1 KINGS 19:11-12

1 Kings 19:11-12 (The Message)

 ^11-12 Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."
    A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

Elijah was on top of Mt. Horeb when GOD visited him. HE went there to encourage Elijah. When HE did,  HE took all of these storms with HIM. The point was that GOD wasn't in any of these things. HE used another way to speak to Elijah...a gentle whisper. GOD wanted to show Elijah that HE doesn't always use big powerful and miraculous ways to speak to us. Sometimes HE just whispers to us in HIS still small voice. We need to continually listen for HIM to speak to us. Sometimes you just need to be still and listen for that whisper. When you quietly sit and meditate on HIS word HE will show up. HE wants to lead and guide you but it could be that you are always in such a hurry that you just can't hear HIM. If you humble yourself, GOD will show up.

You have to remember that GOD doesn't do things in our time, HE does things in HIS. Really, when it comes right down to it, I wouldn't want GOD to do things in my way or in my time. HE knows whats good for me and even though I think I do, my life has proven that most of the time I have made the wrong choices. I want to hear that gentle, quiet whisper of GOD. I want HIM to be the LORD of my life. On my own, I can't do it. It's only through HIM that I can live. Sit quietly and listen for GOD. HE will guide you through life if you let HIM. There is no one else you can really trust with your life...only GOD!!

WAITING FOR YOU

Don't turn back now you need Him
fall on your knees and pray
Ask the Lord to help you
to give you strength each day

He's always there just waiting
waiting for your call
Find the path to Heaven
let Him help you when you fall

His love is everlasting
all you'll ever need to live
A life that's full of joy and peace
and it's only His to give

Don't fight it any longer
go to Him now and bow
He's waiting there to help you
where His grace abounds just now

ROMANS 5:12-21

Romans 5:12-21 (New Living Translation)

  ¹² When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. ¹³ Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. ¹⁴ Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. ¹⁵ But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁶ And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. ¹⁷ For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. ¹⁹ Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
 ²⁰ God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. ²¹ So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Man's sin...guilt. GOD's gift...grace.

So, it seems we have a choice to make. We can run from GOD, hide in our shame and guilt,or...we can turn to GOD and receive HIS wonderful grace. It's a free gift that some people choose not to except. If that is your choice then death will be your end. Not only death in this lifetime but you will be separated from GOD for all eternity. To me it seems the obvious choice to make would be grace...life.

Like many others out there that was not always my choice. For years I choose guilt. Sometimes because of our bad choices we are filled with guilt and shame. Only GOD can help us to get rid of those feelings about ourselves. Once we let GOD cover our guilt with HIS grace we have to let those feelings go. Then we need to move on and make grace our choice from then on. Admit to HIM when you sin and ask for HIS forgiveness. HE will give you HIS grace and you have to receive it through faith. As long as you have the grace of GOD that will be all you need.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New Living Translation)
⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  

 

Ephesians 2:8 (New Living Translation)
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

To me it all ties back into our relationship with GOD. The more we build our relationship with GOD the more faith and trust we have in HIM. Then we aren't afraid to go to HIM and ask for HIS grace when we have done something we should not have done. Don't fall back into your old habits of denial and rebellion. Receive HIS forgiveness and forget the guilt. Go on living the life you were born to live!

ROMANS 5:1-11

Romans 5:1-11

  ^1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.  ^3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
 ^6-8Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.
 ^9-11Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!

Once we, through faith, receive the free gift of GOD...which is salvation...we can then know "peace with GOD". We can know that GOD has forgiven our past and HE no longer will hold it against us. That's a good feeling!  But not only that. You have to understand that from here on out...life as you once knew it is gone. A thing of the past! It's a whole "new ballgame" so to speak. Instead of being scared that you will go to hell you can know for sure that you will be going to Heaven. You will spend eternity with GOD!! Before becoming a Christian I always hoped that I would somehow be able to find GOD and reach heaven. Now, that is a reality. Because of the grace of GOD we have been set free! That is something to praise and thank GOD for daily. 

Before we get there we have to realize that "life" still happens for us here on earth. Within that life there can sometimes be a lot of trials for us...Life problems. But that's okay now. We have help to get through them. GOD is there with us through all of them. In fact, in the midst of our problems we "expectantly" wait to see just exactly what HE will do! HE gives us strength to go through life, good or bad. The stuff we go through helps us to build a GODLY character. GOD pours HIS love in to us, and helps us, through HIS HOLY SPIRIT. We learn to rely more on HIM and less on us.

We need to remember that before we ever knew HIM, CHRIST died for us. HE didn't wait for us to realize our need for HIM. HE knew that we were going to need GOD's grace and mercy. We are helpless to help ourselves.

Now that we have been redeemed, and made righteous, we have an exciting new life. We are friends with GOD!! We can live with joyful confidence that one day soon the LORD is going to come back and make everything right. GOOD is going to triumph over evil!!

PSALM 22:3

Psalm 22:3

 ³But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

This scripture tells us something very important. When you praise GOD, it takes you into the presence of GOD. GOD dwells where there is praise. HE wants our praise and worship. If we do this we draw close to HIM.
When we worship and praise HIM, GOD responds by coming to us. HE dwells in the praises of HIS people...HIS kids...you and I. HE longs for your praise as much as you long for HIM. If you don't feel close to HIM...start praising HIM.

We need to incorporate praise into our daily lives. Don't just save it for church on Sunday. Use your time driving to and from work to thank and praise HIM. Get up a little early and spend time with GOD before work. I know I have to work on that. At night before you go to sleep put on some praise music and worship GOD for a while. You might sleep better...even if you don't you might feel more rested in the morning just because you spent time in HIS presence.

Find a time and a place that works best for you and make praise and worship to GOD part of your daily life.

PSALM 134:2

Psalm 134:2

  Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
       and praise the LORD.

 

Tonight I just want to praise and thank God for this beautiful day. The weather was great and sunshiny outside today. As I was going to bed I was reflecting on the day and I realized something. Not only did GOD give us a great day outside, HE also gave us one inside where I was at this morning. I'm talking about our church service. For others it may have just been a normal service...but for me it was great!! When I arrived there today I really wasn't expecting great things. GOD had different plans. The worship was wonderful. So good in fact that on the last song I really just wanted to shout! Now for those of you who know me I'm sure you can't even imagine that would be a consideration of mine! For myself, I can't imagine it crossed my mind for a second...but it did. As I sit here thinking about this I know that it was GOD touching me! GOD has been working for a long time on the feeling and emotional side of me. Let me just say...I am not an easy project when it comes to this. However, I believe that GOD is showing me one small step at a time that it's okay. These are good things. HE uses church services, and HE uses other Christians, to show me that it's okay.

There is a song called Amazed that Phillips Craig and Dean sing that really says what I feel better than I ever could.

You dance over me,
While I am unaware.
You sing all around,
But I never hear the sound.
Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed by you
Lord, I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
You paint the morning sky
With miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For you hold me in your hand
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
How wide, how deep, how great, is your love for me.
How wide, how deep, how great, is your love for me.
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
Lord I'm amazed by you
How you love me.
Lord you love me.

RELATIONSHIP

Have you ever watched Survivor? It is one of my favorite shows. What you are supposed to do is to outwit...outplay...outlast...everyone else. If you do, you will win a million dollars at the end. Sounds kind of easy if you have a bit of a deceptive personality, are good at lying, and can find two or three people you can build some sort of a trusting relationship with. The thing is, even if you think you can trust someone, you never know for sure and paranoia will eventually set in. It's a fun way to play a game. Life however is more than a reality game show. Life is real reality. It matters how you play.

 

Before I became a Christian I wasn't as bad as the players on Survivor but I did know how to play the game. I had one close relationship and the rest were just very casual. I wasn't good at making friends and when I did a lot of them weren't the kind I should have. Since becoming a Christian I have discovered that life really is all about relationships. The main relationship we need to have first is our relationship with GOD/JESUS. Without that all of our other relationships are never what they could be. Whether your talking about GOD/JESUS or family and friends, it requires intimacy and trust to build a relationship.

How do you build a relationship with GOD? Well, you can look at the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis. GOD told Abram he was going to have many descendents. The funny thing is, his wife Sarai couldn't have any kids! Because GOD was slow in giving them children they decided to take things into their own hands. But, that wasn't how it was to be. Even though Abram had a child, there was more to come. The thing is, they had to wait for GOD to decide when. GOD seemed to have wanted something from Abram. He wanted him to walk with HIM, communicate with HIM, have faith in and trust HIM. GOD wanted to have a "relationship" with Abram. Abram and his wife Sarai went through many things but all the while GOD was with them. It took many years before they saw GODS promise of a child of their own come to pass. But, it did. GOD fulfilled what HE said HE would do. In all this time it took, the important thing happened...relationship was built between GOD and Abram. Abram learned to trust, believe and have great faith in GOD. In return GOD did great things for Abram and his descendents. By the way...their names were changed to Abraham and Sarah. Go to Genesis and read the story.

Sometimes it takes a while to build the relationship you need to have with GOD. It depends a lot on you. The way you do it is to...talk to GOD about everything...read and meditate on HIS word...WALK with HIM daily. It's not always an easy thing to do. Things happen. You get discouraged...even want to quit. Hang in there because it will get better. Keep on walking, communicating, having faith in and trusting HIM. That's all HE really wants from you.

Hebrews 11:1 (The Message)

Faith in What We Don't See

 ^1-2The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.

HEBREWS 13:14-15

Hebrews 13:14-15 (New Living Translation)

¹⁴ For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
 ¹⁵ Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.

One thing we as Christians are to always do is give thanks and praise to GOD. Because of different things going on in our lives we don't always feel like it. That doesn't matter. Do it anyway. Do you think JESUS felt like going to the cross? No, HE didn't. HE prayed to HIS FATHER and asked if there be any other way to take this cup from HIM. HE knew what He was going to have to endure and HE didn't want to do it. But...HE did. For us...you and me. If HE could do that...we surely can give a continual sacrifice of praise. Our sacrifice is nothing compared to HIS. Live your life in complete loyalty to GOD. Praise HIS name with every breath you have!! Thank and Praise HIM for everything HE has done for you and everything HE has given you.