Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Online

In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. Psalm 120:1 

Psalm 118:5
called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

When times get tough, and they will and do, there is One we can call out to, One that hears our cry and acts on our behalf.

God may not do what we think ought to be done, but He hears. He knows. And we can trust that He will answer and be by our side.

Better than 911 or the Internet, HE is only a call away, a whispered word, a sob-choked cry or a shout of joy. 

Acts 2:21
‘AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’


 Know the name - Jesus  - by which mankind might be saved. He's only a call away.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

What is Coming?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Today I read in the news that dolphins were fleeing California. Why?  What do they know? There are reasons for fear on almost every front. The economy is tanking, everything you eat and breaths causes cancer, the President will call for martial law after the Occupiers don't get their latte allotment, Iran is taking over Hollywood, gas is going to five dollars a gallon. Well, you get the picture. There are fears real and imagined.

But Jesus left us with His peace. We are to fear - God. But His perfect love cast out all other fears. There is no need to fear if the God of all has you in His hand.

Whatever does come, earthquake, volcano, persecution, disaster by humans or nature, God has us. Call out in the Name of Jesus, The Name above all names, and rejoice.

Fear God and His judgment for it will come. Repent. Ask the Lord to open your eyes. Turn to Him. And rejoice at the winds of change blowing in your face. For what is Coming? It isn't what but Who. Jesus.

Jesus is coming. Pray and watch. Be alert. There are many fears that will not be realized. But Jesus is Coming. Be ready.

Repent.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Delight

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.


That is my life verse. The one God gave to me years ago. And I have to say He has not failed me. Yesterday, He wooed me. Ever been wooed by the Great I AM? Nothing like it. A tender whisper to come away. To take time to clear your mine and listen.

And when I did go outside with pen and paper to listen. I heard - "Delight in Me. Like a child twirling around, head back, and laughing, delight in Me."

Even now as I recall the moment, my spirit whirls and laughs in joy. My God. The Great I AM. God of all, stooped to fellowship with me. And I delight in His presence. His goodness. His mighty wonders.

Dust off the cobwebs of duty and dullness and delight in Him. See the works of His hands in the beauty of a sunset, a flower, a baby's smile.

Delight in the Lord and know that HE will give you the desires of your heart.

God is good!


Friday, February 24, 2012

To be Known

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

How amazing to know that the Lord knows me. One out of billions, He knows me. Cares for  me and has a plan for me. Many strive to make themselves known to others - the quest for fame and the fortune they hope comes with it.

But consider that you are known by the Lord. The Creator knows you. Planned for you. Wow - doesn't get better than that.

Today search for the Lord with all your heart and be prepared to be wowed!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Remember

Today we are hitting 80 degrees. Far away from the scene below. But I love snow, so I have this picture so that I can look back and remember the crystal white beauty and the joy of that day.


Psalm 77:11
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.


And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.


Luke 24:8
And they remembered his words,

Jude 1:17
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Landmarks, pictures, lines in the sand - we need them to remind us of victories and lessons in the past. 

Write down when you see the Lord move on your behalf. If He has walked you through a trial, stop and leave a marker so that if you fall back you'll stop there and continue on, not falling farther down.

The trials of those in the Old Testament were written for us, that we might learn from their mistakes, their faith, their lives.

So remember, and make remembrances. Use them to bolster your faith.

And remember - God is good. 

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Pure Word

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.


Have you wondered it would be like to read the Bible for the first time but without all the preconceived ideas, agendas, and teachings of others? While it is good to listen to teachers of the Word but only if you back that teaching up with study and the Holy Spirit.

Many things will sound good. Satan, our enemy, uses the Word of God with a wicked twist.
Ninety percent truth can be dangerous. Read the temptations of Christ. That's what the devil tempted Him with. And each time, Jesus quoted what the Word did say.

Pray for wisdom from above. Check your own ideas and those of others against the pure Word and see that it is peacable and gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.

Get alone with the Lord. Sit at His feet and inquire. Read the Scriptures in the Light of the Holy Spirit.

But be aware of the enemy who wants to lead astray the believers into error.

Know the truth. The whole and Holy truth. And do not be deceived.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

No Agendas

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.


When sitting down to read the Bible, first clear your heart and mind of agendas. Too often we read the Word of God with an idea to defend our opinion or attack those of others. That is not what the Word of God is about. 

Truth will prove itself.

Pray before you read the Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal scripture to you. And be prepared to be amazed. Keep a notebook or journal as you study His Word.

Rejoice in the Goodness of God. 

Monday, February 20, 2012

See with a Pure Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.


Circumstances have a way of clouding our vision. Whether from a cold, money problems, or a world falling down on our ears. But they are just clouds. Wispy attempts by the enemy to prevent us from seeing the truth. God is good. He is victorious. And through Him - so are we.

Sharpen your focus. Proclaim the Lord's Word aloud. The Truth will prevail. God's love never fails. Find scriptures to stand on. On those cloudy days ask the Holy Spirit for direction. Rejoice in the truth. 

Even if there are clouds, the sun  and the SON are still there.   

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Small things

These little flowers are no bigger than a pencil eraser. But look at the detail.

Psalm 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Luke 12:7
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.




God sees you, knows you, and watches over you. 

Rejoice. 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Easy Button

For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” 


Love. God is love. He first loved us. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Love.

1 Corinthians 13

The Excellence of Love

 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
 8 Love never fails;

First soak in God's love. And then let Him love others through you. Love is not lust, momentary passion, or warm fuzzy feelings. Love is holy. righteous, and good.

Love one another. When life is out of control, press the easy button, and turn to God, accept His love for you, and then love one another.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Time

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Yikes I looked at the clock and missed the morning. So pretend I am in California. It's still morning there, or at least not after noon.

Time is an elusive dimension. It can drag and slide by.  Seem long and short at the same time. Pondering on the ironies time presents us, I think that the reason is that we are eternal beings. Not destined to be bound by the 24/7 of earth.

While we are on this planet, our days are marked ticking off each minute, hour, day. Time is ... well the time of day but can also be a season. A portion of our life or the life of a project, season.

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.


So what time is it?


Is it merely 12:53 PM or is there a greater significance to the times we are living in?


Check the time.


God is good and He is never late.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Read the Red

What did Jesus Say?

You can listen to radio and TV, preachers and evangelists, friends and family. But you are responsible for your relationship with the Lord. Jesus didn't come to bring a corporate salvation, but an individual one. He came to build His church out of living stones. One body out of His believers. United by the Holy Spirit and commissioned to do His Will.

This Valentine's day read the red. Discover what Jesus did say. Don't take the word of others. After all, who hasn't heard - Cleanliness is next to godliness. OR God helps those who help themselves. How many times have you heard Jesus came to bring world peace?

All the above instances are not true. Not in the Bible.

We live in an age of feel good scriptures and prophecies. An age of deception and commercialism. An age where people would rather have their ears tickled than be confronted with the truth.

Know the truth - for it is only the truth that can set you free.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the waythe truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Monday, February 13, 2012

Jesus Said ...

Clear lines in the sky from yesterday morning.

In the Christian life, we hear that Jesus said this or that. But did he? It matters not who tells you what Jesus said, it is our duty to see for ourselves. In the USA we have the Word of God. It's on the shelf, in our computers, our phones, open it up and see just what Jesus said.

John 14:15
 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.


So if we love Jesus, we are to keep His commandments. But if we don't know what He said, how can we?


I searched Bible Gateway for Jesus said- Here are the results.
Jesus Said

We are without excuse. Search the scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart, and learn what Jesus said to do. People are deceived when they follow blindly along what others are saying.
Deception is never good. Think lemmings over the cliff.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Glorify Him

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 15:4
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.


God is so majestic and mighty that all will glorify Him. Every knee an every tongue.

Romans 14:11
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

I used to think the Lord would put his foot on the necks of those who refused. BUT now believe that when we see Him in His full glory and majesty, there will be no choice. EVen those who have chosen damnation will fall to their knees and have to proclaim that He is God.

Just as anyone with eyes and gazes at a beautiful sunrise will stop and ponder on its beauty. SO much more will be the glory of God.

Rejoice in Him for He is Holy. 

God is Good!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Is God Mean?

Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:


Reading the Old Testament, many get the idea that God is mean and out to get them. God is to be feared. The beginning of wisdom is the Fear of God. But God is not a mad animal that strikes out without reason. He is not an erupting volcano that spews at His whim to the detriment of those around Him.

NO!  God is love. So why do we need to fear Him? 
  • HE is the Creator of all.
  • He knows all things.
  • He is majestic, amazing, mighty. Even All Mighty. 
Fear of God is acknowledgement that HE is God. The ultimate authority. Even the most rebellious will put their foot on the brake when they see a patrol car (man's authority.) 

God is not mean. He is JUST. There are laws set in the universe that must be obeyed every bit as much as when you drop something it must fall because of gravity on earth. LAWS. His Laws. 

But God didn't leave us defenseless. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our mediator. Jesus stands as our defense to acquit of us of all sin against God's laws. Through the Blood of Jesus, God sees us as pure, faultless. 

Apart from Jesus, all are condemned, judged guilty. For to decline the Son of God is the ultimate sin. The one with a sure forever death penalty. 

God is not Mean. He is love. and HE is just. And He provided a way for us to have fellowship with Him. 

Face it - if God was out to get you - you would be gone.

God is Good!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Choices

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

God desires that no one should perish. But He gave us free will. We choose - Life or death.



I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life inorder that you may live, you and your descendants,

We are living in perilous times. Our nation is on a precipice. She may fall or perhaps be pulled back for a time. Again, it is our choice. But not merely in an election. This man or that. This choice is an individual one. A choice to choose life or to choose death. To choose to come under God's protective hand and repent, OR to go the way of man. The way of the Tower of Babel and do it our own way. To choose to shove God further away from our schools, government, our own life.

Choose you this day who you will follow. The way that you will live. For God or against Him. There is no middle ground. No demilitarized zone. Choose,

Repent and humble yourselves before the Lord. Seek His face and turn from evil.  

There is yet time, but it is short. 

Repent.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Hot or Cold?

Revelation 3:15-16

Amplified Bible (AMP)
15I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!
    16So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!


Hard words. But truth. Basically, the church in Laodicea thought they were ok and needed nothing. They could do it on there own power. 

 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Fear not, God loves us. He is rooting for us, cheering us on, and wise to our safekeeping. HE does not want us to fail. Repentance is a turning back to Him. Acknowledging that we have left the narrow path and strayed, but are turning back to God. And His love welcomes us.
 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Hear the knocking? Answer the door and rejoice and eat with the Creator of all. Can't get better than that.
 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
And the rewards are out of this world!!!
 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Beyond the Veil

And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.



Hebrews 10:19-21


 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
 21And having an high priest over the house of God;

Our days may be filled with doubt, unclear vision of what to do or how to go, But there is One who knows. One who entered the Holy of Holies and makes petition for us. One who mediates for us against the accuser.


Jesus. By His shed blood cleanses us of all sin. ALL.


Live beyond the veil. For we aren't blind as if there is no hope. Live knowing that we have Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Live knowing that we are never alone as HE sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us. 


We may not see clearly with our earthly eyes as though we walk through a fog. But know this, Jesus walked the path for us. HE has gone before us and makes a way where seemingly there is no way. Learn to trust Him. Hear Him. Sit at His feet. 


God is Good and has only good gifts for His children.


Trust and live beyond the veil.

Monday, February 6, 2012

We have an Enemy. We are at war.

Psalm 33:4-5
For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He
loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth.


We are at war and have an enemy. It is best we don't forget it. Not that we should fear the enemy, for our Lord has overcome him. In Christ, we have the victory. He is able to fight for us.

Exodus 15:2-4

 2The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
 3The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2 Corinthians 10:4
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Fight in the strength of His might. Lay hold of the Word of God, your weapon against the wiles of the devil. And wield that sword aloud. Proclaim the Truth of the Lord. Fight with the Sword of the Spirit that you have been given. And keep your armor on.

But never forget that the battle rages. Pray for one another. Speak the Truth and know that we do win. Through the Lord, we are victorious.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

A whipped pup and a flat tire

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 




The attack is on. But our God is bigger. In Him we are victorious. And that is the lesson for me today.
In Him. His Word. He tells us to put on the whole armor of God. FOR a very good reason. The enemy roars about seeking who he can destroy.

Picked on my dog today. Two bigger dogs bet him up. I think he'll be ok. But when we took him to the truck to go to the vets, yep, there was a flat tire. Almost made me laugh. The enemies fingerprints were all over the crime.

So I proclaim the verse above. Shout it to the heavens. And promise to pray for my friends. We can't afford to forget we have an enemy. Even more we can't forget that we have been given God's armor.
Eph 6:10-18
 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
 11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Let's put this armor on saints! The war is raging.

Praise the Lord - the restoration is already beginning. Neighbors paid the vet bill. Now, to see if that screw can be charged for the tire. : )

Friday, February 3, 2012

What are we to do?


But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.


Storm clouds rumble on the horizon. Troubles rear their ugly heads and mock the children of God. The enemy sneers his threats.

What are we to do? Are we to rant and rave, shaking our fists at the TV? Are we to cower in a cave and hoard supplies? Are we to give up?

NO!  

No, and again I say, no. We are to sing of the power of our Mighty God. The Creator of all. The One who holds all things in His hands. The One whose mercy is new every morning. The One who died for the sin of the world. The One who has overcome.

Proclaiming the Blood of the Lamb and by our testimony, we too overcome.

All is not lost!  All is His. From the past, today, and tomorrow. 

Sing of His power.

God is Good.







Thursday, February 2, 2012

Perfection

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
 1 Corinthians 2:9


How amazing God is. Look at the perfect ball these dandelions make. Each seed fitting in just the right spot.


So are we! God has arranged His body, the church, to be so perfect. Our perfection is made in Christ. Following His example and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we fit exactly where we are supposed to be. Walking into the works God placed before us even before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians)


With alert expectation, watch for the wonderful plan of our Lord. He is not finished with us or this world. The plan is on countdown.


Pray, stay alert, watch and be ready.


God is Good!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

God is Good

Mornings Light!

Open your eyes and see the Goodness of God.

The enemy's most successful tool is to deceive the children of men that God is not good. That God is the cause of their problems.

What a lie!

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.


Hosea 3:5
Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.


Mark 10:18
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that isGod




Rejoice in the Lord. He is good.