Have you ever did something wrong and needed forgiveness? After you ask forgiveness from the Lord, do you beat yourself up, remembering the wrong you did-asking for forgiveness over and over? If you have a repentant heart, often you can fall into the trap of regrets that never end. Yes, we do truly need to be sorry, but we have to let go of things, even if the damage 'done' will not be 'undone'. Let God bring a healing..... and a change within. So, that you won't fall into the same trap again.
This morning the Lord said to me, "How many times are you ask me to forgive you for the same thing?" .. But I keep thinking about something new that I could have said or did wrong....
He reminded me that I had asked for forgiveness for all I said and did wrong. The scripture came "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS- even those things that we did do wrong, but we didn't realize it (until later perhaps).
I asked the Lord what I should do then, when I think of the things I did wrong. This is what came to me. "Thank Me." and then the revelation.....
Lord, I thank You that when I ask you to forgive me, that You forgive me and cleanse me from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. You don't throw my failures back up in my face. I thank You, that you know what I'm like and You still love me and will never leave me. You work Your works within me, to change me into Your image and likeness. You walk with me through all my trials. You're so merciful and forgiving. You give me the Grace to overcome and to do right. I can trust in You and lean on You for everything. I thank You for your Wisdom which you give so freely, when I ask. I thank You that I am an overcomer through You. I thank You that You are working to bring a healing and a restoration. You are the Healer. You care about the situation. You are able to deliver and set us free. You are so GOOD! So Kind! So Pure! Thank you, that I can trust You to continue to work... He who began a good work is Faithful to complete it!
The next time that you go to beat yourself up about a situation, thank God for his wonderful forgiveness and strength to overcome your weekness and failures.
1 John 1:9 (Amplified Bible)
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Philippians 1:6 (Amplified Bible)
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Too Much or Much More? "Hope for the Overbearing"
TOO MUCH
I have a terrible habit. Some call it getting "Carried Away", "Overboard", "Excessive", "Eccentric" .... Some call it just plain old "Ridiculous" or "Overbearing"... But whatever you want to call it, I do need to learn that 'a little goes a long way', and be more balanced and disciplined! .... And, yes there is "Hope for the Overbearing"
I'll give you a few examples of what I mean about being 'too much' or 'overbearing':
When I do college work, if the teacher wants an essay of a few paragraphs, I usually end up writing three pages! When I sew, I want to add more to it, to make it more difficult. When I decide to do a craft, like loom knitting, I want to get all the looms I can get and all the different kinds of yarns I can get. When I did rubber stamping, I became a dealer and filled a whole craft room with rubber stamps and all the paraphernalia that went with it. When I start writing or emailing, I go way overboard.... I remember my one friend Carol, to whom I began to write; she was barraged with cards, books, cassette tapes, stickers, little gifts.... I wrote to her practically every day for 2 years, and I tried to always add something extra for her. I cluttered her life with stuff! I had to back off! I needed to find a balance: when I quit writing extensively, I didn't find the balance; I quit altogether! Oh, we are still in touch, basically through email and a few phone calls...... I'm glad that she put up with and still loves me. (Just think about what I put my poor family through.)
What am I saying?
I need to find balance in my life, in every area!
Nevertheless I found an interesting aspect about God; He knows how to give and do exceedingly and abundantly above.... and when He does it, it's proper. I want to be like my LORD, and have His wisdom in this aspect.
MUCH MORE
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 MUCH MORE then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
…..15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, MUCH MORE the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded (given MUCH MORE) unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many (MUCH MORE) offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; MUCH MORE they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all (MUCH MORE) men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many (MUCH MORE) be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound: Romans 5:8-20 (KJV)
Because God loved us while we were yet sinners, Christ died, shed his blood and gave his life for us; now we can live a life full of MUCH MORE: love, joy. reconciliation, grace, justification, righteousness, obedience…. A life saved from wrath, and the opposite of death ---Life, …...MUCH MORE
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all (MUCH MORE) that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:14-21 (KJV)
The God of GRACE, PEACE & MUCH MORE be with you
More scriptures:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Heb 12:25 (KJV) 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:25 (KJV) 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:13-14 (KJV) 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly (Much More)to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: Heb 6:17 (KJV)
IS God TOO MUCH or is He MUCH MORE?.......
I have a terrible habit. Some call it getting "Carried Away", "Overboard", "Excessive", "Eccentric" .... Some call it just plain old "Ridiculous" or "Overbearing"... But whatever you want to call it, I do need to learn that 'a little goes a long way', and be more balanced and disciplined! .... And, yes there is "Hope for the Overbearing"
I'll give you a few examples of what I mean about being 'too much' or 'overbearing':
When I do college work, if the teacher wants an essay of a few paragraphs, I usually end up writing three pages! When I sew, I want to add more to it, to make it more difficult. When I decide to do a craft, like loom knitting, I want to get all the looms I can get and all the different kinds of yarns I can get. When I did rubber stamping, I became a dealer and filled a whole craft room with rubber stamps and all the paraphernalia that went with it. When I start writing or emailing, I go way overboard.... I remember my one friend Carol, to whom I began to write; she was barraged with cards, books, cassette tapes, stickers, little gifts.... I wrote to her practically every day for 2 years, and I tried to always add something extra for her. I cluttered her life with stuff! I had to back off! I needed to find a balance: when I quit writing extensively, I didn't find the balance; I quit altogether! Oh, we are still in touch, basically through email and a few phone calls...... I'm glad that she put up with and still loves me. (Just think about what I put my poor family through.)
What am I saying?
I need to find balance in my life, in every area!
Nevertheless I found an interesting aspect about God; He knows how to give and do exceedingly and abundantly above.... and when He does it, it's proper. I want to be like my LORD, and have His wisdom in this aspect.
MUCH MORE
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 MUCH MORE then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
…..15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, MUCH MORE the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded (given MUCH MORE) unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many (MUCH MORE) offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; MUCH MORE they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all (MUCH MORE) men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many (MUCH MORE) be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound: Romans 5:8-20 (KJV)
Because God loved us while we were yet sinners, Christ died, shed his blood and gave his life for us; now we can live a life full of MUCH MORE: love, joy. reconciliation, grace, justification, righteousness, obedience…. A life saved from wrath, and the opposite of death ---Life, …...MUCH MORE
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all (MUCH MORE) that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:14-21 (KJV)
The God of GRACE, PEACE & MUCH MORE be with you
More scriptures:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Heb 12:25 (KJV) 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:25 (KJV) 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:13-14 (KJV) 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly (Much More)to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: Heb 6:17 (KJV)
IS God TOO MUCH or is He MUCH MORE?.......
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Layers part 2 Lesson of the Onion -"Hope for the Bitter Soul"
For the first part of this story, please look at my post titled, "Scars and Layers"
My daughter and I were in the kitchen again. We had decided to make Beef Strogonoff, but we were trying to come up with enough onions. As we were digging through the onion bin, we noticed several useless specimens. One onion looked promising, but it had a green stem growing out the top.
As I sliced the meat, Stephanie proceeded to find more onions. She cut off the top of the 'growing onion', peeled it and sliced it down through the middle. When she handed it to me, she asked me if I wanted to keep the middle out of it. We both could see that most of the onion was in bad shape. I lifted the heart out of it and said, "This is the onion that had been growing isn't it? The middle is even in wimpy!" She replied, "Yes". "Just like a root of bitterness springing up", I observed. She shook her head saying, "I was thinking the same thing."
Well, I decided to dig down through the layers to see if I could salvage any of it; it was quite gross- greenish with white spots! Stephanie said, "Don't use that onion; it will ruin the taste of all the other onions." So right she was; for just like the onion, the bible warns us about the root of bitterness getting into our hearts. If we let bitterness in, it will take root; it will spring up and consume our hearts, and then that bitterness will spread to everyone we come in contact with. Like wise, our contacts will spread bitterness to others, and it will destroy many! It will ruin the tastes/hearts of others'.
Hebrews 12:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Let us guard our hearts, pursue peace and holiness, walk in forgiveness, and not become bitter towards people and circumstances. We don't want to be like the onion- all green and gross inside!
Unlike the onion, bitter people can have HOPE that Jesus will cleanse them from bitterness.
My daughter and I were in the kitchen again. We had decided to make Beef Strogonoff, but we were trying to come up with enough onions. As we were digging through the onion bin, we noticed several useless specimens. One onion looked promising, but it had a green stem growing out the top.
As I sliced the meat, Stephanie proceeded to find more onions. She cut off the top of the 'growing onion', peeled it and sliced it down through the middle. When she handed it to me, she asked me if I wanted to keep the middle out of it. We both could see that most of the onion was in bad shape. I lifted the heart out of it and said, "This is the onion that had been growing isn't it? The middle is even in wimpy!" She replied, "Yes". "Just like a root of bitterness springing up", I observed. She shook her head saying, "I was thinking the same thing."
Well, I decided to dig down through the layers to see if I could salvage any of it; it was quite gross- greenish with white spots! Stephanie said, "Don't use that onion; it will ruin the taste of all the other onions." So right she was; for just like the onion, the bible warns us about the root of bitterness getting into our hearts. If we let bitterness in, it will take root; it will spring up and consume our hearts, and then that bitterness will spread to everyone we come in contact with. Like wise, our contacts will spread bitterness to others, and it will destroy many! It will ruin the tastes/hearts of others'.
Hebrews 12:14-16 (NKJV)
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Let us guard our hearts, pursue peace and holiness, walk in forgiveness, and not become bitter towards people and circumstances. We don't want to be like the onion- all green and gross inside!
Unlike the onion, bitter people can have HOPE that Jesus will cleanse them from bitterness.
Monday, January 12, 2009
I Am Blessed
The Bible says, In Proverbs 18:22"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." Sometimes I wonder if my husband really found a good thing.... There are times it's more like he found a bundle of hormones and emotions.
Tonight I threw myself into my husband's arms, and told him I loved him. As he wrapped his strong arms around me, I tearily told him that I loved him. I thanked him for loving me: I also declared to him that I was such a big mess. He told me that he loved me too, and added, "I think we deserve each other." Well, we had a big laugh.
My husband and I have been through a lot together, and we've not always been able to cuddle and laugh. Nevertheless, we have stayed married and allowed God to heal and mend our hearts.
Which brings me to the fact that, we all quite often, give up too easily on each other. The devil is out to destroy the family, and the husband and wife is the foundation of the family. First there has to be a committment to God..........
... to be continued
Tonight I threw myself into my husband's arms, and told him I loved him. As he wrapped his strong arms around me, I tearily told him that I loved him. I thanked him for loving me: I also declared to him that I was such a big mess. He told me that he loved me too, and added, "I think we deserve each other." Well, we had a big laugh.
My husband and I have been through a lot together, and we've not always been able to cuddle and laugh. Nevertheless, we have stayed married and allowed God to heal and mend our hearts.
Which brings me to the fact that, we all quite often, give up too easily on each other. The devil is out to destroy the family, and the husband and wife is the foundation of the family. First there has to be a committment to God..........
... to be continued
What a MESS!
Have you ever really messed up? Have you ever done something way beyond stupid? Have you ever said things that you should have never said? Have you ever did something the wrong way? Have you ever hurt someone that you really loved? ... Have you angered someone because of the way you behave.?...
I think we all have done at least one stupid thing in our lives. And if you are like me, maybe you seem to do them quite a bit! Yes, of course, sometimes people just misunderstand you, and that hurts, too. But lets face it, all of us have areas in our lives that need changed!
I must admit, I have many areas in my life to change. In fact, I can get quite discouraged thinking about all my sins and shortcomings! For me, I have to repent a lot, ask people for forgiveness countless times..... I sure wish I walked in the Spirit of God more than in my stinking flesh! "Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
We should walk in the spirit more than in the dictates of our flesh. We should walk in love (God's love) more than we do. AND we can! But we cannot do it without Jesus. Jesus tells us in "John 15:4-5 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." We can bring forth Godly fruit only through Jesus. It is when we walk and talk with Him, and let Him walk and talk trough us, that we are in the right spirit. As Jesus said,"for without me ye can do nothing." We can do nothing right without Him. And boy do we get in trouble when we try to do it on our own!!!
So, what do we do when we mess up? first, we repent. (Realize that we've done wrong, turn away from the wrong, and turn to God for help to change.) Then, if we can, we ask for forgiveness. I'm not saying everything will be alright then: we may have to pay the consequences, and/or the person(s) may not be able to forgive and trust us ever again. Also, if the situation calls for it, make restitution. You might have to ask God and a Godly counselor about how to do restitution: for the situation may be best left alone. Nonetheless, we need to do what God instructs us to do.
After that, we just have to let God work. We keep our hearts open before God, so that He can cleanse our hearts and minds. We have to walk in forgiveness: we have to forgive others, even if they can't forgive us; we have to receive God's forgiveness for ourselves; and we have to walk in forgiveness towards ourselves. We can't focus on what we've done, but focus on what God wants to do through us. Remember, we will become like what we focus on: if we focus on ourselves, we'll become more messed up; but if we focus on Jesus, we'll become like Him.
Is it easy giving it all to the LORD? No, sometimes it's easier than at other times, but Father God is our best friend, he will walk with us through it all. I have spent days weeping, and crying out to God for His help. I've asked Him to strengthen those I've hurt, to give them peace, and to help them forgive me for being a jerk........ but I must trust God. Only God can heal their pain and my pain as well. .....
I thank God for my family...... My husband and I have been together for thirty years. We have gone through rough times, and have hurt each other terribly at times. Nonetheless, we are still together because we forgive each other... Yes, there was a time that we could not trust each other, because the pain was so great, but we stayed together and grew stronger. My children all live with us still, and they've learned the valuable lesson of forgiveness as well. We've learned to understand each other, and still love one another. WOW! What a precious gift: to know someone and still love them! It makes me appreciate God's love- He knows me, and He still loves me! How awesome!
I think we all have done at least one stupid thing in our lives. And if you are like me, maybe you seem to do them quite a bit! Yes, of course, sometimes people just misunderstand you, and that hurts, too. But lets face it, all of us have areas in our lives that need changed!
I must admit, I have many areas in my life to change. In fact, I can get quite discouraged thinking about all my sins and shortcomings! For me, I have to repent a lot, ask people for forgiveness countless times..... I sure wish I walked in the Spirit of God more than in my stinking flesh! "Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
We should walk in the spirit more than in the dictates of our flesh. We should walk in love (God's love) more than we do. AND we can! But we cannot do it without Jesus. Jesus tells us in "John 15:4-5 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." We can bring forth Godly fruit only through Jesus. It is when we walk and talk with Him, and let Him walk and talk trough us, that we are in the right spirit. As Jesus said,"for without me ye can do nothing." We can do nothing right without Him. And boy do we get in trouble when we try to do it on our own!!!
So, what do we do when we mess up? first, we repent. (Realize that we've done wrong, turn away from the wrong, and turn to God for help to change.) Then, if we can, we ask for forgiveness. I'm not saying everything will be alright then: we may have to pay the consequences, and/or the person(s) may not be able to forgive and trust us ever again. Also, if the situation calls for it, make restitution. You might have to ask God and a Godly counselor about how to do restitution: for the situation may be best left alone. Nonetheless, we need to do what God instructs us to do.
After that, we just have to let God work. We keep our hearts open before God, so that He can cleanse our hearts and minds. We have to walk in forgiveness: we have to forgive others, even if they can't forgive us; we have to receive God's forgiveness for ourselves; and we have to walk in forgiveness towards ourselves. We can't focus on what we've done, but focus on what God wants to do through us. Remember, we will become like what we focus on: if we focus on ourselves, we'll become more messed up; but if we focus on Jesus, we'll become like Him.
Is it easy giving it all to the LORD? No, sometimes it's easier than at other times, but Father God is our best friend, he will walk with us through it all. I have spent days weeping, and crying out to God for His help. I've asked Him to strengthen those I've hurt, to give them peace, and to help them forgive me for being a jerk........ but I must trust God. Only God can heal their pain and my pain as well. .....
I thank God for my family...... My husband and I have been together for thirty years. We have gone through rough times, and have hurt each other terribly at times. Nonetheless, we are still together because we forgive each other... Yes, there was a time that we could not trust each other, because the pain was so great, but we stayed together and grew stronger. My children all live with us still, and they've learned the valuable lesson of forgiveness as well. We've learned to understand each other, and still love one another. WOW! What a precious gift: to know someone and still love them! It makes me appreciate God's love- He knows me, and He still loves me! How awesome!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tattered and Torn
Today the family was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner. I was listening to their conversations: The subject of house pets came up and about all the work they are to take care of......
Stephanie proudly announced that her dog was well behaved! Quickly the boys reminded her about all the books the dog had chewed when it was a puppy!! In defense, she promptly replied, "Well, all animals are like that!" Feeling a little childlike, I sheepishly added, "That's not true; my goldfish never ate any of my books." Peels of laughter immediately diffused all other rebuttles......
After the family left the kitchen I remembered a piece from my journal, when Stephanie's puppy did like eating books...
Tattered and Torn
One day I left my bible in the living room, on the coffee table. That would have been OK, if it weren’t for two dogs. One of them is going through the chewing stage. I should have known better, but I left it there, forgetting how much our pup likes books. I know that we are supposed to “taste and see that the LORD is good,” but I don’t think letting the dog have my bible was what God had in mind. When I found my bible again, it was mess!
I began to pick up the pieces, crying and chiding myself for being so dumb. I loved my little bible! I carried it everywhere with me. (Well, evidently not everywhere, or the dog wouldn’t have got it.) I was really upset with myself! I was crying and shaking at the same time, tears were streaming down my face. My precious Word of God, how could I have been so stupid! That little bible had been instrumental to opening up the kingdom of heaven to me! It had revealed to me my Savior’s love! I had other bibles, but this one was in such a simple language that even a child could understand it. I had felt like a new child when I began to read it; it made God real to me. Now it lay in many pieces!
I decided to divert my passion into praying for others. No use in focusing on myself. When you’re hurting, you can refocus and be touched with the feelings of others. My heart was tender at the moment, so I fervently applied my heart to prayer.
When I began to calm down, the Lord spoke so tenderly to my soul, “Are you willing to give up your little bible?” I said, “Yes Lord, I’ll do anything you ask.” He then asked, “Do you really want to give it up?” “No,” was my sad reply. The Lord then asked me another question. “Are you willing to carry your little bible with you even though it’s cover is ripped up and it’s missing pages? I said, “Yes Lord, even though it’s ugly now and keeps falling apart, I’m willing to carry it around, because I love this little bible. It’s mine.”
What God ministered to my heart next, sent me into such a tearful, thankful, joyful and precious, loving time with Him that I never shall forget it. My eyes brim with tears as I write this, and my heart overflows with love for Him.
What Our Precious, Loving, Heavenly Father said to me was something like this. (I can’t remember precisely because I was so overwhelmed by His goodness.) … “That is the way I am with my children. I am not ashamed to call them my own. I am not afraid to show them off to others, even though everyone can see that they are a mess. People can readily see their faults and blemishes, but I still use them. I proudly call them mine. I clean them up and fix them up as time goes by. Sometimes during the mending/ healing process, people can see the ugly tape holding them together, but I don’t hide them away….. ‘I have called you by name. Child you are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1 (1 Jn 3:1, 1 Cor. 6:20, Rom. 5:8)
“Oh what love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!” Know this, that you are bought with a price, you are not your own and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us and gave himself for us.
Give yourself completely to Him. Let His love, His blood and His Word wash you and cleanse you, and make you whole!
Stephanie proudly announced that her dog was well behaved! Quickly the boys reminded her about all the books the dog had chewed when it was a puppy!! In defense, she promptly replied, "Well, all animals are like that!" Feeling a little childlike, I sheepishly added, "That's not true; my goldfish never ate any of my books." Peels of laughter immediately diffused all other rebuttles......
After the family left the kitchen I remembered a piece from my journal, when Stephanie's puppy did like eating books...
Tattered and Torn
One day I left my bible in the living room, on the coffee table. That would have been OK, if it weren’t for two dogs. One of them is going through the chewing stage. I should have known better, but I left it there, forgetting how much our pup likes books. I know that we are supposed to “taste and see that the LORD is good,” but I don’t think letting the dog have my bible was what God had in mind. When I found my bible again, it was mess!
I began to pick up the pieces, crying and chiding myself for being so dumb. I loved my little bible! I carried it everywhere with me. (Well, evidently not everywhere, or the dog wouldn’t have got it.) I was really upset with myself! I was crying and shaking at the same time, tears were streaming down my face. My precious Word of God, how could I have been so stupid! That little bible had been instrumental to opening up the kingdom of heaven to me! It had revealed to me my Savior’s love! I had other bibles, but this one was in such a simple language that even a child could understand it. I had felt like a new child when I began to read it; it made God real to me. Now it lay in many pieces!
I decided to divert my passion into praying for others. No use in focusing on myself. When you’re hurting, you can refocus and be touched with the feelings of others. My heart was tender at the moment, so I fervently applied my heart to prayer.
When I began to calm down, the Lord spoke so tenderly to my soul, “Are you willing to give up your little bible?” I said, “Yes Lord, I’ll do anything you ask.” He then asked, “Do you really want to give it up?” “No,” was my sad reply. The Lord then asked me another question. “Are you willing to carry your little bible with you even though it’s cover is ripped up and it’s missing pages? I said, “Yes Lord, even though it’s ugly now and keeps falling apart, I’m willing to carry it around, because I love this little bible. It’s mine.”
What God ministered to my heart next, sent me into such a tearful, thankful, joyful and precious, loving time with Him that I never shall forget it. My eyes brim with tears as I write this, and my heart overflows with love for Him.
What Our Precious, Loving, Heavenly Father said to me was something like this. (I can’t remember precisely because I was so overwhelmed by His goodness.) … “That is the way I am with my children. I am not ashamed to call them my own. I am not afraid to show them off to others, even though everyone can see that they are a mess. People can readily see their faults and blemishes, but I still use them. I proudly call them mine. I clean them up and fix them up as time goes by. Sometimes during the mending/ healing process, people can see the ugly tape holding them together, but I don’t hide them away….. ‘I have called you by name. Child you are mine.’” Isaiah 43:1 (1 Jn 3:1, 1 Cor. 6:20, Rom. 5:8)
“Oh what love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God!” Know this, that you are bought with a price, you are not your own and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us and gave himself for us.
Give yourself completely to Him. Let His love, His blood and His Word wash you and cleanse you, and make you whole!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Don't Shrink Back by K.Y
"His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God's sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, God will have no pleasure in them." Hebrews 10:37-38 (Living)
Faith is the giving of yourself 100% to God, trusting Him in and for everything. Faith doesn't regard what "self" wants, but solely on what "God" wants; as we can see in Hebrews chapter eleven, Faith's Hall of Fame: Those believers gave their lives in total obedience; to please God, not to please their flesh and desires. We can't control our own life and be in "faith". Letting God have control, trusting Him in and for everything is faith.
Where does faith come from? "Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News--the Good News about Christ." Romans 10:17 (Living). "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (KJV). We must spend time getting to know God and His Word! We spend time in intimate prayer hearing, listening to God's voice (God's spoken word), and reading, 'hearing', listening to (God's written Word). Reading God's word is not hearing it unless it's alive and speaking to us directly; it has a meaning to us. We must hide it in our hearts, before we can really "hear it". The Word speaks to us when we are meditating on it, -or just walking through the day, - longing to obey and walk in the Spirit. Have you ever started to do something i.e. tell a lie and then hear something come to your conscience, "Thou shalt not bear false witness. [Lie]." Ex 20:16 (KJV)? Well, if you stop and tell the truth instead of lying, that's when you are truly "hearing" the Word. The one scripture that keeps speaking to me is, " But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4 (KJV). Many times I'd like to get really nasty with my husband, but I'm reminded to be gentle and quiet! I'm also reminded that it's of great price (very precious) in the sight of God. I desire to be precious to my Lord. When I obey, I've won a victory of FAITH and I'm also very pleasing to Father God. Faith (simple child like trust in God and His word) gives us the power to obey. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
"Faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6 (KJV). We can have faith to remove mountains, but if we have not love, we are just noisy gongs, useless nobodies. 1 Corinthians 13 (AMPLIFIED)
Faith works by love; love comes by knowing God intimately and letting Him fill you with Himself; emptying you of "self". The more time we spend with Him the more we become like Him. God loves others; therefore we love others, esteeming them better than ourselves. (Philippians 2)
"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God--for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 (Living) "For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger." 1 John 4:12 (Living)
"God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed [shrink back] at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too." 1 John 4:16b-17 (Living)
We don't want to be embarrassed or ashamed and have to shrink back, for if we do, we will be eternally lost and "God will have no pleasure in them" Heb. 10:38 "And now, my little children, stay in happy fellowship with the Lord so that when he comes you will be sure that all is well and will not have to be ashamed and shrink back from meeting him." 1 John 2:28 (Living)
My admonition is this, "So keep on believing what you have been taught ….. If you do, you will always be in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son." 1 John 2:24 (Living)
If you keep in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son, then you'll have no reason to shrink back: You'll gladly run (or should I say 'fly') to meet Him!
Faith is the giving of yourself 100% to God, trusting Him in and for everything. Faith doesn't regard what "self" wants, but solely on what "God" wants; as we can see in Hebrews chapter eleven, Faith's Hall of Fame: Those believers gave their lives in total obedience; to please God, not to please their flesh and desires. We can't control our own life and be in "faith". Letting God have control, trusting Him in and for everything is faith.
Where does faith come from? "Yet faith comes from listening to this Good News--the Good News about Christ." Romans 10:17 (Living). "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 (KJV). We must spend time getting to know God and His Word! We spend time in intimate prayer hearing, listening to God's voice (God's spoken word), and reading, 'hearing', listening to (God's written Word). Reading God's word is not hearing it unless it's alive and speaking to us directly; it has a meaning to us. We must hide it in our hearts, before we can really "hear it". The Word speaks to us when we are meditating on it, -or just walking through the day, - longing to obey and walk in the Spirit. Have you ever started to do something i.e. tell a lie and then hear something come to your conscience, "Thou shalt not bear false witness. [Lie]." Ex 20:16 (KJV)? Well, if you stop and tell the truth instead of lying, that's when you are truly "hearing" the Word. The one scripture that keeps speaking to me is, " But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4 (KJV). Many times I'd like to get really nasty with my husband, but I'm reminded to be gentle and quiet! I'm also reminded that it's of great price (very precious) in the sight of God. I desire to be precious to my Lord. When I obey, I've won a victory of FAITH and I'm also very pleasing to Father God. Faith (simple child like trust in God and His word) gives us the power to obey. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 (KJV)
"Faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6 (KJV). We can have faith to remove mountains, but if we have not love, we are just noisy gongs, useless nobodies. 1 Corinthians 13 (AMPLIFIED)
Faith works by love; love comes by knowing God intimately and letting Him fill you with Himself; emptying you of "self". The more time we spend with Him the more we become like Him. God loves others; therefore we love others, esteeming them better than ourselves. (Philippians 2)
"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God--for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 (Living) "For though we have never yet seen God, when we love each other God lives in us, and his love within us grows ever stronger." 1 John 4:12 (Living)
"God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him. And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed [shrink back] at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too." 1 John 4:16b-17 (Living)
We don't want to be embarrassed or ashamed and have to shrink back, for if we do, we will be eternally lost and "God will have no pleasure in them" Heb. 10:38 "And now, my little children, stay in happy fellowship with the Lord so that when he comes you will be sure that all is well and will not have to be ashamed and shrink back from meeting him." 1 John 2:28 (Living)
My admonition is this, "So keep on believing what you have been taught ….. If you do, you will always be in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son." 1 John 2:24 (Living)
If you keep in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son, then you'll have no reason to shrink back: You'll gladly run (or should I say 'fly') to meet Him!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Scars and Layers
My daughter and I were making supper.... I handed my daughter an onion, and as she began to peel it, she declared, "This onion has a scar!" She then said, "And it has many layers- just like a lot of people." We had been discussing about some of Stephanie's friends that had gone astray, and the onion became our object lesson....
Yes, it is true. Many people have deep scars. And just like the onion, they have many layers to peel through. Occasionally, as with the onion, you will find a layer that is hard, bruised or rotten, as well. The onion has such a pungent aroma that it will cause you to cry, if you decide to cut through the layers. It's painful to the one trying to get through the layers, but it is also painful to be the one having the layers stripped away. Why do you think people strike out and give off such a stink, when you begin to get through the layers?
God gives us spiritual lessons in many of His creations. If we take heed to them, we can learn much.
Jesus spoke of when he would have to give his life, in order to bring forth the fruit of salvation in John 12:24. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
For us, that means that the outer shell has to fall off. We need to die to what we are outwardly, to let our heart be free and tender, very vulnerable in order to grow and bring forth fruit. If we as people hold onto our layers of who we think we are, layers of hurt or the layers that we call "protection", then we will never bloom. BUT, there is a danger of bearing one's heart to the wrong elements of life! Our heart must be buried deep into the soil of God's Love and watered by His Word. As we let Him strip off the things that doen't belong, and as we take in the warmth and nurishment of God's provision, it is then that we can grow. We will begin to branch out and give the fruit of our lives to others.
Nevertheless, if we choose to keep our pitiful layers, our lives will end at a loss. Verse 25 of John 12 says, "He that loveth his life shall lose it [he that loves all the layers of stuff around himself will lose his life]; and he that hateth his life in this world [he that lets go of it all to God] shall keep it [a new wonderful life] unto life eternal."
It's an awesome wonderful love story: We can either hang on to our layers of filthy rags, or we can sink deep into the nurishment of His love, and allow ourselves be stripped, in order to be clothed in righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
I am willing to be stripped of all I am, and yield to His love, cleansing and nourishment, so that I may be covered with His garments. Are you willing to do the same?
Yes, it is true. Many people have deep scars. And just like the onion, they have many layers to peel through. Occasionally, as with the onion, you will find a layer that is hard, bruised or rotten, as well. The onion has such a pungent aroma that it will cause you to cry, if you decide to cut through the layers. It's painful to the one trying to get through the layers, but it is also painful to be the one having the layers stripped away. Why do you think people strike out and give off such a stink, when you begin to get through the layers?
God gives us spiritual lessons in many of His creations. If we take heed to them, we can learn much.
Jesus spoke of when he would have to give his life, in order to bring forth the fruit of salvation in John 12:24. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
For us, that means that the outer shell has to fall off. We need to die to what we are outwardly, to let our heart be free and tender, very vulnerable in order to grow and bring forth fruit. If we as people hold onto our layers of who we think we are, layers of hurt or the layers that we call "protection", then we will never bloom. BUT, there is a danger of bearing one's heart to the wrong elements of life! Our heart must be buried deep into the soil of God's Love and watered by His Word. As we let Him strip off the things that doen't belong, and as we take in the warmth and nurishment of God's provision, it is then that we can grow. We will begin to branch out and give the fruit of our lives to others.
Nevertheless, if we choose to keep our pitiful layers, our lives will end at a loss. Verse 25 of John 12 says, "He that loveth his life shall lose it [he that loves all the layers of stuff around himself will lose his life]; and he that hateth his life in this world [he that lets go of it all to God] shall keep it [a new wonderful life] unto life eternal."
It's an awesome wonderful love story: We can either hang on to our layers of filthy rags, or we can sink deep into the nurishment of His love, and allow ourselves be stripped, in order to be clothed in righteousness.
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
I am willing to be stripped of all I am, and yield to His love, cleansing and nourishment, so that I may be covered with His garments. Are you willing to do the same?
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