I'm not gonna lie.....I do enjoy watching me some HGTV! I love the multiple shows of Flip or Flop. Seeing how they make a run down house a beautiful masterpiece is awesome! I also enjoy the summertime foot attire of a flip flop! I love to go get a pedicure and wear matching flip flops to go with what I have on. But then, I got to thinking about just those words....flip and flop. I began looking out our church age, and those two words, sadly, seem to fit perfectly.
We aren't strong mature Christians anymore. Many have never come off of the milk. People aren't grounded in the Word and don't even seem to know what the Bible says about right and wrong, for that matter, don't even seem to know what IS right and wrong anymore. Satan and his imps have increased in power....by us allowing them to....and are dead set against the total destruction of the Church. So, people are either trying to 'flip' the church into whatever the fad at the time is, or allowing the church just to 'flop'. We don't want the convicting Word of God preached anymore...we want to be made to feel good and be told that everything is alright, you can do, and live however you want, and everyone goes to Heaven.
We have made Church a production, a business. We seem to tell God how we are going to 'do church' and if He can squeeze in somewhere, than okay. We have these 'fad' churches...oh we must have a praise rock band, and all these youth buildings with catchy names and programs. We have to have the coolest pastor that can put on the best 'show' so the public won't get bored. And of course, we have to have different church times and styles to fit everyone's needs. Johnny has to be on the ball field and so does Susie....you know they both are going 'pro' one day.....and we can fish, or get our shopping done if we go to the early service. And whew, life is so busy and we are just so tired, that we cannot have an evening service any longer! And let's not do a Wednesday night church service any longer either. Let's just do a 'small group' and go to friends houses. You can walk in churches now days and it looks just like a club or a bar! You cannot tell Christians apart from the world any longer! Christians look the same, dress the same, talk the same, drink the same as sinners!! 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18 still says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.'
Now don't start with the hating.....I know that some of the things I have called out aren't necessarily wrong, and can be helpful. However, we need to stop and see where we are. If we can see a time when we lived closer, when we WERE closer to God than we are now....then we need to take a hard look at ourselves and see if we are really, genuinely, doing God's will, or are we just pacifying our flesh. I am so worried that our 'fads', our 'Flip or Flop' churches have given so many a false security that they are going to Heaven. Matthew 7:13-16 tells us, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits."
I'm telling you, it's time to stop listening to this 'snowflake' mentality, where everything offends and everything has to be politically correct! It's time to stand for what is right! It's time to grow and mature in God's Word and do what He wants us to do! It's time for us to stop trying to go the popular route, and get back to the old paths that our forefathers trod. It's time to have real church, not just what the world wants so they can have a 'feel good' feeling about themselves! It's time to tell the lost that they are just that....LOST! It's time to tell them that Heaven is real and Hell is hot and but for the blood of Jesus we would all split Hell wide open one day! It's time to grow up and get on the meat and become ADULT Christians! We don't have long, He's coming back very soon!!
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Reading the Word
2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 3:15-17: "And that from a child thu hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Psalms 119:15,16: "I will meditate in thy precpets, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word." Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged swoard, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Ephesians 4:17: " And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" 1 John4:1: " Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Ezra 4:10:' For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
I know that is a lot of scripture. But read it, then reread it, then meditate and study it. We are to daily be in His Word. It is a 'lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.' How often do we grab up our Bible, read a few lines, close it, and go about our day. Now granted, that is better than not opening it up at all.....but I ask you.....are you Reading the Word, or are you reading the words? If you are doing the second part, and thinking you are doing your part....well, you are going to spiritually starve. What if we went by the dinner table and grab a quick sample of what was on the table? That bite tastes good, and may stop the hunger pangs for a moment....but eventually we are going to get hungry...maybe even 'hangry'. Our health will fail, we will become malnourished, and eventually die.
God help us to be approved by God as a good soldier that He is not ashamed of. Take a moment, at some part of the day and truly READ the Word.....and not just read some words. Grow in knowledge and grace and just watch what God will do!!
I know that is a lot of scripture. But read it, then reread it, then meditate and study it. We are to daily be in His Word. It is a 'lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.' How often do we grab up our Bible, read a few lines, close it, and go about our day. Now granted, that is better than not opening it up at all.....but I ask you.....are you Reading the Word, or are you reading the words? If you are doing the second part, and thinking you are doing your part....well, you are going to spiritually starve. What if we went by the dinner table and grab a quick sample of what was on the table? That bite tastes good, and may stop the hunger pangs for a moment....but eventually we are going to get hungry...maybe even 'hangry'. Our health will fail, we will become malnourished, and eventually die.
God help us to be approved by God as a good soldier that He is not ashamed of. Take a moment, at some part of the day and truly READ the Word.....and not just read some words. Grow in knowledge and grace and just watch what God will do!!
Friday, October 13, 2017
Vessel versus Tool
As I continue to watch the world, this country, tear itself and each other apart, from the inside out, I began to look to God's Word. I know Revelations teach us that all these things shall come to pass in the last days. Surely, surely, we are in the last days!! Earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, so many natural disasters.....men fighting with each other, rumors of wars, no morals, babies being murdered, both in the womb and out of the womb! Hatred being spewed from every venue: television, personally, social media, radio.............it's crazy, it's scary but more than that....it is heart breaking! The Bible teaches us that when we see all these things happening, to look up for our redemption draweth nigh! I am looking up, and I say, even so, Lord please come quickly!!
Being involved in social media, I am disheartened by people giving such ugly and judgmental opinions so easily.....without a thought as to how it would affect the other person. People become so much more brave hiding behind a screen and typing words. It seems that everyone wants to disagree with you, and to tear you down every chance they get. Kick you when you are down, so to speak. No one cares about what is going on in anyone else's life.....I am right, and I am going to let you know I am right....no matter the cost!!
Wow!!! Satan is truly enjoying himself, he is orchestrating a world of hatred.....and it is working! We have turned from God. We haven't raised our children with any morals, beliefs, Godly standards, and now they are literally killing this world with evil. I am not a gloom and doom speaker, don't get me wrong here....but I am trying to paint a picture of reality here. Society today is full of 'snowflakes'....a people that take no responsibility for their actions; blame everything and everyone for every thing;, expect, and often demand something for nothing; never accept any wrong doing of their own hand, always play the victim; always want to argue, and never want to listen; have no respect for others; always feel that they are in the right; no moral or religious compass.
While all these things were in my thoughts, two words kept popping up in my head: vessels and tools. Bear with me, while I try to explain myself. The dictionary tells me that a vessel is a hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid. A tool is a device--especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. I know that we can use words and twist them to make any argument we want to make.....but, hold on....let me tell you how God has used these words and their definition to speak to me.
Are you a vessel for the Lord?.....Or, are you a tool for the devil? Hey now, before you think I am being self righteous, and preaching to you.....I am pointing all my fingers at myself! I have been both. I have not attained. My heart's desire is to be a vessel every day.....but, I still live in this house of flesh....and sad to say I have allowed myself to be a tool for the enemy.
A vessel is a hollow container, especially used for liquid. My spiritual mind is turning here.....our choir sings a song about the Blood, there is a statement in the verse that says to 'let His liquid glory flow'....I've always loved that visual of Jesus' blood. I love it even more, thinking of this thought on vessels. If we are a vessel....we are sitting there, empty of ourselves......if we allow His 'liquid glory' to fill us, then we are full of Him and void of self!!
However, if we are satan's tool...then we are a device, that can be held in satan's hand to carry out a particular function. Think about that for a minute! Tools are a needed part of society....but in the wrong hands, it can be detrimental! I think back to something a few month's ago. My husband has been busy restoring an old truck. He has many tools in the barn that he has used to restore this truck and it is looking good! Well....one day, our 4 year old granddaughter came in, and wanted to help her Pawpaw. She had watched her Pawpaw and seen him use tools to work on the truck. So....she picked up a screwdriver and proceeded to 'help' him fix the brand new radiator that he had assembled!! While this is a cute story.....the moral is.....tools are needed and useful....but in the wrong hands...it will have a bad result!
While we are still in this flesh, let's work diligently to remain a vessel for God to fill with His glory....and work hard NOT to be a tool used for the enemy's desires! We have enough evil forces working against us without God's people taking each other out....or much worse, preventing lost souls from finding salvation!! 2 Timothy 2:21 says,'If a man therefore purge (cleanse)himself from these (dishonor, etc.), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and meet (useful) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.'
Being involved in social media, I am disheartened by people giving such ugly and judgmental opinions so easily.....without a thought as to how it would affect the other person. People become so much more brave hiding behind a screen and typing words. It seems that everyone wants to disagree with you, and to tear you down every chance they get. Kick you when you are down, so to speak. No one cares about what is going on in anyone else's life.....I am right, and I am going to let you know I am right....no matter the cost!!
Wow!!! Satan is truly enjoying himself, he is orchestrating a world of hatred.....and it is working! We have turned from God. We haven't raised our children with any morals, beliefs, Godly standards, and now they are literally killing this world with evil. I am not a gloom and doom speaker, don't get me wrong here....but I am trying to paint a picture of reality here. Society today is full of 'snowflakes'....a people that take no responsibility for their actions; blame everything and everyone for every thing;, expect, and often demand something for nothing; never accept any wrong doing of their own hand, always play the victim; always want to argue, and never want to listen; have no respect for others; always feel that they are in the right; no moral or religious compass.
While all these things were in my thoughts, two words kept popping up in my head: vessels and tools. Bear with me, while I try to explain myself. The dictionary tells me that a vessel is a hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid. A tool is a device--especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function. I know that we can use words and twist them to make any argument we want to make.....but, hold on....let me tell you how God has used these words and their definition to speak to me.
Are you a vessel for the Lord?.....Or, are you a tool for the devil? Hey now, before you think I am being self righteous, and preaching to you.....I am pointing all my fingers at myself! I have been both. I have not attained. My heart's desire is to be a vessel every day.....but, I still live in this house of flesh....and sad to say I have allowed myself to be a tool for the enemy.
A vessel is a hollow container, especially used for liquid. My spiritual mind is turning here.....our choir sings a song about the Blood, there is a statement in the verse that says to 'let His liquid glory flow'....I've always loved that visual of Jesus' blood. I love it even more, thinking of this thought on vessels. If we are a vessel....we are sitting there, empty of ourselves......if we allow His 'liquid glory' to fill us, then we are full of Him and void of self!!
However, if we are satan's tool...then we are a device, that can be held in satan's hand to carry out a particular function. Think about that for a minute! Tools are a needed part of society....but in the wrong hands, it can be detrimental! I think back to something a few month's ago. My husband has been busy restoring an old truck. He has many tools in the barn that he has used to restore this truck and it is looking good! Well....one day, our 4 year old granddaughter came in, and wanted to help her Pawpaw. She had watched her Pawpaw and seen him use tools to work on the truck. So....she picked up a screwdriver and proceeded to 'help' him fix the brand new radiator that he had assembled!! While this is a cute story.....the moral is.....tools are needed and useful....but in the wrong hands...it will have a bad result!
While we are still in this flesh, let's work diligently to remain a vessel for God to fill with His glory....and work hard NOT to be a tool used for the enemy's desires! We have enough evil forces working against us without God's people taking each other out....or much worse, preventing lost souls from finding salvation!! 2 Timothy 2:21 says,'If a man therefore purge (cleanse)himself from these (dishonor, etc.), he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified (set apart), and meet (useful) for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.'
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Some Nuggets for a Nutritious Spiritual Walk
F- Fixate (direct one's eyes toward) on Spiritual things
O- Obey God's will
C- Care for others
U- Unite with fellow Christians
S - Stop and think, 'what would Jesus do?'
When you FOCUS on the cross, these are the characteristics that should be seen by doing so!
We often hurt each other by our words, some are intentional, some are not. Before you throw that 'DIG' someone's way....think on this:
D- Desperate
I - Innuendos (a suggestive or disparaging allusive remark)
G - Gaining nothing
S- Speaking hurt
Words are like waters. They are good, needful and helpful...but when they get out of the banks, they become harmful!!
Before you speak, before you Facebook, Instagram, tweet, Snapchat, etc.....
O- Obey God's will
C- Care for others
U- Unite with fellow Christians
S - Stop and think, 'what would Jesus do?'
When you FOCUS on the cross, these are the characteristics that should be seen by doing so!
We often hurt each other by our words, some are intentional, some are not. Before you throw that 'DIG' someone's way....think on this:
D- Desperate
I - Innuendos (a suggestive or disparaging allusive remark)
G - Gaining nothing
S- Speaking hurt
Words are like waters. They are good, needful and helpful...but when they get out of the banks, they become harmful!!
Before you speak, before you Facebook, Instagram, tweet, Snapchat, etc.....
THINK!
T- Is it TRUE?
H - Is it HELPFUL?
I - Is it INSPIRING?
N - Is it NECESSARY?
K - Is it KIND?
We all have a testimony, whether it is a good one or a bad one. If we are a Christian, we WILL go through tests. But you will NEVER have a testimony until you complete the TEST!! If you give up or give in during the test...all you are left with is a -mony state of mind! You will whine and groan and moan! Finish your test and you won't be 'mony'!! You will gain your TESTIMONY!!!
Sunflower Fields
This summer there was much ado about a huge sunflower field near me. My heart began to have a desire to go. I kind of dismissed it, but it wouldn't go away. So, one morning, my granddaughter and I loaded up and took off up there. Oh my goodness!! What a majestic beautiful sight to behold! God's handiwork is so amazing! All of these beautiful flowers so tall and straight, so picturesque. The place was buzzing with people, along with bees as well, lol. People were dressed up, with portraits being taken, some with professional photographers, some, like me, just being mommy or grandma with their smart phones snapping pictures....and some with their buckets, cutting flowers to take home. A woman said something to me as I was taking pictures. She said, 'It's kind of hard to take a picture with the sun so bright, and all the flowers facing the sun, isn't it?' All of a sudden, thoughts began to swirl in my head and heart. I then realized why I had such a yearning to go to the sunflower fields! God was about to blow my feeble mind!!
As I looked over the fields, I could see that the woman was exactly right! All of those thousands of sunflowers were standing tall, and every single one of them were facing the sun. Their heads up as if to soak up every single ray of sunshine! So I began to study the sunflower. The sunflower is vibrant and strong, and is known worldwide for its beauty, and it's an important source of food. It's oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack as well as a nutritious ingredient to many foods. It is also an important agricultural crop of choice for US producers. So they are not only beautiful, but they also have a food purpose as well.
When the sunflower plant is in the bud stage, it tends to track the movement of the sun across the horizon. Once the flowers open into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east. No one knows why. However, it is likely a defensive response. Facing south or west could result in sun-scalding of seeds during very hot days.
Okay, are you seeing it yet?? Maybe it's just my simple mind at work, but I sure did get a wonderful spiritual picture. Let me explain it. Looking at thousands and thousands of those majestic plants, all standing tall, not wavering, facing the sun.... I began to see how we as sisters in Christ must stand tall and face the Son....S-O-N!! That is where we gain our strength, our knowledge and wisdom, our everything! Those sunflowers are a hardy plant, and can live in most any condition. They can weather droughts and most any type of soil conditions. If you have your face on Christ, you too can handle most conditions that this old world can and will throw at you!
As the plant in its bud stage tracks the movement of the sun, so should we as young Christians, thirsty for the Word, hungry for the growth in the Lord. Only facing the Lord can we grow strong and stand strong. They were not facing each other, or looking this way and that way...they were united...together...working together....with one goal in mind....to face the sun! There were a few that may have been a little shorter, may have looked a little different, they had their own uniqueness, but still were all the same. Don't you know that God the Father looks down on His children and sees us as those sunflower fields? We have our uniquenesses, but we are covered by His very own Son's blood, so all He sees is our uniform beauty!
Another sunflower fact that jumped out at me was the fact that as they mature, they begin to face east! Bear with me now, do you see it?? THEY FACE EAST!! Matthew 24:27 says, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Hold up, 'bout to get a happy bubble here....let's look at this through our spiritual eyes! As we grow in Christ, get off the milk and onto the meat of his Word, we began to mature in Him. As a mature Christian, we will began to watch the Eastern Sky for his soon second coming!! Whoop Glory!!! He's soon coming back and he's gonna split that eastern sky!! As we mature in Christ, we learn how to protect what is really important so Satan won't rob us of our joy, or 'scald our seeds.' We can now face very hot days on our Christina walk because we have grown in Christ!
I hold a new love for sunflowers now. I see them and start soaking up the spiritual application from them! What I want you to take from this is....be a Sunflower Sister!! We are all in the 'field' together! We are special...God made us female. Females are nurturers, full of love, spirit, and emotions. Often times, the enemy wants to stir our God given.....GOD GIVEN...feelings, and have us use them as weapons on each other. We need to begin our day in God in order to stop the enemy in his tracks. Grab your 5 minutes and do your devotional before you start your day. Get your beautiful face pointing to the SON first thing every day. This will help you grow and mature in Christ. Growing and maturing in Christ will help you use your God given female attributes for His good. By the sunflower tracking the sun as it matures, it then has allowed the seeds to grow and be used for food. As Christians, we are to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom! When we focus on God, We get our eyes off of others ad can be what we were made to be for Him.
As I stood there looking at all those flowers, so beautiful...not one was fighting the other for the sun! Their beautiful large leaves weren't smacking each other or pushing each other! They all have room to grow! WE ALL HAVE ROOM TO GROW!! We don't have to fight each other, nor race each other in order to grow in Christ! There is enough God for all of us! Then as we mature in Christ, we should have our heads up looking toward the eastern sky, waiting for the Lord to call us home! Where there will never be another bee, nor weed to bother us!! We can be like Him! Praise the Lord!!
Let's make it our daily goal, to not let Satan use us as a tool for him! The world often wants to knock us down because we are women. Often times, I think we get that stuck in our heads, unintentionally, and we begin to fight with other women. We have something to prove and no other woman is gonna out do me. We may not say that...but the devil will use our beautiful gifts that God has given us to stir that pot...and before you know it, we have our eyes off Christ and on each other. We let jealousy, pride, stubbornness, insecurities overshadow us.. Oh how heart breaking it would be to look across that sunflower field and see flowers laying down, twisted around each other, drooping and broken. Don't you know God is heart broken when He looks down on His sunflower fields and sees us all feuding and fighting, testy and ugly, backbiting, and ignoring each other?
The sunflower plant has dentated, toothlike or serrated edged upper leaves and are often sticky, while its lower leaves are ovate, not serrated but often heart shaped. Bear with me here, but I also spy with my spiritual eye...something here, too. We have the capability to bring out our 'mama claws' when needed. And we should, God gave us the desire to take care of our own. Those upper, jagged, sticky leaves are toward the face of the plant to help with protection. But, then those lower leaves are soft and heart shaped. They are inviting and caring. Often times we get hurt, and we want to roll our soft heart shaped leaves up and only have our sticky toothlike leaves out....not very inviting. Meanwhile, the devil is laughing at us because he has us right where he wants us.
Ladies, let's grow in Christ!! Let's keep our faces pointed toward Christ! Maturing in Him so that we focus on the eastern sky for His soon reappearing! Like the sunflowers can be hardy and grow in rough soil, so shall we, by pointing toward Christ, keeping our soft heart shaped leaves out to help each other a long! Bloom where you are planted and blossom for Him! Looking over those fields, I cannot tell you that there was a flower prettier or better than the other...they all shine in golden majesty!! They all stood together in one accord, shining and glorifying their Creator! Stop letting the devil see you a load of junk....shin in your own personal golden majesty!!!! When the world looks upon us, they won't see any individuals....but only the golden glow that we are producing for the SONlight of our Heavenly Father!!
As I looked over the fields, I could see that the woman was exactly right! All of those thousands of sunflowers were standing tall, and every single one of them were facing the sun. Their heads up as if to soak up every single ray of sunshine! So I began to study the sunflower. The sunflower is vibrant and strong, and is known worldwide for its beauty, and it's an important source of food. It's oil and sunflower seeds are enjoyed as a healthy, tasty snack as well as a nutritious ingredient to many foods. It is also an important agricultural crop of choice for US producers. So they are not only beautiful, but they also have a food purpose as well.
When the sunflower plant is in the bud stage, it tends to track the movement of the sun across the horizon. Once the flowers open into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east. No one knows why. However, it is likely a defensive response. Facing south or west could result in sun-scalding of seeds during very hot days.
Okay, are you seeing it yet?? Maybe it's just my simple mind at work, but I sure did get a wonderful spiritual picture. Let me explain it. Looking at thousands and thousands of those majestic plants, all standing tall, not wavering, facing the sun.... I began to see how we as sisters in Christ must stand tall and face the Son....S-O-N!! That is where we gain our strength, our knowledge and wisdom, our everything! Those sunflowers are a hardy plant, and can live in most any condition. They can weather droughts and most any type of soil conditions. If you have your face on Christ, you too can handle most conditions that this old world can and will throw at you!
As the plant in its bud stage tracks the movement of the sun, so should we as young Christians, thirsty for the Word, hungry for the growth in the Lord. Only facing the Lord can we grow strong and stand strong. They were not facing each other, or looking this way and that way...they were united...together...working together....with one goal in mind....to face the sun! There were a few that may have been a little shorter, may have looked a little different, they had their own uniqueness, but still were all the same. Don't you know that God the Father looks down on His children and sees us as those sunflower fields? We have our uniquenesses, but we are covered by His very own Son's blood, so all He sees is our uniform beauty!
Another sunflower fact that jumped out at me was the fact that as they mature, they begin to face east! Bear with me now, do you see it?? THEY FACE EAST!! Matthew 24:27 says, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Hold up, 'bout to get a happy bubble here....let's look at this through our spiritual eyes! As we grow in Christ, get off the milk and onto the meat of his Word, we began to mature in Him. As a mature Christian, we will began to watch the Eastern Sky for his soon second coming!! Whoop Glory!!! He's soon coming back and he's gonna split that eastern sky!! As we mature in Christ, we learn how to protect what is really important so Satan won't rob us of our joy, or 'scald our seeds.' We can now face very hot days on our Christina walk because we have grown in Christ!
I hold a new love for sunflowers now. I see them and start soaking up the spiritual application from them! What I want you to take from this is....be a Sunflower Sister!! We are all in the 'field' together! We are special...God made us female. Females are nurturers, full of love, spirit, and emotions. Often times, the enemy wants to stir our God given.....GOD GIVEN...feelings, and have us use them as weapons on each other. We need to begin our day in God in order to stop the enemy in his tracks. Grab your 5 minutes and do your devotional before you start your day. Get your beautiful face pointing to the SON first thing every day. This will help you grow and mature in Christ. Growing and maturing in Christ will help you use your God given female attributes for His good. By the sunflower tracking the sun as it matures, it then has allowed the seeds to grow and be used for food. As Christians, we are to be used for the furtherance of His kingdom! When we focus on God, We get our eyes off of others ad can be what we were made to be for Him.
As I stood there looking at all those flowers, so beautiful...not one was fighting the other for the sun! Their beautiful large leaves weren't smacking each other or pushing each other! They all have room to grow! WE ALL HAVE ROOM TO GROW!! We don't have to fight each other, nor race each other in order to grow in Christ! There is enough God for all of us! Then as we mature in Christ, we should have our heads up looking toward the eastern sky, waiting for the Lord to call us home! Where there will never be another bee, nor weed to bother us!! We can be like Him! Praise the Lord!!
Let's make it our daily goal, to not let Satan use us as a tool for him! The world often wants to knock us down because we are women. Often times, I think we get that stuck in our heads, unintentionally, and we begin to fight with other women. We have something to prove and no other woman is gonna out do me. We may not say that...but the devil will use our beautiful gifts that God has given us to stir that pot...and before you know it, we have our eyes off Christ and on each other. We let jealousy, pride, stubbornness, insecurities overshadow us.. Oh how heart breaking it would be to look across that sunflower field and see flowers laying down, twisted around each other, drooping and broken. Don't you know God is heart broken when He looks down on His sunflower fields and sees us all feuding and fighting, testy and ugly, backbiting, and ignoring each other?
The sunflower plant has dentated, toothlike or serrated edged upper leaves and are often sticky, while its lower leaves are ovate, not serrated but often heart shaped. Bear with me here, but I also spy with my spiritual eye...something here, too. We have the capability to bring out our 'mama claws' when needed. And we should, God gave us the desire to take care of our own. Those upper, jagged, sticky leaves are toward the face of the plant to help with protection. But, then those lower leaves are soft and heart shaped. They are inviting and caring. Often times we get hurt, and we want to roll our soft heart shaped leaves up and only have our sticky toothlike leaves out....not very inviting. Meanwhile, the devil is laughing at us because he has us right where he wants us.
Ladies, let's grow in Christ!! Let's keep our faces pointed toward Christ! Maturing in Him so that we focus on the eastern sky for His soon reappearing! Like the sunflowers can be hardy and grow in rough soil, so shall we, by pointing toward Christ, keeping our soft heart shaped leaves out to help each other a long! Bloom where you are planted and blossom for Him! Looking over those fields, I cannot tell you that there was a flower prettier or better than the other...they all shine in golden majesty!! They all stood together in one accord, shining and glorifying their Creator! Stop letting the devil see you a load of junk....shin in your own personal golden majesty!!!! When the world looks upon us, they won't see any individuals....but only the golden glow that we are producing for the SONlight of our Heavenly Father!!
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Pot Luck Versus Buffet
We've all heard it said....and may have even said it...."Well, I'm just not getting fed at that church anymore." Okay, I get it. I really do. There are times....rare times....but there are times that God does nudge you to leave a church and go to a new one. Especially if God's Word is not being rightly divided, or anything else that is contrary to God's Word is going on. Then, by all means, pack your bag and run! But, I guarantee you this, there will be a church where you should put your roots down very quickly! God will not move you out of one church just to be a 'floater'. Oh, you know the ones, they never 'settle' down, never join one church or the other, but instead, float around.....whichever church is tickling their ears the way they like for the moment. Let's not forget Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." It is not only a requirement to go to church, but it is more so now, in these troubling days!
What's the point anyway, I can read my Bible at home, and study and spend time with Jesus, have my own church. I can watch preaching on TV. (Oh brother, that's a whole other blog for that one!) I can get online and watch church services, in the comfort of my own recliner. Yep....yes you can....and you should! Here's the thing.....those are all great, just not if they are taking the place of you going to church! Now, I'm not talking about if you have to work, or you are sick.....you know what I mean. Why? I'm glad you asked. We are human. We need human contact and interaction. We draw strength from each other. We see that we are not alone. We can get help from a brother or sister who has gone through what we are going through now. You can never recreate the feel of the movement of the Holy Spirit as He feels the sanctuary during the choir, and preaching and praising. You learn so much through Sunday School classes. The church needs you....but more importantly, you need church! Let's not forget about tithing. That is also a biblical requirement. Malachi 3:8,10 and II Cor. 9:6,7 are just a couple scriptures that teach on tithing. Sorry, but tithing back to yourself because you 'home church' doesn't cut it. You cannot rob God and expect blessings to flow your way.
I'm sure you are saying, okay....what does the title have to do with what you are talking about??? I'm glad you asked! :) I'm not sure about Northerners...but we Southerners certainly know what a Pot Luck is! We love to gather together and eat! Everyone makes something and brings with them...cooking up something scrumptious in a pot...and everyone eats! We all contribute to the meal. We bring one pot of something, and in return, get to pick and choose from many different foods! I'm pretty sure that they do have buffets up North, so they should be self explanatory....but just in case.....Buffets are restaurants where you come in and 'belly up' to the food bar and eat as much as you want of everything that they have! You bring nothing, contribute nothing, and yet you still get to eat your fill.....overfill in most cases!
Here is where I am going with this: More often than not, the reason we are hearing someone say, "Well I'm just not getting fed at that church", is because they are using that church as a buffet and not a pot luck. They come in, empty handed, and take and take and take, never giving anything in return. They haven't prayed like they should all week, barely, if at all, picked up their Bible, they don't hold an office, of if they do, they are half heartedly doing it....and wonder why God isn't blessing them! Well, it must be the church.....it's surely not self proclaimed righteous us...right??
I am not saying that you should stay at one church your whole life.....but, if the church is alive for Christ, you may not ever have to leave. But I am certainly saying that you should not have a list an arm's length long of churches that you have belonged to. We are to bloom where we are planted. We are human, we all fall daily. There are times we are on fire for God, and other times we are like a block of ice. That is not the church's fault. We have got to be more mature on our Christian walk, and see the big picture. We need to constantly self inventory, instead of looking to place blame and start belting out excuses. "Well, I can't enjoy church anymore after Susie came and sat in front of me, I can't see over her hat." "The Smith's cannot control their children and I can't hear the service." "The preacher never calls on me to sing anymore." "The choir is just not the same now that he is directing it." "They don't have a Sunday school class that I fit in." Oh....Satan can give you a million of them....you don't have to look long for an excuse to leave church.....Lucifer hands them out like candy to a child!
It is no little matter on leaving a church for another. It should be bathed in prayer and lots of digging in God's Word seeking out His will. We need to clean up our own closet, before trying to point to others. We must make sure that we are as close to God as we have ever been. Satan can tell you just enough of the truth with his twisted lies to make you believe anything. We must make sure it is God talking to us and not the enemy. And let me just add, God will not tell you to leave a church, and then not immediately have a church that is better suited for you. He won't take you away from Him.....He draws you nearer....if you see yourself further from Him, then it was not God's will, you left of your own will. So, the next time Satan tries to tell you, 'You just aren't being 'fed' here anymore.' Investigate, get in your prayer closet and really seek God's face. Check up and see if you have been using your church as a buffet, always taking but never contributing, or have you been doing your doing your part, filling your pot and bringing it in to further His cause??
What's the point anyway, I can read my Bible at home, and study and spend time with Jesus, have my own church. I can watch preaching on TV. (Oh brother, that's a whole other blog for that one!) I can get online and watch church services, in the comfort of my own recliner. Yep....yes you can....and you should! Here's the thing.....those are all great, just not if they are taking the place of you going to church! Now, I'm not talking about if you have to work, or you are sick.....you know what I mean. Why? I'm glad you asked. We are human. We need human contact and interaction. We draw strength from each other. We see that we are not alone. We can get help from a brother or sister who has gone through what we are going through now. You can never recreate the feel of the movement of the Holy Spirit as He feels the sanctuary during the choir, and preaching and praising. You learn so much through Sunday School classes. The church needs you....but more importantly, you need church! Let's not forget about tithing. That is also a biblical requirement. Malachi 3:8,10 and II Cor. 9:6,7 are just a couple scriptures that teach on tithing. Sorry, but tithing back to yourself because you 'home church' doesn't cut it. You cannot rob God and expect blessings to flow your way.
I'm sure you are saying, okay....what does the title have to do with what you are talking about??? I'm glad you asked! :) I'm not sure about Northerners...but we Southerners certainly know what a Pot Luck is! We love to gather together and eat! Everyone makes something and brings with them...cooking up something scrumptious in a pot...and everyone eats! We all contribute to the meal. We bring one pot of something, and in return, get to pick and choose from many different foods! I'm pretty sure that they do have buffets up North, so they should be self explanatory....but just in case.....Buffets are restaurants where you come in and 'belly up' to the food bar and eat as much as you want of everything that they have! You bring nothing, contribute nothing, and yet you still get to eat your fill.....overfill in most cases!
Here is where I am going with this: More often than not, the reason we are hearing someone say, "Well I'm just not getting fed at that church", is because they are using that church as a buffet and not a pot luck. They come in, empty handed, and take and take and take, never giving anything in return. They haven't prayed like they should all week, barely, if at all, picked up their Bible, they don't hold an office, of if they do, they are half heartedly doing it....and wonder why God isn't blessing them! Well, it must be the church.....it's surely not self proclaimed righteous us...right??
I am not saying that you should stay at one church your whole life.....but, if the church is alive for Christ, you may not ever have to leave. But I am certainly saying that you should not have a list an arm's length long of churches that you have belonged to. We are to bloom where we are planted. We are human, we all fall daily. There are times we are on fire for God, and other times we are like a block of ice. That is not the church's fault. We have got to be more mature on our Christian walk, and see the big picture. We need to constantly self inventory, instead of looking to place blame and start belting out excuses. "Well, I can't enjoy church anymore after Susie came and sat in front of me, I can't see over her hat." "The Smith's cannot control their children and I can't hear the service." "The preacher never calls on me to sing anymore." "The choir is just not the same now that he is directing it." "They don't have a Sunday school class that I fit in." Oh....Satan can give you a million of them....you don't have to look long for an excuse to leave church.....Lucifer hands them out like candy to a child!
It is no little matter on leaving a church for another. It should be bathed in prayer and lots of digging in God's Word seeking out His will. We need to clean up our own closet, before trying to point to others. We must make sure that we are as close to God as we have ever been. Satan can tell you just enough of the truth with his twisted lies to make you believe anything. We must make sure it is God talking to us and not the enemy. And let me just add, God will not tell you to leave a church, and then not immediately have a church that is better suited for you. He won't take you away from Him.....He draws you nearer....if you see yourself further from Him, then it was not God's will, you left of your own will. So, the next time Satan tries to tell you, 'You just aren't being 'fed' here anymore.' Investigate, get in your prayer closet and really seek God's face. Check up and see if you have been using your church as a buffet, always taking but never contributing, or have you been doing your doing your part, filling your pot and bringing it in to further His cause??
Monday, April 17, 2017
Be Still, But Still Be
Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Be still and know that He is God! Take a moment, slow down and be still! Remind yourself of Who God is, and what He can do! But, don't get complacent in the waiting. What exactly does that mean?
Be still and know that He is God, but, be still working for Him. By allowing Him to do His will in your life does not mean that you do nothing! You must still be reading and studying His Word, praying, going to church, doing what you know to do as a Christian!
Be still and know that He is God, but, be still walking with Him. Just because you don't feel Him, or see Him moving in your life, does not mean that He isn't. Keep pressing on to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! What happens to a path when no one is walking on it? It gets grown over and the path disappears. The same thing happens in our Christian walk! You stop walking, and Satan is right there to plant weeds and vines to hide the way!!
Be still and know that he is God, but, be still worshipping. Go ahead and praise God for answering your prayer while He is working it out! He deserves all worship, at all times. It doesn't matter if you feel like it or not, He is to be worshipped! The Bible says the rocks will cry out if we do not! If He does nothing more than save your sorry soul....that alone deserves praise from here to eternity!!
Be still and know that he is God, but, be still wanting to know more, to taste more of His blessings. Don't get slack. Keep that desire, that hunger and thirst after God's Word. The closer you get to Him, the closer you want to get! Be careful though, you can lose that desire so quickly. You give the flesh just a little bit of attention, the flesh will want more, until all of your attention is focused on yourself and not the Lord.
Be still and know that he is God, but be still waiting.....waiting anxiously, looking toward the sky, for His soon coming! His coming is so close, we are on the brink of being called home! Don't give up now, there is nothing to go back to!! Be still and know that He Is God, He is and will be exalted above all....whether you choose Him or not......don't miss out on your blessing!!
Be still and know that He is God! Take a moment, slow down and be still! Remind yourself of Who God is, and what He can do! But, don't get complacent in the waiting. What exactly does that mean?
Be still and know that He is God, but, be still working for Him. By allowing Him to do His will in your life does not mean that you do nothing! You must still be reading and studying His Word, praying, going to church, doing what you know to do as a Christian!
Be still and know that He is God, but, be still walking with Him. Just because you don't feel Him, or see Him moving in your life, does not mean that He isn't. Keep pressing on to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! What happens to a path when no one is walking on it? It gets grown over and the path disappears. The same thing happens in our Christian walk! You stop walking, and Satan is right there to plant weeds and vines to hide the way!!
Be still and know that he is God, but, be still worshipping. Go ahead and praise God for answering your prayer while He is working it out! He deserves all worship, at all times. It doesn't matter if you feel like it or not, He is to be worshipped! The Bible says the rocks will cry out if we do not! If He does nothing more than save your sorry soul....that alone deserves praise from here to eternity!!
Be still and know that he is God, but, be still wanting to know more, to taste more of His blessings. Don't get slack. Keep that desire, that hunger and thirst after God's Word. The closer you get to Him, the closer you want to get! Be careful though, you can lose that desire so quickly. You give the flesh just a little bit of attention, the flesh will want more, until all of your attention is focused on yourself and not the Lord.
Be still and know that he is God, but be still waiting.....waiting anxiously, looking toward the sky, for His soon coming! His coming is so close, we are on the brink of being called home! Don't give up now, there is nothing to go back to!! Be still and know that He Is God, He is and will be exalted above all....whether you choose Him or not......don't miss out on your blessing!!
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
I Am Not What I WAS, Because I Met The I AM!
This thought has been on my mind a lot here lately. We sing an awesome song in the choir called, "I Am". The lyrics are so powerful! Singing of the many things God is....what a blessing! The verses describe Him: "I am the Lord, the Almighty God, the One for whom nothing is too hard. I am the Shepherd, the Door, the Good news to the bound and the poor. I am the Righteous One, the Lamb, the Ram in the bush for Abraham, the Ultimate Sacrifice for sin, your Redeemer, the Beginning and the End. I am Jehovah, your King, Messiah, David's Offspring, your High Priest, the Christ, the Resurrection, and the Life. I am the Bread, the Wine, your Future..so leave your past behind! I am the One in the midst of two or three, I am your Tabernacle, your Jubilee! I am HOPE, PEACE, JOY, REST, your COMFORT, RELIEF, your STRENGTH, FAITH, LOVE, POWER, and FREEDOM". Just paraphrasing this song makes me want to jump for joy!!
In my Bible study reading last night, the scripture reading was in Exodus chapter 3. Where God speaks to Moses from the burning bush. God tells Moses to bring forth His people out of Egypt. Moses asks God, "When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?" Oh my goodness....hold on to your seats!!! God answers Moses in verse 14, " And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Oh my! He is the I AM for anything you are going through....He is always present, and that is why His name is always in the present tense!!
When I was sick in my sins, the I AM was there waiting for me to ask to be pulled from the mire! When I was lost and going to Hell, the I AM laid down His life so that I could have eternal life!
When I was looking for something to fill the void in my heart, I AM came knocking and filled that hole! When I was at a crossroads, the I AM showed me the path to take. When I was at my wits end, the I AM consoled me and took me in! When I was at the graveside of my loved ones, the I AM wrapped His arms around me and comforted me! When I was searching for answers, the I AM told me, "I AM the way, the truth and the life!" When I was told there was no cure, the I AM said I AM the great Physician! When I was battling the enemy, the I AM told me to stand still and He fought my battle! When I was in the war, the I AM was my shield! When I was hungry, the I AM was my manna! When I was tossed to and fro, the I AM stepped out and said 'Peace Be Still' to my storm! When I was athirst, the I AM was my Fountain of Living Water! When I was in darkness, the I AM was the Light! When I was beaten down, the I AM was my Good Samaritan that bound up my wounds. When I was unlovable, the I AM loved me!
Praise the Lord!! He is always there! Things come and go, but the I AM never changes! I will never be what I was, since I met the I AM......do you know Him?
In my Bible study reading last night, the scripture reading was in Exodus chapter 3. Where God speaks to Moses from the burning bush. God tells Moses to bring forth His people out of Egypt. Moses asks God, "When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?" Oh my goodness....hold on to your seats!!! God answers Moses in verse 14, " And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Oh my! He is the I AM for anything you are going through....He is always present, and that is why His name is always in the present tense!!
When I was sick in my sins, the I AM was there waiting for me to ask to be pulled from the mire! When I was lost and going to Hell, the I AM laid down His life so that I could have eternal life!
When I was looking for something to fill the void in my heart, I AM came knocking and filled that hole! When I was at a crossroads, the I AM showed me the path to take. When I was at my wits end, the I AM consoled me and took me in! When I was at the graveside of my loved ones, the I AM wrapped His arms around me and comforted me! When I was searching for answers, the I AM told me, "I AM the way, the truth and the life!" When I was told there was no cure, the I AM said I AM the great Physician! When I was battling the enemy, the I AM told me to stand still and He fought my battle! When I was in the war, the I AM was my shield! When I was hungry, the I AM was my manna! When I was tossed to and fro, the I AM stepped out and said 'Peace Be Still' to my storm! When I was athirst, the I AM was my Fountain of Living Water! When I was in darkness, the I AM was the Light! When I was beaten down, the I AM was my Good Samaritan that bound up my wounds. When I was unlovable, the I AM loved me!
Praise the Lord!! He is always there! Things come and go, but the I AM never changes! I will never be what I was, since I met the I AM......do you know Him?
What Now?
Things change, we all know that. It is totally in the norm for you to bury your parents, I get that, too. However, it is a little different in my case. While most people have their parents there to help them as they grow up and marry. Their parents are active in helping raise the grandchildren. Then, as you are about to settle into retirement yourself, and the kids are grown and usually out of the house, then you fall into the role of caregiver for your aging parents. This is the basic 'usual' life cycle.
My case is different. You see, I should have never been born, at least according to our medical world. But God had a different plan. My mother always wanted two children, a boy and a girl. She was 19 and giving birth, back in the 40's, at home with assistance of a midwife. She had her baby boy. But, she ended up with an infection that left her unable to have anymore children. As the years rolled by, she and my dad raised my brother to become a fine young man. As the usual life cycle goes, he married, and began a family of his own. As the 60's were just about to wind down, and a new decade about to begin.....my parents were told that they were going to have another baby! Wait a minute!! They have a beautiful grandson.....WHAT??? That's right, almost 26 years after the birth of their son, they welcomed a baby girl into the world.......little ole me.
They basically raised 2 families. They had a family dynamic of 3, my parents and brother; then they had another family dynamic of 3, my parents and me. We have often told our story, as it is unique to hear, but it was our normal. Here I am being raised by parents who were in their mid 40's. I remember being young, and you know how it is, everyone over 25 is old, right??.....I often wondered if I would be grown before my parents would die.
Well, I did grow up, being raised by 2 awesome, God fearing parents. Both of my parents saw me graduate high school, graduate college, marry, and even have both of my precious baby girls. My father's health began to fail first. Mother did most of his care giving, but I helped. When he was 75 yrs old, he passed away. My youngest daughter was only 2. Mom did well for many years. She is the strongest, yet most gentle lady I have ever known. But, there came a point to where I was becoming more and more her caregiver.
I had 2 young children, in which I was very active in their lives. I had my husband and a full time job, and my household to run. At a time when my friend's had their parents there to help them, I was already having to be a caregiver to my mom as well. It's not easy. It is physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. If you are at that point in your life, then you will understand what I mean. I look back now and know that God was carrying me through those times, there were definitely only one set of footprints in the sand of my life at that moment...and those footprints were not mine!
Now I find myself at the age my parents were when they found out they were having a baby girl....and I don't have my parents here with me anymore. It is a very strange feeling not having both parents alive. I feel orphaned, to try to put a descriptive word to it. Until you are in that position, you can't put wrap your mind around it. Most people are in their 60's or even 70's when they no longer have either parent alive. Even though I always knew I would not have them as long as most do......it still leaves a hole. I miss them so much. Everyone would, and does....I'm no different. It is a vacancy that you cannot fill. I remember my mother, on her death bed, at the age of 89, almost 90......and she still missed her mom, and wished she had her with her. And, no, before you ask, she was not demented, she was fully aware. She just missed her mom. I miss my mom and dad. I miss the knowing feeling that someone here in this old wicked world had my back, no matter what, unconditionally loved me, no matter what. I miss the feeling of knowing my mom and dad were praying a hedge of protection around me daily. I miss that the most. When I am praying for my daughters, son in loves, and granddaughter.......I miss my mama's prayers over me. I can tell a difference, too. I thank God for my Godly heritage that they are resting from all their labor in Heaven. Hallelujah for that great homecoming day when we will be together for all eternity!!
For now, however, I am left here, with no parents, I am here to carry on.....without them. It gets lonely at times. At low moments, I wonder why I couldn't have been born a couple years after my brother like most families and had my parents well into my 60's. But, that was God's will, and I praise Him for everything. I am just trying to convey to you that it is hard. It is hard to say good bye to your parents, even though we grow up knowing that this is life's cycle.
Comfort yourself in the Lord. He is always there. Through all of life's cycles, even when life throws you a curve ball, when things happen that are not part of a 'normal' life cycle.....He. Is. There. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces..." Isaiah 25:8. Jesus says in John 5:24, "Verily, Verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." There is hope beyond this life! Press on!!
Don't lose heart. Keep the faith. God is there with you, every step of the way! Ephesians 6 tells us to 'obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right'. Now that we are grown, He commands us to, 'honor thy father and mother'. This commandment comes with promise that it will be well with you and your days will be longer on earth. Jesus takes caring for your parents very seriously! My advise is, do what you can,to the best of your ability. But realize that you are human, not a super hero! You have to have help, and accept that help! You are no good to anyone if you deplete yourself of everything! Live life without any regrets. There is a peace in knowing that you did all you could for your parents. You are human, you can only do so much, you MUST take care of yourself....don't let the enemy beat you up! You have to rest when you can, and keep your strength. One day, when they are gone, and you are standing where I am now, you will be thankful for all the memories, and thankful that God gave you strength and grace to care for your aging parents, as they cared for you. Remember Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord THY God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
My case is different. You see, I should have never been born, at least according to our medical world. But God had a different plan. My mother always wanted two children, a boy and a girl. She was 19 and giving birth, back in the 40's, at home with assistance of a midwife. She had her baby boy. But, she ended up with an infection that left her unable to have anymore children. As the years rolled by, she and my dad raised my brother to become a fine young man. As the usual life cycle goes, he married, and began a family of his own. As the 60's were just about to wind down, and a new decade about to begin.....my parents were told that they were going to have another baby! Wait a minute!! They have a beautiful grandson.....WHAT??? That's right, almost 26 years after the birth of their son, they welcomed a baby girl into the world.......little ole me.
They basically raised 2 families. They had a family dynamic of 3, my parents and brother; then they had another family dynamic of 3, my parents and me. We have often told our story, as it is unique to hear, but it was our normal. Here I am being raised by parents who were in their mid 40's. I remember being young, and you know how it is, everyone over 25 is old, right??.....I often wondered if I would be grown before my parents would die.
Well, I did grow up, being raised by 2 awesome, God fearing parents. Both of my parents saw me graduate high school, graduate college, marry, and even have both of my precious baby girls. My father's health began to fail first. Mother did most of his care giving, but I helped. When he was 75 yrs old, he passed away. My youngest daughter was only 2. Mom did well for many years. She is the strongest, yet most gentle lady I have ever known. But, there came a point to where I was becoming more and more her caregiver.
I had 2 young children, in which I was very active in their lives. I had my husband and a full time job, and my household to run. At a time when my friend's had their parents there to help them, I was already having to be a caregiver to my mom as well. It's not easy. It is physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. If you are at that point in your life, then you will understand what I mean. I look back now and know that God was carrying me through those times, there were definitely only one set of footprints in the sand of my life at that moment...and those footprints were not mine!
Now I find myself at the age my parents were when they found out they were having a baby girl....and I don't have my parents here with me anymore. It is a very strange feeling not having both parents alive. I feel orphaned, to try to put a descriptive word to it. Until you are in that position, you can't put wrap your mind around it. Most people are in their 60's or even 70's when they no longer have either parent alive. Even though I always knew I would not have them as long as most do......it still leaves a hole. I miss them so much. Everyone would, and does....I'm no different. It is a vacancy that you cannot fill. I remember my mother, on her death bed, at the age of 89, almost 90......and she still missed her mom, and wished she had her with her. And, no, before you ask, she was not demented, she was fully aware. She just missed her mom. I miss my mom and dad. I miss the knowing feeling that someone here in this old wicked world had my back, no matter what, unconditionally loved me, no matter what. I miss the feeling of knowing my mom and dad were praying a hedge of protection around me daily. I miss that the most. When I am praying for my daughters, son in loves, and granddaughter.......I miss my mama's prayers over me. I can tell a difference, too. I thank God for my Godly heritage that they are resting from all their labor in Heaven. Hallelujah for that great homecoming day when we will be together for all eternity!!
For now, however, I am left here, with no parents, I am here to carry on.....without them. It gets lonely at times. At low moments, I wonder why I couldn't have been born a couple years after my brother like most families and had my parents well into my 60's. But, that was God's will, and I praise Him for everything. I am just trying to convey to you that it is hard. It is hard to say good bye to your parents, even though we grow up knowing that this is life's cycle.
Comfort yourself in the Lord. He is always there. Through all of life's cycles, even when life throws you a curve ball, when things happen that are not part of a 'normal' life cycle.....He. Is. There. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces..." Isaiah 25:8. Jesus says in John 5:24, "Verily, Verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." There is hope beyond this life! Press on!!
Don't lose heart. Keep the faith. God is there with you, every step of the way! Ephesians 6 tells us to 'obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right'. Now that we are grown, He commands us to, 'honor thy father and mother'. This commandment comes with promise that it will be well with you and your days will be longer on earth. Jesus takes caring for your parents very seriously! My advise is, do what you can,to the best of your ability. But realize that you are human, not a super hero! You have to have help, and accept that help! You are no good to anyone if you deplete yourself of everything! Live life without any regrets. There is a peace in knowing that you did all you could for your parents. You are human, you can only do so much, you MUST take care of yourself....don't let the enemy beat you up! You have to rest when you can, and keep your strength. One day, when they are gone, and you are standing where I am now, you will be thankful for all the memories, and thankful that God gave you strength and grace to care for your aging parents, as they cared for you. Remember Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord THY God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
You Want Me to Tell You How It Ends?
The other day, I was chilling out at home, my husband was working out in the barn. We are now empty nesters....so, I actually had the TV remote all to myself! I was in control of the remote! Flipping through the channels, I stopped on, The Hallmark Channel. A typical romantic love story was unfolding. I had to watch it. I must admit that I am a sucker for a good love story. This story involved a woman and man who met, and the man had a secret. He was a prince that was soon to be king. They fell in love, of course.
Well, about 2/3 through the movie, my husband comes in and sits down. He asked, "What are you watching?" Knowing he is not a fan of love stories, I said, "I'm watching a sappy love story, and you aren't going to change the channel." Followed by my sheepish grin. He smiles at me, and watches for a couple minutes, then turns to me and says, "You want me to tell you how it ends?".....followed by his sheepish grin.
Well, my response to him was, "NO! I don't want you to tell me how it ends." I know how it's going to end anyway. He replied in a typical male response, "It's the same old story, just different settings and characters." I know this....but I still want to enjoy their story! It makes my heart smile. We all need our heart to smile!!
Where am I going with this, you ask? Later on I got to thinking about our conversation, and my mind starting going toward the spiritual side of things. Any Christian knows how the story ends. We have read our Bible, done our Bible studies, we know what is to come.....for the most part anyway. We know that one day soon, even though man does not know the day or hour, the trumpet is going to blow and He is going to call His children home. There to live with Him forever, free from all stress, all worry, all pain, all sin! And ole Lucifer will get what is finally coming to him! Hallelujah!
Don't get me wrong, that is our hope, that is our future. We are to keep pressing toward the mark, we are to finish our race down here, never giving up until we have attained our reward. However, don't get focused on Heaven to the point that you aren't enjoying your Christian walk today. My mind goes to Luke chapter 10:38-42. Where Jesus was at the house of Martha and Mary. Both sisters were so excited to have him in their home, but both took different paths. Mary was focused on Jesus, and what he had to say. Martha wasn't sinning, she wasn't doing wrong. She was working around the house, serving her guests and making sure everyone had what they needed. She became disgruntled when she saw Mary 'just sitting there' while she was slaving away. She even asked Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her! Oh but I love Jesus' response to Martha, "Martha, Martha, thou are careful (worried) and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
You see, they both had the same goal, just as we Christians today do. We know the end of the story....we know that through Jesus' blood washing away our sins...that Jesus dying on the cross in order for us to accept the greatest gift of all...eternal life....we know that Heaven is our final destination! But STOP!! Wait!!! Don't be Martha, don't let your daily work for the Lord bog you down until you can't enjoy the journey! Stop letting Satan tell you how the story ends and cheat you out of the chance for your heart to smile. Be Mary! Invite Jesus into your home, clean the house, cook the food, put out the dishes....have everything ready and in order. Then sit at His feet! Enjoy your time with Him instead of getting caught up in the serving. The devil is just waiting to fill you ear with junk and get you disgruntled and defeated!
I tell you what.....when Satan wants to tell you how the story ends.....when he wants to get you weary in well doing....when you begin to forget to enjoy the story.......you turn it around and tell Satan how his story ends! Tell him how he is going to be bound a thousand years, how he is going to be cast into the lake of fire.....he won't stick around long to ruin your love story then!! I pray that you take some time out today, sit at Jesus' feet, listen to His love story for you, and let your heart smile.
Well, about 2/3 through the movie, my husband comes in and sits down. He asked, "What are you watching?" Knowing he is not a fan of love stories, I said, "I'm watching a sappy love story, and you aren't going to change the channel." Followed by my sheepish grin. He smiles at me, and watches for a couple minutes, then turns to me and says, "You want me to tell you how it ends?".....followed by his sheepish grin.
Well, my response to him was, "NO! I don't want you to tell me how it ends." I know how it's going to end anyway. He replied in a typical male response, "It's the same old story, just different settings and characters." I know this....but I still want to enjoy their story! It makes my heart smile. We all need our heart to smile!!
Where am I going with this, you ask? Later on I got to thinking about our conversation, and my mind starting going toward the spiritual side of things. Any Christian knows how the story ends. We have read our Bible, done our Bible studies, we know what is to come.....for the most part anyway. We know that one day soon, even though man does not know the day or hour, the trumpet is going to blow and He is going to call His children home. There to live with Him forever, free from all stress, all worry, all pain, all sin! And ole Lucifer will get what is finally coming to him! Hallelujah!
Don't get me wrong, that is our hope, that is our future. We are to keep pressing toward the mark, we are to finish our race down here, never giving up until we have attained our reward. However, don't get focused on Heaven to the point that you aren't enjoying your Christian walk today. My mind goes to Luke chapter 10:38-42. Where Jesus was at the house of Martha and Mary. Both sisters were so excited to have him in their home, but both took different paths. Mary was focused on Jesus, and what he had to say. Martha wasn't sinning, she wasn't doing wrong. She was working around the house, serving her guests and making sure everyone had what they needed. She became disgruntled when she saw Mary 'just sitting there' while she was slaving away. She even asked Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her! Oh but I love Jesus' response to Martha, "Martha, Martha, thou are careful (worried) and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
You see, they both had the same goal, just as we Christians today do. We know the end of the story....we know that through Jesus' blood washing away our sins...that Jesus dying on the cross in order for us to accept the greatest gift of all...eternal life....we know that Heaven is our final destination! But STOP!! Wait!!! Don't be Martha, don't let your daily work for the Lord bog you down until you can't enjoy the journey! Stop letting Satan tell you how the story ends and cheat you out of the chance for your heart to smile. Be Mary! Invite Jesus into your home, clean the house, cook the food, put out the dishes....have everything ready and in order. Then sit at His feet! Enjoy your time with Him instead of getting caught up in the serving. The devil is just waiting to fill you ear with junk and get you disgruntled and defeated!
I tell you what.....when Satan wants to tell you how the story ends.....when he wants to get you weary in well doing....when you begin to forget to enjoy the story.......you turn it around and tell Satan how his story ends! Tell him how he is going to be bound a thousand years, how he is going to be cast into the lake of fire.....he won't stick around long to ruin your love story then!! I pray that you take some time out today, sit at Jesus' feet, listen to His love story for you, and let your heart smile.
Monday, January 16, 2017
F is for.....
As you might guess from the title, I have been working with my granddaughter on her letters. And I might add, that she is absolutely brilliant! She just turned 4, and she not only knows all of her letters, but she also knows what sound they make. She is also starting to learn some sight words. She will be reading before we know it!
Anyway, I digress, lol. I have started a new Bible study with some friends of mine. The first week speaks of fearing the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, ' The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
I began to think of words that begin with F, spiritual words. Like, fear...the meaning here in Proverbs is not meaning to be afraid, but to be reverent, in awe of. Those that have knowledge, have a fear of the Lord. When you are in awe of, or respect for something, you take care of it. You think about it, you learn about it. Thus, fear is the beginning of knowledge in the Lord. Then that verse gives us another F, fool. A fool is someone who will not listen, whose actions are not wise, silly. You cannot teach a fool. They aren't interested in learning.
Instead we should stay focused. Looking and paying attention to a certain thing. If we are focused on the cross, then all other aspects of our lives will be put into perspective. What about the word follow? What are you following? A job, a hobby, a spouse, a friend? Be careful who or what you are following. If our focus is on the cross, then we will follow Christ. This will then increase our faith! Faith is not believing that God can...it is knowing that God will!
Family and friend are two more words that begin with F. When we think of family, we usually think of the blood line that bonds people. That is certainly family. But, it can also be our church family, or a group that we hold dear. Friends are a special blessing, and can most certainly be part of our family as well. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
What about the words famine and feast? The old testament tells us many times where famines plagued the land, and it also tells times of feasts. Don't we have both of these in our spiritual walk? Some times we get into a spiritual famine, we are at a low time, we don't get into His Word like we should, our prayer life dwindles, and we are left without any spiritual food. Then there are times we are on the mountain! Everything is going great and we are in a spiritual revival and the feast begins!
I could go on, but I will end with the word final. Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Where will you spend eternity? None of us are immune from death. When that final day arrives, where will you open your eyes? I thank God for the day He dealt with a seven yr. old girl and told her she was lost and going to hell. And, I am thankful that as a seven year old girl, I accepted Christ as my Saviour! As we continue in the year, 2017, I want the fear of the Lord to increase in me, I want to stay focused on Him, follow Him faithfully, through famines as well as feasts, and finally hear Him say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant'!
Anyway, I digress, lol. I have started a new Bible study with some friends of mine. The first week speaks of fearing the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, ' The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
I began to think of words that begin with F, spiritual words. Like, fear...the meaning here in Proverbs is not meaning to be afraid, but to be reverent, in awe of. Those that have knowledge, have a fear of the Lord. When you are in awe of, or respect for something, you take care of it. You think about it, you learn about it. Thus, fear is the beginning of knowledge in the Lord. Then that verse gives us another F, fool. A fool is someone who will not listen, whose actions are not wise, silly. You cannot teach a fool. They aren't interested in learning.
Instead we should stay focused. Looking and paying attention to a certain thing. If we are focused on the cross, then all other aspects of our lives will be put into perspective. What about the word follow? What are you following? A job, a hobby, a spouse, a friend? Be careful who or what you are following. If our focus is on the cross, then we will follow Christ. This will then increase our faith! Faith is not believing that God can...it is knowing that God will!
Family and friend are two more words that begin with F. When we think of family, we usually think of the blood line that bonds people. That is certainly family. But, it can also be our church family, or a group that we hold dear. Friends are a special blessing, and can most certainly be part of our family as well. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
What about the words famine and feast? The old testament tells us many times where famines plagued the land, and it also tells times of feasts. Don't we have both of these in our spiritual walk? Some times we get into a spiritual famine, we are at a low time, we don't get into His Word like we should, our prayer life dwindles, and we are left without any spiritual food. Then there are times we are on the mountain! Everything is going great and we are in a spiritual revival and the feast begins!
I could go on, but I will end with the word final. Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Where will you spend eternity? None of us are immune from death. When that final day arrives, where will you open your eyes? I thank God for the day He dealt with a seven yr. old girl and told her she was lost and going to hell. And, I am thankful that as a seven year old girl, I accepted Christ as my Saviour! As we continue in the year, 2017, I want the fear of the Lord to increase in me, I want to stay focused on Him, follow Him faithfully, through famines as well as feasts, and finally hear Him say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant'!
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Homesick
Homesick: experiencing a longing for one's home during a period of absence from it.
I think we all know what the word means, and have all experienced it from time to time in our lives. I remember as a child in school, feeling anxious, and homesick, if only for just a few hours of being away. I wanted to be home. I've been on trips, and longed to be back home. I looked up the definition of home. Home: THE place one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family. In sports terms, it means, THE goal, or end point. Let that sink in. Home is the goal of which we are with our family. They say home is where the heart is. That is true, isn't it? If Jesus makes our heart His home, then we have met the goal.
Squire Parsons sings a beautiful song, 'Beulah Land'. The first part of the first verse says, "I'm kind of homesick for a country, to which I've never been before...." In the world's eyes, this sounds confusing. That is totally understandable. They don't have a relationship with Jesus. But for those of us who do, it makes so much sense! The world may say, you have just given the definition of homesick by telling us it is a longing to be where your home is, and home is where one lives permanently. Oh yes!! We are just strangers here, we are just passing through! Our permanent home is in Heaven. We can be homesick, because we know what is to come. We can be homesick because Jesus makes our hearts His Home!
The older I get, the more homesick I get for Heaven. The last couple of months, I have never heard of so much sickness, and death. Young and old, expected and not expected. The news is unbearable to listen to anymore, so much hate, so much fighting, no morals, no beliefs. This earth is churning on it's axis. I believe the call is soon coming to call us home, our permanent home, our end point! Even so, Lord, please come quickly! Are you ready? No sad farewells, no sickness, no pain....what a blessed promise, what wonderful hope!
I think we all know what the word means, and have all experienced it from time to time in our lives. I remember as a child in school, feeling anxious, and homesick, if only for just a few hours of being away. I wanted to be home. I've been on trips, and longed to be back home. I looked up the definition of home. Home: THE place one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family. In sports terms, it means, THE goal, or end point. Let that sink in. Home is the goal of which we are with our family. They say home is where the heart is. That is true, isn't it? If Jesus makes our heart His home, then we have met the goal.
Squire Parsons sings a beautiful song, 'Beulah Land'. The first part of the first verse says, "I'm kind of homesick for a country, to which I've never been before...." In the world's eyes, this sounds confusing. That is totally understandable. They don't have a relationship with Jesus. But for those of us who do, it makes so much sense! The world may say, you have just given the definition of homesick by telling us it is a longing to be where your home is, and home is where one lives permanently. Oh yes!! We are just strangers here, we are just passing through! Our permanent home is in Heaven. We can be homesick, because we know what is to come. We can be homesick because Jesus makes our hearts His Home!
The older I get, the more homesick I get for Heaven. The last couple of months, I have never heard of so much sickness, and death. Young and old, expected and not expected. The news is unbearable to listen to anymore, so much hate, so much fighting, no morals, no beliefs. This earth is churning on it's axis. I believe the call is soon coming to call us home, our permanent home, our end point! Even so, Lord, please come quickly! Are you ready? No sad farewells, no sickness, no pain....what a blessed promise, what wonderful hope!
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