SEARCH ME, O GOD!

Psalm 139:23, 24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; 

test me and know my anxious thoughts.  

24 Point out anything in me that offends you, 

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Commentary from LASB:

139:21-24 David’s hatred for his enemies came from his zeal for God. David regarded his enemies as God’s enemies, so his hatred was a desire for God’s righteous justice and not for personal vengeance. Is it all right to be angry at people who hate God? Yes, but we must remember that it is God who will deal with them, not us. If we truly love God, then we will be deeply hurt if someone hates him. David asked God to search his heart and mind and point out any wrong motives that may have been behind his strong words. But while we seek justice against evil, we must also pray that God’s enemies will turn to him before he judges them (see Matthew 5:44). 

139:23-24 David asked God to search for sin and point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts. This is exploratory surgery for sin. How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven. Make this verse your prayer. If you ask the Lord to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing “along the path of everlasting life.”

My thoughts:

last nite i once again asked God to search me and investigate every nook and cranny of my being. i do not want anything hiding from Him. i have learned and am still learning that God knows all about the hidden stuff as well as stuff u think no one else knows about. my life is becoming transparent so i can be the example of Jesus to those around me. it has not been easy! and i still fight it at times. God's grace and mercy and forgiveness draws me out to where i have to deal with it and let it go so it can no longer dictate my life. i have found that trying to hide stuff from God and think that people can't see it is a facade that causes me to be blind and continue to stumble all over myself.

i have come to call God, Daddy. for He has become my Father. i rest in Him every day. He is very much a part of my everyday living. daddies r there to comfort, counsel, guide, and discipline their children. God is definitely a Daddy.

Daddy,

i confess my sin (name the sin). i stand in agreement with the accuser. i ask for the blood covering of Jesus shed for me as i stand here guilty before u. please forgive me as i turn away from sin to walk with U. i ask for the scroll written about me; make that scroll flesh in my life. help me to walk with u each day renewing our promise. in Jesus' name, AMEN!

A HILL WORTH DYING FOR

29 April 2017

EVERYWHERE I GO:

Daniel 3:17 NASB

[17] If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

other readings include 1 Kings 11, 12; Psalm 38

A HILL WORTH DYING FOR

The sergeant has received his orders. "At any cost, take that hill." He turns to his men and says, "Check your rifles - affix your bayonets. At my signal we charge and take the hill!" The men in his company have been in the trenches for days. They've seen other men try to take the hill and fail. They know the enemy is heavily entrenched and determined to hold their ground. And each man, as he waits for the command from his sergeant, is asking himself one question: "Is this a hill worth dying for?"

Those of us who have never been to war cannot completely understand the anguish of such a moment where life hangs in the balance, but we have asked the same question in different, if less threatening, terms. "Is this principle worth risking my job?" Or, "Is this argument worth the damage it might cause in my marriage?" On what basis do we choose which hills are "worth dying for?" I believe if we have made the right life commitments, the question answers itself when it arises.

Our problem is we don't nail down the big questions at the outset, and so we waver on the smaller ones.

The book of Daniel records the story of four young men who were kidnapped and carried into a foreign land. As the prevailing powers in this new country tried to "assimilate" them, they received a shock! These young men had made up their minds not to defile themselves or turn their back on their God, so when the questions of diet and prayer practices came up, their decisions were already made.

When we nail down the big choices, the other decisions fall more readily into place.

like waves

25 April 2017

DRAW NEAR:

2 Kings 19:14 NIV

[14] Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.

THE WAVES 

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale told of a trip he took on a sailboat in the Near East. The skipper told him, "The ocean is a tremendous force, and our ship is only a small force. But, we know how to make our little engines adapt themselves to the timing of the waves so we are practically carried along by the sea." 

Praying could be defined as adjusting ourselves to the plans and timing of God. When Sennacherib threatened Judah, Hezekiah first went to God (2 Kings 19:14-19). There was a childlike simplicity in the king's faith. He took the threatening letter and spread it out before God to read. It is as if he said, "Okay, what do we do about it?" 

This same childlike faith should be ours in this modern world. Our frustrations and anxieties should be spread out before God for His direction. As we adjust our lives to God's plan and timing, we find we are carried along by His power. This puts to highest use the forces of our own lives to meet the battles of life. Hezekiah and his people were delivered, and so shall we be.

humility? y?

24 April 2017

y should i be humble? i worked hard for what i have.

EVERYWHERE I GO:

Matthew 11:29 NASB

[29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

also included in today's readings r 1 Kings 1, 2; Psalm 31.

THE HUMBLE MAN

Humility is not thinking poorly of yourself. Humility is not thinking of yourself at all. Humility is the one grace that, as soon as you declare you have it, you've lost it.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior, the King of Kings, was a humble man. "He was a man of no reputation," it was said. Nothing about His appearance or manner suggested divinity. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that it would please him (and God as well) if the Philippians would become humble men and women, in imitation of Jesus Himself.

Modern man is chiefly concerned with working his way up. Up the corporate ladder. Up the office pecking order. Up the social register. Jesus worked his way down. Jesus started at the top. Paul said, "He existed in the form of God." But He didn't cling to that position. "He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." Not only did He not cling to His top spot, He emptied Himself. He cashed it in. Walked away from it all. We're stunned when we see people at the top walk away, aren't we? But Jesus left it all and became not only human in form- -He adopted the role of a servant.

Do you see it? He worked His way down. And finally, He died the death of a desperate, wicked criminal. Then God brought Him back to life, and brought Him back home to glory. Jesus emptied Himself - and God exalted Him. Can you imagine the applause in Heaven over Jesus' return? Humility is a key to true joy. Jesus didn't just say it - He proved it.

Motivation

want to share my answers to the questions below. so u may read this one blog many times before i finish. i will post each time i have completed a question.

21April2017

What motivates you?

motivation is something i am struggling with right now.

so many times i make plans to do something and actually finish it but end up getting it half done or not at all or procrastinate to the point of stressing.  the procrastination still happens but it no longer causes stress for me. i have learned to let it go and be ok that i did not get it fully accomplished. but that leaves me regretting that i put it off when i know i could have finished it.

my quiet time with God actually started out like that. i used the excuse that everything else needed my attention right then or i wanted to play a game so i could chat with my gaming friends. God took care of that in the perfect way and now i find if i do not take the allotted time, i am unfocused and 'unfinished'.

the motivation for my quiet time came becuz of my personal struggles. it actually started out as a "venting" session with God. and u know what? He listened! God took the time to let me vent. that slowly turned into reading His word and actually listening for His voice. i still vent to Him when i am alone with no one in the house. however, His voice comes thru loud and clear during those vents. as i have changed how i come to Him in the morning, God has most eagerly taught me about myself, and has helped me incorporate more of His character into my life.

motivation now is to get quiet and listen for Him to speak to me thru His word and spend time in His presence. if i do not get that, i feel out of sorts, like i have lost something. it was a real struggle when my daughter's family stayed here for awhile. i tried to keep y time with Daddy but it was really hard to concentrate with grandbabies being kids. i really enjoyed them while they were here. i did struggle tho. i continued to struggle even after they found a place of their own. the room the babies slept in was not the same. i did get it back in order and now, i can "feel" it. 

now, let me share about how God helps me get motivated to cycle on Tues., Wed.,  and Thurs.

at first, it was a real struggle to get into the routine. for a long time i had to actually tell myself to get up off my butt and ride the bike. desire was there but the motivation was lacking severely. once i made a schedule on the days i would ride, it became easier to make a plan of where i would ride. i started out in my neighborhood. this was best since i am a bit overweight. i then expanded my route little by little. with each successful ride, i gained more motivation to get out and ride.

this year has been particularly challenging cuz of being sick for 3 months strait. i rode a total of 4 times before April2017. the weather also played a huge factor. i am slowly getting my motivation back. the desire is there, it has never left. in fact, my legs begin to "itch to pedal". won't be long b4 i am back to my regular riding habits.

there is also something else that plays a huge role in motivation to get off your butt and exercise, how u feel. i am hypothyroid as is my hubby. i am in the process of getting that back into balance. i also have adrenal fatigue. hubby says i am blessed to NOT be in hospital with what my labs showed. adrenal fatigue is directly related to how well  your heart works. it also plays a big factor in how well u sleep. eating right, taking the right supplements, and getting the right meds from an "out of the box" physician (click to see where i am getting help) definitely helps. 

this also affects how u see yourself. u can read all about how God sees u but if u do not have your physical body taken care of, the motivation can disappear quickly. God's motivation is love. He bases everything He does on love. cultivating a relationship with Jesus gives the motivation needed to get thru every day life. motivating yourself to cultivate that relationship should be your love for God and a desire to get to know Him. but sometimes it is coming to Him when u r struggling, hurt by people, or just plain tired of handling things alone. God just wants u to spend time with Him. make it quality time and the length of time is no issue.

my motivation now for cultivating my relationship with God is purely to be in His presence for just a little while and let Him love me.

What compels you to follow Christ in obedience, choosing His commands over the world's temptations? Is it fear? Pride? Guilt?

Motivation is so important.

experiencing the cleansing blood of Jesus

18 April 2017

i sometimes wonder about people that say they have experienced God's salvation. i watch how they live and what they do and what they say. and many times, it does not match what the blood of Jesus does. notice, i only see the outside. i know that what u see comes from your very core, and many people that say they r believers r not fooling anyone. one that is "pretending" on the outside can not see that those who really have experienced the cleansing blood of Jesus see right thru a "pretender".

i know such a person. they think i cannot tell the difference. i can see the struggle and the way they talk only proves that the cleansing blood of Jesus has not yet taken hold fully. i have watched this person and i can see the loneliness standing right there, i see the pride. i have also seen the stronghold within that person. it reminded me of someone i know even better: me.

so i have been praying for this person. i am speaking God's word over this person. i am also asking God to fill me so i can be His example. i do not want this person to suffer any more than they have to. 

it hurts to watch as they continue to walk as if nothing is wrong. a good talk with someone they trust would do a world of good for them so they can be freed from the stronghold and finally walk without having to hide anything. and more people just might want to hang with 'em.

everything we do affects those around us. learning to live in the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus helps us live better and walk in truth for ourselves and others r then drawn to Christ thru our lives. when we stop living the "pretend believer's life" and start living the real believer's life, there is no comparison.

the cleansing blood of Jesus is evident in all aspects of our life.

below is the devotion that triggered the above thoughts.

MORNING

Hebrews 12:24 NASB

[24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Morning - Day 108 

"Ye are come to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." 

Reader, have you come to the blood of sprinkling? The question is not whether you have come to a knowledge of doctrine, or an observance of ceremonies, or to a certain form of experience, but have you come to the blood of Jesus? The blood of Jesus is the life of all vital godliness. If you have truly come to Jesus, we know how you came--the Holy Spirit sweetly brought you there. You came to the blood of sprinkling with no merits of your own. Guilty, lost, and helpless, you came to take that blood, and that blood alone, as your everlasting hope. You came to the cross of Christ, with a trembling and an aching heart; and oh! what a precious sound it was to you to hear the voice of the blood of Jesus! The dropping of his blood is as the music of heaven to the penitent sons of earth. We are full of sin, but the Saviour bids us lift our eyes to him, and as we gaze upon his streaming wounds, each drop of blood, as it falls, cries, "It is finished; I have made an end of sin; I have brought in everlasting righteousness." Oh! sweet language of the precious blood of Jesus!

If you have come to that blood once, you will come to it constantly. Your life will be "Looking unto Jesus." Your whole conduct will be epitomized in this--"To whom coming." Not to whom I have come, but to whom I am always coming. If u have ever come to the blood of sprinkling, u will feel your need of coming to it every day. He who does not desire to wash in it every day, has never washed in it at all. The believer ever feels it to be his joy and privilege that there is still a fountain opened. Past experiences are doubtful food for Christians; a present coming to Christ alone can give us joy and comfort.

This morning let us sprinkle our door-post fresh with blood, and then feast upon the Lamb, assured that the destroying angel must pass us by

we have to walk the talk cuz God is not pleased with lies. the world really is watching.

something to think about...

WORDLIVE-YEAR ONE:

from 11 April 2017

Genesis 17:15-27 MSG

[15-16] God continued speaking to Abraham, "And Sarai your wife: Don't call her Sarai any longer; call her Sarah. I'll bless her---yes! I'll give you a son by her! Oh, how I'll bless her! Nations will come from her; kings of nations will come from her."

[17] Abraham fell flat on his face. And then he laughed, thinking, "Can a hundred-year-old man father a son? And can Sarah, at ninety years, have a baby?"

[18] Recovering, Abraham said to God, "Oh, keep Ishmael alive and well before you!" 

[19] But God said, "That's not what I mean. Your wife, Sarah, will have a baby, a son. Name him Isaac (Laughter). I'll establish my covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever. 

[20-21] "And Ishmael? Yes, I heard your prayer for him. I'll also bless him; I'll make sure he has plenty of children---a huge family. He'll father twelve princes; I'll make him a great nation. But I'll establish my covenant with Isaac whom Sarah will give you about this time next year." 

[22] God finished speaking with Abraham and left. 

[23] Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all his servants, whether houseborn or purchased---every male in his household---and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins that very day, just as God had told him.

[24-27] Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised. His son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised. Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised the same day together with all the servants of his household, those born there and those purchased from outsiders---all were circumcised with him.

Commentary:

Prepare: ‘Lord, it is hard to wait in the silence and the dark. Help me to be sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see, and never to doubt your goodness.’ 

An improbable promise 
Abraham heard from God on many occasions, and each time God spoke about the great nation that he would build from his descendants (12:2; 13:15–17; 15:4–6,18; 17:1; 18:10). Each time, Abraham became a little more sceptical about how God would fulfil his promise. 

By the time he was 100, he laughed to himself at the sheer improbability of the idea, even as he fell face down in acknowledgement of God’s holiness (v 17). Would God perhaps like to change the terms of the agreement, and transfer the blessing to the son he has by another woman? 

Faithful obedience 
Abraham and Sarah had a long, barren wait. But while they might have questioned whether God would ever deliver (pun intended!), they were faithful and obedient. Today’s reading concludes with Abraham fulfilling his part of the covenant by circumcising all the males in his household (v 23). 

We all live awaiting the new age to come, when God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more suffering or pain (Revelation 21:4). He is faithful to his promises, but in the meantime, how shall we live? 

Respond: Are you waiting for God to act in a seemingly impossible situation? Ask him to renew your faith and to comfort you in your pain. 

http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-04-10 

morning time with my Daddy

11 April 2017

EVERYWHERE I GO:

Hebrews 12:1 NASB

[1] Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1 Samuel 28-31 is also part of this morning's read.

Superfluous Weight

The successful runner knows he must strip down to run his best. At any track meet, you'll see plenty of runners preparing for their races in warm-ups, but they take them off to run. Some athletes even train carrying weights - but they never compete with them. When the writer of Hebrews says to lay aside every "encumbrance," he uses a Greek word that means - superfluous weight. If we are to run with endurance, we must lay aside any superfluous weight! Now, in the race of life, what constitutes extra weight? It may be that our excess weight includes some good things, like hobbies, recreational pursuits, or even charitable works. But if we get so caught up in these good things that we lose sight of what is best - they must be laid aside. Other, not-so-good things can be extra weight in our lives. Besetting sin can slow us down. Ignorance can slow us down. So can a victim mentality that excuses us from taking responsibility for our own actions and choices. Procrastination can be extra weight as well. Tomorrow I'll get right with God. Tomorrow I'll seek His will. Tomorrow I'll study His word. And then tomorrow becomes today, and today becomes yesterday, and you've missed the race of life! We are to run our raceﾗthe one God has set before usﾗand run it with endurance. Don't join the throngs of whiners and quitters who have been worn down by extra weight. For the glory of God in Jesus Christ, run the race!

my thoughts:

in order for us to "run the race", we need to first get on our face before God as we stand in His courts under the blood covering of Christ facing the charges against us. CONFESS, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS, and GOD'S VERDICT. then humbly ask for the scroll that is written to be made flesh.

the race is run by believing God is who He says He is, as well as beliving God will do what is already written in the books of Heaven.

CHOICES have CONSEQUENCES

one of my devotions stood out to me very strongly this morning. in EVERYWHERE I GO: LEARNING TO SEE JESUS, something struck me very clearly, everything we do is a choice and every choice has a consequence. right choices bring good consequences; wrong choices bring bad cosequences.

1 Samuel 16, 17 - Saul has rejected God; Samuel, led by God to annoint a new king. David chooses to take a stand against Israel's enemy trusting in God with just 5 smooth river rocks.

Psalms 7-9 - David chooses to sing praises to God giving Him glory.

Genesis 13:11 - Lot chooses the easy way but ends up loosing everything.

Making Wise Choices

When the time came for Abram and Lot to part company, Abram gave Lot his choice of land in which to dwell. He gave Lot "first pick" so there would be no animosity between them. But Lot did not choose well. He decided to homestead in a place called Sodom - a place that would become synonymous with sin and disaster. How could Lot have made such a poor choice? Easy. Lot looked with his eyes. He saw a lovely, well-watered valley. He saw prosperity and riches and ease. Because generally speaking, we see what we love.

When I go to another town, I see churches. I look at their steeples, their grounds, their doors and windows. That's my love. I love the church. I have a good friend who sees cleaning businesses because that is his love. He'll drive through a small town and say, "Gosh, look at that, they've got a dry- cleaning operation." I wouldn't see it - but he does. 

Lot loved the easy life - and he saw a glimpse of it in Sodom. So he chose the valley. But in so choosing, he lost everything.

When we choose with only ourselves in mind, we mix together the deep drink of selfishness and godlessness with disregard for future consequences. And the combination, as Lot discovered, can be deadly.

my thoughts:

my hubby and i were discussing about things that have recently happened in our lives. the main concern was our son-in-law. we shared how we have seen growth within and really good changes. we also discussed how we see him struggling with pride and arrogance. this has caused him to be angry and hurtful towards his wife. it pains both of us and we have concluded that we need to stand in the courts of heaven with his wife and ask God to handle this. only thing we can do honestly.

now understand this, my daughter loves him deeply and i can see that he loves her. the actions he shows her is totally opposite of his words which negate what he says. this causes a lot of hurt and questions on her part. the struggle within him is most definitely a spiritual one. something he may or may not realize. this kind of thing can only be dealt with with prayer, fasting, and gap standing. 

Romans 12:1 NASB

[1] Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

please pray for him (not giving out name). both my hubby and i want to see our son-in-law victorious in Christ. the spiritual battle will be won becuz Christ is the victor already.