By James Goll via my friend David Shepherd - three points for the coming storm that few will receive because they think God winks at sin.
Times of shaking are coming. His plumb line is being dropped, the canon/plumb line of His Word, and of His character being dropped in the midst of the Church, the nation and the nations, resulting in chiropractic adjustments to achieve His purposes. As this occurs we are seeing storms coming.
1. Storms of God's Judgment—Our Response: A cry for mercy requiring brokenness and tenaciousness.
2. Storms of Dark Demonic Attack—Our Response: An authoritative place of intercession, requiring faith, endurance, boldness, believing in the promises and no common ground with the enemy.
3. Storms of Consequences of Sins—Our Response: Repentance requiring humility, lack of defensiveness.
Each storm requires a different Biblical response, but in one way each storm requires the same response—Desperation and Intercession. Ultimately every storm can redemptively be used for God's purposes and to forge character in us. James 2:13 states: "Mercy triumphs over judgment."
Let us pray into the storms of life and lift up a CRY FOR WISDOM AND MERCY IN THE MIDST OF EVERY STORM. I tell you, we have crossed the threshold into the DAYS OF GREAT STORMS and the DAYS OF GREAT VISITATION!
Let us be salt and light! Call on His name! Let us be ambassadors of hope for such a time as this!
DAWN'S reply - CONFIRMATION GIVEN to this message:
Wow. It is so good to watch how God will allow us to see things and then confirm them. This really bared witness! Aside from what we spoke on yesterday in our 'conversations', David, about authority and intercession, here are a few other ...ways it was confo'd (new word?) to me this morning BEFORE I read this.
Some may seem 'crazy' or ' a stretch to some' but this is how it works with me from God:
1) Yesterday, I spent the day wallpapering a friend's home. A "plumb line' is needed in order to keep the wallpaper 'in line, straight, properly placed', it is a critical part of the process - just as it is necessary in the natural/spirit for the very same reasons.
2) Last night, I (finally) went to be around 2:15-2:30 am. I had just fallen asleep, when I was JOLTED awake. I 'heard' a door slam loudly, then 'felt' the entire bed shake (like it was almost in an earthquake for a moment) and finally 'heard' a noise like glass rattling next to me from the SHAKING I felt in the spirit. It was so real, these things really happened - I KNOW. If I didn't know better and understand the spirit, I would argue with anyone who said otherwise that it actually didn't happen in the natural.
3) A cry for mercy requiring brokenness and tenaciousness... this is the place that God is putting so many people right now. I am one of them. Broken, tenacious for the kingdom...desiring mercy.
4) My scripture reading for this morning was in the book of Jeremiah. Chapters 1 and 2. I would encourage you to read these these chapters as you will see that they completely line up and confirm "the coming storm that few will receive because they think God winks at sin..." Whoa.
I was blown away that I had just read that a few moments before reading this. It's too long to post, so 'people of the North', get out that Bible of yours and read it for yourself. (Hint: Jeremiah 1:13-16, wink, wink) But, please read both chapters in full to get it all.
5) And lastly, "for such a time as this"... It has been prophesied that I carry the 'Esther Mantle". 3 times now actually - with the last one being just last Wednesday! The Word given was that I have been prepared "For such a time as this" -- AND SO ARE YOU. We are about to discover that there is a purpose for God’s appointments.
This revelation is made through an exchange of communications between Esther and Mordecai in the book of Esther.
Ester was a simple Jewish girl became the queen of the Persian empire. It was a rags to riches story unexcelled in human history.
The chronology of the book indicates that it was about five years later when the bubble burst and we find a crisis for God’s people. DO YOU GET THIS???? LET THAT SOAK IN FOR A MINUTE, PLEASE!
The culprit who caused the trouble must have been Hitler’s Old Testament hero. He was a vicious, anti-Semitic Amalakite named Haman, evidently a descendant of Agag, king of the Amalakites, whom King Saul had kept alive in disobedience to the command of the Lord (1 Sam. 15:8, 9).
When Ahasuerus made him prime minister, everybody in the palace bowed down to him except Mordecai. He would bow his knee to none but God, and that infuriated Haman. He vowed not only to punish Mordecai, but to exterminate every living Jew in the Persian empire, and incidentally, that would include those in the land of Israel as well, for they were part of the empire. Haman got the king to agree to his plan and it was sealed with the king’s ring, the irreversible law of the Medes and the Persians. It was another hasty decision that Ahasuerus would live to regret.
“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly. And he went as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. And in each and every province where the command and decree of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay on sackcloth and ashes” (Esth. 4:1-3).
Esther sent one of the king’s chamberlains to find out why Mordecai was in mourning. Mordecai sent a message back explaining the whole diabolical plot, of which she was unaware, and encouraging her to intercede with the king. She answered quickly, reminding him that no one entered the king’s presence without being invited unless he was tired of living, and that the king had not invited her into his presence for a full month. There was one slim possibility—if the king saw her and extended his golden scepter, she could enter.
Mordecai may have missed God’s best by not returning to Israel, but his spiritual insight had increased since then. He was beginning to understand something of God’s sovereign grace and divine providence, beginning to see that God can use even the adversities of life to accomplish His purposes.
He sent word back to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esth. 4:13, 14).
Esther is really no safer than any other Jew. When it becomes known that she is Jewish, her life will be endangered too. Mordecai is convinced that God is going to care for His people Israel, however. They may be far from Him, but He cannot let them perish, for that would be contrary to His promises. If He does not use Esther to deliver them, He will use some other means. He is a sovereign God.
WE ARE AT A TIME THAT REQUIRES THE TEARING OF OUR SUPERNATURAL CLOTHES AND PUTTING ON SACKCLOTH AND ASHES!!!
These Jews (Christians) were away from their land by their own choice, out of the place of blessing, separated from their place of worship. But they were PRAYING, and God WAS watching over them, superintending their circumstances to GLORIFY HIS OWN NAME.
He is doing the same for us even when we are not aware of it.
CRY ALOUD, SPARE NOT, LIFT UP YOUR VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET, AND SHOW MY PEOPLE THEIR TRANSGRESSION, AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB THEIR SINS. Isaiah 58:1.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
My rant for the day. :) I feel better now.
We can’t say how we arrived at this place for sure,
Only know that you, God, are the only cure,
People keep calling daily on the line,
Wanting to talk about things for the hundredth time.
Mr. we are doing our best, why do you keep calling,
You’re becoming a pest... don’t you know?
We’re not tying to take anyone for a ride,
Just trying to adjust to the changing of the tide.
No one can help it, this process is going so slow.
Our life has changed, haven’t you heard on CNN,
Things just aren’t what they once have been.
Small business had to close after 15 years,
Who would have imagined, so sad,
Yet you keep on pushing, wanting more,
We can see that green-eyed monster lurking.
And while you push nothing more is happening
‘cept a bunch of unnecessary jerking,
The middle class is slowly disappearing,
Can’t you see, don’t you care, man
Stop the madness, stop that insatiable printing…
Pay attention, please…
Lest we lose the value our dollar has,
And find ourselves falling deeper still,
But, nonetheless it is all a wash in the greater scheme of things,
What matters is that we keep trudging up that hill.
Onto that hill of Calvary – the only place there is hope,
Where the economy is stable and the landscape sound,
Where greed, lust, envy, and maliciousness can’t abound.
Where peace is the motto, joy is the cure,
The rushing of a river, glistening against the shore
Where glory abounds and righteousness is pure.
You may try to pull us away, shake and quake us,
Yet, it is all futile, because still will we pray.
You see, mighty is our God and His arm is sure,
He will NOT be mocked and he will rescue the pure,
For those who are His bride, those of whom He is in love,
He will rush from the heavens with a mighty shove,
So many are looking forward to watch him arrive,
And fulfill that great promise to all those dead and alive.
Where is your victory, oh death where is thy sting,
Quickly forgotten, with a triumphant ring,
The blast of that trumpet calling all of us home,
Or the end of our lives- whichever is the ringtone.
For so long humanity has waited and until this time,
Humbly we will wait, Lord, here in the battle line.
Thank you for strength, for peace, mercy, grace,
Wisdom, honor, joy and so much more.
It is in the end, which YOU will shine.
‘cause the one thing learned it is not about us – it never was,
All purpose, all life, is about your fulfillment–
And we are truly humbled and grateful
That you revealed this in your kindness,
And opened our ears and eyes,
Blessed Savior, redeemer, and friend.
Only know that you, God, are the only cure,
People keep calling daily on the line,
Wanting to talk about things for the hundredth time.
Mr. we are doing our best, why do you keep calling,
You’re becoming a pest... don’t you know?
We’re not tying to take anyone for a ride,
Just trying to adjust to the changing of the tide.
No one can help it, this process is going so slow.
Our life has changed, haven’t you heard on CNN,
Things just aren’t what they once have been.
Small business had to close after 15 years,
Who would have imagined, so sad,
Yet you keep on pushing, wanting more,
We can see that green-eyed monster lurking.
And while you push nothing more is happening
‘cept a bunch of unnecessary jerking,
The middle class is slowly disappearing,
Can’t you see, don’t you care, man
Stop the madness, stop that insatiable printing…
Pay attention, please…
Lest we lose the value our dollar has,
And find ourselves falling deeper still,
But, nonetheless it is all a wash in the greater scheme of things,
What matters is that we keep trudging up that hill.
Onto that hill of Calvary – the only place there is hope,
Where the economy is stable and the landscape sound,
Where greed, lust, envy, and maliciousness can’t abound.
Where peace is the motto, joy is the cure,
The rushing of a river, glistening against the shore
Where glory abounds and righteousness is pure.
You may try to pull us away, shake and quake us,
Yet, it is all futile, because still will we pray.
You see, mighty is our God and His arm is sure,
He will NOT be mocked and he will rescue the pure,
For those who are His bride, those of whom He is in love,
He will rush from the heavens with a mighty shove,
So many are looking forward to watch him arrive,
And fulfill that great promise to all those dead and alive.
Where is your victory, oh death where is thy sting,
Quickly forgotten, with a triumphant ring,
The blast of that trumpet calling all of us home,
Or the end of our lives- whichever is the ringtone.
For so long humanity has waited and until this time,
Humbly we will wait, Lord, here in the battle line.
Thank you for strength, for peace, mercy, grace,
Wisdom, honor, joy and so much more.
It is in the end, which YOU will shine.
‘cause the one thing learned it is not about us – it never was,
All purpose, all life, is about your fulfillment–
And we are truly humbled and grateful
That you revealed this in your kindness,
And opened our ears and eyes,
Blessed Savior, redeemer, and friend.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Thoughts on tithing...
Some thoughts to consider about Tithing...
Tithing began before the law was introduced. The Law simply regulated the tithe. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, 400 years before the time of Moses and the Law, and according... See More to Romans 4:12 we are to walk in the footsteps of the faith of Abraham. If tithing was good for him, it should be good for us, too.
We give tithes like Abraham gave them—not by the Law but by faith. And beside that, if the people of God paid ten percent before the Law, and ten percent under the Law, shouldn't we, who live by grace, be doing any less when we have a better covenant (Heb 7:22).
There is a passage in Hebrews, which deals with this issue directly. It is Hebrews 7:8:
In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.
Melchizedek received Abraham’s tithe. The Hebrew writer shows that Melchizedek is a prefigure of Christ. We can conclude that just as Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek we give a tithe to Christ who is declared to be living.
Early Jewish believers had no problem with tithing since they had done it under the Law and gave it to the priests. They simply gave their tithe to the elders of the church and did by love. However, as the church became less Jewish this issue came up to the church fathers. They answered the question of tithing with Matthew 23:23:
"Woe to you, ... See Moreteachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Notice Jesus said, "You should have practiced the latter (justice, mercy and faithfulness), without neglecting the former (tithing)." The fathers argued, and rightful so, that Jesus word ends the discussion. Since Jesus said not to neglect the former—being tithing—then no believer should neglect tithing. I wholeheartedly agree!
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, so this means every word that comes out of His mouth is eternal. He cannot say anything without it being “spiritual law” and everlasting. Jesus emphasizes this point by saying, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt 24:35).
Paul also uses the pattern of tithing under the law in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 and says,
Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from ... See Morethe gospel.
Paul argues that just as the priests got their food from the tithes of the people, so the preachers should live the same way. This passage clearly shows the mentality of the apostle and his understanding of carrying over the concept of tithing into the church.
The passage often used to contradict this is 2 Corinthians 9:7:
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The argument goes something like this: "Each believer has a right to decide for himself what to give and should not be told what percentage he should contribute."
The problem with this argument is that the above passage is not dealing with giving to support the church, but rather giving to the poor. Under the Law, giving to the poor was a freewill offering. The Law commanded freewill offerings as well as tithes:
But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. (Deut 12:5-6)
It is quite inconsistent for people to appeal to freewill offerings yet claim that tithing has been abolished. Both tithing and freewill offerings were incorporated in the Law as the above passage shows, but they preceded the Law, thus they both should be practiced.
One last thing, notice the resemblance of the language Paul uses in the first passage in Galatians and compare it with the Old Testament passage about tithing:
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. (Gal 6:6)
And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. (Deut 26:11-12)
Tithing began before the law was introduced. The Law simply regulated the tithe. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, 400 years before the time of Moses and the Law, and according... See More to Romans 4:12 we are to walk in the footsteps of the faith of Abraham. If tithing was good for him, it should be good for us, too.
We give tithes like Abraham gave them—not by the Law but by faith. And beside that, if the people of God paid ten percent before the Law, and ten percent under the Law, shouldn't we, who live by grace, be doing any less when we have a better covenant (Heb 7:22).
There is a passage in Hebrews, which deals with this issue directly. It is Hebrews 7:8:
In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.
Melchizedek received Abraham’s tithe. The Hebrew writer shows that Melchizedek is a prefigure of Christ. We can conclude that just as Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek we give a tithe to Christ who is declared to be living.
Early Jewish believers had no problem with tithing since they had done it under the Law and gave it to the priests. They simply gave their tithe to the elders of the church and did by love. However, as the church became less Jewish this issue came up to the church fathers. They answered the question of tithing with Matthew 23:23:
"Woe to you, ... See Moreteachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Notice Jesus said, "You should have practiced the latter (justice, mercy and faithfulness), without neglecting the former (tithing)." The fathers argued, and rightful so, that Jesus word ends the discussion. Since Jesus said not to neglect the former—being tithing—then no believer should neglect tithing. I wholeheartedly agree!
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, so this means every word that comes out of His mouth is eternal. He cannot say anything without it being “spiritual law” and everlasting. Jesus emphasizes this point by saying, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt 24:35).
Paul also uses the pattern of tithing under the law in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 and says,
Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from ... See Morethe gospel.
Paul argues that just as the priests got their food from the tithes of the people, so the preachers should live the same way. This passage clearly shows the mentality of the apostle and his understanding of carrying over the concept of tithing into the church.
The passage often used to contradict this is 2 Corinthians 9:7:
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
The argument goes something like this: "Each believer has a right to decide for himself what to give and should not be told what percentage he should contribute."
The problem with this argument is that the above passage is not dealing with giving to support the church, but rather giving to the poor. Under the Law, giving to the poor was a freewill offering. The Law commanded freewill offerings as well as tithes:
But you are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. (Deut 12:5-6)
It is quite inconsistent for people to appeal to freewill offerings yet claim that tithing has been abolished. Both tithing and freewill offerings were incorporated in the Law as the above passage shows, but they preceded the Law, thus they both should be practiced.
One last thing, notice the resemblance of the language Paul uses in the first passage in Galatians and compare it with the Old Testament passage about tithing:
Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. (Gal 6:6)
And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household. When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. (Deut 26:11-12)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Many will say on that day, 'Lord, Lord..."
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
In this verse, Jesus does not say that a few misguided souls have a false hope of heaven. He says MANY. He is talking to people who think they are Christians. Nowadays there are a lot of people who say that they are Christians who will not enter heaven. These are people who think that they are going to make it in to glory on their lip service. But when they stand before the King and Judge, they will be rejected.
When Jesus says "Depart" you can't appeal and try to get a second chance, you got to go. I KNOW they will be terrified. Included here? All those who choose to "worship" God according to their own beliefs and not God's word.
To be a Christian, you must repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus.
REPENT means saying, "I'm sick of sin and living my own way. I want to live under God's commands!" (not on human reasoning and logic)
BELIEVE means believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose on the third day and accepting His sacrifice for you. It means saying "Yes Lord! I love you! I want to serve you!" James says the devils believe and tremble--saving belief is more than acknowledging that the claims of Christ are true.
Many people think getting saved means saying, "the sinner's prayer"--that is a lie. They believe some mystical thing happens at reciting some words. No! The prayer is a confession of belief on the Lord. Romans 10:9 says,
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, AND shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
If you are a true believer, your life will demonstrate it and the Bible tells us that over and over again. For us Christians, we should not just emphasize faith alone -- but put a proper emphasis on the 'evidences of saving faith' which is a life of holiness.
I can say, "I really want to go to Harvard." But if I skip school, don't do my homework, and go to sleep in class, do I really want to go? NO WAY! Anybody could see that because my actions betray my confession.
It is no different in confessing Jesus. People say, "I believe Jesus is Lord," yet they curse without abandon, don't go to church, love everything this wicked world has to offer, don't feel convicted of sin, and are uninterested in the things of God.
Does this person believe to the saving of the soul? Good chance that the answer is no. Is this a matter of trying to be God and determine who will make it in? No! It is a question of life and death and telling people the truth!
Saving faith will manifest itself in good works. Just read James, Hebrews, I John, Romans--the gospels.
If no change occurs in a person's life, we have plenty of scriptures to let us know that there is a VERY good chance true conversion never took place to begin with.
Works do not save, but a saving faith will cause good works.
Another analogy--apples do not make an apple tree an apple tree. Before any fruit appeared it was an apple tree. With time, sunshine, water and other factors, the precious fruit comes forth.
Same thing with a saved person. They have Jesus Christ within. With the word of God, working of the Holy Spirit, christian friends who are like "iron sharpening iron" and time, good works will come forth like fine treasure hidden from within an earthen vessel.
In this verse, Jesus does not say that a few misguided souls have a false hope of heaven. He says MANY. He is talking to people who think they are Christians. Nowadays there are a lot of people who say that they are Christians who will not enter heaven. These are people who think that they are going to make it in to glory on their lip service. But when they stand before the King and Judge, they will be rejected.
When Jesus says "Depart" you can't appeal and try to get a second chance, you got to go. I KNOW they will be terrified. Included here? All those who choose to "worship" God according to their own beliefs and not God's word.
To be a Christian, you must repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus.
REPENT means saying, "I'm sick of sin and living my own way. I want to live under God's commands!" (not on human reasoning and logic)
BELIEVE means believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose on the third day and accepting His sacrifice for you. It means saying "Yes Lord! I love you! I want to serve you!" James says the devils believe and tremble--saving belief is more than acknowledging that the claims of Christ are true.
Many people think getting saved means saying, "the sinner's prayer"--that is a lie. They believe some mystical thing happens at reciting some words. No! The prayer is a confession of belief on the Lord. Romans 10:9 says,
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, AND shalt BELIEVE in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
If you are a true believer, your life will demonstrate it and the Bible tells us that over and over again. For us Christians, we should not just emphasize faith alone -- but put a proper emphasis on the 'evidences of saving faith' which is a life of holiness.
I can say, "I really want to go to Harvard." But if I skip school, don't do my homework, and go to sleep in class, do I really want to go? NO WAY! Anybody could see that because my actions betray my confession.
It is no different in confessing Jesus. People say, "I believe Jesus is Lord," yet they curse without abandon, don't go to church, love everything this wicked world has to offer, don't feel convicted of sin, and are uninterested in the things of God.
Does this person believe to the saving of the soul? Good chance that the answer is no. Is this a matter of trying to be God and determine who will make it in? No! It is a question of life and death and telling people the truth!
Saving faith will manifest itself in good works. Just read James, Hebrews, I John, Romans--the gospels.
If no change occurs in a person's life, we have plenty of scriptures to let us know that there is a VERY good chance true conversion never took place to begin with.
Works do not save, but a saving faith will cause good works.
Another analogy--apples do not make an apple tree an apple tree. Before any fruit appeared it was an apple tree. With time, sunshine, water and other factors, the precious fruit comes forth.
Same thing with a saved person. They have Jesus Christ within. With the word of God, working of the Holy Spirit, christian friends who are like "iron sharpening iron" and time, good works will come forth like fine treasure hidden from within an earthen vessel.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
He knows my every thought even before I speak it
My babysitter (and adopted daughter), Emily, got a good glimpse of just how much God cares about her today! It was so very cool!
One of the reasons I love to go camping is that I’m always overwhelmed by the hugeness of what I see when I stargaze, but sometimes I let my thoughts wander even further.
When I do, I realize I am but one of billions of people who populate this planet. I’m just this tiny speck amidst billions of tiny specks on a speck of a planet amidst billions upon billions of other planets and stars.
Yet God cares about me and my life. And he cares about YOU, too.
Psalm 139 says He knows my every thought even before I speak it—that God formed me in my mother’s womb and knows what each of my days hold.
Hard to believe, I know. But it is TRUE! Now on to telling my fun story of the day!!!
Today I had to go into the office in southfield for media and staff meetings. As I was on my way home, a random thought hit me to stop at the party store just a few miles from my house and get something to drink.
Now, normally I wouldn't have stopped especially since I was almost home...not to mention the fact that I had already texted Emily to tell her that I would be home in 15 minutes and knew that she had to go to back the barn where she and her boyfriend, drummer boy Chris, work to finish up the chores that the farm owner had waiting for them to get done.
But, for some reason I really felt like I should stop and grab a drink. Okay, no biggie. A drink. I especially liked their frozen coffee drinks, so perhaps I could get one of those. It had been a while since I had one...but, it sounded good to me. I figured that it only would take a minute right? So I went into the corner store to get my frozen coffee.
However, when I walked in, I quickly recognized that something was missing...yep, you guessed it, there was NO frozen coffee anywhere to be seen. Thinking this was quite weird, I asked the store clerk/owner where the frozen coffee machine went? He said, "We don't have any frozen coffee machine...and haven't had one in several years." Now, I knew it had been awhile since I had gotten coffee there, but several years? That didn't seem right to me. (and I asked Randy about it when I got home and he was as surprised as I was! and said he didn't think it had been years either...so who knows?) Anyhow, what was a gal to do now?
So, looking around I spotted the frozen cherry and coke machine. Hum, well it wasn't quite what I wanted, but since it was a hot day and all - it seemed like a good choice.
As I began to pour my drink the thought suddenly came to me to get one for Emily and Chris, too. I thought to myself... how am I going to seriously balance 4 drinks and get them safely to the car all while walking in heeled sandals that were killing my feet? (Four drinks, as I would have to get one for my 5 year old, little Emily, too -- if everyone else had them right?) But, I thought, okay...it will be a nice treat for them since it is a hot day.
Honestly, I think the crew of painters who had also stopped in to buy drinks got a good laugh at this crazy women, trying to fill 4 drinks (mixing each of them with just the right mixture of frozen coke, then the frozen cherry, and then topping it off with coke.)
Since there wasn't any counter space to actually set these cups on...I had to get intuitive and use the busch 6-pack display to set them on. It was quite funny, now that I think about it!
I paid for the drinks and headed home. As I was walking in garage, the door to our house opened and there stood Babysitter Emily with her purse in hand ready to go to the farm and finish her chores. She looked at me and the drinks in my hand and made a weird face. I thought 'hum, wonder what that was about?" I said, "Hi, these are for you and Chris..." and handed her the drinks.
She said something to this effect, "Wow, that is weird! I seriously was just watching a commercial that had slurpee/slushes on it and thought about how great a slushy drink would be to have. She continued on to say that one of the things she enjoyed about going to the movies was getting a slushy and that she had JUST thought of maybe going to the movies to get one but then decided that might not work out for her after all.
She was bummed, cause she really wanted one. And then -- there I was with the drink in hand. :) Think about it... God gently cued me in to get the drinks for them 15 minutes BEFORE Emily even saw that slurpy commercial or thought how much she would enjoy having it!
Do you remember the scripture I posted above? Psalm 139 says He (God) knows my every thought even before I speak it—
Well, he proved it in a very gentle, wonderful way to a young woman and her sweet boyfriend...as well as to a busy business lady and mom.
Friends, as you go about your day, remember that our Lord knows what it holds. The Bible says He walks with us through everything—that He goes before us, follows us, and places His hand of blessing upon our heads.
Psalm 139:5-6 (NLT) says, "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"
I concur...it is too great to understand... but, wonderful to behold and know. Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our lives and that you desire to know each one of us, caring about us as individuals, and walking with us through our daily joys and trials.
It is truly a miracle that the God of the universe surrounds our tiny, little lives with His loving care. Listen for Him as you pray this week. Look for the miracle of answered prayer -- or blessing. It’s not always big and showy, but it is no less a miracle when the God of the universe chooses to commune with us in a very real way.
Ps. I would love to hear your story of answered prayer or unexpecting blessings!
One of the reasons I love to go camping is that I’m always overwhelmed by the hugeness of what I see when I stargaze, but sometimes I let my thoughts wander even further.
When I do, I realize I am but one of billions of people who populate this planet. I’m just this tiny speck amidst billions of tiny specks on a speck of a planet amidst billions upon billions of other planets and stars.
Yet God cares about me and my life. And he cares about YOU, too.
Psalm 139 says He knows my every thought even before I speak it—that God formed me in my mother’s womb and knows what each of my days hold.
Hard to believe, I know. But it is TRUE! Now on to telling my fun story of the day!!!
Today I had to go into the office in southfield for media and staff meetings. As I was on my way home, a random thought hit me to stop at the party store just a few miles from my house and get something to drink.
Now, normally I wouldn't have stopped especially since I was almost home...not to mention the fact that I had already texted Emily to tell her that I would be home in 15 minutes and knew that she had to go to back the barn where she and her boyfriend, drummer boy Chris, work to finish up the chores that the farm owner had waiting for them to get done.
But, for some reason I really felt like I should stop and grab a drink. Okay, no biggie. A drink. I especially liked their frozen coffee drinks, so perhaps I could get one of those. It had been a while since I had one...but, it sounded good to me. I figured that it only would take a minute right? So I went into the corner store to get my frozen coffee.
However, when I walked in, I quickly recognized that something was missing...yep, you guessed it, there was NO frozen coffee anywhere to be seen. Thinking this was quite weird, I asked the store clerk/owner where the frozen coffee machine went? He said, "We don't have any frozen coffee machine...and haven't had one in several years." Now, I knew it had been awhile since I had gotten coffee there, but several years? That didn't seem right to me. (and I asked Randy about it when I got home and he was as surprised as I was! and said he didn't think it had been years either...so who knows?) Anyhow, what was a gal to do now?
So, looking around I spotted the frozen cherry and coke machine. Hum, well it wasn't quite what I wanted, but since it was a hot day and all - it seemed like a good choice.
As I began to pour my drink the thought suddenly came to me to get one for Emily and Chris, too. I thought to myself... how am I going to seriously balance 4 drinks and get them safely to the car all while walking in heeled sandals that were killing my feet? (Four drinks, as I would have to get one for my 5 year old, little Emily, too -- if everyone else had them right?) But, I thought, okay...it will be a nice treat for them since it is a hot day.
Honestly, I think the crew of painters who had also stopped in to buy drinks got a good laugh at this crazy women, trying to fill 4 drinks (mixing each of them with just the right mixture of frozen coke, then the frozen cherry, and then topping it off with coke.)
Since there wasn't any counter space to actually set these cups on...I had to get intuitive and use the busch 6-pack display to set them on. It was quite funny, now that I think about it!
I paid for the drinks and headed home. As I was walking in garage, the door to our house opened and there stood Babysitter Emily with her purse in hand ready to go to the farm and finish her chores. She looked at me and the drinks in my hand and made a weird face. I thought 'hum, wonder what that was about?" I said, "Hi, these are for you and Chris..." and handed her the drinks.
She said something to this effect, "Wow, that is weird! I seriously was just watching a commercial that had slurpee/slushes on it and thought about how great a slushy drink would be to have. She continued on to say that one of the things she enjoyed about going to the movies was getting a slushy and that she had JUST thought of maybe going to the movies to get one but then decided that might not work out for her after all.
She was bummed, cause she really wanted one. And then -- there I was with the drink in hand. :) Think about it... God gently cued me in to get the drinks for them 15 minutes BEFORE Emily even saw that slurpy commercial or thought how much she would enjoy having it!
Do you remember the scripture I posted above? Psalm 139 says He (God) knows my every thought even before I speak it—
Well, he proved it in a very gentle, wonderful way to a young woman and her sweet boyfriend...as well as to a busy business lady and mom.
Friends, as you go about your day, remember that our Lord knows what it holds. The Bible says He walks with us through everything—that He goes before us, follows us, and places His hand of blessing upon our heads.
Psalm 139:5-6 (NLT) says, "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"
I concur...it is too great to understand... but, wonderful to behold and know. Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our lives and that you desire to know each one of us, caring about us as individuals, and walking with us through our daily joys and trials.
It is truly a miracle that the God of the universe surrounds our tiny, little lives with His loving care. Listen for Him as you pray this week. Look for the miracle of answered prayer -- or blessing. It’s not always big and showy, but it is no less a miracle when the God of the universe chooses to commune with us in a very real way.
Ps. I would love to hear your story of answered prayer or unexpecting blessings!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Trapped Bee... A crazy little story...
Crazy little story...
Yesterday, I noticed a bee stuck in our bedroom window between the screen and the glass... honestly, I don't care much for bees...(had an 'incident' with a hive when I was little) so I quickly shut the window so that it couldn't fly into the house.
All evening and into the night I thought about that silly little bee. I ... See Morerecalled the stories I have heard about how bees are dissapearing and that this is causing great damage to flowers and crops due to lack of pollenation. I have to admit that I peaked at that bee at various times.
This am I looked again and noticed that this little bee was growing much weaker. It crawled up and down on that screen desparately seeking a way out. I couldn't stand it any longer. (crazy, I know) So I called Randy and asked him to help me get this bee out by lifting up both the window inside and the screen outside. (he expressed his disdane at assisting me for a silly bee - but was good to his crazy wife and helped!) Carefully, Randy and I worked together to get the bee out the screen without hurting it or us getting stung.
The bee being so used to that screen -- began crawling up and down the outside of that screen not recognizing that it was free. It had become to accustomed to its situation that it continued to climb up and down.
Funny, how God can use a situation like this to make one think about things (then again, maybe it is just me, lol). I thought of how many times I became comfortable where I was at (whether in a good place in life or not so great) and soon resolved myself to where I was at.
It is only for the grace of God that that 'screen' is lifted and I am set free by his mercy. Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
As that bee finally flew away and recognized its freedom, so shall I bask in the Freedom of the Cross. Bee stuck in window = priceless object lesson.
Thank you, Jesus. :)
Yesterday, I noticed a bee stuck in our bedroom window between the screen and the glass... honestly, I don't care much for bees...(had an 'incident' with a hive when I was little) so I quickly shut the window so that it couldn't fly into the house.
All evening and into the night I thought about that silly little bee. I ... See Morerecalled the stories I have heard about how bees are dissapearing and that this is causing great damage to flowers and crops due to lack of pollenation. I have to admit that I peaked at that bee at various times.
This am I looked again and noticed that this little bee was growing much weaker. It crawled up and down on that screen desparately seeking a way out. I couldn't stand it any longer. (crazy, I know) So I called Randy and asked him to help me get this bee out by lifting up both the window inside and the screen outside. (he expressed his disdane at assisting me for a silly bee - but was good to his crazy wife and helped!) Carefully, Randy and I worked together to get the bee out the screen without hurting it or us getting stung.
The bee being so used to that screen -- began crawling up and down the outside of that screen not recognizing that it was free. It had become to accustomed to its situation that it continued to climb up and down.
Funny, how God can use a situation like this to make one think about things (then again, maybe it is just me, lol). I thought of how many times I became comfortable where I was at (whether in a good place in life or not so great) and soon resolved myself to where I was at.
It is only for the grace of God that that 'screen' is lifted and I am set free by his mercy. Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
As that bee finally flew away and recognized its freedom, so shall I bask in the Freedom of the Cross. Bee stuck in window = priceless object lesson.
Thank you, Jesus. :)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Does God know what is in our Heart?
Ah, yes God most certainly does know our hearts. We justify our thinking, our feelings, our motives. We mock God while all the time doing all of this in His name and thinking "it is well with our soul". With faces we 'show' what WE consider to be love -- and then in our hearts have nothing but malice and envy - which goes unrecognized, understated, and unrepented of. We are self-centered, self-focused and self-propriatiating. How can a cup that is empty, pour out? How can a vessel lacking, bring forth life? Quite simply - it can't - and that is the whole point.
Without breath in our spiritual lungs we are nothing but dead men walking. Without a continuous ebb and flow of communion with the Spirit of God - we have nothing but empty, lifeless lips speaking empty words. Without application, supplication and impression, all that can come forth from us is flesh.
Isaiah 65:2-5
I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;
A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;
Who sacrifice in gardens,
And burn incense on altars of brick;
Who sit among the graves,
And spend the night in the tombs;
Who eat swine’s flesh,
And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,
Do not come near me,
For I am holier than you!’
These are smoke in My nostrils,
A fire that burns all the day.
Although, this scripture is referencing Israel... it still applies to the very nature of God and his thinking concerning rebellious flesh nature.
But, OH to walk in his ways! Seek His face!
Seeking God's face is about knowing God, knowing who He is, knowing Him very closely. To walk with Him and to have a relationship with Him. Letting his spirit consume us.
As Christians when we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and submit our whole self completely, it is then that we have been resurrected to life, as it were, so that there will be a change in the kind of life we live due to God being at work in us. We become santified.
Sanctification is also known as becoming holy and becoming conformed to God's image. (Eph. 1:4 and Romans 8:29). We begin to take on the characteristics of the Family—where we begin to think and act like the current members of the Family of God. The character, the mindset, the attitudes, the perspective, the way we think, the way we look at things begins to become just like the God's.
The sanctification process writes the laws of God in our hearts and minds, making His righteousness real and practical to daily life. During this process, which requires our cooperation with Him in His purpose, we literally become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
We have been summoned to a great cause. The summons is personal and specific. It presents us the challenge of choosing to live a life worthy of the awesome vocation to which God has summoned us. Our calling has become our life's work.
God has summoned us to yield to His creative efforts of reproducing Himself, just as II Corinthians 3:18 instructs us: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Oh, live within me God -- Let me seek your face, be santified, transformed and conformed to your image daily. Let me not trample on your goodness and grace! Let me be a light, a reflection of you. Purge me, cleanse me, help me to submit to you and your Word. Let me be your face to others with a heart that radiates your life...and not mine. In Jesus name. Amen.
- I wrote this as a post on a friend's FB page, while inspired by the HS this am. Awesome!
Without breath in our spiritual lungs we are nothing but dead men walking. Without a continuous ebb and flow of communion with the Spirit of God - we have nothing but empty, lifeless lips speaking empty words. Without application, supplication and impression, all that can come forth from us is flesh.
Isaiah 65:2-5
I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;
A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;
Who sacrifice in gardens,
And burn incense on altars of brick;
Who sit among the graves,
And spend the night in the tombs;
Who eat swine’s flesh,
And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
Who say, ‘Keep to yourself,
Do not come near me,
For I am holier than you!’
These are smoke in My nostrils,
A fire that burns all the day.
Although, this scripture is referencing Israel... it still applies to the very nature of God and his thinking concerning rebellious flesh nature.
But, OH to walk in his ways! Seek His face!
Seeking God's face is about knowing God, knowing who He is, knowing Him very closely. To walk with Him and to have a relationship with Him. Letting his spirit consume us.
As Christians when we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and submit our whole self completely, it is then that we have been resurrected to life, as it were, so that there will be a change in the kind of life we live due to God being at work in us. We become santified.
Sanctification is also known as becoming holy and becoming conformed to God's image. (Eph. 1:4 and Romans 8:29). We begin to take on the characteristics of the Family—where we begin to think and act like the current members of the Family of God. The character, the mindset, the attitudes, the perspective, the way we think, the way we look at things begins to become just like the God's.
The sanctification process writes the laws of God in our hearts and minds, making His righteousness real and practical to daily life. During this process, which requires our cooperation with Him in His purpose, we literally become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
We have been summoned to a great cause. The summons is personal and specific. It presents us the challenge of choosing to live a life worthy of the awesome vocation to which God has summoned us. Our calling has become our life's work.
God has summoned us to yield to His creative efforts of reproducing Himself, just as II Corinthians 3:18 instructs us: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Oh, live within me God -- Let me seek your face, be santified, transformed and conformed to your image daily. Let me not trample on your goodness and grace! Let me be a light, a reflection of you. Purge me, cleanse me, help me to submit to you and your Word. Let me be your face to others with a heart that radiates your life...and not mine. In Jesus name. Amen.
- I wrote this as a post on a friend's FB page, while inspired by the HS this am. Awesome!
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