Jesus Is The Way

It is not the Christian religion we follow,
but Jesus Christ Himself.

It is not the way to God
but the way of God
that is our salvation.

It is called Grace
It is called Love
and it brings Hope.

Cathy Orrick Luders
7.28.2011

a new day will arise

"for now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." (I Corinthians 13:12)

a new day rises
the earth is freshened
with rains from above
the darkness of the preceding day
retains its hold
but God sees all.

To and fro
He goes as we go
and as our gaze
settles on Him
and Him alone
-- not darting or questioning or
taking too quick action --

another day will rise
tomorrow perhaps
or the next.
the darkness
will not keep us
secluded and fearful.

Our God
who sees
all
and knows
all
our comings and goings
will show us
what He knew
in the beginning.

We see oh so dimly now
as in a mirror
fogged over.

Another new day will rise
the darkness will fade
We will be in the Light
and it will be good.

Cathy Orrick Luders
7.22.2011

Faith IS the Victory

Faith is the Victory.

Our faith is what is tested when the waves of doubt and despair announce themselves at the open door of our heart and mind.

Do we live within the world and fall prey to how the world lives and conducts its business?

Success -- failure ... a fine line exists.

We all live in the world, but we who have been reborn - not recreated, but born anew from old ways to new ways, from without to within, from alive to sin to dead to sin and alive to Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, we are not of the world.

We take up residence in the world, just as Jesus did when he walked the streets of Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and elsewhere (Acts 1:8). But our residence is not permanent. We come, we stay awhile (to us it may seem a long or short time), and we go.

Life is not permanent. Do we "curse God and die" (Job 2:9) as the wife of Job said to him in the midst of pain and suffering when Job did not know why?

Struggles do come and stay awhile and go.

The timing is ALL in God's hands, not ours.

How we cope with the struggles and calamities that strike us from every side and angle tells, shows others where our faith is, where our strength to go on comes from.

When Job was beset with problems did he blame God? He did not understand the why of any of it. But he did not curse. Instead, he praised and worshiped the Almighty.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)

Satan can only destroy us if we allow him to.

Our covenant, our pact has been made with the Lord God above.

He sees everything. Nothing escapes Him. He sees all our ways. He sees our destruction, our disasters, false statements made to ourselves and another. He sees the steps we make backward and forward. He sees our integrity and our lack of it.

God knows everything and it is His purpose, His plan for us that is vital, NOT how much we know, not how our plan or purpose goes.

Faith is the Victory.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not faith in me.

What can "me" do?

We think we can do much, but it is only what God has enabled us to do that is real and comes to fruition.

Remember what God's servant Paul says in I Corinthians 15:58, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Faith IS the Victory. .... the assurance of things hoped for in great anticipation, but not seen.

We must persevere .... in Christ. 

What is Love? ... God

"If I do not have love, I gain nothing." (I Corinthians 13:3 NRSV)

Speech
becomes
meaningless,
obnoxious,
without thought,
noisy like a clanging bell.

Predictions
foretold
of a future time
Fortune tellers
they are -
past
and present -
for personal gain.

Feed
clothe
fund
the poor
the less advantaged.
Do it all

But,
without God,
without Love,
you and I gain nothing
we are of
no value.

Love Is God
It is
more than what may unfold between man and woman
more than friendship
more, much more.

Love Is
God's gift of His Son, The Christ, to mankind

Love Is
patient

... kind

Love
seeks after the truth

.... rejoices in the truth

Love
builds up another,

... encourages

Love Is

... Unselfish

... Unending

... Unfailing

... Undeserved

... and without thought of return.

Love Believes
Love Hopes
Love Endures

What is love?

God.

By Cathy Orrick  Luders
7.19.2011

Godlessness

 “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father – God,” the Jews said to Jesus in John 8:41.

  I. We are ALL born of fornication. You think not? From the beginning when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned, all generations following were cursed.

“So the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, you will be punished. You are singled out from all the domestic and wild animals of the whole earth to be cursed. You will grovel in the dust as long as you live, crawling along on your belly. From now on, you and the woman will be enemies, and your offspring and her offspring will be enemies. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.’  Then he said to the woman, ‘You will bear children with intense pain and suffering. And though your desire will be for your husband, he will be your master.’ And to Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit I told you not to eat, I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. All your life you will sweat to produce food, until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return.’ ”   (Genesis 3:14-19 New Living Translation)

You may be born of parents married to each other, but that fact alone does not make you sinless. Fornication goes beyond sexual immorality. It encompasses all godlessness, physical and spiritual.

“looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator (godless) or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:15-16)

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

 “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Galatians 5:16a – 17)

II. We do not ALL have one Father, that being God. For some, our father is the devil.  

“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”             (Galatians 5:24-25)

Recently, coming before the spotlight is a clinic (Bachmann & Associates, Minneapolis) owned by Marcus and Michelle Bachmann, who is campaigning for the presidency of the United States.  Reports show the clinic offers a service called “reparative therapy,” which apparently claims gay people can be cured of their homosexuality.

I do not believe any one person can lay claims to curing another. Homosexuality is a sin, not a disease like cancer. Only Jesus can transform a sinner. The goal is not homosexuality to heterosexuality, but homosexuality to the transforming faith of God.

God created us man and woman to unite, to become one (through marriage) in Him, not man and man nor woman and woman. Men and women who think and believe they are something other than what God has created and commanded are fooling themselves, living to themselves, following another.

If we profess to be a believer of Christ, we will give up old ways. For as a believer:
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We give up the old, we follow Christ; we have a new life. It is not easy. The path does not instantly become clear and stumble free. It takes work. Work through prayer, through studying His Word, through fellowship with other believers in Christ, through living and being obedient to Him and His commands.

When we are baptized, it is a representation of dying with Christ and being reborn to new life in Him.

If we are unwilling to give up the old, if we prefer to remain fornicators, godless, immoral people, then we will.

Believers in Christ can pray for you, show you the way to righteousness, but it is between you and God the way to go.

“We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”   (2 Corinthians 5:20)

But if you are not One with God, One with Jesus, One with the Holy Spirit, then you are most definitely one with Satan.

Jesus says to us:

 “If God were your Father, you would love Me.” (John 8:42a)

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

“He who is of God hears God’s words, therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:47)

 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:31-32)

All Scripture is taken from the New King James version of the Bible except Genesis  3: 14-19 which is taken from the New Living Translation. 

With or Without ... God?

Without God we are nothing
Without God we have no purpose
We simply exist,
go about, here and there,
aimlessly.

With God our lives take root
We have a reason
to be,
to do
to live.

Without God
love and obedience
is too much effort.

With God
we see His love for us
through His Son
who died for us.

Without God
our focus is on self.

With God
our focus -- heart, soul and mind
is on Him.

Without God
death is the end of life.

With God
death is only the beginning
-- the beginning of life eternal.

Cathy Orrick Luders
7.14.2011

Where are you ... Who have you joined forces with ... Has Jesus extended His hand toward you ... Have you heard His call ... Have you ignored His tug ...  Are you true only to yourself ...?    Don't wait too long. Act now. Be now. Live now.

"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore, you be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him." (Matthew 24:42, 44)

Jesus is our example

Why are there some people who think and thereby believe once they have accepted Christ they are above reproach?

They can do no wrong. They can accuse and judge. They can condemn another for their wrongdoing. They can proclaim, You Are Wrong.

And that makes Mr./Mrs./Miss High and Mighty right?

We are all one, assuming the "we" is those who have come to know Christ, have accepted Him as their personal Savior, have a walk of love and obedience with and to the Lord.

Love -- that means everybody, not just those you personally select.

Obedience -- total commitment to the Lord.  ... But do we always know all that entails?

Jesus gives us instructions, but because of our imperfections, our discernment is not always right on the mark.

Yet, perhaps you think it is. You know right from wrong. But it's not all about what or who is right and what or who is wrong.

It's about Him -- His relationship with you, your relationship with Him.

It is not your responsibility to remind a fellow Christian of their faults, their shortcomings, to continually point out to them what they cannot do, where they cannot go. We hinder God's work when we take things upon ourselves.

Jesus shows us how to live and be responsible. He is our example. If we do not follow him, but our own thoughts, we are not being ALL that God has called us to be.

Even as Christians we are not above getting off the path. We still have sin in our lives. The Lord Jesus knows us and wants to show us how to stay on His path and not wander off. But we do stray. ALL OF US.

We seek God's love, His forgiveness.

He gives. He is. Love. He does not condemn. He saves us from condemnation, for unrighteousness. We are reborn, renewed.

To do what?!

To be and do as Christ
To love as Christ
To suffer as Christ

If/when/since God has forgiven me, why do you still hold over my head my guilt? Should not you also, whom God has forgiven, forgive another?

We must show love
compassion
gentleness
patience
forgiveness
to each other, every one.
We must show Jesus.

Remember -- it is to Jesus we belong. It is not to ourselves we are to strive, but to Jesus. We are His children, His disciples.

We must walk in the Word. Our mission must be to Christ toward all, unbeliever AND believer.

"Do all things without murmuring and disputing, 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, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain." (Philippians 2:14-16 NKJV)

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:12-17)

Without Jesus there is no unity, no peace, no promise, no hope.

"With Him (God), all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

Let us live as believers.

The strong and the weak, together

Within the community of believers, no Christian should be made to feel useless and unusable. The strongest and the weakest belong together. ... the lion and the lamb. They are dependent upon each other.

When one is excluded because of personal agendas the Christian community is not being and doing all Jesus has commanded ... disobedient children.

Dying not to self but instead reaping rewards solely for our own benefit.

It is to be for the glory of God. But, where is His glory if it is not to Him we gaze?

Where are you headed?

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearer. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. Therefore be followers of God as dear children And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 4:29-32, 5:1-2)


We, who profess to be Christ's followers, must renounce our lives, our self-seeking desires and wants, and live the life Christ set out for us.

Who are we to pronounce judgment on another, believer and non-believer, determining in our hearts our way is the only way ...

How can we possibly think we know exactly what is right and true ...

How can we condemn another just because there is disagreement, disunity ...

When did Jesus say you have no sin, you may throw the first stone ...

"He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone ... first." (John 8:7)

When did Jesus make you a god ...

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Jesus is the light of the world and we as His believers are to follow Him, walk in His ways, obedient to the end.

You, Mr. Above Reproach and Mrs. Know It All should rethink who you are and who you follow. Where do your true loyalties lie ... Is Jesus your commander-in- chief or are you listening to another ...

"You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)

"If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)

"He who is of God hears God's words" (John 8:47)

To be fully obedient to the call of Christ is to follow His path that He sets us on wherever it leads, within the body of believers and within the world. The Christian life is to be lived within the world. We are to renounce secular worldviews for Christian thinking. We are to live our life, follow Christ's walk for us anywhere and everywhere. There is no perfect place, and even if there was, that is not where God would purpose us to be.

Following Christ is God's divine command for all.

Grace is God's gift I received when I accepted Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, when I accepted through faith that Jesus died for me, my soul, that He forgave me of my sins, because He loved me, loves me still. God gives me this gift. Who I am, what I am, what I do with this gift shows Him where my life is or isn't in His Son, Jesus. My answer should be one of following Christ at any and all costs.

I pledge allegiance to the lamb

On Wednesday night, June 29, my husband and I attended the 10th annual Voices of Hope concert at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids. The final song - "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb," brought many, myself included, among the hundreds in attendance to their feet... standing for Christ, our Savior. Do you too stand ... and will you stand still in the last day?

Video by Ray Boltz:

It is God's gift

It is God's gift of grace
that found us
and through the shed blood of
His Son,
gave us new life.

It is God's gift of grace
that brings us,
His followers,
into fellowship sweet,
a source of
incomparable joy and strength.

It is God's gift of grace
in the midst of sorrow
wherever we are
to gather
gaining nourishment
for the weariness
that seeks to overcome us.

It is God's gift of grace
that destroys
the tall gangling weed
or short stubby one
and replaces it with
roses and lilies.

It is God's gift of grace
His very love
that encircles us
renews us
enhances us
in the home
in a letter
in a phone call
in a prayer
in a Bible Study
in the workplace
in the food court
in fun and games
in community worship.

It is God's gift of grace
that reminds us
without Him
there is nothing,
we are nothing,
But
with Him
All things are possible.

It is Go's gift of grace
that binds us --
our compassion,
our kindness,
our humility,
our gentleness,
our patience,
our forbearance,
our forgiveness,
our love for the Lord --
together as One.

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.1.2011

Who in the world ...?

The world changed
when
Adam and Eve
no longer
followed God

when
Adam and Eve
listened
to the voice of a serpent

when
Adam and Eve
reasoned
God did not know All

when
Adam and Eve
sinned.

As the world changed
the people
followed
their own desires and interests

the people
listened
to their peers

the people
reasoned
they could find a way out of the chaos

the people's
choice
was to sin.

The world changes still
good and bad
ugly and sweet
poor and rich
life and death

Who owns the world

Who causes its problems

Who will destroy it

Who?!

Who are you
You, who live in the world
Are you of the world
Do you too follow
the voice
of error

Or have you
heard
the still small voice
of God
amid your pain
and sorrow

Have you turned away
from the world
and what it represents

Have you turned to
the One Way
the Only Way
to
redemption
salvation
completeness

Have you turned to
God
through His Son,
Jesus Christ?

Cathy Orrick Luders 

6.29.2011

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:16-19 NKJV)

Jesus is the door

“I am the door.”

Jesus is the door. He is The way. 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His live for the sheep.” (John 10:11 NKJV)

“I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers (-- false Messiahs, false teachers, false prophets -- ) but the sheep did not hear them.” (John 10:7-8)

“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.” (John 10:10)

 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

The good shepherd must lead all his sheep … so they will know the right way to go and be protected from danger and injury. All, yes all divisions of Christianity will come together, be united, as one -- converted Jew and Gentile alike, in one spiritual body -- the flock and The One True Shepherd, The Good Shepherd,  The Door leading in and out.

 “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

The voice of The Good Shepherd is and will continue to be that which unites. The word of God … He calls …. Do we hear? Do we obey? Do we follow?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says the unity of the church will consist not in organizations, not in dogmas, not in liturgies, not in pious hearts, but in the word of God, in the voice of Jesus Christ, the good shepherd of his sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14)

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”  (John 10:27-29)

“I and My Father are one” (John 10:30), Jesus tells the Jews.

“But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep.” (John 10:26)

“The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

“But you do not believe. …”

The Jews surround Him and say to Him, “How long do You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24)

Jesus tells them, He tells us, it is plain as day is from night. “I told you, and you do not believe.” (John 10:25)

Their ears, eyes, hearts, and ours as well, covered. Did not / do not hear or see or understand. Did not / do not remember God’s commandments. Did not / do not remember His blessings, His promises … future victories, future judgments. They reject; they live their life based on selfishness, personal bias. They go so far, and then stop. This is not true. They refute the Bible. They refute God’s word. They claim Jesus is guilty of blasphemy when it is THEM and US, the Jew and Gentile unbeliever, who fall prey to what is condemned of another.

 ^“Who has believed our message?
      To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
      like a root in dry ground.
   There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
      nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—
      a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
   We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
      He was despised, and we did not care.
 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
      it was our sorrows^[a] that weighed him down.
   And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
      a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion,
      crushed for our sins.
   He was beaten so we could be whole.
      He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
      We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
   Yet the Lord laid on him
      the sins of us all.
 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
      yet he never said a word.
   He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
      And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
      he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned,
      he was led away.^[b]
   No one cared that he died without descendants,
      that his life was cut short in midstream.^[c]
   But he was struck down
      for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong
      and had never deceived anyone.
   But he was buried like a criminal;
      he was put in a rich man’s grave.
 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
      and cause him grief.
   Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
      he will have many descendants.
   He will enjoy a long life,
      and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
      he will be satisfied.
   And because of his experience,
      my righteous servant will make it possible
   for many to be counted righteous,
      for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
      because he exposed himself to death.
   He was counted among the rebels.
      He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.” (Isaiah 53 NLT) 


Jesus is the door. We who are His sheep, His followers, have entered the way of His door, not any other, and have been given eternal life. We hear His voice. We listen with our whole being, soul and heart, to Our Master’s voice. We hear, we obey, we follow. We are One in the spirit with the Lord of Lords. We cannot  be snatched away from Him who is the good shepherd fore He protects us from the evil one. We know Jesus and His Father are one. We are believers

Room for Jesus

There was no room
No place
Not for His mother Mary
Nor His stepdad Joseph
Not for Himself
The Christ Child
Infant Holy

There was no room
No place
Foxes had holes
Birds had nests
But for the Son of Man
There was no place
to dwell and rest

He had the whole world
and has it still
For He, God Almighty
formed it from nothing
Our Creator is He

But there is no room
No place

The Call extended
to you and you and you
to become like Christ
There is no room
No place
No home on earth
to call his own

We, His followers
To Go Forth
to be His witnesses
to everyone
and everywhere --
within our community
our city or state
or another more distant
with cultures beyond our own

To Seek
the poor,
the sorrowful,
the weak,
the hungry,
the thirsty,
the lame,
the blind,
the disillusioned and misguided
to show all
the way
to Him, Our Eternal Savior.

There is no room
There is no place
Except within our hearts
It is our choice
to invite Him, The Holy Spirit
into our hearts
a place to abide
to dwell and rest
a place to call home
a place of life

There was no room
There was no place

But there can be ...

When you accept God's call
When you give your heart to Him

Won't you give Him room
a place
to be Lord of your life?

Cathy Orrick Luders
6.13.2011

"...and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7 NKJ)

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (Matthew 8:20)

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

God's blessings can be found in any situation

Blessings
come.
Sometimes
a situation
develops
and we don't see
the good
in it
Only the bad
But God's blessings
can be found
in whatever situation.
Good
Bad
Ugly

When our being
is kept eyed on
The Holy One
When our questions
start with
How Lord
rather than
Oh what will "I" do
He helps us,
guides us,
shows us
the way past
the chaos.

Oh what a blessing
indeed
to call upon
The Lord
to bear
under the load
of a given day
with His strength
His power
His love.

Keep us always mindful
Lord
of You
and Your majestic greatness
Remind us
daily
to stay focused
on You
Not
to falter and fall away
Never
to neglect
our loving obedience
to you,
Our Lord and Savior.

Cathy Orrick Luders
6.10.2011

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power." (Ephesians 6:10 NKJ)

"Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." (Romans 12:11-12 NRSV)

We are chosen ... to be His

"Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son." - Ephesians 1:4-6 NLT

Chosen
chosen before time
by the Lord God above
chosen to be
a child of the King
you and me
and him and her
adopted into His Kingdom
through the
shed blood of His Son
Jesus!
Chosen
and settled for eternity
adopted into His family.

His family --
may
or may not
be
your spouse
your children
your brother or sister
your cousin
your nephew or niece
your uncle or aunt.
His family --
all ... everyone
who professes
the Lord Jesus
as their Savior
who is
obedient
to the call extended
and follows
and still obedient,
abiding in Him,
He abiding in us.

Chosen
selected personally
by the Lord God
to be a vessel
of His love
first choice
second choice
There are no favorites
in God's Kingdom
There is, however,
the best choice
for this time
this moment
The present.

Chosen
to serve
the Lord God Almighty
to serve with gladness
of heart
remembering
it was His Choice
to send His Son
His Choice
to die to you
His choice.

Why should your choice
and mine be any less?

Cathy Orrick Luders
6.8.2011 

Peony blooming

Our James Pillow peony is now in bloom ...as of June 7, with temperatures in the 90s, there are at least 60 buds and 24 blooms

Is God's army ready for battle?

“Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones; and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 24:5-6)

“Do not envy the wicked, nor desire to be with them; for their minds desire violence, and their lips talk of mischief. Whoever plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker. The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to all.” (Proverbs 24:1, 8-9)

“If you faint in the day of adversity (trouble), your strength being small; does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?” (Proverbs 24:10, 12)

God sees all, knows all. It is in His strength, His power, His wisdom that we are enabled to overcome evil. Wisdom and knowledge will take us farther than any strength we alone possess. Wisdom, His wisdom, guides us. In wisdom we can discern right from wrong. We can defeat the enemy.

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.” (Romans 13:14)

“God did not give us a spirit of cowardice; but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.  Do not be ashamed … join (with me) in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace. (2 Timothy 1:7-9)

“Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; share in suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer.” (2 Timothy 2:1, 3-4)

“If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

If we endure, we will also reign with him;

 If we deny him, he will also deny us; 

If we are faithless, he (STILL, YET) remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

“Remind them, … warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good  … do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.  Avoid profane chatter. … God’s firm foundation stands – The Lord knows those who are his. Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness. (2 Timothy 2:14-16, 19)

We can be ordinary or we can be special. We can continue in former ways and neglect, reject God’s call on our hearts or we can reject the world’s tug and pursue God’s righteousness, faith, love and peace.

“Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. ” (2 Timothy 2:22-24)

“You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived.  All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient; equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-13, 16)

Beware of those who oppose but don’t give in to them.

“Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching, for the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, … they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

God’s battle … and ours, for He abides in us who abide in Him. .. We put on the Lord Jesus, His armor, to do battle in the world.

“Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.” 

(Romans 12:11-12 NLT)

“The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness … Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:12-14 NLT)

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Put on the whole armor of God … Take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand, to resist the evilness, and thereby, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13)

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:14-18 NLT)

And may God grant you peace.

(All Scripture taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible except where noted.) 

To live as the Lord directs

To live, really live, as the Lord directs, not as the world suggests and even it seems commands, means
to give up our lives, our thoughts, our desires and dreams, our positions. To renounce all we have, all we hope to have, all we plan, all we do, and lay it at the feet of Jesus, at the foot of the cross, in His hands.

To live, really live, as the Lord directs, means first we must be obedient. Obedient to His call -- "Come."

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."
(Isaiah 43:1 NRSV, New Revised Standard version)

It is in our obedience to the Lord that our faith grows ... But easy it is not. God tells us, "My grace is sufficient for you." (II Corinthians 12:9) My grace, My love. God's grace is God's love. His love is nothing like that between husband and wife. But more, much more.

He is with us ... Always, forever.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3)

We are precious to Him. He created us. We are His children. Precious ... and honored ... and loved. God yearns for His spirit to live within us. He wants more than anything for us to "know" and take hold of
His love.

His instructions, His teachings, His commandments are written in His Word for the benefit of His children.


"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8)


"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:10)

His children. He created all.


"whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." (Isaiah 43:7)

From all nations, all nationalities, every religion, known and unknown.

"Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!
Let all the nations gather together, and let the people assemble ... Before me no god was formed, 
nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord."  (Isaiah 43:8-11)

To live, really live, as the Lord directs, we would be content with God's truth, God's love, God's commandments, God's promises. Truth is God and God is love. Truth without love is a falsehood, a lie. All perceptions, all knowledge, all so-called truth is meaningless, worthless, useless, if there is not love.

"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a  clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

He tells us His grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness. All of His children are weak, the world over, we have no power, unless we are united with The One, The Only One, The True One, The Holy One, The Eternal One. If we would only look upward and grasp hold of Christ's hand extended to us ...

Related post: Stay focused on Jesus, 11.21.2009

Only in Christ are we anything

God is the Truth
We crucified Christ
We crucified the Truth
We set up our own truth
We determined our way
was the right way, the best way
We knew what could
make another happy
We had only to persist
in making them see the light
We are messengers of His Light
yet we fight against it
and follow our own way.

Jesus was humble
a servant among us
yet we
do not follow the way
of His humbled heart
but become
full of pride
and domineering
toward another.

We develop an attitude
of being better
using position in life
to usurp another.
We should not so reason
for fellowship can be destroyed.

No one is greater
It is our faith
in the Lord Jesus
that brings us together,
unites us.
Not our experiences
Not our prestige
Not anything
other than what we are,
what we have
through Christ, our Savior.

Single-Minded Obedience: So simplistic yet so hard

To obey
To be obedient
To rely totally
always
only
on Christ
on His Word

Not on self
Not on peers
Not on feelings
Not on governments
peeling promises
resulting in half truths
and lies

But to cling
to all that the Lord is
to all the security He offers
no matter what the world
suggests

To remember
the dream
He gave you

To listen
to His still small voice
heard
during the nights you cannot sleep
or during an exam you struggle to comprehend
or even with another with whom personalities clash
Don't let barriers prevent you
from hearing
with your ears, your eyes, your heart

Jesus hears
He listens
He answers

Do you pour out your heart to Him
who does hear your agony and
frustration?

Do you wait for His reply?

Are you obedient in your response
when His answer
requires
a step of faith?

Cathy Orrick Luders 

5.27.2011 

The path to joy is found in JESUS!

We rejoice.
By God's mercy
through His Son
We are blessed
with a new birth
a living hope --
The resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead.

Our inheritance
not of gold or silver
but of that which
will not perish,
undefiled, unfaded,
kept secure in heaven
for you and me.

We rejoice.
Our obedience to God's call
brings us to salvation
- the new birth -
our souls have been cleansed,
and to faith.
It is our genuine faith
in the Lord Jesus
that fuels our obedience.

We rejoice
when we've come through
the fiery trials
that bewilder us
and bring much turmoil.

We rejoice
bestowing praise and honor and glory
upon the Lord Jesus

Him
whom we have not seen
yet love
Him
whom we believe in
and have
glorious JOY
(paraphrased from I Peter: 1:3-9)

Where is the path to joy?
Jesus is our joy!

Henry van Dyke penned the words to "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." Music was written by Ludwig van Beethoven.

verse 1:
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above,
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.

verse 2:
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain,Call us to rejoice in Thee.

verse 3:
Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother -- All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine.

verse 4:
Mortals, join the happy chorus With the morning starts began;
Father love is reigning o'er us. Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life.

The call

The call
extended
The answer
given
Obediently
I go
from a life
past lived
to one anew
Learning,
growing,
fellowship
sweet
Faith blossoms
with Him
as my Lord
and me
as His child

Pretty Things At Our House

A Beacon of Light

Today's devotional led me to Psalm 119:10-16, particularly verse 13. I was reading in the New King James version when I decided to see how it read in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Bible (New Living Translation).  Those verses are here:
10 "I  have tried my best to find you -- don't let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your principles. 13 I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us. 14 I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches. 15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. 16 I will delight in your principles and not forget your word." 


What lies within our heart will come out of our mouth. If it be God's word we profess to carry, then the Lord must have command of our whole heart, not just a teeny portion we feel obliged to share.

The very next page in my Chicken Soup for the Soul Bible was a story titled "A Beacon of Light." It was about a woman who had been considering suicide yet found her way to a church, whose tower was a brilliant beacon of light.

Suicide. It seems it is running rampant these days. Young people falling into despair and not knowing where to turn, who to turn to, how to turn around. What have they missed ... do they not know they are loved? Has the sadness within themselves brought such a lostness and forlornness ... does no one see it? Does no one reach out.

A beacon of light ... God's light ... is there shining, reaching out to you.  All around you. Look up to the Father, talk to the Lord Jesus who understands your pain. He died for you. Grab hold of His hand that offers you a new life. A ray of hope. 

Being a Christian; a follower of Christ

Christ is not the bringer of a new religion, but the bringer of God. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Christ came
God sent Him
The gift
Our gift
of Christ
and eternal salvation
is God's love
God's grace
culminated at the cross.

We accept
His death
His burial
His resurrection
His Spirit
alive in us.

We follow
His Way
We read and study
His Holy Word
We obey
His Truths
We remember
His Promises
We seek
His Will
We are known
as Christians
for we are
followers of Christ.

But being a Christian
Is not just a word
to be added to a resume
or hung on a wall
Is not a denomination
Is not our own interpretation
of the Scriptures
Is not a denial of what God says
Is not listening to and believing
what people of the world profess
as truth, as real
Is not preaching falsehoods
Is not a license to kill, or be hateful
Is not living for your own selfish motives

Being a Christian
is about Jesus
and our walk,
our journey through life
with Him
as our guide
and teacher
and mentor
and friend
and judge.

Being a Christian
means
we follow Christ,
The Lord Almighty.

We share
His Love
for us
with every other.

"And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."  (Acts 11:26)

"If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God." (1 Peter 4:16)

God's will or yours?

"And lo, I am with you always." - Matthew 28:20

God's will ... different? 

Can it be

Is it true 

What we believe to be God's will one day

may not be another day.

How can we 

follow the path 

we believe God has laid out for us 

if it may change at a moment's notice 

Have you stopped to consider ...

We can follow the Lord, yes, 

but we each can make changes, 

detours along the way

that may prove to be 

vastly different from God's plan.

Have we asked God 

about the detour we ponder taking

or have we made our own decision 

Is it right or or is it wrong --

to seek God's will 

perhaps find it

but ignore it

to discredit it 

to say no, God's doesn't know. 

I know. 

God's will ... different? 

Perhaps it is our will 

that is different

out of step

not in tune with His

If we are really His believers, 

His followers, 

living under His truth,

in obedience to Him,

our will would be His will.

We would look anew 

every day 

at what He 

has to say 

to us.

We would continually 

ask of Him ...

Lord, is this the way?

Lord, what will you have for me today? 

Lord, show me how to get out of this pity party.

Lord, where do you want me to go today?

Lord, who do you want me to be a blessing to today?

Lord, is this the job you want me to continue?

Lord, what is your desire for me this day?

"Low, I am with your always"

Jesus tells us 

Where are we

Are we with Him?

Have we forgotten 

what He has taught us

Do we follow and listen 

only to the sounds 

of our steps 

within our heart and mind, 

within our personal observations

and experiences 

Or, 

can we truthfully say 

we seek God's will 

and rejoice when we do find

Cathy Orrick Luders

5.14.2011

The Lord reigns over fear

Fear overwhelms us
Takes control
Drags us along the crooked and perverse
passages
over rocks
pebbles
we stumble upon
missing,
and falling
deep
withdrawing
into cocoons

the unknown
scares us

We want to know
what will be tomorrow
today
yet we do not

God knows
All
In knowing
for ourselves
all He knows
wouldn't greater fear
protrude its
ugly head?

Is it not safer
Are we not more secure
alas, even more confident
if / when
fear envelopes us
we look upward
to Him

Him
The Lord Jesus Christ

The Lord of all
of life
of death
of fear
of courage
of strength
of love

Look upward!
and pray
share your concerns, your worry, your fears
with The One
who does understand
Seek the meaning of His Word for you
Believe in His promises
of hope and a better tomorrow
Believe in Him
In His Love for you.
He has conquered fear
and death
He is The Overcomer

Fear does not belong
here
For if / since
we are one
with Him
through Faith
we have His peace

His peace
His love

Peace.
Whatever comes
God knows all
and we are surrounded
by His presence,
His love
and that is enough.

We face an unknown
our fear escalates
But the fear within us
will dissipate, yield and fade
Freedom  reigns
through faith
in the strong and living Savior
The Lord Jesus Christ.
(See Matthew 8:23-27)

Cathy Orrick Luders
5.7.2011

 

The form of Christ

To be formed, shaped
The form of Christ
is the way to be
His form works on us
so His form becomes our form
We live and strive
to be as He is
in the world
in all of time.

We are not to be like
David or Moses or Paul
or Esther or Ruth
They were who they were
and we each
are us,
individuals.

We cannot be another
The path we take
may be similar to another
but not completely
It is ours
and it is our faith
in the Lord Jesus
who guides us
who shapes us
Our form is His form
in us.

Are we human ... as Christ?

Jesus Christ
The Incarnate One
God became human
because of His love for creation

Jesus Christ
The Crucified One
God pronounces final judgment
on His fallen creation

Jesus Christ
The Resurrected One
God puts an end to death
A new creation, a new life is born.

To be real
To be new
To take the form of Christ
as
human

What is real
What is new
How is the form of Christ
different

In Ephesians 4:17-32,
we see a new creation
in righteousness
and holiness,
according to God

To give up former ways, old ways
of conduct that lead us away from God,
away from The Truth,
to self-seeking / selfish behavior,
to evilness.

Away from foolish talking and coarse jesting,
bitterness, wrath, loud quarreling,
excessive and continued anger

To take the form of Christ
as
human

To be kind
tender
forgiving
loving

Once in darkness
now light in the Lord
We are to walk as children of light.
(See Ephesians 5:8)

The form of Christ
The one who came
to save
The Incarnate One
The Crucified One
The Resurrected One

In Galatians 5:16,
we are reminded to
"walk in the Spirit"
and we won't be overcome
with the lust of the flesh.

The form of Christ
as
human

to bury (all) our desires of the flesh

The form of Christ
as
human
We to live
is and in
as He

love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control
(See Galatians 5:22-23)

Not conceited,
not provoking another
not envying
not deception

The form of Christ
as
human

Is real
new
and alive

Are we human
as Christ?
Is His example the one
we follow?
Are you
a child of the Light?

The Light returns

"Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength." (Judges 5:31 NKJV)

A new day
dawning
The Lord's Day,
every day

In days long past
night expectantly waits
for the coming
of Light

He is here!
Morning comes
bringing joy
gladness of heart

The baby Jesus is born
a light
in the
surrounding darkness

The Light - Jesus.
The message
proclaimed. He
dominates
the darkness,
overcoming the evil
that threatens us,
that seeks to destroy us.

Satan
and all of his followers
have not won,
darkness does not rule
Appearances can be deceiving.

The Light - Jesus
dominates
overcomes
He is The Victor

His life
given
for yours
for mine

Fulfillment.
Completeness.
Morning comes again
The sun shines
The Son has risen
bringing renewed joy
hope
love

The Lord has risen!
He has risen indeed.

Cathy Orrick Luders

4.30.2011

Are you a doubter?

The doubter
questions
wants clear answers
wants to be sure
not gullible,
not deceived
not drawn into
a fellowship filled with enthusiasm
for the wrong reason

Thomas,
one of Jesus' disciples,
a doubter.
We too
pass through, suffer from
this dilemma

Thomas responds,
"Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails
and put my finger into the print of the nails,
and put my hand into His side,
I will not believe." (John 20:25)

Woe to him
to others too
to us
to not believe
simply because we have not seen,
have not witnessed

Where is your faith!?
For Jesus has said
even faith as small as a mustard seed
can move mountains. (see Matthew 17:20)

IF
to believe
we must see
with our very own eyes
and hear
with our very own ears

There is much of life
to be missed
that has already been missed

The doubting can believe
Thomas did
but only because he saw
what he needed to see
to believe.

Jesus says to us all,
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29a)

That One ... JESUS!

You who do not believe
who proclaim there is no God,
that JESUS is NOT His Son,
that He is mere human
and nothing more

THAT ONE
died for You
and You and You

For Your Sins
He hung on the cross

For Your Sins
He had nails pounded into flesh

For Your Sins. ... And mine.

THAT ONE
who you refuse and reject.
who You buried and laughed at
and said, "no more."

THAT ONE
His Father God
resurrected
And lives among us still.

Yet You continue the path
you've chosen.
JESUS conquered death.

But You
You who do not believe
who proclaim there is no God
that JESUS is NOT His Son,
that He is mere human
and nothing more

You have achieved nothing.
Your path leads
to death and destruction
and judgment.