The Greatest Gift of All 12/23/2011
 John 1:14 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Painting: Kissing the Face of God by Morgan Weistling Add Comment A Walk With Jesus 11/21/2011
 Today I got up early and went to take my walk with Jesus. While walking I pray, it's something I like to do out in the open under the big blue sky. This morning it happened to be a cloudy sky which could easily turn stormy. As I gave thanks for the air I was inhaling and exhaling and His beautiful painting in the sky, I prayed truly for the first time my thanks and understanding for my circumstances. Only God knows my lonliness, my love for Him, for my children, for all the years I've failed and tried again. You see, He was there through all of it. When I stumbled, sinned and was an unruly child of God before it occurred to me to grow up in Christ. He has been with me through the decades of the darkest times of my life and I have lived with the consequences of those actions, coping with the painful memories that I pray will desolve like snow some day. I dont want to hurt Jesus. As I walked, I asked forgiveness for the fact that I have done so little for Him. I am not one of those followers of christ that has gotten to help build a church, has had the opportunities to go on missions, or teach a bible study. Then God answered me and said this: "There are those with much faith who do little and there are those with little faith who do much. But I see the heart. There are those with much faith that do little with much love and there are those with little faith that do much who have little love." Dontcha just love when God answers? :) I thought about Paul from the bible and how he was imprisoned but accomplished much. He used what he had to help spread the Gospel. Thankfully, they gave him paper to write. It occurred to me, that I also had been given options. I had internet, used it over the years to build websites dedicated to God. I was encouraging and spreading the word of God to others on Facebook. God acknowledged that. I also realised that if God put's you in a "desert place" He's waiting to see what you will do while there. He wants to listen to His voice, grow closer to Him and grow in wisdom. Will you waste away and dry up? or will you choose to drink the water that Jesus gives? Jesus said: "Whoever drinks of the water that I give, will never thirst again. " John 4:14 If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38 Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life 11/08/2011
Did you know Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? Did you know He loves you and wants the best for you in every situation of your life? Below is John's writings of Jesus' compassion and his account of the resurrection of Lazerous. 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” 4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” 12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” 17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy 28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” 32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” I may be way off base when I read this passage but, I believe Jesus is so moved by Martha and Mary's faith and their suffering that He loved them greatly and mourned with them, knowing they had to go through this deep sadness, sharing in the greater purpose of glorifying Almighty God. The Lord is moved by our tears, by our distresses. We are His children, whom He created and loves dearly. It goes on to show us that Jesus is again moved when He comes to the tomb of Lazerous knowing fully He could have prevented Lazerous' death but would only do as the Father told Him, for His purpose, for the glory of the Father and for those who were witnessing this miracle to bring them to faith. 38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” I'm thankful for the Word of God, that He inspired man to write His words. To give those who werent there, an example that we too, believing in Messiah Jesus will also be resurrected when He calls our name. A joyous and wonderful hope to look forward to. I Must Decrease 11/06/2011
It's been said to me that where I am (literally a desert place) God has put me here to possibly learn patience. I've always thought myself to be a patient person, in fact people I've worked with and the patients I 've treated always said I had an incredible gift of patience. Now, I am pondering this comment, "Maybe God has put you there to learn patience." The last few years were the most difficult to say the least, to let go of the things I needed to, give in to and rely on God for many things. For a long time I didnt understand why God seemed to be abandoning me. I have come to realize that God was in control all the time taking my freedoms away; the money that was readily available to me, even my dearest friendships both godly and not. It hurt and I felt abandoned, He broke me, tested me, made me be still and listen to Him. I know now that God has prepared me for a greater purpose and a greater relationship where He will always come before me and will be in the midst of any decisions I make. Yes Lord, I've made many mistakes, many humbling wrongs and You have been there for all of them. Your love for me is beyond my understanding and I can never thank you enough for Your discipline and the time You have taken to purge, change me and restore my heart. You, my Savior and Lord must increase and I must decrease... Love Is More Than A Feeling 10/19/2011
The bible tells us that there is no love greater than to lay down your life for your friend. Those who serve in the Armed Forces are courageous examples of those who have fought and became wounded or lost their lives for those they love. Love is more than a feeling, words, or material gifts. Love is an action. It is a purposeful commitment to put another before oneself. It is to act selflessly. To hold someone else's welfare as more important than ourselves. "Love is costly. To forgive in love costs us our sense of justice. To serve in love costs us time. To share in love costs us money. Every act of love costs us in some way, just as it cost God to love us. But we are to live a life of love just as Christ loves us and gave Himself for us at great cost to Himself." -Jerry Bridges God proved His love on the cross. When Jesus hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you.'” -Billy Graham Love Is The Message 10/12/2011
Dont miss this, love is the key to the commandments. God is love (1 John 4:8) and good (Psalm 136:1) Just A Thought 10/03/2011
 I may not have alot of money or a 2000 square feet home to live in, but what I do have is worth far more than that. I may not be invited to go to parties or have a fine job that gives me recognition or power in this world, but what I do have gives me peace and stability. I may not be popular with the crowd for my beliefs but what I do have is someone who listens intently and patiently to my every word. I may not have done all the right things in my life but what I do have keeps me more grateful for each morning I wake and am allowed to breathe. What I have is worth far more than any worldly thing. I have the love and forgiveness of the King of the Universe, the Maker of all things. Ultra Orthodox Rabbi Reveals Name of Messiah 09/30/2011
Call to Wisdom 09/10/2011
What does the word pledge mean? Dictionary.com describes it this way: Noun: A solemn promise or undertaking. Verb: Commit (a person or organization) by a solemn promise A solemn promise is a vow. We make vows under God not to lie in a courtroom, we vow in the presence of and under God to remain faithful to our spouses when we wed. I find it disturbing that those same two words, which America was founded on, in America's Pledge of Allegiance are being taken out of my vow to commit to this country. The other day, a grandmother and I were talking about this very thing and she told me a child wrote a letter to God and asked "Why do you let bad things happen in my school? And God answered, "Because I'm not allowed in your school." Yeshua (Jesus) told us to be sensitive of others but also stand for what is right. Polititians promise change to get our votes, even to the detriment of the country. Still, individuals want to change the very foundation of what America stands for. Yeshua said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10) He goes on to say "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” John 10:10. Here is a great link that gives a teaching on this verse word by word: http://www.bible-knowledge.com/blog/index.php/2008/08/20/the-devil-has-a-plan-for-your-life/ We can instill values in our youth and take a stand for goodness before it's too late. And we can lean on the Father and put our lives in His loving hands. God warns us when we turn our backs in His Word: Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:25-33 Do we ever take a moment to look up? 09/08/2011
 I look around me and see wars, great earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, drought and so much more happening each week, all over the world. The most recent in Florida where a tornado, hurricane and an earthquake occured within days of each other. It's clear that God is moving and Luke 21:8-11 is speaking plainly. Yeshua (Jesus speaks) And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:8-11 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:25-28 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years Genesis 1:14 Click the link below for some interesting insights about what's happening in the heavens: http://inthatday.net/Watch/Elenin.html Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Luke 21:29-33 Luke 21:35 says that we should watch and always pray that we be counted worthy to escape these things so that we can stand before the Son of Man. Look up | Water Into Wine About Me
A follower of the Christ. A servant, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. The Lord's message of love is written all over my heart, this blog will reflect the love of Jesus in my heart and random thoughts in my life. Nothing fancy, just keepin it real.  ArchivesDecember 2011 Categories     |
