Guard yourselves

There's alot of hype about the new movie 'Twilight - The New Moon" out there today. My 10 year old daughter is even being pressured at school to watch the movie and read the books. I decided to do some looking into the movie as I had never heard about the movie or books. I was quite appalled when I found out the content of what these 10 year old girls are reading and watching. It's awful! I have heard about many women reading these books too. For our family, we have chosen to not watch an movies that have story lines about vampires. That's what this series is about. It's a romanticized vampire story.

Not long after looking into the movie, a dear friend of mine called me up in dispair. She has become so consumed with the "Twilight" series that it is affecting her marriage. The men in the show are so goodlooking and she says that the man treats the woman so well and it's such a romantic setting and story line. It has made her look at her spouse and start to despise him for the way he looks, acts, and what he does for a living to support her family. For the first time in her life she is struggling with the desire to cheat on her husband after she sees how glamorous the sexuality in this show is. She's drawn to that and has allowed all these evil thoughts of regret to enter her mind that she married too young and that her husband isn't the right person for her and she doesn't like to be told what to do and that she wants to be wooed like the women in the movie. She eats, sleeps and breathes "Twilight." She is not a Christian and I can only pray for her and encourage her.

Movies like this can be so tempting to watch. It could be any movie we're watching that Satan can use as a stronghold and as a temptation for evil desires. I have to be careful not to read romance books also or I can get caught up easily in the romanticism. It's easy to allow our hearts to become discontent with who God has created us to be and who God has brought into our life as a marriage partner.

God has lots to say in His Word about this topic:

"Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." - Proverbs 4:23-27

"You must not commit adultery. But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman (or man) with lust has already committed adultery with her (him) in his (her) heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." - Matt 5: 17-30

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. " - 1 Cor 6:18-20

"All of you should honor marriage. You should keep the marriage bed pure. God will judge the person who commits adultery. He will judge everyone who commits sexual sins. - Hebrews 13:4

Acting on these desires is just as much committing adultery as thinking the thoughts (Mt 5:17). God has really laid on my heart this past week for us to guard our hearts from what is evil. Be careful of the shows we watch. Be careful of the books we read. Guard our hearts from evil and temptation. Be thankful for the man God has brought into your life and find ways to bless and encourage him today. Praise God for all the good things your marriage has to offer.

Would you invite Jesus to watch the movie with you? Would he be happy watching what you've invited him to see? Would you want to curl on the couch with Jesus and read a book together? What would he think of the book you'd be reading? Hollywood wants us to lust after the actors and actresses. Writers want you to get caught up in the romantic love stories. Adultery has become so glamorized that we've become desensitized to how evil it is. Satan can sneak into our lives in many different ways.

Guard your hearts (and marriages). That's my encouragement for you today.

Dearly loved children

This morning I had the sweet privilege of having a peek at the hidden life of my pre-born grand baby. The first thing I saw was the heart...beating away indicating life and strength. Then we saw his or her wide mouth and little nose...the beautifully shaped head, the spine, both legs with knees, the arms crossed in the shape of an X, and a relaxed hand with fingers slightly curled. Aah...so very precious.

The ultrasound appointment had been delayed for an hour, so I took my grandson to a craft store and a hardware store in the meantime. Busy shoppers stopped to interact, smile and chat with us. No one seemed in a hurry. They all had time to watch my grandson's animated expressions over the little plastic Santa plane this Grandma had said we could buy. Back at the x-ray lab, the waiting room was full of lively chatter with the grandchildren as the focus.

What is it about little kids that cause women, gruff-looking men, teen boys and young girls to pause, soften their features and interact with strangers? Maybe it's the innocence and sense of wonder a child carries, or the laugh that accompanies the simplest of pleasures. Or is it the freedom of learning and discovery without nearly having perfected the skill or acquired the knowledge. Open, honest, no pretense, unhindered in being.

I thought about all this as I drove home. If that is how people soften and respond to children, how much more do You, our perfect Heavenly Father, look toward us - your creation and your children - with love and favour!

Proverbs 8 - Wisdom is speaking here:

32 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.

36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death."

If you belong to Jesus, you belong to the Father. He sees you and knows you. He is attentive to you, and His look is one of love and favour. Keep remembering this: He looks at you with love and favour.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

I read recently that a famous beach house used in the movie, "Nights of Rodanthe," is washing out to sea. It is situated on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in a town called Rodanthe. According to The Virginia Pilot newspaper, it is a beautiful rustic, weathered looking house that was built in 1988 by Roger Meekins. He said he sank the pilings for the house more than 14 feet deep and poured concrete around it.

"The house is built so good there's no other like it on the Outer Banks said, Murray "Frisco Mo" Clark, the house's 79 year old care taker. I've been in this house in 130 miles per hour winds. It didn't move at all. It just whistled."

Due to storms earlier this year, the house had taken a beating and was under continuous repairs. A major storm hit again this month, and the house sits at sea, surrounded by water. It has begun to break apart and will eventually fall into the ocean. The house had been up for sale this past year... The owners were offering it at a really good price, actually, more than a good price. I've read that it was beautiful... a landmark. Definitely ocean front. When I read about this, it reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 7:24-29.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law.

All praise to the Lord Jesus Christ who is our solid rock through every storm that shakes our lives. He is the foundation that we stand on. He is our hope and trust.

Photo credit goes to Donny Bowers, The Virginia Pilot

If feels too early to be up. I'm sitting in front of my fireplace with a cup of tea...all is dark and quiet except for the cat who saunters here and there to let me know that she also is up and the warm light from my Christmas tree illuminating the room.

Part of me wishes that I was still in bed...but the other part of me feels so glad to have gotten up to have this peaceful and refreshing time with Jesus before the rest of the house wakes and the day begins full swing.

I've been meditating on some words that the Lord gave me for several days now. They're not new. I've read them many times before. But they seem fresh to me...alive...full of encouragement and inspiration.

2 Peter 1:2-11

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The ESV says it this way in verse 10: Therefore brothers, (or sisters) be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Lord, show me what it looks like today to practice my faith, to practice goodness, to practice 'knowing you', to practice self-control, to practice perseverence, to practice godliness, to practice kindness and to practice love. Help me to start with my family before I even try to practice those things with anyone else.

By the Name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit...I claim these qualities once again as mine.

I Don't Have Silver or Gold

A man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate so that he could sit and beg. When he saw Peter and John he asked to receive alms. When he had the man's attention, Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" Acts 3:6

They didn't have any money, but they had something much more valuable. The name of Jesus Christ. And later, when questioned, Peter told them about Jesus and said, "And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all." Peter and John had the name of Jesus, "what I do have, I give to you". They carried the name. They owned the name. And it was by faith in this name that a lame man was given the ability to walk.

Anyone who is a Christian is a place that God has put his name. Listen to these Old Testament words and then a New Testament correlation:

But you shall seek the place that the LORD your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. Deuteronomy 12:5

and

And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.' 1Kings 5:5

Now this:

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

and

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3.16

So that establishes that we Christians, as God's house, his habitation, have the name, just like Peter and John had the name of Jesus.

I did a quick word study. These words are probably familiar to you: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. This comes from Deuteronomy 5:11 and is part of the 10 commandments. Most of the time, we think of this as a command to not use the name of God or Jesus in a disrespectful way, ie. swearing. But I would like to suggest to you that it means way more than that, if it means that at all.

The Hebrew word for vain in this passage is shav, which means, emptiness, falsehood, nothingness, emptiness of speech, worthlessness.

So really, I would say we could re-word the passage in Deuteronomy this way: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in falsehood or as empty or worthless, as if it is nothing.

Discounting the name of Jesus as empty, worthless or ineffective is what it means to take the Lord's name in vain. This can be done in our speech, but I think it can be done with our lives and means this: Taking the name (as a woman takes the name of her husband, whereby it becomes her own) of Jesus in falsehood or pretense, or without effect, or for nothing.

If we have taken the name of Jesus and call ourselves Christians, we must believe that the name that we have is true, worthy, powerful and effective. We carry the name of Jesus! It is our own! And we are to use it to bear fruit, doing everything we do in and by it, making a difference in people's lives.

How amazing is that? And may we, like Peter and John, know what we have and give it away to the glory of God!

This week a family needs to lay to rest their 2 year old son that drowned in the back pool while in South Africa. I went to school with the parents and have had them on my heart this past week and a half. When I hear stories like this it just doesn't seem fair when the life of a 2 year old is taken away. I have cried many tears for this family as they grieve and relive those moments of happiness and grief.

I was thinking about the phrase that we so commonly will say when in the midst of turmoil or tradegy.... "God doesn't give us more than we can handle." I thought of this phrase during this past week alot!

Nowhere in the Bible can I find those verses that support that saying. From everything I've been able to see we have misquoted I Corinthians 10:13. That passage reads: "And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Doesn't say that he doesn't give us more than we can bear. Big difference.

Through tradegy good can come. Through trials good can come. I think of the place where I'm at and know that there can come good from it. Sometimes I wish God would let me in on his view so I could know when it is that I am going to see the good. I know this wouldn't be best for me as I wouldn't grown like I would if I did know.

I think of this family who lost their 2 year old son. They wrote on their family blog the day he drowned in the pool and didn't blame themselves or say any negative thoughts which I honestly have to admit would be foremost in my mind if that happened to me. Instead they pointed their eyes to Jesus and wrote in such eloquent wording what it meant to be in Christ's embrace and feel carried. Each of the entries after that are pointed to God. Isn't that how it should be? How many lives they are touching through their grief... God has given them such incredible strength and what a testimony to others!

What trials and tradegy look like to each of us is different. Each of us is walking a different journey and we all respond to situations in life differently. We all grow differently and heal either longer or shorter than others. God did say there would be trouble and that our lives wouldn't be perfect:

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

How we respond to the troubles in our lives is important. Jesus has overcome so we can be free! Whatever it is you're going through, my prayer is that others can see Christ in you and that you can be a testimony of faith to others. I'm asking God for strength each day in this area. Praise Jesus that he died and rose again so I can be free! We don't need to carry our burdens on our own.

Stubborn as a...

How would you finish this sentence? Stubborn as a ________. What came to your mind?

I was captivated by something I read the other day that I'd like to explore with you today.

"The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock.

Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons. Exodus 34:18-20a

A bit of history here.
"The Lord said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.

Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.' " Exodus 4:21-23

And that's what happened. All the Egyptian firstborn males of man and animal were killed. Meanwhile, the Israelites, who were in their homes with their door frames marked with the blood of the lamb or goat that they eaten together that evening, were spared.

So, I get why the firstborn belong to the Lord, but what's with the firstborn donkey being redeemed with a lamb when all the other unclean animals - and even the firstborn sons! - were supposed to be redeemed with five shekels of silver?

"...But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. When they are a month old, you must redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels of silver,..." Numbers 18:15-17

Except for the firstborn of the donkey, of course. This particular animal needs to be redeemed by a lamb. I find that a curious distinction. Don't you? Odd perhaps, but are you beginning to see a picture here?

How often did God say of the Israelites that they were a stiff-necked people? I counted 19 in one concordance. Stiff-necked; stubborn. Stubborn as a donkey or mule. Intent on going their own way. They heard that once, they heard it twice...and many more times through the prophets.

And the unclean part? The law was filled with distinctions between the clean and the unclean. The people were forever needing to be cleansed because something had made them unclean. They were very well aware of what made them unclean, and they knew the rituals they needed to perform to make them clean again.

So here we have a firstborn donkey with the very distinct - and only option - for being redeemed. No lamb? No redemption. Either a lamb or death. Ironic method of death for this stiff-necked animal, don't you think? What was it again? Break its neck.

Through this anomalous law, God gives the people and us a picture of His redemption plan. The redemption of mankind would be through the Lamb of God. God has provided the way to be saved from sin and death. God has made it possible for us to be made clean; for us to be made holy and acceptable before Him.

A choice could be made. Was this animal worth being redeemed by a lamb? Or should the opposite be done - to abandon it, for its life was not worth it?

Beloved, God saw you and said "yes" to you. You are my creation. I will redeem you. I will give My Firstborn and Only Son...for you, to redeem you - to buy you back - from the captivity of sin and death, so you will be mine.

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob,[O _______, (put your own name in here)] he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Christ gave His life to redeem you. He chose to offer up His life for you. He said "yes" to you. You are worth it. Have you said "yes" to Him and received his redemption? Have you given Him your life?

Do not be wise in your own eyes...

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:1-8

Often, when I do not understand what is going on in my life and things are a bit chaotic and out of control... I will be reminded especially of Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord... with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

We can spend all day trying to understand a situation in our life only to realize at the end of the day... we are back where we started. Some things are meant just to be trusted into the Lord's hands but there are other times that He gives us the spirit of discernment and wisdom that we need in certain situations. Even so, it all boils down to trust... Trusting Him for the unknown, and trusting Him to give us wisdom. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

He does encourage us to... "Let love and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

May the power of His love and wisdom guide you today in all you do...

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings

I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:1-8

David wrote these words when he was literally in the desert wilderness of Judah fighting for his life from those who wanted to kill him. I can hardly imagine.

I love his words. I love his focus. I love his honesty. I love it that David wasn't afraid to tell God how he felt. I love it that through his emotional ups and downs, the sin and repentance, the mistakes and achievements and pure humanness of it all...he is one of the people I can relate most to in the bible and the one said to be "a man after God's own heart". I believe David was claiming God's truth over his own life. I believe he was choosing to stand on what he knew to be true in the midst of what probably seemed like all hell breaking loose in his own life.

Lord, when we find ourselves in that desert place...help us to run to you as David did. Hold us in your everlasting arms. Reach for us. We claim your truth and salvation over us today. We drink deeply from the Water of Life...our Source and our Strength, our Refreshment, and our Joy. We hold fast to you. And we trust you with our heart.

Praying for you today.

But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 2 Corinthians 10:13

In this passage, the apostle, Paul, is reminding the Corinthian church that he and the other apostles will not boast about work that they have not done, but will indeed be bold to reach them because God had assigned them to reach them. They were supposed to have influence over them. God had given to them the Corinthian church as their area of influence.

One morning, as I was doing the morning rush and getting ready to go to my new job, I wanted to connect with God, but didn't have a lot of time. I asked him what I should read in his word that he wanted me to know for the day. 2 Corinthians 10 came to mind. As I read the chapter, anticipating God's word to me, I knew the minute I read it that the 13th verse was what he wanted me to know. He had given me this new area of influence. God assignd me to that place and those people. He is going to use me to influence them, to reach them. Wow! And I know that it will be his work through me, which takes the pressure off of me to try to make things happen, but it also gives me permission to be bold. Bold to encourage. Bold to love. Bold in my prayers for them. Confident, even when it seems I'll never learn it all, that I am where I am supposed to be. I will be me, and they will be influenced for God. Oh Lord, that's what I want. Thank you.

Now, God has assigned to each of us an area or areas of influence. You have your own places and people that will be responsive to you. Who you are matters in your homes, in your work place, wherever you are consistently with the same people. And it is no accident that you are where you are. God has chosen you for your areas of influence, because it is only you who is who you are and who is able to do what you do the way you do it. Your assignment is not meant to be a burden but a confidence that you are where you are for a reason and that he has put people into your life because they will respond to you.

Where are your areas of influence? Where is it that it matters who you are and what you can do? Who are the people God has given you permission to have influence with? If you don't know or aren't sure, ask him.

Lord, we offer ourselves to your service and accept our assignments to our areas of influence. We offer the members of our bodies as instruments of righteousness - our faces, our lips, our ears, our arms, our legs. We belong to you and will trust that through us, you will draw others to yourself. May we count it a delightful privilege!

In Christ Alone

I just got off the phone with a dear friend of mine who encouraged me on a day when I feel like I'm drowning and don't know which way to turn. In the midst of the cross roads of change I've lost who I am and where my heart is. Today I'm feeling like I don't know what it feels like to be in love with Jesus.

What I do know is that God loves me. Who am I when I stand before Jesus just as myself? I've been clinging to my husband as my lifeline and my friend encouraged me to cling to Jesus as my lifeline. I've forgotten what that looks like and need to find that joy once again and see for myself what that looks and feels like. Satan wants to isolate me and wants me to feel alone, and this is a feeling I've had alot lately. I have decisions to make and even forget what the feels like to lean on Jesus today.

Dear God, every day when I wake up please give me strength to direct my thoughts to you and trust each day to you. I've been so focused on getting my kids settled into daily routines and school that I got lost and now I ask Lord Jesus that you meet me where I'm at and sit with me and have tea together so I know what it feels like once again to rest in you. I'm hurting, lonely, sad and don't feel like I have an ounce of joy in me. Fill me once again with no human joy but a spiritual joy. Wrap me in your arms I pray. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Behind His Back

In fear
I hid
my sins
behind my back.

I confessed and repented.

In love
He hid
all my sins
behind His back.

Hezekiah's prayer is recorded in Isaiah 38:17. Here he says of the LORD,
"Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction,
for you have cast all my sins behind your back."

What else has He done with all our sin?

You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah Psalm 85:2

He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10&12

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 1 John 3:5

Christ is our cover. He is our righteousness. He is our peace and our confidence as we come to God.

Walk in Faith

For this past week and last, I have been "pondering" a lot of things in my heart. Oh, things like nature and natural disasters and how no one can control them. Cancer and how an innocent child can get it. The newspapers and nightly news on television display the wickedness of men. So many things are unsure. We double check our doors at night before going to bed, and make sure our cars are locked with a bar across the steering wheel if we run into the grocery store. We try to guard our secret password when we are at the check out counter as we pay for our groceries with our debit card. We give our children specific instructions when we are not with them as to how to protect themselves. We question whether a beggar on the street is begging for food or drugs and how should we respond.

I read an article in USA today that stated an average of eleven pilots test positive for alcohol consumption every year. Thirteen tested positive this year. That is while they were flying and tested when they got off the plane! Another two pilots had their license revoked because they were on their laptops and forgot about the time. An hour later, they realized they had passed their airport. All of the people on those planes had put their trust in those pilots that they would get them safely to their destination.

We have learned it is not safe to trust everything and everybody. Not everyone is interested in our well being... or for that matter, even cares who we are.

So... living this life has to be lived by faith. It is true that we have no guarantee of what tomorrow holds... good health, financial struggles, sickness, family concerns... we have no promises... that everything is going to be alright according to the world's standard of living. But we do have God's promises.... and here are just a few...

"I have loved you with an everlasting love..." Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love Him. Psalm 145: 17-20

Shout for joy O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13: 5-6

Though life is filled with it's uncertainties... we can live a life of faith, knowing that God is in control and knows everything that is going on in our lives. Sometimes things happen that just do not seem fair. We are mistreated, abused and maybe taken advantage of. Jesus suffered all of these things for us, even giving up His life for us. We will not live in a perfect world until we reach heaven. Praise the Lord! He made it possible for us to live there with Him. Not only that, we will be able to see our loved ones who have gone before us... who lived lives of faith. Hebrews talks a lot about faith... sometimes... we do not see the fruit of our faith while we are living on this earth... but it doesn't change the importance of having it and trusting God.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not received the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:32

We have no way of knowing what God's plans are for us... but we do know that He has our best interest at heart... and that through faith... we know He has something better than we can conceive planned for us..

Lest We Forget

It's Remembrance Day. A day set aside to remember all of those men and women who have given of their lives for the sake of our freedom. Oh, how I thank Jesus for a free country and for those that have sacrificed for us. Most of us have not lived in a place or at a time where that freedom was at stake on our own soil, so it's hard for me at times to fully comprehend even, all that I have to be thankful for. And that, I believe, is why we must remember.

As I sat with Jesus this morning...I began a journey of remembrance in another way.

Did you know that there are 166 verses in the Bible that use the word "Remember"?

I read all of them this morning. Wow!

You wanna hear the very first one? It's from Genesis. And the Creator God speaks.

I will remember my covenant between you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Gen. 9:15

Remember that God is faithful and keeps his word. Everytime we see a rainbow, it is a reminder that God keeps his promises.

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. Deuteronomy 24:18a

Remember where you came from and what God saved you from so that you may have compassion and understanding for those around you. Remember that Jesus died so that we could be free.

And the last book of the Bible...

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.

Revelations 3:3a

Remember the truth. Make sure that what you know is true, makes a difference in your life. Remember God's faithfulness, His Grace, His Truth, His Light...Turn from what you know to be deadly in your life . Confess your sin. Live in Obedience.

So I pray that everyday, in the midst of our circumstances, our trials and our joys, in all that we do, in our homes and in the work place and in our relationships...that we will Remember our God and all that He is and all that He has done for us...Lest we Forget.

While We're Waiting

Are you waiting for an answer to prayer? Are you becoming impatient? Are you wondering if God will ever make it happen? Is your faith wavering? Listen to David's prayer:

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD.

Remember who you are praying to - the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, Sovereign Lord above and over all, able to do anything. The one who gave himself for you. He is the one to whom you pray.

At an acceptable time, O God,

When the time is right. Not before the thing is ready. Not before everything is in place. Not before the best outcome can happen. You really don't want to settle for less than that, do you?

In the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. Psalm 69:13

There is no deficiency or lack in his loyal, unending, constant love for you. It is excessive and overflowing. His answer will be based on this love and his faithfulness to you and to the promises that he has made. His love and his faithfulness will save you and protect you, strengthen and carry you, delight and inspire you.

Many times we put our faith and hope in the answer to our prayers instead of in the one who answers them. Let's remember who we are praying to!

Psalm 23 (New Living Translation)

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord

forever.

Free

Did you know that you are under no obligation to the sinful nature? None at all! (Romans 8:12)

You are not helplessly doomed to fail and struggle and never overcome those things – those sinful habits or tendencies (visible and hidden) – that plague you and weigh you down in your life.

Did you know that the one whom the Son sets free shall be free indeed? John 8:36
Are you one of those whom the Son has set free?

You are free to live according to the Spirit, because Christ has set you free.

You are free.

Is this your experience? Maybe you experience this freedom in some ways, but not in some of the other areas in your life. Did you know that it is possible to experience Christ’s victory to live for God in those areas as well?

Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God’s grace. Romans 6:14 NLT

Sin is no longer your master.

You have been set free for freedom. Galatians 5:1

Many years ago, the Holy Spirit made these more than words and an idealistic concept for me. Since then, I’ve been pressing in – fighting for – my freedom. Positionally, I am free to live for God and obey Him; this is the reality in the spiritual world. I, however, have not been - and in some ways am not - practically free in some areas of my life. What I mean, is that I don’t experience the reality of my freedom in some areas of my life. We need to become in practice what our position is in Christ.

How does this happen? What does it mean to “fight for my freedom?” I believe it starts with knowing the truth. When the Holy Spirit convicted me that this freedom and victory is the norm for a Christian, I no longer had excuses. I couldn’t just ignore the inconsistencies in my life and chalk them up to excuses like, “Oh, it’s just my personality – I’m just like my dad and my grandmother. It’s just the way our family is.”
“It’s those darn hormones – PMS, pre menopausal, menopause, the winter blues, etc.”
“I’ve always been like this.”

Is God bigger than our personalities? Didn’t he give them to us?
Is the power that God exerted when He raised Christ from the dead bigger than our moods or our hormones?

Oh, please agree with God here!!!
It is for freedom that you have been set free.

So if we begin to see that this is true for us – right here and right now – in our present situations, then we know that we need to come into the freedom Christ has provided. Begin to renounce and turn from all those excuses that we’ve had. Humble yourself. How? Realize that what God says is true and right, and if what I’m experiencing in my life doesn’t line up with what God says, someone has to change, and it’s not God who has to change! Yes, it’s painful admitting that we’re in the wrong…again. But that’s the only way to freedom.

Where do we start?
Confess our sin and wrong doing. Confess our excuses for our behavior.
Turn from our wrong way of thinking and doing things.
Ask God to show us what the truth is and how to apply it to these areas in our life.

I’ve done this in so many areas in my life that I couldn't even remember all of them to count how many. This is how I’ve gained my freedom. It’s a process my dear friends, as many of you know. Don’t give up. Ask God to give you someone who encourages you in the truth. How we need that!

Go in peace and walk in freedom.

Rise and Shine

I had an interesting encounter Saturday night when some teenagers that I don't know, came by my house and wanted to give me some books after I had put some candy in their bags.

One of those, was a small little book on etiquette with the title of "Don't". It is a hilarious little book filled with all the things that you're not supposed to do if in fact you don't have "good" breeding but you would like to act like you do.

As I mused through it's old world advice (as it was first printed in the 1800's) I began to ponder all of the things we "good" christians don't do for some of the same reasons.

I wrote down all of the things that came to my mind that

"good christians Don't do".....you know the ones....

"good christians"

don't drink

don't smoke

don't cuss

don't dance

don't fraternize with 'sinners'

don't listen to secular music

don't watch soaps

don't wear bikinis

don't ever skip church

or bible study.....

unless you're really, really sick....(and then it's okay)

the list could go on and I'm sure you've got a few that you could add to it....

I've struggled in my own life with what some of these issues look like for me. I've wreaked with pride when I felt like I was doing all the right things and none of the wrong things and gauged my spiritual walk accordingly. At other times, I've lived in fear of what others might think of me if they knew that I wasn't living according to all of the "good christians don't" rules. I've also judged others in their spiritual walk and made assumptions of where they might be in their spiritual journey according to my earthly view.

But you know....Jesus didn't do that. If anyone could have spent time judging others on this planet it could have been him. Instead, He spent his time speaking the truth and handing out grace. So, I spent time with Him this week confessing my heart to him on some of these issues and my tendency to make judgement according to the "good christians don't" rules (even on myself). I asked him to speak truth into my life concerning some of these things and He did.

He reminded me that He is always more concerned with my heart than anything else. He reminded me of something his Holy Spirit whispered in my ear a few weeks ago as I was waking up from a deep sleep...

That my calling is to acknowledge Him and glorify Him with my life.

And as we finished up our visit that morning, Jesus talking to me through his Word and Spirit and me talking to him about all of this...He impressed upon my heart three little words.

Be A Light.

Wherever you go, whatever you do, whomever you're with....Be A Light.

That is what matters....so I say, forget about all that other stuff... Be Real and Let's Shine!

Today I start a new job. Much prayer went into finding it. I talked to God a lot about this job, and for a long time. And he talked to me about it, too. Now that I have it, I am confident it is the right job for me and for his name's sake.

The thing is... I have not one iota of experience in the industry into which I am being plunged. I have to learn from scratch. Everything. This will be for me a new world. New concepts, new people, new tasks, new procedures. I even had to get new clothes.

Between the moments of excitement and hope of good things to come, there are minutes of anxiety and fear.

There has also been a recurring theme in my life for a while, and it is the concept of power. So these verses, which I have written of before, keep coming back to me. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It is my weaknesses that are causing me the anxiety and fear. But those are the things I'm supposed to boast in. So, that is what I am going to do today. I am going to do a little boasting.

Look at me everybody! My right elbow (the one that is usually my strong one) has been hurting for weeks, and sometimes, I can hardly move it! I forget things! I make really stupid mistakes! I'm getting old! And watch this! My back is not strong. I have no idea how it will hold up since I will be standing most of the day! I can't see things up close! And today, I have PMS and either am mad and pissy or holding back tears. Isn't that a great way to start a new job?! I suck at laughing at myself when I make mistakes! I have no idea how to motivate and supervise people! Fabulous!

It feels kind of strange and silly, but if boasting in my weakness will result in Christ's power resting upon me, then I will boast all the more! I want to live in the power of God, and if it means being weak, I will be content with that. And I will say with Paul, "When I am weak, then I am strong."

Kinda funny, but the moments of excitement and hope are winning over the anxiety and fear.

My family was sitting around the table talking about what we have inherited from our parents. Two of my children have my fair skin and the other two have my husband's skin tone. Two of them have natural curl like me and two have poker straight hair like my husband. One daughter has my hot temper, which I hate to admit. None of my children have blue eyes but brown like their Daddy. None of my children have my hair color. Some have feet similar to mine, some my husband's. One daughter can turn her tongue upside down like Daddy and the others cannot like me. On and on this dinner conversation went. It was funny seeing what character traits we take with us.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

If God created us in HIS IMAGE, what character traits do we have that show us that God is our Father?

Jesus did amazing things while on earth. He ate with tax collectors... allowed a prostitute to wash his feet... dumped the tables in the tabernacle... turned water into wine... raised people from the dead... healed the blind, deaf and mute... healed a lady that was bleeding heavily... cast out demons.... wept before he died... healed the soldier's ear that was coming to take him away to his death... was tempted by Satan in the desert.... sat with children and drew them into his embrace... cared for the orphans and poor... the Bible gives us many stories of Jesus walk on earth.

We must strive to be like Jesus. We won't physically look like Jesus did as my children will look similar to either me or my husband. The character traits we can take from Jesus are what he did every day in each of the examples above. Some of the traits we pass to our children are learned behaviours. What do we want to learn from the way Jesus walked?

Jesus walked the earth with humility. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, to give up his life as a ransom." (Mark 10:45).

Jesus was compassionate, humble, not embarrassed to socialize with the street people, caring, bold - standing up for what is right as you hear in many parables and see in his actions. Jesus loved!

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Jesus walked this way and clothed himself in each of these traits. He was the perfect example of who we should strive to be.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God" (John 13:3) Jesus knew where he was from and where he was going. Do we? Do you have assurance of being with Jesus in heaven? Do our faith and actions line up? Are we only striving or are we living what we believe?

As God's child, how do you want to look more like Jesus?