He met our greatest need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.

- Author unknown

"For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

Are you afraid to take this step?

A man was obliged to descend into a deep well by sliding down a fixed rope which was supposed to be of ample length. But to his dismay he came to the end of it before his feet had touched the bottom. He had not the strength to climb up again, and to let go and drop seemed to him but to be dashed to pieces in the depths below. He held on until his strength was utterly exhausted and then dropped, as he thought, to his death. He fell - just three inches - and found himself safe on the rock bottom.

Are you afraid to take this step? Does it seem too sudden, too much like a leap in the dark? Do you not know that the step of faith always "falls on the seeming void, but finds the rock beneath?" If ever you are to enter this glorious land, flowing with milk and honey, you must sooner or later step into the brimming waters, for there is no other path; and to do it now may save you months and even years of disappointment and grief. Hear the word of the Lord -

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

- Hannah Whitall Smith, The Christian's Secret Of A Happy Life

A lump of clay in the Potter's hands?

Just as the potter, however skillful, cannot make a beautiful vessel out of a lump of clay that is never put into his hands, so neither can God make out of me a vessel unto His honor unless I put myself into His hands. My part is the essential correlation of God's part in the matter of my salvation; and as God is sure to do His part all right, the vital thing for me is to find out what my part is and then do it.

- Hannah Whitall Smith

Do you know who you are?

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be sepa rated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).
I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).
I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected.(Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14).
I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God.
Do you know who you are!?

Letting Jesus in...........

One of the great depictions of Jesus in the history of art was painted by William Holman Hunt. In his painting The Light of the World, he portrays Jesus knocking at a door. On the frame of the picture he had etched the verse from Revelation 3:20, written to followers in the ancient city of Laodicea. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

The striking thing about Holman's picture is that Jesus is standing outside the door, holding a lamp in His hand. The imagery is clear. If Jesus is on the outside of your life, so is His light. There is no hope of lighting the world around you until you let Him in to light your world.

When Jesus wrote the letter to the Laodicean church, He pictured Himself on the outside of their heart's door because in their affluence and self-made lives, they didn't think they needed Him. In a very real sense they had constructed their world as a non-Jesus world. And, strange as it seems, many of us have done the same thing. We feel we have all we need without Him.

No doubt the Laodiceans were glad to have Him as Savior, attend His church, even serve on committees and boards. But until they needed Him at death's door, they would do life much as they pleased. And so an excluded Jesus stood at the door of their hearts seeking to come in. He is standing at your heart's door seeking to come in with the light for your world gripped firmly in His hand. If you're arguing that Jesus is already "in you," then you have missed the point. He can be resident somewhere in the territory of your life without being the all-controlling center of your heart. He seeks to set up His throne in your heart where decisions, dreams, plans and intentions are forged.

Surrendering fully to Jesus is the key to beginning a life that effectively impacts your world for Him.

- Joseph M. Stowell, The Trouble With Jesus

Letter from Jesus

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking
My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just
GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which
you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a
couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own
front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such
a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around
town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can
remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I
actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to
you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up
John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish
list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is
being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from
home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they
tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the
cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that
you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It
will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they
don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why
I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them
that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own
life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't
know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it
could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile
and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas"
that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on
Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and
let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary--
especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard
My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any
presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few
gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which
believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.. Don't do things in secret that
you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are
one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what
I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list
above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in
your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those
whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

(not sure of the author of this, but it's awesome!!)

Merry Christmas!!

,Brandi

Be strong and courageous!

Joshua 1:9 - The Message

"Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Joshua 1:9 - NIV

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

And now I've got __________on the move! (fill in your name)

This is what God had to say to Cyrus, the king who God anointed. Why did He anoint Cyrus? Because God had a special task for him to do for Israel. Does God have a special task for you? Has He anointed you to do something in His name, for His glory? Is it something out of your comfort zone, or perhaps way out of the comfort zones of those around you, in your world? Do we really believe that God is who He says He is and that we CAN DO what He says we can do, what He calls us to do? Read on and be blessed, my friends! I've bolded the parts that God has spoken DIRECTLY to my spirit, today!

Isaiah 45 - (The Message)

1-7 God's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand
To give the task of taming the nations,
of terrifying their kings—
He gave him free rein,
no restrictions:
"I'll go ahead of you,
clearing and paving the road.
I'll break down bronze city gates,
smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.
I'll lead you to buried treasures,
secret caches of valuables—
Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God,
the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
It's because of my dear servant Jacob,
Israel my chosen,
That I've singled you out, called you by name,
and given you this privileged work.
And you don't even know me!
I am God, the only God there is.
Besides me there are no real gods.
I'm the one who armed you for this work,
though you don't even know me,
So that everyone, from east to west, will know
that I have no god-rivals.
I am God, the only God there is.
I form light and create darkness,
I make harmonies and create discords.
I, God, do all these things.

8-10"Open up, heavens, and rain.
Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!
Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;
sprout right living.
I, God, generate all this.
But doom to you who fight your Maker—
you're a pot at odds with the potter!
Does clay talk back to the potter:
'What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'
Would a sperm say to a father,
'Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?'
Or a fetus to a mother,
'Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"

11-13Thus God, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says:
"Do you question who or what I'm making?
Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?
I made earth,
and I created man and woman to live on it.
I handcrafted the skies
and direct all the constellations in their turnings.
And now I've got Cyrus on the move.
I've rolled out the red carpet before him.
He will build my city.
He will bring home my exiles.
I didn't hire him to do this. I told him.
I, God-of-the-Angel-Armies."

14God says:

"The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia,
and those statuesque Sabeans
Will all come over to you—all yours.
Docile in chains, they'll follow you,
Hands folded in reverence, praying before you:
'Amazing! God is with you!
There is no other God—none.'"

Jesus is the good shepherd!

If this doesn't light your fire, I don't know what will........................

John 10:7-18 (New International Version)

7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Worry vs. Faith - Putting up the Shield of Faith

Think about your current worries. Are you worrying about temporary things or things that won't matter in eternity? Is your worry adding one moment to your life, or might it be shortening your life? Does your worry imply that God doesn't know what you need or that He is unwilling to meet your need? Are you worried more about current reality or about what you think might happen?

Where do you believe God is when you're worried? Worry, by definition, is a lack of faith in God, It is, as one writer has said, "practical atheism." In fact, worry quickly becomes idolatry of the self: I am more concerned about myself than I am about trusting God's purposes. When we are at such a point, we aren't carrying the shield of faith.

If worry is a problem for you, ask God to help you to trust Him. We only trust people or things that prove to be faithful. (Has God proven His faithfulness to you?) The Enemy stakes his battle plan on your worry. It will rob you of faith and cause you to fall victim to him. Take up the shield of faith and stand against this scheme of the Enemy in your life.

Worry:
focuses on circumstances and self and obsesses about what might happen based on our thoughts.

Faith:
focuses on God, trusts what God has and will do based on God's Word

Worry:
elevates the temporary over the eternal, keeps us awake at night

Faith:
sees the eternal despite the temporary, gives us sleep at night

Worry:
is a tool of the Enemy

Faith:
is a gift of God

One of our biggest problems is that we get more focused on our circumstances than on the God who is bigger than our circumstances.

Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

- Chuck Lawless, Putting on the Armor, Equipped And Deployed for Spiritual Warfare

The Voice of Adventure

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"
Psalm 27:1

Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry for what you don't try, right? You can't fall if you don't take a stand, right? You can't lose your balance if you never climb, right? So don't try it. Take the safe route.

Or you can hear the voice of adventure - God's adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God's impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn't safe, but what is?

- Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones

I so identify with these words from a very wise Bible teacher. For the last three years, God has brought me in, tightly under his wing and it is there where He has shaped me, molded me, convicted me, healed me, taught me His Word, loved me and prepared me. I am now entering into a new season of my life, where I see Him opening doors for me to walk through. The key to fearlessly walking through them is believing, that He is standing on the other side of those doors, welcoming we into a new place, where He is. He is not opening them and then pushing me through and then taking off. He will stay right there with me in this new "room" I'll be entering. He would never call me to do something and then not stick around and do it with me. Why? Because He does not want me to do these things in my own strength. He is the Good Shepherd and I am simply His sheep! He is calling me to allow Him to do them through me. The time I've spent, over the last three years so tightly hidden under his wings was actually time spent getting rid of "me" and making room for Him. That is the goal of a Christ follower, right? Less of me, more of Him? I realize I'll be getting rid of "me" until the day I die, but I can honestly say there is a lot more of Him in my life than ever before. And, regardless of what season of life I find myself in, I will never, ever leave the safety of living under His wings. I will stay in that place forever!

So now, I am seeing more and more opportunities seemingly "popping up" in my life to serve Him, to speak for Him, to teach about Him, to stand up for Him, to represent Him, to bring Glory to Him, to point the world to Him. Yes, the battle will rage against me at times, His word says it will. I am alert and prepared to fight that battle by putting on the full armor, from the helmet down to the shoes. But, I will not let the fear of leaving the "safety zone" keep me from entering the game. I don't know what lies ahead for me, but God does, after all, He wrote every day of my life in His book. For this reason, I can trust Him to lead me down the right path. God gives us one chance at this life on earth. I choose to live it, trusting God every step of the way. I want to make a difference. I want my life to represent one word - JESUS!

Oh how thankful I am that He rescued me from the dominion of darkness and has brought me into the kingdom of the Son He loves. (Colossians 1:13)

I am so thankful that I even "get to" participate in this kind of life - the adventure of Jesus!

Jesus - the Prince of Peace

Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6) whose sacrificial death bridges the gap between us and God. We can be at peace with God not because we deserve it, but because Jesus is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). He became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21), bore God's wrath against us (Rom. 3:23-26), and now advocates for us with the Father (1 John 2:1). That which puts us at odds with God - our sinfulness - has now been addressed.

No peace exists like the peace God gives us when our relationship with Him is restored. Jesus is that peace, and He makes that peace possible.

- Chuck Lawless, Putting on the Armor

As human beings, we have this huge problem - it's called sin! The ONLY way, the ONLY way, the ONLY way we can be reconciled to God, with His perfect standard, is through accepting the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us on the cross. There is NO OTHER remedy for our sin problem. Make no mistake, the problem exists in every human being ever created. I can't thank God enough for sending His Son as the one and only sacrifice to cover my sin, ultimately making a way for me to be saved from death. Instead, He gives us life and life eternal. What a gift of peace! Thank you God for loving me so much that you would do this for me. Oh but it's not just for me, He is standing at the door, offering His gift of salvation to everyone! It is a free gift, for anyone who will receive it! Wow! Now that's amazing!

Your one and only?

Genesis 3:15
"....he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

"As God predicted at the fall, the ancient serpent struck Christ's heel, but on the day He ascended, all things were under Christ's feet. Jesus Christ walked the way of humanity so humanity could walk the way of God. How beautiful the feet that brought good news.

The question is not, "Is Jesus the One and Only?" Our vote cannot elect Him to a position He already occupies. The question is this: Has Jesus become your One and Only? Is He transcending all else in your life? Is He beyond compare? Your one and only Savior? Your one and only Deliverer? The one and only Lover of your soul? If so, my dear friend, you are being transformed from glory unto glory like Moses who descended the mount of God with face radiant. You may not see it, but others do. That's God's way. May our lives be obscured by the glory of Christ, hidden in the shadow of His cross. And when all is said and done, may your tenure on this planet be characterized by one simple word - Jesus."

- Beth Moore
Jesus, The One And Only

He Holds Our Hand

He holds our hand

My 3-year old son, Luke and I were enjoying ourselves recently, hiking in the dry creek bed near our house. Hiking is one of the many outdoor activities my husband and children and I often enjoy together, living in the “woods” of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. What a blessing this place is! In the creek bed, there is one area covered mostly with small, smooth rocks that is easy to navigate over. As the hike progresses, however, the terrain suddenly changes into very large, rough boulders. Once we come to this stretch of the hike, mommy must hold little Luke’s little hand as we climb over them, to avoid him slipping and injuring a knee, an elbow, or even worse, his head!

Luke loves to pick every flower he sees, for me. He thinks they are all beautiful and that his mommy should have all of them. On this particular day, he was cherishing a dandelion he had picked and was holding it tightly in his hand. Upon reaching the rough boulders, I reached down to grab his hand but I could not get a tight grip on it. Luke had his little hand closed, like a ball around this “weed” he called a flower. I explained to him that in order for mommy to protect him from slipping on the rocks and getting hurt, he must drop the flower and allow me to hold his hand the right way, tightly and securely. So, with some hesitation, he did what I asked and let go of what he thought was important and slipped his small hand into mine. As he watched the flower drop to the ground, in that moment, he realized it was not worth holding onto if it meant risk of injury. It was also in that moment when the Holy Spirit spoke so clearly to my heart. He said, “This is how it is with you. You try to hold onto things that you think are beautiful and important, but I am saying, let go of those things so that I can grab your hand, tightly and securely. The path of life is full of bumpy rocks and boulders and you must allow me to hold onto you as we cross over them, together. Don’t hold so tightly to the things of this world that can get in the way of what I have for you. They are not worth it. My plan is so much better. Drop those things so you can grab onto me!”

Father knows best, doesn’t He? He is standing there, arms outstretched, in our direction. He wants us to grab on and live our life in Him, safely resting in the palm of His hand.

Psalm 73:23-28
"Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."

Open the book!

Psalm 73:23-28

23 Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.

27 Those who desert him will perish,
for you destroy those who abandon you.
28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

This passage of scripture was exactly what I needed today. I needed God's glorious reassurance in the face of condemnation, His comforting in an often-times uncomfortable world, His strength when I felt defeated. He gave it to me, right here in His word. Amazing how He speaks to us!! What is He trying to say to you? Open the book and you will find out! God only knows what is waiting in there for you!

Grace, Grace and more Grace

You will never be called upon to give anyone more grace than God has already given you. - Max Lucado - In the Grip of Grace

No safer place than in the will of God!

There is no safer place than in the will of God!

Proverbs 29:25
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

2 Corinthians 5:7
"We live by faith, not by sight."

Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all that you do and He will direct your paths."

Romans 8:31
"If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Psalm 34:7
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them."

Romans 8:38
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love."

Hebrews 12:2-3 (The Message)
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

Romans 8:33
"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies."

Isaiah 43:2
"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you."

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

Isaiah 58:8-9
"Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply."

Isaiah 58:11
"The Lord will guide you always."

John 15:16
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."

John 16:33
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Isaiah 59:19
"From the west, men will fear the name of the LORD,
and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along."

Deuteronomy 33:27
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'

Psalm 91:1-10 (The Message)
"You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path."

The view from God's perspective, not mans'

Matthew 16:23 (New International Version)
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Matthew 16:23 (New Living Translation)
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Peter didn't understand that Christ's suffering and death were the means by which He would indeed secure the kingdom.

All Satan needs to have momentary victory over a disciple is for us to have in mind the things of men. Satan doesn't have to get us thinking blatantly satanic thoughts to have victory over us. All he needs is to get us looking at life from man's perspective rather than God's. If we surrender our minds to the things of God, we are safe! We don't have to constantly look out for our own best interests, because He's constantly looking out for them. What Peter didn't understand is that what may have seemed best in the short run would have been disastrous in the long run. Had Jesus saved His disciples the anxiety of His betrayal, trials and death, He wouldn't have saved them at all.

On this earth I don't know that we will ever perpetually have in mind the things of God rather than the things of man. If we don't make the deliberate choice to have in mind the things of God when faced with our biggest challenges, most of us will probably default back to our natural instinct - the things of man.

Developing the mind-set of one who is continually taking up his cross and following Christ is the heart of having "in mind the things of God."(Matthew 16:23) rahter than man. Don't forget that the issue that prompted this discourse was the identity of Christ. When we surrender to carrying our crosses and following Him, we identify with Him.

In Christ's invitation I see two other concepts: denying self and taking up the cross daily. Those who accept this invitation are called to deny themselves. I don't believe Christ was talking about the things we typically consider self-denial. The issue here wasn't fasting from food, nor was it denying self a single extra. It wasn't about self-loathing, for Christ commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. I believe the primary issue involved in this kind of self-denial is denying our right to be our own authority.

This passage brings us to the sobering realization that what we might think is our own authority - having in mind the things of men - could easily be transferred to Satan's authority. I've learned the hard way that denying my right to be my own boss is what k eeps me from getting slaughtered by Satan in warfare. Let's face it: this "be-your-own boss" stuff is nothing but a myth.

The key to true "follow-ship" with Christ is the recommitment to take up the cross daily. One reason I am drawn to Luke's version of this invitation over Matthew's is because he included an all-important word - daily.

- Beth Moore, Jesus, the One and Only

Luke 9:23-24
"Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it."

Galatians 5:24-25
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives."

Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

Trust Him to live through you

"Kept" by Arlene Zimmerman

"The LORD bless you, And keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace."
(Numbers 6:24-26)


Dear Sisters who are precious in Him:
When I first became a believer I felt compelled to overcome sinful 'self'and become spiritual. I did not realize it required much time and failure before I was able to give up self-effort for my growth. The self-life is our most resilient foe. For me to serve God acceptably I had to learn His way of victory over this subtle enemy.
Need produces spiritual hunger. My flesh is irrevocably fallen and God has one plan for it: co-crucifixion. God does not want to improve it and scripture teaches I am dead with Christ, dead to sin and alive to Christ. Not "dying", but dead. (Romans 6:6-7) Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

Our part is not production, but reception of our life n Christ. No believer ever fell into maturity, even though we are complete in Christ. I remember as a young Christian, out of love for Jesus I wanted to live for Him. Though well-meaning, as growing believers it is time we go beyond the 'love' motive to the 'life'motive."For me to live is Christ"(Phil 1:21a) Our walk will be a roller coaster if our response to Him is from any other motivation than the response of His life in us. Yielding to Him on any other basis will amount to our trying to live for Him in the self-life. Unacceptable. Only what the Lord does through us is accepted by the Father. Growth takes time and cannot be hurried and He keeps!

I am so thankful scripture teaches we are "kept" by His power. (Psalm 121, Daniel 9:4) There is such security in knowing we are His treasure and He delights to keep us. His love for us is immeasurable. Stop trying to live for Christ and trust Him to live through you (by faith) because the new nature, the Christ-life in you, is the only One God acknowledges. Christ is our life. This is our only ground on which to stand and from this platform we are to count ourselves dead to sin... and alive to God. (Romans 6) We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) and until we have done this there is nothing else we can do.

There is a reason for this order : Crucifixion comes before consecration.

(thoughts gleaned from NBtHH)


OT Kept; Keep: Strongs
8104" to hedge about as with thorns, to protect, to
attend to."

NT Keep: Strongs 5083
"to guard from loss or injury by keeping an eye upon,
hold fast"

Watchman Nee:
"Our sins were dealt with by the blood, we ourselves
are dealt with by the cross.The blood procures our pardon, the cross
procures deliverance from what we are in Adam. The blood can wash
away my sins, but it cannot wash away my old man: I need the cross to
crucify me- the sinner"

Psalm 145:20
The LORD keeps all who love Him,

Psalm 66:8-9
Bless our God, O people, And sound His praise abroad,
Who keeps us in life and does not allow our feet to slip.

I Peter 1:5
We are born again to) an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

"He Loves Us"

This is for all of you out there who love Jesus as much as I do. This link to the below song/video is INCREDIBLE. Raise your hands, fall on your knees - however you feel lead to worship your King, grab a tissue and enjoy! This is my new favorite song!! I've even included the lyrics for you.

,Brandi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

"He loves us"
by Kim Walker
RingtonesSend "How He Loves" Ringtone to your CellRingtones

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me

Oh how he loves us, so
Oh How he loves us, how he loves us so

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by Glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me

And oh, how he loves us so,
Oh how he loves us, how he loves us so

Yeah he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves


We are his portion and he is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So, heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

He loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves

Yeah, he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
He loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves us
Oh how he loves

"Awake, Deborahs, Awake!"

Jill Austin: "Awake, Deborahs, Awake! Part 1"
by Jill Austin
Oct 28, 2008

The Body of Christ is in a radical transition time due to the global shaking that is happening all over the world. The acceleration and advancement of radical Islam throughout the earth, the new surge of power with the Hamas, and the critical dangers that face Israel every single day will only be won on our knees.
Intimacy with God is the highest purpose for which we were created, but are we REALLY seeking His highest purpose for our lives? If we really understood God's love and heart for us, we'd be making radical choices to be with Him more than any other activity in life! If we had a revelation of His true jealousy to have uninterrupted time with us, we'd turn the world upside down like His disciples did!
But instead, we've been lulled to sleep or are enamored with the trinkets of life while missing the real treasures of God. Many believers are experiencing "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," so they're leaving the Church because they have no passion, no purpose, no power, and no sense of His presence, but they have no secret life in God either! Will it take a crisis to bring us into an intimate relationship with Jesus?
What was it about Deborah that caught His gaze? Her uncompromising dedication moved the very heart of God and He changed the very heart of Deborah. She spent SO much time in the temple in prayer and worship that she was dripping with oil. Because of that, she could hear the Lord's voice clearly, operate with keen discernment for the times and seasons she faced as well as her daily decisions with the people, and when the call to battle came, she was absolutely ready!
Deborah was being prepared for battle in the secret place! This is where the true victory lies in communing with Him one-on-one. That is our place of safety and truth!
It is time to stop talking about intimacy with God - it's time to REALLY do it!
Who Was Deborah?
Imagine a teenage girl being elected as Pope and single-handedly tearing down all the walls of division between Catholics and Protestants. Hard to even fathom that possibility isn't it? Now imagine a middle-aged, gray-haired, Jewish housewife and mother being raised up over 3,000 years ago to lead Israel in one of the most improbable military victories of history!
Allow me to introduce to you our unlikely candidate and heroine of the faith: Deborah. I have heard very little being taught about her. I always hear about Gideon, Samuel and some of the other judges, but when I studied Deborah, I fell in love with her. Deborah is very unique and a little controversial because she was a woman who held the highest executive office in the land of Canaan, or Israel, at the time.
An ancient Joan of Arc, Deborah appears in the sacred annals of Israel's history as the nation's fourth judge, the third woman prophetess (after Miriam and Rachel) and a deliverer of God's people. Deborah was in a class of her own; her leadership role was unprecedented and unparalleled! She was a woman who led a nation to victory against all odds. And she did this in a patriarchal era where there was no precedent for women leaders.
Cycles of Israel's Rebellion and Deliverance
The whole book of Judges covered approximately 325 years. After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Joshua and the elders died and the 12 tribes of Israel were separated in the land of Canaan. The tragic pattern of the Book of Judges is this: the people went into rebellion - they worshipped other gods and intermarried into pagan tribes.
The Lord brought judgment against them. They cried out to God for deliverance. The Lord would raise up a judge, there would be a battle, Israel would be delivered and peace would be on the land for a season. After the judge died, the people went back to rebellion and the Lord once again brought heavy oppression. This cycle happened six different times!
Gwen Shaw accurately pens in her book, Deborah and Jael:
"Their homes were raided and ransacked, their crops plundered, their maidens raped, their fathers mocked and their sons murdered. People could not walk in the highways anymore. They were locked up in their homes, and some even had to forsake their lands and dwellings because the enemy took possession of them. They lived in caves and dens. Their sheep and goats were stolen from them; their harvests were carried off as soon as they were reaped. They lost their olives, dates, figs, grapes, wheat, barley, and their pomegranates. This left them hungry, destitute, and desperate. They throw God out of their schools, laws, their hearts and lives, claiming they don't need Him. But when they are in trouble, they wonder where He is, and why He didn't save them and prevent tragedy."
The Lord is so jealous for each one of us to love Him and know Him. When we start to move away from Him, He allows evil kings to oppress us. The Word tells us that God is the one who appoints evil kings and magistrates, but He also raises up the godly judges and kings! Deborah was the fourth judge, and for the first 20 years of her 40-year reign, the nation was oppressed by one of history's most powerful and cruel Canaanite kings: Jabin, and his cunning military commander, Sisera (see Judges 4:1-4).
Deborah Captured the Gaze of God
What is astounding is that the Lord raised up a woman to deliver a nation! What is especially surprising is that it happened in the Middle East thousands of years ago! Deborah was not only a wife, mother, intercessor and prophetess, but also a judge and a national deliverer. This is not a bad resume for a middle-aged woman living in that oppressive Middle Eastern culture.
Against great odds, God used her powerfully. Deborah broke outside of her culture, but she wasn't in rebellion, she was in obedience - to her God. She was used radically and set her people free, and the people loved her. It's a wonderful story of faith in God, and it champions men and women partnering together in a war to save their nation from great oppression.
When we read about this radical prophetess and judge, it expands our theology of women being allowed to lead governmentally. But I really feel that God is raising up a company of end-time Deborahs. There is great global shaking that has only begun, and the Lord is calling not only the men, but also the women of God! The Lord is saying:
"Wake up, Deborah, be a part of the army of the Lord!"
God's eyes are searching to and fro over the earth looking for a heart that is fully His (see 2 Chronicles 16:9).
What caught His gaze when He came to Deborah? Was it the uncompromising fire of holiness, an unwavering faith, or an unrelenting love that set her apart? Was it something about the integrity of her character, the otherworldliness of her wisdom, and the richness of her kindness which bred confidence in both men and women?
There are two root words for "consecrate" in Hebrew: naver (separating from) and kadesh (separating unto). Deborah, like the other champions of the faith, was separated from the world and unto God. She did nothing on her own but spoke just what the Father taught her. This is where the true victory lies in listening to Him.


Jill Austin
Master Potter Ministries
Email: info@masterpotter.com

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

Anything can happen

Mark 9:23 (NIV)
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Mark 9:23 (The Message)
Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen."

God has been showing me lately that anything is possible with Him. To me, this means a little more than just "I can do all things with God." It means that things I didn't think were possible for me, things I thought I would never do, He is saying I can do. Lately God has been encouraging me to open my mind and my heart to His possibilities. Don't put Him in a box! He wants to do great, even unthinkable things in and through me that I never dreamed of. He wants me to step out of fear and trust Him to show me what I can really do, in Him.


Psalm 77:19 (New Living Translation)

"Your road led through the sea,your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!"

Think about this for a minute..........God already knows everything that will happen. So, if He already knew, in advance, that His chosen people would escape the Egyptian army, by Him parting the Red Sea and them walking right down the middle of it, we can conclude that He always knew that footpath was there. But, did they always know it was there? Do you think they ever dreamed that that would be the path God would lead them down to reach their freedom? Years before this, did they ever look at that sea and think, "One day, God will part this and I will be walking through it on dry land". Of course not!!

I believe it's the same way with us today. There may be a path, a road, a ministry that God wants us to enter into that He has known about forever, but we have just not yet seen it. He has not yet revealed it to us. It may be something that we, in our limited thinking, would never, ever dream of, for ourselves. God is saying, "Think big, because I'm big and anything can happen with me!"

Satisfy the needs of the oppressed

Isaiah 58:6-12 (New International Version)

6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

.......that the God of glory would use us!

Christ's willingness to empower us can overwhelm us. Simon Peter already knew Jesus possessed extraordinary power, but he felt the real impact of Christ's power when that authority worked through his own hands. Suddenly the fisherman fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8)

What blessed condescension that the God of glory would use us! What humility the realization should bring! Isaiah cried, "Woe to me!...I am ruined" (Isaiah 6:5). Peter cried, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8). Both men were overwhelmed, not just by what they had done. They were overwhelmed by what they were: sinful men. Do not miss the fact that neither was prepared to receive their call until they confronted their sin.

I've certainly never experienced an encounter like Isaiah's or Peter's, but I have assuredly faced moments of such stark realization of my own sin that I felt unbearable pain. Interestingly, those moments did not come during times of rebellion, but rather, they came during close encounters with God when I drew close enough to get an eyeful of myself.

I will never forget the realizations that brought me to surrender to the crucified life. Suddenly I realized that even if I could cease all sinful behavior, I would continue to battle sin throughout my life because I don't just commit sin. Apart from God, I am sinful. My problem is not just what I do; it's who I am without His nature.

Those realizations were both harrowing and liberating. The surrender resulting from the realization of my own innate unholiness did more to activate the holiness of God in me than anything I've ever experienced. How like God! Even our painful realizations of sinfulness are to mortify us to new life.

- Beth Moore, "Jesus the One and Only"

"The Baffling Call of God"

"The Baffling Call of God"

(Luke 18:31, 34)
"And all things that were written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished...And they (the disciples) understood none of these things."

If we are in communion with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, we shall no longer try to find out what His purposes are. As we go on in the Christian life it gets simpler, because we are less inclined to say - Now why did God allow this and that? Behind the whole thing lies the compelling of God. "There's a divinity that shapes our ends." A Christian is one who trusts the wits and the wisdom of God, and not his own wits. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the leisureliness which ought to characterize the children of God.

- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

The "Previous" grace of God

"Before David ever sinned with Bathsheba, God knew what would happen. Just as before God ever created the world, God knew Adam and Eve would sin. God knew death would enter the world through their sin, and in His grace God made provision for man's sin - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit had a plan for the redemption of mankind made in their image. Jesus would be the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world! Salvation has always been by grace, because God in all His holiness, righteousness, and justice is also a God of love, a God of grace. Where sin abounded, grace abounded even more. It's lavish, extravagant grace. It is previous grace! So shall we sin that more grace might come? God forbid! Grace is not a license to sin; rahter, it is power not to sin and love that covers it when we do."

- Kay Arthur

After grasping the astonishing concept of "previous grace" through the Bible Study, Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed - A Study of David, I was blown away! Had I ever stopped to think that God knew the sins I would commit, before I committed them. He knew every one and He already had grace in mind before I was ever born. He knew I would follow the rocky, bumpy, frustrating and at times, painful path of rebellion against Him for as long as I did. He prepared His grace for me, in advance of my sin! Is that love or what?!? No other love compares to this love! Nothing and no one could ever love me like this or ever forgive me like this. There is no one like God! I am especially thankful for the "previous grace" of my Heavenly Father!

Praise His Holy name, forever and ever!

Psalm 103 - I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Psalm 103

A David Psalm

1-2 O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I'll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
don't forget a single blessing!

3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you're always young in his presence.

6-18 God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
Men and women don't live very long;
like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
leaving nothing to show they were here.
God's love, though, is ever and always,
eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
as they follow his Covenant ways
and remember to do whatever he said.

19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
he rules over us all. He's the King!
So bless God, you angels,
ready and able to fly at his bidding,
quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

We are not at the end of our hope!

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (New Living Translation)

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you."

Paul's focus was not on the perishable container but on its priceless contents - God's power dwelling in us. Though we are weak, God uses us to spread His Good News, and He gives us power to do His work. Knowing that the power is His, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. Our responsibility is to let people see God through us. Paul reminds us that though we may think we are at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of our hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Christ has won the victory over death, we have eternal life. all our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate His power and presence in and through us. We must ask ourselves, "Could I handle the suffering and opposition that Paul did?" The success syndrome is a great enemy of effective ministry. From an earthly perspective, Paul was not very successful. Like Paul, we must carry out our ministry, looking to God for strength. When opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob you of the victory, remember that no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you.

- Life Application Study Bible (NIV) study notes

Isaiah 41:8-13

"But you, Israel, are my servant.
You're Jacob, my first choice,
descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

"Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
will end up out in the cold—
real losers.
Those who worked against you
will end up empty-handed—
nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
I'm right here to help you."

We can totally trust God to protect us. We can trust Him to do the things we would never have the power to do. When those kinds of things are actually done through us, while serving Him, that is the real miracle. We can trust God, period. (end of sentence.) Everything that we need, He provides! He loves us more than we could ever love Him! He is right here to help, we just need to ask!!

,Brandi

A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Thirsty anyone?

(John 4:13-14)
Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life."

Our mess - our ministry

"You cannot amputate your history from your destiny. Transparency is essential to your ministry." - Beth Moore

"Your mess can be your ministry." - Priscilla Shirer

Such wise words from such wise, God-following women.

In preparation for sharing my life story with others, I can see, on paper, just how messed up my life was before Jesus, just how poor my decision making was. Oh how thankful I am that He saved me from myself, that He redeemed me and restored my wasted years. Now, I have a story to tell and God is using my "mess" as my ministry. He can make something beautiful out of the ugliest things. He is amazing. He is Holy. He is my God!

,Amen

No eyes have seen, no ears have heard

We took a family vacation last weekend down to the coast. My children, (ages 3 and 5) had only been to the ocean once before, in Washington and Oregon where despite it's breathtaking beauty, the water is much too cold for "little Texans" to swim in. It is wonderful to look at, but a little more challenging to fully experience it. Considering that last beach trip had been two years ago, my kids had forgotten or just didn't realize the magnificence of experiencing, in person, one of God's most amazing creations, the ocean!

As we were approaching our destination, getting closer to the edge of dry land, Loren & Luke were getting oh so excited about seeing the bay and different little inlets of sea water. They kept saying, "it's the ocean, it's the ocean!" They were so excited about a very small piece of the actual gulf. They really thought that was where we were going, just to see those smaller inlets of water. It was not until we arrived at our condo, changed into our suits and set out for our first beach adventure that reality struck them. As we made our way over the boardwalk that lead out to the sandy beach, the path lead us up hill and then reached a point at the top where, at that moment, you can finally see the full view of the ocean waves in all their glory. As we walked up, and could hear the roar of the waves crashing, I could see the excitement building in them, although I could tell they still had no idea of truly what they were about to encounter. When we finally reached the full view of the ocean, their faces lit up like nothing I've ever seen. They both went absolutely nuts! They were squealing, "the waves, the waves!" and ran as fast as they could out to them. Nothing else mattered to them except getting to that water, as fast as they could!

At that moment, God spoke to my spirit. You see, my little children were getting so excited over something they thought was the final reward but it was only a preface to the grand plan that was really waiting for them. If they had simply settled for the smaller inlets and bay, they would have missed out on the brilliant beauty that lay just ahead and beyond in the ocean.

We are that way, aren't we? Don't we tend to "settle" for going through the motions of life, for what is most comfortable to us? Wouldn't it be worth it to take a little risk and go all the way, with God. He has a powerful, Holy Spirit-guided, adventure of a life awaiting us, if only we didn't stop, but kept moving toward Him, seeking true intimacy with Him and getting as close to the "real deal" as possible. Then, when we see His power, His glory, in all it's splendor, we can run toward Him, with all our might, just like my little children did, throwing off everything that bogs us down and jump right on in and thoroughly enjoy complete satisfaction that we can only find in His presence!

Job 42:10
"I had only heard about you before,but now I have seen you with my own eyes."

Come forth as gold

Job 23:10
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

This scripture, taken in context, has profound meaning. Job was tested in a way that is almost incomprehensible to us. He had it all and then God allowed it to all be taken away. Yet, through his tears and through his pain, he was still able to see God's hand in his life and still believe there was purpose behind his suffering. He was still able to praise God, his Father whom he trusted and loved!

We all have either experienced tough times, extremely difficult circumstances or know someone who has. After all, Jesus never said life would be easy. I am so thankful that even though we are put through the fire, it is so that we can come out as pure gold!

1 Peter 1:7
"These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Isaiah 48:10-11
"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another."

But, take heart because:

Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor."

A "kept" woman

I Am a 'Kept' Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go on no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Ps. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on,
the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall,
HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak,
HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

- author unknown

Chosen to believe

Isaiah 43:10 (New Living Translation)

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be."

You knit me together in my mother's womb.....

"There are accidental parents but there are no accidental babies." - Rob Campbell

Psalm 139:13-18

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Priorities

What my priorities should be...
1. Worship the Lord
2. Respect my husband
3. Train my children

What my life might look like any given day???
1. Worship my children
2. Train my husband
3. Respect the Lord


Very wise words from a wise woman and friend, Carrie Rogers. This is something worth pondering!

The Names of God

THE OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD:

ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1
meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.

ADONAI......Malachi 1:6
meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.

JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4
a reference to God's divine salvation.

JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13
meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"

JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1
meaning "The Lord my shepherd"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35
meaning "The Lord who is present"

JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26
meaning "The Lord our healer"

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6
meaning "The Lord our righteousness"

JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14
meaning "The Lord will provide"

JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15
meaning "The Lord our banner"

JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24
meaning "The Lord is peace"

JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3
meaning "The Lord of Hosts"

EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14
meaning "The most high God"

EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13
meaning "The strong one who sees"

EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1
meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"

EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31
meaning "The everlasting God"

Paths

This is a picture of the path I've been walking each morning to get back home after watching the sunrise with God. After my precious hour with Him, I look at that path and think how beautiful it looks to me. I walk away from my "spot in the woods" with my Father inspired and energized. I am reminded that I want Him to guide my path, always. I only want to walk down the road where He leads me. I reflect on the path I tried going down for years and years and how it always ended at one dead-end after another. It was a destructive way of life and I thank God daily that he spared me from so many terrible consequences! But finally, when God put a MAJOR roadblock in that old path and I realized the road I was on would never bring me to the destination I had always dreamed of, I made the best decision of my life and turned the other direction, the right direction and began following Jesus Christ, committing to pursue His purpose for my life. Of course I mess up up along the way, we all do. I am so thankful for His mercy which is new each day. As sure as the sun rises, He promises new mercy and new grace for us every day.

I am so thankful for the "wide path He has made for my feet to keep them from slipping (all the way off)." (2 Samual 22:37) I am thankful that His commands He places on me are not too heavy for His burden is light! He is the light for my path! When I stray away from His commands in disobedience, that is when I feel lost and alone. But thank the Lord, He is our own personal spiritual "GPS system". He will gently call us out and convict us when we begin to go down a wrong path. He loves us that much!

He is our Father, our Creator and He knows which path is best for us. He does not desire for us to stumble and fall, but to fall right into His arms where He will love us, take care of us and turn us facing the right direction, if only we will submit to His authority over our lives. I pray we will have the courage to trust Him, believe and receive His love!

"Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found." (Psalm 119:35)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong." (Hebrews 12:13)

Prayerful lives are powerful lives

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

"What victory the enemy has in winning us over to prayerlessness! He would rather we do anything than pray. He'd rather see us serve ourselves into the ground, because he knows we'll eventually grow resentful without prayer. He'd rather see us study the Bible into the wee hours of the morning, because he knows we'll never have deep understanding and power to live what we've learned without prayer. He knows prayerless lives are powerless lives, while prayerful lives are powerful lives!"

"Our strongest motivation will be the Person with Whom we walk. Staying so close to Him through constant communication, we receive a continual supply of strength to walk victoriously - in peace even as we walk through a war zone."

- Beth Moore, Breaking Free

In your strength I can crush an army!

2 Samuel 22

David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2 He sang:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
the one who saves me from violence.
4 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.

5 “The waves of death overwhelmed me;
floods of destruction swept over me.
6 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;
death laid a trap in my path.
7 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
yes, I cried to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
my cry reached his ears.

8 “Then the earth quaked and trembled.
The foundations of the heavens shook;
they quaked because of his anger.
9 Smoke poured from his nostrils;
fierce flames leaped from his mouth.
Glowing coals blazed forth from him.
10 He opened the heavens and came down;
dark storm clouds were beneath his feet.
11 Mounted on a mighty angelic being,[b] he flew,
soaring[c] on the wings of the wind.
12 He shrouded himself in darkness,
veiling his approach with dense rain clouds.
13 A great brightness shone around him,
and burning coals[d] blazed forth.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.
15 He shot arrows and scattered his enemies;
his lightning flashed, and they were confused.
16 Then at the command of the Lord,
at the blast of his breath,
the bottom of the sea could be seen,
and the foundations of the earth were laid bare.

17 “He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
19 They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,
but the Lord supported me.
20 He led me to a place of safety;
he rescued me because he delights in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me for doing right;
he restored me because of my innocence.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
I have not turned from my God to follow evil.
23 I have followed all his regulations;
I have never abandoned his decrees.
24 I am blameless before God;
I have kept myself from sin.
25 The Lord rewarded me for doing right.
He has seen my innocence.

26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful;
to those with integrity you show integrity.
27 To the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the wicked you show yourself hostile.
28 You rescue the humble,
but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.
29 O Lord, you are my lamp.
The Lord lights up my darkness.
30 In your strength I can crush an army;
with my God I can scale any wall.

31 “God’s way is perfect.
All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
32 For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
33 God is my strong fortress,
and he makes my way perfect.
34 He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
36 You have given me your shield of victory;
your help[e] has made me great.
37 You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.

38 “I chased my enemies and destroyed them;
I did not stop until they were conquered.
39 I consumed them;
I struck them down so they did not get up;
they fell beneath my feet.
40 You have armed me with strength for the battle;
you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
41 You placed my foot on their necks.
I have destroyed all who hated me.
42 They looked for help, but no one came to their rescue.
They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer.
43 I ground them as fine as the dust of the earth;
I trampled them[f] in the gutter like dirt.

44 “You gave me victory over my accusers.
You preserved me as the ruler over nations;
people I don’t even know now serve me.
45 Foreign nations cringe before me;
as soon as they hear of me, they submit.
46 They all lose their courage
and come trembling[g] from their strongholds.

47 “The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock!
May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!
48 He is the God who pays back those who harm me;
he brings down the nations under me
49 and delivers me from my enemies.
You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies;
you save me from violent opponents.
50 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.
51 You give great victories to your king;
you show unfailing love to your anointed,
to David and all his descendants forever.”

Let God pick out our clothes

Colossians 3:12-14 (The Message)
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic all-purpose garment. Never be without it."

I heard a very challenging sermon on this verse over the weekend. As I examine myself, I claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, yet can I honestly say that I "dress" the way this verse describes, every day? Just as I let my small children pick out their own clothes - their choices don't always match; I admit I'm the same way. When I try to dress myself, I don't always pick out the same clothes that God would pick for me. I settle for the worn out "comfy" outfit that I've kept putting on, time and again, all the while overlooking my closet full of beautiful clothes, especially tailored to fit me perfectly. If only I would reach out and pull them off the hanger and put them on.

I can't attain these "great outfits" on my own because my flesh gets in the way. That is why I must allow God to pick out my clothing of compassion, kindness, humility and most importantly love! It is the "basic all-purpose garment" that I can never be without. Without love, everything else serves no purpose - "like a noisy gong." (1 Corinthians 13:1)

"So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."
1 Corinthains 13:3

I thank you, God, that your word is sharper than a double-edged sword, exposing me for what I really am. It then gives me right path to take, I just have to choose to take it!

The hidden treasure within

"We shatter ourselves to bear fruit. The spirituality of Jesus reaches its peak on the cross. He broke his body on the cross to produce abundant fruit of salvation for all humankind.

The life we have from God is our hidden treasure. We who have accepted Jesus have this rich treasure deep within our hearts. It's eternal life; it reveals the character and power of God. How can we make this hidden life flow into the world? When our walls of self are shattered, this life in us pours out.

But when I say the self must be tamed and broken, I'm speaking of a hardened outer self that limits the life within. When we let ourselves be shattered, we bring God's hidden life into the open.

How can we shatter the outer walls that hold the life of God in check? How can we let the life of God flow free? One way is to deny ourselves. As the Lord said, "If you want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

- Joshua Choonmin Kang, Deep Rooted in Christ

David - a man after God's own heart!

I've been reading about David lately and it has been so wonderful. It's almost a realistic picture of truly one of God's children - the high points and the low points of David's life. The one constant is that David ALWAYS trusted God, always went back to Him, always sought God out in prayer in the "stronghold". He pleaded with God, he wrestled with God. He was truly a man after God's own heart. Oh how I'd love to be as faithful to God as David was. He worshiped God with all of his heart, people even thought he looked foolish doing it, dancing before the Lord and all, but he could have cared less. He just knew He was in love with his Father and he wanted to express that to Him. He loved His Lord!

As many victories as God provided for David, the man still screwed up, still gave into temptation, still sinned terribly, but when he did, he ran straight back into the arms of God in repentence. I believe David was so grateful to God because he knew His grace and forgiveness. He experienced it, first hand, for himself. And to think, David didn't even get to experience the grace and forgiveness of knowing Jesus Christ as his savior. Can you imagine how he would have worshiped then!?!? Wow!! I think his heart might have just exploded right out of his chest!!

God is speaking to David below, through the profit, Nathan. Note that vs. 11-14 are referring to Jesus! And this was written how many years before the birth of Christ?!?! Amazing!!

1 Chronicles 17:7-27 (New Living Translation)
7 “Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel. 8 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before your eyes. Now I will make your name as famous as anyone who has ever lived on the earth! 9 And I will provide a homeland for my people Israel, planting them in a secure place where they will never be disturbed. Evil nations won’t oppress them as they’ve done in the past, 10 starting from the time I appointed judges to rule my people Israel. And I will defeat all your enemies.
“‘Furthermore, I declare that the Lord will build a house for you—a dynasty of kings! 11 For when you die and join your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, one of your sons, and I will make his kingdom strong. 12 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for me. And I will secure his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my favor from him as I took it from the one who ruled before you. 14 I will confirm him as king over my house and my kingdom for all time, and his throne will be secure forever.’”

15 So Nathan went back to David and told him everything the Lord had said in this vision.
David’s Prayer of Thanks
16 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 17 And now, O God, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! You speak as though I were someone very great,[a] O Lord God!
18 “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. 19 For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known.
20 “O Lord, there is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you! 21 What other nation on earth is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out the nations that stood in their way. 22 You chose Israel to be your very own people forever, and you, O Lord, became their God.
23 “And now, O Lord, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. May it be a promise that will last forever. 24 And may your name be established and honored forever so that everyone will say, ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And may the house of your servant David continue before you forever.
25 “O my God, I have been bold enough to pray to you because you have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him—a dynasty of kings! 26 For you are God, O Lord. And you have promised these good things to your servant. 27 And now, it has pleased you to bless the house of your servant, so that it will continue forever before you. For when you grant a blessing, O Lord, it is an eternal blessing!”

May we be as grateful to God for His grace, mercy and love as David was. I sure hope I get to meet him in Heaven one day!

The Lord knows

"The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment."
2 Peter 2:9

"For He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."
Psalm 103:14

"Trust reverses the detours of adversity into highways of destiny." - Beth Moore, Esther

In my study of Esther, I am encouraged that we don't have to be responsible for the "how" in life. We are simply called to a life of trusting God, our Father. He knows how things will all shake out, he knows all!! It really all boils down to trust. Do we really trust God? Do we understand what trust means? Of course, I have failed in this area just like the rest of us, but I believe that God wants us to simply trust him!!He continues to remind me to be obedient, take my rightful place as his daughter and step out of his way so he can make the "how" happen.

Again, I reference my favorite quote from my pastor, Rob Campbell - "The greatest stress reliever of all time is that God is God and we are not!"

Amen!

A hug from God

Last week, my husband and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. Every year, we go out on a dinner date and then come home and watch our wedding video. Keep in mind, we got married in St. Lucia, on the beach at a Sandal's Resort. Needless to say, it was a short and sweet wedding and the video is only about 15 minutes long. The video ends with Tony and I dancing to a song at our "reception" there at the resort.

We decided this year to start a new tradition of watching the video with our children, as a family. They just loved it!! My daughter, Loren, is extremely imaginative and is always asking to try on my wedding dress and "act out" the wedding pictures she sees of mommy and daddy around the house. So, during the video, she put on my wedding dress and had little brother Luke put on Tony's "wedding" suit jacket that he also saved. They pretended like they were the bride and groom and did their wedding "dance." It was so precious to see them so excited to be a part of our wedding day. I can see that they totally "get it" already. Despite our every day short-comings as parents, our children are so secure in their family! They are so secure in our marriage and the love that Tony and I have for each other. At that sweet moment, I felt a huge "hug from God!" He just reminded me that in spite of the mistakes I made in my past, He has gifted me with a wonderful husband and marriage and absolutely beautiful children. I was overwhelmed with the fact that everything good we have, comes from Him, right down to the air we breathe!

Wow, thank you Lord that you love me that much!

2 Corinthians 9:15
"Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!"