The Body

I pulled a back muscle the other day. Ouch! Since then the rest of my body has been taking care of the injured part.


1 Corinthians 12:14
For the body is not one member, but many.


In the picture, a little hard to tell, but it is a mass of black birds. And while they are individuals, they fly as one body. 


1 Corinthians 12:18
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.


The body of Christ, made up of believers of all nations, sizes, and ages. And like our physical body, when one is hurt, we all hurt. When one is blessed, we are all blessed.


So care for one another. Encourage one another. Bless one another. 


Matt 25:45 ...  Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.


Look at your brothers and sisters as well placed parts of the body. Set in place as it pleases God. Take care of one another. Serve one another. Help the body of Christ be all God designed it to be. Do your part, taking care not to covet the part another plays or mock the lowly part of another.


God is Good!

Oh What A Beautiful Morning...

I love that song. Just sets my heart on happy.

Adam and Eve walked with God in the cool of the day. A perfect time to seek the Lord. To proclaim His goodness.

God is Good!

Throw off the covers of darkness and walk into His glorious Light.

Psalm 5:3
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.


Sing unto the Lord, proclaim His goodness and greet the day as one who is redeemed. 


While we are in this world, there will be a day when we walk in paradise with our Lord. We are eternal. As good as it is on earth, it only gets better forever for those who know the Lord.


Live as if this is your last day on earth, Lives as if you live forever - for those in Christ have already entered into eternal life.

The Long Road

I heard a speaker call this life our 'earth life'  Like that. And the race we run in this earth life is a marathon not a sprint.

The long haul. A road full of twists and turns, changes that catch us off guard and throw us off kilter.

So, how do we get down that long road?

Remember you don't walk it alone.

Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.


God knows the path He has set before you. And HE is good.


And walk the path, one step at a time. Don't be discouraged by the missteps  that will surely be taken. But remember He is with you.


What happens if the road comes to a split? Drop to your knees and pray. Ask the Lord for guidance. He sent us the Holy Spirit to teach us and comfort us.  


Walk Christians walk!  Boldly enter the arena of this life, carrying your witness with you and the Spirit inside you. And accomplish the works the Father has set before you.


Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


God is good!

The War Rages On

You've heard the drill, two steps forward one step back or more.  That we are in an epic struggle is not news to anyone. Who we battle is another story.

The battle is not with the obnoxious driver cutting you off, or with the snotty waiter who refuses to wait on you, or the catty woman at work who for no reason makes life hard for you.

No. They are not the enemy.

For 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. Wherefore 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. Ephesians 6:12-13

Put on the armor of God. Proclaim the Word of God over your circumstances. For the Word is our only weapon.

We do have an enemy. The devil and his legion of fallen angels. BUT Jesus defeated the devil and his works. God is greater and always will be.

Cover yourself in the Word, Pray, and Proclaim the Truth.

We win.

The Race

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,


My race. Writing and publishing my book. How's it going? AM I speeding around the corner? No. 


But I am going according to the plan of the Lord. Writing is rewriting. To give the best to my Lord.


I find it interesting that in Hebrews we are told to run with patience. Taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus and those who have gone before me and learn. Learn to run true and straight.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 


Often while running our race, we will find that we are running on our knees.


God is Good!

And the rain came

Ephesians 5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,


I have stepped out, jumped the fence of tradition, and now come the attacks. Almost makes me laugh.


But does let me know I better put my armor on, keep my eyes on the path the Lord has set me on, and proclaim His Word over me and my writing.


For it is all to His glory. His Way.


Speak the Word aloud. Proclaim it to prince of the air and give notice that The Kingdom of My Lord Jesus Christ reigns.


Yes, if you are be assaulted by the enemy, Speak the Word of God over your house, household, your work, your life. 


For in Him, we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and our testimonies. 


God is Good!

And the Storm Comes

Okay, I'm stepping out. And I see a storm coming. The winds of doubt rise and pummel me with "You can't do it. You're not good enough. Failure alert!"


What's a believer to do?  


Look up! Trust. Believe. In Christ we are overcomers.


1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


I believe Jesus is the Son of God. I believe He has set my foot on this path. In Christ, I can do all things.


My God is good and has only good for me.


So I will keep on stepping out. Running the race set before me all for His Glory. 


God is good. He is my anchor, the wind in my sails, and the love that gives me life.


God is Good.

In the Dark? Ask for Wisdom

James 1:5

 ⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

You're stepping out. Got your foot in midair and suddenly the ground in front of you has disappeared. Or worse those things you thought were stepping stones are really alligator heads.


Now what? 
Fall to your knees and go to the One who knows all things. Ask for wisdom and know that He will give it to you. Develop ears to hear Him and listen.


God can shine light in the dark and guide you along the way.


Fear not. Ask. And Listen.

Stepping Out

The dream is there. The idea, the hope. But they way to go is unclear.

And that is why God made faith.

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 


Faith is for what we can't do on our own. Faith is reaching into the Kingdom of Heaven and pulling out hope to step out where there is no step.


Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.


The Lord delights in us when we reach for His hand. Acknowledging that we need Him. Trust Him. Love Him. 


Reach out today. Take that first faith step. And rejoice for He is.


God loves you.  He is for you.  And has placed things inside you for you to do. Things that are beyond your ability. Things that you will need to ask Him for help.


Do it! Step out!

Look Up!

Look Up!

Psalm 5:3
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.


Mornings, time to renew. Start again. Reset our lives under the love and mercy of God. 


Yesterdays trials and failures, are yesterdays. Today, this morning, is new. An God's love and mercy is new every morning. 


Trust God. Go to Him and bare your soul, your doubts, misgivings, failures. And receive forgiveness, mercy, and courage to begin a new day.


Look up, receive from your Father in Heaven, and live for the Lord. 



Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

He sees you

God knows.

He sees what you're going through.
He sees your praise and love for others.
He sees the chains that bind you and holds out His hands to free you.

God knows.

Turn to Him.
Repent and humble yourselves in His Grace.
Let His mercy cover you and set you free.

God knows.

And He loves you.

Pleasing God

Can we please God? How hard is it? What does it require?

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.


Faith is the starting place. God sent His Son, Jesus, that we might be redeemed. Reconciliation between man and God is not possible without knowing Jesus and be known by Him. When we enter the family of God through the blood of Jesus, by being born again, we please God.

^{Hebrew 13:15-16}

¹⁵By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  ¹⁶But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Praise to the One True God - pleases God. When our hearts open to Him and Praise Him, Grateful that He is, acknowledging that He is the Creator of all things. And that HE is Good. 

It's not hard to please God. And the closer you get to Him, the more you know Him, the more you will please Him.

Psalm 37:4

 ⁴Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

No Murmuring

Philippians 2:14

 ¹⁴Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Murmurings - From Thayer's Lexicon - it means a secret debate - a secret displeasure

Disputings - The thinking of a man disputing with himself. Inward reasoning.

In other words, do it 100%. No backing down, no second guessing. 

To do otherwise is to be double minded. Obedience to the Lord is not contingent on how we feel about it. 

Jesus never questioned the Father. He only did what he saw the Father do. He did pray in the garden

Luke 22:42

 ⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 

And Jesus obeyed the Father never looking back or the to left or right, and did just as the Father asked. 

Most of the fight we have in a project is in reasoning if we should do it or not. Do we want to or not. 

Put away the secret debate. The inward reasoning and do the Will of the Father. 

Remember God is Good!

The Grand Story

The True story of God and mankind. Creator and created. Packed with action, wisdom, and hope.


Moral - Man was never meant to live this life without God. There are two paths - the narrow one, following after God and His Goodness. Or the wide one - man following his base nature. Driven by lust and greed. It doesn't end well for these goats.


In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth and eventually man. All was good. Man and woman walked with God, until the evil Satan tempted them. Lying to Adam and Eve, the Serpent told them God was holding out on them.


The first lie - God is not good. You lack and deserve more.


Adam and Eve swallowed the lie, were cast out of paradise, entered the life of death. 


BUT God wasn't finished. He knew what would happen and had already made provision to woo his creation back into fellowship with Him. He promised the woman her seed would crush the enemy's head. 


And Adam and Eve believed and waited. Their sons and daughters waited. And at the right time, God sent His only begotten Son that whoever believed on Him might not perish and have eternal life.


And the Son died for the sin of the world, and rose again from the dead on the third day, defeating the enemy of God and man. Through God's Son, Jesus, man was assured of eternal life. Entrance to the kingdom of God and the promise of right standing in the eye of the Father by believing on Jesus.


Restoration of mankind through Jesus. In Christ, you have all you need. In fact He came to give those who believed abundant life that would never be taken away.


Jesus defeated the enemy.


Little battles continue as the Believers, the Church, learn to overcome the evil one. 


But one day, soon, Jesus returns and the last great battle is fought. Satan and his followers will be thrown into the lake of fire. And the Believers will enter the New Jerusalem. 


God is Good. Know this, believe it, and live as overcomers.


The end? Well, there is no end. Life everlasting. Eternal life has no end.

Moon thoughts

LOL The moon was caught still up by the sun rising!

The moon is the lesser light. [Gen 1:6]
In reality, its only light is a reflection from the light of the sun. The greater light [Gen 1:6]


So are we, who are in Christ. Our light is but a reflection of the Son of God in us. God's glory shining through us as we are in His Presence.


Moses, after going up the mountain and being in God's presence, when he came back down his face shone. So brightly he had to wear a veil as the people were afraid of him. 
[Gen 34]


Let your light shine!


Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mystery

A cloud struck with color in the afternoon. Odd, pretty, a mystery to me.

1 Corinthians 15:51
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Colossians 1:27

 ²⁷To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:


What greater mystery is there than the God of all abiding in us? Christ in you - if you have believed.


The hope of glory! Life on this is earth is not all there is. Life as we see with earthly eyes is not all there is. 


Jesus came that we might have life more abundantly. We, in Christ, are already eternal.


Live! Rejoice that HE is in us and has a greater plan for us than we can imagine.


Live!

Rejoice! He is Good.

Psalm 5:11
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.


Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.


No matter your circumstances, God is good. No matter the outcome, God is good. No matter how it looks, God is good.
In fact, there is none good but God.


The hissing lie of the enemy sows the seeds of doubt that maybe God is not good. 


Rebuke that lie. 


Settle it once for all time. God is good. His love never fails. And know that God loves you. 


Jesus is the proof. 


God is good!

Man Fear?

I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 118:5-6

The hours and efforts spent to please man are but a waste. Usually entangling us in more trouble rather than the affirmation we desire.


What would the church be like if we got hold of the idea that God and God alone is our fortress, provision, help in times of trouble, and the One whom we are to please?
Worship the Lord. 
Proclaim His Goodness.
Live as Children of the Living God!

None Else!

Isaiah 45:6
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.


Wow! Think how amazing the church would be if this was the way we lived.


This day, I choose to live like there is nothing else other than the Lord.


He is all in all. Nothing exists or will be without Him.


None Else.
God alone. He sets my life. Created me for the works that He purposed before the foundation of the world.


NONE ELSE!

Ears to Hear

Mark 4:24

 ²⁴And he said unto them, Take heed (Consider) what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.


What and Who are we listening to?


IF you have ears to hear God, then you are responsible for sharing what He tells you. How will the world know the Lord, if we don't tell them?


Train your ears to hear and your mouth to proclaim the Goodness of God.


The world is dying to hear it.