Confident Victory

2011-07-11T08:14:00.003-04:00

1 Peter 5:6-11 (NASB)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Humility is not naturally desirable, but necessary because the enemy is looking for an opportunity to destroy you. God will use your suffering to perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. He really does care for you.

Bitter? Cast that Mountain into the Sea

2011-06-24T07:40:00.000-04:00

Regarding that mountain of bitterness and unforgiveness - cast it into the sea.

Sink it deep. Let love cover a multitude of sin (1Pet 4:8) and you will be free.

Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions." Mark 11:23-26

Every time that mountain starts to float,

tell it to go back into the depths of the sea.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love

Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!

How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!

How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;

How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, love of every love the best!

’Tis an ocean full of blessing, ’tis a haven giving rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, ’tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee! - S. Trevor Francis, 1875.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NASB)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8 (NASB)
⁸Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

The Pursuit

2011-04-25T08:54:00.001-04:00

April 25, 2011 – The Pursuit

· Worship God – 2005

· God is holy. Worship HIM for HIS holiness- 2006

· Serve God - 2007

· I want more of YOU at any cost – 2010

· GOD WANTS MORE – LOVE - 2011

o God wants me to Love more at any cost.

o Love Him. Make HIM the ultimate desire and Matt 6:33 becomes reality

o Let go of the pain. Love as He loves. How does He love?

o He sees us, the unlovable, as lovable, the unworthy are given the honor of His presence, the rejected are accepted, and HE accepts the one who rejected HIM as a friend and grants him honor. This is how GOD loves. But it cost HIM the treasure of heaven, Jesus.

· Pursue love because God is LOVE. Be willing; at any cost – April 2011

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of MINE, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40 (NASB)

My God, in whom I trust!

2011-04-14T07:19:00.000-04:00

Psalm 125:1-5 (NASB)
¹Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.
²As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.
³For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land of the righteous, So that the righteous will not put forth their hands to do wrong.
⁴Do good, O LORD, to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts.
⁵But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.

I trust YOU, LORD.

I want to know YOU more. I want more of YOU, at any cost.

Psalm 91:1-2 (NASB)
¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"

Psalm 91:14-16 (NASB)
¹⁴"Because he[she] has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him [her]; I will set him [her] securely on high, because he [she] has known My name.
¹⁵"He [she] will call upon Me, and I will answer him [ her] ; I will be with him [her] in trouble; I will rescue him [her] and honor him [her].
¹⁶"With a long life I will satisfy him [her] and let him [her] see My salvation."

Represent Jesus today with Kindness

2010-10-04T08:30:00.001-04:00

My son is a welder and takes pride (care) in his work. He has nearly completed a year of intensive training at Advance Technical Institute in Virginia Beach, where he goes to class five hours a day and five nights a week. After a year he will be certified in all aspects of welding. Then he plans to continue studies to gain an associates degree in management. My son drives an hour to his school after working a full day for Custom Welding, where he is appreciated for a strong work ethic and his craftsmanship.

Last week, my son received five company shirts from the owner of Custom Welding. They look sharp with the company logo on the front and back of the basic gray T-shirts. The shirts serve to identify the company when he is out on a job. His work ethic, knowledge, and craftsmanship are a reflection of all that the company represents. He is a walking advertisement.

The Christian is a reflection of Christ to the world. We are walking advertisements of the love, power, and kindness of God. Paul said in his letter to the churches in Rome, ^"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14) When we go out in public, we must be mindful that we have the seal of the Holy Spirit upon us. We represent the Kingdom of Heaven and our Boss. Our company logo is the cross and the color of our company t-shirt is the fruit of the Spirit.

Take the fruit of kindness, for example. I have been thanked for just smiling, for being pleasant to someone waiting upon me in a restaurant or department store. This may sound trivial but it is not. Treating others as I wish to be treated is me wearing my Jesus t-shirt in a world short on kindness. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and can lead a cold heart to desire what I've got, opening the door to witness of the kindness of Jesus Christ, the greatest Boss anyone ever had.

Jesus commanded us to love. He wasn't talking about gushy, mushy feelings, but genuine acts of love. He said the world would recognize us as His disciples because of our love for each other. (John 13:35) James said, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Jesus did not quantify that and say, "on a good day" or "when you feel happy" or "because they were nice to you first." This is a commandment from Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, the Holy Son, the Royal Prince of Heaven, who reigns over heaven and earth. This is not a difficult thing and being kind will return blessing upon blessing. You can overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Difficult situations and difficult people will be turned around, flipped over, and changed because you did not respond in the flesh, but rather in the Spirit. Other Christians and even non-Christians will bless and praise God because you were kind. You will receive kindness in return and then you will bless God. God receives the glory and you receive the benefit, and that IS GOOD! Praise God!

And let us not forget that it is God's kindness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) I can testify and personally know this is to be true that if we offer kindness to those who hurt us, they too, might repent.

So today, consider kindness and remember who commanded us to be kind. Go out today, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ and change your world.

Peace

God says, "If you are willing

2010-09-13T08:59:00.003-04:00

and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land.

Isaiah 1:19

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NASB)
¹⁵"See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;
¹⁶in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.
¹⁷"But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
¹⁸I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it.
¹⁹"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,
²⁰by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."

Matthew 7:21 (NASB)
²¹"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

John 15:10 (NASB)
¹⁰"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)
¹²So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
¹³for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

1 John 2:17 (NASB)
¹⁷The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

John 13:34 (NASB)
³⁴"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

My intention today was to blog on Isaiah 1:19, but a quick Word Search, using "God's Word Application Index," brought up these other great passages of scripture, . What can I say? God says it all.

Of all the verses that came up, the one that spoke to the current need of my heart is John 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." There are times in my life when I know I am abiding in His love and in tune to the heart of God. Sometimes, I know I am way off the mark, not hitting the target at all. Then there are times, such as now, when I know that I am missing the center of the target, what they call dead center, that place where I am dead to myself and completely alive to God.

Lord, help me to give up my will and make it Yours. Enable me to aim and hit the target of obedience dead center so that I may dwell in Your love. "This is my passion, my soul pursuit, to know and be near the heart of You."* It is my desire to abide in Your love. I pray for a heart more like Yours than mine and that Your joy in me will be made full. I pray for joy and believe that it can be found by abiding in Your love. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

*"This is my passion, my full pursuit, to know and be near to the heart of you." A line from the song "The Heart of Man" sung by Greg Long on the album "David, Ordinary Man...Extraordinary God."

Butterflies and Peace

2010-09-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

People like to watch butterflies because they are so delicate and pretty. They fascinate us as they flutter from flower to flower in our gardens with such grace.

Peace flutters about me like the elusive butterfly. Today I am at rest because my needs are met. If I have any enemies, they are far from me. But tomorrow is another day. I don't know how long peace will remain upon me. I know that in a few months I will need a new job because my office is closing. Every day is as different as every flower on the butterfly bush.

Next year, I expect my life to be radically different. I will have a new job, new co-workers, a new environment, and new expectations upon me. I don't know if I will have a desk job or a stand-up job. Will I work with customers? Will I work at a computer in an office? I don't know what to expect, except to expect something different and not to lose peace over it.

Psalm 119:165-167 (AMP)
¹⁶⁵Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶I am hoping and waiting [eagerly] for Your salvation, O Lord, and I do Your commandments.
¹⁶⁷Your testimonies have I kept [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]; I love them exceedingly!

God encourages me in His Word and assures me that I will find a job. I am encouraged by my friends who have been in the same situation during this recession. Just this week, I had lunch with a friend and her family. Due to the recession, she lost her job with a non-profit organization. She prayed and put her hope in God, then she searched high and low for a job. Just as unemployment benefits were about to run out, she found a job with an on-line university, but it lasted just a few months. Since she wasn't working, she and her husband decided that she could fulfill a dream and home-school their little girl, plus help her husband in his shop. Soon after making that decision, the non-profit organization called her back and asked if she could work part-time. All the pieces now fell into place. If she hadn't lost her job, she would not be in a position to home-school. Only after she committed to home-schooling did the part-time position become available. So it was necessary for her to lose the job at the on-line university, too. Now she is in the right place at the right time and, as an added bonus, her husband's small business has grown.

Was my friend stressed while she was out of work? Yes, she told me the stress caused her hair fell out. But she never took her eyes off Jesus. Throughout the stretch of uncertainty, she was unwavering in her faith that God had a plan and would provide. That was her peace. So yes, you can experience episodes in life that are stressful, even hurtful. But they teach you that you are totally dependent upon God and when we rest in Him, trust Him, we will find peace. Yesterday, I was with her family and they absolutely glowed with joy. They adore God, trust Him completely, and He has made their joy full.

Their intimate relationship with God and His Word enabled them to withstand the pressure of uncertainty. Their faith, hope, and love in God sustained them. Their obedience to Him and to His Word gave them peace.

Bad things do happen to good people. When the economy tanks, everyone suffers, the good and the bad. The peace that the world offers is as elusive as a butterfly but the peace of God comforts us when we have no control over our circumstances.

Peace

He who obeys instructions guards his soul.

2010-09-07T08:57:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 19:16

It doesn't matter if instructions come from the Bible, the state, the corporation, or from Mom and Dad; without instruction, there is chaos. Chaos is not necessary if we obey instructions. If everyone obeyed instruction there would be peace and everyone would enjoy a long life.

So obedience not only guards the soul, it leads to peace and long life, just as God says.

Let your heart keep My commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
(Proverbs 3:1-2)

So the question is, "Are you living in peace or in chaos?"

You have the freedom of choice to obey or comply with the laws of man and God. However, even if you are obedient, the people around you may not be as compliant. They may be abusive and corrupt. Your courage and strength to lead a godly life will have its effect upon the disobedient. They will be blessed by your obedience to all that God is speaking to your heart as you meditate upon His Word and seek Him in prayer. Then they in turn will have the opportunity to consider their ways. They will either repent, relent of their abuses, or get worse. Pray to God they repent for He and He alone can change them; you cannot change anyone.

If you are living in a world of chaos because of the disobedience of others, I would encourage you today to follow the instructions in God's Word. Jesus taught His followers to obey the Law of Love. If you do that, you will fulfill the Law given to Moses.

What is the Law of Love? Jesus gave a multitude of instructions, which are found in the Gospels. He said to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. He said to love your brother, which includes your enemies. Loving your enemies means doing good to them, such as found in the example of the good Samaritan, who did not feel love toward the Jew found wounded on the side of road, yet treated the life of his enemy as valuable and worth saving. Jesus taught us to forgive so that God might forgive us. And all along the way, Jesus did good to strangers, healing them and delivering them from demons. We could go deeper with the examples Jesus taught His disciples. But His instructions were clear, the New Commandment is Love.

So... he who obeys the law of love guards his soul. Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Pr 4:23)

Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him, so he did. (Gen 6:22)

2010-09-02T00:33:00.003-04:00

Did you ever consider that obedience to God will cost you something else?

I've been thinking about this tonight. I've been thinking about all of the characters in the Old and New Testament and I still come up with this idea that obedience is going to cost something. Disobedience will cost even more.

And God says that to obey is better than to sacrifice.

But obedience could be a sacrifice. Jesus is the ultimate example.

Because of obedience, Jesus was raised with power from the dead.

Proverbs 16:19 says, "He who obeys instructions guards his soul."
Because of obedience, Noah and his family had the gift of life after the flood.

Because of obedience, Jeremiah and his scribe escaped with their lives after the fall of Jerusalem.

I look at young people who have obeyed God and live their lives for Him. They have kept themselves pure because of Him. They are truly blessed but they are not immune to trouble. They are different and stand out from the crowd, not always fitting in with others. Their parents don't understand why the crowd shuns them. But they are at peace with God and they have a gentle spirit that is priceless.

Unfortunately, during the past few years, I have watched marriage after marriage come to a destructive end because one spouse disobeyed the covenant of marriage with a total disregard for spouse and God. One is dead and one is in prison. Another lost his wife and his business. Another no longer lives in a nice home, is and emotional wreck, and has lost the respect of spouse, friends and children. All are cursed. Their lives are really cursed.

So if I believe that God has asked me to do something or to stop doing something, I shouldn't think twice about obeying. To obey may cost me, but in the end I will be blessed. To disobey will bring a curse or a painful trial that could have been avoided. (I can attest to the last part of that sentence.)

I believe God wanted me to let go of my responsibilities in the worship ministry and to step down from singing for at least a year. My obedience cost me buckets of tears. But I am reaping the blessing of mended relationships. It is worth it.

This post is really just a bunch of rambling thoughts and I will not post it to my Facebook. I simply want to remember to obey is better than sacrifice and obedience comes at a cost that I must be willing to pay rather than suffering the consequences. I might rewrite this blog post another day. But until then, I will remember that God blessed Noah because he was a righteous man who believed and obeyed God.

Because of obedience, Abraham became the father of many nations.

How Long Should I Live?

2010-08-31T23:45:00.004-04:00

Do you ever wonder how long you will live? Do you ever worry you might live too long?

I do.

I have a hard time with Bible verses like Proverbs 3:1-2, "Let your heart keep My commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you."

I can honestly say that I desire to keep the Lord's commands. I want to because I love my Father in Heaven. I desire peace, too. But I do not have peace about living a long life.

My precious mother died with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 80. I wouldn't mind living to be 80 or even 85. But why would I want to live past that if I couldn't think for myself? Can I live past 70 without developing dementia?

I can only find out by living.

I prefer to cling to God's Word in 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind," and 1 Corinthians 2:16b "But we have the mind of Christ."

I desire to cherish and hold fast to the words of Jesus, who said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another." John 15:12-17

For too many years I lived in a world of such sorrow and despair that I wanted nothing more than death. This is not good either; in fact, it is horrible and, I dare say, evil in the sight of God, who loves me. Today I praise God because He delivered me from such thoughts and I promised Him that I would live for Him. I pray and seek His compassion, that He would not allow me to live past all ability to think and be useful. This would be a great mercy to me. He is the Author and Finisher of my life. I really don't have any say so in the matter. But I do pray for mercy and for His lovingkindness. I have no other recourse but to trust Him with the life He gave to me. And trust that if I obey His commandment, to love the disciples of Christ, I will have the peace He promises in Proverbs 3:22

God, Creation, and the Cross

2010-08-29T00:53:00.000-04:00

Praise God for His creation. But did you ever consider that Jesus was killed by all He created? Think about this, the whip used upon His back was made from an animal that He created. The thorns in His brow came from a vine of His creation. He created the iron used to nail him to the cross. And iron was hammered into a sword to pierce His side. He created a lovely tree that became an instrument of torture as it bore His weight on Calvary. And last but not least, He created man who performed all of these deeds.

"Oh God, You are Holy, the Lord and Maker of all creation. You made heaven and earth and sea, and everything in them. You show us kindness by giving us rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; You provide us with plenty of food and You are the one who fills our hearts with joy. (Acts 14:14, 17) We have so much to be thankful for on a daily bases. But in light of the cross, saying thanks is just not sufficient. We love You. We cherish the memory of that cross and the price You paid. Thank you, Jesus for everything. Amen." Hallelujah!

He Hears and Does Not Turn Away My Prayer or His Lovingkindness!

2010-08-28T08:18:00.000-04:00

Psalm 66:16-20 (NASB)
¹⁶Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
[I was bound with the chains of sin, destined to eternity in hell.]

¹⁷I cried to Him with my mouth, [Lord, I surrender to You. Please save me.] And He was extolled with my tongue.[Not only did He save my soul, He gave my life value, far and above all I could ask or think. And now]

¹⁸If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
[Now, when I am tempted to sin, I resist because I love the Lord. I know He loves me. I am confident in His love and know that He hears me when I call out to Him. He gives me strength to resist sin and turn away from every temptation. He enables me to overcome evil with good. He gives me a way of escape if I am willing to take it. Therefore, I do not have to fall into sins of commission or omission. The option is always mine. So when my soul is tempted, I cry out to Him.]

¹⁹Certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. [But if I delight myself in sin, rather than in Him, why should He pay attention to my cries?]

²⁰Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me. [Daily, He blesses me with good things. I have received nothing but loving kindness from His nail pierced hands that bear the scars of my sin. His love and sacrifice encourages me to repent and sin no more.]

"He gave His live, what more could He give?
Oh, how He loves you,
Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He love you and me."

("Oh, How He Loves You and Me" Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser
© 1975 - All Rights Reserved)

Wait! Stop! Take Time to Heal!

2010-08-23T09:28:00.002-04:00

Hebrews 12:12-13 (NASB77)
¹²Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble,
¹³and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Because of a stress fracture in his foot, one of my team members, Tom, hobbled around for a month with a therapeutic boot on his foot that went up to his knee . He didn't move too fast but he could walk about, enjoying his normal everyday life, all because of the boot. Yesterday, I saw him at church and the boot was gone.

Athletes often suffer injuries to their bodies as they push themselves to higher achievements. Well, sometimes, even the strongest of Christians get stress fractures in their personal and spiritual lives as they strive toward that higher calling in Christ. Walking the walk can be painful at times when the road conditions change making it possible step in a hole or slip on loose gravel or anyplace on the road that is not smooth. And let's face the truth, life is not smooth, never was smooth, and never will be smooth. Injuries happen. If we don't stop and take care of the injured area, we risk further damage and immobility.

When injured, we need to focus on the Healer, Jesus, who came to bind up the wounded and brokenhearted. (Psalm 147:3, Isaiah 61:1). I would suggest that it is OK to tell our friends we need to stop and take care of areas in our lives that need His attention. If we don't stop, we could suffer greater injury and become emotionally, spiritually, or even physically weakened to such a state that we are not fit to serve in the kingdom.

That being said, keep in mind that Hebrews 12:13 does not tell us to quit, but rather, that we should bind up the weak limb so that nothing worse happens. We need to stop long enough to take care of the injury and then make our path straight. We should follow the example of Tom who bound up his weak foot. He was able to continue working but he walked at a slower pace until his foot healed.

We need to stop and bind up our emotional and spiritual wounds in the Word and in God's grace. Our focus needs to be on the Healer. He has any number of prescriptions available to us from Genesis to Revelation. We might even need medical help or counseling, considering that these too, come from His hands. When injured, we must do something. We cannot win the race sitting on the bench of self-pity.

We need to be mindful of other spiritual athletes around us. We all stumble, but we don't need to fall. Offer encouragement. Bless them in the love of Christ and curb your jealousy should they move ahead of you. Put on the salve of forgiveness when you feel burned in their path. Instead, observe their path, good and bad, making notes for your own success. And be careful, judge not, less you fall and come under judgement also, and thereby needing to stop once again. Be mindful that we are on the same team and we need to help each other finish the race.

So let us follow the example of Paul, the Apostle and martyr for Jesus Christ, who stated:

Philippians 3:12-14, 17(NIV)
¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
¹⁷Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

Satan Had a Plan...

2010-08-18T08:47:00.000-04:00

and it was NOT good. His plans were for evil, to kill the heart and faith of everyone I love and to destroy me (John 10:10).

I have a plan, too, to seek God's plan for my life (Jer 29:13). I am determined to follow Jesus, to walk in His ways. I will fight against the plans of the enemy by choosing to overcome evil with good, being determined to love and forgive. I choose to let go of my right to feel hurt and to seek God's healing in broken relationships.(Rom. 12:21)

We are in a spiritual battle and the enemy's plan is to confuse us and turn us upon each other. I confess that sometimes I grow so weary; yet, God always renews my strength. My armor is showing the marks of the battle with scratches and dents upon my shield of faith and the helmet of my salvation. But I'm still alive. The belt about my waist remains firmly cinched because the Spirit leads me in the truth. And Jesus is the truth. Jesus is my righteousness, the breastplate that protects my heart and soul, and in Him alone do I put my trust. He is the Word that I cling to, the sword in my right hand. Today I will resole my boots once again and then go where He tells me to go and do what He tells me to do and share the gospel inside the enemy's territory. See, God has a plan, too, that everyone should hear the gospel and have an opportunity to believe in Jesus (Eph. 6:10-17, Jer 29:11, Matt 28:19).

I write this post because of a special moment that I experienced not long ago and of which I do not want to forget. On August 9, 2010, I heard the Spirit say, "Satan had plans for you." In that moment, I bowed my head and let out deep sob as I sensed the nearness of God. Throughout all my struggles He was there for me. He shielded me on my right side while the battle rage around me. There were times when it all seemed too great for me. But God is the strength of my heart. (Ps. 73:26)

God has renewed the strength of His army. He has rekindled our hearts. Together we will follow Him into the battle again and again and again, standing together as one in Christ Jesus. We will stand as a mighty force of strength before a cowering enemy, because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind! (2Tim 1:7) We are fearless because we know Who wins the war! Jesus! Hallelujah and Praise God!

And everything in the temple cries, "Glory!"

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 
 with the cross of Jesus going on before. 
 Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; 
 forward into battle see his banners go! 
Refrain: 
 Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, 
 with the cross of Jesus going on before. 

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; 
 on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! 
 Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; 
 brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. 
 (Refrain) 

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God; 
 brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. 
 We are not divided, all one body we, 
 one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. 
 (Refrain) 

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, 
 but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
 Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; 
 we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. 
 (Refrain) 

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, 
 blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. 
 Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, 
 this through countless ages men and angels sing.
 (Refrain)

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575. Onward, Christian Soldiers

Text: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

Music: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900

Tune: ST. GERTRUDE, Meter: 65.65 D with Refrain

The Purpose of the Fear of God

2010-08-11T09:33:00.004-04:00

Exodus 20:20 (NASB)
And Moses said to the people, " Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

Don't be afraid of God. He loves you like a child.

Our love for God is weak because we are weak with sin. But He tests us so that the fear of Him might remain with us. Our level of obedience proves our love and fear and our level of sin proves our disregard, lack of love, and lack of fear of God. We all sin and we know it. But if you are tempted, as we are all tempted, and you say to yourself, NO, refusing to sin, you prove to God, and God alone, that you love Him.

Our fear of God, as much as our love of Him, keeps us from sinning. We fear His anger as a disobedient child fears the anger of his father.

When I was a child and disobeyed my parents, I got in trouble all by myself and was punished all by myself. When my punishment, the paddling, was complete, I went off to be by myself to think things over, to cry, to be angry, to think some more and change my way of thinking. This is a very personal time of reflection that I still go through when I sin or have sinful thoughts. Either out of love or fear, the end result should be,"I will never do that again."

I do believe God is a God of second chances. At the same time, we should expect to suffer the consequences of our sin. A small child might receive a paddling, timeout, added chores (restitution) or be grounded from fellowship with friends. It isn't any different as we grow up. Restoration comes with a changed heart. Timeout will last until rebellion is squelched. Until then, our friends continue to play without us.

John 15:13-14 (NASB77)
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
You are My friends, if you do what I command you.

I asked Jesus into my heart because my eyes were opened and I believed.

2010-08-10T09:15:00.000-04:00

I got fired up a moment ago when I read the following remark on an advertising consultants web page.

Secret #1
People get saved only for selfish reasons.
I realize this sounds a little cynical but really… who do you know who ever got saved because of an altruistic* motive? Okay, times up.
If then people only get saved because they have a need, a want, some problem, or some fear, then you should show them, right in your ad, how you and your church can help them get what they want.
I’m not talking about the prosperity gospel here. I am talking about better marriages, stronger kids, closer relationships, fellowship with God, a sense of meaning and purpose – things like that! Your Church most likely does that for people all the time. Let the people who are reading your ads know this and more people will respond to your message.
God will turn them into altruistic thinkers after they come and get saved!

I got saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It had nothing to do with altruism. God alone has a pure and altruistic heart. On the night that I got "Saved," I realized that if God was real, then I was going to HELL! But praise God, He provided a way out. He paid the price for my sins through Jesus. I knew I was guilty of horrendous sins and yet, now, He offered me eternal life in heaven with Him. I didn't deserve it, yet, all I had to do was believe. I didn't have to do ANYTHING good!!!!!! He did the good thing.

I asked Jesus to be my Savior because I recognized I was not right with God. I am saved because I believe. Because I believe, I follow. Because I follow, I am taught to love and to forgive, be gracious and compassionate. As I learn to love, I become more and more like Jesus, the purest example of altruism. Any altruism you might see in me is God's work and presence in my life. All the glory belongs to Him.

Altruism - (noun) Caring about other persons more than yourself. (Synonyms - unselfishness, self-sacrifice)

What is the value of an opinion?

2010-08-03T02:06:00.000-04:00

Obviously, Job did not put much stock in the self-righteous opinions of his friends. Why should he? They attempted to lift him out of despair with a guilt trip. They demanded a confession, concluding that God was angry even though there was no evidence of sin.

Job looked at his "friends" and said, "No doubt you are the [only wise] people [in the world], and wisdom will die with you!" (Job 12:2)

Like anyone else, I've been humiliated by false accusations. It happens. But I wonder how many times I have played the part of ELIPHAZ the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, ZOPHAR the Naamathite? I wonder how many times God listened to me and said, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" (Job 38:2)

Who can understand God, Creator of heaven and earth. Who can mentally challenge Him with great wisdom? Who can successfully argue in his own defense before God? What kind of fool would stand and say, "I'm not guilty of sin?"

I hate sin. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not listen to me. (Psalm 66:18) My sins would be as endless as the sands of the Sahara without the forgiveness I receive through Jesus.

As for my justifications? They lack substance, just like a desert is void of trees. My wisdom is as murky as the Great Dismal Swamp; trust me, you could get lost in there. My self-righteous opinions are as worthless as a million dollar bill.

So why should I bother to formulate arguments and excuses before God? He sees and knows the truth. He is the only real good found in me. Why do I so desperately want others to think I'm good. Yet, praise God, if they see any good, they are seeing Jesus working in me and that is a very good thing.

My self-righteousness may be worthless but my faith in Jesus is priceless because faith is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) When I die and pass into eternity I will leave my self-righteous opinions behind me. They really are nothing more than dust in the wind.

Let the wind blow.

Peace

By the Grace of God, I Am What I Am

2010-07-31T01:45:00.004-04:00

1Corinthians 15:10

Romantic

Optimist

Idealistic - dreamy, quixotic, impractical

Passionate –

Fervent –obsessive, fanatical, adoring, loving, ardent, zealous, avid

Do I need to be more down-to-earth? Am I out of balance?

I’m not practical.

I’m not realistic.

I’m not sensible.

I walk by faith and not by sight.

I’m not good enough.

I’m not normal.

I’m not humble. Who is?

I’m not unassuming or inconspicuous.

I’m not ordinary.

How can I be ordinary? How can I be normal when I really believe Jesus is the Son of God and that one must believe in Him or suffer the consequences of eternal suffering? How can I be ordinary and let everyone else go to hell?

I am genuine and sincere!

I am the real me.

I am authentic in what I believe.

I am indisputably me.

I am true to myself and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. (You can only follow the living.)

I am me and no one else.

I am extraordinary, an original piece of work. Well, they say I’m a piece of work.

I am God’s workmanship, crafted into His plan.

I am sincere.

I am earnest.

I try my best to be honest and truthful.

I am a straight talker, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

By the grace of God, I am what I am. (1 Cor. 15:10)

But God’s Word says that He loves me and as His child I need discipline [regulation, chastisement, self-control, and instruction]. I trust His love.

Lord Jesus,

I could be more practical. I could be less idealistic, more of a realist and less of an optimist. Who do You want me to be? Open my eyes Lord and let me see what You see about me, the good and the bad. Enable me to make a straight path for my feet so that what is lame will not be dislocated, but rather healed. (Heb 12:13) I want to walk the balance beam without tottering. I want to sail my ship without being tossed to and fro by the wind. Bless me with instruction and Your discipline. I'm listening. You are my Coach, my Captain, my Shepherd, my Faithful Friend, my Comfort, Hope, and Peace. You love me and died for me. I can never thank You enough for that. Your love is my strength. I love You, too, yet my love is insufficient for a God so great. One day I will see You in all Your magnificent, glorified beauty and everything else will fade away. You will be the only One that matters to everyone. Thank You for loving me and for writing my name in Your Book of Life. I love You. In Your Name I pray. To Your glory. Amen.

I Want to Win!!

2010-07-29T08:42:00.000-04:00

2 Tim.2:5 says "If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."

On February 27, 1977, I became a marathon runner, running toward the goal of the upward call of Christ. I am determined to reach the end of this race, my life, in good standing. Jesus won the crown of victory for me, but I want to finish strong and honor His Name.

I've come a long way and I intend to keep on running. My friends run with me and encourage me and I need them because we have an enemy out to destroy our faith and witness in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My greatest competitor is not another runner but is me with my less than noble desires, wants and personal neediness. Therefore it is good for me to remember that "the end is greater than the beginning and patience is greater than pride." (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Sometimes I ran on a winning team, sometimes I ran solo. A few times, when my feet tripped, other runners stopped to picked me up. One time, I was running well when all of a sudden there was a stampede to gain some personal memento of this great race. We all stumbled and fell. But we are OK. Jesus came along, picked us all up, set us straight and then on our way once again.

There are dangers along the narrow path. Up on the hill sides and in the tall grass, a wolf pack waits and watches, crouching low while hoping for a marathoner to stumble. They intimidate the weak runner with fear, hoping he will fall off the path where they might devour him. Most often though, like water buffalo protecting a calf, the other runners protect the weak and the young in this race. Sometimes, if other runners are concerned only for themselves, they won't see anyone needing help and the weak and the young tragically fall victim to those who kill, steal, and destroy.

A few times I've come to near despair as my companions left the race. They refused to stop and refresh themselves in the presence of our Great Coach. Oddly enough, they want to wear the jersey and the crown of victory, but hate the rules, saying they are too difficult or are unfair. Anything seems unfair when you don't get your way. But we aren't running on the path of "My Way." We are running the straight and narrow path of "God's Way" and must run according to His rules in order to stay the course.

The race is hard so everyone looks to the serious and experienced marathoners for assurance and tips on how to survive. How do they make the race look easy? They run without any apparent effort because every day they go through a warm-up routine consisting of reading the rules and reviewing their past mistakes. They go to the Coach every morning. They listen to His instruction all day. They obey. They survive. They win.

I know that the race ahead is no easier than the path behind. I can tell you that the road is straight, but there are obstacles along the way. I'm going to make it. I have the strength to continue because God empowers me. I will run by the rules and be mindful of the needs of others. I will help my brother should he fall, encourage my sister when she grows weary. I will also be careful and mindful of the nearness of others because I don't want to bump them and cause either of us to fall.

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 121:1-8

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB77)

By the grace of God, we will cross the finish line and hear Him say, "Well done, enter the joy of your Master."

Will God Hear My Prayer?

2010-07-24T01:01:00.000-04:00

The Word of God says, "One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination." Proverbs 28:9

The Word of God, His Law, His Precepts, His Book, His Story - The Bible

Reading the Word of God builds our faith and encourages us to walk in obedience. As we study the Bible, we are moved to pray through it, to talk to God as we read it. As we talk to God about what He says in His Word, we grow in relationship with Him and in the knowledge of what pleases Him, obedience.

God knows His friends, His closest associates. They stand out in this world because they do what He tells them to do. They listen to God and He listens to them. He hears their prayers and responds when they call upon His name because they desire to carry out His plans. He is always there for them because they believe. Their faith is strong because they read and pay attention to the Word of God.

But the one who turns his ear from hearing the Law actually turns his ear from God, rejects God. Nothings kills a relationship like rejection.

Have you forsaken God? Do you long for the relationship you once had with Him? You can change that. He has been waiting for this day, the day you call upon the Name of the Lord.

This is not difficult. Forget the past. Just say, "Lord, please hear my prayer. I confess I turned away from You, away from Your Law and Your Way. Please forgive me as I turn back to You, to seek You and obey You for the rest of my days. Be my God. In Jesus name I pray, amen."

It is over - the past is past and out of God's sight. Today is a new day. It is a good day because you have called upon the Lord and He has recalled you. Return to His Word today, read it, obey it, enjoy it. Enjoy the Lord today; He is with you and today He has heard your prayer.

Peace

Scriptures to consider:

Romans 10:17 (NASB77)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NASB77)
11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 'And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD...

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NASB77)
6 " Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

Luke 18:9-14 (AMP)
9 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men:
10 Two men went up into the temple [enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers—or even like this tax collector here.
12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain.
13 But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!
14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Righteousness Leads to Life

2010-07-23T08:57:00.001-04:00

but he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Prov. 11:19

When I was a teenager, I pursued what was evil. In horror, my parents watched my sin beget sin in the whole family. My brother and sisters followed a path of sin because I led the way to sin. I pursued evil for seven years and then I accepted Jesus as my Lord. Immediately, I escaped death and hell. Everything had new meaning and I had eternal life. I began to live a life full of purpose.

Unfortunately, I left a wake of trouble for my parents and siblings. My sin destroyed and killed their happy home and only God could rebuild it. Yet, I look and see that God is merciful because one by one my family turned to Jesus. They have life, eternal life.

The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2Cor. 5:17

Recently, someone said that I was a good person. In truth, compared to my teenage foolishness, I appear to be a good person. Compared to Jesus?

He is the Light of the World. In His presence the truth is revealed that we are all sinners. The truth is that I am not worthy to give Him a pedicure, not worthy to approach Him or to serve Him in any capacity. I am not worthy to write His Words in my blog or to use His Word to encourage or admonish anyone.

However, God is pure love and totally approachable because He washes us clean and compels us to come into His presence, sanctified and holy, just as He is holy. He gives life to all who call upon His name; to those who believe that Jesus is Lord and worship Him.

Jesus is the stunning portrait of righteousness. Pursue Him, and you will live. Follow Him. Live!

In the Name of Jesus, live.

Understanding

2010-07-19T03:59:00.001-04:00

The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Psalms 119:130 (NASB)(I'm simple!)

A few months ago I read that God gives understanding. Hmmm......

Up until then, I never really considered that. It sounds so obvious. I can assure you that I didn't think that up myself. I read it in the Bible and thought, "Well..... of course He does. Why didn't I think of that? I will claim that as a promise!" And I have! Now I often say, "God, grant me understanding," when I don’t understand.

"And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ." 1John 5:20

Do you want someone to believe in Jesus? Pray for him to have understanding. Yes, I know, we are saved by faith, and faith comes from hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) But look again at 1 John 5:20. Jesus gives us understanding so that we may know Him.

I have prayed for my son to have understanding when I needed to correct him. What a surprise! God has granted my son understanding. Praise God! Understanding is essential to wisdom. The pursuit of understanding clarifies and smooths differences in verbal conflict.

God causes understanding to grow within us over time. He teaches us daily how to apply His Word to our circumstances. In the following parable, the disciples still had not developed spiritual understanding. They had grown up with rituals that blinded them. So Jesus explained the parable to them.

"Peter said to [Jesus],” Explain the parable to us." Jesus said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man." Matt 15:15-20 (NASB)

From this text I understand that the things I say reveal my true heart. When I gripe and complain out loud, I am revealing dissatisfaction and ungratefulness in my heart and probably don’t see what God sees. Griping and grumbling angered God against the Israelites, consequently they wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. I don't want to be stuck in a rut of unhappiness. Maybe God has put me in a place of testing. Instead of complaining, I should and will ask for understanding through His eyes and put my trust in Him. Trusting in the Lord with all my heart, leaning not on my own understanding, and in all my ways acknowledging Him, for He will make my path straight. (see Pr 3:5-6)

Regarding Confidence

2010-07-19T03:40:00.002-04:00

1 John 3:21-22 says, "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."

I often say that the Spirit keeps me on a short leash. Of course, by my own will I can remove myself from the Master’s grip. But may it never be; I don't want to do that! I would rather hear that small still voice of God warning me to be careful, correcting me when I falter, and chiding me for careless words. Of all my relationships, my relationship with the Father means more to me than any other.

Moses had the confidence to approach God's holy mountain and to enter the tent of meeting because he was humble. God accepted him. I want to be more like that, but I know that such a clear conscience comes from continuously humbling ourselves before Almighty God, confessing and forsaking sin, receiving mercy, and blessing others with mercy before sin can take root in their hearts.

When the conscience is troubled with coveting, bitterness, lies, or unforgiveness, it is difficult to approach God.

Therefore, I am mindful that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Lord, enable me to be humble before You, yet bold enough to pray and intercede for sake of others. In Jesus name, amen.

2010-07-15T07:20:00.000-04:00

Are You Ready to Listen?

2010-07-13T08:50:00.001-04:00

Thirty some years ago, I witnessed an interesting thing. I was a young believer in Jesus Christ and began to attend a local church. One Sunday I observed the pastor's wife picking up her three year old son from child care. There were about a hundred grown-ups in the hall picking up their children from either child-care or Sunday school. There were just as many children.

The noise in the crowded hall was very loud, especially to a little boy. That little boy, Joshua, was by his mother's side. Then he turned around and faced the sea of legs and tall bodies surrounding him. He moved a little to the left and a little to the right. Then he panicked. He looked everywhere! Even with his little glasses on, he didn't see his mother. He started crying and screaming.

His mother was right there, right behind him. She reached down and touched him reassuringly. He turned around, saw her, then punched her in the leg with his tiny fist. Joshua had been scared to death.

I was surprised when the pastor's wife did nothing back. She didn't shake him, spank him, yank him or anything else. She didn't say anything either. She gently took him by the hand and led him to a quiet place and there she gave him comfort.

You may not hear from God while you are ranting and raving, but He is there. Go ahead and yell. Punch the air if you think that will help. Get it off your chest. Then, when you are ready to listen, He will comfort you.

Jeremiah 29: 12-14 "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you," declares the LORD...

Peace

Father Knows Best

2010-07-12T08:26:00.000-04:00

"No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

Our part is to trust that our Father in heaven knows what is best for us. We can see examples of the Father's goodness to His children demonstrated in our own family relationships. For instance, when I was 14, I liked a boy that my father could see was not good. I was young and innocent and did not understand why my father did not like the boy. My father did everything to stop the romance, including moving away. My father was right. The boy became a car thief and drug dealer.

So often, what we want looks good on the outside. How many people marry the wrong person despite the advice of their family and friends? Who has purchased a used car from a dealer who knew that the car was a lemon, prone to break down with costly repairs? And have you not heard, "buyers beware"; do your homework and make sure everything is in good working order.

Today many people are looking for new jobs. Many are in a place where they need the first job that will hire them. So it is important to pray that God will lead us to the right job and make a way for that employer to hire us. Likewise, pray that the wrong employer will not consider us.

I have a friend who has been looking and waiting upon the Lord for the right job for about a year or maybe longer. She knew her last employer could not keep her on staff. She put her trust in Father God, Who sees what we cannot. As she searched, applied, and went to interviews, He closed doors that she hoped would let her in. She still needs a job, but prays earnestly for the Father's will until she finds the right job. She fights discouragement with hope and faith. The Father knows she suffers while waiting. He knows her finances are tight. He brings her gifts through others while she waits. Like Jesus, she is learning obedience through suffering. I believe her obedience is about to return good to her; a breakthrough is near, perhaps this week.

The Father knows best. Even the Son was subject to obedience. If Jesus had not obeyed, if He had fallen to temptation, if He had not endured the cross, we would all be dead in our sins, without eternal life, without hope.

Hebrews 5:8-10 (NASB77)
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Our obedience not only affects us, it affects people around us. I once stayed in a job from which God clearly opened a door for me to leave. During the next six months, my life became miserable and I was forced to leave. My misery affected my family. God had other plans for my life and for a while I served as a volunteer. My volunteer work prepared me for the job I have today. In fact, someone noticed my volunteer work and recommended me to my employer. That was over three years ago. I know that my current job will end in six to nine months when my office will close down. I am not afraid. I believe that God will use this job to open the door to my next job.

Like my friend, I am going to trust the Father with all my heart. I know, I know, I know that He will direct me and make my path straight.

Do you want peace? Trust the Father and let Him take care of you.

Peace

Near to the Heart of God

2010-06-23T00:06:00.000-04:00

"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23)

During the late 1970's and early 80's, I knew of a preacher who was absolutely brilliant and charismatic. He knew the Bible front and back, yet never attended seminary. When he preached, you never forgot the message. He oozed the love of God, yet preached repentance along with salvation. He came to church prayed up, full of the Holy Spirit and spoke truth right from the Word. Wherever he went, he led people to Jesus. He loved the Lord.

This preacher taught the church how to pray and fight spiritual battles with the Word and armor of God. He warned of the pitfalls of sin, especially willful disobedience. He warned of false religions and false prophets. As a missionary, he traveled to meet with and serve underground Christians in Russian and the Far East. He had well known Christian friends all over the world, including Corrie Ten Boom. The anointing on this man was so strong that during a missionary trip to Israel, a pastor in Jerusalem described him as the most Christlike man he ever met.

Soon after that trip the pastor fell from grace. He was flawed; pride got the best of him. I never knew exactly what he did, but it was sufficient for the elders and deacons of the church to ask for his resignation. I saw his wife a few years later. She left him and married someone else. Many years later I heard that his daughter married a Mormon. He lost everything but the grace of God. I often wonder whatever happened to him and pray that he knows that God still loves His child.

This morning I received an email from someone who said, "I believe that you really are a good person." I know better and told him so. Only God is good.

Today I saw my sin before me. I saw pride. My thoughts were tempted with arrogance, unforgiveness, and gossip. It's easy to avoid temptation when I'm by myself. But when a friend called, I found it difficult to keep my words pure because the sin nature lurks in my heart. It is such a battle say the right thing or nothing at all, to speak the truth in love, to pursue a righteous path and lead others to do the same. The fact is I really want to express myself, my thoughts, and cater to my feelings.

But more than anything, I want to be near the heart of God.

As I consider the truth or consequences to my level of obedience, the blessing or the curse, life or death, I know I must choose the better way, no matter how difficult the journey.

Therefore, I will keep my little list of blessings that come with obedience. These blessings continue to grow in number:

Enjoy the love of God
Enjoy the presence and nearness of the Holy Spirit withing my heart
The ability to hear Him call and to understand His will according to His Word
Growth in wisdom and discernment
peace of mind
the absence of fear
stable emotions
a good reputation
financial stability
a pleasant home
enjoying the blessing of a loving family
enjoying the comfort of good friends
enjoying respect at work and in the community
enjoying holidays and special occasions with loved ones
freedom

Truth or Consequences

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Deuteronomy 11:26-27 (NASB)
"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today..."

I have fond memories of watching Truth or Consequences when I was a teenager. Tonight, as an adult, I chose to turn the TV off and turn to God's Word because, right now, there is nothing of benefit on TV. But there are multitudes of blessing written in the Word of God. I'm looking for the blessings. Who doesn't want to be blessed?

We make decisions all day long and never consider what might happen as a result. Right now, I know I'm tired and need to go to bed. So I will finish this entry with a quick comparison of the consequences of good and bad choices. For the sake of hitting a home run in the ball park of understanding, I will demonstrate with a scenario of a foolish person breaking the law. These consequences are similar for other bad decisions, such as those caused by inexperience, lack of knowledge or wisdom, lust, revenge, addictions, and all forms of selfishness. Foolishness begins with foolish beliefs and foolish thoughts, which eventually result in foolish behavior.

What are the consequences of breaking the law?

making additional poor decisions to cover up past mistakes and bad choices
fear caused by a guilty conscience
fear of the police
worry
the embarrassment of a ruined reputation
legal fees if caught
paying restitution on top of court fees and penalties
going broke
going to jail
losing the love and respect of family, friends and coworkers
loss of joy
missing holidays with loved ones
living without freedom

Conversely, the benefits of doing the right thing, which begins with choosing right thoughts, include:

growth in wisdom and discernment
peace of mind
the absence of fear
stable emotions
a good reputation
financial stability
living at home
enjoying the blessing of a loving family
enjoying the comfort of good friends
enjoying respect at work and in the community
enjoying holidays and special occasions with loved ones
freedom

God is concerned with every aspect of our lives. It is His desire that we make good decisions because those choices will effect tomorrow and play in the lives of others.

Right now, I sense the presence of the Spirit. He advises me to close up the computer and get some rest because tomorrow He has plans and a purpose for my life. Likewise, He wants me to take care of my health, my family, the work He gives me to do, my home, my church family and the mission of my church. God wants me to be wise in my spending habits. He wants me to live well by making wise choices daily. There is one more thing He wants me to do and that is to read, meditate, memorize and study His Word.

Tomorrow is a new day full of choices. I pray that by His grace and by the power of His Spirit and the Word of God, I will make wise choices. Yet, should I fail, I know "He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."James 4:6 (NASB)

Proverbs 16:6-7 (NASB)
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Lamentations 3:21-24 (NASB)
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.
The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

How can I not be excited

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when I read something like Psalm 84:11, which says:

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD gives grace and glory;

No good thing does He withhold

from those who walk uprightly."

Lord,

You have blessed me with many good things. What I really want is a good relationship with You. I love You.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God

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and keep it!" - Luke 11:28 (NKJV)

"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." - James 1:22 (NASB)

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 (NASB)

I choose to put aside wrath and bitterness.

I choose to put aside hurt and sorrow.
I desire to live in the love of the Lord; to follow His example.

Lord, help me. I'm weak.
Oh God, bless me with a new vision. Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.
I need You, want You, desire You.
I want to love like You, forgive like You, and be gracious like You.
I want to be Your disciple.
I fall woefully short of the mark.

Forgive me. Love me. Never let me go.
In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

I'm Moving On

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in my life. I'm stepping away from the ministry I loved. I must. God has made it clear that I will not be serving there. I must go.

I would like to teach a class at church. Where does such a desire come from? The Bible says, "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 (NASB)

How can I call Jesus, "Lord," if I don't do what He tells me to do? (Luke 6:46)

I want to encourage people to live and grow in Christ; to live by the Word everyday, not just on Sunday morning.

I have the opportunity to enable senior citizens to prepare their hearts before they go to meet their Savior. Their time is near. Oh... so many will leave this life without Christ! So many good people... Oh God, show me what to do! Why do I care? Who put this in me?

I'm not a preacher and will never earn a living preaching or teaching the Word. I'm a simple person who wants to serve God.

I must go.

The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.

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"The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him." - The Apostle John. (1John 2:9-10)

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Jesus, Son of God (Matthew 5:8)

1 John 2:1-12 (NASB)
¹My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
²and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
³By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
⁴The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
⁵but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
⁶the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
⁷Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.
⁸On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.
⁹The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
¹⁰The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
¹¹But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
¹²I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.

Praise the Lord.

The Battle Against A Critical Spirit

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seems to have no end! However, it can be won with a humble heart before God. If we are determined to live in obedience to Christ, we can win the daily battles by the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). The work of the enemy is defeated by loving and forgiving others.

We all struggle with criticism. What do we do with it? Why should we be condemned for stating that harmful and/or unlawful behavior is flat out wrong?! After all, God grants us discernment for good reason, literally.

Discernment instructs us in moment by moment decisions. By discernment we avoid trouble. On the contrary, a critical spirit creates trouble by pointing out the flaws of others for no good reason.

The world condemns Christians for being judgmental because we stand against the things the world wants to do. We back down because we want people to like us and think we are good. In backing down, the body of Christ tends to show its lack knowledge and understanding of what Jesus preached.

What DID Jesus preach?

He Taught On The Ten Commandments (See Matthew 19:16-19 NASB)

"Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2 AMP)

^"Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released." (Luke 6:37)

^"Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!" (Matthew 5:7 AMP

Jesus taught forgiveness, self-examination and confession in the Lord's prayer.

"Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.

Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.'

'For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:8-15 NASB)

The world's condemnation of what we preach is, of course outrageous. However, it encourages us in self-examination, lest we become self-righteous. But it is the Holy Spirit that leads us to examine ourselves on the inside. When we do so, we are less critical of the flaws we see in others and actually seek to humble ourselves because we know that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) Self-examination keeps a critical spirit in check.

Jesus said, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (John 10:10 AMP)

A critical spirit is a thief. It destroys our joy and ruins our day. It consumes us as we enumerate the things that irritate us. We go about nursing our personal hurts. We exhaust ourselves by reliving bad events over and over again, crying over spilt milk that will never see the inside of a glass again. With a critical spirit we put the blame on others without considering our part in the events. We criticize to make ourselves look good and puff up our self-esteem at the cost of another person's reputation. Like a thief in the night, the critical spirit kills and destroys relationships while we sleep and dream of revenge.

God is right when He says,

^"Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him;

And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:7-9 NASB)

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.- The Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:25-32 (NASB)

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. - Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr.

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."- Jesus, Son of God

The Battle for My Heart

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killed my flesh. But I'm alive. I survived.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians said, "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32 NKJV)

My body is the temple and my heart is the inner sanctuary. A couple of years ago I struggled to keep my heart safe while battling false accusations and rejection. But Bitterness got his foot in the door of my heart. Wrath and Anger were breaking the windows. Clamor and Evil Speaking kept calling to offer their support while Malice kept making suggestions.

In my prayers to Father, I insisted that I did not want the help of these evil spirits and did not want them in my heart. I stood praying, forgiving, and asking for forgiveness. (The instructions of Jesus in Mark 11:25) As best as I could, I left my sins and the sins of others at the cross. Was I perfect in all of this? No. Sin begets sin. But I wrestled with evil and won the battle because God was with me, for me, and in me. He wanted to save my heart, His sanctuary. This is where the Spirit dwells and where Jesus sits enthroned in my life.

Jesus, Lord of Life, Love, and Peace; great and mighty, full of wisdom and strength, sits high and lifted up on the throne of judgment. Yet He described Himself as meek,the gentle Lamb of God.

“Jesus never trampled down the rights of others to secure His own position." He displayed, “Meekness as patience in the reception of injuries, as neither meanness, nor cowardice; but as the opposite of anger and vengeance... His heart was too great to be moved by insult or injury." His heart was moved by mercy. (Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament -paraphrased)

His compassion and love demand a greater response than half-hearted, feigned obedience; it demands my soul, my life, my all. Jesus lived His life on purpose and as an example. The goal of the believer is to live as He lived, strong and courageous in times of affliction, with mercy and grace toward others; in other words, to be meek. The reward? Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth, the promised land; in other words, a place in paradise.

The meek are gentle, tender, and free from pride.

(The King James Version Dictionary - paraphrased)

I certainly haven't arrived at meekness. But after yet another spiritual battle, I am free of bitterness. I am alive in Christ Jesus.

I'm free!

Extending Grace

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"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is a constant flow of grace from the heart of God. Likewise, as Christ followers, forgiveness and grace should flow constantly from our hearts as well.

I have met a few people in my life that just bug me to no end when I work with them. But in a social setting, I get along with them great. Interestingly, these people all have something in common that shaped them into the persons they are today. My childhood shaped me into such a person that really does not like to work with these people. But I love them and enjoy their company very much. I want them in my life. I am learning to accept them as they are and not expect them to be any different. By accepting them, I am free of a critical spirit. If they behave or speak in ways that are offensive to me, I take it to the Father.

Father God,
Your Spirit is water to my soul. Cleanse me from all unrighteous thoughts and feelings. Let my heart, feelings, and thoughts be more like Yours toward others. Forgive me for being critical. I love my friends. I accept them as they are, like me, imperfect. Thank you for Your work of sanctification in our lives to transform us to the image of Christ Jesus so that we reflect Him to everyone we meet. In Jesus name, I pray and commit myself to You in these matters. Amen.

Forgiving My Mom & Dad...

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One message that I will never forget as a young Christian was on Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." It is the first commandment with a promise of good will from our Father in Heaven. (see Ephesians 6:2) Jesus often taught on this commandment and condemned the Pharisees for not honoring their parents. Instead of helping their parents in their hour of need, the Pharisees put more money in the offering for the sole purpose of looking devout. (See Matthew 15:1-9) Such actions were unkind and unloving and God is love. So they not only dishonored their parents, they dishonored God, whom they were trying to impress.

During this time in my early Christian walk, my church taught parenting skills based upon books by James Dobson. My mind opened to see mistakes my parents made in raising me. Now in my mind, it was my parents fault that I became a terrible teenager; their fault that I didn't have a career path; their fault I struggled in school; their fault I was... blah...blah...blah... You get the point. My failures were their fault. Never mind that I was an adult and had the power to change my life with good decisions. I was stuck in a tainted view of the past. However, God opened my eyes to see that I was now a saved sinner in need of repentance and needed to forgive them, just as He had forgiven me.

Surprisingly, I had to forgive them before I could even see the truth. I forgave them because the church I attended taught me to forgive and honor my parents. After I forgave them, I started receiving revelations such as:

They did the best they knew how. They didn't have James Dobson.
My father didn't know how to be a father to me because his father died when he was a young boy
My father traveled a lot and when he was at home, my mother made sure he spent time with my brother who needed him. She didn't realize that we, my sisters and I, needed a father. Never mind that she needed him, too. What about me, me, me!
My mother was too busy being a wife to her husband and servant to four children in need of food and clean clothes. She didn't have time to develop a personal relationship with each of us. During the first six years of her marriage she gave birth to four babies and moved four times. Try moving with a terrible three year old, a one year old in diapers crying for a bottle while pregnant and traveling from the east coast to the west coast by car. Within two years she would have one more baby before packing every thing up and moving again. I saw a picture of her after the youngest child was born. She looked exhausted, terribly thin, and perhaps at the end of her rope. And then we moved again, and again, and again, and yet again. She didn't have time to develop friendships to help her cope with stress. All she had was Dad, who traveled a lot when we were not moving.
I probably had a learning disability, but was told that I was lazy. How could I be lazy when I spent three hours every night doing homework while the family watched TV? Well, I needed help and became lazy because it was pointless to study; I couldn't get a good grade. I didn't know I could ask my parents for help and they didn't offer. After I graduated from high school, my dad retired. He was at my little brother's side whenever he needed help with class homework. When I saw that, I was happy for my brother but resentful toward my dad.
Yet, after all the things I put my parents through, they forgave me. I didn't even have to ask.

God revealed so much good truth about my parents that I could not resist loving them unconditionally. Eventually, I realized that I was a terrible teenager because I deliberately chose to do those things that I knew were wrong.

I have considered that if things had been different, I might have turned out better. But if things had been different, perhaps I would not have sought a savior.

Because of my love and obedience to Jesus, my relationship with my parents was restored completely. My parents were there for me throughout my adult years with wisdom, blessings, and encouragement. During the last eight years of their lives, God granted me time to redeem all that had been lost during those teenage years. My husband enabled me to work part-time, allowing me to bless my parents and take care of them. I was also granted the blessing of leading my dad through a confession of faith and receiving a confirmation of faith from my mother.

I can look back now and see how much my parents loved all of us. I can see how they were really good people. I mean, they really were good people. They did not deserve my rebellion. I will be eternally grateful to them for their love. They forgave me and loved me unconditionally, no strings attached. They loved me when I was good. They loved me when I was bad. They loved me when my heart was full of evil and loved me when it was filled the Spirit of God.

God heard my mother's pleas. She consistantly took us to church when I didn't want to go. He blessed her by changing my heart of rebellion to a heart of obedience filled with compassion and love. I can't wait to see my parents again. Praise God who makes this possible, who has granted us life in His eternal kingdom. Praise the Lord, Redeemer, Restorer, Rebuilder, Rewarder, who causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.(Rom 8:28)

Praise Him from whom all blessing flow. Praise the Lord.

"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right,

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IT MAKES YOU FREE." Stormie Omartien - FINDING PEACE FOR YOUR HEART, page 60.

Because I cannot say this any better than Stormie, I would like to share the following with you:

"We focus our thoughts on the person who has wronged us rather than on the God who makes all things right.

"Forgiveness is a two-way street. God forgives you, and you forgive others. God forgives you quickly and completely upon your confession of wrongdoing. You are to forgive others quickly and completely, whether they admit failure or not. Most of the time people don't feel they've done anything wrong anyway, and if they do, they certainly don't want to admit it to you. Forgiveness is a choice that we make. We base our decision not on what we feel like doing but on what we know is right." Stormie Omartien - FINDING PEACE FOR YOUR HEART, page 60.

Unforgiveness is a form of abuse often used like a weapon of destruction. It is unkind and unloving. It destroys everyone in its angry path, including innocent bystanders. The intended target is seldom hit, seldom suffers the intended consequences and lives a happy life without you. It's the one holding the weapon who often gets hurt (again) from rehashing grievances, real or imagined.

Forgiving others does not mean that I must endure abuse. If I am suffering abuse, I must decide how to respond. I might endure the suffering with the patience, confront the abuser, or leave. I might endure verbal abuse temporarily if I know the person speaking is acting out of character. I'm learning that I can stand up to abuse and put and end to it. I also have two feet that are capable of taking me out of the abuser's presence or even that person's life. No two situations or people are exactly alike. Therefore, it is imperative to be in prayer for wisdom and courage to do the right thing.

Sometimes, when we forgive, we must let go and let God be God. Let Him have His way in the situation. He can make something good come out of our suffering if we are willing to receive goodness from His hand.

The hardest thing to overcome while trying to forgive is fretting. Fretting comes during the healing of our hearts, when we are stuck in the whirlpool of thinking and feeling frustration over what someone has said or done. Our thoughts tend to swirl around our heads in tighter and tighter circles, pressing in and making us angry and miserable.

There is only one way out. You must turn your thoughts toward God and do so on purpose. Keep your focus on Him. Stay humble with confession and trust Him with all your heart. Worship Him with songs or words that glorify Him for being everything the other person is not. Praise Him because He is not like you. Bless Him for His holiness and loveliness, and forgive the person who offended you, and forgive again, just as He has forgiven you.

Forgiveness won't make the other person right, but it will set you free.

Jesus said, "Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)

Peace

Forgive Me and Heal My Heart, O God...

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Psalms 38:5
My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

When I was seven years old, my family lived in Hawaii on a little known Navy base called West Lock, located in Pearl Harbor. As far as I'm concerned, life was good and most of my memories are about playing with my siblings and a few friends. But Hawaii is also the place I remember anger followed by self-destruction.

The memory begins with a wound on my nose infected with "impetigo, a contagious skin infection that usually produces blisters or sores on the face, neck, hands, and diaper area [that] is one of the most common skin infections among kids."(kidshealth.org) I don't know how I got the original wound. Kids fall and get scratched up all the time. What I do remember is my loving Mother telling me to leave it alone because it was infected with impetigo. So I left it alone as it scabbed over and began to heal until...I GOT MAD.

I don't recall why I was mad; I simply remember a disagreement with Mom. No doubt, I wanted something and she said no. Feeling hurt and angry with her, I remember going outside and standing in the yard on the far side of the property, stewing and not getting over my anger. Revenge, disobedience, unforgiveness, self-destruction, self-pity, and selfishness entered my heart that day. I knew that I couldn't hurt my mother physically. She would beat my behind if I tried. So, with my childish heart I thought, "I will pluck the scab and get back at her!" I knew that my mother cared about the infected wound on my nose so I made it worse. I remember the triumph of worrying my mother and then fear when she told me to be careful and let it heal so that it would not leave a scar.

As I wrote this last paragraph I first mentioned "revenge and self-pity." As I continued to write, the list of sins I recognized as entering my heart grew. I never thought about that day in this way, but it's true, "Because of my foolishness, sin entered my heart." Sin begets sin.

The Word of God says,

^"BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger." (Ephesians 4:26)

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:1-3 (NASB)

One of the oldest stories in the Bible is about a man consumed with anger with God and his brother. Cain was angry that his sacrifice was not good enough for God. He didn't give his best and took it personally when God told him so. God saw his heart and warned Cain, "Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:6-7 (AMP)

Cain couldn't hurt God but he could hurt his little brother and get back at God. So he killed his younger brother.

Anger is exceedingly dangerous. Sin is no respecter of righteous indignation either. Too often, righteous indignation turns into self-righteousness and sin enters into the consequences.

Anger increases our blood pressure and causes heart failure. It clouds our actions with bad decisions. Anger hardens our hearts with resentment and bitterness toward others, resulting in sin against God who commanded us to love and forgive. Anger keeps us away from prayer and the Word of God; keeps us away from the Righteous One who is available and willing to help us sort out our feelings in order to make right decisions.

It is good to think about such things. Like David, the best place to turn, when I'm upset, is to the throne of mercy, because my anger has great potential to lead me, as it did Cain, to grieve the Spirit of God.

Psalms 38:3-5 (AMP)
³There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; neither is there any health or rest in my bones because of my sin.
⁴For my iniquities have gone over my head [like waves of a flood]; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
⁵My wounds are loathsome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

Lord have mercy on me and enable me to forgive completely anyone who offends me.

There is no Creature Hidden from His Sight

2010-05-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13) (NKJV)...

When we suffer a loss in this life, grief, heartache, or tragedy, we go through a time of mourning. But at some point we have to pick up our broken pieces and move on. Life on earth continues to spin and will not stop for us to catch up. As my friend Shelly said, "The past is past and there is nothing you can do about it." From another perspective, my departed friend, Brenda Burns, said, "Oh well, a hundred years from now, what difference will it make?" Such perspectives help us move on in a world filled with a history of tragedy.

But there is one more perspective that enables us to live for today and to do what is right when no one is watching. From God's perspective, all things are naked and open to His eyes. Even now, in this mini-second, He is aware of every thought, word, and action of every person on this planet that spins around a single star among billions of stars in the vast universe of God's creation. We are only fooling ourselves to believe that what we say and the things we do simply don't matter.

Jesus said,

For I was hungry

and you gave Me food,

I was thirsty

and you gave Me something to drink,

I was a stranger

and you brought Me together with yourselves and

welcomed and entertained and lodged Me,

I was naked

and you clothed Me,

I was sick

and you visited me with help and ministering care,

I was in prison

and you came to see Me.

Matthew 25:35-36 (AMP)

Jesus also said,

"Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

Luke 22:40 (NASB)

And so I say,

Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye;

hide me in the shadow of Your wings

Psalms 17:8 (AMP)

Blessed is He Whose Transgression is Forgiven

2010-05-15T09:47:00.003-04:00

Psalm 32:1...

Forgiven. Do we understand what that really means?

In my Sunday School class we all know someone in jail and at least four of us had a relative in jail at some time. When I was a child, my family didn't know anyone in jail!

HOWEVER, I did things as a teenager that could have landed me in jail if I had been caught. I grew up in the 60's and 70's, a time of cultural revolution. Probably half of my peers experimented with drugs, underage drinking, and premarital sex. Now we are all grown up, mature, and respectable members of society. The foolishness of our youth evolved into faded memories that occasionally stir up with gentle reminders that if it were not for the grace of God, many of us could have spent time in jail, had we been caught.

My foolishness hurt my parents, who were kind and good, simple people from a farming town in Kansas. Because of love, they forgave me. Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend. I believe the second greatest act of love must be forgiveness.

Yesterday I thought about the people I know in jail today. They were convicted of their crimes and will suffer the consequences of their actions. However, because God loves them, He willingly restores them to a relationship with Him by forgiving them through the redeeming blood of Jesus. As I pondered these things, along with my anger over what they had done, I was convicted of the fact that only by grace, luck, or the will of God, I never spent time in jail for things I did. We tend to put sins and crimes into categories relative to the amount of punishment we believe should be delivered. God sees that we are all sinners and the penalty for sin is always the same, death.

I can look back on my life and see that I have reaped losses, or you might say "life punishment," for the sins I sowed. My sins hurt other people, especially my family. My sins cost my family embarrassment, emotional suffering, and then they paid the price of forgiveness. My sins also cost God the life and blood of His Beloved Son, my Lord Jesus.

The blood of Jesus paid for our crimes against God. This is a gift to us for putting our faith in Him as our Creator, Lord and Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, and God the Son. He is our get out of jail free card but it cost Him unimaginable suffering and death. He paid the price so we will not go to that eternal jail of torment, which is "hell." Out of the depths of God's immeasurable love, He extends to us the blessing of forgiveness.

Therefore, I can agree with the Word of God and say, "I am richly blessed because my sins are forgiven."

As Jesus said, "He who is forgiven much, loves much."

Thank You, Lord Jesus. I love You very much.

Proverbs 28:13

2010-05-12T09:06:00.001-04:00

He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

I don't think a year goes by that I don't hear or read about a politician caught in an affair. This year it was the Prince of the Links, Tiger Woods, who was exposed and lost the respect of untold thousands of people. But the act of covering sin includes all sins, even the not so obvious. And the more complicated our lives become, I think the potential for committing sin increases. I must examine my life daily, even continuously.

I need to observe myself through God's perspective. I also need to consider how I appear to others, but always through the filter of God's hands. I need to examine my thoughts and intentions as well as my actions. And always, I must keep my ears attuned to the small still voice of the Holy Spirit.

Whatever good that people see in me is to be fully credited to the work of the Holy Spirit. He convicts me of sin, leads me to confess my ways as sin, gives me the strength to forsake sin and make restitution where I am able to do so. He covers me in prayer, interceding for me and God, who is rich in mercy, pours out grace upon grace upon me as I continue to seek Him and forsake sin.

My life is blessed with mercy. Praise God.

Who Can I Trust?

2010-05-08T08:39:00.000-04:00

We all suffer hurt. A couple of years ago, the hurt and rejection I suffered at the hearts of people I loved broke my heart. This stirred up anger and bitterness over things I could not change, resulting in sin in my heart. I have struggled and struggled with God and tried so hard to resist bitterness.

I needed new friends to help me deal with the pain. So I prayed. Today I have two friends I know I can talk to about my problems. They are very forthright and live very close to the God I adore. They will speak truth if I'm in error. My heart is healing nicely. I wake up with joy every morning and love for all.

The Bible says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)

If you don't have anyone you can trust, pray to the ONE in heaven who is trustworthy and true. Ask for friends and people to whom you may be accountable. He will provide. In my case, He provided quickly. I pray He will grant you such great friends, too.

When You are Troubled by Division in Your Relationships

2010-05-07T08:50:00.000-04:00

Consider the wisdom of Psalm 19 before condemning others. But before we read what the psalmest wrote, we need to consider the condition of our own hearts first.

Our thoughts and feelings run amok when we are frustrated with others.

"If everyone saw themselves the way I do, they would know they need to change!"

"If everyone believed like me, acted like me, thought like me, reacted like me, saw the truth like me...."

"I can't believe they are .... blah, blah, blah...."

"Hey, you can't do that to me! I was here first!"

"They know that is wrong!"

"They are so inconsiderate! What about the rest of us?"

"I told them..... !!!"

"You never told me that!"

"Disrespect? You started it!"

You know the arguments in your own head. You know why people make you angry. Perhaps they are reacting to you. Hmmmmm.......

James 4:1-3 (AMP)
¹WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?
²You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask.
³[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.

You need to see what God sees in you, to believe God's truth about you:

"Imperfect."
"Hidden Faults"

The only person you can change is yourself and you will need God's revelation, help and strength to do that. You will also need to understand His patience and lovingkindness toward you is very great just to avoid discouragement.

Be mindful to praise and thank God who causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) You can trust Him to work in the hearts of others just as He works in yours. He is the Great Multi-tasker! Trust Him.

Psalms 19:12-14 (NASB)
¹²Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
¹³Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

When You are Troubled by Your Unrighteous Heart

2010-05-07T07:37:00.001-04:00

Pray through Psalm 51

Psalms 51:1-19 (NASB)
¹Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin.
³For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.
⁴Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.
⁵Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
⁷Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
⁹Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities.
¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
¹³Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.
¹⁴Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
¹⁵O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.
¹⁶For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.
¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
¹⁸By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.

The Everlasting Way

2010-05-04T07:28:00.001-04:00

Psalms 139:23-24 (NASB)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

I remember my first years as a Christian. I thought the world would be a better place if everyone believed as I believed. Well, the world would be a better place if everyone believed in Jesus, loved Him, and OBEYED His teachings. I believed and I loved Him. It's the completing the journey of obedience on the everlasting way that proves to be difficult.

Jesus gave one command to His disciples, to love one another so that the world may know that we are His. Why is love so challenging?

Jesus said,
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
"Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
"Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
"If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
"If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Luke 6:27-38 (NASB)

The Love of Jesus was displayed upon the cross. With wounds all over His shredded body, a crown of thorns embedded around His head, nails pinning Him to a rough wooden cross, His blood flowed and soaked the ground and the cracks of Golgotha. His love cost Him extreme pain and suffering. His love was selfless.

It is said that hurting people hurt people. Jesus came to heal hurting people and He hurt no one. He was wounded for our transgressions, yet continued to love. He showed us the way. It is selfless. It is love.

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

2010-03-12T07:19:00.000-05:00

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."
Exodus 14:14 (NASB)

Romans 12:14-21 (NASB)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
"BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 7:21-25 (AMP)
So I find it to be a law (rule of action of my being) that when I want to do what is right and good, evil is ever present with me and I am subject to its insistent demands.

For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my inmost self [with my new nature].

But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

O unhappy and pitiable and wretched man that I am! Who will release and deliver me from [the shackles of] this body of death?

O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (AMP)
For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Prayer request

2010-02-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

Lord,

I pray, and am confident, that You will perfect the good work You began in me. (Philippians 1:6)

Therefore, I will give You thanks for all my distresses and for all my victories, for a new vision, new heart and new spirit to do Your will. (1Th 5:18, Ez 36:26, Pr 23:7)

Direct my steps and keep them from slipping. (Ps 37:23 and Pr 16:9) Lead me to make right decisions and give me the strength to carry out Your plans. Grant me peace within my boundaries. (Psalm 37:37)

Bless my words with wisdom. (Ps 37:30)

Fill my being with You love that is so rich and so thick. Let it cover those who offended me completely and may my grievences be remembered no more. Cover me with You love, forgive me for being anything less than loving; forgive us all. (Pr 10:12)

I love You, Jesus. I desire to be close to You and to those You love; to love them with Your love and abundant grace; to be a disciple and to disciple. But I cannot do this by my flesh. Yet, You can fill me with Your Spirit, with Your love, and with courage to reach the hopeless, to find the lost, to enable others to find you and to do all that I can to meet their needs.

Bless You, O Lord my God.

Enable me to seek what is good and to know the truth. Bless me with wisdom to share with those in need.

In Jesus Name I pray, amen.

I'm definately not perfected but love never fails

2010-02-19T19:10:00.000-05:00

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Amplified Bible)

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

I 've been struggling in the healing of one of my most treasured friendships. I've been seeking God all day and praying for a new heart and spirit according to His promise in Ezekiel 36:26. The damage of this friendship has had disasterous effects in other relationships. I haven't been functioning as I should because I was so emotionally distressed.

I'm reading Joyce Meyer's book THE LOVE REVOLUTION while prayerfully seeking God. I do believe He has shown me why I have suffered in this relationship. This person wanted me to feel guilty for his/her own choices. I was always there to encourage this person and help this person. But after a while, my very presence was resented. I was too helpful.

I'm an enabler. Once again, God has shown me that my helpfulness was really enabling this person to hold out from doing what needed to be done. I don't know why or how I get into enabling relationships. Love is supportive but tough love moves the enabled out of the shadows and into the light. Tough love is honest with kindness.

I have amplified the Amplified Bible's version of love found in 1Corinthians 13.

Love does not turn its back on another. Love does not reward kindness with rejection. Love celebrates for others. Love rejoices and does not give in to jealousy. Love does not brag in order to raise itself above others. Love does not say, "look, I'm more wonderful because I can do this." Love does not look down on others. Love lifts others up and encourages them to be all they can be.

Love is not full of arrogance. Love is humble, always ready to serve. Love is not rude. Being rude is selfish. Love does not insist on its own rights even though the desire might be burning inside. The flame of having one's own way must burn out completely if one really wants to love the way that Christ loves us.

Love is selfless. (I'm not there, yet.) Who is completely selfless and full of love? Jesus!

Love throws resentment out with the trash of confessed sin. Love is not interested in making someone else feel guilty. Love says, "I love you. Don't worry about it. That is behind us."

Love is grieved at unrighteousness because unrighteousness hurts others deeply. Unrighteousness kills, steals and destroys. Not love! Love rejoices when right and truth prevail over unrighteousness and when hearts are changed by love. While it is true that we suffer for our bad choices, love rejoices in the heart moved to righteousness. Love rejoices when good things happen for others.

Love bears up, no matter what. It is ready to hope and believe the best of and for everyone. Hope is wonderful and encourages us under the most difficult circumstances. We need to focus on faith, hope and love because they help us to endure. Of these three, love never fails. After all, God is love and there is no beginning nor end of God. Love endures forever.

I see my own shortcomings as I write and there are a lot of them. But my heart is open. I choose to love and pray with all my heart that God will fill my empty places with more of His redeeming love.

Peace

You Can't Steal This!

2010-02-19T13:13:00.000-05:00

Last night I wondered why we met a young lady in the parking lot of our hotel. She was fed up with her day and wanted to purchase a bottle of wine. She had to spend the night in the hotel because she was in traffice for three hours on her way to the airport due to an accident and missed her flight. She had other problems, too. Her car had a broken window because hoodlems had smashed it and then broke into her house and stole her possessions. She also had to reschedule herself on a flight to leave very early this morning to go to a birthday party for a relative who was well into his 80's. Finally, before she drove off, she said, "God must have some purpose in this!" I would have appreciated a chance to talk to her and encourage her faith in God but that didn't happen. However, she has not left my mind. I know she had a bad day, but she did not lose everything. Likewise, I had a few hard years but I did not lose everything.

The past three years have been hard for me. People I loved turned on me with jealousy and resentment. So I removed those things from my life that caused resentment and slowly but surely attitudes are changing. Jesus didn't trust His heart to anyone because He knows how fickle we really are on the inside. I'm not any more innocent than anyone else in my relationships. We need to continue to commit ourselves to each other while we are tested. Testing is good because it proves whether we really love each other or not. And you know what? It's OK to step back and say, "I don't like the way you treat me and I need to think about whether or not I love you." I am so blessed. The very people who questioned their love for me and my love for them have chosen to love me. I choose to love them. The truth is that love really is a choice and a time of testing will prove our love for each other.

The one love that cannot be called into question is the love of God, who sacrificed His Son to save each of us and loves each of us the same. A bit like the young woman I met in the parking lot, my house of love was broken into by spiritual thugs who stole the hearts of people I love. But the One Love they could not steal was God's Love for me. They couldn't even touch it. When I entered my broken house of love, His love remained and His loving grace was and is sufficient for all my needs. Plus, He went out and retrieved the love that had been stolen. Faith, hope, and love truly remain.

The one thing I need to do now is make my house of love a secure place for others. If they don't feel safe with me, they will not even enter my house. This is my responsibility and the only way to do that is to put on the spiritual armor of God and fill my heart with His unbiased love for them. ^"The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." (Romans 13:12, New King James Version)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

The world is filled up with people with wounded spirits it does not need one more; it does not need my wounded spirit. The world needs people who will set aside their neediness and love others without prejudice. I pray for opportunities to reach out to needy people like the young woman I met last night and I pray now for devine appointments with the right time and right place to share.

Peace

I want to understand the Bible

2010-01-31T08:52:00.000-05:00

^{Recently, someone asked me to help them study the Bible. I thought, "Oh.... wow........"}
^{In a moment like this you are totally aware of your nothingness. What knowledge does a dust might have of man? What knowledge does man have of God? I know this, God supplies everything I need, especially His Word. He promised to give wisdom to anyone who asks (James 1:5).}

^{So prayerfully I wrote the following to my friend: "Let's begin with a simple prayer and ask God to teach us from His Word."}

"Dear Father in Heaven, I want to understand the Bible, I want to know Jesus and live for Him. Please teach me Your Word today. Teach me wisdom. Please make my faith in You stronger. In Jesus name I pray, amen."

OK, let's begin. Would you like to read for 15 minutes and then write some notes? Or would you like to write as you read along.

Here is a method of writing as you read along.

1. Start reading the Book of John and stop reading when a verse or sentence causes you to pause and think. You might stop on the first sentence or the last sentence of the whole book. It doesn't matter. You are asking God to stop you where He wants to speak to you.

2. Write down that verse in your notebook or your computer.

Why does this verse make you stop and think? What are you thinking about? What is on your mind or troubling your heart? Does the verse apply to a situation in your life? Is it an answer to prayer? Is it a promise you want to remember in the future? Or does this verse make you wonder, "What does that mean?"

3. Write out your thoughts.

4. Rewrite the verse in your own words

5. Add any additional notes that cross your mind

For instance, let's say I started to read the book of John and I stopped on the first verse. The next step is to write the verse out in my notebook or on a computer document.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1: 1 (John, chapter 1, verse 1)

What does that mean?!

Along the side of your Bible you might see cross references to other scriptures. These scripture references might give you a better understanding. My Bible shows a cross reference to John 1: 14 (John, chapter 1, verse 14) which says, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

So now I understand that the Apostle John was poetic and he is talking about Jesus by describing Him as the "Word."

I see another cross reference for this verse, Genesis 1: 1. Since I'm curious, I decide to look at Genesis 1:1. As I read I become totally fascinated and read the whole first chapter of Genesis.   In Genesis 1, verse 26, I see something interesting. "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness...." So I write that down with these thoughts, "Whoa! Now I see that from the very beginning of the Jewish Bible, God is One God and yet calls Himself, "US." I've always heard, "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit." Wow! They are ONE and yet appear as three distinct individuals! Wow! Amazing! Who can understand God?!"

This is the kind of stuff I write in my journal. I've been journaling for over 30 years. I don't think I have my first journals. I wish I did. It would be fun to go back that far and see how much my faith in Jesus has grown and how much deeper my understanding has grown in the Word of God. I have written volumes about emotional heartbreak and God's amazing grace.

Some days I don't write anything. Don't make this a law to live by. Just go with the Spirit and let Him guide you as you read, study, write, ponder, and learn the Word of God, who was in the beginning with God and is God.

After reading Genesis, chapter One, I go back to John 1: 1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

This time, I'm going to rewrite the verse in my notebook as I believe God is revealing it to me. "Jesus existed in the very beginning. He was with God when God created everything.   In fact, Jesus is God."

Depending upon how much time I have, I might read some more in the book of John until my mind stops again. Then I might start to write in my notebook again and repeat the process.

This is a very flexible reading plan. Like I said, you might read a verse or a whole book before writing anything down. The nice thing about it is that I can spend 5 minutes or 5 hours reading God's Word. When I read, God is speaking. That is all that matters. Sometimes I journal a little and sometimes I journal a lot. Sometimes I don't write anything and just read. It's the love of God's Word that moves me to seek Him and read the Bible. I just can't get enough. I pray in Jesus Name that He will grant you a hunger and a thirst for His Word that will drive you to read the Bible over and over again.   Amen.

Tomorrow is another day. You might have a huge burden on your heart for a friend who is in big trouble. As you read the Gospel of John, you might find that you can't stop worrying about your friend. But you keep reading because nothing has spoken to your heart. Finally, you begin to read what Jesus said in John 8: 36, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." This is a promise you can claim for your friend. So you stop to pray that Jesus will set her free from the sins that got her into trouble. As you pray, you sense your burden has lifted. Now you can thank Jesus because you know He has heard your prayer for your friend. By this example, I hope you can see the value of reading the Word of God and applying it to your prayers. There is great power in applying God's Word to your prayers and to your life.

By the way, don't be surprised if you get real sleepy when you first start reading the Bible. I don't know if this is human nature or some trick of Satan, but it seems to happen to a lot of people who are just starting. Don't worry. Stop if you must and come back in five minutes and try again. If that doesn't work, try reading during lunch time. Press on. One day you will not be able to put the book down.

Please, please, please write back and let me know how far you read in the Gospel of John. Let me know if God spoke anything to your heart. Then I will write back something He has spoken to me.

Love you in Christ Jesus,

Vicki

Loving You's the Right Thing to Do

2010-01-10T06:46:00.000-05:00

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. "When You said,"Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." "Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!Psalms 27:7-9 (NASB)

I know I can turn to You for anything. You know what I need before I ask. Matthew 6:8 (NASB) More than food, or clothes, a home, or things that bring delight, I need You.

You are my Peace in every circumstance. And this is how I found peace. Because I love You I sought to obey You. I repented from my ways, tried to do things Your way, and found more love, joy, and peace than I could imagine. Your Word says, "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19 (NASB). Surely Your Word is true for this has been my experience. I thank You for this love, joy and peace in my heart. Oh, what joy awaits the one who obeys You. Even though there may be suffering for a night, joy comes in the morning.

Psalms 30:4-12 (NASB)
⁴Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.
⁵For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
⁶Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, "I will never be moved."
⁷O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed.
⁸To You, O LORD, I called, And to the Lord I made supplication:
⁹"What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?
¹⁰"Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper."
¹¹You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
¹²That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

I sought You because it was the right thing to do. I found You as You promised, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD."Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NASB) I fell in love with You and know that loving You is the right thing to do, as You said, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment." Matthew 22:37-38 (NASB) You are the desire of my heart.

Because of love, You did the right thing. Because of love You gave up everything. Help me to do the right thing, too, because I love You. Because of You, I make every effort to do the right thing. I love You! I love You so much that I want to give up anything or do anything You ask me do.

Loving You is the right thing to do. Because I love You, You make my heart glad! But I love You because I love You, which just happens to be the right thing to do.

I love You!

It can be difficult to repent when you know it's the right thing to do

2010-01-09T10:58:00.001-05:00

but can't stop desiring what you know is sin. Your conscience is raging against you. You try to ignore it but it just won't go away.

And so begins a cycle of tormenting thoughts. How do you make it stop!? You feel so bad, too ashamed to talk to God. Yet, He is the One Person who who sees you in all your possibilities and offers the hope, strength and unconditional love that you need. In His eyes you are no more guilty than the preacher in the pulpit. Everyone sins and the penalty for all sin is the same, eternal death, unless you have been redeemed by His Son.

So lift up your head and turn to God, who loves you.

Ask God to help you as you make a decision to change. Decide to change out of faith, love and/or obedience to Him. He will help you to "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB)

I had so much baggage when I first asked Jesus into my life. All I could offer Him was faith and a desire to obey Him. I didn't know Him well enough to say, "I loved You." I acted out of faith and then fell in love with Him. The change in me was radical. Everyone could tell I was different. That being said, I would be the first to agree that repenting is not always easy. However, with God, REPENTING IS OH, SO POSSIBLE! Mark 10:27

Repentance can be a path of discovery, revelation and refreshment. The path of repentance is also a narrow path leading to a destiny of right thinking, right feeling, right motivation and right behavior. When you make your final destination in the Land of Freedom you will experience great and everlasting joy. God and the heavenly host will experience joy, too. Wouldn't you like to give our Father in heaven some joy? Look at the world we live in. Everyone is corrupt. But you can make God smile. Jesus said, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7 (NASB)
I want to assure you that It is possible to repent, to totally change, and to become the person you want to be and were meant to be. The process starts with the way you think and begins with learning the truth. And here is some truth, you think wrong. It is not OK to sin and you can overcome sin. I don't need to tell you what sin is; you know it in your heart.

Romans 2:14-16 (NASB)
¹⁴For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,
¹⁵in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
¹⁶on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Why you behave the way you do begins with why think the way you do. Two days ago, as I drove to work, I did not understand why I felt uncooperative. I felt resistant to sing in church anymore. I didn't want to sing solos, in ensembles or even in worship teams. I could be happy singing in the congregation. This is just not like me at all. I could not figure this out. What was wrong with my thinking?!!! Finally, I prayed and asked God to show me what was wrong. Then I changed my thoughts to something else and forgot about this dilemma. As I drove home from work, He revealed that I had hardened my heart so I wouldn't get my feelings hurt. He showed me that seed of my hurt must fall to the ground and die so that my song will encourage people once again.

When a seed is planted, the outer covering dies off and the new plant emerges from the seed. I need to choose to let the outer seed of hurt feelings die and open myself up to God, to live for Him and through and to Him so that He might receive all the glory for my life.
Now that I know the truth, I can make the right decision to fulfill my calling. Which means I need to practice and make myself ready for His call. This is repentance. My feelings were wrong which meant that somehow my thoughts were wrong. I prayed and asked for revelation. I needed to see the situation from God's view. God answered my prayer, told me the truth and set me free to make my choice. I can die to worship through music and cry OR die to self-protection and rejoice. I choose to die to self-protection. God is more than able to protect my heart. Yesterday I received a phone call asking if I would be willing to be a stand in on a worship team. Because I prayed, I was able to say yes to anything God wants to do in my life.

While this is a very simple example, it reveals the that the choice in the process is completely mine from start to finish. The same principle applies to more severe sins such as homosexuality, adultery, pornography, gambling, compulsive behaviors such as laziness, lying, shopping or stealing, etc. Let's face it, some things are very difficult to shake. No one understands this as well as Richard Cohen, who successfully went from gay to straight.

Richard Cohen didn't want to be gay. He was a Christian and dreamed of having a wife and children, but he was attracted to men. His path to freedom from gay to straight was difficult, at times painful, but in the end successful. He is straight, married, has children and has a ministry to help others. Jesus set him free by revealing the truth and where and when the sin originated. As a little boy he was sexually abused by a relative he trusted. On his web site he says,

"I had always been on a spiritual quest, trying to find the meaning and purpose of life. I tried so many kinds of faiths and ways: Judaism, Buddhism, and therapies. Then I met Jesus. He was a remarkable individual. In fact, he was the kind of man I had always wanted to be myself. What I admired in him was that his thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds were one. He was a congruent man, the same inside as he was on the outside. He spoke of forgiveness and God's grace. These were new concepts for me. I wanted to be like him. This began my journey as a Christian." (If you have a moment you might like to visit Mr. Cohen's web page. I highly recommend reading his spiritual journey. Click Here. )

God loves the sinner, that includes Christians, but hates sin. You might be able to hide your sins from others but you cannot hide them from God. Psalm 44:21 says that God knows the secrets of your heart. He knows about the abuse that people like Richard Cohen suffered as little children. He knows it destroys their little souls. He knows they grow into adults who will inflict abuses upon themselves and/or others. God sees the sin lurking in the heart. He sees the abuse continue from generation to generation. He completely understands and He came to change that. He came to set the captives free and to heal us all from our wounds. God not only sees the secrets of your heart, He sees that desire deep in your soul that wants Him so bad, yet suffers too much shame to call out His Name.

The first step is wanting to be set free. Sin entangles you, brings you down and destroys the wonderful person you were meant to be.

The second step is praying and asking God to reveal what is keeping you from freedom. Something is wrong with your thought process. You either believe something that is not true or you need revelation to see the situation from God's viewpoint. The Bible says, "It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22 (NASB)

Third, you need to choose life. Sin is death, if not in this life, then definitely in the realm of eternity. Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NASB) .

GOD says in Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NASB)
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life...."

Fourth, with faith in God, change your mind to do what is right, to think what is right, to turn from evil, to ignore those wrong thoughts in your head and choose to believe the truth. Paul wrote:

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB) .

Nobody understood the consequences of wrong thinking any more than Paul. He believed he was doing the works of God as he turned over Christian men and women to be killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Then God gave Paul the revelation that he was the sinner. Paul was dramatically changed by the revelation of the truth, set free from wrong thinking, gave his life and obedience to Christ and became the greatest apostle.
You can change too when you know the truth.

It will set you free.

No Regrets

2010-01-07T08:59:00.001-05:00

Many years ago I worked for a very unrighteous man. The way he treated some people was nothing less than cold-hearted and mean. Always eager to impress important people, he manipulated and hid the truth about his true nature. Behind closed doors he forced himself upon young men for sex. I know, because I caught him with his hands down a young man's pants.

Despite the way he treated us, he had good employees. He was in the hospital for weeks and nearly died of pneumonia. When he came back to work, he felt threatened because we kept the business running without him. Instead of being grateful, he became mean. He became foolish and made business mistakes, and then he took his anger out on his faithful employees.

One day a friend of his came to see how he was feeling. He talked about his near death experience and bragged about his life. Then he said, "I have no regrets."

I tried to imagine him standing before God and saying that!

Paul wrote, "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent." (1Cor 4:4)

It's amazing how we can fool ourselves into thinking we are good. My boss thought he was wonderful. But deep down the truth nagged him. As he drew closer and closer to the end of his life, he became obsessed in his efforts to convince people that he was to be admired and remembered. He wrote many letters to the few friends he had left. He wrote letters to people he didn't even know. He wrote to newspapers and magazines in an effort to get his name mentioned. Always, he tried to manipulate everyone into believing his was wonderful and at the same time he tried to appear humble. He wrote his biography and sent it to everyone because he feared he would be forgotten. I know these things because he shared everything he wrote about himself with me.

He also sent alter flowers to his mother's church once a month because he wanted the church to believe he was a good person. It was a sad thing to watch.

Finally, he sold the business that he had run into near bankruptcy. He knew the end was near. He was 80 years old and near death when his nightmare came true. He was admitted to the worst nursing home in our city. It was horrible. It stank and was nearly shut down for violations.

For years, I prayed for this man. I listened to many people witnessed to him, but he only laughed at them after they left. Yet, God's grace is greater than all our sin. The pastor of his mother's church visited my boss and led him to Christ a week or two before he died. Then he called me and told me that he never meant to hurt me.

He changed from an arrogant man to a man who realized that he did have regrets and needed a Savior.

I thank God that He saved my boss. I really cared about him, even when he made me mad. He was like family to me. One day I will see him again. I'm in debt to the pastor who was bold enough to tell my boss the truth and share with him the grace of God that we all need through Jesus. My boss is forgiven and gone to heaven.

Praise God.

Repenting - You Can Do It - IF.....

2010-01-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

your heart is set on seeking God - Deuteronomy 6:4-6 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.
you change your mind, discipline your thoughts, about what is right, desirable and important - Acts 9:1-2, 19-22 "Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem". ......(Now with a changed heart)........."Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, 'Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?' But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ."

you follow hard after Jesus -Matthew 9:9"As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector's booth; and He said to him, 'Follow Me!' And he got up and followed Him."

Allow Your Heart to Seek God

We all sin, fall short of God's holiness. He knows that. He loves us so much He is willing to suffer patience as He waits for us to understand His ways and repent. He is most gracious and willing to forgive. His anger is short and His arm is not to short to save us from our entanglements. Don't be afraid. Don't think you cannot turn to Him like this, covered in sin. Turn now, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. ("Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" Words and tune Lemmel, Helen H. Lemmel, 1922. Copyright: Public Domain.

Allow your heart to seek God whether you are tempted or ,sadly, fallen into sin. Surely, it is easier to repel temptation when God is number one in your heart. None the less, I have witnessed far too many "good" Christians who loved God, fall into temptation. Even I have had my heart sorely vexed by Satan's attempts to destroy me and my witness. Our daily lives are met with little temptations, but when Satan gets involved in an all out attempt to destroy you, only God's strength will save you. When such times come your way, you will probably need a friend you can trust who will love you enough to recognize you are suffering under the weight of a temptation for which you did not ask and who will pray for your deliverance and watch over you closely. For the love of God, seek such a friend. No one asks to be tempted. Our problem lies in the fact temptation is desirable. We fall when we desire the temptation more than God. And we are all guilty! So please, don't turn your back on God and please find a friend willing to help you. (For the love of God, be such a friend to someone else! Remember Jesus was full of grace and truth. Be gracious and truthful with a spirit of love.)

Change Your Mind, Discipline Your Thoughts

About What is Right, Desirable and Important

Paul

"Jesus and Paul were boys at the same time in different villages, and Paul's antipathy to Christ was increasing. He hated every thing about Christ. He was going down then with writs in his pockets to have Christ's disciples arrested. He was not going as a sheriff goes—to arrest a man against whom he has no spite—but Paul was going down to arrest those people because he was glad to arrest them. The Bible says: "He breathed out slaughter." He wanted them captured, and he also wanted them butchered.

It was particularly outrageous that Saul should have gone to Damascus on that errand. Jesus Christ had been dead only three years, and the story of His kindness, generosity and love filled all the air. It was not an old story, as it is now. It was a new story. Jesus had only three Summers ago been in these very places, and Saul every day in Jerusalem must have met people who knew Christ, people with good eyesight whom Jesus had cured of blindness, people who were dead and had been resurrected by the Savior, and people who could tell Paul all the particulars of the crucifixion—just how Jesus looked in the last hour—just how the heavens grew black in the face at the torture. He heard that recited every day by people who were acquainted with all the circumstances, and yet in the fresh memory of that scene he goes out to persecute Christ's disciples, impatient at the time it takes to feed the horses at the inn, not pulling at the snaffle, but riding with loose rein—faster and faster.

Truly, Paul was the chief of sinners. No outbreak of modesty when he said that. He was a murderer. He stood by when Stephen died, and helped in the execution of that good man. When the rabble wanted to be unimpeded in their work of destroying Stephen, and wanted to take off their coats but did not dare to lay them down lest they be stolen, Paul said: "I will take care of the coats." So they put their coats down at the feet of Paul, and he watched them, and he watched the horrid mangling of glorious Stephen.

Is it not a wonder that when Paul fell from the horse he did not break his neck—that his foot did not catch somewhere in the trappings of the saddle, and he was not dragged and kicked to death? He deserved to die—miserably, wretchedly and for ever—notwithstanding all his metaphysics, eloquence and logic.

It seems to me as if I can see Paul today, rising up from the highway to Damascus, brushing off the dust from his cloak and wiping the sweat of excitement from his brow, as he turns to us and all the ages, saying:

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

If it had been a mere optical illusion on the road to Damascus, was not Paul just the man to find it out? If it had been a sham and pretense, would he not have pricked the bubble? He was a man of facts and arguments, of the most gigantic intellectual nature, and not a man of hallucinations; and when I see him fall from the saddle, blinded and overwhelmed, I say there must have been something in it." Bible Characters by Dwight Lyman Moody, T. De Witt Talmage, Joseph Parker Database © 2007 WORDsearch Corp.Bible Characters.

It took the blinding holy light of Christ to change the mind of self-righteous Paul. Before meeting Jesus, Paul excused his murderous heart with his false beliefs about God. We do the same thing. We have false beliefs about each other. We think the other guy is wrong and that allows us to behave the way we do. Wrong! Paul thought the Christians were wrong but he was not right with God when he set about to extinguish the light of Christ who asked, "Saul, Saul why do you persecute Me?" So stop! Stop looking at the faults of others, examine yourself and look at Jesus. You cannot compare to perfection of Jesus. Yet, He doesn't want to reject the sinner. He wants to rescue. He wants to rescue you! Throughout the gospels we hear Jesus saying over and over again, "Repent and sin no more." Repent - change your mind. Let your mind be the mind of Christ today. His grace is sufficient for everything.

Paul - the changed man - the great apostle - the humble servant wrote:

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NASB)

Follow hard after Jesus

"Repentance literally means a change of mind. It means to turn your back, walk away, and decide not to do it again. It means getting your thinking aligned correctly with God. It's possible to confess without really ever conceding any fault at all. In fact, we can become simply good apologizers with no intent of being any other way. confession and repentance mean saying, "This is my fault. I'm sorry about it, and I'm not going to do it anymore."

All sin has to be confessed and repented of for you to be free of bondage, whether you feel bad about it or not and whether you recognize it as sin or not. " Stormie Omartien, Finding Peace For Your Heart, A Woman's Guide to Emotional Health

Today is another new day in a new year.

If you fell down yesterday, get up and try again.

God's grace is sufficient. Don't give up.

Pray about the way you think until you are sure

your thoughts are His thoughts.

Jesus is calling,

"Repent, change your way of thinking, sin no more.

And Come, follow Me."

It isn't too late. Pray while the Lord may still be found.

2010-01-05T08:03:00.000-05:00

As Christ followers, it is time for us to grow up. When we make a mistake we need to work at not making the same mistake again. We might fail a few times, but if we are diligent, we will succeed. Mistakes are just that, mistakes, and God is very patient and gracious to forgive us.

Willful disobedience is something else, and I dare say we are all guilty of at least petty disobedience. I am. I confess to going over the speed limit from time to time; sometimes by accident and sometimes on purpose. Most of the time I prefer to use the speed control and set my car to the speed limit. This keeps me out of trouble. One time I forgot to set the speed control on a road that is often patrolled. After going down a hill I increased the gas to get me back to the top. When I did that I went over the speed limit, passed the police officer and promptly pulled over. He didn't even have to turn on his lights. I knew I was caught. He blessed me with a lesser offense and my fine was greatly reduced. It was MY FAULT. The hill did not make me speed. I failed to control my car. I confessed, paid my fine, and once again freely drive without guilt as I make a strong effort to obey the speed limit.

The worst mistake you could make is to blame everyone else because you sinned. As long as you blame someone else, you will not benefit from confession and repentance. You will suffer! Stop blaming them. They didn't hold a gun to your head and make you do something you did not want to do.

Willful disobedience. You did it because for some reason you were compelled to do "it" instead of doing the right thing in the moment. Perhaps you should have turned or walked away. Perhaps you should have said, "No," and meant "No." The enemy can detect when your response is half-hearted and will tempt you again and again until you stumble and fall. At any rate, you didn't have to do "it," you wanted to do it. Now that you did "it" you have lost the reward of doing the right thing. You have lost peace of mind. You have hardened your heart. You have lost fellowship. You have lost control. You have lost a special moment. You have lost something because you chose to do something wrong. It was your choice and your fault.'

David understood, he wrote:

¹How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!
²How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

When David sinned with Bathsheba he knew he was guilty and tried to cover up his sin. Nobody made him do it. Bathsheba didn't have much choice. He was the king. He made the decision to sin. His men got the girl for him according to his orders and followed through on his wish for her husband to die in battle. David wasn't grieved until he was confronted by Nathan, the prophet. How could he be so calloused? The unchecked desire of the flesh makes the heart calloused and shields it from God.

David suffered for his unconfessed sin. He wrote:

³When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.
⁴For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

^{Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do we struggle with our inner man? Why do we struggle with God? Why not just choose to do the right thing? Why do we want what we should not have? Why are we not satisfied with what God has provided? But we all do this; we covet what is not ours. We long for things we see on TV or the internet that we cannot afford. We crave food that is not good for us. We desire what others have including: knowledge, money, praise from others, awards, acknowledgment, position, power, and on and on and on. I'm not saying that it is wrong to want good things, but we need to recognize when we are wanting out of jealousy or out of pride. Oh, that we would stop short at the coveting, jealousy and pride and not take our sin any further! It is well to confess the sin and repent immediately less you fall into a deeper pit of transgressions. Yet, God is able to get us out of the miry clay if we call upon His Name. David continues:}

⁵I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

⁶Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

⁷You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

I delight in knowing the God surrounds me with songs of deliverance and sings over me. Oh that I might hear His voice in the middle of the night!

⁸I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
⁹Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.

Talk to God. He longs to hear your voice. He longs to encourage you and give you instruction. He wants to deliver you and help you stay on the path of righteousness. But He will not hold a gun to your head. He will not make you listen. You have to desire Him more than anything or anyone else. When He is number One in your heart you will be free.

David loved the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. He confessed his sin and never committed adultery again. He did a foolish thing but he was not stubborn. He respected God's authority and God's law and submitted himself to it once again.

¹⁰Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.
¹¹Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

It isn't too late for any of us while we are still breathing to confess, repent, and submit ourselves to God's authority. Repenting requires submitting to authority and that is difficult if you have a problem with authority. Once you believe that God's authority was meant to protect you, you will find the confidence to submit. It isn't too late. The Lord is waiting.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Stop leaning on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

My heart says of You, "Seek His face." Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:8

Forgive me, Lord, for I too am a sinner.

2010-01-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

This one sentence prayer is embedded in the back of my mind. It has served me on days I needed to be humbled and days I grieved for the sins of others.

If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts]. 1 John 1:8 (AMP)

We need to be cautious when we step on holy ground and gripe and complain. I hear more griping and complaining at church than I do any place else. This should not be. We know it is wrong. If I complain just once, I’m as guilty as one who complains all day.

We need to work toward conforming to the image of Christ. Part of that image is patience for other believers to learn what we already know, to bear fruit that we already bear, to experience what we have already experienced and to grow up and become mature in Christ. Give them a break and be gracious, for we too are sinners.

We need to work toward loving each other as Christ loves us. Does somebody get on our nerves? Pray about it and ask God, "Why does Sister Sue's behavior get on my nerves?" One day God will help you remove that board out of your eye and you will see that Sister Sue acts like you. "Thank you, Lord, for I too am a sinner."

We need to be steadfast and keep our eyes on Jesus, who endured the worst sinners have to offer. Then when others do things that hurt us, we will have the ability to forgive them, realizing that we too, are a sinner.

The beauty of this one sentence prayer is that it brings God's grace to bear on all of us, for we all are sinners in need of forgiveness.

Thank you, Jesus, for Your grace and tenderness toward the humble. Thank you for forgiving all of us. Thank you for giving up Your life to pay for our penalties for sin. You alone are holy and we praise You for that. Bless the Name of the Lord. Amen.

Romans 8:5 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. "

2010-01-01T08:54:00.000-05:00

God put the second part of this verse on my heart while listening to a Joyce Meyer broadcast on line while working at Campus Crusade for Christ on December 30, 2009.

Paul said that God has given us the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16 ). We have it. Do we use Him or go about our merry way? I believe the mind of Christ is the Spirit within us. As usual, God gives us the choice to live with our minds set on the flesh or according the things of the Spirit.

I am greedy for the things of the Spirit and confess to setting my mind on the flesh to obtain more spiritual things. You are thinking, "HUH?" I hunger for the Word of God. I get so excited about books that will teach me more and more that I will buy them on credit. This year I will not do that. I probably don't need to buy a single book. Notice that word "need." I believe my library has everything I "NEED" to study whatever God is calling me to study. If I "NEED" more I can find it online, in the church library, or in my pastor's library. He always has a good book to read.

I spend a lot on iTunes as well. I buy Christian books on mp3 with iTunes. But I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT!!! I'm discovering that there are several Christian speakers that offer free downloads and podcasts. Joyce Meyer is one of those speakers. There is no reason for me to spend any money with iTunes this year. (But I will accept gift certificates :)

My goal this year is to work my way out of credit card debt. There are, of course, many reasons why my credit card debt is higher than I consider acceptable. Like many of you, Christmas presents often go on the credit card. Wouldn't it be fun to pay for Christmas in cash? Maybe I can do that next year. It is a worthy goal.

Things came up last year that were very expensive, like four new tires for my car. Perhaps this year, God will be gracious and give me a year without heavy expenses such as this. All things are possible.

My credit card debt is much lower than the national average. But it is more than I make in a month. And that is too much debt.

Lord Jesus,
You are ultimately my Provider and my Deliverer. Today, this first day of 2010, I ask You for help to get me out of debt. Jesus, I'm going to put every effort into not spending money and cutting costs where I can. Please show me Your hand of kindness during this year, 2010. I will look for it and record it when I can. There may be things I cannot see, like accidents about to happen yet I escape. How would I know? Or perhaps the possibility of contacting a virus but I escape unscathed. Perhaps something needs to be fixed on my car but it waits until my debt is paid. I don't know what may happen. I ask for Your help, guidance, and strength to make wise decisions and resist temptation. Please help me. Thank You so much for all that You will do for me this year. I pray and ask in Your Name, the Name of Utmost Power, Jesus. Thank You, my Lord and my Deliverer. Amen.

And now Lord, I pray for my friends.
I'm not the only one struggling. I pray that You will speak strength and encouragement to them as they, too, resist the temptation to spend money that they don't have. Please grant them wisdom, understanding, and discernment. Reveal to them the truth about their spending habits. Open their eyes so that they can see they are often tempted by the enemy to purchase things on credit that they don't need. Help them to be wise to advertising. Help them to resist buying food and beverages from fast food restaurants. Give them the strength to go home to eat, if possible, or plan to take something with them to save a few dollars every day. Help them to see that small beginnings amount to great victories in You. When they do have unexpected expenses, when there is illness or necessary repairs to homes and cars, bless them with the means to pay for these things and grace as they use credit to pay for them. Thank you for Your grace. But better yet, even as Abraham kept changing his prayer to save his nephew in Sodom, I pray for my friends, that those who are diligently paying off their debt and honoring You will not have any unexpected expenses this year. Protect us and help us all. I pray for all of my friends that You will keep them employed this year. If they need new jobs, I pray that You will provide and prove that You are our Provider. We turn to You expectantly. Bless us with generous hearts as well and teach us wisdom in giving and may our giving be according to what Your Spirit puts upon our hearts. Bless us with the ability to bless others. You are rich in lovingkindness and there is no end to Your storehouses in heaven. There is nothing You cannot do for us. May we have the same mind toward You, O God, that there is nothing we would not do for You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Sin - What constitutes sin?

2009-12-31T08:38:00.000-05:00

Sin is missing the target.

If God's way of thinking was the center of the target, how many times a day would you hit the bull's eye?

If God's will was the center of the target, how many times a day would you hit the bull's eye?

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

If doing the right thing was the center of the target, how many times a day would you miss the bull's eye?

If right thoughts were the center of the target, how many times a day would you miss the bull's eye?

^"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." (James 4:17)

Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

If love is the center of the target, how many times will you score a bull's eye? Are you close? Did you hit the target at all?

James, the half-brother of Jesus said, "For we all stumble in many ways." (James 3:2)
The Bible says, "God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands, who seeks after God. Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." (Psalm 53:2-3)

If entering heaven required hitting the bull's eye perfectly all the time, none of us would pass the test. With a lifetime of practicing righteousness, our target might show progress, but it will also reveal how many times we missed.

The good news is that if you are still breathing there is hope. God knows you can't hit the bull's eye all the time. He knows every time you missed. But His heart is so compassionate. His Word says, ^"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)

"But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (Romans 10:8-13)

Today is New Year's Eve. Today is a great day to give up. Yes, give up. If you are doing something that you know is not right, then it is sin. You know it is sin. Today is the perfect day for you to return to God. He is waiting.

Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" (Revelation 3:20-22)

It's time to step out of the prison of your dead life and circumstances and enter into a new abundant and eternal life full of grace. Behold, Jesus is standing at the door. Your release is imminent. All you have to do is ask and say, "Lord, save me."

He who covers his sins will not prosper,

2009-12-30T07:48:00.000-05:00

But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13

So, why do the wicked prosper? Even Jeremiah was frustrated with this seeming contradiction of God's word.

Jeremiah 12:1 (NASB)
¹Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You; Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You: Why has the way of the wicked prospered? Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?

Is it OK to ask "Why?"

Apparently so, there are 419 occurrences of the word in the Bible. Job asked "why" a lot.

Job 7:20-21 (NASB)
²⁰"Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?
²¹"Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me, but I will not be."

Job 10:2 (NASB)
²"I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; Let me know why You contend with me.

Job 13:24 (NASB)
²⁴"Why do You hide Your face And consider me Your enemy?

Job 21:7 (NASB)
⁷"Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful?

The various psalmists, including David, asked "Why":

Psalms 2:1 (NASB)
¹Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing?

Psalms 10:1 (NASB)
¹Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?

Psalms 10:13 (NASB)
¹³Why has the wicked spurned God? He has said to himself, "You will not require it."

Psalms 43:2 (NASB)
²For You are the God of my strength; why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

Psalms 43:5 (NASB)
⁵Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Jesus quoted Psalm 42:9 and asked, "Why?"

Psalms 42:9 (NASB)
⁹I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

Yet, He surely knew in His heart verse 11:

Psalms 42:11 (NASB)
¹¹Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
And Israel wonders:

Psalms 44:23 (NASB)
²³Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.

Psalms 44:24 (NASB)
²⁴Why do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression?

Psalms 52:1 (NASB)
¹Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

Psalms 74:1 (NASB)
¹O God, why have You rejected us forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

And we wonder:

Psalms 88:14 (NASB)
¹⁴O LORD, why do You reject my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?

So when we read:

Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
¹³He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

When we ask "WHY", we really need to look at our own condition first. We need to follow the teaching of our Master, who said:

Luke 6:40-42 (NASB)
⁴⁰"A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
⁴¹"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
⁴²"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

We need to remember that Jesus suffered at the hands of evil men for the purpose of saving sinful man. Also, we need to examine ourselves first for sin before we condemn another.

We must remember that the life we live today is another day in our eternal lives. There is a judgment day coming and everyone will stand before the Great Judge and receive either mercy or punishment. Therefore, have mercy on the wicked and pray that they, too, may know the grace and mercy of Jesus. Remember the example that Jesus set before us.

Luke 23:34 (NASB)
³⁴But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."

You can ask why, but know that in the end, you are responsible for yourself.

As for prosperity - remember eternity.

Proverbs 3:1-6 (NASB)
¹My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
²For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
³Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Deliverance - This is the Favorable Year of the Lord

2009-12-29T08:52:00.000-05:00

Luke 4:16-22 (NASB)
¹⁶And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.
¹⁷And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
¹⁸"THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
¹⁹TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
²⁰And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
²¹And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
²²And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips...

Do you ever feel oppressed? You know, subjected to harsh domination, or difficult and binding circumstances, burdened with debt and no way out, stuck in a horrible job without hope of something better, or perhaps constantly subjected to cruel remarks or intimidation by others? Perhaps you are caught up in something that you know is wrong and you don't know how to stop.

Many of us have suffered such difficulties at some time or other. I'm trying to think back on my trials that God allowed me to suffer. And you know what? I don't think I ever prayed, "Lord, set me free." Hmmm..... think about it.

Years ago I worked for a flower shop in my town. I got along with the owner/manager, Mr. B, quite well during the first three years. However, during holidays he brought in one of his business partners to assist the sales ladies. Her name was Miss Tinker, now deceased. She was just plain mean. She made employees cry and quit. I cried but I did not quit. I prayed my heart out. "Oh God, help me to be perfect so she won't yell at me." Of course, God would not make me perfect, only God is perfect. However, as I struggled He perfected me. Eventually, Miss Tinker and I got along very well.

But today I wonder what would have happened if I had prayed, "Lord, this job is oppressive. You came to set the oppressed free. If You are willing, please open up another job for me."

At that time, back in the 1970's, I wouldn't leave that job because it was one of the few jobs in my town that closed on Sunday. We live in a tourist town and most of the businesses cater to tourist 365 days a year. Only construction jobs, business offices and government operations close on Sunday. I was not trained nor educated to work in an office.

An amazing thing did happen without asking. Seven years later, I was asked to work in a travel agency. They would train me and I would have Sundays off. So God proved that He was able to do abundantly more than I could ask or think. Could this have happened sooner? Perhaps.

[This next paragraph is rambling. It is a mix of thoughts and a prayer all at the same time. However, I want to keep it in this format. This is what it is like to be in constant prayer. You think, you pray, you listen, you prayer, you sin in your thoughts, you pray, you sin in your speech, you pray, you sin in action, you pray, you stand amazed at God's workmanship, you pray and praise and worship, and you pray.]

Right now, I am worried about my credit card debt. It has crept up and I want it paid off. Debt is oppressive. I currently help to support two missionaries and I want to support a third. I cannot do that until my debt is paid off. God can deliver me from this debt but it will take hard work and sacrifice on my part. I ask, "O God, to be set free. I repent from frivolous spending and will look for ways to use what I have and be grateful. I ask for wisdom as I spend money, strength to resist the temptation to buy what I don't need, and self-control. I even pray this now in Jesus Name and give thanks because I know He is able to work all of these things in me. I know that it is His desire that I be debt free. I believe You desire to show me how to work myself out of debt. I also pray for more hours at work." I'm a part time employee. My hours are flexible. I work 20 to 30 hours a week. "So Lord, I pray for more hours and, for my part, I will make myself available. I'm scheduled to work from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. But I will endeavor to be there before 10:00." One of my problems in the morning is that when I get into my quiet time with the Lord, I don't want to leave. So I must be determined and self-disciplined to move along and not be late. After all, God is always with me. I'm sure I can clock in at 9:45, or 9:30, or 9:00 on those days that the boss comes in early. I know that if the boss is in the office that he will give me work to do. The Lord has also shown me that I can let go of some of my activities and by doing that I can save $100 a month. He is willing to bring me out of debt if I am will to do the work. He will set me free but I have to step out of the cage. "Thank You Lord for setting me free of debt."

There are many ways to be oppressed. Governments are, by nature, oppressive. They want complete control of our lives. It has taken a couple hundred years, but our government is finally learning how to oppress its people, promising outrageous service for even more outrageous taxes. It spends money foolishly and cannot manage what it promised to give decades ago. But it promises to do more if we pay more taxes. People are like foolish sheep and believe in a government that has a history of failed promises. Just ask our native Indians about that. Ask our retired military about that, too. People will not tolerate poor government for long. The young will rise up and try to overtake broken regimes. But what if we turned to God and repented as a nation. The history of the Old Testament teaches that if we turn to God, He will heal our land. There is hope; His name is Jesus.

What we don't understand is that the greatest oppression of all is sin. I have had the horrible experience of watching good people fall into the worst temptations. Their lives are ruined if they don't repent. It is horrible. But there is a hope. It will take hard work on their part. Just like my credit card debt, they need to repent and exercise discipline on purpose because they love God more than sin. They need to make obedience to God more important than temporary pleasure. This will not be easy. It requires a deliberate act of the will to put God first. But if they truly love God, it is possible because all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

Jesus was consumed with compassion for the worst of sinners. He understands our weaknesses and stands ready to forgive and to give us the strength we need to succeed in righteousness. This is His hearts desire.

Jesus came to set us free. He turns the key and opens the door of the cell of our oppression as we confess our sins and determine to repent and sin no more. We must step out! So step out today. Don't step back into the prison cell of sin. Set your sight on Him and say, "This is the favorable year of the Lord. I claim that Jesus has set me free. I will live my life for Him and Him alone." Say it over and over and over again.

We are free!

He Promised

2009-12-28T09:42:00.000-05:00

Psalms 147:1-20 (NASB)
¹Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.

TO BUILD US UP, TO GATHER THE OUTCAST
²The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel.

TO HEAL OUR BROKEN HEARTS

TO HEAL OUR WOUNDS
³He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
THAT HE KNOWS EACH OF US BY NAME - TO BE INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED
⁴He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.
TO BE STRONG FOR US AND TREAT US WITH UNDERSTANDING
⁵Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite.
TO SUPPORT US AND DEFEND US
⁶The LORD supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground.
⁷Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises to our God on the lyre,
TO PROVIDE FOR US
⁸Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
⁹He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens which cry.
¹⁰He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
TO FAVOR THOSE WHO FEAR HIM AND WHO WAIT FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS
¹¹The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.
¹²Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
TO BLESS OUR CHILDREN
¹³For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you.
BRING US PEACE AND SATISFY US WITH GOOD FOOD
¹⁴He makes peace in your borders; He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.
¹⁵He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.
TO KEEP US WARM IN THE WINTER
¹⁶He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.
¹⁷He casts forth His ice as fragments; Who can stand before His cold?
¹⁸He sends forth His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.
TO GIVE US HIS WORD
¹⁹He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.
DO DEAL WITH US WITH KINDNESS AND NOT AS WE DESERVE
²⁰He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances, they have not known them. Praise the LORD!

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR KINDNESS.

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME. DO NOT FORGET HIS BENEFITS.

Again and again, my Shepherd saves me.

2009-12-28T09:16:00.001-05:00

Psalms 40:1-3 (NASB)
¹I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
²He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
³He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.

One of the first scripture songs I learned as a new Christian was Psalm 40:2-3. I, of course, acquainted this song to my salvation. That was 32 years ago. Now I see that He has delivered me again and again from the pit of miry clay.

I'm never in the pit by myself. There is always someone with me. We are covered in filth and our feet are sucked into the quagmire of our own selfish ways. Stubbornly, we accuse each other of getting us into this mess. But nobody held a gun to our heads and told us to step in. We did it all by ourselves.

I am learning. I'm making new friends, older and more mature friends that seem to stay out of trouble. They aren't caught up in selfishness nor seeking to be number one. They are confident in their station in life because they are confident in their Shepherd. They have no need to push themselves forward nor push others out of their way. The Shepherd knows who they are and where to find them, right by His side. They look to Him and are radiant. When it is time to shear these sheep, their coats will be lush and bramble free, beautiful and a delight to work with.

I, by no means, have arrived into perfection. I struggle just like everyone else. But daily I have every reason to praise my God. He is the One who sets me free, makes my fleece white as snow and establishes my way. I will set my face toward Him. I will sing His praises. I will answer when He calls and I will follow Him. I will not fear the path through the valley of the shadow of death. Though the wolf and the lion lie in wait. I will not fear, because my Shepherd is by my side. Scary? Sometimes. But I put my trust in Him.

Psalms 40:4-5 (NASB)
⁴How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
⁵Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

Thank You, Lord, for thinking of me today. I cherish You above all. I love You.

Psalms 40:11-17 (NASB)
¹¹You, O LORD, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
¹²For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.
¹³Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; Make haste, O LORD, to help me.
¹⁴Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
¹⁵Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, "Aha, aha!"
¹⁶Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!"
¹⁷Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

Be magnified, O Lord, for You are highly exalted. There is nothing You cannot do. O Lord, my eyes are on You. Be magnified.

http://www.higherpraisetube.com/video/90/Don-Moen--Be-magnified

Why Should I Be Afraid!

2009-12-28T07:45:00.001-05:00

I will fear no evil for You are with me! (Psalm 23)

Think about it. God is with us; Emanuel! If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

Take a moment and look at your situation. Is God bigger than your situation? Is He bigger than your problem? Is He mightier than your enemies? Is His storehouse great, abundant and overflowing out of His kindness? Is He the great Shepherd? Is your mountain of trouble anything but a grain of sand in the eyes of God?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to magnify the Lord in your own mind until you see clearly that He is your mountain of strength, your high tower, your rock of defense, your sword and your shield, your helmet of salvation, your breastplate of righteousness, your belt of truth, and the boots upon your weary feet. He is and has everything you need to get you through your darkest night. Praise Him and worship Him in your darkest moments and He will shed the light of truth upon your situation. Give thanks that He is God and able to take care of you. Look to Him until your face becomes radiant with His glory. You will never have to be ashamed when God is your God. He will save you out of your troubles. Listen to Him and He will give you wisdom. Put your hope in Him and He will not disappoint you.

Psalms 34:1-22 (NASB)
¹I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
³O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
⁴I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
⁸O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
⁹O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.
¹⁰The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
¹¹Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹²Who is the man who desires life And loves length of days that he may see good?
¹³Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
¹⁵The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.
¹⁶The face of the LORD is against evildoers, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁷The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
¹⁸The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
¹⁹Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
²⁰He keeps all his bones, Not one of them is broken.
²¹Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
²²The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.

Follow the Shepherd

2009-12-28T07:15:00.001-05:00

Lord Jesus,
You are my Shepherd. Because of You, I am satisfied. You lead me to good pasture and cause me to rest after the journey. Here the water is clean and drinkable; it is not turbulent, running quickly over dangerous rapids. Here, O Lord, You restore my soul. When others look upon Your sheep, they are amazed at our good condition. You have an excellent reputation and I am blessed and thankful to be among the sheep of Your pasture. You are the Good Shepherd and I adore You. I look for You in the middle of the night and there You are, standing watch and protecting me. Under Your watchful eye, I am safe. I will stay near and follow You all the days of my life. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.

I will follow the Shepherd. During the past year He has put Jeremiah 29:13 upon my heart, "You will seek Me and you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." The responsibility to seek is mine. Two days ago, as I read Psalm 27 and verse 8, I was deeply encouraged because I saw that God told David to seek His face, too. And David sought Him with his whole heart. In fact, God says that David is a man after His own heart. David adored God and dreamed of the day that he would live in the house of the Lord forever. Jut the thought of living a life without God brought feelings of despair to David's heart. So he prayed to God to teach him the way of righteousness and to keep him safe.

Psalms 27:4, 8, 11-14 (NASB)
⁴One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.
⁸When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."
¹¹Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path because of my foes.
¹²Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
¹³I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

In a few weeks, our church is going to start a study called, "Seeking Him." All the Sunday school classes will pursue this course together. Each Sunday the pastors will preach from the same lesson. Even our extended outreaches will participate. Together we will lay aside our current studies and unite in "Seeking Him." I am excited about this study. It is right in line with Jeremiah 29:13 and Psalm 27:4,8.

Sadly, the enemy is already stirring up discontent among a few of our members because they were not asked if they wanted to do this. Here is my thought on that, when I was a child my father worked hard to give us a nice home, clothes upon our backs, toys to play with, and food upon our table. My mother managed the money very carefully and made a few dollars go a long way. She shopped carefully and prepared a nutritious meal for us every single day. We did not tell Dad where to work and we did not tell Mom what to feed us. We ate what was put before us. We were all very healthy children, neither fat nor underweight. Today, I thank God for my parents and for their care. Parents are an example of our church leadership. We do not tell the pastors what to preach. We do not tell the leadership what to feed us. After "Seeking Him," they have prayerfully decided that for a few months we will eat from this study and so we shall.

I do recall that as a child I did not like Lima beans but had to eat them anyway. After I left home I did not have to eat them anymore. However, as an adult I like to eat Lima beans in soups and caseroles. I can thank my mom for that, she taught me to eat what is good. God bless her. And so, these few who are disgruntled will eat the same meal as the rest of the church. They will be fed good food and when the study is over they can return to their routines. Someday, they too will see that the food of God's Word was indeed good, that they were well fed and benefited with the rest of the family.

May the Lord watch over us and protect us from the schemes of the enemy to tear us apart with griping and grumbling. May we not be like the Israelites at Meribah. May He be patient with us and may our lives glorify Him with the good fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Jesus name, amen.

Thank You, Jesus, for all You've done!

2009-12-26T08:45:00.001-05:00

Psalms 92:4 (NASB)
For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

Hallelujah for all You've done
Hallelujah for all You've done
Hallelujah for all You've done
Hallelujah for all You've done
Hallelujah for all You've done
Hallelujah for all You've done

Reflections 2009

2009-12-23T08:56:00.003-05:00

Christmas - Reflections of a year gone by, reflections of sorrow, reflections of wonder, "Look what God has done, amazing."

New Year - A time to look forward, a time to worry, a time to be careful, a time to hope. A critical time to tell someone the Truth. A time to set the captive free.

Time - We make plans only to find that time is not in our hands and cannot be controlled. It moves on, with us or without us, and has no regard for our needs. It will not wait for us or for our plans to catch up. Eventually it will leave us forgotten in the dust of the earth with unfinished plans.

Restoration - Old Testament "Job" never made sense to me until I needed restoration. You cannot know the joy of restoration until you know pain of destruction. Sometimes the old must be destroyed because nobody wants to change.

God - From Age to Age, still the same, Alpha and Omega, Almighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

What do you do with a house damaged by a hurricane? Some families restore their homes and some are forced to rebuild. Other families move away and start all over again. Some families do nothing and continue to live in a house unfit for habitation.

What do you do when forces of change complete destroy your life?

My Christmas was wrecked last year with sorrow upon sorrow. My new year looked just as bleak. I turned to God and submitted my wants, my dreams, and my plans to Him. I submitted my relationships to Him. I gave up. He restored me. He rebuilt my relationships. He removed the rubble and graced my life with joy unspeakable, with loving kindness, and peace.

Therefore, I will give thanks for the storm. How could I know this current state if the previous still existed.

I could not enjoy such things if destructive forces of sinful men had not taken the life of Jesus. The destruction was needed in order that He should become the sacrifice for our sins. Without His sacrifice, there would be no hope of restoration.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin:

Then sings my soul,

My Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

How great Thou art!

When you feel distant from God

2009-12-21T07:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was Sunday, December 20, 2009. Due to a snow storm that hit the east coast, church was canceled. I spent the day with my husband and enjoyed the peace that comes when you are not responsible for anything.

See, Sunday is not a day of rest for me. I'm actively involved in several ministries at church. So when I go to church I am busy. After an afternoon nap, I go back in the evening. So yesterday was a little treat and I enjoyed it. I spent my time reading a Christian novel about Joseph and Mary and the birth of Jesus called FIFTH SEAL by Bodie & Brock Thoene. Later, the snow and ice melted and my husband and I went out to see the new Sandra Bullock movie, "Blind Side," which is a true story about Christian faith in action.

I thank God for such a nice day. But I confess, I miss church. Being with my church family refreshes me in the Lord. Worshiping Him with my brothers and sisters in Christ always reminds me that we are just a breath away from heaven and soon we will be there together worshiping Him unhindered by sin, undistracted by the world and our thoughts. Like little children waiting for Christmas, I can hardly wait for heaven.

I need church because I need God. I need God so I go to church to be refreshed with fellowship and in His Word. I go to church to reconnect with my Savior through worship, praise, and adoration from my heart with my brothers and sisters in Christ because I love Him.

I need God. I need to be constantly connected to Him spiritually. I need Him because I want Him. I want Him because I know I need Him. People who do not know they need Him do not know what they are missing.

Perhaps I sound like I am rambling. Not so; I am speaking to my own soul, that woke up feeling empty this morning; disconnected. I woke up to a soul that needed to be commanded to bow down and kneel before the Lord my Maker, lest I hardened my heart against Him. I need Him and I'm desperate for Him always.

Psalms 95:1-11 (NASB77)
¹O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
²Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalm.
³For the Lord is a great God, And a great King above all gods,
⁴In whose hand are the depths of the earth; The peaks of the mountains are His also.
⁵The sea is His, for it was He who made it; And His hands formed the dry land.
⁶Come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
⁷For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice,
⁸Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness;
⁹"When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work.
¹⁰"For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways.
¹¹"Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest."

See, I want to enter into His rest. Yesterday was a treat because it really was a day of rest for someone like me. Everyday, I serve the Lord in some way, especially on Sunday. Today is Monday and my rest is over. It is time to go to work for Him. There are multitudes of people seeking Him right now. They need us to point the way to Him because they need Him. So I bow my knees and submit my heart to the One we all need.

Lord, bless me today with the ability and opportunity to reach the world for Jesus; in whose name I pray, amen.

It isn't too early to think about those New Year resolutions

2009-12-18T07:44:00.001-05:00

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High;
And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
Psalm 50:14-15

If you think about it, most of us are in bondage to something. For all of us there is at least one thing that we just won't let go. If we want to think otherwise about ourselves, we can look at our neighbors who might be in bondage to alcohol or pornography. It's easy to believe that we are not in bondage if that is all we consider. How about that credit card debt?

Next year, my goal is to get out of credit card debt, fast and furious. We pay for everything with our credit cards and it is so easy to have more charges than payments, especially after Christmas.

Look at Psalm 50:14-15 again. It is a bit easier to get out of the bondage of credit card debt if we give thanks for what we have, take care of what is ours (people and things), and only replace what is necessary to replace instead of buying the newest model.

Again, I want to emphasize giving thanks. Stop complaining. Your world will be brighter and more delightful if you give thanks for what you have. God started teaching me this truth 30 some years ago. My husband and I had been married for just a few years. We didn't have much. We had a TV (a wedding present) and my husbands record player and two speakers. We didn't have an entertainment table for the TV, so my husband made shelves out of cinder blocks and planks of wood. I covered the makeshift stand with a sheet to make it look nicer. And I thanked God for what we had. I was able to thank God for every single thing, naming them one by one because we had little. Today? Well, we have so much stuff now that I want to get rid of a third of it. And yeah, I want something for Christmas.

Here's a funny thought. I don't want anything until about five weeks before Christmas. At that time I need to give my husband a list of things I would like to have so that he can buy me something. It takes me a couple of weeks to put that list together. Up until then, I didn't think about wanting anything because I was content with what I had. But once I start thinking about what I want, need, or could use, I can't stop wanting. Is anybody with me on this?

If I see a book I want to read, I find five more books I want to read. If I want some kind of new technology, I need all the stuff that goes with it, i.e. earphones, jacks, extension cords, storage, a/c adapters, etc. And when I go shopping... well, lets not go there.

At Christmas I want to give and give and give. I want to give my loved ones something special, really special. I want them to rejoice and be happy and to know that I love more than I can express through my gifts. I want wonderful things for them and have to stop myself from being excessive in giving gifts.

Also on my Christmas spending list is missions. It just grieves me to see the needs around the world. My mailbox at home and email on line is flooding with requests for donations. I want to give more and more and more. But there is a limit to how much I can sustain each month. It is hard to say no.

So here it is, I want to pay down my credit card debt so I can give more to missions. I will endeavor to live with less and give thanks for what I have. I will pray for more hours at work and deliverance from excess debt. And I will honor my God and give back to Him through missions. Then I will rejoice and I will be glad.

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High;
And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
Psalm 50:14-15

The Desire to Please

2009-12-17T07:29:00.001-05:00

In some of my earlier posts I mentioned my talkes with God about humility. I did NOT ask God to teach me humility. However, I began to seek understanding of true humility. At that same time I told God I wanted to serve Him. I looked for opportunities to serve Him at church and outside my home. I thought about humility often and still think about humility. I find that only Jesus, Moses, and people like Moses, such as Mother Theresa, can really understand and talk about humility. These three, Jesus, Moses, and Mother Theresa, left places of comfort and glory to live with people who suffer in poverty and bondage to sin. I don't know that I will ever have such an opportunity, nor am I sure I want to give up that much comfort. But I was ready to learn and study and give myself to serving others. I wanted to be....
....he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him],... Psalms 50:23 (AMP)

Why does God put things like serving and humility on our hearts? Or why would He put it on my heart and not someone else!? My greater question is, "Where is this leading?"

Do you want to hear something interesting? I was afraid to ask God to teach me about humility. So I talked to Him about serving and threw myself into serving Him at every opportunity. My ambition was to be His servant and ambitious I was; probably too ambitious and a little puffed up. I went too far and what was meant to bless others became a curse. I confess my own sin in this and sin begets sin. My desire to serve God created misunderstanding among those with whom I serve, creating jealousies and rivalries. In the process, I heard God speaking to me to step out of places of high visibility and continue serving. This has been difficult because I enjoy the stage (literally). I found that letting go of things I enjoy is not the same as letting go of my desire to do those things. But my heart was prepared to serve God at all cost and after a great deal of prayer, I was able to let go of the desires of my heart and seek the desire of God's heart. In the end, I lost nothing of value and gained everything that is priceless. All of my broken relationships are healed or nearly healed.

Today God is speaking to me again. I don't need to serve and sacrifice beyond my means to do so. I don't have to go in debt to please God and shouldn't. But I'm willing to do so, have done it and would do it again if God required it. Like Abraham raising the knife to sacrifice Isaac, God knows I'm willing to give it all, should He call. And as God provided the sacrifice for Abraham, God will provide for me so that I can give again and again and again.

For Christmas I asked for a book called Boundaries by Henry Cloud. I'm hoping to learn a lot about myself, what drives me and an understanding of the boundaries that God has placed upon my life. For instance, I'm not rich, at least not in my society, so I can only give so much. I have to work so I can only give so much of my extra time. I'm married and my relationship with my husband should come before all other relationship except my relationship with God.

I want to be closer to God who is holy and I am a sinner, so how close can I get? What boundaries stand between us? God is my desire, and I will ambitiously seek Him. I will prepare my heart so He can show me what I need to do to please Him.

O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Thy praise.
For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalms 51:15 (NASB77)

Confidence for the Insecure

2009-12-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

I once had a friend who diagnosed me as "insecure."

"Insecure?" "What?" "Who me?"

I was taken aback. I have thought about that for years, especially during those times when I could see she was right. I attribute my insecurities to the nomadic life of a military family. All the things in which other kids put their confidence did not work for me. I had no confidence in my own intelligence because my elementary education was constantly disrupted. I played in the band in the band but put no confidence in my musicianship because of stage fright. A lot of kids put confidence in their athletic abilities. Because I played in the band I didn't have time for sports. I could put no confidence in friends because friendships broke up after every move and boyfriends couldn't be trusted. I came to realize that, although I was bold, I was indeed insecure.

One of the greatest blessings in my relationship with God is growth in confidence. Although I was insecure, I was confident in God. So in every circumstance where my insecurities were revealed, I turned to Him for my need. He has taken me places I would have never imagined and brought out gifts in me I didn't know I possessed. He has proved to me that I am intelligent and capable of communicating the only thing that is of any importance in this life, "Jesus is Lord and we are sinners in need of His salvation." He has blessed and stabilized me with a long marriage, a beautiful son, friends galore, and a church home. I'm as athletic as anyone else and learned to wakeboard after I turned 50. I sang on stage before hundreds and left my stage fright far behind. My life has been productive and exciting, full of adventure, with travels all over the world. And in all of these things God is always with me.

My confidence is not in my flesh but comes from His Word. I CAN do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Phi 4:13)

King David wrote the following:

1 Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle; 2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? 4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow. Psalms 144:1-4 (NASB)

David was a mighty warrior who killed thousands in hand to hand combat. He was strong, intelligent and a natural leader. He was apparently good looking and didn't seem to have a problem with the ladies. But his confidence was not in these. His confidence was in the Lord.

9 I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, 10 Who gives salvation to kings, Who rescues David His servant from the evil sword. 11 Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, Whose mouth speaks deceit And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. Psalms 144:9-11 (NASB)

David understood that all blessings come from God and the hope of a future for our children is dependent upon God.

12 Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace; 13 Let our garners be full, furnishing every kind of produce, And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; 14 Let our cattle bear Without mishap and without loss, Let there be no outcry in our streets! 15 How blessed are the people who are so situated; How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! Psalms 144:12-15 (NASB)

My confidence is not in my flesh. In my flesh I am quite insecure. Indeed, on the day I die, my flesh will fail me. My confidence is completely in the Lord my God.

Who Will Untangle My Life?

2009-12-15T09:40:00.001-05:00

Is your life tide up in knots at home, at work, at school, or even at church?

Are you willing to work with God to make it straight?

Are you willing to suffer for a short time for a long time gain?

Are you ready to follow hard after God if He says, "Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low" Isaiah 40:4 (NASB77)

Are you ready to prepare a straight path for the Lord? Do you understand what that means?

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. In ancient times and today, crews are sent out to repair and prepare roads for the safe journey of great dignitaries and royalty.

I had the opportunity to visit St Petersburg and Moscow in June 2006. Russia took great pains to repair the streets and highways between these two cities for the G8 Summit that would take place in St Petersburg that year. they also spent a great deal of money repairing and restoring the historical houses on the water front. As we drove from St Petersburg to the the airport you could tell that only the streets that would be seen by the dignitaries were being repaired. The buildings out of view were left in their dilapidated state. Flowers were planted everywhere and it was quite lovely where they had spent considerable money to impress. And I was impressed, both by the beauty of old buildings from the 16th and 17th Century Russia and the deplorable buildings of 20th Century communism.

Your life on this planet is like a road that begins at your birth and ends upon the death of your physical body. There are many twists and turns caused by all manner of sin and evil along the way. Small children, even toddlers, learn quickly to lie to their parents. With chocolate icing on their precious little faces, they will deny sticking their fingers in the cake on the kitchen counter top. They are cute in their innocence. However, the twisting and turning begins as a child grows into a teenager, the teenager into an adult, the adult into an employee, a spouse and parent. But look at the road of your life. It is unfit for a great king. You need to prepare it to meet your Maker. "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." This is how you make the road ready for Jesus. You don't need fancy equipment, just faith, a committed heart, and a prayer.

If you ask Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, He will forgive you of all your sins. As you allow Him access to your life, He will make your path straight and fit for the King of Kings.

May your path be well traveled by the One and Only Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Jesus Christ, Son of the One and Only God.

Psalm 16

The Lord the Psalmist's Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death.

A Mikhtam of David.

1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in Thee. 2 I said to the Lord, "Thou art my Lord;I have no good besides Thee." 3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their libations of blood, Nor shall I take their names upon my lips. 5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.11 Thou wilt make known to me the path of life;In Thy presence is fulness of joy;In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalms 16:1-11 (NASB77)

Failure to Follow Instruction Results in...

2009-12-14T08:20:00.000-05:00

Jake was a heart transplant patient. The doctor had given him strict instructions for living with his new heart. He needed to eat right, get some exercise, get enough sleep at night and take medication for the rest of his life. The medication would keep his body from rejecting the new heart.

Guilt consumed the man. He knew he had not lived a good life, in fact, he was a liar, cheated on taxes, cheated on his wife and hated people as much as he hated himself. His wife left him because of a broken heart. His children never called because they had no respect for him. No one loved him. No one wanted him. He didn't feel he deserved to live.

Across town a family grieved over the loss of their precious son. He was a good boy, an athlete, a scholar, a believer in Jesus Christ. A drunk driver, traveling down interstate in the wrong direction, plowed into their son's car as he was driving home from college late Wednesday night for the Thanksgiving weekend.

"Why? Why, O God, why?" Trying to seek some good to come from such a loss, they gave their son's organs up for transplant patients and prayed God would give them to the right people, someone like Jake.

Jake's doctor expected him to live with the heart of someone he never knew; the heart of some kid who never lived to fulfill his destiny. Post-operation depression set in. He felt worse, not better. He stopped taking his medicine on a regular schedule. Sometimes he took it; sometimes he did not. His body began to reject the young man's heart and soon he found himself in the emergency room at the hospital at 8:00 pm on a cold December Sunday.

While he waited to see the doctor, the chaplain came by. Jake did not know that Josh was a chaplain. Assuming he was a doctor, Jake started his usual complaining. He didn't want to die, he just didn't like being told what to do. Jake was a bit anxious. He knew the doctor was not going to be happy with his behavior, his lack of self-discipline and his bad decisions, not to mention his bad attitude. Jake was getting mad because he knew the doctor would be irritated. By the time Josh walked in, Jake was ready for a confrontation. He didn't even wait for Josh to introduce himself. A conniver and a control freak, Jake began talking immediately. This doctor was going to get a piece of his mind.

Josh listened to Jake's story and figured out quickly that Jake's body was rejecting a transplanted heart because he failed to follow instructions. Jake not only needed that heart to live, he needed a transformed heart to survive.

Josh looked at Jake and said, OK. Tomorrow you will be dead and in hell. It was nice knowing you. He stood and turned his back to Jake as he walked out the door.

Jake yelled at Josh, "Wait, aren't you going to do something? What kind of hospital is this anyway!"

Josh walked out the door without looking back. Outside the room he looked for the attending physician. Finding him, Josh explained what was going on in Jake's room. He asked the doctor how long it would be before he went in to see Jake. The doctor said that it would be about 15 more minutes. They were dealing with several emergencies that night.

In the mean time, Jake was scared. Reality set in; he was going to die and the doctor wouldn't stop him. Not only would he die, he knew he was going to hell. He rang for a nurse, who came and checked his vitals. She told him the doctors were in the middle of a crisis, an emergency operation. Another accident victim, a pregnant woman. They were desperately trying to save her and her unborn child. "But I have a crisis! I'm going to die if that doctor doesn't come back!"

Jake lay back on the bed, alone with his thoughts, his anxieties, his fears, his life. So this was it, he was going to die, alone. Tomorrow he would wake up some place very unpleasant. It would not be in his home, not even in this hospital. He would not wake up in heaven. His body would lie in a coffin. But where would his mind go? You know, all that he was on the inside, his soul; where would it go? His whole life passed before him like a bad dream and now he was waking up to the reality that it was his fault. He made bad decisions. He chose to cheat. He chose to hate. He chose to resent. He chose to turn his back on his wife and children. It was all their fault! "No," his conscience said, "everything was his fault." For 40 years he had blamed everyone, especially his wife for his bad luck. If only ... The minutes ticked by like hours for Jake; after all, he was an impatient man. How long did he have to wait before his doom! It had been an eternity since the doctor left him. "Where was that man! Oh God, please send him back." "Oh God... did I say 'O God?' @#%*! "

After waiting ten minutes, Josh walked back into the room. Jake was a mess, scarred to death and for the first time in his life ready to listen. He was so glad to see Josh. "Doctor, what must I do to save my life?"

"Jake, sooner or later, we all die. I could have a heart attack, just like you. There are no guarantees. Right now, this hospital saved the life of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Tonight we are going to save your life. Are you ready to listen and follow instructions?"

Jake said he would do anything. "Just keep me alive. I'm not ready to die. I've been a terrible person. I hurt my wife and kids. They all left me. I don't have any friends because I cheated them in a business deal. Please, I need time to tell them I'm sorry. Please, just give me some time, at least a year. Please."

Josh smiled. "Do you think there is a place called heaven?"

Jake raised his eyebrows and said, "I guess I do. I hope there is a place called heaven. Everyone expects to go to heaven when they die."

Josh, "So you would agree that when we die we must go someplace. We are more than our physical bodies. We have a soul that must go someplace when our physical body dies. If you believe in a place called heaven then you must believe there is a God. If you believe there is a God then you must believe that He will judge you when you die and send you to either heaven or hell. Right now, where do you think you will go?

Jake did not want to say it. He looked at Josh. There was a long pause. Fear gripped his heart and his eyes showed a great uncertainty. Finally Josh said, if you are guilty of sin, and everyone is, then you will go to hell, unless you can pay the penalty for what you have done.

"Jake, I want you to envision a courtroom. Can you do that for me? The judge is sitting in the judgment seat and looking down at you. There is no one in the room to defend you. You don't even have a lawyer because you are broke. The books are opened and your crimes are listed.

Josh paused a moment and said, "Jake, have you committed any crimes in your life?'"

Jake knew he had committed crimes and gotten away with most of them. He nodded his head, "yes."

Josh continued, "Now the Judge asks if you have any defense? You try to spin the truth, leaving out anything that would condemn you. Every twist of the truth that ever worked with your wife and business associates just doesn't work before this Judge. He sees right through you. Your time is up. He announces the verdict. 'Guilty! Your fine is seven million dollars for your crimes."

You gasp! You are not a rich man. You beg the judge for a lesser sentence. He looks at you and without a blink of the eyes says, "Sir, I have calculated the penalties required by the law for your transgressions. They add up to seven million dollars. You chose lie, cheat and steal. Today you may choose to pay the penalty or not." Again, you tell him that you do not have that kind of money. "Lock him up," demands the judge. "Today you will spend the rest of your life with countless others where there is punishment, torment, and gnashing of teeth. You were a man without pity in all your dealings. Now, go."

The officers approach you with handcuffs and chains.   Just at that moment the door to the courtroom opens. A man walks in and says, "Wait! Leave him and take me. I will pay for his crimes!" The Judge looks at the man and says, "Are you sure?" "Yes," he replies. So the Judge tells the officers to take the man and let you go.

"Tell me, Jake, what would be your response?

"I would feel very grateful, but a bit shocked. Who would do such a thing for someone like me?"

Josh looked Jake in the eye and said, "That was the son of the Judge. That was Jesus."

The light came on inside Jake. For the first time in his life he understood the gospel message of Jesus Christ. That night Jake followed Josh's instruction and asked Jesus to forgive him of a life of sin against God and man. That night Jesus became his Savior. That night Jake received eternal life.

At 8:30 pm the doctor came in and said, "Good evening, Reverend. Thank you for staying with the patient until I could get here. Hello Mr. Wright, I see you haven't been following instructions for your prescription. But if you will promise me that you will take your medication when you are supposed to, you have a good chance of living for many, many years. Are you willing?"

Jake was very enthusiastic to get on with his new life. Who knows, perhaps he could repair his relationship with his children. Would his wife take him back? Only God knew for sure, but for the first time in his life, Jake had hope.

Jesus said, " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17 (NASB)

Sin is a sickness of the human soul. It is an inherited disease and we all sin. If you ever told a lie, you are a sinner and in need of the Great Physician, Jesus. If you ever sinned, and you know you have, you have broken The Law of God and you cannot afford to pay the penalty because the penalty for sin is death. You need help. The good news is that Jesus has paid the penalty for anyone who will trust Him, that is believe in Him. If you would like to receive God's pardon for your sins and the gift of eternal life, pray this simple prayer:

"Jesus, I believe you paid the penalty for my sins when you died on the cross and rose from the dead. I want to turn from my sins and place my trust in you as my Lord. I am willing to follow you the rest of my life. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Amen."

The Bible says, "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13.

If you prayed that prayer, God has heard your call and Jesus has saved your soul. I hope you will find a church nearby to attend where you can learn more about following Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Please write back if you have any questions. God bless you. Today is the first day of your eternal life.   Peace.

What Does Jesus Call Mean for Me?

2009-12-09T09:32:00.000-05:00

Mark 2:18-22 (NASB)

18 John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" 19 And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. 22 No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins."

What does Jesus call mean for me? John’s disciples and the Pharisees looked down their religious noses at the disciples of Jesus. Jesus gave them God’s view of the situation. The bridegroom had come; there would be no fasting today. Jesus expects us to celebrate His presence and glorify Him in our lives.

Are the people around you aware of the joy of the Lord in your life? Or are they more aware of a critical spirit? It’s so easy to get our eyes off God and forget that in everything we are to give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) We are called to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Phil 4:4 (NASB)

In any given situation, we need to seek God’s view. Chances are it is very different from our own. When we can see the world through God’s eyes, we have a better idea of what the call of Jesus means for us.

From God’s perspective, everyone, including the religious, needs to be born again. Being religious does not qualify an individual to be filled with the Spirit of God. One must be born again spiritually. We must be in a relationship with God.

As we live in a relationship with God, we become a garment of praise to Him. Like shrunk cloth stitched into an ancient garment, we become like the train of God and fill the temple with praise to His glory. With the filling of the Spirit, we become a bottle of new wine to be poured out for others. But the train is not God and the bottle is not the new wine, the Holy Spirit. The train glorifies God and the bottle is a vessel for the Spirit.

God’s call is a call to glorify Him.

What does Jesus' call mean for you today?

Jesus Wants to Help Us Serve Him

2009-12-07T07:33:00.024-05:00

Yesterday, in Sunday school, we studied the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. There are three things from the lesson I would like to share with you.
1. Jesus called those who were chosen before the foundations of the world were formed to follow Him.

Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. Mark 1:20 (NASB)

"For many are called, but few are chosen" Matt 22:14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Eph 1:3-4 (NASB)

2. Jesus spoke with authority and gave authority to His disciples
They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1:21-22 (NASB)

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Matt 16:19 (NASB) (Note: we bind Satan on earth and loose those the enemy holds captive by speaking the Word of God with authority. We also loose the blessings of heaven by asking God to bless us in Jesus name in order to do the works God has called us to do.)

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12-14 (NASB)

3. Jesus enables us to serve

And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. Mark 1:29-31 (NASB)

When Peter's mother-in-law took the hand of Jesus, He imparted to her what she needed in order to serve Him.

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8

There are certainly more lessons to learn in the first chapter of Mark, but these three things are important to share because they apply to our desire to serve Jesus. He would never deny you what you need to accomplish the work He wants you to do.

Father God in Heaven,
We praise You and give You thanks because of our Great Savior, Jesus Christ, whom we serve. I pray that You will open the store houses of heaven and provide us with the resources we need to complete Your work. Bless us with the mind of Christ, write Your Word upon our hearts and teach us wisdom so that we may pour it back out upon Your people. I give You thanks that we should suffer a little to test our faith and to teach us how to apply Your Word to our lives so that we will know how to minister to others. Bless us with Your joy, keep us humble in spirit, strengthen our faith with testing and fire, but enable us to win the battle over and over again. Keep our hearts pure and give us the strength to resist the enemy of our souls. Please encourage us to stop throwing accusations and criticisms at each other because that is Satan's work. Teach us to heap blessing upon blessing upon our brothers and sisters in Christ and thereby increase goodness upon Your kingdom. Bless our work and the words we speak because our lives represents You, O God. Bless our churches, for I do not just pray for my own, with Your Spirit, Your Word, and the finances and human resources we need to start and finish Your work assignments. We bless You, O God, and thank You for blessing us today. We praise You and we love You. We love Your Word and Your Spirit. In Jesus name, amen.

My God, in Whom I Trust!

2009-12-03T08:05:00.002-05:00

"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" is one of my favorite hymns. It's composer, Martin Luther, is truly a hero of the faith. Martin Luther suffered for the reformation of our faith. He suffered his heart before Almighty God, praying for our deliverance from false religion. He suffered emotionally after witnesses hundreds die fighting for the change he started. He suffered physically in prison for his faith in God, not works. He suffered in the spiritual battle knowing "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Eph 6:12 (NASB)

Today, across the ocean, men and women are suffering to stand firm in their faith. I wonder if they ever ask themselves if we care. I care.

I believe God calls us to do something. A few people are called to do great things. As individuals we can do a little, but as an unified body of believers we are an army of faith joined together to win the battle with God going before us.

Please set aside a moment today to pray for them. Thank you.

News Brief from the Voice of the Martyrs

Muslim rioters looted and burned Coptic Christian businesses on Nov. 23 in the village of Abou Shousha, according to Assist News Service (ANS). The Middle East Christian Association (MECA) reported that at least three large Coptic stores and a pharmacy were looted and burned.
According to a story by Mary Abdelmassih for the Assyrian International News Agency, "The terrorized Coptic inhabitants of Abou Shousha have stayed indoors; their shops are closed and their children are being kept out of school. They fear a repeat in their village of the Muslim violence which engulfed the nearby town of Farshoot less than 36 hours earlier. It is estimated that over 80% of Coptic businesses have been destroyed in Farshoot."
The violence in Farshoot was prompted by reports that a 21-year-old Copt had violated a 12-year-old Muslim girl on Nov. 18. Many Copts believe the incident is being used by Muslims as a pretext for violence against them.

Psalm 91

Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" 3 For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; 6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. 8 You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked. 9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. 10 No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways. 12 They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
14 " Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. 15 "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 "With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."

Psalms 91:1-16 (NASB)