Love. A Word that comes and goes but few people really know what it means to really love somebody. ..Kirk Franklin

Many people search the world over trying to find love.  Looking for their soul mate.  Trying to find that one true friend who doesn't betray them.  Wanting their parents to accept them for who they are with no judgments.  So how do we really love somebody?  I don't know about you but loving is one of the hardest challenges I have had to face in my lifetime.  Even now there are times when I fail miserably at this thing called love. So I decided to see what The Bible had to say about love.  Now you would have thought that I would have been directed to 1 Corinthians 13.  'Love is patient, love is kind, it does envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (verse 4)  While this is a great place to look for what love is and how love behaves, this is not where the Lord led me.  Instead I was led to Matthew 20:26, 'Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant'.  What in the world does this have to do with love?  EVERYTHING!  Until you can first learn how to serve your relationships will not succeed.  Y'all know one of my favorite sayings..."It is not about you."  Everything you do is so God can be glorified. 

As I think back to some of my less successful relationships, there is one common thread to their failure.  I had not learned to be of service to my mate.  This is not the only thing but it was one of the major reasons. I spent countless hours complaining and nagging about what I was not receiving.  After all I was doing all of the giving.  Sacrificing this and that.  I never stopped to ask what he may have needed.  I just assumed that he wanted the same things that I wanted. Big mistake.  Not in a relationship? Well what about your relationship with your children.  It is our job as parents to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  What better way to do this than to teach them how to love!  I know there may be times when you are tired from a long day at work.  Maybe the stresses of bills got you down, wondering how you are going to make ends meet.  Nevertheless, you should still take the time out to give them a hug, help them with their homework, ask them how their day was.  It's harder out there for them now then it was when you were a child.  And showing love is not about what you can buy them. What about the other people in your life, family members and friends, co-workers and even strangers.  Putting others before yourself is the ultimate display of God's love.  Have you ever thought what would happen if each and every morning you woke up asking "What can I do to be of service to those I come in contact with today?"   Can you imagine the outpouring of love that would take place?  How much better our world would be. 

Take a moment and think about it.  If both people in the relationship are doing everything they can to put the other person's needs above their own, how much better would that relationship be.  If even one person in the relationship is doing all he or she can to serve the other person, it is bound to rub off. I know that you may become frustrated, feeling like you are the only one putting forth the effort.  Just remember it is our job to plant the seed.  It is God who gives the increase.  Allow Him to bring about true change.  One thing that I have found is when I try to bring about the change through various methods, change may occur but it is not lasting change.  It doesn't take too long for things to go back to the way they were.  I must always remember that I am held accountable for me.  It may feel good for the moment to play tit for tat.   If she is mean then I am going to be mean.  I'll show him...I just won't talk to him today.  And yet you profess to be a Christian.  It is so funny whenever I use these tactics, the Holy Spirit jumps right in to convict me.  It's not too long before I realize that I am not the person that I used to be.  Some behaviors just don't sit right with me anymore.  I'm not the same and it is because of Christ.  I looked at my hands and they looked new.  I looked at my feet and they did too.  If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.  Old things are passed away, behold all things have become brand new.  (II Corinthians 5:17)  You must stay in constant prayer that 'love may abound still more and more'. (Phil. 1:9) It's not always going to be easy. Just know that you have help. All throughout the Bible we see examples of those who sacrificed and put their own needs aside, with Jesus Christ being the ultimate sacrifice.  He gave up His life to show just how much He loved us.  He allowed nails to be hammered into His nails and His feet.  He was pierced in His side with a crown of thorns placed on His head.  They hung Him high and stretched Him wide and He died.  But thank God, in three days time, He got up.  Because of this you have a reason to shout.  You have a reason to tell others the Good News.  What better way to show them than by loving others, even the most unlovable. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the humblest way that I know how, realizing how unworthy I am.  I come to you today praying that Your love may abound more and more in my life with all knowledge and discernment.  Help me to be obedient to the Holy Spirit in matters of the heart.  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart always be acceptable in thy sight, O God, for you are my strength and my redeemer.  I will be so careful as to always give Your name the praise, realizing that what I do is not of my own strength but the power that worketh in me.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Treasure in Jars of Clay

Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. --C. H. Spurgeon

Think about this statement for a moment.  How many of your greatest successes where attributed to your greatest failures?  The hard times you had as a child that made you make up your mind to work harder to achieve your goals.  The job you loss that made you go back to school and obtain your degree so you could work in the field you dreamed about long ago.  The troubled marriage that made you wear out your knee pads.  The wayward child that drew you closer to God and was your inspiration for starting that center for troubled teens.  Even though we may not find much enjoyment in our hard times, they serve a purpose.  I know you have heard this time and time again.  But do you really believe it?  Do you believe that there is a divine gift behind every problem.  I do.  There is something buried deep down inside of you that God needs to bring out of you so that you can be used for His glory.  I wasn't able to fully embrace the call that God had on my life as an encourager until I was brought down to my lowest state.  A place where I could only rely on God and no one else. 

II Corinthians 4:7 says it best.  'But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us'.  If you are able to do anything it is because of the power of God that worketh within you.  You see, the believer is no stranger to crisis.  We are told that they would come and that we would be able to endure them.  They come to test our level of maturity.  They test the nature of our faith. The strength of our commitment.  They also stand to see how teachable we are.  In fact, depending on our measure of teachability, it may determine how long we stay in the storm.  One thing that I have learned is when I go ahead and submit to God while in the storm I handle it a lot better.  When I confess my disobedience to Him and allow Him to clean out my heart and take control of my mind, the storm doesn't seem all that bad.  When storms arise we become aware of our weaknesses.  We see how truly vulnerable we are.  God doesn't offer us security from the storms but He does offer us security while in the storm.  That is the hope we have.  'We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...II Corinthians 4:8-9. Paul used these metaphors to show that even though we are knocked down, we do not stay there. Knocked down but not out.  Storms may come to affect every part of our life.  When Hurricane Katrina came, thousands of people lost everything.  Yet if you were to find some of those people today, you will see them living out their biggest dream.   Our weaknesses do not cripple us.  Everyone of us will fail at something.  But with God we must realize that our failures are not fatal.  We must fail forward.  Allow God to do the necessary work in you so that when He gets through with you, you will come forth as pure gold.  Did you know that pure gold has the highest value?   Although the storm comes to test your faith, the benefit is totally yours. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thou who made me and knows all about me. Father, open my eyes so that I may see the lesson behind the storm.  I confess any disobedience that I may have committed against you and any sins against my fellow man.  Help me to look forward past my failures to my future success in You, instead of looking back.  Open my ears to hear Your voice to follow the direction you are taking me in.  Let me continue in prayer and praise so that your name can be glorified.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Are You Listening?

There is a senior saint in my church who always has three words to say whenever something of great importance is said.  He says these three words anywhere in the service from the announcements to the sermon.  "Are you listening?"

I don't know about you but there are times in my life when I am seeking clear direction from God.  I have prayed and prayed but still there appears to be no answer.  It is as if the Lord is silent.  I know He hasn't left me because it says in the Word that 'he will never leave me nor forsake me'.  So why does it seem like God is silent?  Today I would like you to take a look at this question from a different angle.  Maybe it is not that God is silent.  Maybe you just haven't tuned out all the noise around you in order to hear God speak.  When I am in a state of stress or worry, frustrated and distressed, it is very difficult for me to tune out the noise in my head. At this moment in time it is a little bit more difficult to bring every thought captive.  Not only that but I don't sit still long enough to hear God speak because I have gone and taken matters into my own hands.  I need to fix the situation before it gets worse. 

Maybe God is not speaking audibly to your current situation. But have you stopped and took a look around you.  What is He saying in the other areas of your life?  You know the saying 'it's hard to see the forest for the trees'.  If your focus is only on your problem you don't have time to look at the blessings going on daily in your life.  There are mornings when I just like to look outside and enjoy nature.  Even on a morning where it is cloudy and raining, I can thank God for the rain because in a little while that rain will produce green grass and beautiful flowers.  Our lives are very similar to this.  We may not like the rain when it falls but we know that we can 'count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing'...James 1:2-4.

How else does God speak to us...through the Word.  Sixty-six books of the Bible.  Thirty-six in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.  But it is not going to become a part of you through osmosis.  You actually have to open it and read it and on more than Sunday morning.  When you are faced with difficult times pray and ask God what He would have you to read.  There have been times when I have felt like giving up and I have opened my Bible to a word that spoke life to my soul.  You do know that The Word has that kind of power.  It is living and breathing and inspired by God.  (II Timothy 3:16)  These are not just words some men got together and wrote, God decided what made the cut.  He knew the help we would need to help develop and grow our faith in Him.  We would need stories like God being with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in that fiery furnace.  He knew that we would also face our own fiery furnace.  What about Daniel in the lion's den?  Some of you face a lion's den everyday at home or maybe on your jobs.  Or maybe you have had your own Red Sea experience where it didn't look promising going forward or looking back.  But since you know what God did for the children of Israel when He parted the Red Sea, you know that He can do the same or greater for you.  Or what about the woman at Zarephath?  Are you facing a time of famine?  Famine in your marriage.  Famine in your finances.  Famine in your cupboards.  Well if you know this story, you know that God is able to take the little that you may have and make it stretch over a long period of time. 

Many of us think that God is being silent in our lives.  We believe that He is unconcerned about our needs.  Your faith may be dwindling.  Maybe God is not showing up in a major way and performing a major miracle, but is He sustaining you.  Has He been your keeper when hell is breaking out all around you. I just stopped by to encourage you and ask you one simple question, "Are you listening?"

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the humblest way that I know how.  First giving praise, honor and glory to Your Name.  I thank you for God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit.  I believe that the Bible is living and breathing and the inspired Word of God.  Help me to hide it in my heart to help me in difficult times.  I realize that it is another tool that You have left me to help me.  As my faith continues to grow, help me to lean not on my own understanding but to acknowledge Your hand working in my life so that I will become the person You want me to be and so that You will be glorified.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Time is built with swift transitions.  Naught of earth unmoved can stand.  Build your hope on things eternal.  Hold to God's unchanging hand. 

Trust in Him who will not leave you.  Whatsoever years may bring.  If by earthly friends forsaken.  Still more closely to him cling. 

Covet not this world's vain riches, that so rapidly decay, seek to gain the heav'nly treasures, they will never pass away.

When your journey is completed.  If to God you have been true.  Fair and bright your home in glory.  Your enraptured soul will view. 

Here today. Gone tomorrow.  All those things we work so hard to hold on to can be here one minute and gone the next.  One moment you are flying high on cloud nine and everything is right in your world and then the next you feel like you can't hold on another day.  You leave work at five o'clock feeling accomplished only to receive a pink slip the next morning.  Swift transition.  Mind you, this is the same job that has taken you away from your family.  And what about that family...because of your time spent at the office, your children barely know you and your husband/wife has invented a life separate from yours completely.  Last week you were running around the lake every morning for exercise.  Just last night you were involved in a car accident and don't know whether or not you are going to be able to walk again.  Swift transition. All you have ever heard is invest, invest, invest.  So you did. You invested thousands of dollars into a 401k but when the market takes a turn you are left penniless. There goes your daughter's college fund.  Swift transition. Of course I could go on and on but I hope my point is made.  Finally, after thirty-six years of living, I get it.  Some things just don't matter.  And when I place my focus on the One who does matter, everything seems to fall in place. 

Simply put, I know where my help comes from.  It comes from the Lord.  (Psalm 121)  If I have a job it is because the Lord blessed me with that job.  If I lose that job I know that He has something else in store for my life.  'The Lord is my keeper; the Lord is my shade on my right hand'. (verse 5)  Whatever I need He is in the position to provide it for me.  He sits high and He looks low.  That is why I continue to trust Him.  He provides me with direction.  When I start to move in the wrong direction, He steers me back on course.  Sometimes this comes in the form of a sermon or a daily devotional I just so happen to read.  Other times it comes in the form of a major storm.  Whatever He chooses to use I have chosen to accept it and learn from it.  Every now and then I start to slack off on my prayer life.  No sooner than that happens, here comes a storm that keeps me on my knees.  He teaches me the importance of communion with Him. When I commune with Him I realize that I don't have to worry.  My stress level decreases and my praise increases.  For my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.  On Christ the solid rock I stand. 

Your  life may be filled with many swift transitions.  Jobs. Friends.  Family.  Finances.  I stopped by to remind you to keep holding to God's unchanging hand.  In the midst of life's ups and downs, God is the one constant.  His promises have been tested and never proven wrong.  He has your back.  I know things may not be going the way that you want them to right now.  You may see others around you whose life seems to be so much better.  Covet not.  You see, when you see God blessing someone else you can shout right now.  That should serve as a reminder that He is still in the blessing business. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

The one, true God.  I lift up mine eyes to the hills.  I know where my help comes from.  I come before you now just to give You praise.  Thank You for keeping me.  Thank You for being a hedge all around me.  Thank you for blessing my going out and my coming in.  Thank You for sustaining me when my entire world was changing all around me.  Thank you for being my Provider.  Thank You for being my hiding place.  Many nights I have found safety in Your arms.  Lord, I give myself to You so You can use me.  Whatever I may have to go through, I am ready.  I know that there is a purpose behind the pain.  And I will forever praise Your Holy name.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Real Talk

Had a little talk with God all day today.  I decided that I was going to stop putting Him in a box.  Limiting my blessings by telling Him, "This is all I need You to do for me."  I decided to stop tying His hands by trying to maneuver my own blessings.  Like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.  I decided that I don't want anything that He has not especially designed for me.  I don't have to sit back and wish that I had what someone else has because I know that God has a blessing with my name on it.  I don't have to look at others enviously who have the external appearance of happiness because I have internal existence of joy.  I decided  that I must continue wholeheartedly in the Word.  It cannot be an afterthought.  I must begin and end my day with my Creator.  I cannot place Him on the shelf and take Him off when I need Him.  The Word must be 'a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path'...Psalm 119:105.  I must hide it in my heart so that I don't sin against God.  He truly is the source of my strength and the strength of my life.  It is the Word that has kept me going when all around me seems crazy.  I decided that no matter what trials I may face I am going to continue to praise my God. You see, I know that the devil has already been defeated.  My simple battles are nothing because my God has already won the war.  I decided that it is okay to cry.  Matter of fact today while driving home I had a good cry.  I can cry because I know that 'God shall wipe away every tear from my eyes'...Revelations 21:4.  I decided to PUSH (pray until something happens) my way through the things that are going on in my life right now at this very moment.  I know that I am still growing and maturing in God.  I have learned that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a few growing pains. I can be confident of this very thing that 'He who began this good work in me will perform it until the day of its completion'...Philippians 1:6. 

Every now and then you have to have a little talk with Jesus.  Tell Him everything.  If you are at your wit's end and on the verge of giving up, tell Him.  If you need a 'Right Now' miracle, tell Him.  If you are scared about what the future holds, tell Him. If at this very moment you feel overwhelmed with the responsibility you have been given, tell Him.  It is not necessary for you to go to God with eloquent speeches and memorized words,  God wants REAL TALK.  I remember a few years back when things were going less than great in my life, instead of praying about the situation, I was too busy picking up the phone to call my girlfriends.  Now the first call I make is to my Heavenly Father.  Let me share something with you.  The best thing that I could have ever done was develop a love for the Word of God.  There is a Word in the Bible for every occasion.  I developed my love for reading at a young age.  In fact, I have passed down this love to my oldest daughter.  Of all the books I have read, there is no greater read than The Holy Bible.  There are days like today when I was in need of some encouragement and I turned to Psalm 119.  I begin reading at verse 105 and read it until the end.  I was reminded that the words held within are 'perfect and completely trustworthy'...Psalm 119:138. I was reminded that 'as pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands'...(verse 143).  Then I turned over to Isaiah 55:11 and was reminded that 'God's Word will never return void.  It always accomplishes His purpose'. 

I don't know what is going on in your life right now but I do know that the God that I serve has the situation under control .  Let's not limit His power.  Let's praise Him through our storms.  Take time and read His Word.  Above all else, trust Him.  Over four hundred years of slavery in Egypt, God delivered.  Seventy years of captivity in Babylon, God delivered.  All those years of suffering and sin and still God delivered.  He sent His only begotten Son to the world, to be subjected to the same pain and suffering that you and I would face.  He went to Calvary, hung on an old, rugged cross.  He died and laid in a borrowed tomb all night Friday night, all day Saturday and all night Saturday.  But early Sunday morning, He got up.  When He got up, He had all power in His hand.  So today I am telling you to GET UP!  You are not defeated.  In fact, you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

To the one true God.  I exalt You.  I  praise Your name.  I thank You for your steadfast love that endures forever.  I thank you for Your Word that You have left me for guidance.  I confess my sins, my disobedience to Your statutes.  Today I stand on the Word of God.  I love You with my whole heart.  Thank You for saving me.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Water In Dry Places

Ever wonder why you are where you are at this very moment. Wonder why your circumstances are the way they are? Why it seems that things seem to have gone from bad to worse in sixty seconds flat?  Or maybe it seems that you are a stranger in your own life, traveling through uncharted territory, uncultivated land?  I have come to realize that I will never understand what direction I am headed in but one thing I do know is that as long as God is in the driver's seat I will be okay. This has not always been my way of thinking.  As a matter of fact I am that one person that feels the need to understand everything that is going on around me.  So you can imagine that I,  just like an untamed horse, had to be broken.  This process was a painful one.  During this period of my life, I had many repeated lessons.  For a person who has been a straight 'A' student all of my life, it didn't feel very good to get my first of many failing grades. 

I am not here to talk to you all my many lessons but I am here to tell you that as a child of God you can learn to live even in uncultivated land.  It will not be just a mere existence, but a time where God will bless you if you just hold on.  How do I know this?  Why, I read it in the Word of course. 

Psalm 107:35-38 says...
'He  turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.
And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in;
The sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield.
By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish'.

Human nature is such that when we are in unknown territory we retreat to the familiar.  This is even when the past was not pleasant.  Look at the children of Israel, delivered from slavery only to be brought to the desert and once there and things were not going  their way they began to wish they were back in Egypt.  Sound familiar?  How many times has God delivered you from one thing or another?  You can't wait to get to church to get your praise on.  And as soon as things start to go a little bit south, you begin to grumble and complain.  There is a song I grew up singing that says ' He did not bring you this far just to leave you'.  This is a promise  you can stand on today.  One thing I know if that you have to trust that God knows what is best for you.  And you must believe that even in the dryest places in your life God can do the impossible.  Only an all-wise and all-powerful God can turn a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. Are you shouting yet?  You should be!  This means that God doesn't merely water the place in your life that is dry but He is able to cause gushing fountains to break forth, and flow continually, causing beauty everywhere. Discouraged? Depressed?  Head hanging low?  Confused?  Distorted?  Are you in unknown territory?  Is your marriage dry?  Are your finances low?  Is your joy tank almost on empty because of  circumstances? What  a good thing to know that God is able to bring water to your dry areas.  Not only that but that relationship that seems to be dead, seemingly incapable of growth; that career that seems stagnant, allow God to give the increase.  You just keep sowing those seeds of kindness and love.  Continue to be a light that shines in dark places on your job and sit back and watch God work.  Watch your blessings multiply.  Sometimes it is necessary for us to bloom where we are planted.  Instead of always trying to jump ship when times get rough, try to stick it out.  Trust God.  Remember we are all on a journey of trust.  There are many lessons to be learned.  Y'all know my favorite saying...'It is not about us'. God is God all by Himself and He doesn't need our help.  He has all power in heaven and in earth and He can do whatever He chooses.  I am just grateful that part of His choice is to bless me.  He can and will do the same thing for you. Just have faith. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Today I thank You for Your wisdom.  I am grateful that I don't have to worry because You know what is best for me.  All I have to do is trust You.  I don't have to know everything that is going to happen in my life.  I just have to follow the path that You have charted for me.  I thank You because You don't leave me in the desert all along but You are right there beside me, sometimes carrying me through.  I praise You and I love You Lord.  I know that I could not have made it this far without Your grace and Your mercy.  Help me to continue to put all my trust in you..  My marriage, my finances, my career, my children, my health.  I know that in times past I have only given You some and not all and today I want to say that I am tired of carrying the load and I give it all to You.  Thank you for being my burden bearer, my personal guidance counselor, my leaning post, my strong tower.  I will forever give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Know Your Enemy

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

The devil is  real and he is after your soul.  It never fails after a personal victory in the Lord here comes Satan all ready for His next attack.  I wonder if I will ever get to the point that I am ready for his attacks.  I know that being ready means that I have to be prayed up with my mind always stayed on Jesus.  What's funny about these attacks is the shape they take on each time.  My latest attack was in the form of someone who looked like me and carried the label 'friend'.  See what I mean....no pointed ears, tail or pitchfork instead designer jeans, Coach bag and a hug for a greeting. I won't go into details about what happened but I will say that everyone is not always happy to see you being blessed especially when they are unhappy. But you must learn to consider the source.  There are just some  people in the world who love to cause trouble, stir up problems and basically give you a bad time.  Sad part about it is that they don't recognize that Satan is using them. Satan wants nothing more than to steal your joy. He wants to invade your mind with clutter.  He wants to kill your happiness and hope in Christ Jesus.  He wants to destroy your peace of mnd.

One of the best lessons I learned was that my 'fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places'. (Ephesians 6:12)  The last thing the devil wants to see is you spending time in God's Word.  He doesn't want you to have a regular prayer life. He doesn't want to see you praising God in the midst of your storm. He would rather see you in mindless arguments, engaged in gossip, consumed with worry and stress.  Anything to keep your focus off God.  Ever notice how you can wake up thanking God for another day, you read your devotional, pray and then get in your car to some of the worse traffic ever, making you late and putting you in a bad mood.  Or maybe you get to work and your supervisor seems to be on something extra.  You had made up your mind to start going to Bible Study and now you have to work late. You plan an innocent night out with your girlfriends, instead of y'all having a good time catching up and enjoying time away from the husband and the kids they want to spend all their time in simple-minded gossip.  What about when what happened at work carries on into your home and then arguments take place because you didn't take a moment to pray in your car on the way home so that you wouldn't bring negativity into your home.  And don't think I have forgotten about Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome or Miss Sexy Eyes and Long Legs.  They always seem to show up when you have made a personal commitment to get yourself together or when your husband or wife is tripping. All these things may seem like nothing but they are.  These are all distractions, tricks of the devil. 

This is why you must know your enemy.  It is not your husband, your wife, your sister, your brother, your boss, your neighbor, or the stranger on the highway.  It is the devil!  Each and every morning you rise, never forget to put on your armor.  The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.  The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  Praying at all times int he Spirit, staying alert with all perseverance and praying for others.  (taken from Ephesians 6:14-18)  We can't afford to let our guard down.  I don't know about you but I don't want to spend any extra time fighting an enemy that has already been defeated.  I would much rather utilize the tools God has given me to keep him just where he belongs, under my feet. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your grace and your mercy and for your forgiveness.  Hear my prayer, O Lord.  Incline your ear to me.  Open my eyes so that I may see as you see.  Help me to be more aware of Satan's attacks instead of being swept into his wicked schemes.  Help me to respond in love and kindness instead of anger.  Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart always be acceptable in thy sight, O God, for you are my strength and my redeemer.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Do As I Do

The responsibility of a parent is huge.  As a matter of fact I am convinced that it is the most important responsibility I will ever have.  Everything I say and do is shaping them. The things I say, the way I dress, the people that I interact with.  That is why I must be careful to be a Godly example.  The other day I was having a conversation with my daughter, explaining to her the importance of showing love to her younger siblings.  It was a slap in the face to me when she said, "But mom you are not always nice."  And I was just about to say the famous statement 'do as I say, young lady, not as I do'.  But I just couldn't. I realized that my daughter was telling the truth.  I just didn't realize she noticed it.  The truth of the matter was that I had been experiencing a great deal of stress lately. Trying to hold myself to standards that I will never live up too.  Always busy not giving myself enough time to rest.  Feeling like I have to be all things to all people. Carrying all that weight on my shoulders. Instead of turning the problems I was facing over to God, I was trying to figure it all out on my own.  Definitely not a good decision on my part. 

Maybe you can relate.  It is easy to forget that there are those that are looking to us as examples.  They are encouraged by the life we live.  They see us persevering through trials.  They see us praising God when they know the things we are going through. It is not enough to just say that I am a Christian.  It has been my experience that most people do not want to hear what you have to say.  It is actually the subtle things you do.  A smile in the elevator.  A wave to let someone merge on the highway.  A hug for someone you see crying during church.  A card in the mail letting someone know that you were thinking about them.  A kind word at home to your family after a stressful day at work.  All these things go a long way to show that you are saved and Christ lives in your heart.  Being a Christian means you recognize that you cannot do this on your own.  That you need some help.  It reminds me of a poem I read once by Carol Wimmer. 

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I am saved"

I'm whispering "I get lost!"

"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"

don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

my flaws are too visible

but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartaches

which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I do not wish to judge.

I have no authority.

I only know I'm loved.

After the conversation ended with my daughter I went into my room to talk to my Heavenly Father.  First I needed to confess my sin of doubt and worrying.  I also needed to take some time and really  turn my concerns over to Him.  After all, He did tell me in His Word to 'cast my cares on Him, because He cares for me'. (I Peter 5:7) Why walk around unhappy and mad at the world because of your decision to carry a load you were not meant to carry? When you do this you weaken your witness.  The God I serve is a burden bearer and heavy load sharer.  His Son Jesus is the best living example we can have of  'do as I do'.  When I don't feel like being kind because the weight of the world seems to be on my shoulders, I can look to Jesus who carried the entire weight of the world on His shoulders as He walked up that hill with that cross on His back.  He carried it all the way to Calvary for a sinner just like me and you.  When I don't feel like loving my husband because He isn't being very considerate, I still should show him love anyway because God so loved me, faults and all. So-called friends who smile in my face and talk behind my back, I can  still pray for them in their time of need.  If you are struggling with keeping a positive attitude and responding in love because sometimes the circumstances of life seem overwhelming, take it to Jesus.  Search the scriptures and see what God has to say about it.  Then take those verses and ask God to incorporate them into your life.  Ask Him to help you to be and example of the living Word.  Remember that only God has the power to change your life.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I come to You now in the humblest way that I know how.  Lord I need Your help with the pressures of this world that sometimes get me down.  I am asking You to create in me a clean heart so that I may serve You in all that I do.  I give You my bad attitude that causes me to say and do things that are not pleasing in Your sight.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank You for Your Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  I will be so careful to always give You all the glory, honor and the praise.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

A Spiritual Eating Disorder

Two years ago I decided that I needed to develop a healthier lifestyle.  I couldn't remember the last time I had exercised.  At the time my diet consisted of fried foods, pasta and plenty of bread.  As long as I could go to the mall and buy a bigger size I was fine. But every day when I looked in the mirror I was not happy with the person staring back at me.  The more I tried to dress up (or should I say cover up) the things I disliked about myself the more apparent my faults became.  Finally I decided that I needed to do something about it.  I remember the day like it was yesterday.  I was putting on my pants and got frustrated and said out loud, "I have to do something about this."  So I began working out the very next day.  It would have been nice to say that I had immediate results on the scale and in the self-esteem area but I did not.  The main reason was that I didn't realize that it wasn't just what was on the outside that was receiving an unhealthy diet. It was my spirit that was yearning to be fed from the Word of God.  While I was focusing on my physical man, my spiritual man was starving for nourishment. 

Many times when we identify a problem we only identify half the problem.  We fail to dig deeper to the root cause.  We start playing the blame game.  I remember blaming my weight on countless things. If I was depressed about something I ate for comfort.  If I was upset about something I ate to calm my nerves.  If I was lonely food was my substitute for companionship.  I also remember blaming my low self-esteem on others. The ones who said they loved me and left.   I had amnesia about the things my father told me as a child.  That I was beautiful.  That I was a King's kid.  And now with my father no longer in my ear telling me these things I became a product of my daily diet.  I shouldn't have been surprised.  My diet consisted of junk food.  I'm not talking about potato chips, chocolate chip cookies and soda pop.  I am talking about gossip, trashy television, negativity from the men in my life.  I wasn't even receiving the Word through the television.  You know the saying ' you are what you eat', I could have been the spokesperson of 'what not to eat'. In order to grow properly one must consume a nutritious balanced diet.  Although I recognized my need to change up the things I ate from fried to bake, from french fries to vegetables, from pasta to rice; I didn't even stop to think about the fact that my soul was not receiving the nourishment it needed also.  For the believer, that diet should consist of a steady intake of the Word of God.  How else can you know what it is the Lord thinks of you?  How else can you know what He desires for your life?

Deuteronomy 8:2-3 says, 'Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD'. 

We have a natural need for food.  Although we may come to rely on many things to provide us with nourishment, without a healthy diet of the Word of God we will not survive.  We will remain overweight and full of all the unhealthy things of the flesh.  Things like sexual immorality,  impurity, strife, jealousy, and envy....just to name a few.  We will never know true love until we come to recognize the love our Heavenly Father has for us. The One who  loves us just as we are.  The One who loves us so much that He chose not to leave us in this broken down condition. Our lives, like the children of Israel, must go through wilderness experiences  to let us know that there is a spiritual aspect to life that requires feeding and maintenance just as surely as the physical.  Our spiritual diet should consist of prayer, Bible study, worship, and obedience to His commands. These are the ways by which our relationship with God is enhanced.  Remember now that while you may notice the results of an unhealthy diet each and every time you look in the mirror or when you put your clothes on, the results of a malnutritious spiritual life may go unnoticed for a long period of time.  I know that I had learned to mask mine quite well.  You see, life doesn't stop and after a while we just learn to go with it.  But there will come a time where your lack of spiritual food will stare you dead in the face and you will have to come to terms with it.  There will be no one to blame but yourself.  But why let it come to that point.  You know what needs to be done.  The average American spends at least an hour a day wasting time.  Instead of wasting your time, give God time.  I guarantee that you will like the results. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your Word.  Help me to make it a daily part of my diet.  Let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.  Help me to hide it in my heart so that I may not sin against You.  Right now I need help prioritizing.  Help me to let go of those non-essential things that take up so much of my time.  I thank You now Father for this gift.  Let me not take it for granted.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Continue In Love

When you say that you are a Christian, what does it mean?  Does it mean that you go to church on Sunday morning, giving God two hours out of a one hundred sixty-eight hour week? Does it mean you keep a Bible on your desk at work?  Does it mean that you wear a cross around your neck?  Does it mean that you don't drink or you don't smoke?  What does it really mean? I believe that it means that you have recognized that you need help and that there are some things about you that you cannot change on your own.  So you accepted the Lord as your personal Savior.  Asked Him to take up residence in your heart.  You were tired of the way you were and needed someone to come in and perform a transformation.  Man couldn't do it.  Only an all-wise, all-powerful God could. 

My next question for you to ponder is 'how apparent is this transformation'?  What about you is different from the person sitting in the cubicle next to you?  Or the person in front of you in the grocery line?  How do you respond when faced with adversity?  How do you deal with the interruptions of life?  I read a verse today that said 'Let brotherly love continue...Hebrews 13:1.  When I read it I immediately wondered why the writer added the word continue.  What does it actually mean to continue in something?  One definition of continue is 'to exist over a prolonged period'.  But the definition I liked best was 'to go on after an interruption'.  In the previous chapter of the book of Hebrews, the writer focused on some of the essentials of Christian living.  Right living should continue in spite of life's interruptions.  You should continue to love even when people don't treat you right.  Love should be persistent even when it is not returned.  It should be shown even when it seems like everyone is against you.  Life is  full of ups and downs.....what I like to refer to as interruptions.  Those things that can turn your heart bitter and make you want to just look out for you and you alone.  We must remember as Christians though, that our life is our witness.  People may listen to the words you say but they pay more attention to what you do.  How you respond?  What will your reaction be?  Do you respond in  love in all things?  I believe that the writer used the word continue because he knew that we would be faced with people that would be difficult to love.  He knew that people close to us would sometimes hurt us, disappoint us, be mean to us.  The writer must have guessed that people who knew us way back when would be waiting on us to slip up.  He knew that certain circumstances and situations would make us want to retaliate against others. That is why he said to make sure we continue in brotherly love.  This type of love comes only from God.  It's the kind of love that makes us forgive out brother and our sister.  It gives us the ability to turn the other cheek.  Always remembering that love is patient.  Love is kind.  It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud. (I Corinthians 13:4)   When faced with the challenges of this life we must remember that love should always be our response.  It doesn't mean that we are weak.  In fact, it shows that we are strong.  Anyone can lash out at the person who does wrong against us but it takes a much stronger person to say "I forgive you". 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I stretch my hands to You.  No other help I know.  If thou withdraw thyself from me oh whether shall I go.  Lord, here I stand in all humility asking you to help me to love as You love. To remember that it is not about me.  My desire is to please You in everything I do.  I understand that means that I must put my selfish desires aside and be obedient to Your Word in all things.  Forgive me of my sin of unforgiveness and not loving my brother and my sister.  I want to be more and more like You.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Knowing God's Will

'And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free'. (John 8:32)

How do I know God's will for my life?  Christians all over the world sit down and consult with Pastor-Teachers, Sunday School teachers, conference leaders, parents and friend asking this very question.  I am sure that there is a profound way to answer this question but today I don't have that profound answer.  My simple reply to this question is 'Ask God'.  Ask Him what it is He desires for you and I am sure that He will answer you.  Now this is a question that I wish that I would have asked God much earlier in my life.  If I had, maybe, I would not have made so many mistakes in my lifetime trying out so many different things.  I know that everything works out for the good in God's master plan.  I also know that I have taken the long way around getting to many of the blessings God has prepared for my life.  I didn't heed His Word when it said, 'if any of you lacks wisdom, He should ask God for it and He will give it to you generously and without reproach'.  (James 1:5 - my paraphrase) 

Ultimately we find God's will for our lives in His Word.  We are told to abide in it.  That is, we  are to dwell or take up residence in the Word of God.  We should put more effort into knowing what it says than the other things we tend to give so much more priority.  It's kind of like when I am studying.   I cannot study and fully comprehend when I am sitting in front of the television or the kids are around asking me this or that.
But it never fails that I do this more so than not. I do the same thing sometimes when I am studying God's Word.  Between the many other things playing tug-of-war for my attention, how can God compete when He is trying to speak to me.  So there I sit confused and frustrated, searching for answers.  Stressing and worrying when God has been trying to show me all along through His Word.  If I would just take the time to listen then I would be 'set free'.  Yes, there are some of us that God has chosen to a higher calling.  All of us have been called to obedience.  We have been called to be committed to Christ.  All of us have been called to love our neighbor.  All of us have been called to forgive others.  Everyone has been called to be slow to speak, quick to listen and slow to get angry'. (James 1:19)  I have recognized that in my life when I have obeyed these simple things how much better I feel.  How I am not carrying around the weight of fear and stress and frustration.  I worry less.  I thank God more.  My heart is more open to receive.  Life is just so much easier when I listen to God.  I know what it is like to sit there and wonder am I doing what God created me for.  I have been there where I didn't enjoy my job but, hey, it paid the bills.  I remember the dream I had as a child and how now at the age of thirty-six I am going back to that dream.  I don't wonder what my life would be like if I had followed that dream from the beginning.  I know that every test and every trial has made me the person that I am today.  I also believe that God teaches us things so that we can share our experiences with others.  I know that in most of my decision-making process throughout my life,  I did not consult God.  Today, I want to encourage you by saying it's never too late to find out His will for your life.  You can start the process by reading His Word. Whenever you find yourself wondering what your next move is, before you ask anyone else, ASK GOD.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Father of all wisdom, thou who knows all things.  I come to You today asking what Your will is for my life.  I submit my life and it's plans to You. I no longer want to rely on myself for guidance.  I see where that has gotten me in times past.  Open my ears to hear Your voice.  Lead, guide and direct me into all truth.  Above all else I want to be a vessel for You.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.

Evidence

'But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20)

Talking the talk but not walking the walk.  We all have been guilty of it at some time in our life.  But when does the shift take place in your life.  When does your walk begin to match the faith you talk about? 
The book of James provides a series a tests by which we can evaluate our faith.  Is it living or is is dead? Take some time and read James 2:14-26.  In this passage James is not talking about being saved by the good deeds we perform.  For the scripture says, 'For by grace are ye saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of man lest any man should boast...Ephesians 2:8-9'.  He is, however, saying that your life should be a representation of someone who has been washed by the blood of the lamb.  There should be evidence that a change has taken place.  There should be a difference between you and the world.  A person can say all day long that he is saved and that he has faith.  That same person can know in his mind what that means and yet be void of any active obedience.  He doesn't love his enemies.  He refuses to forgive.  He gives but only so someone can give him a pat on the back.  It is not done out of sincerity.  An empty confession may gain you a favorable opinion in the eyes of man, but what does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul.

So what does it mean to act in faith?  It means that our actions are geared toward pleasing God.  This should be our main goal.  The very fruits of our salvation.  That is why we must empty ourselves to be filled up by God.  Allow Him to guide our eyes to see those who are hurting.  Guide our ears to hear cries for help.  Guide our hands to give a hug to someone who needs comforting.  Guide our feet to go the extra mile to do something kind for someone who doesn't expect it even when we may be hurting ourselves.  Give us the words to speak life and not death to those we come in contact with.  Bottom line...dead faith has no power.  You cannot have faith and continue to reject obedience.  When you do this your witness is damaged. Let your faith that comes from God be evidence of His love. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Thou who made me and knows all about me.  Here I stand, empty, a vessel wanting to be used by you.  Help me to remain focused on You in all that I do.  Let nothing that I do be out of vain conceit but out of sincerity from my heart, that in all things You will be glorified.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Be Watchful

Man, as hard as I tried to last night I could not stay awake long enough to pray.  Maybe it was because I was in bed under the covers when I started.  Not in the proper posture or position to hear from God.  And no I am not saying that you have to be on bended knee with your hands clasped together.  But what I am saying is that your mind should be focused on God.  You should be removed from all distractions.  How do I know this?  It says it in His Word.  Paul wrote in Colossians 4:2, ' Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful  in it with thanksgiving'. 

I was one of those people who would feel bad when I forgot to pray.  To tell the truth I still do.  But once I started to really understand what 'pray without ceasing' meant, I realized that it was more about a lifestyle.  That is, I have my own private line to The Almighty and I should use it.  I should call on Him anytime throughout my day and He should recognize my voice.  I should not neglect my prayer life.  It should be maintained at all times. Prayer should be persistent.  We are dependent on God for everything.  One of the ways we find out His will for our life is through prayer.  It is through prayer that He speaks to us.  Most of us are not aware of all the things that we depend on God for. Or should I say that we forget that we depend on God for everything. Our life, our health.  The temporal enjoyments, which depend on His daily goodness, providence, and power.We need Him to be renewed day by day.  Without Him there would not be a fresh supply of grace and  new mercies.  Spiritual warfare is continuous and we cannot rely on our own weapons to fight. Every weapon that we are supposed to use comes from God. 

Not only does your prayer need to be continuous but you should be watchful. In the literal sense this means to stay awake. "Oooops!" I already flunked that test. Before I could say "Dear Lord" I was knocked out. There is more to these words than that though. These words mean that we should be more specific in prayer. Praying simply out of duty or to fulfill a Christian obligation is not okay. Yes you pray out of obedience but your prayer life should move beyond that. So what makes us neglect our prayer life....LIFE.  Everything keeps us so busy.  We don't slow down until life knocks us down and then we realize that we forgot to pray.  There may be some things that can be neglected like my toes during the winter time or the dusting in the house, but prayer is not one of them.  It should be continuous and steadfast.  Like a wife to a devoted husband we should be in constant communication with God, sharing with Him our innermost thoughts and asking Him to provide, heal and comfort those we love.  In other words we recognize the value.  We are to ask Him to search our hearts and clean them up.  It is a time where we turn all of our attention to Him.  It is not a time of mindless chatter.  God commands our undivided attention.  It is He, and only He, that can make the difference in our lives. 



Most Gracious Heavenly Father,



Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thank you for the many blessings that you have bestowed on my life, especially those that I take for granted like waking me up this morning and the grace and mercy you give me every day. At times I neglect my time with You and I am sorry. I know that You love to hear from me and I enjoy hearing from You. Help me to be more devoted in my communion with You. Let it be a reflection of my relationship with You. I love You Lord and I thank you and praise You just for who You are. If you never do anything else for me, you have already done enough and I will continue to praise Your name. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.

Rejoice in the Lord always' and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)

Why do we praise God?  We praise Him for who He is.  Yes, He has done marvelous things and is able to do much more.  But at the end of the day, our praise should be unrelated to the circumstances of life.  It should however be directly related to our relationship with Him.  Don't get me wrong though.  I am no super saint.  Some days it feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.  I am worried about this and that.  I may have just received some bad news.  Here lately it is the lie of the devil trying to steal my joy of a major accomplishment by the number of  No's I continue to hear as I apply for employment.  But God has been to good to me and I have seen what He can do. I remember the prayer that I prayed for Him to open only the door He has prepared for me and for Him to close all others.  And while He is preparing that blessing that has only my name on it, I will wait on Him.  And while I am waiting I will continue to praise Him.  I have seen the blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family during the past year and a half.  So the devil cannot distract me with his lies that God has forsaken me or forgotten about me.  I will still continuously praise the name of the Lord because as the minister said on Sunday, "I opened my mouth to the Lord and I won't turn back.  I will go.  I shall go. To see what the ends going to be."  My purpose in life is for God to be glorified and that is by any means He deems necessary. 

Praise, my brother and my sister, is about so much more than simply thanking God because He has done something out of the ordinary for you.  There is not a day goes by that God doesn't do something for you.  God's mercy is a daily blessing.  His grace is another daily blessing.  Just look at nature and how God causes everything to be in order.  And if you truly believe that God is Sovereign than you realize that nothing happens that He is not aware of.  You realize that He controls all things.  Praise is about recognizing who God is, for He is worthy of our praise.  The God we serve is a personal God and He delights in the praises of His people.  Want a sure fire way to welcome in the presence of God, just start praising His name.  Praise gives glory to God and opens us up to a deeper union with Him. It turns our attention off of our problems and on the nature and character of God Himself. Each and every time that you focus your mind on God and proclaim His goodness, the result is peace and contentment for you and it transforms your outlook on life.  It gives you time to reflect on His promises, knowing that His Word will not return void.  It will accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  (Isaiah 55:11)  Remember our praise is a witness to those who do not know the Lord.  It is also encouragement to those that do know the Lord and may be weaker in their faith.  That is why we should let nothing hinder us from praising  God.  I have learned that every day that I wake up and am able to get out of bed, see my husband and my children is a reason to praise Him. When I look through the blinds and see that it is morning and that night did not continue past it's designated time, that's a reason for me to praise Him.  It doesn't take some extra special blessing or some check in the mail.  In the words of Smokie Norful's song 'Dear God', I thank Him simply for my life.  I don't have to wait until my gray hair kicks in and I have gotten all the fun out of my life to recognize the joy I feel in my heart simply from praising God.  I feel so much better when I do.  It reminds me that someone bigger than me, more powerful than me is in control.  Each and every blessing that I receive is because of Him and if He never does anything else, He has already done enough.  So I rejoice!   Not in my own abilities or strength because I know that every good and perfect gift comes from God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this day.  Thank You for your grace and your mercy.  Thank You for breath in my body and activity of my limbs.  Thank you for being God all by Yourself.  I know that You don't need my help.  You simply ask for my obedience in all things.  Help me to be obedient and let You be God.  Help me to be patient and wait on You to move.  I know that I cannot do this by myself.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Put Off...Put On

Basic principle...when you bathe you first take off your dirty clothes and once you finish, you put on clean clothes.  You would not take a bath and then put back on the same dirty clothes.  The same thing holds true for your life as a Christian.  When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior you become a new creature.  Old things are passed away, behold all things become brand new.  Now we all know that it is not as simple as taking a bath and putting on clean clothes.  Or is it?  What we do know is that because we have now been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we have the necessary tools to 'put to death' some of our old behaviors.  What are those behaviors?  Some of them are listed in Colossians 3.  Things like sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, covetousness. (verse 5) There are also things like anger, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (verse 8)  I know in my case ridding myself of some of these things was just like death.  For some of them I went through the grieving process.  I didn't necessarily see the wrong in some of them.  Some of the things made me feel too good.  They couldn't be wrong.  Some of the things were used as an outlet for other frustrations.  There were some things that I never thought I would get rid of.  They just kept coming up.

This is where the power of the word comes in.  As we put off the old self  and put on the new self we must continue to be renewed in knowledge.  (verse 10)  Not just any old knowledge but the knowledge that comes from the Word of God.  'For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  Piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart'.  (Hebrews 4:12)  The Word has a way of pointing things out in us that are not of God.  And sometimes it doesn't feel good.  Sometimes we want to continue to hold on.  Let someone mess with a member of my family, my first response is not to show love.  Anger is a more proper response.  It's hard to remember sometimes that this battle is not mine but the Lord's.  It is through this process called sanctification that I am becoming progressively more like Jesus.  So I must 'put on' a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.  I need be willing to forgive.  'And above all these things put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony' (verse 12,14) We cannot do it on our own.  I know that I cannot love that sister who lied on me and stabbed me in the back without the love of God.  I can't smile at the woman in the church, who I should be looking up to, when she attacks one of my children without the love of God.  The boss who speaks to a co-worker about me.  The wife who is unfaithful.  The driver of the diesel who cuts me off on the highway.  Without the love of God, the old Ramona would come out and it might not be as pretty.  Some of those things that I had previously put to death may be resurrected.  But I realize that this thing is bigger than me.  I must let this mind be in me that was also in Christ Jesus.  I must walk in the spirit and die to the lusts of the flesh.  I must stay in His Word so that the Holy Spirit can continue to point out to me those things that are not like God.  I must always be evolving,  becoming better than I was yesterday.  Sometimes better than I was a few hours ago.  We must have faith and remember 'it is possible'.  We must let the word of Christ dwell within us.  'And whatever we do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him'.  (Colossians 3:17)  I know that in and of myself it just isn't possible for me to love my enemies, bless them that curse me, do good to them that hate me, and pray for them that despitefully use me.  I just couldn't do it.  But as I renew myself daily in the Word, it becomes a little bit easier.  I start to see some victories.  I don't take any credit though, I give all praise to God! One way that Satan tries to trip us up is by attacking our minds.  He wants us to believe that we can't change.  But I encourage you to remember that with God all things are possible.  He can bring about a true change in your life. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father, 

Praises be to God the Father, the one who is able to make all things new.  I thank you for all that You have already done in my life and today I give to You all those things that I continue to hold on to.  If there be anything in me that is not like You, take it away.  Cut it out.  Help me be the example You would have me to be as a child of God.  And while You are doing this, help me to be an encourager to those around me that may be struggling with some things.  Help me not to criticize or judge, for I too, am in the process of becoming.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Pay It Forward

If it ain't one thing, it's another. Isn't that the way it seems life goes.  Someone who is uninformed may think that the God we serve is rather cruel for allowing bad things to happen to those of us who are trying so hard to live right.  But as Paul says in II Corinthians 1:8. 'For we do not want you to be ignorant brothers of the affliction we experienced...'  Your pain serves a purpose and the concept that I think was the hardest for me to wrap my head around, was that purpose was not always for my benefit but for the benefit of others. When you lost your job and God provided for you and your family through it all on half the income....this was a way for you to encourage someone else.  When your mom or  dad passed away too soon..it was so you could be that shoulder someone else could lean on.  When your marriage turned sour and you couldn't see it's survival but then God turned it around and now you have a thriving relationship...it was to give someone else hope.  And even for the marriage that didn't turn around but you were able to stop beating yourself up and realize that you were worthy of love and actually found that love...it was also to help someone else.  What about having to put your life on hold and care for a sick child or parent or having to deal with your own illness and those around you still see you praising God and going forth.  Or what about your not so good past, where you did a few things you are not particularly proud of and God forgave you.  Your test has now become your testimony. 

II Corinthians 1:4, 'who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God'. 

Saints of God , we are all survivors.  We have survived our share of life's ups and down.  Tests and trials.  There have been times when I know that you thought you would not make it.  But the God of Comfort stepped in and wrapped His loving arms around you and let you know that it would be alright.  He came right alongside you to help you in the midst of the storm.  He did not take you out of the situation but He got right up in the midst and provided strength and gave you courage and boldness to stand.  I know that you may feel that there is always something coming up trying to weaken your faith.  At times it feels as though it is about to crush the very life out of your body.  That is when, during your journey of trust, you have to know what you know.  There is no room for doubt.  You must believe that the God of Comfort will strengthen and sustain you.  The trials that you face are not just for you to bury deep down in your memory, never wanting to reflect on your past.  I am a firm believer that God provides specific opportunities for us to share our story with others.  Suffering is a part of our salvation.  It helps to be godly patience and endurance.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself and thank God that He chose to use you for His glory. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.  I just want to thank You for the mountains and the valleys.  Thank you for every test and every trial.  Help me to remember to count my blessings in the midst of it all.  Help me to carry it forward and be a blessing to someone else always.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

A Call To Prayer

'First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way'.  I Timothy 2:1-2


What is wrong with our world today?  With all the technological advances that we have in the world today and things that have been labeled as improvements to our society it just seems that our world isn't getting any better.  I believe that Paul had it right when he urged Timothy to make prayer a priority again for the Ephesian church.  And this is exactly what I believe needs to be done now.  God is the only one that can do something about all the turmoil going on in the world today.  Now I understand that we all have our own needs that we take to God, but that  shouldn't stop us from praying for our leaders.  Our President, Vice President, Congress.  Our Governors, Police Men and Women, Armed Forces.  Our Pastors, heads of universities, our teachers, our counselors.  All these individuals who have to make decisions concerning our lives and the lives of those we love.  As disciples of Christ we are called to be a praying people.  The forefathers of this nations were praying people.  They claimed this nation for God.  Yet we try so hard to keep God out of everything.  I know that I have mentioned this before but it is something that is pressing on my heart.  Every time I watch the news and I see husbands killing wives, mothers killing babies, children killing parents, it reminds me that I need to pray.  It should be our first impulse instead of our last resort. Too often we pray when circumstances have reached the point of no return. 

I like the way Paul begin.  It was as if to say, "First things first, PRAY."  Before you start to do anything else to solve the problems of the world, your home, your community....PRAY!  Start with requests or petitions.  Then just pray...talk to the Father.  Next make intercessions for others.  Prayer should be unselfish.  And lastly thanksgiving.  “Thanksgiving” is always involved because unless we are grateful we likely don’t understand whom we are talking to. The very fact that our God offers us an audience before his throne is reason enough for thanksgiving. Paul then goes on to remind us that our prayers should not be limited.  We are to pray for all people.  What has happened that prayer has become so ineffective and so unimportant?  I grew up during a time where there was daily prayer in homes, prayer meetings in houses.  I had a prayer partner that called me weekly most of my life. But now when something needs to be done we don't see prayer as action.  Prayer is the best thing anyone can do in any situation.  Taking your problem to an all-wise and all-powerful God.  I know you may have heard this time and time and again during your life.  I believe that you can never be reminded enough.  Prayer is something that is so very personal to me because when I was at my lowest I know that God answered the prayers of others to bring me back to a place to be of service to Him.  Some I knew about but I am sure that there were many prayers that I didn't know about.  Everyone is standing in the need of prayer.  I know that your NewYear's resolutions have been made...how about asking God to help you develop a better pray life, and not just for yourself but for others. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I need Your help.  I want a better prayer life.  Open my eyes so that I might see the needs of others and then bring those needs to You, the only one that can bring about true change.  Forgive me for my selfishness.  Yes there are things that are going on in my life that need Your attention and touch but I need to remember that it is not always about me.  Thank you for the privilege of prayer.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen. 

Are You Ashamed of Me?

Today I was referred to as 'that girl who is always talking about church stuff'.   When I heard this I started laughing because the person who said it made it sound as though it was a bad thing.  Now for people who really know me it is no secret that my conversations don't consist of just 'church stuff'.  However when I feel led by the Spirit to say something I have been instructed to 'quench not the Spirit'.  It made me think of what Paul wrote in Romans.

'For I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile---Romans 1:16

Why should I be ashamed to talk about my Savior because it makes you uncomfortable? Nobody knows like I know what God has done for me.  It is in Him that I live and move and have my being.  Without Him I would be nothing, like a ship without a sail.  No direction, no guidance, no life.  Total darkness.  I have heard people say on many occasions that it doesn't take all that.  I believe that alot of that has to do with the number of Christians who profess to be saved but their life is a total contradiction.  I also believe that it comes from those who are weaker in their faith and actually desire to have a deeper relationship with God.  I talk about God all the time because I don't know anything else. It is that very power that saved me.  The same power that delivered me from eternal separation and eternal punishment.  What else would you rather I talk about?  Celebrities in the news who don't effect my life one way or the other.  What about my Pastor and his familly who I should be lifting up to the Father daily?  Maybe the sister who just lost her job to this economy or her husband to infidelity?  Maybe the young girl who is sitting in front of you in church who is not appropriately dressed because she has never been taught the proper way to dress in church ?  And  if this is what you would prefer that I talk about, what part of these conversations show the love of Christ? 

As a Christian we are to separate ourselves from the things of the world.  We are not to be conformed to the habits, manner or style of living of this world.  We are to be different, set apart.   We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.   Have you ever stopped to think about how many man-made rules and laws are in place to try and stop God's message from going forth?  They took prayer out of the school.  They want every reference of Christ to be taken out of Christmas in federal buildings.  They don't want you to talk about it at work.  And depending on what church you go to it might not be talked about at church.  So who can God use but you to get His message forth?  The question of the day is will you speak boldly or be silent.  Every Word of God is true and the scripture says 'if you confess me before men I will confess you before my Father who is in heaven. But if you deny me before men I will deny before my Father who is in heaven'.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I thank You Father for Your saving grace.  The power that You have given me to overcome my sinful nature.  I confess that there have been times that I have held my tongue and not stood for what is right. But from this day forward as long as I have breath I am going to proclaim Jesus to all I come in contact with by word and by deed.  Help me to speak with boldness and not be ashamed of You before anyone for You are the source of my strength and the strength of my life.  All praise, honor and glory to You.  In Jesus' Name I pray Amen. 

Let The Life That You Live Speak For You

New Year's Day I received a phone call with some very sad news.  A very dear friend of mine was called home to be with the Lord.  The one thing that has stood out the most to me during this time of bereavement is what everyone is saying about this young man.  Those that knew him well talk about his relationship with the Lord and his smile and the love that was always shown by him.  Not one bad word has been said by anyone.  It made me think about what would be said about me if God were to call me on home.  While I am not really concerned about what people say about me, I am concerned about what God will say to me when I am standing before Him on the day of judgment. 

Revelations 2:2 says, 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary'.  These words are a true testament to someone living life under God's direction, waiting on Him and allowing Him to direct his or her path.  This verse also shows that God is intimately acquainted with us.  He knows the good and the bad and yet He loves us anyway.  Here in this passage, the church at Ephesus had remained faithful to the Lord through difficulty and persecution.  Even though there were those around them who didn't live by God's law, they continued to stand on God's Word.  Isn't that what this life is all about?  God needs us to be a light that shines in this dark world.  Even though we may live in a house with unbelievers, work with unbelievers, see them at the grocery store, at the mall, even at the church house.....they should always be able to see Jesus in everything we do.  It is not just about quoting the Word, we should be living the Word.  For the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. As Christians we ought to regularly examine our motives and priorities against God's standards.  Taking the time to ask Him to remove anything that is not like Him. 

This same chapter goes on to say that God had one complaint against the church at Ephesus, 'that you have abandoned the love you had at first'.  (verse 4)  So many times we allow the hardships of life to turn us away from the person God designed us to be.  Things like the loss of a loved one, a job, divorce, a friend can cause us to become bitter with a hardened heart.  Make us skeptical of everyone we encounter. But how will the world know that we are Christians but by our love.  But the bitterness that shows in our everyday lives contradicts the Word which says that 'all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose'.  (Romans 8:28)  Yes, even death.  That is why our hearts can be sad over the loss of someone we love, but as Christians we know that even death has a purpose in God's master plan.  Look at the death of His Son Jesus.  He died so that we might live.  I am the first person to tell you that I could care less what other's think about me as long as I am living the life that God wants me to live.  Being the best person I can be and always showing the love of Christ to everyone I meet is what matters.   How do I do this?  Through a smile, a kind word, getting over on the highway so someone can merge on, not repaying evil for evil, not always saying the first thing that pops into my head.  I have to be honest and say that sometimes this is hard.  There are days that I fail miserably at this but I confess it to God and He gives me grace and new mercies every morning and for this I am grateful.  So as You continue to change me and grow me up in You, let the life that I live speak for me. And let that life be one that is pleasing in Your sight. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thou who made me and knows all about me.  Thou who knows my heart and the motives behind all that I do.  Search me and try me and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts and whatever You find that is not like you Lord please remove it Lord.  I want to be of service for You.  In Jesus' Name I pray Amen. 

In The Beginning

'In the beginning God...Genesis 1:1.  Powerful words.  Words that remind us that before we start any new venture, any new relationship, take a new job, move to a new house, etc. etc., God must be at the beginning.  A widespread New Year's resolution of Christians around the globe is to read the Bible from beginning to end.  Many will begin well and end poorly.  Our lives will become busy with everyday tasks and we will do good to recite a verse we know by heart.  If you are one of the ones who have decided to take on this task, then you are probably in the book of Genesis.  The book of Genesis is the place where God first reveals Himself to mankind.  This book shows us that without God nothing would exists.  The sun, the moon, the stars, the grass, the flowers in the field, the birds in the air.  By the spoken word of God all of these things came into existence, including His most important creation, mankind.  Now you might be asking why I am pointing this out. Well I'll tell you.  One of the very first things we tend to do as we go about our daily routine is forget God.  We don't forget to wash our face, brush our teeth, take a shower, get dressed, or eat.  But on any given day we can get up and forget to talk to God. To ask Him what is it that He desires of us on this day.  To thank Him for the simple things like being able to breathe.  We forget from whence we came.  How can we expect anything in our lives to go right without first consulting The Almighty?

Before you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior you were just like the earth in the beginning, without form and void.  There was emptiness and darkness, all manners of confusion.  It wasn't until after this decision that you fully began to understand what your purpose in life is:  to give Him glory.  Looking back I can trace some of the worse times of my life to when I neglected my relationship with God. Things were going well so I didn't pray as much.  I wasn't consistently in the Word.  I had forgotten that the only reason I have gotten to this  point in my life was because of God. So with this New Year, it's time to get back to the basics.  The time has come to remember that moment 'at the cross, where you first saw the light'.  If we don't keep God first then we will never get it right.  I was watching a television program titled, Create A New You.  The show was about individuals who had lost jobs for whatever reason during the downturn in the economy and could not find a new job.  Let me start by saying I am not knocking the show.  In fact, it wasn't until just now while writing this that I realized the reason why I watched the show.  During the entire infomercial there was no mention of God.  There were suggestions that included going back to school, starting your own business, and volunteering.  All very good ideas but there is one very important point that the first chapter of Genesis teaches us that applies to this program and that is 'we cannot create/recreate ourselves on our own'.  As much as we may try to change those things we do not like about ourselves or even start a different career from the one we have been on for the last ten years, if it is not in God's plan for our lives then it will fail.  If we have not consulted Him in our decision making progress and allowed Him to guide every step of the process then we are setting ourselves up for failure.  And before you say it...YES, God can take our efforts that did not include Him and turn them around for His glory but only when we give up control and allow Him to direct our paths.  I know that what I am saying may put a damper on your New Year's resolution but don't let it.  Stop right now and ask God what it is that He wants you to work on this year.  What direction is He taking your life, your ministry?  You can be recreated but only by God.  Remember what Paul said in II Corinthians 5:17-18: “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ.”  Yes you can begin anew.  Just remember that this can only be accomplished  by a sovereign God. And He can take your talents, your failures, your successes, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your past and use them for His glory. Whenever you find yourself thinking that you did this....go back to the beginning and remember that before your life took on any shape or any purpose, there was GOD.

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

I acknowledge that You are the Creator of all things and every good and perfect gift comes from You. As I begin this new year help me to stay focused on You. Help me to consult You first in every decision that I make.  Help me to remember that I am what I am but by the grace of God.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.