Sitting here scanning over Ann Voskamp's blog[Ann's blog], listening to the soft melodies that is putting me back in our first home in Fort Benning, GA...ahhhh, gotta love nostalgia!!!
I am reminded though of the simiplicity of living life and in, every way, to seek to glorify God. Oh, how quick we are to make life so complicated, eh? And for what reason? I mean, I know I don't like things to be harder than they need to be, but yet, I must admit, I am guilty of doing just that... Anyway, I digress.
It is my ambition to savor Christ and His written Word, all while bringing Him glory. As we continue to transition from our home away from Home (#2)...My (our) sub point, on the already outlined goal of savoring Christ and His written Word, I find myself seeking God in a new and finite way. Of Course, God Himself is NOT limited. NO WAY!!!!! He is so BIG!
.....But the peep hole, in which I have to view Him through seems narrower each time I lift my eyes. It feels as though the distractions of this world, thins out my eye view of Him. So I squint harder to keep my focus on Him. Praise Him that I can still see Him!!! The Lord is so faithful, even when we fail Him. Glory to His Name. Praise His Name, He is always near! Right!
As, I cling to the Lord ever more during this time, I will leave you with some Scriptures I have been feasting on these past months...
Psalm 145: 13-21
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.][c]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 144: 1-2
Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples[a] under me.
Psalm 142
With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
3 When my spirit faints within me,
you know my way!
In the path where I walk
they have hidden a trap for me.
4 Look to the right and see:
there is none who takes notice of me;
no refuge remains to me;
no one cares for my soul.
5 I cry to you, O Lord;
I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
6 Attend to my cry,
for I am brought very low!
Deliver me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me!
7 Bring me out of prison,
that I may give thanks to your name!
The righteous will surround me,
for you will deal bountifully with me.
Psalm 141:8
8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord;
in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
Let Your Glory Fill This Place
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Happy Birthday Amber!
Today, we continue to praise the Lord for Our Oldest Amber May!!! Wow, How time flies! Happy 8th Birthday!
Amber's verse:
"I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done." Psalm 118:17
Amber's verse:
"I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done." Psalm 118:17
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Tomatoes, A Bible and 3 Arrows
So this morning the kids and I talked about John 15 in detail. Down to the vine tomato illustration. So, there were many questions of course, esp. regarding the vine being cut off and thrown into the fire. BROOKLYN, whose mind is ALWAYS working asked 'How did that get in the Bible' so I reminded her of her memorizing the New Testament "Matthew, Mark, Luke, John" and told her these were actual people who walked with the Lord Jesus and knew Him and that later the Holy Spirit had them write down all that happened with Jesus and what He said. Then she asks, "Did Izzy's dad know Jesus already?" [His Name is Mark]
The Vine, The Word and the Branch
March 29, 2011
Leaning On the Lord
Man! Are you in that place where you are like "LORD, what are you doing?" Not in a negative light, but just the place where you know He is moving and working because the enemy is pulling out all of his tricks. Well, I think that is where I am today. I just thank the LORD that I know Him. I only know Him because He found me (john 15:16). (Praise His Holy Name). I thank Him because if I did not know Him, I would have fell for one of the devil's traps and been caught up in something I could not get out of. My enemy is so stupid though. Because he has no new tricks. He just recycles the packages. But, glory be to my God for His wisdom and unfailling love that He has lavished on me (and my family). I know the LORD is doing a NEW thing in my heart and my life. I love HIM! I am trusting Him. If I can trust Him to be my Savior ( for my Salvation), surely I can trust Him through this moment in my life. To God be the Glory.
Written October 2008
Written October 2008
Sunday, August 12, 2012
"Face In the Mud"
Well, that's what my dear sweet sister calls. When the enemy is trying to keep you from holding you head high and walking in the forgiveness and freedom that our Lord freely gives to us when we confess and repent of our sins. I can envision "face in the mud" but it also reminds me of the "Who's the Master" scene in the movie, The Last Dragon! Bruce LeRoy is being handled by his shirt collar as Sho' Nuf' is forcing his head in to a bucket of water. Bruce LeRoy gasps for air every time his head is lifted out of the water. And as if that isn't bad enough. What does Sho' Nuf' ask him..."Who's the Master?" ...Not only does the enemy want us to walk in defeat he wants us to deny our (the One and Only True) Master. OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH!!! I would reckon to say that when we choose to walk in defeat. We walk as if our Master didn't die for being able to walk in victory. So, as I recognize the enemy trying to hold my face in the mud in guilt and shame (that was nailed to the Cross for all my sins). I must take my stance.I must make my in the stride in which I take my steps. I will walk in Victory! With my head held high and lifted to the King in praise. He is the Lifter of our heads. Psalm 3:3 "But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head."
There is no condemnation for me or you! (Romans 9:1)
I have to choose to walk by the Spirit and not gratify my flesh in feeling pity for myself...or beating myself....[Galatians 5:16-17, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do]....yes it is gratifying to my flesh to think and believe that I am giving myself what I really deserve WHEN!-- I am not the One who can truly punish myself and truly give myself what I deserve...I love myself too much, hahaha. {it's like when I flick my husband on the neck. He says, "Ouch, that hurts." I say, "no it doesn't." I flick myself and say see it didn't hurt. When in actuality, I don't flick myself as hard as I flick him..my mind won't let me.} The Lord is the Only Judge; even when it comes to me trying to deal with my own sin. And praise the Lord for being the Judge who gives us Jesus as our Judge Advocate!!! Right!!! 1 John 2:1-3, " My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments."
I love the Lord. I will choose the Word over MUDD!!! I will go to Him with a contrite heart.. He welcomes it...He desires it...Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
I will close with this Scripture...let it be your prayer, if your face is in the mud, as it is my prayer tonight!!!
There is no condemnation for me or you! (Romans 9:1)
I have to choose to walk by the Spirit and not gratify my flesh in feeling pity for myself...or beating myself....[Galatians 5:16-17, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do]....yes it is gratifying to my flesh to think and believe that I am giving myself what I really deserve WHEN!-- I am not the One who can truly punish myself and truly give myself what I deserve...I love myself too much, hahaha. {it's like when I flick my husband on the neck. He says, "Ouch, that hurts." I say, "no it doesn't." I flick myself and say see it didn't hurt. When in actuality, I don't flick myself as hard as I flick him..my mind won't let me.} The Lord is the Only Judge; even when it comes to me trying to deal with my own sin. And praise the Lord for being the Judge who gives us Jesus as our Judge Advocate!!! Right!!! 1 John 2:1-3, " My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments."
I love the Lord. I will choose the Word over MUDD!!! I will go to Him with a contrite heart.. He welcomes it...He desires it...Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
I will close with this Scripture...let it be your prayer, if your face is in the mud, as it is my prayer tonight!!!
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
51 Have mercy on me,[a] O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right[b] spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Quit playing...Church!!!
Playing Church = PhariseeIC!
You've seen it, I've seen it. You SEE it, I SEE it! People faking it all the while hoping to make it. When I worked in the drug rehabilitation field, we used to say, "Fake it 'til you make it!" Meaning I know it's hard to live a drug free life, but pretend like you are living drug free or want to live free and then You will be drug free! OR I know you have a hard time applying these AA & NA principles, but pretend like you are applying them and you will reap the benefits! (Maybe this concept is the reason we have a revolving door in recovery programs...and many state agencies making big bucks off those walking through those doors, but I digress.) I'm sure there was a well meaning thought behind this statement, but the truth of the matter is; if you are FAKING (regardless of what it is), you are FAKING! Plain and simple. You can't make REAL what you keep FAKING!
It is sad to see that so many Christians are doing just that: FAKING IT! Speaking Chrisitianese* all the while not applying any of it, nor realizing the devil that they are calling a liar, is really themselves! Now before anyone gets all bent out of shape. I am not calling anyone the devil. I am just recognizing the spirit behind the lie whose native tongue is a lie. Satan himself cannot speak truth.[John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.] When a person FAKES his or her Christiandom, he or she is a LIE and the TRUTH cannot be found in him(or her).Simply put, if you aren't living Christ, then you ain't believing Christ!
.John 5:39-40 says, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."
Have you ever heard Ok. You know when you encounter people who knows the Christianese of our day...ok let me break it down, "I am blessed. God's got me. I am going to reach my destiny. I am on my journey... I claim it. It is so! etc, etc!" Now, do get me wrong. I am not clear of ever thinking like this..I know I have claimed some things in my prayers. I have agreed with the Word in my prayers and hopes. My point is those who speak (and perhaps...believe) these terms and yet lives a life contrary to the Word the so-claim to live by. Their life does NOT reflect the God they claim to be their God. Faking it...trying to make it.
The Setting: Jesus is speaking to the Jews who were trying to kill Him. They wanted Jesus because He said that God the Father was His very own Father, thus making Himself equal to the God of the Jews.A God whose Name they weren't permitted to speak. YHWH. Not only this- but Jesus was breaking the law of the Sabbath by healing people. Jesus goes on to explain that He has authority from the Father because the Father gives it to Him. THEN He goes on to say that He, the Son will judge them in the end. Once more, He tells them that there are those who witness of Him, i.e. God the Father, John the Baptist and Moses. The one God they claim to worship, the writings of the one who they claim to follow and obey, and the one they murdered....He says to them,"and you do not have his Word abiding in you, for you do not believe the One whom He has sent." John 5:38 Basically, you don't know God because you really don't read your Bible because you don't believe Me. (It's amazing what you can gather about someone just by the words that come out of their mouths).
You see, the Pharisees 'kept' the Scriptures. They kept them OUTWARDLY. But they didn't KNOW Him! They did NOT the Holy Scriptures in their hearts. They did not KNOW Him. THIS- IS -WHY- THEY- DID -NOT -RECOGNIZE- HIM!!! Why they wanted to kill Him!!!..... He was not in them. Do you quote the promises of God and not KNOW the Promise, Himself and His desires for You? You hear me?
So how say you (or me)?
Are you merely saying with your mouth that you glorify God with your heart, mind, soul...all the while trampling over the Word of God by the way you LIVE....Lord help us!
Christ asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them," Luke 6:46........"
Lord, I pray that, daily, I make it my ambition to know You more and more by Your Word. I pray the same for Christians everywhere. Lord, I want to make Your Name known. It is my passion. I pray that I will lead my children to make the Glory of Your Name known throughout the earth. I don't want to fake it... for Your sake, Your Name Sake. Amen.
TO BE CONTINUED :What will happen to the children of the people who arefaking playing church? Where will they Spend eternity? If We fake it and won't make it. What Happens to our children who are watching us?
You've seen it, I've seen it. You SEE it, I SEE it! People faking it all the while hoping to make it. When I worked in the drug rehabilitation field, we used to say, "Fake it 'til you make it!" Meaning I know it's hard to live a drug free life, but pretend like you are living drug free or want to live free and then You will be drug free! OR I know you have a hard time applying these AA & NA principles, but pretend like you are applying them and you will reap the benefits! (Maybe this concept is the reason we have a revolving door in recovery programs...and many state agencies making big bucks off those walking through those doors, but I digress.) I'm sure there was a well meaning thought behind this statement, but the truth of the matter is; if you are FAKING (regardless of what it is), you are FAKING! Plain and simple. You can't make REAL what you keep FAKING!
It is sad to see that so many Christians are doing just that: FAKING IT! Speaking Chrisitianese* all the while not applying any of it, nor realizing the devil that they are calling a liar, is really themselves! Now before anyone gets all bent out of shape. I am not calling anyone the devil. I am just recognizing the spirit behind the lie whose native tongue is a lie. Satan himself cannot speak truth.[John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.] When a person FAKES his or her Christiandom, he or she is a LIE and the TRUTH cannot be found in him(or her).Simply put, if you aren't living Christ, then you ain't believing Christ!
.John 5:39-40 says, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."
The Setting: Jesus is speaking to the Jews who were trying to kill Him. They wanted Jesus because He said that God the Father was His very own Father, thus making Himself equal to the God of the Jews.A God whose Name they weren't permitted to speak. YHWH. Not only this- but Jesus was breaking the law of the Sabbath by healing people. Jesus goes on to explain that He has authority from the Father because the Father gives it to Him. THEN He goes on to say that He, the Son will judge them in the end. Once more, He tells them that there are those who witness of Him, i.e. God the Father, John the Baptist and Moses. The one God they claim to worship, the writings of the one who they claim to follow and obey, and the one they murdered....He says to them,"and you do not have his Word abiding in you, for you do not believe the One whom He has sent." John 5:38 Basically, you don't know God because you really don't read your Bible because you don't believe Me. (It's amazing what you can gather about someone just by the words that come out of their mouths).
You see, the Pharisees 'kept' the Scriptures. They kept them OUTWARDLY. But they didn't KNOW Him! They did NOT the Holy Scriptures in their hearts. They did not KNOW Him. THIS- IS -WHY- THEY- DID -NOT -RECOGNIZE- HIM!!! Why they wanted to kill Him!!!..... He was not in them. Do you quote the promises of God and not KNOW the Promise, Himself and His desires for You? You hear me?
So how say you (or me)?
Are you merely saying with your mouth that you glorify God with your heart, mind, soul...all the while trampling over the Word of God by the way you LIVE....Lord help us!
Christ asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them," Luke 6:46........"
Lord, I pray that, daily, I make it my ambition to know You more and more by Your Word. I pray the same for Christians everywhere. Lord, I want to make Your Name known. It is my passion. I pray that I will lead my children to make the Glory of Your Name known throughout the earth. I don't want to fake it... for Your sake, Your Name Sake. Amen.
TO BE CONTINUED :What will happen to the children of the people who are
Monday, July 23, 2012
Who's Willing?.......JESUS IS
Who is willing to
>overlook the ignorance
>Stand past the smell
>Sit past the time
>To touch the dirty
>Stay past the headache
>Forget how you feel
>Look past the "ugly"(""=so called)
>Help the unhelpable or unhelpful
>Give even when It's presumed wasted
>Be last
>Not look at the outer, but see the inner need for Christ
>LOVE SACRIFICIALLY?
~~~~~~~~~~~> Jesus. And THOSE who have a passion for Him.
a poem I wrote 7/23/2012
>overlook the ignorance
>Stand past the smell
>Sit past the time
>To touch the dirty
>Stay past the headache
>Forget how you feel
>Look past the "ugly"(""=so called)
>Help the unhelpable or unhelpful
>Give even when It's presumed wasted
>Be last
>Not look at the outer, but see the inner need for Christ
>LOVE SACRIFICIALLY?
~~~~~~~~~~~> Jesus. And THOSE who have a passion for Him.
a poem I wrote 7/23/2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
A New Creation
It is written, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17
This verse speaks to how we as Christians should live our life on this earth. It does not just speak to our overall life as a Christian, as in what has changed in the destination of our soul because of Christ' sacrifice. But, it speaks to how we are to live out our life, in the flesh, daily. You see, there is a certain way, a NEW way in which we as Christians should think, act and speak. I think we look at this verse and say, "yes, I agree, I am new creation because I am no longer going to hell, I am going to heaven because I believe in Jesus Christ." Well now, my question to you is, What impact does your faith in Jesus Christ, that He did died on the cross, that He was buried, and that He was raised from the dead and you are now a NEW creation, have on your life?
How does this TRUTH display itself in your daily life? In your thoughts? In your actions?
No, for real.
Are you a Christian that lives a life of sin? Do you still curse people out or lash out people when you are rubbed the wrong way? Do you feel the need to be heard regardless......Are you shacking up and living a life of fornication before the Lord and calling what you have 'blessed'? Or maybe you live a life of pointing fingers or blaming others, for whatever. People who blame others do so to get the focus off them or plainly put, do not want to take responsibility for themselves or their actions?
So just what does this mean for the Christian believer? This means, I have NO EXCUSE! I cannot curse someone out or lash out at them just because they made me mad. I cannot. If I do, I have no Biblical support in doing this and bring reproach upon myself. I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT! I do not have the right to withhold forgiveness, kindness from anyone for whatever reason. If I do, I have no Biblical support and I bring reproach upon myself. And I DON'T HAVE PERMISSION! I do not have permission to sin against God just because someone has sinned against God! Example, I'm guilty of holding this philosophy in the past, "I will will hurt you, because you hurt me" or plainly put, "She had an affair, so now I can have an affair". You get the point. If I decide to do this, I have no Biblical support and I bring reproach upon myself. Whatever we do, even in the heat of things, we are to do it unto the Lord! {Colossians 3:23}
When living a life in Christ we are admonished to acquire a Holy Ambition to preach Christ, to Live A Holy Life so that Christ can be known, and His Name can be preached that the lost maybe found! It is an Ambition for our lifetime, not when just when I go to church, school, or work... but every minute, every second....every breathe. Once we have counted the cost of following the Christ and have decided and confessed Him as our Lord and Savior, THEN is when we have given up our EXCUSES, our RIGHTS, and our PERMISSIONS for the sake of Christ! Living a life in Christ is WHAT WE CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS DO!!! Not perform!
Colossians is a great book. Colossians 3 is one of the most lovinglyconvicting* chapter for me. I find myself in every line. It tells of HOW I are to live this life, not for myself, but for Christ and His Glory. Check this out!
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are of above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."- Colossians 3:1-3
"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Romans 15:1-2 Well this just nullifies our right, excuses and so called permissions to tell anyone off! "Going OFF" on someone doesn't make you wise, smart or look good. It just shows you are being DISOBEDIENT to God's Word.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:10 "the life in the flesh I live by faith" We should live this life by faith, in obedience to Christ. Again, NO EXCUSES. How can you say Christ lives in you as you are shacking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend? NO! He is far from you! Can the Holy Spirit sin? Can He tempt you to sin? NO!!! This is a part of the OLD selfish ways, not of the NEW!
Sidenote: For those who are Chrisitians and have a Holy Ambition to please the Lord in ALL they do but fall and get back up and fall and get back up...this is NOT who I am speaking of or to..... none of us are without sin. Romans 3:23 says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I am speaking of those who say I am a BELIeVER and FOLLOWER of Christ but lifestyle reflects ONLY SELF & the ways of this WORLD.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39-40 CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? People read the Word of God and don't even think about Jesus! WhattheWhat!!! I know you have heard it because I have heard it so many times, "Satan knows the Word!" Yes. He does. He knows what it says and still tries to defy it and get around it..my question is,"WHY DO WE THINK WE CAN'T DO THE SAME!"
Some Christians are deceived in believing they are living a BLESSED life of sin. They give off just enough "Jesusness"* so people will leave them alone, all the while deceived and missing out on the FULLNESS of God's blessing of knowing WHOSE THEY ARE and All that comes with just being HIS!!!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as he chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.......{I LOVE THAT}.......for this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having your eyes enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe....." Ephesians 1:3-4,15-19a
How does this TRUTH display itself in your daily life? In your thoughts? In your actions?
That YOU ARE BLESSED AND YOU HIS!!! Let's LIVE LIKE IT!!!
*WordsIMadeUp
This verse speaks to how we as Christians should live our life on this earth. It does not just speak to our overall life as a Christian, as in what has changed in the destination of our soul because of Christ' sacrifice. But, it speaks to how we are to live out our life, in the flesh, daily. You see, there is a certain way, a NEW way in which we as Christians should think, act and speak. I think we look at this verse and say, "yes, I agree, I am new creation because I am no longer going to hell, I am going to heaven because I believe in Jesus Christ." Well now, my question to you is, What impact does your faith in Jesus Christ, that He did died on the cross, that He was buried, and that He was raised from the dead and you are now a NEW creation, have on your life?
How does this TRUTH display itself in your daily life? In your thoughts? In your actions?
No, for real.
Are you a Christian that lives a life of sin? Do you still curse people out or lash out people when you are rubbed the wrong way? Do you feel the need to be heard regardless......Are you shacking up and living a life of fornication before the Lord and calling what you have 'blessed'? Or maybe you live a life of pointing fingers or blaming others, for whatever. People who blame others do so to get the focus off them or plainly put, do not want to take responsibility for themselves or their actions?
So just what does this mean for the Christian believer? This means, I have NO EXCUSE! I cannot curse someone out or lash out at them just because they made me mad. I cannot. If I do, I have no Biblical support in doing this and bring reproach upon myself. I DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT! I do not have the right to withhold forgiveness, kindness from anyone for whatever reason. If I do, I have no Biblical support and I bring reproach upon myself. And I DON'T HAVE PERMISSION! I do not have permission to sin against God just because someone has sinned against God! Example, I'm guilty of holding this philosophy in the past, "I will will hurt you, because you hurt me" or plainly put, "She had an affair, so now I can have an affair". You get the point. If I decide to do this, I have no Biblical support and I bring reproach upon myself. Whatever we do, even in the heat of things, we are to do it unto the Lord! {Colossians 3:23}
When living a life in Christ we are admonished to acquire a Holy Ambition to preach Christ, to Live A Holy Life so that Christ can be known, and His Name can be preached that the lost maybe found! It is an Ambition for our lifetime, not when just when I go to church, school, or work... but every minute, every second....every breathe. Once we have counted the cost of following the Christ and have decided and confessed Him as our Lord and Savior, THEN is when we have given up our EXCUSES, our RIGHTS, and our PERMISSIONS for the sake of Christ! Living a life in Christ is WHAT WE CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS DO!!! Not perform!
Colossians is a great book. Colossians 3 is one of the most lovinglyconvicting* chapter for me. I find myself in every line. It tells of HOW I are to live this life, not for myself, but for Christ and His Glory. Check this out!
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are of above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."- Colossians 3:1-3
"We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." Romans 15:1-2 Well this just nullifies our right, excuses and so called permissions to tell anyone off! "Going OFF" on someone doesn't make you wise, smart or look good. It just shows you are being DISOBEDIENT to God's Word.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:10 "the life in the flesh I live by faith" We should live this life by faith, in obedience to Christ. Again, NO EXCUSES. How can you say Christ lives in you as you are shacking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend? NO! He is far from you! Can the Holy Spirit sin? Can He tempt you to sin? NO!!! This is a part of the OLD selfish ways, not of the NEW!
Sidenote: For those who are Chrisitians and have a Holy Ambition to please the Lord in ALL they do but fall and get back up and fall and get back up...this is NOT who I am speaking of or to..... none of us are without sin. Romans 3:23 says, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I am speaking of those who say I am a BELIeVER and FOLLOWER of Christ but lifestyle reflects ONLY SELF & the ways of this WORLD.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." John 5:39-40 CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? People read the Word of God and don't even think about Jesus! WhattheWhat!!! I know you have heard it because I have heard it so many times, "Satan knows the Word!" Yes. He does. He knows what it says and still tries to defy it and get around it..my question is,"WHY DO WE THINK WE CAN'T DO THE SAME!"
Some Christians are deceived in believing they are living a BLESSED life of sin. They give off just enough "Jesusness"* so people will leave them alone, all the while deceived and missing out on the FULLNESS of God's blessing of knowing WHOSE THEY ARE and All that comes with just being HIS!!!
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, even as he chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.......{I LOVE THAT}.......for this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having your eyes enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe....." Ephesians 1:3-4,15-19a
How does this TRUTH display itself in your daily life? In your thoughts? In your actions?
That YOU ARE BLESSED AND YOU HIS!!! Let's LIVE LIKE IT!!!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
RE-ENFORCEMENTS
I used to have a negative view of the word "Reenforce". Better yet, it was intimidating! It was almost over-bearing. I am not for sure why I felt this way about this particular word. Today, my thoughts are not the same, praise God!!!! Walking out my faith on this earth, I sure do need some re-enforcers in my life. I have some really great sisters (Christians whether blood related on earth or not), that love me and support and speak God's truth to me over and over again. I PRAISE GOD for them. I really like Merriam-Webster's definitions. Yes, ALL three. Here they are:
1.to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
2 to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
3to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) with a reinforcer; also : to encourage (a response) with a reinforcer
This re-enforcement, for me, comes in the way of friends, family, and most of all the Holy Spirit, Himself. David said in Psalm 73:2 "But as for me, I almost lost my footing.My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone." He tells of his complaining, etc., etc. then picks up in verse 17, "Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and then I realized...." Isn't that just beatutiful! No wonder David begins the chapter with, "Truly God is good to Israel,to those whose hearts are pure." The Lord is Good and He has given us His Word to RE-ENFORCE His Truths and His Promises. He sends us brothers from another mother and sisters from another mister to correct us, encourage us, love us, and perhaps, rebuke us as we walk by faith! Sometimes, we even have someone else to usher us into the Sanctuary of the Lord! This has been true for me, many of times.
O, How I love the Lord for His Faithfulness! He, alone, is Thee Faithful One!!! I depend on Him> He is my Ultimate Re-Enforcer! He is My Support, My Strengthener! The Lord is Good!
How can you become that friend that can be counted on to uphold, love, support? By being just what this picture says, below.
Being available to someone is what a true friend IS! Keeping it truthful and real as in not playing the "perfect" role or trying to 'keep it all together'. Nope, just being the new you, in Christ, who realizes that she(or he) is still in the 'in-between' stage of being a New Creature in Christ without the manifestations of the Glorified Body that IS soon to come! As my Pastor back home once said, The Already, but Not Yet State! Love it!
I admonish you to look around. Do you see someone who could use a brother or sister to hold up there arms on this faith walk? I know you do, I see a few from where I'm stitting!
1.to strengthen by additional assistance, material, or support : make stronger or more pronounced
2 to strengthen or increase by fresh additions
3to stimulate (as an experimental animal or a student) with a reinforcer; also : to encourage (a response) with a reinforcer
This re-enforcement, for me, comes in the way of friends, family, and most of all the Holy Spirit, Himself. David said in Psalm 73:2 "But as for me, I almost lost my footing.My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone." He tells of his complaining, etc., etc. then picks up in verse 17, "Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and then I realized...." Isn't that just beatutiful! No wonder David begins the chapter with, "Truly God is good to Israel,to those whose hearts are pure." The Lord is Good and He has given us His Word to RE-ENFORCE His Truths and His Promises. He sends us brothers from another mother and sisters from another mister to correct us, encourage us, love us, and perhaps, rebuke us as we walk by faith! Sometimes, we even have someone else to usher us into the Sanctuary of the Lord! This has been true for me, many of times.
O, How I love the Lord for His Faithfulness! He, alone, is Thee Faithful One!!! I depend on Him> He is my Ultimate Re-Enforcer! He is My Support, My Strengthener! The Lord is Good!
How can you become that friend that can be counted on to uphold, love, support? By being just what this picture says, below.
I admonish you to look around. Do you see someone who could use a brother or sister to hold up there arms on this faith walk? I know you do, I see a few from where I'm stitting!
Monday, February 13, 2012
YOU TALK TOO MUCH AND YOU NEVER SHUT UP!!!
Remember that song by Run DMC?!!! "You talk too much and you never shut up!!!" Oh, I don't want to be known as that person!!! But I can Talk TOO MUCH sometimes.
I STRUGGLE with talking too much. Especially, if it's with a good friend, mmhmm, girrrrrrl! Unfortunately, talking too much is not one of the Gifts of the Spirit or else I'd be ever-so Holy! But 'talking too much' will most always lead to sin. Can you believe that!?! The Bible even speaks of this in Proverbs 10:19, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Did you read that? "Transgression or sin is NOT lacking"!!! Oh, help me NOW!!! I have always considered myself "wise", even as a child. Mostly because my middle name is 'Sophia', and we all know 'Sophia' in Greek means "wisdom"! (Come on now!) So there you have it, I am wise! Whoa Whoa! Hold up but this verse also says, "..whoever restrains his lips is prudent (or wise)". Hmmmm.... that sort of changes things a bit! Don't get me wrong, I do believe that I am a wise person, ONLY by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior. However, I do know that I can and do lack wisdom in areas where sin comes easy to me.
It is my ambition to live a Holy life and to RE-present Christ to the world, including my close friends. Oh Lord, It is my prayer to be ON-GUARD, to be ready to speak edifying, truthful and faithful words! I don't want to waste any words in conversations that don't bring glory to Your Name, even if it's with my sisters in the Lord (whathewhat!). I don't want to talk too much. It's notsexy pretty. Nor is it what Your require of me. Help me practice self-restraint in all areas. I do not want to malign the Word of God! (Titus 2:5)
Is this an issue for you as well? Do you have a good friend who can and will hold you accountable in your conversations with him/her? How has the Lord redeemed you in this area?
I STRUGGLE with talking too much. Especially, if it's with a good friend, mmhmm, girrrrrrl! Unfortunately, talking too much is not one of the Gifts of the Spirit or else I'd be ever-so Holy! But 'talking too much' will most always lead to sin. Can you believe that!?! The Bible even speaks of this in Proverbs 10:19, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Did you read that? "Transgression or sin is NOT lacking"!!! Oh, help me NOW!!! I have always considered myself "wise", even as a child. Mostly because my middle name is 'Sophia', and we all know 'Sophia' in Greek means "wisdom"! (Come on now!) So there you have it, I am wise! Whoa Whoa! Hold up but this verse also says, "..whoever restrains his lips is prudent (or wise)". Hmmmm.... that sort of changes things a bit! Don't get me wrong, I do believe that I am a wise person, ONLY by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior. However, I do know that I can and do lack wisdom in areas where sin comes easy to me.
It is my ambition to live a Holy life and to RE-present Christ to the world, including my close friends. Oh Lord, It is my prayer to be ON-GUARD, to be ready to speak edifying, truthful and faithful words! I don't want to waste any words in conversations that don't bring glory to Your Name, even if it's with my sisters in the Lord (whathewhat!). I don't want to talk too much. It's not
Is this an issue for you as well? Do you have a good friend who can and will hold you accountable in your conversations with him/her? How has the Lord redeemed you in this area?
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