If I had my own church , the service today would be spent entirely in Praise and Worship. It has just been one of those weeks. The enemy has appeared strong and the constant theme seemed to be deception and destruction. Well, he tried anyway but he did not succeed.
Every afternoon , when I pick up the kids from school , I know within moments there is going to be a battle escalating to great proportions , usually until someone ends up crying , or fake crying as they like to do also. So , before its time for them to walk in the door my mind and spirit are gearing up for battle. I have to be compassionate and loving , yet firm and forceful if necessary and to tell you the truth it can be very exhausting. My husband comes home and I sometimes have to say " Get these children please. I'm wore out. " Which of course , with one word from dad , they are perfect angels, for a moment, until the next battle.
The same is true for us all that breathe air and live in this world. Jesus said :
John 16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
As long as we are here we are going to have trouble. It's not bad luck, fate, a curse from mother nature or even the fact that a black cat walked across your path. It is the fallen state of the world we live in.
Some times are far worse than others and this week was very difficult. It seemed every avenue of our lives were under constant attack and I continuously had to keep my guard up . I say "my guard" but in reality it isn't me at all. The me that you see is weak and afraid , lazy and disobedient , but there is a me that you don't see. My spirit, who is inside , is to whom I am referring and is guided by the Holy Spirit to do good and not evil . He, is whom I put in charge of my day.
The Holy Spirit is the one that gets me up in the morning. He's the one that shuts my mouth when I get so mad I wanna cuss. He's the one that whispers words of comfort in my ear when I'm so tired and scared of the future.He's the one that turns me away from temptation. He is the one of the best presents ever given to man. Jesus died on the cross for our salvation, Praise God and to which we owe our lives, yet he loved us so much that he left, so that the Holy Spirit could come and reside inside of all those that ask Him to.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
My brothers and sisters, do you realize how much your Father loves you? Do you know how much is available to you , if you just ask.
Have you ever been in love ? I use this example because not everyone has children which is the example used in the scripture. Do you remember loving them so much that you just wanted to give them a gift? It didn't matter what it was, big or small you just wanted to bless them , because you loved them. You couldn't wait to see them , not because you wanted to look at them but because just being in their presence brought you such great joy. The Father of heaven loves you so much more than this. He can't wait to have your attention so He can shower you with His love. A great place He finds you is when you are singing to Him in praise and worship. When your hands and hearts are raised to Him in adoration He is there pouring His love upon you. It is one of my most favorite places to be. It is here He speaks to your spirit through the Holy Spirit . It is here the battles of everyday life are fought, and won.
Eph. 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
In the spirit, is where the enemy is and in the spirit is where we worship.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
With every battle that was brought before me this week I knew that complaining about it, arguing about it, or even manipulating it was not going to accomplish anything. Who can manipulate the power of a tsunami , which we were faced this week? Only God , who is Spirit , can do anything to save us from so great a power.
So , just like I ask my husband for help when I can not continue on my own , I ask my Father to help me when the battle rages on. He is the one who calms the seas. He enters the scene and with one word from Him there is peace, for the moment , until the next battle.
I encourage you, as you face your battles , pray to the Father, cry out to Jesus , and heed the words of the Holy Spirit which are written in the word of God and you will see great victories. Remember you are not alone. God has placed warriors by your side to help through prayer and what a blessing Godly friendships are.
One last note, as you prepare for the battle , remember the words in Ephesians:
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph. 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
Eph. 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph. 6:15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph. 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Eph. 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph. 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
I'm praying for you many mighty victories . God bless you in all you do. Have a great week.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
No Comprendo
Last night my grandson made his first visit to our house, the house of his mother's childhood , and we were all very excited. He was passed around and cooed at , smooched and even welcomed by our 2 dogs , Pedro and Ladybug.
I was privileged to hold him while I was studying my Hebrew lessons and my daughter even made a comment about him learning Hebrew by association. Also , a friend asked if I was starting his Theology and Hebrew studies and suggested to sow as many seeds in him while he was young so he would be a great witness for the Lord , to which I fully agreed.
I have to admit though, it has been very difficult lately to comprehend and memorize all the words necessary to be at least an average student of Hebrew. That may be partly due to working in extreme weather and being tired, or having a lot of housework , or just a lot of busy-ness , but the point is more time and effort is required of me to learn and apply what needs to be learned. I have recognized I must try harder and persevere through this tough spot . I have also decided that no matter how difficult it is , that quitting is not an option. I live by the scripture:
2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Before I awoke this morning the thoughts were impressed upon me that learning a foreign language was a lot like learning the word of God at times. The "world" has one definition of how things should be and the word of God teaches the opposite of that definition. Sometimes it seems so strange and impossible to understand yet it is His great gift to the world .
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Unfortunately those who follow after ungodly things and those who live to please the "world", do not like nor understand the word and even persecute those that do .
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
The reason learning the word of God can be compared to learning a foreign language is because it appears , at first glance, to be confusing or difficult to understand . One may think they have to have a degree to even comprehend it. That is not true . The word is a light . It is pure and righteous and the Holy Spirit is here to teach us and shine the light in the darkness of our understanding . Unfortunately , darkness likes to remain dark , therefore it hates the light . This struggle is a part of the constant battle we face , and as believers we are supposed to be shining forth this light , learning and living the word as well as speaking it to others.
Pastors can be compared to teachers of a foreign language , who with great patience are trying to teach those in their care , something that may be totally beyond their understanding. They are supposed to be setting the standard and have a great understanding of this word we all desire to learn. They have to teach students that are at different levels of understanding , and maturity.
They have to come with great patience for the young and tolerance of the youthful accompanied by direction for their great excitement and energy. They must also bring the meat of the word to the mature in Christ , while maintaining a blameless walk so as not to make others that are weaker stumble and fall. They have to avoid any and all appearances of evil so those following can see the word lived out through their lives . Ergo the statement , "practice what you preach" is used.
This takes a lot of preparation on the part of the Holy Spirit who is the most patient teacher of all because, Pastors are nothing more than eternal students of the Holy Spirit . Teachers of the word may know a lot of it , but are always learning as well and should never think more highly of themselves than they ought:
Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
Whether you are walking in the light or in the darkness, whether you are the teacher or student it is not impossible to understand and learn the word of God. What seems like an insurmountable feat , with perseverance , will become easier for Jesus taught :
Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
Decide that no matter how difficult it is , quitting is not an option. I pray the Holy Spirit guides you into all truth and that if you don't have a teacher that He sends you one. Until then , pick up the book and read. God bless you in all you do.
I was privileged to hold him while I was studying my Hebrew lessons and my daughter even made a comment about him learning Hebrew by association. Also , a friend asked if I was starting his Theology and Hebrew studies and suggested to sow as many seeds in him while he was young so he would be a great witness for the Lord , to which I fully agreed.
I have to admit though, it has been very difficult lately to comprehend and memorize all the words necessary to be at least an average student of Hebrew. That may be partly due to working in extreme weather and being tired, or having a lot of housework , or just a lot of busy-ness , but the point is more time and effort is required of me to learn and apply what needs to be learned. I have recognized I must try harder and persevere through this tough spot . I have also decided that no matter how difficult it is , that quitting is not an option. I live by the scripture:
2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Before I awoke this morning the thoughts were impressed upon me that learning a foreign language was a lot like learning the word of God at times. The "world" has one definition of how things should be and the word of God teaches the opposite of that definition. Sometimes it seems so strange and impossible to understand yet it is His great gift to the world .
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Unfortunately those who follow after ungodly things and those who live to please the "world", do not like nor understand the word and even persecute those that do .
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
The reason learning the word of God can be compared to learning a foreign language is because it appears , at first glance, to be confusing or difficult to understand . One may think they have to have a degree to even comprehend it. That is not true . The word is a light . It is pure and righteous and the Holy Spirit is here to teach us and shine the light in the darkness of our understanding . Unfortunately , darkness likes to remain dark , therefore it hates the light . This struggle is a part of the constant battle we face , and as believers we are supposed to be shining forth this light , learning and living the word as well as speaking it to others.
Pastors can be compared to teachers of a foreign language , who with great patience are trying to teach those in their care , something that may be totally beyond their understanding. They are supposed to be setting the standard and have a great understanding of this word we all desire to learn. They have to teach students that are at different levels of understanding , and maturity.
They have to come with great patience for the young and tolerance of the youthful accompanied by direction for their great excitement and energy. They must also bring the meat of the word to the mature in Christ , while maintaining a blameless walk so as not to make others that are weaker stumble and fall. They have to avoid any and all appearances of evil so those following can see the word lived out through their lives . Ergo the statement , "practice what you preach" is used.
This takes a lot of preparation on the part of the Holy Spirit who is the most patient teacher of all because, Pastors are nothing more than eternal students of the Holy Spirit . Teachers of the word may know a lot of it , but are always learning as well and should never think more highly of themselves than they ought:
Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
Whether you are walking in the light or in the darkness, whether you are the teacher or student it is not impossible to understand and learn the word of God. What seems like an insurmountable feat , with perseverance , will become easier for Jesus taught :
Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
Decide that no matter how difficult it is , quitting is not an option. I pray the Holy Spirit guides you into all truth and that if you don't have a teacher that He sends you one. Until then , pick up the book and read. God bless you in all you do.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Endurance
Snow in Texas? Who would've thought we would have 12 inches of snow fall in one day in Texas! It beat every record known and was the cause of many a school kid's celebrations.
I am a mail lady by day and my excitement for the winter wonderland was short lived when it came to delivering the mail. Don't get me wrong , it was gorgeous and I am so thankful for seeing the Glory of God painted through frozen trees and white blankets lain over our small town. One of the wonderful things about our God is His ability to teach us through our normal everyday activities , so when an extraordinary event takes place , the voice of the Lord is amplified tremendously.
What I wanted to share with ya'll today is a small part of everything God has shown me through those days in the snow.
We are a very busy society, and sometimes my customers do not check their mail. It only becomes inconvenient when the box is too full for us to continue to do our job. So, until then , we don't concern ourselves with it. Although this week , as I was risking life and limb to " bring the word" to my customers , in seeing the boxes full I was a little bothered.
The roads were treacherous to say the least. I drive a postal vehicle that is definitely not 4 wheel drive , and there was a lot of walking to the boxes to avoid getting stuck, not to mention slipping and sliding all over the road, trying to avoid pedestrians and other vehicles , wet feet and the bone chilling cold.
As Christians we are commanded of the lord to go forth and spread the gospel.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So , as I am delivering mail , I liken that unto spreading the word. Yet, when I saw that some didn't check their mail , I felt the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
There are many Pastors , Evangelists, Missionaries , spreading the Gospel in very dangerous atmospheres. There are countries that would secretly ,and some even blatantly , kill those who taught others about our Lord and Saviour . As Christians we hear too many stories of precious ones that have served the Lord unto death , but there is another type of persecution we don't hear much about.
Imagine if you will the brother or sister that is totally surrounded by unbelievers, that may even be of their own household , and their own spouse may be the one that is persecuting them . There are those that wake every morning and know that they will suffer some type of mental abuse for standing by their Lord. There are those that only have the Holy Spirit as a gentle companion who makes the word of God come alive in their lives , yet they still persevere and endure to the end knowing that perhaps someday the people they love will follow Christ .
This type of persecution may not be news stopping but it's very painful to minister day after day and only receive curses and shame in return.
As I saw the mail that had been left in the boxes. I thought of those that risked their lives to deliver the word day after day , and those that disregarded it as unimportant. The word of God is a precious thing and it is very sad that so many treat it as though it was no big deal.
Prov. 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It is for this word and the Love of Christ that we , as Christians, risk our lives and hearts , peace, security , and all things temporary for eternal joy and happiness. Sometimes that word falls on deaf ears and hardened hearts, but it is for us to deliver nonetheless. It is for the Holy Spirit to convict and convince , it is only for us to obey and do our job.
If you are in the "spreading the gospel" business, which if you are a Christian you are, my word for you today is to endure .
Matt. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Don't quit :
Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We will reap what we have sown. Another great thing I saw this week was eventually people do pick up their mail and the word is received!
Finally, whether you are a Christian or not, and you notice that people have been trying to talk to and encourage you, help you, love you, do not push them away or ignore them . Receive the love that God is sending you. There is no greater Valentine than God himself. God bless you all and have a great week. Happy Valentine's Day
I am a mail lady by day and my excitement for the winter wonderland was short lived when it came to delivering the mail. Don't get me wrong , it was gorgeous and I am so thankful for seeing the Glory of God painted through frozen trees and white blankets lain over our small town. One of the wonderful things about our God is His ability to teach us through our normal everyday activities , so when an extraordinary event takes place , the voice of the Lord is amplified tremendously.
What I wanted to share with ya'll today is a small part of everything God has shown me through those days in the snow.
We are a very busy society, and sometimes my customers do not check their mail. It only becomes inconvenient when the box is too full for us to continue to do our job. So, until then , we don't concern ourselves with it. Although this week , as I was risking life and limb to " bring the word" to my customers , in seeing the boxes full I was a little bothered.
The roads were treacherous to say the least. I drive a postal vehicle that is definitely not 4 wheel drive , and there was a lot of walking to the boxes to avoid getting stuck, not to mention slipping and sliding all over the road, trying to avoid pedestrians and other vehicles , wet feet and the bone chilling cold.
As Christians we are commanded of the lord to go forth and spread the gospel.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So , as I am delivering mail , I liken that unto spreading the word. Yet, when I saw that some didn't check their mail , I felt the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
There are many Pastors , Evangelists, Missionaries , spreading the Gospel in very dangerous atmospheres. There are countries that would secretly ,and some even blatantly , kill those who taught others about our Lord and Saviour . As Christians we hear too many stories of precious ones that have served the Lord unto death , but there is another type of persecution we don't hear much about.
Imagine if you will the brother or sister that is totally surrounded by unbelievers, that may even be of their own household , and their own spouse may be the one that is persecuting them . There are those that wake every morning and know that they will suffer some type of mental abuse for standing by their Lord. There are those that only have the Holy Spirit as a gentle companion who makes the word of God come alive in their lives , yet they still persevere and endure to the end knowing that perhaps someday the people they love will follow Christ .
This type of persecution may not be news stopping but it's very painful to minister day after day and only receive curses and shame in return.
As I saw the mail that had been left in the boxes. I thought of those that risked their lives to deliver the word day after day , and those that disregarded it as unimportant. The word of God is a precious thing and it is very sad that so many treat it as though it was no big deal.
Prov. 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
It is for this word and the Love of Christ that we , as Christians, risk our lives and hearts , peace, security , and all things temporary for eternal joy and happiness. Sometimes that word falls on deaf ears and hardened hearts, but it is for us to deliver nonetheless. It is for the Holy Spirit to convict and convince , it is only for us to obey and do our job.
If you are in the "spreading the gospel" business, which if you are a Christian you are, my word for you today is to endure .
Matt. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Don't quit :
Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We will reap what we have sown. Another great thing I saw this week was eventually people do pick up their mail and the word is received!
Finally, whether you are a Christian or not, and you notice that people have been trying to talk to and encourage you, help you, love you, do not push them away or ignore them . Receive the love that God is sending you. There is no greater Valentine than God himself. God bless you all and have a great week. Happy Valentine's Day
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Grand Gift
This week has been an exciting , restful and very tiring week . Does that make sense? Yes, it does. You see, my daughter, my oldest daughter ,gave birth to her first child, a son, also my first grandchild. We began the week with a scary labor and delivery process, which ended in her having a c-section, but is now ending in great joy, due to a brand new presence in our lives named , Levi James Dill.
It sounds so cliche to say he is precious and perfect but he is. We now understand why they are called GRAND!
I remember the feeling I had when I brought his mother, Keri, home from the birthing house. (we used a midwife) There were no words to describe the love I felt and still feel for her. I thought there was never going to be a moment in my life to top that one. When I held my daughter's son I realized I was wrong. It was like my love for Keri had grown exponentially and I could express that love by loving her son, which I really , really do.
This led me to a thought of when I was a little girl and just learning about God. We were born Catholic, which in a Catholic world you are just that ; born Catholic, I began to believe in God and knew He was always with me. Upon reflection I can see His gentle hand guiding and instructing even with all the hardships we faced , but when I began to understand that Jesus Christ , God's son, had died for my sins and that I had to choose to serve Him and live for Him I began to desire to know Him.
I cannot and will not do something , worship something I know nothing about. I am a "why" person. You'll know you have met a "why" person when they ask questions continuously. I suppose I have done my best to wear out the ears of the Lord with all my "why" questions until I reached a certain level of spiritual maturity where I became satisfied with not knowing everything about everything , so in a little Christian church in Clayton, N.C., with the leading of a fiery red-headed preacher , I gave my heart to the son of the God I had always known.
What a patient teacher the Holy Spirit is with me . I am only now seeing this aspect of why we do what we do. I loved the Father, which led me to love the Son, because He loves His Son , and all the while led by the Holy Spirit .
Now my love for the Father has grown exponentially and is expressed in my devotion to His Son, my King , Jesus. How much more does He love us ? God loves you in a way that cannot be measured or explained , but He loved you so much He gave you and I His Son to love and cherish , to serve and worship . What a great gift, a GRAND gift. Thank you Father . He is beautiful and so precious and I really , really love Him.
It sounds so cliche to say he is precious and perfect but he is. We now understand why they are called GRAND!
I remember the feeling I had when I brought his mother, Keri, home from the birthing house. (we used a midwife) There were no words to describe the love I felt and still feel for her. I thought there was never going to be a moment in my life to top that one. When I held my daughter's son I realized I was wrong. It was like my love for Keri had grown exponentially and I could express that love by loving her son, which I really , really do.
This led me to a thought of when I was a little girl and just learning about God. We were born Catholic, which in a Catholic world you are just that ; born Catholic, I began to believe in God and knew He was always with me. Upon reflection I can see His gentle hand guiding and instructing even with all the hardships we faced , but when I began to understand that Jesus Christ , God's son, had died for my sins and that I had to choose to serve Him and live for Him I began to desire to know Him.
I cannot and will not do something , worship something I know nothing about. I am a "why" person. You'll know you have met a "why" person when they ask questions continuously. I suppose I have done my best to wear out the ears of the Lord with all my "why" questions until I reached a certain level of spiritual maturity where I became satisfied with not knowing everything about everything , so in a little Christian church in Clayton, N.C., with the leading of a fiery red-headed preacher , I gave my heart to the son of the God I had always known.
What a patient teacher the Holy Spirit is with me . I am only now seeing this aspect of why we do what we do. I loved the Father, which led me to love the Son, because He loves His Son , and all the while led by the Holy Spirit .
Now my love for the Father has grown exponentially and is expressed in my devotion to His Son, my King , Jesus. How much more does He love us ? God loves you in a way that cannot be measured or explained , but He loved you so much He gave you and I His Son to love and cherish , to serve and worship . What a great gift, a GRAND gift. Thank you Father . He is beautiful and so precious and I really , really love Him.
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