Month: December 2012

Dear God: We Love, Trust & Wait on You~

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Be still and know that I am God...Psalm 46:3 NKJV

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live…Psalm 116:1-2 NKJV
 
 
 
 This is a rough time of year for most individuals. This is a time of year that although joy resonates in the air…it can also suffocate many people due to their circumstances. Whether it be from loneliness, or losing a loved one and facing the holiday for the first time without that person. Or they may be suffering due to financial overload, or a health crisis. Perhaps, they may just be feeling sorry for themselves…or ALL of the above.

It’s natural for issues to crop up during ones lifetime, to be fair it wouldn’t be life without spending time in the valley. It’s all part of growing in the Lord and being a faithful follower of Christ. Not that the Lord wants His children to suffer, half the time we are the problem and we build our OWN circumstances from lack of obedience to the Lord. No, that isn’t what I meant. What I mean to say is…we can grow in adversity and get closer to God in the meantime. It’s how we handle the cards that are in our hand that is key to our optimal health and overall growth.

It’s easy to get up and pull the “woe is me…what will I do? Nobody knows my pain…nobody knows what I’m going through. Oh…nobody understands…” So on and so forth. This is commonplace for many individuals for sure. However, it’s how you get out of it that sets us apart from the world. How do we brace ourselves in the face of a crisis? How do we pull out from the damage all around us? How do we soothe a broken heart? We CANNOT…but GOD CAN. The Lord CAN and DOES all things for all those who believe and ask.

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV

It’s how we purpose our lives in accordance to HIS will and NOT ours. It’s how we handle the stresses that crop up that will ultimately decide our fate and course of action. That is through God. We wait upon the Lord, but do you think He isn’t doing the same for you? Do you honestly belive that the Lord isn’t waiting for you too?

He is watching and knowing our situation. Every single one of us, He knows what we are going through. And, He is watching and waiting for our growth in Him. He wants us to learn before He brings a solution, sometimes delays is part of God’s overall plan. Part of His agenda on a larger scale. The delays that come about in our lives do not destroy us, they fulfill God’s purpose by making us stronger thereby making us better people, in Christ.

We need GOD. ALL of us do. When we leave God out of the equation by trying to take matters into our own hands…that’s when we can get into trouble. It can be frustrating for sure…as the Bible maintains, 2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

So remember God is not in a hurry, all things on His time table, not ours. His timing is perfect, not ours. His way is superior, ours is inferior. Our thoughts are not His thoughts, and His actions are not our actions. We need to be patient and go with His flow and wait. We will gain the insight and the fortitude in which to grow as we listen, wait and heed His ways…and timing. We will reap the rewards of such diligence in time. HIS TIME.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 KJV

It is written that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings, as eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. God promises this. His promises are real, eternal, and all part of His plan to prosper us and do good things for us. We need to figure Him in the equation of our lives. All things point to Him, and Him. We need to go into conference with HIM for all the answers. For all of our issues. For it all…Nothing is too small or too big for God. Nothing. He knows WHEN and He knows how it will come. But our faith should be relentless and unwavering, as should our trust in God. For with all of that, and with His hands of grace and love…we will get through anything.

We need to keep our eyes on the Lord, and absorb His word and His essence. To all things do it by prayer and obedience in the Lord. In supplication, in joyful meditation of the Lord. And, wait…and trust, and know He will provide the answers to your dilemmas. To all things, He will lead us out of the wilderness, and into certainty. He will turn our world upright again…His light thus shines so brightly. Follow His light, turn from the darkness. Absorb His goodness. And, above all…be patient.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

 

 

 

 

**pic courtesy of Scott Birge**

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dear God: Hallelujah! The Light of The World Is Here~

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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.” John 8:12 NKJV

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The light of the world, God’s only begotten Son was delivered by Mary…so He could deliver us.” 
 
Christ-mas.  The very word implies all that Christ represents:  Purity, love, kindness, compassion, truth, sincerity, strength, understanding, grace, mercy, the beautiful Lamb who came to deliver us from our sins. Why?  To grant us eternal life while undergoing the ultimate sacrifice, His life so that we may LIVE.  His resurrection which thereby defeated death…meant  our shackles and bondage would be gone. Our belief in the Son, set us FREE.
 
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 NKJV
By having faith in Jesus we are free.  The decorations, the merriment, the buzz of excitement in the world as the day draws near, the expectations…all point to Christ.  Our Amazing Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
So as we walk, talk,  visit families and friends, and we reflect on our blessings, remember the biggest blessing of all…Christ and His ultimate act of LOVE. His ultimate gift to us…Freedom, love and eternal life. 
 
 We walk in the light of His love…and let our light so shine in the world as we go forward in His name.
 
Merry Christmas~
 
 
    “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 NKJV
 
 
Glory To God In The Highest
 
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For There is born to you the day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And, this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.”  And, suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and Saying : “Glory to God in the highest, And, on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” 
Luke 2:8-14 NKJV
 
 
 
 
 
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Picture courtesy of Scott Birge~ Merry Christmas Friend

Dear God: We Are Nourished By Your & Your Love~

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2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ.  Colossians 2:2 NKJV

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV

 
 
 
 
 
We as Christians have a profound responsibility to carry the word and the truth forward. As we humble ourselves in the Lord, we are able to glorify Him and bring His doctrine and His word to our brothers and sisters.
 
The fundamental aspect of believing is so transparent to those who understand and recognize their Master’s voice and words. We, are all one in the Body of Christ. For those of us who accepted Him as our Lord and Savior…we are nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments. We GROW with the increase that is from God. As we in fact, decrease, so He can INCREASE in us. How is that again?
 
 
Well, in order for us to grow more and more into the reflection of Christ, we need to DECREASE in order to INCREASE. HE the Lord, our God has to increase in us. As God increases, our flesh will be pushed aside and we will become more aware of our spiritual sense and purpose… thereby walking in the spirit, not after the flesh. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 NKJV
 
 
When we grow spiritually and become mature in the word of God, we see things in different ways. We recognize that which we didn’t before the word. Any time we rethink a situation, and pause, reflect and wait on the Lord, we are working together…KNIT together with the Lord.
 
Our thoughts become more like His, our actions, more like His. And, eventually all of our rough edges are smooth. We are continuously learning. We will struggle at times when our flesh takes over. The Lord knows we fall short, only ONE being perfect. However, it’s the way we respond and redirect our pattern of thoughts that matters.
 
 
The Lord know our hearts, and He expects each momentary lapse in judgment. Nothing can or will surprise our Lord. In fact, He knows what we will do or say before we do or say it! He knows our heartbeat, our thought process, and our desires. He knows it all. And, so- He knows when we are sincere in our desire to know Him, and to please Him…and how much we love Him.
 
 
He nourishes us. Holds us together in all kinds of issues. Good times, meager times, valley times, trials, tribulations…all of it. When we “lay our burden down at His feet” we are free from anxiety. When we know He is in control, and learn more and more about His love, His character, His ways, and our purpose in life, which we all have…things become easier and clearer.
 
 
Getting into the Word can be overwhelming to some, at first. It’s like opening a box, or a puzzle. We’re greeted with hundreds of pieces, large and small. Each one different from the other, but all have a connection to the “big picture” so to speak. As we take one piece at a time, it becomes bigger and bigger. The loose pieces become less and less….until eventually the connection presents a clear picture. That is how the word is. Eventually all of the loose pieces will gather together into your mind, and the Lord will bring clarity to those who persevere, and seek His face. Suddenly it will be like, “Oh, so that is what you are trying to tell me Lord!” And, the light shines on the puzzle bringing together the unity, the connection…knitting us into one body of Christ, as He nourishes our soul.
 
This season of our Savior, Jesus Christ…concentrate on Him longer than a Sunday visit in church. Realize that He is 24/7 with us, and He sacrificed so much for us. Isn’t He worth more than a couple of hours a week?
 
 
Increase in God by allowing God to increase in us…We need to decrease so we can feel the uplifting peace and love that will pulsate in us, affording us incredible freedom and confidence that no matter what we do, no matter what is going on in the world…we can rest assured knowing He is nourishing us and providing all that we need in all that we do. We are joyous knowing we are knit together in the Lord, and Almighty God. Amen~
 
 
 
 

Jesus Christ is the center point, the starting point, and the ending point of the glory of God. We behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, not somewhere else or through something else…Roy Lessin “From The Meadow” series~
 
 
 
 
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NKJV
 
 
 

Dear God: Faith is Believing in Your Promises~

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“Promise of Green Pastures call to thee…I love you Lord”

God is offering us His hand and His word…the promises He gives to us in His book are calling to us.  Can you hear and do you see it?

 
The door will be opened to those who knock.  Those who thirst will drink from the Living Water.   Those who seek shall find, and those who ask shall be answered. Jesus promised us all of this and more.  Our faith is the bridge of certainty…the one which is our support over vast wastelands. 
 
The Lord will uphold and guide His children, and all we have to do is believe.  And, walk in His ways, and lean on His understanding, with all our might…and He will do the rest.
 
This is a time of year when commercialism is at an all time high.  People shopping for gifts, that most people won’t use.  The Christmas carols play overhead in every mall throughout the USA, and most is generic…an instrumental of “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” or “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” – nothing worthy,nothing about Jesus… the reason for the season.  Just a lot of talk about “rights” and we cannot support one religion over the other.  That tree that is in the hall has to be called a “winter tree” or “holiday tree” to please certain invidivuals of our current society.
 
Well, I am proud to call it a Christmas tree.  God referred to Himself as a “Fir Tree” – which is strong, stays green, and stands tall.  It is forever…like God.  I prefer to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Not a “holiday tree” – and I am not a grinch in terms of a fun song.  But, give me the classics “Silent Night” and “O’ Come All ye Faithful.”  And – God You Reign – one of my favorites for anytime of the year.
 
I do not intend to say “Happy Holiday” I will say “Merry Christmas” and to those who don’t appreciate it, that’s fine.  It’s their right, as it is my right to recognize my God, and honor and love Him ALL YEAR LONG.  Especially at this time of the year.  I, like ninety percent of the population, believe in God and HIS PROMISES.  The calling to green pastures…Psalm 23.  The promises of the covenant with Noah as the
rainbow in the sky.  The promise of eternal life with the Lord God Almighty, when we believe in Him and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  We can only ascend to the Father through Jesus. 
 
So…my brothers and sisters – embrace the season.  Enjoy the unusual high time of fun and laughter, but don’t forget the reason why any of us are here.  For those who believe, we know there is an even greater plane after we leave this earth.  We will bask in His light, when there will be no more Sun… His Light will be the only thing we need.  The serenity, peace and order of our spiritual lives is beyond our mortal understanding at this time.  But, God and His promises…and His Word is all I need to understand.
 
As far as Christianity goes…it is a reality, not a “religion”  –Jesus would tell you that too.   For now, I choose to embrace everything about God, and hope when it’s my turn to be called home, that the Lord will say,
“Good job my loyal faithful servant, good job my child…welcome home!”
 
 
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened  Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
 
13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV
 
16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16-18
 
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Psalm 23 NKJV