My mom loves to research her heritage. She is forever looking up her genealogy trying to fill in our family tree. I, on the other hand, haven't cared so much. I've always thought, the past is in the past, and lets leave it there. But God shows us in the Bible that our heritage, and His heritage is very important. In Luke 3, God shows the importance of HiStory, and yes I put an emphasis on the "S" because it is His Story.
"Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli....David was the son of Jesse. Jesse was the son of Obed. Obed was the son of Boaz. Boaz was the son of Salmon. Salmon the son of Nahshon....Shem was the son of Noah. Noah was the son of Lamech...Kenan was the son of Enosh. Enosh was the son of Seth. Seth was the son of Adam. Adam was the son of God." Luke 3:23,32,36d,38.
In Jesus' HiStory we see that all genealogies have their stories, and these stories can comfort us, strengthen us, remind us, encourage us, and guide us.
*Jesus was a grandson to David, a man after God's own heart, "For you are God, O Sovereign LORD. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to me, your servant. And now, may it please you to bless me and my family so that our dynasty may continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign LORD, it is an eternal blessing!" 2 Samuel 7:28,29. And God did! *Jesus was a grandson to Boaz, who's mother was Rahab, the prostitute who saved the Israelite spies. "It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies." Hebrews 11:31. And God listed her in the Hall of Faith! *Jesus was also a grandson of Obed, who's mother was Ruth, a woman who showed true unconditional love and faithfulness to her widowed mother-in-law Naomi."But Ruth replied, 'Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. I will die where you die and will be buried there. May the LORD punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" Ruth 1:16-17. And God blessed her richly.
*Jesus was also a grandson of Noah, the only follower of God in his generation. "So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him." Genesis 6:22. And God saved Noah and his family and began again.
But most importantly out of all these relationships, heritages, and genealogies: Jesus was the Son of God. "One day as the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Luke 3:21-22. And God saved us and gave us eternal life through Him.
Maybe it's time we learn from our own HiStory. Who were our grandfathers and grandmothers, what did they do?
God had a hand in everything from the beginning of time to the end, and He knew who would be in our past, who we could learn from, be encouraged through, and be guided by. "You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:5.
Now it's our turn to take a look back. Learn and Grow. For ultimately your Story was HiStory first!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Living by Example
"Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone." James 3:14.
Faith that is only words can actually push people farther away from Jesus. When non-believers or new believers hear a person professing to being a Christian but not trusting in the Faith as a Believer they can get confused. So, just as we must prove our Faith by actions we must also prove we have turned from our sins and turned to God by how we live. "Prove by the way you live that you have really turned to God. Don't just say, 'We're safe - we're descendants of Abraham.' That proves nothing. God can change these stones into children of Abraham." Luke 3:8. And when John the Baptist said to prove, he was saying to be an example. If one minute you are saying you're a Christian and then the next minute you are slandering someone or one minute you are wearing a Got Jesus shirt and the next minute chugging a beer, the people around you are probably thinking...Why should I be a Christian when they act just like me. How many of you have heard someone say, 'I'm a Christian because my mom was a Christian (it is impossible to be saved by your mother's faith), or I was brought up in a church I just don't attend anymore (who's keeping you accountable to God), or I believe in Jesus (well so does Satan), or Jesus drank wine so I can drink too (yeah, but where does it say Jesus got drunk)? Where's the example that exudes your faith, your turn from sins, and your turning to God?
When I first returned to my faith in Jesus, I thought all it took was believing in Him, not a life changing alteration. I didn't think I had to change my ways because I knew that Jesus loved me just the way I was. But when I would try to tell people about my new faith I would get eye rolls, a change of subject, or just disbelief. I couldn't figure out why they didn't trust me or believe me; I couldn't figure out why no one was seeing Christ in me. "Well self," I should have said, "Look in the mirror! Are you being an example of what you say?" I wasn't. I wasn't living by example. I was still the same person they knew before, nothing had changed. I had just added Jesus to my life, not made Jesus my life.
When we are a new person in Christ our old ways will pass away, and we are different and everyone should be able to see it. We are to be an example of Jesus, we are to do as He did. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this to much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:1-2. Are you ready to be new in Christ? Are you ready to be that light to the world, leading others to Christ instead of pushing them away? We already have the greatest example ever....Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Faith that is only words can actually push people farther away from Jesus. When non-believers or new believers hear a person professing to being a Christian but not trusting in the Faith as a Believer they can get confused. So, just as we must prove our Faith by actions we must also prove we have turned from our sins and turned to God by how we live. "Prove by the way you live that you have really turned to God. Don't just say, 'We're safe - we're descendants of Abraham.' That proves nothing. God can change these stones into children of Abraham." Luke 3:8. And when John the Baptist said to prove, he was saying to be an example. If one minute you are saying you're a Christian and then the next minute you are slandering someone or one minute you are wearing a Got Jesus shirt and the next minute chugging a beer, the people around you are probably thinking...Why should I be a Christian when they act just like me. How many of you have heard someone say, 'I'm a Christian because my mom was a Christian (it is impossible to be saved by your mother's faith), or I was brought up in a church I just don't attend anymore (who's keeping you accountable to God), or I believe in Jesus (well so does Satan), or Jesus drank wine so I can drink too (yeah, but where does it say Jesus got drunk)? Where's the example that exudes your faith, your turn from sins, and your turning to God?
When I first returned to my faith in Jesus, I thought all it took was believing in Him, not a life changing alteration. I didn't think I had to change my ways because I knew that Jesus loved me just the way I was. But when I would try to tell people about my new faith I would get eye rolls, a change of subject, or just disbelief. I couldn't figure out why they didn't trust me or believe me; I couldn't figure out why no one was seeing Christ in me. "Well self," I should have said, "Look in the mirror! Are you being an example of what you say?" I wasn't. I wasn't living by example. I was still the same person they knew before, nothing had changed. I had just added Jesus to my life, not made Jesus my life.
When we are a new person in Christ our old ways will pass away, and we are different and everyone should be able to see it. We are to be an example of Jesus, we are to do as He did. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this to much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:1-2. Are you ready to be new in Christ? Are you ready to be that light to the world, leading others to Christ instead of pushing them away? We already have the greatest example ever....Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Superhero or Sidekick
Quick Confession: I have not always been as patient as I am today.
I have 4 wonderful children, who know how to be children, if you get what I mean. They love to run wild, makes messes, race through church (making sure they can hit every hanging sign down the hall), and who are unable to even sit still at the dinner table. Many people ask me, "How are you so patient with your kids?" And honestly years ago I prayed for patience (I know the dreaded prayer), but after a time of testing and trials, I have given in to patience and turned a blind eye to the trials. I've learned that if I let my surroundings give in to impatience, I will live in a state of total unrest and upheaval.
"Don't be impatient for the LORD to act! Travel steadily along the path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed." Psalm 38:34. Now let me confess, I may have become more patient in my earthly situations, but when it comes to God's plans, I'm ready NOW! Brett calls this my superhero personality. I am ready now for whatever God has planned, I am ready now to hear whatever that might be, and I'm ready now to fix the problems I see around the world. Just this morning I prayed for God to reveal to me His plans for Brett and I, just like yesterday, and the day before. That is when God likes to take out His superhero Power and pull back the reigns on the cape I wear and let me know I'm more like a sidekick. He can use me if He wants to, but He doesn't need me, He has just chose me. Now I'm not saying its bad to pray for God's Wisdom and to know His plans, on the contrary, that is a good thing because He will reveal it to you. But in your heart your prayer must me humble trusting Him to tell you in His time, preparing you one step at a time. I just find myself impatient, asking for everything now. He wants us to focus one day at a time, not worrying about what He will do tomorrow. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34 We must be patient to take each step on the path He has laid out for us. "How can we understand the road we travel? It is the LORD who directs our steps." Proverbs 20:24. Being patient takes trust and trust will reveal obedience and in obedience God will reveal to you what God has for you to do. He will allow you to be His sidekick if you make sure not to put on His cape.
Now I'm not telling you to stop what you are doing and pray for patience because you must be ready for the lessons in patience first. But once you are ready to make it through the trials, you like myself, will be ready to wait on the Lord because in waiting He will bring you a greater reward. And God's timing will reveal a better plan than if we were to all try and be superheros and work it out in our own timing. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you." 1 Peter 5:6.
I have 4 wonderful children, who know how to be children, if you get what I mean. They love to run wild, makes messes, race through church (making sure they can hit every hanging sign down the hall), and who are unable to even sit still at the dinner table. Many people ask me, "How are you so patient with your kids?" And honestly years ago I prayed for patience (I know the dreaded prayer), but after a time of testing and trials, I have given in to patience and turned a blind eye to the trials. I've learned that if I let my surroundings give in to impatience, I will live in a state of total unrest and upheaval.
"Don't be impatient for the LORD to act! Travel steadily along the path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed." Psalm 38:34. Now let me confess, I may have become more patient in my earthly situations, but when it comes to God's plans, I'm ready NOW! Brett calls this my superhero personality. I am ready now for whatever God has planned, I am ready now to hear whatever that might be, and I'm ready now to fix the problems I see around the world. Just this morning I prayed for God to reveal to me His plans for Brett and I, just like yesterday, and the day before. That is when God likes to take out His superhero Power and pull back the reigns on the cape I wear and let me know I'm more like a sidekick. He can use me if He wants to, but He doesn't need me, He has just chose me. Now I'm not saying its bad to pray for God's Wisdom and to know His plans, on the contrary, that is a good thing because He will reveal it to you. But in your heart your prayer must me humble trusting Him to tell you in His time, preparing you one step at a time. I just find myself impatient, asking for everything now. He wants us to focus one day at a time, not worrying about what He will do tomorrow. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it's own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34 We must be patient to take each step on the path He has laid out for us. "How can we understand the road we travel? It is the LORD who directs our steps." Proverbs 20:24. Being patient takes trust and trust will reveal obedience and in obedience God will reveal to you what God has for you to do. He will allow you to be His sidekick if you make sure not to put on His cape.
Now I'm not telling you to stop what you are doing and pray for patience because you must be ready for the lessons in patience first. But once you are ready to make it through the trials, you like myself, will be ready to wait on the Lord because in waiting He will bring you a greater reward. And God's timing will reveal a better plan than if we were to all try and be superheros and work it out in our own timing. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you." 1 Peter 5:6.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Full and/or Fool?
"But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the might power of God and the wonderful Wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:24. And if God and Christ and the Holy Spirit are ONE then God is Wisdom. And if we are without wisdom we are without God, and likewise, if we are without God we are without Wisdom. We have to seek after Christ to become one with him to have the power and wisdom that he gives.
When we are following the ways of the World we are trusting in the ways of the Devil and his worldly wisdom. We become foolish because we believe these things matter and ultimately they will lead to our death. When we are Full of the World we are made a FOOL of the World because a FOOL lacks Wisdom. However, the Wisdom of God calls out to all of us, urging us away from earthly wisdom, our media driven lives, and calls us to lead a life of eternal significance. "She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 'Come home with me,' she urges the simple. To those without good judgement, she says, 'Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." Proverbs 9:3-6. She is Wisdom, and she is calling us to her home. Wisdom is God, and He is calling us up to Heaven. If we stay foolish and don't seek His Wisdom we are forfeiting our entrance into His Home.
We as a people have strayed too long. We have grown too accustomed to the evil, foolish ways of the world which lead us to our death, and Christ is still calling us home. Jesus has not given up on us. He has not yet returned. Don't you want to live a life that will have an eternal meaning, that is also fulfilling, and that will leave a legacy? Or do you wish to be insignificant, just like everyone else, trying to be the next big thing, then die and forever be condemned? The riches you have gained in this world will still be here on earth when you die. All that goes with you in death is you soul, and if you don't have Wisdom, you don't have Christ, and if Christ isn't living within you there is no way to get into heaven. "Jesus told them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6. He is the only way. Seek Wisdom! Seek God!
When we are following the ways of the World we are trusting in the ways of the Devil and his worldly wisdom. We become foolish because we believe these things matter and ultimately they will lead to our death. When we are Full of the World we are made a FOOL of the World because a FOOL lacks Wisdom. However, the Wisdom of God calls out to all of us, urging us away from earthly wisdom, our media driven lives, and calls us to lead a life of eternal significance. "She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 'Come home with me,' she urges the simple. To those without good judgement, she says, 'Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." Proverbs 9:3-6. She is Wisdom, and she is calling us to her home. Wisdom is God, and He is calling us up to Heaven. If we stay foolish and don't seek His Wisdom we are forfeiting our entrance into His Home.
We as a people have strayed too long. We have grown too accustomed to the evil, foolish ways of the world which lead us to our death, and Christ is still calling us home. Jesus has not given up on us. He has not yet returned. Don't you want to live a life that will have an eternal meaning, that is also fulfilling, and that will leave a legacy? Or do you wish to be insignificant, just like everyone else, trying to be the next big thing, then die and forever be condemned? The riches you have gained in this world will still be here on earth when you die. All that goes with you in death is you soul, and if you don't have Wisdom, you don't have Christ, and if Christ isn't living within you there is no way to get into heaven. "Jesus told them, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6. He is the only way. Seek Wisdom! Seek God!
Monday, March 26, 2012
A Relationship
"I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5.
Jesus was speaking these words to encourage his disciples to have a relationship with him. He being the vine that brings all the life, and we being the branches that can bear the fruit. And He tells us apart from him we can do nothing. So the only way we can make anything happen is by having a relationship with Him.
God wants a relationship with us. We should be honored and humbled at the same time. A God that created all things, including us, wants to grow with us, relate to us, be associated with us. He wants us to come to Him with our joys, our pains, our questions, our frustrations, our desires, and our sorrows. He wants to be the first one we think about, the first on our list. He longs for us, He chose us, and He wants for us to choose Him. To do all of this and to grow in our relationship with Him we must first trust Him, and then go to Him in everything.
I can't say I have always put God first on my list or have always had a daily quite time with Him, but I can say for the past 6 years I have put Him first, and my life has changed. I have realized that without Him I can do nothing, and that God is the first person I need to go to. He is the one that will listen to all of my problems no matter how big or small, and He is the only one that can solve the situation and give me my desires. Over the years I have tried to encourage others to spend time with God and to allow their relationship to grow. Some have done this and grown closer, but some have enjoyed this for a time and then fallen away. I have contemplated the difference and I have asked advice, but I have truly had the hardest time figuring this out because I long to have this quiet time with Him daily.
Yesterday, as I was sitting in Sunday school, my friend started discussing how having a relationship with God will gain you wisdom, and out of no where I started thinking about how my relationship has grown with Him. A light went off in my head, and I began to realize what makes the difference. Have you ever heard of The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman? He has so many different editions now, but the love languages stay the same: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. My love language is quality time, and as I was thinking about why my quiet time has made such an impact in my life I realized it is because time is my love language. I feel loved when people spend time with me, and I give of my time because that is how I show love. I could honestly spend a whole day with just me and God and be so full and want so much more of His Time. And I began to think, well what about others what can they do to feel this love and give this love back to God, and grow in their relationship with God because of their own love langauge. God, however, gives out of all love, because He is love, but every love langauage isn't the same for all people.
As I was going through each love langauge I could see how a long quiet time might not be the best way to grow your relationship with God. Now for Quality Time lovers like myself, you would probably love spending time with God, and show your love to Him by this time. But if you are loved by Words of Affirmation you may feel closest to God when you are worshiping him, praising His name in prayer or song. And when you are reading His Word you may truly enjoy the Psalms or any Word of encoragement in the New Testament. Someone who feels loved through gifts probably shows their love for Christ by giving to the needy, helping those God called us to help with some item they might have. And you may feel loved when God gives you a gift you weren't expecting or you may feel confirmed in His love for you by the gift of His Son Jesus. Now, if acts of service is your love langauge then showing Christ's love draws you closest to God. Going on mission trips, starting a ministry locally, or just helping in your church will help to grow your relationship with Christ. And as you read God's word, whenever you read of the good samaritan or encouragement to be like Christ your love tank begins to fill up (you are a Martha and we all need Martha's). Lastly, if you are like my husband, physical touch is your love lnagauge, and if you met God you would want to run to Him and just give him a big hug. Every time you are around people you try to show Christ love by hugging them, and when they say 'They needed that,' you begin to overflow with love. Every time you hear something that makes your hair stand on end, your heartbeat rapidly, and shivers flow up and down your spine, you feel God's touch on you and you draw closer to Him. Your best reciprocation can be just going to Him in prayer and imagining yourself being held in His arms and telling him everything within you.
These are all just possibilties or ideas of ways you can grow with Christ. God's love is full love, a combination of all the love langauges, and he wants us to take part in each one, but He knows we feel closest to Him in one way over the others. He will speak to us through each of these ways, but which way speaks most to you? Try and figure out which one is your love language, or if you already know, when do you feel like you are growing closest to God?
*The Five Love Langauges: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. By Gary Chapman
Jesus was speaking these words to encourage his disciples to have a relationship with him. He being the vine that brings all the life, and we being the branches that can bear the fruit. And He tells us apart from him we can do nothing. So the only way we can make anything happen is by having a relationship with Him.
God wants a relationship with us. We should be honored and humbled at the same time. A God that created all things, including us, wants to grow with us, relate to us, be associated with us. He wants us to come to Him with our joys, our pains, our questions, our frustrations, our desires, and our sorrows. He wants to be the first one we think about, the first on our list. He longs for us, He chose us, and He wants for us to choose Him. To do all of this and to grow in our relationship with Him we must first trust Him, and then go to Him in everything.
I can't say I have always put God first on my list or have always had a daily quite time with Him, but I can say for the past 6 years I have put Him first, and my life has changed. I have realized that without Him I can do nothing, and that God is the first person I need to go to. He is the one that will listen to all of my problems no matter how big or small, and He is the only one that can solve the situation and give me my desires. Over the years I have tried to encourage others to spend time with God and to allow their relationship to grow. Some have done this and grown closer, but some have enjoyed this for a time and then fallen away. I have contemplated the difference and I have asked advice, but I have truly had the hardest time figuring this out because I long to have this quiet time with Him daily.
Yesterday, as I was sitting in Sunday school, my friend started discussing how having a relationship with God will gain you wisdom, and out of no where I started thinking about how my relationship has grown with Him. A light went off in my head, and I began to realize what makes the difference. Have you ever heard of The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman? He has so many different editions now, but the love languages stay the same: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. My love language is quality time, and as I was thinking about why my quiet time has made such an impact in my life I realized it is because time is my love language. I feel loved when people spend time with me, and I give of my time because that is how I show love. I could honestly spend a whole day with just me and God and be so full and want so much more of His Time. And I began to think, well what about others what can they do to feel this love and give this love back to God, and grow in their relationship with God because of their own love langauge. God, however, gives out of all love, because He is love, but every love langauage isn't the same for all people.
As I was going through each love langauge I could see how a long quiet time might not be the best way to grow your relationship with God. Now for Quality Time lovers like myself, you would probably love spending time with God, and show your love to Him by this time. But if you are loved by Words of Affirmation you may feel closest to God when you are worshiping him, praising His name in prayer or song. And when you are reading His Word you may truly enjoy the Psalms or any Word of encoragement in the New Testament. Someone who feels loved through gifts probably shows their love for Christ by giving to the needy, helping those God called us to help with some item they might have. And you may feel loved when God gives you a gift you weren't expecting or you may feel confirmed in His love for you by the gift of His Son Jesus. Now, if acts of service is your love langauge then showing Christ's love draws you closest to God. Going on mission trips, starting a ministry locally, or just helping in your church will help to grow your relationship with Christ. And as you read God's word, whenever you read of the good samaritan or encouragement to be like Christ your love tank begins to fill up (you are a Martha and we all need Martha's). Lastly, if you are like my husband, physical touch is your love lnagauge, and if you met God you would want to run to Him and just give him a big hug. Every time you are around people you try to show Christ love by hugging them, and when they say 'They needed that,' you begin to overflow with love. Every time you hear something that makes your hair stand on end, your heartbeat rapidly, and shivers flow up and down your spine, you feel God's touch on you and you draw closer to Him. Your best reciprocation can be just going to Him in prayer and imagining yourself being held in His arms and telling him everything within you.
These are all just possibilties or ideas of ways you can grow with Christ. God's love is full love, a combination of all the love langauges, and he wants us to take part in each one, but He knows we feel closest to Him in one way over the others. He will speak to us through each of these ways, but which way speaks most to you? Try and figure out which one is your love language, or if you already know, when do you feel like you are growing closest to God?
*The Five Love Langauges: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. By Gary Chapman
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Impossibly Possible
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
"That's Impossible!" You've heard it, I've heard it, you've thought it, I've thought it, and probably we've all said it at one time or another. And to be matter of factly, on our own things may be impossible, but with God nothing is impossible...
Mary, a young virgin girl, was visited by the Angel Gabriel and told of the baby she would be having. Mary was young, but she was still old enough to know it takes 2 to make a child, so she was understandably confused. "Mary asked the angel, 'But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." Luke 1:34. Gabriel began to unfold the reason why the impossible is possible. "The angel replied, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35. The angel must have sensed Mary stilled needed more justification, more explanation, and maybe a little encouragement from a friend, so he continues..."What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:36-37. Gabriel explained a miracle: something only God can do which makes the impossible, Possible. He knew Mary would believe the miracle happening in her own life if she knew the miracle happening in Elizabeth's life. However, Mary could have still said, 'I have to see it to believe it. Let me just dial Elizabeth up and ask her if it is true.' (Just like our human instinct.) But instead Mary chose to believe. "Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.' And then the angel left." Luke 1:38
Miracles are still happening everyday. They didn't finish when the Bible was concluded. But so many times we hear about lives being lifted out of a river after being trapped by a rock, a boy going to Heaven, money needed to pay your electricity showing up in your mailbox, a marriage unrepairable being restored, a tumor there one day and then gone the next, and you think That's Impossible. But nothing is impossible with God.
6 years ago, almost exactly, I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Everything was normal, nothing out of the ordinary, but in the 10th week of the pregnancy things just seemed different. By 11 and a 1/2 weeks I had miscarried. I was definitely devastated blaming myself for everything, but a friend reminded me, God had a plan. 2 and a 1/2 months later all I could think about was having a baby again, and something about be just felt different. So, I prayed earnestly to God, asking Him for a baby and promising my life in dedication to Him if He would just grant me this request. Even though I would have only been around 3 weeks along at this point I decided to go ahead and do a test to just see if it was positive. And it was positive! Immediately I called my doctor and he told me to go ahead and come on in.
After a quick exam and test, my doctor looked at me with a doubtful face saying, "I don't believe you are pregnant, you were pretty far along when you miscarried and it seems like your body is still showing your previous pregnancy." I looked at him with tears welling up in my eyes and said, "I know I'm pregnant. I can feel it. I Know It!" I just knew God had given me another baby, and I wasn't about to take no as an answer. So, my doctor said we could come back the next day and have a sonogram to check me out. One whole night couldn't have gone fast enough. Knowing, not knowing, confused!
First thing the next day, we walked in the door of the doctor's office, and immediately I was taken back for the sonogram. The tech looks at me and smiles, "You are definitely pregnant....Here's baby number 1 and here's baby number 2." "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37. With God it is always impossibly possible.
"That's Impossible!" You've heard it, I've heard it, you've thought it, I've thought it, and probably we've all said it at one time or another. And to be matter of factly, on our own things may be impossible, but with God nothing is impossible...
Mary, a young virgin girl, was visited by the Angel Gabriel and told of the baby she would be having. Mary was young, but she was still old enough to know it takes 2 to make a child, so she was understandably confused. "Mary asked the angel, 'But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." Luke 1:34. Gabriel began to unfold the reason why the impossible is possible. "The angel replied, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35. The angel must have sensed Mary stilled needed more justification, more explanation, and maybe a little encouragement from a friend, so he continues..."What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:36-37. Gabriel explained a miracle: something only God can do which makes the impossible, Possible. He knew Mary would believe the miracle happening in her own life if she knew the miracle happening in Elizabeth's life. However, Mary could have still said, 'I have to see it to believe it. Let me just dial Elizabeth up and ask her if it is true.' (Just like our human instinct.) But instead Mary chose to believe. "Mary responded, 'I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.' And then the angel left." Luke 1:38
Miracles are still happening everyday. They didn't finish when the Bible was concluded. But so many times we hear about lives being lifted out of a river after being trapped by a rock, a boy going to Heaven, money needed to pay your electricity showing up in your mailbox, a marriage unrepairable being restored, a tumor there one day and then gone the next, and you think That's Impossible. But nothing is impossible with God.
6 years ago, almost exactly, I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Everything was normal, nothing out of the ordinary, but in the 10th week of the pregnancy things just seemed different. By 11 and a 1/2 weeks I had miscarried. I was definitely devastated blaming myself for everything, but a friend reminded me, God had a plan. 2 and a 1/2 months later all I could think about was having a baby again, and something about be just felt different. So, I prayed earnestly to God, asking Him for a baby and promising my life in dedication to Him if He would just grant me this request. Even though I would have only been around 3 weeks along at this point I decided to go ahead and do a test to just see if it was positive. And it was positive! Immediately I called my doctor and he told me to go ahead and come on in.
After a quick exam and test, my doctor looked at me with a doubtful face saying, "I don't believe you are pregnant, you were pretty far along when you miscarried and it seems like your body is still showing your previous pregnancy." I looked at him with tears welling up in my eyes and said, "I know I'm pregnant. I can feel it. I Know It!" I just knew God had given me another baby, and I wasn't about to take no as an answer. So, my doctor said we could come back the next day and have a sonogram to check me out. One whole night couldn't have gone fast enough. Knowing, not knowing, confused!
First thing the next day, we walked in the door of the doctor's office, and immediately I was taken back for the sonogram. The tech looks at me and smiles, "You are definitely pregnant....Here's baby number 1 and here's baby number 2." "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37. With God it is always impossibly possible.
Friday, March 23, 2012
On Guard
"Give all of your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7.
The Devil is out to get us. He waits around every corner and hides in every shadow. You could be walking along minding your own business, feeling at peace in your soul, and WAM, he pounces like a lion ready to devour you. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Earlier this week the Devil grabbed me and my family. He got us in the one spot we weren't guarding. Things in almost every other area of our life were actually beginning to look up, but there was one area we had noticed change in, somewhat odd, but we just pushed it off, ignoring the warnings. Do you ever do that? Well take it from me, once you ignore the devil, he has a chance to take over that area and destroy it, and he shore enough laid waste to something I once thought was stable. Over the years this area had been deteriorating, but not to the point of disaster. But the Devil came through like a tornado and tour everything down.
My mind became like mush, confused, fully unfocused. I had no clue what to do, where to go, or what to say. So, for the past couple of days I've just prayed and called upon other prayer warriors to pray as well. A calm has come across the turbulent storm even though I'm still sitting among the wasteland. There is a peace in knowing that God is sitting here with me, guarding me from any more attacks of the Devil.
Daily I am reminded of so many others the Devil has attacked, and I stand strong in my faith that God will bring all of us away renewed. "Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remembering that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." 1 Peter 5:9.
God cares about what is happening to us. He wants us to take all of our worries and problems to Him, and God wants us to Stand On Guard against the Devil. But we can take comfort in knowing God is going to save us from any destruction of the Devil and bring us to the river of life for restoration. "For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun. Do you not see it? I will make pathways through the wilderness to bring my people home. I will create rivers in the wasteland!" Isaiah 43:19
The Devil is out to get us. He waits around every corner and hides in every shadow. You could be walking along minding your own business, feeling at peace in your soul, and WAM, he pounces like a lion ready to devour you. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
Earlier this week the Devil grabbed me and my family. He got us in the one spot we weren't guarding. Things in almost every other area of our life were actually beginning to look up, but there was one area we had noticed change in, somewhat odd, but we just pushed it off, ignoring the warnings. Do you ever do that? Well take it from me, once you ignore the devil, he has a chance to take over that area and destroy it, and he shore enough laid waste to something I once thought was stable. Over the years this area had been deteriorating, but not to the point of disaster. But the Devil came through like a tornado and tour everything down.
My mind became like mush, confused, fully unfocused. I had no clue what to do, where to go, or what to say. So, for the past couple of days I've just prayed and called upon other prayer warriors to pray as well. A calm has come across the turbulent storm even though I'm still sitting among the wasteland. There is a peace in knowing that God is sitting here with me, guarding me from any more attacks of the Devil.
Daily I am reminded of so many others the Devil has attacked, and I stand strong in my faith that God will bring all of us away renewed. "Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remembering that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are." 1 Peter 5:9.
God cares about what is happening to us. He wants us to take all of our worries and problems to Him, and God wants us to Stand On Guard against the Devil. But we can take comfort in knowing God is going to save us from any destruction of the Devil and bring us to the river of life for restoration. "For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun. Do you not see it? I will make pathways through the wilderness to bring my people home. I will create rivers in the wasteland!" Isaiah 43:19
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
To Close for Comfort
I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not, but I always write out my blog in a diary of sorts before I post it online. TODAY IS NOT THE CASE! Oh I wrote this morning, but not this.
I have been struggling with something and I was trying to write on it in my diary and I truly can't decide if God was telling me not to or the devil was hoping I wouldn't. So I stopped mid-sentence, closed the entry and gave up, not in a defeated way, but so I could pray about it and have God guide me. That is when I felt Him say, don't write it down first, let my words go straight onto your blog. This is where you find yourself now, reading what God is about to say. I have no clue how it is going to turn out, but it is on my heart and God is working it through....
I have a really hard time with people Knowing what is right and Doing what is wrong. Sin right? We all do this. But sometimes some of us do it unknowingly and other times we know exactly what we are doing. Take for instance Pilate, until right now, as I write, I have always struggled with feeling bad for him. I have always felt like he got a bad rap. Jesus had been brought by the Jews to Pilate to get him to okay His crucification. "Why?' Pilate demanded. 'What crime has he committed?" Mark 15:14a. He tried to save Jesus, Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Pilate tried to get them to release Jesus and keep Barabbas, but they wouldn't. So out of fear of the Jews Pilate conceded. I have always thought the Jews are the ones to be angry with not Pilate, BUT now I see Pilate knew what was right and instead did what was wrong!
For those of us who are Christians and we choose to slander someone, be adulterous, lie about someone, choose favorites, hate, gossip, get drunk, do drugs, beat a child, hurt a widow, look down upon the poor, or degrade our brother.....we know better. WE KNOW BETTER! Read the entire book of James in 20 minutes, you will know better. Read Proverbs in 1 month, you will know better. Why do we do what we know is wrong, why do we continue to sin after we know Jesus saved us and already forgave us of our sins? Because we use the Wisdom that we Know on earthly pursuits instead of using the Wisdom that we Know on Heavenly pursuits.
"So Pilate, anxious to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him." Mark 15:15. Pilate had Wisdom (earthly wisdom), he knew Jesus was innocent, but because he only had earthly wisdom it was motivated by the Devil. "For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil...But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure."James 3:15,17a. And anything that we do that is against God's word is out of jealousy and selfishness because we are saying that our ways are more important than God's ways.
Solomon put it all together at the end of his life...after gaining Wisdom from God in his youth then following away from the wisdom in his old age, he realized he was missing something. He had begun doing everything that he knew was wrong. He had 1000 wives, he worshipped all of their different gods, and he set up other altars and idols for other gods. He went against everything he gained from God in his youth because of selfish ambition and so do we. At the end of his life Solomon came to his senses and said, "Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
After all that ranting I want to remind you of some more truths: God loves you! He wants you to love your neighbor as yourself! He wants you to love your enemies! He doesn't want you to cause others to stumble! And he wants to give you a joy that surpasses all. "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you." John 15:9-12
It's kind of funny how God brought me back to John 15. Just 2 weeks ago I was told to sit here and abide in God's Word and now I am asking you all to do the same. This may all seem....To Close for Comfort. But who said we were to be comfortable?!
Are you doing something that you know you shouldn't do? Ask God to forgive you of your sins and repent. When you do, you will get this new feeling in your heart...don't worry, that's just the Holy Spirit jumping for joy!
I have been struggling with something and I was trying to write on it in my diary and I truly can't decide if God was telling me not to or the devil was hoping I wouldn't. So I stopped mid-sentence, closed the entry and gave up, not in a defeated way, but so I could pray about it and have God guide me. That is when I felt Him say, don't write it down first, let my words go straight onto your blog. This is where you find yourself now, reading what God is about to say. I have no clue how it is going to turn out, but it is on my heart and God is working it through....
I have a really hard time with people Knowing what is right and Doing what is wrong. Sin right? We all do this. But sometimes some of us do it unknowingly and other times we know exactly what we are doing. Take for instance Pilate, until right now, as I write, I have always struggled with feeling bad for him. I have always felt like he got a bad rap. Jesus had been brought by the Jews to Pilate to get him to okay His crucification. "Why?' Pilate demanded. 'What crime has he committed?" Mark 15:14a. He tried to save Jesus, Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Pilate tried to get them to release Jesus and keep Barabbas, but they wouldn't. So out of fear of the Jews Pilate conceded. I have always thought the Jews are the ones to be angry with not Pilate, BUT now I see Pilate knew what was right and instead did what was wrong!
For those of us who are Christians and we choose to slander someone, be adulterous, lie about someone, choose favorites, hate, gossip, get drunk, do drugs, beat a child, hurt a widow, look down upon the poor, or degrade our brother.....we know better. WE KNOW BETTER! Read the entire book of James in 20 minutes, you will know better. Read Proverbs in 1 month, you will know better. Why do we do what we know is wrong, why do we continue to sin after we know Jesus saved us and already forgave us of our sins? Because we use the Wisdom that we Know on earthly pursuits instead of using the Wisdom that we Know on Heavenly pursuits.
"So Pilate, anxious to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him." Mark 15:15. Pilate had Wisdom (earthly wisdom), he knew Jesus was innocent, but because he only had earthly wisdom it was motivated by the Devil. "For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil...But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure."James 3:15,17a. And anything that we do that is against God's word is out of jealousy and selfishness because we are saying that our ways are more important than God's ways.
Solomon put it all together at the end of his life...after gaining Wisdom from God in his youth then following away from the wisdom in his old age, he realized he was missing something. He had begun doing everything that he knew was wrong. He had 1000 wives, he worshipped all of their different gods, and he set up other altars and idols for other gods. He went against everything he gained from God in his youth because of selfish ambition and so do we. At the end of his life Solomon came to his senses and said, "Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
After all that ranting I want to remind you of some more truths: God loves you! He wants you to love your neighbor as yourself! He wants you to love your enemies! He doesn't want you to cause others to stumble! And he wants to give you a joy that surpasses all. "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you." John 15:9-12
It's kind of funny how God brought me back to John 15. Just 2 weeks ago I was told to sit here and abide in God's Word and now I am asking you all to do the same. This may all seem....To Close for Comfort. But who said we were to be comfortable?!
Are you doing something that you know you shouldn't do? Ask God to forgive you of your sins and repent. When you do, you will get this new feeling in your heart...don't worry, that's just the Holy Spirit jumping for joy!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Access Denied!
Have you ever gone somewhere and had your access denied? Or have you walked up to the cashier at a grocery store (or Target in my case) and have your credit/debit card denied? It is humiliating. You are sure you just got paid and the check should be in the bank. It must be the banks fault....ugh the Bank, but wait maybe you are supposed to be paid next week or you already had your mortgage taken out of this weeks pay. Maybe you are being denied because you didn't keep your account up-to-date and you really aren't sure what is in there. You balanced your checkbook on Monday, but forgot to look at it the rest of the week. Many people do this same thing with Jesus. We know Him on Sunday, but we forget Him by Monday.
Are you standing strong in your faith in all areas of your life? Do you admit Jesus is Lord and Savior of your life at church and with your church friends and deny Him with others?
On Sunday everyone was catching up about their Spring Break and telling everyone what they had done, when I overheard someone say they went on a trip with a group of friends and one of the friends said they were far enough away from church that they didn't need to act Christian anymore. WOW! This person was amazed and said the right thing, 'Didn't Jesus die for everyone's sins everywhere not just at church.' Amen Sister! However I see Sunday Christians all the time. When we do this we are denying Christ, we are saying our ways are more important than His ways. Our comfort and political correctness is more important than the truth.
Even Peter struggled in this area of his life. The same man who Jesus said, "Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all of the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18. Peter was with Jesus 24/7, he had grown close to Him, but Jesus knew Peter would deny Him still. "Peter,' Jesus replied, 'the truth is, this very night, before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times." Mark 14:30. Peter couldn't believe it, no way would he deny His Lord on the night Jesus was to be captured, but he DID! "Peter denied it...Just then, a rooster crowed. Peter denied it again....Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know this man you are talking about. And immediately the rooster crowed the second time." Mark 14: 68a,b, 70a, 71-72a. Peter did just as Jesus prophesied, and this was a man who was with Jesus always.
Jesus warned all of us by saying, "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33. And where will Jesus be to do all this..."Jesus said, 'I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62. Jesus is at God's right hand and when we come before the judgment seat are you ready for Jesus to say, Didn't you deny me?!
Are you obeying God, are you glorifying Him in everything you do and say? Don't make the mistake of denying Him. Let your words and actions profess Christ as your LORD and Savior because in the end that's all that matters and you don't want God to say "Access Denied"!
Are you standing strong in your faith in all areas of your life? Do you admit Jesus is Lord and Savior of your life at church and with your church friends and deny Him with others?
On Sunday everyone was catching up about their Spring Break and telling everyone what they had done, when I overheard someone say they went on a trip with a group of friends and one of the friends said they were far enough away from church that they didn't need to act Christian anymore. WOW! This person was amazed and said the right thing, 'Didn't Jesus die for everyone's sins everywhere not just at church.' Amen Sister! However I see Sunday Christians all the time. When we do this we are denying Christ, we are saying our ways are more important than His ways. Our comfort and political correctness is more important than the truth.
Even Peter struggled in this area of his life. The same man who Jesus said, "Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all of the powers of hell will not conquer it." Matthew 16:18. Peter was with Jesus 24/7, he had grown close to Him, but Jesus knew Peter would deny Him still. "Peter,' Jesus replied, 'the truth is, this very night, before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times." Mark 14:30. Peter couldn't believe it, no way would he deny His Lord on the night Jesus was to be captured, but he DID! "Peter denied it...Just then, a rooster crowed. Peter denied it again....Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know this man you are talking about. And immediately the rooster crowed the second time." Mark 14: 68a,b, 70a, 71-72a. Peter did just as Jesus prophesied, and this was a man who was with Jesus always.
Jesus warned all of us by saying, "If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33. And where will Jesus be to do all this..."Jesus said, 'I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven." Mark 14:62. Jesus is at God's right hand and when we come before the judgment seat are you ready for Jesus to say, Didn't you deny me?!
Are you obeying God, are you glorifying Him in everything you do and say? Don't make the mistake of denying Him. Let your words and actions profess Christ as your LORD and Savior because in the end that's all that matters and you don't want God to say "Access Denied"!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Barbed Wire
Have you ever felt like there was something you were lead to do, but it seems to hard to attain? Maybe you feel like a door has been left open to a great opportunity, but when you walk through to the other side their is a barbed wire fence that you have to scale before you can get to it?
God promised the Israelites that they would have a land flowing with milk and honey, a land that was full of great opportunities, a land far away from their slavery in Egypt. Moses was to be the fearless leader taking them from their captivity in Egypt to their freedom in the land of plenty. After 2 years in the wilderness God finally told Moses it was time for them to enter this wonderful land, but Moses decided to send 12 scouts out beforehand to observe the land and report back to the community. After spending 40 days in this land the scouts came back saying it was definitely flowing with milk and honey, BUT it was also filled with powerful people, Giants, and large cities surrounded by 25 foot walls, 20 feet deep. 10 of the 12 scouts saw no feasible way to take this land as their own. They were able to discourage the entire Israelite tribe from entering this land, and instead they were making a plan to go back to Egypt where they had been enslaved. However there were 2 scouts, Caleb and Joshua, who saw things differently. They looked at the circumstances through their God's perspective. "They said to the community of Israel, "The land we explored is a wonderful land! And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us!" Numbers 14:7-8. Caleb and Joshua saw the open door and recognized the barbed wire and knew without a doubt that if God wanted them on the other side he would remove the barbed wire in the way. These 2 faithful servants tried to encourage the community to trust God and His promises. "Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" Numbers 14:9
Every time we choose to shy away from the opportunity or promise God has given us we are rebelling against Him. We are telling God we don't trust Him and His strength. God can do all things and we need to remember that. He is stronger than any wall; He is mightier than any army; He is bigger than any fear!
For the past year God has told me to write. He has spoke to me through the encouragement of others, through scripture, and through my quiet time. But to be honest I haven't been writing because I am afraid I will have nothing to say and quite frankly that I'm not good enough. I've given myself excuses that I don't have enough time, that maybe He is leading me in a different direction. But God has constantly placed people in my path to encourage me on and truths to lead me forward. I saw the door open and let the BARBED WIRE shy me away. But after so much constant confusion as to what I was to do and the fears that I placed in my way I went to Him in prayer. I put my face to the ground and laid His plans before me, and I prayed, "God, if writing is what you want me to do, it is not me, but you writing through me. And I lay this all before you, trusting in your plan. Empty me of myself and use me. Amen."
What stands in the way of the open door and the promised land God has for you? Lay it at the feet of Christ and He will tear that Barbed Wire DOWN!
God promised the Israelites that they would have a land flowing with milk and honey, a land that was full of great opportunities, a land far away from their slavery in Egypt. Moses was to be the fearless leader taking them from their captivity in Egypt to their freedom in the land of plenty. After 2 years in the wilderness God finally told Moses it was time for them to enter this wonderful land, but Moses decided to send 12 scouts out beforehand to observe the land and report back to the community. After spending 40 days in this land the scouts came back saying it was definitely flowing with milk and honey, BUT it was also filled with powerful people, Giants, and large cities surrounded by 25 foot walls, 20 feet deep. 10 of the 12 scouts saw no feasible way to take this land as their own. They were able to discourage the entire Israelite tribe from entering this land, and instead they were making a plan to go back to Egypt where they had been enslaved. However there were 2 scouts, Caleb and Joshua, who saw things differently. They looked at the circumstances through their God's perspective. "They said to the community of Israel, "The land we explored is a wonderful land! And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us!" Numbers 14:7-8. Caleb and Joshua saw the open door and recognized the barbed wire and knew without a doubt that if God wanted them on the other side he would remove the barbed wire in the way. These 2 faithful servants tried to encourage the community to trust God and His promises. "Do not rebel against the LORD, and don't be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don't be afraid of them!" Numbers 14:9
Every time we choose to shy away from the opportunity or promise God has given us we are rebelling against Him. We are telling God we don't trust Him and His strength. God can do all things and we need to remember that. He is stronger than any wall; He is mightier than any army; He is bigger than any fear!
For the past year God has told me to write. He has spoke to me through the encouragement of others, through scripture, and through my quiet time. But to be honest I haven't been writing because I am afraid I will have nothing to say and quite frankly that I'm not good enough. I've given myself excuses that I don't have enough time, that maybe He is leading me in a different direction. But God has constantly placed people in my path to encourage me on and truths to lead me forward. I saw the door open and let the BARBED WIRE shy me away. But after so much constant confusion as to what I was to do and the fears that I placed in my way I went to Him in prayer. I put my face to the ground and laid His plans before me, and I prayed, "God, if writing is what you want me to do, it is not me, but you writing through me. And I lay this all before you, trusting in your plan. Empty me of myself and use me. Amen."
What stands in the way of the open door and the promised land God has for you? Lay it at the feet of Christ and He will tear that Barbed Wire DOWN!
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Only Right Answer
"My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it." Proverbs 8:8. Everyday we have some type of decision to make; some will be simple and some that could change the course of our life forever. When the decision first comes about there is always many paths laid before us by the world, people, and ideas. All of these will try to influence our decision, but the only way to make the best choice is to look to God's word. When we look to worldly things and ungodly wisdom there is a high chance that what we hear may be crooked or twisted leading us down a road that will end in death. But when we look to God's wisdom we will be lead down a straight path that will lead to eternal life. Some may think listening to God is hard and not easy to understand, but God says, "My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn." Proverbs 8:9.
About a month ago a teenage girl, full of fears, and desperation walked into a pregnancy care center thinking she was going to an abortion clinic. When she walked through the door the world had already influenced the decision she was planning on making. All she knew was that she already had plans to attend college, a career laid out ahead of her, no way to take care of a baby, and a family that she thought would desert her if they found out. What she didn't realize was that God had guided her to a place that she could hear His Wisdom and learn His truth and love for her and this unborn child. She didn't have to accept the Wisdom, but at least she would hear it. The counselor that met the young girl told her all of the reasons why she should keep the baby and all of the reasons an abortion is harmful to her. The young girl, now armed with Truth, walked out of the center unsure of what her decision would be. This young girl had no idea that so many people would now be lifting up prayers for her and the life changing decision she was about to have to make.
After a few weeks this young girl came back to the pregnancy care center ready to make a decision and comforted by a change of heart. Not only did she choose life for the child within her, but she sat down with her boyfriend and mother and told them about what was happening. If this teenage girl hadn't heard Godly wisdom not only would she have ended the life of the unborn child made in her as a gift from God for her or another family unable to conceive, but she would have also killed a part of her own soul.
This same scenario happens everyday in abortion clinics and pregnancy care centers. The women that go to abortion clinics get worldly advice (you will ruin your life, you can't do this on your own, think about your boyfriend, your family), but those that go to pregnancy care centers get Godly Wisdom (this baby is a gift, there are other options, adoption, we can help you).
There are many other things in your life that will bring about decisions that will have to be made: do I go to college, is God calling me to the mission field, should I adopt, can I gamble, is it okay to get drunk, can I try drugs this one time, should I get divorced, can I have an affair (my spouse will never find out).....so many things that you will need wisdom to decide....should I take this job, can I afford this car, is it time to buy a house? All of these things can be influenced by worldly advice and mislead you, but Godly advice will save a life every time.
Next time you are facing a decision which could be today...first look to God's Word and seek Godly counsel. For ungodly advice is like an adulterous woman and she will seduce you with her looks and flattery and lead you to your death. "Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down the wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death." Proverbs 7:25-27. Don't allow worldly advice to take you to your death. Seek out Godly wisdom and find The Only Right Answer.
About a month ago a teenage girl, full of fears, and desperation walked into a pregnancy care center thinking she was going to an abortion clinic. When she walked through the door the world had already influenced the decision she was planning on making. All she knew was that she already had plans to attend college, a career laid out ahead of her, no way to take care of a baby, and a family that she thought would desert her if they found out. What she didn't realize was that God had guided her to a place that she could hear His Wisdom and learn His truth and love for her and this unborn child. She didn't have to accept the Wisdom, but at least she would hear it. The counselor that met the young girl told her all of the reasons why she should keep the baby and all of the reasons an abortion is harmful to her. The young girl, now armed with Truth, walked out of the center unsure of what her decision would be. This young girl had no idea that so many people would now be lifting up prayers for her and the life changing decision she was about to have to make.
After a few weeks this young girl came back to the pregnancy care center ready to make a decision and comforted by a change of heart. Not only did she choose life for the child within her, but she sat down with her boyfriend and mother and told them about what was happening. If this teenage girl hadn't heard Godly wisdom not only would she have ended the life of the unborn child made in her as a gift from God for her or another family unable to conceive, but she would have also killed a part of her own soul.
This same scenario happens everyday in abortion clinics and pregnancy care centers. The women that go to abortion clinics get worldly advice (you will ruin your life, you can't do this on your own, think about your boyfriend, your family), but those that go to pregnancy care centers get Godly Wisdom (this baby is a gift, there are other options, adoption, we can help you).
There are many other things in your life that will bring about decisions that will have to be made: do I go to college, is God calling me to the mission field, should I adopt, can I gamble, is it okay to get drunk, can I try drugs this one time, should I get divorced, can I have an affair (my spouse will never find out).....so many things that you will need wisdom to decide....should I take this job, can I afford this car, is it time to buy a house? All of these things can be influenced by worldly advice and mislead you, but Godly advice will save a life every time.
Next time you are facing a decision which could be today...first look to God's Word and seek Godly counsel. For ungodly advice is like an adulterous woman and she will seduce you with her looks and flattery and lead you to your death. "Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down the wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death." Proverbs 7:25-27. Don't allow worldly advice to take you to your death. Seek out Godly wisdom and find The Only Right Answer.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
LIVE LOVE ARISE
Live Love Arise!
The Birds they Chirp
It's Early Morn
The Sun Begins to Rise
The Earth Awakes
On Bended Knee
The Prayers come out As Cries
The Time is Now
Our Savior Came
Eternal Life the Prize
Relationship
His One Request
Separation was Brought by Lies
Have YOU Gone to Him
Have YOU Made Him First
Have YOU Opened up Your Eyes
Awake Your Bodies
Breath in His Life
Before Your Soul just Dies
LIVE
LOVE
ARISE!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Unpacking for Eternity
Last night I found myself on an hour and a half long conference call for the mission trip I will be going on in April. Our leaders were preparing us for what we will need to know, need to have, and essentially need to pack. Whenever you go on a trip one of the big worries is always what do I need to pack...what am I going to do, what's the temperature like, and what is the culture like?
In the book of Mark this same question came up, "Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?" 10:17b. Essentially the rich young man was asking, what do I need to pack to get to Heaven. However, this man thought he was already packed just right, but he just felt like he was still missing something in his luggage. His life seemed to be very fulfilled, but he was still missing eternal life. So what was the hangup? As far as he knew he had never broken any Mosaic laws, he was blessed beyond measure financially, what was he missing?
Jesus looked at this man with true compassion. He could see into his soul and know he was truly lost, like a sheep who had lost his way and was trying to find his way back to the peaceful meadow. "Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21. This man may have been a good man, but what he was lacking was actually an overage, he had way to much baggage. He couldn't make it to heaven because he had packed to much and needed to do some unpacking. That baggage had built a wall between he and Christ. "At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions." Mark 10:22.
The rich young man couldn't have eternal life not because he was rich, but because he held tight to his wealth and held it in higher esteem than his love for God. Jesus looked at him with love, He loved this rich man, but this rich man LOVED his money. We all have things that get in the way of our relationship with God and eternal life. A life that will be filled with love and JOY. This life is a new life, a new creation. God is asking us to just unpack our baggage...our addictions, our love of money, our greed, our hatred, our possessions, our envy, whatever it may be that is weighing us down...and follow Him. We have to stop stuffing our luggage with baggage that is making it bust at the seams, that is putting us over the weight limit, causing us to pay extra fees to pay the price of flight. The flight to Eternal life has already been paid for us and Jesus Christ has paid that price. He is willing to take your baggage for FREE.
For years my separation from Christ was my own Will Power. I was loading my luggage with all on my own baggage. I thought I could handle everything on my own. I didn't need anyone to help me with my struggles. I was good all on my own! Finally (thank the LORD) I reached a point where I realized (felt like I had tripped and the baggage I was carrying was crushing my body) my whole life was out of control. There wasn't a plane big enough to carry my luggage to Heaven. Thank God, Jesus paid the price for me, and I handed every piece of baggage over to God. My load was finally light, and I was able to follow Him. He gave me a One-Way ticket to Eternal Life.
What about you? What's your luggage look like? What type of baggage are you carrying around? Let God lighten the load. Don't be like the rich young man, unpack and follow Him.
In the book of Mark this same question came up, "Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?" 10:17b. Essentially the rich young man was asking, what do I need to pack to get to Heaven. However, this man thought he was already packed just right, but he just felt like he was still missing something in his luggage. His life seemed to be very fulfilled, but he was still missing eternal life. So what was the hangup? As far as he knew he had never broken any Mosaic laws, he was blessed beyond measure financially, what was he missing?
Jesus looked at this man with true compassion. He could see into his soul and know he was truly lost, like a sheep who had lost his way and was trying to find his way back to the peaceful meadow. "Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21. This man may have been a good man, but what he was lacking was actually an overage, he had way to much baggage. He couldn't make it to heaven because he had packed to much and needed to do some unpacking. That baggage had built a wall between he and Christ. "At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions." Mark 10:22.
The rich young man couldn't have eternal life not because he was rich, but because he held tight to his wealth and held it in higher esteem than his love for God. Jesus looked at him with love, He loved this rich man, but this rich man LOVED his money. We all have things that get in the way of our relationship with God and eternal life. A life that will be filled with love and JOY. This life is a new life, a new creation. God is asking us to just unpack our baggage...our addictions, our love of money, our greed, our hatred, our possessions, our envy, whatever it may be that is weighing us down...and follow Him. We have to stop stuffing our luggage with baggage that is making it bust at the seams, that is putting us over the weight limit, causing us to pay extra fees to pay the price of flight. The flight to Eternal life has already been paid for us and Jesus Christ has paid that price. He is willing to take your baggage for FREE.
For years my separation from Christ was my own Will Power. I was loading my luggage with all on my own baggage. I thought I could handle everything on my own. I didn't need anyone to help me with my struggles. I was good all on my own! Finally (thank the LORD) I reached a point where I realized (felt like I had tripped and the baggage I was carrying was crushing my body) my whole life was out of control. There wasn't a plane big enough to carry my luggage to Heaven. Thank God, Jesus paid the price for me, and I handed every piece of baggage over to God. My load was finally light, and I was able to follow Him. He gave me a One-Way ticket to Eternal Life.
What about you? What's your luggage look like? What type of baggage are you carrying around? Let God lighten the load. Don't be like the rich young man, unpack and follow Him.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Outcast
Have you ever walked in a house with quite a few people around, most of which are talking and having a good time, but then one person catches your eye. That one person is sitting all by himself, no one will talk to him, most people are talking about him, and you are thinking, So what's wrong with him? It seems as though everyone were avoiding him like the plague. "I have been ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot." Psalm 31:12. I've been that person before, and I have seen that person sitting there. For some reason that person has become an outcast, the others around are ignoring him, and I know firsthand that outcast is hurting within.
Can you imagine being that person, can you imagine being an outcast? Maybe you are one! By chance you have friends or family that act like they don't know you, or act like they are to good to be associated with you. Or maybe just maybe you are the person setting the lonely in someone else. Psalm 31 is thought to be a psalm of David when he was in a time of loneliness. A time when his enemies were out to kill him, and his friends and family were ignoring him, acting as if they didn't know who he was, and they definitely didn't want to be associated with him for fear of their life as well. However, even though he felt alone and hopeless at times he stayed faithful to God, trusting only Him, knowing God would comfort and protect Him.
Think about Jesus...at the end of His life on earth, He was like an outcast...even Peter denied Him 3 times...He cried out to God..."Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:34. And everything was dark.
The same is true for the "outcast" you see. Everything seems dark around them, and aren't we called to be the light in this world for Jesus? David went on to say about being an outcast, "You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues." Psalm 31:20. God protects the least of these. He shelters those outcast by the world. If you see someone all alone, being unloved, being talked about, being ignored....love them, go to them, comfort them, be there friend. For God has appointed us to be hope for the hopeless (Isaiah 61:1-3) and to be love to the least of these (Matthew 25:40). God will protect the outcast, the one loyal to him, and he will punish those who beset the lonely in the crowd. "Love the Lord, all you faithful ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant."Psalm 31:23.
Maybe, right now, you are an outcast. Hold strong to the love of Christ! "So be strong and take courage all you who put your hope in the Lord!"Psalm 31:24. Look up! You are never alone. You are never an outcast in God's House!
Can you imagine being that person, can you imagine being an outcast? Maybe you are one! By chance you have friends or family that act like they don't know you, or act like they are to good to be associated with you. Or maybe just maybe you are the person setting the lonely in someone else. Psalm 31 is thought to be a psalm of David when he was in a time of loneliness. A time when his enemies were out to kill him, and his friends and family were ignoring him, acting as if they didn't know who he was, and they definitely didn't want to be associated with him for fear of their life as well. However, even though he felt alone and hopeless at times he stayed faithful to God, trusting only Him, knowing God would comfort and protect Him.
Think about Jesus...at the end of His life on earth, He was like an outcast...even Peter denied Him 3 times...He cried out to God..."Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:34. And everything was dark.
The same is true for the "outcast" you see. Everything seems dark around them, and aren't we called to be the light in this world for Jesus? David went on to say about being an outcast, "You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues." Psalm 31:20. God protects the least of these. He shelters those outcast by the world. If you see someone all alone, being unloved, being talked about, being ignored....love them, go to them, comfort them, be there friend. For God has appointed us to be hope for the hopeless (Isaiah 61:1-3) and to be love to the least of these (Matthew 25:40). God will protect the outcast, the one loyal to him, and he will punish those who beset the lonely in the crowd. "Love the Lord, all you faithful ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but he harshly punishes all who are arrogant."Psalm 31:23.
Maybe, right now, you are an outcast. Hold strong to the love of Christ! "So be strong and take courage all you who put your hope in the Lord!"Psalm 31:24. Look up! You are never alone. You are never an outcast in God's House!
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