Whatever you are going through right now, good or bad, is happening right in the palm of God's hand! You are safe and loved.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Floodlight or Laser Pointer?
I awoke this morning from a dream that would not let me go. As I struggled with it and finally pulled my senses together I began to see how the dream was a reflection of fragments of my life right now. I was searching for someone that I loved but could not find them in the crowds. My anxiety and frustration mounted until I woke from it, yet, it kept trying to pull me back in.
As I layed there trying to process all of it I realized that I was looking at each issue with a laser pointer. Focused with an unconscious inner frenzy as to how to deal with each one. As I pondered and prayed, God began to unfold truths to my mind and I began to deal with the issues from a new perspective. In line with how God works in His wondrous ways, He had given me a visual experience earlier this week that He applied to my morning dilemma. When issues begin to surround us it is imperative not to give each one the mounting attention it does NOT deserve! God deserves our attention NOT "worrying".
Last week as My husband and I stood outside our home and looked at all the weeds that had consumed our property, we were overwhelmed! We are new to upstate NY and moved here from California a couple years ago. Things are done very differently here because of the four seasons, the amount of rain and the size of the properties. We went from a neighborhood to a seven acre home where 3/4ths of it needs to be maintained! Each year we've toiled to get this project manageable and we're getting closer but it is taking not only labor but a new mind-set to get on top of it.
As I was driving home last week I was talking to God and telling Him that we need a gardener/landscaper to help us. I asked Him to just let me see a crew working so I could pull over and get their information. It wasn't more that a minute after I said that and there was a crew and I pulled over. Two days later the owner showed up at our house to go over what needed to be done. Brian and I were expressing our feelings regarding weed encroachment and as we spoke you could see the frustration and anxiety rising in both of us. The landscaper began to talk and there was a peaceful, knowledgeable, quiet commanding way about him. He intelligently and systematically layed out a plan to get everything taken care of and told us what to do between his work days. He ended by saying, "Everything will be okay and it will all work out." After he left, Brian and I just looked at each other and said the same thing, "Wow! That guy was awesome! He just made us feel so at peace!"
We continued our discussion on the porch and my husband and I were amazed how someone who has knowledge and experience can settle the hearts of the anxious. Then, instantly (being the kind of person I am) my mind began to see all the metaphors in the situation and how God has a floodlight view of our lives. He sees all, while we tend to focus like a laser on encroaching problems and injustices. We get overwhelmed and frightened, while God is sure, just and all knowing!
The weeds in our yard are just one area in our life right now that feel out of control. There are some loved ones that are struggling and suffering with their own personal issues and our hearts are breaking for them. We are holding them up in intercessory prayer and on our knees fighting in Christ's name for their spiritual recovery. God gave us the weeds and the gardener to show us metaphorically how He is so intimately involved in our lives. We focus on the problems while God has a broad view of the solutions. If we look close enough, we can see Him in control and confident regarding our problems and needs.
The weeds represent the relational issues and problems in our lives. The gardener revealed God's character of wisdom, peace, trouble shooting skills, concern and love for His garden of souls. God speaks to us, "All will be well. I have a process. Rest in my promises." I could feel God telling me, just as the gardener did, to keep busy, pull weeds and work methodically while He does the heavy work of not just pulling weeds but making it so they can't take over again! (Weed cloth and thick mulch).
My dear friends, this is a sinful and tainted world where we must realize that there are vermin, pests and weeds that are relentless but we have a Master Gardener who they can not hide from. His Floodlight exposes them and He uses them to teach us lessons about many things. We must stop letting the enemy get us laser focused on the attacks as we stand in the shadow of despair and rather choose to be flooded by God's light and wisdom! God offers a broad view to us through scripture and communication through His Holy Spirit so that we can live in confidence and security that He is in control. We are to look at the One who calms the storms not the one who stirs up dissension!
May your weeds be few, your lessons many and may you choose to walk in God's warm light rather than the shadows of worry.
Psalm 27:1-3, The Lord is my light and the One who saves me! Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life! Of whom should I be afraid?
As I layed there trying to process all of it I realized that I was looking at each issue with a laser pointer. Focused with an unconscious inner frenzy as to how to deal with each one. As I pondered and prayed, God began to unfold truths to my mind and I began to deal with the issues from a new perspective. In line with how God works in His wondrous ways, He had given me a visual experience earlier this week that He applied to my morning dilemma. When issues begin to surround us it is imperative not to give each one the mounting attention it does NOT deserve! God deserves our attention NOT "worrying".
Last week as My husband and I stood outside our home and looked at all the weeds that had consumed our property, we were overwhelmed! We are new to upstate NY and moved here from California a couple years ago. Things are done very differently here because of the four seasons, the amount of rain and the size of the properties. We went from a neighborhood to a seven acre home where 3/4ths of it needs to be maintained! Each year we've toiled to get this project manageable and we're getting closer but it is taking not only labor but a new mind-set to get on top of it.
As I was driving home last week I was talking to God and telling Him that we need a gardener/landscaper to help us. I asked Him to just let me see a crew working so I could pull over and get their information. It wasn't more that a minute after I said that and there was a crew and I pulled over. Two days later the owner showed up at our house to go over what needed to be done. Brian and I were expressing our feelings regarding weed encroachment and as we spoke you could see the frustration and anxiety rising in both of us. The landscaper began to talk and there was a peaceful, knowledgeable, quiet commanding way about him. He intelligently and systematically layed out a plan to get everything taken care of and told us what to do between his work days. He ended by saying, "Everything will be okay and it will all work out." After he left, Brian and I just looked at each other and said the same thing, "Wow! That guy was awesome! He just made us feel so at peace!"
We continued our discussion on the porch and my husband and I were amazed how someone who has knowledge and experience can settle the hearts of the anxious. Then, instantly (being the kind of person I am) my mind began to see all the metaphors in the situation and how God has a floodlight view of our lives. He sees all, while we tend to focus like a laser on encroaching problems and injustices. We get overwhelmed and frightened, while God is sure, just and all knowing!
The weeds in our yard are just one area in our life right now that feel out of control. There are some loved ones that are struggling and suffering with their own personal issues and our hearts are breaking for them. We are holding them up in intercessory prayer and on our knees fighting in Christ's name for their spiritual recovery. God gave us the weeds and the gardener to show us metaphorically how He is so intimately involved in our lives. We focus on the problems while God has a broad view of the solutions. If we look close enough, we can see Him in control and confident regarding our problems and needs.
The weeds represent the relational issues and problems in our lives. The gardener revealed God's character of wisdom, peace, trouble shooting skills, concern and love for His garden of souls. God speaks to us, "All will be well. I have a process. Rest in my promises." I could feel God telling me, just as the gardener did, to keep busy, pull weeds and work methodically while He does the heavy work of not just pulling weeds but making it so they can't take over again! (Weed cloth and thick mulch).
My dear friends, this is a sinful and tainted world where we must realize that there are vermin, pests and weeds that are relentless but we have a Master Gardener who they can not hide from. His Floodlight exposes them and He uses them to teach us lessons about many things. We must stop letting the enemy get us laser focused on the attacks as we stand in the shadow of despair and rather choose to be flooded by God's light and wisdom! God offers a broad view to us through scripture and communication through His Holy Spirit so that we can live in confidence and security that He is in control. We are to look at the One who calms the storms not the one who stirs up dissension!
May your weeds be few, your lessons many and may you choose to walk in God's warm light rather than the shadows of worry.
Psalm 27:1-3, The Lord is my light and the One who saves me! Whom should I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life! Of whom should I be afraid?
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Fight, Flight or Love
There have been some issues happening in my life lately that have been making me take a closer look at my heart. Not just my heart but the hearts of others too. These thoughts began coming together yesterday as I viewed a video on Facebook of an out of control woman who freaked out because she couldn't get her chicken McNuggets! Her reaction to the failed request was to fight! Yet, the cashiers response was to protect herself and the managers reaction was to call for assistance. The entire scene made me see so clearly that each of us, depending on the conditions and the posture of our hearts, can be stirred to some level of disturbance and reaction.
What is the condition of our heart? When attacked verbally do we fight back, flee or love? Fighting back is a figurative punch to the opponent to defend our self and to gain the upper hand. We shoot our attacks and feelings of injustice like bullets at their heart. Most likely they are shooting back in order to obtain some control in the confrontation. The heat of the moment becomes a battlefield where all bets are off. Every unspoken feeling is now ammunition in the fight for power. Both have taken the gloves off and damage is the only result!
In another battle strategy, there will be the fighter and then the one who flees. The more aggressive of the two is usually the one being driven by angry or insecure emotions. They will overpower with aggressive gestures that make them look larger. Their voice will take on a tone of mean-spirited sarcasm and they will hurl accusations of blame. They roar so that their victim will cower and be rendered unable to protect themselves. Their sentences begin with words like, "My!", "Mine!", "I, I, I...", "You did...", "You said..." This technique is like a bull kicking up dust, the bullish person creates such a confusing dust storm that they do all the lambasting and then abruptly exit the encounter so as to not have to hear any criticisms of them self.
Passive aggressiveness is another battle plan where someone will punish others with non-aggressive techniques. These actions cause discomfort or pain to their target but allows the agitator to say things such as, "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything." They reap a sadistic pleasure from toying with their enemy. They believe they can escape any accountability with false naivety. They control those around them with an invisible switch and it's a most effective tool because it keeps the affected one quite confused.
Another tactic is the fight of the co-dependant. They have an internal delight that someone even cares enough for them to engage them in their life and drama. They live for the attention so they feed the negative behavior. Their fight is usually one of appeasement and they will keep the nonsense going just so they have a purpose.
The fifth example is the drama king or queen. They carry a legacy as far back as childhood as being the squeaky wheel in the family. They turn everything into drama and discord which in turn puts all energy and attention on them. Not good energy but negative, destructive and exhausting energy that saps the entire family. These people become indignant that anyone could have the audacity to challenge their demands and feelings! They seem to have this rebellion in their DNA and bring it along as their companion through life. It affects every relationship and situation with unrelenting issues of how others are to blame for everything bad in their life. No one can ever please them and they are not happy until they have stirred the pot with their entitlement.
Then, there is the rarest of all opponents which is the one who loves their enemies. That is the hardest of positions to take because it requires humility and surrender to the God that must work His love through them. This person takes very seriously the command from God, to love their neighbor as them self. This is not a doormat type of person. In a mature state, this type of person sees the pain and hurt in their accuser and chooses to love their brokenness and see them for who they could be. The one who loves has maturity, boundaries, patience, humility and wisdom. They still feel the pain of the attack but they are not ruled by their emotions. They feel for the accuser and desire better for them. There is a sincere plea and intercession put before God for them and their healing.
No one enjoys criticism because it's painful and exposing. It requires humility, change and growth which are things most people run from. I have been all of these types throughout my life. In retrospect I see the times when I was an aggressive fighter as periods in my life when I was frightened and trying to protect my vulnerable heart. Praise God for people who were lovers that cared for me, were honest with me, prayed for me and had the patience to teach me new ways! I took their honest assessment of some of my behaviors and surrendered that pain and truth before God and He changed me. It hurt and it was hard at first but I would not change that process.
The years I fled from attacks were years when I was so broken that any harsh gesture would have crush me into a million pieces! Although fleeing isn't the answer either, it was better than being aggressive and mean. It gave me a new perspective and I was able to see this whole issue from many other vantage points. Perspective and insight coupled with humility and God's love gave me the fighting chance I needed to become less of the old me and more of the new me! I'm growing from the weak mindset of being a victim into a new paradigm of being a woman of God!
My friends, whatever we speak and act like is an over-flow from our hearts. It is a heart change that we need in order to grow and only a willing and teachable heart can facilitate that. We will all flow in and out of our different reactions throughout our life but our goal should be to grow in a desire to be more Christ-like. How beautiful His character is and His expressions of love toward us even when we're acting ugly. Changing something little and small is better than not changing anything at all. Each repentance, forgiveness, act of love makes us more like Him. My goal has always been to do my old behaviors less and with less intensity. God has been very faithful to take my old character when I offer it to Him and replace it with His character of love. We will never be perfect, that's why we need grace and mercy and most importantly LOVE.
Romans 12:9-10, Be sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good. Love each other as Christian brothers and sisters. Show respect for each other.
1 John 4:7-8, Dear friends, let us love each other because love comes from God. Those who love are God's children and they know God. Those who do not love do not know God because God is love.
1 John 4:11, If God loved us that much, then we should love each other.
Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Lord Jesus, Reveal to our hearts, YOU, and the deep love that happened at the cross. Only that revelation can make us see how silly we are at times. Change us, reveal, heal and redeem us! Give us hearts to love and wisdom to deal. Amen.
What is the condition of our heart? When attacked verbally do we fight back, flee or love? Fighting back is a figurative punch to the opponent to defend our self and to gain the upper hand. We shoot our attacks and feelings of injustice like bullets at their heart. Most likely they are shooting back in order to obtain some control in the confrontation. The heat of the moment becomes a battlefield where all bets are off. Every unspoken feeling is now ammunition in the fight for power. Both have taken the gloves off and damage is the only result!
In another battle strategy, there will be the fighter and then the one who flees. The more aggressive of the two is usually the one being driven by angry or insecure emotions. They will overpower with aggressive gestures that make them look larger. Their voice will take on a tone of mean-spirited sarcasm and they will hurl accusations of blame. They roar so that their victim will cower and be rendered unable to protect themselves. Their sentences begin with words like, "My!", "Mine!", "I, I, I...", "You did...", "You said..." This technique is like a bull kicking up dust, the bullish person creates such a confusing dust storm that they do all the lambasting and then abruptly exit the encounter so as to not have to hear any criticisms of them self.
Passive aggressiveness is another battle plan where someone will punish others with non-aggressive techniques. These actions cause discomfort or pain to their target but allows the agitator to say things such as, "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't do anything." They reap a sadistic pleasure from toying with their enemy. They believe they can escape any accountability with false naivety. They control those around them with an invisible switch and it's a most effective tool because it keeps the affected one quite confused.
Another tactic is the fight of the co-dependant. They have an internal delight that someone even cares enough for them to engage them in their life and drama. They live for the attention so they feed the negative behavior. Their fight is usually one of appeasement and they will keep the nonsense going just so they have a purpose.
The fifth example is the drama king or queen. They carry a legacy as far back as childhood as being the squeaky wheel in the family. They turn everything into drama and discord which in turn puts all energy and attention on them. Not good energy but negative, destructive and exhausting energy that saps the entire family. These people become indignant that anyone could have the audacity to challenge their demands and feelings! They seem to have this rebellion in their DNA and bring it along as their companion through life. It affects every relationship and situation with unrelenting issues of how others are to blame for everything bad in their life. No one can ever please them and they are not happy until they have stirred the pot with their entitlement.
Then, there is the rarest of all opponents which is the one who loves their enemies. That is the hardest of positions to take because it requires humility and surrender to the God that must work His love through them. This person takes very seriously the command from God, to love their neighbor as them self. This is not a doormat type of person. In a mature state, this type of person sees the pain and hurt in their accuser and chooses to love their brokenness and see them for who they could be. The one who loves has maturity, boundaries, patience, humility and wisdom. They still feel the pain of the attack but they are not ruled by their emotions. They feel for the accuser and desire better for them. There is a sincere plea and intercession put before God for them and their healing.
No one enjoys criticism because it's painful and exposing. It requires humility, change and growth which are things most people run from. I have been all of these types throughout my life. In retrospect I see the times when I was an aggressive fighter as periods in my life when I was frightened and trying to protect my vulnerable heart. Praise God for people who were lovers that cared for me, were honest with me, prayed for me and had the patience to teach me new ways! I took their honest assessment of some of my behaviors and surrendered that pain and truth before God and He changed me. It hurt and it was hard at first but I would not change that process.
The years I fled from attacks were years when I was so broken that any harsh gesture would have crush me into a million pieces! Although fleeing isn't the answer either, it was better than being aggressive and mean. It gave me a new perspective and I was able to see this whole issue from many other vantage points. Perspective and insight coupled with humility and God's love gave me the fighting chance I needed to become less of the old me and more of the new me! I'm growing from the weak mindset of being a victim into a new paradigm of being a woman of God!
My friends, whatever we speak and act like is an over-flow from our hearts. It is a heart change that we need in order to grow and only a willing and teachable heart can facilitate that. We will all flow in and out of our different reactions throughout our life but our goal should be to grow in a desire to be more Christ-like. How beautiful His character is and His expressions of love toward us even when we're acting ugly. Changing something little and small is better than not changing anything at all. Each repentance, forgiveness, act of love makes us more like Him. My goal has always been to do my old behaviors less and with less intensity. God has been very faithful to take my old character when I offer it to Him and replace it with His character of love. We will never be perfect, that's why we need grace and mercy and most importantly LOVE.
Romans 12:9-10, Be sure your love is true love. Hate what is sinful. Hold on to whatever is good. Love each other as Christian brothers and sisters. Show respect for each other.
1 John 4:7-8, Dear friends, let us love each other because love comes from God. Those who love are God's children and they know God. Those who do not love do not know God because God is love.
1 John 4:11, If God loved us that much, then we should love each other.
Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Lord Jesus, Reveal to our hearts, YOU, and the deep love that happened at the cross. Only that revelation can make us see how silly we are at times. Change us, reveal, heal and redeem us! Give us hearts to love and wisdom to deal. Amen.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Daughter of the King
Poetry by Dee Armes- Hartmann
Wings Hang Low
Oh, little psalm angel, sitting in my garden faire, always reminding me, how much our Father cares! Tho, there are times when sorrow rains down and the clouds gather dark, our Father never leaves us, for He is in our heart! We have learned to cry, yet then rejoice, just as the Psalmist did in past, knowing that our storm will not last. That's the secret we daughters must know, that He is still with us, even when our wings hang low.
Daughter of the King
I took my eyes off Heaven, fell and broke my wing, trapped inside a thorney bush, the lies began to sting.
You're of no use anymore with that broken wing. Who could bear to look at you or need you for anything.
Tears burned my cheeks as my soul became cold. The One who loved me would never say such things so I sang till my prayers were bold!
His heart revealed like lighting, brought forth to me the proof. He said, "There's nothing here distorted, except the lack of truth!
The vines of lies reached up, an attempt to pull me back. But, Heavens song annointed me, lying vines had lost their grip.
In my mind epiphany, God's Spirit brought to me. Even with a broken wing, I'm still the Daughter of the King!
Wings Hang Low
Oh, little psalm angel, sitting in my garden faire, always reminding me, how much our Father cares! Tho, there are times when sorrow rains down and the clouds gather dark, our Father never leaves us, for He is in our heart! We have learned to cry, yet then rejoice, just as the Psalmist did in past, knowing that our storm will not last. That's the secret we daughters must know, that He is still with us, even when our wings hang low.
Daughter of the King
I took my eyes off Heaven, fell and broke my wing, trapped inside a thorney bush, the lies began to sting.
You're of no use anymore with that broken wing. Who could bear to look at you or need you for anything.
Tears burned my cheeks as my soul became cold. The One who loved me would never say such things so I sang till my prayers were bold!
His heart revealed like lighting, brought forth to me the proof. He said, "There's nothing here distorted, except the lack of truth!
The vines of lies reached up, an attempt to pull me back. But, Heavens song annointed me, lying vines had lost their grip.
In my mind epiphany, God's Spirit brought to me. Even with a broken wing, I'm still the Daughter of the King!
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
If You Got It, He Gave It
John 15:13, There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend.
Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times...
The theme that God has been revealing in my life lately is, remembrance. Laying upon my heart to recall His goodness, faithfulness, kindness... Along side this is also the thoughts of how blessed I've been with wonderful friends. From my husband to the stranger who prayed over me when I was sick to my long-time dear friends and including my new-found kindred spirits! What a blessing it is to be loved, thought-of and cared for!
Friendship is not an entity to itself, it's a reflection in every aspect. Without God's love which is ever-present there would be no fruits of love in any one's life. Many people who are unbelievers think that their goodness, thoughtfulness and love is enough. yet, they don't realize that any love or fruit of love they have is a gift from our Father in Heaven. It comes not from their hearts but flow from His. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in this world that blesses us with God's grace and mercy. Apart from the heart of God, none of us would even know love.
I saw a bumper sticker once that read, "If you have it, then a truck brought it." The more I thought about it I was profoundly hit how true that is! Products are shipped all over the world but it is the trucks that bring EVERYTHING to the stores! The same goes for love, "If you have it, then God brought it to you." The book of John says, "In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. (The Word is Jesus). Through Him God made all things; not one thing in creation was made without Him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out." That scripture confirms that whatever love we have to give comes from God.
Can there be good friends who do not know God as their Savior? Of course people can love and serve with beautiful hearts while not knowing Christ as their Savior. They are gracious, generous, loving people that God uses in this world to serve others in need. The only difference between a secular servant and an anointed servant is that one has eternal salvation and the other hasn't recognized Christ as their life-flow and Savior. One knows where their source of love comes from and the other believes they are the source. One gives all the glory to God and the other coddles the recognition.
I know no other joy as over-whelming as someone who cares for and serves someone in need! Praise be to God for these precious souls that express tenderness and put their love into action. They share their time, resources, energy and talents in acts of sacrificial service. My old pastor used to call them "Jesus with skin on." What a beautiful thought! That we can surrender our selfish desires and let the God of all creation move us to love and serve as He did when He walked the earth!
I have had the extreme privilege to have become a part of a group of women recently that are the epitome of Christ's love in action! I am overwhelmed by their commitments to let God flow freely through them in all area's of their lives! I also have the honor of having a couple women in my life that are tremendous friends who love with an unwavering grace! Their unconditional love has touched me and I can't imagine life without them. Imagine a world with no love, no tenderness or kindness. Being loved is a gift that each of us should shout praise for daily!
Being moved to remembrance not only fills our spirit, soul, body and mind with reminders and memories of love that was shown to us. It gives us hope in lonely times, courage when we are unable and strength to go on. Recalling the kindnesses of servant-hearted people warms our hearts, comforts our minds, settles our souls and lifts our spirits! Knowing that God sent us such sweet souls to comfort and help us in our times of need reminds us that He will send them again. He knows when we need arms to hold us, eyes to understand and hands to serve and His grace will always provide!
I encourage you to remember a few times in your life when God's grace overwhelmed you because He sent His love to you through a friend. Then smile and give God thanks.
Luke 10:27, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself."
Psalm 77:11, I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago!
Proverbs 17:17, A friend loves at all times...
The theme that God has been revealing in my life lately is, remembrance. Laying upon my heart to recall His goodness, faithfulness, kindness... Along side this is also the thoughts of how blessed I've been with wonderful friends. From my husband to the stranger who prayed over me when I was sick to my long-time dear friends and including my new-found kindred spirits! What a blessing it is to be loved, thought-of and cared for!
Friendship is not an entity to itself, it's a reflection in every aspect. Without God's love which is ever-present there would be no fruits of love in any one's life. Many people who are unbelievers think that their goodness, thoughtfulness and love is enough. yet, they don't realize that any love or fruit of love they have is a gift from our Father in Heaven. It comes not from their hearts but flow from His. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in this world that blesses us with God's grace and mercy. Apart from the heart of God, none of us would even know love.
I saw a bumper sticker once that read, "If you have it, then a truck brought it." The more I thought about it I was profoundly hit how true that is! Products are shipped all over the world but it is the trucks that bring EVERYTHING to the stores! The same goes for love, "If you have it, then God brought it to you." The book of John says, "In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. (The Word is Jesus). Through Him God made all things; not one thing in creation was made without Him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out." That scripture confirms that whatever love we have to give comes from God.
Can there be good friends who do not know God as their Savior? Of course people can love and serve with beautiful hearts while not knowing Christ as their Savior. They are gracious, generous, loving people that God uses in this world to serve others in need. The only difference between a secular servant and an anointed servant is that one has eternal salvation and the other hasn't recognized Christ as their life-flow and Savior. One knows where their source of love comes from and the other believes they are the source. One gives all the glory to God and the other coddles the recognition.
I know no other joy as over-whelming as someone who cares for and serves someone in need! Praise be to God for these precious souls that express tenderness and put their love into action. They share their time, resources, energy and talents in acts of sacrificial service. My old pastor used to call them "Jesus with skin on." What a beautiful thought! That we can surrender our selfish desires and let the God of all creation move us to love and serve as He did when He walked the earth!
I have had the extreme privilege to have become a part of a group of women recently that are the epitome of Christ's love in action! I am overwhelmed by their commitments to let God flow freely through them in all area's of their lives! I also have the honor of having a couple women in my life that are tremendous friends who love with an unwavering grace! Their unconditional love has touched me and I can't imagine life without them. Imagine a world with no love, no tenderness or kindness. Being loved is a gift that each of us should shout praise for daily!
Being moved to remembrance not only fills our spirit, soul, body and mind with reminders and memories of love that was shown to us. It gives us hope in lonely times, courage when we are unable and strength to go on. Recalling the kindnesses of servant-hearted people warms our hearts, comforts our minds, settles our souls and lifts our spirits! Knowing that God sent us such sweet souls to comfort and help us in our times of need reminds us that He will send them again. He knows when we need arms to hold us, eyes to understand and hands to serve and His grace will always provide!
I encourage you to remember a few times in your life when God's grace overwhelmed you because He sent His love to you through a friend. Then smile and give God thanks.
Luke 10:27, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself."
Psalm 77:11, I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago!
Monday, May 4, 2015
Seek and You Will Find
I am so grateful for the sweet souls that seek out God's messages through my writings. The bible tells us to ask, knock and seek (Matthew 7:7), and if we do, we will find Him! I can't help but be joyful in knowing that you are being blessed in so many ways because you stayed attached to the Vine, which is Christ our Lord! The days I don't seek Him out, I later look back on as days I didn't receive the gifts He wanted me to have! What a terrible loss. So, blessings and peace to you who follow Him closely and receive all His goodness! Remain in Him and He shall remain in you! Read the Gospel of John 15:1-17. He is the Vine, we are the branches, apart from Him we can do nothing.
In line with today's title, I would like to ask, "Where are my lemons Lord!" Last December I was decorating my back porch and as I put out the Christmas decorations I took these twenty or so fake lemons out of a wire basket and put them somewhere till I needed them for Spring. Well, Spring is here and I cannot for the life of me find those lemons! I feel like I've looked everywhere! I know God is talking about seeking "Him" in the above scripture but I am convinced that He knows where those lemons are! If He knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7), then He certainly is aware of their hiding place. My focus today has been on lemons, yet, the truth is, I need to focus on God!
There have been many times that God has blessed me with His gestures of love by revealing some lost item, sending a beautiful bird to my window sill, the phone rings and it's a dear friend or maybe a rainbow shoots across the sky when life felt stormy. The true lesson here is this, if we seek Him first then, we have all we need. Jesus is all we need. He promised that if we seek Him first He will take care of the rest. So, instead of looking around for some thing in our life, let's look unto Him, The Author and Perfecter of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2). The enemy wants us focused on anything but God and whatever we as people choose to focus on, there will always be a result to that choice. Choose material things or earthly circumstances and most likely frustration will be there to accompany them. Something will break or get lost, we'll be put on hold to long or we may bump another car ( which happened to me yesterday). Choose to focus on Jesus and I can promise you will have a heart and mind filled with hope! You will begin to see Him in everything and you will begin to choose him over busyness which will lead to more peace. Putting this into action is not easy but it's neccessary in order to have joy.
Matthew 6:21, But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So often we get distracted and obsessed by things of this world. The enemy loves when he gets our eyes off Jesus! Christ calls us to come to Him and while we either slumber in His lap or keep busy in His service, He works everything out (Romans 8:28) in His perfect timing. I know this because EVERY TIME I choose Jesus, the frustration disipates and His peace covers and fills me! (I'm smiling right now :) Thank you Lord.
In line with today's title, I would like to ask, "Where are my lemons Lord!" Last December I was decorating my back porch and as I put out the Christmas decorations I took these twenty or so fake lemons out of a wire basket and put them somewhere till I needed them for Spring. Well, Spring is here and I cannot for the life of me find those lemons! I feel like I've looked everywhere! I know God is talking about seeking "Him" in the above scripture but I am convinced that He knows where those lemons are! If He knows the number of hairs on my head (Luke 12:7), then He certainly is aware of their hiding place. My focus today has been on lemons, yet, the truth is, I need to focus on God!
There have been many times that God has blessed me with His gestures of love by revealing some lost item, sending a beautiful bird to my window sill, the phone rings and it's a dear friend or maybe a rainbow shoots across the sky when life felt stormy. The true lesson here is this, if we seek Him first then, we have all we need. Jesus is all we need. He promised that if we seek Him first He will take care of the rest. So, instead of looking around for some thing in our life, let's look unto Him, The Author and Perfecter of our faith! (Hebrews 12:2). The enemy wants us focused on anything but God and whatever we as people choose to focus on, there will always be a result to that choice. Choose material things or earthly circumstances and most likely frustration will be there to accompany them. Something will break or get lost, we'll be put on hold to long or we may bump another car ( which happened to me yesterday). Choose to focus on Jesus and I can promise you will have a heart and mind filled with hope! You will begin to see Him in everything and you will begin to choose him over busyness which will lead to more peace. Putting this into action is not easy but it's neccessary in order to have joy.
Matthew 6:21, But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So often we get distracted and obsessed by things of this world. The enemy loves when he gets our eyes off Jesus! Christ calls us to come to Him and while we either slumber in His lap or keep busy in His service, He works everything out (Romans 8:28) in His perfect timing. I know this because EVERY TIME I choose Jesus, the frustration disipates and His peace covers and fills me! (I'm smiling right now :) Thank you Lord.
Don't let the enemy get your eyes off Jesus. Why look for lemons when you can find your Lord.
Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added to you."
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