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

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!

"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!

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!

$$$$$$$

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?

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

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

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."