Spring Storms

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 

In the Old Testament times, Spring was the time the kings went to war. And they knew war would come. King David royally messed up when he stayed home that certain spring. Saw Bath-Sheba and the rest is history

King David shrugged off his Kingly duties. Things he knew he was supposed to do.
As a result - he was loitering around on the roof and saw the pretty wife of another.
Lust was added.
He acted on the lust.
She was pregnant by him - and his troops were still at battle - her husband included.
He came up with a plan. Apparently did not go to God.
Brought her husband back.
The man was honorable. I am sure that stung David. Maybe with such force he devised a plan to kill the man.
And David still didn't get it.
Not until the Prophet Nathan told him a story. And then had to tell him that he was the offender in the story.

David's response - He repented. Wept before God because he had sinned against God and God alone.

All sin is ultimately against God. Circumstances impact others, but it is going against the Lord that causes it.

You can read about King David in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.

Now, the devil is roaring around looking for Kings and Queens who have not gone to battle, but are sitting around looking where they shouldn't. As a Royal Priesthood in Christ, we are Kings and Queens.

And I have to ask myself - have I gone to battle? Am I seeking the Lord as to where I need to be, what I need to be doing? Am I praying for my brothers and sisters throughout the world? Praying for the authorities over me?

Working on it. 

Spring Surprise

Spring. New Life. Surprise.

Newness of life. Flowers bud. Tender sprigs of bright fresh green. Life explodes.

Awakened from the dead of winter, life bursts forth. Wonders. Green Luna moths. Pink azaleas.

White popcorn trees. Bluebonnets. Lush green grass. Spring showers.

And the greatest of all...Blood red death on a cross. Payment for the black stain of sin. Jesus dead.

A man born of a virgin, buried in a virgin tomb. Son of God forsaken for my sake.

The Father turns away. The Son alone, pays the price. The final sacrifice.

Descending into into Hell. Defeating the devil. Taking the keys of hell and death.

And as foretold, the Spring surprise. The Risen Son. Walks out of the tomb, out of death. Alive

forevermore. Bringing with Him all who believe. Stepping into Life Eternal.

Spring. New Life. Believe.

The Word - nothing more, nothing less

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:2-3 

The Truth and nothing but the truth. That's what I want to know. Unfortunately, my brain is cluttered with teachings - some good - some not so good.

I desire the pure milk of the word. The Truth from the heart of the Lord. Nothing more and nothing less.

So how do we get there?  I've started reading the red. The Words of Jesus in the New Testament. That's a starting place. What did Jesus say?

I don't want to know what others think or say He said. I want to know for myself. God gave us His Word. His Holy Spirit to teach us. But human nature is lazy. WE want to go and drink from others. Not saying we can't learn from each other, because we can and should. But first lay the foundation strong in your heart. Have a living communication with the Lord. Knowing that everything should line up with God's word.

If there is something you want to believe but it is not in the Word - cast it out.

This is the age of deception. Some Christian leaders and churches have fallen into error. Beware of preaching that tickles your ears.

We must know the Lord and His Word or we to will fall into the trap the enemy sets. The snares of his lies. And don't forget the enemy will use 90% truth with a twist of lie. So beware.

Drink the pure milk of His Word and truth.

Life's Flow

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 

As sure as the ocean waves flow and ebb, so to will people be born and then at the appointed time die. Death is the last part of life.

What we do in between marks us for eternity.

Some only survive until death takes them.

So what is life supposed to be like? I would say like Jesus. He walked in the Spirit. Preaching the Good News and doing good.

Life is not supposed to be boring, a dutifilled living death.

If your life has lost its excitement, consider your relationship with the Lord. When was the last time you knew what He wanted you to do? Did you do it? Go back to that place. Seek out the secret place and ask of Him. Listen and Do what He would tell you to do.

In the meantime, eat of the fruit of the Spirit and share it's tasty fruit. Life is not supposed to be a waiting room for death. It is meant to be lived. In the abundance that Jesus brought for us. Seek Him and listen. And LIVE.

Did you see that?

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3 

The Lord is my Shepherd. The promise that God watches over us. But do we often recognize His loving hands at work in our lives? Or do we rush onward in our harried lives intent on accomplishing what we want to do, and if something gets in our way, gripe and complain?

Yesterday, we were driving toward home from our little vacation. We planned to stop in Vicksburg. (as much as my husband and I can plan. We didn't have reservations at a motel.) BUT we missed the exit for the tourist bureau where we were going to get a booklet to save money on our rooms. AND you guessed it, we were crossing the Mississippi River and into Louisiana. Bye bye Vicksburg.

We drove on and stopped in Delhi, LA. Ate at a lovely family restaurant and stayed at a very nice Best Western.

This morning, my husband talked with the lady in the room down from us. She told him they tried to find a room in Vicksburg but they were full.

So God's hand worked in our favor, leading us on. We could have been angry that we missed the exit. Complained.

Instead, the Lord had a blessing on down the road for us. We saw that.

Life is so much more interesting, exciting, and fulfilling when we recognize that the Lord is our Shepherd. Our Good Shepherd.

Watch how you look at things. You just might see God's hand at work for your favor.

Reality

Psalm 144

 ¹Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:

On the road again. To home. To reality. To war with the day to day. I guess I don't really need a battleship, but sometimes those dishes, dust, and bills tempt me.

The biggest strategy the enemy- Satan, the devil - the enemy of God, has deployed is to deceive the children of man that their enemy is flesh and blood. The lie that there is no devil or demons. The Western world of reason bought this lie in grand style.

The battle is not against flesh and blood but against the schemes of the devil.

So I strengthen my heart with the Word of God, put on my armor, and brace for the reality of the battles of the everyday. The familiar that tempts us to let down our guard. Wears us down by rote.

I'm excited. Refreshed. And Ready.

The Love Factor

Deuteronomy 6:5

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

In Christian circles, teachings, and preachings, I hear the phrase - people come first. But is that what we are to be about?

Yes, we are to love one another. They will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. But how do we get there? Can we really love one another without first loving the Lord with all our hearts?

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

A kind of which comes first puzzle. Or maybe they come together. I know when I was 'zapped' and born again, I certainly was able to love others in ways I wasn't before.

The closer we become to the Lord, the more we move from ourselves. Jesus loved by doing only what He heard the Father say to do. God first, people second.

If we put people first are we cheating them? Giving them only what we have instead of what HE has to give them.

Matthew 19:16-18  ¹⁶And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

 ¹⁷And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Only God is good. 

When we listen to the Lord and do as He says - that's when miracles happen, when lives are changed. 

Love God and your neighbor. One is built on the other.

Faith +

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 

All you need is faith - right?

Only if you want to remain a baby in Christ. But we are called to grow in Christ. We do that by adding to our faith.
Faith - born again. Trust in the Jesus as the Son of God our savior.
Virtue - moral goodness.
Knowledge - understanding of God's Word and ways.
Patience - steadfastness, perseverance, one who is not swerved from his purpose
Godliness - reverence, respect, piety toward God
Brotherly Kindness - love for brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Charity - affection, good will, love

These definitions were from the Strongs Lexicon Blue Letter Bible

I really found this interesting as the first 5 qualities were Godward. One added on the other until we reach the last two which are toward each other.

Like the cross, the faith, virtue, knowledge, patience and godliness point upward to the heavens, Brotherly Kindness and charity represent the horizontal beam.

Yet, in our Christian circles we have reversed the importance. Love and brotherly kindness are preached and extolled as our duty.

But they will fail unless built upon the other 5.

God's way is to build upon faith, the starting block. the one sure foundation. Any other way is a crumbling institution.

Unless we, the Christians, build up our character in the Lord, we will not have the power to make change. Feeding the poor a sandwich is nice but will have to be done over and over.

Walking in the power of the Lord with purpose and power allows the Christian to hand out more than a sandwich. A Christian who has added to his faith can walk in the power of the Lord and unlock the chains that bind people to a life of addiction. Preaching the gospel to the poor, setting captives free, healing the sick - much more than a sandwich.
.
The time is now that Christians must add to their faith and walk in the purpose God set before us.

Add to your faith.

Love God

Romans 8:28  

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Ah, to wake and glory in the love of God. To acknowledge there is one greater, magnificent, and beyond me. To know that He loves me. First loved me.

That He woos mankind and His fingerprints are everywhere. A beautiful sunrise, flowers of all shape, size, and colors. The animals in all their diversity. The stars at night.

God is. To understand that is to love Him.

To listen and obey Him is to love God. For we are called according to His purpose.

To look at others and treat them kindly is to love God.

Oh what a beautiful day!

Framework

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

We've been bought by the Blood of Jesus and redeemed. Partakers of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Hmmm, why do we (me) constantly look at the world and demand it to straighten up, when apart from Jesus they are incapable? The world is chained to the lust of sin and corruption. Unredeemed, they are without hope.

SO - our job if - our mission - share the good news that there is an escape from the death of sin. Tell of His glorious mercy and wonders. Sharing how we have been redeemed to eternal life. Unchained from the lust of this world.

When God Smiles

Numbers 6:25

The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;

We're on our little vacation. A trip to take my 90 year old Father in law to Florida to visit with his daughter. My husband and I and Grandpa piled in the truck Wednesday and pulled into my sister in law's on Thursday. I always enjoy the trip. Nothing like seeing miles of God's creation.

So this morning I was waking up and thought, my hubby can go make Grandpa breakfast. I'm on vacation.

Then I feel that little prick in my heart. You know the one. God's finger nudging your shoulder. I could feel Him say - Love My 90 year old child.


I was thinking - I'll be spiritual and do my blog.

Love My 90 year old child and make him some waffles.


Sometimes, I may be slow but hopefully not stupid.  I got up and cheerfully made Grandpa his waffles. Talked with him and enjoyed our time together.

Then I felt it. Could see it. God smiled at me.

I hadn't evangelized Africa. Prophesied to the nations. Or raised the dead. But I had done what I heard the Lord say to do. And HE smiled at me. Even now I can feel the warmth in my heart. The joy flowing through me.

His love, like a tidal wave, takes over where I leave off and overtakes me. I am far more blessed than I was a blessing.

It just doesn't get better than that.

...lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

We're on the road again. Travelling to Florida to visit my sister-in-law. I love road trips. To fly down the Interstate and see miles and miles of God's creation somehow sets my spirit free and in a right place.

We have a GPS. Maps. Yummy junk food. All the necessities.

BUT it's the Holy Spirit I desire. HE leads me in the everlasting way. HE is my HSGPS.  Keeps me on track with the Lord. On track for my eternal destination.

As you travel along on life's journey, make sure you check in with the Lord. Use His guidance system. And we'll all meet on streets of gold.

Have a good journey today  : )

Made New

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians 15:21

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

Through Adam, all of mankind was sentenced to death by sin. Through Jesus all who believe on His name have eternal life and the promise of the resurrection through His atonement for the sin of the world.

Like these flowers that only months before were seeds, dormant in the ground, the warmth of the sun and life giving force of the water, came alive. From death to life.

And so will we. Even now, we hold the seed - Jesus Christ - in our hearts that we too will be resurrected into eternal life. We who know the Lord will walk in the River of Life. We will burst forth in life to die no more. 

There is only one way. One God. One Savior. 

Trust in Jesus Christ, the first-born of the dead, by whose blood we are cleansed from all sin and awarded eternal life.

Doesn't get better than that.

Washed

Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry, and sin not:

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Well, yesterday I messed up. Wrote something out of anger and I was wrong. Hate it when I do that. Had to apologize. Plus I was on my computer on Sunday and I have been staying off because it is my Sabbath. So I had several marks against me. 

Not that sin is ever good., ah but the Love of God that comes when I confess and repent and He covers me with His Robe of Righteousness. And the sin is no more. GONE. How amazing is His Love. And I am cleansed by the Blood of Christ that washes me. Can't beat that.

I am blessed because He is.

Romans 4:7

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

God knows the time?

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

I look at my country and the insane immorality that has breached our walls. Good is called evil and evil good. Our TV shows and movies drench our people in sin as if it is perfectly all right but fail to show the consequences of a godless people.

How long will the USA stand in the face of such debauchery? Are we destined to fall as Rome fell? We are certainly following in their footsteps.

The Lord set this nation apart as a shining light. A beacon of freedom. A Christian nation. We have seemingly lost our way.

But I believe there are many who have not bent their knees to Baal. God knows. And God's mercy is surely much grander and deeper than mine. He knows.

God knows the times of every man, woman, and child. And the times of every nation. Whether we are on our way to darkness and judgment, or if by God's grace we are to have a reprieve and another wave of revival to pull us from the abyss, God knows.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Proclaim the Goodness of God, and watch and pray.

Is the Sky Falling?

Matthew 24:14

 ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

It's 2012. The end of an ancient civilization's calendar. Prophecies abound that this could be the year. The global economy is tanking. Wars and rumors of wars are in the news. Iniquity abounds. Good is called evil and evil good. Tolerance is preached for all but the truth. 

The love of many grows cold. Lovers of self. Earthquakes, famines, and pestilence are in play. 

It doesn't look good--for those in the world.

But we who are called by Jesus' name are not of this world. Fear not. We do not have to panic as if this is all there is. NO. We have a sure place. A sure Hand that holds us. As Christians, we are to stand tall, shine brightly, so that the gospel can be preached unto all the world.

The time of His coming very well may be near. Many think it is. But for us it is a time to repent, be a light, knowing that we are eternal as our Father in heaven is eternal. 

Weep for those children of the flesh, those who are ignorant of our Lord, those who are perishing.

Repent and turn from the evil of this day. Don't be caught up in it so that our light may shine to those who are perishing.

Watch and be alert for the days are evil and short.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for those hanging in the balance, who have not made the decision to follow Christ.

Rejoice. For our Lord is coming. 

Come Lord Jesus!

Limitations

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:25-26

Ouch! Hurt my back again. Nothing serious, just a nagging pain in the back. I just can't vacuum anymore. Oh the grief.  LOL  A painful funny to me.

But what do we do when faced with situations and circumstances that we cannot handle alone?

Praise the Lord!  We are limited, God is not. He is our strength. When faced with limitations, learn to rest in Him. Rely on His strong right arm.

When we are weak, He is strong. Remember the song - Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so ...

Sing it out. and Believe it!  For when we are weak, He is strong. Strong to heal. Strong to provide. Strong to make a way where there isn't one.

In our limitations - we can learn to rely on the Great I Am. And that's where we need to be anyway.

For He is strong.

Online

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

Psalm 118:5
I 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.

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.

Delight

Psalm 37:4

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!