tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20786843911665215692024-03-05T09:16:42.571-05:00He Is Forever FaithfulHesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-6099256176002009792014-11-07T10:41:00.000-05:002015-01-07T10:00:31.240-05:00Pharisee Fluff<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj">I have an entire list of things from the Bible that I wish to NEVER hear the Lord say to me. Along with Matthew 7:21-23 when the Lord says, "......depart from me you worker of iniquity. I never knew you....", the following passage is right up there at the top of that list:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj">The passage (Matthew 23:27) reads like this in the New King James:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj">“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead <i>men’s</i> bones and all uncleanness."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="woj">In The Message it reads:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You’re hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been pondering this verse as of late for many reasons and have had some life experiences that serve as tremendous analogies that I'd like to share with you.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I recently overheard a customer at the table next to ours at a local restaurant order a drink with no ice. "I don't want a bunch of ice that waters down my drink and takes up space when I can have more of the real thing" she said. If we're not careful, making sure we are spending time with the Lord in the Word and in prayer as well as continually checking our hearts, we can have an abundance of watered down religion that fills up space in our spirits instead of the "real thing". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several weeks ago I spent a painstaking amount of time preparing a complicated cake recipe. I was extremely excited to see the finished product only to discover a huge drop in the center of the cake. The cake sunk in the middle and looked more like a giant donut than a cake. I was crushed. My daughter consoled me, "It's okay, mom, just fill the middle with extra frosting until it's level with the sides and no one will ever know. I'm sure it tastes great." Obviously, I missed something in the recipe or didn't follow instructions properly and that resulted in a far cry from what I was trying to create. When we fail to follow the Lord's instructions and boundaries or choose our own way, thinking we know better, we create in our lives something that is a far cry from what God had destined for us. We fail to receive His best. We look good on the outside but we have no substance. It's all fluff!! We are filled with ice or frosting and become like painted over tombs looking good on the outside but filled with dead men's bones. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRMt8FJNHo8GUlSnVV-Dy3wXB-jBNekZoNVLP8nj6lHd7r9LGgjBRBVaPa8WlG84VD4ZCpfjhL548Fq_b8zvGlqmcEpmuTcxtgW3c0gX5ryJm_T462FxcI59wvzROIdCfT06DvzL7R_s/s1600/Pharisee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRMt8FJNHo8GUlSnVV-Dy3wXB-jBNekZoNVLP8nj6lHd7r9LGgjBRBVaPa8WlG84VD4ZCpfjhL548Fq_b8zvGlqmcEpmuTcxtgW3c0gX5ryJm_T462FxcI59wvzROIdCfT06DvzL7R_s/s1600/Pharisee.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus was saying something really, really rude to the religious leaders when He said they were like tombs painted white. To put it in context, tombs were painted white so that people didn’t trip over them at night and therefore become ‘unclean’ through contact with the dead. He was basically saying that they were painted cover-ups of decay.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps you've seen the "prank cake" online. It's a balloon decorated to look like a cake so the unsuspecting victim gets and explosion when they cut it. The "cake" is beautifully decorated but it's a fraud. It's pretending to be a cake. No matter how beautifully decorated the balloon is, it will never be a cake. We may know all the "christianese" phrases, dress modestly, act holy but be nothing but hot air inside if we are not being real with God and naked before Him. We must be willing to surrender all to Him no matter how painful it may be. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One last illustration and being completely transparent with you, my friends. I do not wear my seat belt most of the time. Before you email me and lecture me on all the reasons why this is so wrong (including the fact that I'm not obeying the law), let me just say I'm trying to do a better job at this. I'm not going to give you all the excuses why I don't like to wear my seat belt, rather I'm going to get straight to my last illustration. I recently was commuting to work and noticed a police officer ahead. I quickly grabbed my seatbelt and pulled it in front of me and held it, not locking it in place. It looked like I had it on when I went by the officer. However, in the event of an accident, this misuse of my seat belt would surely fail to save my life. If we take Scripture out of context to fit our own agenda, if we grab our Bibles when we go to church and we post tons of Scripture on Facebook but we don't really study, pray and worship on our own time, all those outward acts will fail to save us in the end. Only a heart truly right and obedient before the Lord will know Him and be known by Him. He's not impressed by how much Scripture we can quote, how many hours we pretend to pray or how many times a week we are in church. He knows our hearts. I should be so busy examining my own heart, making sure I'm in right standing with the Lord, changing the areas He wants me to change and focusing all my attention on pleasing His heart that I have no time left whatsoever to point out the faults and failures in others. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lord, help me to be a woman of substance. I want to live out my faith and not be filled with fluff. I recognize that who I am is who I am when it's just You and me and no one is watching. Help me to be real and not get caught up with only how things appear. Create in me a clean heart and continually renew a right spirit within me. I'd rather the outside be falling apart while the inside is pure before You than the other way around. I surrender all to You and ask You to have Your way in me. Holy Spirit, change me, mold me, make me more like Christ. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-6052809265390791912014-08-29T11:24:00.000-04:002014-08-29T12:15:52.524-04:00Son Follower<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=EoTM8H3FNhCUoM&tbnid=coHrH7I9ksa4ZM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coloradocaptures.com%2Fsunflowers-forever-104&ei=dZUAVNZvxMeDBMHsgpAI&bvm=bv.74115972,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNGSjL8kqEn9_HWY6-WIOH1Au-74OA&ust=1409410803514655" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I recently read an interesting article about sunflowers. I learned a few things with incredible spiritual application. Sunflowers love the sun. A sunflower grows with it's face constantly toward the sun. The sun provides growth from light and causes the sunflower to stretch even closer toward that light source. This process is called phototropism. Now, Heliotropism is the sunflowers added ability to track the sun's movements... slowly moving the face of it's flower toward the sun to receive the full impact of the sun's rays. The stem of the flower and the leaf's stem contain specialized cells (pulvinus) which alter the amount of water present in order to optimize the health of the sunflower. These specialized cells can reduce their water flow in response to the sun's rays in order to keep the sunflower healthy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKrQCqSPTQdsChcqBxXbOzwVAmP2azmmwCc-wARUb0vwhn6bJC4Mm7jaA-Mc0jH7M2OpdRz4x05WE2q15gEytgIJhh6BBnCa2gzvuQhZnT6182eCI_vpm90qPwgZ3-0d00d5APEFUvUY/s1600/Sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKrQCqSPTQdsChcqBxXbOzwVAmP2azmmwCc-wARUb0vwhn6bJC4Mm7jaA-Mc0jH7M2OpdRz4x05WE2q15gEytgIJhh6BBnCa2gzvuQhZnT6182eCI_vpm90qPwgZ3-0d00d5APEFUvUY/s1600/Sunflowers.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Is it just me or are there a ton of analogies that can be gleaned from the life of a sunflower? As Believers, we must love the Son, always keeping our faces toward Him. We must be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that our whole being moves when He moves and is still when He is still. We must "track" the Lord's every move and sense His leading inside of us. We have a built-in GPS in the form of the Holy Spirit. We don't have to guess what way to go, we can just ask the Lord and His Holy Spirit will guide us. Acts 17:28 tells us that "in Him we live and move and have our being."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am reminded of the Israelites in the dessert, led by a cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night. The Holy Spirit led them wherever they should go. Whether it was day or night, clear or stormy, whatever was going on in life, when that cloud or that pillar of fire moved, they moved along with it. Dear brother, dear sister, no matter what is going on in your life, be guided by the Holy Spirit. Be so in tune with His leading that your face is forever pointed toward the Son. The sunflower's entire life is based on drawing closer to the sun. It doesn't fret over anything. It isn't moved or thrown off track by what is going on around it. It stays steadfast constantly stretching toward the sun. At night, it repositions it's face in the direction of the East in order to greet the sun first thing in the morning. Do you see where I'm going with this? Our primary goal in life is not about prosperity, health or even "ministry". It's about knowing Him, breathing Him, living Him more and more intimately. Stretching and growing closer to Him every day. As we seek Him continually, He is able to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. When we are completely emptied of any selfish motives and filled with an intense, unquenchable desire to know Him more and more, then we truly live. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His plans for you are good. All He requires of you is to keep your face (heart) inclined toward Him continually. Hebrews 12:2 states, "We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete....... If you're looking for a life filled with peace that is unshakable and unsinkable, you only need be a Son Follower. </div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-16610446762296932562014-08-26T15:25:00.001-04:002016-05-24T16:19:46.134-04:00Waves of Mercy<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Psalm 139:13 states, "Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother's womb."</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Lord knows us intimately. He knows us better than we know ourselves. So, obviously, He knows that I am a visual learner. I learn through nature and every day happenings. If we pay attention, there are spiritual lessons and applications in abundance all around us, every day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a recent visit to the beach, I had a few "aha" moments with the Lord. Those of you that know me, know that the beach is my happy place. Perhaps it's the lull of the ocean waves, the gentle breeze upon my face or the warmth of the sun (Son) embracing me that puts me at such peace when I am there. </div>
<div class="irc_mutc">
<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=TQmR5ozbwTiQDM&tbnid=Jc69BuRRaYQUHM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.1freewallpaper.com%2Fbeach-wallpaper%2F&ei=Adr8U8r8BI6MyASQloC4Bw&bvm=bv.73612305,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNEJkPaYcD_9WGBwLIx56npRBTP4JA&ust=1409166132779453" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="irc_mut" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTUzkSI0R3xIOEkcACJ5V-UhiOfmLp-fRZf3SY2Zpzt79xxIG4" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On this particular visit, the beach portion was very small and disappeared as the tide came in. There was a large wall at the back of the beach just before the street that ran along the shoreline. Therefore, when the tide came in, it reached all the way to the wall and plunged up about 2 feet high. At high tide, the locals and most tourists would pack up their belongings and leave the beach until the tide went back out. I decided to wait out the tide and just place my chair all the way against the wall and lift it for any big waves that would ensue and threaten to carry my belongings out to sea. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I waded in the water, I noticed something. After a few close calls with my belongings almost being swept away, I began to watch the waves more closely. I noticed there were incoming waves that I was almost certain would crash against the back wall and drag anything and everything with it in its path back out to sea. However, the previous wave that was going out to meet the incoming wave, subdued the strength of that incoming wave. It was able to restrain the strength of the incoming wave. What seemed like an incoming disaster was thwarted by the restraining power of the outgoing wave. As I observed this process, I could not help but think of God's mercy and grace. Often times life comes at us full force. Consequences of bad or selfish choices (whether our own or others) have the potential to bring along with it heartache, pain and destruction. Sometimes those consequences are lessons that are necessary and actually profitable even though painful. But sometimes, God intervenes and His "wave" of lovingkindness restrains the impending doom and destruction. Often His amazing grace and His loving mercy subdue and restrain the affects of life. He is able to speak to the storms of our life, "Peace be Still" (Mark 4:39) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After almost 35 years of walking with the Lord, I have finally arrived to a place where I thank God for all the things He's spared me from AND I thank Him for all the lessons, as painful as they may have been, that caused me to grow and become a better person through them. He knows best. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmjEMfOp0Iu7uFvoRpJNDPsmZAn6-lSNTg7zVPbHK63HOGtfLpG1UKKqbkqq599812O1wlasbusQpADBdhkRdPJ0i_5wjZPkRD70WNxKLA8675XKPcNFQR_xj0jbYINHmsnDETxLQiRCg/s1600/380547_301902083172870_100000592428359_1245225_276880516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="CSS_LIGHTBOX_SCALED_IMAGE_IMG" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmjEMfOp0Iu7uFvoRpJNDPsmZAn6-lSNTg7zVPbHK63HOGtfLpG1UKKqbkqq599812O1wlasbusQpADBdhkRdPJ0i_5wjZPkRD70WNxKLA8675XKPcNFQR_xj0jbYINHmsnDETxLQiRCg/s400/380547_301902083172870_100000592428359_1245225_276880516_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another lesson I learned that day was that many will "run" when the going gets tough but often they will miss out on the lesson behind the impending storm. No one likes going through difficulty but as Corrie Ten Boom stated, "In order to realize the worth of the Anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm." May we have the resolve of Jesus to say, "If it be possible, let this cup pass before me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Your will be done. (Matthew 26:39)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I want to encourage you today, wherever God has you (I just happen to be going through a difficult storm in my life right now) be at peace knowing that He knows best. As long as daily you set your heart to please Him and walk in His ways, you can have the assurance that He is working it all for good in spite of how things seem and in spite of any pain you may be experiencing. The pain Jesus faced in the Garden of Gethsemane yielded an eternal, magnificent, and beautiful reward. His plans are best. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="p"><br /></span> </div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-25554243016246729142014-06-20T13:37:00.000-04:002014-06-20T13:37:16.514-04:00Chew the Cud<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I say the word memories are you filled with joy, or are you filled with regret? Did you know the Scriptures command us time and time again to remember? But God didn't just tell us to remember. He told us WHAT to remember. We are to remember His faithfulness, His goodness, His mercies, His lovingkindness, His commandments, His ways, His presence, His character, His forgiveness, etc. You see, God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us the ability to CHOOSE what we remember. We can choose what we dwell on. Like many of you, I have a lot of terrible memories. I used to let those memories consume me. They would awaken me in the middle of the night filled with terror. I would find myself so distraught, sometimes to the point of not even wanting to function for the day. After a lot of wasted hours, I realized that the Lord desires for us to deal with our past and its memories and move on. Why revisit it over and over again? Why dwell on the injustice of it all? Why wonder why abusers go unpunished? What does it profit you? Does dwelling on these things bring justice or relief? Quite the contrary.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of my very favorite portions of Scripture is Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, <strong><u>THINK ON THESE THINGS</u> (</strong><em>and</em> weigh <i>and</i> take account these things [fix your minds on them]) ." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg4QJ89ZcrGKUsL1vTpUOK2KVHz_DPDEcG7Q9xCrnP7DppgBYsai7qb7VdScCoorghk2FHx-5jdVAiORzhMn_Tyzi-YJrVqw9jkz3UHAPVyZzxJ9eiu3gBRcsqZKJVPaEVpjBQ9mmJ1c/s1600/Thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg4QJ89ZcrGKUsL1vTpUOK2KVHz_DPDEcG7Q9xCrnP7DppgBYsai7qb7VdScCoorghk2FHx-5jdVAiORzhMn_Tyzi-YJrVqw9jkz3UHAPVyZzxJ9eiu3gBRcsqZKJVPaEVpjBQ9mmJ1c/s1600/Thinking.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
The human mind is so powerful. It can simply imagine a scenario and cause the feelings related to that scenario to arise within us. For example, if I am thinking of relaxing on the beach, reading a great book, I can sense the peace that would accompany that experience without even actually participating in it. The things we choose to meditate on take root in our hearts. This is why we are encouraged in the book of Philippians to think on good things, on Godly things. We can be filled with Godly emotions and His characteristics can fill us and flow out of us as we meditate on Him. You know the old saying, "Don't be so heavenly minded, you're no earthly good."? Well, I encourage you to be so Heavenly minded (Godly minded) that you are of great earthly good. The Bible promises us in Isaiah 26:3 that He will keep us in perfect peace as our thoughts rest on Him. In other words, when you meditate on Godly things, He rewards you with peace.<br />
<br />
To meditate means to ponder, regurgitate, think aloud, consider continuously and utter something over and over again. You've heard the phrase "chew the cud" referring to meditation. Well, chew the cud is referring to the process a cow uses to digest its food. It will chew it's food, swallow it, digest it and bring it back up again to re-chew, re-swallow, and re-digest. In this way the cow can extract ALL the nutrients and benefits from what they are eating. I know this sounds disgusting but you can see a very important spiritual application here. When we meditate on the Word of God and the things of the Lord, we are chewing them, swallowing them and digesting them as spiritual food. And throughout our lives we bring back up those things that we have learned and we apply them repeatedly to our lives and thus extract all the great benefits and rewards of living a Godly life. <br />
<br />
I challenge you today dear sister, dear brother, take authority over your thoughts, over your memories. Align them with Scripture and walk in newness of life. <br />
<br />
<!--/topics/rom.12.2--><em>Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. "</em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-7904709979469348732014-06-08T15:06:00.000-04:002014-06-09T09:19:49.493-04:00Sacred Scars<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I often wish the scar on my
abdomen were not so unattractive. My youngest son, Seth was 10 lbs 11 oz and
had to be taken cesarean section. Because of his size the incision was
vertical rather than horizontal. Many years later due to a benign tumor, that
same incision would be reopened. It is a significant scar but I’ve come to the
realization that everything we face in life and all of our experiences are
framed with perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can choose to
focus on how unattractive this scar is and feel ashamed or I can choose to focus
on the fact that this scar resulted in producing the life of an amazing young
man that I adore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This same scar reminds
me that God was faithful at a very scary time in my life when doctors were
certain something terrible would be found in my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, I have another scar on my neck that
is a result of my battle with cancer. These scars share a common thread, they
all tell a story and they are all framed by the way I choose to view them. They
tell a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness and His promise to never leave nor
forsake me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything we face in life has
the potential to serve as a memorial of God’s faithfulness or our resignation
to defeat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAoZSrNIlv5F70fcsqPcAhqmubBRCwExHtlYDckYo6EeDRZFBrN7LN7oSWm25xmBSJZV54Cfigt7WFttnZm4NVToSJEDmxnNCDZuVlA-VCFCbrL7duqBrDaC1WOhzayBzwptTUfwimQ/s1600/Sacred+Scars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYAoZSrNIlv5F70fcsqPcAhqmubBRCwExHtlYDckYo6EeDRZFBrN7LN7oSWm25xmBSJZV54Cfigt7WFttnZm4NVToSJEDmxnNCDZuVlA-VCFCbrL7duqBrDaC1WOhzayBzwptTUfwimQ/s1600/Sacred+Scars.jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two thousand years ago scars were
formed that would reshape all of humanity. These scars would be suffered unjustly
and change the world forever. The scars Jesus bore serve as a beautiful
reminder of His unfailing love and His selfless sacrifice. The scandalous cross
with all of its violence and gore is framed with a beautiful picture of
redemption. When we remember His suffering we cannot help but feel overwhelmed
with gratefulness that He was the propitiation for our sin. The spotless,
perfect Lamb of God left all of the comfort and splendor of heaven to suffer a
scandalous, violent death as the single greatest act of love ever to be
performed on Earth. Do we think of the gore and the violence? Do we focus on
the wounds on His Hands, His Feet? No. We focus on the beautiful result of His
sacrifice. The gore, the violence, the scandal yielded a beautiful love story.
We frame the shame of the cross with the beauty of redemption and
reconciliation. We frame the injustice of it all with the realization that
there was no greater love than this. We frame the sufferings of Christ with the
victory of His resurrection and the promise of His return. We choose to
remember these scars, the shame of His nakedness on the cross, and the
injustice of it all can be framed by continual awareness that God so loved us that
He gave. He gave His all because His greatest desire is to have relationship
with us. Oh, what a Savior!!! I am eternally grateful for His sacred scars.</span><br />Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-79979209942119025752014-06-03T14:53:00.001-04:002014-06-03T14:53:48.442-04:00Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Holiness<b><u>LIFE:</u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before receiving Christ and committing my life to Him, I had a sense of emptiness. Even when I felt happy, there seemed to be something missing. I always felt there had to be a greater purpose in life. Satisfaction and contentment seemed to elude me. In the bad times the hopelessness seemed almost too much to bear and the sense of aloneness overwhelming. I look back now and realize how thirsty my soul was for a relationship with its Creator. I believed in the existence of God. I believed in the existence of Jesus and even in the existence of the Holy Spirit. But I realize that even the demons believe and they tremble. If I am drowning and someone throws me a life preserver, I have to know how to utilize that life preserver to save my life. If I don't go beyond knowing God exists and arrive at a relationship with Him, I will never fill the emptiness in my heart. The age old question, "What is the meaning of life" is easily answered in the Word of God. We were created for Him!! It's that plain and that simple. We were created for His purposes, His pleasure, His glory. Am I always "happy" now that I have a great relationship with the Lord? No. But I am always filled with joy and more importantly the assurance that even in the not-so-good times I have a Savior that has promised to never leave me alone and a resolve within my heart that He is working all things together for good. However, that "good" He is working is not necessarily my definition of "good". God sees all, knows all and has the wisdom required to use my life for HIS purposes and I trust Him because I know His character and that He loves me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><u>LIBERTY:</u></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The world will tell you that Christianity is a set of rules and regulations and that entering a relationship with Jesus means giving up everything and anything that is "fun". This couldn't be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, entering a relationship with Jesus sets you free to choose a life of holiness. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 "We are allowed to do all things, but not all things are good for us to do. We are allowed to do all things, but not all things help others grow stronger. <span class="text 1Cor-10-24" id="en-NCV-28475"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also." So, in essence, a life without Christ is a life of bondage where we are giving in to our own desires rather than being free by the Spirit of God to honor the One that created us. Without the Lord in our lives, we are destined to carry the burdens of life ourselves. God never intended for it to be that way. He lifts our burdens and we are able to rest in the fact that He sustains us and gives us exactly what we need each day to make it thorough victoriously. So, you see dear friends, after we commit our lives to Christ, He gives us liberty and freedom to walk out the rest of our days honoring Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text 1Cor-10-24"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text 1Cor-10-24"><strong><u>PURSUIT OF HOLINESS:</u></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text 1Cor-10-24">Once we develop our relationship with Christ and realize the unbelievable price He paid for us and how He set us free, we can't help but desire to give our lives back to Him. It's not about "buying" our salvation, rather a reasonable act of worship to say, "Lord, I am so grateful for all You have done for me and I love You so much but I recognize I have nothing to offer you. Nothing that would even come close to commensurate the sacrifice you made. So, I offer you my life, a living sacrifice. Have Your way in me. Mold me and make me and remake me into the person You desire me to be. Use me to glorify You. This kind of surrender pleases the Lord and releases our burdens. We trade the stress of making our lives count in the way we think they should in exchange for His will, purposes and plans for us. We no longer live for self but dedicate our days to honoring Him and our fellow man. This pursuit for Holiness reminds us that only the Lord in us can cause us to walk in victory and in ways that would draw others to Him. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09Ur9WM3poxCf4Awk_wtZ9G_3brsRm9Qm3f1jf0bmj32qrkX5T3vsXhiWKHFka8g3SAbIjsro5FAXbdZ63X0YMkGxqzacgnYsOXr03TQpYLiVXeErGc-UXOgRfEGWZvLjicjm1mzXFtg/s1600/Pursue+Holiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09Ur9WM3poxCf4Awk_wtZ9G_3brsRm9Qm3f1jf0bmj32qrkX5T3vsXhiWKHFka8g3SAbIjsro5FAXbdZ63X0YMkGxqzacgnYsOXr03TQpYLiVXeErGc-UXOgRfEGWZvLjicjm1mzXFtg/s1600/Pursue+Holiness.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, since no one will see God without it."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text 1Cor-10-24"></span> </div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-66829250044644997922014-03-17T13:18:00.000-04:002014-03-17T13:18:09.533-04:00Growing in Grace<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the 30 plus years I have served the Lord, I have heard Bible verses, quotes and statements made by many believers about growing in grace. However, recently, this idea came alive to me. I am currently enrolled an a theology class being taught by my Pastor. Over the years I have heard him on multiple occasions give the definition of grace (unmerited favor) and even heard him expound on how grace is not a license to sin. Recently, however, he has repeatedly taught us the difference between mercy and grace. Even though they are in some instances very interchangeable, they are two distinct and different characteristics altogether. In rather simple terms, he defines the difference this way: Mercy is what I need when I fail. Grace is what I need so I won't fail.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our theology class last night, Pastor mentioned that the more intimately we are acquainted with Christ, the more grace we receive. I meditated on this for quite some time and of course this makes perfect sense. The more I know Him, the greater my understanding is of what pleases and displeases Him. I thought of the perfect example: After work on Friday, I ran several errands and decided to stop at Saladworks for dinner. I purchased my meal and sat down at a table and began eating and was interrupted by a man seated at a nearby table with his girlfriend:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Man: Excuse me?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: Yes?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Man: I was wondering if I offended you just now?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: Ummm, no. Why?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Man: Well, my girlfriend said that she believes you would be offended by my using</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the "F" word moments ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: Oh, well, I didn't hear you.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Man: Oh, good. I didn't think you were offended.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me: Well, if I HAD heard you, I would have been sad because I am a follower of</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Christ and believe in using words for good and ones that promote peace.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Man: (Surprised look on his face) Oh, well then I'm glad you didn't hear me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyabUuFWziQ8vmTpJbdmjwnf2aCSZMXg28VxymV5iqz-xjxillt3VSnHBaWLAtf8wvLotYEtf_cMZBbItTRcFxwvmCUd8Qr7lAKdWxuTbQ0UzpUDrnAO-KTZUuqieOWYtA6UlxW0JImy0/s1600/Dining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyabUuFWziQ8vmTpJbdmjwnf2aCSZMXg28VxymV5iqz-xjxillt3VSnHBaWLAtf8wvLotYEtf_cMZBbItTRcFxwvmCUd8Qr7lAKdWxuTbQ0UzpUDrnAO-KTZUuqieOWYtA6UlxW0JImy0/s1600/Dining.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As Pastor discussed the idea of growing in grace by knowing Christ more intimately, I thought of this encounter. You see, this man did not know me. He did not know me at all. Had, he known me, he would have been well aware that foul language would be offensive to me. In the same way, the greater we know Christ, the better we understand what grieves Him and what pleases Him. We cannot simply assume that He is well pleased with us. Rather, through spending time in the scriptures and prayer, we are afforded the opportunity of seeing His heart and getting to know Him on a level that subdues us from participating in things that would grieve Him and focusing our time and heart on things that bring Him honor. Thus, the process of "growing in grace."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the same way, I have shared in the past that there is a difference between knowing ABOUT someone and knowing on a level that you have an intimate relationship with them. If I were the leader of Tim Tebow's fan club, I would more than likely know a lot about him, probably more than the average person. I may even know his address, his favorite color, his favorite Bible verse, his birthday and even some childhood stories. Yet, I've never met him. Even if I have met him, I've never spent time intimately with him. I've never heard him speak from his heart or built a relationship with him. In the same manner, we must be diligent to know and love Christ intimately and not simply know OF him. Even the demons know of Him. I encourage you dear brother, dear sister, grow in the grace of God by becoming more intimately acquainted with Christ and knowing Him in an even greater way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text 2Pet-3-17" id="en-NKJV-30540">"You therefore, beloved, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; </span><span class="text 2Pet-3-18" id="en-NKJV-30541"><b>but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. </b>T</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">o Him</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">be</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18</span></div>
</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-8595107712862603802013-11-29T12:30:00.000-05:002013-11-29T15:05:11.924-05:00Pin the Tail on the Donkey<div style="text-align: justify;">
I can remember as a child going to birthday parties and playing Pin the Tail on the Donkey. I didn't particularly like this game because I remember feeling very vulnerable with blindfolded eyes and being spun around and losing all my bearings and sense of stability. To fully surrender and completely trust another with your safety as well as point you in the right direction can be very intimidating. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblcsSrXFjS-WJbsoS-ZRCgxEfUR05v9i8YF28cqs7BKid_UDsnNXYLGT7_wEApYPzrB1NplXUN30wULNjqxkCO_pz42UOgSvLsgBUL64mQKu7fLn_l4bZ0mzkhPykVvCzfpb__25iqBM/s1600/Pin+the+Tail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblcsSrXFjS-WJbsoS-ZRCgxEfUR05v9i8YF28cqs7BKid_UDsnNXYLGT7_wEApYPzrB1NplXUN30wULNjqxkCO_pz42UOgSvLsgBUL64mQKu7fLn_l4bZ0mzkhPykVvCzfpb__25iqBM/s1600/Pin+the+Tail.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been meditating on this thought lately and how many times in my walk with God, I would not fully surrender. I would feel my plans and my thoughts were better for my life than His. Inevitably, I would find myself in a mess and crying out to God for help. I have come to the realization that I'd rather be in the middle of the most uncomfortable situation and feeling helpless if it's the Lord's will than to be heading on a path of my own desires destined for destruction and less than God has planned for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have all suffered broken trust. Some of us more than others and we can allow it to shape the way we trust God or we can decide that in spite of all our disappointments, God is perfect and trusting Him is NEVER in vain. He never fails. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I want to possess the faith and trust of Abraham. The Bible tells us that "By faith, Abraham when called to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING." Hebrews 11:8 God blindfolded Abraham, spun him around, placed the "tail" in his hands and said "Go." Feeling dizzy, uneasy, off-balance and completely vulnerable, what did Abraham do? He went!!! He trusted God. He didn't allow his own level of comfort or his own ideas cloud the voice of God. Nothing was keeping Abraham from possessing all God had for him. This is the kind of heart I want. When God says, go, I want to go. When God says, no, I want to say thank you because You know best.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lord, may my entire life be surrendered fully to You. May I possess an attitude of gratitude no matter what storms may be raging around me. May I continually realize that You are worthy of praise, completely void of and aside from any and all circumstances in my life. When you blindfold me, spin me around and command me to "Go", may I confidently step out and go. Even if I'm feeling dizzy, off-balance and shaky, may I trust you to guide me and secure my journey with your peace. May your Word stabilize my footing and your Holy Spirit strengthen me for the path you have prepared for me.</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-51616191979733511562013-10-14T10:49:00.002-04:002013-10-14T10:49:14.076-04:00Priceless<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you ever felt unimportant? Have you ever felt insignificant? Have you ever felt as if you didn't matter? If you have not, count yourself extremely fortunate. Most of us can so clearly identify with feelings of inadequacy and insufficiency. Contrary to our feelings, God places great value on us. He sacrificed it all just to reconcile us back to Himself. The Bible likens us to a valuable lost coin and so important that everything else ceases until we are found and returned to Him. (Luke 15:8-10) We are also compared to lost sheep (one among many) and the Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep to come after just one of us because we are THAT important to Him. (Luke 15:3-7)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyjUgCp49yze5V-RvBqxfgzOuPiVJTx5wW4oo6SFMxPd76VPYbplWCUfq4OPCVeL4eEsFXjDkgQQ-5fUZTzEkwD_WvMe5VfoQ2xMZhN_MD3l6iGzBbbJZhaNv22UbYKT122ET648sqKc/s1600/Unimportant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyjUgCp49yze5V-RvBqxfgzOuPiVJTx5wW4oo6SFMxPd76VPYbplWCUfq4OPCVeL4eEsFXjDkgQQ-5fUZTzEkwD_WvMe5VfoQ2xMZhN_MD3l6iGzBbbJZhaNv22UbYKT122ET648sqKc/s320/Unimportant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would be remiss if I did not balance out this encouraging post with a healthy dose of humility. We live in a society filled with narcissism where all the focus is on self. "Do what feels good." "Look out for number one." "I, I, I." "Me, me, me." As a result, we have a generation that wants to know what faith in Christ can do for THEM. How will they benefit? This is not the importance I am referring to. I am reiterating your value for the Kingdom of God. He did not reach down and rescue us so we could obliviously live our lives with some false sense of heaven-bound security. We are on assignment. Our reasonable act of appreciation to the Lord for His indescribable sacrifice is to offer our lives to Him. (Romans 12:1) Our love and commitment to Him should so overflow from us that our greatest desire is to share it with this hurting, desolate, hopeless world we live in. Otherwise, why wouldn't He just miraculously transport us into heaven once we are redeemed? </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear one, when feelings of inadequacy, unimportance and insignificance seem to overwhelm you, meditate on His amazing love for you and how He sacrificed it all just to have a relationship with you. Even when you despised Him or ignored Him or didn't even acknowledge His existence, He still sacrificed it all in hopes that one day you would see how great His love is for you. (Romans 5:8) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Surely you recognize that you would not sacrifice your life for something that has little or no value. How much more the Creator of all things would not waste His time redeeming something of no value. He places great value on us because He desires to know us intimately and He wants us to be in a loving relationship with Him. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Bible says He fashioned and formed us while we were still in our mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) You are His masterpiece, one of a kind, formed by His majestic Hands. If you were a painting, you would be exceedingly more valuable than any Van Gogh, Picasso, Rembrandt, da Vinci or Michelangelo because you were inspired and created by the Master Artist, The Maker of all things beautiful and lovely. (Ephesians 2:10)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is my prayer that today you would have a revelation of how important you are to the Lord. I am asking the Lord to place His Hand upon you today and pour out His amazing love on you so you might know the neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,<sup> </sup>neither the present nor the future,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28155A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> nor any powers, <span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NIV-28156">neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the amazing love of God<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28156C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) Because you are priceless. </span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-78194264553921179372013-09-26T22:28:00.001-04:002013-10-11T12:37:00.609-04:00SWEETLY BROKENI have never proclaimed to be a poet nor the daughter of a poet. In fact, I have never written a poem in my life. However, throughout this week during my quiet time I had phrases and poetic "lines" coming to mind. I began to journal those thoughts and this is what they yielded:<br />
<br />
SWEETLY BROKEN:<br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Well acquainted with heartache, calling loneliness
her friend<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Under the weight of abuse and betrayal she’d
bend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Cruelty and violence were visiting kin <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">While mistreatment and insults clothed her skin<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Where could she turn, who would understand? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Is there one who would lovingly offer their
hand?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Secrets so plentiful and pain that abounds,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She found it much safer to quietly drown<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">No solace to be found neither day nor night; <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Her memories torment and fill her with fright<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Year after year she resolved this was her life,
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Convinced she was destined to be companioned to
strife<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She embraced self-loathing and shame like
lovers <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">And dreamed of the day this life would be over<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Greeting her loved ones with no tear in her
eye, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She built up walls so no one would pry<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The prison she built was comfortable it seemed <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">‘Til one day she realized gone were her dreams<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HazmgA6gfIejQBXDPVNHykQUeE4ZEUi19fVldcVyYs9cA788AU7v4yj25b-Qv5yFA4hZ6unqtfOB3AznflahV7ACDLUwrWD-jAUA3qvYjmwLzY4RXZnQGUMDAVAT5ZFpBXvvtKCuPEY/s1600/Woman+Crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HazmgA6gfIejQBXDPVNHykQUeE4ZEUi19fVldcVyYs9cA788AU7v4yj25b-Qv5yFA4hZ6unqtfOB3AznflahV7ACDLUwrWD-jAUA3qvYjmwLzY4RXZnQGUMDAVAT5ZFpBXvvtKCuPEY/s320/Woman+Crying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Monotype Corsiva;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Finally she pondered of what she once knew,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">How He would hold her and kiss her and comfort
her too<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">How she never had to walk alone or afraid, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">If only she turned to the One by whom she was
made<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She fell on her face and sobbed and sobbed, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Lamenting over all she’d been robbed<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Then tenderly He embraced her and drew her
near, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Reminding her sweetly that she was dear<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">His touch was tender, compassionate and kind, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She realized so quickly He was renewing her
mind<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Dear child so weary, broken and worn, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Why do you insist on being torn<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I’ve sacrificed utterly to make you complete, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">All you need do is sit at My feet<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Allow me to strengthen and make you free,<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The only fare is surrender to Me<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">In victory she walks, her head held high<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Not prideful or boasting but by His side<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She knew more battles were coming one day<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">But fear didn’t grip her or cause her to stray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She surrendered completely and decided to trust<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The One who was flawless and made her from dust<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Hand in hand they now journey this life so
restored<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12.5pt;">She was fulfilled and delivered by the One she
adored<o:p></o:p></span>Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-24884378574605303292013-07-23T11:34:00.000-04:002013-07-25T12:53:29.403-04:00Heart Transformation<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Christians we have been taught
that if we just put the correct boundaries in place (have a mentor, limit where
we go, guard what we watch, be cautious whom we befriend), read the Bible and
pray every day, etc. then we will be empowered to live victorious lives, free
from choosing sin. But, I disagree with this school of thought. I am not saying
these practices are bad, but I have seen in my lifetime many that put these
safeguards in place and in spite of it all, still continually fall into deliberate
repeated sin. I am convinced; the only way to live life victorious over sin is
through a heart transformation. Once our desires align with an unquenchable
thirst to please the Lord, then we alter our choices, we walk differently and
talk differently. Christianity is not a set of rules and regulations, it’s a
relationship with Christ, and just like we do not purposely behave in a way
that hurts the hearts of our friends and family whom we love deeply, so too, we
do not make choices that grieve the heart of our Savior and the Lover of our
Souls. It really is that simple. If we love Him, we strive to please Him in
every way possible. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” ~John 14:5</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAqL1a0k0G3tmHUc0tFa94gpSlSEYaDTl4OPLI_Mi_D2pfwh2fF1xFNkthjzkXv2GUMnQoDQuA1JhtqM3TMLNIYZ_hxjvoINfYecPw17z5gNO5tQ-mVAkaYBk9bh-3CxkYdZ9eIBw8OM/s1600/Love+Never+Fails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAqL1a0k0G3tmHUc0tFa94gpSlSEYaDTl4OPLI_Mi_D2pfwh2fF1xFNkthjzkXv2GUMnQoDQuA1JhtqM3TMLNIYZ_hxjvoINfYecPw17z5gNO5tQ-mVAkaYBk9bh-3CxkYdZ9eIBw8OM/s1600/Love+Never+Fails.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I learned through a very
difficult lesson that this is not a one-time commitment. Having a heart that
continually thirsts to know God more and to walk in ways that please Him, is a
continual process. Each day I awaken, I must examine my heart and spend time
with the One who created it to ensure that I am walking, living, and loving the
faith to which I ascribe. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once our heart has been transformed
and beats to please the Lord, we find our choices being filtered through a
desire to please Him. Then, when moments do arise that we fail, we will
immediately be grieved in our hearts and instantly repent before the Lord and
surely in our regret, will be careful not to repeat the offense again. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was reminded of when a patient
requires a heart transplant. The patient recognizes the value of the new heart,
after all it cost someone else their life. If this patient is truly
appreciative of the sacrifice that was made so that they may live, they will
care tenderly and responsibly for the heart they have been blessed with. They
will honor the person that made the sacrifice for them by caring and behaving
responsibly with their new heart. Dear reader, the One that sacrificed His life
for you, has given you a new heart. Honor Him today by caring for it in a way
that pleases Him and shows how appreciative you are for His sacrifice for you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, <i>which is</i> your reasonable service. <span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NKJV-28248"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what <i>is</i> that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~Romans 12:1-2</span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-6416512593213017022013-07-03T10:22:00.001-04:002013-07-03T10:24:01.685-04:00It Ain't Gonna Bake Itself<div style="text-align: justify;">
Those of you that know me, know that the Lord very often speaks to me in analogies and illustrations. I find it so endearing that the One who made me would obviously know the most beneficial way to speak to my heart. With that premise, I share what I was meditating on last night and this morning. I envisioned the process for baking a cake. Fetching the recipe. Purchasing all the necessary ingredients. Gathering all those ingredients and utensils together to begin the process. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop6gXLfoSdJFfyIGdD0JNidz2QQ7C1sIXsxpGl4QRW03Q60qV6_z0lUEqLwizc0TBTkmSwhfBFH_hJ6-JExSvbYUYsJUj7dyx_UKP42TxGVVwLyY5o9ZnvxnQM5I927n4_J6L1jNTI7Y/s800/Cake+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop6gXLfoSdJFfyIGdD0JNidz2QQ7C1sIXsxpGl4QRW03Q60qV6_z0lUEqLwizc0TBTkmSwhfBFH_hJ6-JExSvbYUYsJUj7dyx_UKP42TxGVVwLyY5o9ZnvxnQM5I927n4_J6L1jNTI7Y/s320/Cake+Recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is a chocolate cake that I make very often that most people love. I don't even have to look at the recipe anymore because I have the recipe embedded in my mind. Now, picture this, you've done all the footwork for this delicious cake but you stand and stare at the recipe. You stare at all the ingredients. You think about all the hard work you've already put into making this wonderful cake. You spend hours memorizing the steps and the ingredients. But you do nothing more. What did it yield? Not only do you NOT have a delicious cake to enjoy, you have nothing to share with others. You had all the knowledge you needed to make the cake. You had all the ingredients, you just didn't apply that knowledge and mix those ingredients together and follow instructions to produce the desired effect. You could have displayed all the zeal and excitement you could muster up and it still would not have produced a cake. You could shout, wish, hope and cheer all the ingredients on. You could praise and exalt the recipe with as much enthusiasm you can manufacture and it STILL will not produce a cake.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTp3DcGMrkt46uSzYMg9lFmn6TiYXtJo5fRXcjoS8KGffu11J7RumhTyVt1-49GC4TOT3OZDcfqBK-hJwMQEXFoeHrtjS50AE-TDOsfM_3AaBom-OysBSKsUlNipkOJR_kugUephbAKQ/s1200/Bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTp3DcGMrkt46uSzYMg9lFmn6TiYXtJo5fRXcjoS8KGffu11J7RumhTyVt1-49GC4TOT3OZDcfqBK-hJwMQEXFoeHrtjS50AE-TDOsfM_3AaBom-OysBSKsUlNipkOJR_kugUephbAKQ/s320/Bible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our Savior has paid the penalty for our sin. He has given us His Word as the instruction book for life (recipe) and the Holy Spirit, Who empowers us to live a life that honors Him. And just like the chocolate cake recipe I have memorized, we can memorize the entire Word of God (and I am a huge proponent of the benefits of Bible memorization) but if we do not apply it to our lives it profits us nothing. James 1:22-24 says "Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. <span class="text Jas-1-23" id="en-GW-30270">If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, </span><span class="text Jas-1-24" id="en-GW-30271">studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like." I remember when my son, Zach was very small, he had his memory verses from school and church each week. He knew so many Bible verses. One day he was talking about how happy he was that he earned $5 from a relative for quoting 26 Bible verses (one beginning with each letter of the alphabet) and I said to him, "Zach, I'd rather you memorize ONE Bible verse and live it out in your life then memorize the entire Word of God and never live one ounce of it." When we apply God's Word to our lives and consecrate ourselves to Him, not only does it honor Him and cause us to walk in blessing but it speaks volumes to those around us. We can TELL others about the love of Christ and we can TELL them how right living leads to blessing and causes our hearts to be filled in the knowledge that we are pleasing the Lover of our Souls or we can LIVE it so they can see it for themselves. Words only go so far. Knowledge only goes so far. Show me a man/woman that WALKS in the character and integrity of God and I'll show you someone whose reputation will walk before and after them with little or no words at all. Acts 4:13 reads "<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>When they saw the courage of Peter and John<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27036A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27036B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text Jas-1-24"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text Jas-1-24">So, dear reader, I encourage you, I encourage myself, let's mix all the ingredients God has given us for a Godly life together and share them with those around us. Let's apply the Word of God daily to our lives and let's take the lessons He shows us along the way and use them to cause us to align our lives in ways that honor Him and cause others around us to know to whom we belong. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text Jas-1-24"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="text Jas-1-24">Matthew 5:14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." ~The Message</span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-90704056330648676982013-06-17T14:16:00.000-04:002013-06-17T14:16:51.993-04:00Kingdom Sight<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My daughter recently mentioned the importance of maintaining a healthy "balance" when it comes to our Christian walk. We must have a good balance of studying the Word, prayer and fellowship, all of which fall under the umbrella of worship. Our entire lives are symbolic of our worship unto the Lord. All that we do should reflect our worship unto Him. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I meditated about this concept of balance, I was reminded of a gymnast and how often on the balance beam or before an extended display of acrobatics, the gymnast will focus intently, specifically and deliberately on one visual point. I even remember using this "technique" when delivering my children. I was taught to pick a focal point in the delivery room as I engaged in the labor and delivery facilitation. Once this focal point is selected, the individual can then clear their mind of everything else and prepare for the task ahead. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we are going to maintain healthy, balanced spiritual lives our focal point, our visual concentration must be centered on our Lord Jesus, blocking out and clearing our minds of all other distractions and temptations. We must be so filled with the Spirit of God that we walk in ways that honor Him. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE5J4N3f1HluDdsoaplt63wPjcJELwoIMNL6nOp2DmxDZM_toP9Sov8DngoYphjKn7vwuKrvlprYaeFtqwsPHfA6Q-KzvsGhEVOGzY1voPWAQDcbd4K7O80o0zsrcNW0tX2sWzw95AD4/s1600/Gymnasst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE5J4N3f1HluDdsoaplt63wPjcJELwoIMNL6nOp2DmxDZM_toP9Sov8DngoYphjKn7vwuKrvlprYaeFtqwsPHfA6Q-KzvsGhEVOGzY1voPWAQDcbd4K7O80o0zsrcNW0tX2sWzw95AD4/s320/Gymnasst.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was reminded of some interesting facts I had learned a while back about the bald eagle. Did you know that the bald eagle only closes his eyes to sleep? He has an "inner eyelid" that is translucent just for blinking. So, when the eagle blinks, he can still see through the translucent membrane that is lubricating his eyes. Wow, what an analogy. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:15 that we ought to always walk circumspectly (or with prudence and good judgment), or as McMillian Dictionary states, "Seriously considering and weighing very heavily before saying or engaging in something." The idea of the eagle always having his eyes alert and focused reminds me of our responsibilities as Christians to be aware that sin lies at the door and waits for us but the Lord has provided for us a way of escape if we look for it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9AEbCzAS2foDgNRe86kGLcE1TsdmnUUsNz4HJTk_VBlRlRNBHLgyXiPWn5Cul_rZFvR_iODtKbzgrLcBd5vQRV4HXWVZFckADYOQqBghgQvh10ysjBQr4Rxiux3PPEt8cBHIb_bPj6k/s1600/Eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9AEbCzAS2foDgNRe86kGLcE1TsdmnUUsNz4HJTk_VBlRlRNBHLgyXiPWn5Cul_rZFvR_iODtKbzgrLcBd5vQRV4HXWVZFckADYOQqBghgQvh10ysjBQr4Rxiux3PPEt8cBHIb_bPj6k/s320/Eagle.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear reader, what is your focus intent on today? That which you dwell on is what you become. The Bible teaches us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Therefore, I encourage you today to meditate and focus on Godly things. Purpose in your heart to please the Lord in all that you do, fill your thoughts with His thoughts and your heart with His Word. Fellowship with Him and commit all your ways to Him. Walk in worship before Him every moment. In doing so, I promise you will have peace like never before. I didn't say you would have no troubles. I didn't say you would have no problems. I didn't say you would have no hurts or storms. Rather, I assure you, you will have His peace and as you honor Him, you can be sure you will not walk this life in solitude. He will be your constant companion. He will be your confidante and solace. He will comfort you and celebrate with you. He will be enough. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> "</span></sup>Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." ~Philippians 4:8</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-66107198090611637712013-04-25T12:57:00.000-04:002013-04-25T12:57:05.571-04:00The Escape Hatch<br />
<h2 align="center">
</h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Sunday morning I found myself running a little behind schedule for church. However, the blouse I wanted to wear had fallen off the hanger in the closet and was a wrinkled ball of mess and needed ironing. As I ironed it I remembered years ago one of my sons telling me as I ironed his shirt that he was in a hurry and I should just iron the front as he was wearing a jacket and the front was all anyone would see. The Lord really spoke to my heart through this as He often does through everyday life and analogies. I simply could not iron only the part of my blouse that would be seen by others because I knew the other areas were a wrinkled mess. It would bother me that the rest of the blouse was not ironed even though others could not see it. Lord, let this be my heart's cry about my inward man as much as it is my outward man. May my heart not be satisfied in sin or in continual struggle even when others cannot see it. May my heart grieve at what grieves Yours. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am so grateful for a God that allowed His son to be exposed to the same temptations and struggles I am exposed to and tempted by. And now my Blessed Savior sits at the right Hand of our Father and He makes intercession for me and He knows exactly what I'm facing because He too faced the same struggles and temptations. So, He has compassion and mercy on me. At the same time, He is encouraging my heart and reminding me that I can have victory over sin. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Word of God says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and
He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He
will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 God has given us an escape hatch or an evacuation route but we must choose that way of escape if we want to lay hold of the victory. Often we hear in the news of victims of natural disasters that meet their untimely death for not evacuating when warned to do so. I recently read in a news article that Department of Defense officials have ordered the implementation of improved lighting inside combative tanks so that our soldiers can clearly see the escape hatch and take necessary action when needed to save their lives. In the same way the Holy Spirit inside of us illuminates the way of escape the Lord has provided for us. If the soldier clearly sees his way of escape but does not avail himself of it, he will perish. Much like we are in danger of perishing in our choice for sin over selecting the escape hatch that God has provided for us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCnr_NhaJZ-5CQNC-dOs8TCGVDEbJct61PhD0OfG7l2Ms7DnIKZhbj8thX1-Nl6KrdxVHFkoEwV7HWSESuqlf3Ya_Llu-F3m5NH5RAG_wANTxfreQYp2afHP5oEg_xhrkoUSLG87HfQc/s1600/Escape+Hatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCnr_NhaJZ-5CQNC-dOs8TCGVDEbJct61PhD0OfG7l2Ms7DnIKZhbj8thX1-Nl6KrdxVHFkoEwV7HWSESuqlf3Ya_Llu-F3m5NH5RAG_wANTxfreQYp2afHP5oEg_xhrkoUSLG87HfQc/s320/Escape+Hatch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear reader, do you have an area in your life that you seem to struggle with and become discouraged for lack of victory? Perhaps it is an unconventional type of temptation such as unforgiveness or bitterness. When temptation knocks on your door, look for your escape hatch. Search for your evacuation route. The Lover of your Soul will meet you there and show you the way. He longs to see you have victory over sin and walk in His glorious freedom and grace. I, too, am asking for His mercy and compassion as I am guilty far too often of not selecting the way of escape He has provided for me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Father, forgive me for the times that I have chosen the way of temptation and sin over the way of escape. Thank You that when I am weak, You are strong in me and help me remember in my times of temptation and struggle that You have provided a glorious way of escape for me and I can rejoice in choosing that way of escape because it will please You and my greatest desire this side of eternity is to please You my Lord. Help this dear reader as well in clearly selecting the way of escape You have provided.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-68858155818145921552013-03-02T21:47:00.001-05:002013-03-02T21:47:26.026-05:00Assembly Required<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJTiWdePuvf-4ASm7qkhyphenhyphensiy_TVz-7mN1Ri2Mpd6-0YJT3I6oJuLoCHsqRBCdGtCnW84NPgEzYBNV1sJfVPuUje_1sYlsayuscwNqz885Ih25lUOxZa8wbqGNDFiX9HG3d1VGITdB_E/s1600/Jigsaw+Puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZJTiWdePuvf-4ASm7qkhyphenhyphensiy_TVz-7mN1Ri2Mpd6-0YJT3I6oJuLoCHsqRBCdGtCnW84NPgEzYBNV1sJfVPuUje_1sYlsayuscwNqz885Ih25lUOxZa8wbqGNDFiX9HG3d1VGITdB_E/s1600/Jigsaw+Puzzle.jpg" /></a>Recently I was reflecting on how fortunate nature is. I mean think about it. The wind, the waves, they obey the Lord always because they have no free will. The stars, the sun, the moon, they perform on cue. The rocks, the animals and insects, they worship the Lord in unison. How I wished I would obey ALWAYS, worship ALWAYS but then I realized what would I offer the Lord if I had no free will? What sacrifice would I lay at His feet. What gift would I have to offer? I realize, friend, that living out our faith can be a struggle sometimes but we have the wonderful gift of free will and with it we can bless the Lord. We can make Godly choices and give a sacrifice to the Lord that no other creation in heaven or on earth can offer Him. He longs for us to make choices that align with His perfect design. I was counseling a friend the other day that was struggling trusting the Lord in a certain area of her life and I shared with her that sometimes we don't have the whole picture. We don't see like the Lord sees, the beginning from the end. So, it can be difficult to blindly trust especially when trusting causes pain. It's like a huge jigsaw puzzle and you've only managed to assemble a few pieces. How could you possibly see the entire picture when so much is still missing. This is how the life of surrender is. We surrender when things are scary. We surrender when we are filled with uncertainty. We surrender when it doesn't make sense. We surrender when we think we have the best answers. We surrender when we're disappointed and confused. Why? Because, we trust the Master that designed our puzzle. We know that His plans for us are good. Just imagine how ridiculous it would be if we put together that jigsaw puzzle half way and decided to put it on display for others to see. What would they see? They'd see a half finished masterpiece. Not even close to how beautiful it had the potential to be. It's value would be nonexistent. It's beauty unappreciated. It's potential never realized. So after further reflection, I have decided that as beautiful and wonderful all of creation is and how magnificently you can appreciate its worship to the Great Creator, it pales in comparison to the wonderful opportunity He has afforded us to offer our lives through our free will as a reasonable, acceptable sacrifice of worship to His Majesty. Creation, if she had the ability would marvel at how fortunate WE ARE to have such a precious gift.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dear brother, dear sister, don't give up halfway through the assembling of the beautiful puzzle your life is designed to be. Allow the Master free reign, surrender all for His glory and trust that when He has finished your life will be the masterpiece He so designed it to be.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"Therefore, I urge you,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1</span></span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-58243988973904450512013-01-02T23:20:00.002-05:002013-01-02T23:20:41.561-05:00Who Doesn't Love New<b><u><br /></u></b>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ywIe8pj4y0xoqtpA3Towl-wsEJcTHgxOCO3eis_iEo2b325PpoZZbaLvG4kqyNqkghGHPGamD9zizKWlXAZ_xmgynyq9eEGHUBTqCNEgHo7q1eC0bMhn7f25uDZIhvZIKcApU1vvk0w/s1600/Books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ywIe8pj4y0xoqtpA3Towl-wsEJcTHgxOCO3eis_iEo2b325PpoZZbaLvG4kqyNqkghGHPGamD9zizKWlXAZ_xmgynyq9eEGHUBTqCNEgHo7q1eC0bMhn7f25uDZIhvZIKcApU1vvk0w/s320/Books.jpg" width="274" /></a>With recent innovation of electronic devices such as "Nooks, E-Readers" etc. I was talking with a friend the other day and we were agreeing, as I'm sure many others would, that there's just something about reading a BOOK, the feel of the pages, picturing where a particular passage that "hit" you is positioned on the page, the durability, mobility and flexibility of an actual book. After all, when reading a book, one is not dependent on "signal" or "battery charge".<br />
<br />
My Pastor's wife hit the nail on the head one time when she mentioned how much she loves her Bible. Yes, you can download the Bible on your I-Phone or Droid and look up passages in any version imaginable on electronic devices but it's just not the same. I agree with her 100%. This line of thought got me to remembering how a new book has a certain smell that a reader loves and old books are treasures,works of art that have a mysterious beauty about them. As we embark on another year (and my, how they seem to fly by), I began pondering the idea of newness. The Bible is filled with verses reminding us that when we accept Jesus as Savior we are new. We have a "clean slate". It's a new life, waiting to be written.<br />
<br />
I remember when I was a kid. I used to love to get new notebooks for school. I couldn't wait to make all my entries clean and neat. However, often mid-way through the first semester one could notice a distinct change in the accuracy and attention to detail in my notes. I became lazy or tired or just plain complacent. Isn't that often the way our walk with the Lord becomes? We allow it to become more like routine or mundane. We lose our first love and become lax in our zeal and study of the Word. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Webster's dictionary defines "New" this way: <b><u>New</u></b>: "<i>Having recently come into existence; Made or become fresh; awakened.</i>" When we come to the Lord, we "come into existence" the Bible says we are "born again". Unlike an old, comfortable pair of shoes or broken-in jeans, there comes a certain amount of uncertainty about this "new" life. Questions arise, "How can all the horrible things in my life be wiped out, just like that?", "What will this cost me and what will be required of me?", "Can I do this?" However, once we learn more about the glorious gift of salvation and draw close to the lover of our soul, we realize that everything we've been searching for can be found in Him. The big, fat hole in our heart can be filled with His amazing acceptance, comfort, hope, and love. As we grow in Him we have a stronger desire to become more like Him and to make decisions that will please His heart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I remember the first time I bought a new car. What a difference from the old, very used cars I had been used to. I treated my new car completely different than the old ones. I wanted to preserve the newness as long as possible. I valued the new more because it cost more and was worth more. This is how our lives are when we come to Christ. Our salvation was paid for at a great price by our Savior. He is trusting us to care for our lives in a more responsible way and to be mindful that we now carry His Name. We are Christians (followers of Christ). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, in this new year, I am very conscious of the amazing gift God has given me to be brand new. I want to preserve that newness and continually examine my heart to make sure I am striving with all that is in me to live the life I'm called to live. After walking with the Lord for 31+ years, He's taught me how to deal with the old so I can walk in the new. I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, take advantage of the new slate the Lord has given you. Work through all the old and see how the Lord can use that as you walk in the new.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
2 Corinthians 5:17 <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-68297079291797209292012-12-29T23:13:00.001-05:002012-12-29T23:13:28.820-05:00Prayer is the Fixer<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was listening to K-Love on my way to work the other day and the DJ was talking to a dad about his best Christmas gift this year. The dad was sharing that his 5 year old little girl, Chloe, was undergoing her final Chemo treatment that morning. He shared how she had been diagnosed with Leukemia when she was only 2 years old. As soon as they learned the diagnosis, they followed the Bible's instructions and brought little Chloe to the elders of the church who in turn anointed and prayed for her. Within weeks the doctors declared that Chloe's tests had shown her cancer-free. However, the parents followed the instructions of the doctors to follow through with treatment to prevent any possible advancement of the underlying disease. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This dad went on to say how the advancement of modern medicine is amazing. The things they can do to combat disease are incredible. However, he said, prayer is still the fixer. This comment stuck in my heart all day long. Prayer is still the fixer. He didn't say prayer is the healer or prayer is the provider or prayer is the liberator. Prayer is the fixer. I looked up the definition of the word fix. It means "To place securely. To make stable or firm. To secure to another". Wow, when we submit our life to prayer, we are securing ourselves to the Lord and allowing HIM to make us stable and firm. See, we are fixed whether the healing manifests or not, whether the financial need is met or not, whether the miracle is seen or not. We are fixed because we are securely affixed to the One that walks with us through every trial, storm and tragedy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAMkKoQfBXYHOH9PuAAIQh4rb4O3kyBvQlQ4V3h7xukXA6EuhyGaoxsAcQcCStWcejrieDmq-yqsc39hlHbNrtc8M5dDcreob_5kJu9bwuUVIvd49EMSjyrLJ0N7p9M98RQTl3PNkZK0/s1600/Praying+Hands+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAMkKoQfBXYHOH9PuAAIQh4rb4O3kyBvQlQ4V3h7xukXA6EuhyGaoxsAcQcCStWcejrieDmq-yqsc39hlHbNrtc8M5dDcreob_5kJu9bwuUVIvd49EMSjyrLJ0N7p9M98RQTl3PNkZK0/s320/Praying+Hands+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While I wholeheartedly believe that prayer changes things and circumstances, I believe more than anything prayer changes US. It draws us closer to the heart of God and puts us in a position to allow our will to line up with His will. Jesus Himself prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass before me. Nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done." Sometimes in our zealousness of prayer, we have this idea that God is somehow obligated to answer our prayers in the manner we deem best. However, if we enter into prayer asking God to give us His Heart and His Eyes to see our situation and pray for His will to be done and our desires to line up with His desires, we are not disappointed or questioning God's care for us when the outcome isn't what we initially requested. God knows best. Even the Bible reveals that we don't know how to pray as we ought. We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit to help us pray. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I encourage you today sister, brother, whatever you are taking to the Lord in prayer, trust Him. Ask Him to give you His Heart in your situation, His Eyes to see the way He sees. Let prayer be your fixer. May your prayer provide a place for you to be securely stable and firmly planted in Him regardless of the outcome. I have committed in the coming year to allow my prayer time to be a place where my heart is acutely listening to His voice and an unassuming place of surrender to His will.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Romans 8:26 <span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express."</span></span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-53921545936723691412012-12-08T18:12:00.000-05:002012-12-08T18:12:19.172-05:00Emmanuel, God with Us<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;">Those of you that know me know that I have a real passion for sunrises and sunsets. I find often that the Lord speaks to my heart through nature. As I was driving to work Thursday morning, the sky was overcast and cloudy. However, the clouds were bright. Even though you couldn't see the sun behind nor between the clouds, you could tell it was there. I could imagine its silent presence cheering the clouds on. An unseen encourager rooting for the underdog. He was there, even though the clouds didn't realize it, he was there. They didn't even notice that he shone through them in spite of their darkness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d;">I felt the Lord take me on a short journey through moments of my own life. All the times I felt I couldn't go on, or the moments I felt betrayed, abandoned, forgotten, damaged or alone, He was there, perhaps hidden behind the dark clouds of abuse or pain but there nonetheless. How could I go through my day to day life with so much pain in my heart that it took my breath away and not know the only reason I didn't fall apart was because He was there holding me together? I can remember years after my divorce many women coming to me and telling me how much they respected me for all I had gone through and how strong I remained in the Lord through it all. I would think to myself, "Are you crazy? I was a basket case." I feel that in spite of all my fears, all my doubts and all my shortcomings, Christ was able to shine through the darkness. It wasn't in anything I had to offer but all because of His amazing mercy and grace. He is not a fair weather friend. He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. And even though we falsely accuse Him of being unconcerned, uncaring, unsympathetic, uninterested or just plain too busy, He still chooses to be our Constant Companion offering peace, hope faith and unconditional love.</span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-witjRW8EFvaD2Y0OvNcCrEJtDNwEIhRSdy4etQAXw0Jq6c2JeKqqdrceiOxvidS-a7etlidsQBs7_8aRNJTPU833Mpuz7-fg_XlrM8FkGQ1p48GP4UGdFKB2Kc3dHOAHZmmxf_Rz38/s1600/Cloudy+Day+for+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-witjRW8EFvaD2Y0OvNcCrEJtDNwEIhRSdy4etQAXw0Jq6c2JeKqqdrceiOxvidS-a7etlidsQBs7_8aRNJTPU833Mpuz7-fg_XlrM8FkGQ1p48GP4UGdFKB2Kc3dHOAHZmmxf_Rz38/s320/Cloudy+Day+for+Blog.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #93c47d;">Ironically at Christmastime more than at any other time during the year, Christ can be unseen, hidden behind the clouds. How can we leave Christ out of Christmas? It's such a hectic time and we prepare months in advance. We spend time with family, in church, even discussing His birth and preparing for Christmas day but often forget to ponder His Presence with us moment by moment. He is with us, not because we feel Him nor because we're talking to Him but because He has chosen to make His abode in our hearts. In the darkest moments we have this assurance that He is there, an unseen Encourager rooting for the underdog. He is there even when we don't realize His Presence. So, dear brother, dear sister, I encourage you even when you can't see Him, God is at work. When dark clouds loom, He is near. He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned you. He is not uncaring nor unsympathetic to your plight. You can trust Him to lead you through the darkness, through the pain and in spite of where you may be, He can give you a song of praise upon your lips. I leave you with these amazing words from Mercy Me's, "Jesus Bring the Rain": </span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d;">♫♫ I can count a million times, people asking me how I can praise You with all that I've gone through. This question just amazes me, could circumstances possibly change who I forever am in You? So I pray, bring me joy, bring me peace, bring the chance to be free. Bring me anything that brings You glory. And I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain but if that's what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain. ♫♫</span></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-70834880278510941402012-11-29T20:14:00.000-05:002012-11-29T20:21:59.996-05:00No Pain No Gain<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">So recently I heard a report about a young girl with a rare genetic disorder known as anhidrosis. This disorder prevents its victims from being able to experience pain. Now, our first response may be, "wow, that would be awesome, a life with no pain." However, the effects are tragic. God made us with the ability to experience pain for a reason. Pain tells our bodies that something is wrong. Whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual, pain is actually a gift from God. Without it, we continue in a path of destruction without even realizing the outcome.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The process of being refined or being moulded are prime examples of beauty coming from intense discomfort. When being refined by fire, we feel we will burn before the process is completed, but clearly the Refiner knows how hot the temperature must be to produce the best and most beautiful results. When the Potter is spinning and kneading, and moulding, we feel as though we will never recover, but the Potter knows the perfect design and the beauty He is creating.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0vJFQTpLuoL2rtTB0imLNxfC38SaGl535HqRTEsuykG_0IPE_pT9XNLJktMj6PWWvTnc7wvuwGEP60RQWqxNPPjku6iFqNhT2KoOuoDK5ed6pc7dZJb66QQBb0xmULJrUa48QsRmdQ/s1600/The+Potters+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0vJFQTpLuoL2rtTB0imLNxfC38SaGl535HqRTEsuykG_0IPE_pT9XNLJktMj6PWWvTnc7wvuwGEP60RQWqxNPPjku6iFqNhT2KoOuoDK5ed6pc7dZJb66QQBb0xmULJrUa48QsRmdQ/s320/The+Potters+Hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Surely none of us enjoy pain, discomfort or prodding, but if the end result is a life that reflects the beauty of the Lord, then surely we will look back and say it was worth it. Similar to the woman in childbirth that forgets her pain once she lays eyes on her precious little one.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">As I pondered this idea of being thankful for pain, I realized that many of the greatest lessons I've learned and the most character defining moments in my life have come on the heels of immense pain in my life. I'm reminded of the weight-lifter's mantra, "No pain, no gain." God is able to use our pain to minister to others, which is a beautiful thing. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, "</span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." I find it so amazing that God can take the most shameful, embarrassing, humbling and painful experiences of our lives and bring hope, comfort and peace to the lives of others. Only God can do something beautiful like that!!! I have been through a lot in my life and I find comfort in knowing the things I've suffered can be used for good, to bring hope and peace in the life of another.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: start;"> is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
</div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-57124010416088573422012-11-14T21:21:00.000-05:002016-04-06T16:21:21.360-04:00Bravo Maestro<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i></i><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i>
<i>I recently shared with friends that I had been going through a rough time for a several days. I couldn't seem to "pull" myself out of it. I read the Word, I prayed, I tried to focus on encouraging others, I tried to meditate on all I had to be thankful for, I attended church and it helped somewhat just as it had in times past. However, it didn't leave me completely.</i> I had a heaviness that just didn't seem to fully lift. Then I remembered Isaiah 61:3 "Provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." So I put on worship music and began to sing praises to the Lord. My burden lifted completely. I remembered the beautiful picture in my mind of David worshiping the Lord and bringing temporary relief to Saul's torment and this experience set me on a path of meditating on the beautiful gift of music God has given us. God knows us so well. After all, He created us. He knew music would soften our souls and relieve our heaviness so that we could use our mouths to sing His praises. Only our God could create such a win win situation. We are comforted, He is glorified. Thank You Lord!!! It was on the tails of this experience that God inspired me with this story:<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>BRAVO MAESTRO</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The piece He's written is phenomenal. The last piece was authentic and original. After all, it ushered in all of creation. But this piece, this piece is magnificent with all its crescendos and the melodic beauty. He closes His eyes and plays the masterpiece in His head and He realizes what a great sacrifice it will cost the Conductor to inspire the musicians to execute the piece so that it is delivered at its fullest potential. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswcQTfI41f-cZcFfdYMEvTENLP9pDCusqJGggQ2mfDbBUJN4fa9aPAtBvWeAEqEWwJKD_cRDRwjjADRZDpPNYPX_GiEvKdju62ucTtEHK2KQDDIN0hDrLmmgrrHe5IN298l7BhcDXApk/s1600/Bravo+Maestro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswcQTfI41f-cZcFfdYMEvTENLP9pDCusqJGggQ2mfDbBUJN4fa9aPAtBvWeAEqEWwJKD_cRDRwjjADRZDpPNYPX_GiEvKdju62ucTtEHK2KQDDIN0hDrLmmgrrHe5IN298l7BhcDXApk/s1600/Bravo+Maestro.jpg" /></a></div>
However, He knows the Conductor. The Conductor has already made it clear that at whatever cost He will ensure the musicians have all they need to execute the piece in the beauty it was intended. The Composer and the Conductor agree the best way for this to be accomplished is for the Conductor to show each musician how it's done. He must convey the beauty of the piece and how it deserves every ounce of effort the musicians can offer to present it on behalf of the Composer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So the Conductor becomes so intimately acquainted with each musician and imparts His passion for the piece to every one of them, showing them the importance of their part and how they will complement one another. The musicians love Him. He is their Maestro (Master Teacher). He works tirelessly and gives everything knowing that at the raising of His baton will come the most magnificent masterpiece ever played in times past or in time that is to come. He inspires the musicians to deliver their very best so that the Composer will be well pleased.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The tireless, selfless hours have been given. The abilities have been imparted from the Maestro to the musicians and it all culminates to this very moment. You and I have the tools to present the greatest love symphony of all time. The Maestro has shown us exactly what we need to do to present a faultless performance to our Wonderful Composer. May we master our part and mesh together in the melodic beauty intended to please the Great Composer so we may all in unison resound "Bravo Maestro". </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Colossians 1.10" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Colossians%201.10" style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Colossians 1:10</span></a><span style="line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"> says, “Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work.” Good works are fruit. When we live a life of good works, the world will see and glorify our Father in heaven.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-55317676970417758732012-10-26T15:26:00.001-04:002012-10-26T15:26:58.087-04:00Surrender and be Free<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Unlike a slave, a bondservant chooses to serve another. The word bondservant is defined as <i>devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. </i>My surrender to the Lord used to come in the form of kicking and screaming sort of like an enemy reluctantly raising a white flag to give up rather than die. But the more I learn of the Lord and the more of His Character I am privileged to behold the more I find this surrender is more than a willing yieldedness. I desire to surrender all the days of my life as an offering to the Lord, emptied of all selfish motives and to become an empty vessel longing to be filled by Him. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRczF7dfbQ4hB_X4PoEBZyFwe6K70GLJGPRgJfMnl2pTvaK5n_DlOEFMA65_3_D9VxHXrpTvNbwwN45qnbyoPCqDwavUnem1WJtb0aKmB6cu3clYEQuHTn7QRwjNudYhKxgmwlFU74c/s1600/I+Surrender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPRczF7dfbQ4hB_X4PoEBZyFwe6K70GLJGPRgJfMnl2pTvaK5n_DlOEFMA65_3_D9VxHXrpTvNbwwN45qnbyoPCqDwavUnem1WJtb0aKmB6cu3clYEQuHTn7QRwjNudYhKxgmwlFU74c/s320/I+Surrender.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>I realize that years of betrayal, abuse and emotional injury could cause one to be reluctant in giving up control of their own life. At times I can remember feeling that control over my own life was all I had left. But I realized that I had become a prisoner to my own defenses and built impenetrable walls to keep all the hurt out while enslaving myself to my own fears and insecurities. We think we can implement these defenses and keep everyone out except the Lord but that's not the way it works. The safehouse we build for ourselves keeps everyone INCLUDING the Lord out. Unlike man, God will never betray us, He will never harm us. His plans for us are good. When we surrender our lives completely to Him and become bondservants, we experience a freedom like no othe</b><b>r. How ironic that in surrendering and becoming a bondservant to Christ we actually become free, free to be all He desires us to be, free to be loved unconditionally, free from fear, free from bondage, free from hurt and pain and most importantly free to belong to Him unreservedly. I encourage you my brothers and sisters today to surrender. Surrender all of it. Hold nothing back. Nothing you've been through, nothing you "hide" in your heart can shock Him or cause Him to turn away. He will receive you with Arms wide open. He will heal all the broken places and show you how to walk in freedom. Today surrender and be free.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">This illustrations fits perfectly with what I'm sharing here today: </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Story:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> There’s a bear caught in a trap. A kind hunter wants to
help set it free. But the bear, racked with pain, cannot understand this. The
only hope is to shoot it with a tranquilizer gun. The bear, seeing the raised
shotgun, panics. The approaching hunter must temporarily push down harder on
the injured paw in order to spring the trap. Again there is more pain, more
misunderstanding. The bear cannot comprehend the hunter’s vision: a beautiful
future where man and bear enjoy the gentle hills together.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="verse chapter-2" style="background-color: white; margin-top: 1em; text-align: start;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-1"><u>Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified)</u>: </span>I appeal to you therefore, brethren, <i>and</i> beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service <i>and</i> spiritual worship. </b><b>Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, <i>even</i> the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078684391166521569.post-24810421215252033182012-10-18T14:13:00.000-04:002012-10-18T14:24:58.069-04:00I Love New Seasons<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>As Autumn rushes in like an unexpected guest, I find myself reflecting on the different seasons of life. The older I get the less I despise change. I've learned that a lot of growth can come through change. So, I'm really excited about the new season in my life and am believing God for awesome things for His glory. Even though I've walked with the Lord some 30 plus years I feel as though I've fallen in love with Him all over again for the first time. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD5tzK9klxZvL9N52RrbB0arVLwcIEyffh8th9zkqCL9U24gvavzWCXaXzFY6bvtnkHhfUTyM6VR1MA__q4C4N1qLSf-XOh33mI2TMLaQWU3no9Q9w4-1AqAmsxq8BT-2QJVvlCMV3pY/s1600/New+Seasons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD5tzK9klxZvL9N52RrbB0arVLwcIEyffh8th9zkqCL9U24gvavzWCXaXzFY6bvtnkHhfUTyM6VR1MA__q4C4N1qLSf-XOh33mI2TMLaQWU3no9Q9w4-1AqAmsxq8BT-2QJVvlCMV3pY/s320/New+Seasons.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></div>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>When I'm disappointed, He encourages. When I'm hurting, He comforts. When I'm crying, He holds me and wipes away my tears. When I feel like giving up, He's the silent fan in the sidelines cheering me on. When I'm overwhelmed, He strengthens me. When I feel useless, He reminds me the price He paid for me and how valuable He thinks I am. When I feel like a failure, He lifts me up and encourages me to try again better. When I feel unloved, He kisses me with the Presence of His Holy Spirit, When I've been hurt, He helps me forgive since I've been forgiven much. When I'm lonely, He visits me. All this to say, I've learned not to regret all the difficult/hurtful times but rather allow God to make beauty out of all those ashes. He is in the business of restoring broken, hurting hearts. I am living proof. </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>~"<span style="background-color: white;">It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me....." Genesis 50:20</span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Hesforeverfaithfulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07565659376875897955noreply@blogger.com6