The absolute truth for all of us is we have a God who loves us and has a purpose and a plan for our lives. God LOVES you - that is not a cliche, nor is it relative to who you are or what your past is. It is for all who want it. That is truth - the creator of the universe adores you! Maybe it's a sinful lifestyle, or an intellectual barrier, or mediocrity with His Way, or outright rejection.... whatever has come between you and Him can be put at the foot of the Cross and dealt with now! This is not just truth for me, it is the only truth that has stood the test of time and that is grounded in pure Love. His truth is difficult sometimes, but in its entirety, it is the only way to Him! I hate to see people suffering, and I believe out of obedience and reverence to God I must share the truth in hopes of leading others to the Shadow of the Almighty…..
We cannot fool ourselves into believing we can pick and choose what truths to accept and which to ignore – that is not a relationship based on faith and love. His Word needs no interpretation – it’s fairly clear on how we should live our lives and what is acceptable and what is sinful and what the consequences of either are! We all have sinful desires; the solution is accepting a Savior to lead us away from sin! Again, the choice is always ours, but I believe many (and I was guilty of this) take advantage of what their interpretation of God’s mercy and grace are. God’s grace is awesome and sufficient, and once we freely choose to leave our old ways, God’s Mercy and Grace will see us through. It’s the intentional continuation of going against Him that keeps us apart. God and sin cannot dwell together. “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 2:21).
We, as Christians, should ALWAYS speak of God's truth and promises with LOVE, but never waivering on his absolutes. It's ok to be clear on God's way, but always in Love. Unfortunately, some Christians give all Christians a bad name! Christ was not uneasy about hanging with the unbelievers - he had such a beautiful way of sharing the truth in Love.
I read this from Oswald Chambers this week “Faith, however, is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can’t see the way ahead”. We took our kids to see a young Christian musical artist (Lyrycyst) a few weeks back. I was not so moved by his music(rap), as I was his commitment to Christ. Once I head his music, I began to understand why my kids felt such a connection. He had an incredible life story, but what spoke to me most was this: He explained God’s word like an automobile manual. Just because water would be cheaper to put in your car versus gasoline – the manual says you must put in gasoline. Well, if you rip out that page in the manual and replace it with a page that allows water, your car will still not work. He compared this to how some people want to rip out certain pages of the bible and replace it with what will work for their lifestyle and choosing - they call it being "Socially Conscious". It won’t work! God speaks about this and describes it as being “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). The commentary in my bible on this verse describes a lukewarm Christian and church “as one that compromises with the world and resembles its surrounding society – it professes Christ, yet in reality does not know him and is in a spiritually wretched state”.
This blog is just one venue to reaching the lost, even if it is only one. Too many are caught up in their religion or denomination. It is not just about where or if you go to church. It is about accepting God’s word as absolute truth and living out your life in relationship with him, so that HE may be glorified. He will show you the way – Just ask!
The fruit of God’s spirit is “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). It is ok to be “single-minded” when it comes to living out your life for Christ! The politically correct world may say otherwise, but God is not about politics; He cares about the condition of the human heart and our eternal destiny!
He is waiting for you to make Him Lord of your life! There is no condemnation in Christ, just redemption! Our conscience may be convicted by his truths, but he always provides a way out!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Where do I put my hope?
Where do I put my hope? “My hope is in you Lord” (Psalm 39:7)
Where should our hope and trust be? Should it be in ourselves, in our talents, in our accomplishments, in our “intelligence”, in our financial stability? Should it be in our “religion”, in our doctrine, in our traditions, in our churches? Should it be in people, in our idols, our heroes, our “spiritual mentors”? Should our government and leaders be where our hope and trust come from? My answer to all of the above is NO! Our hope and trust must come from the Lord Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight”……How about that????? That is a wonderful promise especially in these crazy times when so many have burdened hearts for what is seen.
Faith for me is believing and obeying even when what God tells us does not make sense – believing through uncertainty; believing where my brain stops…... I want the faith of Noah - to build an ark that size and with that much perseverance despite how crazy it must have seemed!
For me it did not happen overnight. I did not have one big “ah ha” moment and turn my life completely over to Christ. For so very long I had one foot in the world and another in what I believed was just enough of God to get by. You see, it is impossible, I found to have it both ways. Sure I was basically a good person and I professed myself to be a Christian – but truthfully I was missing out on all God had planned for me and the hope and assurance of his eternal promises! I took small steps; occasionally slid back; continued to study God’s Holy Word (it became truth and life for me the more I prayed to God for his Revelation – it was so boring and confusing at first) and once I accepted it as ALL truth I began to hunger and thirst for more! He touched the pit of my emotions in such a real way! He knew what I needed in my life; he knew I was a doubter and he gave me confirmation over and over again.
We have to live out Jesus – be vessels through which his love flows. It is guaranteed we will fail at perfection and should never proclaim life as a Christian to be perfect, but it is the only truth!
Hope and trust in Jesus Christ alone is meant for us all, not just a few! “Love covers a multitude of sins” 1Peter 4:8.
God Bless!
Where should our hope and trust be? Should it be in ourselves, in our talents, in our accomplishments, in our “intelligence”, in our financial stability? Should it be in our “religion”, in our doctrine, in our traditions, in our churches? Should it be in people, in our idols, our heroes, our “spiritual mentors”? Should our government and leaders be where our hope and trust come from? My answer to all of the above is NO! Our hope and trust must come from the Lord Jesus Christ!
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight”……How about that????? That is a wonderful promise especially in these crazy times when so many have burdened hearts for what is seen.
Faith for me is believing and obeying even when what God tells us does not make sense – believing through uncertainty; believing where my brain stops…... I want the faith of Noah - to build an ark that size and with that much perseverance despite how crazy it must have seemed!
For me it did not happen overnight. I did not have one big “ah ha” moment and turn my life completely over to Christ. For so very long I had one foot in the world and another in what I believed was just enough of God to get by. You see, it is impossible, I found to have it both ways. Sure I was basically a good person and I professed myself to be a Christian – but truthfully I was missing out on all God had planned for me and the hope and assurance of his eternal promises! I took small steps; occasionally slid back; continued to study God’s Holy Word (it became truth and life for me the more I prayed to God for his Revelation – it was so boring and confusing at first) and once I accepted it as ALL truth I began to hunger and thirst for more! He touched the pit of my emotions in such a real way! He knew what I needed in my life; he knew I was a doubter and he gave me confirmation over and over again.
We have to live out Jesus – be vessels through which his love flows. It is guaranteed we will fail at perfection and should never proclaim life as a Christian to be perfect, but it is the only truth!
Hope and trust in Jesus Christ alone is meant for us all, not just a few! “Love covers a multitude of sins” 1Peter 4:8.
God Bless!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
His Rescue
I'm sitting here in "cookie overload"....my daughter just made the most delicious chocolate chip cookies that were over sized and ohhhhhh so good! I've been able to find some quiet time this weekend and enjoyed my time alone with God. My time lately with Him seems to only come in the early morning and for short periods before the craziness of the day begins. Anytime alone with Him is a treasure, but I have been yearning for more quality time. Well, anyway I'm just rejoicing over the much needed time I was able to carve out.
While looking through my journal, I looked over the prayer requests I've kept for the past few years and all the "TYL" (thank you Lord) notes I had next to so many of my entries. Of course God answers all prayer, just not always in the way we anticipate or hope for. For me, this is where my trust and faith have had to get me through those tough times.
"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need" Psalm 138:3
I'm not sure if it was a sermon given by our pastor or just a thought I had at the time, but I had written this down a while back about God's Rescue...."Jesus will meet us where ever we are at (no matter the circumstances or the condition of our life) - HE JUST WON'T LEAVE US THERE" !!!! I love that - it sums up not only our need for Him, but his desire to move us out and up if we so desire! ANYONE, no matter their sin, is given this invitation. "Our repentance unlocks our destiny with God"!!! This revelation alone gives me enough to rejoice about!!! I say that only because of my own personal experience.
The possibilities are endless when we become clay in the potter's hand!!! Is that good news or what??? Sorry if I seem overly excited about something that is so obvious to those who believe, I was just remembering back to when I made the leap. I've always believed in God and knew Jesus was my Savior, but when I surrendered my stubborn will and hold on what was important to the world and became intimate with his Word and desired to live each day for Him, things really changed. The change in my life did not happen because of what I did, but because of His Grace!
The "walk" I had down memory lane through my journal really reminded me of How Great our God is. Not that everything turned out according to "my plan", but how much better His Plan is (well, no kidding, right?)! There were prayers not answered "my way" that brought such grief to me and those in my life at the time, but I have great hope for the plan He is continuously unfolding in our lives!
Jesus Christ rescued me from myself and from this world and for that I am beyond grateful!
Thank you Lord!
While looking through my journal, I looked over the prayer requests I've kept for the past few years and all the "TYL" (thank you Lord) notes I had next to so many of my entries. Of course God answers all prayer, just not always in the way we anticipate or hope for. For me, this is where my trust and faith have had to get me through those tough times.
"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need" Psalm 138:3
I'm not sure if it was a sermon given by our pastor or just a thought I had at the time, but I had written this down a while back about God's Rescue...."Jesus will meet us where ever we are at (no matter the circumstances or the condition of our life) - HE JUST WON'T LEAVE US THERE" !!!! I love that - it sums up not only our need for Him, but his desire to move us out and up if we so desire! ANYONE, no matter their sin, is given this invitation. "Our repentance unlocks our destiny with God"!!! This revelation alone gives me enough to rejoice about!!! I say that only because of my own personal experience.
The possibilities are endless when we become clay in the potter's hand!!! Is that good news or what??? Sorry if I seem overly excited about something that is so obvious to those who believe, I was just remembering back to when I made the leap. I've always believed in God and knew Jesus was my Savior, but when I surrendered my stubborn will and hold on what was important to the world and became intimate with his Word and desired to live each day for Him, things really changed. The change in my life did not happen because of what I did, but because of His Grace!
The "walk" I had down memory lane through my journal really reminded me of How Great our God is. Not that everything turned out according to "my plan", but how much better His Plan is (well, no kidding, right?)! There were prayers not answered "my way" that brought such grief to me and those in my life at the time, but I have great hope for the plan He is continuously unfolding in our lives!
Jesus Christ rescued me from myself and from this world and for that I am beyond grateful!
Thank you Lord!
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