or the wind. Let me not forget You are with me. Let me let go of the negative that holds my heart and embrace Your peaceful, joy-filled presence that You desire to fill me with instead. In Jesus holy and precious name. Amen.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Dreams
Everyone is supposed to have dreams, right. Aspirations, desire for the future, plans....Well for me that really is not something I am comfortable with. I always think of myself as being "dreamless." I mean, I figure what's the point. I can't ever remember one really coming true. And the reasons for that vary, but mostly I blame myself. Whatever desires for the future I had when I was young fell by the wayside long ago, lost in the turns of life, living now it seems in regret and the need to get through the day. Dreams of animals and art so long gone. This does not mean to say that God isn't good and hasn't done good by me. And that I am not grateful for all His love, His care, and His blessing in my life. And in reality I do have a wonderful place I get to work with cats. I have to admit that in some small way that dream actually came true. Hmmm, I guess I better think about that. But by and large things have not turned out like I planned (I know that's true for many), so for me the word "dream" sense fear through my heart, and I shut down.
So when a dear friend gave me a Joyce Meyer devotional for my birthday and the very first one was on Dreams.....well I couldn't even read it. I went straight for page 2!! LOL But God was not to be denied! He was going to get this dream thing across to me in spite of myself!
Fast forward to the next day....I picked up another devotional that I've fallen in love with...."Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. And yes, you guessed it......the day's passage was on dreams. UGH!!! Really Lord??? The first two sentences: "I am working on your behalf. Bring Me all your concerns, including your dreams." Oh my goodness. I was stunned to say the least. Does this mean Jesus wants me to have plans and hopes for the future? Does He want me to have somewhere to go, a dream to pursue, to trust Him with? It terrifies me. Remember I said I blame myself for not realizing my younger self's ambitions? Well it's the same here. I am afraid if I look to the future with a desire, I will in the same way I have always not have the follow through. Or barring that, life will happen to steal it away.
But I really feel the Lord is telling me to dream. And then to bring it to Him. I can't tell you how fearful I am at this. The thoughts of past disappointment and present day regrets weigh me down and harden my heart to this process. I think God is visiting here to let me know to open up. And maybe He is doing that for you as well. Open up our hearts to the dreams HE wants for us. Dreams He wants to put inside us and work toward with us.
Something I was reminded of when I went back to the Joyce Meyer devotional book (and yes I read the first one on having a dream) is the verse Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Good plans. The Lord's plans. He has them, even when I don't, when I can't.
Thank You Lord for pursuing this with me. For not letting me get away with having no dreams. I know I am scared to death. But You are with me. Immanuel. Help me to aspire, to have a place to go to. A vision for the future that You put in my heart and that we work on together. Where will we go.....
So when a dear friend gave me a Joyce Meyer devotional for my birthday and the very first one was on Dreams.....well I couldn't even read it. I went straight for page 2!! LOL But God was not to be denied! He was going to get this dream thing across to me in spite of myself!
Fast forward to the next day....I picked up another devotional that I've fallen in love with...."Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. And yes, you guessed it......the day's passage was on dreams. UGH!!! Really Lord??? The first two sentences: "I am working on your behalf. Bring Me all your concerns, including your dreams." Oh my goodness. I was stunned to say the least. Does this mean Jesus wants me to have plans and hopes for the future? Does He want me to have somewhere to go, a dream to pursue, to trust Him with? It terrifies me. Remember I said I blame myself for not realizing my younger self's ambitions? Well it's the same here. I am afraid if I look to the future with a desire, I will in the same way I have always not have the follow through. Or barring that, life will happen to steal it away.
But I really feel the Lord is telling me to dream. And then to bring it to Him. I can't tell you how fearful I am at this. The thoughts of past disappointment and present day regrets weigh me down and harden my heart to this process. I think God is visiting here to let me know to open up. And maybe He is doing that for you as well. Open up our hearts to the dreams HE wants for us. Dreams He wants to put inside us and work toward with us.
Something I was reminded of when I went back to the Joyce Meyer devotional book (and yes I read the first one on having a dream) is the verse Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Good plans. The Lord's plans. He has them, even when I don't, when I can't.
Thank You Lord for pursuing this with me. For not letting me get away with having no dreams. I know I am scared to death. But You are with me. Immanuel. Help me to aspire, to have a place to go to. A vision for the future that You put in my heart and that we work on together. Where will we go.....
Cats, and Blue tooths
I have 3 different God visits to talk about...that explains the odd title today. There are of varying importance. Maybe importance is not the right word. I kind of think it should be noted that our God is wonderfully involved in every part of our days, whether the matter be small or big, deep or light.
My cats. As I sit here typing, I have one cat that always loves to come and hang out with me at this time of the day. Emma loves to cuddle now (of course I am trying to do my Bible study and prayer time...LOL). She purrs and purrs, sits on my lap and snuggles up close, eyes closed in pure happiness. The rest of the day, she is hit or miss as to whether she wants attention. Noah on the other hand, has very few times a day he wants human attention. He enjoys playing with me, but the petting and hugging and loving sessions are much fewer and ONLY on his schedule! Usually when he wants something to eat. LOL My oldest, Spotty, loves affection the most. My "hardened" street cat is for the most part the biggest must going.
So as I sat here with Emma, I thought about it. There is no difference in my love for them. Each one holds my heart, fills my heart. And then it came to me...it's the same with the Lord. No matter what kind of "child" we are to Him, we hold and fill His heart as well. Each one of us is the apple of His eye. I hold His heart. I, someone who feels like such an abysmal failure as a Christian, is loved just the same as the one who seems to get it right all the time. I love this concept. And I love the way God uses my animals to teach me about Himself. No need to doubt His love when I mess up for the 1000th time that day. Thank You Lord for yet another visit, another reminder of Your love for me. And for each one of you!
Now on to the blue tooth. Is blue tooth one word or two? Beats me. Anyways, two nights ago I once again lost my blue tooth. Readers, you have no idea how many blue toothes I lose!! I just bought this one a couple of weeks ago because I lost the previous one. UGH!!!!
Well, it seems those same cats that I love so very much, were the culprits this time. Of course I prayed to the Lord, please please please let me find my blue tooth. I know I had it, I spoke to a friend when I got home from work. Where in the heck could it be!?!?! Well I got up yesterday morning and lo and behold in the middle of the bedroom floor was my little device I had so earnestly searched for the day before. I am guessing my little darlings thought it made a great toy. I was so thankful. I really, really did not want to spend money on another one.
Thank You Lord for reminders of Your love and Your care. I leave you with this verse, a prayer for each of us.
Ephesians 3:17-21 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
My cats. As I sit here typing, I have one cat that always loves to come and hang out with me at this time of the day. Emma loves to cuddle now (of course I am trying to do my Bible study and prayer time...LOL). She purrs and purrs, sits on my lap and snuggles up close, eyes closed in pure happiness. The rest of the day, she is hit or miss as to whether she wants attention. Noah on the other hand, has very few times a day he wants human attention. He enjoys playing with me, but the petting and hugging and loving sessions are much fewer and ONLY on his schedule! Usually when he wants something to eat. LOL My oldest, Spotty, loves affection the most. My "hardened" street cat is for the most part the biggest must going.
So as I sat here with Emma, I thought about it. There is no difference in my love for them. Each one holds my heart, fills my heart. And then it came to me...it's the same with the Lord. No matter what kind of "child" we are to Him, we hold and fill His heart as well. Each one of us is the apple of His eye. I hold His heart. I, someone who feels like such an abysmal failure as a Christian, is loved just the same as the one who seems to get it right all the time. I love this concept. And I love the way God uses my animals to teach me about Himself. No need to doubt His love when I mess up for the 1000th time that day. Thank You Lord for yet another visit, another reminder of Your love for me. And for each one of you!
Now on to the blue tooth. Is blue tooth one word or two? Beats me. Anyways, two nights ago I once again lost my blue tooth. Readers, you have no idea how many blue toothes I lose!! I just bought this one a couple of weeks ago because I lost the previous one. UGH!!!!
Well, it seems those same cats that I love so very much, were the culprits this time. Of course I prayed to the Lord, please please please let me find my blue tooth. I know I had it, I spoke to a friend when I got home from work. Where in the heck could it be!?!?! Well I got up yesterday morning and lo and behold in the middle of the bedroom floor was my little device I had so earnestly searched for the day before. I am guessing my little darlings thought it made a great toy. I was so thankful. I really, really did not want to spend money on another one.
Thank You Lord for reminders of Your love and Your care. I leave you with this verse, a prayer for each of us.
Ephesians 3:17-21 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Happy Birthday to Me!!
Got the best best best gift from Jesus today! The reminder of His presence. Always. All the time. Through all things.
I have this new devotional. And I was excited to see what the reading for today was. (You know what usually happens, you look at the readings on your birthday only to find some obscure words that seem to have nothing to do with your life and your left scratching your dead in confusion and disappointment). Well that was not the case today and I am blown away by God's visit with me today.
I started out by saying I wanted a verse for my new year. And I have the verse Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. That is what I want to work on, strive for, take hold of and live out this upcoming year. Geez, I have a long way to go!! But through the power of the Holy Spirit I will get there !!
And then the devotional reading. The first line: "Let my presence override everything you experience." Wow. Everything has Jesus' presence, so in everything I am okay and cared for, in everything I am content.
The author then went on to speak about Jacob in the wilderness, sleeping with his head on a rock and dreaming dreams of angels and promises. He awakens and exclaims, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it." Jacob discovered that God was in the hard dry wilderness. How many times each day do I forget that when struggling with the big problems and the small annoyances? Well that is what the Lord is telling me to remember...His presence overrides everything...I'm here....be content.
It also occurred to me that I am to remember the Lord in the good times too, the times where blessing, peace and joy are flowing. He wants me to be aware of Him every moment. His presence overrides everything. It pervades each minute of the day...good and bad.
This was just the most amazing and sweet birthday gift. Lord, take me through this new year of my life, learning to experience Your presence each and every minute of the day. Raise my awareness and let my focus remain on You.
Psalm 31:20a You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence, from the plots of men.
I have this new devotional. And I was excited to see what the reading for today was. (You know what usually happens, you look at the readings on your birthday only to find some obscure words that seem to have nothing to do with your life and your left scratching your dead in confusion and disappointment). Well that was not the case today and I am blown away by God's visit with me today.
I started out by saying I wanted a verse for my new year. And I have the verse Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. That is what I want to work on, strive for, take hold of and live out this upcoming year. Geez, I have a long way to go!! But through the power of the Holy Spirit I will get there !!
And then the devotional reading. The first line: "Let my presence override everything you experience." Wow. Everything has Jesus' presence, so in everything I am okay and cared for, in everything I am content.
The author then went on to speak about Jacob in the wilderness, sleeping with his head on a rock and dreaming dreams of angels and promises. He awakens and exclaims, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it." Jacob discovered that God was in the hard dry wilderness. How many times each day do I forget that when struggling with the big problems and the small annoyances? Well that is what the Lord is telling me to remember...His presence overrides everything...I'm here....be content.
It also occurred to me that I am to remember the Lord in the good times too, the times where blessing, peace and joy are flowing. He wants me to be aware of Him every moment. His presence overrides everything. It pervades each minute of the day...good and bad.
This was just the most amazing and sweet birthday gift. Lord, take me through this new year of my life, learning to experience Your presence each and every minute of the day. Raise my awareness and let my focus remain on You.
Psalm 31:20a You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence, from the plots of men.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Mom's Journal- Born Again, Part 2
Born Again---it's a catch phrase for Christians. It sometimes stirs up thoughts of holy rollers and bigots who hate. That is not what it is meant to express. It is simple a term used by Jesus to describe the transition of those who put their trust in Him for salvation.
Here's Mom's thoughts.
To be saved-
Turn away from sin.
Believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life.
Repent-
Consider your life, turn away from everything that is contrary to what God wants.
Acknowledge-
Jesus Christ died on the Cross to cleanse you of sin. Take Him as your Savior, as the substitute who paid the price for your sin.
Matthew 3:7-10
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[a] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Romans 5:9-10
9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Titus 2:14
14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Acknowledge openly and verbally that Jesus is your Savior and Lord.
1 John 2:23
23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
New Birth - Born again
John 3:1-16
3 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[b] 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[c] 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[e] has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[f]
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
By faith, pray and receive eternal life in Jesus Christ.
To know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, pray this way--
"Ask Him to forgive you for the wrongs you have done. Ask Jesus to be in charge of your life, as Lord and give your life to Him"
Believe when you pray this way Jesus saves your and makes you His own.
I know, a lot of Scripture in here. Not a bad thing!! Take the time to read it and meditate and pray about it. The Bible says that all of us have sinned, we've all done things wrong and are not perfect. But God still loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Through Jesus that is possible. God is perfect and to approach Him we too must be perfect. We cannot achieve this on our own, that is why we need a Savior. And that is why God is so amazing. Because He Himself became flesh in the person of Christ to be that Savior. As we celebrate Christmas, the coming of Messiah, Christ the Lord, think about why He came. He came for YOU. Over the manager where the baby Jesus lay, was the shadow of the Cross...the reason He was here...to make us holy in the Father's sight by way of His death on the Cross. In a world where truth is twisted and turned, thrown away when inconvenient, the truth of God's love and His plan for our salvation remains unchanging, whether it is believed or not, and it is a secure foundation for our lives, both here and for eternity. Thank You for such a great salvation Lord.
Here's Mom's thoughts.
To be saved-
Turn away from sin.
Believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life.
Repent-
Consider your life, turn away from everything that is contrary to what God wants.
Acknowledge-
Jesus Christ died on the Cross to cleanse you of sin. Take Him as your Savior, as the substitute who paid the price for your sin.
Matthew 3:7-10
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize,[a] he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. 9 Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
Romans 5:9-10
9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Titus 2:14
14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Acknowledge openly and verbally that Jesus is your Savior and Lord.
1 John 2:23
23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
New Birth - Born again
John 3:1-16
3 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[b] 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[c] 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[e] has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[f]
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
By faith, pray and receive eternal life in Jesus Christ.
To know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, pray this way--
"Ask Him to forgive you for the wrongs you have done. Ask Jesus to be in charge of your life, as Lord and give your life to Him"
Believe when you pray this way Jesus saves your and makes you His own.
I know, a lot of Scripture in here. Not a bad thing!! Take the time to read it and meditate and pray about it. The Bible says that all of us have sinned, we've all done things wrong and are not perfect. But God still loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Through Jesus that is possible. God is perfect and to approach Him we too must be perfect. We cannot achieve this on our own, that is why we need a Savior. And that is why God is so amazing. Because He Himself became flesh in the person of Christ to be that Savior. As we celebrate Christmas, the coming of Messiah, Christ the Lord, think about why He came. He came for YOU. Over the manager where the baby Jesus lay, was the shadow of the Cross...the reason He was here...to make us holy in the Father's sight by way of His death on the Cross. In a world where truth is twisted and turned, thrown away when inconvenient, the truth of God's love and His plan for our salvation remains unchanging, whether it is believed or not, and it is a secure foundation for our lives, both here and for eternity. Thank You for such a great salvation Lord.
Mom's Journal: Born Again, Part 1
It's been a while since included an excerpt from Mom's Journal here. It's coming up to a year since she's was called home to the Lord. This was our first Thanksgiving without her, but she was remembered and missed. I am so thankful for the sense of family she gave to us and that we still carry on today. As I was saddened by her absence, the Lord reminded me Thanksgiving morning that she was now with Him, celebrating an eternal Thanksgiving.
Today's entry gives her thoughts and insights on being "Born Again." I am praying that it hits the hearts its meant to, that it opens them up for the Lord's loving presence to pervade. So here goes.
Born Again- a heavenly birth, a spiritual birth from above, our choosing a path to God.
An act by which God imparts spiritual life to one who chooses to trust Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For,“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
John 3:3-5
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
vs3- Jesus said- Most assuredly unless one is born again, he cannot see the kidom of God.
vs5 Most assuerdly, I (Jesus) say to you, "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
1 John 5:1-8
Faith in the Son of God
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
6 And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. 7 So we have these three witnesses— 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.
5:1 ...believe that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...
5:5...he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
here Mom says to read it (the passage) in it's entirety in the Bible, I have included the passage here.
Understand that one who is born again: loves other believers, obeys the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
Looks like Mom was laying out the Scriptures here. I am praying that they will find a home in the hearts of my reader friends here that don't know the wonderful plan of salvation and the invitation to eternal life and fellowship that the Father desires for us to experience with Him, our Creator. Her second entry on "Born Again" seems to go into her own thinking on it. I will enter it separately.
Today's entry gives her thoughts and insights on being "Born Again." I am praying that it hits the hearts its meant to, that it opens them up for the Lord's loving presence to pervade. So here goes.
Born Again- a heavenly birth, a spiritual birth from above, our choosing a path to God.
An act by which God imparts spiritual life to one who chooses to trust Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
1 Corinthians 2:13-16 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. 16 For,“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
John 3:3-5
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
vs3- Jesus said- Most assuredly unless one is born again, he cannot see the kidom of God.
vs5 Most assuerdly, I (Jesus) say to you, "unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
1 John 5:1-8
Faith in the Son of God
5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
6 And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. 7 So we have these three witnesses— 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and all three agree.
5:1 ...believe that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...
5:5...he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
here Mom says to read it (the passage) in it's entirety in the Bible, I have included the passage here.
Understand that one who is born again: loves other believers, obeys the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
Looks like Mom was laying out the Scriptures here. I am praying that they will find a home in the hearts of my reader friends here that don't know the wonderful plan of salvation and the invitation to eternal life and fellowship that the Father desires for us to experience with Him, our Creator. Her second entry on "Born Again" seems to go into her own thinking on it. I will enter it separately.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Patience....again!!! Ugh!!
Ephesians 4:1-2 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
We've just concluded a study in Ephesians at church. In doing a review of this study, I had a line from our study guide jump out at me again. "Patience: self-restraint in the face of provocation."
So again I was reminded of the need for more patience and humility in my life. I firmly believe that most impatience is born of pride. And most impatience, in my life anyway, seems to come when dealing with difficult people or difficult circumstances caused by people (hey I see a theme here!).
No where in scripture does the Lord tell me I am allowed to be impatient with others. This God visit once again reminded me of the need for being kind and longsuffering with others. Humility. If my actions and words are coming from a place of humility rather than pride, my character will reflect Christ. This is such a hard lesson for me to learn let along put into practice.
Ecclesiastes 7:8b The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
'nuff said!!
Lord, help me to put this into practice. To show patience in the face of provocation...however small or large that provocation may appear, that You may be glorified, that Your love will shine through me. I really have no ability on my own to do this. Lord, remind me, it's not about me. Thank You for continually teaching and sharing Your heart with us all Lord. You are so patient!!
We've just concluded a study in Ephesians at church. In doing a review of this study, I had a line from our study guide jump out at me again. "Patience: self-restraint in the face of provocation."
So again I was reminded of the need for more patience and humility in my life. I firmly believe that most impatience is born of pride. And most impatience, in my life anyway, seems to come when dealing with difficult people or difficult circumstances caused by people (hey I see a theme here!).
No where in scripture does the Lord tell me I am allowed to be impatient with others. This God visit once again reminded me of the need for being kind and longsuffering with others. Humility. If my actions and words are coming from a place of humility rather than pride, my character will reflect Christ. This is such a hard lesson for me to learn let along put into practice.
Ecclesiastes 7:8b The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
'nuff said!!
Lord, help me to put this into practice. To show patience in the face of provocation...however small or large that provocation may appear, that You may be glorified, that Your love will shine through me. I really have no ability on my own to do this. Lord, remind me, it's not about me. Thank You for continually teaching and sharing Your heart with us all Lord. You are so patient!!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Dirty Windows
Hmmmm, Dirty Windows. Hate em, but I hate cleaning them too. LOL Quite the conundrum. But the windows I speak of here are the windows of the heart the way we see things. And the cleaner her is gratitude. This morning as I was in my prayer time, the Lord sent a "mind picture" to me (not like a vision or anything that grand, just an idea in my mind that brings an image into my thoughts).
Through the readings I was doing this morning I found that complaining and faultfinding is like looking into my life and world through a grimy dirty window. All is dark, unclear, unclean. Nothing looks good or pleasing. But gratitude, gratitude expressed, is the cloth for wiping away that dirt. More and more beauty becomes visible, the beauty that is unseen with darkened eyes, like darkened glass. The more I express my thanks, the more clearly I see, the more light floods my heart and my life. Gratitude cleans up my life!! LOL Or at least the way I see it!!
Matthew 6:22-23
Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul....Is gratitude or bitterness directing the way I see things, what I see life through. If I clean off those windows with praise and thanksgiving, God's light floods my whole being. But continue to leave the dirt (things like anger, unbelief, ingratitude...) on my windows, and it just gets darker and darker, until no light penetrates.
Lord, let your praises be on my lips, thanksgiving flow from my heart like a rushing river. I want to see my world as You do. Thank You, as always for Your teaching and loving patience.
Through the readings I was doing this morning I found that complaining and faultfinding is like looking into my life and world through a grimy dirty window. All is dark, unclear, unclean. Nothing looks good or pleasing. But gratitude, gratitude expressed, is the cloth for wiping away that dirt. More and more beauty becomes visible, the beauty that is unseen with darkened eyes, like darkened glass. The more I express my thanks, the more clearly I see, the more light floods my heart and my life. Gratitude cleans up my life!! LOL Or at least the way I see it!!
Matthew 6:22-23
Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul....Is gratitude or bitterness directing the way I see things, what I see life through. If I clean off those windows with praise and thanksgiving, God's light floods my whole being. But continue to leave the dirt (things like anger, unbelief, ingratitude...) on my windows, and it just gets darker and darker, until no light penetrates.
Lord, let your praises be on my lips, thanksgiving flow from my heart like a rushing river. I want to see my world as You do. Thank You, as always for Your teaching and loving patience.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Sleep
Lately, I have been plagued with fear. I lay down to sleep at night and fear is right there besides me. I know where it comes from, and I know that it is an attack from the enemy and therefore I reject it, but the feeling lingers.....
So it was a wonderful surprise when I woke up from another fretful, fitful nights sleep to find this verse as my verse of the day:
Ps 4:8 I will both lie down and peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
He is my safety. I am in Him. What a sweet thing for my Father to do for me. Reminding me of my safety in Him, and Him alone.
I am thankful for Your care as always Lord, and trust Your care of me.
So it was a wonderful surprise when I woke up from another fretful, fitful nights sleep to find this verse as my verse of the day:
Ps 4:8 I will both lie down and peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
He is my safety. I am in Him. What a sweet thing for my Father to do for me. Reminding me of my safety in Him, and Him alone.
I am thankful for Your care as always Lord, and trust Your care of me.
Contentment and thankfulness
Yaay. My computer is back up and running. Charger problem, thankfully something small and not too expensive, relatively speaking.
God has continued the visits regarding contentment in all circumstances, speaking peace to the things that bother me, the things that get me in turmoil and cause me to cross the line into sin.
Everything....every plan gone awry, every red light, every spill, every knot in my day is allowed by my Father. And therefore, every piece of time and circumstance can be seen as working good in my life. And through my reading lately that concept has been reinforced again and again. I am not to see things as problems or annoyances, but to remain at peace no matter what I am faced with, big or small. Wow, I have such a ways to go here!
And excerpt from Ted Dekker's "Outlaw":
(Stephen, the main character of the book is telling his mentor Shaka that a breeze would be nice)
"And this is insane why? Shaka asked. Stephen lifted his hand and slowly swept it through the hot, still air, aware of the sweat on his brow and chest. "Because the thought comes from a place of slight discontent with the heaviness of the air."
I know that this passage only speaks of wanting a breeze, but it's the thought of being discontented in even the smallest of ways, not accepting what the Father is allowing for that moment that struck me. How many circumstance do I allow to dictate my emotional well being when I could remain at peace.
And I have a new daily devotional....which I absolutely love and all week long it's been talking about thankfulness (not a coincidence I am sure LOL), but what popped out at me in all of it was a continual thankfulness for Jesus' peace and presence in my day. And this has been a wonderfully ongoing God visit for me. I am actually remembering to do this...God is so good.
All of this is just leading me to the brink of a whole different picture, the picture behind the picture as it were. There is so much more than what we see. I don't know if this will make sense to anyone else, I sure hope it does. I feel like I spend so much time worrying about what it takes to make my "flesh", my emotions, my mind....happy and at peace, but that stuff is surface, there is so much more to everything than keeping my "flesh" fixed. There is a whole spiritual world that we do not see and everything is connected so much more than we know. Focusing on the presence and peace and person of Jesus Christ is the way to walk on that water that I've been blogging about...to do the seemingly impossible and improbable, follow the Savior and live that abundant life in the center of His will. Offering peace to and being content to all the circumstances of my life, being thankful, no matter what, even when it hurts, these are the stepping stones to that place.
Lord, help me to continue this journey, full steam ahead. I know there will be set backs, but I also know that through You I can do all things. Lead me to live and move in a new realm, the realm of the Spirit. Lead me on the water. Thank You for all things. Thank You for this moment.
God has continued the visits regarding contentment in all circumstances, speaking peace to the things that bother me, the things that get me in turmoil and cause me to cross the line into sin.
Everything....every plan gone awry, every red light, every spill, every knot in my day is allowed by my Father. And therefore, every piece of time and circumstance can be seen as working good in my life. And through my reading lately that concept has been reinforced again and again. I am not to see things as problems or annoyances, but to remain at peace no matter what I am faced with, big or small. Wow, I have such a ways to go here!
And excerpt from Ted Dekker's "Outlaw":
(Stephen, the main character of the book is telling his mentor Shaka that a breeze would be nice)
"And this is insane why? Shaka asked. Stephen lifted his hand and slowly swept it through the hot, still air, aware of the sweat on his brow and chest. "Because the thought comes from a place of slight discontent with the heaviness of the air."
I know that this passage only speaks of wanting a breeze, but it's the thought of being discontented in even the smallest of ways, not accepting what the Father is allowing for that moment that struck me. How many circumstance do I allow to dictate my emotional well being when I could remain at peace.
And I have a new daily devotional....which I absolutely love and all week long it's been talking about thankfulness (not a coincidence I am sure LOL), but what popped out at me in all of it was a continual thankfulness for Jesus' peace and presence in my day. And this has been a wonderfully ongoing God visit for me. I am actually remembering to do this...God is so good.
All of this is just leading me to the brink of a whole different picture, the picture behind the picture as it were. There is so much more than what we see. I don't know if this will make sense to anyone else, I sure hope it does. I feel like I spend so much time worrying about what it takes to make my "flesh", my emotions, my mind....happy and at peace, but that stuff is surface, there is so much more to everything than keeping my "flesh" fixed. There is a whole spiritual world that we do not see and everything is connected so much more than we know. Focusing on the presence and peace and person of Jesus Christ is the way to walk on that water that I've been blogging about...to do the seemingly impossible and improbable, follow the Savior and live that abundant life in the center of His will. Offering peace to and being content to all the circumstances of my life, being thankful, no matter what, even when it hurts, these are the stepping stones to that place.
Lord, help me to continue this journey, full steam ahead. I know there will be set backs, but I also know that through You I can do all things. Lead me to live and move in a new realm, the realm of the Spirit. Lead me on the water. Thank You for all things. Thank You for this moment.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Spilling
Spilling. Spilling on the counter, on the table, the floor. Spilling on my hand, on my clothes. Spilling in the car, at home, at work....everywhere, all the time, spilling. And it drives me crazy!!! Can't get through a day without spilling multiple (many multiple) times. I get so frustrated. Sunday, spilled almost my whole cup of coffee as I was going out the door for church. Yesterday, spilled not only my soup on my shirt, but also my yogurt as well. (Want to know what I had for lunch, just look at my clothes!!) How many times a day to I need to wipe up water from the floor? UGH!!
Got home from work yesterday, played with my cats for a bit, then sat down to read and a final few moments with the Lord before bed. I took out my kindle to read my latest fiction and decided to review the index cards I keep in there. They have Bible verses on them. And of course one jumped out at me because God had something to say. Not that I had need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11.
Immediately it popped into my head I was to be content with spilling. Whaaaat!?!? That can't be right. That's crazy. Content with spilling a hundred times a day? Not get frustrated over it? And dare I say be thankful (for we are called to give thanks in all things, right?) And then of course I went back to the lesson from the past few weeks about offering peace to what offends us, even seeing it not as an offense at all. Can I apply this to spilling as well?
I know all this may seem a bit trivial and ordinary, but when you are living in an almost constant state of frustration, revelation like this is medicine for the spirit. And it is a spiritual solution that is needed. There is nothing in our lives, that God doesn't care about or have a fix for. How can I be loving and focused on others when I am irritated by the mundane and fixated on myself and my feelings about the everyday aggravations that plague us all. Offer peace to those annoyances! Be content in all things!! And by doing so, walk on the water following Christ.
Thank You Lord, once again for meeting me where I am, taking care to address even my small issues. Lord, this makes me worship You even more, to know You have even our littlest problems in mind when You are working all things our for good. I am in awe of You. Help me to put into practice all the things You are teaching me these days...and there are so many. In Jesus name. AMEN !!
Got home from work yesterday, played with my cats for a bit, then sat down to read and a final few moments with the Lord before bed. I took out my kindle to read my latest fiction and decided to review the index cards I keep in there. They have Bible verses on them. And of course one jumped out at me because God had something to say. Not that I had need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11.
Immediately it popped into my head I was to be content with spilling. Whaaaat!?!? That can't be right. That's crazy. Content with spilling a hundred times a day? Not get frustrated over it? And dare I say be thankful (for we are called to give thanks in all things, right?) And then of course I went back to the lesson from the past few weeks about offering peace to what offends us, even seeing it not as an offense at all. Can I apply this to spilling as well?
I know all this may seem a bit trivial and ordinary, but when you are living in an almost constant state of frustration, revelation like this is medicine for the spirit. And it is a spiritual solution that is needed. There is nothing in our lives, that God doesn't care about or have a fix for. How can I be loving and focused on others when I am irritated by the mundane and fixated on myself and my feelings about the everyday aggravations that plague us all. Offer peace to those annoyances! Be content in all things!! And by doing so, walk on the water following Christ.
Thank You Lord, once again for meeting me where I am, taking care to address even my small issues. Lord, this makes me worship You even more, to know You have even our littlest problems in mind when You are working all things our for good. I am in awe of You. Help me to put into practice all the things You are teaching me these days...and there are so many. In Jesus name. AMEN !!
Friday, November 14, 2014
My Thoughts Are Not Your Thoughts
Ok, a "wow" moment. What was it that I was just writing about. Changing my thinking and being obedient to God's way. Soooooo, I decide to just do one verse today from my "31 Days of Praise" study. And what was that verse, you ask?? Isaiah 55:8-11 (ok, so it's technically more than one verse, but it was grouped together for this particular part of the passage. lol). So that was my focus for this part of my study.
So what is God saying here? He thinks and sees things way way differently than I do. His ways are not anything like mine. I need to shift my thinking and doing to line up with Him. It is His way of doing things, His Word, that brings forth fruit. When I asked the question; "how do I change?" and God told me obedience, what He was saying was to align myself with His way of seeing and doing. And that is what today's verse emphasizes. The difference between us. But it also promises that God's way accomplishes His purposes, it's fruitful and useful. My way of thinking brings about turmoil and frustration. Just like I saw at work the other night. I spent the night in bitter resentment, feeling agitated until I did it His way, until I aligned my thoughts up with Him and acted in obedience to that.
So how funny is that right after writing my previous entry, that this is the verse God choose to share with me!?! Too cool!!
Lord, help me to follow You today. To get of my boat and through obedience walk on the water. I want to be fruitful for You, glorify you and be a blessing to others.
Isaiah 55:8-11New Living Translation (NLT)
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
So what is God saying here? He thinks and sees things way way differently than I do. His ways are not anything like mine. I need to shift my thinking and doing to line up with Him. It is His way of doing things, His Word, that brings forth fruit. When I asked the question; "how do I change?" and God told me obedience, what He was saying was to align myself with His way of seeing and doing. And that is what today's verse emphasizes. The difference between us. But it also promises that God's way accomplishes His purposes, it's fruitful and useful. My way of thinking brings about turmoil and frustration. Just like I saw at work the other night. I spent the night in bitter resentment, feeling agitated until I did it His way, until I aligned my thoughts up with Him and acted in obedience to that.
So how funny is that right after writing my previous entry, that this is the verse God choose to share with me!?! Too cool!!
Lord, help me to follow You today. To get of my boat and through obedience walk on the water. I want to be fruitful for You, glorify you and be a blessing to others.
Isaiah 55:8-11New Living Translation (NLT)
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
Walking on Water...Part 2
"The boat is your defense against the water! But the very defense is what empowers the water to trouble you. Le go of this understanding. Faith, Eden, Faith!"
Letting go of my boat. The boat that I built. The boat I feel is perfectly logical and correct and safe. Wow. Is that just the hardest hardest hardest thing to do. My feet are firmly planted in this boat, my hands gripping the sides, white knuckled clenching. ITS MY BOAT!! ITS RIGHT!!
So how do I give it up? How do I let go of the boat and walk on those troubling seas to follow Jesus? Obedience. That is the answer I got as I sat in my car at lunch (yes, yet another session of my lamenting on how I failed so miserably that night at work). I get annoyed...."Why did they leave that mail on the floor? Don't they have any consideration. I've asked them a million times not to do that !!! This is so unfair!! You can bet I'm not picking it up!!" On and on it goes, and goes to anyone who will listen. Gripe, complain, justify......blah blah blah. So there I sat, once again, asking God why can't I just let this stuff go, get out of my safe (seemingly) boat and follow You?
Let's think about this a minute. I'm in this boat, right. If this boat of mine is built out of pride and my sense of fairness and entitlement (and yes that is what it is), then of course I am going to see things as offense. That causes my insides to start boiling up, turmoil spinning around in my heart, aggravation, anger and resentment rising up in my emotions. Is this really the safe haven I thought the boat should be?
So, how do I escape this boat? That is what I asked the Lord as I sat there crying out once again for deliverance from myself. And I heard that still, small voice. "Obedience. Pick up the boxes on the floor." That's how it starts. Small steps of obedience. Do what you think is not fair, not your job, fix someone else's mess. UGH!! NOT what I wanted to hear. It's like God just plopped Himself down in my truck and told me to jump off the Empire State Building. That's about as logical and simple as this request of obedience was to me. But what was the line in the book by Ted Dekker...."Keep your eyes on me. Don't look at the water. Can you do that?" Do it for God. Keep my eyes focused on that. And you know what. It wasn't that hard to do after that. And after I picked those boxes up (and the good Lord actually sent someone to help me do it!!) I felt so much at peace. WOW, what a concept. Obedience brings peace. LOL
So that was my God visit. Obedience. Letting go of my way of thinking. I told you this was going to be a shift in my life and I also mentioned it was going to take a long time (as things always do for this glacial speed learner). But I did get it that night. I am hoping to carry it through to more nights. More days. A work in progress as they say!! Pray for me please!!!
Letting go of my boat. The boat that I built. The boat I feel is perfectly logical and correct and safe. Wow. Is that just the hardest hardest hardest thing to do. My feet are firmly planted in this boat, my hands gripping the sides, white knuckled clenching. ITS MY BOAT!! ITS RIGHT!!
So how do I give it up? How do I let go of the boat and walk on those troubling seas to follow Jesus? Obedience. That is the answer I got as I sat in my car at lunch (yes, yet another session of my lamenting on how I failed so miserably that night at work). I get annoyed...."Why did they leave that mail on the floor? Don't they have any consideration. I've asked them a million times not to do that !!! This is so unfair!! You can bet I'm not picking it up!!" On and on it goes, and goes to anyone who will listen. Gripe, complain, justify......blah blah blah. So there I sat, once again, asking God why can't I just let this stuff go, get out of my safe (seemingly) boat and follow You?
Let's think about this a minute. I'm in this boat, right. If this boat of mine is built out of pride and my sense of fairness and entitlement (and yes that is what it is), then of course I am going to see things as offense. That causes my insides to start boiling up, turmoil spinning around in my heart, aggravation, anger and resentment rising up in my emotions. Is this really the safe haven I thought the boat should be?
So, how do I escape this boat? That is what I asked the Lord as I sat there crying out once again for deliverance from myself. And I heard that still, small voice. "Obedience. Pick up the boxes on the floor." That's how it starts. Small steps of obedience. Do what you think is not fair, not your job, fix someone else's mess. UGH!! NOT what I wanted to hear. It's like God just plopped Himself down in my truck and told me to jump off the Empire State Building. That's about as logical and simple as this request of obedience was to me. But what was the line in the book by Ted Dekker...."Keep your eyes on me. Don't look at the water. Can you do that?" Do it for God. Keep my eyes focused on that. And you know what. It wasn't that hard to do after that. And after I picked those boxes up (and the good Lord actually sent someone to help me do it!!) I felt so much at peace. WOW, what a concept. Obedience brings peace. LOL
So that was my God visit. Obedience. Letting go of my way of thinking. I told you this was going to be a shift in my life and I also mentioned it was going to take a long time (as things always do for this glacial speed learner). But I did get it that night. I am hoping to carry it through to more nights. More days. A work in progress as they say!! Pray for me please!!!
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Walking on Water
I just finished reading the book "Water Walker" by Ted Dekker. I love fiction. I love escaping into a different world, taking a break from reality. Books are great fun to me. And with Christian authors, a lot of time along with the fun and escapism, comes little gems of truths that just resonate and enlighten, getting me thinking and helping me to grow.
This was definitely the case with this last book. I am still and will be for probably a very long time, pondering the truths I garnered from this read. It's one of those truths that very possible will shift my reality and way I perceive living in a very radical way. Also I think that it will take a long time for this practice to come to full fruition in my life.
A couple of the passages that struck me. (I don't know if these will make sense without reading the book, but I think you will get the idea).
"I'm here to say that you can't make the troubled waters of life go away by defending yourself against them. You can only walk over those troubled waters if you offer peace to them and leave the safety of your boat."
"I didn't say pardon, I said forgive. When I say forgive, I mean to see no fault or offense in the troubled sea. Let go of even the thought that it threatens you or has offended you. See it as innocent. Offer it it no blame or defense. Stand tall and offer it, instead, your other cheek."
"Keep your eyes on me. Don't look at the water. Can you do that?"
"Forgive the sea and put your mind on my word. Hear me!"
"Being transformed by the renewing of your mind....A complete letting go of what you think you know and trusting in what doesn't necessarily make sense at first. Faith."
Everything in you cries out to remain in the safety you believe the boat offers you, doesn't it? Of course it does! The boat is your defense against the water! But the very defense is what empowers the water to trouble you. Le go of this understanding. Faith, Eden, Faith!"
So where is all this leading? Where did it lead me? Where will lead you?
The water. The troubles of life. The things that bother me. The people that do things I don't like. Fears. Annoyances. All the things I build my protective boat to avoid. Unforgiveness, impatience, pride, arrogance, selfishness and self sufficiency, rebellion, unbelief, these are the things my boat is built from. Its what I know and what I feel safe with, what I think I am entitled to and what I think is right. But is it? Is it safe? Am I right and entitled? I know it is familiar, this boat, but is it safe or is it sinking? Is it my protector or my prison?
What if I could be truly free? Take for example, annoyance and unforgiveness. Someone at work does something I don't like. In my little boat I float on that water of annoyance. My little boat is built by my pride of thinking I am right and I deserve better treatment. I am all riled up inside. This is not freedom. But what if instead of condemnation I offer the person peace, see them as innocent (this is only going on in my own heart and mind). Does that not free me? Does that not ultimately offer me peace instead of turmoil? What if I step out of my boat and follow Jesus on the water? Jesus forgave, even to the point on the Cross when He told the Father to forgive them, for they didn't know what they were doing.
I am not sure where all of this is going to end up...but I do know that it rings true in my spirit and that I will be working and walking this out for a long time to come. I don't want to spend my life in upset, confusion or worry, living in my sinking ship when I could be following Jesus walking on the water.
This was definitely the case with this last book. I am still and will be for probably a very long time, pondering the truths I garnered from this read. It's one of those truths that very possible will shift my reality and way I perceive living in a very radical way. Also I think that it will take a long time for this practice to come to full fruition in my life.
A couple of the passages that struck me. (I don't know if these will make sense without reading the book, but I think you will get the idea).
"I'm here to say that you can't make the troubled waters of life go away by defending yourself against them. You can only walk over those troubled waters if you offer peace to them and leave the safety of your boat."
"I didn't say pardon, I said forgive. When I say forgive, I mean to see no fault or offense in the troubled sea. Let go of even the thought that it threatens you or has offended you. See it as innocent. Offer it it no blame or defense. Stand tall and offer it, instead, your other cheek."
"Keep your eyes on me. Don't look at the water. Can you do that?"
"Forgive the sea and put your mind on my word. Hear me!"
"Being transformed by the renewing of your mind....A complete letting go of what you think you know and trusting in what doesn't necessarily make sense at first. Faith."
Everything in you cries out to remain in the safety you believe the boat offers you, doesn't it? Of course it does! The boat is your defense against the water! But the very defense is what empowers the water to trouble you. Le go of this understanding. Faith, Eden, Faith!"
So where is all this leading? Where did it lead me? Where will lead you?
The water. The troubles of life. The things that bother me. The people that do things I don't like. Fears. Annoyances. All the things I build my protective boat to avoid. Unforgiveness, impatience, pride, arrogance, selfishness and self sufficiency, rebellion, unbelief, these are the things my boat is built from. Its what I know and what I feel safe with, what I think I am entitled to and what I think is right. But is it? Is it safe? Am I right and entitled? I know it is familiar, this boat, but is it safe or is it sinking? Is it my protector or my prison?
What if I could be truly free? Take for example, annoyance and unforgiveness. Someone at work does something I don't like. In my little boat I float on that water of annoyance. My little boat is built by my pride of thinking I am right and I deserve better treatment. I am all riled up inside. This is not freedom. But what if instead of condemnation I offer the person peace, see them as innocent (this is only going on in my own heart and mind). Does that not free me? Does that not ultimately offer me peace instead of turmoil? What if I step out of my boat and follow Jesus on the water? Jesus forgave, even to the point on the Cross when He told the Father to forgive them, for they didn't know what they were doing.
I am not sure where all of this is going to end up...but I do know that it rings true in my spirit and that I will be working and walking this out for a long time to come. I don't want to spend my life in upset, confusion or worry, living in my sinking ship when I could be following Jesus walking on the water.
Simply Sweet Moments
Busy. That seems to be the theme of my life, of the lives of most of those I know. Rushing, running, rampaging through the day just to fall into bed, the morning coming all too quickly, and it begins all over again. Today was no different. I stumbled out of bed,discovering no half and half for my coffee (I am not drinking it without!!), so with eyes half closed I get dressed and make my way to Target to start my grocery shopping....of course stopping at Starbucks for coffee, cause there is no way I can think to shop without my caffeine fix. Of course, no time for God this morning...nothing more than a quick "good morning, thank you for another day, be glorified in it" prayer.
But He was having none of that. He wanted a few moments of my time and knew just how to get it. Music. My heavenly Father knows the way to my heart (besides coffee and chocolate, LOL).
Just as I was pulling into the parking lot at Target, Revelation Song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean came on. It's a beautiful worship song and I couldn't help but be lifted up to join in the worship and praise of my wonderful Savior. I took my parking spot and just sat there through the song, enjoying that simple moment of worship. Enjoying the presence of my God. Remember, I talked about enjoying God some time back? Well this was just one of those special times where I so strongly knew that I was there to enjoy Him and lo and behold, the next song that came on told me that He was enjoying me right back!! Next up was Francesca Battistelli, He Knows My Name.
I hope the songs bring joy to your heart as they did mind. Know that God is taking joy in you as well.
But He was having none of that. He wanted a few moments of my time and knew just how to get it. Music. My heavenly Father knows the way to my heart (besides coffee and chocolate, LOL).
Just as I was pulling into the parking lot at Target, Revelation Song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean came on. It's a beautiful worship song and I couldn't help but be lifted up to join in the worship and praise of my wonderful Savior. I took my parking spot and just sat there through the song, enjoying that simple moment of worship. Enjoying the presence of my God. Remember, I talked about enjoying God some time back? Well this was just one of those special times where I so strongly knew that I was there to enjoy Him and lo and behold, the next song that came on told me that He was enjoying me right back!! Next up was Francesca Battistelli, He Knows My Name.
I hope the songs bring joy to your heart as they did mind. Know that God is taking joy in you as well.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Casting Cares
We live in a crazy world. Ebola, Isis, corruption, persecution, general godlessness....on and on. So as I drive to work I am listening to Jay Seculow's show on the radio. He and his son have a call-in/news show on one of our local stations where they discuss Christian and political issues.
As I am listening yesterday they are discussing our governments funding of certain countries whose ideology is fundamentally different from ours. In this case it was Pakistan who has many Christians on death row or having life sentences, as well as already being executed for their faith in Christ and speaking up about it. They also talked about how when we give them money it ends up being used against us. I won't go into all the details, but the more I listened the more aggravated I was becoming.
Just I was putting this feeling into a thought in my head....or is it vice versa, a car drives by with a big smiley face on it, and the words under it said "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
LOL. I guess God doesn't want me worrying about these kinds of things. Can I sign the petition the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) is circulating to get our government to stop sending our tax dollars to countries that then turn on us? Absolutely. Can I pray and vote for godly and wise government leaders to be in charge? Definitely. There are many ways I can be involved if I choose. But worrying and fretting are not what I am called to do in any circumstances...be it the world's issues or my own problems in my own little slice of it.
God is in charge. He is not surprised by any events, broad or near. And He uses it for His good purposes, His good plan.
Lord, I lay it all down at your feet, worries, large and small, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Thank You for caring, thank You for knowing the best course of action all the time, that nothing escapes Your notice or Your design. You are for Your children. Help me to keep my eyes on You and off of the world and it's discord. Use me to help wherever I can, in whatever way I can. If I am following You then I will not be frightened or dismayed by what is going on around me, but led to the exact place I can be a blessing in. Thank You. In Jesus Name....Amen!
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
As I am listening yesterday they are discussing our governments funding of certain countries whose ideology is fundamentally different from ours. In this case it was Pakistan who has many Christians on death row or having life sentences, as well as already being executed for their faith in Christ and speaking up about it. They also talked about how when we give them money it ends up being used against us. I won't go into all the details, but the more I listened the more aggravated I was becoming.
Just I was putting this feeling into a thought in my head....or is it vice versa, a car drives by with a big smiley face on it, and the words under it said "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
LOL. I guess God doesn't want me worrying about these kinds of things. Can I sign the petition the ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) is circulating to get our government to stop sending our tax dollars to countries that then turn on us? Absolutely. Can I pray and vote for godly and wise government leaders to be in charge? Definitely. There are many ways I can be involved if I choose. But worrying and fretting are not what I am called to do in any circumstances...be it the world's issues or my own problems in my own little slice of it.
God is in charge. He is not surprised by any events, broad or near. And He uses it for His good purposes, His good plan.
Lord, I lay it all down at your feet, worries, large and small, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Thank You for caring, thank You for knowing the best course of action all the time, that nothing escapes Your notice or Your design. You are for Your children. Help me to keep my eyes on You and off of the world and it's discord. Use me to help wherever I can, in whatever way I can. If I am following You then I will not be frightened or dismayed by what is going on around me, but led to the exact place I can be a blessing in. Thank You. In Jesus Name....Amen!
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The "P" Word
The "P" Word. We all need it. We all want it. We all hate to be tested in this area. It seems in short supply these days. Yup, you guessed it , the "P" stands for PATIENCE.
Well, guess what God was (and is and will be) working on in me this week. ICK! Patience. It all started innocuously enough. Doing my Bible study on Ephesians, when we came to verse 4:2 Now depending on the version you are using the word is translated as patience or longsuffering.
Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love.
Ok, I've seen the verse before. Know I am supposed to be patient, know I have a hard time in this area. I moved on quickly (hmmm, wonder why) reading the rest of the passage. But God was having none of that. He wanted my attention to this.
The study guide we are using had a phrase in this chapter regarding the word patience in this verse. And I got stuck on it. And am still stuck on it. No quickly moving past this verse anymore! It described patience this way; "self-restraint in the face of provocation." Oh. You mean I am supposed to be patient, kind and loving when people are provoking me, annoying me, being, well, human?!?!?! When I don't get my way? When they don't do what I want? When things don't work out? When people are not so nice? When they don't give me what I need?
So ok as if this God visit regarding patience wasn't enough. I get up from my short study and walk out to the kitchen. Time to check the phone, and oh, while I'm at it let me check out the verse of the day...bet it's on patience, huh, Lord. Hahaha....yup, once again you guessed it...it was!
James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near.
Again Lord? I have to be patient!! Ugh!! And it continues....yes it does, checked out yesterday's verse of the day as well and yes indeed it was again on the topic of the week--PATIENCE.
Proverbs 25:15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. That's a bit of a strange saying....but I'm thinking bones of contention maybe.
I am of course thinking to myself, I don't know if I will ever ever ever get this patience thing down (although it is a fruit of the Spirit, so it's inside me somewhere). And immediately after reading this last verse the song "Overcomer" by Madisa came on the radio, so I guess the Lord was saying there is hope for me!
I know this is not something I will get in an overnight. It would be so nice if the Lord came down with His magic wand and zapped me with instant patience. Is that impatient to want patience immediately? And of course last night, once again I failed at it miserably. But I'll keep trying and working with the Holy Spirit in this area. Of course work is the place where I forget everything I am learning and just act out of emotion, so that is a big struggle for me. But God is bigger. And He will prevail.
I leave you with one verse and Madisa's song and my prayer that we all will grow in patience, with others, with God's timing and with ourselves. Growing up, I had a little sticker on my mirror. It had the acronym: PBPGIFWMY on it. Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet. Maybe I can remember that for others as well as myself.
Ecclesiates 7:8 Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
Well, guess what God was (and is and will be) working on in me this week. ICK! Patience. It all started innocuously enough. Doing my Bible study on Ephesians, when we came to verse 4:2 Now depending on the version you are using the word is translated as patience or longsuffering.
Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love.
Ok, I've seen the verse before. Know I am supposed to be patient, know I have a hard time in this area. I moved on quickly (hmmm, wonder why) reading the rest of the passage. But God was having none of that. He wanted my attention to this.
The study guide we are using had a phrase in this chapter regarding the word patience in this verse. And I got stuck on it. And am still stuck on it. No quickly moving past this verse anymore! It described patience this way; "self-restraint in the face of provocation." Oh. You mean I am supposed to be patient, kind and loving when people are provoking me, annoying me, being, well, human?!?!?! When I don't get my way? When they don't do what I want? When things don't work out? When people are not so nice? When they don't give me what I need?
So ok as if this God visit regarding patience wasn't enough. I get up from my short study and walk out to the kitchen. Time to check the phone, and oh, while I'm at it let me check out the verse of the day...bet it's on patience, huh, Lord. Hahaha....yup, once again you guessed it...it was!
James 5:8 You too, be patient and stand firm because the Lord's coming is near.
Again Lord? I have to be patient!! Ugh!! And it continues....yes it does, checked out yesterday's verse of the day as well and yes indeed it was again on the topic of the week--PATIENCE.
Proverbs 25:15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. That's a bit of a strange saying....but I'm thinking bones of contention maybe.
I am of course thinking to myself, I don't know if I will ever ever ever get this patience thing down (although it is a fruit of the Spirit, so it's inside me somewhere). And immediately after reading this last verse the song "Overcomer" by Madisa came on the radio, so I guess the Lord was saying there is hope for me!
I know this is not something I will get in an overnight. It would be so nice if the Lord came down with His magic wand and zapped me with instant patience. Is that impatient to want patience immediately? And of course last night, once again I failed at it miserably. But I'll keep trying and working with the Holy Spirit in this area. Of course work is the place where I forget everything I am learning and just act out of emotion, so that is a big struggle for me. But God is bigger. And He will prevail.
I leave you with one verse and Madisa's song and my prayer that we all will grow in patience, with others, with God's timing and with ourselves. Growing up, I had a little sticker on my mirror. It had the acronym: PBPGIFWMY on it. Please be patient, God isn't finished with me yet. Maybe I can remember that for others as well as myself.
Ecclesiates 7:8 Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
God Answers
Ok, not the greatest of weeks for me. Starting with vet bills, car bills, home repair bills, major leak totally soaked the closet (actually good news, there was no real damage here--PTL), frig needing not 1 but 2 repairs and of course there is a leak under the sink as well.....I finally threw my hands up and said God what is going on??? Went quickly down that road....discipline? normal life? does God hate me? You know how your mind flows in all those directions in a matter of seconds. But, score one for me, I gave it all over to Him, and I asked God, please I need something right now, not even sure what, but something. I got in the car to go into work, early yet again (gotta work that ot with all these repair bills !!!) and popped the radio on and then God.......I got my something in the form of a song I haven't heard in quite a while, but seems to come on every time I go through an especially trying time. God is so good. He reached down and provided exactly what I needed. Just some reassurance of His love and care. Because of this, I am at peace in the face of all this financial burden. I don't know where the funds are going to come from. I don't know how to fix the mess of stuff in my life. But I do know I have a heavenly Father who loves me and is caring for me and will work it all out for good. Thank You Lord that You just stoop down to pick up Your needy children and give us a hug when we need it most. Help me, help us, to notice the little things You do at just the right time. Sometimes, I know I get so lost in all the problems and heartaches that I miss those little caring touches of Your hand. Thank You I didn't this time. Enjoy the song and take it to heart. He loves us more.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
The Bible from Mom's Journal
The "Bible" is a collection of sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprised of the Old and New Testaments.
The "Bible" is the written Word of the living God.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature (man or beast) hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Footnote: The Word of God reveals whether a person is living a soulish or spiritual life.
Christ is our High Priest who is able to bring us into immediate fellowship with God. (vs 14 So then since we have a High Priest who has entered Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.)
Allow the "Word" of God to draw you near to Him.
Allow the "Word" of God to judge the intents and thoughts of your heart.
Be tenacious in holding onto God's promises.
Aggressively pursue God, study His Word and build up your faith.
2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Read the "Bible", but don't just walk away with facts.
Live (do) what it says, it is a living document.
Meditate on what you are reading, a word, a line, a whole Scripture, whatever sparks a jump in your spirit. This is God's way of talking to you.
Allow the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit, to open your spiritual mind.
God is telling you how He wants you to live daily.
Be ready for a change in your life, there will be a difference. You will get to know truly there is a God. Get to know the character of God, the principles and His way of living.
God wants to connect with you and in time you will want more and more of Him.
Remember, you need more than religion--you need "faith." Remember, we need God.
From me:
What great insights into the "Bible." So often we just read for volume, or because it's part of an assignment we are doing, or out of sense of duty...but it really is so much more and Mom got this. Like she said, it's God connecting with us, talking to us and as He said, "it is living and powerful." No other book in the world can say that. People ask how they can know the Bible is true. Well, I've heard it said that there are more ancient manuscripts of the books of the Bible than all other books of antiquity combined. That says something right there. But all the scientific and historical evidence aside (MAPS--manuscripts, archeology, prophecy, statistics), it's the fact that this book, all of it thousands of years old, one theme, numerous writers, over thousands of years, is still changing lives today. It has changed and is still changing my life.
Mom said it, "whatever sparks a jump in your spirit." When that happens, stop, pause, listen....God is talking, God is visiting!! Something spurred me in her writings...the footnote: "The Word of God reveals whether a person is living a soulish or spiritual life." That is something I really need to think about...to let be a check when I am going through my day. "Does what I am saying, doing, thinking line up with Scripture or is it lining up with the world, my emotions, my 'soulish' desires?" The only way to know what is in the Scriptures is to read it. The only way to know if something is right or wrong is to be in the Word of God, to be taught by it. The only way to know how much God thinks about us, and loves us and cares for us to read His love letter to us, The Bible. The only way to get to know our Creator and Savior and lover of our soul is to spend time with Him, and the Bible shares His heart for us, with us. Mom understood this. And I am so glad she took the time to write it down. It was a God visit for her, that has now become one for me. And hopefully for those reading this page. Not only does God want to visit with us, He wants us to visit with Him. Come to His heart in the pages of His Word.
The "Bible" is the written Word of the living God.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature (man or beast) hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Footnote: The Word of God reveals whether a person is living a soulish or spiritual life.
Christ is our High Priest who is able to bring us into immediate fellowship with God. (vs 14 So then since we have a High Priest who has entered Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.)
Allow the "Word" of God to draw you near to Him.
Allow the "Word" of God to judge the intents and thoughts of your heart.
Be tenacious in holding onto God's promises.
Aggressively pursue God, study His Word and build up your faith.
2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Read the "Bible", but don't just walk away with facts.
Live (do) what it says, it is a living document.
Meditate on what you are reading, a word, a line, a whole Scripture, whatever sparks a jump in your spirit. This is God's way of talking to you.
Allow the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit, to open your spiritual mind.
God is telling you how He wants you to live daily.
Be ready for a change in your life, there will be a difference. You will get to know truly there is a God. Get to know the character of God, the principles and His way of living.
God wants to connect with you and in time you will want more and more of Him.
Remember, you need more than religion--you need "faith." Remember, we need God.
From me:
What great insights into the "Bible." So often we just read for volume, or because it's part of an assignment we are doing, or out of sense of duty...but it really is so much more and Mom got this. Like she said, it's God connecting with us, talking to us and as He said, "it is living and powerful." No other book in the world can say that. People ask how they can know the Bible is true. Well, I've heard it said that there are more ancient manuscripts of the books of the Bible than all other books of antiquity combined. That says something right there. But all the scientific and historical evidence aside (MAPS--manuscripts, archeology, prophecy, statistics), it's the fact that this book, all of it thousands of years old, one theme, numerous writers, over thousands of years, is still changing lives today. It has changed and is still changing my life.
Mom said it, "whatever sparks a jump in your spirit." When that happens, stop, pause, listen....God is talking, God is visiting!! Something spurred me in her writings...the footnote: "The Word of God reveals whether a person is living a soulish or spiritual life." That is something I really need to think about...to let be a check when I am going through my day. "Does what I am saying, doing, thinking line up with Scripture or is it lining up with the world, my emotions, my 'soulish' desires?" The only way to know what is in the Scriptures is to read it. The only way to know if something is right or wrong is to be in the Word of God, to be taught by it. The only way to know how much God thinks about us, and loves us and cares for us to read His love letter to us, The Bible. The only way to get to know our Creator and Savior and lover of our soul is to spend time with Him, and the Bible shares His heart for us, with us. Mom understood this. And I am so glad she took the time to write it down. It was a God visit for her, that has now become one for me. And hopefully for those reading this page. Not only does God want to visit with us, He wants us to visit with Him. Come to His heart in the pages of His Word.
Lord, let us make spending time with You in Your Word a priority. Give us a desire for it and the discipline to follow through. In Jesus Name, amen.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The Width and Length and Depth and Height
Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
This is the verse that I was focusing on last night as I worked on our Ephesians Bible study. And of course, as only God can do, He brought it up again to me this morning from a totally separate source.
As I studied it last night, I was asking God, how. How can I know and understand this love, the unlimited, infinite, eternal love? How can I be completely grounded in it? And then God brought it up again this morning. That can only tell me that He truly wants my attention on this verse and that He really does want me to understand. And he began His answer to the "How."
I certainly do not have this figured out, and it will be an on going work for sure. But God is clearly telling me and all of His children that He wants us not only to know how much He loves us, but to be secure in it. One phrase jumped out at me as I was typing these verses at the start of this entry...."as you trust Him." And I believe that is where I start. Trust. Not feeling, not seeing...trusting. Belief in spite of circumstances, emotions and sight. If I believe that He loves me, even if all things in my life are scattered and torn, then I am grounded in His love and it begins to fill me. Christ becomes at home in my heart and He Himself starts to fill me....the more I trust, the more fully He is alive and at home in my heart, the more His power is manifest in my life.
And think about this, is Christ going to feel welcome and at home in a heart that mistrusts and doubts Him? Would any of us feel at comfortable in a place like that? So it stands to reason, that if I want more of Him, His power, His life, His likeness in my life, I need to make my heart a place that Christ would feel welcomed and embraced.
As I said, I don't have this all figured out yet, but I do want to explore and meditate on it more. And I do want to TRUST. It is always amazing to me when God does this thing with certain verses....you know, keeps bringing the same verse up in all different ways. That always lets me know it is something He wants to emphasize in my life. It's definitely God visiting and I am so glad He does.
Help me Lord to trust. Help me and all of us to know the amazing scope of Your love for us...even though it is beyond our complete comprehension. Lord, help us to make our hearts a place you feel at home in. And let Your love flow through us to others who are in need of this unlimited love of Yours. In Jesus name. Amen.
This is the verse that I was focusing on last night as I worked on our Ephesians Bible study. And of course, as only God can do, He brought it up again to me this morning from a totally separate source.
As I studied it last night, I was asking God, how. How can I know and understand this love, the unlimited, infinite, eternal love? How can I be completely grounded in it? And then God brought it up again this morning. That can only tell me that He truly wants my attention on this verse and that He really does want me to understand. And he began His answer to the "How."
I certainly do not have this figured out, and it will be an on going work for sure. But God is clearly telling me and all of His children that He wants us not only to know how much He loves us, but to be secure in it. One phrase jumped out at me as I was typing these verses at the start of this entry...."as you trust Him." And I believe that is where I start. Trust. Not feeling, not seeing...trusting. Belief in spite of circumstances, emotions and sight. If I believe that He loves me, even if all things in my life are scattered and torn, then I am grounded in His love and it begins to fill me. Christ becomes at home in my heart and He Himself starts to fill me....the more I trust, the more fully He is alive and at home in my heart, the more His power is manifest in my life.
And think about this, is Christ going to feel welcome and at home in a heart that mistrusts and doubts Him? Would any of us feel at comfortable in a place like that? So it stands to reason, that if I want more of Him, His power, His life, His likeness in my life, I need to make my heart a place that Christ would feel welcomed and embraced.
As I said, I don't have this all figured out yet, but I do want to explore and meditate on it more. And I do want to TRUST. It is always amazing to me when God does this thing with certain verses....you know, keeps bringing the same verse up in all different ways. That always lets me know it is something He wants to emphasize in my life. It's definitely God visiting and I am so glad He does.
Help me Lord to trust. Help me and all of us to know the amazing scope of Your love for us...even though it is beyond our complete comprehension. Lord, help us to make our hearts a place you feel at home in. And let Your love flow through us to others who are in need of this unlimited love of Yours. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
HIS Workmanship
Funny how God carries a theme...sometimes even for weeks or months at a time, sometimes only for a few days. This is one of those weeks at a time times. LOL
I started out today, planning on including one of my Mom's journal entries...may still do that, time permitting, but God.....God had another direction for today's entry.
My last penning was on me (and you too!) being HIS workmanship....and God don't make no junk, right? Each one of us is precious to Him. Honored and created for His glory and pleasure.
Today, I went to my "31 Days of Praise" book before I started. I wanted to open my morning God time with praise and worship. (always a good idea, right....He is soooooo worthy). And today's entry was on.....yup, you guessed it, being HIS workmanship....fearfully and wonderfully made creations that He designed to HIS specifications, for HIS purposes.
Now, these little daily readings from this book are almost entirely based on Scripture, so when I read or recite these words, I am reading or speaking Scriptural truths put in a practical way.
Listen to the words written by authors Ruth and Warren Myers: "I give thanks to You, O Lord, and I stand in awe of You, for I am wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works! Thank You that You uniquely designed and created me with the same care and precision You used in creating the universe....that You formed me in love exactly to Your specifications...that You embroidered me with great skill in my mother's womb." This is based on Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
From The Myers: "It's wonderful to know that You are not the least bit dissatisfied with my inborn talents, intelligence, aptitudes, appearance and personality, for Your hands have made and fashioned me. I am one of Your original masterpieces!"
This was taken from Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made me and fashioned me, give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
God doesn't want me or you to go around feeling bad about ourselves, day in, day out. In some ways, I wonder if it isn't a little bit insulting to Him to do so. I mean, He created me, so He must be happy with what He made. I know that I do not always make choices that please Him, but me as a person....He obviously thinks that is pretty special!! I was laughing with a friend the other day....the subject came up of how God designed each of us for a reason, with certain abilities and aptitudes that when fit together with the abilities and aptitudes of others, fulfill His purposes and plans here on earth. I was saying how, God gave me the talent of cleaning poop from kitty litter....guess that beautiful soprano voice wasn't meant for me!! LOL Seriously, though, I am thrilled with the gift He gave me to love and care for animals....I wouldn't have it any other way!
Bookended between these 2 visits on workmanship (remember the theme has carried over the past week or so) was a beautiful song..."He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli. And it is an awesome song to take into our hearts...to remember, He loves and adores each one of us, His marvelous, imperfect, headstrong, chosen, wayward, forgiven children.
I started out today, planning on including one of my Mom's journal entries...may still do that, time permitting, but God.....God had another direction for today's entry.
My last penning was on me (and you too!) being HIS workmanship....and God don't make no junk, right? Each one of us is precious to Him. Honored and created for His glory and pleasure.
Today, I went to my "31 Days of Praise" book before I started. I wanted to open my morning God time with praise and worship. (always a good idea, right....He is soooooo worthy). And today's entry was on.....yup, you guessed it, being HIS workmanship....fearfully and wonderfully made creations that He designed to HIS specifications, for HIS purposes.
Now, these little daily readings from this book are almost entirely based on Scripture, so when I read or recite these words, I am reading or speaking Scriptural truths put in a practical way.
Listen to the words written by authors Ruth and Warren Myers: "I give thanks to You, O Lord, and I stand in awe of You, for I am wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works! Thank You that You uniquely designed and created me with the same care and precision You used in creating the universe....that You formed me in love exactly to Your specifications...that You embroidered me with great skill in my mother's womb." This is based on Psalm 139:13-16
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.
From The Myers: "It's wonderful to know that You are not the least bit dissatisfied with my inborn talents, intelligence, aptitudes, appearance and personality, for Your hands have made and fashioned me. I am one of Your original masterpieces!"
This was taken from Psalm 119:73
Your hands have made me and fashioned me, give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
God doesn't want me or you to go around feeling bad about ourselves, day in, day out. In some ways, I wonder if it isn't a little bit insulting to Him to do so. I mean, He created me, so He must be happy with what He made. I know that I do not always make choices that please Him, but me as a person....He obviously thinks that is pretty special!! I was laughing with a friend the other day....the subject came up of how God designed each of us for a reason, with certain abilities and aptitudes that when fit together with the abilities and aptitudes of others, fulfill His purposes and plans here on earth. I was saying how, God gave me the talent of cleaning poop from kitty litter....guess that beautiful soprano voice wasn't meant for me!! LOL Seriously, though, I am thrilled with the gift He gave me to love and care for animals....I wouldn't have it any other way!
Bookended between these 2 visits on workmanship (remember the theme has carried over the past week or so) was a beautiful song..."He Knows My Name" by Francesca Battistelli. And it is an awesome song to take into our hearts...to remember, He loves and adores each one of us, His marvelous, imperfect, headstrong, chosen, wayward, forgiven children.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Workmanship
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
How many times have I read this verse? How many times have I thought, "yup, I'm God's workmanship" and then moved on; that concept, that living Word falling into my head and never reaching down into my heart. Well, last night I read it again and for the very 1st time I felt a feather like tickle on my heart. Me--God's workmanship, some versions say masterpiece. Me--not junk, not a defective failure, but God's very own masterpiece, His own workmanship.
And that brought to mind the verse in Isaiah 43:4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.
Precious, honored...that is what I am in God's heart. In His eyes. Jesus came and died for me, and for You, gave His life....because we are precious creations of the Father.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
I am chosen. I am precious. I am God's workmanship. I am royal and holy. You are chosen. You are precious. You are God's workmanship. You are royal and holy. And we have a response and a responsibility to these truths. We have works to do that glorify God and the telling of His goodness to tell. We are not junk, not to be discarded or forgotten or cast off.
This God visit I had last night as I read that verse for the umpteenth time was like a healing balm on my heart. And I hope that you too, dear reader, will take this verse, all these verse in and make them your own as well. God thinks we are something pretty special....not through anything we do ourselves, but because He created us. It makes us His special possessions!! He saved us. Thank You Lord.
Help me to honor You, to walk in the works You have created me for, to proclaim You praises. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
How many times have I read this verse? How many times have I thought, "yup, I'm God's workmanship" and then moved on; that concept, that living Word falling into my head and never reaching down into my heart. Well, last night I read it again and for the very 1st time I felt a feather like tickle on my heart. Me--God's workmanship, some versions say masterpiece. Me--not junk, not a defective failure, but God's very own masterpiece, His own workmanship.
And that brought to mind the verse in Isaiah 43:4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.
Precious, honored...that is what I am in God's heart. In His eyes. Jesus came and died for me, and for You, gave His life....because we are precious creations of the Father.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
I am chosen. I am precious. I am God's workmanship. I am royal and holy. You are chosen. You are precious. You are God's workmanship. You are royal and holy. And we have a response and a responsibility to these truths. We have works to do that glorify God and the telling of His goodness to tell. We are not junk, not to be discarded or forgotten or cast off.
This God visit I had last night as I read that verse for the umpteenth time was like a healing balm on my heart. And I hope that you too, dear reader, will take this verse, all these verse in and make them your own as well. God thinks we are something pretty special....not through anything we do ourselves, but because He created us. It makes us His special possessions!! He saved us. Thank You Lord.
Help me to honor You, to walk in the works You have created me for, to proclaim You praises. Thank You for loving me. In Jesus Name. Amen.
130 Gifts
I have shared from the wonderfully enlightening book I just finished, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. I was inspired by this book to start my own list. Don't know if I will get to a thousand, maybe less, maybe more, maybe I will just keep recording the gifts until the Lord brings me home...I don't know where this road will go right now. But I realized that each gift, each blessing, little or big, is a God visit of its own. I thought I'd share a few of them here, and maybe get my readers to thinking about their own gifts or daily God visits. Perhaps it will lift your hearts to realize that the Giver of gifts is visiting you!
Today I awoke to the softest of light (and 3 little cats circling like sharks looking for food...LOL, the can be so sweet and friendly when they are wanting their breakfast). My curtains are a shimmering cream color, not quite opaque and the let the light filter through like a glow. But the day is overcast so the light was so soft and quiet, it was beautiful. A wonderful gift.
Relaxing here in the presence of the Lord, with His Word and the peace and quiet around me...another much loved gift.
Cupcakes! I am ever so thankful for cupcakes...I love them!! Sweet and lots of icing, and even better, some filling too!!
Finishing a long hard 12 hour day at work....yaaay it's over !!
Sensing the encompassing God who loves me, knowing He is always there.
A good and kind husband.
The wonderful, funny, crazy, loving family I have been placed in!!
My beautiful church and the fellowship I have there.
Amazingly blue of the sky. Wow!! Colors, so many colors in the world!!
Getting in my exercise.
And some of the harder ones....
Failing in what the Bible says I should be.
Disappointing myself, and feeling like I disappoint God.
Struggling to be a Christian...the type I think I should be
Broken house....more money to be spent on repairs. Feeling like all the ot I work is going to be spent on that.
This is just a little bit of my list. I am trying to remember to give thanks in the hard things too...."in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess 5:18). And God is in these difficulties too. So if God is in everything, then even the hard, the seemingly impossible, or the downright ugly is to be on the gratitude list as well.
Make your own list. It helps to focus my eyes on the Giver, helps me notice His touch on my everyday living. And that is the best gift of all!!
Today I awoke to the softest of light (and 3 little cats circling like sharks looking for food...LOL, the can be so sweet and friendly when they are wanting their breakfast). My curtains are a shimmering cream color, not quite opaque and the let the light filter through like a glow. But the day is overcast so the light was so soft and quiet, it was beautiful. A wonderful gift.
Relaxing here in the presence of the Lord, with His Word and the peace and quiet around me...another much loved gift.
Cupcakes! I am ever so thankful for cupcakes...I love them!! Sweet and lots of icing, and even better, some filling too!!
Finishing a long hard 12 hour day at work....yaaay it's over !!
Sensing the encompassing God who loves me, knowing He is always there.
A good and kind husband.
The wonderful, funny, crazy, loving family I have been placed in!!
My beautiful church and the fellowship I have there.
Amazingly blue of the sky. Wow!! Colors, so many colors in the world!!
Getting in my exercise.
And some of the harder ones....
Failing in what the Bible says I should be.
Disappointing myself, and feeling like I disappoint God.
Struggling to be a Christian...the type I think I should be
Broken house....more money to be spent on repairs. Feeling like all the ot I work is going to be spent on that.
This is just a little bit of my list. I am trying to remember to give thanks in the hard things too...."in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess 5:18). And God is in these difficulties too. So if God is in everything, then even the hard, the seemingly impossible, or the downright ugly is to be on the gratitude list as well.
Make your own list. It helps to focus my eyes on the Giver, helps me notice His touch on my everyday living. And that is the best gift of all!!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Enjoying God
I have to admit, enjoying God is not a concept I am really familiar with. It's just not something that I think about doing. Worshiping, thanking, praising, petitioning, all those are frequent flyers in my head, along with complaining, blaming and throwing tantrums at (all to frequent visitors), but enjoying?
Enjoy Me.
Just these two words He spoke changed my life, "Enjoy Me."
What a burden I thought I was to carry--a crucifix, as did He.
Love once said to me, "I know a song, would you like to hear it?"
And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky,
After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang, "Enjoy Me."
Teresa of Avila
This is the poem including in the book "One Thousand Gifts." It was an amazing moment when I read this....a mind altering, spirit awakening moment, when I realized I had never sought to do this. I think of all the things, the people we enjoy. Fellowship with family, friends, after church, holidays, gatherings of all kinds. Fun and laughter. Even the comfort of loving individuals when they cry with us, commiserate during our difficult seasons. Sports, reading books, walking on the beach, beautiful days, a good movie, a thousand things that hold our interest and bring us pleasure....but enjoying God? What a concept!! LOL I mean, if we are to spend eternity with this Being, wouldn't it do us well to enjoy His presence, to delight in being with Him?
So I realized, I don't know how to do this. How do I enjoy You Lord? It's not like I can see You, touch You. I don't understand this notion, let alone how to begin to practice it.
Sooooo, two mornings ago I was off on another run. Listening to Joyce, stopping at the grocery store for a couple of things on the way home, walking the last leg with my flimsy bags, (didn't want them to break with the jostling running would have caused). I love my Stop and Shop, but their bags are the worst!! The day was one of those perfect fall days, sunshiny, crystal clear, bluest of blue skies, birdsong, slight breeze cooling my runners face and then it hit me...It was a gift to be counted this day. This run. This sunshine and breeze, birds singing and color all around me. And this was enjoying my Creator. This was His heart....the beautiful day, me in it, a gift to me. As I enjoy the gift I learn the Givers heart, and I enjoy Him!! I can enjoy God!! Everything I praise Him for, thank Him for, is part of enjoying Him. Wow. I get it. Cool!!
I love it. I want to learn it. To do it. I want this enjoying of You Lord to become the most natural thing to me. I know it will be easier to do in the good things, the pleasurable blessings and the smooth sailing, blue skies kind of times. But I also know it will be something that must be done in the hard, tear filled days. That is definitely going to take a lot more practice!! And a lot of help from You Lord!!
Psalm 34:7a "Delight yourself also in the Lord.....
If the Lord is singing over His creation, and that includes me and you, delighting over us, shouldn't we also delight in and enjoy Him? I want this !!! And I believe it is something God wants too. Something that would bring Him great pleasure and make Him sing!! What person wouldn't want people to enjoy being with them. What person would want it to be a drudgery to be around them? A duty or obligation. Oh how His heart must ache for us to understand this. Lord, forgive me for not realizing this sooner.
Lord, I want this. I want to enjoy You. Teach me.
Enjoy Me.
Just these two words He spoke changed my life, "Enjoy Me."
What a burden I thought I was to carry--a crucifix, as did He.
Love once said to me, "I know a song, would you like to hear it?"
And laughter came from every brick in the street and from every pore in the sky,
After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He sang, "Enjoy Me."
Teresa of Avila
This is the poem including in the book "One Thousand Gifts." It was an amazing moment when I read this....a mind altering, spirit awakening moment, when I realized I had never sought to do this. I think of all the things, the people we enjoy. Fellowship with family, friends, after church, holidays, gatherings of all kinds. Fun and laughter. Even the comfort of loving individuals when they cry with us, commiserate during our difficult seasons. Sports, reading books, walking on the beach, beautiful days, a good movie, a thousand things that hold our interest and bring us pleasure....but enjoying God? What a concept!! LOL I mean, if we are to spend eternity with this Being, wouldn't it do us well to enjoy His presence, to delight in being with Him?
So I realized, I don't know how to do this. How do I enjoy You Lord? It's not like I can see You, touch You. I don't understand this notion, let alone how to begin to practice it.
Sooooo, two mornings ago I was off on another run. Listening to Joyce, stopping at the grocery store for a couple of things on the way home, walking the last leg with my flimsy bags, (didn't want them to break with the jostling running would have caused). I love my Stop and Shop, but their bags are the worst!! The day was one of those perfect fall days, sunshiny, crystal clear, bluest of blue skies, birdsong, slight breeze cooling my runners face and then it hit me...It was a gift to be counted this day. This run. This sunshine and breeze, birds singing and color all around me. And this was enjoying my Creator. This was His heart....the beautiful day, me in it, a gift to me. As I enjoy the gift I learn the Givers heart, and I enjoy Him!! I can enjoy God!! Everything I praise Him for, thank Him for, is part of enjoying Him. Wow. I get it. Cool!!
I love it. I want to learn it. To do it. I want this enjoying of You Lord to become the most natural thing to me. I know it will be easier to do in the good things, the pleasurable blessings and the smooth sailing, blue skies kind of times. But I also know it will be something that must be done in the hard, tear filled days. That is definitely going to take a lot more practice!! And a lot of help from You Lord!!
Psalm 34:7a "Delight yourself also in the Lord.....
If the Lord is singing over His creation, and that includes me and you, delighting over us, shouldn't we also delight in and enjoy Him? I want this !!! And I believe it is something God wants too. Something that would bring Him great pleasure and make Him sing!! What person wouldn't want people to enjoy being with them. What person would want it to be a drudgery to be around them? A duty or obligation. Oh how His heart must ache for us to understand this. Lord, forgive me for not realizing this sooner.
Lord, I want this. I want to enjoy You. Teach me.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
The Cross
The Cross is enough. That is what we always say as Christians, right? "God if You gave me nothing else, the Cross is enough to show Your love." A great belief. A great truth. But when everything is going wrong, when things are frustrating, irrating and bothersome, a test and a trial...it's really really hard to remember, let alone be grateful for this fact.
Friday night at work was actually a quieter night than usual. So of course, I was asked to do something extra and I really didn't want to do this. I was tasked with picking up these things called gaylords...which are just large cardboard boxes (think like 4' x 4' or so square), that were on pallets and filled with other empty, folded gaylords. I was then to bring them out to a trailer for storage. Well, I picked up the first one and off I went to bring it to it's final resting place. And just before I got to that destination, I caught it on another piece of equipment, only to have it tear down the side and all the contents of the gaylord start falling out!! I tried taping it, jamming it together, anything to not have to empty it and refill a new one!! And of course nothing is working!! GRRRRR!! And of course, the thoughts start flowing through my head...."Great Lord, You never help me, why can't I just have an easy night!!" LOL...right away, blame God. And then the thought popped in my head, "the Cross is enough a sign of His love and care." I quickly dismissed it to continue on with my complaining. Yessirree!! That I did!!
Backtrack a bit now. Earlier in the night, one of my bosses had asked me to pick up a "case" for him which was resting on a pallet, whenever I got the chance. So after the whole gaylord ordeal (and yes, I had to set up a new one and empty all the contents of the last one into the new one, dispose of the broken one....), I saw the case and decided to pick it up and deliver it as requested. And on the side of the the case.......someone had taped a small Cross!!! There it was, about 3" long, with Jesus on it, staring up at me. Yup, there was my reminder. LOL It was as if God said, "dismiss that thought, huh? I am not going to let you off that easy." A definite God visit!!!
Lord, thank You for the Cross. Thank You for Your sacrifice. For saving me. Help me to really remember, to really appreciate what You did for me on the Cross.
Friday night at work was actually a quieter night than usual. So of course, I was asked to do something extra and I really didn't want to do this. I was tasked with picking up these things called gaylords...which are just large cardboard boxes (think like 4' x 4' or so square), that were on pallets and filled with other empty, folded gaylords. I was then to bring them out to a trailer for storage. Well, I picked up the first one and off I went to bring it to it's final resting place. And just before I got to that destination, I caught it on another piece of equipment, only to have it tear down the side and all the contents of the gaylord start falling out!! I tried taping it, jamming it together, anything to not have to empty it and refill a new one!! And of course nothing is working!! GRRRRR!! And of course, the thoughts start flowing through my head...."Great Lord, You never help me, why can't I just have an easy night!!" LOL...right away, blame God. And then the thought popped in my head, "the Cross is enough a sign of His love and care." I quickly dismissed it to continue on with my complaining. Yessirree!! That I did!!
Backtrack a bit now. Earlier in the night, one of my bosses had asked me to pick up a "case" for him which was resting on a pallet, whenever I got the chance. So after the whole gaylord ordeal (and yes, I had to set up a new one and empty all the contents of the last one into the new one, dispose of the broken one....), I saw the case and decided to pick it up and deliver it as requested. And on the side of the the case.......someone had taped a small Cross!!! There it was, about 3" long, with Jesus on it, staring up at me. Yup, there was my reminder. LOL It was as if God said, "dismiss that thought, huh? I am not going to let you off that easy." A definite God visit!!!
Lord, thank You for the Cross. Thank You for Your sacrifice. For saving me. Help me to really remember, to really appreciate what You did for me on the Cross.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Greater
Greater. It's a new song by Mercyme, and has quickly become a new favorite (I have a lot of them !! LOL). The thing about it is, we are doing this Bible study at church on the book of Ephesians and the first chapter is all about our being chosen and our blessings in Christ, who I am in Him. And the song speaks to just that, at least for me, who I am in Christ, in spite of the voices that tell me different.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,[c] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
As I was sitting at lunch the other day, studying this Ephesians passage after another struggling day at work, these verses stood out to me. It wasn't so much that God saw me as holy and without fault in His eyes. Or that He chose me before He made the world. Being united with Christ, sharing in His inheritance, being adopted as His daughter....all wonderful, amazing, fantastic things, truths that can all on their own, set your feet "a dancing." But the fact that He did this in wisdom and understanding and great pleasure is what just blows me away.
When I think of myself, and all my faults and difficulties, negative thought patterns, anger issues.....I really don't see how anyone, knowing all of that in advance, before the creation of the world, would choose to adopt me. That is an truly mind-boggling thought to me. And He makes all of these things, me, my strengths and weaknesses, you with your strengths and weakness...all of us, all of this work according to HIS good plan. And choosing me, choosing you gave Him great pleasure!! Knowing all He knew, our Father still took delight in choosing us!! Gobsmacked. Dumbstruck. Astounded. He knew and still took pleasure in choosing me. I can't get enough of this concept. And if all that weren't enough, He calls me holy and without fault in His eyes.
This God visit...this God lesson, was later that night punctuated by the Mercyme song, Greater. It's a great song overall, but a couple of the lines really stood out and gave the exclamation point to the message I had heard in Ephesians early.
"You are holy, righteous and redeemed."
"I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed."
"understanding just how He sees me."
Take a good listen to this song. Enjoy it. Take it into your heart and let it sooth and smooth away the bumps and bruises that say you are nothing, that you can't possibly be loved and wanted by God. Take God's Word and let it heal the parts of You that say you are a mistake and are rejected. The Word tells us those things are not true. And God has blessed us with gifted musicians and songwriters to sing His truths to us. Thank You Lord for truth, for music, for Your love and Your great plan.
"The Cross already won the war."
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,[c] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
As I was sitting at lunch the other day, studying this Ephesians passage after another struggling day at work, these verses stood out to me. It wasn't so much that God saw me as holy and without fault in His eyes. Or that He chose me before He made the world. Being united with Christ, sharing in His inheritance, being adopted as His daughter....all wonderful, amazing, fantastic things, truths that can all on their own, set your feet "a dancing." But the fact that He did this in wisdom and understanding and great pleasure is what just blows me away.
When I think of myself, and all my faults and difficulties, negative thought patterns, anger issues.....I really don't see how anyone, knowing all of that in advance, before the creation of the world, would choose to adopt me. That is an truly mind-boggling thought to me. And He makes all of these things, me, my strengths and weaknesses, you with your strengths and weakness...all of us, all of this work according to HIS good plan. And choosing me, choosing you gave Him great pleasure!! Knowing all He knew, our Father still took delight in choosing us!! Gobsmacked. Dumbstruck. Astounded. He knew and still took pleasure in choosing me. I can't get enough of this concept. And if all that weren't enough, He calls me holy and without fault in His eyes.
This God visit...this God lesson, was later that night punctuated by the Mercyme song, Greater. It's a great song overall, but a couple of the lines really stood out and gave the exclamation point to the message I had heard in Ephesians early.
"You are holy, righteous and redeemed."
"I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed."
"understanding just how He sees me."
Take a good listen to this song. Enjoy it. Take it into your heart and let it sooth and smooth away the bumps and bruises that say you are nothing, that you can't possibly be loved and wanted by God. Take God's Word and let it heal the parts of You that say you are a mistake and are rejected. The Word tells us those things are not true. And God has blessed us with gifted musicians and songwriters to sing His truths to us. Thank You Lord for truth, for music, for Your love and Your great plan.
"The Cross already won the war."
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
How?
How. That's my question. How do people know You? You the merciful. You the providing. You the comforting, strengthening, tenderly caring Abba Father You? I hear it in song. I see it in the written word. But it's not a point of view that I share regularly. It's not a reality to me. Sadly, I struggle with not seeing You as a punishing, reap what I sow kind of God...and since I have not sown well......So HOW? How do others see You the other way?
One of the most touching stories for me is Hagar's in Genesis 16. She was severely mistreated by her mistress Sarah, and was running from her home with Sarah and Abraham. God saw her affliction, and spoke strength and comfort to her. She called Him, El Roi....the God who sees me. I try to remember this name, this story, but unfortunately my memory is short lived, and the minute things go wrong or I start to encounter difficulty I go right back to my "tried and true" (not really I suppose), familiar thought patterns of "God don't You see, God don't You care, God don't You love me, God do you hate me".
2 days ago, as I was listening to some singer crone on about Your wonderful care for them, the questions came again. HOW? How do they see this You? Why do I miss it?
Fast forward, yesterday morning. We are doing a Bible study on Ephesians at church. I came upon some verses that really stood out to me...you know the words and phrases that kind of pop off the page. Really it was a few words in the verses, but those few words zeroed in on the heart of the matter for me reached in and gave my soul a good shake.
Ephesians 2:4 But God is so RICH IN MERCY and He loved us so much...
Ephesians 2:7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and KINDNESS toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
There are the words describing You. Right there in black and white. Now---do I want to believe them? Can I believe them? Or do I continue in my perceptions (fueled by my spoiled brat emotions) and the god they create in my head? Do I not see the God they describe in the gratitude list I am making? When I take that list--that ever growing list--and truly ascribe each and every entry on it as a gift from You--then how can I not see You in the way of Ephesians 2:4, 7, the way the songwriters and authors do?
Lord, I need to remember this. Focus on this. Believe this. Help me to see You clearly, really, and in faith. I am tired of being mad at You and myself.
One of the most touching stories for me is Hagar's in Genesis 16. She was severely mistreated by her mistress Sarah, and was running from her home with Sarah and Abraham. God saw her affliction, and spoke strength and comfort to her. She called Him, El Roi....the God who sees me. I try to remember this name, this story, but unfortunately my memory is short lived, and the minute things go wrong or I start to encounter difficulty I go right back to my "tried and true" (not really I suppose), familiar thought patterns of "God don't You see, God don't You care, God don't You love me, God do you hate me".
2 days ago, as I was listening to some singer crone on about Your wonderful care for them, the questions came again. HOW? How do they see this You? Why do I miss it?
Fast forward, yesterday morning. We are doing a Bible study on Ephesians at church. I came upon some verses that really stood out to me...you know the words and phrases that kind of pop off the page. Really it was a few words in the verses, but those few words zeroed in on the heart of the matter for me reached in and gave my soul a good shake.
Ephesians 2:4 But God is so RICH IN MERCY and He loved us so much...
Ephesians 2:7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and KINDNESS toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
There are the words describing You. Right there in black and white. Now---do I want to believe them? Can I believe them? Or do I continue in my perceptions (fueled by my spoiled brat emotions) and the god they create in my head? Do I not see the God they describe in the gratitude list I am making? When I take that list--that ever growing list--and truly ascribe each and every entry on it as a gift from You--then how can I not see You in the way of Ephesians 2:4, 7, the way the songwriters and authors do?
Lord, I need to remember this. Focus on this. Believe this. Help me to see You clearly, really, and in faith. I am tired of being mad at You and myself.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Baptism, From Mom's Journal
I was baptized as a baby. When I started actively walking with God, I thought that that was enough for me. About a year or so after I got clean and sober God decided on more (most likely God always had the plan) . I believe, at the time, baptism had been playing somewhere in my thoughts, perhaps not consciously but there all the same. I was going to Cornerstone Bible Church at the time and I can remember saying to the Lord, "if you want me to be re-baptized, then let it be talked about today in Sunday service." And of course it was !!! A God visit even back in the day !!! So I spoke to my Pastor, and shortly after that I was baptized at the church picnic, in the pool of the other church leader. I can only tell you it was the most wonderful experience....I have never felt such joy, tear-filled jubilance as when I arose out of that water....unbelievable and amazing. I can still remember it so clearly. So today Mom's journal entry is on baptism.
Matthew 21:25 "John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'from heaven', He will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
Immerse - dip Baptism emphasizes "the result" of the act rather than the act itself.
The Christian baptism is identified with Christ in death, burial and resurrection.
1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Faith. Baptism----is the answer of a good conscience toward God --through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Response of the faith that saves.
The act of water baptism outwardly declares or confesses and inward experience of salvation through the blood of Jesus.
From me:
I won't get into whether Baptism is necessary for salvation...I leave that to the apologists and debaters, brighter minds than me. (but leaving it undone on the chance that it is a requirement seems foolish to me) I only know that I was led by the Lord to do it. And I am forever glad that I did. I will include some extra verses here regarding baptism. Sometimes I think that was the day I got my perseverance and stubbornness to not quit trying and walking on this labyrinthine Christian road. God's gift to me. LOL Perhaps, one of you out there is wrestling with it or asking the same question I did, "God, if You want me to be baptized, then let it be talked about." So here it is in this blog...talked about. You will have to take it from there, but I highly recommend it !!!
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be save, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift f the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Epehsians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Baptism--a beautiful picture of our unity with Christ, our risen Lord and Savior. Like Mom said, death, burial and resurrection. Identifying ourselves with Him.
Lord, thank You for the experience and institution of baptism. Thank for the washing away of sins. Let us bind ourselves with Jesus, not just in ritual, but in reality, not just once at baptism, but also in our everyday steps. Open hearts to take that step, take away the fear and the questioning, and let those doubtful hearts go boldly forward into the waters of baptism. And thank You for my gifts, perseverance and stubbornness and especially for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. There is none like You.
Matthew 21:25 "John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'from heaven', He will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
Immerse - dip Baptism emphasizes "the result" of the act rather than the act itself.
The Christian baptism is identified with Christ in death, burial and resurrection.
1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Faith. Baptism----is the answer of a good conscience toward God --through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Response of the faith that saves.
The act of water baptism outwardly declares or confesses and inward experience of salvation through the blood of Jesus.
From me:
I won't get into whether Baptism is necessary for salvation...I leave that to the apologists and debaters, brighter minds than me. (but leaving it undone on the chance that it is a requirement seems foolish to me) I only know that I was led by the Lord to do it. And I am forever glad that I did. I will include some extra verses here regarding baptism. Sometimes I think that was the day I got my perseverance and stubbornness to not quit trying and walking on this labyrinthine Christian road. God's gift to me. LOL Perhaps, one of you out there is wrestling with it or asking the same question I did, "God, if You want me to be baptized, then let it be talked about." So here it is in this blog...talked about. You will have to take it from there, but I highly recommend it !!!
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be save, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift f the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Epehsians 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Colossians 2:12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Baptism--a beautiful picture of our unity with Christ, our risen Lord and Savior. Like Mom said, death, burial and resurrection. Identifying ourselves with Him.
Lord, thank You for the experience and institution of baptism. Thank for the washing away of sins. Let us bind ourselves with Jesus, not just in ritual, but in reality, not just once at baptism, but also in our everyday steps. Open hearts to take that step, take away the fear and the questioning, and let those doubtful hearts go boldly forward into the waters of baptism. And thank You for my gifts, perseverance and stubbornness and especially for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and eternal life. There is none like You.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Glorious Change
I read one of those verses this morning...you know one that you have read dozens of times before, but this time something just pops out that makes you say "Oh, really cool!!"
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Ok, so at first I went on about how difficult it is to see past today's trials to that day of glory. Broken down cars and houses that need fixing, relationships in the same state of disrepair, aches, pains and illness....on and on the list goes that fills our thoughts and hours. Yet Paul considers them not worth comparing to that coming day. And he is right, of course. But oh so hard to put into practice. I am thinking I will be working on this one til Jesus returns or calls me home!!!
But it was the second part of the verse that got me excited today. It says "the glory that will be revealed in us." That says to me that it's already there and hidden away inside each and every one of His children. It's here in me right now, waiting for the day that it is completely uncovered!!
That got me thinking of that verse in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but will all be changed---in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Now, I am thinking some of us will have a bit more changing to do on that day than others....(myself included of course). For we know that we are all changing now, from glory to glory....little by little His glory is revealed in us more and more as we cooperate with the Spirit and work on that obedience thing. But to think, that His glory, this wonderful glory is already in me....I just love that thought. It's there, waiting to be shown, waiting to be seen!! One day it will be revealed completely, but it can be seen now too, if we let it.
How is that for a great God visit to start the day? So now, when I go through my day today, I will try to keep that in mind...His glory in me, right now.
Lord, help me to let it shine, let Your glory be seen in me, that you may be honored.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Ok, so at first I went on about how difficult it is to see past today's trials to that day of glory. Broken down cars and houses that need fixing, relationships in the same state of disrepair, aches, pains and illness....on and on the list goes that fills our thoughts and hours. Yet Paul considers them not worth comparing to that coming day. And he is right, of course. But oh so hard to put into practice. I am thinking I will be working on this one til Jesus returns or calls me home!!!
But it was the second part of the verse that got me excited today. It says "the glory that will be revealed in us." That says to me that it's already there and hidden away inside each and every one of His children. It's here in me right now, waiting for the day that it is completely uncovered!!
That got me thinking of that verse in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but will all be changed---in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Now, I am thinking some of us will have a bit more changing to do on that day than others....(myself included of course). For we know that we are all changing now, from glory to glory....little by little His glory is revealed in us more and more as we cooperate with the Spirit and work on that obedience thing. But to think, that His glory, this wonderful glory is already in me....I just love that thought. It's there, waiting to be shown, waiting to be seen!! One day it will be revealed completely, but it can be seen now too, if we let it.
How is that for a great God visit to start the day? So now, when I go through my day today, I will try to keep that in mind...His glory in me, right now.
Lord, help me to let it shine, let Your glory be seen in me, that you may be honored.
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