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Sunday, August 30, 2015

Return With Your Whole Heart

In the day and age that we are living it is so important to give your whole heart...undivided...to the Lord.  If you have walked away...or turned even a little toward things of this world...now is the time to run back...wholeheartedly...to Jesus.  PRAY!!

If you have relatives or friends that haven't surrendered to the Lord...Pray for them like you never have before.  It is an urgent time that we live in.  Jesus is coming back one of these days and it may be sooner than we think.  We don't know when He's coming but when He does it will be worse than we could ever imagine for anyone that is left behind. 

The last few days when I read my bible I seem to always come back to these scriptures...

Joel 2:12-13

"Yet even now," declares the Lord,
"return to Me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Return to the Lord your God,
for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;
and He relents over disaster.

Right now...today...there is still time to turn to the Lord but...we don't know how much time for any of us.  Now is the time to do what you need to do...right now...you can still cry out to the Lord and He will save you.  When you do...give Him your whole heart...don't hold anything back.  There is no time for games.

If your praying for family and friends...commit to prayer daily for them.  You don't want anyone you love to be left behind.

Prayer is the key to change for all of us.  As Christians we all need to commit time everyday to prayer.  Imagine the joy you will know when someone you love surrenders there life to the Lord.  Imagine the joy that person will experience!  Do what you need to do to see lifes changed...and that includes your own life!

"until we see JESUS...face to face"




Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Prepare Daily

Put on a brave face...say all the right things...it's what we do when we are surrounded by others and know if we don't do this...we are done...we will break down and show our true selves to all and they will know...we are human!  Most of us see that as a bad thing...a thing of weakness.  But really...is it?!  We think that everyone else is stronger...and maybe some are.  Or maybe...they just can't show how they feel because of their past...maybe...they are just afraid.  This morning I read something that said this...

"Never compare your insides to someone else's outsides."

That's good advice.  On the inside we are basically all the same.  When you look at me...what you see is only what I want you to see.  We think we need to always be tough...because if we aren't...someone might see us for what we are...human.  God put the same emotions in all of us.

Happiness...sadness...courage...fear...joy...grief...

The list can just go on and on but the point is...no matter what we are feeling...at some point...we have all experienced every one of these and more.  Feelings...and the circumstances that cause us to have them...are all part of life.  We don't like the negative ones but the fact is...life happens!...and life goes on even after it happens.

In the last eight years of my life I have learned many things.  One of them being...

It's really hard to make it through this life without having Jesus walking with you.  And quite honestly...even with Jesus it can be really hard.  The last few days of life for me have been some of those times.  Without Jesus in my life I don't know what I would have done...how I would have reacted.  I thought I had prepared myself sufficiently...you know...put on that coat of steel so nothing could penetrate to my heart.  Didn't work...I should have put on the whole armor of GOD!  On the inside I was total stress and falling apart...totally penetrated straight to the heart!  Outside...totally together to the human eye.  However at some point the coat comes off and it is what it is.  Your alone and feeling it all.  That's why it's so important to have people in your life that know the Lord...know how to pray...will talk to you...and will pray for and with you.  It's all part of Gods plan...that we pray for each other.  To those that prayed for me...thank you.  I'm standing better today because of your prayers.

We all know that life happens and that life goes on.  I don't think that any of us are ever fully prepared for some parts of life.  We might think we are tough enough to handle whatever comes our way but we usually find out that on our own we aren't.  The only way to get through the hard times...whatever they may be...is with the Lord.  Talking to Him...praying...is how we stay close to Him.  You need to stay close to simply breathe.  Breathe in Jesus...breathe out hope and peace...for you and for others.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

The last few days have made me realize some things.  No matter how tough I think I am...the devil knows my weaknesses.  He puts those things together with other issues going on in my life and starts the war.  Then because I have not totally put on the whole armor of God and prepared myself for battle...I go down in a heap!  I let him begin to win.  

Don't do what I have done...prepare yourself everyday.  Why?  Because everyday we wake up we are going into battle with the devil.  The thing is...we know the answer...we have the answer...ONE that will battle for us...the LORD...

Exodus 15:2-3

“The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
The Lord is a warrior;
    the Lord is his name.


"until we see JESUS...face to face"


Sunday, August 9, 2015

Be Spiritually Sound

While reading my bible last night I turned to these scriptures...

2 Corinthians 4:8-11 + 16-18

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Last night I was just needing to find some peace of mind and honestly...inner strength.  Before I opened up my bible last night I was finding myself in some severe inner stress.  Basically...not being able to deal with life I was...overwhelmed!  I sat down at my desk and just kept going over the events of "life" and seriously didn't want to participate anymore.  Not that I wanted to die...I just didn't want to deal anymore.  I had to make decisions...plans...and I was at a loss.  When I finally made a choice I wasn't sure if it was the right one.  Anyway...while sitting thinking and stressing over the whole thing a single thought kept coming to my mind.  Read. Your. Bible.  Every few seconds this thought just kept popping in!  So finally...I picked it up.  First I turned to 2 Chronicles where I have been reading about Hezekiah.  Great...great stuff there.  

2 Chronicles 32:7


7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

This verse is awesome.  Why...because "the Lord our God" is awesome!  I saw this last night and loved it but this morning...I'm really getting it!  I have been fighting these battles within myself...things that seem insurmountable to me...and I just need to stop and let the Lord take over.  I cannot do this on my own.  But like I said...it didn't really sink in at that point!  So somehow...but God...I ended up in 2 Corinthians.  Yes...

We are living broken...the world around us and our own personal selves.  Life is hard.  But guess what...It always has been and always will be.  We have to learn to trust God in our problems just like all Christians have had to do...always.  Verse 16 tells us to not give up.  Some of our bodies are in terrible shape...we have afflictions...illness.  Our "outer self" is falling apart!  But...our inner self...our spirit...our soul...is being strengthened and renewed continually!  Life is hard...talk to the Lord...read His Word...grab hold of Him and don't let go for any reason!!  Let the Lord renew your inner self...your mind...soul...day by day! 

The two words that came to me this morning were these...Spiritually Sound.

It's not most important to be physically sound it is most important to be spiritually sound!  We can live with broken bodies...we can live with minds that just aren't as capable as they use to be but...what we must not live without is a continual sound...deeply rooted...spiritual walk with the Lord.  That is what will keep us going when life is hard...harder than you think you can deal with.  

So today...

Don't lose heart...God is in control of your life.  Let Him help you with the hard things.  Don't be afraid or discouraged because He is with you always...fighting your battles and holding onto you!

"until we see JESUS...face to face"

 

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Tonight is one of those times I just need to write.  So...there will probably be some rambling going on.  Writing and music seem to clear my head so the good thoughts...GOD thoughts...flow through more freely.  Who can't use more good GOD thoughts in their life?!

So I've been listening to some music tonight and just trying to press in closer to Him.  I know the Lord is always with us but at times I just need to feel Him closer...we all do.  For me...close...isn't always an easy place to get too with people but with the Lord...that's really my desire.  To be close to Him and to be more like Him...getting rid of more and more of the old me.  so this morning when I started reading I wasn't surprised at where I started...


Psalms 119:17-20 ESV
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
    hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your rules at all times.

At 3a.m. this morning that really got my attention.  It takes no explanation to understand.  It is just an awesome passage and it just really speaks to me...right to my soul!  I truly do long for Him and the things of the Lord...more than I can even began to express!

Open our eyes Lord that we may see You.  As we are just passing through our life here on earth help us to become closer and closer to You.  Help us to live in Your ways.  Consumed with and by You is an awesome way to be!  Help us to live faithfully for You.  In Jesus name...Amen!

"until we see JESUS...face to face"


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Peace...It's A Perk

Peace seems to be a hard thing to come by these days.  The world around us is in chaos...some of our own personal worlds are in chaos.  The truth is...as christians we don't need to be.  We can have peace if we just accept it.  As a christian our peace comes from one source...GOD...the CREATOR of all things.  HE is the CREATOR...HE is in charge.  HE is the MASTER...the MAKER...the ONE that holds all of the world in HIS hands.  Because HE loves us more than we can fathom GOD sent us HIS SON JESUS and HE is the PEACESPEAKER...

When the disciples were on their boat and the storm came up what did JESUS do?  He simply said...Peace! Be still!...and the waves and the wind instantly were calm!  How awesome would that be to have been there?!  To have experienced that amazing...instantaneous...change in the weather?!  From terrible storm to instant peace...calm and serene.  WOW!!! 

Well...you know...that's how it is in our life as believers in CHRIST when HE is our SAVIOR.  Not only do we experience...as everyone does...instant chaos and turmoil...when suddenly we lose our job...a loved one gets sick...we experience illness...we lose someone...even just having to do something that for us is really hard...and the list can just go on and on.  But the great thing is...if we know JESUS we also experience instant calm and peace.  Why...how can that happen?  Well...simply put...it's a perk.  No...that's a word that you probably wouldn't use to describe it in most religious circles.  The thing is...I'm not religious...I don't always use all the right words...this morning I'm just being real...the LORD gives HIS people perks!...HE blesses us.  JESUS gives us peace when there seems to be no way in our minds that we can deal with our problem.  The bible says...He gives us peace that passes all understanding. 

Philippians 4:7 ESV
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As christians we should not have to live with anxious feelings and thoughts.  We need to give everything that is wrong and bothering us over to the LORD.  Pray about it and let it go.  Amazingly enough...you can do this and it does work. 

If we are trusting in CHRIST as our SAVIOR He will take care of us...no matter what we are going through or what we have to do.  We can have peace because through HIM we can overcome anything...or any fear...that is trying to overtake us.

John 16:33 ESV
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

When we become Christians we become new...changed.  Our lives change...our thoughts change...therefore we can trust that JESUS can deal with whatever is happening in our life...we don't have to be in turmoil over it.  Old ways of thinking and feeling become new.  Put off the fear and take on the peace...HIS peace for us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

I have found that the LORD is perfect in all that HE does.  If HE says in HIS WORD that you can have peace through each and every circumstance in your life...you can.  Is it always easy to get to that point?  No...No...No...it's not.  But when you finally decide to give it up to HIM...you will find that peace...HIS peace.

"until we see JESUS...face to face"