Jesus is Crazy About You!

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!

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!

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

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!

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?

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

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!