Raise Us Up a Standard

I had that scripture taught to me this week. Life being as it is, there are things thrown at us that will cause us to get off track. It may seem that the bad rushes in like rising waters; however, its good to know that our father raise us up--I experienced the rising on Thursday and Friday.  when trouble was rushing in, my elevation was on the wings of laughter. Oh boy did I get a laugh at myself. God provided a laughter that carried me a standard above the troubles. Praise be to God.

Shinning lights

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us to let our light shine before men----. I thought of the song that we sometime sing and teach our children to sing---This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine. The deletion or even the addition of words to what has been written lessens the value of what we are to be professing.

All time God

Being back to work cheapens me out of my front porch time. I miss my early morning times watching the animals and listening to the birds. I am so thankful that our God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. I don't have to have the front porch or the early mornings to talk to him and to listen for what he has to say to me. His promise that he would never leave me is most assuring.  He's there at all times.

Heavy Flesh vs Light Spirit

Peter being in the Spirit could walk on the water as Jesus did; when Peter look at the conditions of the water and started thinking in the flesh, he began to sink. The Spirit does not weight you down like the flesh.

Cling Unto Him

Yesterday, Sunset Carolina (one of my cats), was very eager to spend time with me. She is around six years of age and as a small kitten was abandoned on our property. I held her upon my lap for three-to-four days as she regained her strength. As a baby she was taken from her mother prior to being taught any manners. This is why when she snuggles she digs her claws into me, all the whild wildly purring. As I watched her, it occured to me she was clinging to me just like I am to cling to God. She desired affection from me, comfort and love~ isn't this what we all desire, especially from our Heavenly Father? Are we clinging to God, digging in our nails desperately desiring time with Him? Did He not take nail willingly into His feet and wrists willingly? Let us learn from Sunset Carolina the lesson of clinging~Love God with all our might, digging into and unto Him for affection, direction, comfort and love!

He Prepares

My Shepherd prepares for me. He goes ahead of my steps and walk where I will have to walk and prepares the way for me. This dose not mean that everything will be to my liking, but it does mean that everything will be for my good.

Seek & Find

I had begun to wonder why it seemed that God wasn't having a lot to say in the mornings during my quiet time with him. Well this morning even before I sat to begin my prayer and mediation, I heard the word expectation. So quickly I had gotten in a rut. I had others in the house in the mornings so I rushed through my quiet time to start crossing out a list of the to do-s. I was in the quiet time but the time did not have my undivided attention. Then the Spirit led me to Jeremiah 29: 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I am reminded of our God being a jealous God, and guess what that's okay with me.

Follows

Mark 16:15-18

• "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

• He that believe and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believe not shall be damned.

• And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

• They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

As you see it is not only Goodness and Mercy that follow us, but also signs. Its important that we understand what is being said in this passage. Study it to show yourself approved.

He thwarts the way of the wicked.

It may appear that the wicked are winning, but we all know that its just a momentary appearance. The American Standard translation of Psalm 146:9 uses the word thwarts and the New Century Version uses the word -block. Either way we can know that whatever the wicked throws our way, the effects are not as harsh as they could be, because God thwarts and block their way. Take comfort knowing that your God is always watching and making sure that the weapons formed against you don't prosper. When a situation turns out to be not so bad after all; give him the glory -- he blocked it.

GOD IS WHO HE IS

Our circumstances don't change who God is; our circumstances make who God is more real for us. If you are sick he is your healer, any need you have, he is your provider; look at your circumstances and talk to the God that's over all circumstances. He is the answer to any question.

He can preserve you

I remember the song he never promise me a rose garden; but even in the rose garden you had to contend with the thorns. So what has God promised us: for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him (Phil 1:29). Peter tells us to rejoice that we participate in the sufferings of Christ,so that we may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Mr Henry states that the people of God are not free from poverty, sickness, or outward affliction, but the Lord will consider their case, and send due supplies. Regardless of what is happening today the Lord will preserve you.

Simple but True

Paul warned the Corinthians not to be led away from the simplicity of the Gospel. We are so prone to follow the newest & most excitable in our everyday life as well as our spiritual. Maybe the simple truth of the Gospel is too good to be true. It seems impossible that a man would die for the sins of the world, or that a father would allow his son to receive his wrath for my sake, and then to know that what happen to the son pleased the father. So simple that it seems absurd. Yet its true. Let us not be lead away from that simple truth.

He Said

We rush to do whatever man ask of us, but hesitate when we get a direction from God. What has he told you to do and you are waiting for somebody to confirm it or for someone to agree that that's a good idea? Its not easy doing something simply because God says do it; something like love your neighbor, pray for those who persecute you, and give cheerfully—just to name a few. But we have to start somewhere---so lets start with loving our neighbors. Maybe by the time Christ gets back we will have accomplish many more. Lets see how many things we can do simply because God commands.

Praise & Prayer

I was having a hard time staying sleep the other night and a headache was the culprit. If you have ever woke up in the middle of the night with a pain, you know your first thought is rather serious, you imagine all the bad things that could happen, and that was me. After I wrestled with this for a few minutes, I then remembered that I was at my weakest and the adversary was using a scare tactic to keep me up and to get me upset. I began praising God and then praying in tongue. When I awoke again it was morning. Our God is faithful; he does just what he said he would do. Its not that he's slow in doing it, its that we are slow in believing it.

A Constant

In the scientific and mathematical, world a constant is a measurement or value that never changes. In the world of life, the love of God is our constant. God is love and since there is no end to him, there is no end to his love. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. He is always and forever, he is constant; therefore his love is always and forever. Love was there in the beginning and love is there in the end. His love is constant.

The Spirit works within Us

As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more. Its seems that a vast number of us seek other things more than we seek his image. How many times throughout the day do we response (in words or actions) with a thought as to what the spirit would have us to do or as to what man wants us to do. The Spirit works in us; working things out and working things in. He works out our desire to satisfy flesh and work in a desire to please God.

Guarding Our Hearts & Minds

A group of words had been on my mind for the pass two days. I had mediated over the words but something didn't seem quit right. When I began studying the words I found that I was remembering them incorrectly. It concerned peace, but my recall had words where they should not have been. So wouldn't you know, in my reading this morning the right words appeared. It is comforting to know that God can dispel incorrect thoughts. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. I like the guarding of my heart and mind. Good sound comforting truth.

The Cross

Saw a minister using his artistic talents to show how Christ died on the cross for us. My mind suddenly recapped all the sins I committed, and I even thought about the failures that may await me. I thought about how Christ received the punishment for all those sins, yours included. No it was not a pretty picture when the minister finished, nor is our sin. All that ugliness was placed upon Jesus. He carried it all the way to forgiveness. Thank you Jesus.

His Word is Settled In Heaven

What a wonderful loving father we have. When he says something we can bet on it. Have you ever asked a favor and even after promising, it was not delivered; have you ever waited for someone and they never showed up; or even waited for rain and got only hotter degrees with no relief, or how about when you were a child and was promised a spanking and waited nervously all day and night and it never happen. These shifting scenes of life help you appreciate that God's word is settled forever. Jesus promised that his word would not pass away. Now if you are waiting for something that God has promised-your waiting is not in vain. It will come to pass.

Love Your Body Parts

Certain medical conditions cause certain parts of our body to receive added attention in order to function as it was created. It seems that the parts that are most necessary are the ones that need the most attention. You can function without a hand or even a foot; however if the heart, lungs or brain is weak it needs attention. Not to say that any part isn't important. But those parts that are not seen are just as important as the ones we see. In the body of Christ we are all important; if our function is one that is not known or seen by man, be confident, God is the one who put the body together and he did it in such a way that each part is beneficial to each other.