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.