Category: Bible thoughts

Man vs. Woman

​  “So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening.

  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 

  “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 

  This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” – Genesis 2:21‭-‬24 NLT 

Why did God have do go and do it that way? Creating us (women) From man? Wouldn’t it have been better done the other way around….since we women {ahem} are the “better” sex? I say this tongue-in-cheek, but the reality is this: “So God created mankind in His OWN image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:27 NIV

God created us in His image. Both male and female. One is not better than the other. We are equally special in God’s sight. Men were designed to be be providers through tilling the soil (i.e. gardening for you hard core “that’s women’s work” males) and hunting. Women were designed to be the keepers of the home; to raise up children to be productive adults. If you don’t believe me, read Genesis. Even though these are our core designs, it doesn’t mean that a man can’t- or shouldn’t – step in and assume the responsibility of keeping the home (and children) if necessary. The same is true of women. If/when circumstances require it, we are perfectly capable of taking on the “man’s” work. It isn’t chauvinistic to consider it right for a man to support his family, but it is definitely reverse chauvinism for a woman to expect to be waited on by the man. We are designed to provide for and to care for each other, doing whatever it takes to do so. Throughout the years since Eve took the fruit from the tree of knowlege and shared it with Adam, our roles and relationships and responsibilities have gotten twisted. In the corrupt world we have lived in since we were evicted from the Garden, men act as women and women act as men, and the regard for the family as defined by God is disrespected by millions of people.

I spent years supporting myself (and usually some man). There were periods where two of my husbands supported me financially, and a short period of spiritual leadership. I was in a desert of my own creation, because I had walked away from God. Let me put some emphasis on that statement. The desert was my creation,  because I had walked away from God. He did not walk away, He did not turn His back; it was all on me, and it was all about me. God doesn’t turn His back on us, and He does not cause bad things to happen to us. That’s all on us and our free will…. consequences for our choices. Sometimes, unfortunately, the sins of others that are perpetrated against us involve us in the consequences. Again, this is not God’s choice, but ours. If you are going to be angry and blame someone, claim it first for your own poor choices, then put it back on Adam and Eve. A much better choice is to lay it all at Jesus’ feet. Eliminate the anger and frustration and fury and discover what it means to have real peace for a change! It won’t change your circumstances, and it certainly won’t change the people around you. It takes crawling out of that rut we are comfortable in, in spite if the pain of getting out. Change is hard, and change hurts. Even happy change can mean more physical and emotional pain until we are out of the rut. God has great things to offer His people, and all we have to do is open our hands and accept His gifts! Why are we so stubborn?… 

You may never have the perfect spouse, or perfect, pain-free health; there may be serious consequences, even such as prison for our actions. That fancy mansion and expensive cars, and multimillion dollar lottery win probably aren’t going to happen, either. My past – and my future  – doesn’t have any of those things! I have had (very imperfect) spouses who loved me very much, and I am blessed to live in a better place now than I ever foresaw happening, with a (very imperfect) man who adores me…. and as a very imperfect female, I find that I adore Him, too. Life is not perfect. That’s a fact. God didn’t create man and woman to be at each other’s throats. It’s not Man vs. Woman. He designed us to compliment and to complete each other. He also has built in a sort of safety net for those people who are on their own. Jesus can be – is – the perfect compliment to a single’s life, if we only will allow Him in.

These are just my thoughts, and if you are offended…. I can’t – and won’t – apologize for speaking the truth.

(All scriptures are from the Bible app YouVersion.com) 

A Day Off

​  “On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. 

  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation.” – Genesis 2:2‭-‬3 NLT (http://bible.com/116/gen.2.2-3.NLT)

Just to be clear, the Sunday through Saturday calendar is something man came up with. God simply said to take the seventh day and rest. There are so many people who want to argue that Saturday is the seventh day and there should only be worship on that day. Others argue for Sunday, and I’m sure there are some who would argue for another day of the week. I personally don’t think it matters, as long as we take a day and dedicate it to rest and worship. If you put your mind to it, and look at the church leaders (regardless of the day of worship), you’ll see that our day of rest and worship is actually a pretty intense day of work for them. They have another day of the week set aside for their rest.

God wants our focus on Him, not on some rule that says you have to go to church on this day, and you have to dress a certain way, women have to cover their heads and men uncover theirs; and etcetera Infinitum. Let me repeat the first part of this paragraph: God wants our focus on HIM on our chosen day of worship. I like attending services on Sunday mornings simply because I was raised that way and it is the best for me. When dressing for public congregational services, I put more thought into it than I do for everyday use – not to impress anyone or to show off, but out of respect for my God, because HE matters. I like Sundays because they give me a chance to relax. Look back on the previous week, look forward to the coming week, and just enjoy being in the presence of communal worship and praise. It lifts me up and helps prepare my spirit for the new week. If you aren’t attending and participating in corporate worship, you are missing out on many, many blessings! 

  “Since you have been raised to new LIFE with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of Honor at God’s right hand. 

  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” – Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 NLT (http://bible.com/116/col.3.1-2.NLT)

“Think about the things of heaven….” If you have not been raised to new Life with Christ, you are missing out on so much peace and so many blessings. Most of my adult life was spent avoiding Christ in any way I could, having so much fun I could  (sort of) forget how miserable I was. It was all about me. I gotta tell you, it’s hell when you know Jesus and you decide to turn your back like I did. The enemy grabs control and the only way to take it away from Him is to give it to God. He defeated Satan as Lucifer in his bid to take over God’s throne, Christ defeated Satan again with His sacrifice on the cross and through His subsequent resurrection. The Holy Spirit defeats Satan and his followers every day when the followers of Christ ask for help. There’s another defeat coming, too, where Jesus will bind the beast (a.k.a. Satan) and throw him, bound, into the lake of fire with all of his followers. Got that? ALL of Satan’s followers. I do NOT want to go there, but I DO want to see it. I think.

  “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 

  And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. 

  Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.” – Revelation 19:19‭-‬21 NLT (http://bible.com/116/rev.19.19-21.NLT)

There is one thing I am certain of. On that day, I don’t want to see any of my friends and family in the company of the beast. I pray that everyone will be on Jesus’ side of the judgment. Each person has to make their own decisions, no matter how badly I want to intercede for them. Just being “good” won’t get you to His side. It has to be done by accepting Him as your personal Savior. It’s really not that difficult!

Daniel W. Whittle wrote this hymn that was published in 1883. (2 Timothy 1:12; Jude 1:24) It’s one of my favorites. Do you know God’s wondrous Grace?

  1. “I know not why God’s wondrous grace
    To me He hath made known,
    Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
    Redeemed me for His own.

    • Refrain:
      But “I know Whom I have believed,
      And am persuaded that He is able
      To keep that which I’ve committed
      Unto Him against that day.”
  2. I know not how this saving faith
    To me He did impart,
    Nor how believing in His Word
    Wrought peace within my heart.
  3. I know not how the Spirit moves,
    Convincing men of sin,
    Revealing Jesus through the Word,
    Creating faith in Him.
  4. I know not what of good or ill
    May be reserved for me,
    Of weary ways or golden days,
    Before His face I see.
  5. I know not when my Lord may come,
    At night or noonday fair,
    Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
    Or meet Him in the air.”

And Then, Man.

​God created the heavens and the earth… He created every living thing, and every inanimate thing. Yes, I believe in an Almighty, Omnipotent, Infinite God. The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

In Genesis 1, throughout the creation story and up until verses 26, God is simply referred to as God, or He or Him. Singular, as you would refer to an earthly king. Then, in verse 26, His true nature is revealed: US. He made humans in “OUR” image, the image of the Triune God. We are created to be three in one, just as He is: father (or mother), Son (or daughter), and spirit, which is our soul.

Can’t say for anyone else, but that creates a beautiful picture. We may not procreate on this earth for a multitude of reasons, but that fatherhood, or motherhood, is deep in our DNA. Our “children” could be a pastoral flock, a life of service to the old or young, the sick and dying, those with difficulty living in society, even caretakers of the earth and her creatures.

  “Then God said, “Let Us make human beings in Our Image, to be like Us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals in all the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

  So God created human beings in His Own Image. In the Image of GOD He created them; male and female He created them.

  Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” 

  Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.”

  And that is what happened. Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:26‭-‬31 NLT (http://bible.com/116/gen.1.26-31.NLT)

He loves us so much! Even now, as I sit on my little patio in the early August Oklahoma morning, I am in awe of His creation. It is quite easy to praise Him, even in the middle of a typical subdivision with other houses and yards around me. Just look up. Here, the clouds are covering the sky – but not quite thick enough to keep out the blue sky from peeking through. Streaks of clouds where the upper winds are pushing and pulling make such fascinating pictures. Freshly mowed yard, flowers blooming, dogs at my feet. How can I not feel humble and blessed? God’s Creation is right in front of us, whether you live in the inner city or in an isolated.cabin high in the mountains. He gave it to us with all that He included to manage and care for. How are we doing? 

He also created us humans to be His companion. That hole in your heart that you are trying so hard to fill up with shopping, sex, alcohol, drugs, work, even family? Nothing will fill it except God. Worshipping Him is what we are made for. Sarcasm, negativity, hate, jealousy, worry, frustration… this things are all from Satan. He thought he could do a better job than the Creator God, so he rebelled and was cast from heaven with his followers. In retaliation, he went to Garden in the guise of a beautiful serpent to temptation Eve. Because she fell for his promise and assurance instead of remembering God, we now live in a fallen world and get to deal with the devil every minute of every day. 

There is a way out of the destructive cycle Satan has manufactured for us. His Name is Jesus, and He sacrificed His life as a once and done atonement for our sins – past, present, and future. All you have to do is accept His sacrifice and allow Him to be Lord of Your life. Just open the gift!!

Remember we are made in His image. He created ONE race, the human race. We have split into many cultures and our skin colors have changed along with the split. I don’t know the physical appearance of Adam and Eve, but it doesn’t matter. We are ALL God’s children, subject to the same judgement in front of the Most High God when we die. I am so thankful to know that Jesus died for me and that He rose from the grave in order to cleanse me. He did it you, too. I’m not very good at following His commandments, but I keep trying. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Sure makes for a peaceful heart!

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” – Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT (http://bible.com/116/eph.5.1-2.NLT)

Thank You, Jesus! (Artwork by my friend John Lawton- thank you,  John!)


Thank GOD for His Grace

​”But the GOD of ALL Grace, who hath called us unto His ETERNAL GLORY by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” – 1 Peter 5:10 KJV (http://bible.com/1/1pe.5.10.KJV)

Sometimes the King James version of God’s Word is just the perfect words. Beautifully put. “The GOD of ALL Grace…..” It is only through His Grace that we can truly live. Not only is it through His Grace that we get to spend an eternity with Him, but it gives us freedom from fear of what can happen on this earth. It gives us a deeply felt peace.

Are you fearful today? The quest for freedom goes on for many. On the surface, the worry can be so profound that it steals our peace. God knows this. He is ready to comfort us and carry our fears anytime we ask Him to. Here on this earth we will have struggles and sorrows. Deep sorrows that try to overwhelm us. Those things, the fear, sorrow, weakness….. these are not from God. They all come from the enemy. From the first sin, from the willingness of Adam and Eve to defy God’s one command to not eat of the tree of good and evil:

  “The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden He placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” ” – 

Genesis 2:16‭-‬17 NLT

  “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

Even in the beginning, we don’t really hear what God is saying to us. He said don’t eat from the tree, but He didn’t tell them not to touch it. I think that’s how we have produced so many rules and religions. We seem to think we can add to or adjust what God tells us without any consequences. 

  “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

  The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. 

  So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

  At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. – Genesis 2:9; 3:2‭-‬7 NLT (http://bible.com/NLT)

Immediately after disobeying God, Adam and Eve became fearful. Because of their disobedience, God gave the rule of the earth over to our archenemy, Satan. We bear the consequences of sin every day in our lives.(Thanks guys!) 

But!!!! We don’t have to deal with the consequences for eternity, thanks to God’s Mercy and His Grace. Hallelujah and Amen. I don’t need to worry over anything. It’s all been mapped out ahead of time, and I have a choice. Embrace the situation and thank God for whatever it (the good, the bad, and the ugly), or I can kick and scream and deny and worry myself sick. See? We always have a choice. Many, many times throughout my life I have chosen the second option. I have literally made myself sick with worry on multiple occasions. Did it help, or do any good at all? Nope. Not a dab. I’ve also been learning to turn a few things over to God, and the difference is amazing. I still have to do my part to resolve the situation, but I can do it with an ulcer or migraine. Absolutely amazing. 

Have you experienced God’s Grace in your life? It’s really simple to get. Receive the LORD Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. Accept the peace He offers.


We, the Peoples of these United States…..

​  “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

  Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” – Jude 1:1‭-‬3‭, ‬24‭-‬25 KJV (http://bible.com/1/jud.1.1-25.KJV)

Jude wrote these words almost 2000 years ago. The more I read God’s Word, the more I realize how timely and appropriate it is for us now, in 2016. We have some really difficult decisions to make before the elections this coming November. Before you shut this off, I’m not here to stump for any of the Presidential candidates. This is not a Republican or Democrat or Independent blog…. it is intended to be a Christian blog. Consider these words from Jude and tell me he wasn’t speaking directly to Christians today:

  “For there are certain men {and women} crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

  Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” – Jude 1:4‭, ‬8‭-‬8‭, ‬18‭-‬19 KJV (http://bible.com/1/jud.1.4-19.KJV)

It sounds as though God is directing Jude to speak to us about our leaders and potential leaders today. Not voting in the election is not an option…. but who to vote for? This calls for some serious “knee time!” We the people of these United States have some hard decisions to make. Will you make a knee-jerk reaction, or spend time in prayer and meditation, listening for God’s guidance? God bless America, because she certainly needs those blessings. Amen.

Holy Father, under your direction and with the Holy Spirit guiding us, help us to discern the path You want us as followers of Your Son Jesus Christ to take. We need to be humble and in Your Word, Lord. I pray understanding over me and my house; Amen.


Together for the City – notes and my thoughts from  Frontline Church Edmond 7/31/16 (Tim Kimberly)

The question is “How can we as a church push back the darkness that is overcoming the world?” 

Out of the 1181 chapters in the Bible, the first two of chapters are a wonderful picture of the light pushing back and overcoming the darkness. 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” – Genesis 1:1‭-‬3 NIV (http://bible.com/111/gen.1.1-3.NIV)

From Genesis 3 on – darkness begins to cover the earth with human being #3 (Cain) killing human being #4 (Able, Cain’s brother). It really didn’t take long for the enemy, Satan, to move into our lives in full force. Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, in the Harvard commencement speech he gave, he said “The line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” Why use this point he made at Harvard? Because if we look at the world and try to cut out all of the evil, then we would have to decimate the entire human population. Every human being has evil in their hearts. Definitely something to ponder.

What does this have to do with Jesus? I think it goes to this question that He asks His disciples. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” – Matthew 16:13 NIV (http://bible.com/111/mat.16.13.NIV)

Do we consider Jesus to be the Son of the Almighty God, or just a good person? The evil in our hearts – even in those who are “good” people – wants us to say that He was a good man, maybe even a prophet, but not the Messiah. His disciples answered Jesus like this: 

“Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?”   Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, Christos, the Son of the living God.” (Completely man and completely God.) – Matthew 16:14‭-‬16 NIV (http://bible.com/111/mat.16.14-16.NIV)

Are we working to overcome the darkness in our families and our neighborhoods?  Do we understand why our world is covered in darkness? God explains the why to the prophet Jeremiah:

“…then say to them, ‘It is because your ancestors forsook Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook Me and did not keep My law. But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying Me. My Eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from Me, nor is their sin concealed from My Eyes. I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled My inheritance with their detestable idols.” – Jeremiah 16:11‭-‬12‭, ‬17‭-‬18 NIV (http://bible.com/111/jer.16.11-18.NIV)

Bluntly and plainly put. We now have the why; now we need to know what to do about it, and how to go about it. Is this following verse you? “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” – Isaiah 9:2 NIV (http://bible.com/111/isa.9.2.NIV)  We are definitely living in the land of deep darkness! I believe that as followers of Christ it is our job to spread the”Great Light”, and we do it through the Gospel proclamation.

Just as Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.“ – Matthew 16:17 NIV (http://bible.com/111/mat.16.17.NIV)

When we see the Light of Jesus, it isn’t because of anything we can do ourselves. It is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. It’s up to us to light up the world through our lives…. not because we are “good” or any better than anyone else. We are simply sinners saved by Grace. When we judge others, we need to remember that there, except for the Grace of our God, we could be.

“And I tell you that you are Peter, the Rock, (the level and square foundation block of the church) and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be  bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be  loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:18‭-‬19 NIV (http://bible.com/111/mat.16.18-19.NIV) 

Without God at the head, Satan wins. With God, no gate of hell will stand against the Light of Jesus. We have to take the Light to the darkness, living out our faith through our lives. I was this woman Jesus is speaking to in John, condemned by man and saved by Jesus, Amen. Are you possibly this woman – or man – waiting for Jesus to set you free?

“Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I AM the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.” – John 8:10‭-‬12 NIV (http://bible.com/111/jhn.8.10-12.NIV)

William Wilberforce wrote “Real Christianity: Contrasted with the Prevailing Religious System,” published in 1797. He set out as a young politician to do two things: rouse professing Christians to understand the nature of true faith, and to bring about the end of slavery in England’s colonies. His book is equally relevant today for Christians wanting to understand their faith better, but it is also still relevant on the issue of slavery. Even though we don’t have the obvious slave markets that were so prevalent in the 1700’s, there are thriving slave markets that exist to this day. (The book is still available, both new and used on Amazon, and also available as an eBook.) 

What do you think of Jesus? What do you say about Jesus? What do you live about Jesus? 

Social media and God 

​”The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 NIV (http://bible.com/111/2pe.3.9.NIV)

I read this and immediately the thought popped into my head of how impatient we have become. My computer/tablet/phone are all too slow. I was up in the mountains of northern New Mexico for several days, staying in a log cabin. Thankfully, there was indoor plumbing and electricity! No cell service, no Internet, no television…. but there was a landline for essential communication and a radio to listen to, and a post office and few miles down the road. I could have chosen to be frustrated about the lack of my devices after a couple of days and gone to a neighbors to use their broadband, or I could choose to embrace it while I was in the mountains. Had I  gone to broadband, it would have been very slow compared to my normal WiFi. 

The way I see it, I have very similar choices with God’s Will. For many years, I chose to ignore Him. I used the world’s means of communication, insisting that whatever it was, I “needed” it to be done now.  It seems to me that Peter’s message is intended for us, God’s children, to slow down. We don’t need the instant gratification the world teaches. We (I) need to take a breath and look at God’s need instead of our own. The only thing He ever needs or wants from us is our love. It’s true that our love should include acceptance and obedience, and those giving their love should be slowing down to be able to hear Him. That’s how we can know His Will for our lives.

I confess that I don’t slow down enough, or often  enough, to hear God’s voice in my life. God will never let me down. He always has my best interests at heart. His time is not my time, and His thinking is not my thinking – after all, it was/is my best thinking and impatience that gets me into trouble!

God is real, and He is good, ALL the time.

If I haven’t offended you lately….

​”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23‭-‬24 NIV (http://bible.com/111/psa.139.23-24.NIV)

I believe in God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son. I believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God. For most of my adult life, I turned my back on the Truth of God’s Word and spent my time having all the “fun” I could in order to cover up how miserable I was. There were times when I would have a temporary “awakening” of sorts, and turn back to God, but I wasn’t wholly committed. I wasn’t ready to deny all of the “fun”! I wasn’t tired of being tired, or fed up with being fed up. Until I became sick and tired of being sick and tired, I wasn’t willing to open my eyes to the real problem. It wasn’t the alcoholic I was in a relationship with. It wasn’t the boss or my coworkers. It wasn’t the waiter or waitress or banker or car mechanic. It wasn’t my parents or siblings. (I could go on and on!)

The problem was me. That is a hard pill to swallow.

I have family members who are currently in that cycle, and friends and acquaintances. It makes my heart hurt, knowing the cure but not being able to apply it. Everyone has to recognize and accept the cure of their own free will. 

Test me, Lord, for the impatient thoughts I have. Search me for the irritations, and wash them from my heart. The only cure for my shortcomings is through the complete acceptance of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Spirit overcome me so that I may relinquish my will to Yours. 

David has written a beautiful psalm of acceptance and forgiveness:

“You have searched me, Lord , and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord , and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:1‭-‬24 NIV (http://bible.com/111/psa.139.1-24.NIV)

And all I can say is Amen.

GOD is the Potter; We are the Clay

I’ve had a series of serious, spiritual conversations recently with assorted family members and friends. It scares me that so many believe in God, but they don’t recognize Jesus as Lord.​ As I read the following scripture, it is so obvious that just believing in God isn’t enough.

“You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, You were angry. How then can we be saved?  All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.  No one calls on Your Name or strives to lay hold of You; for You have hidden Your Face from us and have given us over to our sins.  Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your Hand.” – Isaiah 64:5-8

ALL our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Nothing we can do is good enough to redeem us. Nothing. I can’t do enough good deeds to redeem myself in God’s eyes. I absolutely love that He has provided our redemption for us, and He doesn’t want anything from us except for our acceptance of His Son as Savior! Listen to this Good News:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.” – John 3:16‭-‬18 NIV (http://bible.com)

Can you believe how simple it is? “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 NIV 

Whoever… You, me, siblings, parents, children, friends. Anyone. Everyone. Just have to keep on spreading the Word.