The most important day of the year has finally arrived. The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior...JESUS. Happy birthday JESUS!!!
When you wake up on Christmas morning what is the first thing you think about? I know as kids it's going to be what's under the tree. But as you get older and know what Christmas is really all about the first thing you should think about is JESUS. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas. For most of my life I never really thought that way. Sure...I knew, in my head, that Christmas was to celebrate His birth but I never made the connection in my heart. Christmas is just one more thing, in my long list of things, that have a whole new meaning for me. This is my third Christmas as a Christian and it seems that this year it has made a bigger impact on me than any time before...
An awesome GOD came to earth and was born in the form of a baby. He did this for one reason. So HE could live among us for a few short years and then be tortured and put to death. JESUS was put to death so that we could have life. Eternal life...yes. But also an amazing life while we are here in our earthly bodies. Your life might not be considered special by the standards of the world we live in but, if you know JESUS as your SAVIOR, your life couldn't be any better. If you don't know HIM as your SAVIOR you don't know what you are missing. If your life starts falling apart, you can still have Peace. JESUS will always be there for you in every moment...good or bad.
If your anxious you can do what 1 Peter 5:7 says;
Cast all your anxiety on HIM because HE cares for you.
If you just find your self stuck in some problem, do what Psalm 50:15 says;
Call upon ME in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.
If you are worried, there is Philippians 4:6;
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to GOD.
If you need strength and renewal Isaiah 40:31 is for you;
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Talk to JESUS and tell HIM what you need. You have to remember that above all else, GOD is love. HE really just loves you, loves you, loves you.
If you don't know HIM today you can. You can receive the best gift you will ever get this Christmas. It's a free gift. You can't put a price on it because it is priceless. If you want to except this gift just say a short prayer asking JESUS to forgive you of your sins. Ask HIM to come into your life and to help you to live a life that is pleasing to HIM. Then you have to really believe that HE did forgive you and that HE will help you. Talk to HIM all the time, read HIS Word and find a church you can go to where you can learn about HIM.
Remember, JESUS is the real reason for the season.
Merry Christmas!!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
EARNESTLY SEEK HIM
You know in life there are many things that you have everyday that you can do without. It might just be simple things...like coffee. I really enjoy coffee!! The thing is, I can live without it. I don't like to but I can. As of today it has been nine days since my last cup. I'm not giving it up for good though. It is one addiction in my life I can pick up again and not feel too bad about. Through out my life I have come to realize there are many different things you can do without for either a period of time or forever. There are even people that come and go...in and out...of our lives that at sometime we might think we can't survive without. But we can. Its just been in the last couple of years that I have finally figured out that there is One that I can't do without. Actually, I guess if you want to get technical, there are three...GOD, JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT. You can try to do without them but you won't be happy if you do.
Everyday you need to realize that there is One person that the real you...your soul...longs for more than anyone else. The only One that can fulfill every need that you have. Psalm 63 is a great Psalm. For me, the first verse accurately describes what I feel many times.
Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Sometimes you just feel like you're alone. You've been out in the world doing what you do every day and your mind and body, but most of all your inner being, just needs rest. You are weary, people and things are after you constantly. You need more than any person or even any "thing" can give you. You need GOD! Every part of you longs for HIM to come and fill you with strength. Your body, soul, and mind just can't get enough of HIM. It's a longing like you have never felt before and you realize that it is for GOD!! When you reach that point and do what it says, "earnestly seek HIM", you will find what you need. You will no longer be out there on your own. HE will fill your soul, your body, and your mind with everything that you need. HE will "fill you up" with all of the good things that you need! You will soon find that you just can't get enough of GOD!
I like the way the Message Bible says it. You notice David was in the wilderness when he wrote it. Sometimes when we're out doing what we do everyday, it seems as if it is a wilderness we are in.
A David Psalm,
When He Was out in the Judean Wilderness
1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
I like verse 8 where it says, I hold onto you for dear life...I think that's a feeling everybody knows. As long as you know GOD as your Father you can do that. In return HE holds you up, "steady as a post'.
I also think it is important that we Praise HIM for being there for us. Praise Him for everything HE does for us daily. Praise HIM just for giving us life.
And, if you don't know GOD as your Father, JESUS as your Savior and have the HOLY SPIRIT living inside you, you can. You can have peace like you have never known before. Just say a simple prayer and ask JESUS to forgive you of your sins. To come and live inside you and help you to live for HIM on a daily basis. Then believe that HE has forgiven you. Thank HIM for it. Your life will never be the same. And, you will have the best Christmas that you have ever had!!
Everyday you need to realize that there is One person that the real you...your soul...longs for more than anyone else. The only One that can fulfill every need that you have. Psalm 63 is a great Psalm. For me, the first verse accurately describes what I feel many times.
Psalm 63
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Sometimes you just feel like you're alone. You've been out in the world doing what you do every day and your mind and body, but most of all your inner being, just needs rest. You are weary, people and things are after you constantly. You need more than any person or even any "thing" can give you. You need GOD! Every part of you longs for HIM to come and fill you with strength. Your body, soul, and mind just can't get enough of HIM. It's a longing like you have never felt before and you realize that it is for GOD!! When you reach that point and do what it says, "earnestly seek HIM", you will find what you need. You will no longer be out there on your own. HE will fill your soul, your body, and your mind with everything that you need. HE will "fill you up" with all of the good things that you need! You will soon find that you just can't get enough of GOD!
I like the way the Message Bible says it. You notice David was in the wilderness when he wrote it. Sometimes when we're out doing what we do everyday, it seems as if it is a wilderness we are in.
A David Psalm,
When He Was out in the Judean Wilderness
1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5-8 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy;
I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
If I'm sleepless at midnight,
I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
Because you've always stood up for me,
I'm free to run and play.
I hold on to you for dear life,
and you hold me steady as a post.
9-11 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom,
marked for death, bound for hell.
They'll die violent deaths;
jackals will tear them limb from limb.
But the king is glad in God;
his true friends spread the joy,
While small-minded gossips
are gagged for good.
I like verse 8 where it says, I hold onto you for dear life...I think that's a feeling everybody knows. As long as you know GOD as your Father you can do that. In return HE holds you up, "steady as a post'.
I also think it is important that we Praise HIM for being there for us. Praise Him for everything HE does for us daily. Praise HIM just for giving us life.
And, if you don't know GOD as your Father, JESUS as your Savior and have the HOLY SPIRIT living inside you, you can. You can have peace like you have never known before. Just say a simple prayer and ask JESUS to forgive you of your sins. To come and live inside you and help you to live for HIM on a daily basis. Then believe that HE has forgiven you. Thank HIM for it. Your life will never be the same. And, you will have the best Christmas that you have ever had!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
SPIRITUAL SICKNESS
Lately writing has been difficult for me. Normally when I write, the thoughts just sort of all flow together and when the last word is put down...I just know it is finished. The last few posts have been coming in pieces. I've thought about that and talked to God about it. His answer to me was the same one He has given me for other things lately. Not enough time in the Word and talking to Him. The thing about that is...I know He is right. Not just because He is God and is always right, but because I know I have been failing in those areas. So, I have been trying to do better. Then this week hit and reading has been pretty much out of the question, but...I can still talk to God. So while I was not sleeping I talked and...
I have spent the last few nights mostly awake because of being sick. Last night I was feeling pretty bad and it came to me that physical sickness is a lot like spiritual sickness. Sometimes when you get physically sick it's because you didn't take good care of yourself. Maybe you don't get enough sleep, take your vitamins, eat right, who knows what else. If you do this long enough you become susceptible to physical viruses until finally you get one. The same thing can happen in your spiritual life. Maybe you stop reading the Word as much as you should. When you do that, eventually you stop talking to God on a regular basis and maybe you find reasons to stay away from church or other forms of fellowship with other Christians. You start breaking good habits to pick up some bad ones...basically, you get a spiritual virus.
Some things I have noticed about the physical and spiritual side kind of relate to each other. On the physical side you end up in bed tossing and turning, agitated and not sleeping. You hurt all over, have a headache and numerous other symptoms. With a spiritual virus you are restless, agitated and don't sleep because you know you aren't doing the things you should. Things in life just aren't going right and you don't seem to have the closeness to the Lord that you did. You don't hurt all over outwardly but you hurt all over inwardly. You just have a feeling of turmoil inside instead of peace. Your head hurts because you worry about what is wrong between you and God.
So what do you do when you have a virus. Physically...you rest, try to sleep and do your best to stay away from everyone else so you don't give it to them. On the spiritual side you...start getting back into the good habits you used to have. Read the Word, talk to God and anything else you used to do to keep yourself on the right track. And remember that no matter what, God hasn't changed the way He feels about you.
In Jeremiah 31:3 He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."
Psalm 36:5 (New Living Translation)
5 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Psalm 136:26 (New Living Translation)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.
This last example is the greatest act of love anyone will ever do for you.
John 3:16 (The Message)
16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
Remember, it's Christmas and Jesus...Gods Son...came to earth to live and then die for you. Will you live for Him?
I have spent the last few nights mostly awake because of being sick. Last night I was feeling pretty bad and it came to me that physical sickness is a lot like spiritual sickness. Sometimes when you get physically sick it's because you didn't take good care of yourself. Maybe you don't get enough sleep, take your vitamins, eat right, who knows what else. If you do this long enough you become susceptible to physical viruses until finally you get one. The same thing can happen in your spiritual life. Maybe you stop reading the Word as much as you should. When you do that, eventually you stop talking to God on a regular basis and maybe you find reasons to stay away from church or other forms of fellowship with other Christians. You start breaking good habits to pick up some bad ones...basically, you get a spiritual virus.
Some things I have noticed about the physical and spiritual side kind of relate to each other. On the physical side you end up in bed tossing and turning, agitated and not sleeping. You hurt all over, have a headache and numerous other symptoms. With a spiritual virus you are restless, agitated and don't sleep because you know you aren't doing the things you should. Things in life just aren't going right and you don't seem to have the closeness to the Lord that you did. You don't hurt all over outwardly but you hurt all over inwardly. You just have a feeling of turmoil inside instead of peace. Your head hurts because you worry about what is wrong between you and God.
So what do you do when you have a virus. Physically...you rest, try to sleep and do your best to stay away from everyone else so you don't give it to them. On the spiritual side you...start getting back into the good habits you used to have. Read the Word, talk to God and anything else you used to do to keep yourself on the right track. And remember that no matter what, God hasn't changed the way He feels about you.
In Jeremiah 31:3 He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."
Psalm 36:5 (New Living Translation)
5 Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Psalm 136:26 (New Living Translation)
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.
This last example is the greatest act of love anyone will ever do for you.
John 3:16 (The Message)
16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
Remember, it's Christmas and Jesus...Gods Son...came to earth to live and then die for you. Will you live for Him?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF CHRISTMAS
The most important part of Christmas
isn't presents you will receive.
It isn't glitter, stars, and tinsel
or the angel on top of the tree.
The most important part of Christmas
isn't the family dinner you will share.
It isn't even the big church choirs
singing Silent Night for all to hear.
The most important part of Christmas
is the One they sing about.
It's all about the Baby Jesus
how He came to bring us out.
The most important part of Christmas
is found in Luke chapter 2 verse 7.
She gave birth to her firstborn son,
our Savior, God sent down from heaven.
For a lot of people Christmas is just about decorations, parties, presents and big family dinners. For others it's about what they don't have...presents and their family to share dinner with. Whatever scenario you might find yourself in this year the important part of Christmas is Jesus. You might not have money for presents, friends for parties or your family to be with, but...you can have the best part of Christmas...JESUS. The greatest event in history took place when Jesus was born. The Messiah and Savior of the world came to earth.
But, Jesus was born here for one reason...to die for you, so that you can live. The best thing that could happen to you this Christmas is if you would accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is waiting for you to ask Him into your life. You don't have to be anybody special and you don't have to change anything about yourself. Just pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Ask Him to help you turn away from your present way of living and help you to only live for Him. Thank Him for doing that. Then you will have the best thing ever to celebrate this year. A whole new life!!
Read the Christmas story for yourself. It is found in Luke 2.
After you read it you can decide for yourself what the most important part of Christmas is for you.
isn't presents you will receive.
It isn't glitter, stars, and tinsel
or the angel on top of the tree.
The most important part of Christmas
isn't the family dinner you will share.
It isn't even the big church choirs
singing Silent Night for all to hear.
The most important part of Christmas
is the One they sing about.
It's all about the Baby Jesus
how He came to bring us out.
The most important part of Christmas
is found in Luke chapter 2 verse 7.
She gave birth to her firstborn son,
our Savior, God sent down from heaven.
For a lot of people Christmas is just about decorations, parties, presents and big family dinners. For others it's about what they don't have...presents and their family to share dinner with. Whatever scenario you might find yourself in this year the important part of Christmas is Jesus. You might not have money for presents, friends for parties or your family to be with, but...you can have the best part of Christmas...JESUS. The greatest event in history took place when Jesus was born. The Messiah and Savior of the world came to earth.
But, Jesus was born here for one reason...to die for you, so that you can live. The best thing that could happen to you this Christmas is if you would accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is waiting for you to ask Him into your life. You don't have to be anybody special and you don't have to change anything about yourself. Just pray a simple prayer asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Ask Him to help you turn away from your present way of living and help you to only live for Him. Thank Him for doing that. Then you will have the best thing ever to celebrate this year. A whole new life!!
Read the Christmas story for yourself. It is found in Luke 2.
After you read it you can decide for yourself what the most important part of Christmas is for you.
Monday, December 7, 2009
NOT GIVING UP
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (The Message)
16-18 So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
In my last post I was telling you about being knocked down by the waves while fishing. I was sure that I was going to go under one last time and not be able to get back to the surface. But...I'm a little stubborn and I just kept fighting. Somehow, I finally managed to get up at the right moment and run far enough up the beach to not get pulled back out anymore. I never gave up fighting. When it's your life you are fighting for, you just keep going until you beat the circumstance. If you don't, it will beat you and the next time you go down will be the last time.
Sometimes in life I just want to give up. I think how much easier it would be to just quit and go back to living how I used to live. Just like the waves were beating me down, and winning, life does that too. There are all kinds of problems and situations that we have to deal with everyday, but we can't let them drive us back to our old ways and away from GOD. We have to keep fighting to stay alive. Keep on reaching up and trying to catch one more breath of air so you can fight a little longer. You need to renew your commitment and not leave GOD. Keep fighting to not go back to what you used to do and be. The thing that makes you the weakest GOD can use to make you strong.
I asked at the end of my last post if there was still some fight left. I think a good answer for that is...you only have to have enough fight left for the next minute. The minute when you call out to GOD and ask HIM to help you fight whatever your battle is. I think that's the only way you can win.
The things we go through here will soon be gone. Our new life in Heaven will last forever.
16-18 So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
In my last post I was telling you about being knocked down by the waves while fishing. I was sure that I was going to go under one last time and not be able to get back to the surface. But...I'm a little stubborn and I just kept fighting. Somehow, I finally managed to get up at the right moment and run far enough up the beach to not get pulled back out anymore. I never gave up fighting. When it's your life you are fighting for, you just keep going until you beat the circumstance. If you don't, it will beat you and the next time you go down will be the last time.
Sometimes in life I just want to give up. I think how much easier it would be to just quit and go back to living how I used to live. Just like the waves were beating me down, and winning, life does that too. There are all kinds of problems and situations that we have to deal with everyday, but we can't let them drive us back to our old ways and away from GOD. We have to keep fighting to stay alive. Keep on reaching up and trying to catch one more breath of air so you can fight a little longer. You need to renew your commitment and not leave GOD. Keep fighting to not go back to what you used to do and be. The thing that makes you the weakest GOD can use to make you strong.
I asked at the end of my last post if there was still some fight left. I think a good answer for that is...you only have to have enough fight left for the next minute. The minute when you call out to GOD and ask HIM to help you fight whatever your battle is. I think that's the only way you can win.
The things we go through here will soon be gone. Our new life in Heaven will last forever.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
WHO WILL WIN?
Colossians 1:15-17 (The Message)
Christ Holds It All Together
15-17 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
I'm not sure why, but I just keep coming back to this passage of scripture. I know that GOD is the one that keeps bringing me back to it. All I can think is that GOD wants me to see what I keep shutting out. HE is out there watching us. Taking care of us really. Without HIM everything would just stop. The earth would stop turning, the sun and the moon would stop shining, basically...all life would cease to exist. We find GOD, through HIS son, JESUS.
How that relates to me in this moment is...if I give up GOD in my life, I would basically cease to exist. As a being I would still be here, alive but not. My life as I have come to know it wouldn't be right. GOD has got to be the purpose that I live for. Life begins in HIM and HE is the glue that keeps me together, basically the life blood that runs through me.
There are times in our lives when it seems that everything just crashes in on us. It's kind of like someone just throws you out in the surf during high tide.There are waves crashing all around you and you can't get your feet under you. You keep going under but something keeps pushing you back to the top. Is it GOD? You catch some air and think...alright, I'm gonna stay on top...and then another wave hits you. Do you let it get the best of you and drown you? Or do you fight your way back to the top where you can breathe? That's a good question.
One time when I was fishing for perch in the ocean I had an experience like this. At low tide we would go down to the beach to fish. When the waves would roll out you would run after them and throw your line in. Then you would turn and run back up the beach letting line out as you went. The trick was that you had to beat the waves so they didn't knock you down before you got back up to safe territory. It was all in the timing. Well, once I didn't time it right and the waves hit me and started taking me back out with them. I kept going under and I was sure I was going to drown. I was fishing by myself so yelling wouldn't have helped. I can remember clawing at the sand every time I hit it trying to get back up on my feet.
Sometimes that seems to be how it is when things go wrong in our lives. You just keep grabbing for a handful of sand instead of grabbing for HIS hand like you know you should. JESUS is holding HIS hand out to you. It's like GOD is saying...Go ahead and grab on. I've been watching you and taking care of you. I've been there always for you. I sent my SON for you. My spirit is always with you yet you can't find your way because you give up. Don't give up. I'm here for you. Stop shutting ME out.
In some ways, this fight is even more important than the one I had while fishing. You can let it keep you on the bottom until the fight is gone out of you...or keep clawing your way back to the surface. I guess that's the decision that has to be made. Is HE the one that you are going to let hold it all together. Is there still some fight left? I don't know. Do you?
Christ Holds It All Together
15-17 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.
I'm not sure why, but I just keep coming back to this passage of scripture. I know that GOD is the one that keeps bringing me back to it. All I can think is that GOD wants me to see what I keep shutting out. HE is out there watching us. Taking care of us really. Without HIM everything would just stop. The earth would stop turning, the sun and the moon would stop shining, basically...all life would cease to exist. We find GOD, through HIS son, JESUS.
How that relates to me in this moment is...if I give up GOD in my life, I would basically cease to exist. As a being I would still be here, alive but not. My life as I have come to know it wouldn't be right. GOD has got to be the purpose that I live for. Life begins in HIM and HE is the glue that keeps me together, basically the life blood that runs through me.
There are times in our lives when it seems that everything just crashes in on us. It's kind of like someone just throws you out in the surf during high tide.There are waves crashing all around you and you can't get your feet under you. You keep going under but something keeps pushing you back to the top. Is it GOD? You catch some air and think...alright, I'm gonna stay on top...and then another wave hits you. Do you let it get the best of you and drown you? Or do you fight your way back to the top where you can breathe? That's a good question.
One time when I was fishing for perch in the ocean I had an experience like this. At low tide we would go down to the beach to fish. When the waves would roll out you would run after them and throw your line in. Then you would turn and run back up the beach letting line out as you went. The trick was that you had to beat the waves so they didn't knock you down before you got back up to safe territory. It was all in the timing. Well, once I didn't time it right and the waves hit me and started taking me back out with them. I kept going under and I was sure I was going to drown. I was fishing by myself so yelling wouldn't have helped. I can remember clawing at the sand every time I hit it trying to get back up on my feet.
Sometimes that seems to be how it is when things go wrong in our lives. You just keep grabbing for a handful of sand instead of grabbing for HIS hand like you know you should. JESUS is holding HIS hand out to you. It's like GOD is saying...Go ahead and grab on. I've been watching you and taking care of you. I've been there always for you. I sent my SON for you. My spirit is always with you yet you can't find your way because you give up. Don't give up. I'm here for you. Stop shutting ME out.
In some ways, this fight is even more important than the one I had while fishing. You can let it keep you on the bottom until the fight is gone out of you...or keep clawing your way back to the surface. I guess that's the decision that has to be made. Is HE the one that you are going to let hold it all together. Is there still some fight left? I don't know. Do you?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
HEALER
I listen to a lot of music and there is a song that is getting a lot of air time lately. It's called; HEALER by Kari Jobe. It quickly became one of my favorite songs to listen to...I even bought a cd with HEALER on it. The song talks about how Jesus heals us and that nothing is impossible for Him. He is all we need and He does everything for us. He is the ultimate, He's more than enough for all of our needs. The thing is...do we really believe it?
That can sometimes be really hard to do...believe. Believe totally in Him and that whatever the issues are...spiritual, emotional or physical, He can heal you. That's probably the reason I'm writing this post. The Lord has been reminding me how He healed me of so many things since I became a Christian. On the flip side of that, He has also been reminding me that there are still more things that He wants to heal me of. The question is...will I let Him? That brings up the shortest lines in the song...I Trust In You...I Trust In You...but I believe maybe the most important lines.
Do I really trust enough to let Him do what ever He wants to do in my life? If I truly believe that He is my Healer then I have to put my full trust in Him and let Him do what He wants to in my life. It's telling the Lord...Okay, I'm not going to go back anymore to what I used to be. From this point on I'm only going to go forward and let you have complete control of my life. A complete and total surrender to God. Can I do it?
It's kind of like writing these things and posting them on my blog. Some days and some posts are a whole lot easier than others to write and post for everyone to read. I have had to learn to say...I trust You Jesus...and then post it. It all seems to be a learning process and how much you "really" want to change and be healed.
So...I Trust You Jesus.
Who else will say it?
Psalm 107:20 (New King James Version)
20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions
John 14:27 (New Living Translation)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
That can sometimes be really hard to do...believe. Believe totally in Him and that whatever the issues are...spiritual, emotional or physical, He can heal you. That's probably the reason I'm writing this post. The Lord has been reminding me how He healed me of so many things since I became a Christian. On the flip side of that, He has also been reminding me that there are still more things that He wants to heal me of. The question is...will I let Him? That brings up the shortest lines in the song...I Trust In You...I Trust In You...but I believe maybe the most important lines.
Do I really trust enough to let Him do what ever He wants to do in my life? If I truly believe that He is my Healer then I have to put my full trust in Him and let Him do what He wants to in my life. It's telling the Lord...Okay, I'm not going to go back anymore to what I used to be. From this point on I'm only going to go forward and let you have complete control of my life. A complete and total surrender to God. Can I do it?
It's kind of like writing these things and posting them on my blog. Some days and some posts are a whole lot easier than others to write and post for everyone to read. I have had to learn to say...I trust You Jesus...and then post it. It all seems to be a learning process and how much you "really" want to change and be healed.
So...I Trust You Jesus.
Who else will say it?
Psalm 107:20 (New King James Version)
20 He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions
John 14:27 (New Living Translation)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
FOLLOW-UP
The last couple of weeks I was having a hard time with the whole concept of living for God. I didn't think I was doing a very good job. There was a lot of doubt and a few, what I will call, crazy thoughts. I even posted a poem called, Failure, because I was sure that I was failing big time. During that time I would sit here at my desk and feel like I was just sinking a little more everyday into something dark and heavy. If you read my posts you know what I'm talking about. The funny thing is, I was just writing what I was thinking. Like I have mentioned in past posts, once I get too far "down"...I guess is a good word...I stop reading my bible and talking to God. You could probably pretty much call it "quitting". Anyway, after posting the poem I received comments, and devotions, that all pertained to what I wrote about. Even so I was still a little "stuck" in my thoughts. Then the Lord gave me something else. I wrote it down in poem format but I'm not really sure if that is what you would call it. I never posted it because I can sometimes be a little hesitant...not being quite sure of what to do with what He gives me. I'm not really sure why it's hard sometimes. Tonight after posting, He Is Always Near, this just kept coming to my mind and I think that I am to post it. So here it is.
I am always here for you
even when you can't tell
My love for you never fades
I won't ever go away
I have always loved you
you are my child
When you are scared
I will hold you in my arms
No matter what your circumstance
you will always be safe with Me
Just reach for My hand
I will help you to breathe
Why do you run from me
when things are hard
I am always there to help you
if you will only call out My name
When things in your life
seem never to change
Look to Me the Lord your God
I can help you to heal
You will be amazed
at what I can do for you
You are My child
just come to Me
I am always here for you
even when you can't tell
My love for you never fades
I won't ever go away
I have always loved you
you are my child
When you are scared
I will hold you in my arms
No matter what your circumstance
you will always be safe with Me
Just reach for My hand
I will help you to breathe
Why do you run from me
when things are hard
I am always there to help you
if you will only call out My name
When things in your life
seem never to change
Look to Me the Lord your God
I can help you to heal
You will be amazed
at what I can do for you
You are My child
just come to Me
HE IS ALWAYS NEAR
Sometimes life is hard
for all of us here
It's then that you help us
You always draw near
But how do we know
that you're there in the dark
When the shadows are around
and we feel cold in our hearts
We just must remember
Your words that we've read
That's why You have told us
don't just keep them in your head
Store them in your hearts
for times just like these
Tell them to your friends
then get down on your knees
Ask them to pray
we can all use the help
Of each others prayers
so we can always win out
Then you pray to your Father
your Lord and your King
Ask Him to help you
to make your heart clean
He's there right beside you
every moment of your life
Lift your praises to Him
keep Him close all the night
Sometimes your afraid
He knows all of that too
He really is there
only He can get you through
Sleep well tonight friends
and family too
The Lord is there with you
He really really loves you
for all of us here
It's then that you help us
You always draw near
But how do we know
that you're there in the dark
When the shadows are around
and we feel cold in our hearts
We just must remember
Your words that we've read
That's why You have told us
don't just keep them in your head
Store them in your hearts
for times just like these
Tell them to your friends
then get down on your knees
Ask them to pray
we can all use the help
Of each others prayers
so we can always win out
Then you pray to your Father
your Lord and your King
Ask Him to help you
to make your heart clean
He's there right beside you
every moment of your life
Lift your praises to Him
keep Him close all the night
Sometimes your afraid
He knows all of that too
He really is there
only He can get you through
Sleep well tonight friends
and family too
The Lord is there with you
He really really loves you
Thursday, November 12, 2009
EXODUS 14:13
It's kind of mind boggling to me how sometimes I lose my way and start wondering if everything that has happened in the last two plus years is real or if I have just been playing a game. Lately I have been experiencing a few doubts about things.
You see, all of my life I pretended to be something I wasn't so that no one would ask me questions. Every Christian I knew thought that I was also a Christian. As long as they thought that, there was no questions asked of me. Then the last couple of weeks things have been happening that have made me question whether or not I had really changed. Was I still just playing a game? After all, I had gotten very good at it. My questioning all of this is what I think caused me more problems. All of a sudden I seemed to be filled with fear and I didn't know why that was. When I started writing this, is when it all started making sense to me...
Satan has been filling my head with doubt and fear and I have to take responsibilty for listening to him. What I have figured out in the last couple of hours is that; every time GOD starts working in my life in some way...that devil starts working on me also. He doesn't want me to listen to GOD and continue to grow in HIM. He wants to keep me bound up in every way he can. Sometimes I must think...subconsiously of course...that listening to the devil is easier because changing is too hard. One thing that I heard recently is, if you don't show emotion or, shed a tear occasionally, you are just hard hearted. So my thoughts were, how could you be a Christian and be hard hearted? And THAT! is when the fear set in.
Have I been playing a game? NO! GOD is real and HE has changed my life. This has not been just a game. We have to guard our hearts and minds against satans attacks. He's waiting for his chance to mess you up. Don't let him do that. Stand firm and keep fighting.
Exodus 14:13 (New International Version)
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today."
You see, all of my life I pretended to be something I wasn't so that no one would ask me questions. Every Christian I knew thought that I was also a Christian. As long as they thought that, there was no questions asked of me. Then the last couple of weeks things have been happening that have made me question whether or not I had really changed. Was I still just playing a game? After all, I had gotten very good at it. My questioning all of this is what I think caused me more problems. All of a sudden I seemed to be filled with fear and I didn't know why that was. When I started writing this, is when it all started making sense to me...
Satan has been filling my head with doubt and fear and I have to take responsibilty for listening to him. What I have figured out in the last couple of hours is that; every time GOD starts working in my life in some way...that devil starts working on me also. He doesn't want me to listen to GOD and continue to grow in HIM. He wants to keep me bound up in every way he can. Sometimes I must think...subconsiously of course...that listening to the devil is easier because changing is too hard. One thing that I heard recently is, if you don't show emotion or, shed a tear occasionally, you are just hard hearted. So my thoughts were, how could you be a Christian and be hard hearted? And THAT! is when the fear set in.
Have I been playing a game? NO! GOD is real and HE has changed my life. This has not been just a game. We have to guard our hearts and minds against satans attacks. He's waiting for his chance to mess you up. Don't let him do that. Stand firm and keep fighting.
Exodus 14:13 (New International Version)
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today."
Sunday, November 8, 2009
FAILURE
Do you ever check out
one thought at a time
While you try to hold on
hoping all will be fine
Does your heart ever crack
with the weight of it all
You can't find your grip
you are sure you will fall
Your mind can't think
of even one thing
except what you know
will only bring pain
You've tried it before
it just causes a spin
Of all that is good
you know you can't win
Why won't it stay gone
it's some sort of test
To see what you learned
You are not at your best
Afraid of the failure
of the sadness it brings
It's clear too you now
no hope can you sing
It was conquered before
life was so good
Can you turn it around
or will you fail for good
one thought at a time
While you try to hold on
hoping all will be fine
Does your heart ever crack
with the weight of it all
You can't find your grip
you are sure you will fall
Your mind can't think
of even one thing
except what you know
will only bring pain
You've tried it before
it just causes a spin
Of all that is good
you know you can't win
Why won't it stay gone
it's some sort of test
To see what you learned
You are not at your best
Afraid of the failure
of the sadness it brings
It's clear too you now
no hope can you sing
It was conquered before
life was so good
Can you turn it around
or will you fail for good
Friday, November 6, 2009
MIND ATTACK
In my last post I was talking about how some things that you struggle with just keep coming back time and time again. I have some of those things in my life. Things that are just a constant struggle for me. At times they don't bother me at all. That is when I get comfortable. I start thinking...Yep, I got it beat, I will never be bothered by it again. Then WHAM!!! Just like when a charging lion attacks it's prey...I am blindsided one more time. That's when I have to ask myself...
Why does it happen with such force? Why am I so surprised by the onset of this struggle happening again? In my mind these are good questions that I have asked myself many times. My answer usually depends on what the struggle is about. If I am struggling with a temptation the answers come easily for me. I have been down that road sooo many times. But...sometimes my battle is not a temptation. Sometimes it's what I call a mind attack. You might not know what I'm talking about so I will try to explain...
Any "thing" that satan can use to keep your mind on something other than GOD, and the things of GOD, he will use. He will attack us in our thoughts...a mind attack. For me it's something that is defined as; False Evidence Appearing Real...plain and simple, it's called FEAR! In one form or another I had a problem with that for years. Since becoming a Christian GOD has helped me to overcome most of those things. But, every now and again something happens that brings the old fears back. Usually it's just a thought. Something that takes place in the mind.
However, satan is a crafty thing. He doesn't bring them all back at once, he starts small. He plants the thoughts in my mind one at a time. A little here and a little there. Before I know it I'm struggling to stay on top. Out of the muck and mire that fear can drag you down into. The problem is, I don't always realize what is going on right at the start. When you don't catch on right away the hold on you just gets stronger. The question now is...how do you stop the fear?
Now I will try to answer those questions.
Why does it happen with such force? Because satan is trying to knock us off course. The harder he hits us the more off balance we will be. If he can keep us afraid and filled with fear we won't be a lot of good when it comes to talking to people about GOD. We won't be able to do the work that GOD has for each of us to do to further HIS kingdom. And, we won't be growing in our own lives because we are only thinking about what we are afraid of and how to fix it. It could be that GOD has been preparing us for some sort of a breakthrough in our lives and the little devil doesn't want it to happen. There could be many other reasons.
Why am I so surprised that it's happening again? Like I said earlier. You get comfortable with how things are going. You start thinking that this is just a cakewalk. Life is good and "I" have it all under control. That is definitely the wrong way to think at anytime. Even if it's only for a moment.
How do you stop the fear? The best ways are to start talking to GOD and reading HIS WORD. Look up scriptures about fear. Try to memorize some of them. Keep your thoughts on GOD as much as you can. Tell satan to get away from you, that "you" are a child of GOD and he can't hurt you. Do whatever it is you need to do to only think about good and GODLY things. Thank the LORD for everything HE has done in your life.
The fears may not stop immediately. You may continue to have some problems with them for awhile. Don't give in or give up. The goal is to prove to the devil that...Because of your LORD and KING, you are stronger than anything he can throw at you.
2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New King James Version
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (New King James Version)
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Hebrews 13:6 (New King James Version)
So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Why does it happen with such force? Why am I so surprised by the onset of this struggle happening again? In my mind these are good questions that I have asked myself many times. My answer usually depends on what the struggle is about. If I am struggling with a temptation the answers come easily for me. I have been down that road sooo many times. But...sometimes my battle is not a temptation. Sometimes it's what I call a mind attack. You might not know what I'm talking about so I will try to explain...
Any "thing" that satan can use to keep your mind on something other than GOD, and the things of GOD, he will use. He will attack us in our thoughts...a mind attack. For me it's something that is defined as; False Evidence Appearing Real...plain and simple, it's called FEAR! In one form or another I had a problem with that for years. Since becoming a Christian GOD has helped me to overcome most of those things. But, every now and again something happens that brings the old fears back. Usually it's just a thought. Something that takes place in the mind.
However, satan is a crafty thing. He doesn't bring them all back at once, he starts small. He plants the thoughts in my mind one at a time. A little here and a little there. Before I know it I'm struggling to stay on top. Out of the muck and mire that fear can drag you down into. The problem is, I don't always realize what is going on right at the start. When you don't catch on right away the hold on you just gets stronger. The question now is...how do you stop the fear?
Now I will try to answer those questions.
Why does it happen with such force? Because satan is trying to knock us off course. The harder he hits us the more off balance we will be. If he can keep us afraid and filled with fear we won't be a lot of good when it comes to talking to people about GOD. We won't be able to do the work that GOD has for each of us to do to further HIS kingdom. And, we won't be growing in our own lives because we are only thinking about what we are afraid of and how to fix it. It could be that GOD has been preparing us for some sort of a breakthrough in our lives and the little devil doesn't want it to happen. There could be many other reasons.
Why am I so surprised that it's happening again? Like I said earlier. You get comfortable with how things are going. You start thinking that this is just a cakewalk. Life is good and "I" have it all under control. That is definitely the wrong way to think at anytime. Even if it's only for a moment.
How do you stop the fear? The best ways are to start talking to GOD and reading HIS WORD. Look up scriptures about fear. Try to memorize some of them. Keep your thoughts on GOD as much as you can. Tell satan to get away from you, that "you" are a child of GOD and he can't hurt you. Do whatever it is you need to do to only think about good and GODLY things. Thank the LORD for everything HE has done in your life.
The fears may not stop immediately. You may continue to have some problems with them for awhile. Don't give in or give up. The goal is to prove to the devil that...Because of your LORD and KING, you are stronger than anything he can throw at you.
2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New King James Version
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (New King James Version)
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Hebrews 13:6 (New King James Version)
So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
Philippians 4:6-7 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"REARED IT'S UGLY HEAD"
Do you ever wonder why the same issues keep coming back into your life over and over again? I do. Just when you think you have something conquered it comes back. Not just back like a little lamb or something, but back with a VENGENCE!! I remember an old saying...The serpent had reared it's ugly head. The phrase..."reared it's ugly head" dates back to the 1800's. Anything can "rear it's ugly head." It could be love...hate...rebellion...anything that you perceive as negative. For me serpent fits because satan is portrayed as a serpent in the Bible. The devil likes nothing more than to "rear his ugly head" and give you problems. He is not responsible for all your problems but I believe that some come directly from him. The Word talks about spiritual warfare.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6: 12
HE also tells us how to fight against it.
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6: 11
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God. Ephesians 6: 14
You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God shall fight for you. Deuteronomy 3: 22
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight Psalm 144: 1
That's what many things in our lives our...Warfare. We have to learn how to battle these things and win. We can only do that with the help of The Lord. We have to pray, read the word and stand our ground while believing that The Lord will help us get through whatever our battle is. The trick is not to give up or give in. Keep fighting.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6: 12
HE also tells us how to fight against it.
Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6: 11
Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God. Ephesians 6: 14
You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God shall fight for you. Deuteronomy 3: 22
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight Psalm 144: 1
That's what many things in our lives our...Warfare. We have to learn how to battle these things and win. We can only do that with the help of The Lord. We have to pray, read the word and stand our ground while believing that The Lord will help us get through whatever our battle is. The trick is not to give up or give in. Keep fighting.
Friday, October 30, 2009
LISTENING TO THE WRONG VOICE
Today, October 30th, has been a day of reflection for me. For about a week now I've been having a hard time "connecting" with God. I know it's not His fault, it has been mine. It's just been one of those times when I try to read the Bible and it seems like...it's just words on a page. Talking to God...feels like I'm surrounded by stone. I remember that feeling all to well from before I became a Christian and I don't like it. But, like I said, it's my own fault. I asked someone once...What happens if you don't do what God tells you? She just said...Remember Jonah? So...
this whole downhill slide started for me because I became afraid to do what God told me to do. He told me to give a friend a book. At first I thought it was a great idea. The next day when it came time to do this, fear over took me. Everyday I took the book to work and everyday I brought it home. With each day it became harder and harder to talk to God and I finally wasn't even picking up my Bible.
When you know that God told you to do something, and you don't do it, you are asking for all kinds of complications in your life. Don't listen to the wrong voice. The devil was the one making me fearful. He was telling me things like...she will probably just laugh at you...she will think you're a crazy religious person...she will talk about you with others...all negative things. The devil didn't want her to have the book. He knows if she reads it everyday, she will be hearing Jesus' words spoken to her. The devil doesn't want her to listen to Jesus' voice. I don't know if there's a specific reason the Lord wanted her to have it, or if it's just because she needs to find Him. Whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter. My job was just to give it to her. It's the Holy Spirit's job to speak to her through it. The Lord will take care of how she receives it.
Yesterday, I finally told her that I had something for her. I mentioned that I didn't want to offend her and if she didn't want it to just give it back...I was still not totally convinced that the Lord would take care of her reaction. Before she even knew what it was she said she would not be offended by what ever I had for her. So, I gave it to her and said it was something she could read everyday. She said...Kind of like a little insight for the day and I said yes. She may be a little surprised at what kind of insight she gets from it everyday. Since I'm sure God was in this the insight should be amazing!
I'm glad I finally did what God told me for a few reasons. One being that I do remember the story of Jonah. But the reason that means more to me is...my friend needs to read the book. She needs to find God. Another reason is...talking to God and reading my Bible are very important to me. When I can't do that it feels like I'm lost...out in the middle of a desert with no one or anything around me...totally alone. When I started thinking about all of this today He immediately started telling me to write this down and share it. For about thirty minutes He was giving me thoughts, almost faster than I could write them, of other things to share. When you are obeying God, and doing what He tells you, life is good. Even when things go wrong, life is still good because the Lord is with you through it all, and you know it. In case you are wondering...
Her reaction to the book was all good. She thanked me and gave me a hug. And now...the rest is up to God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New Living Translation)
6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (New Living Translation)
13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
this whole downhill slide started for me because I became afraid to do what God told me to do. He told me to give a friend a book. At first I thought it was a great idea. The next day when it came time to do this, fear over took me. Everyday I took the book to work and everyday I brought it home. With each day it became harder and harder to talk to God and I finally wasn't even picking up my Bible.
When you know that God told you to do something, and you don't do it, you are asking for all kinds of complications in your life. Don't listen to the wrong voice. The devil was the one making me fearful. He was telling me things like...she will probably just laugh at you...she will think you're a crazy religious person...she will talk about you with others...all negative things. The devil didn't want her to have the book. He knows if she reads it everyday, she will be hearing Jesus' words spoken to her. The devil doesn't want her to listen to Jesus' voice. I don't know if there's a specific reason the Lord wanted her to have it, or if it's just because she needs to find Him. Whatever the reason is, it doesn't matter. My job was just to give it to her. It's the Holy Spirit's job to speak to her through it. The Lord will take care of how she receives it.
Yesterday, I finally told her that I had something for her. I mentioned that I didn't want to offend her and if she didn't want it to just give it back...I was still not totally convinced that the Lord would take care of her reaction. Before she even knew what it was she said she would not be offended by what ever I had for her. So, I gave it to her and said it was something she could read everyday. She said...Kind of like a little insight for the day and I said yes. She may be a little surprised at what kind of insight she gets from it everyday. Since I'm sure God was in this the insight should be amazing!
I'm glad I finally did what God told me for a few reasons. One being that I do remember the story of Jonah. But the reason that means more to me is...my friend needs to read the book. She needs to find God. Another reason is...talking to God and reading my Bible are very important to me. When I can't do that it feels like I'm lost...out in the middle of a desert with no one or anything around me...totally alone. When I started thinking about all of this today He immediately started telling me to write this down and share it. For about thirty minutes He was giving me thoughts, almost faster than I could write them, of other things to share. When you are obeying God, and doing what He tells you, life is good. Even when things go wrong, life is still good because the Lord is with you through it all, and you know it. In case you are wondering...
Her reaction to the book was all good. She thanked me and gave me a hug. And now...the rest is up to God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (New Living Translation)
6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (New Living Translation)
13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
HAVE COURAGE
Sometimes life gets so hectic
it seems all that you can do
Is to call upon the Lord
you know He will answer you
When you get into a battle
and your hope is wearing thin
It is then that you must realize
with God you will always win
God has always been there for you
through every battle you have faced
He has never let you down
when you call out for His grace
The Lord will get you through
He will take you to the end
All you need to do
is to put your trust in Him
So run the race with courage
never looking back in fear
Keep your eyes upon the Master
for the finish line is near
it seems all that you can do
Is to call upon the Lord
you know He will answer you
When you get into a battle
and your hope is wearing thin
It is then that you must realize
with God you will always win
God has always been there for you
through every battle you have faced
He has never let you down
when you call out for His grace
The Lord will get you through
He will take you to the end
All you need to do
is to put your trust in Him
So run the race with courage
never looking back in fear
Keep your eyes upon the Master
for the finish line is near
Monday, October 12, 2009
A PRAYER
Wherever I go
throughout this life
Keep me stayed in You
make my heart right
At times I stray
You know that I do
But oh Father God
I only want You
The devil is wanting
me to come back
He is always there lurking
just waiting to attack
There is only one thing
that will keep him away
Hit my knees now
cry out to You today
Your Holy Word says
You will always forgive
As long as I ask You
and have faith that You did
So I come to You now
and bow at Your throne
Please Father God
don't ever leave me alone
throughout this life
Keep me stayed in You
make my heart right
At times I stray
You know that I do
But oh Father God
I only want You
The devil is wanting
me to come back
He is always there lurking
just waiting to attack
There is only one thing
that will keep him away
Hit my knees now
cry out to You today
Your Holy Word says
You will always forgive
As long as I ask You
and have faith that You did
So I come to You now
and bow at Your throne
Please Father God
don't ever leave me alone
Sunday, October 11, 2009
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23
Today, while in Sunday School, I was given a chance to tell some of my testimony of what the Lord has done for me. I didn't do it. My response was, "Sometime I will"...I blew it. Many times in this past week my thoughts have been that I wanted to share what He has done for me. Whenever these thoughts would come up I would think, "I don't know when I will get a chance to do that, but it would be an awesome thing." I really want everyone to know how good the Lord is and what He can do for them. Talking about myself is not important but talking about the Lord is. Today while thinking about all of this I was reminded of a worship cd I have.
During one of the songs the worship leader says, "No matter how many times we mess up we get a new 24 every morning." If you think about it that's incredible. God gives us a new day and a new chance to serve Him, to the best of our abilities, every morning when we get up. No matter how many times we blow it today all we have to do is ask Him to forgive us. Then the next time we get a chance to do something for Him, just do it. He will be there to help.
God has always been faithful to me. He is always here with me. All I have to do is talk to Him and if I need help just ask. I don't know when He will give me another chance to tell people how great and awesome He is but...when He does, with His help, I will take the opportunity to share.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
During one of the songs the worship leader says, "No matter how many times we mess up we get a new 24 every morning." If you think about it that's incredible. God gives us a new day and a new chance to serve Him, to the best of our abilities, every morning when we get up. No matter how many times we blow it today all we have to do is ask Him to forgive us. Then the next time we get a chance to do something for Him, just do it. He will be there to help.
God has always been faithful to me. He is always here with me. All I have to do is talk to Him and if I need help just ask. I don't know when He will give me another chance to tell people how great and awesome He is but...when He does, with His help, I will take the opportunity to share.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Friday, October 9, 2009
JOY ANEW
Sometimes things seem so hazy
can't decide which way to go
It's then I need to hear from You
so You can help my troubled soul
Then when I get all downcast
and my thoughts begin to stray
You bring me back close to You
and keep me on Your narrow way
The chasm seems so wide
between us now and then
I just can't help but hide
my feelings once again
Then You reach down to me
and the clouds begin to lift
I hear Your voice more clearly
and You heal the biggest rift
You bring me so much comfort
when I reach out to You
Your love is such a gift
it brings me joy anew
can't decide which way to go
It's then I need to hear from You
so You can help my troubled soul
Then when I get all downcast
and my thoughts begin to stray
You bring me back close to You
and keep me on Your narrow way
The chasm seems so wide
between us now and then
I just can't help but hide
my feelings once again
Then You reach down to me
and the clouds begin to lift
I hear Your voice more clearly
and You heal the biggest rift
You bring me so much comfort
when I reach out to You
Your love is such a gift
it brings me joy anew
Monday, October 5, 2009
OLD PATHS OR NEW PATHS
When I used to go hunting there were many times when I would have to choose which way to go. Walk uphill or downhill, over the fallen tree or around it, stay on the path or get further out into the woods. No matter which of those you choose you need to keep going in the right direction to get to the point where you meet up with everyone else. The point is you have to choose the right path to reach your destination. It works that way in every area of our lives. Just in our normal day to day living we have choices to make about which way we will go. What decisions we will make. The other day the Lord pointed them out to me as paths...
After I posted in my blog on Saturday, I started reading Job 22 again. Verse 15 stuck out to me and I knew the Lord was telling me I needed to change how I handle things sometimes. I knew there was something I was supposed to write about it, but I wasn't sure what. Today, while at work, this thought came to mind. There are two paths I can choose from. The right path and the wrong path. Everyday I have to make the choice many times. It's not always about the narrow path and the wide path that Matthew 7:13-14 talks about. Sometimes it's simply about choosing the right thing to do in everyday circumstances. When there is something that adversely affects me how do I react? If it's something that involves other people do they see Christ in my reaction or do they see the old me? The goal is, that they see the new me that is supposed to be Christlike. In reality there have been many times recently that they saw the old me. I had stepped back on to the old paths, the ones that were familiar to me. The Lord was telling me that I had been making wrong choices. I needed to get off the old paths of my past life and start walking on the new path that He has laid out for me.
So...that is my goal. To remember when things go wrong to stay on the new path. Old paths from my past life just tend to bring me down. Old paths hinder and sometimes destroy the progress that has been made in a new walk with Christ. That's what the Lord wants me to remember.
Job 22:15 (New Living Translation)
15 “Will you continue on the old paths
where evil people have walked?
After I posted in my blog on Saturday, I started reading Job 22 again. Verse 15 stuck out to me and I knew the Lord was telling me I needed to change how I handle things sometimes. I knew there was something I was supposed to write about it, but I wasn't sure what. Today, while at work, this thought came to mind. There are two paths I can choose from. The right path and the wrong path. Everyday I have to make the choice many times. It's not always about the narrow path and the wide path that Matthew 7:13-14 talks about. Sometimes it's simply about choosing the right thing to do in everyday circumstances. When there is something that adversely affects me how do I react? If it's something that involves other people do they see Christ in my reaction or do they see the old me? The goal is, that they see the new me that is supposed to be Christlike. In reality there have been many times recently that they saw the old me. I had stepped back on to the old paths, the ones that were familiar to me. The Lord was telling me that I had been making wrong choices. I needed to get off the old paths of my past life and start walking on the new path that He has laid out for me.
So...that is my goal. To remember when things go wrong to stay on the new path. Old paths from my past life just tend to bring me down. Old paths hinder and sometimes destroy the progress that has been made in a new walk with Christ. That's what the Lord wants me to remember.
Job 22:15 (New Living Translation)
15 “Will you continue on the old paths
where evil people have walked?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
HABITS & ROUTINES
In my life I have had many habits. Some good and some not so good. Since becoming a Christian I have tried to form new habits that include the things of God. Many people say that the first thing you should do when you wake up, before even getting out of bed, is say "Good morning" to God and Jesus. Well, I don't. It seems I have to wake up before I remember much of anything. But, once I get in the car and out of the garage I say good morning and pray while I drive to work. The mornings that I don't do that never seem to go very well. It doesn't take long for me to remember that I didn't talk to God so I stop what I'm doing and talk to Him then. The reason I'm telling you this is because...
I was driving to church this morning and thought ,"Oh, I need to pray." My next thought was, "Why do I always forget to do that on weekends?" When I leave the house on Saturday or Sunday I rarely pray while driving. It occurred to me then that what I do every day is merely a habit. It's a routine I have gotten into. Immediately God brought to my attention that He does not want to be merely a routine. He wants me to talk to Him all the time because I want to, not just because I have made it a habit. He doesn't want our conversation to happen just because it's something I do everyday while driving. He wants it to happen because I want to talk to Him. He wanted me to know just because my daily routine changes on weekends my time to talk to Him should not. He should always be on my mind.
My thoughts were, having good habits and routines are a good thing but, making God a habit in anyway isn't. Having conversations with our friends and family are not habits. We talk to them because we want to and we talk to them when ever we can. That's how it should be with God. He was reminding me that we always need to be in communication with Him. Talk to Him continuously so when things go wrong your not just hoping He's there. You'll know He is.
Colossians 4:2 (New King James Version)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
I was driving to church this morning and thought ,"Oh, I need to pray." My next thought was, "Why do I always forget to do that on weekends?" When I leave the house on Saturday or Sunday I rarely pray while driving. It occurred to me then that what I do every day is merely a habit. It's a routine I have gotten into. Immediately God brought to my attention that He does not want to be merely a routine. He wants me to talk to Him all the time because I want to, not just because I have made it a habit. He doesn't want our conversation to happen just because it's something I do everyday while driving. He wants it to happen because I want to talk to Him. He wanted me to know just because my daily routine changes on weekends my time to talk to Him should not. He should always be on my mind.
My thoughts were, having good habits and routines are a good thing but, making God a habit in anyway isn't. Having conversations with our friends and family are not habits. We talk to them because we want to and we talk to them when ever we can. That's how it should be with God. He was reminding me that we always need to be in communication with Him. Talk to Him continuously so when things go wrong your not just hoping He's there. You'll know He is.
Colossians 4:2 (New King James Version)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Philippians 4:6 (New King James Version)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Saturday, October 3, 2009
BREAKTHROUGH
After posting last night God reminded me of a time when I was clearly struggling with things. It was during the first year I was a Christian and I was still having many issues with things of my past. This particular week depression had seemed to come out of nowhere and hit me hard. On Sunday I decided not to go to church because getting out of bed seemed almost impossible. When I finally did I started talking to God and asked Him what the problem was? Why was I feeling this way? At that point I picked up my Bible and opened to a place I had not read before.
Job 22:21-23 (New King James Version)
21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
22 Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.
Verse 21 and 23 really stood out to me. The Hebrew word that translates to "acquaint yourself" sometimes means yield. Basically He was telling me I was to yield to Him.Then God told me to get rid of cd's and books that I had. To me these were not bad things but immediately I knew I had to get rid of them. So I did. Almost instantly the feeling of depression left me.
When God reminded me of this last night I wasn't sure why. I read the passage, left my Bible open to it, and then went to bed. I was thinking how lately things just hadn't been the same. The desire that was within me where I just couldn't seem to get enough of reading God's word wasn't there. When I would read it, it seemed that I got nothing from it. This was bothering me. Obviously this isn't a good problem to have. So, I asked God to help me to feel about it the way I used to. This morning I got up and read the passage again in a few translations. The difference was I read the rest of the chapter and the study helps for those verses. This is what He wanted me to see this time.
Job 22:26-28 (New King James Version)
26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty,
And lift up your face to God.
27 You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.
28 You will also declare a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways.
In one of the study helps it says for verse 26;
The Bible says that delighting in God means eagerly anticipating your time with Him. It means experiencing joy as you open His book and read what it says to you. It means feeling the thrill of hurrying to obey God's will. Delighting in God is savoring His love and His comfort and doing everything you can to keep delighting in it. It's the greatest joy God offers you this side of Heaven.
I had been missing that. Somehow I didn't know how to get back to where I had been. It seemed that even though I had been praying and asking God to help me to feel this way again...it wasn't working. So God took me back to a point in time where He showed me before what to do. This time He showed me different things in the same passage. A friend recently reminded me that God lets you get out of His word what you need for the time you're in. This is so very true. In reading this morning things seem to be good again. Writing this was also good. I believe I have had a breakthrough in my "God Block."
Job 22:21-23 (New King James Version)
21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
Thereby good will come to you.
22 Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
And lay up His words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
You will remove iniquity far from your tents.
Verse 21 and 23 really stood out to me. The Hebrew word that translates to "acquaint yourself" sometimes means yield. Basically He was telling me I was to yield to Him.Then God told me to get rid of cd's and books that I had. To me these were not bad things but immediately I knew I had to get rid of them. So I did. Almost instantly the feeling of depression left me.
When God reminded me of this last night I wasn't sure why. I read the passage, left my Bible open to it, and then went to bed. I was thinking how lately things just hadn't been the same. The desire that was within me where I just couldn't seem to get enough of reading God's word wasn't there. When I would read it, it seemed that I got nothing from it. This was bothering me. Obviously this isn't a good problem to have. So, I asked God to help me to feel about it the way I used to. This morning I got up and read the passage again in a few translations. The difference was I read the rest of the chapter and the study helps for those verses. This is what He wanted me to see this time.
Job 22:26-28 (New King James Version)
26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty,
And lift up your face to God.
27 You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.
28 You will also declare a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways.
In one of the study helps it says for verse 26;
The Bible says that delighting in God means eagerly anticipating your time with Him. It means experiencing joy as you open His book and read what it says to you. It means feeling the thrill of hurrying to obey God's will. Delighting in God is savoring His love and His comfort and doing everything you can to keep delighting in it. It's the greatest joy God offers you this side of Heaven.
I had been missing that. Somehow I didn't know how to get back to where I had been. It seemed that even though I had been praying and asking God to help me to feel this way again...it wasn't working. So God took me back to a point in time where He showed me before what to do. This time He showed me different things in the same passage. A friend recently reminded me that God lets you get out of His word what you need for the time you're in. This is so very true. In reading this morning things seem to be good again. Writing this was also good. I believe I have had a breakthrough in my "God Block."
Friday, October 2, 2009
LEARNING CURVE
The month of September was a hard month for me. I'm calling it a "Learning Curve." During this time it was hard to write anything. I depend on God to give me things to write about and it seems He has been pretty quite. Then again...maybe I just wasn't listening as closely as I should be. Whatever the case, I know that writing this is what I'm supposed to do, so if sitting here and struggling through it is what has to happen then...so be it.
Writers often have what they call, writers block. I don't really consider myself a writer so that's not what my problem has been. I have had what I will call a "God block." Sometimes when things get really crazy I just stop doing all the right things. I seem to get caught up with the "problems" instead of getting caught up with the "problem solver"...GOD.
In August I started talking to God and asking Him to change me into the person He wanted me to be. Let me tell you...if you don't really mean it don't pray it, because God will give you opportunities to change. In my case it's usually not the opportunities I'm looking for. I would like things to be an easy, gradual change. Not an all out major challenge in my life change. Now I'm not saying that God causes the problems but I think He lets us struggle with them until we start doing the right things. By that I mean...talking to Him about what's wrong and then believing that He will take care of it and reading His word. When the issue is something big I seem to lack in those areas. Personally, I had visions of grabbing the people involved in my problem and smacking their faces into their desk a few times until they got a clue that I had had enough of them. Since orange jumpsuits really aren't my personal taste in clothing I refrained from doing that. Instead I just got angrier and angrier until I was sick. Then I finally decided it was time to"really" start talking to God about this. I had actually been talking to Him about it from the start but after a few weeks of things continually getting worse instead of better, I gave up on Him doing anything about it and started thinking of all the worst scenarios that could happen. Then I realized, again, that I cannot change things. God is the only one that can take the bad situations in my life and change them for good. He is the "problem solver" we are not.
So, here I am right back where I was a few weeks ago. When I finished that last paragraph the words of a scripture came to mind. I actually had not even thought of this scripture during this time at all. But the words that just went through my thoughts were...More of Me and less of you. The actual scripture says; He must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30. You would think that as many times as God reminds me of that, I would be getting much better at doing it.
It's amazing how God works through our problems, or our pain, and helps us to grow. We just have to be willing to listen to what He is telling us and be open to what He is teaching us. Growth most always seems to be painful, at least for me. But, if you're willing to learn and to grow, God will be there to see you through it. The main thing is, do not give up on God. He is there with us the whole time, even when we don't think that He is.
James 1:2-4 (The Message)
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Writers often have what they call, writers block. I don't really consider myself a writer so that's not what my problem has been. I have had what I will call a "God block." Sometimes when things get really crazy I just stop doing all the right things. I seem to get caught up with the "problems" instead of getting caught up with the "problem solver"...GOD.
In August I started talking to God and asking Him to change me into the person He wanted me to be. Let me tell you...if you don't really mean it don't pray it, because God will give you opportunities to change. In my case it's usually not the opportunities I'm looking for. I would like things to be an easy, gradual change. Not an all out major challenge in my life change. Now I'm not saying that God causes the problems but I think He lets us struggle with them until we start doing the right things. By that I mean...talking to Him about what's wrong and then believing that He will take care of it and reading His word. When the issue is something big I seem to lack in those areas. Personally, I had visions of grabbing the people involved in my problem and smacking their faces into their desk a few times until they got a clue that I had had enough of them. Since orange jumpsuits really aren't my personal taste in clothing I refrained from doing that. Instead I just got angrier and angrier until I was sick. Then I finally decided it was time to"really" start talking to God about this. I had actually been talking to Him about it from the start but after a few weeks of things continually getting worse instead of better, I gave up on Him doing anything about it and started thinking of all the worst scenarios that could happen. Then I realized, again, that I cannot change things. God is the only one that can take the bad situations in my life and change them for good. He is the "problem solver" we are not.
So, here I am right back where I was a few weeks ago. When I finished that last paragraph the words of a scripture came to mind. I actually had not even thought of this scripture during this time at all. But the words that just went through my thoughts were...More of Me and less of you. The actual scripture says; He must become greater, I must become less. John 3:30. You would think that as many times as God reminds me of that, I would be getting much better at doing it.
It's amazing how God works through our problems, or our pain, and helps us to grow. We just have to be willing to listen to what He is telling us and be open to what He is teaching us. Growth most always seems to be painful, at least for me. But, if you're willing to learn and to grow, God will be there to see you through it. The main thing is, do not give up on God. He is there with us the whole time, even when we don't think that He is.
James 1:2-4 (The Message)
2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
THE CLIMB
Your life is all in chaos
It seems to be a mess
No matter how you play it
What you always are is stressed
You've been walking through the valleys
Then in a desert place
It's then you see the mountain
You must traverse it's face
You start the climb with vigor
Knowing God will help you up
Then you seem to slip a bit
The going sure gets rough
In time you find a foothold
The trail starts to level out
You see the end ahead of you
Yet still you have some doubt
Right when you don't expect it
A hand reaches down for you
It's then you hear a voice say
Trust me I'll walk with you
I've been there through your valleys
And in your desert too
Now we're going up that mountain
Just let me carry you
We'll soon be at the top
You've nothing left to fear
You're trials have been many
But now the way is clear
I love you oh so much
You don't ever have to doubt
I am the Lord your God
I will never let you down
It seems to be a mess
No matter how you play it
What you always are is stressed
You've been walking through the valleys
Then in a desert place
It's then you see the mountain
You must traverse it's face
You start the climb with vigor
Knowing God will help you up
Then you seem to slip a bit
The going sure gets rough
In time you find a foothold
The trail starts to level out
You see the end ahead of you
Yet still you have some doubt
Right when you don't expect it
A hand reaches down for you
It's then you hear a voice say
Trust me I'll walk with you
I've been there through your valleys
And in your desert too
Now we're going up that mountain
Just let me carry you
We'll soon be at the top
You've nothing left to fear
You're trials have been many
But now the way is clear
I love you oh so much
You don't ever have to doubt
I am the Lord your God
I will never let you down
Monday, September 14, 2009
PSALM 46:10
I read Psalm 46:10 again. I really like it as I'm sure I have said before. In the Life In The Spirit Study Bible it says...the Hebrew for "Be still" can also be translated, "Let Go." Quit holding on to things that keep you from exalting GOD and giving HIM HIS proper place in your life. When I read that I found it enlightening so to speak. I think about that verse a lot and always just thought it was because I liked it...which some of the time I'm sure that's why. But at least today I think GOD is telling us to actually read it and understand it this way...
We need to let go of all the things that are keeping us from worshiping GOD like we should. For me it's a lot of letting go of insecurities and pride and just forgetting what others may think of me. GOD wants us to worship HIM with our whole heart, our soul, and our mind. If we can't do that we need to figure out why we can't and take care of the problem. Sometimes it's as simple as taking our problems and laying them at HIS feet and leaving them there. Other times it's just deciding that we don't care what others may say or think about us, we are going to do what GOD wants us to do. It can be hard but...if we want to experience the "River of GOD" to the fullest, we need to do that. GOD'S river is the continual flow of HIS grace, glory and power. This river will bring GOD into your midst. Read Psalm 46.
Again tonight HE brought to my mind John 3:30...HE must become greater, I must become less. I believe HE is telling me that in order to worship HIM, the way HE wants me to, John 3:30 must happen in my life. GOD must become the most important thing to me and I need to let go of all the insecurity issues. It seems that when I make an effort to step out of my comfort zone, and take a step towards GOD and what HE wants me to do, HE is waiting there for me. I can't let the devil keep me from doing what I need to do.
GOD will always be there for us. Our lives are full of a lot of uncertainties but as long as we trust in GOD HE will take care of us. HE is our shelter in the storms of our lives and HE gives us strength like we never could imagine.
Psalm 46:1-3
1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
We need to let go of all the things that are keeping us from worshiping GOD like we should. For me it's a lot of letting go of insecurities and pride and just forgetting what others may think of me. GOD wants us to worship HIM with our whole heart, our soul, and our mind. If we can't do that we need to figure out why we can't and take care of the problem. Sometimes it's as simple as taking our problems and laying them at HIS feet and leaving them there. Other times it's just deciding that we don't care what others may say or think about us, we are going to do what GOD wants us to do. It can be hard but...if we want to experience the "River of GOD" to the fullest, we need to do that. GOD'S river is the continual flow of HIS grace, glory and power. This river will bring GOD into your midst. Read Psalm 46.
Again tonight HE brought to my mind John 3:30...HE must become greater, I must become less. I believe HE is telling me that in order to worship HIM, the way HE wants me to, John 3:30 must happen in my life. GOD must become the most important thing to me and I need to let go of all the insecurity issues. It seems that when I make an effort to step out of my comfort zone, and take a step towards GOD and what HE wants me to do, HE is waiting there for me. I can't let the devil keep me from doing what I need to do.
GOD will always be there for us. Our lives are full of a lot of uncertainties but as long as we trust in GOD HE will take care of us. HE is our shelter in the storms of our lives and HE gives us strength like we never could imagine.
Psalm 46:1-3
1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
HAVE YOU FOUND THE SAVIOR
Have you heard Jesus calling
to your heart today
Do you recognize His voice
do you know His gentle ways
Do you know what it really means
to live for Him alone
Have you ever found the Savior
where is your eternal home
Are you willing to risk it all
throw caution to the wind
Step out in faith believing
and let the Holy God walk in
You will never know your purpose
or where your real life begins
Until you meet the Master
so you can find real peace within
He is waiting very patiently
to hear you call out to Him
If you put it off much longer
He might not call again
Do not let this moment pass
call out to Him right now
He loves you very much
to Him you need to bow
to your heart today
Do you recognize His voice
do you know His gentle ways
Do you know what it really means
to live for Him alone
Have you ever found the Savior
where is your eternal home
Are you willing to risk it all
throw caution to the wind
Step out in faith believing
and let the Holy God walk in
You will never know your purpose
or where your real life begins
Until you meet the Master
so you can find real peace within
He is waiting very patiently
to hear you call out to Him
If you put it off much longer
He might not call again
Do not let this moment pass
call out to Him right now
He loves you very much
to Him you need to bow
JESUS IS THE ANSWER
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way
If you have some questions in the corners of your mind
And traces of discouragement and peace you can not find
Reflection of the old past, They seem to face you every day
There's one thing I know for sure that Jesus is the way
I know you got mountains that you think you can not climb
I know that your skies have been dark, You think the sun won't shine
In case you don't know, I'm here to tell you that the Word of God is true
And everything that He's promised, I tell you he would do it for you
Let me tell you that
Words & Music by Andre Crouch and Sandra Crouch
(c) Bud John Songs, Inc.
Most of us have heard this song before. Do you know anybody that needs to know Jesus
is the answer to all their problems? I know a lot of people like that. Tonight I'm
thinking of one person in particular that really needs to know that Jesus is the answer
to all of her problems. Someone close to me tried to commit suicide this past week.
She's only 20 and she just didn't think she could go on anymore.
The devil doesn't care how old you are...he will take you at whatever age he can get you.
Probably he likes getting people when they are young so they don't ever fulfill the plans
God has for them. This time he didn't get what he wanted. GOD won and I'm believing that
she will realize that HE is the one that saved her and that HE has a purpose for her life.
As the song says...we all have mountains...things in our lives that seem like we can't
overcome them. By our self we can't but...if you know JESUS you are not alone. HE will
help you to climb the mountain, sometimes on your own and sometimes with the help of other
Christians. Whatever it takes HE will be with you until you overcome the problem.
If you think you don't have anything to live for talk to GOD. If you can't do that yet,
find a friend to talk to. Give your life to JESUS and you will have something to live for.
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way
Jesus is the answer for the world today
Above him there's no other, Jesus is the way
If you have some questions in the corners of your mind
And traces of discouragement and peace you can not find
Reflection of the old past, They seem to face you every day
There's one thing I know for sure that Jesus is the way
I know you got mountains that you think you can not climb
I know that your skies have been dark, You think the sun won't shine
In case you don't know, I'm here to tell you that the Word of God is true
And everything that He's promised, I tell you he would do it for you
Let me tell you that
Words & Music by Andre Crouch and Sandra Crouch
(c) Bud John Songs, Inc.
Most of us have heard this song before. Do you know anybody that needs to know Jesus
is the answer to all their problems? I know a lot of people like that. Tonight I'm
thinking of one person in particular that really needs to know that Jesus is the answer
to all of her problems. Someone close to me tried to commit suicide this past week.
She's only 20 and she just didn't think she could go on anymore.
The devil doesn't care how old you are...he will take you at whatever age he can get you.
Probably he likes getting people when they are young so they don't ever fulfill the plans
God has for them. This time he didn't get what he wanted. GOD won and I'm believing that
she will realize that HE is the one that saved her and that HE has a purpose for her life.
As the song says...we all have mountains...things in our lives that seem like we can't
overcome them. By our self we can't but...if you know JESUS you are not alone. HE will
help you to climb the mountain, sometimes on your own and sometimes with the help of other
Christians. Whatever it takes HE will be with you until you overcome the problem.
If you think you don't have anything to live for talk to GOD. If you can't do that yet,
find a friend to talk to. Give your life to JESUS and you will have something to live for.
Monday, September 7, 2009
YOU ARE MY GOD
O God, You are my God.
You will always be my God.
I will always have problems and You will always be there.
All I have to do is call on You.
You will take all worries and anxieties away.
You, Father God, are always with me.
Where ever I go, You are there.
You light my path with Your presence.
Then, sometimes in my discouragement, I turn from You.
It is in those times I am filled with despair.
It is then, Father God, when I fail you.
I fall into darkness and lose my way.
In the midst of trouble, sometimes I run.
Then in my loneliness I cry out to You.
I turn and call out Your name...Father God?!
You always answer and come to me.
I am the one who leaves You.
You, O God, are always the same.
You never leave me Father God.
Your arms are always open, waiting for me to come back .
O God, You are my God.
You will always and forever be my God.
I will always love You because...
You, Father God, have always loved me.
You will always be my God.
I will always have problems and You will always be there.
All I have to do is call on You.
You will take all worries and anxieties away.
You, Father God, are always with me.
Where ever I go, You are there.
You light my path with Your presence.
Then, sometimes in my discouragement, I turn from You.
It is in those times I am filled with despair.
It is then, Father God, when I fail you.
I fall into darkness and lose my way.
In the midst of trouble, sometimes I run.
Then in my loneliness I cry out to You.
I turn and call out Your name...Father God?!
You always answer and come to me.
I am the one who leaves You.
You, O God, are always the same.
You never leave me Father God.
Your arms are always open, waiting for me to come back .
O God, You are my God.
You will always and forever be my God.
I will always love You because...
You, Father God, have always loved me.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
PSALM 139:1-10 & 23-24
When I sat down at my computer today I had no intention of writing anything. For a couple of weeks now I've been hating life and really not caring about much of anything. Of course there were moments, here and there, when I had some form of normalcy but they were few and far between. When I got up today nothing was any different...my life has not changed from yesterday...or the day before...or the day before...or.......
Then it finally hit me. I can't change anything, only GOD can. Of course I didn't come to this conclusion until late afternoon...when one more day was almost gone. One thing that really affected me was some of the testimonies I heard at church today. God had done so many things for people. One lady will be reunited with her sons after years of not seeing them. These kinds of stories make you think about how well GOD really takes care of us and how much HE loves us. In the long run nothing else really matters. It's amazing how sometimes we let circumstances that are beyond our control...control us. It's also amazing how as soon as I decided to just give it up and let GOD have control of my situations I immediately felt better. The feeling of hopelessness was gone as well as the feeling of, what I will call, rebellion that had started to move in.
In past posts I told how GOD had me change my focus to be about growth, and since then, what a hard time I have had with it. I have found that I don't react the way I should to at least 50% of things that happen. I am faced with the reality today that GOD is teaching me to let go and give HIM control of my life. I am also faced with the fact that I don't always like it much. What I don't like more is the feeling of separation I get when I let things build up to the point of feeling hopeless and that I don't care anymore. We need to be really careful how we let the circumstances of our lives affect our relationship with GOD. HE is the one constant in our lives that we can always count and rely on. I remember what it was like to not have GOD in my life...I don't like it when I start to feel that way again.
I like Psalm 139. It tells what GOD knows about us and how we can't escape from GOD. The last two verses are asking GOD to search our heart, our thoughts, and if there's anything there that shouldn't be, to let us know so we can make it right. We probably won't always like what HE tells us.
Psalm 139: 1-10 and 23-24
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Then it finally hit me. I can't change anything, only GOD can. Of course I didn't come to this conclusion until late afternoon...when one more day was almost gone. One thing that really affected me was some of the testimonies I heard at church today. God had done so many things for people. One lady will be reunited with her sons after years of not seeing them. These kinds of stories make you think about how well GOD really takes care of us and how much HE loves us. In the long run nothing else really matters. It's amazing how sometimes we let circumstances that are beyond our control...control us. It's also amazing how as soon as I decided to just give it up and let GOD have control of my situations I immediately felt better. The feeling of hopelessness was gone as well as the feeling of, what I will call, rebellion that had started to move in.
In past posts I told how GOD had me change my focus to be about growth, and since then, what a hard time I have had with it. I have found that I don't react the way I should to at least 50% of things that happen. I am faced with the reality today that GOD is teaching me to let go and give HIM control of my life. I am also faced with the fact that I don't always like it much. What I don't like more is the feeling of separation I get when I let things build up to the point of feeling hopeless and that I don't care anymore. We need to be really careful how we let the circumstances of our lives affect our relationship with GOD. HE is the one constant in our lives that we can always count and rely on. I remember what it was like to not have GOD in my life...I don't like it when I start to feel that way again.
I like Psalm 139. It tells what GOD knows about us and how we can't escape from GOD. The last two verses are asking GOD to search our heart, our thoughts, and if there's anything there that shouldn't be, to let us know so we can make it right. We probably won't always like what HE tells us.
Psalm 139: 1-10 and 23-24
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MATTHEW 11:28-30
The road of life can be pretty rough and rugged at times. Lately you might find yourself thinking...If I can just get through what's happening right now everything will be good. Then before you know it, something else hits before you even get through the current situation. Maybe it seems that you are stuck in a cycle of your life that no matter what you do things just seem to be getting worse instead of better. Everybody goes through those times. If you live on this earth you won't be exempt. When things we don't understand start happening in our lives some of us tend to get anxious, tired, grumpy and at times...even angry. It seems like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Kind of like those old pictures you used to see in the Greek mythology books of Atlas. He always had a picture of the world sitting on his shoulders. He must have been one tired guy!
Well...there is a solution for this when it happens to you. You need to start talking to GOD and reading HIS word. From experience I can tell you that it doesn't always "seem" to start getting better as soon as you do that. In fact, when I let it go as far as the example above, nothing seems to be an easy fix for me. The thing is...you have to start somewhere to get back to where you need to be. If you're a Christian the best place to start is to at least try to read the WORD and talk to GOD. It might be hard at first but it will get easier again. Do whatever you need to do to get things back in order. Just make sure those things include GOD. Don't just rely on yourself.
There is a good scripture I found "again" when I read an e-mail.
Matthew 11:28-30 (New Living Translation)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
We don't always have control over what happens to us but we do have control over how we handle tough times. I think that the biggest thing we need to remember is...who is in charge of those times if you are a Christian. Thankfully, it's not you and it's not me. GOD is in charge of our lives. Unlike Atlas...who carried the world on his shoulders...our LORD holds us in HIS HANDS.
Well...there is a solution for this when it happens to you. You need to start talking to GOD and reading HIS word. From experience I can tell you that it doesn't always "seem" to start getting better as soon as you do that. In fact, when I let it go as far as the example above, nothing seems to be an easy fix for me. The thing is...you have to start somewhere to get back to where you need to be. If you're a Christian the best place to start is to at least try to read the WORD and talk to GOD. It might be hard at first but it will get easier again. Do whatever you need to do to get things back in order. Just make sure those things include GOD. Don't just rely on yourself.
There is a good scripture I found "again" when I read an e-mail.
Matthew 11:28-30 (New Living Translation)
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
We don't always have control over what happens to us but we do have control over how we handle tough times. I think that the biggest thing we need to remember is...who is in charge of those times if you are a Christian. Thankfully, it's not you and it's not me. GOD is in charge of our lives. Unlike Atlas...who carried the world on his shoulders...our LORD holds us in HIS HANDS.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
PEACE FOR YOUR MIND
Where would you look
for what you can't find
What do you need
is it Peace for your mind
With your head in your hands
you look high and low
Where do you search
only Heaven knows
What will you find
in the back of your head
Will you still be looking
when you are dead
Where is the calm
you once thought you had
When did you lose it
bet you got mad
Why did it leave you
and chaos come in
Will you get it back
be free once again
When? Is the question
you keep asking yourself
Will it be the same
or are you full of doubts
We have but one hope
to get peace back and win
Will you ask Jesus
to come back within
When you do that
your mind will be calm
What you will find
is a Peace that is strong
for what you can't find
What do you need
is it Peace for your mind
With your head in your hands
you look high and low
Where do you search
only Heaven knows
What will you find
in the back of your head
Will you still be looking
when you are dead
Where is the calm
you once thought you had
When did you lose it
bet you got mad
Why did it leave you
and chaos come in
Will you get it back
be free once again
When? Is the question
you keep asking yourself
Will it be the same
or are you full of doubts
We have but one hope
to get peace back and win
Will you ask Jesus
to come back within
When you do that
your mind will be calm
What you will find
is a Peace that is strong
Thursday, August 20, 2009
ISAIAH 40:29
Lately there seems to be a pattern developing in my life...a pattern for "Growth Opportunities". Situations for growth were probably always there and I just wasn't as aware of them as I am now. One thing I am finding hard about this is that I don't usually realize the situation is an opportunity until "way" after the fact. Then there are other times when I do and for one reason or another I just plain don't care. Take the last two days for example...
There have been some issues at work that have added to my already stressful job. Since they involved me I was told about them but was also told not to worry about it. Well, because of the nature of the issue I became instantly "irritated". Within about an hour I went from irritated to agitated to really mad. That makes for one long day. When I got up this morning I was feeling better about the whole thing but as soon as I got to work the bad attitude came back. I did pray about it a couple of times but more half hearted than not. Really I would have liked to have seen fire rain down upon a couple of people. I was sure that would make me feel better. But...God didn't cooperate with me on that. Instead, He sent one of my friends over with a CD for me to listen to. Admittedly, it helped some.
The whole purpose of writing this is to say...for quite some time there was no growth happening in this problem. But, when I got home today I read a devotional that said no matter what the problem we need to keep standing, keep believing, and...what stood out most to me...keep doing the right thing. When you do that you are opening yourself up to God's supernatural strength. When you do these things that's when you know you are growing in Him. This is the scripture used in that devotional;
"He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]"
(Isaiah 40:29, AMP)
I knew yesterday that I wasn't reacting in the right way or doing the right things. It was one of those times I really didn't want to. I have been failing at how I know God wants me to act and how I know I should handle these things when they happen. I should have prayed about it and went on as though nothing had ever happened. That's a hard thing to do. When you know God is telling you to handle things in a different manner you need to pay attention and change. The best way to do that is to talk to God about it and ask for His help. When you realize you have been wrong ask for forgiveness and for Him to take care of the situation. Then get on with life and learn and grow through the problem.
There have been some issues at work that have added to my already stressful job. Since they involved me I was told about them but was also told not to worry about it. Well, because of the nature of the issue I became instantly "irritated". Within about an hour I went from irritated to agitated to really mad. That makes for one long day. When I got up this morning I was feeling better about the whole thing but as soon as I got to work the bad attitude came back. I did pray about it a couple of times but more half hearted than not. Really I would have liked to have seen fire rain down upon a couple of people. I was sure that would make me feel better. But...God didn't cooperate with me on that. Instead, He sent one of my friends over with a CD for me to listen to. Admittedly, it helped some.
The whole purpose of writing this is to say...for quite some time there was no growth happening in this problem. But, when I got home today I read a devotional that said no matter what the problem we need to keep standing, keep believing, and...what stood out most to me...keep doing the right thing. When you do that you are opening yourself up to God's supernatural strength. When you do these things that's when you know you are growing in Him. This is the scripture used in that devotional;
"He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]"
(Isaiah 40:29, AMP)
I knew yesterday that I wasn't reacting in the right way or doing the right things. It was one of those times I really didn't want to. I have been failing at how I know God wants me to act and how I know I should handle these things when they happen. I should have prayed about it and went on as though nothing had ever happened. That's a hard thing to do. When you know God is telling you to handle things in a different manner you need to pay attention and change. The best way to do that is to talk to God about it and ask for His help. When you realize you have been wrong ask for forgiveness and for Him to take care of the situation. Then get on with life and learn and grow through the problem.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
HAVE YOU MET THE SAVIOR
Have you met the precious Savior
the crucified Son
He bled and He died
on a cross made for one
Have you been bought by the blood
of the Savior divine
He's got peace in abundance
to heal your heart and mind
Have you let Him cleanse your soul
and touch you deep within
He'll give you joy everlasting
somehow it won't ever end
Have you found grace and mercy
did He impart it to you
Will you ask Him right now
to make you brand new
Have your sins been forgiven
do you know Him today
He's waiting for you now
please don't turn Him away
Have you been set free
do you know it to be true
Your chains will fall off
He will do that for you
Have you got what it takes
to ask Him today
To come into your life
wash your sins away
He bled and He died
don't scoff at Him now
He loves you so much
to Him you need to bow
the crucified Son
He bled and He died
on a cross made for one
Have you been bought by the blood
of the Savior divine
He's got peace in abundance
to heal your heart and mind
Have you let Him cleanse your soul
and touch you deep within
He'll give you joy everlasting
somehow it won't ever end
Have you found grace and mercy
did He impart it to you
Will you ask Him right now
to make you brand new
Have your sins been forgiven
do you know Him today
He's waiting for you now
please don't turn Him away
Have you been set free
do you know it to be true
Your chains will fall off
He will do that for you
Have you got what it takes
to ask Him today
To come into your life
wash your sins away
He bled and He died
don't scoff at Him now
He loves you so much
to Him you need to bow
Sunday, August 16, 2009
MATTHEW 5:48
Lately I have been trying to figure out what God's purpose is for me. It's really easy to know if I just think about everything that has been happening lately. First He changed what I am to write about in this blog. Then the things I've been reading in the Bible, and other books, all have to do with what it is. God's purpose is to shape me, and everyone else, into His image. I just have to be willing to let Him do that. There is a verse in the Bible that I really didn't know what it meant until this weekend.
Matthew 5:48 (New Living Translation)
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
I always thought perfect meant; without defect or blemish. Then there's my definition...stop being a screw up. Get it right and stop failing. Conquer the things that you consistently fail at. Those types of definitions. Really I knew that I could never be perfect but I could certainly give it a shot. Then I read the true meaning of this verse. I looked it up in a few places so I could be sure that what I was reading was right.
Matthew 5:48 (Amplified Bible)
You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Greek meaning of the word "perfect" is...mature and finished.
Even though becoming "mature and finished" is a slow process, it is certainly more attainable than "being without defect". To achieve the kind of perfection talked about in Matthew 5:48 all you have to do is surrender your whole life...will, being, mind, heart...to the Lord. To be honest, that isn't always so easy either. I can be pretty stubborn about things. But, if I will do that kind of surrendering Jesus will change me.
This past week I had an opportunity to "sign up" for a lesson in change, or maturity, which is what this blog is really all about. I was asked to do something this weekend that I really didn't want to do. But, I agreed to do it. I'll be honest, I complained a few times about it. I was going to have to put aside my own wants and do something to help someone else. Normally that's not a problem for me, this time it was. Knowing that I had the completely wrong attitude, I asked the Lord to help me to feel differently about it. It was amazing. I actually had a good time doing it. And, for the first time in my life, I was actually able to "talk" to about 15 people without shaking and losing my thoughts.
I still have a long ways to go on this "road to maturity" but it's just one step at a time. God is amazing. He will help you if you ask Him and your serious about
Matthew 5:48 (New Living Translation)
But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
I always thought perfect meant; without defect or blemish. Then there's my definition...stop being a screw up. Get it right and stop failing. Conquer the things that you consistently fail at. Those types of definitions. Really I knew that I could never be perfect but I could certainly give it a shot. Then I read the true meaning of this verse. I looked it up in a few places so I could be sure that what I was reading was right.
Matthew 5:48 (Amplified Bible)
You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Greek meaning of the word "perfect" is...mature and finished.
Even though becoming "mature and finished" is a slow process, it is certainly more attainable than "being without defect". To achieve the kind of perfection talked about in Matthew 5:48 all you have to do is surrender your whole life...will, being, mind, heart...to the Lord. To be honest, that isn't always so easy either. I can be pretty stubborn about things. But, if I will do that kind of surrendering Jesus will change me.
This past week I had an opportunity to "sign up" for a lesson in change, or maturity, which is what this blog is really all about. I was asked to do something this weekend that I really didn't want to do. But, I agreed to do it. I'll be honest, I complained a few times about it. I was going to have to put aside my own wants and do something to help someone else. Normally that's not a problem for me, this time it was. Knowing that I had the completely wrong attitude, I asked the Lord to help me to feel differently about it. It was amazing. I actually had a good time doing it. And, for the first time in my life, I was actually able to "talk" to about 15 people without shaking and losing my thoughts.
I still have a long ways to go on this "road to maturity" but it's just one step at a time. God is amazing. He will help you if you ask Him and your serious about
Saturday, August 15, 2009
JOHN 17:17
What a beautiful day. I took my dog for a walk this morning and looking around at all the beauty I couldn't help but think of God. He made all of this for us. The hills and mountains. The trees with all the birds in them singing. The beautiful blue sky and the sun coming up. Every blade of green grass...even all the bees and bugs crawling around in them. They all have a purpose, just like we do.
I have come to believe that we never find our real purpose in life until we find the Lord as our Savior and turn our lives completely over to Him. Sometimes that's a hard thing to do...letting go completely. We all like to have control of our destinies. But...I have been realizing lately that if I let go He makes a lot better choices for me than I do. I believe that my life would have a lot less conflict and anxiety in it if I just let go of it. What do they say...Let go and let God. That could be for everything in your life. He is the Master Planner and He has a great plan for all of us. Like I keep saying...More and More of HIM and Less and Less of me. I think for that to happen, and to find my real purpose, I need to commit to a better prayer life.
Of course there is also reading the Bible. To grow and mature you have to pursue Holiness...which is to become more like Christ. To become more like Him you have to read His Word and let Him speak to you through it. That builds your relationship with Him. Without a relationship with Him you can't become more like Him.
John 17:17 (New King James Version)
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
I read a quote recently by Nancy DeMoss that said; "Your progress in holiness will never exceed your relationship with the Word of God."
When we read the Word, and live by what it says, it has the power to transform our minds. When that starts to happen we allow God to work in and change us the way we need to be changed. This all leads to growth.
Proverbs 3:6 (King James Version)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I have come to believe that we never find our real purpose in life until we find the Lord as our Savior and turn our lives completely over to Him. Sometimes that's a hard thing to do...letting go completely. We all like to have control of our destinies. But...I have been realizing lately that if I let go He makes a lot better choices for me than I do. I believe that my life would have a lot less conflict and anxiety in it if I just let go of it. What do they say...Let go and let God. That could be for everything in your life. He is the Master Planner and He has a great plan for all of us. Like I keep saying...More and More of HIM and Less and Less of me. I think for that to happen, and to find my real purpose, I need to commit to a better prayer life.
Of course there is also reading the Bible. To grow and mature you have to pursue Holiness...which is to become more like Christ. To become more like Him you have to read His Word and let Him speak to you through it. That builds your relationship with Him. Without a relationship with Him you can't become more like Him.
John 17:17 (New King James Version)
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
I read a quote recently by Nancy DeMoss that said; "Your progress in holiness will never exceed your relationship with the Word of God."
When we read the Word, and live by what it says, it has the power to transform our minds. When that starts to happen we allow God to work in and change us the way we need to be changed. This all leads to growth.
Proverbs 3:6 (King James Version)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Friday, August 14, 2009
HIS GLORIOUS BRIDE
What's the sweetest thing you know
The love of Jesus that He bestowed
Upon your heart where He wrote one day
I love you child with Me you'll stay
One day you'll live in Heaven above
Sing praises of worship and adoring love
To the One who gave His life for you
Who died on the cross so you could make it through
He's waiting there now in your new home
He'll be coming to get you and make you His own
He's up there watching you with pride
Soon you will be His glorious bride
The love of Jesus that He bestowed
Upon your heart where He wrote one day
I love you child with Me you'll stay
One day you'll live in Heaven above
Sing praises of worship and adoring love
To the One who gave His life for you
Who died on the cross so you could make it through
He's waiting there now in your new home
He'll be coming to get you and make you His own
He's up there watching you with pride
Soon you will be His glorious bride
Thursday, August 13, 2009
CALLED TO CHANGE
John 3:30 (New Living Translation)
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
I have used this verse in two of my last posts and I will probably have it in more to come. I can't seem to get away from it. It's what I want to happen and what I feel the Lord is telling me. He wants to become the center of my life...my focus. He wants to be the most important ONE...the One I rely on for my life.
God is calling me to be different than I have ever been before. To do different things. If someone asks me to do something for God I need to just do it and not think about how it will affect me. God is telling me to have a level of faith that says...with God's help I can do it. Even if within myself everything is screaming...You can't do it...do it anyway. He's asking me, Who do you put your trust in? Is it in yourself or is it in ME? Well, I like to think that my trust is totally in Him but in reality I know that many times I rely on myself and not Him. It's kind of like walking down the center of the road. Your on a line and you have to look straight ahead. Jesus is up ahead of you guiding your way. He's right in the middle of the line. As long as you keep your eyes on Him you'll make it. Don't look off to the right or the left even for a moment. There's nothing but lots of noise and possible wrecks on either side. If we just keep going down the middle, following Jesus, whatever He asks of us we can do. He will keep us through anything and everything. Sometimes He asks us to get out of our comfort zone to stretch us so we can have a fuller life in Him.
No matter what you do...do it for the Lord. Make Him your main focus. Let people see that He is the one you live for, not for yourself. The Message Bible says it this way...
John 3:30 (The Message)
This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.
That's some of the things He's been speaking about to me. Could that be some of the barriers He wants to get rid of in my life? It's kind of a sobering thought but it may be. Am I ready? Right now that's the million dollar question!
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
I have used this verse in two of my last posts and I will probably have it in more to come. I can't seem to get away from it. It's what I want to happen and what I feel the Lord is telling me. He wants to become the center of my life...my focus. He wants to be the most important ONE...the One I rely on for my life.
God is calling me to be different than I have ever been before. To do different things. If someone asks me to do something for God I need to just do it and not think about how it will affect me. God is telling me to have a level of faith that says...with God's help I can do it. Even if within myself everything is screaming...You can't do it...do it anyway. He's asking me, Who do you put your trust in? Is it in yourself or is it in ME? Well, I like to think that my trust is totally in Him but in reality I know that many times I rely on myself and not Him. It's kind of like walking down the center of the road. Your on a line and you have to look straight ahead. Jesus is up ahead of you guiding your way. He's right in the middle of the line. As long as you keep your eyes on Him you'll make it. Don't look off to the right or the left even for a moment. There's nothing but lots of noise and possible wrecks on either side. If we just keep going down the middle, following Jesus, whatever He asks of us we can do. He will keep us through anything and everything. Sometimes He asks us to get out of our comfort zone to stretch us so we can have a fuller life in Him.
No matter what you do...do it for the Lord. Make Him your main focus. Let people see that He is the one you live for, not for yourself. The Message Bible says it this way...
John 3:30 (The Message)
This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.
That's some of the things He's been speaking about to me. Could that be some of the barriers He wants to get rid of in my life? It's kind of a sobering thought but it may be. Am I ready? Right now that's the million dollar question!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
JOHN 3:30
Does God ever just drop words into your head? He does that to me when I least expect it. Sometimes I'm in the shower, sometimes in the midst of problems I'm trying to solve at work, and sometimes when I'm first waking up. In my past life, and even after I was a Christian, I would hear other Christians say that God spoke to them or gave them words and I would think...How do you know it was Him??! Well, I know because it's just a different kind of a thought. It feels different and I just know. The first few times it happened I was like...Whoa, what was that? I'm getting more used to it now but it still usually surprises me.Anyway...
...it happened again this morning when I was driving to work. I was talking to Him about "stuff" and the word accountability came to mind. Immediately I think, What does that mean? Then I actually said, What does that mean? Immediately I knew...my blog. Why does "maturity" and "pursuing God" have to be what I mainly write about now?...that has been the question I have been thinking about recently. I'm not sure I have actually said it out loud but, as we all know, God even knows our thoughts. So...He took the opportunity to tell me. I begin to think about it and I know that it is hard for me to write about these things. Then the thoughts begin to pour into my mind more rapidly. The just of it is...if you obey me and write about what I tell you too, it will be easier for you to live like you should. Whether it be in your thoughts, your actions or just your day to day living...you will be more aware of me.
God is concerned about things we want to know. Even when we don't "really" ask Him the question. My lesson for the day, I think.
John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.
...it happened again this morning when I was driving to work. I was talking to Him about "stuff" and the word accountability came to mind. Immediately I think, What does that mean? Then I actually said, What does that mean? Immediately I knew...my blog. Why does "maturity" and "pursuing God" have to be what I mainly write about now?...that has been the question I have been thinking about recently. I'm not sure I have actually said it out loud but, as we all know, God even knows our thoughts. So...He took the opportunity to tell me. I begin to think about it and I know that it is hard for me to write about these things. Then the thoughts begin to pour into my mind more rapidly. The just of it is...if you obey me and write about what I tell you too, it will be easier for you to live like you should. Whether it be in your thoughts, your actions or just your day to day living...you will be more aware of me.
God is concerned about things we want to know. Even when we don't "really" ask Him the question. My lesson for the day, I think.
John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.
Monday, August 10, 2009
TESTIMONY; THANK YOU JESUS
Today I have decided to give my testimony. I'm not really sure how to write it out but with God's help, here it is...
August 10, 2009...just a normal day for most people. For me it's been a different kind of day. Two years ago today I started on a journey that has changed my life. I met someone that day that is incredible. His name is JESUS CHRIST and He has completely turned my life around. Starting at about 4:30 this morning I have thought a lot about the last two years. Where I was then and where I am now. I was a total mess back then. All of my life I had hidden things from everyone...things that happened to me, the way I felt, things I had done...no one really knew me. Not even the people I was closest to. I was depressed, thinking about killing myself, drinking...basically unhappy and trying to figure out a way to get out of all of it. For a lot of my life I had been that way. I didn't know it then, but the one person I didn't think cared at all about me was actually pursuing me. For about 1 1/2 weeks prior to me becoming a Christian, GOD was working in my life. Probably even before that but I didn't know it. Different things would pop up on my computer about God, people would say things to me, all kinds of crazy things happened. Then about 3 days before I gave in I met a person from Georgia on Yahoo chat. I got a message that said she was asking if I wanted to accept her as a friend. I thought...why not? So I answered back and after we got to talking she said she had not sent that message. Through conversation it came about that she was a Christian and she asked if I was. I finally told her no and that was the beginning of the end of my life of torment. For three nights she "harassed" me, on the computer, about God. On the last night God put someone's name in my head that I kind of knew. All night long, and part of the next day, all I could think was that I had to call that person and talk to them about God. For most of that time I thought, "No Way" would I do that. Let me tell you...GOD is relentless. Once the Holy Spirit started really working on me, He wouldn't let up. I was totally miserable. Today I thank God for that...then, I didn't know what I was going to do. Through a series of events that day, I finally called, met and talked with them. They prayed with me and I really didn't feel anything. After awhile, and more talking, things in my head did start to change. Accepting Jesus as my Savior didn't instantly solve all my problems. Actually, there were many really bad days. At times it seemed like I would take 2 steps forward and then 3 or 4 steps back. Sometimes I just wanted to quit. "BUT GOD"...I like that phrase...wouldn't let me! He put Christian people in my life that I could trust and talk to. Before I even became a Christian He put me in a good church. I have to say it again...JESUS has changed my life! I am not depressed anymore, suicide doesn't enter my thoughts. At times I am still tempted to drink but I can't even remember when the last time was that I did, and...I have a much more happy, positive attitude than I ever had.
You can read my whole blog if you want to know more of my story. It talks a lot about my younger days. There are also things in it that have happened since I became a Christian. Forgiving me of my sins was the biggest and best miracle He could ever do for me. He has done other miracles since and they are there to read also. This blog is about my life but it in no way is meant to promote me or the things of my past. This blog is to show the saving power of Jesus Christ and all the things He has done for me and to let you know that He can do that and much more for you. If you are willing, HE is able!
If you don't know Him as your Savior you can today. Ask him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins. Then live for HIM. Find someone to talk to about God. HE can help you.
Jesus is the answer for all your problems.
Philippians 4:8-9 (New Living Translation)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:17 (New International Version)
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
August 10, 2009...just a normal day for most people. For me it's been a different kind of day. Two years ago today I started on a journey that has changed my life. I met someone that day that is incredible. His name is JESUS CHRIST and He has completely turned my life around. Starting at about 4:30 this morning I have thought a lot about the last two years. Where I was then and where I am now. I was a total mess back then. All of my life I had hidden things from everyone...things that happened to me, the way I felt, things I had done...no one really knew me. Not even the people I was closest to. I was depressed, thinking about killing myself, drinking...basically unhappy and trying to figure out a way to get out of all of it. For a lot of my life I had been that way. I didn't know it then, but the one person I didn't think cared at all about me was actually pursuing me. For about 1 1/2 weeks prior to me becoming a Christian, GOD was working in my life. Probably even before that but I didn't know it. Different things would pop up on my computer about God, people would say things to me, all kinds of crazy things happened. Then about 3 days before I gave in I met a person from Georgia on Yahoo chat. I got a message that said she was asking if I wanted to accept her as a friend. I thought...why not? So I answered back and after we got to talking she said she had not sent that message. Through conversation it came about that she was a Christian and she asked if I was. I finally told her no and that was the beginning of the end of my life of torment. For three nights she "harassed" me, on the computer, about God. On the last night God put someone's name in my head that I kind of knew. All night long, and part of the next day, all I could think was that I had to call that person and talk to them about God. For most of that time I thought, "No Way" would I do that. Let me tell you...GOD is relentless. Once the Holy Spirit started really working on me, He wouldn't let up. I was totally miserable. Today I thank God for that...then, I didn't know what I was going to do. Through a series of events that day, I finally called, met and talked with them. They prayed with me and I really didn't feel anything. After awhile, and more talking, things in my head did start to change. Accepting Jesus as my Savior didn't instantly solve all my problems. Actually, there were many really bad days. At times it seemed like I would take 2 steps forward and then 3 or 4 steps back. Sometimes I just wanted to quit. "BUT GOD"...I like that phrase...wouldn't let me! He put Christian people in my life that I could trust and talk to. Before I even became a Christian He put me in a good church. I have to say it again...JESUS has changed my life! I am not depressed anymore, suicide doesn't enter my thoughts. At times I am still tempted to drink but I can't even remember when the last time was that I did, and...I have a much more happy, positive attitude than I ever had.
You can read my whole blog if you want to know more of my story. It talks a lot about my younger days. There are also things in it that have happened since I became a Christian. Forgiving me of my sins was the biggest and best miracle He could ever do for me. He has done other miracles since and they are there to read also. This blog is about my life but it in no way is meant to promote me or the things of my past. This blog is to show the saving power of Jesus Christ and all the things He has done for me and to let you know that He can do that and much more for you. If you are willing, HE is able!
If you don't know Him as your Savior you can today. Ask him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins. Then live for HIM. Find someone to talk to about God. HE can help you.
Jesus is the answer for all your problems.
Philippians 4:8-9 (New Living Translation)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:17 (New International Version)
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
Sunday, August 9, 2009
EPHESIANS 4:22-24
Ephesians 4:22-24 (New Living Translation)
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
What happens when you become a Christian? You get a new life! God gives you a new life in Him. He takes your old life and replaces it with a new one. He performs a miracle in you. What are you supposed to do because of that? It's kind of like the old saying...Off with the old and On with the new. Let the Lord wash all of those old thoughts out of your mind and replace them with new thoughts...His thoughts. Let Him heal and renew your mind. Then you have to believe that you are different. That you are good enough to do whatever God has called you to do. Then you have to do it. When things get tough, and you have doubts, you pray. You continue to pray until all the doubts and fears are gone. Prayer will get you to God. If you walk away for awhile, prayer will take you back to God. Once you find God you can have peace. Your mind can be at rest even when things are hectic all around you.
I know that to really have effective change in my life I have to pray more. God can't change me if I don't talk to Him and give Him opportunity. God and prayer is the key to everything.
God Is The Key
GOD is the key
to a life gone wrong
GOD is all you need
when you can't seem to hold on
Prayer will touch God
when He seems far away
Prayer is what you do
when you have gone astray
GOD heals your mind
when you can't think anymore
GOD gives you hope
to fight all the more
Prayer will help you find
the quiet that you need
Prayer will help you steady
your soul so you find peace
God is your fortress
where you can go to hide
God is always there
right by your side
Prayer will take you into
the presence of God
Where you will find Him waiting
just listening for your heart
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
What happens when you become a Christian? You get a new life! God gives you a new life in Him. He takes your old life and replaces it with a new one. He performs a miracle in you. What are you supposed to do because of that? It's kind of like the old saying...Off with the old and On with the new. Let the Lord wash all of those old thoughts out of your mind and replace them with new thoughts...His thoughts. Let Him heal and renew your mind. Then you have to believe that you are different. That you are good enough to do whatever God has called you to do. Then you have to do it. When things get tough, and you have doubts, you pray. You continue to pray until all the doubts and fears are gone. Prayer will get you to God. If you walk away for awhile, prayer will take you back to God. Once you find God you can have peace. Your mind can be at rest even when things are hectic all around you.
I know that to really have effective change in my life I have to pray more. God can't change me if I don't talk to Him and give Him opportunity. God and prayer is the key to everything.
God Is The Key
GOD is the key
to a life gone wrong
GOD is all you need
when you can't seem to hold on
Prayer will touch God
when He seems far away
Prayer is what you do
when you have gone astray
GOD heals your mind
when you can't think anymore
GOD gives you hope
to fight all the more
Prayer will help you find
the quiet that you need
Prayer will help you steady
your soul so you find peace
God is your fortress
where you can go to hide
God is always there
right by your side
Prayer will take you into
the presence of God
Where you will find Him waiting
just listening for your heart
Thursday, August 6, 2009
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14
It was back in July when I knew for sure that I was to change what I write about in my blog. At that time I thought it was going to be much easier writing about "The road to maturity" than it had been to write mainly about my past. Well...I was wrong. I think I liked that much better. When you have been down a path already, been through the "good times" and lived through the pain, you have experience in it. It's easy because you know it. You might not like it...but you know it. It's familiar to you. During the time I was writing about it there were periods of growth but they were not the main part of the posts. Now, I find it is hard to write about the day to day stuff because it's things I am currently having to learn. One thing I think I have figured out is...because I am writing about some of them, I am more aware when I don't do things exactly as I should. Luckily for me...God does not expect us to be perfect. He knows we are human and will do things wrong. This week was no exception...
There was an event at the beginning of the week that I knew I should go to. I asked four of my friends if they were going to go and all of them, for various reasons, said no. I knew that I should go from the time I had first heard about it. Really, I didn't want to but I felt that God was telling me to go. Well, since my friends weren't going I caved and didn't go either. That was the wrong thing to do. I knew if I said I was going to go that they would give me a hard time about it. That shouldn't have mattered. I should have listened to that "voice" inside of me and went anyway. I will never know what would have happened had I went. Off and on all week I have thought about it. I know I made the wrong choice.
During my bible reading tonight I read Matthew 14. It talks about Herod when he had John the Baptist beheaded. Herod didn't want to do that but because his friends were all there he caved and had him killed anyway. Herod didn't want to be embarrassed in front of his peers. So, why do we let ourselves be intimidated and swayed by our friends? For me it's because I don't want them upset with me or for them to give me a hard time about it. After the fact I always regret my decision.
I think what I'm supposed to learn from this is to listen to God and not other people. Sometimes they say and do things just to get you to conform to their wants. I need to do what God says and not what people say. It seems that He is telling me to take a chance, step out and do whatever He tells me, even if it's on my own. He will always be there with me. If I do that, and keep my eyes on Jesus, He will work it out so everything is alright.
Hopefully the next time I will make the right choice. That's when I'll know for sure if I really learned anything from this or not. I pray I really did.
While listening to the radio I heard this quote that I thought was appropriate;
Growth comes when you invest you heart, mind, and soul into relationship with HIM.
Don't let anything, or anyone, distract you from reaching your goal of knowing Christ more and becoming more like Him. I like these verses in The Message translation;
Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)
Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
I think that pretty much says it for me. I may stumble and occasionally may fall, but...with the help of the LORD, I won't turn back.
There was an event at the beginning of the week that I knew I should go to. I asked four of my friends if they were going to go and all of them, for various reasons, said no. I knew that I should go from the time I had first heard about it. Really, I didn't want to but I felt that God was telling me to go. Well, since my friends weren't going I caved and didn't go either. That was the wrong thing to do. I knew if I said I was going to go that they would give me a hard time about it. That shouldn't have mattered. I should have listened to that "voice" inside of me and went anyway. I will never know what would have happened had I went. Off and on all week I have thought about it. I know I made the wrong choice.
During my bible reading tonight I read Matthew 14. It talks about Herod when he had John the Baptist beheaded. Herod didn't want to do that but because his friends were all there he caved and had him killed anyway. Herod didn't want to be embarrassed in front of his peers. So, why do we let ourselves be intimidated and swayed by our friends? For me it's because I don't want them upset with me or for them to give me a hard time about it. After the fact I always regret my decision.
I think what I'm supposed to learn from this is to listen to God and not other people. Sometimes they say and do things just to get you to conform to their wants. I need to do what God says and not what people say. It seems that He is telling me to take a chance, step out and do whatever He tells me, even if it's on my own. He will always be there with me. If I do that, and keep my eyes on Jesus, He will work it out so everything is alright.
Hopefully the next time I will make the right choice. That's when I'll know for sure if I really learned anything from this or not. I pray I really did.
While listening to the radio I heard this quote that I thought was appropriate;
Growth comes when you invest you heart, mind, and soul into relationship with HIM.
Don't let anything, or anyone, distract you from reaching your goal of knowing Christ more and becoming more like Him. I like these verses in The Message translation;
Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)
Focused on the Goal
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
I think that pretty much says it for me. I may stumble and occasionally may fall, but...with the help of the LORD, I won't turn back.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
2 TIMOTHY 2:15
It's funny how GOD puts thoughts in my mind. I had been doing my Bible reading and had in fact just finished it. I was making notes when He just gave me this scripture.
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I had read in Matthew 9:20-22 about the woman that had so much faith she knew that if she just "touched the hem of his cloak" she would be healed. Sure enough...Jesus told her, "Your faith has healed you."
I just thought how amazing that was. My next thoughts were...God will change me if I am willing to do my part. Have faith and believe what I read. Read and study His word and learn everything I can. Live for Him to the best of my ability. He wants to make Himself known to us. Then the first few words of that verse came to my mind. I didn't know it all, or where it was found, but I know how to use GOOGLE. Then He told me to post it in this blog.
My Bible says about this verse; Consistent and diligent study of God's word is vital; otherwise we will be lulled into neglecting God and our true purpose for living. To handle the word of truth correctly, we must study what the word of God says so we can understand what it means.
I have to be relentless on my journey to really know God. Keep talking to Him and reading His word. He has told me if I do this He will be with me. He will make Himself known to me in a real way.
Writing all of this in a blog for everyone to read is still very different for me. It's sharing my thoughts and the thoughts that God gives to me. But...it's good. God has told me I need to do this. It is all a growth exercise.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
I had read in Matthew 9:20-22 about the woman that had so much faith she knew that if she just "touched the hem of his cloak" she would be healed. Sure enough...Jesus told her, "Your faith has healed you."
I just thought how amazing that was. My next thoughts were...God will change me if I am willing to do my part. Have faith and believe what I read. Read and study His word and learn everything I can. Live for Him to the best of my ability. He wants to make Himself known to us. Then the first few words of that verse came to my mind. I didn't know it all, or where it was found, but I know how to use GOOGLE. Then He told me to post it in this blog.
My Bible says about this verse; Consistent and diligent study of God's word is vital; otherwise we will be lulled into neglecting God and our true purpose for living. To handle the word of truth correctly, we must study what the word of God says so we can understand what it means.
I have to be relentless on my journey to really know God. Keep talking to Him and reading His word. He has told me if I do this He will be with me. He will make Himself known to me in a real way.
Writing all of this in a blog for everyone to read is still very different for me. It's sharing my thoughts and the thoughts that God gives to me. But...it's good. God has told me I need to do this. It is all a growth exercise.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Monday, August 3, 2009
PRAYER
Prayer is something GOD has been talking to me about for a long time. It's always been something that I have a hard time doing for very long. It seems that GOD is telling me that I need to pray more. HE longs to here from us all the time. That's how we become closer to HIM and HE gets closer to us. If we will call on HIM, HE will answer. When things get hard talk to GOD about it and HE will always be there for you.
PRAYER
Prayer is something
God desires from us all
What will you do
will you answer His call
Do you have it in you
to pray everyday
Or would you rather just stumble
whittle your life away
Prayer is the key
to heal up your mind
How do you do it
one word at a time
GOD just wants to hear from you
keep you close to His side
Do you hear HIM calling
in HIM you'll want to hide
HE'S only as far
as you let HIM get
If you stay in prayer
you'll never regret
Your day's can be hard
night's restless too
Run to the FATHER
HE'S waiting for you
PRAYER
Prayer is something
God desires from us all
What will you do
will you answer His call
Do you have it in you
to pray everyday
Or would you rather just stumble
whittle your life away
Prayer is the key
to heal up your mind
How do you do it
one word at a time
GOD just wants to hear from you
keep you close to His side
Do you hear HIM calling
in HIM you'll want to hide
HE'S only as far
as you let HIM get
If you stay in prayer
you'll never regret
Your day's can be hard
night's restless too
Run to the FATHER
HE'S waiting for you
GOD HAS A PLAN
I told you in my last post that the LORD told me that HE was going to start knocking down barriers...or as you hear preachers say, breaking down walls you have set up around you...in my life. One of the things I have found out is that GOD doesn't lie. If HE says HE is going to do something, HE does. You never know when but you can be sure that HE will. Basically, HE let me know that if I was going to continue to grow that there are some things about me that have to change. That really doesn't come as a surprise to me. So...I have a list in my head of things I know that need to change. The problem is...like it is for most everyone else, change is hard for me. So there's a choice to make. I have to decide what is more important to me. Following GOD and doing whatever it is that HE has for my life, or...staying stuck in all of my old ways with the barriers still up around me. Some days "stuck" is my choice. Other days doing what GOD wants and working on change is my choice. There are times, if you don't make the right choice, GOD takes it right out of your hands. That's what HE did with me on Sunday...
Going to church sometimes is hard for me. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it's because there are lots of people there and you have to interact. Other times I think it's because of an old mind set of...not really "belonging" there. I'm not sure, maybe both reasons. For now GOD has decided to work on the interacting part. Church is an interactive activity, or...relationships. One of my biggest downfalls. The bad thing about it is that I mainly have this problem at church. Because of this I have come to realize it is probably just anther thing that the devil uses to keep me messed up. GOD and I have visited this problem before but I guess I didn't learn very well. There is one thing about GOD...HE keeps taking you back until you get it!! So yesterday at church GOD decided I was getting lots of hugs. SIX of them to be exact. Yes...I counted them after I left. Besides all of the hugs, four or five more people talked to me and asked me if I was doing okay, if everything was alright? Actually, yes...I was doing fine, I wasn't even uncomfortable there.
When all of this was happening I was just thinking how strange it all was. Later on I realized it wasn't strange at all. It was GOD. HE has a plan and I just have to go with it. GOD is working on breaking down the barriers that I have built up over the years. I know that if I am going to become the person GOD wants me to be I have to mature in my walk with HIM. In order to do this I have to go to church and be comfortable there.We need the support of one another.
Hebrews 10:25 (New Living Translation)
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
When GOD decides HE is going to do things in your life...BE READY. Pray and read HIS WORD a lot and ask HIM to make you more like HIM.
John 3:30 (New Living Translation)
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Going to church sometimes is hard for me. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it's because there are lots of people there and you have to interact. Other times I think it's because of an old mind set of...not really "belonging" there. I'm not sure, maybe both reasons. For now GOD has decided to work on the interacting part. Church is an interactive activity, or...relationships. One of my biggest downfalls. The bad thing about it is that I mainly have this problem at church. Because of this I have come to realize it is probably just anther thing that the devil uses to keep me messed up. GOD and I have visited this problem before but I guess I didn't learn very well. There is one thing about GOD...HE keeps taking you back until you get it!! So yesterday at church GOD decided I was getting lots of hugs. SIX of them to be exact. Yes...I counted them after I left. Besides all of the hugs, four or five more people talked to me and asked me if I was doing okay, if everything was alright? Actually, yes...I was doing fine, I wasn't even uncomfortable there.
When all of this was happening I was just thinking how strange it all was. Later on I realized it wasn't strange at all. It was GOD. HE has a plan and I just have to go with it. GOD is working on breaking down the barriers that I have built up over the years. I know that if I am going to become the person GOD wants me to be I have to mature in my walk with HIM. In order to do this I have to go to church and be comfortable there.We need the support of one another.
Hebrews 10:25 (New Living Translation)
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
When GOD decides HE is going to do things in your life...BE READY. Pray and read HIS WORD a lot and ask HIM to make you more like HIM.
John 3:30 (New Living Translation)
30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
I GIVE YOU MY LIFE
Father God I come to You
I give to You my life
You're all that I will ever need
to keep me from all strife
You've helped me now to cope
time and time again
With memories that have haunted me
almost since my life began
I can't make it one day without You
I'm just to weak to stand
On my own I'm really nothing
You always need to hold my hand
You've walked me through the valleys
so dark I couldn't see
Even though I still would stumble
you stayed right there with me
Lord You made my life worth living
I never could go back
To where I once was headed
it was a downward path
I received a new beginning
it started on that day
You came and gave me life
in a new and powerful way
Thank You Lord for saving me
and showing me Your grace
I found in You unfailing love
that no one can erase
I give to You my life
You're all that I will ever need
to keep me from all strife
You've helped me now to cope
time and time again
With memories that have haunted me
almost since my life began
I can't make it one day without You
I'm just to weak to stand
On my own I'm really nothing
You always need to hold my hand
You've walked me through the valleys
so dark I couldn't see
Even though I still would stumble
you stayed right there with me
Lord You made my life worth living
I never could go back
To where I once was headed
it was a downward path
I received a new beginning
it started on that day
You came and gave me life
in a new and powerful way
Thank You Lord for saving me
and showing me Your grace
I found in You unfailing love
that no one can erase
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)