Forgiveness: The Gospel Message in One Word

I have hard time joining and sometimes splitting the two thoughts of church being in a building and coercing myself into promoting it's being in a building way of thinking; contrasting it with church being held anywhere that God's people choose to meet or dwell.  This view does away with most of the bureaucracy that comes with the former. Although there is truth in that statement I just made, but truth be told  disagreements arise in any and all places where fallible humans meet.

Then, I also have a HARD time with cowardice, hypocritical, passive aggressive individuals! I have heard it said that what we despise most in others, what we despise most about ourselves. Hmmmmm... am I any of these? (The question is worth asking) But, too, Jesus despised the Pharisees and He had none of the above in Him! So, what if at one time in my life I displayed any one these character flaws; should it not be all the easier for me to pour, lavishly, grace and mercy on others who are where I 'used to be'? I think about the man who was forgiven much but was in turn unable to forgive just a little bit. And, how his master gave him an even harsher punishment because of his unwillingness to overlook his own servant's debt. As you know, parables are earthly stories with heavenly meaning. So, I know that if I do not show forgiveness to others, as God has forgiven me, I will not be forgiven. Oh yeah, it's in there.(Matthew 6:14)

Oh that I would not be a shrewd manager! May I forever for be an emblem of Grace because that is What/Who Jesus is for me. May I always re-present the Jesus to all I encounter, even those who it is hard to love or befriend. May I present myself as a living sacrifice and die to my own way of handling people. May Christ be seen in me- that I may actually flesh-out His Gospel message. As I live, denying myself, and embracing my cross. May I choose to see beyond what my naked and blurry eyes can see. THIS HERE is REAL! And it gets NO MORE REAL than this!  THIS HERE IS THE WAY OF THE GOSPEL. May we take no offense, but be emptied out and filled with Christ that we may no longer live for us but truly LIVE for Jesus! How? By allowing Him to live in us! I was reminded, this week, of the story Corre ten Boom shared on her(by God's grace) forgiving a guard who held her captive. This was written in her book,  I'm Sill Learning to Forgive here is a short expert. But I encourage you to read the full story of her forgiving the man who once was her enemy and now her brother in Christ, here.

“For I had to do it—I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. ‘If you do not forgive men their trespasses,’ Jesus says, ‘neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’

“I knew it not only as a commandment of God, but as a daily experience. Since the end of the war I had had a home in Holland for victims of Nazi brutality. Those who were able to forgive their former enemies were able also to return to the outside world and rebuild their lives, no matter what the physical scars. Those who nursed their bitterness remained invalids. It was as simple and as horrible as that.

“And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion—I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. ‘… Help!’ I prayed silently. ‘I can lift my hand. I can do that much. You supply the feeling.’

“And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes.

“ ‘I forgive you, brother!’ I cried. ‘With all my heart!’

“For a long moment we grasped each other’s hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God’s love so intensely, as I did then” (italics and bold, added)

How beautiful the end of this story, but as you read, how treacherous the journey. It's AHmazing, as my friend Tami Romo would write, that when emptied of ourselves and set aside for the Lord's use, the Lord can use us, literally, to speak and live out the message of the Cross to men and women. Can you even think of the affects and effects of the maligning of the Gospel that would have taken place if Corre did not forgive him. I dare not think of it! Let alone, live it out! No! May I NEVER!!!!

The Lord is so good to us! He is so loving and gracious us, to me! I love Him so much! This Jesus who changes lives of all people! Has changed mine! I am still being transformed as I learn of Him more and more! How great a God we serve! May my life, my conduct, my speech, my thoughts and my heart SHOW JESUS' GOOD WORK! Lord have mercy!

Fight, Fight, Fight! It's a Fight!

My husband and I were talking about "fighting". No, not each other; but the one where we have had to stand together and fight. We both have posed this question to the Lord, "Do we have to fight for everything?" We both understand that there is blessings and testimonies to Christ in our trials. But come on! So we developed this list of almost everything we have had to fight for:
1. Getting married
2. Becoming parents
3. Amber
4. Family (Pregnancies)
5. Managing our household finacially
6. Fair treatment in workforce
7. Employment
8. Army
9. Friendships
10. Anything we have believed God for and set our hearts after (within God's will)

Now, we know " we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere" (Eph 6:12 Amplified). So we try our best to keep our eyes on our Savior because alot of times, including now, we cannot see our own way out of the messes.

Please don't get me wrong. I am in no way EXcusing our own sins and mistakes we have made along the way. I do understand there are consequences that follow. But, I also know that we have a loving God who has us in His Will, His Plan and His Purpose. He has this extensive grace that when we think cannot be stretched any further, it continues to go on and on and on! I am reminded of what Paul said in Romans 5: 21 "So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Joseph and I have become even closer as husband and wife, partners with Christ in this world.

When will we have a break? This is always a lingering question. Whether in the forefront or in the back of our minds. I mean boxers take a 15 second break, right? When will we be able to breathe without choking? I sometimes look at some of our friends (knowing that they too are not perfect or having things going their way all the time) and think: "How did they get it so good?" Or sometimes just comparing struggles (sad, I know) But, again, I am reminded "... The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned..." (Ecclesiates 9:11)

What keeps us in the ring fighting, all the while being battered and bruised? Well, for one, we have come to learn that, ultimately, it is NOT ABOUT US. God has a plan and a purpose outside of us! Even, though it can be terribly difficult we do have this assurance from Him that He will never leave nor forsake us, and that the LORD has plans for us and they are good plans, plans not for disaster, but to give us a hope and future. (Jer 29:11) Furthermore, as we are learning to lose ourselves for the Cause of this Christ. We are learning to consider our lives worth nothing so that we may finish this race and the tasks that the Lord Jesus has given to us- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24)

We will continue to fight this Good Fight! The fight our lives, right Kirk? Just kidding baby!(inside joke) But for real, we will finish this fight STRONG and it will not be in vain! We will continue to keep the faith, as Paul so encouraged Timothy. We look forward to seeing the WHOLE PICTURE when that GREAT Day comes! It will all be worth it!!!

Be encouraged with this! " until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom." Daniel 7:22

Missing My Husband (2010)

When Missing My husband led to gratefulness of Christ's endurance on the Cross!

Have you ever missed someone you loved so dearly? I have and do (my hubby, away for Army stuff). I am assuming most would say "yes". Now, take a moment and think about those deep emotions and yearnings you've had. Yearnings just to see their face or hear their voice. Now. Imagine if God left you for a moment. . . man, we would be unable to This little life experience, of being separated from my husband, for nine months, makes me understand why Jesus yelled, on that old rugged cross, "Eloi, Eloi lama Sabachthani?" "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (*)That was the only time on the Cross that He experienced much agony. For the first time, God, His Father had turned His back on His beloved Son! I'm sure the pain of being physically nailed to that cross was more bearable than His Father forsaking Him. But it had to be done. Jesus, knew sin separates us from God. But yet He chose to take up our infirmities and on our sin, so that we would not have to experience a moment of separation from our Father. We would literally break; no longer exist if GOD left us for a moment. Thank You Lord for Your EVERLASTING promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Matthew 28:20)

Now praise Him.

(*) One of the things, I truly grasped from our Army life, is that families are NOT meant to be apart. Husbands and daddies are meant to be home with their families. We as women, cannot bear what our husbands are called to bear. Although, there are single mommas out there, whom God gives AMAZING Grace to lead their homes and families, well. I'd dare to even say that if they had the choice, most would choose to NOT to be alone in raising their families. My hats went off to single mommas out there! You are awesomely brave.

God’s Topsy-Turvy Truths

God’s Topsy-Turvy Truths

Luke 6:38 
Give and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you

Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Matthew 20:16 The last will be first and the first will be last

Leviticu 27:30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

Whisper His Name: Jesus

You've forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we're at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me. For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don't know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise—again, whether in or out of the body, I don't know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I'm not saying another word apart from the humiliations.

If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I'd still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I'll spare you. I don't want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you'd encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,

My grace is enough; it's all you need.

My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 2 Corinthians 12 (The Message)

God is so AWESOME isn’t He!!!!

I want to focus on Our Weakness, God’s grace, His Strength. Let’s talk about our weaknesses.

• We all have weaknesses. 
• Weakness is defined as: - lack of strength or determination: lack of strength, power, or determination

And as human beings we find ourselves weak. But as moms especially, we can find ourselves with a lack of power- thinking that we really have no control here (esp. in the moment of disobedience). Or being tired and not having the strength to handle our children or our day. I find myself here quite often now that I have began to homeschool. Thinking, “Oh God is this really your plan for us.” Or “You know me, are you sure about this?” But thank God for His Word, huh?

Paul encourages us with his own testimony to delight in our weaknesses because it there where we are made Strong through Jesus Christ. Paul tells us of his “thorn” in his flesh which he thought was a form or sign of weakness so he asked the Lord to take it away. But He says that the Lord responded to Him, “My grace is enough. My grace is all you need. My power is made perfect in your weakness”

Definition for perfect

• without faults: without errors, flaws, or faults

• complete and whole: complete and lacking nothing essential

So when we are weak in our flesh, in our bodies, in our minds, God says to us, "My favor is enough for you today, in this moment. Though you are weak now I am making you complete and whole, in lack of nothing." How good is our GOD!!!

I like one of the definitions of perfect: it means excellent or ideal: excellent or ideal in every way.

So when we are struggling when we down, God’s favor is enough. He is strength is excellent! It’s the ideal thing!!!! In every way! Praise God!

So Paul continues on after God’s words to Him (so should we)- Paul says I welcome hardships! I just take it in stride!!!! I don’t even focus on my issues or let them overwhelm me- I just let Christ take over!!!! Hallelujah!

So, as we parent our children, we learn that there is NO ONE WAY/STYLE to parent/correct them. And we also learn that as our children grow that we have this Grace that is ever ready for us and this Excellent- Ideal Strength that awaits us in our weak moments all we have to do is ask Him.

Prayer

Lord we celebrate Your Awesomeness! Lord we praise You for Your Word that has proven itself over and over and over. We thank You that Your Grace was not only enough for Paul, but it still is Enough for us Moms here today. We thank You for the Encouragement which says its ok to be weak, to have flaws because Your Perfect Power is Ideal for our everyday situation; in every way. Lord, please help us to remember this. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.
(written 2009, MOMS study)

Milk versus Solid Food

Milk like belief: Jesus came and died for your sins and rose again and if you believe in Him you will have eternal life (Hebrews 5:11-6:2) Solid food faith: knowing this life will include suffering and we can live on the side of victory through suffering in Christ. Accepting that we will be persecuted and suffer hardship on account of His Name. KNOWING our faith is kept in DOING the Gospel, rather than mere talk. Even more, knowing as Christ conquered, so too are we MORE THAN CONQUERS! (Matthew 5:10-11; 1 Peter 2:20-25; James 1:22; Romans 8:37)

RESTless....Ness

Do you think restlessness is a matter of TRUST?

  ..........................................................................................OH DEAR!!!

For example, when we are traveling on the road..Road trip and it's my turn to drive I am ok. Cuz. I got this! Right? Right! However, when it's time for a switch, I'm like okaaaaayyyy.... I am gggrreeaattt while my husband is driving as long as I AM AWAKE! NOW! And it's day time. When I began to fall asleep, I will JUMP up real quick and yell, What was was that?!!! I do this several times. I mean, several times! I am not rest that I can feel every wide turn, every bump, the gas petal lift, the subtle change in speed. My husband just shakes his head at me. It's been ten years and i think he just ignores me as he laughs at me. He is really being kind and forgiving. Because what he is ignoring is my lack of trust.... I mean, I sometimes wonder if he thinks it's as much as a  trust issue as I do. But, I am too chicken to ask! Ha! It's not like I am NOT tired! I am, and yet I still cannot REST! For Real?!!! I trust myself more, but I am just as fallible and weak. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is we act the same way with our Savior! Not in the big stuff per say, but in the 'everyday my stuff' stuff! "As long as you do things the way I do it, Lord. We are okay." But the truth is, if I trust that Christ died for me.... and.... that when I confessed my sins and repented, He forgave me, AND!!! If I believe when I leave this planet I will spend eternity with Him, shouldn't I trust Him enough to REST in Him until that time comes?

We have s Savior who desires that we are not anxious! We have such a King who does not make His servants anxious! (Matthew 6:34) Rather, He bids us to come to Him and be at rest! (Matthew 11:28-29). First He invites us to stop toiling [and heavy laden] in our sins. As the folks in Matthew were attempting to work to pay off their salvation. Our Lord, invites them to "Come" and be a rest. Find rest in Him! Christ is not only a rest for those who have not come to Him. But, He is the promised rest for who believe (Hebrews 4:1-11) Thank You Lord!!!!

What love the King gives to the laborers through the Promise of Rest! As disciples of Christ, we know that life on this planet can become so mundane. Even seemly burdensome. Why? Because we forget to REST. We forget to Trust. Trust that God is still in control and He holds everything.(Colossians 1:17)

“Are you weary? Are you languid? 

Are you sorely distressed? 

 ‘Come to Me,’ says One, ‘and coming, 

Be at rest.’”(1)

I am not sure what may be causing you to be restless, tonight. Is it because you are without a Savior and Lord? Or perhaps it is the trials of this world and walking without confession and asking of forgiveness. Or even lack of faith in the One who has called you to Himself. Whatever it is my brother or sister.... lay it down and run to HIM (His only condition) so that He may find peace, joy and quiet in His rest!

Trust Him today, by resting in Him forevermore!

Art thou weary art thou languid, art thou sore distressed?

"Come to me," saith One "and, coming, be at rest."

Hath he marks to lead me to Him, if he be my Guide?

"In his feet and hands are wound prints, and his side."

Is there diadem, as Monarch, that his brow adorns?

"Yea, a crown, in very surety, but of thorns."

If I find him, if I follow, what his guerdon here?

"Many a sorrow, many a labor, many a tear."

If I still hold closely to him, what hath he at last?

"Sorrow vanquished, labor ended, Jordan passed."

If I ask him to receive me, will he say me nay?

"Not till earth and not till heaven pass away."

Finding, following, keeping, struggling, is he sure to bless?

"Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs, answer, 'Yes.'"

Amen

(1) Stanza # 1 & (2) Hymn by John Mason Neale

Written Prayer, 12-08-2009

Dear Lord,
I praise You for a bounty of sins forgiven. You are such an awesome Father. There is no one like You. Lord, today I was reminded of a gift You have given me and the purpose of that gift. This gift of discernment. I  totally miss being used and spoken to by You in this way. My desire, today, is to be in communion with You that I may always hear from You concerning all things You want me to know. I know the polar opposite is judging. And with judging comes condemnation. And who am I to condemn? Especially if I am not condemned by You. (Romands 9:1) Forgive me, please for judging and condemning Your children, in Jesus' Name. I want to be used for Your glory on this earth.
                                                                                ~ written prayer, 12-08-2009

Enough

Familia de Mayo Carta de Navidad

DELIGHT!!! 

Delighting in the Lord above ALL ELSE. That was our focus given to us as a family last year end. Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." And what a theme! I thought it was going to be fun, and somewhat easy on a shallow level, but doable. Man! I tell you, that Heavenly Father of ours is ALL Knowing & ALL Powerful, but He indeed has a way and it is perfect! Now, when I say "perfect". I do NOT by ANY MEANS imply that it was fun, by any means easy, and at all possible to complete. BY ANY MEANS!!! In FACT! It was the total opposite! IT WAS NOT FUN! IT WAS NOT AT ALL EASY (shallow or deep), IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE (on my own)! But, I tell you whaaattt (in my Brenda DeWalt voice)----[That's Brenda]

It was GOOD and it was GOOD for me. IT WAS GOOD FOR US!

2013 Highlights

January
Joseph and I began our third month in the beautiful state of Colorado!

Joseph left his position as Associate Pastor at a church.

Tamika flew to California to share in her FIRST EVER  ladies' retreat, with some awesome ladies in which I have known for for years, but for the first time, met in the flesh! It was AWESOME!

Tamika turned 37, hey now!!!

The Body of Christ surrounded us like I have never experienced before. We were the blessed ones, for sure. Thank YOU ALL. You KNOW who you are!

Joseph began looking for job and we began hosting Bible Study(Matthew) in our home, weekly.

February, March, April

Continued surrounded by Body of Christ...
covered in prayer, daily

Joe found part-time work at Target working four hours, two-three times a week!
Continue Bible Study in home...it was good time in the Word with great people.. Also had lots of Coffee dates with the ladies (Tamika, of course) and Ladies' study Beth Moore's James Study

Visited St. Louis for a week at the beginning of April.

Began attending new Church, The Landing Place regularly (our safe haven for sure)
Sidenote: We did attend Denver Friends for about a month or so, but was a far drive! They loved us well there, too!

May
Joseph began his new job at LEVEL 3! It's Always All God's doing when He blesses us.

Granny & Papa visits!

Bible study concluded for summer

July-October

These months here, were some of the toughest months! EVER! Especially the summer. It nearly took us out or so it seemed! Dry and deserted. Lonely. Depression. Confused and Unwanted. Just a few words to describe them. Pressing hard to DELIGHT in the Lord! To be honest, it became easier ONCE we knew HE is truly ALL we had! He became "sweet" to us. A DELIGHT! When we mentioned His Name. (Please don't take this lighter than it sounds, it was a pressing in. Gagging on carpet fibers kinda thang!) ALL though we were far away from our closest brothers and sisters in Christ, we felt loved MOST! God was ever nearer!

August

Visited Rebekah in the Springs, sweet

Had sweet times with the Bokelman's dinners, tea dates, and watching funny youtube videos. Melinda you are precious to me. Who would have thunk us together!

Curran turned the BIG 6 (His golden Birthday)

 Our friends Holly and Andy dropped in! it Adventurous!  Golden is beautiful.

Shawn and Jules moved away to IOWA! (Happy for them, but sad for us)  [Met weekly and watched Psych]

September

Met the PERFECT FRIEND FAMILY EVER!!!! (Eden, Holly, Sarai, Zion)

A Sweet visit from our dear friend JEFF McKinney

We drove to Arnold's Park, IA to candidate for a Pastor's position. Fell in love with Marvis, Allen and the entire congregation!

October

My mom turned 60!

Amber turned the BIG 9 (Her golden Birthday)

Joseph & Tamika Celebrated the BIG TEN! Heck yeah!!!

WE GOT A CALL TO PASTOR IN IOWA! Everything began to make sense!

November

Grateful for Gia And Jerry for loving Duke like their own! We love yall!

Moved to Arnold's Park, IA.. I didn't say see you later to my Melinda! ;( Joe to his Nathanael! Joe and Nathanael met weekly for months discussing Scripture and making each other cry!

Granny, Papa and Willie(3) and Melanee and the boys(SURPRISE) drove up for Joseph's Co-Mission as Pastor of Light of the Lakes Church!

Brooklyn turned the BIG 8!!!

December

Joseph turned 33!

Had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends here! IT's cold here. They Want to take us ice fishing #Rescueus!

FARKLE is our new game! It can be dangerous!

Welp!
It is just THAT simple!
It would appear that God set.us.up. Perhaps. WE do KNOW this. We have learned that delighting in our good and great God does not come easy! We LEARNED HOW TO DELIGHT IN HIM ABOVE ALL ELSE! It ain't easy. But! It can be done with the help of our Helper He left with us! Who leads us into ALL Truth found in Christ Jesus! In Jesus Christ we find love and much needed grace. Hope! Our Hope against Hope!


I so wish I could mention EVERYBODY who prayed us through, paid our bills, kept us fed, just plain ole loved us! We praise God for everyone who has been in our lives theses past months, years, and forever... Divas (you know who you are!) God knows. He has seen your selflessness.

God has been Good To US!

Delighting in HIM Above All Else!

Global Mindset, Common Core Standards & Discipleship

Okay, so how does DISCIPLESHIP, GLOBAL MISSIONS, & COMMON CORE even begin to relate?  

What is Common Core? 

Government controlled, state(really federal) education for every child in the country. It is an implementation of standards of education beginning from K5(Really, shortly after birth if allowed. Remember the proposal for PreK). - your Career. 

Yes I said, career. "An integral part of Common Core Standards is the development of a national database of student-specific data.  Included in the database would be detailed information about learning disabilities and academic records collected soon after birth until college graduation." [http://stopcommoncorenc.org, "Are Home-Schooled students safe?"]

There is no opt- out button for CC. It's no wonder there are so many Public school  are now supportive of Home School groups, etc. 

I know, some may get tired of me mentioning this COMMON CORE stuff but it needs to be in your ear and mind so that you may fully understand what the implications are for you and your children, especially if you: HOME SCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL,  and are a BELIEVER!!! (If your child is being taught 4x3=11, and that this is the correct answer as long as you can 'explain it a way' how will this effect how they read and understand Scripture, etc?)

CC standards has influenced a change curriculum for reading, math and science, thus far. For example, "close reading". The student is to ONLY read emancipation proclamation, for example, without reading what led up to it being written and what happened after it was written. It's sort of like putting a book so close to your face when reading that you only see the few words in front of you. IMAGINE, if this is the case when reading the Word. Anyway, I digress. This is not my WHOLE POINT in sharing this, so let me get to it.

I do have a link, here, (If you are looking for George, he's in the here,CLICK on it)for a THOROUGH insight to COMMON CORE and all that is involved. It. will. blow. your. mind. 

Why do I share this? 

Well, I share NOT to impart FEAR, although I KNOW some may go straight there..but for awareness and that you would remain ON YOUR KNEES and to promote SHARING JESUS!!!!! Because really ONLY JESUS can change a mind, heart and destiny of someone's soul.

ONE facet I like about the Common Core, Global initiative is that, all though with NO good intentions, it wants the world to think not in nationalistic terms but in globally. THAT is AWESOME! Only if it TRULY was for the COMMON GOOD of the people.

Honestly, we do NEED MORE believers, disciples who are WILLING  to enlarge the KINGDOM OF GOD. We need more followers of Christ that are not just city-minded, America- minded, and personal-destiny minded- but possess a Global projector for reaching the World for Christ, beginning in your own JUDEA. 

I mean, really WHAT IF WE LOOKED THROUGH THE LENS OF THE BIBLE rather our own self imposed view of the Christendom!

Let's get out, plant seeds and send more workers out to do the same. Who, in your 1000 ft. range can you reach? The Lord is working in the unbeliever, next to you! BECAUSE he or she has placed them in your path... SET the STANDARD, in your neighborhood, city and beyond with the ONLY true CORE: JESUS CHRIST! 



Disclaimer: To become TOO consumed with issues as such as this could point to immaturity as a believer. So, I am NOT consumed nor do i want you to be. ONLY SHARE JESUS!

The NOW!!!

Isn't it funny how the Word of God reveals your heart?

It CAN and it just DOES.

Reminds me of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." Profitable meaning it is to my benefit, it can be used. (Glory to God) Sometimes it reveals and confirms those things in which we are doing for the Lord. The atta-girl! And. Often times, there is the revealing of the Yucky Stuff. EEEWWW!!! Yep! Been there, will continue to go there as long as I am on this earth. Hopefully, less and less though. We are suppose to progress. But, this  last Sunday, I had a little bit of both. I had an overwhelming confirmation as well as a you need not to worry about the the stuff you are worrying about. (reproof) My heart just burned. I wanna believe it was similar to what the disciples(who didn't realize it was Jesus at them moment) described when Jesus walked with them on the road to Emmaus(after His resurrection) and explained to them all that happened since Moses and the Prophets and "interpreted Scripture concerning Himself" to them. Then, once they were sitting at the table, He broke the bread and gave it to them and their eyes were opened! (I love that!) and Jesus vanishes. And as it is written in Luke 24:32 "They(the apostles) said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” THAT'S THE WAY I FELT Sunday, sitting in church with the U-G-L-Y (YOU AIN'T GOT NO ALIBI) CRY! I can't explain it any better this example here in Luke. And if you have experienced similar, you know what I am talking about. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, you won't forget it.

In light of the past 11 months or so. My heart and my mind has been through significant H & Ls...oh, highs and lows, sorry ;). Some due to my own stubbornness and disobedient ways and other times having to do with others and their issues. This (plural) has caused me (and my husband) to fall harder on my Savior and tuck myself even tighter under the WORD of GOD. But, yet still I have had this roaming question in my mind... and I (we) grappled with it, and grappled with it, took a break and then grappled some more...it just never leaves my mind. Even as my husband and I continue praying through some decisions right now, the question keeps coming to mind. When we put it to the side, it slips back in our conversation. (For good reasons, I am sure... God doesn't waste anything)--  So as I was sitting at church,  sandwiched between a sweet friend named, Brenda and my dear husband, Joseph, the pastor pulls out this Scripture. (Ok, it was listed in bulletin, so I looked it up and read it and I was like OHHHH!!! BOI!!! like all gangsta n' stuff- in my head though) But, as this Pastor was coming to a close in his message and in the context with Scripture references he read it and he painted a picture that mirrored our current situation and I could not use my eyelids as a dam any longer..tears just burst out...I couldn't wipe them fast enough you hear?! Now, my husband is rubbing my back (eewww, stop :) and Brenda, hits me on my leg and laughs a "Ha!" And I'm like for real, stop it! [That who 3 seconds reminded me of the older women wearing the nurses hat (never understood that) in church with the fans trying to fan the tears away]....I am thinking to myself Lord, what are you doing?  For REALS! What are you showing me? What are you telling? and...I'm praising Him at the same time, saying "I don't know what you are doing."

Nevertheless, I was NOT really bothered by my friend nor my darling husband. Not one bit. The Holy Spirit was revealing His Word to me and His plan to me in that instance. I promise, I am changed forever by this moment.  You see, for some months upon months, now, I have been trying to figure out the
'why' to a lot of things
                          and the "what do I do with this?'
                                                                    and the "what do I do with this now?".
It has been stressFULL! I am convince in more than one way, we REALLY don't NEED to KNOW the WHY.
                  Nope!
                          We don't.
                                        We just need to trust Him.
And in this moment the Lord answered my question by giving me some reproof.. letting me know He does not approve of me worrying and fretting and doubting. He affirmed that I need to do what I know is my responsibility as a follower of Christ: make disciples of those who are willing to stay and hear the message I have about my Savior.
Whether, I am struggling financially, I must SHARE JESUS, whether I am overflowing with funds, SHARE JESUS! Whether I feel I am alone and friendless (not true by the way), SHARE JESUS! Whether I am hurting, SHARE JESUS! Whether on a road less traveled or one congested with traffickers, SHARE JESUS! Whether I feel all things are well with me or not, SHARE JESUS!...
Our situations or circumstances,
                                     DO NOT CHANGE our KINGDOM RESPONSIBILITIES. They do not!
Sort of brings Paul to mind when he wrote to the body of believers in Philippi, "I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." Philippians 4:12 MSG

I was also encouraged and a heard a 'you're did well' and 'this is where it's at, in Me, and you didn't leave Me' (even though I know I wasn't/am not perfect). But, that's what I felt and heard my sweet, heavenly Father showering me with, ALL in those few minutes.
                                                                                                    CHECK IT OUT....
I know the Lord has great plans for my family and I, in His Kingdom, a midst His Will. But, my question was finally answered, in how to deal with the NOW!!! Check it out. It's so simple:

"Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’"

                                                                                                                  ~~~Jeremiah 29:7 CJB

Quite a bit of us are in places or situations we DON'T WANNA BE IN! So, what are you (and I) gonna do about it while we have TODAY? 
                                                  ....... I do pray as you labor to bring souls in the Kingdom and to make HIS Name Famous in your cities, that you find encouragement and maybe even some needed correction in this verse. WE know what our future holds. But, how do we handle the now? As the ESV says it,"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

He is good to us. (<---- Click on that sentence).Always.         

how do i receive a breakthrough? By becoming obedient to the Word of Jesus..by making my flesh obedient.