Thursday, February 25, 2016

Be Ye Strong




Perhaps you grew up having learned the little Bible song, "Jesus Loves Me." One of the lines says, "I am weak, but He is strong! Yes, Jesus loves me!"

Be reminded that in our weakness, our valleys, our inabilities, that God is able to deliver His strength in every situation.

Ever been surprised with a great outcome? Ever had a negative or unexpected "bad" outcome? Jesus loves you through it all. 

Purpose in your heart to be a vessel of clay for HIS molding and shaping. For His glory. Often it's not easy being so flexible and obedient, but it will deepen your roots! And that's a good with God.

Let's keep looking up!



Wednesday, February 17, 2016

12 Reasons God Loves You



Have you ever asked, "God loves me, why??!!"

Here are 12 specific reasons!!

Because HE...Created us in His image.

Because HE Knew we needed a Savior.

Because He sent His Son to die for you.

Because HE...
Knows your past.
Knows your presence.
Knows your future.

HE knows through our weakness HE is made strong.

HE knows His love (and blood) covers a multitude of sin.

HE knows His love is unconditional.

HE knew we would never forgive ourselves for things, that HE has applied grace and forgiveness to.

HE knew we couldn't/shouldn't walk alone in disbelief.

God loves you...because He sees his children as redeemed!

Now --- AFTER ALL of that ---don't you think we should give HIM our best in return?

Let's look UP friends!




Monday, February 15, 2016

Famous Quotes Deliver Food for Thought




Lately I’ve read several famous quotes. Quotes from all varieties of people and diverse beliefs. I use God’s Word as my personal navigator, but it’s also healthy to understand others’ views and beliefs (in my opinion). For instance, I like autobiographies. I like insight on what makes people tick. How they overcame the odds. How they used their gifts. How God orchestrated things for their good (Romans 8:28) even though it may not have felt like it at the time. Things like that.

In that mindset, famous quotes can deliver food for thought.

I' can’t immediately recall which famous minister said the following quote: “I have two days in my calendar. Today and the day of judgment.”  

 
I think it was Spurgeon or Luther, but nonetheless, it is quite deep when you think about it.

Then the quote, “You can’t develop Christian character from books.” I’m not the expert to criticize another person’s beliefs or opinions, but I do wish the end of that sentence said, “Except the Bible – God’s Holy Word.” God certainly does instruct, lead, and convict us through His Word.

I believe the MORE time put into God’s Word, the more you’ll receive in return. The MORE we faithfully attend the House of God, the more you’ll receive in return. The MORE prayerful we are in our daily lives, the more we’ll receive of grace and mercy, in return. The MORE closely we communicate and walk with the Lord, the more intimacy, love, and peace we experience, in return.

So…allow me to ask you, dear reader. Is there a quote that speaks deeply to your soul? I encourage you to search the Bible. Ask God to lead you to the right Scripture needed for this time in your life – no matter how troubled, painful, or joyful it is right now.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Top 10 Quotes About Love


I tend to like lists - all kinds of lists. I just feel organized when I have a list.  A to-do list at work, the grocery list, the Christmas gift list, the birthday list…I can come up with a list for so many things! Maybe even a “honey-do” list if I think on it too much. Yes, lists are good. The other thing about lists, is they often change. Ask me again tomorrow, and the list may have changed. But, being that today is Valentine’s Day, I wanted to comprise a list of my TOP 10 Quotes about L-O-V-E. Maybe you have your favorite quotes too, or a few of yours might be listed below as well. (I easily found the first half online)

________________________________________________________________

Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star… E.E. Cummings                                (I really do LOVE Cummings!)

 

As a girl where I was a Flower of the mountain yes when I put the rose in my hair like the Andalusian girls used or shall I wear a red yes and how he kissed me under the Moorish wall and I thought well as well him as another and then I asked him with my eyes to ask again yes and then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower James Joyce

 
The only thing we never get enough of is love; and the only thing we never give enough of is love. Henry Miller


I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it’s these things I’d believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn’t all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything. F. Scott Fitzgerald

BIBLE QUOTES ABOUT LOVE


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life - 3:16 (KJV)

John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.


1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.


May you know the love of God in your heart today…seek blessings and you will find them. Remember, the love of God penetrates the darkest of night.


Let’s keep looking UP!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Mustard Seed Prayer -- Part II


Mustard Seed Prayer – Part II
 

Matthew 17:20 (KJV) - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Today’s blog is a continuation of prayer on the mustard seed. If I’m not mistaken, God uses this parable twice in the Bible, so it’s absolutely something we can learn from. Mediate on. Pray about. The mustard seed, the soil, the birds, the person…think about where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going! Then join me in part 2 of this short prayer.


Let us Pray:

Lord, help me to understand and do the work that you’ve commissioned. Not for my neighbor, but for me.  I understand that having BIG faith shadowed in DOUBT and fear does no good for anyone. It’s not necessarily the size of the mustard seed, but the fruitful plant that it becomes. A single little seed and grow into a giant tree! A fruit bearing tree!  I ask you, God, – help me to be more fruitful. For your glory; none of my own.

Like the seed itself, help my faith to grow. Pure. Unencumbered. Brave. Rich in substance even on stiff ground.

Thank you for your Word. You’ve promised your Word will not return void. Rather, with the faith of a mustard seed, I can move mountains! When I grow weary from the climb, I still have your Word. When my roots feel dry and the soil feels rocky, I still have your Word. When I can’t fathom facing tomorrow, you, my precious Lord, are already there. You, Heavenly Father, the God of Israel know my name and my circumstances. Help me to grow on thorny ground, what otherwise feels impossible to man. Deliver me from doubt as the goliaths try to stomp out my strength. Help me to keep my eyes OFF others, and focus on my relationship with YOU.

Lord, help me to be more like the mustard seed. The seed doesn’t question you. It doesn’t doubt you. The seed obeys without hesitation or fear. It does what you created it to do.

Teach me to grow in both happiness and pain. I see you in EVERY situation in my life. May I live a STRONG daily Faith, sewing seeds for you to say, “Well done, they good and faithful servant,” someday!
Help me to use MY mustard seed of Faith...

In Jesus’ name,

Amen
 

Monday, January 25, 2016

Why Is It Easy to Hold Grudges?


Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I'm going to reveal a secret...a BIG one! Can you handle it? It's about our churches. Our friends. Our Faith. People we hold in high regard. Or, perhaps we used to.
Sometimes Christians mistreat each other. Yes, we do. Not said to cause harm on any level, but to expose this secret behavior.
Allow me to illustrate this topic. I recently ran into an old friend. I was happy to see this person. I smiled and attempted to engage in  brief, "Hello, it's good to see you," moment.  By the word friend, I specifically mean someone I’ve known at least fourteen years, maybe more. Someone I’d see on a weekly basis. We’d always greet each other with a hug. Emphasis on hug. Not an inappropriate one – but a sweet pure one.
Perhaps you’ve guessed by now, that this person and I attended the same church at one point. As far as I know, we have never had a cross word or difference of opinion on the basics of life or our Biblical beliefs. No true dissimilarities. I can’t think of a single one.
Hmm…funny how that happens. How quick we are to assume and pass judgement. Does this action of avoidance further the cause of Christ? Who does she/he think will be proud of this behavior? This type of “avoidance/shunning” is supposed to glorify God? Good questions to ask of ourselves.

Let’s face it. We all do it. Maybe to different degrees.  I ran into stranger picking up a few things in the pharmacy today. The lady was screaming and threatening her child in a loud manner. The poor kid looked so embarrassed and scared. I coolly observed as I kept my place in line. Don’t we usually do that – step back so not to interfere unnecessarily? I’m not a “caped crusader” out trying to solve other people’s problems. Frankly, I just wanted my medicine and the ability to leave quickly. I found myself thinking, “I hope this crazy lady doesn’t hit this little girl. I’m gonna’ have to intercede.” But, I didn’t really know the behind-the-scene story. Maybe the mom had cabin fever and the kid had stressed her beyond her limitations. Maybe the husband had hit the wife before she left to go pick up his “smokes and booze.” Maybe she was up three consecutive nights throwing up and her final nerve had gotten the best of her? Perhaps she was parenting as she had been raised and didn’t know any better. Maybe she had been called “dumb idiot” her entire life too? I didn’t really know the facts, but my first thought was that this lady was NUTS.

That’s the thing with judgement, bitterness and hard feelings. Sometimes people wear them like a badge of honor. Sometimes people wear them like a weapon.  In reverse manner, some people accept it as a scarlet letter forever marking their lives.

So, let’s ask ourselves…WHY IS IT SO EASY TO HOLD A GRUDGE and JUDGE? Here are 10 possible reasons…

1)    It empowers and allows the person (the one doing the judging) to be in control. Life Lesson: If the person is overly critical, it’s a red flag!

2)    The individual has allowed the adversary to erase the respectable things they’ve seen, and replace it for bad. Usually in one swift motion.

3)    Pointing fingers at someone else is A LOT easier than looking inwardly at our own actions. Who enjoys taking ownership of unscrupulous things?!

4)    Let’s admit it, it’s easier to convince others of “bad goings on” than good goings on. It’s our human nature. And people are persuasive.

5)    Some people become so absorbed in the “what’s wrong” or the blame-game, they lose perspective.

6)    Entitlement. Pride. Unfriending someone on FB feels authoritative, right? Avoiding phone calls. Choosing not to respond to a text. Feels good to block someone (even though you didn’t have a direct issue with them) from social media on occasion? Feels justified to avoid someone because you heard this…or you heard that from a “reliable” source?  (Be cautious as to your justifications. If you’re on someone else’s bandwagon, you might be disappointed later on).

7)     People think it shows loyalty. As misguided as it might be. Do you remember the scene in the movie, Step-Mom, when the daughter was talking to her mom, Susan Sarandon, about the character Julia Roberts played? She said, “Mommy, I’ll hate her if you want me to!”  Some of us are really like that.

8)    Sometimes people hold on to their sense of injustice to further their own cause. Yep, the ugly “agenda” word. The process of “joining your team” to help correct the injustices of the world. Or to join in on character assassination. Whatever works in the group or in the relationship?

9)    It’s much easier to hold a grudge when we’re not PRAYING for the person who’s mistreating us. It’s WAY easier to do wrong when our relationship with God isn’t as mature as we allow others to think it is.  
10) We ASSUME too much. Too much, too easily. We respond with the flesh and not the Spirit.  We’re too comfortable deciding for ourselves.                        

Sad, right!? Ughhhhhh….it sort of makes me sick to my stomach. We really CAN and WILL hurt the cause of Christ by holding on to these irrational grudges, especially when we/you weren’t even involved in the discord.

An article by the Mayo Clinic worded it like this,”Forgiveness doesn't mean that you deny the other person's responsibility for hurting you, and it doesn't minimize or justify the wrong. You can forgive the person without excusing the act. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.”

The Bible tells us, Luke 6:27 - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.

Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.”

So, if you’ve been misunderstood, judged incorrectly, hurt, shunned, broken, or falsely accused. Guess what? We’ve almost all been there at some point. Purpose to let it go….the great news is, that our Redeemer knows it all. No need to explain anything to Him. He already knows and He cares about your wounded heart. He’s been through it too, after all. Read PSALM 34:18 (KJV) now!!

Ask God to help mend your broken heart…He will. Chose to let go of any grudges you may be holding on to. It may take time, but His grace is sufficient. Forgiveness will strengthen your spirit. You’ll savor the sweetness of grace! Renew your purpose to serve Him MORE…the closer our Savior is in your life, the further away your disappointments will be.

But, what if they’re NOT sorry?! Forgive them anyway. Was the lady in the pharmacy sorry she screamed and acted like a maniac temporarily? No. Not when I was around, anyway.  But I was able to wink at the little girl and whisper, "Jesus loves you," to her. She just beamed.


Let’s look UP my friends!