“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:30 (KJV)

So I was speaking with a good friend a couple of days ago, and she was kind of “murmuring” about her life and her non stop responsibilities…it was an ongoing litany and woeful saga, that came down to one essential thing, “she is centered around herself.” She has her health, she has freedom, and she is blessed with financial rewards.  But, she simply can’t stop speaking about “herself.”  Don’t get me wrong, I love her…she has a great heart and soul, but…the endless complaints are staggering. And, that breaks my heart. Let me explain before you think I’m being harsh.

I’m not one to “gossip” or say outlandish or hurtful things to friends, or strangers for that matter, but I felt urged by the Spirit to explain some things to her. So, I outright told her, “My good friend, you need to decrease and let the LORD increase.”

She immediately stopped speaking, as if a thunderbolt struck her, and all of her business about her responsibilities ceased to exist at that moment. I could sense that thoughts were surging through her mind, heart, and soul.

And, she responded in a small voice, with one word… “How?”

Many of us are caught in a whirlwind of life, and the endless productions of such, after all we have responsibilities to handle, each one of us.  Some have more, others have some.  Which of course brings me to the Bible verse,  “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48)

This well known verse of “to whom much is given, much will be required” is that we are held responsible for what we have been blessed with.

If we are blessed with talents, knowledge, time,  patience, kindness, and the like, it is expected that we use these gifts in order to glorify God, and benefit others in the process.

Therefore, by operating in accordance with God and the gifts He has freely given to us, whatever they are, we must be mindful to use them, and put them into daily use.

And when we do, we will glorify God and His name.  What happens then is that we are pulling back from our “own selfish thoughts and actions” and using our time benevolently, and allowing God to INCREASE, as we decrease in our mind-set, and purpose concerning selfish deeds or tasks that always are centering on ourselves, instead of others.  That is a way to allow God to INCREASE by letting go of “vanity” and “our selfish ways. When we do that, we are “decreasing” and God is coming in lighting our path and INCREASING.  In fact, He begins to surge within us more and more.  From there on in, things begin to come into perspective and we’re able to do things in a different way, or approach things differently than we did before.

Yes, it’s wonderful to relax, and yes we all need it.  No one is saying otherwise…but, we must be careful to fulfill His purpose according to our life, and exacting measure of opportunities that the LORD has given us, and has shown us.

So, getting back to my friend, she and I had a long beautiful discussion about God, His commandments, and His expectations for His children.  And, how important it is to focus on Him and declare our love for Him, through Him, and by Him, in all we do.

She called me two days later and said, “You know what?  It’s so much easier when I do it for Christ.  It makes everything easier, even the tough stuff.  I hope to step back and let Him increase in my life.  So, thanks for the reminder!”

That made my day.  To be a vessel for the LORD delivering a message, or holding fast to His Word and putting it into action, is a blessing for me, as it is for every other Christian in this world. when they do the same, deliver the message or Word of God.

The next time you find yourself complaining about some issue, task, or situation, open up to the LORD, and let Him INCREASE so you can decrease and find peace in a world of chaos, and mayhem, after all,  as Jesus said, in John 14:27 27;   “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

“Father, my Lord and Savior, thank You for Your love, guidance, and support in all that I do, may I continue to decrease and may You continue to Increase in my heart, and my mind, and my body, and my soul, today and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”

A dear friend of mine sent me a link to witness her sweet niece getting baptized.  It warmed my heart to see it, and hear her testimony, for she went through so much in her young life, and I am familiar with her story.  But, to hear one give testimony prior to baptism is always “new to me” and always a joy to experience.  To see a young lamb come to the LORD and give freely and openly about the reason they choose “Christ.”

Baptism is by immersion, after salvation, is done in obedience to Jesus Christ.  Baptism is necessary for Christians, and complying with Jesus Commandments is vital to an individuals growth in  their Christian walk. We are encouraged to keep Christ’s commandments through baptism: By the example of Christ.

Each person stepping forward, and making a public declaration of their love and obedience in Christ, is a gift from the Father of lights, He is always waiting, and knocking on His children’s hearts, and we get to choose if we want to open that door to let Him in.  And, when we do…oh Joy!  Hallelujah!  The life that begins from that point on is subject to all kinds of new ways to meet life in its everyday demands and trials.  Children of Christ can maintain dignity in harsh times, and can find significant peace in His name when undergoing issues in life.

Baptism is an outward show of love expressing our desire to be a Christian Soldier and therefore following Him, willingly, and openly.  We are saying, “YES” to Him and “YES” to His love…and we are saying, “I love You Jesus…thank You for Your love and Your sacrifice, Amen!

We are saying, “We are free, and born again…because of Jesus.”

I can hardly wait to see another testimony and another baptism, because as I’ve said in the beginning of this post, “it never gets old…in fact, it’s NEW each time…Amen!”

Colossians 2:12
 
Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

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1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

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Galatians 3:27

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Ezekiel 18:4 (KJV)

In Romans 6:23 it states so clearly, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Yes, He loves us…but not the sin.  We are forgiven our sins, thanks to the grace and love of our Father, and through Christ, where we are able to be victorious, Amen.

Some individuals may say, “but God loves us all and we are forgiven, so therefore we are granted eternal salvation.”

There are stipulations and commandments that God specifies over and over in His book of love, the Bible,  and the concept of “nothing we do or say will kill our soul” is not part of the plan.

There is no other than loves us like our Father above, but as did Jesus obey His Father, here on earth while doing His ministry, so too must we obey our Father while here on earth, as part of His ongoing ministry and message.

When we repent and truly confess our sins with contrite hearts, we will be forgiven, over and over.  The key word being, “contrite” and hearts of love for Him and His commandments and doctrine.

The rest falls under acts of kindness, compassion, love for others, and selfless behavior.  After all love does cover a multitude of sins, but…it’s one of many things that bring us to walking that narrow path of righteousness.

Our souls belong to Him, our Creator and King of the Universe, the Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the very One and Only that is the Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega…our loving Father, and Lord of lords, King of kings.  No man can kill our soul, only God, our Creator, who breathe life into us from the very beginning, only He can.

We are alive because of Him.

We are filled with Light because of Him.

We are created because of Him.

An eternity spent with the LORD, how amazing is that thought? He doesn’t expect much from us, He gave His life for us so that we could be with Him forever…but in order for that to happen, we need to accept Him into our hearts and know without Him, we are “nothing.”

So, have you explored His beautiful love letter, the Bible, and have you accepted Him into your heart and life and mind and body?   If you haven’t I pray that you will and feel a love like none other, and in the process…live FOREVER!

“Father God, thank You for Your love, Your light, and for creating our soul, we know without You and Your ways, and Your word, we are nothing, and we know with You, and Your word and ways, we are alive, and shall be forever, I pray that others who don’t know You will find You and their salvation, in Jesus precious name Amen.” 

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

John 14:6 (KJV)

Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Jesus needed time every day “alone” with His Father, to pray and spend time with Him.  Early in the morning, He would seek His Father’s face, and pray earnestly unto Him.  He always found time to go off alone and pray to His Father.

Now, if Jesus, who was in the business of saving souls, healing, and setting people free…if He had the time to spend alone with His father, every single day of His life while here on earth, don’t you feel that “we” can find time to spend alone praying, and speaking to our Father?  I’ll answer for myself with an emphatic shout of “YES!”

It’s fine to have a prayer partner, and/or a church family to fellowship with and pray with, that’s always a blessing.  But, it’s so important to be able to “pray with Him alone” each and every day.

When we speak with Him alone, and pray, we are being brought up higher and higher…and the enemy is fleeing further and further away.  Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)

James 4:7 —Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

God loves us and loves spending time with us…especially, all alone, wrapped in His love, and in His Word.

Jesus spent time up in the mountains, early in the morning, before the day began, He needed to be replenished, and get direction from His Father.  Shouldn’t we do the same?

When you take this practice of “spending time with Him alone” and making Him, the most important part of your day, you will be amazed at how He will speak to you, and How He will bless you.

So, the question is this…”Have you spent time alone with Him today in prayer?  If not, may I invite you to do so?  It will be the best company and the best time you will have in your day…that’s a promise!”

“Father God, thank You for Your love, for allowing me to spend time with You, to glorify You, and to talk to You from the depths of my heart, mind and soul, I pray that those who don’t know You, begin their journey getting to know You, and may their hearts be open and their ears and eyes open in awe of You and Your love, in Jesus name, Amen!”

John 7:38
 
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”

God’s unfailing love is an objective fact that has been affirmed  and reaffirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It’s true whether some individuals believe it or not. Doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor did our faith create it. Instead it originates in the very essence and nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord of lords, and King of kings.

His free giving love and rivers of living waters flows through those of which follow Him.  His uplifting love and compassion is ever present to those who surrender and accept Him as their Savior.

His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts, He is holy and above all else…but…Our redeemer offered Himself for us, and for our freedom, and salvation.

Some may not believe.  But, I see God in everything, in all that surrounds me on any given day.

And, sadly…as I see God…there is evil that swirls about us on any given day.  But, it is our affirmation of His love and our obedience to His doctrine and gospel that allows us to withstand the fiery darts of the enemy.  When we put on the clothes of righteousness, that is to say, our weapon of defense, Christ…in terms of our armor, the gospel armor…we are protected and nothing can harm us.

Our souls are intact along with our love for the Great I Am.

Isn’t it wonderful to be a part of His royal Kingdom?

Isn’t it wonderful to be called His children?

Isn’t it wonderful to know He loves us so much?

Isn’t it wonderful to know we are His?

If you didn’t shout YES…then may I invite you to open the Bible, His love letter to us, and find out all about the most Incredible Sovereign God who loves us more than we can possibly imagine.

Go on…what are you waiting for?

“Father, thanks for Your endless love, compassion, and living water, You are our daily bread, and I can’t get enough of You or Your ways, Thank You for all You are, and all You do since the beginning of time, may I never cease to appreciate You or Your Word, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Psalm 93:4

More than the sounds of many waters, Than the mighty breakers of the sea, The LORD on high is mighty.

Psalm 66:12

You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

Sometimes “waiting” can be a daunting and tedious task. But, it depends on what kind of “waiting” we’re actually doing.

If we’re waiting in line at a supermarket, it can be an irritating and annoying wait.

If we’re waiting to see a doctor, it can be overwhelming and intimidating.

If we’re waiting in a traffic jam, it can be beyond frustrating.

Waiting for God is a different “kind of wait.”  It’s a self proclaimed and undeniable choice of being obedient to Him.

Waiting for God and wondering what we should do, is an “anticipated kind of wait” of which we’re completely confident, that He will guide us, eventually, as to where, and what, we should or shouldn’t do.

Waiting upon God, and listening to His Word, eventually,  during our reflection, and meditation, will bring about answers, whereby the “wait will always be worth the wait.”

Sometimes, it’s a challenge to sit, and wait, even though every ounce of our being is trying to “redirect” us to move forward even before we “hear His answer” — that’s when we have to really sit still (Psalm 46:10)—  And, tilt our heads sideways to really “listen” to His voice.  We need to stop wondering, while hovering over, and in His Word, and truly start absorbing His message,  while receiving the delivery of His love, guidance, and direction.

Have you ever waited?

Have you ever waited on the LORD?

Well, then you should be acutely aware of the disparaging differences in “waiting” overall…and “waiting” on the LORD.

There is nothing sweeter than waiting for God.  Try it…and see for yourself!

“Father God, in all I do, I do it for You, may I continue to listen to Your voice alone in all I do, and may I continue to seek Your face, and Your kingdom each and every day of my life, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

Psalms 130:5 – I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Psalms 27:14 – Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 69:6 – Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.