What does it matter? Why do I even try?? No one even cares. These thoughts ever cross your mind? Well of course they have! Everyone has felt this way at times. We are human, and Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Recently I was at a Ladies Tea. The speaker was awesome, she had the Spirit of the Lord all over her. She quoted a scripture to help bring out one of her points, and that scripture was a light bulb moment for me. It was not a new scripture to me, I have read it many times, and heard it quoted in many sermons over the years. But, in that moment, I saw it in a new light.
Matthew 10:30, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Very simple statement. And, I can hear you now....okay, that's cool.....But WAIT....it is! It is so cool!!! Luke also mentions this very statement in 12:7, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore;ye are of more value than many sparrows." I could do a whole other blog on the sparrows....but that is for another time, perhaps.
My hair on my head is numbered....so what? Well, I will tell you.....it is so awesome to think that our Creator actually knows how many hairs are on our very heads, right? Well, get this....He not only knows how many hairs are on our head, but he has them numbered........not just counted.....but NUMBERED!! What's the difference? Well, I thought you would never ask!!
As verbs the difference between count and numbering is that count is to recite numbers in sequence to tally quantity, while numbering is a sequence of numbers indicating order or otherwise used for identification. Did you get that? One of the things I do as a school nurse is hand out a medical record information card to each student. Before I do this, I count each card to make sure I have enough for each student. But once the students receive them and start filling them out and turning them in, I then number them. By numbering them, I can tell who has, and who has not turned them back in to me. Oh yeah, I see that light bulb above your head going off now......
God cares so much for all of us that He not only counts the hairs on our heads, but He numbers them!! He cannot only tell you how many hairs you have on your head, but He can tell you that hair number 112, 245, and 16 came out as you were brushing your hair this morning!!! Let that sink in for a minute!
When we are counted....we are just a 'number'....but when we are numbered, then we have an identity! You can be in a crowd, at the DMV (department of motor vehicles) and someone can count 30 people in the room. Well, that's great, but you won't get service until you 'take a number'. When you are assigned a number, then you have an identity, you are no longer 'just a part of the crowd' that is counted!!
Thank you, Lord for caring so much for me that even the hairs of my head have a number....have an identity to You! No matter how alone we feel, or how much we feel that no one cares............HE CARES!!!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Christian Chameleons
In greek, the word Chameleon translates as this: Chamai- on the ground; Leon- lion.
This is interesting to me. Lion that is on the ground. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;" I've known this verse for years, I have studied it, and referenced it many times. But the other day, I was learning about chameleons, and when I saw the greek meaning, my mind began spinning.....scary, isn't it??
Knowing that verse, I have always envisioned that big lion with his furry mane, charging down the streets, roaring at the top of his lungs, just waiting for someone to be in his path so that he may devour them. Satan certainly does do that! Then I began studying these 'lions on the ground'. Chameleons' skin have a superficial layer which contain pigments. Under this layer of skin are cells that have guanine crystals. Light is reflected off the crystals causing them to change color.
Functions for changing color are: social signaling, reactions to temperature, and camouflage. Color change signals a chameleons physiological condition and intentions to other chameleons. They tend to show bright colors when displaying aggressively to other chameleons, darker colors when they submit or give up. Like snakes, they have no middle ear so they have no ear opening or drum. They detect sound frequencies. They have long tongues, one and a half of it's body length (excluding the tail). They ballistically project their tongue in order to catch their prey.
Now that I have given some chameleon facts, let me put this into a spiritual lesson. While Satan is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I believe that people can be a chameleon, a lion on the ground doing damage to your spiritual well being. These chameleons can be sinners, but they can also be fellow Christians. Sinners, I don't have as much of a problem with, because they are just that...sinners. We all are born sinners, and but for the grace of God are we saved! It's the Christian chameleon that can be such a problem! James 1:26 says, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." There are also those who say they are Christians, but in fact have never been saved. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." While these 'chameleons' can be very hurtful, they are still doing about their worldly father's business.
The chameleons that bother me the most are the Christian chameleons. Psalm 55:21, "The word of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart;" Psalm 28:3, "Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts." There are so many civil wars being fought in the Christian community. It is sad, but it is just what that ole roaring lion loves! If he can get enough chameleons (ground lions) working in the Christian community, then he is defeating us from the inside out! No one wins as a whole, when there is war going on internally.
We are all human, we all fail, and we are all sinners. We must remember that, lest we turn into a chameleon ourselves. Stop looking to that person and saying they hurt you.....they are a sinner, just like you, if grace has been applied, they are a Christian, but still having to battle that flesh! Love that person, for they are God's creation, just as we all are. It is the actions that have hurt you. And those actions are from the enemy. Turn your hurt to Satan, and not that person. That is not easy, and will always be a struggle. However, by doing this, you can pray for that person easier, and you can forgive that person....even if they don't ask for it....to prevent bitterness from settling in your heart....and you turning into a chameleon as well.
Christian chameleons don't only fool the person looking at them, but they are fooling themselves. They walk around the church....looking like the church. They can look in the mirror and satan can blind them into seeing what they want to see....a good person, doing work for the Lord. That is why it is so hard to detect them....they blend in. That is why the hurt is so painful....they aren't what they appear to be.
Keep your eyes on the cross, stay in His Word daily, stay in a mindset of prayer, crucify your flesh daily! Don't become a chameleon that appears to be right with God, only to project your tongue and hurt some fellow Christian, or God forbid, prevent a sinner from salvation!! Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" While we do not judge, we can be fruit inspectors. God gives discernment, stay in that spirit of prayer and He will guide you. Vengence is the Lord's, and none of His children can do wrong and get by. Love the person, hate the action....and know that it is Satan who has crept in and changed something in that person's life to make them 'change their colors'. Pray for them!!
I have someone in my life who is not where they need to be, they are not walking according to the Bible.....but they are blinded by the colors of Satan, so they think they are in God's will. Their actions, however, prove they are not. I could be, and have been so hurt by this person....but, as I look at it differently, God has helped me. That person is just a chameleon right now, projecting what they want others to see them to be....instead of what they are. But for God, I could be in that same state. And Satan would just love to start a civil war in the Christian community. Get Thee Behind Me Satan.......I love this person, even though they don't acknowledge my existence. I don't love their wrong doings. But by taking what they are doing wrong away from the person, I can pray more effectively for this person, love this person, even feel sorrow for this person....and put those feelings of anger and hurt toward who has conjured them up....the devil!!
One day we won't have to fight the enemy any more!! His days are numbered!! Let's keep God's army strong!! We don't need any chameleons in this army! Stay true to yourself, and more importantly to God!!!
This is interesting to me. Lion that is on the ground. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;" I've known this verse for years, I have studied it, and referenced it many times. But the other day, I was learning about chameleons, and when I saw the greek meaning, my mind began spinning.....scary, isn't it??
Knowing that verse, I have always envisioned that big lion with his furry mane, charging down the streets, roaring at the top of his lungs, just waiting for someone to be in his path so that he may devour them. Satan certainly does do that! Then I began studying these 'lions on the ground'. Chameleons' skin have a superficial layer which contain pigments. Under this layer of skin are cells that have guanine crystals. Light is reflected off the crystals causing them to change color.
Functions for changing color are: social signaling, reactions to temperature, and camouflage. Color change signals a chameleons physiological condition and intentions to other chameleons. They tend to show bright colors when displaying aggressively to other chameleons, darker colors when they submit or give up. Like snakes, they have no middle ear so they have no ear opening or drum. They detect sound frequencies. They have long tongues, one and a half of it's body length (excluding the tail). They ballistically project their tongue in order to catch their prey.
Now that I have given some chameleon facts, let me put this into a spiritual lesson. While Satan is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, I believe that people can be a chameleon, a lion on the ground doing damage to your spiritual well being. These chameleons can be sinners, but they can also be fellow Christians. Sinners, I don't have as much of a problem with, because they are just that...sinners. We all are born sinners, and but for the grace of God are we saved! It's the Christian chameleon that can be such a problem! James 1:26 says, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." There are also those who say they are Christians, but in fact have never been saved. In Matthew 7:21, Jesus says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." While these 'chameleons' can be very hurtful, they are still doing about their worldly father's business.
The chameleons that bother me the most are the Christian chameleons. Psalm 55:21, "The word of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart;" Psalm 28:3, "Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts." There are so many civil wars being fought in the Christian community. It is sad, but it is just what that ole roaring lion loves! If he can get enough chameleons (ground lions) working in the Christian community, then he is defeating us from the inside out! No one wins as a whole, when there is war going on internally.
We are all human, we all fail, and we are all sinners. We must remember that, lest we turn into a chameleon ourselves. Stop looking to that person and saying they hurt you.....they are a sinner, just like you, if grace has been applied, they are a Christian, but still having to battle that flesh! Love that person, for they are God's creation, just as we all are. It is the actions that have hurt you. And those actions are from the enemy. Turn your hurt to Satan, and not that person. That is not easy, and will always be a struggle. However, by doing this, you can pray for that person easier, and you can forgive that person....even if they don't ask for it....to prevent bitterness from settling in your heart....and you turning into a chameleon as well.
Christian chameleons don't only fool the person looking at them, but they are fooling themselves. They walk around the church....looking like the church. They can look in the mirror and satan can blind them into seeing what they want to see....a good person, doing work for the Lord. That is why it is so hard to detect them....they blend in. That is why the hurt is so painful....they aren't what they appear to be.
Keep your eyes on the cross, stay in His Word daily, stay in a mindset of prayer, crucify your flesh daily! Don't become a chameleon that appears to be right with God, only to project your tongue and hurt some fellow Christian, or God forbid, prevent a sinner from salvation!! Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" While we do not judge, we can be fruit inspectors. God gives discernment, stay in that spirit of prayer and He will guide you. Vengence is the Lord's, and none of His children can do wrong and get by. Love the person, hate the action....and know that it is Satan who has crept in and changed something in that person's life to make them 'change their colors'. Pray for them!!
I have someone in my life who is not where they need to be, they are not walking according to the Bible.....but they are blinded by the colors of Satan, so they think they are in God's will. Their actions, however, prove they are not. I could be, and have been so hurt by this person....but, as I look at it differently, God has helped me. That person is just a chameleon right now, projecting what they want others to see them to be....instead of what they are. But for God, I could be in that same state. And Satan would just love to start a civil war in the Christian community. Get Thee Behind Me Satan.......I love this person, even though they don't acknowledge my existence. I don't love their wrong doings. But by taking what they are doing wrong away from the person, I can pray more effectively for this person, love this person, even feel sorrow for this person....and put those feelings of anger and hurt toward who has conjured them up....the devil!!
One day we won't have to fight the enemy any more!! His days are numbered!! Let's keep God's army strong!! We don't need any chameleons in this army! Stay true to yourself, and more importantly to God!!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Under His Feet
Ephesians 1:22, "And hath put all things under his feet...."
We've been studying the book of Ephesians in Sunday School. And when we got to this verse, these words just kept speaking to my heart. It was during the Christmas season, and this thought came to mind. With all the presents around the house, comes all the boxes, and paper, and trash. That got me thinking.
My arms are loaded down with boxes, and I'm walking to the trash can, thinking, how am I going to make all this fit?? I try to push and squeeze the boxes in my arms, but that really doesn't do much good. What do you do?? Well, you do what you've seen Mom and Dad do, you put the box on the floor and step on it! And just like that, the box is flat and small and able to fit in the garbage can! So much more force and weight are applied when you use your foot, the box is no match!
So then, I get a spiritual picture. Here I am, carrying my heavy, big burdens around with me. I don't know how I'm going to keep carrying them, or what I'm going to do with them. I try to push on them, work on them, try to make a difference myself. When, finally, I get self out of the way....and carry them to my Father. He can do all things, and He puts my big ole burdens under His feet, and just like that, they are small and able to be managed!! Why do we wear ourselves out wrestling with our burdens when, He 'hath put all things under his feet'?
Brings a song back into my remembrance that I used to sing with my Mother and Aunts:
"When Simon Peter walked abreast, putting his faith unto the test, he said, 'Master will thou bid me come unto thee?' Jesus said, come, so Peter went and when the faith he had was spent, Peter sank low but Jesus had waves roll under his feet
Under his feet, under his feet, there's not a problem that you'll face, he cannot meet. Whenever you've waded out too far in waters too deep, remember when waves are over your head, they're under his feet!
He's got it!! Trust in Him, put it under His feet!! The load is so much lighter and easier to manage!!
We've been studying the book of Ephesians in Sunday School. And when we got to this verse, these words just kept speaking to my heart. It was during the Christmas season, and this thought came to mind. With all the presents around the house, comes all the boxes, and paper, and trash. That got me thinking.
My arms are loaded down with boxes, and I'm walking to the trash can, thinking, how am I going to make all this fit?? I try to push and squeeze the boxes in my arms, but that really doesn't do much good. What do you do?? Well, you do what you've seen Mom and Dad do, you put the box on the floor and step on it! And just like that, the box is flat and small and able to fit in the garbage can! So much more force and weight are applied when you use your foot, the box is no match!
So then, I get a spiritual picture. Here I am, carrying my heavy, big burdens around with me. I don't know how I'm going to keep carrying them, or what I'm going to do with them. I try to push on them, work on them, try to make a difference myself. When, finally, I get self out of the way....and carry them to my Father. He can do all things, and He puts my big ole burdens under His feet, and just like that, they are small and able to be managed!! Why do we wear ourselves out wrestling with our burdens when, He 'hath put all things under his feet'?
Brings a song back into my remembrance that I used to sing with my Mother and Aunts:
"When Simon Peter walked abreast, putting his faith unto the test, he said, 'Master will thou bid me come unto thee?' Jesus said, come, so Peter went and when the faith he had was spent, Peter sank low but Jesus had waves roll under his feet
Under his feet, under his feet, there's not a problem that you'll face, he cannot meet. Whenever you've waded out too far in waters too deep, remember when waves are over your head, they're under his feet!
He's got it!! Trust in Him, put it under His feet!! The load is so much lighter and easier to manage!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Serving...and Not Asking For A Thing
Take a moment and read II Kings 4:8-37, and 8:1-6.
This is the story of a Shunammite woman who had a servant's heart for the prophet, Elisha. This was a financially well off and significant social standing woman. She had nothing to gain nor profit from helping Elisha. She had no motive, no hidden plan. When Elisha came into town, she would feed him. She was submissive to her husband, because she went to him and asked if they could make a small walled upper chamber for Elisha, When he came into town, he could have a bed, table, stool, and a candlestick. He could have his own place to rest. They did build the room, and Elisha came to rest. Elisha sent his servant to this woman to see what she wanted in return. He offered her a king or a captain....and her answer was, "I dwell among mine own people." She was satisfied. She wasn't caring for Elisha in return for something, she did it because it was the right thing to do.
Elisha knew that she had no child and her husband was old. So Elisha told her that she would bare a son. She did find that hard to believe, and said, "Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid." And of course, she did conceive and bare a son. The Bible doesn't tell us how old he was, but said he was grown, so I am thinking he isn't a small child or toddler. He was old enough to go out into the fields and reap with his father. He began to complain of a headache. A worker brought the child into his mother, and he sat on her lap and died.
She could've flipped out, gone mad, blamed Elisha, blamed God....and human nature would understand all of those reactions. But, she took him up and laid him on the bed she kept for Elisha. She knew her son was dead...but she also knew that Elisha's God was the answer. This woman blows my mind at the faith she had! She told her husband that she was going to get Elisha, the husband said, (I paraphrase) 'Why would you go today, he won't see you...it's not sabbath, or a new moon."....Her reply....I love her reply!...."IT SHALL BE WELL!" Hold up, her son just died in her arms!! All is well?
She took off, and she went in a hurry! No joke! Mom's are going to do what they have to for their children!! Elisha saw her coming and sent his servant to see what she needed. The servant asked her, "Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?" She blows my mind once again with her reply...."It is well" What?!?!? Her child is dead.....how can she say that??? She knew the servant of the prophet Elisha wasn't who she needed to get into her story with.....she needed Elisha! She grabbed Elisha's feet, she was humble and touched the man of God lowly. The prophet's servant pulled her away. Elisha knew she was in deep distress by her actions. God had not told him what was happening.
Elisha sent his servant quickly to the child, and had him lay his staff upon the face of the child. The mother, meanwhile didn't leave Elisha. She knew where the power of God was. The child was still dead. Elisha came to him and prayed over him and lay upon him, and the child's body became warm. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. He gave the child back to his mom, she bowed to him, and took her child. This Shunammite woman showed great faith and humility. She didn't whine, or get angry, pitch a fit, or try to heal her child her way, nor listen to her friends for their opinions. She was mature in her faith.
Later in chapter 8, we see this Shunammite woman again. A famine was coming, and was going to stay for seven years. Elisha thought enough of this woman to tell her to pack up her household and dwell somewhere else for seven years. She could've whined and said, This is my house, these are my things, I can't leave it all. What will I ever do?? Where will I go?? I don't see any famine coming?? Nope...verse 2 says she arose and did what Elisha told her to do. After seven years were over, she went to petition the king for her house and her land. Meanwhile, Elisha's servant was telling the king about this woman's story.....don't tell me that was a coincidence....my God is always on time!......and so the king asked the woman if the servant was telling the truth, she gladly told him. The king restored all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day she left the land even until now! What?? Not only did she get her house and land back, but the king gave her the fruit of her land from seven years ago until present date!! Don't tell me my God isn't real!!
Because of her faith and service, God healed her child, and later remembered her so she wouldn't perish during the famine, and then blessed her much more than she even asked for!! God always goes above and beyond what we ask of Him! If we do our part, if we stay faithful to Him, if we do what He asks, then He will protect and care for us! We can be like that Shunammite woman and serve Him without asking for a thing, and by keeping faith, He will continue to pour out His blessings!!
I want to be like that Shunammite woman......I want to serve him, not outrageously, not loudly, not to draw attention to self, but to serve Him because He is my Saviour. I don't want or ask for anything in return, I want to be satisfied with what I have, even when the storms are raging, when illness hits, when the death angel visits, when finances are low, when friends walk away, when whatever comes my way, I want to reply, "It Shall Be Well!"
This is the story of a Shunammite woman who had a servant's heart for the prophet, Elisha. This was a financially well off and significant social standing woman. She had nothing to gain nor profit from helping Elisha. She had no motive, no hidden plan. When Elisha came into town, she would feed him. She was submissive to her husband, because she went to him and asked if they could make a small walled upper chamber for Elisha, When he came into town, he could have a bed, table, stool, and a candlestick. He could have his own place to rest. They did build the room, and Elisha came to rest. Elisha sent his servant to this woman to see what she wanted in return. He offered her a king or a captain....and her answer was, "I dwell among mine own people." She was satisfied. She wasn't caring for Elisha in return for something, she did it because it was the right thing to do.
Elisha knew that she had no child and her husband was old. So Elisha told her that she would bare a son. She did find that hard to believe, and said, "Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid." And of course, she did conceive and bare a son. The Bible doesn't tell us how old he was, but said he was grown, so I am thinking he isn't a small child or toddler. He was old enough to go out into the fields and reap with his father. He began to complain of a headache. A worker brought the child into his mother, and he sat on her lap and died.
She could've flipped out, gone mad, blamed Elisha, blamed God....and human nature would understand all of those reactions. But, she took him up and laid him on the bed she kept for Elisha. She knew her son was dead...but she also knew that Elisha's God was the answer. This woman blows my mind at the faith she had! She told her husband that she was going to get Elisha, the husband said, (I paraphrase) 'Why would you go today, he won't see you...it's not sabbath, or a new moon."....Her reply....I love her reply!...."IT SHALL BE WELL!" Hold up, her son just died in her arms!! All is well?
She took off, and she went in a hurry! No joke! Mom's are going to do what they have to for their children!! Elisha saw her coming and sent his servant to see what she needed. The servant asked her, "Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?" She blows my mind once again with her reply...."It is well" What?!?!? Her child is dead.....how can she say that??? She knew the servant of the prophet Elisha wasn't who she needed to get into her story with.....she needed Elisha! She grabbed Elisha's feet, she was humble and touched the man of God lowly. The prophet's servant pulled her away. Elisha knew she was in deep distress by her actions. God had not told him what was happening.
Elisha sent his servant quickly to the child, and had him lay his staff upon the face of the child. The mother, meanwhile didn't leave Elisha. She knew where the power of God was. The child was still dead. Elisha came to him and prayed over him and lay upon him, and the child's body became warm. The child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. He gave the child back to his mom, she bowed to him, and took her child. This Shunammite woman showed great faith and humility. She didn't whine, or get angry, pitch a fit, or try to heal her child her way, nor listen to her friends for their opinions. She was mature in her faith.
Later in chapter 8, we see this Shunammite woman again. A famine was coming, and was going to stay for seven years. Elisha thought enough of this woman to tell her to pack up her household and dwell somewhere else for seven years. She could've whined and said, This is my house, these are my things, I can't leave it all. What will I ever do?? Where will I go?? I don't see any famine coming?? Nope...verse 2 says she arose and did what Elisha told her to do. After seven years were over, she went to petition the king for her house and her land. Meanwhile, Elisha's servant was telling the king about this woman's story.....don't tell me that was a coincidence....my God is always on time!......and so the king asked the woman if the servant was telling the truth, she gladly told him. The king restored all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day she left the land even until now! What?? Not only did she get her house and land back, but the king gave her the fruit of her land from seven years ago until present date!! Don't tell me my God isn't real!!
Because of her faith and service, God healed her child, and later remembered her so she wouldn't perish during the famine, and then blessed her much more than she even asked for!! God always goes above and beyond what we ask of Him! If we do our part, if we stay faithful to Him, if we do what He asks, then He will protect and care for us! We can be like that Shunammite woman and serve Him without asking for a thing, and by keeping faith, He will continue to pour out His blessings!!
I want to be like that Shunammite woman......I want to serve him, not outrageously, not loudly, not to draw attention to self, but to serve Him because He is my Saviour. I don't want or ask for anything in return, I want to be satisfied with what I have, even when the storms are raging, when illness hits, when the death angel visits, when finances are low, when friends walk away, when whatever comes my way, I want to reply, "It Shall Be Well!"
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Closet Praying
Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
I have beaten myself up in the past because I felt I haven't gone into my closet and prayed enough. Satan has nagged at me about it, telling me I am not spending time enough with God, therefore He will not hear my prayers. Meanwhile, I have a full time job, I am a wife, and mother. I have taken care of elderly parents too. I find myself praying every time I am in the car, while I am in the shower, in the bed before I go to sleep, praying as I jog down the road, and on and on.
Don't get me wrong, I do get on my knees, in my bedroom closet and grab hold to the horns of the altar, make my needs be made known, and praise Him. We need to get in a quiet secret place and get alone with God, away from everything and get in the throne room is an honor. Because of Jesus, we can boldly go into the throne room and make our petitions known! Thank you, Jesus!!
I Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." That is what I finally realized.....you must be in touch with Christ all the time, it will certainly help your perspective on situations...as well as people, when you are talking with God. And praying in the shower, the car, and everywhere else, is my prayer closet.
God also showed me something else. Closet. I chopped up the word and by doing so, God showed me this: CLOSE t............the 't' by itself stands for the cross. By praying in your closet, you are
'close' to the cross!! That may not mean much to you, but it made me do a happy dance! When you are near the cross, Satan has to flee! No wonder that snake fought me over praying!!
Start your morning in prayer, and don't end it with 'Amen', just continue throughout your day talking and communing with the Father! Making your requests be made known through prayer, with thanksgiving. You will be shocked at how much better your day will go! Let your prayer closet keep you, close to the cross!!
I have beaten myself up in the past because I felt I haven't gone into my closet and prayed enough. Satan has nagged at me about it, telling me I am not spending time enough with God, therefore He will not hear my prayers. Meanwhile, I have a full time job, I am a wife, and mother. I have taken care of elderly parents too. I find myself praying every time I am in the car, while I am in the shower, in the bed before I go to sleep, praying as I jog down the road, and on and on.
Don't get me wrong, I do get on my knees, in my bedroom closet and grab hold to the horns of the altar, make my needs be made known, and praise Him. We need to get in a quiet secret place and get alone with God, away from everything and get in the throne room is an honor. Because of Jesus, we can boldly go into the throne room and make our petitions known! Thank you, Jesus!!
I Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." That is what I finally realized.....you must be in touch with Christ all the time, it will certainly help your perspective on situations...as well as people, when you are talking with God. And praying in the shower, the car, and everywhere else, is my prayer closet.
God also showed me something else. Closet. I chopped up the word and by doing so, God showed me this: CLOSE t............the 't' by itself stands for the cross. By praying in your closet, you are
'close' to the cross!! That may not mean much to you, but it made me do a happy dance! When you are near the cross, Satan has to flee! No wonder that snake fought me over praying!!
Start your morning in prayer, and don't end it with 'Amen', just continue throughout your day talking and communing with the Father! Making your requests be made known through prayer, with thanksgiving. You will be shocked at how much better your day will go! Let your prayer closet keep you, close to the cross!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Perspective
Perspective..... a mental view or outlook. I've certainly had a lot going on in my life the last couple of years that have changed or heightened my perspective on my life. The birth of my first grandchild, my oldest daughter in college and engaged to be married, taking care of my mother as her health failed, and then her death, and now the death of my 4 year old cousin. God is awesome!! He has proven Himself over and over! The blessings have been immeasurable! I cannot fathom what life would be like without Him in it!
God has placed people in my life, just when I needed them. He has allowed people to come back into my life just when I needed them, and He has allowed people to walk out of my life....just when I needed that too. I have witnessed God pick up the pieces around me and paint the most beautiful portrait! He always makes a masterpiece out of our messes, if we allow Him to! He will not put more on you than you can bear, and He has proven that to me, and because I trusted in Him, I am stronger in my faith.
Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." I'm so thankful to have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are genuinely walking with Christ. They have been so wonderful during me and my family's time of need! Verse 3 says, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Sad to say that there are those among us who are deceived. But by God's grace, I could be walking around the same way.
Losing my mother was and is hard. I miss her so much. The loss of both parents leaves a vacancy within my heart. I am encouraged by the fact that I live with the assurance of one day being reunited with both of them one day for eternity! Not having them anymore, makes everyday a special blessing for me now. I do not take for granted being a mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. I don't 'sweat the small stuff' as they say. I enjoy my time with them, and drink it in! Time is so short!!! Life is too short and eternity is too long to be stubborn!! Why hang on to hurt, pain, stubbornness, pride???? Will all that matter when we get to Heaven??
The drowning death of my 4 year old cousin this past week only heightened my new perspective on things. All these, hurt feelings, anger and grudges.......what a waste!! Get over all that! Is that hurt, disappointment, disagreement worth more than the person you have those feelings targeted at?? Find a way to get past it, and make a way to have some kind of relationship with your family, friends, whoever, again! Time is too short!! None of us are guaranteed tomorrow!! If that person you have 'issues' with were to die tomorrow, could you live with the regrets?
Is it 'things' that you are focused on? New job, new car, new house, getting bigger things, better things....is all that worth it? We sometimes like to pat ourselves on the back and say, look what God is blessing me with....God is giving me everything I wanted......Everything is going my way! Really? Is it? Or is it just filling the void of things lost that are really what is important in life....friendship, relationships......
I had struggled with seeing some people 'prosper' and think, how is it that they seem to be 'blessed' and others struggle. Well, I recently saw the movie, "God's Not Dead".....a must see, by the way, and an elderly woman made a statement that blew me away. Her son told her that she had lived right all of her life, and had nothing, not even her health, meanwhile he was evil and his life was perfect and had it all. ( I am paraphrasing). Her reply was that Satan allows us to enjoy and prosper in sin, in order to keep us where he wants us.....keep us inside his prison, but one day the cell door will slam shut! Wow!! That's it!! I'm not just talking about sinners either, Christians get imprisoned too! Satan can't get Christians' souls, but he can imprison them so that they will not and cannot be a witness to lead others to Christ!
Are all those 'things' you say God is blessing you with helping your walk with Him....or hindering? I'm not saying you shouldn't have nice things or that God is not in you getting nice things.....I'm not saying that at all! But when your perspective is in those 'things', when you are wrapped up in your own little bubble, is that being Christ-like? When you cut family, friends out of your life, when you are so involved in 'things' that others, sinners and even fellow Christians, stop and say, "Whoa, what is going on with them??" It may just be time to get a new perspective.
As we lay that beautiful baby boy in a grave this weekend, rejoicing that he is perfect and whole in Heaven, awaiting on us to arrive, as I visit the grave of my mother, I walk away in awe of God's mercy and grace and love. I'm not sweating 'he said, she said, he did, she did..' I'm sharing God's love and mercy with others around me, all this world has to offer can be gone tomorrow, but my family, my friends, they are here forever. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes.........if God can love us still, and forgive, than surely we can too! Now go hug your children, your spouse, tell that niece or nephew how proud of them you are, call your mom and dad while you can, reach out to that cousin you haven't talked to in a while, let that friend know you are thinking about them!
God has placed people in my life, just when I needed them. He has allowed people to come back into my life just when I needed them, and He has allowed people to walk out of my life....just when I needed that too. I have witnessed God pick up the pieces around me and paint the most beautiful portrait! He always makes a masterpiece out of our messes, if we allow Him to! He will not put more on you than you can bear, and He has proven that to me, and because I trusted in Him, I am stronger in my faith.
Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." I'm so thankful to have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are genuinely walking with Christ. They have been so wonderful during me and my family's time of need! Verse 3 says, "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." Sad to say that there are those among us who are deceived. But by God's grace, I could be walking around the same way.
Losing my mother was and is hard. I miss her so much. The loss of both parents leaves a vacancy within my heart. I am encouraged by the fact that I live with the assurance of one day being reunited with both of them one day for eternity! Not having them anymore, makes everyday a special blessing for me now. I do not take for granted being a mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. I don't 'sweat the small stuff' as they say. I enjoy my time with them, and drink it in! Time is so short!!! Life is too short and eternity is too long to be stubborn!! Why hang on to hurt, pain, stubbornness, pride???? Will all that matter when we get to Heaven??
The drowning death of my 4 year old cousin this past week only heightened my new perspective on things. All these, hurt feelings, anger and grudges.......what a waste!! Get over all that! Is that hurt, disappointment, disagreement worth more than the person you have those feelings targeted at?? Find a way to get past it, and make a way to have some kind of relationship with your family, friends, whoever, again! Time is too short!! None of us are guaranteed tomorrow!! If that person you have 'issues' with were to die tomorrow, could you live with the regrets?
Is it 'things' that you are focused on? New job, new car, new house, getting bigger things, better things....is all that worth it? We sometimes like to pat ourselves on the back and say, look what God is blessing me with....God is giving me everything I wanted......Everything is going my way! Really? Is it? Or is it just filling the void of things lost that are really what is important in life....friendship, relationships......
I had struggled with seeing some people 'prosper' and think, how is it that they seem to be 'blessed' and others struggle. Well, I recently saw the movie, "God's Not Dead".....a must see, by the way, and an elderly woman made a statement that blew me away. Her son told her that she had lived right all of her life, and had nothing, not even her health, meanwhile he was evil and his life was perfect and had it all. ( I am paraphrasing). Her reply was that Satan allows us to enjoy and prosper in sin, in order to keep us where he wants us.....keep us inside his prison, but one day the cell door will slam shut! Wow!! That's it!! I'm not just talking about sinners either, Christians get imprisoned too! Satan can't get Christians' souls, but he can imprison them so that they will not and cannot be a witness to lead others to Christ!
Are all those 'things' you say God is blessing you with helping your walk with Him....or hindering? I'm not saying you shouldn't have nice things or that God is not in you getting nice things.....I'm not saying that at all! But when your perspective is in those 'things', when you are wrapped up in your own little bubble, is that being Christ-like? When you cut family, friends out of your life, when you are so involved in 'things' that others, sinners and even fellow Christians, stop and say, "Whoa, what is going on with them??" It may just be time to get a new perspective.
As we lay that beautiful baby boy in a grave this weekend, rejoicing that he is perfect and whole in Heaven, awaiting on us to arrive, as I visit the grave of my mother, I walk away in awe of God's mercy and grace and love. I'm not sweating 'he said, she said, he did, she did..' I'm sharing God's love and mercy with others around me, all this world has to offer can be gone tomorrow, but my family, my friends, they are here forever. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes.........if God can love us still, and forgive, than surely we can too! Now go hug your children, your spouse, tell that niece or nephew how proud of them you are, call your mom and dad while you can, reach out to that cousin you haven't talked to in a while, let that friend know you are thinking about them!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Playing With The Box
How many times have we been so excited to give our children a present, only to watch them open it up, and begin playing with the box it came in?? We just shake our heads and say, 'Really???' I recently became a grandmother, and let me say it is the best role I have ever experienced!!!! I love to watch her play. She has a whole basket of toys, and what does she mostly play with??? A wooden spoon and a plastic measuring cup!!! But, that's what babies do.........eventually, we are to grow up and appreciate the gift instead of the box.
Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." How many Christians are out there just playing with the box, instead of enjoying the gift of salvation??? Think about it, they get saved, they accept the most awesome gift ever known, and then do nothing with it. We are all guilty of this from time to time. How much time are you spending in prayer, in the Word, in God's House, witnessing to the lost, helping a brother???
What a waste!! God gave us all He had!! And in turn all we do is sit the gift aside and play with the box! The box is cool, it has beautiful wrapping paper, probably an awesome bow....but my friend, don't stop there!!! The best part is inside the box!! That's like only eating the crust off of a pie, and never tasting the filling!!
Let's get down to where the rubber hits the road......you do read your Bible, you do go to Bible studies, perhaps you have taught Bible studies, or a class, perhaps you do sing in the choir, can quote scripture, have led someone to the Lord.......oh, yes, that is enjoying the gift. But there is more!! Have you ever opened a gift and loved it, only to hear the giver say, "Keep looking, there is more!!"
Isn't that music to your ears??
There is more! The more you look, the more you dig, the more you will find in your gift of salvation! At first, it is the enjoyment of the box.....the fact that you are saved and no longer going to Hell, but then you start really using in the gift, and that is your walk in your Christian life, but keep digging!! Are you being all you can be? Are you fully utilizing your gift?......How about that loved one you have walked away from just because they may not see things the way you do? What about that friend you once were close to but seem to have walked away from? What about that church member you never talk to?? Maybe you used to sing, or teach a class, but you find yourself just warming the pew now. We think we can justify our actions....but can we really? Is God really pleased with our actions? Or is He just standing back and shaking His head, saying, 'Really??' It's easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. You may be able to quote scripture, you may be able to sound all Holy on Facebook........but really take a look at yourself.....you may just be robbing yourself.......are you just holding the box??? Don't fool yourself, don't let the enemy fool you, after a while, people are going to notice that you are only playing with the box.
Whatever it is, there is always more to this great gift.........keep digging!! Don't settle for just playing with the box!! God loves you, He loves EVERYONE, He created us all in His likeness. He wants His children to have it all! Step outside of your 'box' and LIVE your gift, when you truly enjoy your gift, others will take notice, and your Christian walk is a real testimony to how great our God is!!
Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." How many Christians are out there just playing with the box, instead of enjoying the gift of salvation??? Think about it, they get saved, they accept the most awesome gift ever known, and then do nothing with it. We are all guilty of this from time to time. How much time are you spending in prayer, in the Word, in God's House, witnessing to the lost, helping a brother???
What a waste!! God gave us all He had!! And in turn all we do is sit the gift aside and play with the box! The box is cool, it has beautiful wrapping paper, probably an awesome bow....but my friend, don't stop there!!! The best part is inside the box!! That's like only eating the crust off of a pie, and never tasting the filling!!
Let's get down to where the rubber hits the road......you do read your Bible, you do go to Bible studies, perhaps you have taught Bible studies, or a class, perhaps you do sing in the choir, can quote scripture, have led someone to the Lord.......oh, yes, that is enjoying the gift. But there is more!! Have you ever opened a gift and loved it, only to hear the giver say, "Keep looking, there is more!!"
Isn't that music to your ears??
There is more! The more you look, the more you dig, the more you will find in your gift of salvation! At first, it is the enjoyment of the box.....the fact that you are saved and no longer going to Hell, but then you start really using in the gift, and that is your walk in your Christian life, but keep digging!! Are you being all you can be? Are you fully utilizing your gift?......How about that loved one you have walked away from just because they may not see things the way you do? What about that friend you once were close to but seem to have walked away from? What about that church member you never talk to?? Maybe you used to sing, or teach a class, but you find yourself just warming the pew now. We think we can justify our actions....but can we really? Is God really pleased with our actions? Or is He just standing back and shaking His head, saying, 'Really??' It's easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. You may be able to quote scripture, you may be able to sound all Holy on Facebook........but really take a look at yourself.....you may just be robbing yourself.......are you just holding the box??? Don't fool yourself, don't let the enemy fool you, after a while, people are going to notice that you are only playing with the box.
Whatever it is, there is always more to this great gift.........keep digging!! Don't settle for just playing with the box!! God loves you, He loves EVERYONE, He created us all in His likeness. He wants His children to have it all! Step outside of your 'box' and LIVE your gift, when you truly enjoy your gift, others will take notice, and your Christian walk is a real testimony to how great our God is!!
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