Jesus is God’s gift to the world!

I had not planned to talk about the Holiday Christmas but in prayer this morning my mind was changed. It is said that “Jesus is the reason for the season” however I say He is the reason for all seasons!  During this time of year many attempt to display a spirit of Christmas, I presume this means giving. However, in truth I had never had any measure of goodwill within me until the Spirit of God dwelled within. Until the moment I accepted Jesus as my Savior all my giving was based upon my own discretion's motivated by my selfishness. All my giving was in some manner about me. Yet, now because of the gift of God the only gift I have to give of any value is that which I have freely received, Christ Jesus.

According to the Word of God Jesus is God’s gift to the world. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  God declared in His wisdom to give the world a Savior and a way to be reconciled unto Himself.  A very important issue here is that Jesus is Savior and He is the gift God gave to the world, however, until one believes and receives Him this gift it is of no value to them. Although, I had seen the words of the scripture written above on signs in the end zone while watching football games and Jesus loves you signs posted along the freeway, it had no affect on me at all until I believed and received Him.

That time did not come through attending a church, attending a revival or reading something that enlightened me. Jesus came to me in the form of one of His believers at a time when I was lost, desperate and hopeless. The messenger was my brother and he told me that I needed to be saved. He did not tell me about the birth of Jesus (that I knew) but that Jesus died for my sins and wrongdoings, and that He rose from the dead and because Jesus is alive I too could live in Him. In truth, although I didn’t know what that meant, I knew it was true. I now know that God’s Spirit was drawing me. My brother told me that I was in darkness and that God sent Jesus to save me. I believed that God did indeed love me and wanted to help me. He led me in a simple prayer, where I confessed to God that I was indeed sorry for my sins and I needed Him to save me and I confessed Jesus as my Savior and Lord and I believed in my heart what I had been told. Oh, what a glorious day! At that point I repented, which is turn from the direction I was going and turn to God. In that moment He delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. I knew I was forgiven. To this very moment the memory brings tears to my eyes, for from that day to this He has never left me or forsaken me, and I still believe and now know I live because He lives! I walk in newness of life.

His Word says greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive with Christ, by grace you have been saved.

Beloved, we have no other gift of value to give other than that of our testimony of Jesus Christ and the power of His love toward us who believe. I encourage you today, to give what has been freely given to you and I pray that we share the gospel of Jesus Christ boldly in the spirit of meekness with those all around us striving to have a sense of peace on earth and goodwill toward men without the Prince of Peace and the gift of God given as Savior to the world, Jesus Christ.

Be Encouraged of the Lord, all ye His Saints!

There is rarely a day that passes that I don’t think about what I can say through this blog that would encourage God’s people to heed His Word. I have started literally dozens of articles only to realize that even though that which I’m writing is true the spirit in which it is written must be of God. It is not my spirit that reaches and draws the hearts of men and women. It is the Spirit of our God and Father. He alone touches those places within us where no man can reach. He alone heals our hearts and restores our souls. He gives us life and peace. He strengths us within and gives us grace and mercy as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. He gives us the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to know Him.  And He does all this by the Word of His power.

I desire so much for you all to know the true riches of God. There are so many of our brethren and sisters that walk in defeat and despair which is walk in the flesh and not in the Spirit. There are too many that are still carnal and unable to receive solid food (teachings). For regardless of the length of time in Christ many are still babes. Some would immediately argue about the economy and the condition of our country as to why they walk in despair. However, when I search the scriptures I find that these natural things that we must endure were and are common to man. Our Lord Jesus did not come to give us natural riches and ease of life. He came to give us the riches of His kingdom and life eternal. Which as I learn from Him, will include conflicts within the family and loved ones because of Him, being hated by all for His name sake and if loving anyone more than Him being not worthy of Him to name a few circumstances that we must endure to attain His kingdom.

I like most people would prefer to walk through life with everything I could possibly need and want. However, I have discovered not by choice that it is in the most difficult times of my life that I learn of the true faithfulness of God. At my lowest times when I was desperate, regardless of my need, it is His peace,  His understanding or His comfort that helped me. It has been in those times that God has displayed His power and goodness. I have also learned that God has never withheld the life of His Spirit from me. However, it was in those most difficult times that I drew near to Him. I sought Him with my whole heart. It is out of the brokenness of my heart that I have sought the Lord with fervor and commitment. And He our faithful and mighty God upheld His Words: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” and “The sacrifices of the God are a broken spirit,  A broken and contrite heart, These, O God, You will not despise”.

Therefore, today I encourage you all to know that God is for us! Our difficult natural circumstances are opportunities for us to draw near to God and learn of Him through His Word which is the power of His might. He will not fail us. However, we must be open to His will and learn that His ways are not ours and the answers to our prayers and request may not be what we determined or our desired response. Yet if we will trust Him and lean on Him, He will make our paths straight. Our Lord Jesus ever lives to make intercession for His saints. His Word also commands that we seek Him with our whole hearts and search for Him as hidden treasure, and then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. He is all we need and He has made every provision for us. We must grow up and understand exactly what He has promised us and then walk in the true riches of God with faith, humbleness of heart and conviction. 

May God bless you this day and stir your heart to seek Him!

The Bride of Christ

 Look at me, I’m getting married! My prince loves me. He has given me priceless gifts, riches, honor, power and prestige. I posses His name and I can have all things and all are subject unto me

WHAT ABOUT THAT SPOT?

 I’ll be His queen, that’s why He has adorned me with such things, look at my ring

WHAT ABOUT THAT WRINKLE?

 I’ll be joined with my King and I have no time to think of such things

WHAT ABOUT THAT BLEMISH?

 Why would you bring up such things? Can’t you see, I’m to be married, He’s waiting for me…………

I found this writing written by me in 1999 only to be disheartened that the Body of Christ in many aspects remains the same. Only now it's 2011! Many continue to speak mere words yet fail to display the power of His Words. The bride of Christ will be without spot or wrinkle. She will walk in the authority of her King and posses the keys to His kingdom, which is His Righteousness, His Peace and His Joy.

I am not interested in playing the role of the bride. I am only interested in being the bride of my Lord, Jesus Christ. The day is dawning and the time is at hand to wash our garments in the blood of the lamb. The Lord will not always strive with man. Hear ye, the Word of the Lord. His Words are in Red! 

His Word that says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Then he said, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage upper of the Lamb!"

Are you ready?

Apostles!???

I have been struggling with the functioning or lack thereof that I see in the Body of Christ and crying out to God about our condition. I thought I’d share my thoughts with you so that you also would pray as well and find truth. It is overwhelming to me to observe the manner of church structure today because as I search the Word of God I fail to see where it comes from. We have allowed man to create an order that God has not said. And we submit ourselves to that which God has not said. How can we prosper?

Let’s start with what I deem to be the bottom but most regard the top, Apostles. I say bottom because apostles lay the foundation. (Not a new foundation but what has already been laid) My husband is in construction and makes it clear that no building can be built with the foundation on top. So let’s talk about those that call themselves apostles. I don’t actually know all the specific requirements that one is qualified to be an apostle. I do know without question that it is not a position that man can appoint himself to, or it be given by another man. This and all appointments within the body come from God.  (We will talk later about the purpose of appointments) However, let’s just look at what the Word says about apostles. His Word says, “For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To this present hour we both hunger and thirst. We are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. We labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we encourage. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now." Please understand all these conditions they endured are because of Christ!

Okay, what man do you know today called an apostle that is poorly clothed, homeless, weak, dishonored, etc? Now I don’t really expect them to be homeless. But I also don’t expect that they teach that they should have the best homes, clothes, cars, etc. Also it says they worked with their own hands! What? Seldom do we see any of the “5 fold ministers actually work”! Oh, I hear you, “a laborer is worthy of his hire”. Yes they are. But proportionately with their calling and the people God has called them to minister to. Paul said, he worked so that we would know how too. And with all the ministering Paul did he still built tents.

Beloved it breaks my heart to see a poor gathering of the body, a church, where the sheep are in need, much need and yet the leader has enough gold around his neck to pay someone’s rent. I know, some of you are thinking I’ve gone too far. You give your tithes and offering to God. And you should. But in the Word it says that the people brought what they had and laid it at the feet of the apostles and no one had need! Because the apostles of God distributed to each as they had need. If these men today are indeed apostles why are the people of God in as much need as the people of the world? Is God’s hand short? Are His eyes dim? No! I have to ask are these “apostles” called of God, and what heart is within them that they don’t care for God’s people above themselves. Truly not the heart of God our Father and Lord.

The Word says that apostles are persecuted, reviled and defamed. Why? Because they were boldly proclaiming the Word of God without compromise with demonstration of God’s power, not for their own profit and glory. All glory was for God alone. They refuse to allow any earthly pleasure to entangle their hearts therefore they hungered and thirst and wandered as sojourners on the earth preaching Jesus Christ as Lord. They stayed where-ever was fitting and gave their peace to that house. They did not fly in private jets and stay in five-star hotels and demand a certain amount of money to bring the Word. Freely they received and therefore freely they gave. They were known by the word of their testimony and not loving their lives to the death. They were honored not because they demanded it but because their lives were ones that we strive to imitate even today. These were apostles!  Who are these men claiming to be apostles today?

Who am I to judge? I am a Christian! And we will judge angels His Word tells us. We have been commanded by the Word of God to test the spirits to see if they are of God. I love Peter, yet I know him only by the words that he spoke, the works that he did and the testimony that he lived. We have been told by His Word to know a tree by its fruit. When I see the fruit of a true apostle and I have,  I am and surely will be quick to hear, slow to speak and give honor where honor is due.

In His Word do we meditate day and night!

In all my years as a Christian I have never spoken on nor heard a teaching on the value and benefits of meditation. I believe this is a grave disservice to the church. For His Word tells us that “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” First let me point out that He says meditate “in” it not on it. His Word instructs here that we meditate within the Word, just as we know He commands that His Word dwells within us.  

This command tells us that in meditating in His Word there will be consequences. If we meditate within it day and night we may observe to do what is written and be prosperous and have good success. Therefore it is clear that if we do not meditate in His Word we will not observe to do what is written and we will not prosper nor have good success. The reasons to know about meditation should be abundantly obvious. The Lord requires it of us and it is part of His plan for our success.

So, what is meditation?  Seldom will you hear me compare the people of the world with the people of God because there should be a stark contrast between the two. However, in this instance I believe the world has a better understanding and practice on meditation. They use meditation for various reasons. And yet, because of their disassociation with God their meditation is without the full profit, yet does provide some benefit to them. Meditation is the act of uttering, considering, contemplating, reflecting, pondering, and imagining. I believe successful meditation would require us to control or influence our souls (our mind, will and emotions) for a period of time for the purpose of concentrating on the Word of God.

The psalmist said I remember God when I lay on my bed and I will meditate on Him in the night watches. That means that when we lie on our beds instead of allowing our minds to ponder and rehearse the day’s activities or consider plans for tomorrow, we think of and consider the things of God. Perhaps we mutter or ponder His goodness toward us for this day. I find it important especially initial to not only think or ponder with the mind but to mutter with the mouth, because the mind hears the words spoken and responds in consideration as oppose to only thinking and trying to still the soul.  The Word says I will mediate on His Works and talk of His doings. It takes practice to keep our minds stayed on Him even for a brief time. However, if we practice, meditation gets easier and the benefits greater.

I could recite numerous health articles that would tout the benefits of meditation in the natural that include stress reduction, restful sleep, heart health, weight loss, decrease muscle tensions, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, increase breathing and lung capacity, prevents and controls chronic disease, more optimism, etc. Do you think for one moment that the Lord God who created ALL did not provide with full knowledge all these natural benefits when He commanded that we meditate on Him?  Yet, the spiritual benefits are greater in that when we meditate on Him we are being obedient to His Word, and we will have an increased understanding and knowledge of His Word. He will give peace to those whose mind is stayed on Him. His Word says, I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Yet, through meditation He has given us a vehicle to search.

Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words to eternal life!

Today as always my prayers are for the body of Christ. And in doing so I wanted to discuss in His Word where Jesus told all that were near that He was the bread of life that came down from heaven. He went on to say that unless we eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, we will have no life in us. At the hearing of this saying many including some disciples turned and no longer followed Him. His disciples said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” Jesus asked the twelve, do you also want to go away? And Peter answered with the most poignant statement, he said, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the Words to eternal life!

Beloved, I have seen so many believers turn away from the Lord for so many reasons. Often times it is because the Words that God has spoken are hard in their hearing. In the example above, I believe, the statement was hard to them because they truly did not understand. The same is true for some believers today. Many fail to understand that what God has spoken is for the benefit of all of us in every facet of our lives. Sometimes we don’t understand, especially initially, and then as we continue on in obedience we come to appreciate the value and power of His Word. (Because we benefit) However, honestly in some things I believe we will never completely understand because it has not been given to us to know all things. What we must comprehend is that His Word blesses us spiritually, physically and mentally. Every Word that God has spoken is perfect.  Regardless of our understanding we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding. And remember that His Word is spirit and it is life.

In our hearing we can believe and perceive His Word as hard because of the desires and lusts of our own hearts. However, God is not hard. Our hearts can be hard and our wills unyielding. However, today I want to remind you of what is indeed hard. Life is hard. And life without hope is hard. This life without the ability to pray and have confidence that God hears us is hard. Never knowing who God is, or what His will is is difficult. Not knowing whom or what to trust and rely in is extremely hard. Having a broken heart without the expectation of comfort is hard. And death without the promise of eternal life is a hardness I pray we never experience.

Everyday we as His people must focus our hearts and minds on what is true. His Word is true. And God is not a man that He should lie. We must come to understand that we all fall short of the glory of God, we will not understand all things, and life on this earth is hard. But we must equally understand that God is for us, so much so that He gave His life that we might have life. We are not alone, He said He would not leave us as orphans and gave us His Holy Spirit. He also said, we shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him and endure. And lastly He said, Lo I am with you always, even until the end of the world.

In light of His Word, the next time you think, "that's hard" you like me, must cry out within your heart, saying Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the Words to eternal life!

We must endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ!

This blog is written to encourage the church of God who is working out their salvation with fear and trembling yet at times grows weary in well doing. Therefore I want to talk to you about enduring hardship or hardness (another translation). Let’s examine what hardship is for the believer.  Simply put hardship is troubles or evils. For the believer these troubles or evils are due to our beliefs and righteous standings for Christ sake. Let me be absolutely clear, I am not talking about the troubles as a result of sin or foolishness. I am talking about holding fast to the truth of God’s Word in the midst of incredible odds or circumstances against us.  Here are some examples of hardness that we must endure:

·       Losing friends and being misunderstood by loved ones because we are committed to living a Godly life and His righteousness has caused division.

·       Being persecuted or scorned because we believe in and walk according to His Word. We strive to live holy and keep ourselves unspotted from the world regardless of what is popular (which is ever changing).

·       Facing verbal assault, whispers and backbiting when we speak the truth of God’s Word without compromise.

·     Being ridiculed because we refuse to participate in the filth of the world through fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, thief, drunkenness, revelries, etc.

·       Being demeaned within our own faith because we are too zealous for the things of God and/or take things too extreme or literal (in their words).

The beauty and difficulty of enduring is that it is a process. We seldom if ever must endure for just a moment. The hardships we endure are real and cause true angst. They can cause sleeplessness, stress, turmoil, heartache, tears and fears. The physical and sometimes mental responses we have to hardships are part of our humanity; they are not a lack of faith. All of us no matter how mature or spiritual must refocus our hearts and minds on His Word when enduring hardship! We must always remind ourselves that Jesus endured all that we do and endured the death of the cross and yet was sinless. Also, He says if you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Knowing also that He says if we endure with Him, we shall also reign with Him.  Hallelujah! The beauty of enduring hardships is in the learning of the faithfulness of God. How will we ever truly know the promises of God if we don’t endure until we attain? How will we experience the fullness of His will without enduring through the discomfort of our flesh? There is a purpose for our enduring. Endurance produces character; it produces the character of God. Our endurance is a necessary ingredient in our maturity. For he that endures until the end shall be saved.

In speaking of hardships, my beloved I could spend days rehearsing the faithfulness of God toward me as I held unto His Word. And since we all know that God is no respecter of persons He will do the same for all that uphold His Word. I have learned He comforts the brokenhearted, He upholds the righteous, He gives mercy to the merciful and the pure in heart shall see God (He will reveal Himself) He will show us His salvation!

Be encouraged beloved for He that has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ!

  

A little leaven, leavens the whole lump!

One of the subject matters dearest to my heart regarding the Word of God and His church is that of sound doctrine.  Sound doctrine is; Christians whose teachings, instructions and precepts are free from mixture and error. I have personally been affected and afflicted because of false doctrines and am eye witness to their destruction and delusion of countless believers. False doctrines are any teachings, instructions and precepts that are mixed with philosophies and commandments of men, doctrines of demons, lies and errors.

Unfortunately most believers readily accept any teachings or preaching spoken under the category or label of “Christian” from almost any vehicle. And I would not have you ignorant my brethren. Doctrines/teachings seem to be simple and harmless to the unlearned but upon examination by the Word of God we must comprehend that the teachings we are exposed to and embrace not only have an effect on our behaviors they influence and even determine our understanding of God Himself. Therefore doctrines can enhance our walk with God by establishing our sure footing in Him or hinder us so greatly we never come to know Him.

Our Lord warned us to take heed and beware of the leaven/yeast (teachings/doctrines) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Most of us don’t know or have never met either a Pharisee or Sadducee yet we fail to understand that the same spirit within them is within many of our leaders today. And Jesus warned us of them and said a little of their leaven will make the whole lump rise. Meaning a little of these false teachings will make us entirely affected. I remember so clearly that I was so inundated with the teachings of my pastor that when I read the Word of God I heard his preaching as I read. For a very long time I didn’t realize or even understand the danger of what I had allowed to happen to me. And it took me years to rid myself of man’s teachings and precepts to hear what the Word of God was truly saying. And I found Him in truth, purity and beauty. Beloved, it is our responsibility to know God and to search for Him as hidden treasure. The Word of God tells us “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. We test all spirits through the examination of His Word, to determine if they are of God.

I wish that all our trust could be in our leaders. And that we could rely on them to not allow any false teachings amongst us. But the Word of God tells us this is not so. His Word tells us that it is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man. Our goal as Christians is know God through His Son whom we must believe in order to be saved. We can not allow any to pervert or divert that objective. And we must know Him for ourselves.

The Word of God speaks to our hearts about how to have life in Him and life abundantly. The Word of God is spirit and it is life. Too many teachings are about natural living. If we were to follow the Words of God the natural things of living would take care of themselves. Why do we need counseling about the issues that we do, because we fail to obey that which God has said? Yet expect our leaders to give us wisdom! There is no wisdom greater than the Word of God. His Word is pure and easy to understand with an open heart and ears earnest to hear Him. Yet He said, the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Note: based upon the teachings I had accepted whenever I read verses like this, in my hearing, this was talking about ALL the other people that didn’t fellowship at “our church”. Yet in NO way is this speaking of someone else. In fact it is speaking directly to us!

God’s Word says “these people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  Therefore I encourage you to not let this heart be in you. Give all diligence to the Word of God and His teachings. His Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you in all truth. Cleanse your hands and purify your hearts. Examine all that you hear through the light of God’s Word and never settle for any teachings that does not produce the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  

Remember Beloved, that “a little” leaven, leavens the whole lump!

The Battle is the Lord's!

Recently in reading the Word of God I was struck by a psalm of David in which he cried to God for vengeance against his enemies. He asked that when his enemy is tried that he would be found guilty that his enemy’s prayers would condemn him, that his enemy’s days be few, that another take his place of leadership, that his enemy’s children would be fatherless and his enemy’s wife a widow, that his enemy’s children would be wandering beggars, and homeless, and that creditors seize all that he has and that strangers would plunder the fruit of his labor and that no one would extend kindness to his enemy or take pity on his fatherless children and that his enemies sins would always remain before the Lord and that his enemies would be cut off from the memory of the earth. WOW!

I could not think of anyone, ever in my entire life that I would hope any of these events on. I spoke of David’s words to a dear friend and she said, “Truly David was a man of war” I agree, indeed he was. David’s enemies were visual and literal. His enemies pursued him and because God declared that David would live by the sword for his sin against God he fought his entire life. And his enemies were always present. Yet, the battle was the Lord’s and God delivered David and gave victory to David over all His enemies. For the enemies of David were enemies of God!

I began to give consideration to battles in our lives. Our battles or wrestling’s the word of God tells us is not with flesh and blood as with David, but with principalities, against powers the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Our battles are not with people regardless of how they act or what they say. Our battles are not with other religions regardless of what they believe or do. Our battle is not with political organizations or opposing governments with which we agree or disagree. Our battle is anything that would separate us from the love of and obedience to Christ Jesus our Lord.  He has commanded that we be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. And that we put on the whole amour of God so that we may be able to stand against the wiles or scheming of the devil. Through His Word He has given every provision for victory, for the battle is the Lord’s and He will fight for us as we obey His Word!

However, we must understand what the battle is, where the battle is and where it comes from less we beat the air as some and walk in carnality as mere men. In other words, walk in defeat. Walking in defeat is when one would never come to comprehend the true riches of His kingdom, which is righteousness (being in right standing with God), peace (having full knowledge of His ultimate victory) and joy (that inexpressible source of truth) in the Holy Spirit.

What is the battle? The battle is spiritual it is not with or of the flesh. The battle is the fight to separate us from God. It is truly an on-going challenge to daily picking up our cross and following after Jesus. (Note that each has a cross & thus it will be different) And in this daily battle we must oppose anything that would separate us from the truth and love of His Word. And we must be as brutal and ruthless as David was in fighting our enemies.

Where is the battle? The battle is within us, it is in any part of us that has not yet submitted to His Lordship nor obeys all that He has commanded. Any place within us that we still hold on to regardless of what it might be, God has spoken once, twice have I heard this: “All power belongs to God”. Every man has a story; our goal must be to have a testimony to the power of Jesus Christ. Every man must obey the same Words of God, we all must submit to the same God of All. No man’s angst is greater than another; it is only in the battle of our minds that we separate our sorrow and troubles from others. Yet, God is greater than them all and has conquered all and made provision in every situation for us all. *Remember His Word says if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you, it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. This is an example of the gravity with which we must fight our battles.

Where does the battle come from? His Word says that battles and wars come from our desires for pleasure. He says we lust and do not have, we murder and covet and can not obtain, we fight and battle, yet we do not have because we do not ask, and when we ask we do not receive because we ask wrong that we may spend it on our pleasures. The battles come from our sinful nature and our disobedience to His Word. They come from the schemes of the wicked one, the ruler of this world. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and pride of life is not of the Father and therefore should not be in us. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. We must fight the good fight of faith, and battle as if our very lives depend upon it, for they do! Always pursing the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls and eternal life in Him.

The battle is the Lord's because we belong to Him! When we walk in obedience from our hearts toward Him, He will fight and protect His people. When God is for us, who can or will stand against us?

We ARE the church!

Today as is with most days, my thoughts and prayers are of the church. I guess it’s important to share who the church is to me. The church of God is the body of Christ. The church is a peculiar group of people that have been called out from the world and of those whom have answered that call. We are that people that were not a people before the Lord Jesus cleansed us and washed us with His own blood and set us apart. The church is not the building where people gather or the place where there are articles or designs that signify God. The building does not host the presence of God or possess any meaningful significance or relevance in the things of God. The building is just a vehicle to be used just as a cup is used to hold a drink. The church of God is wherever we are. Perhaps if we began to walk in this truth (that we are the church) we would be more mindful of our actions and words throughout our daily endeavors instead of only when within the four walls of the building that is considered by many to be “the church”. 

Now Paul said “in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you”, and he said in part he believes it." I too believe it and have lived it as it continues to this day. Just as the bible says, some say they are of Paul and some say they are of Peter. Today some say I am of the Church of God in Christ, some say I am Pentecostal, some say Non-Denominational, some say Calvary Chapel, and some even use the name of their pastor as they define who they are of. All these congregations, titles and groups separate us and cause divisions within the church not unity in Christ.  Yet, are we not all of Christ Jesus? Which of these groups shed their blood for us? Which of these titles or organizations gave us access to God our Father in heaven and the forgiveness of sins?

We say that we all call upon the same God yet we fail to walk in His command, “Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” The perfection Jesus is demanding is our maturity. Of course I say this to our shame, we are still acting as children playing in the courtyard calling to our companions, and saying, we played the flute for you, and you did not dance, we mourned to you and you did not lament. John the Baptist came neither eating nor drinking and they say he has a demon, Jesus came eating and drinking and was called a wine bidder and a glutton, a friend to tax collectors and sinners! What does this mean? It means for some nothing is enough; nothing causes some to repent and recognize the error of their ways. Oh, that this would not be the heart within us, a heart which refuses to acknowledge its wrongness and repent! And if this heart be in you I pray that you quickly turn from this wickedness.  

Many leaders spend a great deal of time talking about the devil and his devices. I am not one of those preachers. I know that the wicked one would have no power over us if not given to him by our Father in heaven. Remember when Jesus told us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation?” I also know (because it is written) that if we continue to devour and bite one another we will be consumed by one another and the devil has nothing to do with it. Remember Jesus said that the ruler of this world was coming, but had nothing in Him. We too must have no place within us individually or collectively for the ruler of this world. Again, remember that His Word says, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another (the church). Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God; let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you? Remember that His Word says that a kingdom divided against itself can not stand.

The Lord said, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing……

Today, while it is called today, let us together lament over the condition of the church, which ye are. And let each of us purpose within our own hearts before God that we will be His church at all times, in all circumstances and in all places.  Then we will cry out together, “Come Lord Jesus”!

How I know “He Lives”

Many years ago when our daughter Precyous was a young girl, she asked me “how did I know that Jesus lives?” She was so honest in her desire to know why I was and am so sure of Jesus being alive. I told her simply, I know that He lives because He lives in me. This is how I know without question and without doubt.

Many years ago when confronted with the existence and sacrifice of Jesus Christ as Savior ironically I didn’t need anyone to point out that my entire life until that moment existed in darkness. I knew when faced with His Word without any prompting from anyone that I was a perpetual sinner. No one had to tell me to repent because the godly sorrow and shame I felt for my entire life was present. When I was faced with His Glorious Light the darkness within me was exposed. I knew without convincing that I needed Jesus to save me and change me. That day so many years ago I asked God to forgive me and to be my Savior. In that moment He forgave me, washed me and filled me with His Spirit and I was born again. I was born from above. I became a new creature and the old me (died) passed away. This was the beginning of my relationship with God. At this point I only knew Him as Savior and yet it was enough for me to know with all certainty that He existed. I was new. I was redeemed and I was restored, in my heart. I knew that the stain of sin was removed from me and that barrier to God was gone. I knew that God Almighty had indeed given His son Jesus as Savior to the world and Savior to me.

Let me expound. I was raised Catholic. I went to Catholic school, mass every Sunday, first confession, and first communion… the whole deal. I saw the figure of Jesus hanging on the cross my entire upbringing. I knew the story of the babe in the manager, the wise men, and the angels proclaiming His birth. But, they were just stories. However, on that day when I acknowledged He exists and that I need Him as Savior, the story was no longer just a story. By His Word His presence and His power was alive and He gave life to me.

This truth is a foundation of our faith and the power of His gospel, not only that Christ died for our sins, but that He lives, forevermore. And that He lives within those that have called upon His name. Christ in us, the hope of glory.

There has never been a day from that one until this that I have not ceased to thank Him for saving me. So I truly understand when His Word says, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is how I know that He lives! He lives in me! Therefore, today I ask you my beloved, how do you know that He lives?

God is our Father

The other day while in prayer crying out to God my husband walked in the room saw my tears and reached out to comfort me. I guess He sensed that my tears were about more than the storm of our daughter’s hospitalization. I struggled to put in words what my heart was unwilling to speak. Finally I as able to verbalize that yes, God is faithful and was with us throughout the process and yes God did foretell and uphold each and every promise. Yet, my tears continued. I confessed I cried not because the procedure was unsuccessful but because I didn’t want her to need any procedure and I didn’t and don’t want her to suffer or endure any hardships. Ever!

Most of you will probably agree with me that we do not want our loves ones to suffer. We don’t want our love ones to struggle and we certainly don’t want them to endure anything that we can’t control.

Immediately I heard the Words of God. “Listen, my son, hearken unto my voice”. I was inundated with the promises and commands of God flooding my soul. And for one brief and fleeting moment I sensed the will of God for me and all His people. He impressed the longing of His Spirit for His people within me. I knew that if I was struggling to cope with the experience of a planned surgery to improve the life of our daughter yet knowing all the dangers thereof, God’s will in commanding us to walk aright and His angst when we don’t is... well too much for me to comprehend other than for the moment. Then I heard Him say, if you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father which is in heaven give good things unto those that ask.

We have two other children. I know how I feel when one is behaving in a manner that may cause harm. I am always attempting to direct all of our children away from risk and toward joy and peace. I know without any doubt that each and every Word God has spoken to us is for our well being. I believe that He does not withhold any good thing from us. I think we fail to believe that whatever the thing is that we want at the time will somehow work out different than what He has forewarned. Just as our children think that no harm will come to them. Until it does!

This is my prayer for today: Let us all as one man look unto God our Father today with unison of heart and cry out “Abba”! Let us look to God who loves us and cherishes us and whom has made every provision for us and acknowledge that His Ways and thoughts are higher than our own and they are good.

People learn from people, just as iron sharpens iron

I learned this valuable lesson during our daughters stay in the hospital and I hope that it will be worthwhile to you as well.  

On meeting one particular nurse (lets just call her Vu) my first impression was how focused she was on her duties. She was polite yet it seemed like she was on a particular mission. One I must say that initially did not include making nice or friendly with me or our daughter for that fact. She busily checked vitals, medications, room conditions, bed conditions and hurried out the room. She not only took care of all her medical necessities she never left the room without asking Jasmine are you comfortable and is there anything that you need? She seemed to be one step ahead of any situations that arose and completely prepared to handle them with ease and confidence. On the second day she heard that nursing care would be required at home. She offered to show me how to do the care myself. She began to teach me and watched over my every move to ensure that I was correctly performing the tasks and also comfortable with what I would be required to do. She even coached me on what to tell the nurses over the days to come when she would be off so that I would have complete confidence to continue the duties at home on my own. Over the three days under her care, I watched as she efficiently and courteously cared for Jasmine. Now, during those three days our family continually spoke of God giving Him praise for His goodness, Jasmine was playing Christian music on her ipod and I was reading my bible in the room. It was quite obvious that we are Christians. Vu never made a comment either way about her belief and to be honest I was more concern about the care of our daughter to even inquire. There was not one time while under Vu’s care that we ever needed to push the button for the nurse to come in. Before leaving on the last day I told Vu that it was so obvious to me that she loved her job and that the manner in which she did her work was impressive and heartwarming. She said, “I only treat people the way I want to be treated”. I said, I can see that, because you have treated my daughter as if she were your own. Thank you.

The next day our new nurse (we’ll call her Carolyn) came in and introduced herself. She was nice and had a friendly smile. She shared that Jasmine was her only patient other than covering the breaks and shifts of other nurses that day. She immediately viewed the same set of circumstances as the days prior had been. We were talking of the goodness of God, Jasmine was playing her Christian music and I was reading my bible. Carolyn was quick to share her shared faith, her love of Christian music and began to show Jasmine pictures of her children on her iphone. As the day went on we learned that she didn’t like her roll as a fill-in for others, that she worked part time for Hospice as well, that she had a child with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and various other bits of her personal life. She spoke gently and smiled continuously and attempted to make friends with Jasmine. She even talked of staying in touch on Facebook. During this day, none of Jasmine’s medical needs were a priority. I continuously had to ask and remind her of activities that needed to take place. In fact when my husband, Donnie came, he was only in the room ½ hour when he inquired “what’s up with this nurse?” In truth we never left Jasmine’s side that day out of concern for the lack of attention to all her medical needs. Donnie and I agreed that night that we would not allow this current lack of care persist into the next day. Carolyn only worked that one day with Jasmine.

Now, the bible tells us about a man that had two sons. He told both of them to go and work in the vineyard. One said he would go but did not, the other said he would not go and repented and went later. Jesus asked which one did the will of His father. We know that the later one listed actually DID the will of His father. I do not know if Vu knows Jesus, yet her works spoke more loudly than all the words of Carolyn. Carolyn spoke the words that said I am a Christian, yet her actions were sorely lacking; Vu’s deeds were Christ like.

Here is the lesson that I learned. All my words are useless if my works do not substantiate what I say I believe and who I say that I am. I thought of so many people that I know that say that they are Christians and yet if anyone were to observe how they live one would never consider that they are indeed of the body of Christ. He is our Head and we are His body. We are the demonstration of Him (Christ Jesus) in the earth, hence we are Christians’. Vu’s light made me consider my own. So I asked myself as I ask you, does your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven?

A Lesson in Fatih

Yesterday our daughter had surgery. I am blessed not only by the outcome but also in that God had revealed His plan for her surgery beforehand and of her ultimate healing. (The particulars of the situation are not my testimony to tell, my daughter Jasmine will have that privilege.) However, when I was faced with the insurmountable pressures during the process of the surgery my faith was indeed tested. I am learning a valuable lesson about faith. I am beginning to understand that the only reason or purpose of my faith is to believe in God.

Let me explain. In the midst of waiting and not knowing the specifics of what was happening during the procedure I began to have numerous calls with numerous questions, all from well wishers of course. As the questions increased and the length of surgery dragged on my soul began to become weary. Although we came into the process with enthusiasm and confidence of the outcome, enduring the unknown and unexpected proved to be something different altogether. I was not wavering in what God has said, but I was beginning to be anxious.

The war was on in my soul. And the question that was looming over me was, has God said? At this point I began considering my faith. Almost like weapon to defend myself against an on slot from the enemy. I pulled out my faith. And asked myself, what do you believe? I began to rehearse to myself what God Himself had shown me. I began to mutter His Word saying; O God, show forth your strength as you have done before and don’t let my enemies have dominion over me and ever other scripture that I could recall at the moment without pulling out my bible. And I was indeed strengthen in my mind. His Word began to anchor my soul. And because His Word is the rock inside me I slowly and surely became still.

After her surgery was over on the ride home I thought about the events of the long day and considered my actions and thoughts of the day. Again, my thoughts turned to faith. In those moments I realized my lesson. God did not and does not need my faith to do what He has promised. He was and is faithful because of who He is. His actions were not because of my faith. He said that when we are faithless, He is still faithful, for He can not deny Himself. My “faith” was not for His benefit but mine! I discerned that the Word of God is NOT activated by my faith, the Word of God is quick and alive without me.

The purpose of my faith is to believe in Him. I know that His Word says “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” We are pleasing to God when we beleive in  Him and because we believe come to Him.Our reward is that He is God and that He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him!

Living for Christ a day at a time

This is my first blog and I wanted to say something really profound that would touch the hearts of any readers and encourage someone through this day. What comes to mind is the goodness and faithfulness of God. He, unlike anyone else that I know never changes. I never have to wonder if He will hear me when pray or cry out to Him. I never doubt He will answer me when I pray according to His will. And I have every confidence that what is written will be done. He never lies! All my uncertainty comes when I take my eyes off His Word and choose to do what I feel instead of what He has commanded. Even when that which He has said is contrary to what I want to do I have learned through experience His Way is always best. For His Word is tested, proven and establish forever in heaven.

When I think of the Word saying that the way is difficult and narrow, I think ok, yet it is in the doing that I realize just how difficult it is. I am grateful that He said, difficult and not impossible, for therein lies my hope. He also said that all things are possible with Him. Thank God for His Word and His Holy Spirit that enable us to endure and overcome.

I am encouraged and therefore encourage you to be like Paul when he said that he dies daily so that Christ may live in Him. These words are so often spoken with great emphasizes yet walking them out daily makes me walk circumspectly. Because to me although my walk is observed by others as a light and witness of my Lord Jesus, it is truly Him that I am striving to please.

And so today I will lay down my will, meaning no grumbling and complaining, seeking peace and pursuing it, treating others the way I want to be treated and doing it with a grateful heart to God my Savior.