Month: February 2012

Dear God: Thank you for Your Promises~

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“…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20 (KJV)

As Jesus stated in the Gospel of Matthew 28:20…He will never leave us, and He hasn’t.  Jesus keeps all of His promises, as does His Father, God.  Jesus is with us today in the person of the Holy Spirit.

He continues to love us, guide us, hold us in times of trouble, and be an ever presence in our lives. His love keeps us alive.  For it was God’s love that sent His Son to redeem us, and give us salavation, by His blood which we were saved.  Thank you Lord.  Thank you Jesus for your supreme sacrifice. 
 
I have written a story based on the Centurion Soldier who “nailed Jesus Christ to the cross.”  I will include it here following this post.  It was originally written for “Faithwriters” but I felt pressed to share with my readers on my website.  So, I follow my heart, which is fueled by God; in obedience I post it now.
 
 
 
The Task – by C D Swanson
 
It was the start of an ordinary day. He put on his heavy shiny and wide bronze belt. He lifted his heavy gold helmet and after a quick look, placed it strategically on his head. His red cape was in sharp contrast to the glittering metal and bronze that completed his outfit.“This will be like any other day. So, if that is true why do I feel so strange?” He pondered the question over and over never finding an answer to his query.This particular day was becoming increasingly different. The colossal crowd was booming with excitement. However, he sensed a mixture of temperament within the raucous gathering. Some were ecstatic by the prospect of the events that were to take place momentarily, and so were quite vocal in their anticipation. And, many were decidedly sober, on occasion allowing a moan, or muttering of disapproval to escape their distressed faces.The items were in his sack. He took another look before closing the drawstring. He walked to his horse. He admired the snow white horse with a red saddle resplendent in beauty. The horse appeared to be vexed, jumping and moving about with great agitation. He calmed the horse down with soothing sounds, allowing him to climb up onto the saddle.His ears were throbbing from the vociferous gathering. As he rode his mount to the top of the hill, he observed the flagrant blood thirsty crowd waiting for action.

“Out of my way…I want to see them pay.” One voice declared with abject and fiendish delight.

“Hey- Where have you been?” One of his peers yelled out.

“Just getting everything prepared.” He answered with a quiet yet shaken demeanor.

“Why are you acting so strange? You knew about this appointment for a while, what is going on with you?” His good friend asked.

“I know. It’s just…” He stared at his sack he managed to get before his mount fled.

“What?” His friend insisted.

Before he could answer he observed “them” ascending the hill. “What am I going to do?” There was no answer for him, he had an appointment and orders to follow. His hands began to shake as he opened the sack by his sandaled feet.

“Hey, what is going on with you?” His friend pulled his arm and glared into his eyes with a fierce determination to understand his reticent behavior.

He yanked his arm away from his friend’s paralyzing grip, “Go about your business-nothing is wrong.”

They locked eyes for a moment, until his friend backed away, “Okay.”

He took a deep breath. He watched the men approaching. It was unusually hot. The sun was searing his skin. He felt like he was on fire…or in the gates of hell. “What was going on?”

An acrid stench was in the still air. He was perspiring copiously. He didn’t want to accept this appointment. To disobey was not an option. He tossed and turned all night, not realizing why he was experiencing torment, and pain. He was in pure anguish!

“Okay, here you go. This is the one you are supposed to handle. I will take care of this one on the left, and your friend will take care of the one on the right.” The handler said systematically.

He turned his head and saw him. He was unrecognizable! His face bloodied and bruised. His body had open wounds from being whipped and scourged. A crown of thorns atop his matted hair intermingled with blood and dirt. He was placed upon the cross, and roped with his arms spread wide…stretched to unbearable lengths. He heard his shoulders pop and felt vomit fill his mouth, as he gazed at him through tears.

He took the “items” out of the sack. Three huge tent nails. He brought the first one to his feet. His hands shaking, he looked at the man they called Jesus.

Jesus looked at him with love and compassion, “You are fulfilling the scriptures, but I feel your compassion…I have taken note of this and so has my Father.”

He wailed, “Forgive me!” as he hammered the first of three nails into Jesus. “My Lord, forgive me.” When he completed the abominable task- the wooden cross was hoisted high on Golgotha.

He glanced up sickened to witness his “handiwork” on Jesus’ feet and hands…then collapsed in a wretched heap on the ground.

He declared in sincerity, his voice quivering, “This is truly the Son of God, this is the Christ.”

 
 
 

Dear God: At The Foot Of The Cross Laying My Burdens Down~

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I am laying every burden down at the Cross.

 

Jesus you always come to my rescue…there is no other name by which I am saved.  My heart belongs to You and is Yours for life.

So many friends of mine are going through major crises right now…all hurting inside from their situations.  Some issues have been physical in nature. Whereas some have been emotional…and some have been both.

The Christian friends are faring a lot better than the others.  The ones with great faith pull through adversity with a tenacious and calm demeanor.  The others, not so.

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

The ones who lay their burdens down at the foot of the cross and give it to the Lord ease forward…with hope and trust.  And, with the hand of Jesus Christ holding them all the way.  The Lord hears their cries…but He hears all the cries of His children.  He wants to help them; He wants to hear them call out to Him.  He waits and watches, and winces in pain as His children ignore Him.

The fortunate ones who have had their ears and eyes opened are at a distinct advantage from others who have their ears and eyes closed.  Their trials are a lot harder to endure, their hope is distinguished, and their future bleak.

The ones filled with great faith lay “their burdens down” and know and trust that the Lord will sustain them…will provide water for their thirst, while providing for all their needs. So, when we cast our burdens, we are surrendering and give full rein to the LORD, knowing He provide and never let us be moved. We are thanking Him and acknowledging He died for us, was resurrected and defeated death! Our actions align with His Word is all we do. But His actions by what He has done for us – set us free by His blood.

“Cast your burden on the Lord.  And He shall sustain you: He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)

The Lord will take your burden from you. I feel such compassion for those who are going through their trials and issues…I too have been there, as no doubt, those of you reading this have as well.  It is knowing God on an intimate level where we can reach into His word…and feel His love come alive.  It is through the fire that He will save you and lift you higher when you are “low” and in distress.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for our souls” (Matthew 11:29).

God in His amazing grace and love does not want His children to feel anxious or nervous.

He told the crowds on the Mount “Do not worry, saying, what shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV).

He wants us to give ourselves and to surrender knowing He will take care of us.  And, always for the best…therefore never doubting.

The Lord created a perfect love in us…and perfect love knows no fear.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  We love Him because He first loved us” 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV).

Those of my friends who are anxious and fearful…embrace the Lord and feel His love and strength as you walk through your “fire” and face “your Giants.”  He that created you is perfect and as He states in His love letter to us, “there is no fear in love.”  God loves us-Rejoice!

I lift you all up in prayer my friends in Jesus’ name.  He knows your issues and your Giants and the fire you are facing.  He will ease your burden; He will guide you and hold you.  Love for God is not merely a “good feeling” and “happy feeling.”  God is a living active force in our lives, that can change who we are and how we handle our Giants and fires.

Jesus Himself forever connected loved for God with love for people (Matthew 22:37-40).

The Lord loves us so much and wants to “ease our troubles.”  Jesus Christ came to die, to become the sacrificial, substitutionary and all- sufficient atonement for our sins.  He battled death and won.  He is the author of salvation His resurrection our eternal gateway to heaven.

Isn’t this a God you want to “know better?”

Isn’t this a God that you want to “love” and “honor?”

Isn’t this a God you want to “thank?”

Isn’t this a God you “trust with all of your heart?”

And love?

He has made the biggest sacrifice for us.  And, yet He wants to do even more in our lives if we let Him.  “Lay your burdens down, give it all to the LORD” Your anxiety and fear and doubt, will assuredly be gone.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16-NKJV).

Isn’t this a God worthy of your love? Amen!

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” John 3:17 (NKJV).

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already” John 3:18 (NKJV).

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” Colossians 2:6 (NKJV).

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me Psalm 56:11 (NKJV).

Dear God – Work Within to Reflect Your Son~

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"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." John 4:14 (NKJV)

To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.  Our intimacy with Jesus is a main factor of following a path of His loving doctrine.

When Jesus saved us out of an “evil age”   so that we-children of the almighty God-would become in fact blameless, and harmless.  And, therefore be without fault in the midst of a perverse crooked generation so that we shine as lights.

“…our Lord Jesus Christ…gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father…”    Galatians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

The Lord- our Living God wants to change us from within so that He recognizes His Son, Jesus Chirst within our hearts. So that we shine our inner light to all those we encounter…to all those we know.  People should be able to tell you are a Christian within a matter of minutes of speaking with you.

When you are working-do people know you are Christian?  Do you reflect Jesus in your behavior?  Do you provide a steady and sincere show of kindness to others?  Do you offer help to those in need?  Do you confine your frustrations when your “flesh” wants to act out?  Our demeanor should positively reflect “the light” of Jesus in our everyday actions.

There are “mean people” and “unthankful” individuals that we may know, or pass by during our day.  Are we to condemn them?  Make fun of them?  Take part in the ridicule or gossip?  NO!  God would not want that.  If God were not kind to the unthankful- where would we be today?  Any of us?  Although God will always judge sin, the thing He most desires is that we turn from sin-and come to Him for blessings-not to judge us.  So why would be judge others?    “For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” Luke 6:35 (NKJV)

We must meditate on God’s love in order to experience spiritual growth.  We must focus primarily on Christ’s return and wait patiently for it.  And, while we wait…we need to reflect His love within to others, so that God may recognize His son within our heart.  “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV)

So therefore during your day-work hard, reflect and meditate-and follow God’s commandments.  God will always comfort us in our distress, not merely because He loves us…or that we will feel comfortable.  He will provide strength and encouragement so that we also can do the same.  His loving hand provides, so that we may minister to others, through every “good word and work.”         “…comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” Thessalonians 2:17 (NKJV)

Lord I want to reflect your loving Son from within…so that I may shine His light to others. 

Is your light shining for God to see?

1 John (NKJV)  “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 
 

 

Picture is provided courtesy of Scott Birge – “Thank you Scott.”

Dear God: We Seek Your Kingdom~

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The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. Daniel 2:44 (NKJV)

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)  Seek first the kingdom – straight from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We are to seek His kingdom first, and everything else will fall into place.

 
Jesus always spoke about His Father and His kingdom, while ministering His love… His Father, our Father – our one true Sovereign God.  The one and only living God.
 
God cares for His children, those who are obedient especially. His blessings pour out to those who observe and walk in His ways.
His protection unyielding, ever present.  His hands and arms open to all of His children.
 
We have so many things going on in the world today.  Turmoil, upsetting news stories…and some of us are going through great trials and sorrow.  The Lord is our refuge, and He will “always protect us” and help us with whatever we may be struggling with in our lives. With great trials, comes a fuller and higher understanding of God. Which brings to mind “the fire” that the three Hebrew children faced. Consider the great pressures they were facing from King Nebuchadnezzar.   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were loyal to God and would not bow to any other god.  They were in obedience to the King…but continued to walk in the commandments of God. They always were “seeking the kingdom” of their Lord and God.  
 
They were thrown into the fiery furnace bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans and their other garments.  And, the King demanded, “heat the furnace to seven times more” than it usually was set.  Talk about “turning up the heat” and facing the fire!  The three Hebrew children did just that. Their eyes set on things above, the kingdom of God.  Their great faith and obedience a shining example for the ages.   The King watched in astonishment, as he saw the three become “four” and saw them all walking about in the furnace.  The Son of God – saved them.
 
Some of us are “facing a fire” right this very moment.  Some are experiencing great trials and tribulations at this very second.  Perhaps some lost a loved one, a widow is by herself for the first time in 53 years.  Or, a young child passed away due to an illness-leaving the parents devastated.  Or someone just received a grim report from a doctor.  Some are going through emotinal abuse, physical abuse- or financial woes.  Whatever “YOUR FIRE” is – walk in faith with God as your redeemer.  He will deliver you from the “hottest furnace”- He will bring you through your “fire” and offer you soothing balm for your troubles.  He is our balm, and our refuge.  He can and WILL help you today-just as He did all those years ago with the Hebrew children.  He is able and waiting to deliver you from all of your struggles. Trust Him, and rest in Him.  He will ease your burden, and bring you peace.  “…God…sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him…” Daniel 3:28 (NKJV).
 
God does not require us to understand His will, just to obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.  Listening to God is so essential to walking with Him…We are all children of a sovereign God. 
“They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:5 (NKJV)
 
We are human, flesh and therefore fall short of perfection.  God knows that – He created us.  He knew us all before we were in our mother’s womb.  So, if we feel frustrated with issues in our lives-or “anger” He understands.  Speak to Him, tell Him – ask Him for help.  Lean on Him, and turn your life over to Him.  Be faithful, and face the fire with confidence knowing your God will be there for you and protect you always.  “I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”  Hosea 2:20 (NKJV)
 
 
Seek His kingdom.  Look at things not of this world, but keep your eyes on the things in our Father’s kingdom.  Walk with Him in faith, love and dedication and devotion-24/7.  Trust Him, and know He is making “ready” a place for us in His kingdom.   While we are here, we have things to accomplish.  The Father has a plan for all of us.  We need to take care of  what He has planned for us to  do in this lifetime-while maintaining a sincere belief in His word…and His kingdom.   We need to face whatever “fire” we are embroiled in, and look to Him for the resolve. Trust Him.  Love Him.  Seek Him….and His kingdom. 
 
Do you trust Him with  the fire you are facing today? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you to Scott Birge- who captured this beautiful picture.
 
 
 

Dear God: I Trust You~

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Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they? Matthew 6:26 (KJV)

 Lord, I trust you.  Do you trust the Lord?  When we sing songs of worship, “giving Him our all”  do we really mean it?

It is easy to sing songs and be in the moment-but far from the songs and your congregation…do we continue in the same mind set?  Are we walking in trust of our God?

 

The bible is filled with God’s promises and truths,  many of them, filled with love.

 The Number of promises in the Bible: 1,260.  God wants us to remind Him of His promises to us.  He wants to know we are aware of His word, and we are studying His word-so in essence when you remind Him, we are being obedient to Him.

I love all of the books in the Bible – all 66 of them.  Each one has a significant reason for being recorded. The Lord wants to educate and protect His beloved children.  From the shortest book in the Bible, 2 John, to the longest book in the Bible Psalms.  The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117: (KJV)

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.”

 I love – all  the Verses in the Bible: all 31,173 of them.  And, I love the Lord.  We need to understand truth, and trust and promises are all vital components of who our almighty God is.  And, of course so many other aspects including but not limited to L -O -V- E!

When Abraham took his only son to be sacrificed, he had to have a lot of trust in God!  Talk about pure trust!  He brought his son up to the mountain of Moriah.

Genesis 22:2 -5 (NKJV)  “Then He said, “Take now your son, your only sonIsaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.  Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad[a] and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

Notice the complete faith and utter trust in the last sentence above.  “Stay here with the donkey, the lad and I will go yonder and worhsip, and we WILL COME BACK TO YOU.” There was NEVER one iota of doubt in Abraham’s trust and belief that the Lord, our God wouldn’t come through with His promise to Him.

Of course we all know this was a foreshadowing of Christ to come – when God sacrifices His only begotten son for mankind-for us, sinners.  But, Abraham didn’t struggle or stop, or waffle in his feelings or belief in God.  That was pure and complete trust without thought to the outcome.  He just knew!  For the Lord promised him that he would be the father of many nations and that kings would come descend from him.  God promised Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed.  This promise encompasses the life and work of Abraham’s best known and most revered descendent, Jesus Chrit.  So Abraham knew and believed God’s promises to him…so he knew that he would return from the mountain of Moriah with Isaac -so as to fulfill the pro0mmises of God our Almighty Father.  Trust.  There is the word and the reason for my post – God gave me this word  today – TRUST.

God’s promise to Abraham was later extended to include the inhertiance of the whole world (Romans 4:13).  Abraham’s physical descendants, the nation of Israel, inherited the land of Canaan.  The was a type of Abraham’s spiritual descendants inheriting the earth.  Promises.  Trust and Promises.

So in our walk with God-have we the determination of Abraham our father? To trust fully and completely in God?  No matter how bleak the situation may appear?  No matter how trying the circumstances are before us…No matter how daunting the issues are?  Do WE TRUST HIM?  Are we aware of His promises to us– His children?

 When Abraham heard the Lord’s promise: “Sarah your wife shall have a son…”He believed in His promise and therefore trusted God. We need to hear God’s promises over and over again. It is a way God uses to encourage and develop our faith: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

Do not concern ourselves with what clothes we wear, what we eat – for the Father provides for His children.  He takes care and provides for “the fowl of the air…”  so how much more worthy are we?  Trust in His promises, trust in His love.  Trust in His ways, trust in His choices for us.  Trust in His infinite wisdom, His higher understanding of all things – and His Sovereign Power. 

Remind Him daily of His promises – and most important – tell Him daily- several times throughout your day – How much you love Him.  Praise Him, exalt His name. Thank Him for good times…and thank Him for trials and tribulations.   You will make His day – and He will smile and bless you with His unending love.  His arms are always open…are you ready to run into them?

“Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:15 (KJV)

 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful. Colossians 3:15 (KJV)

 And they that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you. Psalm 9:10 (KJV)

 

Note: “Special Thanks to Scott Birge for the beautiful picture of Geese taken Upstate New York.”