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!!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
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!!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Umbrellas
While talking with a sweet friend the other night, a thought came to me. We were discussing storms of life. They can be pretty rough. They can wear you down. You can't see your way out, you feel alone, scared, angry, and often want to just give up. God never forsakes, and His mercy never fails!
As I was discussing this particular storm with her, I also told her of some other not so wonderful events that were also happening at the same time. Her reply was, 'Wow, you seem to be having a tornado going on in the middle of your storm!' But, there is grace. I could stop my story with that sentence there, couldn't I?? Even though I am weary and worn, I don't know what I am going to have to do or deal with to get out of this storm, I see no end in sight, and then more things are going on too, there is a peace, there is a stillness present within my soul. It is nothing about me, let's clear that up right now! It is all Him!! I am a failure, a cry baby and whiner at times, a temper tantrum toddler....a mess. But THROUGH HIM, I am still standing, while the storm pours down!
I could look at everything going on and give up, and by all rights.....no one could blame me. What does that prove? I've been a Christian long enough, God has proven Himself enough times, that I know that when I can't trace His steps, I must trust His heart, as the song says. By staying focused on Him and the daily blessings He bestows....I'm going to make it through......and not only that......I will be stronger in my faith....and He will make all things be for my good!! None of that happens if I sit down and give up!!
When the storm is at it's darkest, I force this ole flesh to look at the positives and keep keeping on! Those positives are what I call 'umbrellas'. During a rain storm, an umbrella will certainly help you stay mostly dry, but not totally, right? Your feet and legs get wet, usually your lower back gets wet, or a shoulder, depending on the size of the umbrella, or the way you are holding it, or the way the wind is blowing. The only way to stay totally dry is not to be out in the rain. But, the umbrella will help enough until you can safely get to where you can be safely inside again. See where I'm going with this???
Instead of griping about the rain, griping about having to be out in the rain, griping about the wind blowing it in on you, griping that the umbrella isn't big enough, blah, blah, blah.......
Thank God you have the umbrella, how much worse would the storm be without it? Count your blessings!! I'm not looking at these other things that are also hitting me at the same time as the storm as negatives, I'm thanking God for tossing me an umbrella and helping it not to be worse!!
I'm reminded of a sweet scripture over in Exodus, when Moses was with God getting the ten commandments, and Moses was in His presence, and too close being just a human and in chapter 33:22 He says, "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by." Friend, He will cover you with His hand! He will do whatever it takes to protect His children!!
I'm no spiritual giant, I am nothing but an old sinner saved by grace, but if I can just help someone who is struggling in a storm, tell them to grab that umbrella and walk on, it is so worth it!! The mountain top awaits!! Don't give up on the brink of a miracle!!! He is our strength!! Thank You, Lord for keeping me safe, til the storm passes by!! I praise you during this storm, and I will praise you after it!!
As I was discussing this particular storm with her, I also told her of some other not so wonderful events that were also happening at the same time. Her reply was, 'Wow, you seem to be having a tornado going on in the middle of your storm!' But, there is grace. I could stop my story with that sentence there, couldn't I?? Even though I am weary and worn, I don't know what I am going to have to do or deal with to get out of this storm, I see no end in sight, and then more things are going on too, there is a peace, there is a stillness present within my soul. It is nothing about me, let's clear that up right now! It is all Him!! I am a failure, a cry baby and whiner at times, a temper tantrum toddler....a mess. But THROUGH HIM, I am still standing, while the storm pours down!
I could look at everything going on and give up, and by all rights.....no one could blame me. What does that prove? I've been a Christian long enough, God has proven Himself enough times, that I know that when I can't trace His steps, I must trust His heart, as the song says. By staying focused on Him and the daily blessings He bestows....I'm going to make it through......and not only that......I will be stronger in my faith....and He will make all things be for my good!! None of that happens if I sit down and give up!!
When the storm is at it's darkest, I force this ole flesh to look at the positives and keep keeping on! Those positives are what I call 'umbrellas'. During a rain storm, an umbrella will certainly help you stay mostly dry, but not totally, right? Your feet and legs get wet, usually your lower back gets wet, or a shoulder, depending on the size of the umbrella, or the way you are holding it, or the way the wind is blowing. The only way to stay totally dry is not to be out in the rain. But, the umbrella will help enough until you can safely get to where you can be safely inside again. See where I'm going with this???
Instead of griping about the rain, griping about having to be out in the rain, griping about the wind blowing it in on you, griping that the umbrella isn't big enough, blah, blah, blah.......
Thank God you have the umbrella, how much worse would the storm be without it? Count your blessings!! I'm not looking at these other things that are also hitting me at the same time as the storm as negatives, I'm thanking God for tossing me an umbrella and helping it not to be worse!!
I'm reminded of a sweet scripture over in Exodus, when Moses was with God getting the ten commandments, and Moses was in His presence, and too close being just a human and in chapter 33:22 He says, "And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by." Friend, He will cover you with His hand! He will do whatever it takes to protect His children!!
I'm no spiritual giant, I am nothing but an old sinner saved by grace, but if I can just help someone who is struggling in a storm, tell them to grab that umbrella and walk on, it is so worth it!! The mountain top awaits!! Don't give up on the brink of a miracle!!! He is our strength!! Thank You, Lord for keeping me safe, til the storm passes by!! I praise you during this storm, and I will praise you after it!!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Whose Armor Do You Have On?
I love the story of David and Goliath. I have heard it all of my life, studied it many times, and have heard many sermons on it. I can always find some new nugget in it! Isn't that awesome! I'm sure you do the same thing! Why is this possible? It is because the Bible is God's Living Word!! It is alive, therefore there is always something new in it, and always just when you need it!! Just had to take out time for a commercial and thank God for His Word, His Living Word!!!
Now back to David, over in I Samuel Chapter 17, I took notice of verses 38 and 39. "And Saul armed (clothed) David with his (Saul's) armor, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go (tried to walk); for he had not proved (tested) it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off of him."
That really spoke to me. How often do we try to walk someone else's walk? Am I alone here?? I will give you an example from my life. I was blessed to be born in a Godly heritage. My parents were awesome Christians. I never had to ask if we were going to church.....it was a given! I never had to wonder if our home was built on Christian values.......that was obvious!! I was saved at the young age of 7. The enemy has fought with me for many years, telling me that I didn't really get saved then. I finally won the victory over that, Praise the Lord!!! That story will have to be another blog! Anyway, I basically lived my life underneath my parents 'Christianity wings'. I never really worked hard at a relationship with God personally, because it was so soaked into my home life, through my parents.
Eventually, I grew up, married, and was on my own. In some ways, I was still underneath their 'wings', because we went to the same church and were always close. One day, my Goliath arrived in my life, and it was time to stand up to him! But wait, how could I do it?? I never really had before, I was underneath my parent's Christianity, so things just seemed to slide off of me. My personal Christianity had not been proven. That is no fault of my parents, and certainly not God's, that is all on me!
Thank God, I finally took a step out on my own with God's guidance and found my own armor for the battle! And by doing so, I have truly had a relationship with Christ! My soul has grown in strength! What a day of freedom! The realization that salvation is a personal step!
Now in verse 40 David continues, "And he took HIS staff in HIS hand, and chose HIM 5 smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which HE HAD even in a scrip; and HIS sling was in HIS hand; and HE drew near to the Philistine.' What courage, what boldness, what faith!!! And we can all have these very same things if we shrug off whatever armor that is weighing us down and pick up our own armor and stand for Christ!! Are you just going with the flow, living under your parent's, your wife's, your husband's relationship with God? Maybe it is a close friend that you are leaning on to keep you close to God. Maybe it is the fact that you are faithful to go to church, thinking that your weekly 'visit' to God's house is keeping you 'safe'.
It's time to stand up and say, I am taking these wonderful things, the Godly heritage, the Christian friendships, my church, and I am putting these "stones" in my shepherd's bag, and I am going to start truly serving God, for myself! Watch your Goliaths fall, my friend! Now, it is not because of anything you 'do', it is because you stepped out on faith and God has met you through His grace!
I'm so thankful that I chose to step out and try my own salvation, so glad I have tasted the sweetness of His goodness. It was good, when I was living underneath someone's else's, but oh my, it is absolutely awesome now! I can tell you all day how awesome my mom's homemade chocolate pie is, I can describe it in detail, every ingredient, how it looks, how it tastes, the crust, the smooth chocolate filling, the meringue.......and your mouth may water...........but, until you actually taste it for yourself, you will never truly know, and your hunger for it will never be satisfied!
Don't wait any longer, friend! Drop whatever the armor is that is weighing you down, and see for yourself just what it is to truly serve God in the armor God has given you!!
Now back to David, over in I Samuel Chapter 17, I took notice of verses 38 and 39. "And Saul armed (clothed) David with his (Saul's) armor, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armor, and he assayed to go (tried to walk); for he had not proved (tested) it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off of him."
That really spoke to me. How often do we try to walk someone else's walk? Am I alone here?? I will give you an example from my life. I was blessed to be born in a Godly heritage. My parents were awesome Christians. I never had to ask if we were going to church.....it was a given! I never had to wonder if our home was built on Christian values.......that was obvious!! I was saved at the young age of 7. The enemy has fought with me for many years, telling me that I didn't really get saved then. I finally won the victory over that, Praise the Lord!!! That story will have to be another blog! Anyway, I basically lived my life underneath my parents 'Christianity wings'. I never really worked hard at a relationship with God personally, because it was so soaked into my home life, through my parents.
Eventually, I grew up, married, and was on my own. In some ways, I was still underneath their 'wings', because we went to the same church and were always close. One day, my Goliath arrived in my life, and it was time to stand up to him! But wait, how could I do it?? I never really had before, I was underneath my parent's Christianity, so things just seemed to slide off of me. My personal Christianity had not been proven. That is no fault of my parents, and certainly not God's, that is all on me!
Thank God, I finally took a step out on my own with God's guidance and found my own armor for the battle! And by doing so, I have truly had a relationship with Christ! My soul has grown in strength! What a day of freedom! The realization that salvation is a personal step!
Now in verse 40 David continues, "And he took HIS staff in HIS hand, and chose HIM 5 smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which HE HAD even in a scrip; and HIS sling was in HIS hand; and HE drew near to the Philistine.' What courage, what boldness, what faith!!! And we can all have these very same things if we shrug off whatever armor that is weighing us down and pick up our own armor and stand for Christ!! Are you just going with the flow, living under your parent's, your wife's, your husband's relationship with God? Maybe it is a close friend that you are leaning on to keep you close to God. Maybe it is the fact that you are faithful to go to church, thinking that your weekly 'visit' to God's house is keeping you 'safe'.
It's time to stand up and say, I am taking these wonderful things, the Godly heritage, the Christian friendships, my church, and I am putting these "stones" in my shepherd's bag, and I am going to start truly serving God, for myself! Watch your Goliaths fall, my friend! Now, it is not because of anything you 'do', it is because you stepped out on faith and God has met you through His grace!
I'm so thankful that I chose to step out and try my own salvation, so glad I have tasted the sweetness of His goodness. It was good, when I was living underneath someone's else's, but oh my, it is absolutely awesome now! I can tell you all day how awesome my mom's homemade chocolate pie is, I can describe it in detail, every ingredient, how it looks, how it tastes, the crust, the smooth chocolate filling, the meringue.......and your mouth may water...........but, until you actually taste it for yourself, you will never truly know, and your hunger for it will never be satisfied!
Don't wait any longer, friend! Drop whatever the armor is that is weighing you down, and see for yourself just what it is to truly serve God in the armor God has given you!!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Ivy
At my childhood home, there was a huge tree that was the focal point of the front yard. It was grand and gorgeous. It shaded the whole front yard. It was a second home for me, because I climbed all around its limbs all of the time. Mom had a flower bed all around the base of the trunk with stones. She kept all kinds of flowers growing there. It was nature's beauty.
Mom came home from a friend's house one day with a tiny twig. She quietly went to the flower bed and planted this twig at the base of the tree's trunk. No one noticed it, no big deal.
Over time this twig began to grow. Plush green leaves began to appear, and it began to grow up the tree. It was beautiful. I realized that it was ivy, like you see on those 'ivy league' college walls. I asked Mom if she realized it was ivy, and she said, "Not at the time, I just thought it was pretty."
As the vine kept growing around our beloved tree, no one really thought much of it, it was pretty to look at, so we went on with our lives. Before we knew it, the vines were all the way up the tree, it was taking over the whole tree. And, upon a deeper examination, we noticed that it was literally sucking the life out of the tree.
We began to pull part of the vines away, breaking them off, clipping them away. The vine was mostly gone, and you could see the tree better now, everything was good.........right? Nope....the vine grew again, and the tree started looking sickly again. Again we pulled out the clippers, pulled out the poison to try to kill it. Again, it worked for awhile, but it came right back.
This time, my husband got down at the base of the tree and began to dig....and dig...and dig. After a lot of hard work and sweat, he revealed a huge root base! I thought he had dug up the tree...but no, it was the root base of that little ivy twig!
Wow! Isn't that just like sin? We think it's no big deal... we plant it.. no one notices, meanwhile an elaboate root system is growing. Oh, for a little while some make think its pretty, or cool....but slowly you are spiritually dying.
Sometimes, if left long enough, it takes a lot of hard work to cut that sin out of our lives. The ivy is gone now, but it left a scar on the trunk of the tree. and sin does the same thing in our lives. We can get rid of it, get forgiveness, but it leaves a scar. Depends on how you look at it, but I believes it adds character. The scar is a reminder of what was, and that God stepped in and restored us!
Don't give up hope, don't let sin win....ask God to remove that sin, and grow in His will! Your beauty will return! Let the scar remind you that His mercy and grace and love are sufficient!!
Mom came home from a friend's house one day with a tiny twig. She quietly went to the flower bed and planted this twig at the base of the tree's trunk. No one noticed it, no big deal.
Over time this twig began to grow. Plush green leaves began to appear, and it began to grow up the tree. It was beautiful. I realized that it was ivy, like you see on those 'ivy league' college walls. I asked Mom if she realized it was ivy, and she said, "Not at the time, I just thought it was pretty."
As the vine kept growing around our beloved tree, no one really thought much of it, it was pretty to look at, so we went on with our lives. Before we knew it, the vines were all the way up the tree, it was taking over the whole tree. And, upon a deeper examination, we noticed that it was literally sucking the life out of the tree.
We began to pull part of the vines away, breaking them off, clipping them away. The vine was mostly gone, and you could see the tree better now, everything was good.........right? Nope....the vine grew again, and the tree started looking sickly again. Again we pulled out the clippers, pulled out the poison to try to kill it. Again, it worked for awhile, but it came right back.
This time, my husband got down at the base of the tree and began to dig....and dig...and dig. After a lot of hard work and sweat, he revealed a huge root base! I thought he had dug up the tree...but no, it was the root base of that little ivy twig!
Wow! Isn't that just like sin? We think it's no big deal... we plant it.. no one notices, meanwhile an elaboate root system is growing. Oh, for a little while some make think its pretty, or cool....but slowly you are spiritually dying.
Sometimes, if left long enough, it takes a lot of hard work to cut that sin out of our lives. The ivy is gone now, but it left a scar on the trunk of the tree. and sin does the same thing in our lives. We can get rid of it, get forgiveness, but it leaves a scar. Depends on how you look at it, but I believes it adds character. The scar is a reminder of what was, and that God stepped in and restored us!
Don't give up hope, don't let sin win....ask God to remove that sin, and grow in His will! Your beauty will return! Let the scar remind you that His mercy and grace and love are sufficient!!
Monday, December 10, 2012
What if......
I was sitting in church yesterday......I haven't gotten to be in church in a week due to the birth of my first grandbaby....I was receiving such blessings from my Heavenly Father, and I began to think...what if...????
What if....Christ had not loved us enough to die for us? What a horrible state we would be in....doomed for Hell....no hope. God loved each and every person who has ever lived, living now, and who is going to live on Earth. He loved us enough to send His only Son to die, so that we have eternal life. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That is a love beyond what our human minds can fathom!
What if......I hadn't been born in America, the land of the free, where men have given their lives so that we can have the freedom to worship and live for Jesus?? Better yet, I am so thankful to be born in the South, the Bible belt, where Christ is taught, where Christians live what they preach, and Jesus' love can shine! I am so thankful for parents who gave me a Godly heritage, and gave me the tools to be able to walk my own Christian pathway! "train up a chld in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
What if.....I didn't know Jesus as my personal Saviour....was deceived to believe in Budda or Muhammud? It is so scary to see how easily Satan deceives and blinds people. 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."
What if.....I hadn't chosen to stay with God and grown in grace and maturity when times get tough, when storms of life arise? This past spring, my 15 yr. old daughter, my baby, told me that she was going to have a baby. Talking about rocking your world...but praise God, I have Jesus Christ as my rock, my foundation! This was the roughest storm I have faced....but, because I chose to stay with God through it, He has overwhelmingly blessed us....way beyond measure!!!! It has been a trying time....I have gone through many emotions...and God has been along with me. I have a bracelet that says,"....it was then that I carried you...". I have worn that bracelet the whole time as a reminder to myself and others that Christ has not and will not forsake. I have witnessed family drawing closer through this. I have seen my daughter mature and become a wonderful mother. I have seen 2 families going through this...together, with no arguments, no anger....that's God! I have seen friends gather around me and pray a hedge around me. I have seen new friends walk into my life, just in time, to share their stories of how this very storm has been in their lives. I have seen God's mighty Hand reach out and make situations workout, and I have felt that same Hand gently grab my hand and comfort me. I have seen friends I thought would have been there for me, walk out of my life...whether it be due to judgement, lack of understanding....or whatever may be the cause......while it has hurt deeply, it has not made my faith wavor at all! In fact, there has been a peace....a grace that can only come from Him. I hold no ill feelings toward those who have chosen not to continue in my life, I love them and pray for them. Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Thank God I know that Friend...and better yet, He knows me!!!
What if.....I had chosen to walk out on my daughter when she told me that she was pregnant? Who knows where she would be right now, or even if my precious grandbaby would've survived! My goal through all of this, is for Christ's light to shine through all of this. I believe it has, and it is, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use my daughter through her testimony! I can truly say that no matter what my 2 children do....I will not stop loving them.......this has really shown me that. My daughters are God's gift to me, and I am so blessed. It is so awesome to see their strong suits, as well as their weaknesses, and see how God works in their lives. What a pity it would be if I walked away and left all that, because I don't approve of a choice, or because of pride....because I allow Satan to guide my steps. I thank God, He has never left me nor forsaken me.....and I mess up everyday!! I fall everyday....and no matter what....He loves me and is there for me. How can I expect my Father to forgive me, if I hold a grudge, walk away, or don't forgive others?....He won't....the Bible says in Matthew 6:14,15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I tell you one thing, God has tenderized my heart even more through this...I am less likely to critize and throw judgement around.......I will not compromise on sin....it is still sin....but I look through that sin and see the person.
What if.....I let my pride get in the way of truly being a christian? Then I will surely fall. Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." It's not worth it....it's not worth being puffed up so much that you push those around you away. It's not worth being full of self righteousness, and ending up alone. Satan is more than happy to pat you on the back, provide you with just enough scriptures to make you feel you are 'in the right'....meanwhile, he is robbing you of the joy of your salvation.....the sweetness of His love.
What if......we let all that stuff go, and live....and love...and bask in His joy, His light, His love? We may not see eye to eye...and that's okay....it would be boring if we were carbon copies of each other! James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It, is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Life is too short! I choose to love, and love others......I love my husband, my daughters, my granddaughter, my friends, my extended family.....and I chose to look at the positives and be happy and satisfied in His love! It is the most freeing thing I have ever experienced!! Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me....thank you for never giving up on me, thank you that I am never too old to grow in You! Thank you Lord for my dear family and friends who have stuck by my side.............I am a blessed, blessed woman!!....so undeserving............but sooo blessed!!
What if....Christ had not loved us enough to die for us? What a horrible state we would be in....doomed for Hell....no hope. God loved each and every person who has ever lived, living now, and who is going to live on Earth. He loved us enough to send His only Son to die, so that we have eternal life. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That is a love beyond what our human minds can fathom!
What if......I hadn't been born in America, the land of the free, where men have given their lives so that we can have the freedom to worship and live for Jesus?? Better yet, I am so thankful to be born in the South, the Bible belt, where Christ is taught, where Christians live what they preach, and Jesus' love can shine! I am so thankful for parents who gave me a Godly heritage, and gave me the tools to be able to walk my own Christian pathway! "train up a chld in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
What if.....I didn't know Jesus as my personal Saviour....was deceived to believe in Budda or Muhammud? It is so scary to see how easily Satan deceives and blinds people. 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."
What if.....I hadn't chosen to stay with God and grown in grace and maturity when times get tough, when storms of life arise? This past spring, my 15 yr. old daughter, my baby, told me that she was going to have a baby. Talking about rocking your world...but praise God, I have Jesus Christ as my rock, my foundation! This was the roughest storm I have faced....but, because I chose to stay with God through it, He has overwhelmingly blessed us....way beyond measure!!!! It has been a trying time....I have gone through many emotions...and God has been along with me. I have a bracelet that says,"....it was then that I carried you...". I have worn that bracelet the whole time as a reminder to myself and others that Christ has not and will not forsake. I have witnessed family drawing closer through this. I have seen my daughter mature and become a wonderful mother. I have seen 2 families going through this...together, with no arguments, no anger....that's God! I have seen friends gather around me and pray a hedge around me. I have seen new friends walk into my life, just in time, to share their stories of how this very storm has been in their lives. I have seen God's mighty Hand reach out and make situations workout, and I have felt that same Hand gently grab my hand and comfort me. I have seen friends I thought would have been there for me, walk out of my life...whether it be due to judgement, lack of understanding....or whatever may be the cause......while it has hurt deeply, it has not made my faith wavor at all! In fact, there has been a peace....a grace that can only come from Him. I hold no ill feelings toward those who have chosen not to continue in my life, I love them and pray for them. Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Thank God I know that Friend...and better yet, He knows me!!!
What if.....I had chosen to walk out on my daughter when she told me that she was pregnant? Who knows where she would be right now, or even if my precious grandbaby would've survived! My goal through all of this, is for Christ's light to shine through all of this. I believe it has, and it is, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use my daughter through her testimony! I can truly say that no matter what my 2 children do....I will not stop loving them.......this has really shown me that. My daughters are God's gift to me, and I am so blessed. It is so awesome to see their strong suits, as well as their weaknesses, and see how God works in their lives. What a pity it would be if I walked away and left all that, because I don't approve of a choice, or because of pride....because I allow Satan to guide my steps. I thank God, He has never left me nor forsaken me.....and I mess up everyday!! I fall everyday....and no matter what....He loves me and is there for me. How can I expect my Father to forgive me, if I hold a grudge, walk away, or don't forgive others?....He won't....the Bible says in Matthew 6:14,15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I tell you one thing, God has tenderized my heart even more through this...I am less likely to critize and throw judgement around.......I will not compromise on sin....it is still sin....but I look through that sin and see the person.
What if.....I let my pride get in the way of truly being a christian? Then I will surely fall. Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." It's not worth it....it's not worth being puffed up so much that you push those around you away. It's not worth being full of self righteousness, and ending up alone. Satan is more than happy to pat you on the back, provide you with just enough scriptures to make you feel you are 'in the right'....meanwhile, he is robbing you of the joy of your salvation.....the sweetness of His love.
What if......we let all that stuff go, and live....and love...and bask in His joy, His light, His love? We may not see eye to eye...and that's okay....it would be boring if we were carbon copies of each other! James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It, is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Life is too short! I choose to love, and love others......I love my husband, my daughters, my granddaughter, my friends, my extended family.....and I chose to look at the positives and be happy and satisfied in His love! It is the most freeing thing I have ever experienced!! Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me....thank you for never giving up on me, thank you that I am never too old to grow in You! Thank you Lord for my dear family and friends who have stuck by my side.............I am a blessed, blessed woman!!....so undeserving............but sooo blessed!!
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