Tag: #life

We All Bleed The Same – WARNING. This Is NOT A Politically Correct Post

So much ugly going on in the world! Wars and rumors of wars. Brothers killing brothers. Marriage disdained and disrespected. Unnatural relationships; paedophiles in the news every day, same-sex relationships glorified in the media. School shootings, church shootings, workplace shootings. Mass killings in public places.

Christians are having to dig deep to find the courage to stand today. It is politically incorrect to proclaim Jesus Christ as LORD, but It’s encouraged to worship anything, anyONE, besides our GOD. Is it really courage we lack, as much as it is the desire to be liked and to be a part of the popular scene? I’ve never been very courageous, myself. I was a shrinking violet, a wallflower, in junior high and high school. Once I was at college, I connected with the ‘cool kids’ – the rebels from the restrictive Christian families we came from. Hear these words from Jesus to us!

“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t Love Me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your Lampstand from its place among the churches.”

“I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan. Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the Crown of LIFE.” – Revelation 2:4‭-‬5‭, ‬9‭-‬10 NLT

The LORD knows our suffering, and He is practically begging us to turn to Him; to be FAITHFUL to Him in our despair. When I rely on JESUS and rest in His Arms, He lifts me up and gives me a peace that surpasses and rises above the mess surrounding me. He wants to do the same for you and every person alive. All you have to do is ask Him. He will give you all that you need. JESUS is not about being a Liberal or a Conservative; Republican, Democrat, or Independent. He doesn’t care where you were born, or how much money you have. The color of your hair and skin is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter if you are the richest man on earth or the poorest of the poor, living in abject poverty. We all bleed the same, we all have one soul, and we all have a choice. JESUS, or the world. JESUS, and an ETERNITY with Him in Love, or Satan, the world, and an ETERNITY in hell and unspeakable, unimaginable suffering. Satan is Fear, and Fear is a Liar. JESUS is Truth. If you choose not to choose, then you have made you choice. You have to ask Jesus into your heart and life. He’ll never force Himself on you.

“But those who drink the Water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them Eternal Life.” – John 4:14 NLT

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the LORD, for you know that nothing you do for the LORD is ever useless.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

Maybe our prayer today shoud be for the courage to be politically incorrect, and to let our choice of JESUS CHRIST shine on the world.

Listen to Mandisa’s song “Bleed The Same” (or Google the video!) and Zach Williams’ “Fear Is A Liar.”

Sharing, Caring….

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3‭-‬4 NLT

Paul seems to be writing about today, the 21st century. Isn’t what he has written exactly where our world is now? Satan rules the earth for now. Popular music, from country, to metal or punk, is all about our desires and how to fulfill them with sex, drugs, and alcohol; It’s all about “ME” – not the LORD. We reject the Truth of the Word that God has given us, looking instead for the false fulfillment of the flesh. We need to be suspicious of anyone who twists the WORD in order to justify their actions. I’m not preaching or pointing fingers, because I have been deep in that lifestyle, and I am as guilty as anyone of turning my back on the Almighty. Listen to Crowder’s song “All My Hope.” Now, I thank God every single day for rescuing me from that pit, for it was Him and Him alone Who could extricate me from the murky mess I had (have) made of my life.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the Law of CHRIST. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” – Galatians 6:2‭-‬3 NLT

GOD is the Rescuer and the Healer, and He doesn’t need any assistance from the people He created; however, He does use us to help and support each other. Have you ever comforted someone when they were hurting? Done something to help a friend, or a stranger? Held a child as they cried? Offered a place to stay to someone who didn’t have any options? Prayed for and loved a family member who was struggling? If you have done any of those things, or any of hundreds of things, you are acting as GOD’s hands and feet here on earth. You have defied the enemy in supporting our LORD. I was once told that when I refused their help, I was denying them a blessing. It’s true. I know this because I have also been blessed to be able to help someone – and when my offers of assistance have been refused, it has hurt. No blessing. Think on that when someone offers themselves to you.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:31‭-‬33 NLT

I struggle with Matthew’s message, especially now. Knowing my very small monthly income won’t begin to cover even basic living expenses, how is it possible not to worry? By reading and studying the Word, through prayer, and with meditation to hear GOD’s Voice. That’s the only way not to dissolve into a hot mess, ripe for the enemy to place temptations in our way. I have fallen for his deceptions too many times to count, and my LORD has been there, every single time, to pick me up and carry me out of the mess. I know this in my heart and my soul, and all the while my human mind keeps hounding me with desperation, asking how will this ever workk out? I don’t know. I can’t even imagine a happy ending at this point. Thankfully, GOD’s got this!

“O GOD, we meditate on Your unfailing Love as we worship in Your Temple.” – Psalms 48:9 NLT

All I can do is Praise the LORD for His Mercy, His Grace, His Mighty Power, and His Deliverance. Amen.

Attention Church Leaders: Is It A Trend?

We are very trendy folks. Look around at the mega-churches, the television preachers with their fancy sets and stages, the pomp and circumstance that consumes many services. Are they leading people to Christ, or are they leading people to an eternity without Him? Maybe It’s just me, but I really don’t see how having an affluent lifestyle with thousand dollar suits and expensive hair and makeup, or driving a fancy car and owning a big expensive house is leading people to Jesus. I’m not saying that pastors should be impoverished, but they shouldn’t be the fashion plate the community looks to, either. They need to be leading by example, showing the satisfaction and contentment of following our Saviour.

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But GOD had Mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His GREAT Patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive ETERNAL Life.” – 1 Timothy 1:15‭-‬16 NLT

It is so painful to see some preachers as they prance around on stage, using showmanship and charisma to draw people in, rather than teaching the Salvation of Jesus Christ. It hurts to see leaders of the church arrested for embezzlement or affairs. I see so many leaders lording it over their congregations, and leading them down paths of disrespect for the Word of God. What kind of example is this for the people who don’t know the Saving Grace of our LORD?

“So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His LIFE as a ransom for many.” ” – Mark 10:42‭-‬45 NLT

There’s definitely a trend in the scriptures! Over and over, first jesus and then His Disciples, preached that the role of a leader is to serve. They emphasized servanthood over being anything else. Even as Jesus, the most Royal person to ever be on this earth, stooped to the task of the lowest servant in order to wash the feet of His followers. He became the servant, leaving His throne and His crown behind. Not long after I returned to Christ, the Pastor of my church, alongside his wife, illustrated this by washing the feet – literally – of people in the congregation. They chose people who had troubled pasts and who may have been looked down on by some of the more righteous of the people there, it was both an incredibly humbling and exalting experience for me. They took (take) God’s Words quite literally.

“Care for the flock that GOD has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve GOD. Don’t Lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” – 1 Peter 5:2‭-‬4 NLT

“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:11‭-‬12 NLT

Pastors and church leaders, I plead with you to be as Jesus said: serve your people, show genuine care for the least of them, and show humilty in your lives. You don’t need the external trappings of expensive clothes or hair or makeup. The most important thing you can have is an outstanding love for our LORD; humility and true leadership will come through His Word. This last verse is one that we all should be sticking t.o

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the LORD JESUS – the work of telling others the GOOD NEWS about the Wonderful GRACE of GOD.” – Acts of the Apostles 20:24 NLT

AMEN.

Ask not…

Probably one of the most recognized phrases of the Baby Boomer generation was said by our former President, John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I respect this, because we owe our comfortable, free lives to this country that we live in. In many countries, you don’t have the freedoms to choose that we do, and we owe it to our country and citizenry to do what we can to support it. If we owe allegiance and respect for our nation, and we are working to that end, what about God? Don’t we owe Him allegiance for our souls, our free will, and especially for the Salvation He offers?

To paraphrase Kennedy, “Ask not what God can do for you, ask what you can do for Him!”

“And you must love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT

“For the Angel of the LORD is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear Him. Taste and see that the LORD is Good. Oh, the joys of those who take Refuge in Him! Fear the LORD, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who Trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.” – Psalms 34:7‭-‬10 NLT

“For the WORD of GOD is Alive and Powerful. It is Sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” – Hebrews 4:12 NLT

What are you asking today?

Know God?

“Yes, they knew GOD, but they wouldn’t worship Him as GOD or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what GOD was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.” – Romans 1:21‭-‬22 NLT

What does your god look like? Is He Majestic and Holy, clothed in His Creation? Is your god clothed in Sooner cream and red, Dallas blue and silver, OSU orange? Perhaps your god is dressed in the latest fashions, or corporate goals. Maybe your god is wrapped up in busyness or children or a spouse. Loyalty, addiction, obsession to something in this world can so easily supplant THE God, Creator and Saviour. Too many times, in our quest to fill that God-shaped hole inside us, we get caught up in the external and the glittery temptations that God’s enemy, Satan, places in front of us. It’s so easy to get sidetracked into his lair, and it can be incredibly difficult to extract ourselves from the webs of deceit he weaves to trap us.

Reflecting on my past, I see clearly many instances where I was hung up in those webs. I was so busy having fun, I could ignore how miserable I was. That’s on way the enemy keeps us trapped. Busy, busy, busy. Career, kids, school, football and other sports, cars, shopping….. rather than dwelling on “What’s in your wallet?”, can we switch focus to “What’s in your heart?” Do you know the Almighty GOD? Is HE in your heart, filling it with love and compassion for His people, or are you cramming tnat hole full of earthly pursuits? It’s lke the sign says,

“Know God, Know Peace. NO God, NO Peace.”

Which part are you? Do you KNOW Peace, or do you have NO Peace in your heart? Be like the author of this psalm: Praise Him, be Thankful for Him, and Pray for God’s help and protection.

“I praise GOD for what he has promised. I trust in GOD, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” – Psalms 56:4 NLT

Even At The Beginning

From the beginning of the history of mankind, from the time of Adam and Eve, we have opposed God. Do we really believe that the Supreme Being, the God of Creation (and everything in it!), the Designer of humanity, is too small to be hear and obeyed? He designed us down to tiniest parts – look at Lamimin, a basal protein that literally holds our bodies together. (Louie Giglio gives a great speech about it. Look it up!) If God can make something as intricate as the human body, why shouldn’t He be recognized as the genius, the incredibly talented, and completely incomprehensible LORD of the Universe, the God of Existence? But no, we humans, and many of the angels, had to take our free will and twist God’s Words to our own desires.

“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.”
Genesis 3:4‭-‬5 NLT

Adam and Eve chose to hear what they wanted to hear. They decided their wants outweighed anything their God asked of them. How often to we do that in our own lives? It’s just what Paul wrote to the church in Rome, warning other believers to guard their minds against the popular and worldly ideas that were so prevalent then…. and still prevalent today. We know the difference in good and evil, and we know the consequences of choosing each, and we still still turn away from the good.

“Yes, they knew GOD, but they wouldn’t worship Him as GOD or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what GOD was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the GLORIOUS, EVER-LIVING GOD, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.” – Romans 1:21‭-‬23 NLT

We really aren’t that different from Adam and Eve, even though there are 7,000-8,000 years between us. Satan still lures and entices us with beautiful promises, and we still twist God’s Words to suit our own desires. Thank God for sending Jesus to cover our sins with His Blood, cleansing us and forgiving us, in order that we might spend eternity fellowshipping and worshipping with Him and with other believers!

Even before He created us, God created the thing that would bind our physical bodies, and He made it in the shape of the cross. Purpose is in everything GOD does…..

Be Still!

How many times did you hear that while growing up? I heard it quite often….. and at times, I still hear my Mother’s voice in my head, telling me to be still. Before ADD or ADHD or any of the Autism spectrum were recognized, my siblings and I squirmed and whispered and doodled our way through childhood; I was a ‘wiggle worm.’ ( …. laughter …. ) Today, many of my nieces and nephews have been diagnosed with some variation of the above, not to tne extreme, but still? It’s good to have validation that we weren’t doing those things simply to be irritating. It is still a frustration with me. We learn different coping mechanisms as we mature, but it never truly goes away. I want to “be still!” Can you make my mind obey?

“Be still, and know that I AM GOD! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” – Psalms 46:10 NLT

Perhaps something similar to these were what Paul was dealing with when he begged God to take away his affliction. I don’t know, but I think I’d like to ask him when we meet in eternity. For people who haven’t experienced these things it is very difficult to understand why I can’t just decide to sit still, or concentrate on a single issue. They don’t understand that it isn’t a conscious choice to want – no, need, to get to the point. I know the struggle of trying to give my full attention to a rambling (to my mind) story, or sales pitch, or meeting. Get to the point, people! (Says me, as I ramble on…..) The important thing, the most important thing, is to listen for God. His voice is in the scriptures I read, it is in the Christian music I have playing on the radio, and it is in the interaction I have with fellow believers.

“Though the LORD gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your Teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a Voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.” – Isaiah 30:20‭-‬21 NLT

His assurance to us is that He does speak to us. The voice can be GOD, or it can be the enemy, Satan. Use discernment and know GOD’S Words and Voice to keep from being distracted and deceived. Read the scriptures, study them, and keep your mind open to the LORD. Father God, my prayer today is for my own discernment; to hear YOUR Voice, and drown out the voices of the world. My prayer is that You will still my heart and my mind. I praise You for Your Son and for the Forgiveness and Grace You show me every day. Let me show others Your Love and Supremacy through my life. Amen.

Patience. Not My Virtue

Ever feel this way? I’ve often said I have about this much [ ] patience….. and yes, I am serious. Patience is not a virtue of mine. I am impatient; I get frustrated when things don’t happen quickly enough to suit me. Basically, LIFE / PEOPLE irritate me with their slowness, and I am tired. Tired of people taking advantage of me and others. Tired of broken promises; tired of being lied to. I’m tired of the struggle to just survive. BUT, I believe in GOD, Who is the Creator, Almighty and Omniscient, and I believe His promises.

“Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me Glory….. But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me. If you keep to My path, I will reveal to you the Salvation of God.” – Psalms 50:15‭, ‬23 NLT

I believe in GOD the Father, GOD the Son, and GOD the Holy Spirit. I believe that just as He cares for the birds of the air and the creatures on the ground and the fishes in the sea, so He cares for me. I am so thankful for the many blessings He has poured out on me. So WHY is it so difficult to trust in His timing? I literally have no way to pay my mortgage or utilities or car right now, as I write this, and no prospects for a job, despite the dozens – hundreds, even, of applications I have sent out. Today I woke up and finally dragged myself out of bed, weighed down with hopelessness and despair, and this is the verse that greeted me:

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think.” – 2 Peter 3:9a NLT

If He isn’t being slow, then what is the next step I should take? Most of my furniture is on several online ‘for sale’ boards; I continue to seek adequate employment. Do I start packing? Should I put my house on the market? On my knees in prayer, I beseech the Holy God of the universe to have pity on me; to open an opportunity, to provide enough; to show me His will and what direction He wants me to go. As I write, on the radio Crowder is singing “All my Hope is in Jesus…..” Yes, I believe, LORD. Show me how to get through this dark, dark valley! (And please don’t give me more opportunities to learn patience, LORD!) Amen.

Word

“In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD.” – John 1:1 KJV, ESV, NIV, YLT1898, DRC1752

Beautiful. I love that in a number of different versions of the Bible, the words of this verse remain translated exactly the same. Of the versions I looked at, only the NLT was slightly changed: “In the beginning the WORD already existed. The WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD.” – John 1:1 NLT

There is NO ONE like our GOD. Three years ago, I wrote that I was reading Isaiah, and I find that I need those words again today. I love reading this book. It’s part thanksgiving, and part prophecy. I think God gave the outline of the prophecy of the end of the earth as we know it to Isaiah, then hundreds of years later gave the details to John to complete writing the prophecy. (See The Revelations of John….) Prophesy or not, the book of Isaiah is full of beautiful passages about trusting God and praising Him.

“LORD, You will keep me in perfect peace when I commit myself to be faithful to You; when my thoughts are fixed on YOU. That’s because I trust in You. I will put my Trust in the LORD forever. The LORD GOD is my Eternal ROCK. The LORD will keep me safe forever. LORD, you give me Peace. The One who has done everything I have accomplished is really You.” – Paraphrased from Isaiah 26:3-4,12 NLT

Thank You, God, for giving us the scriptures to guide us and to remind us of Your true nature. Thank You for the daily reminders to put my Hope and my Trust in You. Thank You for the promise of the Faith I seem to have so little – but You said all I need is Faith the size of a mustard seed. Thank You for the Gift of Your Son Jesus, and the washing away of my sins. Finally, thank You, LORD, for the trials and tribulations that give me the opportunity to really put my Trust in You and You alone. Thank You for the storms….. Amen.