Peace is not the absence of trouble. It is the presence of Jesus.
To know You is to know peace..No You…NO peace.
I just want to say
I LOVE YOU
& thank You.
xxoo~
Month: July 2012
Dear God: I want to be Firmly Planted – Not Chaff~
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Psalm 1:1-4 NKJV
When we are called to our permanent home after we leave this temporary place, we will be standing before our Father. And, all that we have done on earth will follow us. Are we going to be the tree that was firmly planted in Christ? Or are we going to be the chaff?
Things like a huge car, or a big bank account won’t matter to our Lord. Or, that we had a big “cushy” home. No. What will matter is how we lived our life, and if we fully made use of the gifts the Lord gave to us.
When people are being eulogized, it is the “kindness” that a person showed to another that will be remembered. It is the “love” of Christ that the person tried to embody that will be remembered. It is the compassion shown to others that will be remembered. It is the depth of perception for another human being that will be remembered. And, most important…what God brings forward as He remembers.
As our Savior Jesus Christ said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
While we are here in our temporary home, which is fleeting at best…our minds and hearts should be filled with God and His Word. When we yearn for His Word, and meditate on it daily, we begin to grow in our awareness, spirituality, and our love for God increases. We need to DECREASE so that HE MAY INCREASE. That is the standard of which we should live. And all applications of our life should enforce and solidify His Gospel and His ways.
Each day another way to please Him, walk with Him, and embrace Him. Life is but a blink of an eye on earth, but an ETERNITY is FOREVER. Live for Him, and know He is always watching. Nothing you do is in secret…He sees it all. So, whatever you do He’s watching. And, it’s up to us to make Him proud.
So it isn’t important what you own, wear, eat…or where you live. It isn’t important how much money you have, or if you vacationed in Paris for the summer versus staying at home. In the end, we are all equal in God’s eyes. He doesn’t see anything but our hearts. That’s all. Our hearts and our love for Him and our brothers and sisters. That’s what’s important.
When I stand before Him one day in heaven…I pray my roots will be firmly planted in Christ my Savior, that died for me, and defeated death so that I might live forever for all eternity.
It’s our choice…to be firmly planted or chaff. Which will you choose?
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Build on the Rock24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV
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Picture by Scott Birge…Blessings Friend~
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Dear God: Your Light is Magnificent~
- “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24 NKJV
Psalm 43:3 NKJV Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle…
Lord you are the bright light in this world. We are told in Isaiah 60:19: “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.”
The light IS the Lord our God. We are children of the Light…we walk in the light. When we walk and stay close to God…our paths are lined with a light , lined with hope and truths. There is no darkness. The light of God pushes it away. Darkness cannot hide…it RUNS. The Lord is our lamp, our radiate warmth of light and love. Jesus Christ’ name is power…in His name we can accomplish much. Without Him, we cannot accomplish anything. We won’t feel the light, and ostensibly we won’t reflect His light.
When we are filled with Jesus Christ’ in the Holy Spirit…we set out to share the good news and to offer a Christ-mind of thinking, acting and believing. It is HIS word…and when we digest His daily bread, we can be a light to others as well.
One of several ways the Lord draws us to Himself is by His word and leading us to worship with Him and His people. His word constantly encourages and reinforces us…it knits us and engrafts us to Him. His word. His ways. His beliefs. Not the doctrine of man…who makes void the Word of God. We stand in the light of love.
Sometimes, it is only natural that we will “down” or “sad.” It will happen. And, it isn’t a reflection that we don’t believe…it just happens because we are in flesh bodies. So, God expects us to have “off days.” However it is how we handle the sad/down times when it happens that separates us from the non-believers. As true children of God…we will do things with trust and faith in the Lord.
We will RUN to Him and His word…and His wisdom. We will look to Him for our answers, and we can cry on His shoulder. He is our Father, and He loves us. I find comfort with Him. When I feel anxious, or unsettled. I truly RUN to His word and Him for help. I know He will provide that which I am searching for.
As Jesus said, “seek and you will find, ask and it shall be answered, knock and it will be opened.” I look to the Light for my answers, for my comfort for my peace. He is truly my everything. And, He wants us to lean on Him for all things. In good times and in bad times.
It’s easy to praise the Lord in good times. It is when the hard times come knocking that at times will test our faith. But, He is to be praised for all things, and all times.
Proverbs 3:5 NKJV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding.”
He is on a higher realm. It is more than our mortal minds can grasp. His light and wisdom are constant…and His light is always shining. As is His love. It is non-stop and fully unconditional.
It’s okay to have sad days, down days, and happy days. God made us with emotions, and we need to run to Him for all things. But, remember His light is in US. We are to share that Light with the world, not hide it.
As Jesus said:
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven..”Matthew 5-14-17 NKJV
Go our and Shine Your Light…and Glorify your God as you do so. Someone right now may need to be taken out of the darkness.
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22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV
John 8:12 NKJV Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
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The beautiful picture of “God’s Sunshine” provided by Scott Birge….Thanks again my friend~
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Dear God: I Love You and… I believe~
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish: neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27 (NKJV)
“And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:26 (NKJV)
Some individuals go out of their way to proclaim their belief in the Lord…”I believe in God, I’m a Christian.” Some people do it for “show” and for attention. Some people really believe it, and feel it, and live it 24/7.
Do you? Are we really able to meditate on that? As stated in John 11:25, “Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
When we believe, it should be with all we are: Luke 10:27 (NKJV So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” That means fully and with all of our very essence.
We don’t doubt for one moment. However, with the belief of God, and Jesus our Savior…comes a vast responsibility. We are responsible for following His Word, and abiding in and through His Spirit.
God won’t force it upon on us. He wants us to freely accept Him and His commandments. He wants our heart and our love. As a Sovereign God He could easily MAKE us do His will. But what good would that be? He wants to see who will come to Him by their own free will. He wants us to choose Him, because we WANT to.
In 2 Corinthians 8:8 God states with emphasis, “I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.” Our Father our God wants our love, and there will be times when He will put you to the test.
How do we respond to trials? Do we praise Him and trust Him? Or do we accuse Him of not loving us? Do we put the “burden” on Him by blaming him?
We need to realize that God is always on the throne. He is with us and knows our hearts, our thoughts, our feelings. He knows what we are going to say before we know it. He LOVES US. He wants what is best for us.
For those of you who are parents, don’t you want the best for your children? So, how much more do you think our Lord our God, our almighty and powerful Abba Father wants for us? (Matthew 7:11) The love He feels for us is beyond measure. We cannot out-give God, or attempt to understand the depths of His unconditional love.
God doesn’t place burdens on us. Man does that to himself. By walking outside the boundaries of what is righteous. Or by walking a path of solitude without consulting with God…or being led by the Spirit. I gurantee that when we walk with God and trust Him for all things, at all times…we will not be burdened with anything.
Jesus said, “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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV.
When we listen to God and His Word, and obey…we will never be burdened. It is our choice. Do NOT ever put that on God. Be responsible for your own actions.
But, remember this, God is always there, patiently waiting for you to love Him. He waits and watches and loves us so much no matter what.
The next time someone says to you, “I believe in God, I’m a Christian.” Ask them…but do you love Him freely?
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:16-20 (NKJV)
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The beautiful picture is courtesy of Scott Birge…Thank you my friend~
Dear God: My Spirit Follows Your Spirit~
John 14:15-18 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
How amazing is it that the Holy Spirit is within us? How thrilling is it that the Holy Spirit abides in us as we go through our daily lives?
Anything we face, we don’t do it alone…the Holy One is in us. Such is the way of holiness. We follow the Spirit, not the flesh. When we abide by the Spirit we live in the Spirit. When we live by the flesh…it is not of the Spirit. In the world of today, there are major conflicting issues that bombard us continuously. And, issues that go beyond our scope of understanding or tolerance. How do we get through this? With the Holy Spirit, who in Jesus’ own words, promised He would NEVER leave us.
The promises that Jesus made to us, over two thousand years ago still exsit today. He is still the same today as He was then. Nothing has changed. He gave us His word. His word is truth. His word is light. His word is love.
A pressing issue in your heart? No problem, the Holy One is in you. Ask for guidance. Ask for the widsom to handle any issue that is presented to you. Or for the ability to delve deeply into the answer given you. The answer is within. Listen for God’s voice…feel His love and His inner working.
If someone cries out, “I never get anything I pray for. No matter what I pray for, I never get the answer. I am so frustrated.” The person should realize that there is more to prayers then just praying. There is the ability to listen for God’s voice. And, the way to decipher God’s words. The Comforter is with us. All we have to do is ask, and He will hear and help. Jesus promised us. We need to believe His promises, and follow His Spirit in the spirit.
Life is so much better when you have a comforter in your life. You are never alone. You never have to fear. You never have to worry. You never have to fret. He is with us, always.
Thank you Lord…for your promises and your love. We walk after Your Spirit, and follow your lead. You live in our hearts and bring us comfort in all we do.
How comforting is that?
Acts 19:1-7
King James Version (KJV)
19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
The ancient Greek word pneuma has a variety of meanings and translations: wind, breath, ghost, spirit.
Dear God: I Want To Be A Doer~
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22(KJV)
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness nd superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21(KJV). This passage came to me after veiwing the evening news. The horror in the world that surrounds us is prolific and seemingly endless. A woman was crying speaking about a young child that was found murdered in the woods. And, begging the viewers to help capture the evil maniac that killed her beautiful innocent baby. Two seconds after that story, a man arrested for pornography found in his home. He was a teacher of a prominent school. And after that, came the updated condition of the homeless man whose face was eaten by a crazed individual, thought to have been on drugs. I finally turned it off. My heart and soul couldn’t bear any more. My eyes were filled with tears…and I thought, if I feel this way how does God feel?
The engrafted word…emphutos in Greek translated as implanted. Which means that the Word must become a part of our very being. A part of our very essence. The Word will bring us eventually to our final salvation.
Christians begin their new life in Christ with the word of truth. By having a new life, in Christ…we need to be rid of all morally unfit items or behaviors that would offend the Holy Spirit. We need to take on the “clothing and face” of Christ.
We need to put aside and turn away from ALL things that are not of God. Scripture dictates that we need to be believers and influence others to do the same. We need to be an example for others, friends, family…people along the way.
God doesn’t want us to engage in anything that is of an abomination to Him. The Word of God cannot fully take root and growth if we don’t behave accordingly, and turn from things that are not acceptable in God’s eyes.
Society is corrupt and it seeks to influence us, and our families. The corruptions will defile our very souls if we let it in. His Word tells us clearly what we are to do, and what we is expected of us. The Lord outlines it continuously throughout His word. We must be aware of what corruption is according to God. Any obscenity that is grievous in God’s eyes. The opposite of Holy.
The internet can affect souls if one is not careful. Things of the “world” are not godly. Obscenities through videos, movies, or filthy language in itself. God’s Word warns us, “let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God…be not yet therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:6-7 (KJV)
So, what can we do as believers? We need to take His Word seriously. We need to be “doers” and not just “listeners” of the Word. Our homes should be filled with the Word of God and the holiness of Christ.
So how can we go about it? With love, and the understanding of what God wants from us, as His children. We must be BOLD when need be, and GENTLE when we can. As Christ told us, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”Matthew 10:16 (KJV)
“…he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25 (KJV)
Embrace Christ by observing His Words, and His ways. Reach out to those in need. Benevolent love for people in need. Orphans, widows and the poor are issues that the Lord holds dear in His heart throughout the Bible. Today, we can help those in need with love. How? By listening, by doing…by showing. This kind of behavior shows that Christ loves them, and lives on in all of us.
A holy life and love for God can be expressed many ways. We need to separate from the sinful ways of the world. We need to connect to Jesus in a higher realm of understanding through our actions. DOER. We need to be “doers.”
Go out and become a “doer” and not just a listener of the “Word.” It is all about works…and faith without works is dead…
Romans 7:22 (KJV) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man.
Psalm 37:4 (KJV) Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he sahll give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 37:5 (KJV) Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
Psalm 37:18(KJV) The Lord knoweth the days of the upright and their inheritance shall be forever.