having real, deep down joy

as i read the following scripture, it reminded me of 2 people that i know. both r finding it very difficult to be joyful or even smile right now. all they see is the struggle they r in.

"letting go and letting God" is a popular phrase Christians often say to one another. sometimes, it's easier said than done. i know, i struggled with it as well. trying to tell someone else to 'let go and let God' can sometimes fall on spiritually deaf ears. sharing and living the example is not easy. it is a struggle. with God's help, which u can only get when u ask and seek Him, u can have His joy and live with a smile on your face daily.

life is a journey of which we cannot make alone. we need someone who can be there with us when we go thru the fire and when we experience the victory. as it says below, all we have to do is ask and believe. sometimes we have to begin even when we do not "feel like it".

my joy is not dependent on what i see, it is dependent on God's presence within my life.

30 December 2016

NIV365-DAY:

Galatians 5:22-23 NASBS

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Joy

Imagine your life saturated with unstoppable joy. You wake up every morning with a smile on your face and fall asleep at night with the same smile in place. Nothing can take away the joy you feel.

Read

God wants us to have that kind of intense, unshakable joy. What is this joy? It’s joy as in fun. Joy as in deep happiness. Joy as in belly laughs that reach down to our bones. God isn’t just about our happiness, but he does want us to be happy: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

But how do we get this joy? Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). We receive joy from the Lord. It’s part of the fruit of his Spirit (see Galatians 5:22 – 23). And it comes from being in his presence (see Psalm 21:6).

Think

God wants us to experience and live in his unshakable joy. True joy from God doesn’t come from living in a bubble, nor does it come from living in ignorance of the world’s pain. It comes from a deep assurance that God is good and is working for good in all things.

God wants us to trust so deeply in him and his good heart and good plans that even the world’s toughest situations don’t shake us because we know that our Daddy is on the job. He wants us to walk through life at peace and rest because we are trusting in him.

Live

Part of the full life God wants for you is for you to be joyful. So when he says, “Cast all your anxiety on [me]” (1 Peter 5:7) and “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34), he’s steering you to him so you can rest in him and find true joy.

God wants you to experience deep joy — not to remove you from the world around you, but to give you the strength to live and to love others in the midst of it. Come to him and take him up on his offer.

Taken from NIV The Great Rescue Bible

U VERSION:

Hebrews 4:16 NASBS

[16] Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG

[14-16] Now that we know what we have---Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God---let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all---all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

the above scripture from Hebrews encourages us to take God up on His offer. there is nothing wrong with needing help and asking for it. God delights in this so much. He wants us to ask! the joy God gets in helping us in our daily lives is something we do not yet understand but experience when we do the same. God knows we struggle. God knows it is difficult. God knows the answer to both. He is just waiting for u to ask.

have u ever wondered...

04DEC2016

have u ever wondered y Jesus had to suffer all the things we do? have u asked yourself y Jesus just didn't make it all good while He was here on earth?

many times i have wondered these things. and each time, the answer is the same. Jesus wanted to totally identify completely with those He wanted to redeem, even if they rejected Him.

this total identification brought validity to all Jesus said and did.

and the answer to y Jesus did not make it all good while He was on earth is becuz God, the Father, was not done with His work. u and i were not yet here along with many others. as God waits for His appointed time to fulfill all that is written, we r to follow Christ Jesus' example of how to live life to the fullest even thru the suffering.

when u look at the early believers, u see them rejoicing in the midst of suffering, hardship, as well as in times of rest and fellowship.

what can u see is the key that allowed their suffering to be turned into a time of joy with peace?

the answer, which can be found thru out the epistles, is OBEDIENCE.

from LASB devotional is a good question:

Hebrews 2:10 NASBS

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:10 MSG

It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. 

How was Jesus made perfect through suffering?

His perfect obedience (which led him down the road of suffering).

in order to walk this road of obedience, u must have discipline in your life. and spiritual discipline starts with u and i being willing to put aside what we want and discover what God wants.

NIV365-DAY

Hebrews 6:11-12 NASBS

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:11-12 MSG

And now I want each of you to extend that same intensity toward a full-bodied hope, and keep at it till the finish. Don't drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

Growing in Christ

Spiritual discipline is essential for Christian growth and development. Though at first painful, spiritual discipline resulting from obedience and faith produces abundant blessings (Heb 12:11). Every believer should seek to become disciplined in order to grow spiritually.

Spiritual discipline is a continual process that helps the believer mature in Christ and know God’s will. It is as much an attitude of commitment as it is an activity in holiness. Specific spiritual disciplines may include personal training in Bible study, prayer, worship, fellowship, service or witnessing, among other godly practices. A conscientious, creative pursuit of these spiritual disciplines should continue throughout a believer’s life (Heb 6:11–12).

Spiritual discipline is essential to deliverance from the power of sin and obedience to God’s will. Without spiritual discipline, believers cannot walk with Christ, grow in faith or receive the heavenly rewards awaiting those who diligently practice spiritual discipline.

Taken from The Woman’s Study Bible

now look around u.

what do u see?

is there a need u can meet?

is there a job u can help with?

is there someone who can use a smile, a hug?

sometimes, the hardest thing is to take the first step. but as the song says, "put one foot in front of the other, soon u r walkin' across the floor."

our spiritual discipline will help us move forward in obedience to Christ's command of reaching people and drawing them in to a relationship with God.

a good reminder

as i was reading the scriptures God has given me for the situation we r walking thru, i came upon this encouraging reminder.

the following is taken from THE WOMAN'S DEVOTIONAL BIBLE (Zondervan)

It’s Not Fair!

Read: Psalm 37:1 – 11

Psalm 37:1 – 2

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

reflection

1

When have you suffered from injustice?

2

How did you react to the situation?

3

What do you need to do to learn to trust God more?

RELATED READINGS

Genesis 50:15 – 21; 
Psalm 1:1 – 6; 
Romans 8:18 – 28

BEING THE VICTIM of injustice can test the very roots of our faith. Lori discovered this when her husband, Sam, was accused of animal abuse the winter several of his cattle died in a blizzard. Although autopsies revealed the animals had been well fed, a key defense witness wasn’t allowed to testify and important evidence was not submitted. Still, Lori and Sam trusted the jury to sift through the case and find him innocent. Instead, he was convicted and sentenced to five years probation and a large fine. They could have allowed bitterness and anger to cloud their lives, but instead they chose to hang on to the promises of God that David describes in Psalm 37.

Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced a situation where they find themselves saying, “That’s not fair!” The psalmist faced such a situation when he saw his enemies prosper while he suffered. David, however, turned his focus to God; he found hope in knowing that God would set things right. What was the path David took to finding peace in the midst of injustice?

• “Trust in the Lord.” Every event in our lives — good and bad — is filtered through God’s sovereign hands. We can trust God to use for our good anything that others intend as evil.

• “Do good.” Whatever happens, despite the injustices that we suffer, we are to choose the higher path that demonstrates God’s Spirit within us.

• “Dwell in the land.” Though we may feel like running away from conflict or trying to hide from challenges, doing so robs us of experiencing how God can provide a place of rest and safety: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

• “Take delight in the Lord.” Rather than getting depressed about our tough situation, turning our thoughts to God’s presence and singing his praise songs will lift our spirits.

• “Commit your way to the Lord.” We can decide to follow God, regardless of what others do or say.

• “Be still before the Lord.” We can afford a lifetime of patience, for we know that God will make things right. He is a just God who will one day rule and reign with complete fairness and impartiality.

question #1 is answered this way:

an accusation that can tear a family apart was done to us September 2015 and we r still dealing with it.

question #2 is answered this way:

at first we were shocked by it. then a sadness entered as we found out more about the accusation and the accuser.  the fight was then on to prove our innocence. and it has not been easy to walk this road.

immediately got people praying and interceding for us and the one accusing. it was important that God be right in the middle of all this.

i ran to God and He gave me peace. such a calming peace. i definitely was angry but i gave it to God and He has given me more peace to continue on the journey and to help my hubby get thru this.

question #3 is answered this way:

continue reading God's Word, spending time with Him each day, and inviting Him to be part of my day. the key is to thank Him and praise Him.

finding the ability to continue on each can be hard if i let the circumstances weigh me down. i have learned and stilling learning to just let God handle it. every time i start getting down about what is happening or hear somthing that shakes me, i have to remind myself that God is in this and He knows exactly what is going on and all i have to do is trust Him and believe what He has already told us about our situation.

one thing both hubby and i r learning is to be thankful for each day we have together. we both know that it could change in a heartbeat.

God has taught so many things thru this time of walking thru something that we really should not have to deal with. God has kept both of us together, growing in love for both God and each other. a love that is deeper than most people will experience. our bond is also stronger. only God Himself knows this kind of love and bonding.

walking with God thru this heart-wrenching situation has taught us many things about God and ourselves. our prayer together is that truth is revealed, grace, mercy, and forgiveness be given to all involved with this.

this just really struck me today

NIV365-DAY:

Isaiah 30:18 NASBS

[18] Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

God’s Compassion

God invaded my breakfast with a holy moment today. I was helping my daughter study for her school spelling bee. I called out words from her flashcards, and she spelled them between bites of cereal.

Almost halfway through the list, I pronounced the next word: compassion.

She spelled it: c-o-m-p-a-s-h-i-o-n.

“No, honey,” I corrected her, “it’s passion, as in ‘a strong feeling.’ ”

“Got it,” she said, scooping another spoonful of Captain Crunch. “What’s compassion mean?”

“Well . . .” How do I explain it to a third grader?

“Compassion is when you see someone who’s hurting, and you want to help. For instance, when you’re sick and I take you to the doctor, I have compassion on you. I love you so much that my heart hurts when you hurt, so I help you.”

“Oh!” she said brightly. “Like how God had compassion on us after Dad left!”

She carried her bowl to the sink while I sat speechless. She was right, of course.

A year earlier my husband had moved out, leaving me with three young kids and no idea how we would survive. We were overwhelmed with shock, grief and insecurity.

Immediately God showed us compassion. He helped us not only with our needs, such as groceries and bills, but through God-winks as well: Christmas gifts for the kids. Meals with friends. Laughter and hugs and fun. Over and over the kids and I were amazed by and grateful for God’s loving compassion.

Our heavenly Father still extends us compassion daily. Sometimes I can be too focused on my circumstances to see God’s mercy. But when I look carefully, I’m stunned by the ways God graciously covers us with his compassion.

Jennifer Stair

Taken from Fulfilled

MY THOUGHTS

as i read the last paragraph, my youngest daughter popped into my mind. "Sometimes I can be too focused on my circumstances to see God’s mercy." this one statement is what did it.

i remember when my hubby and i were struggling with 2 small children. hubby did everything he knew how to provide for us. we stayed together and trusted God to provide. and God did. He provided everything we needed. was it easy? NO! but we made it, together as a family.

the last time i talked with my daughter, i got the sense she was lost, like she was sinking under the weight of her circumstances and could not see anything else.

been there, do not want to go back there.

trying to get her to see above her circumstances has not been easy. encouraging as i can be, even i am a bit discouraged that she does not seem to want to look above them. i can definitely relate to that. but i know that if she were to really look at those same circumstances, she would definitely see God's hand in them. and each time something comes up, she tells God about it and thanks Him for being with her and her family.

it's hard for me to tell others stuff they need to hear and be reminded of. in fact, i hurt that my child is going thru what they r going thru. i know God will provide and give them what they need so desparately. 

to learn to be honest with where u r and the struggles u have is not popular. my youngest daughter is learning that it is easier to be exactly who u r and not have to live a lie. i am so very proud of her!

my son-in-law is young in the faith but is growing in God. he is learning to lean on Him and trust Him, which is not an easy thing to do when u r used to making it happen. he is doing his best to hold his family together and provide for them. he works hard but also struggles with the circumstances the r in. i do not understand what a man goes thru in times like that even tho i walked thru it with my hubby. i see the outside. and God is doing a good thing in my son-in-law.

God is good! all the time!

all the time, God is good!

when we take the time to see the blessings in our circumstances and thank Him for each one, our faith is built up and we begin to see that God is taking care of everything. the key for us is to keep our eyes on God and not on our circumstances as we live it. reminding God, telling Him how u feel, and being real is not wrong. how u live after speaking with God is what matters. believing in your faith is what moves u forward.

1 Timothy 1:19 NASBS

[19] keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

practical benefits

there r many people, including myself, that r walking thru trials. some of those people look to the world for the answers. other people, do their best to work it out themselves. some people just totaly give up on life. and then there r those that run to God and hang on to Him with everything they have.

each of the theses groups of people call themselves Christians. which group do u fall into?

following Christ Jesus is not a bed of roses. it's a life changing relationship u grow. each day brings it's own joys, trials, and whatnot. how we handle them is how we grow our relationship with God. i know people that r in dire straits, some that need a place to call home, and still others that r "ok".

i have learned thru the years to trust God in everything. and learning this was not easy. i fought it and fought it. God was patient with me tho and He continued to gently lead me to Himself. i know i have a mother who has never stopped praying for me thus God was reminded about me every day. 🙂 i now am a mother of 2 grown children and i do not stop reminding God of them along with their families.

at this time, my oldest has caused such a heartache and has severed herself from her parents. my youngest is going thru a very trying time for just the basic needs.

my youngest is having a difficult time with trusting others. seems those that said they would be there didn't really mean it. i believe God is trying to get both her and her husband to stop looking to people and start looking directly to God among other things. this is not an easy thing to learn or do. it breaks my heart to see them have to walk this path with 2 small children and one on the way.

when u read the passage of scripture below, think about the practical reasons y u follow Christ. write them down and thank God for each one.

Romans 5:1-8 MSG

[1-2] By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us---set us right with him, make us fit for him---we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand---out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

[3-5] There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary---we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

[6-8] Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

Are there any practical benefits to following Christ?

Paul lists three in these verses: peace with God, hope in affliction, a love that’s unconditional.

When Jesus said, “Whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25), he didn’t mean that our lives would become empty when we made the trade. Paul helps us see some of the wonderful blessings that fill our lives when we make that exchange.

Life is full of peaks and valleys. Christ-followers make it through both the good times and the tough times by clinging to promises such as these that God has made.

Taken from NIV The Journey Bible

imitators of Christ

in light of what has been in the news, take a look at what Paul wrote...

1 Corinthians 11:2 NASBS

[2] Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

Imitate Christ 

Paul’s life matched his words to such an extent that he could make this bold statement! And those who imitated his life became more like Christ. 

As parents, we should follow Christ so closely that we can say to our children, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” We are our children’s first and most closely observed role model. This does not mean that we have to be perfect. But our lives should be open before them to see all of what Jesus does in us as we rely on His strength for our obedience and His redemption for our failures. 

In his letter to the Philippians Paul wrote, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9). What have our children learned and received from us? What have they heard us say? What have they seen us do? If we are imitating Christ, they will have learned, received, heard, and seen Him. And the promise is that God’s peace will be in their hearts.

in Christ,

Sandi

25 October 2016

in my morning devotions, this hit me like never b4.

Galatians 5:25 (NASB)

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

LASB Devotional:

God is interested in every part of our lives, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God-emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life.

when i was young, i was the one no one wanted to have on their team. i was always made fun of, left out, and ignored. it was for no other reason than i held back my bowel movements. it would leak out even tho i tried to keep it in, so my undies were stained. many times i had to go thru the day smelling like that. it wasn't until God healed me that i started to be included somewhat. and then many years later i learned it was becuz of my dad's impatience that i had done that. and then it became a type of security blanket that i had no idea how to let go of.

it took me a long time to let all of that hurt go. i am now a nana and living a life filled with love and acceptance. God has most definitely helped me overcome the insecurities, hurt, loneliness all of that caused. i found out first hand how much God wants to be part of my everyday life.

now He and i have a good relationship and i am learning something about Him everyday. He in turns takes time to love me throughout the day as well as speak with me. it has been a journey. one that i am glad to walk with my Saviour and Father.

until next time...

SEARCH ME

the following r my thoughts on a scripture that has made a very large impact in  my life. i pray this often so i can let God clean out anything that keeps His passion from being made flesh in my life. i pray that it comes alive as u read it so u can be cleansed by the blood covering of Christ Jesus and silence the accuser.

Psalm 139:23-24 NASBS

[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; [24] And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

remember to live a life surrendered to God. be open to God so He can make flesh His passion in my life.

"search me" ~ allow God to search thru the many rooms in my life. we all have at least one room that we keep hidden from everyone, even God.

this room is usually filled with the stuff that holds us back from really living. it definitely filters everything i do, say, think, and act out.

"know my heart" ~ find out who i am.

often times we don't really know who we r ourselves. and that comes from that one room we hide from everyone.

in order for us to know who we really r, God needs to search thru that room and remove everything that holds us back from finding out.

"try me" ~ make judgement on what God finds in me.

allow God to judge whether the stuff He finds is worth keeping or throwing out.

"know my anxious thoughts" ~ be willing to let God see how scared i really am.

my fears r real. all i have to go on is past experience which causes anxious thoughts. not knowing also causes this. however, surrendering to God these anxious thoughts opens me up to God's calming peace.

"see if there be any hurtful way in me" ~ am i out for revenge? do i want to 'get back at the one who caused me the hurt'?

God will expose this.

i need to be willing to forgive. forgiveness is the key that starts the healing of the hurt that holds us back. God will do only what i allow Him to do. it is up to me to let Him do what He does best.

now all that is needed is for u to "face the Judge", ask for the blood covering of the Lamb so He can render His verdict. once that is done, ask God to make flesh His passion in your life.

one other thing, prayer becomes much more real as u see God answering in ways u have not experienced before. it's becuz u have silenced the accuser in Court of Heaven. 

daily battle

Galatians 5:16-18 MSG

“My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?”
http://bible.com/97/gal.5.16-18.msg

12 October 2016

Flashbacks Revisited

I have a number of friends who served in Vietnam. One thing that seems to be a common thread for all of them is their inability to rid themselves of flashbacks — a sudden recall of the past that feels so real it’s as if they were transported back to the scene. Some flashbacks are of war atrocities, others are a living terror beyond my comprehension, while still others are sweet memories of people who were freed or rescued. . . .

The fact of the matter is that many of us in a career transition suffer from our own set of paralyzing flashbacks. Although they aren’t war-related, they are just as real and debilitating. Most of the time they sneak up on us in the form of fear, rejection or inadequacy.

I confess this is an area I still struggle with. I often suffer from flashbacks of the fear and anxiety associated with the day I was terminated. . . .The result is always the same — the pain is revisited. It hurt inside when I experienced my first flashback, and it continues to hurt every time one hits.

While reading 1 John 4:18, it occurred to me that the deeper, underlying problem I wrestle with is fear. Fear of revisiting the past. Fear of having to relive all of the tough times. I know in my head that the Lord has closed the door to the past. So why am I still dwelling on it? The answer is that I haven’t embraced the promise that “perfect love drives out fear” — in my heart. It’s like I’m living my life waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Now when I experience a fear-producing flashback, I remind myself that “fear has to do with punishment” and that “there is no fear in love.” Furthermore, I focus on the fact that I have been and am well loved by Jesus, and I know the Lord would not rub my face in my fears. That leaves only one option as to the source of these flashbacks: The devil would just love for me to dwell on the sorrows of the past and to take my mind off of the love and grace I have in Christ. This is why Peter, who knew something about fear and regret (remember how he denied Jesus), warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Are you wresting with flashbacks that wound so deeply that you find yourself unable to face the day? Are flashbacks of your termination neutralizing your will and your confidence to approach another potential employer? If so, it’s time to call upon the Lord once again, because he alone gives you and me the strength to resist the devil. Then praise the Lord that his perfect love drives out all of our fears.

Taken from Why Did I Lose My Job if God Loves Me?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

my experience...

in May2007 my job was eliminated by technology.

i was so devastated that i told no one until just before it happened. for the next 5 years i withdrew from trying anything new. i did not want that rejection again. it didn't help that i was insecure about myself already.

when i finally did "come out it", i was rejected for jobs i new i could do by employers telling me i was "over qualified". eventually, i gave up looking. 

God, thru His Spirit, directed me to crochet which i had learned as a child. i now have been crocheting for a few years with no real encouragement except from my mom. in fact, she is the one that paid for my first real craft fair. for that i am thankful. i still need to get my props made to display what i have made.

so now, i await the day of the craft fair with mixed emotions trusting God to help me in this new experience.

Mimosa Lane Baptist Church, Mesquite, Texas is the location of the craft fair. if u can, stop by on November 12, 2016 to browse the different "shops" and enjoy the day. u just might find that one gift u really need.

01 October 2016

this really stood out to me.

in fact, it smacked me right in the face.

God gave me His answer.

i have been wondering y our situation has to carry on over the holidays and into next year. this is what i believe to be God answering me.
building my faith is important to God and for some reason, i am in need of something that i hope to figure out as i wait. patience is something is something i have to live with every day. so the full reasoning of needing more patience is not yet clear to me. i will let God do His thing as i will be willing to learn and live out His work in me.
What else can i do? nothing else will give me any satisfication.

the following is taken from one of my devotions: CELEBRATE!

Numbers 13:30  (NIV) -

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 

“We should go up and take possession of the land, 

for we can certainly do it.”

Patience and Faith 

Caleb saw the same giants and walled cities as the other spies, but the ten spies brought back a “bad report” of unbelief. Caleb, however, declared a conviction, a confession, before all Israel: “We are well able to overcome it.” He along with the others had carefully surveyed the land; he had seen, so his faith was not blind. Faith does not deny the reality of the difficulty; rather, it declares the power of God in the face of the problem. 

Though his faith-filled report was rejected by the majority, Caleb stood his ground in faith, but still moved in partnership and support alongside those whose unbelief delayed his own experience. He demonstrated a remarkable combination of faith and patience. Caleb’s eventual possession of the land at a later date indicates that even though delays come, the declaration of faith will ultimately bring victory to the believer. 

Let patience and faith work together to see you through the struggle and into the fulfillment of the promise.

"LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST..."

the following scriptures have become so real to me that i have made them my daily prayer. and praying God's word never returns empty! God's word returns life changing and full of His passion.
i have found that seeking God in His fullness means getting rid of a lot of stuff in my life that DOES NOT bring God glory. i am now filling my life with His presence as i work out my salvation and sanctification in His Courts of Heaven. i have been silencing the accuser and giving God the ability to pour out His passion in my life as it is written in my scroll in heaven. unconfessed sin, transgression, and bloodline iniquity "tie God's hands" from completely pouring out His passion on our lives. and once the unconfessed is taken care of and the accuser is silenced, by putting it under the blood covering, the verdict rendered, the righteous cleansing removing the scar give such a "light as a feather" feeling. it is most definitely freeing. God's word has become so much more alive to me. there is truth in God's word. seek it out and u will find it.
for the past few weeks my husband and i have experienced the refreshing cleansing of God's passion and experienced it for ourselves. but on 04May2016, of this past week, a heaviness set in my heart. it came the moment i heard about the court date for our ongoing situation. in fact strife entered very strongly and ken and i were no longer "together". even now, a separation in the spiritual realm "hangs over" the house, not just me or him.

i have been searching myself and praying that God would do what it says in Psalms 139:23,24 in me so that i can be clean and He will hear me when i cry out to Him. Hebrews 13:16 reminds me to be diligent in my every day tasks and look for God to move in them. Colossians 3:15-17 hit me for 2 reasons: 1)"Let the peace of Christ" hit me for our situation reminding me God has it; 2)for my daughter's and son-in-law's situation.
God is moving in every one that let's Him. He is making changes in lives that will glorify Him and prosper His children. God is becoming real! His life-changing cleansing is empowering us to boldly share the shining Light that sustains us. in me, He is making me stronger in my faith and showing me He is the I AM.

as u read the words below, do not just read them glancingly. read the words below as a statement to God that u want Him to do what is written in His word in your life, every part of your life. hold nothing back from God as u read the words below. these words r life and will change your life if u let God reveal what the accuser is saying about u in the courtroom of heaven.


Psalms 139:23,24
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I am about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Hebrews 13:16
Make sure u don't take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what u have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—that takes place in kitchens and workplace and on the streets.

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ keep u in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE BIBLE

where i am

in my walk with God, i have come to a place in myself that holding on to old grudges and having unforgiveness is no longer what i want or need in my life. i have, thru the years, released all that i know of. and this has become my prayer to God.

the life-lessons learned r life-changing. with all that has happened in my life and what is happening right now in my life, i have learned that God IS the one to run to, trust, and cry out to. His answers r right and lead me ever closer to Him.

with all that goes on each day, i can't imagine my day without Him. i continually chat with Him and include Him in all i am doing. and u know what?! He is here with me. He talks with me throughout my day. i do my best to listen and hear His voice. i can even hear Him laugh with me as well cry with me. MY GOD IS SO AWESOME!!🙂

a painful question

MY UTMOST for HIS HIGHEST

John 21:17 NIV

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

portion of commentary:

Unless we are experiencing the hurt of facing every deception about ourselves, we have hindered the work of the Word of God in our lives. The Word of God inflicts hurt on us more than sin ever could, because sin dulls our senses. But this question of the Lord intensifies our sensitivities to the point that this hurt produced by Jesus is the most exquisite pain conceivable. It hurts not only on the natural level, but also on the deeper spiritual level. “For the Word of God is living and powerful . . . , piercing even to the division of soul and spirit . . .”—to the point that no deception can remain (Hebrews 4:12).

there r many things that cause us pain. but one question in John 21:17 causes more pain than the world. the question comes directly from Jesus to Peter. Jesus asks this question 3 times. the third time, Peter was hurt by it. here is that question: "Simon, son of John, do u love me?" (NLT)

have u ever had a direct question asked of u by Jesus Himself? Have u read God's Word and been hurt by what God reveals to u? if not, then u have not really experienced all God is. but if u have, the words God speaks do not go away easily. God's Word sticks like glue. His Words r hard to shake off. the reason is He wants u to face the situation. God's Words r good medicine. they actually heal us from within so we can testify to others. God's questions make us think and ponder. they also make us search for answers.

tho God's Word will "bother" us until we face it, God continues to love us. He continually reaches out, letting us know thatHe is there and can trust Him.

Peter's hurt was becuz He asked the same question 3 times. God does the same with us. God wants us to understand His love and forgiveness.

next time God asks u a question, understand that He has already taken into account all of u. be honest with your answer. DO NOT IGNORE THE QUESTION GOD ASKS. He has ways of making u face it and give an answer. most of the time, we do not recognize it as God's doing.

Christ in charge

my devotional reading from MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST today reminds that Christ is now in the driver's seat. His control is not forceful, but gentle encouragement that drives our lives where He needs us to be.

when difficult situations come our way, Christ's knowlegde of how to handle it is just a prayer away. He is always ready to take the lead in our every day lives as well. all u have to do is ask Him to be part of your day. i talk to Him whenever i am needing help or ideas, that is all day long. u know what, He answers. i have peace that is unexplainable. even when things do not go my way, or how i think they should go. Christ's very presence in my everyday life keeps me going.

2 Corinthians 5:14

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. (NLT)

The Compelling Majesty Of His Power 

Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.

When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8). 

Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do—that is basic and understood—but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane—he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for—to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.

Draw me, O Lord, into vital communion with Yourself. Press through till I am thrilled with Your presence. Cause me to be Yours in the expression of Your grace as well as in the experience of it.

why is God angry at sinful people?

following r 2 versions of the same scripture. each says the same thing in a different way. the concept does not change, onlyy the way the concept is stated.

Romans 1:18 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Romans 1:18 LASB

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 

~1:18 Because they have substituted the truth about him with a lie (1:25). They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered lifestyles. God cannot tolerate sin because his nature is morally perfect. He cannot ignore or condone willful rebellion. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner—and he is able to, as long as the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth. But he is justly angry with those who persist in sinning. Make sure you are not pursuing a lie rather than the true God. Don’t suppress the truth about him merely to protect your own lifestyle. LASB

this scripture speaks of those that choose to ignore truth and then suppress others in learning the truth. they speak just enough truth to keep others blind deterring them to finding the for themselves. this causes God, who hates evil, to delve out justice on those who ignore, suppress the truth, and do evil.

even God, Himself, turned His face by making the day as dark as night when Jesus became our sin. God forsook His own son. but the story doesn't end there. Jesus was made sin so we wouldn't have to die for our sin. after Jesus died, the sun shone again. and when Jesus rose from the dead, our penalty for sin was paid. Jesus is the only One who can redeem u and me from sin's death grip. when one rejects that and does not embrace the cross, God is forced to do what He said He would do.

God let's the one live their life the way they want. their life may be prosperous, they help others, but there is nothing to what they do or how they live. their life is empty. and becuz they have chosen to ignore what they have heard about Jesus, how God loves them and wants them to live a more fulfilled life, they seek things and religion to feel a God-space that nothing and no one but God can fill. these people seem happy, fulfilled. but r empty, searching, always trying stuff that will never fill the longing they have.

people who ignore God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit have absolutely nothing.

u can tell when someone has God in their life, even when things r tough. the eyes tell a story without a word spoken. the eyes reveal what is inside. when Jesus resides in ones life, there is a brightness to the eye. when one does not have Jesus, one does not have that brightness. the emptiness can be seen. the eyes can generally tell u what is there. the other way u can tell, is the spirit. when one has Jesus, God's spirit resides and can be felt by another believer. God's word tells us to test whether one has God's spirit or not. we must be siligent in doing this or we can be deceived and led down a path God never intended we follow.

God's anger at those who do wickedness is just. we need to search out God and accept His Word, Jesus, so we do not receive. God's judgement on those who do wickedness.

so y do so many choose to ignore God's gift to us? i do not have that answer. i do know that life is much more chaotic without God's gift. God is a just God. He is not wishy-washy. i, myself, do not want to be on receiving end of God's anger. from what i have read in His written word, His anger is a terrible thing.

in my personal experience, i have learned that accepting God's gift, Jesus, i have a much fuller life. easy? not on your life! worth it? u bet!

so what will u choose? God's gift or God's anger. once u make that choice, ur life will be changed no matter the choice u make.