"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." (1 Corinthians 3:9)
We are God's fellow workers
We are His field
We are His temple
We are One with Him.
All the glory and honor is not ours
But belongs to the Lord God almighty.
We ought never to seek glory and honor ... not for ourselves ... but for the Lord Jesus. It is to Him that others come. It is to Him that we fall to our knees, we bow before His throne, we give our heart and soul.
We may sow a seed
see a need, feed that need
Another may water
teach and grow
But it is God alone
who brings us all _
each individual weary soul to Himself.
He reaches beyond the hurt and the sorrows of each passing moment.
He encircles us with His eternal love.
Woe to us
who think fame and glory and power belong to us.
We are nothing ...
except in Christ ...
and in Him we are everything.
But alone ...
what do we achieve ... what does it matter
The Lord Jesus was born of God and the Virgin Mary.
We celebrate His birth on Christmas Day.
We commemorate His death and resurrection
on Easter morning.
He came to save.
He died to bring us life.
He lives.
Thank God He lives!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Four little words - "and do not sin"
"Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath or give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
God says we can be angry. Oftentimes there is good reason. But certainly not always. I would guess more often than not there is seldom a good reason.
In Our Daily Bread reading for today Joe Stowell says anger is like a burglar alarm, with disruptive and annoying blasting filling the air. Stowell says in the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm, producing exploding emotions.
I am overly familiar with this. I would guess many of you are too. A loved one says something and perhaps there is a hint of sarcasm in their voice. We hear that sarcasm and we react. Boy do we react!
Yet God says, "Be angry, and do not sin."
How many of us skip over those four little words -- "and do not sin"?
We may succeed in forgiving the other by the time bedtime comes around, but how well do we achieve not sinning in the first place? We pout, we withdraw ourselves from the others' presence - either physically or emotionally. We drive erratically. We yell and scream. We're irritated and we're sure everyone else should know it too.
We are human. But we are also God's children. And as His children, we are to be like Him, not like the world. We are to be different.
We are not to sin.
Help me Lord. Help us all ... not to let anger control our lives. Help me to meditate on You and be still.
"Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart ... and be still." (Psalm 4:4)
God says we can be angry. Oftentimes there is good reason. But certainly not always. I would guess more often than not there is seldom a good reason.
In Our Daily Bread reading for today Joe Stowell says anger is like a burglar alarm, with disruptive and annoying blasting filling the air. Stowell says in the midst of our peaceful lives, something turns a key in our spirit and triggers the alarm, producing exploding emotions.
I am overly familiar with this. I would guess many of you are too. A loved one says something and perhaps there is a hint of sarcasm in their voice. We hear that sarcasm and we react. Boy do we react!
Yet God says, "Be angry, and do not sin."
How many of us skip over those four little words -- "and do not sin"?
We may succeed in forgiving the other by the time bedtime comes around, but how well do we achieve not sinning in the first place? We pout, we withdraw ourselves from the others' presence - either physically or emotionally. We drive erratically. We yell and scream. We're irritated and we're sure everyone else should know it too.
We are human. But we are also God's children. And as His children, we are to be like Him, not like the world. We are to be different.
We are not to sin.
Help me Lord. Help us all ... not to let anger control our lives. Help me to meditate on You and be still.
"Be angry and do not sin. Meditate within your heart ... and be still." (Psalm 4:4)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Warnings
"Now, therefore, says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." (Joel 2:12a)
Prosperity can result in complacency and negligence to our commitment to the Lord.
Having less can result in self-pity, anxiety, remorse, depression.
Where is the best place to be?
Richness, poorness, it has nothing really to do with material things. Only when our entire being - mind, soul and body is centered on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can we experience wholeness, peace. But it is so hard to come by is it not? It shouldn't be. Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it is.
Talk to the Lord. Share with Him your feelings, your desires, your wants and wishes, your fears. He's the best one to talk with and walk with. If you earnestly seek His input, His guidance, you will find it.
Why do you wander?
Because Satan puts devious thoughts, negative thoughts in our heads and we pay more attention to that than what the Lord has to say to us. Satan is never out looking for our well-being. He wants to bring us down, to get us to forget we are one of God's precious children. He wants to make us believe we are more important than anyone or anything and what we want, we deserve.
Beware.
Jesus tells us to "watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
(Matthew 24:42)
The Lord sends us warnings. What we do with them is our response to whose lordship we are under.
Prosperity can result in complacency and negligence to our commitment to the Lord.
Having less can result in self-pity, anxiety, remorse, depression.
Where is the best place to be?
Richness, poorness, it has nothing really to do with material things. Only when our entire being - mind, soul and body is centered on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can we experience wholeness, peace. But it is so hard to come by is it not? It shouldn't be. Sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it is.
Talk to the Lord. Share with Him your feelings, your desires, your wants and wishes, your fears. He's the best one to talk with and walk with. If you earnestly seek His input, His guidance, you will find it.
Why do you wander?
Because Satan puts devious thoughts, negative thoughts in our heads and we pay more attention to that than what the Lord has to say to us. Satan is never out looking for our well-being. He wants to bring us down, to get us to forget we are one of God's precious children. He wants to make us believe we are more important than anyone or anything and what we want, we deserve.
Beware.
Jesus tells us to "watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
(Matthew 24:42)
The Lord sends us warnings. What we do with them is our response to whose lordship we are under.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Take time to pray, to rest
My husband had his shoulder surgery Thursday morning. A torn rotator cuff held together by mere fibers. He came through it fine. The surgeon did an excellent job. Now for the hard part ... the recovery. Not just him and not just me, but us together, with the Lord surrounding us, abiding with us, and we with Him.
This morning I read Leviticus 25:1-7. Verse 4 says "but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord..."
David Sper of Our Daily Bread said:
This morning I read Leviticus 25:1-7. Verse 4 says "but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord..."
David Sper of Our Daily Bread said:
"To face life's many challenges
and overcome each test,
The Lord tells us
to take the time
to stop, to pray, to rest."
and overcome each test,
The Lord tells us
to take the time
to stop, to pray, to rest."
Dear Lord,
I pray you will guide me on the path you desire for me, for Jimmy, for us together. Help me not to give in to dismay and self-pity. Show me the light of your love and guidance always. Keep my eyes, my mind, my heart solely focused on you and not how. You know the how. I don't need to know how it will happen, just that you are in control of the situation and when. Rid me of all anxiety. Help me to stay focused in and on your word, your promises, to rest in your arms, to be surrounded by your peace. In your name, I pray. Amen.
I pray you will guide me on the path you desire for me, for Jimmy, for us together. Help me not to give in to dismay and self-pity. Show me the light of your love and guidance always. Keep my eyes, my mind, my heart solely focused on you and not how. You know the how. I don't need to know how it will happen, just that you are in control of the situation and when. Rid me of all anxiety. Help me to stay focused in and on your word, your promises, to rest in your arms, to be surrounded by your peace. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
"Count it all joy"
What we read in a given day we may read again a few days later. It may all connect.
Sunday, I thought about grumbling.
When things upset us we grumble. Everyone of us. When along the path we go and there are no irritations there are no complaints. But watch what happens when we get irritated over what another has done or said or some event. We react. We have nothing good to say about the other. We put them down, push them out of our way, stick pins and needles in them like one of those demon dolls.
Is that how Jesus acted? No.
So why do we? Because we're human? Jesus too was human. He too was irritated at others, but he wasn't disrespectful to another at anytime.
Of what point is it to read and study God's holy word if we don't live it, obey His teachings? Conflict situations are never one-sided. It takes two to fix it or destroy it. Each person is responsible for their own behavior, then own action.
There are always trials to undergo. Some we come through and are that much better for it. Other times we have learned nothing and have become embittered and stay that way.
In the book of James we are told in 1:1 to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Yeah right. We see nothing joyful in any trial. Our patience is always being tested. Our bursts of anger or irritation always undo us. We do not look to God for wisdom. We look to ourselves and think we know best for any and every situation.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." (James 1:5-6 NKJ)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." (James 1:19-24, 26)
Jesus said the second greatest commandment was "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
"but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:9)
We must not judge another. We cannot see into the heart of another. We only know ourselves and all too often we are unsure of that as well. God alone sees into our hearts. God alone is our judge.
Don't allow feelings of animosity toward another to become a dangerous foothold and bring you down to a level you really don't want to be. Look up. Seek the Lord your God. Do as He instructs.
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
Monday, I thought about dreams, our heart's desire.
Get involved. Do what you love. It isn't always about money. Money should not determine our desires or whether we will go after them. God gives you the desires. He doesn't say you have to get a degree to pursue it. Man has said that. To earn a living you have to accomplish this and this and that.
But God doesn't tell you that. He says Go. Are you willing to go? Are you willing to follow His will for you? If you are, then be obedient. Simply go. Simply do. Don't let the ways and rules of man prevent you from following through on His will for your life.
"If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you ... But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer..." (James 1:5-6 New Living Translation)
God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.
A "mere happening" may be God's design.
"For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places." (Psalm 18:31-33)
"For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." (Psalm 31:3)
Wednesday, I thought about wisdom.
In 1 King 3:7a, David's son Solomon says, "...but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in."
Solomon isn't talking about his age, but of how little he knows. He asks God for wisdom, for discernment, for answers to challenges he is or will be facing.
When we ask, we must believe God will supply us with the answers. If we lack faith, if we doubt God can or will take care of, what does that say about our allegiance?
Where are we? Where have we gone? Where will we be if we do not look to God for wisdom but to our own wayward ways of thinking?
Again, I hear "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
For it is in the testing of our faith that we gain patience ... endurance ... perseverance ... and God is with us.
Sunday, I thought about grumbling.
When things upset us we grumble. Everyone of us. When along the path we go and there are no irritations there are no complaints. But watch what happens when we get irritated over what another has done or said or some event. We react. We have nothing good to say about the other. We put them down, push them out of our way, stick pins and needles in them like one of those demon dolls.
Is that how Jesus acted? No.
So why do we? Because we're human? Jesus too was human. He too was irritated at others, but he wasn't disrespectful to another at anytime.
Of what point is it to read and study God's holy word if we don't live it, obey His teachings? Conflict situations are never one-sided. It takes two to fix it or destroy it. Each person is responsible for their own behavior, then own action.
There are always trials to undergo. Some we come through and are that much better for it. Other times we have learned nothing and have become embittered and stay that way.
In the book of James we are told in 1:1 to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Yeah right. We see nothing joyful in any trial. Our patience is always being tested. Our bursts of anger or irritation always undo us. We do not look to God for wisdom. We look to ourselves and think we know best for any and every situation.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting..." (James 1:5-6 NKJ)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." (James 1:19-24, 26)
Jesus said the second greatest commandment was "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
"but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:9)
We must not judge another. We cannot see into the heart of another. We only know ourselves and all too often we are unsure of that as well. God alone sees into our hearts. God alone is our judge.
Don't allow feelings of animosity toward another to become a dangerous foothold and bring you down to a level you really don't want to be. Look up. Seek the Lord your God. Do as He instructs.
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
Monday, I thought about dreams, our heart's desire.
Get involved. Do what you love. It isn't always about money. Money should not determine our desires or whether we will go after them. God gives you the desires. He doesn't say you have to get a degree to pursue it. Man has said that. To earn a living you have to accomplish this and this and that.
But God doesn't tell you that. He says Go. Are you willing to go? Are you willing to follow His will for you? If you are, then be obedient. Simply go. Simply do. Don't let the ways and rules of man prevent you from following through on His will for your life.
"If you need wisdom - if you want to know what God wants you to do - ask him, and he will gladly tell you ... But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer..." (James 1:5-6 New Living Translation)
God's presence with us is one of His greatest presents to us.
A "mere happening" may be God's design.
"For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places." (Psalm 18:31-33)
"For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me." (Psalm 31:3)
Wednesday, I thought about wisdom.
In 1 King 3:7a, David's son Solomon says, "...but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in."
Solomon isn't talking about his age, but of how little he knows. He asks God for wisdom, for discernment, for answers to challenges he is or will be facing.
When we ask, we must believe God will supply us with the answers. If we lack faith, if we doubt God can or will take care of, what does that say about our allegiance?
Where are we? Where have we gone? Where will we be if we do not look to God for wisdom but to our own wayward ways of thinking?
Again, I hear "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
For it is in the testing of our faith that we gain patience ... endurance ... perseverance ... and God is with us.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Is it His presence you seek or His presents ... What of your desire?
What is your desire?
more than anything
anywhere
anytime
What do you desire?
above all
beyond all
Where will your desire bring you?
What will you do to bring your desire to fruition?
Does your desire come from your heart
or is it more of a "I want, I must have, I will get it all costs" kind of desire?
Is your desire God's will for you?
Do you talk to God about your desire?
Do you listen to God, to what He says to you about your desire?
Do you ask for guidance in carrying out, in bring your desire to reality?
Do you follow only His instructions for your desire, your heart's desire, the desire the
Lord perhaps planted within you many years ago or more recently?
Do you seek ways to have the desire of your heart while waiting for calamities to pass?
Do you consider that all our desires do not necessarily bring money to line our pockets and pay bills?
When you cannot sleep, do you pray, do you have sincere talks with your Father about the desires of your heart and what you should do and where you should go and how you should get there?
Do you stay focused on the here and now and let God take care of the later?
more than anything
anywhere
anytime
What do you desire?
above all
beyond all
Where will your desire bring you?
What will you do to bring your desire to fruition?
Does your desire come from your heart
or is it more of a "I want, I must have, I will get it all costs" kind of desire?
Is your desire God's will for you?
Do you talk to God about your desire?
Do you listen to God, to what He says to you about your desire?
Do you ask for guidance in carrying out, in bring your desire to reality?
Do you follow only His instructions for your desire, your heart's desire, the desire the
Lord perhaps planted within you many years ago or more recently?
Do you seek ways to have the desire of your heart while waiting for calamities to pass?
Do you consider that all our desires do not necessarily bring money to line our pockets and pay bills?
When you cannot sleep, do you pray, do you have sincere talks with your Father about the desires of your heart and what you should do and where you should go and how you should get there?
Do you stay focused on the here and now and let God take care of the later?
Psalm 16
(1) "Preserve me, O God,
for in you I put my trust.
(5) You, O Lord, are the portion
of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
(7-9) I will bless the Lord
who has given me counsel;
my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also will rest in hope.
(11) You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore."
(1) "Preserve me, O God,
for in you I put my trust.
(5) You, O Lord, are the portion
of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
(7-9) I will bless the Lord
who has given me counsel;
my heart also instructs me
in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand
I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my glory rejoices;
my flesh also will rest in hope.
(11) You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand
are pleasures forevermore."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Only God
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31a)
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:33)
"Who is he who condemns?" (Romans 8:34a)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35)
The answer ..... No One
God is in control of all, of all the earth, over all the earth. He knows our comings and goings, our desires and dreams, our sinfulness, our evilness. What! we say we have none. We deceive ourselves. We are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect. The great I am. The Lord Jesus. Unblemished and pure.
God knows our struggles, the misfortunes we are dealth. You think He doesn't care?! He cares. When we are one with Him, He is one with us. We have to rely on Him alone. Saying that is one thing. Doing that is entirely something else. He does not rejoice in our pain. It does not make him happy, only sad.
True Love for Him, the Lord Jesus, True obedience. Studying His word, not those of false teachers, not oral traditions handed down from one generation to the next. Being mindful of what the Lord God says in His word and through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of His children.
Negativity downtroddens the best of us. We allow negative thoughts from others and from ourselves to overpower all of God's goodness and even though God has promised to be with us we fund it hard to believe that. We give in to depressing thoughts and wallow in self doubts and pity, grieving for what we don't have.
But Jesus says to us, "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26a)
With God. Walk with Him, Talk with Him, Praise Him, Seek Him, Remember Him, Rejoice in Him, Pray to Him.
All things are possible ... with God.
But without Him, we are doomed.
"Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?" (Romans 8:33)
"Who is he who condemns?" (Romans 8:34a)
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Romans 8:35)
The answer ..... No One
God is in control of all, of all the earth, over all the earth. He knows our comings and goings, our desires and dreams, our sinfulness, our evilness. What! we say we have none. We deceive ourselves. We are not perfect. There is only one who is perfect. The great I am. The Lord Jesus. Unblemished and pure.
God knows our struggles, the misfortunes we are dealth. You think He doesn't care?! He cares. When we are one with Him, He is one with us. We have to rely on Him alone. Saying that is one thing. Doing that is entirely something else. He does not rejoice in our pain. It does not make him happy, only sad.
True Love for Him, the Lord Jesus, True obedience. Studying His word, not those of false teachers, not oral traditions handed down from one generation to the next. Being mindful of what the Lord God says in His word and through the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of His children.
Negativity downtroddens the best of us. We allow negative thoughts from others and from ourselves to overpower all of God's goodness and even though God has promised to be with us we fund it hard to believe that. We give in to depressing thoughts and wallow in self doubts and pity, grieving for what we don't have.
But Jesus says to us, "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26a)
With God. Walk with Him, Talk with Him, Praise Him, Seek Him, Remember Him, Rejoice in Him, Pray to Him.
All things are possible ... with God.
But without Him, we are doomed.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Stay focused on Jesus
It's when we lose our focus that our belief falls away and we follow our own line of thinking. When our focus is off the almighty, our minds wander aimlessly along the path of "what will we do," "how will we make it." If we can just stay focused on Jesus, stay in His word, remember His promises, not waiver off the trail He has forged for us. Listening to, thinking on anything that is not entirely the Truth brings remorse, repercussions, pain.
Even Abraham at times thought he knew better than God and acted on those very thoughts. But his thoughts were not God's thoughts. God knows all. We know very little in comparison.
Worry ... bring anxiety ... which brings separation from the almighty Father.
Satan wants us to worry - then we will do things not pleasing to the Lord.
Abraham introduced Sarai, his wife, as his sister to the Egyptians (Genesis 12:10-20). This was a half truth as she was his half sister.
Abraham and Sarai concocted a way to have the child the Lord promised them - through Sarai's handmaiden Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16).
The future is not ours to know. The present is where we are currently. The past we have come through.
The future is everything past this moment. As the moments go by our future becomes our present and then our past.
Love each moment for the Lord, to the Lord. Plan your moments as to the Lord, to His glory. Do not look this way and that way. Stay tuned to the one who truly cares for us.
"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." (Micah 7:8)
When I pass through the waters of life, the fires that try to consume me, the Lord my God will be with me. He will protect me. I will not be burned, I will not be overwhelmed. He will lead me, guide me over the paths of darkness I see before me. He will make the rough spots even so I will not trip and fall. (paraphrase of Isaiah 43:2)
And even though I pass through the valleys of intense pain and suffering, the fear that attempts to stifle me will not because of my God and Savior who is always with me. (paraphrase of Psalm 23:4)
There is no hope except in you Lord Jesus.
There is no one to trust wholly, completely, except you Lord Jesus.
No one can remove the fears that seek to swallow me. No one, that is, except you Lord Jesus.
"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3)
I believe in the Lord Jesus. I believe what I say I believe. I have witnessed the power of the Lord Jesus - His mighty hand has been upon me, upon my beloved Jimmy, in times past. He will not leave me. He remains steadfast. I must not allow any doubt to get the best of me. Doubt is fear. I have nothing to be afraid of. Jesus is right there beside me, holding my hand, cradling my head, rubbing my tummy, bringing me soothing relief.
Close the gate. ... To all that works against you. Close the gate to your doubts and fears. Close the gate and move on. Hand in hand with Jesus walk on. Close the gate. Forge ahead. Ignore the enemy. Follow Jesus. Jesus will help me overcome all my fears.
I am no better than any other.
The only difference, perhaps, is that I know I am a sinner. Jesus accepts me anyway. He offers me grace. He brings peace to my soul. When I accept Him and believe in and on Him, I can rest in His fold. Like the sheep gone astray and found.
When we stay true to all He says and obedient to His instruction it reveals our love for Him. He loves us so much he died for us. We love Him so much we stay true and obedient to Him, even unto death.
No amount of pain we suffer will ever be as much as Jesus' pain that He suffered on the cross at Calvary when He took ALL of mankind's sin upon His shoulders, His body, and gave up the ghost and died. Oh but he rose again. What glory.
Today you will be with Me in Paradise (in Heaven, in My Kingdom)." (Luke 23:43)
Every moment is one closer to being with Jesus.
Even Abraham at times thought he knew better than God and acted on those very thoughts. But his thoughts were not God's thoughts. God knows all. We know very little in comparison.
Worry ... bring anxiety ... which brings separation from the almighty Father.
Satan wants us to worry - then we will do things not pleasing to the Lord.
Abraham introduced Sarai, his wife, as his sister to the Egyptians (Genesis 12:10-20). This was a half truth as she was his half sister.
Abraham and Sarai concocted a way to have the child the Lord promised them - through Sarai's handmaiden Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16).
The future is not ours to know. The present is where we are currently. The past we have come through.
The future is everything past this moment. As the moments go by our future becomes our present and then our past.
Love each moment for the Lord, to the Lord. Plan your moments as to the Lord, to His glory. Do not look this way and that way. Stay tuned to the one who truly cares for us.
"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." (Micah 7:8)
When I pass through the waters of life, the fires that try to consume me, the Lord my God will be with me. He will protect me. I will not be burned, I will not be overwhelmed. He will lead me, guide me over the paths of darkness I see before me. He will make the rough spots even so I will not trip and fall. (paraphrase of Isaiah 43:2)
And even though I pass through the valleys of intense pain and suffering, the fear that attempts to stifle me will not because of my God and Savior who is always with me. (paraphrase of Psalm 23:4)
There is no hope except in you Lord Jesus.
There is no one to trust wholly, completely, except you Lord Jesus.
No one can remove the fears that seek to swallow me. No one, that is, except you Lord Jesus.
"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3)
I believe in the Lord Jesus. I believe what I say I believe. I have witnessed the power of the Lord Jesus - His mighty hand has been upon me, upon my beloved Jimmy, in times past. He will not leave me. He remains steadfast. I must not allow any doubt to get the best of me. Doubt is fear. I have nothing to be afraid of. Jesus is right there beside me, holding my hand, cradling my head, rubbing my tummy, bringing me soothing relief.
Close the gate. ... To all that works against you. Close the gate to your doubts and fears. Close the gate and move on. Hand in hand with Jesus walk on. Close the gate. Forge ahead. Ignore the enemy. Follow Jesus. Jesus will help me overcome all my fears.
I am no better than any other.
The only difference, perhaps, is that I know I am a sinner. Jesus accepts me anyway. He offers me grace. He brings peace to my soul. When I accept Him and believe in and on Him, I can rest in His fold. Like the sheep gone astray and found.
When we stay true to all He says and obedient to His instruction it reveals our love for Him. He loves us so much he died for us. We love Him so much we stay true and obedient to Him, even unto death.
No amount of pain we suffer will ever be as much as Jesus' pain that He suffered on the cross at Calvary when He took ALL of mankind's sin upon His shoulders, His body, and gave up the ghost and died. Oh but he rose again. What glory.
Today you will be with Me in Paradise (in Heaven, in My Kingdom)." (Luke 23:43)
Every moment is one closer to being with Jesus.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The Glory of God, the Paradise of God
Yesterday I read about the Glory of God, yesterday Satan worked overtime to cause friction between Jimmy and me. Yesterday ended, thank God, with Satan on the losing end.
I read John 11: 1-44. It is about Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, who died and was brought back to life. In verse 40, Jesus says to Martha, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?"
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Through Him we can have eternal life. Jesus could have restored Lazarus to good health while he was still alive. But many of Jesus' actions are for us to know and believe and accept and trust that He is the Son of God, that He was sent by God. Lazarus' resurrection from death proved that point. It demonstrated (beyond any shadow of doubt) the glory of God even more than restoration from a sick bed.
There were and there are so many who point fingers, who do not believe, who do not comprehend all that He is and does, now, in time past and in time to come.
You pray. Mary and Martha prayed. But Jesus had something else in mind.
It doesn't mean God is absent when He doesn't answer our prayers. His plans are not our plans. His intentions are not our intentions. He knows more than we will ever know. He knows ALL.
Who are we to become angry and resentful at God for our preconceived thoughts of what we think He should do?
God's presence is everywhere. If He's not where you can feel Him, perhaps you are not doing your part.
Death is only an interlude between life on earth and life in heaven ... or life in hell.
You stand at the portal. What do you choose - life with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins, to renew us to righteousness, or life with Satan, a fallen angel, who came to earth to deceive us for his gain alone...
Today I considered Paradise.
Where indeed is that
Is it some Hawaiian island
Some quiet spot off the road near a pond, a good fishing hole perhaps.
Where is Paradise?
What is Paradise
What will we have when we get there
A place of rest
Perhaps Paradise can be found in the deep recesses of our mind
To a place we grew up surrounded by happy thoughts, happy memories.
Or perhaps we think we are living in Paradise
-- would that be like seeing the world around us through rose-colored glasses?
Jesus spoke of Paradise.
In Luke 23, hanging on a cross between two thieves -- one denounced the Lord, the other asked
to be remembered. And Jesus says to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise." (verse 43)
I read John 11: 1-44. It is about Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, who died and was brought back to life. In verse 40, Jesus says to Martha, "Did I not say to you that if you believe you would see the glory of God?"
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Through Him we can have eternal life. Jesus could have restored Lazarus to good health while he was still alive. But many of Jesus' actions are for us to know and believe and accept and trust that He is the Son of God, that He was sent by God. Lazarus' resurrection from death proved that point. It demonstrated (beyond any shadow of doubt) the glory of God even more than restoration from a sick bed.
There were and there are so many who point fingers, who do not believe, who do not comprehend all that He is and does, now, in time past and in time to come.
You pray. Mary and Martha prayed. But Jesus had something else in mind.
It doesn't mean God is absent when He doesn't answer our prayers. His plans are not our plans. His intentions are not our intentions. He knows more than we will ever know. He knows ALL.
Who are we to become angry and resentful at God for our preconceived thoughts of what we think He should do?
God's presence is everywhere. If He's not where you can feel Him, perhaps you are not doing your part.
Death is only an interlude between life on earth and life in heaven ... or life in hell.
You stand at the portal. What do you choose - life with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to earth to die for our sins, to renew us to righteousness, or life with Satan, a fallen angel, who came to earth to deceive us for his gain alone...
Today I considered Paradise.
Where indeed is that
Is it some Hawaiian island
Some quiet spot off the road near a pond, a good fishing hole perhaps.
Where is Paradise?
What is Paradise
What will we have when we get there
A place of rest
Perhaps Paradise can be found in the deep recesses of our mind
To a place we grew up surrounded by happy thoughts, happy memories.
Or perhaps we think we are living in Paradise
-- would that be like seeing the world around us through rose-colored glasses?
Jesus spoke of Paradise.
In Luke 23, hanging on a cross between two thieves -- one denounced the Lord, the other asked
to be remembered. And Jesus says to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise." (verse 43)
The apostle Paul spoke of Paradise.
In 2 Corinthians 12, he shares his visions and revelations (perhaps at the time of his stoning), "how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (verse 4)
And John also spoke of Paradise.
In Revelation, during the time of his exile on the island of Patmos, he shares prophecies of God. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Chapter 2, verse 7)
Paradise.
It is where God abides. Where He lives. Where His kingdom is. Where His children go.
Paradise is Heaven. And Heaven is Paradise.
What about you? Are you a future resident of Paradise?
Or are you uncertain of where to go, what to do, are you questioning your existence, are you fearful, have you been duped, are you being deceived into believing the best is what you have now, where you are now ... Nothing more.
But there is more. There is Jesus. We must look to Him, stay focused on Him, believe in Him, accept Him, trust Him, obey Him, for us to gain entrance to the heavenly realms of Paradise.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
"Do not be afraid; only believe"
"Do not be afraid; only believe." - Mark 5:36
Quit looking at the enemy
Quit thinking of ways you can defeat him
Quit studying him and his views
Look to Jesus.
Keep your focus on Jesus
Think only of Jesus
Study Jesus and His views
Jesus will defeat the enemy ... no matter who or what the enemy is.
Quit looking, quit berating yourself, quit thinking of the fears growing inside you.
Rely only on Jesus.
Quit looking at the enemy
Quit thinking of ways you can defeat him
Quit studying him and his views
Look to Jesus.
Keep your focus on Jesus
Think only of Jesus
Study Jesus and His views
Jesus will defeat the enemy ... no matter who or what the enemy is.
Quit looking, quit berating yourself, quit thinking of the fears growing inside you.
Rely only on Jesus.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Being obedient
When
you get too close
to the Truth
of who Jesus is
and what He represents
When
you are obedient
to the Lord
and teach from the heart
His commandments
Others
become afraid.
They don't want
what you have
They don't want
what Jesus offers.
They want you
to leave, to depart
to be gone
They don't want
to be bothered.
So you go.
But you remain
faithful, obedient
to the Lord Jesus
Through prayer.
"Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region." (Mark 5:15, 17)
you get too close
to the Truth
of who Jesus is
and what He represents
When
you are obedient
to the Lord
and teach from the heart
His commandments
Others
become afraid.
They don't want
what you have
They don't want
what Jesus offers.
They want you
to leave, to depart
to be gone
They don't want
to be bothered.
So you go.
But you remain
faithful, obedient
to the Lord Jesus
Through prayer.
"Then they came to Jesus and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region." (Mark 5:15, 17)
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.11.09
11.11.09
Monday, November 9, 2009
We must look to Him
"Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." -- (Peter says to Jesus in Matthew 26:33)
If we do the Lord's bidding without questioning His reasoning, the results we see will be one hundredfold or more. Jesus is our master. He is in control. We must be obedient to Him and Him only if we are to achieve any success. True success is only found through the Lord Jesus, not through our individual efforts.
Look to Him always and all all times, through hardship and agonies, and through the good times. Jesus will see us through. We must return to His fold, remain wrapped in His love, stay constant in His word, pray without hesitation and fear.
The fear is Satan's push to bring us down to his level, where we wallow in self despair. We take the whole world on our back and shoulders and are burdened with thoughts of what we should do. Give it to Jesus! Give it all to Jesus!
It is not so easy. Talk is cheap. But we who have received the Lord's gift of salvation know who Jesus is. His talk is not cheap. It teaches us volumes. His talk reaps great reward. Are you listening? Do you hear. Do you believe. Have you forgotten.
We all stumble, but we don't have to remain there. Pick yourself up and carry on. Ask the Lord to help you. You must ask! You must be willing to receive, to accept.
Stumbling does not mean you have failed. Refusing to be renewed, restored, rejuvenated, refusing to be reunited with the Lord will be the destroyer. Do not refuse. Do not give in or give up because your own perceptions indicate failure. Has the Lord said to you "You are no good? or You are useless! You are worthless?" I doubt it. Those are our words. The Lord brings us, sends us, gives us, LOVE.
There is great sadness when Jesus sees our Yes Lord become No, No I won't do it, No I'm not your child. No, No, No. We must not go there. We should not allow the world's woes to become our downfall and the way we would go. Nothing in and of the world is more powerful than the Lord Jesus.
Rely on Him always and forever, for everything, at all costs. When He is with us, we can overcome all that is in the beyond.
Try Again. With Jesus. Not alone, not with a friend. With Jesus. Try Life with Jesus. Live Life with Jesus. Again and again and again. Always. Never ending. Don't give up.
Try again. He is the answer to ALL we seek. In Him there is hope. Try again. The Lord is waiting.
If we do the Lord's bidding without questioning His reasoning, the results we see will be one hundredfold or more. Jesus is our master. He is in control. We must be obedient to Him and Him only if we are to achieve any success. True success is only found through the Lord Jesus, not through our individual efforts.
Look to Him always and all all times, through hardship and agonies, and through the good times. Jesus will see us through. We must return to His fold, remain wrapped in His love, stay constant in His word, pray without hesitation and fear.
The fear is Satan's push to bring us down to his level, where we wallow in self despair. We take the whole world on our back and shoulders and are burdened with thoughts of what we should do. Give it to Jesus! Give it all to Jesus!
It is not so easy. Talk is cheap. But we who have received the Lord's gift of salvation know who Jesus is. His talk is not cheap. It teaches us volumes. His talk reaps great reward. Are you listening? Do you hear. Do you believe. Have you forgotten.
We all stumble, but we don't have to remain there. Pick yourself up and carry on. Ask the Lord to help you. You must ask! You must be willing to receive, to accept.
Stumbling does not mean you have failed. Refusing to be renewed, restored, rejuvenated, refusing to be reunited with the Lord will be the destroyer. Do not refuse. Do not give in or give up because your own perceptions indicate failure. Has the Lord said to you "You are no good? or You are useless! You are worthless?" I doubt it. Those are our words. The Lord brings us, sends us, gives us, LOVE.
There is great sadness when Jesus sees our Yes Lord become No, No I won't do it, No I'm not your child. No, No, No. We must not go there. We should not allow the world's woes to become our downfall and the way we would go. Nothing in and of the world is more powerful than the Lord Jesus.
Rely on Him always and forever, for everything, at all costs. When He is with us, we can overcome all that is in the beyond.
Try Again. With Jesus. Not alone, not with a friend. With Jesus. Try Life with Jesus. Live Life with Jesus. Again and again and again. Always. Never ending. Don't give up.
Try again. He is the answer to ALL we seek. In Him there is hope. Try again. The Lord is waiting.
Friday, November 6, 2009
He is
This is the day ...
The day
The Lord
has made
He has made
Every day
and
All
that is in it
He is
The mighty one
The all-powerful one
The one
who sees
All
who searches
across the mountain tops
and into the caverns
and valleys.
He is
The one
who looks
beyond our outer beings
and sees
within our souls.
He is
The one
who knows
what we fel
and understands.
He understands
our longings
our desires
our agonies
He --
The Lord
The God of all creation
The God of the universe
The God of me
The God of my beloved Jimmy
He is
The one
who says
who commands
who restores
who teaches
who loves
who sent
His Son ... Jesus.
The Lord
He is
The one
who tests
our allegiance to Him
who stands by us
protects us
enables us
to do whatsoever His will is for us.
He is
The one
who removes
obstacles
that may be deterrents
to His will for us.
He is
The one
who rejoices
in our small beginnings
who watches
our struggles to go on
who hears
our prayers
of fear and pain and despair
He is
The one
who completes us.
He is
The one
whose Spirit
Lives on
Through His Son,
Jesus Christ,
who gave His life for mine.
He is
The one.
My Father. My Lord. My Eternal Friend. My Jesus.
The day
The Lord
has made
He has made
Every day
and
All
that is in it
He is
The mighty one
The all-powerful one
The one
who sees
All
who searches
across the mountain tops
and into the caverns
and valleys.
He is
The one
who looks
beyond our outer beings
and sees
within our souls.
He is
The one
who knows
what we fel
and understands.
He understands
our longings
our desires
our agonies
He --
The Lord
The God of all creation
The God of the universe
The God of me
The God of my beloved Jimmy
He is
The one
who says
who commands
who restores
who teaches
who loves
who sent
His Son ... Jesus.
The Lord
He is
The one
who tests
our allegiance to Him
who stands by us
protects us
enables us
to do whatsoever His will is for us.
He is
The one
who removes
obstacles
that may be deterrents
to His will for us.
He is
The one
who rejoices
in our small beginnings
who watches
our struggles to go on
who hears
our prayers
of fear and pain and despair
He is
The one
who completes us.
He is
The one
whose Spirit
Lives on
Through His Son,
Jesus Christ,
who gave His life for mine.
He is
The one.
My Father. My Lord. My Eternal Friend. My Jesus.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.6.2009
11.6.2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
He is
God knows all.
Beginnings
Endings
The in-be-tween
Your day
My day
Yesterday
Tomorrow
Today.
All that was
All that is
All that is to come
He knows.
He is.
Why do you falter?
Why do you question?
Say Yes to Him.
Open the door
as He knocks.
Don't turn away.
Say Yes to Jesus
before
"All that is to come"
is too late.
Beginnings
Endings
The in-be-tween
Your day
My day
Yesterday
Tomorrow
Today.
All that was
All that is
All that is to come
He knows.
He is.
Why do you falter?
Why do you question?
Say Yes to Him.
Open the door
as He knocks.
Don't turn away.
Say Yes to Jesus
before
"All that is to come"
is too late.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.4.2009
11.4.2009
A new day
The day after
The night before
comes early
I am
awakened
with a hug and a kiss
a splash of cold water
a cup or more
of hot caffeinated tea
A thought of
returning slumber
beckons me
The sunlight trickles
through the trees
and upon still colorful
leaves not yet fallen.
God's creatures bit and small
are about their daily tasks.
A new day is dawning.
A new day is here.
So peaceful.
So full of life.
It is God-ordained.
The night before
comes early
I am
awakened
with a hug and a kiss
a splash of cold water
a cup or more
of hot caffeinated tea
A thought of
returning slumber
beckons me
The sunlight trickles
through the trees
and upon still colorful
leaves not yet fallen.
God's creatures bit and small
are about their daily tasks.
A new day is dawning.
A new day is here.
So peaceful.
So full of life.
It is God-ordained.
Cathy Orrick Luders
11.4.2009
11.4.2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
I'll Fly Away
This past Sunday, Oct. 25, the wonderful song, "I'll Fly Away," was sung in worshipful praise to our loving Father. It seems the older I become and the more years I am acquainted with the Lord Jesus, the more I understand, the more I rejoice in ALL He has to share with me. I am so thankful He and I connected and that I said yes when He knocked on the door of my heart.
The words...
(1) Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll .... fly away.
To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
(2) When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll .... fly away.
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
(3) Just a few more weary days and then, I'll .... fly away.
To a land where joys shall never end, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
The words and the music were published in 1932 by Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977) of Powell, Mo. There is plenty about him on the Internet. I chose this site which presents his biography: www.therestorationmovement.com/brumley.htm
There are many renditions of this song. Here are some I especially like. This first one is by Jars of Clay:
This next one is by Alan Jackson:
Enjoy!
The words...
(1) Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll .... fly away.
To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
(2) When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll .... fly away.
Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
(3) Just a few more weary days and then, I'll .... fly away.
To a land where joys shall never end, I'll .... fly away.
I'll .... fly away, O glory, I'll .... fly away;
When I die, hallelujah, by and by, I'll .... fly away.
The words and the music were published in 1932 by Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977) of Powell, Mo. There is plenty about him on the Internet. I chose this site which presents his biography: www.therestorationmovement.com/brumley.htm
There are many renditions of this song. Here are some I especially like. This first one is by Jars of Clay:
This next one is by Alan Jackson:
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
October scenery
This past weekend my husband and I made the most of an opportunity to get away and spent three full days in northeast Missouri and parts of Illinois. Monday was the only day temperatures were pleasantly warm, but thank goodness the rains and snows that could have come on Saturday and Sunday did not. Here are a few scenic photos.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The days are coming ...
"'Therefore behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, that I will bring judgment..." (Jeremiah 51:52)
The days of greater evil are upon us ...
and those who are mighty and treacherous,
who stand against God
and all His people --- they
will come to see
His judgment fast approaching.
They will run and hide
in the caves
and in the mountains.
The enemy --- how brave, how smart
they think themselves to be,
taunting God's own,
bringing damnation to all who follow
the Lord Jesus.
The enemy --- they bring down themselves
and all they profess to be
and all they follow without any cares
for what is True and Right.
The enemy --- they will fall.
God's judgment upon them
will bring complete destruction.
Emptiness, brokenness
will prevail.
All will be desolate.
All the hidden places
you seek
will not serve you
to any good.
God's wrath is greater
than you.
"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6: 15-17)
"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My Son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (which is the second death)." (Revelation 21: 7-8)
If you die an unbeliever,
after Jesus comes again
when you stand, or cower before the throne,
all the deeds ---
the should haves,
the could haves,
the would haves,
the might haves,
only serve to show you,
remind you,
there is no opportunity
for upward advancement
You made your
choices
while you walked
the earth.
Only believers in Jesus Christ,
Only those who accept Him
as personal Lord and Savior,
Only those who are obedient
to His will and His commandments
Only believers advance onward and upward.
Unbelievers drown.
The days of greater evil are upon us ...
and those who are mighty and treacherous,
who stand against God
and all His people --- they
will come to see
His judgment fast approaching.
They will run and hide
in the caves
and in the mountains.
The enemy --- how brave, how smart
they think themselves to be,
taunting God's own,
bringing damnation to all who follow
the Lord Jesus.
The enemy --- they bring down themselves
and all they profess to be
and all they follow without any cares
for what is True and Right.
The enemy --- they will fall.
God's judgment upon them
will bring complete destruction.
Emptiness, brokenness
will prevail.
All will be desolate.
All the hidden places
you seek
will not serve you
to any good.
God's wrath is greater
than you.
"And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6: 15-17)
"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My Son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone (which is the second death)." (Revelation 21: 7-8)
If you die an unbeliever,
after Jesus comes again
when you stand, or cower before the throne,
all the deeds ---
the should haves,
the could haves,
the would haves,
the might haves,
only serve to show you,
remind you,
there is no opportunity
for upward advancement
You made your
choices
while you walked
the earth.
Only believers in Jesus Christ,
Only those who accept Him
as personal Lord and Savior,
Only those who are obedient
to His will and His commandments
Only believers advance onward and upward.
Unbelievers drown.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
We are, we say
We are called
we are ChristianBut who is
We say
we are followers of Jesus Christ
But are we
A Christian
An Iowan
An American
We say
we are
I wonder
Who is Christian
Are you
Am I
Who follows
Who is Jesus Christ
What is He to you
What does He represent to you?
Is He complete
Are you
Are you in Him
Is He in you
Are you one
Do you follow Him
Do you hear
What do you hear
Who do you obey
What is right
What is wrong
What is truth
God is TRUTH
Jesus is TRUTH
What about you
What about me
Where is truth
Where is all there is
What is the meaning
Are you in Christ
Is Christ in you
Are you united as one
Who do you follow
Who is your master
Who is your leader
your teacher
Who do you praise and worship
Who do you say you are
Who does Jesus say you are
Are you His?
Do you know...
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.22.2009
9.22.2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Crafting spin art
Jim's artistic moments come in the form of spin art.
Friday night after work we drove to Waterloo for the National Cattle Congress. We've been going to this for years, but rarely for the midway activities. We have lunch or in this case, supper, at the AMVETS' Noodle Nook, where you can get all-you-can-eat homemade chicken and noodles, potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and butter and choice of milk or coffee. This year the cost was $7.50 per person. We stroll through the various halls and almost always see the bunnies - and of course, there is never one as cute or precious as our very own BeeJay! We also stop at the Spin Art booth, where Jim plies his craft. Sometimes I participate, but mostly not.
Here is his creation:
In playing with Paint Shop Pro, I changed the original work into a kaleidoscope, which I think looks pretty spiffy.
I also made the spin art creations of a month ago into kaleidoscopes. Here they are:
Friday night after work we drove to Waterloo for the National Cattle Congress. We've been going to this for years, but rarely for the midway activities. We have lunch or in this case, supper, at the AMVETS' Noodle Nook, where you can get all-you-can-eat homemade chicken and noodles, potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and butter and choice of milk or coffee. This year the cost was $7.50 per person. We stroll through the various halls and almost always see the bunnies - and of course, there is never one as cute or precious as our very own BeeJay! We also stop at the Spin Art booth, where Jim plies his craft. Sometimes I participate, but mostly not.
Here is his creation:
In playing with Paint Shop Pro, I changed the original work into a kaleidoscope, which I think looks pretty spiffy.
I also made the spin art creations of a month ago into kaleidoscopes. Here they are:
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Work and play
Today I was on a mini-roll. I cleared off the kitchen table and scrubbed the kitchen floor and cleared off the bed in the spare bedroom and swept the basement steps. That's what I call a major mini-roll. Must of had a huge adrenalin rush going on. Tomorrow I go back to work for two days, then have Friday off as my Labor Day holiday, followed by two days of vacation, which will be spent at my church - Immanuel Baptist, which is celebrating 50 years in the Lord's service on Sept. 12 and 13. And then I'll have the following two days off, because Monday and Tuesday are my regularly scheduled days off from my paying job.It's amazing what I found while looking at things and for things, including junk, which made its way to file 13.
Some of the things I found were two spin art creations painted by Jim and I on a visit to Des Moines and the State Fair in August. Mine is the one in red, white and blue. Enjoy!Monday, September 7, 2009
Jesus is
Jesus is
The Son of the Living God
Jesus is
The Savior of the world
We -- those who belong to Him --
We are
The church of the Living God
Jesus is
The chief cornerstone, the elect, precious
We are
His children, His servants
Jesus is
The Pillar
-- of strength
-- of witness
-- of judgment
-- of power
-- of refuge
-- of rejection
-- of love
-- of temptation
-- of death
-- of promise
-- of comfort
-- of destruction
-- of hatred
-- of revelation
-- of renewal
-- of change
-- of choices
-- of obedience
-- of condemnation
-- of persecution
-- of endurance
We -- those who belong to Him
and those who do not --
We are
partakers of all life holds
and
we stumble along the way
Jesus is
The Foundation
of Truth
of Life Eternal
Jesus is The Stone
The Living Stone
The Chosen Stone
We are but pebbles in the brook.
In Paul's writing to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:15), he says "but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
The Son of the Living God
Jesus is
The Savior of the world
We -- those who belong to Him --
We are
The church of the Living God
Jesus is
The chief cornerstone, the elect, precious
We are
His children, His servants
Jesus is
The Pillar
-- of strength
-- of witness
-- of judgment
-- of power
-- of refuge
-- of rejection
-- of love
-- of temptation
-- of death
-- of promise
-- of comfort
-- of destruction
-- of hatred
-- of revelation
-- of renewal
-- of change
-- of choices
-- of obedience
-- of condemnation
-- of persecution
-- of endurance
We -- those who belong to Him
and those who do not --
We are
partakers of all life holds
and
we stumble along the way
Jesus is
The Foundation
of Truth
of Life Eternal
Jesus is The Stone
The Living Stone
The Chosen Stone
We are but pebbles in the brook.
In Paul's writing to Timothy (1 Timothy 3:15), he says "but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
Cathy Orrick Luders
9.7.2009
9.7.2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Don't run away, don't become misled
"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1: 3-4)
To help our Christian brothers and sisters get back on the right path, we need to walk with them and show them the way. We first need to be sure we ourselves are in right relation with the Lord.
"And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions ... so don't be misled." (James 1: 13-16)
"Be quick to listen
(Be) slow to speak
(Be) slow to get angry.
Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." (James 1: 19-20)
"And remember, (the message God has planted in your heart) is a message to obey, not just listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your faith in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." (James 1: 22-24)
"We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. ... And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself." (James 3: 2, 6)
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie! For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil." (James 3: 13-16)
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere." (James 3:17)
David Sper from Our Daily Bread offers up this prayer, "Lord, give us courage to confront believers who have strayed, and then with gentleness restore by coming to their aid."
All Scripture today comes from the New Living Translation.
To help our Christian brothers and sisters get back on the right path, we need to walk with them and show them the way. We first need to be sure we ourselves are in right relation with the Lord.
"And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions ... so don't be misled." (James 1: 13-16)
"Be quick to listen
(Be) slow to speak
(Be) slow to get angry.
Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." (James 1: 19-20)
"And remember, (the message God has planted in your heart) is a message to obey, not just listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your faith in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." (James 1: 22-24)
"We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. ... And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself." (James 3: 2, 6)
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie! For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil." (James 3: 13-16)
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere." (James 3:17)
David Sper from Our Daily Bread offers up this prayer, "Lord, give us courage to confront believers who have strayed, and then with gentleness restore by coming to their aid."
All Scripture today comes from the New Living Translation.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
God's standard. God's plan
God's standard.
God's plan --
Is it ours too?
Do we hear
His still small voice
Do we read
His Truths through His word shared with you and me -- The Holy Scriptures
Do we listen
Do we obey?
God's standard.
Is it not perfectness
Is not God
and Jesus His son
Perfect, without blemish
"Therefore you shall be perfect; just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
We are created
in His image,
Yet any perfectness
obtainable
was lost
the moment Adam and Eve rebelled, sinned
against God.
We too rebel
We sin
We have no perfectness
We are not without guilt.
God's plan.
The ideal.
That which He desires
for His children
Through obedience.
God's plan.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' " (Genesis 1:26)
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;" (Genesis 1:28a)
and God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the dearth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29)
and the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him. ... and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. ... He made it into a woman, and He brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:18, 21, 22)
God's plan.
BUT,
we had other plans. We ignored God's plan. We refused to obey His commandments. We chose a different route.
God's plan.
"Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good."
(Genesis 1:31)
God's plan.
To show what happens to those who disobey,
the results of disobedience
To show, to help people realize the error of their ways.
To come to Him.
To walk with Him.
God's plan.
To send His son Jesus to earth
to pay the penalty for our sins
to become the gift
of freedom, of grace.
God's plan.
God's standard.
Higher.
Higher than yours or mine.
Highest of all.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
God's plan.
Where are you in God's plan?
To whom do you follow
To whom do you obey
God's plan --
Is it ours too?
Do we hear
His still small voice
Do we read
His Truths through His word shared with you and me -- The Holy Scriptures
Do we listen
Do we obey?
God's standard.
Is it not perfectness
Is not God
and Jesus His son
Perfect, without blemish
"Therefore you shall be perfect; just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
We are created
in His image,
Yet any perfectness
obtainable
was lost
the moment Adam and Eve rebelled, sinned
against God.
We too rebel
We sin
We have no perfectness
We are not without guilt.
God's plan.
The ideal.
That which He desires
for His children
Through obedience.
God's plan.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' " (Genesis 1:26)
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;" (Genesis 1:28a)
and God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the dearth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29)
and the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him. ... and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. ... He made it into a woman, and He brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:18, 21, 22)
God's plan.
BUT,
we had other plans. We ignored God's plan. We refused to obey His commandments. We chose a different route.
God's plan.
"Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good."
(Genesis 1:31)
God's plan.
To show what happens to those who disobey,
the results of disobedience
To show, to help people realize the error of their ways.
To come to Him.
To walk with Him.
God's plan.
To send His son Jesus to earth
to pay the penalty for our sins
to become the gift
of freedom, of grace.
God's plan.
God's standard.
Higher.
Higher than yours or mine.
Highest of all.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
God's plan.
Where are you in God's plan?
To whom do you follow
To whom do you obey
Saturday, August 8, 2009
One-liners
One-liners to give thought to:
“When our mortal eyes close on this world for the last time, our angels open our spiritual eyes and escort us personally before the face of God.”
"It is when we trust in His goodness that we find gladness."
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong." - Abraham Lincoln
“When our mortal eyes close on this world for the last time, our angels open our spiritual eyes and escort us personally before the face of God.”
"It is when we trust in His goodness that we find gladness."
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong." - Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What?
During the Cedar Falls Bible Conference the last week of July one of the preachers talked about Bible doctrine under attack by the evangelical church - those who profess belief in Jesus Christ!
What do you believe?
What do you teach?
What gospel do you follow?
What does faith mean to you?
What do you really want in life?
What do you live for?
What price are you paying for what you believe?
What is the starting point?
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert (distort) the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1: 6-7)
"For I am not ashamed (disappointed) of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " (Romans 1: 16-17)
We must remember what the true gospel is -- our starting point -- that Jesus Christ died for our sins - past, present and future - of all of mankind. He went to the cross, He shed His blood for us. He was buried. And after three days He rose again.
Life has no real meaning if we do not believe in this. If this is not your starting point, what you believe, what you teach, what you life for, is meaningless.
What are you holding onto that keeps you from living for what Jesus died for?
What do you believe?
What do you teach?
What gospel do you follow?
What does faith mean to you?
What do you really want in life?
What do you live for?
What price are you paying for what you believe?
What is the starting point?
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert (distort) the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1: 6-7)
"For I am not ashamed (disappointed) of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " (Romans 1: 16-17)
We must remember what the true gospel is -- our starting point -- that Jesus Christ died for our sins - past, present and future - of all of mankind. He went to the cross, He shed His blood for us. He was buried. And after three days He rose again.
Life has no real meaning if we do not believe in this. If this is not your starting point, what you believe, what you teach, what you life for, is meaningless.
What are you holding onto that keeps you from living for what Jesus died for?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Do we have Jesus' compassion?
Thought for the Day: "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
Compassion -- helping another regardless of inconvenience.
Compassion -- great love, sincerity of heart to aid another because of their inabilities.
Compassion -- an overwhelming response to others' needs.
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
One and another say to Jesus, "If You are willing You can make me clean." (1 Mark 40)
And Jesus responds likewise again and again, "I am willing; be cleansed."
(1 Mark 41)
Does this too apply similarly -- If we are willing we can teach another, we can help another understand the process, we can show another how to do something better?
Are we willing?
Are we moved with compassion, like Jesus? Are with moved with heartfelt love and concern for another human being to come to their aid whatever it may be?
As we follow our Lord faithfully, we become more aware of opportunities to show the kind of compassion He showed.
Compassion -- helping another regardless of inconvenience.
Compassion -- great love, sincerity of heart to aid another because of their inabilities.
Compassion -- an overwhelming response to others' needs.
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
One and another say to Jesus, "If You are willing You can make me clean." (1 Mark 40)
And Jesus responds likewise again and again, "I am willing; be cleansed."
(1 Mark 41)
Does this too apply similarly -- If we are willing we can teach another, we can help another understand the process, we can show another how to do something better?
Are we willing?
Are we moved with compassion, like Jesus? Are with moved with heartfelt love and concern for another human being to come to their aid whatever it may be?
As we follow our Lord faithfully, we become more aware of opportunities to show the kind of compassion He showed.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Are you a nitpicker?
"This is wrong!" "Why is this locked?" "She doesn't dress properly." "I don't like that music." "Cut your hair!"
Nitpicking. That's what it is. Straying from the central focus of Jesus Christ to personal irritants.
"You can't preach here!" "You left, you aren't welcome to return."
More nitpicking. Straying from everything Jesus taught to personal agendas.
Jesus says in Acts 26: 17-18, "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, for whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
When we turn our minds and our hearts toward God, when we repent of our sins, when we admit the errors of our ways, only then can there be any certainty of being right with God.
It is what is right and true with God that is of any importance, not what we think our individual rights and truths are.
Why do we allow petty things to become so important, more important that the Lord?
Why do we become complacent?
Is God showing you some thing you don't want to face? Have you decided to fight against it and see only that which you want to see?
God speaks to us -- we hear Him when we are in close fellowship with Him. Even when we are angry and frustrated with situations and people around us, God hears us if we seek answers from Him, if we pray for His forgiveness, if we ask Him to show us what we're doing wrong, to guide us in His way.
It's when we have moved away from God and He is no longer central to our thinking, there is a problem. When we don't want His correction, when we don't care to be restored to fellowship with Him.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (discipline). Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)
God does not condemn us. He wants His children to return, to be restored, to walk in completeness with Him.
But we must renounce our sinful ways. We must repent of our wrongs, to become right in God's sight, to stay right in His sight.
We must not prevent Jesus from being in His church, from being about His Father's work.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
He's there and He's knocking. Have you opened the door of your heart to Him? Does He continue to reside within or have you kicked Him out and locked the door?
Nitpicking. That's what it is. Straying from the central focus of Jesus Christ to personal irritants.
"You can't preach here!" "You left, you aren't welcome to return."
More nitpicking. Straying from everything Jesus taught to personal agendas.
Jesus says in Acts 26: 17-18, "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, for whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
When we turn our minds and our hearts toward God, when we repent of our sins, when we admit the errors of our ways, only then can there be any certainty of being right with God.
It is what is right and true with God that is of any importance, not what we think our individual rights and truths are.
Why do we allow petty things to become so important, more important that the Lord?
Why do we become complacent?
Is God showing you some thing you don't want to face? Have you decided to fight against it and see only that which you want to see?
God speaks to us -- we hear Him when we are in close fellowship with Him. Even when we are angry and frustrated with situations and people around us, God hears us if we seek answers from Him, if we pray for His forgiveness, if we ask Him to show us what we're doing wrong, to guide us in His way.
It's when we have moved away from God and He is no longer central to our thinking, there is a problem. When we don't want His correction, when we don't care to be restored to fellowship with Him.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (discipline). Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)
God does not condemn us. He wants His children to return, to be restored, to walk in completeness with Him.
But we must renounce our sinful ways. We must repent of our wrongs, to become right in God's sight, to stay right in His sight.
We must not prevent Jesus from being in His church, from being about His Father's work.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
He's there and He's knocking. Have you opened the door of your heart to Him? Does He continue to reside within or have you kicked Him out and locked the door?
Monday, August 3, 2009
One with God ... or separate?
Thought for the Day: "Now Samuel said to all Israel: 'Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Who have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you. And they said, 'You have not defrauded us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man's hand. Then he said to them, 'The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.' And they answered, 'He is witness.' And Samuel said to the people, 'It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers. ... Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." (I Samuel 12: 1-7, 23-24)
In I Samuel 12: 3, Samuel asks of the people when did he take that which wasn't his to take, when did he bribe another or take one, when was he dishonest, and in verse 4, the people declare he has not been guilty. The people agree the Lord is his witness.
Dr. Derek Thomas, who spoke frequently at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference this past week, said as a Christian, people may reject you and what you say, but your actions defend you, thereby giving honor, integrity to you. They see the sincerity of your actions, your ways, even if they disagree.
By our works we shall be known.
The works we do will bear witness to our beliefs. If we are truly one with the Lord, all we do will be honest, will show our integrity. In private or in public we are the same.
But when we step away from Jesus and settle our minds on outside influences, there is no oneness. What you were is not what you are.
By our works we shall be known.
Not by our former works, not by what we once were, but by what we are NOW.
Jesus Christ died for us. He gave His life to bring us eternal life. He showed us and continues to show us the way and we act like its no big deal?!
We are to proclaim the word of God, the truth of God. If it is in the Bible, it is true. There is no error found in the Bible - if you think there is, then you are not abiding in close fellowship with the Lord. You have stepped away, you are outside His boundary. You have moved into the realm of sin.
You can not be a believer of this, but not of that. You cannot chose one part of the Bible and not all. If you do, you are not living totally for God. You have fallen away from God's truths and have settled for lies. The Bible is true because God said so.
We are to pray continually, without ceasing, serve the Lord with all our heart. Not half-heartedly, not when it appeals to you.
Verse 24 tells us to consider ALL He has done, remember ALL He has done, count your blessings.
He saved me, He washed me, He cleansed me, He protects me, He guides me, He enables me, He teaches me, He loves me ...
What about you?
In I Samuel 12: 3, Samuel asks of the people when did he take that which wasn't his to take, when did he bribe another or take one, when was he dishonest, and in verse 4, the people declare he has not been guilty. The people agree the Lord is his witness.
Dr. Derek Thomas, who spoke frequently at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference this past week, said as a Christian, people may reject you and what you say, but your actions defend you, thereby giving honor, integrity to you. They see the sincerity of your actions, your ways, even if they disagree.
By our works we shall be known.
The works we do will bear witness to our beliefs. If we are truly one with the Lord, all we do will be honest, will show our integrity. In private or in public we are the same.
But when we step away from Jesus and settle our minds on outside influences, there is no oneness. What you were is not what you are.
By our works we shall be known.
Not by our former works, not by what we once were, but by what we are NOW.
Jesus Christ died for us. He gave His life to bring us eternal life. He showed us and continues to show us the way and we act like its no big deal?!
We are to proclaim the word of God, the truth of God. If it is in the Bible, it is true. There is no error found in the Bible - if you think there is, then you are not abiding in close fellowship with the Lord. You have stepped away, you are outside His boundary. You have moved into the realm of sin.
You can not be a believer of this, but not of that. You cannot chose one part of the Bible and not all. If you do, you are not living totally for God. You have fallen away from God's truths and have settled for lies. The Bible is true because God said so.
We are to pray continually, without ceasing, serve the Lord with all our heart. Not half-heartedly, not when it appeals to you.
Verse 24 tells us to consider ALL He has done, remember ALL He has done, count your blessings.
He saved me, He washed me, He cleansed me, He protects me, He guides me, He enables me, He teaches me, He loves me ...
What about you?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Where is God in your life?
I just do not understand, yet I am as guilty as the next person. God tells us to look to Him, dwell on Him, abide in Him, pray continually, and enjoy sweet sweet fellowship with Him. But do we? It often seems to be that way only when we are at a God event, a spirit-filled event, such as a Bible Camp or Bible Conference. We study His word, we get wrapped up in what He has to say to us and we feel so enriched, so uplifted, so fulfilled. We are filled to the brim with praise for our Savior.
And then we fall.
It's like we return to the real world. Not that we weren't in the real world, but inevitably, something comes along and our high comes out from under us and we have very nearly fallen off a cliff.
I suppose that is God's way of showing us how much more we have to learn and grow. Start all over again. Looking to our Savior, dwelling on Him, abiding in Him, praying to Him, listening to Him, obeying Him, following Him, praising Him.
If we only did this continually, we would near fear, we would never think we are so smart. We would never get so caught up in things that irritate us, stupid petty things. We would never let situations get the best of us. Our total being would be centered, focused on Jesus. And He would enable us to get past all of it. But we don't do that. We strive to. We want to. We try to. For a little bit maybe we achieve our goal. But I think, unfortunately, our mind set is not on the truth, not on what Jesus says to do, not on living totally for Him.
And that is so sad, so stupid, so dumb.
It's more than a mind thing, its a total heart thing. It's more than something that happened in your heart many years ago and then just sat there. It's a growing, needing, loving forever and ever the Savior who made us whole. Why don't we live as whole?
I really do not understand. Yet I want to. I want to be what Jesus desires me to be, always, every moment, every day. I want to be whole.
And then we fall.
It's like we return to the real world. Not that we weren't in the real world, but inevitably, something comes along and our high comes out from under us and we have very nearly fallen off a cliff.
I suppose that is God's way of showing us how much more we have to learn and grow. Start all over again. Looking to our Savior, dwelling on Him, abiding in Him, praying to Him, listening to Him, obeying Him, following Him, praising Him.
If we only did this continually, we would near fear, we would never think we are so smart. We would never get so caught up in things that irritate us, stupid petty things. We would never let situations get the best of us. Our total being would be centered, focused on Jesus. And He would enable us to get past all of it. But we don't do that. We strive to. We want to. We try to. For a little bit maybe we achieve our goal. But I think, unfortunately, our mind set is not on the truth, not on what Jesus says to do, not on living totally for Him.
And that is so sad, so stupid, so dumb.
It's more than a mind thing, its a total heart thing. It's more than something that happened in your heart many years ago and then just sat there. It's a growing, needing, loving forever and ever the Savior who made us whole. Why don't we live as whole?
I really do not understand. Yet I want to. I want to be what Jesus desires me to be, always, every moment, every day. I want to be whole.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Reflection, refreshment, renewal, rejuvenation, rejoicing, reminders
A week's time away from the office has nearly ended. But who wants to dwell on that just yet. I want to share with you a little about my week.
Last Sunday, July 26, I listened to a wonderfully uplifting message titled "Take Time for a Time Out" from Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The message was delivered by my husband, but that was not what made it wonderful. It was simply the message given. The message of being still, of knowing, of abiding with our Holy God, of being complete with Him. It was a wonderful start to a God-filled week of rejuvenation, refreshment, renewal and even reminders of who we are as followers of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
This week was the Cedar Falls Bible Conference in Cedar Falls. It is a well-kept secret, as there are many in this state of Iowa who have no clue of its existence, with 2009 marking its 88th year. The conference is a week-long event, with speakers nightly and two sessions each morning. There is no registration fee; it is faith-based donation only. Speakers this year were Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Dr. Michael Milton, Pastor Colin Smith, Dr. Derek Thomas, Youth Pastor Bill Kallenberg and Josh McDowell. Among musicians were soloist Diane Susek, Brethren men's gospel quartet, pianist Ronna Wyant.
Jim and I weren't able to spend the entire week at the conference, primarily because only I had the entire week off from work; he did not. So we drove up Sunday afternoon and came home Sunday night and again on Tuesday and on Thursday and on Friday. A lot of driving, even if only an hour each way. A lot of filling the gas tank. But oh what spiritual refreshment we received.
Thursday night we rented a cabin, but only I spent the night. Jim had to work Friday and he came up after a long work day. Our cabin had a name - Chickadee. Such a cute cozy place. And colorful - reds, oranges, yellows. A perfect place to relax, read. Thursday night was a bit on the chilly side and of course I didn't sleep well. Friday night was much improved and it was a few degrees warmer as well. We've talked of perhaps renting the cabin for the entire week next year during Bible Conference.
We walked around the conference grounds, fittingly called Riverview, because over yonder there is a view of the river, and we walked around a nearby cemetery and looked at tombstones and talked about the people buried there, and we enjoyed visiting with friends made over the many years we have come here and partaking of tasty sweet corn, brats, pie and ice cream.
This morning I read from Philippians 2:12-18. Those verses that particularly spoke to me were
(12) "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, ... (14) Do all things without murmuring and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
My thoughts ....
Not just with fellow believers, but with all of mankind we are to shine the light of Christ in ourselves so all may see, and we are to shine His light without complaining and murmuring, without finding fault in anything.
If I be for Christ, then I must walk as for Him, not for myself.
If I walk only for myself, how will any other see the Christ I want them to see?
If another doesn't know the Lord or is a new Christian, what they see in another who professes to be a Christian may leave them perplexed, uncertain as to why Christianity is so important. When they see complaints made against another, quarreling, untruths (lies), where is God in that person?
If Christ is the light, and He truly is, and if we are to shine as Christ in the world, but do not, but instead live in darkness, we are not presenting an accurate portrayal of Jesus. We have given ourselves over to the ways of the devil. For if we are not for Him are we not against Him? We cannot straddle the fence and be both.
We can not shine for Him in church or around fellow believers and become dull and dark elsewhere.
Today's morning sessions were presented by Bill Kallenberg, who has worked with youth for many years and is a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He says it plain.
Points made:
But in whose strength did he fight? And in whose strength did he win? It was not his own. It was in God's strength that David fought and won.
Yes, David fought the giant again and again and again. There were five altogether. Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22 -- there are four others listed there -- giants I didn't remember there being, maybe you didn't remember there being five giants either. They were all relatives of The Giant, but its what they represent that is important.
There's the giant of pride ... the giant of hypocrisy ... the giant of gossip .... and the giant of multiple pain - rejection, longings, guilt, abandonment, resentment, bitterness, anger, finances, religion, unbelief, procrastination, laziness, rebellion are a few. Man I bet you never realized how many giants we have to contend with in our lives. What Kallenberg says is we have to get our eyes off of our problems and solely onto God; off the situation and on to supernatural power. The Lord alone will help us to overcome all the giants in our personal lives.
We must lay it all at Jesus' feet or in His hands. Give it to Jesus. Trust Him to enable you to overcome the fight with the giant you face. Continue to give it to Him. When you take it back, return it. The battle is the Lord's. The battle was won at Calvary.
Last Sunday, July 26, I listened to a wonderfully uplifting message titled "Take Time for a Time Out" from Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The message was delivered by my husband, but that was not what made it wonderful. It was simply the message given. The message of being still, of knowing, of abiding with our Holy God, of being complete with Him. It was a wonderful start to a God-filled week of rejuvenation, refreshment, renewal and even reminders of who we are as followers of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
This week was the Cedar Falls Bible Conference in Cedar Falls. It is a well-kept secret, as there are many in this state of Iowa who have no clue of its existence, with 2009 marking its 88th year. The conference is a week-long event, with speakers nightly and two sessions each morning. There is no registration fee; it is faith-based donation only. Speakers this year were Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Dr. Michael Milton, Pastor Colin Smith, Dr. Derek Thomas, Youth Pastor Bill Kallenberg and Josh McDowell. Among musicians were soloist Diane Susek, Brethren men's gospel quartet, pianist Ronna Wyant.
Jim and I weren't able to spend the entire week at the conference, primarily because only I had the entire week off from work; he did not. So we drove up Sunday afternoon and came home Sunday night and again on Tuesday and on Thursday and on Friday. A lot of driving, even if only an hour each way. A lot of filling the gas tank. But oh what spiritual refreshment we received.
Thursday night we rented a cabin, but only I spent the night. Jim had to work Friday and he came up after a long work day. Our cabin had a name - Chickadee. Such a cute cozy place. And colorful - reds, oranges, yellows. A perfect place to relax, read. Thursday night was a bit on the chilly side and of course I didn't sleep well. Friday night was much improved and it was a few degrees warmer as well. We've talked of perhaps renting the cabin for the entire week next year during Bible Conference.
We walked around the conference grounds, fittingly called Riverview, because over yonder there is a view of the river, and we walked around a nearby cemetery and looked at tombstones and talked about the people buried there, and we enjoyed visiting with friends made over the many years we have come here and partaking of tasty sweet corn, brats, pie and ice cream.
This morning I read from Philippians 2:12-18. Those verses that particularly spoke to me were
(12) "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, ... (14) Do all things without murmuring and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
My thoughts ....
Not just with fellow believers, but with all of mankind we are to shine the light of Christ in ourselves so all may see, and we are to shine His light without complaining and murmuring, without finding fault in anything.
If I be for Christ, then I must walk as for Him, not for myself.
If I walk only for myself, how will any other see the Christ I want them to see?
If another doesn't know the Lord or is a new Christian, what they see in another who professes to be a Christian may leave them perplexed, uncertain as to why Christianity is so important. When they see complaints made against another, quarreling, untruths (lies), where is God in that person?
If Christ is the light, and He truly is, and if we are to shine as Christ in the world, but do not, but instead live in darkness, we are not presenting an accurate portrayal of Jesus. We have given ourselves over to the ways of the devil. For if we are not for Him are we not against Him? We cannot straddle the fence and be both.
We can not shine for Him in church or around fellow believers and become dull and dark elsewhere.
Today's morning sessions were presented by Bill Kallenberg, who has worked with youth for many years and is a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He says it plain.
Points made:
- Partial obedience to God is disobedience. If you're not being obedient at all points, then you're not being obedient at any point. You are sinning. Disobedience is sin.
- When we are confronted with a sin, we tend to blame someone else. We don't take responsibility for our mistakes. And when we finally do take responsibility, when we are so overwhelmed by the sorrow of what we have done, it may be too late.
- God can use whatever we have if we allow Him to take charge, control of our lives.
But in whose strength did he fight? And in whose strength did he win? It was not his own. It was in God's strength that David fought and won.
Yes, David fought the giant again and again and again. There were five altogether. Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22 -- there are four others listed there -- giants I didn't remember there being, maybe you didn't remember there being five giants either. They were all relatives of The Giant, but its what they represent that is important.
There's the giant of pride ... the giant of hypocrisy ... the giant of gossip .... and the giant of multiple pain - rejection, longings, guilt, abandonment, resentment, bitterness, anger, finances, religion, unbelief, procrastination, laziness, rebellion are a few. Man I bet you never realized how many giants we have to contend with in our lives. What Kallenberg says is we have to get our eyes off of our problems and solely onto God; off the situation and on to supernatural power. The Lord alone will help us to overcome all the giants in our personal lives.
We must lay it all at Jesus' feet or in His hands. Give it to Jesus. Trust Him to enable you to overcome the fight with the giant you face. Continue to give it to Him. When you take it back, return it. The battle is the Lord's. The battle was won at Calvary.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
United to become One heart with Christ, not separate
Thought for the Day: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2: 24)
"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11: 19-20)
A man and woman marry. They are united, joined together in Holy Matrimony, under God.
Joined ... to become One.
Not joined to become separated, to do their own thing, to want things their way and theirs alone.
But joined to become one, complete unit, with Christ at the center.
How do you help someone keep their marriage together? How far, how much do you intercede?
One-half of the couple knows it takes two to fail. Unfortunately, both halves need to know this. A marriage that is struggling is not about one person being right and the other person being wrong. There is a give-and-take.
Each person has their individual views... his and hers. But what about God's view. Do we consider Him in all we do or don't do. Do we reach out to Him, do we seek help together from Him, through Him, do we strive to be obedient to His commands, to live our lives together as He suggests, prefers, desires?
Where are our hearts leading us ... toward each other or bent elsewhere? Both want, desire, but is it each other?
God is all, everything we will ever need. Where do you think you are when you have forgotten the very One who saved you? Where do you go for refuge? Do you leave what you have and go elsewhere - perhaps to mom or dad or to another who will comfort you, bring you the solace and answers you believe you deserve.
Who will read these words? Who will take them to heart and cling to or return to God's truths, God's promises?
I struggle in my abilities to render aid to another. I find myself at a loss. A relationship can not be saved by a person outside the relationship. Only when the two who are married to each other are willing to work together is there hope for reconciliation. Both have to want a life together and for it to be better. God must be at the center, looking to Him, reading His word, Bible study, praying, fellowshipping among His people.
But to risk your future together for immediate satisfaction from any other source will result in a doomed marriage.
All of us struggle and sad to say, not all listen to God's still small voice, but instead, to their own inner thoughts. They strive to find another who will agree with their thoughts and beliefs and never hear God's words of wisdom, never listening, never waiting.
I Corinthians 13 tells us Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious. Love does not behave rudely. Love is not provoked. Love thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoings. Love bears all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things. Love endures all things.
How patient are we with one another? How kind do we act? How much do we endure?
Are we truly united? Are we truly of one mind, one heart?
"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (Ezekiel 11: 19-20)
A man and woman marry. They are united, joined together in Holy Matrimony, under God.
Joined ... to become One.
Not joined to become separated, to do their own thing, to want things their way and theirs alone.
But joined to become one, complete unit, with Christ at the center.
How do you help someone keep their marriage together? How far, how much do you intercede?
One-half of the couple knows it takes two to fail. Unfortunately, both halves need to know this. A marriage that is struggling is not about one person being right and the other person being wrong. There is a give-and-take.
Each person has their individual views... his and hers. But what about God's view. Do we consider Him in all we do or don't do. Do we reach out to Him, do we seek help together from Him, through Him, do we strive to be obedient to His commands, to live our lives together as He suggests, prefers, desires?
Where are our hearts leading us ... toward each other or bent elsewhere? Both want, desire, but is it each other?
God is all, everything we will ever need. Where do you think you are when you have forgotten the very One who saved you? Where do you go for refuge? Do you leave what you have and go elsewhere - perhaps to mom or dad or to another who will comfort you, bring you the solace and answers you believe you deserve.
Who will read these words? Who will take them to heart and cling to or return to God's truths, God's promises?
I struggle in my abilities to render aid to another. I find myself at a loss. A relationship can not be saved by a person outside the relationship. Only when the two who are married to each other are willing to work together is there hope for reconciliation. Both have to want a life together and for it to be better. God must be at the center, looking to Him, reading His word, Bible study, praying, fellowshipping among His people.
But to risk your future together for immediate satisfaction from any other source will result in a doomed marriage.
All of us struggle and sad to say, not all listen to God's still small voice, but instead, to their own inner thoughts. They strive to find another who will agree with their thoughts and beliefs and never hear God's words of wisdom, never listening, never waiting.
I Corinthians 13 tells us Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious. Love does not behave rudely. Love is not provoked. Love thinks no evil. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoings. Love bears all things. Love believes all things. Love hopes all things. Love endures all things.
How patient are we with one another? How kind do we act? How much do we endure?
Are we truly united? Are we truly of one mind, one heart?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Be still and know ... There is a God!
Take Time for a Time Out -- "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10)
Get past the obstacles that cloud your thinking, past the storms of life that come and bring devastation to your mind, body and / or soul.
Listen for that "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) that you might miss if you aren't immersed in the word of God.
Listen! Wake up and hear!
God is there --
in the quietness of nature ...
He surrounds us -- reveals Himself to us everywhere, but, are we buried so deep within ourselves we never hear what our Lord is saying?
Don't lose heart -- "Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:13-21)
Don't come to the conclusion you know any of the answers, unless God Himself has revealed them to you.
Don't fall into the trap of who cares, what is the point, I want, I don't understand, It don't matter, I've waited long enough, I'll do what I want to do.
Don't settle for thinking 'There is no God, so we should stop worrying and enjoy life.'
There is a God! His name is Christ Jesus! And through Him, in Him, of Him, we can stop worrying and we can enjoy life!
He is all, everything we will ever need. It may take us a long time to realize this. We do not grow at the same pace. It is not easy to wrap our thinking around the immenseness of God. Living for Him, relying totaling on Him is easy to talk about, but to actually do, that requires intense listening - a "still small voice." Studying, praying, praising, worshiping.
God's strength, when we realize we must let go of what little we ourselves have, will carry us through and beyond. His love reaches way out, beyond forever.
Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Listen. Be still and know.
Get past the obstacles that cloud your thinking, past the storms of life that come and bring devastation to your mind, body and / or soul.
Listen for that "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) that you might miss if you aren't immersed in the word of God.
Listen! Wake up and hear!
God is there --
in the quietness of nature ...
He surrounds us -- reveals Himself to us everywhere, but, are we buried so deep within ourselves we never hear what our Lord is saying?
Don't lose heart -- "Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:13-21)
Don't come to the conclusion you know any of the answers, unless God Himself has revealed them to you.
Don't fall into the trap of who cares, what is the point, I want, I don't understand, It don't matter, I've waited long enough, I'll do what I want to do.
Don't settle for thinking 'There is no God, so we should stop worrying and enjoy life.'
There is a God! His name is Christ Jesus! And through Him, in Him, of Him, we can stop worrying and we can enjoy life!
He is all, everything we will ever need. It may take us a long time to realize this. We do not grow at the same pace. It is not easy to wrap our thinking around the immenseness of God. Living for Him, relying totaling on Him is easy to talk about, but to actually do, that requires intense listening - a "still small voice." Studying, praying, praising, worshiping.
God's strength, when we realize we must let go of what little we ourselves have, will carry us through and beyond. His love reaches way out, beyond forever.
Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't lose heart. Listen. Be still and know.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Escape the darkness; walk in the Light
Friday I spoke of the darkness that comes when we are without Christ and shared a poem written during my Christ-less college days in the early 1970s. Today the Lord led me to Isaiah 59 --
(1) "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
(2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
(3) For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.
(4) No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies, They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
(7) Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
(8) The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
(9) Therefore justice is far from us; Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
(10) We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
(12) For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with, And as for our iniquities, we know them:
(13) In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
(15) Then the Lord saw it and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
(16) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness it sustained Him.
(20) 'The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression ...,' says the Lord."
Hence, we come to John 3: 16-17 which says:
"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. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the wold, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Have you accepted Him as your Savior and redeemer?
Have you accepted His ways as your ways?
Have you turned from disobedient living for yourself to obedience in and of Him and His ways?
Are you walking in the light -- His light?
Where do you stand?
God speaks through His word to those who listen with their heart.
(1) "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.
(2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
(3) For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.
(4) No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies, They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.
(7) Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
(8) The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.
(9) Therefore justice is far from us; Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
(10) We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places.
(12) For our transgressions are multiplied before You, And our sins testify against us; For our transgressions are with, And as for our iniquities, we know them:
(13) In transgressing and lying against the Lord, And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
(15) Then the Lord saw it and it displeased Him That there was no justice.
(16) He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness it sustained Him.
(20) 'The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression ...,' says the Lord."
Hence, we come to John 3: 16-17 which says:
"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. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the wold, but that the world through Him might be saved."
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?
Do you have a personal relationship with Him?
Have you accepted Him as your Savior and redeemer?
Have you accepted His ways as your ways?
Have you turned from disobedient living for yourself to obedience in and of Him and His ways?
Are you walking in the light -- His light?
Where do you stand?
God speaks through His word to those who listen with their heart.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Have you prayed today?
Thought for the Day:
Jesus says in John 10:10-11: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Have you prayed today?
Are you searching
for answers
... perhaps in all the wrong places
or from people who really do not know
what you search for
let alone the answers.
Do you feel alone ...
lost and out of place
Does it seem no one understands
and no one helps
The darkness closes in**
you struggle to find release
from all your pain
Where to go
What step do I take
Where does my reaching hand extend?
Who is the one who grasps it
Who will answer
Have you prayed today?
Jesus hears your plea
sees your pain
grasps hold of you
answers your questions
heals you.
Have you prayed today?
Do you hear Him calling,
'Come, my Child.'
**The following poem was written in the early 1970s during my college years before I knew the Lord. It illustrates the darkness closing in.
I found them today
They weren't where I thought they would be
In the grass, behind a few shrubs
They glistened, wet with dew
It seemed I had looked forever for them.
And now at last, I had found them.
I knelt down, gently pushing the tiny branches aside
My eyes opened wide with surprise
A maze !! How lovely. And involving such intricate work too.
I picked up a stick and probed
A cry rang out
Ooh, I cringed, for I had hurt one of them.
And they were my friends.
I saw them coming
for me
My feet seemed rooted to the ground
I couldn't escape.
I saw them keep coming.
I saw them on me.
At first it tickled, then they began to bite.
I lost consciousness
And when I awoke, I was gone.
(c 1973)
Jesus says in John 10:10-11: "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
Have you prayed today?
Are you searching
for answers
... perhaps in all the wrong places
or from people who really do not know
what you search for
let alone the answers.
Do you feel alone ...
lost and out of place
Does it seem no one understands
and no one helps
The darkness closes in**
you struggle to find release
from all your pain
Where to go
What step do I take
Where does my reaching hand extend?
Who is the one who grasps it
Who will answer
Have you prayed today?
Jesus hears your plea
sees your pain
grasps hold of you
answers your questions
heals you.
Have you prayed today?
Do you hear Him calling,
'Come, my Child.'
**The following poem was written in the early 1970s during my college years before I knew the Lord. It illustrates the darkness closing in.
I found them today
They weren't where I thought they would be
In the grass, behind a few shrubs
They glistened, wet with dew
It seemed I had looked forever for them.
And now at last, I had found them.
I knelt down, gently pushing the tiny branches aside
My eyes opened wide with surprise
A maze !! How lovely. And involving such intricate work too.
I picked up a stick and probed
A cry rang out
Ooh, I cringed, for I had hurt one of them.
And they were my friends.
I saw them coming
for me
My feet seemed rooted to the ground
I couldn't escape.
I saw them keep coming.
I saw them on me.
At first it tickled, then they began to bite.
I lost consciousness
And when I awoke, I was gone.
(c 1973)
Cathy Orrick Luders
7.24.2009
7.24.2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
All to His glory
All we do
He sees
All we say
He hears
All we feel
He understands
All we think
He knows
All we are
He created
So ... ?
All should not be in vain
To His glory
we to strive.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
He sees
All we say
He hears
All we feel
He understands
All we think
He knows
All we are
He created
So ... ?
All should not be in vain
To His glory
we to strive.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Friday, July 17, 2009
Needs - God will supply
Thoughts for the Day:
"... For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8)
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us ..." (Romans 8:26)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
We all have needs. Right off the top that which comes to mind are
the need for a job
the need for a place to live
the need for food
the need for people, companionship
Sometimes our needs become such an intense burden for us we forget about God and leave Him out of the picture all-together.
God created each of us. He knows us inside and outside. Therefore why wouldn't He also know our needs? Why would we think He didn't know?
When we move away from God we are settling for what we alone think! And that results in untruths or outright lies!
God knows we need a job, to earn an income to pay for endless necessary expenses.
God knows we need a place to live, a roof over our heads, warmth in winter, coolness in summer.
God knows we need food to eat, to refuel our bodies, to give us energy for each day.
God knows of our need for people, companionship.
To believe "I don't need a job," "I don't need a place to live," I don't need food to eat," I don't need people," because you in your own mind don't have those things, perhaps means you are not looking to God for the meeting of those needs.
Maybe we don't have specific preconceived needs met, but that doesn't mean the basic need doesn't exist.
When we talk with God regularly, listen and then follow through, He will show us ways for our needs to be met. When He is not front and center, in first place, within our hearts, we may never see the way out. We may become depressed. Depression is not a good place to be in, not even for a little while.
The Lord is my shepherd. ... my guide, my protector, my constant companion. With Him, I shall not want. ... my needs will be met as He sees them.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thy anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)
"... For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matthew 6:8)
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us ..." (Romans 8:26)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
We all have needs. Right off the top that which comes to mind are
the need for a job
the need for a place to live
the need for food
the need for people, companionship
Sometimes our needs become such an intense burden for us we forget about God and leave Him out of the picture all-together.
God created each of us. He knows us inside and outside. Therefore why wouldn't He also know our needs? Why would we think He didn't know?
When we move away from God we are settling for what we alone think! And that results in untruths or outright lies!
God knows we need a job, to earn an income to pay for endless necessary expenses.
God knows we need a place to live, a roof over our heads, warmth in winter, coolness in summer.
God knows we need food to eat, to refuel our bodies, to give us energy for each day.
God knows of our need for people, companionship.
To believe "I don't need a job," "I don't need a place to live," I don't need food to eat," I don't need people," because you in your own mind don't have those things, perhaps means you are not looking to God for the meeting of those needs.
Maybe we don't have specific preconceived needs met, but that doesn't mean the basic need doesn't exist.
When we talk with God regularly, listen and then follow through, He will show us ways for our needs to be met. When He is not front and center, in first place, within our hearts, we may never see the way out. We may become depressed. Depression is not a good place to be in, not even for a little while.
The Lord is my shepherd. ... my guide, my protector, my constant companion. With Him, I shall not want. ... my needs will be met as He sees them.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thy anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)
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