Rebekah's Journal

GIVING UP?

2012-01-24T07:11:00.001-08:00

On the Christian journey you can bet that there are going to be times of testings and trials. These are to prove you, to see whether or not you're genuine (1 Pet.1:7; 4:12). If you've done every thing you know how to, to be faithful, and yet you feel that it has been somewhat inconsequential, what then? One common temptation is to get discouraged. Another might be to question your convictions or even question God. The end result of unrestrained negative thoughts when in this "proving process" will always cause one to GIVE UP!!! Give up what? Give up the challenge that Jesus has given to follow Him at all costs. To follow Christ is to forget the path we want to take in life and take the path that He wants us to take (Matt 10:38; 16:34). He didn't say it would be easy. He likened it to our DEATH. We must know God's word and His specific will for our lives. We then commit ourselves to obey Him at some point in time and then retain that commitment forever. It's a daily decision (. This is what I call CHRISTIANITY 101.) When facing difficult circumstances, we all get attacked emotionally. It's what we do with those thoughts that matter. (Joyce Meyer's book called "The Battlefield of the Mind" is a good read to help you understand this). It is a great teaching on the fact that our thoughts are what make or break us. Agreement with and action on the thoughts that take us from the center of God's will, take us from Him. When we face what SEEMS to be overwhelming circumstances, do we question our previous stance? Do we instead STAND on the promises of God and stay on His path? Hebrews 13:5-6 says that God will never leave us without support. It says that we should be encouraged knowing this and boldly say, "The Lord is my Helper!" There is ALWAYS a breakthrough for the person that cries out to God from their heart for Him to help, waiting expectantly for Him. We may need to humble ourselves at that point and ask God to forgive us of our doubts, fears, anger, etc. Always remember Psalms 103:8, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving kindness." Since this is the case, I am counting on His love and shed blood for forgiveness and renewal (Rev. 1:5). When we cry out for His help, He will hear and deliver us from all of our distress and troubles; He is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves those who are crushed with sorrow for sin and thoroughly repentant; many evils confront the righteous, BUT the Lord delivers him out of them all (Ps. 34:17-19).

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS (the "today principle")

2012-01-14T08:27:00.000-08:00

As I sat down this morning to read my Bible and pray, I looked up at the flip chart that was sitting in my office and read these words that were written on it, "POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS". I was praying about what to write in my blog when I noticed this and I felt that this would be my title for today. I asked the Lord what He was trying to convey to me, then the word "HOPE" came to my mind. As I thought about HOPE, I began to tear up thinking about some of the things that are "on my plate" right now. As I prayed, peace came flooding into my soul. I realized that I need to trust the Lord to continue leading me forward and just take it one day at a time. I have recently become a meeting facilitator and one of my objectives is to encourage my clients that we can find answers for the issues they face by considering the options and having HOPE. I decided to use some of that methodology for myself. After considering the "POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS", I then proceeded to evaluate the issues and prioritize them. (It helps to realize what is important to deal with today.) Taking on the weight of the future is more than we are able to bear. I know people who are on the edge of their sanity, basically killing themselves trying to cram a million and one things into their day to "accomplish" something. This is easy to do when we think that it is all up to us! Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 6:34, "...so, don't worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble". I'm going to call this thought the "today principle". We should plan and have hope for a bright tomorrow, but the balance is putting into our day what is doable and still retain God's peace. It is God's perfect will that we have His peace, not the peace that the world gives (John 14:27). God cares and wants to help us work everything out. We just have to humble ourselves and depend on Him (1 Peter 5:7). My husband makes this statement quiet often, "Everything always works out for me". This declaration is based on Romans 8:28 with the premise that this one loves God and is in alignment with His plan for their life. My new year challenge to you and to myself, is to find our peace and rest in Christ through faith and hope in Him everyday! (Please read Hebrews chapters 3 & 4 AMP). This is pleasing to God and it is what God wants from us (Read this AWESOME passage: Romans 5:3-5). Following His will for our life in this world ensures our hope for an eternity in heaven with Him. I'm going to leave you with these great verses taken from 2 Peter 3, "So beloved, since you are expecting these things >(looking for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise in which righteousness is to abide), be eager to be found by Him without spot or blemish (sins) and at peace (in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts)...let me warn you...be on your guard, lest you fall from your present firm condition (your own steadfastness of mind). But grow in grace and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and to the day of eternity. AMEN!"

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

2011-12-26T06:18:00.000-08:00

Since I was 22 years old (approx. 35 yrs. ago) I've tried my best to obey and follow the Lord in every way. I've been so very blessed! God has been amazingly wonderful to me and I will be forever grateful to Him! But, now I know that life in this world is not necessarily going to become progressively easier and perfect following Jesus. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've had that thought in the back of my mind. Yes, Jesus said that He came to give us life and life more abundantly and there are huge perks for obeying Him with a consecrated life style. But, sometimes in following His will for our life, we are asked of Him to live in a realm of faith that makes what He's asked of us seem impossible for us to do. I read in Luke 1 this morning about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary, the mother of Jesus. The angel was telling her that as a virgin, she was about to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God and would then deliver the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The implications of this is mind boggling and even astounding regarding the time period and society that she lived in. She didn't question the "why", but she did question the "how", denoting her acceptance of the mission. Mary's reply to Gabriel's declaration has certainly proved why God chose her to birth His Son. Her reply? "Behold, I am the handmaiden (servant) of the Lord; let it be done unto me according to what you have said." That's pure faith. It seems to me that when a mission from God seems impossible, pure faith is required. It could mean that we would encounter insufferable circumstances. My husband and I went to see the "Mission Impossible" movie the other night. It really was a great movie! The thing that always gets to me in these "Mission Impossible" movies is the commitment that Tom Cruise's character and his team have to their mission. The personal sacrifice, life endangerment, and passion. It puts most Christians to shame regarding their commitment to their calling from God. My friend, Sarah Fandler, her husband, and their three small children are going as missionaries to an impoverished city in South Africa, where HIV is epidemic and rape is rampant. I cried when I heard the news. Oh, but the whole family is eager to go! Even the little ones have enthusiastically stated themselves that they want to tell the little children about Jesus. Reminds me of the child like faith Jesus said that we must all have to enter into the Kingdom of God. This faith is pure. The Bible stresses over and over that we must have faith to do anything for God. I am challenged and I hope you are too. It's so easy to be spoiled in this country and complain about the "small" missions God asks of us on a daily basis. I'm ashamed to say that I've been guilty of self-centeredness, as many have. I pray that as I head into 2012, I will say from my heart everyday to God, "Be it done unto me as You have said. Look at me, I am Your servant." I challenge you to do the same and we will move forward in the Kingdom of our Lord and God, accomplishing His IMPOSSIBLE MISSIONS!

What's with the Christmas grinches?

2011-12-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas day is drawing near! I find it amazing when walking through the mall or in a store somewhere, I hear carols telling of the birthday of the King like "Silent Night" or "Away in the Manger". There's a part in the song "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" that stood out to me in the store the other day. With all of the people milling around, in the background I hear the sweet sounds of "...remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan's power, when we were gone astray, O tidings of comfort and joy...". Wow! The gospel proclaimed through the carols in the stores! How can a Christian not rejoice at Christmas time? This "grinch" perspective is just wrong or maybe at best ignorance. My husband has been addressing this in his messages for the past few Sundays. (See victory church.us to hear the sermons). Christmas is a holy celebration! Let's make it big!! There are atheists who don't like the declarations of the Christmas story and then there are Christians who want to downplay the celebration. I can't understand this! This stumps (hillbilly vernacular) me! It makes me sad to hear of Christians or anyone for that matter who doesn't want to celebrate this holy day. I want to praise God for sending His only and beloved Son to this earth to die for our sins so that not only do we have hope now, but we who live for and with Him in this life will have the eternal bliss of heaven and be with Him forever! It makes me want to REJOICE! Here is the English and Latin meaning of MERRY CHRISTMAS>it's the joy-filled celebration of the anointed One and His yoke breaking, burden removing power. So...MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!

THE MYSTERY

2011-12-02T05:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back in force!! I've gotten a new lap top and life is so much easier!! You will now be hearing from me more regularly. I enjoy your comments and that you may have gotten something encouraging or challenging from my blogs. As I sat down in my office this morning with my Bible and coffee, I sensed a feeling of what seems to be a slippery snowy slope coming into the Christmas holidays. What about you? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE celebrating Christmas! I LOVE decorating, cooking, friends, and family time. I know that I am extremely blessed in so many ways and I'm truly grateful. The most wonderful thing for me about Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth. I was reading out of Ephesians 3 and I began to have the deepest feeling of gratitude for what Jesus did for us by coming to this earth and dying for our sins. The Apostle Paul shares his heart on the mystery of Christ. This mystery is revealed and it is that all people can now be children of God through their acceptance of the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus the Christ. Remember the angel that came to the shepherds at night, hailing the news of Christ's birth? He said that he was bringing good news of a great joy which will come to all people. (Luke 2) "For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ, the Messiah, the Lord! Back in Ephesians, Paul states, "...this grace (favor, privilege) was granted to proclaim to all people the riches of Christ. Also, to enlighten all men and make plain to them the plan of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in God Who created all things by CHRIST JESUS." Let us celebrate the fact that it's not hidden or a mystery anymore! JESUS CHRIST HAS COME AND WITH THE FATHER HE HAS MADE US ONE!

Am I godly or wicked?

2011-10-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

In Psalms 37 I've found that there are only two kinds of people: godly or wicked. Which am I? Which are you? I'm sorry if this bothers you, but just being a "good" person is not enough to make one godly. There are definitely conditions that make one godly and there are definitely benefits that come with godliness. There are fifteen amazing promises in this chapter, but they all come with 15 conditions to fulfill. The subtitle of this psalm is "The happy state of the godly (those who do things God's way) and the short-lived prosperity of the wicked (those who do things their way).

The following are the conditions with the promise:

#1.) vs 1,3,7-I must not fret (be angry or frustrated) because of the wicked (those who work unrighteousness)>

*Jesus will then be my good Shepherd and will provide well for my every need.

#2.) (vs 3,4,5) I must rely on the Lord (trust and hope in Him)>

*God will grant me the desires and dreams of my heart.

#3.) (vs 3,6) I must know God's will (the Bible with His specific and personal guidance) and do things His way>

*I'll shine like a light and my justice will shine like the noon day.

#4.) (vs 11) I must be easy going and flexible (meek) with the Lord (delight MYSELF in Him)>

*I'll have an abundance of peace and will inherit the earth.

#5.) (vs 4,5) I must trust God by rolling and reposing each care of my load on Him>

*He will answer my prayers.

#6.) (vs 7,34) I must be still and rest in the Lord, waiting PATIENTLY for Him to do it>

*I'll not be shamed.

#7.) (vs 7) I must not fret because evil doers prospering>

*I'll be satisfied or taken care of by God, in the days of famine.

#8.) (vs 18) I must be upright and blameless (honest and respectable)>

*My inheritance will abide forever.

#9.) (vs 21,24) If I borrow, I must pay it back>

*If I fall, God will always grab my hand and pick me up.

#10) (vs 21,25,28) I must be kind and generous>

*Me nor my children will be forsaken by God or ever have to beg for food.

#11.) (vs 26,29,34) I must be merciful and graciously lend>

*I'll inherit my "promised land" and will be able to live in it and enjoy it.

#12.) (vs 31) I must allow the word of God to be in my heart and my way of life>

*I will not back slide into evil.

#13.) (vs 13,27,33,39,40) I must run from any evil>

*I won't fall into traps set by the wicked.

#14.) (vs 30,31) I must speak words of wisdom and justice>

*I'll be secure and my steps will be sure.

#15.) (vs 39) I must be blameless and upright or consistently righteous>

*I'll have a happy ending.

I will always meditate on these things that I MUST DO in order to be right with God. All of the benefits that come with obedience to Him will just be the icing on the cake. Hope to see you in our promised land for this life and for the life to come!

I feel like I'm going to drop!

2011-09-29T05:16:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there were two sisters, they both loved Jesus, and were good friends with Him. The Bible says that one day, one sister was favored by the Lord and the other He corrected. The sister's names were Martha and Mary. On a certain day at their home, Jesus told Martha that Mary was doing what pleased Him, but she was not. Well, Martha was probably shaken and disillusioned since what she wasn't supposed to be doing, was the very thing that she thought Jesus wanted her to do. What Mary did right was sit at Jesus' feet in the midst of the chaos and she was listening to Him talk. Mean while, Martha was BUSY trying to take care of all the people coming into their home. As the old saying goes, she was running around "like a chicken with it's head cut off". (*Note: when one cuts off a chicken's head to prepare it for a meal, the body runs and runs around until it eventually drops dead!). Martha then took Jesus aside and in no uncertain terms told Him to make her sister Mary help her. That's when Jesus said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. There is NEED of only one or but for a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42). What is my most recent revelation? "Help me Lord, I'm Martha's twin!" God knows or at least He's finding out I hope, that I love Him more than anything!! My weakness is that of Martha's. I find myself crying out to God in a tizzy and a wave of frustration asking the Lord this question, "Lord! You need to help me!! I need help!!" That's when I come to the point of where I feel like I'm going to drop! It's because I get too busy and neglect the more important thing: taking some quality time to sit at His feet. I simply need to stop what I'm trying so hard to accomplish and make some time for "us". I believe that this is where we choose to do things in our own strength or get down at His feet in prayer. Don't get me wrong, I do believe that there is a time to work and work hard. But, the first thing we must do is choose to go to Him, sit at His feet in His presence, and spend some quality time with Him each day and at the times we sense stress. The challenge is having the faith that if we make time with Him always our priority, He'll actually help us with the things in our life that we are working so hard for. We can accomplish everything we need to in His strength>Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then fearlessly draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need." I pray that this blog will encourage you to run to Him when life gets overwhelming and you feel like you're going to just drop! He's waiting. He's patient and forgiving. He loves us and just wants the best for us!!

Deliver Us From Evil

2011-08-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

My husband was teaching last Sunday on the fact that there is evil in this world. There is a devil. There are demons also, and the Bible speaks of this. The state of this world today confirms it. Even in the lives of many friends and acqaintances just this past week, I've noticed so much trouble and evil all around them. As I was reading in Matt. 6:9-13, I began to think about some things Jesus mentioned with regards to prayer and how we must pray to be spared. This passage is what is known as the Lord's prayer. He was telling some people how to pray. First of all, the prayer is directed to our Father in heaven. He mentions how His name is holy. He prays for God's kingdom to come to earth as it is in heaven. He then asks for daily provision and the forgiveness of sins as we forgive others. Then, I read verse 13 and it stood out to me like never before! Jesus makes it a point to ask God to not bring us into temptation, but to DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Sometimes I feel that evil is all around me. What am I supposed to do? Jesus told me what to do in this passage and now I find myself doing it everyday. I've been praying for God to DELIVER ME (and my loved ones) FROM EVIL. Jesus asked the Father to deliver Him from evil in His "sample" prayer, and I'm going to also! I do feel as though I've been sort of floating in a bubble as I've asked Him daily for deliverance. I also make every effort to be led by the Lord in all my ways. I really believe that in these days of danger, God will deliver us miraculously as we pray this prayer and depend on Him, as Jesus instructed. I'm so glad that we do have a heavenly Father that is willing and well able to care for us. I'll leave you with a portion of my favorite chapter in the Bible, Psalms 91:14-16, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him...he shall call upon Me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation."

Playing the blame game?

2011-08-02T06:40:00.001-07:00

A few years ago I got a painful revelation of something that I was doing. I suddenly saw that I was blaming others for my problems! Ouch! Why is it that my first inclination was to blame somebody else for my difficult situations? Don't look at me like that! YOU DO IT TOO sometimes! I believe it is part of the creepy side of human nature. We all take one of these two perspectives in life, the "I'm responsible" perspective or the "it's your fault" perspective. It's a fact that we cannot always control others or circumstances, but we can control our own choices. The Bible makes it very clear that we will all stand before God someday all by ourselves. We will not be able to hold on to any "apron strings". Nor will we be able to point our finger at anyone. Not even God! Romans 14:12-13 says that each of us will give an account of ourself before God and that we should no longer criticize, judge, or blame. We are, however, not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of someone else. Philippians 2:14-15 says, "Do all things without faultfinding or complaining...THAT you may show yourselves to be blameless...". It all boils down to the fact that God will help us IF we rely upon Him in every situation and do things His way. As we call upon Him, trust Him, and wait for Him to work everything out, we will get His help just in time>Hebrews 4:16. We all need wisdom for every situation and God says that IF we ask it of Him, He will give it to us>James 1:5. For an amazing read, Proverbs 3 (Amplified version) reveals how one gets wisdom from God and how valuable it is. Our life can always take a turn for the worse, or for the better. Make your decision with me today, and every day, to go for the better! I'm reading a great book by Ivanka Trump, "Playing to Win in Work and Life". She shares a truth that I love and I want to share it with you, "We've all been dealt a winning hand, and it is up to each of us to play it right and smart." Since I surrendered my "right" to blame, and started doing things His way like never before, I've seen Him come through for me in remarkable ways! I'm so excited to see what He has for me everyday! Seek His wisdom and you'll be amazed at how God will bless you, now and throughout eternity!

My Loss Was Really My Gain

2011-07-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you a very significant and personal dream that I had the other night. The next morning I awoke weeping with a strong sense of loss and fear. I'll tell you the dream, the meaning of it, and then the loss for me that was really gain. I dreamt that my family and I were at a beach resort enjoying life. All of a sudden we hear a community siren and it was announced that there had been a terrorist attack and a foreign army invasion. The attack caused panic and a frenzy all around the community. In the frenzy of my gathering some of our basic necessities and gas masks for myself and my family, I got separated from them. I remember being ushered into a place that was considered a safe area, but my family was out of my sight. I was crying uncontrollably because I wasn't sure that they were ok. Once I arrived at the safe area, there were some people from my church trying to comfort me. Then a friend's son, Michael Krames, said to me, "Put them into the hands of the Lord". I instantly awoke crying and sad, yet praying for the meaning. Here is what the Lord showed me the meaning is and maybe it will help you as it did me. First of all, everything seems great and then comes what appears to be difficult times. My first inclination is to be the protector and provider for my family. But, in the effort of trying to be "all that" for my family, I got separated from them. And because I couldn't take care (or control the circumstances) of my loved ones, my thoughts gravitated to worry and fear. Then, in the safe zone where faith is, Michael said. "Put them into the hands of the Lord". I have been convicted of the fact that I have tried to control the lives of my family from day one. Not for the reason that I'm on a power trip, or that I want things my way, but because I love them dearly and want only the best for them. But, for them to have what's best, I've got to have FAITH and TRUST God with their outcome. The fact of the matter is that God loves them more than I do and He is in the position of doing a better job of caring for them than I am. He wants to be their provider and caretaker and they must rely upon Him! In fact, I have tried to put myself in God's place. When I saw what the Lord was requiring of me, I decided then and there not to worry and be anxious, but to repent or change my ways. I've got to put my faith and trust in God Almighty, our creator, the all powerful King of the Universe, all knowing, wise, and loving heavenly Father. No, I GET to put my trust in Him and I KNOW that He will take care of us. My gain is peace that passes all understanding (1 Peter 5:7 -cast ALL your care on the Lord and you'll have peace). I'll also have what is called the full and complete Sabbath rest of God (Hebrews 4). God isn't happy with us when we aren't trusting Him or resting in His care. It's because resting in His care proves His Lordship in our lives and opens doors for the blessings of God. Resting in Him gets us out of His way so His work isn't hindered. The loss that I was mourning was my ability to try and control circumstances. In my mind, all I want is the best for our family, but my efforts to take control over a situation actually works against my good intentions. Romans 8 says that God works everything together for good for me because I'm hoping in Him and I'm trusting that He is working it all out according to His good plan and purpose. My gain is a peaceful and blessed life. Problem free? No, but as my husband says, "Everything always works out for me!" I love what Joyce Meyer says, "Rest is freedom from excessive reasoning, struggle, fear, inner turmoil, worry, and frustration, which develop because of our working to do what only God can do. Being in God's rest isn't necessarily resting from physical activity, but resting in confidence in the midst of everything that goes on in life. It is a rest of the soul where the mind, will, and emotions are at peace...If you are worn out, I urge you to enter into God's rest. I encourage you to quit trying to control everyone and everything around you and simply allow God to do for you what only He can do. No matter what you face, God wants to help you and give you rest."

I'm taking a test and it's HARD!

2011-06-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly taking tests. They are of the spiritual kind, given by God. I hope that I pass the one I've been taking this week! I'm trying my best. Sometimes I get tired of the tests and wonder WHY the Lord keeps giving them to me! Sometimes I don't realize that I'm taking a test until I'm in the middle of it. I then buckle down and try to pass it. I just want to kick, scream, and then cry because they're never easy. I haven't given up and neither has God, but why can't life be easy? There are benefits in our testing and I'm beginning to see them more clearly than ever before. James 1:3 says that the testing or the proving of our faith is for our good. It is for our development so that we can be transformed into the image of Jesus and become more like Him. (Romans 8:29) Testing proves the genuineness of our faith, which is more precious than gold, and will bring us honor when the Lord returns. In 1 Peter 1:8 we see that the testing of our faith will prove we truly love and believe in Him. Have you ever had someone give you the impression that they care about you only because you give them things or do things for them? It's a deeply hurtful revelation. I'm sure it hurts our heavenly Father when we only show Him love because of the good things He gives and does for us. When the going gets tough or things aren't happening the way I want them to, I'm tempted to get mad at God. He doesn't always do things for me the way that I think He should. (Sounds alot like a whining two year old). Before I know it I'm frustrated and complaining. God is merciful, opens my eyes, and proceeds to humble me. For instance, I went into a thrift store in Ocala the other day looking for something and what I saw broke my heart. It wasn't a fun type of junk store. It was a huge warehouse that had tubs of clothes and that was basically it. As I walked in, I saw a sea of the most pitiful people I've ever seen in my life digging in the bins. Many appeared to be impoverished immigrants. It was if I were at the animal shelter and I was getting looks like the animals give you. The looks were sad, empty, longing. Many looked sick, crippled, and malnourished. It truly broke my heart! I had to run to the car and cry. I cried and cried for my sin. I repented for being so ungrateful, realizing how very blessed I am. I also get a deeper revelation of His goodness toward me when I go to the prison and see the hundreds of captive women. Many are there for life, never to be free again. I then recall this phrase that rings true to me, "but for the grace of God, there go I". The Lord has been so good to me! He delivered me from a life of real pain and has given me so much since I gave my life to Him in 1978! I pray that the Lord will be merciful toward me (as I know He will), and will continue to work with me. I pray I will always allow Him to work in my life and change me for His glory. I do want to make Him happy and I want to be me more like His Son Jesus. I pray that we will all be faithful to Him and bless Him. He is such a loving heavenly Father and I'm so glad to be His child. Yes, He disciplines, but oh how He loves us!

Lord, have mercy!

2011-06-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

"Lord have mercy!" I don't know how many times I've said this in my lifetime! Maybe one million? It seems to pop out of my mouth when I hear of something distressing or disheartening. I can testify today that as I've leaned upon God, I've seen His mercy in every situation that I've faced when in need of His help. God's mercy is defined like this: compassion; bending or stooping to an inferior in kindness; to have pity; be fair; gracious; favorable. We all need the mercy of God and it's obviously not floating around out there in the world, coming to just any who needs it. On the other hand, the Bible reveals how anyone can have access to God's mercy by certain means. First of all, in Psalms 103:11 (also Luke 1:50) we see that God's mercy is great toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear (respect) Him. Ps. 33 talks about the fact that the Lord, creator of heaven and earth, is our only real help. None can deliver but God. His eye is on those who fear Him and HOPE in His mercy. Putting our hope in God requires action. It's putting all our bets on Him, so to speak, to work it all out His way. In Psalms 86:5, we see that God's mercy and lovingkindness is abundant to all who call upon Him. This passage (Ps 107:23-30) says that when men are on the sea doing business and then come into a storm, they see the high waves and become afraid, they then cry out to the Lord, He brings them out of their distresses and into their desired haven. Who but God can control the elements? Then we see in verses 10-20 that some choose to spurn God's counsel and His way of doing things. They then became depressed and afflicted. But, He saves them because they cry out to Him. He then sends forth His word, heals them and rescues them from destruction. In verse 42 we see that the upright will see this or understand and accept this and be glad. But, the wicked will shut their mouth. Don't shut your mouth! Humble yourself, open your heart, and then cry out to Him. He will help. He will be there for you. Lastly, to receive mercy, we must give mercy (Matt 5:7). This is my testimony as was King David's, (Ps. 37:25-26) I've been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread. All day long they are merciful and deal graciously, they lend, and their offspring are blessed. He is good, faithful, and all He wants is our cooperation! I'm going to do my best every day to stay close to Him. How about you?

Don't coddle your pets anymore!

2011-05-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

It is just wrong and even deadly to coddle your "pets". Coddle means to pamper or to treat gently. Oh! I'm not talking about your cat or dog. The Lord knows that my little dogs are like family and I can't quit "coddling" them sometimes...kissie, kissie! I'm talking about "pet" sins. To name a few: unforgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15), sensuality and being divisive (Jude 19), jealous and selfishly-ambitious (James 3:16), stressful and anxious (Phil. 4:6), anger, rage, bad feelings towards others, lying (Col. 3:8), doubt or unbelief (Rom. 14:23). These are less obvious or more acceptable sins that we give a "cushie" spot to in our lives. I think that it is because most people think these sins are weaknesses and can't be helped. Some of us feel that we have a right to these behaviors and vices. I submit to you that many "Christians" don't even realize the Bible speaks about what happens when we don't deal with these types of sins. Ignorance can kill you and I'm here to tell you today that if we know better, and do better, THEN our life will be better! The first step to victory is acknowledging this fact: we all sin (Rom. 3:23), The second is that sin produces death (Rom. 6:23). Third, Jesus became sin for us in His death on the cross and cleanses us from ALL sin when we repent or stop the sin (2 Cor. 5:21; 1Jn 1:7-10; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Rom. 6:12-14). Sin is in the world and we are not yet perfect. Therefore, we can and must rule over sin. Heb. 12 says that we must resist sin (even to the point of the shedding of our blood if necessary); throw off every distraction and sin that so easily entangles us; be steady and persistent; always looking to Jesus, Who is the author and finisher of our faith, Who endured grievious opposition and bitter hostility; SO THAT, we will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12 is full of motivation to leave sin behind. Deal with it and go for the gold! We can and must be overcomers! In 1 Jn 5:4 we see that one who is born of God overcomes the world (sin in the world). Are you born of God? Then you should and will have to overcome the world. (Please read Rev. 21). Don't coddle your pet sins anymore, but get them out of your life. Not only will you experience a blessed life now, but you will rejoice when you see Him in His glory as you enter into His heavenly kingdom!

$$$$$$$

2011-04-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

Money. Can we live well enough without it? We can't necessarily live well with it. Money can corrupt, and yet we have to have it! So...this is a conundrum! A new word for you? Me too. My husband used this word in a message a few months ago, and I thought that it would get your attention like it did mine. It means a puzzle, a riddle, a confusing question. I read on aol news the other day that the beautiful actress, Catherine Zeta Jones, has admitted herself to a rehab. They said it was because of the stress caused by her family problems that she had been through lately. Obviously, money doesn't prevent stress. Sometimes it helps with certain types of problems.
But, many times it causes stress. The Bible mentions over and over that God wants to bless His children financially. King Solomon was the richest man that ever lived. Abraham was very rich (Gen. 13:2>gloriously rich and honorable). The covenant that God made with Israel includes wealth and blessing in every area of life. Prov. 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and He addeth no sorrow to it." The word "blessing" in the Hebrew actually means "prosperity". That word "rich" in Hebrew means "to accumulate, to wax rich". It's not money that is the root of all evil, but the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10). Therefore, we can't love money. When I see non-Christian people "rolling in the dough", something rises up inside of me and it borders on anger with the Lord. I see many Christians working so hard for the Lord, and they're blessed in so many ways, but lack in finances. I was wrong and the Holy Spirit corrected me. I thought of Prov. 23:17-18, "Let not your heart envy snners, but continue in the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a latter end (a future and a reward), and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off." God is faithful. He will bless us.

We must do things His way. We must have faith, hope, and expectation. Then, we will be rewarded! Eccl. 5:19-20 K. Solomon said, "...every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot, and to rejoice in his toil, this is the gift of God. For he shall not remember seriously the days of his life, because God (Himself) answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart (the tranquility of God is mirrored in him)." This is the answer to the conundrum. First, we must be thankful and grateful for our life, our work, and rejoice in the Lord for it. God then responds to the joy in our heart and will bless us financially and with tranquility. Let's hope, have expectation, and faith for more money. Let's love God more than anything and be faithful. Let's be grateful for what we have and where we are. And look out! The blessings of the Lord will overtake us (Malachi 3:10). Are you on board? Your success in life, through Christ, will be a testimony and will glorify the Lord. My prayer, "Help us to recieve your blessings so that we can be a blessing." (For depth on this subject, do a study on "blessing")

Are you kidding yourself?

2011-04-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

I'm continually "thrown for a loop" by so many who call themselves Christians but according to the Bible, they are not. Their manner of life and heart prove that they are in fact hypocrits. It saddens me to see that although they consider themselves "saved", they are not. I'm not talking about immaturity or ignorance. I'm talking about those who claim that they are what in fact they are not. They are fakes. They are kidding themselves. What is real Christianity supposed to be like? I am going to reveal out of 1 Peter 3 & 4 the Christian's challenge and call. This passage contains most of the characteristics of authentic Christianity that Jesus brought out in the four gospels. We are exhorted to measure ourselves with these attributes and make the necessary changes to prove that we truly desire to be a child of God and want to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The following characteristics are taken directly from 1 Pet. 3 & 4 (Amplified Bible). We must be: 1) humble 2)harmonious 3)tenderhearted 4)courteous 5)never return evil for evil 6) never return insult for insult but on the contrary blessing 7)keep our tongue from evil and from speaking deceit 8)seek for and pursue (*do not merely desire peaceful relations, but make it a priority) peace (*undisturbedness from agitating passions, fears and moral conflicts) 9)shun and turn away from wickedness 10)don't practice evil things 11)follow that which is considered good 12)be willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness 13)acknowledge Jesus as Lord in our heart 14)be ready to share with others as to why we are a Christian, courteously and respectfully) 15)keep a clear conscience 16) suffer patiently in persecution rather than fail to please God 16)don't live by our human appetites and lusts, but live for God 17) don't get drunk or live wildly 18)above all of these things, have intense and unfailing love for one another 19)practice hospitality 20)love and serve other Christians that we do not know and don't complain 21)don't ever suffer as a criminal or meddle in other's affairs 22)don't ever be ashamed of God, but give Him glory. In doing all these things, commit yourself and give your all to the One Who created you and He will never fail you!

The Peaceful Path

2011-03-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

I've been a professing born-again Christian for 30 plus years. When I decided to surrender my life to Christ and to live for Him, I knew that I was trading a life filled with anxiety and troubles for a life of peace and joy. I found in Christ what I had truly been longing for, a real heart felt peace, joy, and hope! THEN, LIFE HAPPENED. I began to find out that the peace and joy which initally consumed me became more and more evasive. Don't get me wrong. My new life as a Christian was and is amazing! But the fact of the matter is, to keep this internal peace I must daily surrender to His will and passion, not mine. I have to daily recalculate like a GPS. I get myself back on that PATH OF PEACE by acquiescing to morning prayer, Bible reading and studying. I also live in a conscious state of prayer by continually talking to the Lord and asking the Holy Spirit to lead me throughout my day. Rather than His peace evading me, His presence becomes more real and important to me. This is the life of faith. Faith is trusting God with all of your heart, every day, day in and day out. Christian author A.W. Tozer once said, "There are no dilemmas out of which you shall not be delivered if you live near to God. He goes not amiss who goes in the company of God." James 4:5-10 ( Amplified version) tells us how to draw near to God and says that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. King David said in Psalms 40:1-4 (my story and prayer), "I waited patiently for the Lord, and He heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit...set my feet on a rock...He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and put their trust and reliance in the Lord. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who makes the Lord his refuge..." I know this to be true! My ambition in life is to continually make the Lord my refuge. He is our peaceful path!

King and Family

2011-02-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

I visited with some missionary friends yesterday and my faith has been strongly challenged. These friends are from Ghana, West Africa. The minister's name is King, his wife is Priscilla, and they have two amazing teenagers (boy>16; girl>13). I sat at the table with the teens and was floored at their maturity, annointing, and "matter of fact" faith. They mentioned that they recently went to Mexico. I asked if they felt safe there and the daughter said, "No, but we were all right." King mentioned that there are many radical muslims in Ghana and in the surrounding areas. He pointed out that they have no police or anything to protect them. They have only ONE THING that they rely on for protection. That ONE THING or ONE PERSON is JESUS! They constantly see miracles and this must be why! Now, I'm not going to be stupid and test God by putting myself in harms way hoping for a miracle. But, I want to remind myself to daily walk by faith in every situation that I am in, believing for miracles continuously! Trusting and hoping for God to be in on everything I say and do. I'm challenged more than ever to rely upon the Holy Spirit to lead me and have a "say so" about everything I'm involved with. I've been finding that the Holy Spirit is more real to me and interacting with me more than ever before! I'm loving it! He's truly my best friend and I would rather have Him with me, every minute of every day, more than anything else in the world! My prayer: "Lord, help us to draw ever closer to You. Help us to completely depend upon You." This is how we come to know Him. This is how we come to know that He is Jehovah Shammah (A Hebrew name for God that means "God is present"). This is how we find that we love Him and that He truly loves us! This is faith! 1 John 5:4 "Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith."

When God says, "No go!"

2011-01-27T11:38:00.000-08:00

I'm going to share with you today about a scenario with my dogs that opened my eyes as to why we should continue to trust God, be obedient, and wait on Him when He says, "No go!" It's especially hard to accept when everything looks like "GO!" Actually this story is about my daughter's poodle named Baby. Everyday he goes to the back door, stands there, and stares at me when he wants to go out into the yard (8 acres). I let him out and he faithfully comes back when he is done. I trust him! On the other hand, I don't trust my poodle named Billie. I started letting him out with Baby and one day the guy working in the yard brought Billie to the door. He had found Billie in the driveway by the road! Now, it's "No go Billie!" Ha! As I was pulling into our driveway the other day, I noticed a huge hawk of some sort in an oak tree. I kid you not, this bird was big enough to grab up Baby while out in the large yard and whisk him away. Therefore, I decided that I wouldn't let him out into the back again until the hawk moved on. Baby could only go into the small fenced front yard until then. For a few days after that Baby would go to the back door and stare at me with a puzzled look on his face when I said "No Baby, let's go to the front yard." He then would hesitantly follow me to the front door. Two or three times a day, for three days, he would repeat this same scenario. There was no way that I could explain to him the danger lurking out in the large yard that had been so safe in the past. He was probably thinking, "But I've gone out into this yard for years and have proved that I will come back faithfully and safely." He may have thought that he was being deprived. The Lord showed me that we should trust Him when we don't understand. We should obey him when He doesn't allow us to do something that seems fine. It's not that I didn't trust Baby. I didn't trust that hawk! God sees all and knows all. He loves us and I know that He is protecting us from our enemy! Jesus says in John 10:10 that the devil wants to steal from us, destroy us, and kill us, but He came to give us life and life more abundantly. In some cases, we will not be able to understand specifically "why" until we get to heaven. I am so thankful that our heavenly Father cares so much for us! I'm so grateful for His guidance and protection. We can't always know what's best. We all need the Lord! I'm so glad He's here for us! Hope and faith in God are important. In Psalms 27:11-14 King David expressed his desire that God would teach him His way. He asked for God to lead him because of his enemies. He stated that he would have fainted unless he believed that he would see God's goodness again. He exhorts us all to wait on the Lord, to be of good courage and God will strengthen our heart. He again stresses, "Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Well, the hawk is gone and Baby is once again free to go into the back yard. I'm glad that Baby is alive and well! I'm glad that he again is enjoying himself on the acreage.

JUST DO IT!

2011-01-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

Starting into the new year, I found myself watching the Oprah channel. No, I don't worship her or anything like that, but she had a great show featuring Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, and Suze Orman. I really like all three of these people. I'm not sure of their stance regarding the Lord, but they have alot of wisdom that I think many Christians (me included!) can learn from in the areas of finance, relationships, and health. Jesus said in Luke 16:8 that the sons of this age are shrewder and more prudent and wiser (in relation) to their own generation than are the sons of light. He was speaking of being wise with regards to money management, but I'm finding that this is a truth that spans many areas of life including health and taking care of our bodies. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 strongly exhorts Christians to understand that our bodies are the temple in which the Holy Spirit lives. He says that our bodies are not our own, but we are owned by God and that we should then bring honor and glory to Him with our bodies. I have not been very faithful with my diet and exercise in the past few years. I confess that I have been given to my appetite and slothfulness. It was great fun for that season, but I am now reaping the results with which I regret. The results are excess weight and stress with regards to it. I can't wear any of my regular clothes! I refuse to continue buying the stretchy clothes that keep me in denial that I have been gluttonous! No, maybe I don't weigh as much as others I know. And yes, I do exercise a little. But, am I really as healthy as I could be? No! The excessive amounts of sugar have made me feel arthritic and I know that it is a downward spiral if I continue on this path. I know within my heart that I am stepping into an area of disobedience with an unbridled appetite and with excuses like, "I'm too tired to walk today". I know that these poor choices can bring negative consequences. A few years ago I was trying to encourage a friend of mine that God is our healer and that He wants to heal us. She was arguing with me about this because her mother-in-law had just died of a sickness and she was one of the most devout women of God she had ever known. She was praying for healing and obviously did not get healed. I later found out that her mother-in-law weighed over 300 POUNDS and the sickness was related to obesity! Come on now. What more can I say! Everyone of us stand before God and are accountable only to Him. Only God knows where you are in the process and what you must do to care for your temple. God's grace is sufficient for us to get the victory in every area of our life. The SIN of gluttony is one that is winked at by many Christians. Phillippians 3:19 speaks of those whose god is their stomach. They will be damned and shamed. Wow! This is sobering! The Lord has mercifully graced me to watch my caloric intake and I've started walking. I already feel the benefits. I know what I need to do to take good care of my body for His glory and service. I need to JUST DO IT! You do too! I pray for you and please pray for me. May this year be our most healthy, wealthy, and wisest year yet! All for His glory!!

A vanilla caramel latte, please!

2010-12-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

Aol has an ad with a housewife sitting in her living room. Her kids and dog are going wild in the room behind her and her house is in utter chaos. She sits there smiling, unaffected by her problems. It's because she's sipping on a vanilla caramel latte! Reality is that a latte might help her feel better for a few minutes, but what kind of real help does a latte give? She has a perpetual mess on her hands! Our newspaper featured an article today on the "12 Steps to De-stressing". Some of these steps might be helpful, but Jesus, Who is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) exhorts us to learn from Him (Matt 11:28-30). He calls all who are weary and over burdened to come to Him. He promises to give rest (He will ease, relieve, and refresh your soul-Greek trans.). He said to take His burden (or yoke) upon ourselves. His yoke is light and easy, wholesome, useful, good, not harsh, sharp or pressing. It is also balanced, comfortable, gracious, and pleasant (Hebrew trans). These are characteristics of what I call the "Sabbath Rest Principle". It's the entrance into the abundant life Jesus came to give us (Jn 10:10). Tell me, how can I get this yoke? I have to make every effort, every day to enter into and live in a supernatural place of tranquility called the "Sabbath Rest" (Please read Heb. 3&4 Amp). Actually, this is how the true people of God are to live (Heb. 4:9). In the sabbath rest, we acquire confidence (or faith) and subsequently an inner peace that God is working everything out and He will take care of us. It's NOT sticking your head in the sand like an ostrich or denying reality. It is not just surviving either. It's listening to and obeying God's voice, and actually enjoying our life's journey. In Heb. 3:15-18 we see that God reveals why some of the Israelites did not enter into His rest. These were rebellious and self-reliant individuals. They were ungrateful, complainers, and murmurers. (God forgive me for my petty murmuring!) They subsequently died in the wilderness (Heb.4:11). It also says in Heb. 3:17 that those who were resistant in the wilderness actually irritated (or grieved and saddened) Him! I definitely don't want to irritate the Lord! Only those who enter that rest get to their "Promised Land"( a truly God-blessed life). How many of us Christians live in His peace and experience the blessed life Christ has promised? We may need to get with God to re-evealuate and prioritize our life. Moses was considered the meekest man ever to live (Exodus 33:14-15). Meekness is defined as humble compliance and flexibility. The key indication that Moses was humble and compliant is in Ex. 33:15. Moses told the Lord that if His presence didn't go with him, he didn't want to go on from there in search of the promised land. How many of us go on our own analysis of a situation in search of the "promises", whether we are confident that God is with us or not? Numbers 33:13-18 reveals Moses' heart. His desire was to know God deeply and to know God's ways. He desired to see God's glory above all else! I want this to be my passion: to know God deeply and to know His ways above all else. I long to see His glory. God told Moses in vs. 17 that he had found favor with Him, loving-kindness, and mercy. God also told him that He knew him personally and by name. What an honor! What joy and delight! Nothing in this world compares to knowing Him! Knowing Christ is salvation. One might call Him Lord, but if that one does not KNOW HIM, he will not be saved (Matt. 7:21-23). The A.Paul states in Phil 3:10-14 that it was his determined purpose to know Christ, to be continually transformed to His likeness by death to self, pressing on and forgetting what lies behind, and by making every effort to fulfill God's will. I pray that everyday we all will take up the cross of laying down our own will for the will of God in our lives. The crucified life is the blessed life!

I want to look over the bridge!

2010-11-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Just this past week the Lord mercifully dealt with me to be sure and begin my day spending quality time in His presence. It doesn't take a very long time to meet Him. I start with some words of worship, maybe a song, prayer, and a little study of His word. As Beth Moore says in her study "Stepping Up", "God's first priority is relationship, not just emergency response." Our first priority should be the same! In Psalm 91 (Amp) we see closeness to God is not only for intimacy, but for protection from ourselves and our enemy. It starts with: he who remains in the presence of Him Whose power no foe can withstand will: 1.) be delivered from traps; 2.) delivered from plagues, fear , destruction, and evil; 3.) and no will evil come near your home. Instead, we will be preserved, never forsaken by God, He will answer when we call, and we will live a long life. Sounds like sticking close to Him is the KEY to life! I remember a true story my mother-in-law used to tell my girls when they were small and rambunctious. While on a tour in Italy, they were crossing a bridge with a group of people and a lady was having a hard time with her little boy. He was struggling to free himself from her grasp to look over the edge of the bridge. He was finally successful, ran to the edge, lost his balance and fell over to his death. I pray that we will always hold tightly to the Lord's hand, knowing that His wisdom and correction express His love for His children. Here is an overview of Ps 94:12-18 (please read the whole thing): Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline O Lord...That You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity...He will not abandon His people...Unless the Lord had been my help, I would have dwelt in the land where there is silence...When I said my foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord held me up."

I Need Peace

2010-10-25T06:37:00.000-07:00

We all need peace! We all want peace, but why does it seem to evade us? The Bible reveals to us that God is "all about" peace, and that we Christians are to be "all about" peace. I like this bumper sticker that I've seen, "No peace? No God. Know peace, know God!" There is so much depth in this statement that I've only begun to grasp. It sounds simple enough to understand, but it is not always easy to acquire. It does take effort. Applying this truth to our life should be a dauntless task. The rewards are priceless! God is the God of peace. The gospel is the gospel of peace. If we refuse peace, we refuse Him and His way of doing things. I know people who seem to thrive on anxiety and pressure. Whether or not we can accept it, the lack of peace in our life is rooted in fear, self-will, and pride. These things are enemies of God. Why? Because this lifestyle doesn't produce a godly example. This lifestyle makes us sick, can kill us, and it doesn't allow the Holy Spirit to flow in our lives (among other things). Therefore, the love and blessings of God don't flow in our lives like they should. I have been tempted to live like that, and have at times. As I look back on those phases in my life, I see struggles with confusion, frustration, unfounded hurt, self-centeredness, illness, and anger (*not righteous anger). Many times these things are initially misinterpreted as attacks of the devil, but they are acts of the flesh or self-will (Gal. 5:16-26), which then opens the door to the devil and separation from God (1 John 2:15-17; 1 Pet :10-12 Amp. version; Rom. 8:6). God wants a life of peace for us. Jesus came to bring us peace (Acts 10:36; Luke 2:14); He is our Peace (Eph. 2:14); He is the King of peace (Heb. 7:2); He is the God of Peace (Rom 16:20; Jn 14:27); And His gospel is the GOSPEL of Peace ( Rom 10:15). Therefore, we need to LET the peace of God rule in our hearts (Col. 3:15). It's up to us. His peace is there for the taking. Possessing His peace looks like this: it is being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, and then yielding to Him through obedience to His leading and His word. The fruit of peace or the evidence of it is as follows: from the Hebrew word shalom it is to be safe, well, happy, friendly, in good health, prosperous, favored, and whole. The Greek word eirene (i ray nay) is translated to be prosperous, have quietness, rest, and to set at one again (with God and restored). Jesus said that He came to give us a good life and life eternal (John 10:10). Are we going to let His sacrifice be in vain? I will not, as much as possible! I will make it my goal to let His peace be my guide. I will gratefully humble myself by acknowledging His Lordship, and enjoy His peace in my every single day! Living in God's peace, while living in this world, is like the salmon's ambitious swim up stream. The salmon does what is required, against all odds,to reach his goal. When all the world is screaming at us to hurry and be their savior, or demand we "make it happen", we need to cast our cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:7) and let Him do His work through us. We need to ready and position ourselves in His peace. Only then will we be truly fruitful (John 15:1-9). His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt. 11:29-30). Let living in His peace be our ambition (1 Pet. 2:11). Please take some time to read 2 Peter 3:1-18 (pref. Amp version). Trust Him. Obey Him. We'll be glad we did!

Fighting Worry & Trusting God

2010-10-09T06:12:00.000-07:00

How many times have you wondered when you'll get to the point of being able to trust God in every situation and not worry? After years of seeing God's faithfulness and how He comes through for those of us who rely on Him, doesn't it seem that we would eventually get it? Somehow we leak faith! Good news!! If we recall God's promises from His word and remind ourselves on a regular basis these things, we will be encouraged and faith will rise in our hearts! THEN, great things will happen! I MUST: #1. Commit my way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of my load on Him), trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him>the promise: He will bring it (His good plan) to pass (Ps. 37:5 Amp). #2. Not envy sinners, but continue in the worshipful and reverent fear of the Lord all day long>the promise: there will be a latter end for me (a future and a reward) and my hope and expectation will not be cut off (Prov. 23:17-18 Amp). #3. Love God, and since I am called according to His purpose and design>the promise: I can be assured that He will work everything together and fit it into His good plan for me (Rom. 8:28 Amp). #4. Be consistently righteous, trust, and take refuge in Him>the promise: He will deliver me from the wicked and save me in the time of trouble (Ps. 37:39-40 Amp). These are just a few guarantees from the Word of God for us. Read the Psalms and dig more out. Use a concordance, there are thousands of promises. Have you ever seen the bread box promise holders? They were popular in the 70's. It was a little box in the shape of a loaf of bread with cards in it that had promises from the Bible on them. If I recall correctly, they didn't include the conditions. I hope you noticed the conditions that preceded the promises above. I've never seen a promise from God apart from a condition that must be met. As we line ourselves up with the conditions, then the promises are inevidable in time. I can testify of God's faithfulness to His word. This is true for me: I was young and now I'm old(er), yet I have not seen the (uncompromisingly) righteous forsaken or their seed begging for bread>Ps 37:25 AMP. Take Him at His word. Prove Him and you will be able to testify of His faithfulness too!

Subjects of Extortion

2010-09-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

Why are there so many ministers these days becoming subjects of law suits and extortion? I just saw in the news where Bishop Eddie Long, a pastor of an Atlanta megachurch, was accused of keeping company with 3 teen boys for sex and took "good care" of them financially. Whether or not the allegations are true, this minister has put himself into a position of vulnerability. Not to mention the well-known ministers that have fallen in the past years. There is a hook that the devil uses to get these people. But the devil puts a nice bait on the hook . First of all, some of the bait that nicely covers the hook include extreme wealth, without proper accountability, too much power and fame, to name a few. How is it that some preachers and ministers of the gospel become so focused and entrenched with the wrong things and then become prey? I believe that it is a lack of wisdom and lack of the fear of God. We see in 1Tim. 3, 4, 5, qualifications for church leaders. In these chapters lay treasures of wisdom that will keep a minister on the right path. Some of the requirements are as follows: 1. He must be above reproach. 2. Self-controlled 3.Well-behaved 4. Sensible(This means that he should have enough sense not to allow himself to become vulnerable) 5. Hospitable and a friend to the believers 6. Not a lover of insatiable wealth. These are just a few nuggets in Chapter 3 that will keep a minister out of trouble. (There is still a wealth of wisdom and knowledge in the rest of the book.) Chapter 4 mentions that in the last days there will be some who will turn away from the faith through hypocrisy and pretensions of liars. We should be on guard! Pretention and lying is a trap! In Chapter 5:24-25 we see where some of the sins of men are conspicuous going before them to the judgement and proclaiming their sentence in advance. But, the sin of others appear later following the offender to the bar of judgement and coming into view there. This should be a scary thing if you are living a "secret" life. It's also an encouraging thing to know in vs 25 that even when our good deeds aren't evident now, they will not remain hidden forever! All will be revealed>(1 Cor. 4:5). God is holding all of us accountable for our life's deeds, good or bad. What makes Christians think that somehow a life of disobedience is ok with God? I've heard "Christians" say, "God understands..." "He knows I'm not perfect..." This is true, and He is merciful to immature Christians for awhile>(Heb 10:23-29), but when ministers, who are supposed to be mature (1 Tim 3:6) fall headlong into a lifestyle of sins, they will be found out...eventually at least, and they will be judged! I pray for Ted Haggard and others through the years who have brought a reproach to the Kingdom of God. I know that they can sometimes repent and we must forgive, but to be reinstated into ministry? I'm not so sure that this is always right. I think the Biblical path to restoration should be a life of humility. The restoration should be toward their relationship with God, not toward a ministry that could very well take that person down the wrong path again! There must be a fear of God and a fear of falling into the same sins again>1 Cor. 10:12. I pray for these ministers to have their eyes opened to the fact that they could very well be on their way to hell. This reminds me of the old hymn, "I'd Rather Have Jesus". Having Jesus is far more important than anything else! Oh how I love Him! I know that there are wonderful "famous" ministers that have faired well, to the glory of God (Billy Graham, Joel Osteen, Reindhart Bonke to name a few), but they must be doing what they should. My prayer is for the Lord to guard me, keep me, and cause me to be faithful all the days of my life. Whatever it takes Lord, discipline, deliver, protect. Do this for me...for all of us who love you!

God's protection on the Anniversary of 9/11?

2010-09-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Here in Gainesville, Florida we are faced with a dilemma. A local pastor has generated news and anger from all over the world by declaring a "Burn a Quran Day"on the anniversary of 9/11 this coming Saturday. He has received death threats, and our city has received terror threats, not to mention the threats of retaliation from Muslims all over the world. The University of Florida is having a football game that day and many in our city are concerned about the risk of attending that game. My daughter works at a restaurant within minutes of the stadium and is required to work that day or lose her job. I have been concerned about her safety and on this Sept. 8 morning as I sought the Lord about it, I believe He gave me a verse to confirm that she will be safe, as will those attending the game. I am writing this in openness and humility because it is what I believe to be a prophetic word and I may be wrong. Although I have been concerned, I do sense a peace when I normally tend to panic and take the "fear" route. I did encourage her to pray and be sure of her decision to go to work that day. The verse I believe God directed me to is from Jonah 4:11. This is the story of the prophet Jonah whom God had asked to go to a wicked city called Nineveh and preach repentance to them with mercy and grace. Jonah did not want to go and deliver that message because Jonah believed that God should judge them. But God made it clear to him that He is merciful and gracious and that they must be given a chance to turn to Him. (You can read the story for yourself.) In this verse God said, "...should I not spare Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons not yet old enough to know their right hand from their left...". I believe God has spoken to me that He will spare us from destruction, and that it is because of His mercy. I truly believe that God has a plan for Gainesville, and it is not to be blown off the map. It is for salvation. The people of Nineveh heard the word of grace and mercy, they repented, and came to God (Jonah 3). We Christians have the commission to preach repentance, but we must also realize how much God loves the world and desires that none should perish but that all would come to know Him (John 3:16). I am praying for God's mercy to flood this city and that the people would hear the Gospel, preached in love. I pray for an awakening to the Truth in Gainesville. I pray for His people to be faithful and take up the Great Commission, preaching repentance to those that Jesus died for and love them into His kingdom!

We must follow Daniel's protocol!

2010-08-16T06:15:00.000-07:00

In my last post I wrote about my dream and the Lord's interpretation of it. Dreams are sometimes from eating strange food before bed or from thoughts we've had recently. But they can also be messages from God and there are many examples of this in the Bible. This post is about the interpretation of a dream King Nebuchadnezzar desparately wanted to know>Daniel 2:1-49. "A rare and weighty thing indeed the king requires!" was the response of the king's enchanters and magicians when they were asked for the interpretation of it. The King had even forgotten the dream, but it troubled him so that he demanded they tell him what the dream was or they would be executed! Their response was, "...no one but the gods can reveal this to the king and their dwelling is not with flesh." This angered the king and he called for the execution of all his "wise"men. Daniel and his companions were in that group. Daniel asked the executioner why the decree was so urgent. He explained the matter to Daniel and the Lord gave Daniel wisdom and knowledge in regards to their dilemma. Not only did God reveal to Daniel the dream, He gave him the interpretation. In verses 17-23 we see Daniel seeking God for help, praising God for wisdom, for knowledge, and for revealing the deep and secret things. As a result, Daniel and his godly friends were delivered from execution, made wealthy, and became governors of the land. God was given glory and honor by the King and throughout the whole kingdom. This is God's way. Instead of being self-absorbed and defeated in a quandry, we need to believe that God has an amazing plan for our good! In Jeremiah 29:11-14 God's heart for His loved ones is revealed. He says that He has thoughts and plans for us that include hope and goodwill. He says in this passage that as we search for Him with all of our heart as a vital necessity, we THEN will find Him and He will deliver us! In these days of financial uncertainty and with ungodliness all around, we must follow Daniel's protocol. We will THEN see God as our KING, DELIVERER, PROVIDER, and LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER!

My Dream

2010-08-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night that I believe will paint a picture of what it's like to resist the devil and follow God fearlessly. I was at the bottom of a hill looking up and seeing a couple of people at the top. I won't mention who they were, but they are people that I respect and are strong spiritually. As I approached the hill to go up, I noticed a huge badger, larger than normal, standing between me and the bottom of the hill. I knew that I wanted to go up to the top of the hill, but the badger was quite intimidating. With a strong desire and awareness that I must go to the top, I began my approach. I noticed that the badger didn't move. It looked stunned and didn't notice me. I passed by it and began my ascension. The hill was slippery and difficult, but I continued and made some progress, at which point I looked back to notice that the badger looked dead. It hadn't moved. As a matter of fact, it looked like a statue just sitting there at the bottom of the hill. There didn't seem to be power or life in the badger. At that point I was immediately on top of the hill in the arms of one of the people, feeling secure and safe. I believe the interpretation is as follows: The hill symbolized the challenging path to the will of God. The slippery slope is a picture of the natural difficulty we all encounter when attempting to rise to God's call and will. The badger is symbolic of the evil spirit that is set to daunt us and deflect us into another direction. A definition for badger is to tease or pester someone. This is what the devil attempts to do. But he has no power or ability to stop us, unless we don't move forward because of what appears to be a fearful encounter. The Lord showed me that following God's call is not easy. It's an uphill climb. It's going to be difficult in this world, because the world is naturally resisitant to it. The devil always puts a decoy in front of us. A decoy is a thing used to lure, as into a trap. It's meant to mislead. Isn't this what the devil does? He deceptively works in our life to keep us from pressing on to the high calling of God. None the less, there is a place of safety and security in Christ. It is in the will of God for our life. I want to encourage myself and you to press past difficulty and fear. Go up and find the place of rest and deliverance from what is not real. The Bible says that we are not to fear>(2 Tim. 1:7). The Father has delivered and drawn us out of the control and the dominion of darkness>(Col 1:13). We are to press on, Jesus is calling us upward>(Phil 3:14). Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you>(James 4:7). Don't fling away your fearless confidence...for you have need of patience and endurance so that you may accomplish the will of God>(Heb.10:35-36). I do not cease to give thanks for you who follow Christ...I pray that God would grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insight into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him...that you may know and understand what is the immeasureable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe...>(Eph 1:16-19 Amp. version).

The Plumbline

2010-07-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

I wrote a blog similar to this one dealing with the subject of hypocrisy this past year. But God has put this subject on my heart again lately. The Lord actually gave me a word on it at church a few Sundays ago. The word went something like this..."The day of hypocrisy and compromise is over." Our claim to Christianity must be a lifestyle of total committment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. These days and times are obviously the latter days Christ spoke of. Difficult times bring out what is in our heart. Our life will become more righteous or more wicked (Rev. 22:11-14). There's a line from an old song that says, "Do they have enough evidence to put you away?", speaking of a Christ-like life. Of course none of us are perfect, but a lifestyle of love, repentance, and godliness proves our authenticity. Jesus said that our light should shine like a city on a hill. Have you ever driven at night in the mountains and coming out of a valley you see the lights of a town in the distance. There's no missing the city lights in the midst of the darkness. Are we lit up in the darkness around us? Do we truly love others? Do we have peace, joy, and hope? What is in our heart comes out eventually for all to see. Therefore, our #1 priority should be that our heart is given over to God. This results in a life that will bless and glorify Him. Our heart's desire should be for Him. If you desire authenticity in your Christianity, then sincerely ask God to do what He needs to do to purify you. Brace yourself and get ready to take up your cross daily. The crucified life is the only true life. St. Francis of Assissi made this profound statement, "What a man is before God, that he is and nothing else." This should be our plumbline. A plumbline is a tool used to measure a precise straight line, a standard of what is on the level, what is right. Our heart condition is the evidence of whether or not we are on the level with Christ. The PLUMBLINE is a willing heart to follow the Lord throughout our whole life, allowing Him to call the shots. It is the awareness that we are in dire need of transformation and we are allowing the Lord to purify us, conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29-39). My prayer today is for the Lord to be merciful (He is very much so), forgive (as He so wonderfully does), and help us to stay with the PLUMBLINE of His Lordship (He is faithful), enveloped in His love, and enabled by His grace to live for Him all the days and hours of our lives. To Him be the glory, honor, and power for ever and ever.

God Longs for Me

2010-07-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

My heart's prayer is "Lord, draw me close to You!". His Word promises that if I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me (James 4:8). I hunger and thirst for more of the Lord's presence in my life. Everyday I desperately crave the awareness of God with me. Besides the fact that we all need the blessing of His protection and provision, we need His love. God wants our love. He longs for us to draw near to Him. Jesus spoke of His desire and longing to draw His children like a mother hen draws her chicks under her wings. The problem is that many of His children tend to refuse His calling to intimacy with Him. As a result, the resistant children are left abandoned, desolate, and destitute of God's help>Matt. 23:37-38. I pray that I won't be so taken with the world and life in general, that I neglect the place of closeness that He has for me. Everyday, I will run to get under the wings of my Father. I don't want to refuse His call. Besides the fact that I need His protection and care, I deeply crave the awareness of Him being close to me. This is the deep longing for satisfaction that all people sense. Nothing in this world will fill that space inside. People all over the world are looking for satisfaction. No relationship, no material possession, and no amount of power will fill that longing that was created for God and God alone. Let's run to Him. Let's rest there under His wings and enjoy the peace, security, and satisfaction found only in that secret place, under His covering, with Him.

It Was for Freedom

2010-07-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

On this day after July 4th, I am meditating on what it means to be free. We truly are free in this country. Free to worship our God, free to conduct business, free to come and go, etc. How blessed we are! But how many of us are free indeed? As blessed as we are in this country, many Christians remain in jail cells of hell. Many are in illogical and irrational slavery. The internal kind, of course. How many Christians are slaves to their sins (Jn 8:33-34)? Many are in spiritual and emotional chains. (Ex. lust, fear, anxiety, bitterness, greed, gluttony, lying, etc.). Jesus said that He came to make us FREE INDEED (Jn 8:36). It was for FREEDOM that Christ came and set us free. It is up to us to avail ourselves of this freedom and live in it (Gal. 5:1). In John 8:31-32, Jesus said that IF we live by His teachings and Word, then we would know the Truth and the Truth would set us free. So, our first plan of action would be to learn God's Word and make every effort to live it. Pleading ignorance isn't good enough. Secondly, we must admit when we are in bondage. We need to confess our faults to someone and have them pray for us (James 54:16). Thirdly, we must take the promises of God in faith (reliance of our entire being on God), line ourselves up with the conditions, and apply them to our life (Rom 4:21). When we do this, God will be there for us! God's Hebrew names reveal these truths. #1. Jehovah Shammah-means "God is there or present"; #2. Jehovah Shalom-"God is peace"; #3. Jehovah Jireh-"God will provide"; #4. Jehovah M'Kiddesh-"I Am the Lord that sanctifies you", to name a few. He's everything we need! After a war, the occupational troops must go and establish the victory. The enemy soldiers will not necessarily accept their defeat. Now that you have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness, demand your freedom in Christ. Take back what the devil stole from you. Established your victory! It's your right and duty! I am in awe at what Jesus has done for us and how worthy He is to receive our victorious lives as an offering of gratitude and praise! Revelation 1:5-6, "...Jesus Christ the Faithful and trustworthy Witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and Who has loosed and freed us once for all from our sins by His own blood, and formed us into a Kingdom (royal race), priests to His God and Father-to Him be the glory, and the power, and the majesty, and the dominion thoughout the ages and forever and ever. AMEN"

We Have the Power!

2010-05-30T06:13:00.001-07:00

Yes!! We have power through Christ Jesus our Lord> Power to overcome the world. Power over evil and the enemy of our soul. Then I ask'"Why do bad things happen to wonderful Christian people?" First of all, there will be problems in life that we won't understand until we see God, and we can ask Him because we can't know all of the thoughts and intentions of people. You'll see in the Bible that faith in God with corresponding action is KEY. There are alot of answers in the Bible that give us insight on how to live victoriously over all of the negative effects of this world. We won't do an exhaustive study on faith now, so let's look at the scriptural power we have as Christians to release protection and blessings from Heaven. First of all we must understand and believe that Jesus came to give us an abundant life>Jn. 10:10. The greek trans. for abundant life is: having the advantage; in the sense of beyond; super abundant in quanity and superior in quality; exceeding beyond what is needed or superfluous. Since that's established, let's look at what has been provided for us through the atoning work of Jesus' death and resurrection. *healing>Acts 4:7-10, 1 Pet 2:24; *experience wonders and miracles>Acts 6:8; *over flow with hope, joy, and peace>Rom 15:13; *recieve all things that are required for life and godliness>2 Pet. 1:3; *be strengthened>Col 1:11; *get deliverance from the kingdom of darkness>Col 1:13; *get what you ask for in prayer>Mk.11:24; *have ALL of your financial needs met>Phil 4:18-19; *take dominion over the kingdom of darkness>Luke 10:19; *live in protection>Duet. 28:6. These blessings, distributed through wisdom, the power of God, and faith in His word, will come upon us as we align ourself with His will and His way of doing things>Deut. 28. Hebrews 10 and 11 covers faith in God and the power available to us when we have faith. Even in death and difficulty, faith produces evidence of God's goodness and His glory for His people. Our responsibility is to develop a hearing ear for the voice of the Lord, yield to the Holy Spirit's leading through obedience to His voice and knowledge of His word (study wisdom in the Proverbs), and then watch God do wonders and miracles in your life. We must remain faithful and patient to see God's will fulfilled in our life>Heb. 6:12. We will then be able to testify of His faithfulness and goodness>Heb. 10:34-39. The Lord promises that He will bless the righteous (justified)>Ps 5:12. He will never forsake the righteous (those in right standing with Him)>Ps 37:25. He will not forsake those who seek Him>Ps 9:10. *We will overcome the world and we are justified by faith>1 Jn 5:4. God is good. God is love. He cares for us and He wishes that we all expeience His goodness and a loving Father would.

Attacks on every hand!

2010-05-29T09:41:00.001-07:00

As we celebrate Memorial Day and remember the military men and women who died for our freedom, I honor them and am truly grateful. Their enemies attacked and for whatever reason, they died, but for a good cause. When I hear of friendly fire, or stupid mistakes made by the soldiers or their leaders, I am sickened to hear of soldier's deaths as a result. Why is it that so many Christians today are being attacked like I've never seen before? Many times I hear of their fall and am sickened. We are in a spiritual war and God promises in His Word that we will ultimately win, but the battle at hand is heated and many Chrisitians are being attacked with sickness, calamity, divorce, and temptation beyond their overcoming. The devil and his cohorts are bringing many down to despair and sometimes death (spiritual and or physical). He works to discredit God's character and the validity of His Word. It's especially hard when it happens to those we know personally. Hope and faith are being attacked. It seems unfair because it happens to really wonderful and amazing people. There may be some of you who disagree with me, but there are reasons why the enemy of our soul has power over Christians although God's word tells us He has no power over us>(My next blog will cover our power in Christ). Here are a few Biblical reasons that reveal HOW the enemy takes every opportunity to bring God's people down: #1. Ignorance-My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6 (*a study on Godly knowledge is highly recommended). For example, I was unpacking a new flag that I bought and I couldn't see how to attach it to the pole. The screws that were needed were transparent and had I not gone back to the instructions, I wouldn't have known that all of the parts were there. The flag kit would have appeared to be missing something, making the statement that all of the parts were included, appear to be untrue. This happens to Christians when they don't know that God has given us everything we need to be blessed and victorious in this life. It's in His word! #2. Imperfect faith-our faith will not be perfect until we are with Him in Heaven. At times we may not have faith for a victory. We must admit this. God's word is perfect. His promises are true. That is why we don't recieve all that He has promised us. His word says that with faith in God, we can receive anything from Him>Jesus said, "do not doubt...have faith...and you will receive..."a doubtful man doesn't receive anything from the Lord (Matt 21:21-22). We must encourage one another to have faith in God! Faith in God comes from intimacy with Him and hearing His voice regarding your battle. #3. Fear-God has not given us a spirit of fear, BUT POWER... When the Holy Spirit comes in us, He brings power. If one doesn't know that they have powerful weapons, they won't be using them in a battle. I've heard how many of our soldiers in Iraq were lacking the weapons they needed to fight with. It was sickening to hear of their demise>Our weapons are powerful, use them! (2 Cor. 10:3-5) #4- Disobedience-(intentional or not) an act of disobedience can get us out of the glory and into the pit! Initially yielding to the Lord's will for our life is key. He is our Commander in Chief. Walking in the Spirit and being sensitive to His leading daily is our insurance. He protects us and leads us into all truth and into victory for His glory! In conclusion, the A. Paul gives us some advice for victory in this battle (1 Tim. 6:1-21 *Please read)>flee pride, lust, greed, conceit, strife, envy, and jealousy. Instead, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness of heart. Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. We are victorious through HIM!

Why should I feel discouraged?

2010-05-29T08:54:00.001-07:00

"Why should I feel discouraged?" This is a line from an old hymn that I love. Within this song are some keys to beating discouragement. We should apply these keys to our life when needed because discouragement has the power to destroy us! First of all, discouragement can easily lead to depression, which can lead to the lack of faith for a situation, that will put us on the path to hopelessness. I don't naturally get discouraged. I have a type A or an upbeat personality and rarely get down. But I do "get down" occasionally as everyone does. I know alot of people that have to deal with the "blues" quiet often. Sometimes it's physical, hormonal, chemical, demonic. But it is used by the devil, the enemy of our souls, to steal from us our joy, which is our strength>(Neh. 8:10). Without strength we are no longer able to withstand spiritual attacks. Don't you think we ought to put discouragement out of our life? The enemy uses discouragement to diminish our hope. He then goes on to steal our faith, and without faith, we are separated from God and therefore have no hope!>(Gal 2; Heb 10, 11; 1 Jn 5; Rom 4, 5; etc.) At the point of discouragement, we must brace ourselve up for a battle>(1 Pet 1:13). We then need to muster up the strength that we have and proceed to resist the devil>(James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9). We fight the fight of faith>(1 Tim 6:12). And WE WIN! Here is this song: Verse 1-"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely? And long for heaven's home. When Jesus is my portion>Heb. trans.-inheritance; belongeth to. My constant friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. Vs 2-Let not your heart be troubled. His tender word I hear. And resting on His goodness, I loose my doubts and fears. Tho' by the path He leadeth. But one step I may see. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Vs 3-Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise. When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies. I draw the closer to Him. From care He sets me free. His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches over me." The keys to remember: *Jesus is our portion (Ps 16:;5; 73:26; 119:57) ; *He is a constant friend as we listen to His tender words>(Jn 15:14-15); *Rest on His goodness>( Heb 4); *Draw close to Him>(James 4:8). The Lord expects us to take responsibility for our freedom from discouragement. He has made the way! Praise God for His loving watchful eyes and for all that He has done for us!

Lost....

2010-05-24T09:07:00.000-07:00

I am going to launch out and say something that might be taken offensively by some. I don't want to offend anyone, but the scriptures I'm going to share might offend you! I have noticed a trend lately that grieves me to the core of my heart and I believe grieves God also. It is the fact that so many are calling themselves Christians, and yet don't bear the fruit or the evidence of the Holy Spirit in their life. I'm not talking about a spiritually immature Chrisitian, but about those who are "running" after the things of this world instead of after God. Oh, they may go to church, and sing. They may even lift their hands in praise, and say an amen or two. But the book of Jude says that these people come into the body of Christ and corrupt it. They are deluded and are like clouds without rain, wild waves, hidden reefs, and damned to the gloom of eternal darkness forever. In Matt 16 Jesus warns of the "leaven of the Pharisees">the religious hypocrits of the day. This is the person who appears to be religious and yet their heart is far from God and they do not exhibit godly character. They continually exhibit worldliness and lack of Christian love. They are self-willed and bent on living for this temporal life. Jesus said that in order to be His disciple we must deny ourself, follow Him, and conform wholly to His example in living and also in dying if need be. It really hurts me for these people because they will someday wake up and realize that their life was for naught. It hurts me because I know God loves them so much, and yet they insist on going their own way, down a path of what appears to be spiritually security and yet it is the path to hell. I believe Jesus wants us to always love others, but I challenge you to first evaluate yourself with these things: 1. Do I love God more than anything? 2. Do I desire to do His will above all else? 3. Do I yield to God's love and the fruit of the Holy Spirit or do I preserve myself and not repent to others. 4. Do I murmer and complain or am I grateful and humble? 5. Do I live a "Christ-like life and exhibit a life of holiness? These are some clear ways to determine if we are on the right track. When in a situation where we witness a "cloud without water" or a "wild wave" type of person, here are some pointers on how I believe Jesus wants us to deal with it. 1. Pray for that person. 2. Always be merciful and caring, yet without compromise. 3. Speak the truth in love boldly regarding their sinfulness, as the Lord leads. 4. Don't fellowship with them or spend "quality" time with them because it is better to spend some time with an unbeliever and try to win them to the Lord. Years ago, someone I know and am very close to, was obviously a hypocrit. She was claiming to be saved. She was a Founder's member of the 700 Club (sent $1000.00 a month as an offering to CBN), read and studied the Bible every day and yet was an alcoholic, a bartender, and her boyfriend was married to another woman!! Come on...what's wrong with this picture??? Whenever I got the chance, I challenged her with the gospel truths regarding her lifestyle. She knew that I loved her, and after a year or two, she committed her whole life to the Lord. She really changed. She became totally focused on finding God's plan for her life, and has a ministry today! I know that my constant love with speaking the truth helped her. I would tell her that she can't call herself a Christian and live like she was. By God's grace she finally understood that. She also attributes watching Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland's show helpful too! Thank the Lord for His mercy, love, and preachers!! We need to preach the truth and challenge others to "live up" to the title so that the Word of God is not blasphemed>Titus 2. Thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for your pure and dedicated life. Stay close to Him, reach out in love, and preach the Word!

So That We Can Be Blessed!

2010-05-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful that the Word of God gives us specifics re: the blessings alotted to His children. But, they are optional based upon hearing God and prompt obedience. I know that there are alot of Christian people that will disagree with me on that. There is a common misconception that God is Sovereign and what will be, will be. From what I have gathered in exhaustively studying the word of God on the subject of faith and provision, I've found that all of God's blessings hinge upon the choices we make. The reasons why some seemingly wonderful Christians have such a difficult time in life will only be revealed in heaven. It is not for us to judge others, but to love and encourage them because we don't have all of the answers to the "why's" in all of their situations. Nevertheless, we are to judge everything with regards to the Word of God for our own benefit. This is so that we may comprehend and appreciate the gifts bestowed on us by God>so that we can recieve the wisdom of God for our glorification> so that we can experience what eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor can be imagined. These are the things God has prepared FOR:those who love Him (who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed)>and so that we can have the mind of Christ, (That is to think like Him and do things His way>2 Cor. 2:1-17 Amp version). I know some Christians who are in the thick of despair and yet still seem to have joy, the peace of God, and possess their faith. Jesus likes this, but He also requires this for victory! In Luke 18:1-8, He told a parable to the effect that people always ought to pray and not give up. He talked about a widow that kept coming to the judge asking Him to defend her. Jesus said to listen to what the judge said. The judge decided to defend her because she essentially had persistent faith. Jesus then asked if He would find persistent faith like this on the earth when He comes back. This is the most important thing when encountering trials and temptations>keeping the faith. We must also have His peace and joy regardless of our circumstances>2 Thess. 3:16 Amp. ( FYI: I continually stand on the promises of God. I confess and meditate on His promises everyday, off and on all day.) Another misconception is the idea that "salvation is free". The literal Greek translation for "free gift of salvation" in the scriptures is a favor granted in kindness, it is a grant, a pardon that we can accept with terms. Jesus said that we must take up our cross and follow Him to be His disciple>Luke 14:26. Nothing of value is free. Salvation requires agreement to God's offer with faith and obedience. It requires death to self will and a lifetime committment to His plan. Our salvation costs us everything and yet it's invaluable. Life is not perfect in this world and neither will we be, but we can be victorious and glorify God when we experience His goodness and faithfulness. I study the subject of God's blessings profusely! I am fully aware of them and I daily rely on God to make these promises available to me and my family! God wants us to remember His covenant. He wants us to know it and then to keep it>(do a study on the covenant of God that He has with His people). I lived under the pressures and the curses of the devil for too many years. I now rejoice in God's provision for an abundant and blessed life for me, my children, and my children's children (if the Lord tarries!). I fully expect the blessings of God to abound in our family now and in the generations to come for the glory of God! I know that this life will never be perfect, but I am going for the gold! I am hoping to recieve all that the Lord Jesus has done for me through His suffering and death on the cross. Now I can recieve all of the benefits due to a child of the Most High God, and you can too! Hopefully I've inspired you to rise to the next level of knowledge and expectancy re: the rich blessings of our heavenly Father. The key is to be committed to God forever! Then we must endeavor to always have faith and hope. Keep your head up and your eyes on Him. He won't disappoint even though you go through tough times. It will all turn out right>Rom 8:28. I have never seen the righteous forsaken (Ps 37:25). After 30 or so years of relying on Him, I tell you, you can count on Him and I am here to vouch for that! A MUST READ: Hebrews 6:11-20

The Garden of Our Mind

2010-05-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

I love gardens. I love the beautiful flowers. I love the delicious vegetables. Guess what! I don't love the work it takes to have a wonderful garden, but the payback is huge and well worth the effort. Even as a natural garden is planted and designed for beauty, so our mind, like a garden, was designed for beauty. If we work the fertile ground of our mind God's way, then it will be a beautiful thing, with delectable fruit for all to behold and partake of. Whatever we do with our mind is evident to all>Prov 23:7 "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." With stress, pressures, and thoughts coming at us in this information age like a machine gun, we need to know that God's way of dealing with it all is our only true consolation. It's awfully weedy out there and those weeds are aggressive and strong! We can take pills (only a temporary fix), cling to a therapist or barrage our family and friends (don't get me wrong, we do need to talk to someone sometimes), but God has given us some keys to success in keeping our mind beautiful. In Ps. 131 we see the exhortation to quiet ourself like a weaned child: "...surely I have calmed and quieted my soul (mind) like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me (ceased fretting). In 2 Cor 10:5>We then see the A. Paul saying to take every thought captive to Christ and focus on Him. Phil 4:8-9 says to only allow yourself to think on good things. That's not to stick your head in the sand and deny the occasional ugliness of reality. But, it's to essentially have faith and hope in every situation. Thoughts are tools that we are to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They are to be used as we so choose for the glory of God. Are our thoughts glorifying God? The thought life is private and hidden from view initially. But, our prominent thoughts will eventually be seen by others. Our thoughts are seeds that become plants. The bad thoughts must be plucked up and rooted out, and the good thoughts must be nurtured and cared for continuously, like in a garden. The fruit from the garden of our mind can be so so, contorted and twisted( I had weird deformed cukes one time...Uck!), wilted, dead, or beautiful to behold. It's a fact, the garden of our mind will bear fruit in our life evidenced by blessing or cursing. In John 14:27, Jesus says not to allow ourselves to be anxious or troubled with cares. In Matt 6:25 (Amp), He says emphatically to stop being uneasy about our life. We've been given a mind, and we've been given the responsibility to care for our mind. As we do, it will serve us well. In Gen. 6:5-6, God said that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually, that He was grieved in His heart, and He regretted making man. What do we do with this dilemma? If we go with God's remedy for the evil condition of our heart, we will be pleasing to Him! I want to please Him! God's remedy> #1.) Eph 4:22-24>Forget your former nature and manner of life, corrupted through lusts>put on the new (God's) nature and be constantly renewed in your mind, by the washing of the water of the Word> Eph 5:26 (get brain washed!). #2.) Rom.12:2>Don't conform to the world's social and moral standards, BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind, THAT you may prove what the perfect will of God is. #3.) 1 Pet. 1:13> Brace up your mind and be sober or discreet and guarded. #4.) James 4:8>Come close to God and let Him purify your mind. I am so very grateful that my Father in Heaven wants me to be His child and wants to help me become more like Him because He is perfect and wonderful! It's my heart's desire to be more like Him everyday! It is His desire to bless us with an abundant life>Jn10:10-11, Jesus said that He came so those who trust in Him will have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance or to the full. He is the good Shepherd. I always thought as I grew up in church that most Christians were miserable and struggling. This passage now makes sense of it all! Trust Him! Love Him! Stick with Him! It will be worth it all!

God Works in Mysterious Ways

2010-05-01T07:56:00.001-07:00

Have you heard this before? God does things in ways we don't understand sometimes. Some of the spiritual principles found in the Word of God can confound and confuse, but God wants us to be familiar with the way He works so that we can conform to His way of doing things and accomplish His will here on earth as it is in Heaven. It's like trying to get a one year old to understand why it's dangerous to play in the road. We just have to accept the fact that Father knows best! That's faith! Mic. 4:2 suggests we go to the house of the Lord so He can teach us His ways because in Hos 14:9 we find that the ways of the Lord are right! And in Is 55:8-9 God says that His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts, (unless of course, we have the mind of Christ>1 Co. 2:16 Amp. Here are some principles of what has been called "the upside down kingdom" #1. Jesus says to give and then it will be given to you>Luke 6:38 #2.Be a servant and then you will be the greatest!>Matt 23:11. #3. Be humble and then He will exalt you> 1 Pet 5:6 #4. Believe and hope for what you do not see regardless of the circumstances and then you will see what you hope for!>Heb 11:1 #5. Seek God's kingdom, a right standing with Him and His way of doing things first before material things, and then you'll get everything you need.> Matt 6:33 #6.Lose your life for the Gospel's sake and then you will save your life!>Mark 8:35... And that's just to name a few. Rather than clawing your way to the top of the ladder, stressing out, killing yourself (or somebody else,Ha!), God says essentially to not worry, trust and obey, prefer others over yourself, and He will take good care of you! Prov 3:5 exhorts us to trust in and lean on the Lord with all of our heart and not rely upon our own understanding. His Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom! We will live for eternity and the fruit of our faith will be rewarded eternally>Heb 10:35-39. Our faithfulness and obedience will be rewarded in this life too>Matt 10:29-30. This passage is "what I'm talkin' about"-*Rom 11;33-34 "OH THE DEPTH OF THE RICHES AND WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD! HOW UNFATHOMABLE ARE HIS JUDGEMENTS AND UNTRACEABLE HIS MYSTERIOUS WAYS. For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has ever been His counselor?...For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. TO HIM BE GLORY FOREVER! Amen." My prayer: Show me Thy ways O Lord, and teach me Thy paths.

Stumbling Stones

2010-05-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you today a great concern that I have in my heart. It is the fact that there are people in this world who make it their mission in life to defile and corrupt others. Jesus addresses this subject in Matthew. He speaks harshly of those who make others stumble and sin. In Matt. 18:1-7, He talks about children in their innocense and how He admires their trust. He also mentions that it is important to care for them. He says that the way we treat them, is how we are treating Him. He takes it personally! In vs 7, He then mentions the fact that it is inevidable for temptations to come in this world, BUT WOE to those people by whom they come. He says that, (vs 6)>It would be better for this person who tempts and corrupts "little ones", to "have a great millstone hung around his neck and be sunk to the bottom of the sea". Wow! Jesus sounded angry! (A righteous anger.) I am reminded of a friend's son who was corrupted by their neighbor. The man would invite the 12 year old over to their garage, give him alcohol to drink, and Lord knows what else, year after year. Now the son is grown and has a very sad life. He has a son out of wedlock, involvement in drugs and heavy drinking, the mother of his child is in prison, and you might can imagine what his life is like. What happened? I know that instead of a godly influence, the "devil in disguise" defiled him, and he then made poor choices because of the evil baggage he carries. It really breaks my heart because he is such a good-looking guy, smart, and from a well-off family. He certainly "had it all" from the world's point of view. BUT, no one took the time to regularly impart God's love and godliness to him like the neighbor who made the concerted effort to impart evil. Could a godly influence have made all the difference. I think so. I saw him recently, before "all hell" broke out in his family. I felt that the Lord wanted me to speak strongly to him to do things God's way and that he would be blessed. As I was speaking to him I wondered if I was getting too strong and personal with him, but I was deeply concerned in my spirit. He agreed with me and yet didn't take the necessary action to follow the Lord. It almost seemed too late. Well, soon there after it was. Major damage came into his life that will never be completely redeemed in this world. I want to strongly exhort all who read this blog to take time to be God's love and hand extended to the young, the innocent, and the babes in Christ. If we are not kind, reaching out and caring, then I believe that we will be held responsible to some degree. Consider the heart of our Shepherd> in Matt. 18:11-14, we see that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost." He says that it is not His will that any would be lost or perish. We prove our love for the Lord by reaching out to others with His heart of love. Kindness and caring go a long, long way in encouraging others to follow Him. Love is more powerful than evil! Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). We will never fail as we allow the love of the Lord to flow through our lives. Let that be our mission. This is my prayer: Forgive me Lord where I may have caused someone to stumble in some way. Please help me to love and reach out to others as You want me to. I want to make a difference in someone's life for good! Thank You for Your mercy and for Your grace that enables me to be a blessing to others!

GPS

2010-04-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

I have gone on a few trips in the car this past week to Tampa. I was fortunate enough to be able to experience looking for my destinations with a GPS>global positioning system. I don't know how in the world I ever found myself around in a strange town without it before or for that matter, found my way home! I began to think about what a blessing the GPS is! Although at times while I was following the directions the lovely lady on the GPS was giving me, I became panicky! It really didn't make sense to me that I should follow her directions at that point. It looked like to me, and it was a matter of fact, that I was going in the opposite direction of my destination. I hung in there... low and behold...I arrived at my destination! The GPS knew of detours, one way streets and ramps that I did not know of. Immediately the Holy Spirit revealed to me this fact>when God leads us in a certain direction, and it doesn't look like the direction we think is right, we then tend to look at the circumstances and panic. Rather than trusting God's ability and knowledge to get us to where we should go, we are tempted to take matters into our own hands and stop or veer off course. God works in ways that we naturally do not>Is.55:8-9, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways, says the Lord...". Since God loves us, has all knowledge and wisdom, and we have limited knowledge and wisdom, shouldn't we have enough sense to know that we need the HSGPS (Holy Spirit Global Positioning System)? We may not get to our heavenly home without it! And if we do, it may be a laborious and frustrating journey. In my next posting, I will reveal some of the different ways God works. This knowledge encourages us in times of confusion when we need direction and the circumstances don't "line-up". In Haggai 1, the prophet of the Lord was rebuking the people of God for doing things their way rather than His. As the story progressed after evaluating their situation, they repented, followed the Lord's directions, and were encouraged by the prophet with these words>Hag.1:13 "...I am with you says the Lord". Isn't this the most important thing in the world? The Lord's presence and goodness will be with us as we follow Him. In Ex. 33:14-15, the Lord told Moses that His presence would go with him and He would give him rest. Moses then said to the Lord, "If your presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here." In other words, Moses asked God to not allow them to go ahead without His desired direction. Let this be our prayer and passion>God, keep us with You! Don't allow us to indiscriminately or intentionally live our life without You! You are our everything! Be our Commander, Master, Lord, and God!

Our Only Obligation

2010-04-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our only obligation is to love. The 1st commandment is to love God-(Matt. 22:37). The 2nd commandment is to love others-(Matt 22:39). Love is the anchor of our soul. The anchor that holds us close to the Lord. It's the plumbline that keeps us lined up with God. Love is the guard that keeps us on the narrow way, the level that keeps us "on the level". Anyway, why is it that so many Christians obviously do not realize this? Why is it that I haven't realized the importance of love as much as I have in the past few years? I didn't focus on love for approximately 30 years of my Christianity. I've focused on different things off and on throughout the years such as ministry, gifts of the Spirit, evangelism, Bible study, etc. None are as vital as love. At times I would remember reading 1 Cor. 13 and casually thinking that I should be more loving. I even would pray at times for God to help me love others more. Well, I now realize that out of my love for God and personally experiencing His love, I am able to truly love others. I want to suggest to you that we are not taught enough to love and submit to the fact that without love in our hearts and life...we are NOTHING or a USELESS NOBODY (1 Cor. 2). These are very strong words. Is all that we do in vain if we are not motivated by the true love of God? Now let's look at Rom 13:10>it says that "love does NO WRONG to others. We are not obligated to like everybody. We are not obligated to live our life for everybody else (only for God). But, if we ever wrong someone or cause harm to them, we are not acting in love. I believe that covers bodily harm, neglect when it is in our power to care for someone truly in need> (ex.-the "good Samaritan"), emotional abuse and insensitivity, not speaking the truth (in LOVE) to someone who really needs to hear it, being gentle, kind and caring, just to cover a few characteristics of love. 1 Cor. 13 is an overview of what God's authentic kind of love looks like. I think we Christians need to meditate on 1 Cor. 13 regularly. We do not naturally walk in love as we ought. In John 15 we find that if we don't abide in the Lord and His love, then (vs 6) we are considered withered, dead, and will be gathered up to be thrown into the fire. (You determine what He means by that!). Thank the Lord, (vs2), He will prune us as needed. Just don't refuse His pruning work. The alternative isn't pretty. That's why I'm soooo glad He loves me, and that He disciplines me. One of my first memory verses was Heb. 12:11, "No discipline for the moment brings joy, but seems grievious and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Vs 8 says that you are a child of God only if you are being disciplined by Him. Welcome His love and discipline. And rejoice in the fact that He loves us enough to change us! Make it your priority to let Him reduce you to love>the only thing that will count!

The Evil of Dead Works

2010-04-18T18:50:00.001-07:00

To continue on the last posting, I want to touch on the subject of how one falls from grace (Gal. 5). It's by seeking justification in religiosity (the Law and dead works) as opposed to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (which is daily walking in the Spirit, and submitting to God's will>Gal. 3). First of all, I believe that the temptations Christians face today are the same in nature as the temptations all Christians have faced from the beginning of Christendom. But, there is a difference and that is the temptations come in contemporary forms. It's one of the saddest things in the world when a gifted Christian becomes prey to pride, bringing self-deception, and they fall from grace into an irreversible pit of darkness and destruction. One of the pitfalls that I believe take many wonderful men and women of God down from grace is the grasping of a ministry and recongnition. In our world today people idolize movie stars, rock stars, politicians, etc. In the Christian world, we have the same sin of idolatry. Many Christians lust for spiritual positions where people will look up to them and this is creating in many a lust for recognition. If the recognition is not found, this becomes their ambition. If it is found, then the temptation for pride and self-righteousness raises it's ugly head. The evidence is striving and self-promotion. Ps 75:6 says in essence that God promotes and lifts up. We don't always understand why we don't get promoted or honored when others do. One thing I've noticed is that when I think I need to be promoted and am not, and if I can't be honestly happy for the one that has been, then I am committing the sin of jealousy and envy. (James 3:16) This is EVIL! I am not humble and therefore God will resist me>1 Pet. 5:5-6. Jesus said that the greatest in the kingdom of God will be a servant>Matt 18;23. And the wisdom from God that prepares you for promotion is evident by peacefulness, one being courteous, yielding to reason, full of compassion and good fruits, impartial, sincere, agreeable, harmonious with others, undisturbed, free from fear and moral conflicts>James 3:17-18. I challenge you and myself today to hold true to these things: stay humble by always being a servant, check thoughts and motivations. I want God's recognition, even if that means that's all the recoginition I may ever get.

What about the Pigmys in Africa?

2010-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

This question comes up so often when I am sharing the gospel on college campuses. Faith in Christ Jesus is trusting in, and relying on Jesus alone for salvation>Acts 4:12. In Romans 10 we see clearly and specifically the answers to this dilemma. The A. Paul clearly points out to us in this chapter that, #1. It is necessary for believers to preach the good news of the gospel to all people so that they can (if they choose to) hear, have faith, and get saved>(vs. 5-7, 13-15,17). #2. Because the Jew (and anybody else) who doesn't have their righteousness (the means of salvation) found in God through Christ Jesus, will not be saved>(vs 1-4). #3. And for the ones who have not heard the gospel? Well, according to Ps. 19:1-4 and Rom 10:17-18 (AMP version), all have heard the gospel already through nature>"...Have they not heard? Indeed they have; for the scripture says, Their voice (that of nature bearing God's message) has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the far bounds of the world." So, the preaching of the gospel is just one more effort God uses to reach out in hopes that people will respond to His love and give their heart and life to Him. Even "Christians" in error and with great effort, try to establish their righteousness through their own good works. It won't happen! Rom. 9:31-33 declares that like the Jews, pursuing a right standing with God, without faith in Christ, will make one fall short and not attain salvation. No religion in the world will accomplish the task of providing salvation. It's through a personal relationship with Christ alone. I hope that on the day I stand before the Lord, I will hear Him say, "Enter in thou good and faithful servant!">Matt. 24;25> When we all stand before Him, He will not be tallying our works, but will measure whether we have been good>(Greek-valuable; virtuous), and faithful>(Grk.-trustworthy) servants. This takes relying on a personal relationship with Jesus in which He will provide the knowledge of His will for our lives. We then must be obedient. There will be those who will know God's plan, but will reject it>Rom 10:19-21. God forbid we be unyielding, disobedient, and self-willed (vs21). Please read all of Col.1. > I pray "that you may be filled with the full knowledge of His will...that you may walk in a manner that is worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him in all things...bearing good (valuable) fruit in works, steadily growing and increasing in the knowledge of God...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints...the riches of the glory of this mystery which is Christ in you, the Hope of glory...Him we preach and proclaim...and for this I labor, striving with all superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me."

Stifle the Destroyer and Enable the Power

2010-04-12T09:01:00.001-07:00

Every thought that goes through our mind must be scrutinized and dealt with (2 Cor.10:5). Our life depends on it! Most of my Christian life I have been strong in faith and rather postitive about the future, always thinking that in Christ, everything will be wonderful! Well, it's not at times. In this world we will encounter tribulation >Jn 16:33. But, we will be seated with Christ in Heaven IF we overcome in this world>Rev.3:21. Included in our tribulations are hurtful people, disillusionment, and disappointment. But God has made a way for us to walk in love and trust without the worry of being taken advantage of. We are assured of blessing, deliverance, and victory! Fear is not based on fact >God's promises, but on anticipation of an ultimate negative outcome. This perspective is rooted in mistrusting God. On the contrary, faith in God says that He will take care of us. Now watch out! Fearful thoughts tend to proliferate. They reproduce themselves and before long they are invading our lives by stealing our peace. They adversely affect our decisions and esp. our relationship with God and others. 1 Cor.13:7 & 1 Jn.4:18 says, "God's perfect love casts out ALL fear." A spirit of fear isn't of God, BUT He gives us POWER to overcome. He gives us LOVE pervading every area of our lives. And He gives us a SOUND MIND so we won't go insane>(2 Tim. 1:7). I have decided (again for the approx. 100th time) that it is not foolish to trust God! He is well aware of every motive, action, and intention we all have. He is involved in every detail of our lives. (That is IF we want Him to be and IF we obey Him.) It is not stupid to trust God and walk in love. On the contrary, it is wise. Don't be thrown off by disenchantment. Life happens! God is challenging me to live in a deeper level of His love and trust. Therefore I am becoming wiser. Wisdom says to do things God's way and He will care for you. It says relax, don't worry, be happy, God's in control! Wisdom says to go to God, hear from Him, obey Him and He will work it all out for your good and His glory. Rom. 8:27-28 says that the Holy Spirit searches hearts, intercedes for us, and we should be assured that God is working all things together in His plans for good to and for those who love Him and are called according to His design and purpose. When we depend on Him, He always comes through! But, don't forget>LOVE is the enabler. Enable Him to work on your behalf. He will!

Issues, Issues, Issues

2010-04-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

It seems like every time I turn around, I hear about Christians having "issues". In other words, so many Christians I know are having problems and the problems are getting the best of them. They are not overcoming, but succumbing to them and doing things that don't please God or that would make for a better outcome. I was sharing a sad and grievious story with a friend about a family we know who once had major issues (as most of us have). They got saved and seemed to be doing great for years. Sadly to say, the family has fallen apart and are experiencing some terrible and traumatic situations resulting from poor choices. I knew of problems the family had been having all along, but I assumed that they were working through them. Things seemed to continually go down hill these past few years. As I shared the story, I aknowledged the fact that we all have issues! The difference is, those of us who work through our problems with resolve in the power of the Lord, will overcome them and will bring glory to God. I'm sure that there is yet hope for them, but not without devastating consequences. In Rom. 8:24-28 the Apostle Paul speaks of hope. Hope is when you desire to see something happen that hasn't happened yet. He exhorts us to hope in God and to wait for His help with patience and composure (tranquility). That means we don't take matters into our own hands. That means that we cooperate with the Holy Spirit. With His help, we are assured and know that all things work together for good to and for those who love God and are called according to His design and purpose. The problem lies in the heart. We will all encounter trials and tribulations, but how we handle them determines the outcome. 2 Pet.1:1-10 gives us an indepth look into how we can overcome the corruption (ruin; destruction) that is in the world. Please read this passage and meditate on it. Not just for your own sake, but for the sake of others also. This is a treasure chest of God's gold, and it can be yours for the taking!

God Weeps?

2010-04-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad that our heavenly Father loved us so much, He gave His Son to suffer and die for us. I can't imagine how awful it would be to witness the torture and death of your child. Although it happens often in some parts of the world, the fact that the Most High God had to endure this, is beyond belief. But I am so grateful that He did. This past week as I did my study out of the Beth Moore, "Breaking Free" book, I saw in week 3 a verse that I've never noticed before. She asked a question,"What did God say would happen if His people, due to pride, did not listen to Him?" The reference is in Jeremiah 13:17>it says that God will weep in secret for us bitterly, because the Lord's flock is taken captive. Have you ever thought about the fact that God has emotions? His emotions are not always positive or happy! I've never thought about God going off in secret and crying bitter tears. And it is because His beloved, but (sometimes) stupid children, get taken into captivity by obstinance and disobedience. It truly broke my heart to get a glimpse of how our precious and loving Father in Heaven weeps for His children when we don't listen to Him and we get into trouble. I hope and pray that during this Easter season, we His children, will be aware of the fact that Jesus and our Father paid the ultimate price for our freedom from stupidity and the tendency to sin. He has made a way for us to be good children and be able to bless Him! He so wants to bless us and take care of us, but we must be obedient. Let's make Him happy and not sad. Col. 1:22-23 (Amp.) says that the Messiah reconciled us to God through His death, in order to present us holy and faultless and irreproachable in His presence; and this will He do provided we stay with Him and in faith, well-grounded, settled and steadfast in the hope of the gospel. Have a blessed Easter rejoicing in the fact that as we hope in Him and obey Him, we are pleasing to Him and we are making Him happy! He's happy when we are blessed! And we'll be blessed as we obey Him. I love Him so! Please read Eph. 1:16-23. This is my prayer for you!

Finally Surrender

2010-03-28T05:35:00.000-07:00

I do the computer on Friday at Victory Friday Nites (our campus ministry). A worship song being sung was titled "Finally Surrender". As we sang it over and over, I didn't realize that I would be waking up the next morning with it playing over and over in my head. As I began to think about this phrase, the depth and truth of it was revealed to me in a deeper way. I thought that I had surrendered all to the Lord 32 years ago. I guess I did to the best of my knowledge, but I am seeing surrender in a new light contiunually. It is an initial decision, but is also a future, moment by moment choice. It's taking up my cross everyday because I want to be His disciple and because each new day our decision will be challenged. Jesus addresses surrender in this story of the rich young man(Matt. 19:16-30). The man was asking Jesus what deed He must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus answered not with a particular deed, but with a total lifetime committment challenge to follow Him. Jesus said that to "enter into life eternal one must continually keep the Ten Commandments. The man replied that he had kept the 10 from his youth and yet the man acknowledged that he still lacked. I believe Jesus was getting the man to the place where he could see that a "good" life is not enough. Eternal life is becoming His disciple and walking with Him daily. We must be in a perpetual state of FINAL SURRENDER.
Sometimes I find that I am happy with being a "good"person for a period of time. I then notice that I miss the Lord. I miss the evidence of His presence. I love His presence. I love it when He walks with me and talks with me. Surrender makes Him prominent in our life. The "10" naturally happens when we continually walk with Him, but we experience satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with final surrender. In Phil 3:10 A. Paul said, "For this is my determined purpose that I may know Him, that I may become progressively more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person..." On this Palm Sunday, let's follow Him, praising Him and adoring Him. But, let's keep following Him all the way to the cross. This is eternal life, that I may know Him. (1 Jn. 5:11) ...God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has this life..." I want this life forever! How about you?

The strangest thing happened on the way to the...

2010-03-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

I had a strange thing happen to me yesterday. I cut my hand with a tin can lid. As I picked it up off of the counter, I dropped it in the sink, grabbed it, and it sliced my hand. Five stitches later, I thanked the Lord that I didn't have to go to emergency surgery at the hospital. It was a miracle the tendon wasn't cut. Just before that happened, I slipped on some water and fell flat in the pantry. Sounds almost like the Three Stooges! What is happening Lord? As I prayed and searched my heart, the Lord reminded me of my state of mind at that time. I was hurried, frustrated, and complaining in my mind about all the stuff I need to do re: house work, working-out, etc. This is a weakness for me>stress. I am in that state before I know it sometimes. I am being humble and confessing this to you and to the Lord so you can pray for me, I'll be healed, and I can repent (James 5:16). After my vacation, I noticed a temptation to get back into the grind. The Lord showed me this AM, 3-things that I need to remember in order to get the victory. 1.)Humble myself and put Him first each day, all day! (1 Jn 1:7-10 Acknowledge my sin and be cleansed;1 Pet. 5:6-9 Humble myself, cast my care on Him, be well balanced, and withstand the enemy) 2.)Be on guard against temptations and weaknesses. (Eph. 6:10-18 Be strong in the Lord, put on God's armor, resist in the evil day,stand your ground, pray at all times.) 3.)Walk in rest, peace,love, and joy. (Gal 5:22-25 the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...) In conclusion, I was tempted to worry that I am such an idiot, what's going to happen to me next time? God please help me! I need deliverance! As I sought Him, He led me to these precious promises: A)Ps.138:6-8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. He respects the lowly. B)In the Psalm of David 141:1-5;8-10 he asks of the Lord, "...Set a guard, OLord, before my mouth...incline my heart not to consent to any evil thing...let the righteous man correct me, it is a kindness>oil so choice let not my head refuse it...in You do I take refuge and trust...keep me from the trap they have laid for me...while I escape." If God did it for K. David, He will care for me in this way.

Oh. How He loves me so!

2010-03-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

I was in the Carribean last week with my daughter. When I got back I found that my computor was down. Well, I am now back in the swing of things. God proved to me over and over on our trip how much He loves me and how good He is. Along with the many blessings, His presence was so real and amazing it brings me to tears thinking about it. In church yesterday we sang a song that repeats quiet often, "Oh, how He loves me so...". This song is not a direct worshipful song that I am use to. I normally gravitate to songs that tell God how much I love Him, and this song threw me when I first heard it. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I haven't even begun to fully grasp God's love for me. I don't think about His love for me as often as I should. I believe we will understand and accept His love for us more as we walk with Him and will continue to do so throughout eternity (Eph. 2,3 please read). I have heard John 3:16 maybe a million times in my life, but I will not even begin to grasp His multi-facetted love for me until I have personally experienced it in my everyday life. When I say multi-facetted I am speaking of all the aspects of His love such as discipline and correction (Heb. 12:6), as well as favor and blessing, and the awareness of His beautiful and strong presence. 1John 4:19 says, "We love Him because He first loved us." This passage reminds me of the fact that He initially reached out to me and I then became His daughter. As a good daughter I don't want to ever take His love for granted. I will be forever grateful to Him and will prove to Him that His love is truly appreciated and received by doing everything I can to dote over Him and be obedient in what He would like for me to do. In Jude 21 we are exhorted to "Guard and keep ourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ-which will bring you unto life eternal." This verse implies that keeping ourselves in the love of God will assure our eternity with Him. 1 Jn 4:15-16 says God is love and to be in God is to live in His love. What comfort! What joy! As it implied in Eph. 2, we can't earn His love. We get to accept it and enjoy it! Now I pray that (Eph 3:17-21 Amp. PLEASE READ) you may be rooted deep in and founded securely on LOVE. That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all of the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of LOVE. That you may know the LOVE of Christ through experience for yourself. Now unto Him be glory forever and ever!

Self-preservation vs Self-exaltation (Pt.2)

2010-03-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

It's godly when men want to know how to meet the needs of their wife. (and vice versa) This is an indication of a humble heart. Some men "get it", but many don't. It's the other way around too! We don't think alike. We don't have the same perspective on life, therefore we must make every effort to educate ourselves and then serve one another in love. This makes for a balanced and more complete couple (Eph 5:31>2=1). Many marriages end tragically in divorce for these reasons>"I don't love you anymore", or "he doesn't make me happpy", or something along these lines. God doesn't permit divorce and remarriage in this case (1 Cor. 7). The Bible gives clear instructions for marriage success (Eph 5:21-29). (Note: husbands look at your instructions and wives look at yours!) When one is in a situation where their mate doesn't "get it", or their friend, or their relative, etc., then that one can get supplemented in their relationship with God. No one should ever take God's first place filling our needs. No one will ever be able to fully accomplish this task. There are too many scriptures to list re: the fact that God wants to and should meet our every need. Putting God and His ways first sets us up for pleasant surprises along the way, not to mention eternal blessings. I'll call this GODLY SELF-PRESERVATION or GSP. When we look for someone or something to fulfill us rather than God, we are setting ourselves up for a let down. I'll call this FLESHLY SELF-PRESERVATION OR FSP. God wants to be our source (Phil.4:12), He wants us to focus our love on Him (Mk. 12:30), He wants us to serve Him by serving and loving others (Lk 10:27; Gal 5:13 AMP), and in God's love we are secure and satisfied in life and in our relationships (GSP). The reason we "can't get no satisfaction" is because we won't get it. It's our choice. God is there for us in every way we need Him (within the bounds of His Word). GSP says, "I must preserve my hope, joy, strength, and faith to the glory of God and for His purposes". FSP says, "I'm going to lose my mind if I don't..." or "I'm not going to take this!", "I don't deserve this!" Or something like, "I can't, I won't, or I hate...!" Who is the common denominator in this scenario? "I" or "it's all about me". And the attitude smells of flesh (Gal 5:16-17 ). It's human nature to preserve one's self, but we must take on a higher nature as Christians, God's nature. (*2 Peter 1:1-12 Amp). This passage is too long to type here but you must read it. I will bring out some of the highlights. "May grace and peace be multiplied to you...For His divine power has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that you may escape from the moral decay that is in the world...and become sharers in the divine nature...employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection...For IF these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep you...unto the knowledge of Jesus Christ...whoever lacks these qualities is blind...So I intend to remind you of these things, although you know them...". We must constantly remind ourselves of these things. We must encourage one another with these things. *2 Peter 1:11 encourages us with these words,"...Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you (who possess these qualities) entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." That's reassuring! We need to humble ourselves and trust that God's way works! We may not know in this lifetime all of the effects our decisions make, but certainly we will in the next. In conclusion, 1 John 3: 22 says, "...we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we obey His orders and (habitually) practice what is pleasing to Him." He loves us so much, and wants to bless us. We must let Him prove Himself to us. As we obey Him, we then see His faithfulness, we will receive a testimony for His glory, and we will overcome this world (Rev. 12:11) . We need to live it like we believe it! If we believe it, live it, then we will see it!

Hot Topic>Self-preservation or Self-exaltation (Part I)

2010-02-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

Self-preservation is the state in which a person takes measures to protect themself from harm or damage. In this day and time there seems to be a prevalent sense of self-exaltation being confused with self-preservation. Many times it comes when one is not being recognized or appreciated as they think they should be as opposed to delivering one's self from danger. I believe it started in the 60's with the "women's liberation" movement. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about, I will briefly explain. Women were encouraged to stand up and fight for their rights. (Rights are important.) They were encouraged to be strong. (That's great!) But when women are encouraged to fight for their rights and be strong in a spirit of rebellion, then it's wrong. As a pastor's wife, I have noticed through the years a real need to feel significant. I have also noticed feeling an overwhelming sense of obligation to make a difference in this world for the Lord. How much of this is of God and how much of this is self-acknowledgement? There seems to be a trend among many Chrisitan women these days developing their own ministries regardless of the support and oversight of godly authority. Another problem is the fact that the divorce rate among Christians is astronomical. Women are finding their independence, but how many of these Christian women are in error? When we submit to godly authority, God has an amazing way of honoring us and fulfilling our needs. We all have the need for significance. We all need love and appreciation. As we humble ourselves, God will honor us. After all, God's honor is what we should want above all. In light of Benny Hinn's wife filing for divorce and her ministry coming to light, I thought that this is something I must look at. We cannot set ourself up as judge because we are not. God only knows their personal issues and that is between them and God. I believe we must come to our own conclusion on this subject and to the best of our ability line ourself up with God's view point. In the next few posts, I will cover the Biblical stance on the subjects of divorce, women in ministry and submission. We then can make an assessment for ourselves so we can know what is required of us. We can only know for ourselves regarding the choices we must make in life. I am looking forward to delving into this hot topic! You can e-mail me for comments at redeconna@aol.com

Boldly draw near to God!

2010-02-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to God's throne of grace, that we may receive mercy from God and find timely help when we need it. This is so encouraging! I tend to try and fix things in my life and the life of others rather than approach God's throne and talk to Him about the situation. He is able, well able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I could ever ask or think!>(Ephesians 3:20). After all, He is a loving, merciful, and caring Father. Why do we feel that we must take the responsibility for so much when He wants us to cast ALL of our care on Him, because He cares for us! >(1 Peter 5:7 AMP-"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Psalms 55:22 holds a promise: Cast your burdens on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] AND He will sustain you; He will NEVER allow the consistently righteous to slip, fall, or fail. First of all, we must work on being consistent in our dependence on Him. Second, we must by faith believe that He wants us to cast all our cares on Him. And thirdly, we must trust Him to take the responsibility of our situation. So, run into His welcoming and well able arms. Be bold and He will prove Himself faithful.

THE Path of Peace

2010-02-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

In the midst of our chaotic and hectic lives, THE peace of God is available. Even we Christians (I'm preaching to myself too!) don't experience His peace like we could and should. This is because we aren't willing to evaluate and adjust our postion in life for going down that path. Yesterday I went to a funeral in Winter Haven. I got lost three times because of different distractions. I had the directions, but I kept missing turns. I eventually made it to my destination, but was a little late and a little frustrated. Rather than focusing on my path, I was entertaining phone calls, and involved in intense (but enjoyable) conversations with my sister who was with me. Well, I got pulled for (unknowingly) speeding. God and the officer was merciful but not the best scenario! In the big picture, life brings distractions and can cause us to veer off the right path causing frustration and a lack of peace. Psalms 91 reveals THE path that will keep us in God's will and thus in the blessed life of peace and lasting joy, bringing us to our destiny in Christ. #1. (Ps 1: 1-2) We must dwell or live in the secret place of the Most High making God our Refuge and fortress >(Heb.-strong place); I must lean on and trust Him (selah or think about that) #2. (Ps 91:14) We must set> (Heb.-apply, consider, look, regard, stay) our love> (Heb.-have a delight, to cling, join, desire) on Him . I don't need or want anymore "drama" in my life than is necessary! Is any necessary? When we are troubled, and we change our positon as necessary, and if we call upon Him, He will forgive, hear our prayer, and will answer us every time!>(Ps. 86:5-7)

Prisoner of Hope

2010-02-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

I found this passage in the Bible that really stood out to me. (Zechariah 9:11-12) "Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King comes to you...the war chariot, the war horse, and battle bow will be cut off and He (Jesus) shall speak the word and peace shall come to Jerusalem. As for you also, because of and for the sake of the covenant of the Lord with His people, sprinkled with covenant blood, imprisoned people are released out of the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold of security and prosperity YOU PRISONERS OF HOPE. Even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you!" Have you been experiencing the onslaught of the enemy lately? Has the war chariot and war horse with the battle bow been in your life lately? I told the Lord the other day that I need a break from troubles. Granted, what I have suffered is mild compared to what I have noticed others are dealing with, but there is a place of peace and prosperity for us. It's BECAUSE we have a blood covenant! Jesus speaks the word and we can breath easy! Iwould much rather be in a stronghold of peace and prosperity as opposed to a waterless pit! I'm hoping in God! I am depending on Him to speak the Word for me! He is faithful and I know that my hope will not be in vain. I now want to receive a double restoration of my former prosperity! (Psalm 40:1-3)>"I waited patiently for the Lord, He heard my cry. He drew me up out of a terrible pit and set my feet on a rock. And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and worship and put their trust in the Lord." I know that my hope in God, followed by His work in my life, will be seen by many and I will praise and glorify Him again and again!

No man is an island!

2010-02-06T07:26:00.000-08:00

I heard someone say the other day that they don't like church and they don't like church people, but they do love God. Well, I tried to explain that this can't be true! First of all, it is obvious that there are some issues involved with this statement. One, there could be hurts. Second, is that they are unwilling to obey God and only want Him on their terms. Thirdly, maybe they don't understand that the church is God's bride and imperfect as she may be, He loves her, died for her, and rejection of her alienates one from Him. The church is God's family and His means of changing us into the image of His Son, (which is His 0bjective and desire for us>Rom. 8:29; Rom.12). There are tons of scriptures and indepth teachings on this subject but I want to share this one passage with you today:Hebrews 10:23-25 (Amp)>"Let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish...let us give continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir one another up to love and helpful deeds, not forsaking to assemble together as is the habit of some, but admonish one another, all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching." The jewels in these verses are as follows: 1.church is vital 2. church members are to love and help one another 3. We are to encourage, admonish, and exhort each other to love and serve God faithfully 4. and...be faithful to be there (unlike some). You need church! Church needs you! I don't want to offend the Lord by despising His bride. Church is His family. Like families in this world, to be a successful blessed family, there needs to be alot of love, forgiveness and hope! Find the church He wants you in and obey Him! (Don't feel obligated to go to a certain church without His guidance and a Biblical format). And when you go to church gatherings, don't just attend, but love and serve. You need to get involved and develop realtionships. You will then be seizing, holding fast, cherishing, and retaining without wavering your hope! Your church family will be better for it! And you will too! And most of all, God will be pleased!

The Lord is our King! He will save us!

2010-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

I have been meditating on Isaiah 33 lately. Keys vital for victory and blessing are all through this chapter. Despite oppression of authority (be it government, employer, a family member, etc.) there is a place of refuge, vision, provision, joy, beauty, and power for the one who looks to God as Judge, Lawgiver, and King. In days like these, living with terror, financial instability, and many threats,we can live an exceptional life. (Vs 16-17)> there is a high place above it all (deliverance), a place of defense (protection), bread given and water given for sure (provision) , eyes to see the King in His beauty (intimacy with God), eyes to behold a vast land (vision and hope), and you will ask "where is he who terrorizes?"(power over the enemy). He is a great King! We are children of this great King! What a privilege. Think about that for a minute. (Ps 145:9-13)> "The Lord is good to all...Your loving ones shall bless You...they shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power, to make known to the sons of men God's mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations." Our lives can be a visible testimony of His invisible kingdom. (Ps 145:1-2)> "I will extol You, my God,O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Everyday will I bless You; yes I will praise Your name forever and ever." The Lord is our King. He will save us!! (Is 33:22)

God is Our Comfort

2010-01-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't been up to writing in this blog for the past few weeks because of eye surgery. It was a very stressful time for me. I had just written in the blog that we must smile at the future and little did I know what I was to face in the coming days. The doctor found that I was vulnerable to an eye stroke because of a genetic problem, and could have become blind very quickly. The doctor just happened to find the problem and was able to correct it. Thank You Lord! God took care of me. God will be there for us. Sometimes it seems He has abandoned us, but He helps and answers us in ways we don't always expect. At times I felt that my prayers and the prayers of others for me were going no where. My faith was tested. I began to seek Him with all of my heart (Ps 119:49-50 ...this is my comfort in my affliction, Your word has revived me and given me life). I began to calm myself and trust Him. I learned not to panic, but to rest in His love for me (Ps 116:1-10). I learned that I must not fear, He is with me. In Psalm 23 the psalmist says, "Yes, though I walk through the (deep, sunless) valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR NO EVIL, for You are with me. Your rod (to protect) and Your staff (to guide), they comfort me. God's word is a comfort. God is our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of the God,"Who comforts us in every trouble so that we may also be able to comfort those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted." That's a mouth full, but I hope as Paul hoped, that someone may gain comfort through the comfort the Lord has given me. My eyes are fine now. He is faithful to His word. Come Holy Spirit, my Comforter(John 14, 15,16). Comfort-to avenge; console; relief from distress; provides ease.

Smile at the Future

2010-01-02T05:52:00.000-08:00

This morning as I awoke, I began to think about the fact that it is the beginning of a new year. As I thought back on the previous one, I recalled many wonderful blessings that I am so very grateful to the Lord for. Then immediately I began to sense a feeling of dread and worry coming to me regarding this next year. Why does that happen to me? Why does it happen to anyone? I believe that it is a weakness for most people. There are a few gifted people in this world that just can't see things in any other light than "rosie". I will have to say that most of the time I am a postive person. I get excited about the fact that I have hope in God and in His promises. And yet, there is a devil in this world. Fear comes along telling me that somehow God won't be there for me this time. At that point God expects me to deal with the fear and choose to have faith! It is vital that I turn from the lies of the devil and to the promises of our faithful God. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear (of cowardice), BUT He has given us a spirit of power, and of love, and of a calm and well- balanced mind and self-control (Amp. version). I then directed myself to God's word and recalled Proverbs 31:25. This chapter is about the instruction King Lemuel recieved from his godly mother. Vs 1-9 she tells him to be righteous, not foolish, and to be helpful to those who are desolate and defenseless. She then goes on to explain what an intelligent and virtous woman is like (vs10-31). This woman is strong and secure (vs27). She rejoices over the future. Another translation says that she smiles at the future. I have reminded myself again, for the one thousandth time, to trust God. He is good (Ps 106:1). He has never failed me yet, nor will He ever (Heb.13:5)!

Wait!

2009-12-29T06:15:00.001-08:00

Before I start this new year off running, (trying to catch up with last year), I have decided that it would be advantageous for me to wait on God (duh!). Although I'm very familiar with Isaiah 40:28-31, as I view my goals for the coming year, I get in a "tizzy"! For those of you who don't understand, I get overwhelmed and anxious. On the one hand I get excited about accomplishing some goals, on the other, my mind works against my body and my body says, "I don't think so"! Before I know it, I have to slow down. My husband speaks of a phrase I need to remind myself of, "You can work smart or work hard". It means we should work hard, but not in vain. In vs 28, we're reminded that the Lord does not grow weary or faint and we don't know all He knows! We need to trust His all knowing wisdom. Vs 29 says that He gives power and increases strength. Vs 30-31 states that even young people become exhausted but that those who wait on the Lord get renewed strength and power. They will fly like an eagle, run and not grow weary,walk and not get tired. Wow! I need me some of that! Notice, as we wait for a while, then we go! He helps us and gives us direction. He works everything out for His glory and purposes (Romans 8:28). Please read Ephesians 1. This passage says it all! God bless you, and me, as we attempt to live for and glorify Him in this new year.

Bread of Heaven

2009-12-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

During the Christmas holidays while decorating and preparing for family to arrive, I was singing to myself the carol, "Breath of Heaven". Instead of singing "breath" I found myself singing "bread". The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "Jesus is the Bread of Heaven". I know that the Bible speaks of Him being the Bread of Heaven, but I want to understand better what that means. In John 6:51, Jesus said, "I am this living bread that came down from heaven". In John 6:48 He said, "I am the Bread of life...this is the Bread that came down from heaven...". In Jn. 6:22-35 Jesus addressed the fact that the people were wanting Him to perform a miracle. He said that God provided the miracle manna (or bread from heaven for daily food) in the wilderness for the Israelites, but now He is the daily provision. Because of His claim, the Jews were finding fault with Him. (Jn 6:53-60) Even His disciples were complaining about this concept. In vs 64, Jesus rebuked them. He told them to trust in Him, have faith, and to dwell continually with Him. If we do, He promises that we will have eternal life (6:54-58). He is our Portion (Heb.-allotment; inheritance; part). He is all we need. He should be our all in all. If we have Him, we have everything! In John 6:57 Jesus sums up the true meaning of this claim, "Just as the Living Father sent Me and I live by (through and because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me (whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me) shall live through and because of Me". What a great privilege! What hope, joy, and peace! Nothing else in this world compares!

The Season of Hope

2009-12-23T07:19:00.000-08:00

Everything about the Christmas story involves hope. Hope is a joyful and expectant outcome. It is heartening, being optomistic about the future, and encouraging. In Christ we have hope for our eternal home in heaven. We hope for God's promises. Yesterday I was meditating on hope, what it means Biblically, and this definition came to my mind. Hope is believing that your efforts and or someone elses' will make a difference for a favorable outcome in an unfavorable situation. God is faithful. What He says will happen, will! So many times I become disillusioned and disappointed when I am trusting God for a favorable outcome. Things begin to look like I'm not going to experience God's goodness. Many times I've found that I have had a preconcieved idea of what the outcome should be and I haven't trusted in His faithfulness to work it all out (Romans 8:28). I have jumped to erroneous conclusions. I then begin to fear, become angry, and frustrated. Why??? God has never failed me yet! Why do I, after 30 years of seeing His faithfulness over and over, still doubt that He'll come through for me somehow? Thank God for His mercy!! But for the input of His Word and the precious Holy Spirit in my life, there go I as the Israelites in the wilderness. They jumped to wrong conclusions about God even after they saw the great miracles He did. Many were destroyed because of it (1 Corinthians 10:1-13). As I watched a video about Mary re: the angelic visitation, facing Joseph, her friends, relatives and being single and pregnant, the journey to Bethlehem and all of the hardships she faced, I began to sob. Even though she was carrying the Son of God, she had to go through all of these things? She did and yet she was faithful. God knew that she would be and that is why He chose her (Luke 1:28;30). It's pretty awesome what God did when He sent His only Son into the world. The ways in which He chooses to do things don't make sense to our natural mind (Rom. 8:5-9), but God in His wisdom remains victorious! Let us have our hope restored this Christmas. I want to trust God like never before regardless of how I think He should do things. I know that I will see His goodness after all! (Psalms 27:13-14) "What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Wait and hope for and expect the be brave and of good courage, and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait and hope for and expect the Lord."

Far as the curse is found...

2009-12-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

Looking at the world around me lately and experiencing some stress and troubles of my own, I have had to acknowledge quite often the fact that the Lord Jesus purchased my freedom from the curse in this world (Galatians 3:13). Jesus came into this world, lived a sinless life, and died a cruel death on the cross so that we Christians could live a blessed life (Gal. 5:14). That life in Christ includes sonship, healing, provision, and the list goes on and on (Psalms 103:2; Gal. 3:26). Thank You Jesus!! But, only as we believe and accept what He did for us, will the blessing be invoked. Doubt and ignorance inhibits the blessing. We must be aware of the blessing and accept it by faith (Greek trans.-trusting in;adhering to; being loyal). That includes communing with Him and obedience because good works won't help matters. The anwer is living by faith in Christ daily(Gal.5:11;18). We must remember His promise. The promise is for the seed of Christ, and for Christians who accept His promise by faith (Gal.3:16). God gave the Law which allowed for some degree of blessing as long as it was kept (Gal.3:19-26). Under the New Covenant, when we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:29). This Christmas season, let's remember what Jesus did for us. Let's remember that our Father in Heaven sent His only Son for us! I am reminded of that wonderful Christmas carol, "Joy to the World". The line says, "He has come to make His blessings known, far as the curse is found...". His Christmas gift to us was so costly and precious! This Christmas, let our gift to Him be our gratitude and all of our love. Let this Christmas gift to Him be His everyday, all year long and throughout eternity.

BELIEVE

2009-12-09T08:03:00.000-08:00

I see this word "Believe" in the stores on the beautiful Christmas decorations. What does it mean? Believe in God? Believe in Santa? We should believe, but we must believe in God. Read the account of the angelic visitation Mary experienced in Luke 1. Mary, the mother of Jesus asked the question, "How can this be?", when told that she would have a son. Because she was a virgin she asked the angel Gabriel to explain. Gabriel graciously proceeded to try and explain that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, overshadow her, she would have a child, and to name Him Jesus. He went on to say that the "holy Thing which will be born will be the Son of God". Sounds like a fiction movie! This was real however. Well, imagine what this kind of super-natural salutation might have been like. Although the angel greeted her with kind and favorable words, he had to encourage her to not be afraid. The Bible says that she was disturbed and confused. She managed to calm herself enough to ask him the question, "How can this be?" Did the angel give an understandable explanation? Not really. She accepted his response and believed that God's will would be done... somehow. In the face of insurmountable odds, when God presents to us His promises and His will for our life, we must believe that He will accomplish it, somehow. We must be like Mary in that she believed God's word for her life. She was trusted and obeyed. We must follow her example to trust and obey regardless of the circumstances we see. God has a good plan. May we BELIEVE GOD this season and see the fulfillment of His amazing plans He has for us! As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds in the fields, "Fear not...Glory to God in the Highest, peace on earth, and good will toward men!"

Grace and peace be to you!

2009-11-30T07:32:00.000-08:00

Fear is all around us! Granted, the instability in the financial world, the politcal changes and challenges we are experiencing tend to shake up any hope for the future one might have! Stress and anxiety regarding the times we live in are taking a toll on us. How do we overcome and not be taken captive to fear and dread? In Isaiah 8 we find hidden nuggets of truth that will give us the way of escape from the paralyzing fear in the world today. In Isaiah 8:10-22;9;1-7, God reveals the fact that the enemy has fearful plans for God's people, but the plans won't come to pass if God (Emmanuel) is with us (vs.10). God warns that we do not become obsessed with conspiracy theories and fear what these people are fearing (vs.11-12). Don't consult others or look to the earth (vs. 19-22). ONLY let the Lord be your fear and dread. Regard Him as your hope (vs.13). God instructs us to let Him be our sanctuary (refuge) (vs14). Look for and hope in the Lord (vs. 17). Why? Because we and our children the Lord has given us are for signs and wonders from the Lord of Hosts WHO dwells in Mt. Zion (vs. 18). When we are at peace and delivered, others will be amazed at God's presence in our lives. Mt. Zion is a symbol of God's presence signifying safety and protection. The Lord of Hosts is a divine title associated with the sanctuary of Shiloh signifying might and power commonly found in military and apocalyptic contexts> (from the Illustrated Dictionary and Concordance of the Bible). He is our Messiah, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this (9:6-7). Grace and peace be to you! (Phillippians 1:2)

MOST blessed is this person...

2009-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Why are some people more blessed than others? The answers are in the Bible, bottom line. Although we must not judge others with regard to the conditions set forth, we need to evaluate our life and be humble to align ourselves to the conditions as necessary, for the glory of God. Where ever we are in life, God can bless us in the midst of our circumstances and bring us out of the pit of hopelessness, IF we let Him. God paid a huge price to receive us into His family with all of the benefits! Let's partake and enjoy! Sometimes we Christians go through tests and trials. Sometimes the devil throws a punch below the belt when we are not looking. We are all at different places in our journey. But over all our lives should attest to the abundant provision and goodness God has for us, His children>(John 10:10). We should always be able to attest to the faithfulness and goodness of God. This passage in Jeremiah 17:7-8, explains that a person who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence is in Him, is MOST BLESSED! He will be like a tree planted by the river. Will not fear or even see when drought comes (or difficult times that could destroy the tree if it depended on the external conditions). The tree will look and be alive! It will not cease bearing fruit. How? It's nourishment comes from within-not from the outward circumstances. Our inward life with the Holy Spirit is where we will receive the nourishment we need for living the abundant life Christ came to give us. I'm on that blessed journey! How about you? God has already blessed me so very much! During this season of thanksgiving, let's keep in mind how blessed we truly are, and let it be a fresh committment for the rest of our lives!

God wants to harden us to difficulties!

2009-11-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

(Isaiah 41:1-11 Ref.) When I first read this passage in the Amplified Bible, I saw in a new light how God is on my side. We need to draw near to Him in difficult times. Regretfully, instead of crying out to God, the difficulties tend to embitter us and we turn from Him, from His love, and His plan for us. We need to see that our adversary is the devil, not God! He says that He will deliver us as we trust in Him. In vs. 1 God asks His people to come together to renew their strength in His presence and to discuss with Him the strategy needed to defeat our enemy! We need to seek Him and get His counsel regarding our challenge. We need to know what the commander in chief wants us to do! (vs 2)> God roused up Cyrus ( a type of Christ-minded, faith filled Christian) whom He called to serve Him in righteousness and who met victory at every step. (Vs 3)> we see that Cyrus subdued ungodly nations and pursued the enemy swiftly, unhindered, and safely. The Lord has done this and is calling forth and guiding the destinies of nations. (Vs 5-10)> the whole earth will see it and will fear. The ungodly will try to encourage one another in their vain and futile attempts to trust in their gods. BUT, God has chosen us, His servants, the offspring of Abraham (father of faith) whom He has taken from the ends of the earth. He has not cast us off! He is instructing us to not fear or be in terror or be dismayed. HE IS OUR GOD! He promises to strengthen us, and harden us against difficulties. We can't quit! He WILL hold us up with His victorious right hand of rightness and justice. Vs 11>BEHOLD, all who fight against us and hate us will be put to shame and be confounded. They will be as NOTHING and SHALL PERISH! Wow! What blessed assurance! Believe it! I do! We have the VICTORY!

Jesus is Crazy About You!

2009-11-10T05:55:00.000-08:00

I've been going through a little bit of a tough time lately. I've been wondering where God is in all of this. Is it something I've done? I am checking my heart and repenting constantly thinking that this is what I need to do to get answers for my prayers and get back that feeling of closeness to the Lord. Even though I know that I shouldn't go by my feelings or my circumstances to determine whether or not Jesus loves and cares for me, I still do sometimes. His word confirms that He does not condemn His children, and loves us sooo much! The story in John 8 of the adulteress who was being stoned reveals Jesus' heart. He said, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone...I do not condemn you. Go and sin no more" or (practice your lifestyle of adultery). None of us is without sin. That's just the way it is. But, because I have accepted what Jesus did for me on the cross and make every effort to love Him and live for Him, then I have nothing to worry about. Last night I had weird dreams. I never have nightmares. But because of the antibiotic I'm on, I did. I got up in the night, prayed and cried to God for help, as I have been all week fighting this sickness. Nothing happened. I went back to bed, afraid and yet so sleepy. I awoke at 8:00 am to the phone ringing. I said hello in a raspy, tired voice. The jovial person on the other end said, "Hey! Jesus is crazy about you girl!" I was half asleep, but that sure woke me up! It was the Chaplain at the women's prison calling to tell me to send a fax he needs for our outreach coming up. He had no idea what that word in due season did for me. Proverbs 15:23 says,"...a word spoken in due season or at the right time, how good it is!" It truly brought me to tears. I am still basking in His love and the preciousness of God to give me that word of encouragement after such a tormenting night. That word changed my life. It broke the lie of the devil and instantly I felt God's love and presence. I continue to gain a deeper understanding of His great love for me. Sometimes we go through difficult times, and yet the Lord's love never changes. Believe it! I do now more than ever. That word changed my life. I am now resting in His love. What fellowship, what a joy divine , leaning on the everlasting arms!

Get a Life!

2009-11-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

Everybody is looking for more life in their life. We've all heard the expression, "get a life!". What does it mean? Well, it's usually spoken to or about someone who puts all of their effort and focus on something seemingly insignificant or detrimental, (something like that). We look all around us today and see people looking for meaning in life. We see a hunger to preserve ones life in some form or fashion. Jesus said that if a person wishes to save their life, they must give it up to Him, then true life can be found.(Jn 12:25). In Luke 9:23-26 Jesus said that one must deny himself and take up his cross (death to self will) DAILY and follow Him. My son-in-law loves to sing this song that says, "everyday it's You I live for, everyday I'll follow after You, everyday I'll walk with You my Lord". This is the call of Christ. This is a must in order to be His disciple. Jesus said, (Luke 17:20-34), whoever saves his own life, will lose it. Whoever loses it for His sake, will find it. He also said to remember Lot's wife.(Genesis 19). She looked back at her old life, before following God, and was subsequently destroyed. I need Him and want Him everyday. Sometimes I get too busy and proceed to take life back (momemtarily of course!). Soon, I remember why I gave my life to Jesus! In Him is LIFE.(Jn 1:1-4). I want to be His disciple, and then I will truly experience the abundant and wonderful life Jesus came to give (Jn 10:10). My heart is set! Help me remember in the busy moments, I'm going after real LIFE, You Lord! Everyday!

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God!

2009-11-02T05:57:00.000-08:00

God created the earth! All things were created for His glory and praise. (Genesis 2; Psalm 148). Last night Bill and I went to the Corn Maze in McCintosh and it was the most beautiful evening ever, here in central Florida. It was on the Perryman's farm, a hilly area with open spaces and a gloriously clear sky. We took a hayride in the 57 degree weather with just 2 mosquitos, a bright full moon and a myriad of stars. There was even a falling star! I felt God's presence and was in amazement (no pun intended. Ha!). This morning I opened the Bible to Psalms 19:1-4. "The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. Day after day pours forth speech and night after night shows forth knowledge. There is no speech nor spoken word (from the stars); their voice is not heard (with the ear). Yet their voice (in evidence) goes out through all the earth, their sayings to the end of the world..." I noticed on the hayride a sense of joy and awe beholding the majesty and the glory of God in the heavens. In Romans 1:19-25 we see that the creation reveals God's invisible nature and attributes, His eternal power and divinity. God makes it plain to mankind and shows it to us Himself. There is a great creator. It was obvious to me and I believe to all of us on that hayride last night. Thank You Father that You gave us the signs in the heavens that clearly declare your existence! I praise You and You are worthy of all praise and glory!

The Wealthy Place

2009-10-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

In Matthew 6 Jesus exhorts us as believers to not be anxious or worry about our life, what we will wear or eat, or anything about our future. He tells us that the Father in heaven will provide for us. He will take care of those who trust in Him! In Matt 6:30-33 we are instructed to put God's Kingdom first, have faith and then everything will be provided. Pursue God first and He will bring us into our wealthy place as we love and obey Him. This psalm reveals the pathway to God's provision. ( Psalms 66:1-20) "*Make a joyful noise unto God all the earth...*make His praise glorious...*say to God, How awesome and glorious are Your works!...Come and see the works of God...*Bless our God, O peoples,*give Him thanks...Who refined and tried us...but brought us into a wealthy place> (KJV), (Hebrew trans.-abundance; satisfaction; wealthy.)...*I will come to Your house...*I will pay my vows that my lips uttered in my distress...*I will offer You offerings...*I will declare what He has done for me as *high praise was under my tongue...You've heard *my prayer and Your mercy and loving-kindness are always with me."

Grace Happens!

2009-10-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

I was at the prison a few months ago and was getting to know some of the inmates. Some of the women were beautiful, and young. Some were old and seemed so humble. (This was in the Faith Based program). I heard about how some of the crimes had been committed once and were things that I had done as a young person and never got caught! I felt so sorry for them because for one wrong moment they chose to do something wrong and illegal and were now imprisoned and being punished. Thankfully, I freely drove away from the prison. I thought, "But for the grace of God, there go I." Thank the Lord for the prayers of my loved ones. The grace of God came into my life. He now keeps me as I yield to Him everyday and allow Him to create in me a clean heart, He gives me the ability and desire to do His will. (Grace-(Greek)-the divine influence upon the heart and it's reflection in life; thankworthy joy.) Ephesians 2:8-13 says, For it is by grace that we are saved, through our faith...remember we were once separated from God but now are saved and brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. The Father in heaven chose to reveal the path to becoming His child to me and I took Him up on it! I am forever grateful and hope to abide in His grace through my faith in Him. He is trustworthy! I began this journey approx. 30 years ago. I can hardly believe that it has been that long! I've found so much joy and fulfillment. Without Him I could do nothing! Grace happens!

Do I know Him?

2009-10-21T06:38:00.000-07:00

The trend to believe that any and all people are saved and going to heaven throughout the whole world is a fallacy (mistaken idea or error). I hear this philosophy often. Even many believe that if one tries to do what is right or follows another well meaning religion besides Christianity, it is alright. Even in Christianity many believe that once a person has accepted Christ into their heart and "walked the aisle", they are saved. I beg to differ with this belief based on many passages from the Bible of which I will mention a few. #1. Romans 8:1-14 says that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus WHO: don't live after the flesh, but live according to the Spirit; you will be spiritually minded and will desire to please God; You MUST have the Spirit of Christ or else you are not His, and you will be led by the Spirit of God. #2. 1 John 4:7-15 A believer MUST love others and confess or believe (trust in, adhere to and be loyal to) God. #3. 1 John 2:15-17 A Christian must not love (affection in a social or moral sense) the world or the things in the world, but must desire to do the will of God first and foremost. #4. Matthew 7:21-27 Jesus said that even if you call Him Lord and do not do what He says or know Him personally, you will be asked to depart from Him and will not enter into Heaven. Having a relationship with Christ takes daily effort. I was thinking this AM about dieting and exercise. If I let a day or two slip by not making an effort to stick with my plan, then before long I have gotten back into my undesireable behaviors. I love to know that the Holy Spirit is my best friend. Only when I make spending time with Him and communicating with Him on a regular basis do I show Him that our relationship is my priority! I want to stay close to Him, then I know that I am not condemned and alienated from the One for Whom I live and love, and Who first loved me! I love being a child of God! He's more desireable than anything this world offers! He's more beautiful than diamonds, more precious than silver, and more costly than gold. Give Him your all and you will then know for yourself!

Master Evil with Good

2009-10-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

How can we master evil in the world? Rom 12:21(1-20) "Do not let yourself be overcome with evil, but overcome or master evil with good." What is good? Looking at the preceeding verses, we can see what is contained in good. Each one of these are deep, rich and worthy of study and meditation! #1-vs1-Make a decisive dedication of your body to be holy and well pleasing to God; #2-vs 2-Do not adapt yourself to the external and superficial customs of this world, BUT transform your mind (attitude and ideas) by renewing it, and prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of God; #3-vs3-Don't be proud and arrogant>be humble and realistic; #4-vs9-let your love be sincere; #5-vs 9-hate evil and turn from it, hold on to what is good; #6-vs10-love on another with brotherly affection, show honor and preference; #7-vs11-be zealous and "on fire" for God, serve the Lord; #8-vs12-rejoice in hope; #9-vs12-be steadfast; #10-vs12-be patient in tribulation; #11-vs13-constant in prayer; #13-vs13-contribute to the needs of God's people; #13-vs13-be hospitable; #14-vs14-bless your persecutors; #15-vs15-rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep; #16-vs16-don't be a snob, do humble tasks and adjust yourself to things and people; #17-vs17-be above reproach and don't repay evil for evil, consider what is honest and noble; #18-vs18-as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone;#19-vs19-don't be vengeful; #20-vs20-give your enemy a drink if he's thirsty or food if hungry. How can good overcome evil? My husband has been making a point in his recent series that I believe these verses speak to. He asks, "What's wrong with the world? ME! Say it...ME!" It starts with me! We can't change the world without changing ourselves first. This is how we will master evil!

Be Strong and of Good Courage

2009-10-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

God is good all the time!! This is one of my husband's favorite quotes. We quote this alot in our church, but I wonder how many of us truly believe it! I wonder how much I truly believe it! I am asking God to continue to reveal to me how to fully trust and hope in Him and His goodness that He has laid up for me. (Ps. 27:13-114) "What would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living!" Even in the wilderness experiences of life, we must know that He is good! We must remember how good He has been to us and how wonderful He has been in our life! I believe we must hold on to Him, with hope and faith in what appears to be a difficult journey at the moment and an abandonment of God in the midst of our following Him. The Israelite's faith in God was tested while roaming through the wilderness, heading to the "Promised Land". This was to be a "land of milk and honey", God's goodness in every form! Many suffered tragedy and failure before entering the promised land. According to God's word, their problems boiled down to disobedience, (Ps 106). This included: mistrust in God , lust, and pride. These things keep God's children out of our promised land! Instead of entertaining these sins, which keep us from intmacy with Him, and from our receiving the promises of God, we need to focus on these things:#1. Ps 131:1-3 Stop fretting, calm down and hope in God. #2. Ps 31:19 Revere, worship, and trust God in your heart and before all! #3. Ps 27:13-14 Be strong and endure! Wait for, hope in, and expect the Lord goodness! Yes! Wait for, hope in Him, be strong and courageous! Guaranteed, we will see the Lord's goodness in our life!

Open the Eyes of My Heart Lord

2009-10-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Have you heard these words before? This is a line from a song that we sing at church and it is very popular on Christian radio. Do you think most people know what this means? I believe that it is a prayer for understanding more of what God wants to do in me, in my personal life and realationship with Him. I went to Atlanta to the Joyce Meyers Conference this past weekend. Israel Houghton led the worship and the whole thing was phenomenal. It was a life changing experience! The messages were about things I've heard many times before, yet the Holy Spirit brought a deeper understanding and revelation to me personally. Her main point was the fact that we Christians can know the will of God and word of God, but until we are actually applying it to our life, we aren't experiencing a life change, and that's His objective. Then on to Surfside Beach, SC to visit my sister. We went to her wonderful church Sunday am and the Lord continued to deepen my understanding of what He is doing in my life. Now more than ever, I realize that He is continually working in me and will continue to throughout my life, transforming me into the image of His son Jesus. I know that sometimes I feel God has done so much work in me, that He can't have that much more to do! Ha! (He has His hands full!) I love this verse in Ephesians and this is my prayer. (Eph.1:16-20 ) "...I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened , that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...". Praise the Lord! He's patiently working in us to get us to where He wants us! Father, help us understand what You are doing in us so that we can fully understand and see who you want us to be in Christ!

IF we endure...

2009-09-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

The Bible describes what is required for God's servants who are set apart and useful for God's noble and honorable service. To these are promised the honor of reigning with Him forever. (Revelation 22:1-5 ). It would be smart for us to apply these values and requirements to our own life. Let's look at these conditions given in 2 Timothy 2:1-26. Starting in verse 1, Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to be strong and to work with men who are faithful, competent, reliable, and able to teach the gospel. In vs 4 he encourages Tim not to be half-hearted but to be like a soldier enlisted to serve the commander. In vs 5 Paul encourages him to be like an athlete who plays fair and yet competes to win. Finally in vs 6 Tim is told to be like a farmer who works hard to receive the fruitful reward of his labor. Paul shares that his suffering in prison with chains was because of his sharing the gospel and his imprisonment would not chain the gospel! He knew that it would provide salvation and eternal glory for himself and others. As our example, Paul was prepared to persevere and stand his ground (vs10). He instructed Tim to tell people to (1) vs 15-study the Word and be eager to present themself to God avoiding shame and error.2)vs16 avoid empty talk 3)vs21-Cleanse themself from corrupting influences. (4)vs22- Shun youthful lusts and pursue all that is good, virtuous, right living and conformity to the will of God.(5)vs22- aim at and pursue faith, love, peace in fellowship with all Christians who call upon the name of the Lord from a pure heart.(6)vs23Have nothing to do with unedifying controversial questions that foster strife and breed quarrels.(7)vs24-25-Finally, don't be argumentative, but be kind, mild tempered, a skilled teacher, willing to suffer wrongfully so that others may come to their senses out of the devil's grip into God's will for their life. This is our plumbline. Help me Lord to measure up and glorify You!!

Pour your heart out like water before the Lord

2009-09-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

I have found that receiving something from the Lord sometimes takes a "crying out" to Him. Just about anything I have really wanted or needed from the Lord required persistence, perseverance, and a good old fashioned, "Lord! I am expecting you to do something!! Lord, I'm desperate!!". I read a scripture today that touched my heart in Lamentations 2:19, "Arise (from your bed), cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord...". How can we pour out our heart like water? If I pour a pitcher of water onto the ground, it's just all out there, running everywhere. It's spent. I feel that sometimes in my prayer for God's intervention in a situation, I am spent. I am completely focusing on the prayer need, desparate for a response from Him. Every time, God has been faithful to answer me. He is always there for me as He will be for you when you are desparate for Him. My dad calls it, "getting down to business with God". It reminds me of two stories out of the New Testament. One, (Matt. 9:20-22) a woman pushed through the masses to get to Jesus for healing. She was healed. Another story (Mark 2:1-5) some friends put their paralytic friend through a hole in the ceiling of a house that they made where Jesus was speaking. They lowered the man down to Jesus and he received his healing. There are many other instances of persistent faith being met with the love and power God. Jesus said in Luke 11:5-10) that he who asks, seeks, knocks and keeps on asking, seeking, and knocking will receive. Luke 18:1-8 Jesus tells a story of persistent faith. The story is about an unjust judge that a woman pursues incessently to defend her until he gave in and decided to because of her persistence. Jesus asked in that passage if when He returns will He find this kind of faith on the earth? He said in essence that this kind of faith gets God's attention and that He will answer it, and He loves it! Press in to God, pour out your heart to Him and don't give up! He's faithful!! He will hear you! He will be there for you!

...but none of these things move me

2009-09-24T07:41:00.001-07:00

When I read this passage in Acts 20:18-38, I find myself encouraged and challenged thinking upon the life and example of the Apostle Paul. His statement in vs 24, ..."but none of these things move me", speaks volumes! In other words, He was completely resolute to following the Lord whatever the cost! He faced difficult circumstances in preaching the gospel such as imprisonment and suffering beyond what most Christians today experience. This statement truly is profound considering the circumstances he faced for the cause. What seems like a high price to pay to follow Christ as an American Christian today, in not being readily accepted as "one of the crowd" or facing the typical challenges in life and trying to trust and obey God, is but a pitiful excuse for carrying the name of Christ. He was suffering persecution, hardship, and difficulty beyond our comprehension, in the center of God's will. AND YET: #1.He was steadfast, God honoring, and committed to fulfilling the plan of God for his life. (vs 23-24) #2. He was the epitomy of loyalty to the Lord and the brotherhood. (vs36-38) #3. He was a giver. He lived what Jesus declared,"...it is more blessed to give than to receive", by being mindful and merciful to the weak. (vs 35) I'm reminded of someone I know, a missionary to Viet Nam, Charles Johnson. He is bent over a walker, a man in his 70's, with MS and by the grace of God ministers to the street orphans and impoverished people of Viet Nam. For example, a few years ago in the street, he held in his arms and prayed for a man the moment he died with aids. Mr. Johnson is one of my heroes! God bless him for his resolve. Lord, help us to be grateful and honored to serve You in whatever capacity You choose. I'll love you for now and for always!!

It's A Wonderful Life

2009-09-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

There are some basic things that are hidden from the ordinary person that insure a good life. For years it evaded me! Thank You Jesus, I can now live the kind of life He wants for me, a wonderful life! Revealed in 1 Peter 3:10-11 are 5 keys that I believe cover alot of ground for understanding what it takes to enjoy life. #1. Keep your tongue from evil. #2. and your lips from speaking deceit. #3. shun or avoid evil. (What is evil? The answer is in the Bible. Ignorance is not an excuse, but an obstacle.) #4. Do what is right. #5. And search for peace (harmony, undisturbed from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts), do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, your fellow man, and yourself, but pursue and go after them. To have a wonderful life, we need to make a concerted effort to accomplish these exhortations. Doing life God's way brings the life Jesus said that He came to give us. Jesus said in John 10:10, "...I came that they (Christians) may have and enjoy life...". If I don't have joy, I need to seek the Lord and check with the above conditions. I then get myself straightened out and inevitably the joy returns! We all need contentment that comes from obedience and a bright hope for tomorrow. The Holy Spirit helps us and each new day can be a wonderful day!

Meekness, a great accomplishment

2009-09-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Years ago I heard a preacher tell of how Moses was considered to be the meekest man on the face of the whole earth. As a matter of fact his brother Aaron and sister Miriam spoke against him and they were judged severely by God. (Num. 12). The Lord was very angry with them because Moses was close to God. He was humble and allowed God to use him mightily. God heard the complaints and took vengeance on them for Moses' sake. I believe God is on our side when we're meek and He takes vengeance for us when we do not attempt to take it for ourselves. (Rom. 5:19). Galatians 5:22 reveals the distinctive evidence of the Holy Spirit in someone's life> "But the fruit of the Holy Spirit (the work which His presence accomplishes) is love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (MEEKNESS), and self-contol. The tone of all these qualities is one of meekness. A flavor different than most people have these days! This outlook on life today is prevailing and contagious! I call it self-preservation with an attitude!The Gainesville Sun (9-16-09) printed an article on the front page with this caption, "What's happened to civility?" The article goes on to say, "If the fall tv line-up included a reality show called "America Behaving Badly", the events of recent days would provide enough footage to fill several installments". I know that it is easy to behave badly. It's harder not to! Only by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit can we not be conformed to the world's way of doing things. Help us Lord to be challenged to humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to live in and through us. Pray for me as I pray for you! I want to be on God's side and I want Him on my side! (note: this has nothing to do with social justice or law and order. I am talking about dealing with our personal issues like road rage, personality clashes, rudeness, dishonor, outbursts of anger, responding to persecution for Christ's sake, and the like.).

The Essence of Life should be...

2009-09-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

The basic nature or essence of my life will be all encompassing. It should be something good and cause good in my life. This morning the Lord gave me something wonderful out of the treasure box of His word. This beautiful gift is a new realization of the fact that the basic ingredient I need in my life everyday is the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord. The verse is in Psalms 15:16 "Better is little with the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it." Even when we have little, we can be free of trouble in life when we fear the Lord. We have to understand godly fear. It means to have exceeding respect and honor. I need to honor God and respect Him enough to put Him first above all. (Hebrews 12:28-29;Jer. 5:19-31), "...our God is a consuming fire." In other words...He's amazing and an awesome God! He is also very loving and good! (Romans 11:22). And if I honor Him, then: #1.He will reveal His secrets to me. (Ps. 25:14) #2.I will dwell at ease and my children will be posperous. (Ps 25:12-13). #3.He will prolong my days and I can drink from the fouuntain of life. (Prov 10:27, 14:27). #4.He has great goodness laid up for me. (Ps 31:19). #5.He'll take pleasure in me. (Ps 147:11). And that's just a drop in the bucket! Dig out more for yourself!

In the Know

2009-09-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

I am the type of person that has a hard time accepting things the way they are if I don't understand why or how they are that way. My weakness in this is becoming anxious and frustrated, taking matters into my own hands. This approach alienates me from God. I realize that there are some things in this life that I will not understand right now, but I'll have to trust God and wait until I get to Heaven to "be in the know". Nevertheless, God wants me to seek Him for answers. Revealing the answer is up to Him. God makes it clear in the Proverbs that seeking Him for understanding is considered valuable and virtuous. Hidden within God's word is the answer to ALL of our questions. The reason I say "hidden" is because the answers must be found as we read, study, and meditate (think about and pray) on the sciptures pertaining to our situation. When the answer is found and acted upon, the result is phenomenal! God's instructions are right on every time! This is God's way of revealing His truths and wisdom to us personally. In this pursuit of understanding, we discover that God loves us and we experience His faithfulness first hand. Now I can live in peace and joy. I'll get close to God. I'll come to know that He is there for me. I'll find that I can trust Him to lead me and take care of me! Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amp) "Trust (lean on and be confident) in the Lord with all of your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths."

After all, tomorrow's gonna be another day...

2009-09-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Lord showed me lately that faith and trust in Him is staying calm and holding on to His promises. It's having a positive attitude in difficulty and when facing what appears to be insurmountable odds. It's knowing that He's going to come through for me. We have to know that everything is going to work out ok when we trust in Him. Have you ever felt overwhelmed and hopeless? Well, there's always hope with God. I have learned a lesson from Scarlette O'Hara in the movie "Gone with the Wind". What??? Yes, the Lord impressed upon my heart one time this scene of her in one of the gutters of her life. She was collapsed at the bottom of her glamorous stairway. Her husband had just left her. What would come next? It was a miserable situation! You get the feeling that in all of her drama, she would just have a nervous breakdown or something along those lines. Instead she made an amazing statement in her strong southern drawl that was the ultimate expression of her outrageous resolve. It goes something like this- "...I can't think about that right now. I'll go crazy if I do. I'll think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow's gonna be another day." Amazing! There is so much power in the decision to live by that philosphy. God is faithful! If we hold on to Him and possess this kind of resolve, He will have the chance to prove Himself faithful and good. I've found this to be true! Always!

Have you had your V8 today? A taste of perfection

2009-09-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 speaks of perfection coming for us someday! Wow! Think about that for a minute...Can you imagine what that will be like? Of course that will be in Heaven. God has given us tools or spiritual gifts to use while we are here on earth to help us know Him more and to enable us to help others know Him better. The gift of prophecy ( interpreting the divine will and purpose) will be fulfilled and pass away. Knowledge will lose it's value and be superseded by evidence of the truth. Both of these are very helpful for us now but Verse 9 says that "our knowledge and prophecy is fragmentary or incomplete and imperfect. Verse 12 says that our efforts on earth are like looking into a blurred mirror. But when perfection comes, we will see in reality and face to face. The Apostle Paul who authored this book said that now we know in part but then we will know and understand clearly and perfectly. Vs 10 states that when that which is perfect comes, the imcomplete and imperfect will vanish away or become antiquated and void. It's like a child not drinking out of a bottle anymore. One gift we that we have that will go with us throughout eternity:LOVE.

Verse 8>>>Love never fails, becomes obsolete or comes to an end...

Have you had your V8 today? LOVE is GREAT>>> GOD IS LOVE!(1 John 4:8)

Am I Critical?

2009-09-10T04:28:00.000-07:00

This question is one that we should all ask ourselves on a regular basis. I know that I am critical and judgemental sometimes and I don't even realize it until after the fact. It may be just a thought or something said, either way it's not pleasing to God. It's even detrimental to my relationship with God. Jesus addressed this subject in Matthew 7:1-5 (Amp. Trans). He said not to judge, criticize, and condemn others, so that you aren't judged, criticized, and condemned yourself. He goes on to say that we shouldn't be this way because it will come back on us(vs2) and it makes us hypocrits(vs5). In vs 4 Jesus asks how can we correct anyone for something small when we don't deal with the big things in our own life(ex.pride, self-righteousness, etc). We're all only righteous because of what Jesus did for us on the cross (2 Cor.5:21). God so loved all of us that He sent Jesus into the world to love and save us, not judge, condemn or criticize (John 3:17). His love includes believing the best in others (1 Cor.13:7; 1 john 4:7-17 please look up). There is a place for correction but if it is done in Christ's love, it will be easier for that person to accept. We must be gentle and forgiving(Colossians 3:13) . The goal is to help each other to get close to God. Love, love, love!! It never fails (1 cor. 13:8).

Abundantly Prosperous

2009-09-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

I know with all of my heart and according to His word, that our Father in Heaven desires for us to be prosperous. Although, in His great wisdom He will only allow it if there is a good chance that it won't corrupt us. I read on AOL this morning about a 16 year old girl in England who had won a 3 million $ lottery 3 years ago and said she wished now that she had never won it. Why? How? She is now broke and she spent it all on frivilous things, among them-cocaine,which she called evil. Now she is broke, with regret and heartache. Deuteronomy 30:1-20 is a picture of the wise Father's heart regarding our prosperity. vs. 2-3...obey the Lord, you and your children, with all of your heart and being, THEN the Lord will restore your fortunes and He will have compassion on you...vs 4-5 The Lord will bless you and y0ur family more than your father's... vs 6-7 the Lord will cleanse your hearts to love the Lord your God, and your enemies will suffer instead of you...vs 8-10 He will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, IF YOU OBEY the Lord with ALL OF YOUR HEART...vs 11-13 this command is not too hard or difficult to understand, nor is it a SECRET...vs 14-16 this word is in our heart and mind, and in our MOUTH, ready to come out; we must choose to keep the Lord's commands and to love Him and decide to do things His way...vs 17-20 THEN we will be blessed; BUT if we get distracted and draw away, it won't go well with us! I must choose God, obey His voice and CLING to Him. He is our life (Hebrew 2416-keeps alive; strength) and the length of our days .

Sincerity?

2009-08-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

Are we as "Christians" caught up and concerned about all 0f the wrong things? There is a mentality among many church people and church leadership (esp. in the US) that I believe fosters hypocrisy. How can you recognize it? By the lack of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-26). Before you know it, you can get caught up in that rat race, even out of good intentions. I know, because I have "been there and done that"! There is a tendency to compare, compete and even justify this mentality, to accomplish "something" for the Lord. Soon, the flesh kicks in and before we know it, our relationship with the Holy Spirit becomes impotent and miniscule.This passage is really the "bottom line" or a plumb line when it comes to authentic Chistianity-Romans 12:9, "Let your love be sincere (a real thing): #1.hate what is evil (loathe all ungodliness), but #2-hold fast to that which is good." Let's look at the following verses : Romans 12:9-21 Check it out! Check yourself!
vs. 10-love one another with brotherly affection> give precedence and show honor
vs. 11-never lag in zeal> burn with the Spirit, serving the Lord
vs12-rejoice in hope> be steadfast, patient in suffering and tribulation, constant in prayer
vs 13-contribute to the needs of God's people, pursue and practice hospitality
vs 14-bless and don't curse those who persecute you
vs15-rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those weep
vs16-don't be a snob>but live harmoniously with others, be adjustable, and give yourself to humble tasks>don't overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits
vs 17-don't repay evil for evil>do what is proper and noble in the sight of others
vs 18-as much as possible, live at peace with everyone
vs 19-don't let evil master you> overcome evil with good

Help me Lord!

2009-08-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up my eyes to the hills...From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
The Lord is our only real source of help. He is just a prayer away from our rescue. I know that He will always come through for me. He always has!! Maybe not in the way that I think He will or should, but He is always there for me.
The Hebrew word "Jehovah-Shammah from Ezekiel 48:35 means "God is there, or God is present". In Psalms 46:1 the Psalmist declares, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble".
This passage is so rich with insight and hope! Psalm32:5-7 (Amp.) "I acknowledged my sin to You...I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord", then You (instantly) forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah (think about that). For this let everyone who is godly pray_pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the waters overflow, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me. Lord, preserve me from trouble. You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

You are my best friend!

2009-08-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Holy Spirit, You are my best friend! Thank you for helping me, comforting me, and keeping me close to My Heavenly Father throughout my life! I know You will never leave me, I pray that I will never leave You or grieve You!! Your indwelling presence is my most treasured possession! You are my most valuable asset and I will be forever grateful for Your chosing me to live in. As the song goes, You are more precious than silver, more beautiful than diamonds and more costly than gold!

Jesus is Lord

2009-08-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the expression "God has a great plan for your life"? I believe this to be true but this is often misinterpreted . Trying to fulfill your dreams or what you believe to be God's dreams for you, can impose a burden and disappointment beyond repair.
I believe it is God's perfect will to bless us, His children, with a happy and joyous life. Sometimes we interpret "God's perfect will" to be something that it is not. We may invision a ministry like Billy Graham's or Benny Hinn's when in fact it may be to do something much less glorious and notable. What is notable and truly great in God's eyes is much different than how the majority of the people in the world sees greatness.
God has created us with particular giftings and personalities. He, as the master painter, reserves the right to use our lives, as various colors, to paint the ultimate masterpiece.He has a plan for all of us in His great Kingdom. We must seek Him and find out what that plan is. This is what makes me great-it's doing what He wants me to do! He simply asks for our cooperation (trust and obedience). We then fulfill His will for our lives and this is the GREAT plan. We are His children and we are also ambassadors in this world, representing His kingdom and working for Him in whatever way He sees fit. JESUS IS LORD!

Welcome

2009-05-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. My name is Rebekah and I'd like to welcome you all. I would like to share a few thoughts of mine in this journal.