Merry Christmas "2010"

Today is Christmas...Jesus' birthday!

On Christmas the majority of us think about Christmas dinner, gifts we will give and receive, who we will be with, who we will be without...all important. But, the most important thought we should have is about Who's day this really is! Who's birthday we are celebrating?

^{LUKE 2
7} She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

That is why we have Christmas. The best gift you could ever receive was born that day. Could you just imagine when the angel showed up at the shepherds camp that night? I'm sure they were startled to say the least! You have to wonder...had they ever even seen an angel before? Did they know immediately it was an angel from GOD? Then, when the "one" angel was joined by...a "vast army" of angels!! WOW!!

 ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

 ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

 ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

What a sight...and sound...that must have been! If they never had seen an angel before I can imagine there would have been "no doubt" that they were angels! I can bet they left that camp in a hurry...probably forgot a few things...and almost ran all the way to Bethlehem!! Then what a sight they beheld...

¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Like I said, seeing those angels had to have been something incredible! But Ohhhh...it couldn't even have compared to seeing baby Jesus that day! The Savior of the world!!! What could a sheep herder have thought?? Would you have believed when you saw baby Jesus that He was the Messiah...the Savior...your Savior?? I have to think that yes...I would have believed! At least I pray I would have.



Most of us don't have "an army of angels from Heaven" come down and visit us. However, the Holy Spirit is here on earth with us. What is so great about that is...if you have asked Jesus to be the Savior of your life He lives inside of you. You can have Jesus with you every second of every day! He will be even closer to you than He was to the shepherds when they saw Him in Bethlehem. He may not be a babe in a manger...and we don't have to travel to a far off city to find Him...Jesus is just right where you are today...wherever that may be. He is waiting for you to celebrate His birthday with Him...right now!


Ask Jesus to come into your heart today! Celebrate His birthday with Him in the best possible way! If you do that today...not only will you someday see those "armies of angels"...you will see and be forever with the SAVIOR of the world...JESUS CHRIST, God's one and only Son!!


Have a very Merry Christmas!!

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

As a Christian, do you ever wonder why you let satan's schemes take root in your mind? It seems in my life that when ever the LORD does something really amazing for me...there he is! Poking and prodding, just trying to get that little bit of a hold in my thoughts. I have to admit that usually...even if just for a few minutes...I let him start to take over. The question I ask myself is ...Why? Am I so unprepared for an attack that the slightest little thing he whispers in my head has to sway me??!! I don't want to be like that and I don't think any other Christian wants to be either. We need to really stop and say a prayer when old thoughts, attitudes, and feelings just "happen" to pop into our minds. Today I didn't do that and I almost let satan ruin a great morning. But instead...The LORD stepped in and took control of the situation. HE sent someone my way before I could make all the wrong choices. What I learned through this was...

We still have free will. Even when HE steps in and helps, I still had to choose to let the old feelings go. Then there is the surrender part. Once you surrender to HIS will for you there is peace. The one thing I always want to do is surrender but it isn't always easy. In fact for me...it never is...but it does get easier each time. Then later I read a verse that helped me to remember what it's all about...
 

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (The Message)

^51-57But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand. We're not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it's over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we'll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

   Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
   Who got the last word, oh, Death?
   Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! 


JESUS was born...for us! JESUS died...for us! JESUS is coming back...for us!! 


It doesn't matter what you've done in the past. It doesn't matter how many times you mess up in the present...or the future. All that matters is that you ask HIM into your heart. Ask HIM to forgive you of all your sins and help you to live for HIM from this day forward. JESUS will help you when satan starts trying to get in where he doesn't belong. You just have to surrender and let HIM be LORD of your life. Listen to what HE says...even when HE says it through someone else.

Just Stuff

As in the last post...I have something to say and I just can't not say it. For me writing this blog is one of the ways I give praise to the LORD. HE has done so much for me that I can't "not" praise HIM. I believe that today HE is giving this to me...not only to share, but...for me.

 Throughout our lives we go through many different things. When I was younger I always heard it said as..."Trials and Tribulations". Now it seems to be pretty much..."Just Stuff". When going through "stuff" you have a tendency to become anxious and to worry...even though as Christians we know we are not supposed to do that. This verse tells us what we are to do instead.

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

 ^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Sometimes you can let yourself become overwhelmed by things you are facing. The LORD doesn't want us to do that. However, HE knows we are human and  many times we do that anyway. If you read further in Philippians it goes on to tell you how to not be anxious and worry. Where you should let your thoughts go instead of where you have been letting them go.

Philippians 4:8 (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.

Then...we need to praise HIM! Praise HIM and thank HIM for everything...even the "just stuff". In my opinion if you don't do that you are just letting the devil win. In my life he is the last "thing" I want to let win. In John we are told what satans purpose is in contrast to what JESUS'S purpose is.

John 10:10 (New Living Translation)

¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Recently I read in One Minute Of Praise this statement; 

Why do you think satan doesn't want you to get your praise on? Because he knows if he can get your praise, then he has control of your victory and what you focus on. 

I want my focus to always be on the LORD and what HE has for me. The more we worship and praise the LORD, the closer we draw in to HIM. When we are going through "stuff" we need to draw as close to HIM as possible. When we do HE draws close to us. 

James 4:8 (New Living Translation)

⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

That is my goal. Through all of the "stuff" to get closer to GOD so GOD will get closer to me.

A Symbol Of Faith

The heading on my blog reads,
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent...about things that matter.

I don't ever want the devil to win and keep me from saying what GOD wants me to say. Due to some eye problems I shouldn't be writing...because of HIM...I am. So, today...The LORD'S day...I just can't keep the words inside anymore. 

All week I have been listening to friends, sermons, and Christian radio, tell me what I need to have to get through the issues I am currently experiencing...and I am "so" grateful for each and everyone. Without my friends words of encouragement and prayers, and the sermons I've listened too, I'm sure I would have had many more pity parties. There has been one main pervading thought in most everything I have heard. Faith...you have got to have it! GOD moves because of your faith. You just have to believe. All of this reminds me of something...The Wizard Of OZ. I know...how could this have anything to do with GOD?!! Hopefully I can write it the way I'm thinking it...

All you need to do is believe and what ever you need you get...the tin man, a heart...the scarecrow, a brain...the lion, courage. What they didn't know was, they really didn't need the wizard because they already possessed these things. If you watch the movie the lion did act out with courage and strength, and took charge of situations when needed, even though he was fearful. The tin man had a heart or he wouldn't have wanted one nor would he have wanted to love or have felt pain. The scarecrow thought of solutions to the problems the group faced so he obviously had a brain.Yet none of the characters believed it for themselves. They had to have a "symbol" of what they wanted to fully believe...too confirm it within themselves. That's how it reminds me of GOD and faith...

When you're going through a problem sometimes it's hard to believe that everything is going to be okay. However, if you are a Christian you are supposed to have faith in GOD that it will be okay regardless of the outcome. Faith is sometimes hard to have if you are the one with the problem. The characters in OZ were all given a symbol...something tangible for them to hold...to help them believe. We have the bible to read to help us with our faith. However there may be times in your life that you can't read it. Right now that is a problem for me so GOD sent other things and people my way to tell me what it says...too build up my faith when I'm having a hard time with it. One friend gave me cd's to listen to, another called and told me a Bible story and talked and listened and prayed, and still another just calls and prays. I am thankful for every friendship and the ways they encourage me. There is one thing they all have in common, lots of faith! One thing I have learned so far through all of this is...

We all have faith inside of us. I just needed to somehow find a way to possess the same kind of faith that each one of my friends have in their lives, what I call...a deep faith. In a way, they all gave me a "symbol". Things that I could hold onto until I found the faith that GOD instills in each one of us when we accept HIM. Without faith we could never have become a Christian.

Hebrews 11:6 (New Living Translation) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.


Anytime we come to GOD with anything we have to have faith. Without it why bother to talk to HIM? We can't see HIM so we have to go on faith. One friend reminded me that all we need is the smallest amount...the size of a mustard seed.



Matthew 17:20 (New Living Translation)   “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

So...I'm thinking on all of this and talking to GOD. But...because I'm not seeing any difference in my situation I'm really not believing that HE is even listening. Then this morning happened. No...I can't see any better...but my attitude has changed. I'm watching a Gaither video and who sings but Ronnie Milsap...What A Difference You've Made In My Life. WOW...what a song!! It just hit me...actually I should say, GOD hit me!!! "HE" has made that difference in my life. Ronnie sang the next verse...What a difference you've made in my heart!! Again...WOW...GOD!!! It's true what people say. If you worship GOD when things are bad HE will respond. Your problem might not be resolved right then but GOD will be there with you and you will know it! If I have to have further surgery or my vision never gets any better than it is now...GOD has already made such a difference in me that it's okay. Because of the difference HE has made in me I had to write this.

Faith...I can't honestly say that mine is as "deep" as others, but...maybe this is what GOD is using to help get me there.

Thanksgivings Past

Thanksgiving comes but once a year

it is a time that most hold dear

Family gathers from near and far

to eat together and share their hearts

Turkey's good and potatoes too

but oh what we wouldn't do

If only we could have a bite

of Mama's pumpkin pie...delight!

Then snow starts falling on the ground

wind is blowing all around

Inside we snuggle by the fires

telling stories that once inspired

We think of all Thanksgivings past

and wonder how it went so fast

The memories we still hold dear

are really all that matters here

So...

After all the stories have been told
and new memories made for all to share...

Have some pie from Mrs Smith

cool whip topping Ohh...what bliss!

Throw the paper plates away

lay down and nap...it's been a day!

Get Your Smile Back

Proverbs 17:22 (New Living Translation)

 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
 but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

We all have days and sometimes a whole week that is just rough for us. When that happens for me I tend to get quiet and don't talk much. Sometimes, I even lose my smile. The bad part is, I don't even realize I'm not smiling or talking. Last week was one of those kinds of weeks for me. It was hectic and stressful and everyone wanted a piece of my time. On Thursday morning two people pointed out to me that they had noticed my smile was missing. That really made me stop and think...

My main goal at work is to somehow let the people I work with see GOD through me. I am nobody special and I don't always do the "right" thing. But...I do have the ONE who is special living inside of me and I need to reflect HIM to the people around me. So my first thought was...what kind of a testimony had I been being all week? When people know that you are a Christian, sometimes you have to just suck it up and keep that smile on! What we portray to those around us is important. What people see on our faces, and hear from our lips, reveals what's in our hearts. GOD doesn't expect us to be perfect. But, as soon as we know things seem to be going downhill for us we should pause and just whisper a prayer and ask the LORD to help us. I believe when we take the time to whisper a prayer GOD listens. Our main focus should always be on HIM, not on our circumstances. The LORD will give us the strength we need for any situation when we ask HIM too.

Psalm 105:4 (New Living Translation) Search for the Lord and for his strength;
continually seek him.


So...I took an early lunch and went to my car and talked to GOD. Then I read my Bible for a few minutes and went back to work. I'll be honest. I didn't immediately feel like smiling. But...when I took the first step towards a new attitude...GOD helped me. Nothing had changed except that I let GOD help me with the issues in front of me...and I "put on" a smile. Before long I didn't have to "put it on", it was just there. That was GOD!



What ever your situation is, GOD can give you your smile back too. Take the first step and ask HIM to help you. Adopt a new attitude and start smiling. You will be amazed at how things will turn around for you . Before you know it, you won't be "putting" the smile on...it will just be there. Let GOD help you be the witness you need to be so everyone in your life can see HIM.

Choose To Resist

Morning starts early for me...4:30 a.m., and I like it that way. This time of year it's usually cold outside but most of the time the sky is filled with sparkling stars. Even when the clouds are there it's good...GOD made them all beautiful! Usually I like to stop and look up into the sky and think about HIM. Thank HIM for everything HE has done for me. Sometimes I think about what it will be like when one day soon JESUS appears in the sky to take us home with HIM. It's generally all good. But...sometimes I am not so cheery. Sometimes, even that early, I'm thinking about things that aren't good. Now and again, like many of you reading this, I stop listening to the LORD and I start listening to the other voice that likes to push it's way into my thoughts. You might say that my thoughts turn a little dark. Why?...

Because everyday we walk around in a world filled with darkness. Why? Because satan is the ruler of darkness and he is roaming the earth trying  to get us to walk away from all that we as Christians know is right. And...for those in the world that aren't Christians...he is trying to keep them buried down in the muck and mire of everything he rules over. The really sad thing is...sometimes we let him into our heads and we start listening to his lies. What does that lead to? Our own private pity party! It just goes on from there! I could go on and talk about a lot of negative things but...I'm NOT going too! Why?...

Because everyday we can "choose" to walk around in the LIGHT! That's right! We can "Choose"!! We can run from everything that is evil. That's what Paul tells Timothy in...

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (New Living Translation)

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.

Whenever satan starts putting thoughts in your head that are not GODLY...Run the other way. Remember all of the good changes the LORD has brought into your life! Pursue the things of GOD and only think "Light" thoughts...not dark ones.

Philippians 4:8-9 (New Living Translation)
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. 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.

It's true what verse 9 says. When you do this...the GOD of peace will be there. As long as you entertain the thoughts that satan puts in your head...you will have a dark mind set and attitude. But, as soon as you throw the "liar" out a calmness will come over you that you won't even be able to explain.

Philippians 4:7 (New Living Translation)
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Your dark thoughts, agitation, wanting to revert back to your old ways...will just be gone! The moment you surrender yourself...your will, mind and heart...back to GOD...HE will take it and make you whole again!

Do I write from experience? Yes, I do. More experience than I even share on this blog. By my own admission, I am obviously a slow learner. The good part about all of it is...the LORD doesn't give up on me. I may give up on myself at times, but HE doesn't. HE takes us with all of our problems that we bring with us from our past and just keeps giving us more of HIS love. Isn't that amazing? Isn't GOD Awesome?!!

Maybe you have a past like mine. Maybe not as bad and maybe even worse. Then again...maybe just different. What ever it is in your past, he will try his best to get you to go back to it. As a Christian you need to stay strong. Resist satan. What you have with the LORD is so much better than anything else you used to have in your life.

Ephesians 6:10 (New Living Translation)
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

James 4:7 (New Living Translation)

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Fighting

In the middle of all darkness
surrounded by a shroud
Searching for the answer
you are one amongst the crowd

You seem to be enveloped
by thoughts that once were gone
That dread has come upon you
the pain that had moved on

You do not know how to stop
that knife that twists inside
It is headed for your heart
you want to run and hide

Your thoughts are all but broken
scattered like the leaves
You are looking for the answer
that might bring some sweet relief

You have played it all before
the scene that is in your mind
That momentary pleasure
will bring no peace you will find

You are trying hard to cope
with everything you feel
It never seems to stop
it has all become so real

You know all you can do
is try to close your mind
To what you think you need
and cry out one more time

The only one to help you
is waiting for you now
Will you call His name
or are you lost somehow

Throw It AllDown

You need to stop running
There's no where to hide
You know he can't catch you
When in God's word you abide

There lies the problem
Right in front of your eyes
If you'd pick it up and read it
You could hit him between the eyes

Oh! You say
It's not working for you
Have you really stuck to it
To His word been true

You know when you don't
Do as you should
That liar comes calling
He'll scare you but good!

He's waiting for you
To really mess up
Fall on your face
And never!! get up

I've been there too
My head such a mess
Thought I'd never get up
Out of all my distress

Well friend let me say
God's word is still true
Call on Him now
He's waiting for you

He won't ever leave you
Where ever you are
If you're fighting a battle
Or wounded and scarred

Just throw it all down
Fall at His feet
He will pick you up
You won't suffer defeat

He loves you so much
He died just for you
His love is amazing
His grace is for you!

Which Is For You

Light or Darkness
Blackness or White
Which will you choose
What is your plight

What does surround you
Where will you hide
Can Darkness come in
Where Light doth abide

Look for it now
Hold to it tight
Push away Blackness
Keep White by your side

Darkness is fighting
It's trying to find
The hold that it had
It once gripped your mind

Light is right there
Calling to you
Which will you choose
What will you do

Decisions to make
Fear of the known
Don't look back now
Darkness still roams

White is right there
Beckoning to you
Your hearts crying out
Light wants to shine thru

Where will you turn
What will you do
Snuff the Black out
The Light is for you

Reminder

Sometimes I just need a reminder. My old life is dead and my life now is new! It is with Jesus and for Jesus. When I need reminded, this is a good passage to read. There is also a video on You Tube titled..."The Inheritance for Men and Women". Watch it. It's very good!!

Colossians 3

He Is Your Life

 ^1-2 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.  ^3-4Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.
 ^5-8And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.
 ^9-11Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
 ^12-14So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
 ^15-17Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Presumptuous Sins

Today our Pastor preached a really good sermon about living a Holy life and being devoted to GOD. One of the passages he used was Titus 2:11-12...

Titus 2:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.

It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,

One of the points he brought out was about presumptuous sin. That is when you think...well I can go ahead and do this "thing" because GOD will forgive me for it when I ask HIM to later. This "thing", that is a presumptuous sin...meaning willful and deliberate, is talked about in Psalm 19:13...It is deliberate sins.

Psalm 19:13 (New Living Translation)

Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

For two weeks a lot of what I have been reading about is living a Holy life. And...all week...a lot of what has been going through my head is...doing that "presumptuous sin". Isn't that ironic!! It's like I have blogged about before. When things are going really good, and GOD is working in your life, satan is right there putting his two cents worth in. The last couple of weeks have been crazy with "good GOD things". One of the most recent is, HE gave me an opportunity to talk to a friend about HIM. Now...you would think that with all of the good stuff going on in my life, that for me to even consider doing that "thing"...that presumptuous, willful and deliberate sin...well, you would think that wouldn't even cross my mind! I consider my "thing" to be like one of the sins mentioned in Titus... a worldly (passionate) desire. For me it's a temptation that satan thinks he can lure me away with. But, there is also a verse that was mentioned in the sermon this morning...

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Some versions say; He will provide a way out. That's true, HE always does. For me, just giving the name...presumptuous sin...to my thoughts, is enough to make me not want to give in to it. As a Christian I want to live a Holy life before GOD and only do what pleases HIM. Being human, I know that  I will sin daily because I am not completely transformed yet. My life is still a work in progress, as is yours. But, I also know that when satan starts filling our minds with things from our past that we need to stop it immediately. Don't think about those things. You can read this passage...

Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. 

One presumptuous sin can lead to another. Look at David in 2 Samuel...David committed adultery, got her pregnant, and then had her husband killed. It was premeditated...another meaning for presumptuous. David deliberately and willfully sinned. Yes, God did forgive him. But if you read about his life David suffered many consequences for his sins.


So...in my way of thinking it's best to always look for that way out that GOD provides for us. Don't fall into satans trap willfully. Talk to the LORD and read HIS Word. Talking to GOD and asking HIM to keep you from deliberate sin, as David did in Psalm 19,  is a good thing to do. Whatever you ask for, and believe when you ask, HE will do.

Getting Healthy

One thing we read a lot about today is getting healthy. We need to watch what we eat and drink, exercise and get enough sleep. I agree with all of that...and I'm trying. As long as we are living we need to take care of our bodies. For some of us that means...diet, diet, diet! But...just so you know, this post is not about dieting but it is about getting healthy. With this health plan you can eat as much as you want and drink to your hearts content. Want to know what it is?....

Do you remember Spock on Star Trek? What did he always say when telling someone good bye....."Live long and prosper." Works for me. Who doesn't want to live a long life and prosper while you are doing it?  Live the dream!! Here on earth that doesn't always work out for everyone. But, I know of a place you can go and live longer than you thought possible and prosper beyond your wildest imagination. You do have to travel for a while but when you get there, there will be a huge banquet...one of your many rewards for following this health plan! Also, you will have some Coaches to help you stick with the program. That's because like anything else you can get off course at times. But don't worry if sometimes you falter and need some guidance from your Coaches, that's what they do. And, there are always lots of other people on the plan that are willing to help you stick with it when you need some encouragement. We all kind of help each other along on this journey. So, if your ready I will tell you what you need to get and stay healthy.

First you need what I will call your "Basic Instructions". You can get these in all sizes and there are even different versions...but the name is always the same. Just go to any store that carries books and look for one that the title is B.I.B.L.E. Make sure you get the Holy one. After you get it, open it and begin reading...wherever you want. The "Helper" to the Coaches will help you to understand what you are reading if you read it with a willing heart and an open mind. The trick to this health plan is...to read it as much as possible. This is the food and drink that will make you healthy and let you "Live long and prosper". No, on second thought...don't just read it, devour it. It is your own private banquet! Just a little extra perk you get with this health plan! The more you eat of this word, and drink in everything that is available, the healthier you will get. Before long you will get so healthy, you won't hardly be able to contain all of the riches your body, soul, and mind get from it. You will be feeling completely nourished. There is a little something you have to remember though. To stay nourished you have to stick to the plan. Eat and drink from it daily, many times a day if you can. Even memorize it so it will be much easier to remember. The other very important part of this plan is communication with your Coaches and their Helper. Talk to them all the time. The more you do the better off you will be. Talk with them about the others that are on the plan with you and about people you know that haven't joined this plan yet. There is always room for anyone else who wants to follow it.

I imagine you would like to know where it is you get to go after following this health plan. Where you can "Live long and prosper". It's a place called Heaven. When you get there you will get to meet the Coaches and their Helper. Did I tell you what B.I.B.L.E. stands for? That would be...Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. You see, Heaven is not here on earth. They say...It is out of this world! For myself, I can't wait to go there. I've never seen much of this earth and to see something that doesn't even compare to it...I can't wait!

Oh, I almost forgot...there is something else I should tell you. If you don't follow this diet plan, and you make up your own, you will still get a trip. But, at the end of your trip there won't be a banquet. For those who "really" just can't seem to stick with the health plan, you will get something a little different. You will be attending a "really big" Bar-B-Que! Good Luck with that. I have heard that there aren't really any amenities there but...everyone does have there own special place!

If you would like to read more about Heaven and how to get there...pick up a BIBLE and start reading. If you try this health plan you will probably find out you really like it!!

Not Always A Whiz

Do you ever wonder

where you went wrong
Your friends all have left you
and you can't find your song

Well friend let me say this
it might not be you
Maybe their having
some big problems too

You never can tell
where everyone is
Their journey in life
might not be a whiz

Whether you know it or not
we are all up and down
The road that we travel
problems sometimes abound

So what should we do
to help them along
Call on the Master
to give 'em back their song

If you will do this
He will help you too
You will get back your song
He will make you feel new

Real Heart Change

For the last couple of weeks the LORD has been speaking to me about "heart change". There has been such an urgency in me to write about it and yet, I have not been able to find the words to express what I am feeling. I think it is now time...

It's as if the LORD is telling me that it doesn't matter who you are, or what you might think is wrong in your life, if you have accepted JESUS as your SAVIOR...have a had a "real heart change"...then you are okay. HE keeps speaking this one thing to my heart over and over...Salvation is a heart thing not something you have to earn. You can't earn it or work for it, you just ask for it and accept it...it's yours. HE is not looking for perfection in us, the LORD is only asking us to live for HIM. Let HIM transform you into what HE knows you can be. All you have to do is to be willing to do what HE asks. Allow GOD to change you from the inside out...have a "true heart change". A "true heart change" is...the sign of a life being transformed by GOD Himself! GOD doesn't want, or expect, us to live by a bunch of rules. HE wants us to live according to HIS Word. Accept HIM and follow HIM the best you can. Then let HIM do the rest.

This post has been hard for me to write and now I think I know why. For a few weeks GOD has been really transforming my heart. I have felt things inside of me that I have "never" felt. Good things...NO...Great things! Things from GOD! I have got to tell you this. When you let the fear of what "might" happen go...that opens the way for the LORD to do things in your life. While writing this blog, I have had to be so transparent, that at times I can hardly click on the "Post Now" button. Letting people that I know, and people that I don't know, into my past...present...and future life, is really scary at times. But, I have found that if GOD is in what I write, it will be okay. I tell you that, to tell you this. Let GOD into your life so you are able to let people into your life. You will be truly blessed as I have been.

Proverbs 4:23 (New Living Translation)
Guard your heart above all else,
      for it determines the course of your life.

1 John 3:1 (The Message)
What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.

Romans 12
^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

To bring it all together...JESUS loves you and wants to be the LORD of your life.  If you haven't given your life to HIM yet...do it today! HE is coming back really soon...it could be today! Don't be left here! Ask HIM to forgive you and come into your heart. Tell HIM you are sorry for your sins and ask HIM to forgive you. Then let HIM transform you from the inside out. It's an experience that you can't even imagine! Call on HIM...today!

What should you do
when you can't do anymore
Give it all up
and then hit the floor

It's not all that easy
as many will tell
We'd rather go whining
sad tales to wail

You know that you've done it
like we all have
Prayer can just wait
our friends are like salve

God's word is good
there's insight to find
For all of our problems
His answers are Divine

So run to your friends
and cry if you must
But remember one thing
it's in God we should trust

The Lords Love

A little over a week ago I posted some scriptures from the Book of Psalm. They were all about how GOD is our Rock, Light, Salvation, Fortress, Savior, Shield, Strength, Refuge, Stronghold and Glory. He is even more than all of those things...Peace, Warmth, Love, Hope, Comfort...the list can probably just go on forever! WOW!!! Do you know anybody else that is, or can be, all of those things to you? There is no one on this earth that could ever come close! Today, as in many recent days, HE is just filling me with HIS amazing love! HE wants to do this for all of us everyday. If you don't feel that awesome love from the LORD talk to HIM about that. Tell HIM how you just need to feel HIS love with you all the time. HE is so amazing and just wanting to be close to you. The LORD is the only one that you can trust not to disappoint you or hurt you. Everyone else in your life will fail you at some point because, like you, they are human. Put your trust and confidence in HIM today and see what HE will do for you.

The Lords Love

The Lords love is amazing
all you will ever need
He is waiting to help you
you don't have to plead

His love He gives freely
to all who just ask
Call on Him now
then don't ever look back

Remember that day
Jesus stretched out His arms
On a cross made of wood
made only for His harm

He gave it all up
for one amazing thing
To give us salvation...with love
from our soon coming KING!

Give It Up!

Lately GOD has been touching my life so much that sometimes I almost have to pinch myself to see if it's really me! It's a great thing when we're on that mountain. But, we all know that you can't stay on the mountain top forever. This week I have let certain situations in life get me a little bit stressed. The Bible tells us not to worry. But, because of my humanness...lack of trust sometimes creeps in...then the worry and anxiety starts. As we read in the Word, GOD will take care of us! We just have to have faith and trust in GOD.

Matthew 6:25-27 (New Living Translation) “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

It's not always easy to give GOD control of the situations we face but, once you do the peace HE gives us back is amazing!!


Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

In my last post I said I was going to a concert...and so I did. GOD knows exactly what we need when things aren't what we need them to be. Being anxious makes you really tired and last night I was feeling it. But you know...we walked into that church and I could feel a difference within myself. Then while we were waiting for the concert to start one of the "performers", so to speak, started playing old hymns. Then everyone was kind of singing along and he sang too. It was an amazing thing...relaxation and only positive thoughts. As the concert went on, and each group was singing, you knew...you could feel...the LORD was there. To me it was like being immersed in the LORD. HE gives you all this joy and happiness, from the inside out, that I can't even explain...but I love it! Because of HIM I was able to make the choice that regardless of anything else I was going to give my anxiousness and stress up and let GOD be in charge of the issues. Do what Philippians 4:6-7 says. Today was a good day because of the LORD.



As my friend says...My soul is happy!!

And...I got to see Karen Peck and New River live and in person! Great night!!

Fight The Fight

Before I get into what this post is about I just want to say that sometimes...GOD allows you to do things you never thought you would get to do. For me, one of those things is seeing a group called Karen Peck and New River in concert. They are from back in Georgia and have never come out to Idaho before. But tomorrow, they will be here and the concert is free! Sometimes GOD allows you to have crazy little freebies in your life!! That said, HE has been doing bigger and better things too...

It seems that lately GOD has been doing things in my life that to me are absolutely amazing. To most people the things HE has been doing for me probably wouldn't mean much. In fact, most of the people I know wouldn't even think about them in their own lives. On the flip side of that...when ever things are going great in life, and you are succeeding in your goals to draw closer to GOD, there always seems to be some bumps in the road waiting right around the next corner. For me personally, this time I think it is satan just trying to get me off course. He will keep trying, with all different kinds of things, to get me to consider going back to the old way of dealing with those bumps. So then there comes a choice. Even when the bumps turn into what looks like a road block...are you, or am I, going to stay on course or follow the detour sign that satan throws out there? You have to do what it says in the Word...

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (Amplified Bible)
¹¹But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.
    ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.

For myself I can truthfully say...GOD is "SO" much better than anything satan has to offer!! I've been down the other road so many times in life and it only brings problems. So today satan, I can say...With GOD'S help, I win and you lose!

Who is the Rock in your life? Who should it be?

 Psalm 18:2

 ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.

Psalm 27:1

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
      so why should I be afraid?
   The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
      so why should I tremble?

Psalm 62:7

 ⁷ In God is my salvation and my glory;
         The rock of my strength,
         And my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 59:16

¹⁶ But I will sing of Your strength
    and will joyfully proclaim
    Your faithful love in the morning.
    For You have been a stronghold for me,
    a refuge in my day of trouble.

Psalm 94:22

²² But the LORD is my refuge;
    my God is the rock of my protection.

Psalm 46:7

⁷ The LORD of Hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Psalm 62:2

² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my stronghold; I will never be shaken.


   

        

Let HIM Rock You

Has GOD ever really "Rocked Your World!" If HE hasn't you need to keep talking to HIM and asking HIM to until HE does!! Because when HE "Rocks Your World", in whatever way it needs to be rocked, you won't even know what to do with it! I can say that because the last couple of weeks HE has been "Rocking" mine and it's great! We have all had our world "rocked" and at times turned upside down in bad ways. GOD doesn't do it in a bad way. If you need to change, or need help with something, you might have to step out and do something that is not what you would normally do. When you do that GOD will help you and it just might change a few things for you on the inside. The inside of us is what really needs changing. Our heart, soul and mind. Sometimes it seems like you get so far with that and then you are just stuck. As I have been saying lately...You just have to keep pushing in towards HIM. If you keep doing that GOD will help you. HE probably won't do everything you need all at once and that's a good thing. If HE changed everything about me, fixed everything that needs fixing, all at the same time...I couldn't handle it. HE knows everything we need and HE knows exactly when we need it.

Psalm 4:7-8

⁷ You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and new wine abound.

Seek HIM

Isaiah 55:6 (New Living Translation)

 ⁶ Seek the Lord while you can find him.
      Call on him now while he is near.


I read that verse today and it took me back to something I said just a few days ago. A challenge to myself to..."Go after more of GOD!" It seems that many things I read and hear are telling me that's what GOD is wanting me to do. I need to lay aside my fears of...What's going to happen if I do???...or...What will people think of me???...or...I just can't do that...and just go for it! Do the things that I know would help me to be closer to HIM.


One definition of seek is; to go to. I need to go to HIM. Run to HIM. Seek after HIM, desire HIM with everything I have. If I call out to HIM, HE will come in close to me. Whatever it is that I have to do to accomplish this, I need to do it. It's not just me that needs to do this. Every Christian should be seeking HIM out to draw closer to HIM so HE will draw closer to you. There are many benefits when you do that. As Christians we can have peace when things in our life are just...Going bad! Sometimes it seems that everything goes upside down at the same time. When that happens you want to be as close to the LORD as you can. Another passage that goes along with Isaiah 55:6 is;


Psalm 32:6-8 (New Living Translation)
 ⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
      that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
 ⁷ For you are my hiding place;
      you protect me from trouble.
      You surround me with songs of victory.
 ⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you."

I'm not real sure how to end this tonight except maybe with a short simple prayer...

FATHER GOD, help us all to seek you with our whole heart so that we might be brought in close to YOU. Help us to desire more of YOU and may YOU always be the first one we run to in times of trouble in our lives. Thank YOU for always being there and listening to us when we call on YOUR name. In JESUS name I pray, AMEN!

Conference, Part 2

Here it is...the end of a great weekend! As you read in my last post I went to a Women's Conference. Had a great time on Friday hearing the WORD of GOD and spending time with other Christians. Saturday was good too. One thing some people did was cardboard testimonies and some others did a video. It was good to see and hear what GOD has done for many of the people sitting in the same room. Then they played a clip from the movie; The Passion. It was a very moving moment. I think that Christians don't share enough of what GOD has done in their lives. We all know how GOD has changed our own lives but I find it very encouraging to hear what HE has done for others. It really was a very amazing weekend! I thank GOD that HE doesn't give up on us!!

Psalm 100

A psalm of thanksgiving.

 ¹ Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
    ² Worship the Lord with gladness.
      Come before him, singing with joy.
 ³ Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
      He made us, and we are his.
      We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
      go into his courts with praise.
      Give thanks to him and praise his name.
 ⁵ For the Lord is good.
      His unfailing love continues forever,
      and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Women's Convention

Earlier this week, Tuesday the 27th, The LORD told me that I should go to a conference at church. I know it was HIM because as I was listening to a worship CD at work HE just said to me..."If you go, it will be okay." You see, by that time I had been struggling for about 24 hours with the fact that I did not want to go! I had been asked to go and said, "No way. I don't do those things!" So I called after work and registered. I was still quite apprehensive about going and didn't tell anyone that I had agreed to go accept the person that had asked me. She tries to help keep me on the right path. LOL So on Wednesday the 28th I had written in my blog a challenge for myself. I had said my goal was to go after more of GOD and to let HIM change me. Well, if you don't mean it, don't say it! GOD will take you up on a challenge! This is a small recap of what happened the first day...

GOD is an awesome GOD!! Today was absolutely amazing! I went to the District Fall Women's Convention at church, and liked it. If you know me, then you have to know that it was a GOD thing. First, I don't go to anything like this...ever! Second...I enjoyed it. Third...I'm going back tomorrow! All of that proves that GOD definitely was there! The main speaker is good and holds my attention. In the morning the topic she had was Hope Floats. We all need "hope". The breakout session this morning was great. We watched Thelma Wells on DVD. She is a speaker for The Women Of Faith and an author. She's funny but she tells you how it is. When I went back for the night session I immediately thought I wasn't going to like it. The topic didn't seem like anything I wanted to hear about. But...I didn't tune her out. Lots of women were touched by what she had said and that was great but it didn't do anything for me personally. However, I have been told before..."It's not all about you." Of course I know that and don't expect it to be. But, I was hoping for just a small feeling so I would know I really was there for some reason. After it was pretty much over the lady that is is charge of everything said that there were people there that needed prayer and she believed there was a miracle going to happen. If you were the one that needed it come up to be prayed for. Immediately a women went up and they prayed so I just figured it was over and we would leave. NO...she kept saying, "Is there anyone else that needs to have prayer?" Of course, I kept putting it off knowing all the time I should be going up. Finally, when I knew it was now or never, I took "the walk"! A lot of women gathered around me and prayed. I can't say that I felt like I was healed but I definitely felt GOD'S presence. I absolutely love when I know that HE is there. It has got to be the best thing I have ever felt...ever!! I know what it feels like to be high on drugs but "this" is so much more!! They asked a specific woman to come up and pray for me...I don't know why. Tomorrow I am going to ask her why it had to be her that prayed for me. Anyway, after about 5 minutes she came over to where I was sitting and gave me a word from the LORD. That was amazing too. I just pray that when what she told me takes place I will know, without a doubt, that it's GOD talking to me. So...

What's next?? I am going back tomorrow because I don't want to miss anything! You can catch my update about that tomorrow night. Until then...

Ephesians 6:10-11 (The Message)

A Fight to the Finish

 ^10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Think about this....

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (The Message)

 ^51-57But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I'll probably never fully understand. We're not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it's over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we'll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

   Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
   Who got the last word, oh, Death?
   Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now?
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!
 ⁵⁸With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

What more is there to say!!

Matthew 11:28-30

Lately my life seems to be a bit stressful. So...today I only worked half a day and took the afternoon for myself. It was a last minute decision so I had nothing planned. I went to Family Christian Bookstore and looked around a little and, of course, bought a couple of books. It's generally very relaxing there. The shoppers always seem relaxed and quiet. I like quiet when I'm feeling stressed. Then I went home and called a friend and talked awhile. Talking to a friend always helps with the stress level too. Then I picked up a devotional and read this verse...

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)


 ^28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

I'm guessing that at some time we can all relate to that passage. It was as if it were written for me this week. When I read it I realized that this is just how I have been feeling and what these verses said to me.

Tired...yes I am! Worn out...That's an understatement. Burned out on religion..."religion" yes, GOD no!! Then what does JESUS say to us? Come to ME, walk with ME. "I" will help you. "I" will give you rest. "I", JESUS, can take all that heavy load off your shoulders. "I" can help you with your life. Watch ME. Do what "I" do. You don't have to bear up under all that "life" by yourself. "I" am here for you. If you stick with "ME" you can walk through anything and still have peace.

So, you ask...How can that work? Because JESUS will carry you through, whatever your circumstances, when you can't make it on your own. I often think about what it would have been like to actually walk around with HIM as the disciples did. Seeing and hearing HIM just simply speak, and the storm stopped! That is what HE still does for us today when we just can't take our "storms" anymore. JESUS just speaks when we have had enough and says..."Peace, be still." But...we have to be willing to ask HIM and turn it over to HIM. That's the hard part.

When circumstances get you down...life is just being life...read these verses. Think about them, pray and listen to what JESUS is saying to you through them. Imagine yourself there with HIM. Walking and talking with HIM or just simply sitting at HIS feet listening. Let JESUS come close to you through HIS word as you draw close to HIM.

CHALLENGE TO SELF

Zephaniah 3:17 (Amplified Bible)

¹⁷The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation)

 ¹⁷ For the Lord your God is living among you.
      He is a mighty savior.
   He will take delight in you with gladness.
      With his love, he will calm all your fears.
      He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”




While I was reading and talking to GOD tonight I asked HIM to show me what I needed to read. First thing was an incredible devotion...which I will share about in a later post. Second, HE brought to my memory a song that I haven't heard in a long time. The name may be; The LORD Thy GOD, I'm not sure. It talks about how GOD is in the midst of us and how "Mighty" HE is, how HE saves us and rejoices over us. So I started thinking that it must come from scripture. I googled it and there it was. I like the Amplified because of how it explains the meaning in each line and the New Living because of what it says about fears. The LORD will "calm" all your fears. You may key in on another aspect of the verse but that is important to me. GOD knows when we need to hear that HE is our SAVIOR! and how HE loves us in ways we can't imagine!! Then HE took me to another passage...

Psalm 51:10-12 (New Living Translation)

 ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God.
      Renew a loyal spirit within me.
 ¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence,
      and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
 ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
      and make me willing to obey you.


For me this Psalm serves as a reminder that I need to be in constant communication with HIM. Everyday...24/7...I am in need of HIS forgiveness and renewal. The LORD wants to give us a clean heart and renew us. HE wants to make us feel right on the inside. My inner being needs to feel the calmness that washes through me when I commune with HIM. When I don't, it gets increasingly harder to keep going. HE is the one that gives me that inner renewal...peace...that we all need. When I don't have that for awhile, that's when I think I have been banished from HIS presence. That is when all the fears come back. Then as soon as I turn back to HIM, HE restores my joy and lets me know HE never left me. It is amazing to me how I tend to do the same things over and over again. Thankfully, the LORD is loving and patient. HE is more than willing to restore my joy. I just have to do my part.


I don't know what you get out of these verses. For me they have been very healing and something that I needed to share. Not so you know about me, but so you can see how GOD works through HIS word if we will only ask HIM. I don't ask HIM nearly enough for these kinds of things. I ask HIM for to many things that really aren't of much importance. Earthly things that won't make a bit of difference once I leave this earth. My goal is to just go after more of GOD. Let HIM change me and give me a more GODLY character. It is said...If you really want something, you will go after it with all your might. Do you really want more of GOD? Are you willing to go after HIM with all you have? That's my challenge to myself...

Step up and just go for it! All I can get!!

THE CHALLENGE

What inspires you? I have been thinking about that lately because at times I don't feel that my life is what it should be. Yes...I am a Christian, but...am I doing what GOD has asked of me to the best of my ability? Probably not. In fact...I know I'm not. I'm not using this blog as a confession for myself. I'm using it to get me to think about my calling and also to get you to think about your own calling. What I have been called to do is not anything that I ever expected. Writing this blog and giving away Bibles and books. A different kind of calling than most people. I think it works for me because...as much as I would like to be able to get up and tell a few hundred people how GOD changed my life, HE didn't give me a new personality. I'm still working on that one! So what is it that inspires me...

Sometimes we get away from doing things that are good for us. Things happen in our lives, people happen in our lives, circumstances change...it all presents a challenge. What we have to do is overcome the challenges and do what it takes to continue in the "ministry" that GOD has given us to do. That said...I have figured out what always inspired me. Listening to good preaching and teaching, like Paula White, always would get me thinking about things. Talking to Christian friends about GOD and the Bible would get me excited about being a Christian and challenge me. Asking questions about things I didn't understand and trying to work out the answers. Reading the Bible, Christian books and devotions. And finally...just being open and listening for GOD to speak to me. GOD speaking to me is by far the best one. But, GOD uses all these other ways to speak to me also. The bottom line is this...

Sometimes we let the cares of this life get in the way of doing what we know we need to do. We get sidetracked, we lose our focus, sometimes we just step back and watch life go by for awhile. That's when we need to get ourselves up and get back in the race. Don't let satan get any type of edge on you. Jump back in with both feet and start doing the things that GOD wants you to do.

For me I know that I need to continue sharing what GOD has done and is doing in my life. I need to keep speaking out for GOD. It's for this reason that I believe GOD has given me this to write...kind of a challenge. The question now is...will I meet the challenge or will I let it defeat me? If you read this blog...you will probably find out.

Psalm 107:1-2 (New Living Translation)
¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
      His faithful love endures forever.
 ² Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
      Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

JESUS: The Only Way To Peace

What a crazy few days I have had. Nothing to big, just lots of irritations. Wednesday I got my e-mail hacked and had to spend time making sure I didn't have anything I don't want on my computer, or could give to someone else's computer. Then, I had to change all my passwords, to all my accounts, and today set up a new e-mail account. What a hassle all of that was. Then today I did something that I have never done before. I locked myself out of the house. Even my cell was in the house so I couldn't just call someone...because I don't just "know" the numbers to other people's cell phones. All I do is push a button and it dials! Technology is good and bad. So, when it first happened I just experienced disbelief. After a minute or two I got a little irritated, then decided that wouldn't help. Finally, I came up with a plan and was in the house shortly there after. I am telling you all of this just to say...in the past I wouldn't have gotten over those things so easily. I would have known some major irritation and then shortly anger. Eventually, those minor episodes would have totally ruined my day and my week. What is the difference between how I reacted this week and how I would have reacted in the past? There is one easy answer...JESUS.

I just put up a post about something I read...I trust YOU JESUS. I did have to do that. Even though these things are relatively minor they can still cause problems. So...I said a prayer, trusted HE would give me a solution, and HE did! Even though the LORD is with us, if we are Christians, we can still make bad choices to solve our problems. We can react in ways that just make us feel worse or we can stay calm and ask JESUS for help and trust that HE will do it. Sometimes, when things don't happen the way we want them too, we do things to make ourselves feel better. Then afterward wish we would have just trusted HIM to get us through or help us to feel better about our lives. After thinking about how we as Christians react, and are affected by life, I started thinking about how hard it must be for those that don't have hope with the LORD. What about you...?

Do you ever think about what people without the LORD do when things go wrong in their lives? Or maybe you can remember how it was for you before you accepted CHRIST. For me it wasn't all that long ago so I can remember easily what it was like. Now, I have family and friends that don't know HIM and they have a hard time coping with just little issues in their lives. When big things happen some of them come completely undone...they really lose it.  Some to the point of wanting to take their own lives. That's going on with some in my life right now. Only GOD can change those kinds of situations. HE can bring peace to troubled minds and turn things around for HIS glory. From my own experience, I know that JESUS can completely change your life if you allow HIM to. So as Christians, we need to pray for our family and friends and trust that they turn to HIM. We need to commit to that daily. JESUS is their only hope to salvation and peace.

Here are some verses on peace.

Psalms 29:11
The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.


John 14:27   
“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.


Romans 15:13
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.


Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.


Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

If you want the people in your life, Christians and non Christians, to know this peace...pray for them. JESUS is the only way to true peace.

TRUST JESUS

Life here on earth seems to get crazy for us at times. We all have things to deal with and sometimes they aren't very good. Many times there is sickness or family issues that we just don't have any control over. In the present day many people are having financial troubles. What ever problems you are going through remember to talk with GOD about them. We need to be thankful that we have the LORD on our side because HE can help us to deal with things with a lot less anxiety.

There is a little phrase that I used to say all the time and lately I have been reminded of it. It seems to help me when life is rough. I read it in the JESUS Calling book...I trust YOU JESUS. Just simply saying that when things are bothering me tends to make me feel better. In the business world they use catch phrases a lot so I have decided to make this my "catch phrase"...I trust YOU JESUS. You don't even have to say it aloud. Many times at work I just say it to myself and JESUS gives me peace. What I have found lately is, even when I'm having a hard time trusting HIM with the situation...when I let doubt in...if I actually say or think those words, peace arrives. Do you know why that is?

JESUS is very powerful. When you speak the name of JESUS mighty things happen. JESUS heals the sick, casts out demons, gives sight back to those that can't see. JESUS even gives "sight" to the spiritually blind...and that is the most important kind there is. There is nothing that JESUS likes more than when we come to HIM and ask HIM for help. When we trust, and don't doubt, HE will be right there to help you. That's why when I say, I trust YOU JESUS, and really mean it, HE calms me down and brings peace to my spirit. There is an old song that comes to mind...

Peace, Peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the FATHER above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

Fathomless...impossible to measure the depth of, bottomless. Another way to say it is...impossible to understand, incomprehensible. That's what peace from JESUS really is...tons and tons of love! The kind of love that I can't even imagine. HE just washes it over you...you are bathed in HIS LOVE!!

For whatever it is that you are going through right now try saying...I trust YOU JESUS. If you really mean it HE will give you the peace you need for the situation.

Isaiah 26:3 (New Living Translation)

³ You will keep in perfect peace
      all who trust in you,
      all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

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.

"Peace, be still!"

Mark 4:35-41

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Could you imagine being out on the ocean in a small fishing boat when a big storm comes up as the disciples were? It's not some place that I would want to be. However, they did have an advantage because they had JESUS in their boat. What they didn't have was the faith it took to know that, whether JESUS was sleeping or awake, HE was still going to take care of them. I can so see myself in this story. When I saw JESUS words, "Peace, be still!" I instantly thought of how those words, so much, apply to me...

When I let fear and doubt take over in my life I'm lacking the same thing the disciples did...faith.We may not have JESUS "physically" riding in  our car, or sleeping at our house but...HE is still with us everywhere we go. I can just imagine that JESUS is saying the same things to me that HE said to HIS disciples that night. "Why are you so fearful? Where is your faith?" I always think that HE probably gets so frustrated and tired of me lacking in those areas that this could be the time HE will just leave me hanging out there alone. But...that's just not how HE is. Just like with HIS disciples, when I finally get it together and ask for HIS help HE calms my storm just like HE did theirs. HE calms...and then HE gives me peace!

When storms start beating me around and filling my life with fear and doubt I need to remember to ask JESUS to speak to it. When I do I know just what HE will say, "Peace, be still!"

Are you letting HIM speak to the storms in your life? I have tried it both ways so I can tell you, life is a lot better when you do.

The Day the Grid Stands Still ~ Bible Prophecy Today

I found this to be quite interesting. I believe the LORD is coming back soon and it seems to me that all evidence is pointing that way. Are you ready? Don't be left here!

Click on this link.

The Day the Grid Stands Still ~ Bible Prophecy Today

HE HEARD ME

Psalm 18:1-6 (New Living Translation)

 ¹ I love you, Lord;
      you are my strength.
 ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
   He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.
 ³ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
      and he saved me from my enemies.  ⁴ The ropes of death entangled me;
      floods of destruction swept over me.
 ⁵ The grave wrapped its ropes around me;
      death laid a trap in my path.
 ⁶ But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
      yes, I prayed to my God for help.
   He heard me from his sanctuary;
      my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 18 is one of my favorite Psalms. When you are going through tough times in your life the Psalms can give you insight as to how GOD will help you if you let HIM. HE will come to your rescue and save you and protect you from the enemy of your soul. Again...HE has done that for me!

When we are caught in the middle of that war zone, with the devil and his agents, we need to remember who our "Rock" is...I need to remember! Most importantly to me...HE is my SAVIOR!! Three years ago HE saved me from a life that I wanted out of. HE protected me from the devil and the plans that he had for me. Why? Because GOD has HIS own plans for my life. Jeremiah 29:11 says...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I need to hold onto that verse and repeat it to myself daily. Let GOD make it real to me. Any of you reading this that find yourself feeling hopeless at times also need to quote this verse to yourself...frequently. The LORD will protect us from our worst enemy...satan! He is the one that entangles us with death ropes and tries to destroy us. I like the way The Message says it...

^4-5 The hangman's noose was tight at my throat;
      devil waters rushed over me.
   Hell's ropes cinched me tight;
      death traps barred every exit.

Have you ever felt like that? I can tell you that without a doubt I know that feeling! For a few weeks now it was as if something was trying to squeeze the life out of me. I was full of fear and was pretty sure that if JESUS were to come back I wouldn't be going. I was at the point where all I could say to GOD the last few days was...GOD, Please!! help me!! Don't come back and leave me here!  I would repeat...GOD, Please!!  help me! over and over. Why was I so fearful? Because I let the devil get into my head. It doesn't matter why or what happened, the point is...I did. But now...

PRAISE GOD!!!  Just like verse six says...I cried out to GOD and HE heard me, My cry reached HIS ears and HE gave me an escape route out of the dark place I was allowing myself to go. Further on in verses 16-19 it says...

 ¹⁶ He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
      he drew me out of deep waters.
 ¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
      from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
 ¹⁸ They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,
      but the Lord supported me.
 ¹⁹ He led me to a place of safety;
      he rescued me because he delights in me.

I am so grateful to The LORD for reaching down and rescuing me once again! HE has done that for me so many times. If you need HIM to do that for you just ask HIM. That is what HE wants us to do...talk to HIM! If you have read much of this blog you know that at times I lose my way. Somehow though GOD always finds a way to get through to me. Sometimes it's just by talking to HIM and reading HIS WORD. Sometimes it's through something I read in a book or hear from someone else. Sometimes it's through me having to talk it out with a Christian friend. The point of all this is...whatever it is that you need to do to get back in touch with GOD...do it. FIND your way back. Or, find GOD for the first time. Which ever it might be...GOD is waiting to hear from you!!!