Joei & I have been talking a lot about what the meaning of Easter is, that it's much more than just a bunny rabbit. So we were talking about how amazing God is, that not even death could keep Him down; referencing the difference between when people here die and how that's it...but when Jesus died, that wasn't the way it stayed. Now mind you, Joei is extremely inquisitive. She asks questions that seriously make me have to think long and hard for the right answer. She is going to be a researcher before she dives into anything, that I can already tell. So she says to me, "I thought that when people die here they live in Heaven?" I explained that yes, that is true, she was concerned with the time frame of it all! So I talked about Joey's granny, whom recently passed, sharing about how once she died here, she immediately was alive in Heaven. And in the blink of an eye she left her adult body and returned to her 5 year old self and said, "but how did she pack her stuff?"
To Joei, the thought of Heaven without toys is boring, her words. Boring. Ah sweet Joei, it's anything but that. Granted I've never been so who knows, maybe there are toys there for kids. I'm going to bet that there is. And I'm also going to bet that Jesus rolls on the grass with all the kids and plays with their toys. Because the kind of Jesus that I love, the Jesus that saved me from the muck and mire of my life, that kind of Jesus would do something like that. He would get down and play with the kids. I'm just going to bet...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Shut up!
That's mean to say right? We teach our kids not to say the phrase, "Shut-up." We use, "hush," or "be quiet," or "shhhhhh." Sometimes though, we need to shut up. Shut the yapper, quit saying negative things about ourselves...quit saying negative things about others. And for sure, quit saying things that are not true. We just need to shut up!
I'm loving the Bible in such a new way these days, (hows that for a transition, "shut up" to "loving the Bible!") Really though, it's coming alive to me so much lately. The relevancy of the Bible amazes me, how it's living and active in my life today, just as much as it was living and active in the lives of those hundreds of years past. Amazing.
Anyway, this verse is so alive to me at the moment. Isaiah 54:17 " No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
That is our heritage, simply for serving the Lord! We are made righteous through Jesus, therefore He gives us the authority to shut the mouths of our accuser(s.) In essence, we can tell them to "shut up." Rude? Maybe. Sometimes necessary? Absolutely.
I'm loving the Bible in such a new way these days, (hows that for a transition, "shut up" to "loving the Bible!") Really though, it's coming alive to me so much lately. The relevancy of the Bible amazes me, how it's living and active in my life today, just as much as it was living and active in the lives of those hundreds of years past. Amazing.
Anyway, this verse is so alive to me at the moment. Isaiah 54:17 " No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
That is our heritage, simply for serving the Lord! We are made righteous through Jesus, therefore He gives us the authority to shut the mouths of our accuser(s.) In essence, we can tell them to "shut up." Rude? Maybe. Sometimes necessary? Absolutely.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Win souls
The following verse jumped out at me today, ok not literally, because well, that would be plain freaky, but you know what I mean.
Proverbs 11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
Isn't that the crux of the Christian faith? This verse could be the theme of any church, group or person. And yet, I think we get sidetracked on everything else. Yes, the "everything elses" of life are so important, but what about the good old fashioned basic Christian walk.
This verse may mean something totally different to me than to another person but how I take it is this: Our life is intended to produce fruit, fruit that will last. That is a great sign that we are doing something right! When the fruit of our life is multiplying, when it is ripe for the harvest, something is working right.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
When we operate by those guidelines in life, or if you are like me, we strive to operate by those guidelines, (because Lord knows I often am the exact opposite of that verse,) the fruit that we will reap is life! And by life, that means people will be drawn to the Lord through us and in turn, we win souls. Ah, I love that!
It really is so simple to be a Christian, I wish folks did not complicate it so. Jesus loves us. Simple. Living your life for the Lord is so much better than anything else out there, so much sweeter. Simple.
Matthew 22:37-39 says, "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Simple. Love God, love people. Win souls.
Proverbs 11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
Isn't that the crux of the Christian faith? This verse could be the theme of any church, group or person. And yet, I think we get sidetracked on everything else. Yes, the "everything elses" of life are so important, but what about the good old fashioned basic Christian walk.
This verse may mean something totally different to me than to another person but how I take it is this: Our life is intended to produce fruit, fruit that will last. That is a great sign that we are doing something right! When the fruit of our life is multiplying, when it is ripe for the harvest, something is working right.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
When we operate by those guidelines in life, or if you are like me, we strive to operate by those guidelines, (because Lord knows I often am the exact opposite of that verse,) the fruit that we will reap is life! And by life, that means people will be drawn to the Lord through us and in turn, we win souls. Ah, I love that!
It really is so simple to be a Christian, I wish folks did not complicate it so. Jesus loves us. Simple. Living your life for the Lord is so much better than anything else out there, so much sweeter. Simple.
Matthew 22:37-39 says, "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
Simple. Love God, love people. Win souls.
Friday, November 20, 2009
No eye has seen
1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
I was just driving down the road today and this scripture popped into my head, so I got to thinking about it...in my head...as you do....where else would I think? I guess I should stop saying that "I had a thought in my head." It only makes me look my hair color. But I digress.
There are some fantastically beautiful places on planet earth right? If you went to Hawaii, you would be in awe. There are islands in the Caribbean that would take your breath away! I hear New Zealand is quite amazing as well. The list goes on and on and yep, you guessed it, on. I'm sure if we could physically be in the most gorgeous place this earth has to offer, we might find ourselves thinking that surely this must be what Heaven is like. But alas, it could not be true. If it were true, than the scripture would say, "go to the most beautiful place on planet earth and yes, that is what God has prepared for you." But it does not say that. In fact, it says that 'no mind can even conceive what God has prepared for us!' Amazing. We can let our imagination run wild, and when it reaches a dead end stop, that won't even come close to the goodness that is prepared for us.
It would be enough for me, to just have my sins forgiven. It would be enough for me, to just walk in victory over flesh, once and for all. It would be enough for me to have every tear wiped from my eye. It would be enough for me to stand around the throne singing "Hosanna in the Highest." That would be enough. I can't fully conceive even those things...but imagine, that God says there is much, much more prepared for those that love Him. And I do love Him. I do.
The grace of God never ceases to amaze me...and I pray more than anything, that it never does.
I was just driving down the road today and this scripture popped into my head, so I got to thinking about it...in my head...as you do....where else would I think? I guess I should stop saying that "I had a thought in my head." It only makes me look my hair color. But I digress.
There are some fantastically beautiful places on planet earth right? If you went to Hawaii, you would be in awe. There are islands in the Caribbean that would take your breath away! I hear New Zealand is quite amazing as well. The list goes on and on and yep, you guessed it, on. I'm sure if we could physically be in the most gorgeous place this earth has to offer, we might find ourselves thinking that surely this must be what Heaven is like. But alas, it could not be true. If it were true, than the scripture would say, "go to the most beautiful place on planet earth and yes, that is what God has prepared for you." But it does not say that. In fact, it says that 'no mind can even conceive what God has prepared for us!' Amazing. We can let our imagination run wild, and when it reaches a dead end stop, that won't even come close to the goodness that is prepared for us.
It would be enough for me, to just have my sins forgiven. It would be enough for me, to just walk in victory over flesh, once and for all. It would be enough for me to have every tear wiped from my eye. It would be enough for me to stand around the throne singing "Hosanna in the Highest." That would be enough. I can't fully conceive even those things...but imagine, that God says there is much, much more prepared for those that love Him. And I do love Him. I do.
The grace of God never ceases to amaze me...and I pray more than anything, that it never does.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Grace and Truth
Luke 4:22 says, (speaking of Jesus) "All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips."
Gracious. That word just jumped off the page at me this morning! I think so often we picture Jesus' ministry here on earth to always be so intense; as if He was just turning over tables, calling people out on their sin & going after Pharisees. It's easy to over look the real reason He came, for grace. Perhaps it's just me that thinks this way though, since I tend to be the one that thinks Jesus has grace for everyone else, and not for me. The Lord has really had to work with me in this particular area, and still does. It's much easier for me to say that God has grace for you; I can believe that with every fiber of my being however, it's humbling to say that He has grace for me.
The Bible also says in Isaiah 30:18 that He longs to be gracious to me, that He rises to show me compassion. That became one of my favorite verses awhile back, that the Lord would long to be gracious to me is mind boggling. I'm the least deserving of such a thing and yet, He longs to do it.
No matter what I've done, no matter what I will do...wow. I look forward to being in Heaven one day and watching the old movies about Jesus' ministry here on earth. He spoke truth. Truth is always authoritative and gracious. Authoritative words should never be harsh, and gracious words should never be without power. Everything about Jesus was mixed with grace. Yes, even the time he over turned the tables in the temple, it was done in grace. When He met the woman at the well and read her mail so to speak, that screamed grace as well. The way that Jesus spoke to sickness with authority, there was grace. When Jesus would cast a demon out of someone, He drove it out with authority but again, the grace for that person was present.
That is amazing. Oh if we could only live our lives by the same token that Jesus did. That we would show grace to people, yet walk in authority. That people would want to be around us just because of that sweet grace we walk in. That we would take authority over the things that try to hold us captive. That we would take authority over the sickness that would try to come against us. That we would take authority over the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. All the while, showing grace to others and not forgetting to show grace to ourselves.
The Lord longs to be gracious to us, He rises to show us compassion. Sit on that for awhile! If that does not make you smile and have a fantastic day in the Lord, I don't know what will. Thank you Jesus for that amazing grace.
Gracious. That word just jumped off the page at me this morning! I think so often we picture Jesus' ministry here on earth to always be so intense; as if He was just turning over tables, calling people out on their sin & going after Pharisees. It's easy to over look the real reason He came, for grace. Perhaps it's just me that thinks this way though, since I tend to be the one that thinks Jesus has grace for everyone else, and not for me. The Lord has really had to work with me in this particular area, and still does. It's much easier for me to say that God has grace for you; I can believe that with every fiber of my being however, it's humbling to say that He has grace for me.
The Bible also says in Isaiah 30:18 that He longs to be gracious to me, that He rises to show me compassion. That became one of my favorite verses awhile back, that the Lord would long to be gracious to me is mind boggling. I'm the least deserving of such a thing and yet, He longs to do it.
No matter what I've done, no matter what I will do...wow. I look forward to being in Heaven one day and watching the old movies about Jesus' ministry here on earth. He spoke truth. Truth is always authoritative and gracious. Authoritative words should never be harsh, and gracious words should never be without power. Everything about Jesus was mixed with grace. Yes, even the time he over turned the tables in the temple, it was done in grace. When He met the woman at the well and read her mail so to speak, that screamed grace as well. The way that Jesus spoke to sickness with authority, there was grace. When Jesus would cast a demon out of someone, He drove it out with authority but again, the grace for that person was present.
That is amazing. Oh if we could only live our lives by the same token that Jesus did. That we would show grace to people, yet walk in authority. That people would want to be around us just because of that sweet grace we walk in. That we would take authority over the things that try to hold us captive. That we would take authority over the sickness that would try to come against us. That we would take authority over the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. All the while, showing grace to others and not forgetting to show grace to ourselves.
The Lord longs to be gracious to us, He rises to show us compassion. Sit on that for awhile! If that does not make you smile and have a fantastic day in the Lord, I don't know what will. Thank you Jesus for that amazing grace.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
And there go the Crepe Myrtles
I posted last year, around this same time, about my favorite tree, the Crepe Myrtle. I likened it to the seasons changing and what not. Well it's that time of year again, where my favorite tree is starting to loose it's luster. Some still look real good, as they probably bloomed a tad later; however you can see the tree's that bloomed early as the fluffy flowers they exude are now beginning to dry up and fall.
I've been reading a book lately called, "Never give up!" I'd like to share a short excerpt from it:
"God uses difficulties to make us people He can trust and people He can use. When we face adversity, we must have the spirit of a conqueror. David had to face Goliath before he could become King. We must not try to escape or avoid difficult situations while we are going through them. Instead we need to say, "God, if this is something I have to go through, then I am going through it victoriously. I want to go through it with the attitude of a conqueror. Whatever you want to do in my life through this, I want you to do. But one thing I ask, God, that you help me press past my feelings and behave in a godly manner all the way through it." Getting away from trouble never needs to be our goal; our goal needs to be to conquer it with Christlike attitudes and behaviors."
I don't about you, but that challenges me. Like the Crepe Myrtle that is now beginning to dry up, it's so easy to let our heart dry up, taking on offenses and becoming embittered. It's so easy to allow frustrations and impatience overtake the goal set before us. I want my blooms to stay ever so beautiful, not allowing anything, not anything, to take me off the mark. The place of God's purpose is the place of His power. That's where I want to stay, in the place of God's purpose. So long as I stay there, His power can work through me...and what a mighty place to be. How amazing is the Lord, that He would be so gracious to us, to allow us to be vessels for His power. Wow. Unlike the Crepe Myrtles that bloomed to early, perhaps before it was time...as they were tricked by the strange weather, now they are drying up before their time. But imagine, if we wait on the Lord, we bloom when He tells us to, we jump out of the boat when He says its time, we go when He says to go, imagine how lovely and prosperous our blooms will be. It does not make a difference the source of the trouble, if we can walk through it with the attitude of a conqueror, then we already have the victory. It starts with us.
I've been reading a book lately called, "Never give up!" I'd like to share a short excerpt from it:
"God uses difficulties to make us people He can trust and people He can use. When we face adversity, we must have the spirit of a conqueror. David had to face Goliath before he could become King. We must not try to escape or avoid difficult situations while we are going through them. Instead we need to say, "God, if this is something I have to go through, then I am going through it victoriously. I want to go through it with the attitude of a conqueror. Whatever you want to do in my life through this, I want you to do. But one thing I ask, God, that you help me press past my feelings and behave in a godly manner all the way through it." Getting away from trouble never needs to be our goal; our goal needs to be to conquer it with Christlike attitudes and behaviors."
I don't about you, but that challenges me. Like the Crepe Myrtle that is now beginning to dry up, it's so easy to let our heart dry up, taking on offenses and becoming embittered. It's so easy to allow frustrations and impatience overtake the goal set before us. I want my blooms to stay ever so beautiful, not allowing anything, not anything, to take me off the mark. The place of God's purpose is the place of His power. That's where I want to stay, in the place of God's purpose. So long as I stay there, His power can work through me...and what a mighty place to be. How amazing is the Lord, that He would be so gracious to us, to allow us to be vessels for His power. Wow. Unlike the Crepe Myrtles that bloomed to early, perhaps before it was time...as they were tricked by the strange weather, now they are drying up before their time. But imagine, if we wait on the Lord, we bloom when He tells us to, we jump out of the boat when He says its time, we go when He says to go, imagine how lovely and prosperous our blooms will be. It does not make a difference the source of the trouble, if we can walk through it with the attitude of a conqueror, then we already have the victory. It starts with us.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Opposition
You ever have something happen in life that would seem very obvious to just be a plain old attack from the devil? Something does not go your way, a particular person gives you trouble, trials and what not hit out of the blue...the obvious conclusion that we jump to is the devil right? And yes, sometimes it is just a plain attack of the devil, trying to get us off course, to lose the mark that we are set for. But sometimes, just sometimes, it's the Lord.
I believe that God puts things in our paths just to see what we will do with it. And while we start praying against all sorts of things, perhaps it's just the Lord trying to refine us, building character that cannot come any other way. How are we going to know that God is a healer, unless we have had to battle sickness before? How will we know that God is our vindication, unless we have had to face injustice? How can we know that God will provide all of our needs unless we have been in a place of absolute null?
The Bible tells us that ALL things work together for the good right? So when I'm faced with opposition in a particular area, do I trust that God will indeed take that and work it for the good or do I shrink back and run from the problem, thereby losing whatever good that God was going to do?
We all face trials. We all have difficulties. We all have our family issues. We all have bills that seem never ending. We all have moments that test our character to the fullest degree. What do we do with those moments? Sure we can pray the stupid devil away, that certainly does not hurt! But what if we just say Lord, do your good. I trust you. And I know that I know that I know, you are working ALL things for my good. Not some things...ALL things.
I believe that God puts things in our paths just to see what we will do with it. And while we start praying against all sorts of things, perhaps it's just the Lord trying to refine us, building character that cannot come any other way. How are we going to know that God is a healer, unless we have had to battle sickness before? How will we know that God is our vindication, unless we have had to face injustice? How can we know that God will provide all of our needs unless we have been in a place of absolute null?
The Bible tells us that ALL things work together for the good right? So when I'm faced with opposition in a particular area, do I trust that God will indeed take that and work it for the good or do I shrink back and run from the problem, thereby losing whatever good that God was going to do?
We all face trials. We all have difficulties. We all have our family issues. We all have bills that seem never ending. We all have moments that test our character to the fullest degree. What do we do with those moments? Sure we can pray the stupid devil away, that certainly does not hurt! But what if we just say Lord, do your good. I trust you. And I know that I know that I know, you are working ALL things for my good. Not some things...ALL things.
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