"Let" is a Powerful Word

Webster's Learner's Dictionary defines the word let as: to allow or permit something. To allow or permit implies authority.

The Bible uses the word let many times. For instance in Genesis 1 God said, "Let there be... light, land, water etc.

The word, "let" is used in the New Testament many times too.  Just do a little research. You will find "let" or "do not let" many times.

The point is that we must follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. We are made of flesh and falter many times. It is hard to let go of our fleshly response to be angry or selfish. But if we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, He will produce His fruit in us. (Galatians 5:22-25)




*Colossians 3:15-16 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ho! Ho! Ho!-Whoa!

Christmas is a beautiful season. Lots of shiny decorations and beautiful colors. But it is also such a busy time it is easy to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. Jesus IS the reason for the season!  He is God's perfect gift. Take time to enjoy Him!





*Matthew 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, "which is translated, “God with us.”

* Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Fruit for Food and Leaves for Healing

Ezekiel 47:12

“Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.” As believers in Jesus our lives should display the fruit of the spirit. Think of it this way the fruit of our conduct feeds others. How? By being kind, courteous, and perhaps even patient in the grocery store!  Others can see our joy and the Holy Spirit can use us to bring healing to their broken hearts and lives. *Galatians 5:22-23 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

    *Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
     but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

A Blank Canvas

Recently I've taken up painting. Its a hobby I really enjoy. One of the things that truly excites me is... a blank canvas! There are so many things I could paint!

When we come to Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are washed clean by His precious blood. We become as white as snow! In essence we become a blank canvas in the hands of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; the Creator of the universe.

Even when we sin Jesus still wants us to come to Him! And by God's wonderful grace, we are made new again.






Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

What Do They See?

What do people see when they look at us in the check out line?  Do they see someone who is kind and courteous or do they see someone who is impatient?   When we are in a restaurant and our service isn't perfect  do we display anger and irritation?

We are living in an imperfect world, filled with imperfect people None of us are perfect and we can't expect perfection of others.  Fortunately we have a perfect Savior and He has given us the precious Holy Spirit to empower us to be like Him, wise as serpents and harmless as doves!



Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Reaching Out

There are times when we think of people. We think of friends, family members and our sisters and brothers in Christ.  We may not have seen or heard them for a long time and we think to ourselves, "I haven't heard from so and so for a long time."

All relationships take work. We must make the effort to pray and sometimes our lives are filled with distraction. If we don't make prayer and Bible study a priority it isn't long until it just keeps being less and less of a priority.  It's the same way with our relationships.

Jesus had friends.  He visited different households. Not just the saints but the sinners as well. And when we reach out to Jesus, He responds.

Don't waste an opportunity to spend time together with family and friends. Let someone know they have been on your mind.  Make that phone call. Write that card or send that email.



*John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

*John 4:53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household.

*Luke 19:3- 5  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

It's Complicated!

Relationships are complicated. One has only to look through the Bible to see how complicated our relationship with God is. Many times people rebelled against the Father. Yet how many times He beacons us to "Come, return, call, seek. He wants to have a relationship with us. When we walk in the Spirit things go smoothly, but what happens when we come to a place of disagreement?

Those are the times we have opportunities to grow in our relationship with Christ. He is the Vine and we are the branch. If we choose to abide in the Word, we will grow and produce good fruit. If  choose not to abide in the Word, our lives will be full of conflict and complications. In order to grow we must at times crucify our fleshly opinions. In essence giving up our own thoughts and ways, and yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who produces the fruit that comes from abiding in the vine.

Why should we think that our human relationships would be uncomplicated? Put two adult women in a household. After a time there will no doubt come opportunities for disagreements if not full fledged arguments! After all we each have our own unique opinions on the best way, (our way) of doing things. Yet there is a godly way to work through complications. Love is the key.  (See I Corinthians 13:4-8)

*John 15:5

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

*Galatians 5:19-23When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 

idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Some Thoughts About the Belt of Truth

In Ephesians chapter 6 we learn about putting on the whole armor of God. We are not wrestling with flesh and blood. But with powers and principalities in the air, against the rulers of darkness in this world and wickedness in high places. That is as true now as ever before!

We need God's armor to stand firm in our faith. The very first article of our armor is the belt of truth. The belt holds all of the armor together. Now take a look in the book of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not

Did you catch it:? Belt of truth? Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life! Over and over in the Bible the Lord calls us to himself. We were created to cling to the Lord. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus! He is the Living Word!



*Ephesians 6:12-14 For we wrestle 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.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

*John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

* Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

*John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

What's In A Name?

Think about your closest friend for a moment. Do you know their whole name? Do you know their nick names?

* John 15:14-15 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

* In Matthew 21:9Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
Hosanna in the highest
Jesus calls us his friends. What's in a name? A lot!

 


 
Friend in the Strong's concordance entry G5384
 friend, to be friendly to one, wish him well

1. a friend
2. an associate
3. he who associates familiarly with one, a companion
4. one of the bridegroom's friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials

Name in the Strong's concordance entry G3686:

1. name: univ. of proper names
2. the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.
3. persons reckoned up by name
4. the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

 

Whenever I'm Afraid Psalms 56:3

Our precious Lord knows how frail we are.  He knows that there will indeed be times when we are afraid.


The Psalmist had it perfect! "What time I am afraid, I will trust in you."

For Better or For Worse

When we first get married everything seems blissful. Things may  go great for a long time. But sooner or later conflicts will happen. Some conflicts are easier to solve than others. Sometimes things can get so bad we just want to throw in the towel and quit. Having the Holy Spirit included in our marriage we will be drawn to each other instead of seeking our own way.  Remember also that into every life a little rain must fall.




*Ecclesiastes 4:12 ..... And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
*I Corinthians 13:4   Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

Standin' on the Shore and Walkin' on the water

Think about the ocean for a moment. The tide has to move toward the shore before it rolls away again. When you are standing on the shore; (metaphorically speaking), and the tide comes in, think about Jesus being that living water and He is always heading toward us. He welcomes us and beacons us to follow Him into the water. Perhaps just into the shallows to refresh us, leading us back to the shore. But what about the times in our lives when we feel so all alone? When we can't see the safety of the shore anymore? During those times we must walk by faith, hold on to Jesus hand and walk on the water!





* John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

*Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

* John 4:29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Tell Me the Truth - Matthew Chapter 24

So many things are happening in our world today! Information is passed at break-neck speed, often without being checked for authenticity and bang! The news goes viral. But is it really the truth?

We are truly living in troublesome times. Prophecies are indeed being fulfilled. But there are people out there who promote fear. They feed on it like predators. In fact Satan roams about like a lion seeking whom he may devour. But Jesus doesn't want us to have a troubled mind. Instead we are to watch and pray. Be informed but not be fearful.

In the 24th chapter of Matthew Jesus gives us a list of the things we are to watch for and pray about.

The thing is we've got to know the truth and Jesus IS the truth!


Maranantha!

The Father's Fierce Love

Our human reasoning can never stand up to the Father's wisdom. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. But at least sometimes we can get a picture of just how fiercely God loves us by the pattern of our human relationships.  In part of the Lord’s prayer Jesus asked that the Father's  will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

 Parents can turn into tigers, ready to rip apart the one who is harming our child. Siblings may fight against each other but let someone else pick on that sibling and a skirmish is bound to occur. We may want to give a piece of our mind, or take revenge ourselves. But we are instructed to not be double-minded. We must pray with a pure heart, forgiving our enemies.  Easy to say, hard to do.
 
The Father can change the heart of the most wicked of sinners. Paul crucified Christians and yet God changed his heart and he became a tool in the Father's hands demonstrating the love of Christ, leading many to salvation.

 Take heart child of God, we may be as fierce as a tiger but Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah... and the Lamb of God!




 
Psalms 27:11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,  And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

Proverbs 20:22-23 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter. The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
 

The Puzzle Master

Sometimes our lives may seem like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We can't see how  all of the pieces fit together. It is easy to become frustrated and we may want to give up. We can trust God to work out all things for our good. All of those things may not have come together yet. We will make mistakes, but even then God is shaping us and solving our puzzle one piece at a time. He has a wonderful plan for us and we can take comfort in that!




 
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.   Psalms 139:16 You saw me before I was born.Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

God's Will - Love

How can we know what God's will is for our lives? We can't know all of His ways. And yet we can glean insight to it by the guidelines in the Word.  For example in Proverbs 3:5-6 we are taught not to trust in our own understanding but to acknowledge Him in all of our ways. In other words praying for wisdom.

Then we can understand God's will by the motivation of our heart. Love is the first test.

In Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Apostle Paul gives us a complete definition of what love really is.

I Corinthians 13:4-8;13 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Anger: A Passionate Killer

For the life of me I can't think of one person I love that I haven't been angry with at some time or other. Love is a passionate emotion. So is anger.

 It has been said that there is a fine line between love and hate. Anger left unchecked can progress to hatred. Which is definitely a work of the flesh.

What makes us angry anyway? Is it because we disagree? Our feelings were hurt? Someone hurt a loved one? Or is it simply because we believe we are right and like a dog with a bone we won't let the issue go.

 Anger is a killer and left unchecked by the Holy Spirit through prayer always kills something.  It can kill our relationship with God. Its not because God stops loving us, but rather because sin separates us from Him.  Anger kills our joy and our peace. Anger  kills relationships.  It is true sometimes we must agree to disagree  but that shouldn't kill or destroy a relationship. Jesus said that we are to forgive our brothers not seven times but seventy times seven. He also said that in order for us to be forgiven we must forgive.



Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.


 *Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Making Room

The longer we walk with Christ the more apt we are to expect more "Christ-like" behavior from our fellow believers. The truth of the matter is that we are all at different levels in our spiritual walk. Some learn quickly out of a zeal for the Word, while others may not yet have that zeal.  It doesn't mean they won't get it, it just may take some folks longer.

As seasoned, believers we need to be tender and forgiving, speaking the truth in love. After all who wants to learn from a person who tries to pound information into them?  Who wants to be wants to be around someone who is condescending?

Jesus said that it was the mark of a disciple to love one another. And even though some of our family members do not yet know Christ how will they ever even want to if they do not see the love of God demonstrated in our home and observe what they may see or hear about in the church, the body of Christ?

We see in the new testament that so and so was saved and their household. Certainly those early believer's  lives were changed so radically the others in the house hold desired that joy, and peace.

 We should ask ourselves are we living our lives in such a way that our unsaved loved ones can truly see a difference? If not, why not? Perhaps we are having a form of godliness but not walking in the power of it.

Prayer: Father please help me to be more like You. Though I am not perfect and I stumble many times,  let me quickly repent and let my unsaved loved ones see the impact of the Holy Spirit in my life.



Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

 

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

 

John 4:29  “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

John 4:39And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”

Rest

It is important to take time to rest.  We have so many demands and activities that we find ourselves exhausted. But if we will spend some quiet time with the Lord we will truly find ourselves rested and refreshed.



He said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 14:23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Almost

We use the word almost a lot. But what do we really mean?

We can be almost  our destination, but not quiet there yet. We can be  almost finished with something but not yet done.

Most of the time the word almost is okay but sometimes it just isn't. One can't be almost pregnant. Neither can one be almost saved. We either are or we are not. Even during the time of contemplating salvation through Christ, and being almost persuaded we are not yet saved. Its important to realize that. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. And drink we must to be a follower of Christ. 




John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

The Divine Filter

No matter what happens in life it is important to realize that it everything is filtered through the fingers of God. What we do can be in His perfect will or His permissive will. The circumstances can also depend on the decisions of other people in our lives, those who make foolish decisions and those who make wise decisions. But no matter what the case is, the events in our lives are ultimately filtered through the fingers of the Father. And He is good all the time!

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.

Opportunities

As a parent sometimes it's a good thing to call your child to attention.  It isn't that they are miss-behaving, but is an opportunity to see if they are listening. As a child of God, I believe our Heavenly Father does too. Truth be told I am sure I've missed many opportunities to listen to that still small voice.

I know one thing.  I want to practice the presence of my Father better, walk closer and hold His hand tighter.

*I Kings 19:12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Reliogiosity Or Reality

*II Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Certainly there are traditions and customs we need to follow. For instance Jesus went to church. We need to follow His example and go to church!  Jesus was baptized and when we are baptized, we are following His example.


The point is we need to take a close look at what our lives are displaying. We may have a form of something but not be the real thing! Are we patient and kind at the restaurant after church when we are really hungry? Hmm.

 
 Matthew 23:27

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness   *John 6:63  *John 6:63“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

 
*Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
*Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.






 

Whine or Wine.

We have so much to be thankful for and yet we complain all too often. "It's too hot", yet we have air-conditioning. "I  can't find anything to wear," with a closet full of clothes. We get impatient if the line is too long at the grocery, where we have access to any food we want. Too often we don't even know what real suffering or persecution is! Yet Jesus said troubles would be a part of our very Christian experience. But also that we could be overcomers.

Let's face it, nobody likes to suffer. Nobody likes to go through trials. But during the times our faith is tested, people take note of how we handle the situation. Will they hear us whine or will they taste and see wine in new wineskins?




 
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 9:17 "Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;  Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!


Acts 16:23-27   And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

II Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Sparrows and Hairs

There is no limit to what God can do.  He can make a way where there seems to be no way, He can cause water to flow from a rock and He  knows when each sparrow falls. But He loves us more than we can fathom.

 

 

 

 

Matthew 10:29 “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Luke 12:7

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

 

I Am A Child Of The King!

You may not know it by looking at me but I am a princess. Yep that's right. But I can only say that because my Father is the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords! I have some great news!  You too can be a child of my Father!





 Psalms 34:12 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Galatians 4:6 And because we  are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 
 
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.


 

The Lord Isn't Going Anywhere But I Might

 Isaiah 55:6; 8  Seek the LORD while He may be found,  Call upon Him while He is near. For My thoughts are not your thoughts,  Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.

In my journey I have learned that if I don't seek the Lord with my first cup of coffee,  I can't seem to find the time to read my Bible or devote the day to God's plan. My tendency is to go off on my own way when God had a better plan and perhaps even different priorities.



Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

A Man After God's Own Heart

So many times we think that the Lord can't use us because we can't follow Him perfectly. And yet He can if we learn to run to Him and repent.  King David was a man after God's own heart and yet he did not follow God without sinning.

 

II Samuel 12:13  So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” And Nathan said to David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Psalms 66:17 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Acts 13:22 “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

The Right Kind of Fear

Fear can manifest in different ways. But when it comes down to it fear is an emotion; a feeling. And it is a feeling that can  paralyze. Think of the saying..."a deer caught  in the headlights."  Or think of a opossum. Opossums play dead when they are afraid. This is the wrong kind of fear.  God does not give us a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. *

The right kind of fear is the fear of the Lord. It's a different kind of fear altogether. The fear of the Lord is the reverence and awe of Him. To know that there is nothing He can't do. He is omnipotent!   There is nothing that He doesn't know. He is omniscient!  There is nothing that can separate us from Him.  He is  omnipresent!



I Timothy 1:7 NLT For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.   

Psalms 139:7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence?

Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:11All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Isaiah 41:12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.

Rusty Bicycles

In my day to day routine sometimes I fail to remember that the Lord loves, and I mean loves to give to his children! It is His pleasure.  I don't know why I minimize this desire but may be you have too.

Our Father is not the God of rusty bicycles! He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He gives good gifts to His children and He wants us to ask Him! 

                                                      

God made a promise to King David and he realized that God wanted to bless him by fulfilling his word.
II 7:28-29 “And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. “Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,  And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Matthew 7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The Fellowship of His Suffering

Nobody likes to suffer. But suffering is necessary for our growth and development as followers of Christ.  Life isn't a cakewalk. There will be times of trial. We should rejoice during the good times in our lives but also not feel like we've been abandoned during times of suffering.



Philippians 3:8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ; 10  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
 
I Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

 

 

 

I've Got The Power - We Must Choose, Use and Become

I am quoting, "I've Got The Power" from a song that was in a movie. But it is relative to me. As I thought about John 1:12, I read that to as many as received Him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God. Even to those who believed on his name.

There have been times in my life where I took being a "child of God" for granted. It is a sign that I am growing lukewarm and that is a dangerous place to be!

 Becoming a child of God takes an effort on our part. We make that effort first by receiving Christ, then spending time with Him, taking in the Word and applying it to our lives.



John 10:4 “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Our Best

It is important to give the Lord our very best. But our best isn't always the same.Don't get under condemnation, but realize Satan will use any and all means to keep us from praying and seeking the Lord.  Even Jesus got weary and took a break. But that didn't keep Him from His ministry or His testimony. He took a moment and got refreshed.  Jesus understands that at times we will be weak and weary. Especially during those times He beacons us to come to Him.

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 'This is the first commandment. Mark 13:30

   Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  John 4:6; 10

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28


 

What Do You Expect?

 If we allow our minds to expect someone behave negatively to us, we may rehearse what our negative response will be. That's having a bad expectation and it isn't walking in love! Remember  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (I Cor. 13:4-7)






*Luke 6:45

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Half-way To Happy

Stop! Wait a minute! You're almost there! Well if you are seeing the glass half-empty. We have to choose our outlook. We either choose to give in to negative feelings or we choose to find the good in things.

As believer's we are to think about things that are above and not beneath. We are to be thankful in all things. It's hard sometimes, but it is a lesson we all need to learn and sometimes re-learn.

Find a reason to be thankful. Then really meditate on the goodness of that thing. Tell the Lord you are thankful for it and praise Him, even in the midst of your pain. Before long you will find your outlook has changed. You will have hope again and the glass? Oh that will be more than full!



Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart does good, like medicine,  But a broken spirit dries the bones.   Philippians 4:8   Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.   Ps. 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;  My cup runs over.

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

We must learn to be quiet! So much of what we hear is really not worth repeating.





Psalms 34:13 NLT Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Ecclesiastes 3:7 NLT A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

 

Make Me! - The Robot Mentality

Many of us have prayed for the Lord make us do or be  something.  But God has given us the gift of free will. Its okay to pray that prayer but we must be willing to walk that prayer out.

 He has promised there will never be any temptation that we can't bear. There will always be a way to escape. That's a promise! We just need to look for the Way.





*John 14:26 NKJV “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

*I Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

*John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

How Big Is God?

It's all about perspective. God, the Father has always been. He is a spirit. He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. There is nothing too big for God. He's got this!





Isaiah 40:22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,  And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,  Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,  And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.



Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened,  That it cannot save;  Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear.

Self-pity

From the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior we are engaged in spiritual warfare.  Satan wants to us neutralize our relationship with Jesus so we are ineffective.

One way he can accomplish his goal is to get us to look at ourselves and our circumstances more than we look to Jesus. Trials come and we feel like we've been thrown under the bus. We feel we've been victimized. We feel, and feel and feel. Ultimately we feel so sorry for ourselves we can't move forward. But the Word says... Now let the weak say I am strong!

We will go through difficulties and we may agonize over some of them. But that grief should cause us to call out to Jesus instead of constantly looking into the mirror of self-pity.





Joel 3:10 Beat your plowshares into swords  And your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ”

Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

Perfectly Exasperated!

At our house if the shower lever is not turned off as soon as the water is turned on my bath has officially become a shower!  It is not a pleasant thing and I find it exasperating! Why oh why must this be an issue! But is it really an issue or is it an opportunity to grow in grace?  Isn't it just as easy to check the lever myself? Sure it is. 

James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Colossians 3:12-  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer: Father please help us to put on love. Let us realize that perfection is a work that you do within us and forgiveness is what we do for others.

There's An App For That!

 It seems like we hear the phrase, "There's an app for that" all the time.  There are many things we wish we could fix with a simple app. Well, in a way we do
.
Wisdom is the practical application of knowledge. It is what we do with what we know. God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. We must download  God's word into our hearts and then we can use the "app" in our lives.

*John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

 

*Psalms 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,  That I might not sin against You.

Being Blessed Doesn't Always Seem Like A Blessing

There are times when we are blessed by blessed events. Having a baby, getting that promotion at work or a new car, those things are happy, feel-good things. But if we take a look at when Jesus says we are blessed its quite different and even painful at times.

When you have the time take a good look at the Beatitudes. Those who are poor in spirit, persecuted, the mournful, those who are reviled and falsely accused are considered to be blessed. Why?  Jesus said it was because our reward in heaven would be great and that the prophets of old were also badly treated. In fact Jesus said that if men hate us that we should remember that they hated Him first.

Be encouraged when going through times of "blessedness." Jesus was blessed too and He walks with you.

 


Matthew 5:10-12Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.   John 15:18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

Its only a matter of time until we mess up! It is important to confess and repent right a way or a cycle begins and it escalates into constant failure.  Its  kind of like the children's story, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie." The story goes like this, if you give a mouse a cookie he's going to want a glass of milk. If you give him a glass of milk he's going to want a straw and on and on it goes. If we don't confess, we find our ourselves under condemnation. If we stay under condemnation we will become discouraged. When we are discouraged it is easy to become hopeless. When we are hopeless we will feel that it makes no difference if we continue to walk in sin.

So in the words of a wise man, "When you mess up 'fess up and get up!"

 

 

Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times  And rise again,  But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I AM - You Are

Jesus said," “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”(John 9:5) Later on He said," You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)

God's word is the source of our light! So let the Word dwell in you richly!*

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet  And a light to my path.
 Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

 

Meet My Friend, Luke

Luke is one of those frienenemy  types.  He's very shy and doesn't draw attention to himself.  He so kind and lets me sleep or doze when I should be up doing things. Sometimes he reminds me of all the things I need to get accomplished during the day. He invites me to do those things that I just really like to do.

Are you getting the picture? Luke is... Luke Warmness. Satan wants to keep us from being on fire for the Lord.  He is a relentless foe! He wants us to be distracted. He wants us to be content to do our own thing. If we aren't careful he will ever so gently lull us into a spiritual slumber. The important thing is to realize when Luke has come to visit and send him on his way! Bye-bye Luke!

*Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made....

*Revelation 3:16 “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,fn I will vomit you out of My mouth.

I'm Snarky And I Know It!

For whatever reason there are times when some of us have snarky attitudes. The days when just about everything we say has an edge to it.

We must run to the Lord as soon as we become aware of feeling spiritually dry, directionless and discontented lest we become cynical and hard hearted. *

But when we come to the Lord, He welcomes us with open arms. Jesus knows what it's like to be in the wilderness. He was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. *

*Lev. 5:5 NLT “When you become aware of your guilt in any of these ways, you must confess your sin.

*I John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

*Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

You Don't Have To Let The Thorn Have You!

Psalms 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

The apostle Paul had and affliction. He had a thorn in his side. He had to deal with that thorn and he did so with God's grace. As far as we can tell he didn't complain about it. He knew he had the thorn but he didn't let the thorn have him. (II Corinthians 12:7-9)

It is hard sometimes, especially when we are in pain, be it physical or emotional to not let the pain have us. Many people in have had injuries that have left them disabled. The doctors have said, " You will never walk again."And some of them don't. They let those maladies have them.

Then there are people like Joni Eareckson Tada who had a diving accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. She struggled physically, emotionally and spiritually. But she trusted in the Lord and has done many things to glorify him.  www.joniearecksontadastory.com 

Most afflictions are probably not that severe. Many people have problems that they let define them.  I have bi-polar disorder but most people, unless they've known me for many years would never know that. That's my thorn. I have it, but it by the grace of God... it doesn't have me!

My Gift Is.... Whatever

Our God is a god of decency and of order.* He has set our churches with definite gifts. For instance how could we have a growing and orderly congregation without pastors and teachers. Certainly people in those roles know what their gifting is.

Where we begin to get into trouble is seeking what our gift or calling is. I am reminded of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled, "Whatever"*. We may think we are qualified to operate in a certain area, but the only way to be used by Jesus is by doing whatever He says.

Remember we do not do the works of God so that we can be seen by men, but we do those things so that men may see.

*Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  And lean not on your own understanding; 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

*Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Whatever

I made a list wrote down from A to Z
All the ways I thought that you could best use me
Told all my strengths and my abilities
I formed a plan it seemed to make good sense
I laid it out for you so sure you'd be convinced
I made my case presented my defense
But then I read the letter that you sent me
It said that all you really want from me is just

Whatever whatever you say
Whatever I will obey
Whatever lord have your way
'Cause you are my god whatever

So strike a match set fire to the list
Of all my good intentions all my preconceived ideas
I want to do your will no matter what it is
Give me faith to follow where you lead me
Oh lord give me the courage and the strength to do

I am not my own
I am yours and yours alone
You have bought me with your blood
Lord to you and you alone do I belong
And so whatever

Divide and Conquer

One of the tricks in Satan's bag is the divide and conquer plan.  It's very simple and quite effective. It may start out as something very silly. Such as what recently happened to a friend of mine.  She was trying to get ready for an event and hubby had used all the hot water washing the car! Yes it was irritating, but not worth the blast of emotion just before hosting a party!*

Fortunately the ploy was recognized, apologies were accepted and all went well. It could have turned out so differently.  Satan's plot could have spoiled the whole day and stole the joy from a family gathering! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. But greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.*





Prayer: Father please help us to recognize the subtle plots of Satan. Let us be quick to apologize and banish him from our joy by the power of Jesus' Name.

 

*Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

*I John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.