Inviting

We have a new year coming upon us.  Everyone seems eager to put 2020 behind them....all the difficulties, the pandemic, the deaths, the anger and division.  Worldwide we've struggled.  And many people I know have gone through personal sadness and tragedy as well.  It was a rough year all around.  With a new year brings new beginnings.  A vaccine is now being distributed, so hopefully this pandemic will come under control and be a item for the history books.  

For us as Christians, we can be assured of God's care, no matter what comes in the next year or the year after that or the year after that......We hope for a better 2021, but come what may, it is well with our souls.  

Usually our Father gives me a specific area in my walk to work on for the new upcoming year.  This year is a little different.  For the last month or so many things I've read and heard have focused on being in, inviting in and remaining in His Presence.  I've been reminded time and again that His Presence, the Lord's very being is always with me.  I think the Lord wants us to know, that He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  Whatever we face we are to remember this.  Whatever our circumstances, we are to ask Him into them. Know He is standing with us, focus on His Presence and be still, be comforted, be strengthened.  

We look to 2021 and hope for a better year, but the end times are upon us (I don't generally get involved with end time prophecy, pre trib, post trib, mid trib....figuring all that stuff out...I leave that to the scholars).  I do believe we are at least in the start of the end times, the birth pangs as Jesus called them.  And we know things will get very bad in the end.  Now is the time for us to grow in faith and remain mindful of the Lord's ever lasting Presence in our lives.  He wants us to know HE IS WITH US!  

Look to the Scripture for comfort, it is the Word, and Jesus is the Word.  Most of us have access to this beautiful book, these words of strength and comfort and promise.  His is with us!  Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”    

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Let's practice being in His Presence this upcoming year.  It is where we find our strength and joy.  Where we will find the faith and courage to face the trials of this world, or the personal struggles in our lives...It's His Presence where we find our peace and comfort.  

Lord, thank You for Your everlasting Presence.  Remind us of it daily, moment by moment.  Let Your Presence be so apparent to us, so real...Let it keep us in peace as we face uncertain times.  Let it be our strength as we stand against sin, looking to overcome our own failings.  Let it be our guide, the voice that tells us which way to go, directing our steps...Lord, we so often run through life forgetting Your beautiful Presence....we get caught up in the day to day grind.  Help us in this area Lord, help us to be mindful and open.  Please bless each person reading this in the new year Lord,  Let them have a season of growing faith, joyful hearts and blessed circumstances.  Lord, You know each heart, each need, each life....Meet each reader where they are and do Your mighty work in their hearts and lives.  And mine too!  Show us the way to go in 2021.  Thank You for all You do, for all Your are doing and for the love which never fails.  In Jesus' mighty and very present name.  Amen.  

Happy New Year.  Enjoy your celebrations!  

Merry Christmas!

M E R R Y 

C H R I S T M A S ! !

  

I pray everyone has a beautiful Christmas and welcomes the Presence of the Lord into their day.  He came for each of us.  What an amazing gift!  Thank You Lord!  Thank Your Father for Your incredible plan.  Thank You Jesus for Your obedience and love.  Thank You Holy Spirit for opening our hearts to receive the blessing of Christmas.  Hallelujah!  Amen.

Christmas is almost here.  And it's a weird kind of Christmas this year.  Family gatherings that usually take place are not happening.  Many people have lost mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, children and other loved ones.  COVID19 has run rampant for almost a year now.  There's loneliness and heartache around many tables.   Add this to normal sadness that happens to many around the holidays when they feel empty or left out of the celebrations.  It can seem bleak and overwhelming.  But this truth still stands.  The Lord remains the same.  He remains with us, our Emmanuel.  His love still loves.  This song so touched my heart as a reminder that we are never unloved, never truly alone.  That even in the darkest days on earth, we have our Lord who sees and stays.  

 

If you are hurting this holiday, know I am praying for you to find comfort in the arms of our Savior.  He came from heavens glory to a dusty stable for you.  You were on His mind when He left heaven.  You were to reason, I was the reason, all of us...His love for you and I compelled Him to come.  He loves you that much.  You are worthy of that love because you are His creation.  Even if we have no other family or friends to spend the day with, the Lord would love our company.  

Lord, lift the head and heart of those who are hurting this Christmas.  Let them feel You Presence and Your love.  Give them the gift of hope. Bring Your healing to their lives, to their souls.  You know the struggles each or us face, our brokenness, our deepest needs...Reach out and touch lives exactly where You know will bring Your peace, healing and wholeness.  Thank You for coming.  Thank You for loving us.  Our most precious Emmanuel.  We love You.  

Rejoice

After I finished Tuesday's entry I got up and got going on my to dos for the day.  Some grocery shopping was on that list.  We were expecting a storm and running short on quite a few things, so I thought going sooner rather than later was a good idea.  Amazingly the store wasn't too crowded and I got in and out pretty quick, which was good since I had a few other things on the "list" before I had to go to work.

I love watching the way the Lord works  I love how He plants little gifts in our days.  And He did just that during my trip to the grocery stores.   And I love how He confirms His message.  There was a car that was parked two cars away from me with a window decal that hammered home the Lord's instruction on joy. 

Note the big circled word in the center.  REJOICE.  Can I get a few exclamation points here?  LOL. Even if this life offers nothing but difficulty (and some days sure feel like that), the Kingdom of Heaven is always at hand, and Christ's Presence is always surrounding us, and Heaven is our destination.  There is always reason to rejoice.  John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

It's amazing how the Lord can take something as average and mundane as an everyday shopping trip and turn it into a beautiful God visit blessing.   

Thank You Lord for Your gifts of love.  You scatter them throughout our day, giving us glimpses into You heart.  I so appreciate how You reach into our days, how Your hand touches even the mundane, just to bless and care for us.  You are an encouraging Father, a loving Savior and a totally involved Presence in our lives.  Help us to keep our eyes open and our faith believing so we may be blessed and rest in Your care.  In Jesus loving Name.  Amen. 

Look for the Lord's gifts today.  

Joy

I feel like I've lost my joy.  Things I used to love and that filled me with pleasure have become another "to do."  When I am creating the bulletin boards for church or taking care of the kitties at the animal shelter I feel like it's another thing to check off my list of "need to get done."  This makes me very sad.  And makes me feel very guilty.  It feels like so much of life is chores and problems, that the things I once loved are getting pushed out by a feeling of being overwhelmed and my heart is filling with anger and tiredness.  

And in steps the Lord!  In addition to the beautiful birthday verses He gave to me, with the onset of Advent, joy has been front and center in His "talks" to me.  

One of the verses in my Pastor's Sunday sermon was Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  One of the ways to keep my energy level up is to remain joyful, for in that joy is strength that comes for the Lord.  Oh, but how to do that when one feels like their strength is fading and the lists gets longer and the problems loom larger.  

I've heard several times over the last couple of weeks that joy is a choice.  Huh.  Tough one.  I need to take responsibility and choose to be joyful.  I need to bring my mind into alignment with Scripture and choose to let contentment rule my heart.  In the words spoken by Nehemiah we see him giving the Israelites instructions to do something.  They are told to go enjoy themselves.  Do something fun.  And they are also told to take care of others, those who don't have or are in need.  Maybe we need a little more fun and a little more giving in our lives.  

In talking with the Lord about all this, I felt Him telling me that this can be a season of growth for me.  It's time for me to choose hope, peace, joy and love.  It's time to stop letting my circumstances and my emotions dictate my time and my demeanor.  It's time to invite Jesus into all my circumstances, all my moments, all my thoughts....It's time to remember I am in His Presence always.  And there is joy in His Presence.  Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Since I am in this season of growth, Satan has stepped up his attack on my home.  We have squirrels in the attic, holes in the roof...which by the way needs replacing, extreme workloads, more physical problems....all while looking at our retirement years coming on quickly, and having to prepare for all of that.  So I want to warn everyone, if you decide to go forward with this choosing joy, you will be tested.  I've heard Joyce Meyer say, "New level, new devil."  But I also know it will be so worth it to follow the Holy Spirit's lead.  No turning back!!  

Lord, I am hoping that in sharing my life and heart here, that others will see themselves and see there is hope...that we can live with joy, peace, hope and love.  I am hoping that like me, they will learn, and it is a learning process that takes practice, to choose the joy that comes from You alone.  Your Word is our remedy.  Help us to choose correctly!  Be our strength, our guide, our reminder, our joy giver.  Thank You for Your teaching.  Thank Your for Your Presence.  Your are an amazingly great and intimate God.  There is none like You!  How blessed are those who are called Your children!  Hallelujah!!  

Choose joy.  Choose to invite Jesus into all of your moments today.

Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?  3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.  6 I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Another Verse, Perfect Fit

Tuesday I wrote about one of the verses the Lord gave me for my birthday.  He also gave another one that I think fits perfectly together with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I was working on a project for church a couple of days ago.  And I was getting very frustrated.  I have this desire to be sooooo organized.  I crave it, need it, want it with everything in me.  But I do not have the ability.  I try.  I really do.  Then I try some more.  And then I get frustrated, stressed and all the joy of what I am doing leaves my heart.  When I cannot organize, I get lost and confused, things fall through the cracks....And I do want what I'm doing to be done correctly and be a blessing and bring joy to others.  So as I sat on my floor, forgetting all those great verses the Lord gave me over the last few days, and I just got frustrated.  And complainy.  And joyless.  

And then the Lord reminded me to come to Him, to pray about what I was doing, to let the perfectionism go, and just enjoy being a blessing.  And He reminded me as I sat here, that I am to let Him shine in my weakness, whether it's my struggle with organization or my allowing emotions to get the better of me.  My first step is to come to Him in prayer....as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Pray!  Give thanks! And then let God's strength come through.  And then the joy of the Lord will flow where before anger was threatening to overtake.  

Lord, thank You for Your Word.  our strength, our guide, our peace, our everything.  Help us to follow it.  I thank You for the desire that I have to want to follow....Lord help me and all of us with the ability part!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen. 

Pray without ceasing.  

New Verse!

Each year on my Birthday I like to find a new verse to focus on for the next year.  Now, I don't do it perfectly, not by a long shot...I forget about it for a while, lose focus, don't follow it....but I can remember it sometimes and focus on it sometimes and follow it sometimes, so I consider that a plus and progress!  It's more than I was doing before.  

Sometimes I get these verses from a devotional or a sermon.  Sometimes I hear them on the radio or see them on social media.  However they come I know it when I see it!  The Holy Spirit quickens it to my heart like a neon arrow pointing, "Look here!  This way!"  This year it was both a sermon and a podcast teaching...a double hit on the same verse, so I know it's God knocking loudly on my heart to pay attention.  

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Now the Lord gave me quite a few verses this year for my Birthday...but this is the only one that was given twice.  My fervent desire is to put it into practice immediately!  Perfectly!  Completely!  Well, that's my plan but, I'm sure the Lord has another timeline, and a step by step process.  LOL  I imagine that old fruit of the Spirit known as "patience" will be needed.  But I commit to working on it, with the Lord's help, knowing that in my weakness He is shown as strong.  His power will be made perfect in my inability to change myself.  

Lord, thank You for this verse.  I pray we all learn to live it out.  And in living it out we will be in constant communion with You.  Lord, You know my weakness, You know my failures, You know my heart....please help me and all of us to glorify You, to obey Your leading and to hide Your Word in our hearts so that it may bear fruit in our lives.  In Jesus' precious Name.  Amen. 

Find your verse!  

Tired

I'm tired.  This week has been especially exhausting in every way.  Physically, it's Christmas at the Post Office.  That means non stop movement.  Add to that the stress of extra work, no help, uncooperative bosses, constant lack of space, broken equipment that nobody seems to want or be able to fix...Add in my failures, my fall into anger and bad attitude-ism which pile on guilt (You know, the "You're a Christian, and supposed to stay sweet and calm in all situations, be a good witness" guilt that comes from not living up to that ideal).  Top that off with the rest of life.  You know, all the stuff that comes with that...broken appliances, air leaking tires (because who has time to get it fixed), difficult relationships, a to do list a mile long. On and on life batters this weary soul.   I'm sure there are a whole lot of us weary souls out there!  A multitude who can relate to this battle worn feeling!  

So I woke up this morning as tired as when I went to bed.  My body hurting from all the physical overuse at work.  I said God, I'm just tired.  I can't even pray.  I started to cry.  I'm just empty and worn.  And then the Lord sent His Word to my heart.  Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  How much comfort I find in the verse.  I don't even have to know how to pray this morning.  I don't have to muster the energy to do so.  The Lord sees my heart. He sees the weakness, the sadness, and the anger that swirls around and feels like it's burying me.  He sends His Word and love like a rescue boat in a raging sea.  

Thank You Lord.  You don't leave or forsake us.  Even when we feel as low as we can possibly feel, You are there.  You love us and will hear our hearts cry even when there are no words.  The Holy Spirit speaks our needs before Your throne....needs we don't even know are there, but that we feel the burden of, the heaviness weighing down our steps.  You are the lifter of our head, our mighty rescue.  Fill us with Your peace that goes beyond our understanding, even if nothing in life changes.  Lord, help us to not give our peace away.  Help us to hang onto it for dear life.  You know, we are battered, worn and fragile.  You know some days just taking the next step feels impossible....Help us.  Help us..  Jesus  Jesus Jesus.  

God hears.  He stays.  He loves.  

Our Amazing God of Hope

 

After I did my entry  this morning I set out to get some exercise.  And in my travels around the neighborhood this is what I came across.  God visit!!  LOL  

Hope Confusion

Last week's December readings for our Sunday sermons focused on HOPE.  The Bible talks of hope a lot.  Verse after verse after verse refers to our assured hope in our Savior and our God.   Ephesians 1:18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  Ephesians 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.  Colossians 1:4-5 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people,  which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.  On and on and on goes hope.

Now, when I read these verses, I get a little confused.  When I think of hope, I think of a "maybe."  For example, "I hope we have good weather for the picnic."  Or, "I hope I get we make it safely to our destination."   It's not a sure thing.  The picnic could be rained out and the car could break down causing our trip to be delayed or canceled.  But when the Bible talks of hope, it is putting hope in sure things.  We are told in 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.  All the promises we have in Christ are assured.  They are a reality, albeit, in some instances, a reality yet to come.  So how do we "hope" in God's promises when we know they are a sure thing?  Isn't that knowing, not hoping?

I've had this bit of confusion for a long time.  LOL  And finally, as I was reading the daily passages last week, the Lord explained it.  The world's hope is a maybe.  The Lord's hope is a definite.  They are simply two different kinds of hope.  Now, I know most people may have figured this out long ago....but I guess I just took a little longer to get there.  LOL  Two different kinds of hope!  Wow, who knew!!  

The Bible gets hope from the Greek words elpizo/elpis.  And the meaning behind these words is to expect, trust, anticipate with pleasure or confidence.   When I look in the dictionary it says "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.  to believe, desire, or trust:  to feel that something desired may happen."  But they also have an archaic definition which is "to place trust; rely (usually followed by in)."  Our hope in our God is a trust and reliance...it's a confidence.  The worldly hope seems to have come to mean "I wish" for something.  I like the Biblical definition of hope better! 

How comforting is this hope we have?  How wonderful is our Lord?  He gives us this hope, He is worthy of our reliance and trust.  Our hope will not disappoint when it is placed in Him!  There is no "I wish." in His Word.  There is no "maybe."  All His promises are yes and amen!  We can rest in that hope.  

Lord, let Your hope bring peace to our hearts, and confidence to our spirits.  Help us to overcome discouragement with the hope that is in Jesus our Savior.  Hallelujah!  It is finished....our hope is complete in Jesus.  Amen and amen!

Rest in the hope of Christ.  If discouragement is knocking on the door of your heart, dig into the hope that we have in Jesus.  Hide there.  He is our Rock.  

Expectancy

For hundreds of years ancient Israel awaited her Messiah.  Some of our Christmas songs echo that  longing for a deliverer.  As the church, we know our Messiah has come.  He came long ago that Christmas day as a tiny baby with big plans.  Now, listening to these songs puts me in the mind to look forward, as Israel did....awaiting not the coming, but the return of our Messiah.  Our deliverer, our conquering King of kings.  Enjoy and look forward, with expectancy....our Redeemer lives and our Redeemer will return!

Isaiah 9:6  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

Yes, Thankfulness

It's been a tough year for the world.  COVID19 has brought sickness, sadness, frustration, financial difficulties, loneliness, isolation, fear, and death.  Our world, in many ways has been turned upside down.  New norms, new ways of doing things....we are separated from loved ones, isolated in our homes.  Those who are working may be nervous and fearful.  As we try to maintain or go back to normalcy, a second wave is said to be coming.  

We've seen some good things too.  Families reconnecting, neighbors helping neighbors, providing for the needs of the elderly and those unable to go out for themselves. We've had time to slow down and appreciate the little things more, maybe even appreciate each other more too!   And we realize that even in all the fear, and the hardships, we have reason to be thankful.  

This week being Thanksgiving, I, like most find gratitude a little more in the forefront of my thoughts.  We've had a rough go of it, and it seems to be continuing....but God has never left the side of His children.  And each day is filled with a thousand small gifts to be thankful for.  It's so easy to lose sight of that when we suffer.  It's so easy to let fear and despair overwhelm our hearts.  I've done it many times.  But we are not called to this!  We have a Savior, a Redeemer who loves us, our eternity is secure!  I am so grateful for this truth.  

Last night I lay down on soft sheets, and this morning woke to a hot cup of coffee.  I sit here typing, able to connect with others around the globe.  The sun is shining brightly this morning, it makes the world I pass through sparkle.  My heart feels at peace and my mind is at rest. I have warm socks!   All these things I am grateful for.  Little things.  Things that fly by unnoticed way too often.  Oh Lord, that I would just open my eyes to the thousand little things each day!  

Lord, thank You for all things....good and bad.  Your Word tells us that  You cause "everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)  Lord, open our hearts to see Your hand on each moment of our lives.  The joyful and the sorrowful.   Lord, help our hearts to follow Your Word and "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)  We are truly the most blessed people on earth to be called your children.   Times have been hard and are still hard Father.  You know and see our suffering...carry us through.  This world is not an easy place.  Give us hearts to see through the eyes of thankfulness.  Lord, I pray for each of us, that You will strengthen us in all tribulations, provide in all circumstances, and comfort in all sadness.  Thank You that You never leave nor forsake us.  Thank You that we have the hope of heaven.  Thank You for being our God!  In Jesus, our wonderful Savior's Name.  Amen.  

Have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!  And let's make everyday a thankful one!  

 

Morning Worship, A Song of Hope

 

Affirmation Continued

 On Tuesday I talked about how God loves and affirms of us even when we feel like absolute failures, even when we make messes, even when we can't seem to get anything right.  That's most days for me. LOL

Yesterday, I got two separate affirmations of this truth.  I believe our loving Father is truly trying to hammer this home into our hearts.  He wants this truth as a firm foundation to our faith....the truth of His love and approval, even when we make mistakes, act like jerks (like I did last night)....His love never fails and He never looks at us with hate or malice.  

Listening to a Joyce Meyer podcast as I ran on Tuesday after writing the previous post, everything I put in that post that I had felt the Lord speaking to me, he confirmed.  Just hitting the highlights of what Joyce said:  He sees your heart, knows and approves of your desire to please Him.  She used the example of anger...which is a huge issue for me, so I really felt like this was especially for me to hear.  The right word at the right time...only God makes that happen!  Time spent in prayer, study, worship...all of this is how God works in us...we can do nothing without Jesus.  She also went on to say we are not to be in a hurry, but to enjoy where we are with the Lord.  He is working, in His time.          

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.   (from the Amplified Bible).  We are to be patient with ourselves, God likes us!  

Second affirmation came again from the Thanksgiving devotional I am reading at night.  Joyce entitled it "Respect and Value Yourself."  It went onto say we are to be at peace with ourselves, celebrating our strengths and giving our weaknesses over to God.  He will be glorified when He works through or removes them, as we allow His Presence and Power to lead our hearts and lives.  Again, we don't live sloppy, selfish, sin filled lives, but we don't hate ourselves for not being perfect or living up to some standard that is impossible for us, in our humanness to attain.  Even Paul said in Ephesians 3:12-14 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

The Thanksgiving devotional by Joyce Meyer was copyrighted in 2014.  The podcast was from October of this year.  Now only God can put those type of "coincidences" together!  LOL 

Lord, we come to You as fallen and falling human beings and we thank You  for the love You shower on us, even as we falter and fail.  Thank You so much that Your love is forever, and Your mercy is new every morning.  Let us love ourselves and be at peace with ourselves even as we lean into You to help us grow and change.  Lord, let us not condemn ourselves, but accept Your conviction and forgiveness as we look forward to the next level You are bringing us to.  Thank You for affirming You love and approval of us, even when we get it wrong...No, we know You may not like with we do, but You always see us through eyes of love.  And You see us as the complete person we are becoming in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Lord, I don't know who (besides me) really needed to hear this today, but I pray they will believe and stand firm on this truth, this foundation of Your love.  I pray this in our Savior's Name.  Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen

Trust God's love.  

I just listened to Hillsong United's "So Will I (A Hundred Billion X)."  And I'm going to leave that statement there for a few minutes. 

Rewind to the past weekend.  I had a few minutes of meltdown alone in my garage.  Nothing overwhelming, just had gotten sick of listening the the litany of complaints in my head and feeling the anger of my heart simmering more often than not these days.  Seems everything and everyone is causing me to feel things I don't want to feel.  It's like I'm angry at the world and all I hear in my head is harshness.  I cry out to God for deliverance.  I don't want to feel this way.  I want to love as He loves.  I desire this with all my heart.  So why can't I get past myself?

I cried out to God that I was unworthy of His love, His attention....I asked Him to just leave me be and give up on me.  I would never get this right.  My heart breaks over this.  So then His answers started showing up.  And in truth I found them hard to believe.  Still do if I I'm being honest.  

First was a Facebook meme.  All it said was "God is proud of you."  Ok, now there is no way that could be for me.  LOL  That's impossible.  So I went on my way that day....living in my struggle and wretchedness.  (But as always, still trying!)  Later that night I read my bedtime daily devotional for the day.  "The Power of Being Thankful" by Joyce Meyer.  The title: God Thinks You Are Amazing.   As I read through the page, my mind was again saying, "nope, not me."  Okay agree with the sentiment of Psalm 139:14  that says "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it."  I know that the making of a human is an amazing and wonderful feat.  The care and precision and knowledge that went into making us is beyond anything we could imagine.  It's what I've done with this creation of the Lord that I have a problem with.  

Joyce went on to talk about how our change doesn't come over night, and our struggles wouldn't instantly disappear, but that it was a process and God sees the beginning from the end.  Ok, I have an answer for that too.  LOL  I've been actively working this since 1994.  That's 26 years.  How long do I have to wait to see definitive change!  I must be the one impossible case (or one of the few LOL)

But last night at work, the Lord really started hammering it home.  I'm starting to think I can't ignore that He doesn't see me the way I do.  That He really does seem past the wretchedness, to the heart that desires with everything in it to obey Him, yet struggles to find the path of that obedience.  He sees my want even as it wars with my ability.  And that is what He rejoices over.  And that is the part, the seed He has put in me.  

As I was driving my rider jack at work, I looked down and saw in front of me an index card.  It was tattered, and dirty from people and equipment trampling over it.  It looked like it had been there for days, but I don't think it had.  I think somehow, someway that night it had fallen out of my pocketbook amid all the other index cards I had in there that I forget to look at.   It was God's timing, a God visit that I needed so badly.  

Deuteronomy 28:1-9,13  If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all HIs commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.  You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God.  Your towns and your fields will be blessed.  Your children and your crops will be blessed.  The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed.  Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.  Wherever you go and whatever you do, will be blessed.  The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you.  They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!  The Lord your God will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill you storehouses with grain.  The Lord you God will bless you in the land He is giving you.  If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in His ways, the Lord will establish you as His holy people as He swore He would do...If you listen to the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.  

And later that night while I was on break, I came to these verses as I was doing my reading for Sunday's Bible study.

Leviticus 26:3-13   “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands,  I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.  Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land.   “I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.  In fact, you will chase down your enemies and slaughter them with your swords.  Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand! All your enemies will fall beneath your sword.   “I will look favorably upon you, making you fertile and multiplying your people. And I will fulfill my covenant with you.  You will have such a surplus of crops that you will need to clear out the old grain to make room for the new harvest!  I will live among you, and I will not despise you.  I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.

Wow.  God had a lot to say.  Now, I know this says obedience....but God knew neither the Israelites nor us would ever be perfect.  He instituted a systems of sacrifice for them, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us....Jesus Christ.  But I think God is saying if you obey me...meaning if your heart is seeking to do it's absolute best to be obedient....if you seek forgiveness when you fail, following my instruction for redemption (relying on Jesus), then I will be with You, I will bless You.  God loves our hearts desire to be obedient.  I'm not saying we live a flippant life, not, "oops, I screwed up but I wanted to do right" lazy attitude.  But when I give up, I fall out of His will.  And I think we can apply these physical blessings to spiritual blessing as well.  God is not mad at me.  And He's not mad at you.  He sees our hearts desire to obey and is pleased.  

I am not perfect....far from it.  But I serve a perfect God, am saved by a perfect Savior and I need to trust His timing to remove my shortcomings, while working hard with the Holy Spirit to be all He wants me to be.  

Lord, my imperfections and anger and sinfulness cause me so much sorrow.  I know You see that.  But I am trusting Your love over my behavior.  Your mercy and compassion over my inabilities.  Thank You for sending Your love to me on four separate occasions.  Thank You for reassuring me, and whoever is reading this that we are never out of Your love and mercy.  Help us to grow, to see the changes that we want so much to see so that we may glorify You.  In Jesus name, amen.

God loves you and is proud of you!  

 Really focus on the last verse of this song.  It says so much.  The God who orchestrated the vast universes down to the tiniest detail is so enamored of you and me....He will never leave us behind. 

Morning Worship

Sometimes a song says it all....well more like a lot of times.  Songs lift us up in praise and worship, comfort us with God's promises set to melody, give word to our hurting hearts and remind us Who we are connected to.  I heard this song a couple of days ago and knew I had to share it.  Worship is a great way to start the day and sometimes a song is the perfect way to express that love and awe we have in our hearts to the amazing God we serve.  Many times my words fall so short, but music has a way of bridging that gap between my heart's desire to worship and the inability of my mind to find the words.  This song does a beautiful job of reminding us who our God is and what He is capable of.   Enjoy this song today and let it lift you into God's Presence.  He is worthy!  

I am so grateful that the Lord gave us songwriters and performers who can express the urgings of our hearts so eloquently and with so much anointing.   

Thank You for the gift of song Lord.  We worship You this morning, our Savior, Sustainer and Deliverer.  Nothing is impossible for You.  We are so grateful to be in Your care.  You are worthy of all our praise.  Beauty, awe, creativity, intelligence, deepest love, kindness, wisdom, justice, holiness, generosity....on and on the list goes.  It's who You are.  What an amazing God we serve!  

Not Commonplace

We are studying the book of Exodus in our Sunday morning Bible study. We were discussing the Israelites seesaw attitude, one minute rejoicing, the next complaining, and we all had trouble understanding how while they could physically see the cloud and pillar of fire in front of them, they could lose their faith so easily.  And yet, don't we sometimes act the same way.  I know I do.

Perhaps the cloud and fire eventually become commonplace to them.  Perhaps they let their troubles, or what they saw as lack get bigger than the God in front of them.  Those wants took up more space in their hearts than the One who led them out of slavery with signs and wonders.

Fast forward to my own heart.  The one where the Holy Spirit lives.  Follow that path to the dozen Bibles I have around the house, in my car, and if one adds in the Scripture available on the internet......Do we not have the same God that was in the cloud and the fire with us all the time?  If we truly believe that the Bible is "The Word" and the Word is Christ Jesus, we have Him at our fingertips!  1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the One who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.  We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands.  HE IS THE WORD OF LIFE.   And the Holy Spirit lives within us, ready to lead, guide, comfort, strengthen, yet we let the cares of this world drown out is Presence and His voice.  Have we let these facts become commonplace?

I saw great conviction in the conversation we were having last Sunday.  I saw myself in the complaining, faithless Israelites.  

His very Spirit lives within us.  But like Peter when he was called to walk upon the water to Jesus, we lose sight of His Presence when we let our eyes drift from Him and focus on the waves around us.  

Lord, You are with us every bit as much as the wilderness wandering Israelites.  We too, wander a wilderness of trials, difficulties and enemies.  But You have told us Your Spirit lives within us, never to leave nor abandon us.  Keep our hearts focused on Your Presence as we walk through this life, giving us Your strength, Your leading and Your purpose.  Help us to not lose heart at what we see happening around us.  Your Word and Your Spirit go before us, surround us, and keep us.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name, amen.

God is bigger and God is in and with you!

John 14:26  But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

1 Corinthians 6:19  Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

Ephesians 1:13  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 by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

 

Lessons From the Week

This week contained some sweet little lessons from my Father.  I love those bits of illumination, correction or insight that He gives while we walk through the every day.  

The first was when I was out jogging.  I was listening to a Joyce Meyers podcast and she talked about how Jesus is the vine and when you see fruit on the vine it's just hanging down.  This is how we are to be with Jesus, just hanging off of Him, connected and receiving the downflow of His power and love.   

I thought, what a fantastic picture of rest.  Is there anything more restful than just hanging there?  The fruit on a vine doesn't detach itself and go running off in a million different directions.  It just hangs from it's vine, expecting the be fed and nourished.  And that's how we should be with Jesus.  Attached at the hip as it were!  I got such a picture of rest and peace in my heart from this example.  And of course Matthew 11:28 came to mind.  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."   How beautifully the Lord paints pictures in His Word, making it easier for us to see His heart.  

Second little lesson from the Lord.  There is a gentleman that comes to our job place who apparently gives everyone a hard time.  My boss said he refuses to be signed in and is not very nice to the people who have to deal with him and she was going to have to come up with a solution to the problem.  Our job is to get mail delivered and we want to do that so the problem has been ignored for a while, but really can't continue to go on.  

My first thought was to just refuse to let this guy in.  I mean, who does he think he is anyway...you know the kind of thoughts we have when someone is being mean spirited or jerky.  And wow did conviction come fast.  I felt the Holy Spirit say in my heart, "Pray for him."   Immediately compassion rose up, and I wondered why this man was so unhappy as to lash out and be so difficult to those around him.  I have to mention that on the way to work yesterday, I prayed for the Lord to help me see others through His eyes.  To have His heart for them.  Talk about answered prayer!  LOL

I love the Lord's touches on my day.  They are so precious to me.  And again I am glad to have seen them.  I want to see more!!  

Lord, open our hearts to Yours.  Let us see Your hand, see with Your heart and stay connected to You.  In Jesus' precious Name, amen.  

Pray through the day and stay connected!  

Secure Future

In the USA we are voting today to elect our governing officials.  From the president down to congress, down to small town officials, elections are taking place across our country.  I don't believe I've seen a more adversarial, controversial presidential race in my lifetime.  My prayer is that we, as a country will act with grace no matter who wins and peace will ultimately prevail.  The one thing I am sure of though, no matter what happens God is in charge.  His plan is in place and it doesn't just center around any one nation, any one individual.  His plan is for the world as a whole and we His church are to be the light for that world.  

I hear doomsday predictions from both sides of the fence.  If this one wins, it'll be a disaster.  If that one wins, life as we know it will cease.  All the talk, all the fear, all the anger....it's symptomatic of a life without Jesus.  I'm pretty sure that life is going to be difficult, and at some point even dangerous as the world marches forward to the end.  The book of Revelation reveals to us disaster upon disaster upon disaster is to come.  There will be a great falling away from the church (I'm of the mind we are in that phase now).  Right is called wrong and wrong is called right.  

But we as Christians have the hope and secure calling of heaven.  The verse that sustains me through all the crazy, all the fearmongering is Hebrews 13:14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.  Will things on this earth be difficult, maybe even more difficult than we can imagine....YES.  But our Lord has promised us in Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  He has also told us in 1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  And then on to Heaven we go where Jesus is preparing a place for us.  He told us in John 14:1-4 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”   In case you missed the last two entries, Jesus is that way! 

We have such a security.  Such a hope.  Life on earth will come to a close. Look at what He tells us in Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.  

What an amazing time we are living in.  We come closer every day to His return and victory.  When will that be, no one but the Father knows.  It could be next year or 100 years from now.  But whenever it happens, for now we live close to our Lord, drawing our strength and peace from Him.  He has promised to never leave nor forsake us.  He has promised to sustain us through life's hardships and bring us home to Himself.  I find such comfort in these facts as we face the unknowns and uncertainties  of this world.  Our job is to be salt and light in a decaying and dark world.  Matthew 5:13-16 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Lets share the Gospel loudly and fervently and prayerfully with urgency.  

Keep the faith.  Keep the hope.  This is not our home!

Lord, just reading those words in Revelation 21 fills me with excitement.  Lord, You alone know the ultimate plan You have, we only need to remember You are good and will always work our all things for our good.  Help us to stay strong in our faith and dependence on You.  Give us hearts to share the Gospel boldly so that those around us have an opportunity to come to You.  Lord, help Your people shine brighter and brighter as the world gets darker and darker.  Be glorified.  Thank You for Your good promises.  You will not fail us.  Amen. 

Pray for boldness.  Pray for a steadfast spirit.  Pray for open hearts.  PRAY!   

Salvation, From Mom, Part Two

 Saved.  Luke 7:50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

From the Word Wealth in Mom's Bible:  heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. 

Saved.  We are "saved" from physical death by healing and from spiritual death by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior.    To give "new life" and to cause to have a new heart.  Admit we are sinners.  Ask for forgiveness through Jesus.  

The ABCs of Salvation.  

Admit you are a sinner.  Romans 3:23  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Believe in Jesus Christ.  Acts 16:31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

Confess your faith.  Romans 10:9-11 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Salvation.  

1.  Acknowledge you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

2. Acknowledge Jesus Christ is the Son of God and only He can save you.

3.  Believe that Jesus' crucifiction was for your/my personal sins and that His death was on our behalf.

4.  Give Jesus your life and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord.

From me. 

That's it in a nutshell.  There is an afterlife.  There is only two choices for that afterlife.  Heaven or Hell.  God or Satan.  Jesus is the only way to Heaven.  And only His given path will take us there, will reconcile us to our creator, will give our lives purpose and will bring us joy and peace.  Becoming a Christian is easy.  It's saying YES to His gift.  Living as a Christian is a lifelong pursuit to become like our Savior. We put off our old way of doing things and learn to put on a new attitude.  Ephesians 4:20-2420 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.   Being a Christian doesn't deliver us from life's difficulties, but it gives us someone to hold onto through them and a hope for the future.   Will you accept the gift of salvation today?

Lord, open the hearts of anyone reading this who doesn't know You.  Open them up to Your love and salvation.  You alone are the One who saves.  You alone are the One who delivers.  We know being a Christian can sometimes bring persecution....from friends and family rejecting or making fun of us to imprisonment and death...but You will bring us through it all and into Your amazing Presence if we stay the course....and You will never leave us or forsake us, You will help us.  You gave Your all to bring us back to Yourself, the One who created and fashioned each one of us.  You yearn for a relationship with those You created, You yearn to call us sons and daughters.  Draw people all over to Yourself, to the promise of Your eternal Presence, the eternal life that You tell us about in Revelation 21:2-4   I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem. It was coming down out of heaven from God. It was made ready like a bride is made ready for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice coming from heaven. It said, “See! God’s home is with men. He will live with them. They will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will be their God. 4 God will take away all their tears. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All the old things have passed away.”  This is the wonderful, eternal future for those who trust You.  Lord, please bring any readers that don't know You to this salvation.  And thank You a million times over for my own salvation.  I still shake my head in astonishment that You would save such a mess like me!  LOL  

Admit.  Believe.  Confess.  

Salvation, From Mom Part 1

Salvation--Releasing, deliverance, liberation.  Acts 28:28  So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept.  (forgiveness, healing, prosperity, deliverance, safety, rescue, liberation and restoration.  Luke 19:9 Jesus responded, "Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.  (soundness, prosperity, rescuing, deliverance, preservation, safety, restoration, liberation).

Christ's salvation is total in scope for the total man:  spirit, soul and body.

The word (salvation) is used both in a material, temporal sense and in a spiritual, eternal sense.  Salvation is a present possession with a fuller realization in the future.  

Luke 1:77  To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,

Luke 19:9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

1 Thessalonians 5:8-9  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Saved.  Believe the Scriptures

John 3:16 For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 5:13  I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14 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 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.

Ephesians 2:4-7 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 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.

Simply put, all God asks of us is to believe in His Son, Jesus, as your Savior.  Just place your trust in Christ, through faith, in His redeeming work on the Cross and resurrection from the dead.  Then God will take over and you will receive the sincere desire to tell others about the blessings of salvation.

From me.

Mom gives a lot a great Scripture for this beautiful gift of salvation given by our Creator.  It really is so simple.  We are not worthy to be in the Presence of a Holy God.  We sin, we get it wrong, we live in self seeking, self determining ways.  But He has provided a way to bring us back into fellowship with Him, restoring the relationship mankind once shared with Him in the Garden of Eden.  That way is Jesus Christ.  Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Putting our belief and trust in Jesus and His sacrifice is the only way to be saved, to have eternal life in Heaven, where we will live in peace, joy and wholeness beyond anything we could imagine.  The alternative is Hell.  A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.  A place of despair, darkness and desolation, a place devoid of God's Presence and love.  

The Lord is so good.  We were the ones who screwed up, yet He is the one to fix it.  Praise His holy Name!!  

Lord, there are not enough words to express the joy and thankfulness for this gift of salvation.  We did, nor can do anything to earn it.  It is solely from Your love, from Your grace.  Lord, I can't even wrap my head around what You have given us.  Maybe once we get to heaven we will understand better, appreciate more....but for now, I just fall on my knees in thankfulness and awe.  Praise God!  Thank You Lord!  Amen and amen.   Psalm 18:46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!  Psalm 40:16 But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”

If you haven't already put your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, pray about doing so now.  Open your heart to Him.  He's love is waiting to envelop you.  If you already walk with Him, take some time to meditate on these Scriptures and give thanks.  

Prayer Please

 

Prayer please.  We need prayer.  We need God's grace to reach our hearts and through our hearts to embrace the hurting, to be the peacemakers who draw others by His love and to His truth, to His Son Jesus Christ.  We need to seek righteousness, holiness and stand for truth (what the Bible says is truth, not the world's version), but we also need to love and walk a mile in each others shoes.  This world is desperate.  Shouldn't we be desperate too?  Desperate for the Lord to save each soul and be glorified in each life.  Lord, help us to be the ones You send to help, to share the Gospel, to love as You love.  Help us to kneel before You before we face the world.  We cannot stand against the powers of darkness raging through this world if we don't first fall on our face before You throne.  Help us to be salt and light.  Let Your children be known by their good works and their humble hearts.  Lord, we get apathetic, self-righteous, and tend to stay in our own little safe zones.  Get us brave!  Set us afire for the lost!  Give us passion for the things that move Your heart.  In Jesus holy and powerful Name.  Amen

I heard this song for the first time recently and though, yeah, we really need to be reaching out to the Lord.  This world is a dark place, and getting darker by the day....but good news, God is still in control.  

2 Chronicles 7:14  Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

James 4:7  So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Isaiah 6:8  Then I heard the Lord asking, "Whom should I send as a messenger to this people?  Who will go for us?"  I said, "Here I am.  Send me." 

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

We face uncertain times.  It's as if we are seeing the end times playing out right in front of our eyes. Sunday afternoon me and a family member were discussing this very thing.   Wars, rumors of wars.  Disaster, dissent, famine.  These all seem to be getting worse.  But we are told these things will come.  We sang a song Sunday morning for worship that I hadn't heard in a long time and it gave me a reminder that all would be well.  Not necessarily easy, but definitely well. 

This week's Beatitude taught on by my Pastor Sunday was Matt 5:10  God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.  Not only are we seeing turmoil and trouble in the world, in the United States alone we are are seeing an outright attack on anything Christian.  Our values are being ridiculed and met with anger.  Other countries face violent persecution.   All to be expected.  Jesus told us in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So this song was a great reminder that we are in good hands, safe in the Savior's care.  We may face many difficult situations in this world, see things falling down around us even....but God has this!  He hasn't lost sight of His children or His good plan.  And just think, Jesus could come back any day!  

Lord, thank You that You stand before us.  You stand behind us and surround us with Your love.  We are safe in Your care and You will safely bring us home to You in Your perfect time.  Although things around us seem completely out of control, we are not abandoned to the world's chaos.  We are safe with You in the middle of the storm.  Give us the peace that passes understanding by knowing and believing this truth.  Lord give us the strength we need to stand fast and glorify Your Name.  We praise You today.  It Jesus most powerful Name.  Amen.  

Listen and believe.  

Peacemaker

Last Sunday my Pastor spoke on verse 9 of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

This verse convicts me.  Am I a peacemaker when I gossip, complain or criticize?  No.  There's a difference between offering suggestions that might improve a situation and criticizing other's ways of doing things.  There's a difference between pouring one's heart out in hurt to a wise, listening friend and complaining.  And there is no excuse for gossip.  Period.  

Maybe keeping 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 in mind will help us be the peacemakers that God wants.  It states:  4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Our Pastor said, "A quarrelsome person can't be a peacemaker."  And he's right.  Being contentious will never point the people around us to the Prince of Peace.  And isn't that what we ultimately want?  To show people that they can be at peace with the God who created them?  I think of the times at work when I was so upset something wasn't done right, or something was left undone....peacemaker would not be the term I used to describe my behavior.  

Jesus didn't shy from conflict.  He stood up for righteousness and justice.  But He loved.  He offered help instead of condemnation.  I'm not seeing Jesus stealing off for prayer in the mornings as was His custom and in that time complaining to His Father about all the people who were not living right, or whining about those who were trying to kill Him.  He didn't sit around after everyone left complaining about all the work He had to do and all the people that got themselves into trouble by sinning.  No.  He stayed at peace and loved those good old faulty humans.  

A peacemaker doesn't let the little things of life come between them and those around them.  Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  But there are times when we have to be honest with people.  We cannot compromise our Christian character to live in peace with the world.  We must "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).   We cannot see someone racing towards destruction without trying to pull them back.  Peace doesn't always mean to cessation of conflict.  We sometimes have to confront, as Jesus did.  Living out our peace with God may actually bring persecution.  Pointing people to a relationship with Jesus may actually cause them to hate and ridicule us.  

There is so much to the peacemaker thing!  And it really brought conviction to my heart about my "un-peaceable behavior.  Another area to grow!  Another area to allow the Holy Spirit to chisel and shape my heart into a beautiful residence for Him.  

Lord, teach us the balance of being a peacemaker in Your image.  Teach us to love others while still setting a Christ-like example wherever we go.  Let us point to way to You, the Prince of Peace.  Give us boldness and kindness, courage and humility.  Create in us the character of Christ.  It's in His precious Name I pray.  Amen.  

Examine yourself against verse 9 of the Beatitudes today.  Where are you on the peacemaker scale?  

Lord, prepare me, to be a sanctuary.  Pure and holy, tried and true...These are the opening words to a hymn we sung on Sunday morning.  And it got me thinking.  How welcoming is my heart to Jesus? 

In a couple of weeks we are having a house guest visit our home.  As most women know, when we have guests, whether for a few hours or a few days, a lot of preparation goes into it.  Cleaning, making things sparkle and feel fresh.  For stay over guests, we get out clean sheets, fix up the guest area with things like the channel list for local tv stations, a place to put or hang clothes, fresh towels and toiletries.  Then there is food fixing, getting in some guest favorites.....We do what we can to make visitors to our home feel welcome and cared for.  

Well, this song got me wondering what I do with my heart to make the Holy Spirit feel welcome.  What makes my heart a sanctuary for Him?  As we study the Beatitudes on Sunday mornings I got the idea that a heart having the "attitudes of the beatitudes" is what is needed to make a welcoming home for our Lord.  It's not about perfection, but about a heart that seeks to follow Christ, a needy heart.  A heart that quickly seeks forgiveness for sin, seeks God's help to overcome and seeks to glorify Him in all things.  It's a heart that puts others first, a humble heart that lives peaceably with others, but not compromising the ways of God to fit into a world that we were never meant to fit into.  

5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,

   for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are humble,

    for they will inherit the whole earth.

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,[b]

    for they will be satisfied.

7 God blesses those who are merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

    for they will see God.

9 God blesses those who work for peace,

    for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

I want my heart to be a place the Lord feels comfortable.  And sometimes that's going to make me uncomfortable, sometimes that will require work on my part....giving up fitting in with the world, giving up giving in to my flesh, to ease and comfort.  Breaking sin's chains off our lives, putting God's desires over our own, maybe loosing a few friendships all can be difficult.  But to be a "man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22...He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’)  requires change.  And we are not alone.  We are told in Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  

I think that a heart that welcomes God is one that while not perfect, it is perfectly willing to come to Jesus.  

Thank You Lord that we don't have to be perfect to be a perfect home for You.  Thank You that You work with those who are willing, changing us from the inside out to be the kind of place You want to reside.  Give us hearts that are willing, hearts that seek You first and seek to do You will even when it's hard.  We are so blessed that we don't have to come all cleaned up and tidy, we can come with our messes and our hurts and our struggles.  Thank You that it's our desperation that brings us to the Cross.  And thank You that You work in us to make us people that have hearts for You.  Let us work with You to live lives shaped by the Words Jesus gave us in Matthew 5.  Lord, be glorified in our hearts and lives.  In Jesus' Name, amen.

Start a study in the Beatitudes.  

Sunday Worship

Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  

Two Things to Remember

I don't know what you are going through right now.  But God does.  He knows the last few weeks have been very difficult and very sorrowful for me.  He sees our hurt, our tears.  He sees the pain and lostness we all feel when life plays rough.  He is our loving Father and holds us when we weep.  I know I've found this to be true over the last few weeks.  My heart was broken, my body worn and sick, yet I knew I was never alone or abandoned by my Lord.  And two verses kept coming up.  Two words of comfort and assurance from the Lord.  

Romans 8:28  28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope

They came up again yesterday, as life has started to get back to normal.  And I will carry  them in my heart, knowing they are a gift from my  Father.  And they are your gift as well.  He wants you, whoever is reading this right now, wherever you are, whatever you are facing to know and remember these two truths.  Hide them in your heart and treasure them.  Bring them out to fight against the darkness and the lies of the enemy.  Rest in them.  They are healing, they are hope.  

Lord, thank You for Your beautiful Word and Your beautiful heart that loves us so.  Thank You for the comfort You wrap us in and the peace we can rest in as the storm rages around us.  You are so good to Your children.  Life hurts.  But You neve abandon nor forsake Your children.  You speak peace even in the storm.  Thank You.  Please comfort the hurting today.  Comfort the broken.  Be with them as they struggle and weep, lift their hearts and heads.  In Jesus' Name amen.

Write out these verse and carry them with you.  

Addendum

God wasn't finished with this topic of putting Him first.  As I closed out today's entry, I looked at my phone for the verse of the day.  Yup, God has something else to say to us.  

1 Chronicles 16:11  Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.  

We truly serve an awesome, involved, active God!  And He's definitely got a sense of humor!

Hint Hint!!

Yesterday was a long day for me.  Monday's and Thursdays I volunteer at a kitten and cat adoption center and then go to work afterwards.  By lunchtime at work, I'm pretty tired and starting to wind down for the day.  Last night was no exception.

As I sat in my car for lunch, I was feeling quite lazy as you could imagine.  I sat scrolling through Facebook, when I knew I should actually be doing my Bible study/prayer time.  But thinking seemed like too much work and scrolling was so much easier.  LOL   But of course the Lord had other ideas and was not going to be denied His time with me.  

As I scrolled through Facebook posts, I came across this meme on one of my like pages.  Do you think God was trying to get my attention?  Correction time!  LOL  

Really, no matter how tired, how down, how busy it's always good to follow the advice of this meme.  Maybe it's just taking time to be thankful, to read a Psalm and let it sink into our hearts, to just sit in God's presence, or listen to and join in with worship music for a little bit...whatever it is you do, it's always appropriate to put God first.  

Lord, thank You for this timely reminder last night.  You know sometimes we get too tired to even think, but that is never an excuse for neglecting our relationship and our time with You.  I am so happy that You meet us just where we are, lifting our heads and our spirits as we spend time with You.  And Lord, thank You that You don't expect big, in depth study when we are like that, but just want to be with us and hang out.  You are a kind and loving Father, are patient and gentle Savior.  You tell us in Matthew 11:28...“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  No matter our tiredness, our burdens, You are the one who comforts and strengthens us.  We can just sit with You when we are weary and rest in Your Presence.  No fancy prayers or deep study is needed, just time together.  I love You Lord!  Thank You.  

You know what to do!  

Sunday Worship

 Enjoy!  To God Be The Glory!!

Crazy!

I was reading a devotional today called "31 Days of Praise" by Ruth Myers.  I love this little book.  It takes us through 31 days of worship and praise for our God, extoling and acclaiming His glory, virtue and Presence.  It focuses my heart on His goodness, His greatness and His amazing grace.  Today's reading (and I've read it many, many times over the years), struck a chord in my heart that caused me to stop and listen for a while.  

"Thank You, Father, that You so loved the world that You gave Your one and only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ...that when the time had fully come, He wrapped Himself in human form, being born as a helpless baby in a poor family.  Thank You that He walked here on earth radiating the brightness of your glory and flawlessly expressing Your nature...and so, through Him, people saw You in action, involved with them, available to meet their needs."  These words started off today's devotions.

Stop and rest here for a second.  Think about this.  Think about the God of the Old Testament.   The God who spoke to Moses from a burning bush.  Led the infant nation of Israel by a pillar of smoke and fire.  He shook mountains, and no one could see His face.  The High Priest could only go before Him once a year and then only through much ritual and cleansing.  Isaiah declared chapter 6:5 "Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”  This God was unapproachable by people.  Present and active, but awesome and terrifying.  His love came through His holiness and fearful Presence, we see His tender care, but He didn't walk among His people.    They couldn't come before Him and fellowship.  

Jesus, on the other hand, came down from Heaven's glories into the dust and dirt and walked with His creation.  He laughed, He cried, He ate, He drank.  He walked and slept and touched.  He came to be with us, as one of us, except without sin.  Is this amazing or what?!?!    This beyond imaging holy, fearsome God came down and walked beside men and women of earth.  He came down to help and heal and love and save.  Thinking about this is blowing my mind and making my heart flutter.  Who does this?  Do the kings of the earth come out of their palaces and walk among their subjects, offer their friendship to "commoners," eat and drink among the masses?  No!  Only our wonderful God does that. 

Lord, You never cease to amaze and cause wonder.  You take something that we know, that we are familiar with and light it up in our hearts.   Thank You.  Thank You for coming.  Thank You for being who You are.  Thank You for loving me and all mankind and for coming down in the most unexpected, crazy way to save us.  You are awesome!  

Think about his today.  

Ever Thankful, Ever Blessed

If you're like me you know the wretchedness of your own heart.  You know all the deep, dark stains and the brokenness that lies there.  And our Father knows them too.  Yet He extends mercy to us.  He calls His and redeems us and loves us.  Romans 5:8  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

This past Sunday we continued our sermon series in the Beatitudes, focusing on verse 7, God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.   Think about that.  Think about the amount of mercy God shows us.  Think for a minute or two of everything you do wrong in one given day.  An unkind thought, a careless word, a hurtful attitude.  Gossip, complaint, turning away from someone who needs help....the list goes on and on.  If that doesn't bring you to your knees with the knowledge of your need for a merciful Savior.....I know it does for me.  I can totally relate to John Newton when he penned those words, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found.  Was blind, but now I see." 

Our worship team found a beautiful song that touched my heart on Sunday.  It reminded me how truly blessed I am, how wonderful of a God we serve, and the amazing Savior who loves me.  It brought to my mind the mercifulness of our Father, the one who sought us, looked down the road for us, waiting us to return to His embrace (see the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32).  

I am ever thankful and ever blessed by the mercy and love of our Father.  Lamentations 3:22-24  The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.  I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!"   What an amazing God we serve!  Enjoy His mercies, then share them with others!  

Lord, I am humbled by Your love.  Amazed at Your mercy.  Everyday I need boatloads of it and so often I fail to extend the same to others.  Forgive me and change me.  Create in me a clean heart, a merciful heart.  Let me see and treat others as You do me.  I celebrate You mercifulness.  I revel in it and rejoice in Your kindness.  Help us all to remember how much mercy You show us each day and let our hearts give thanks.  Let us give what we've been given.  In Jesus' saving Name.  Amen.