Posted on

He is our Everything

Isaiah 9: 6 (AMP) For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I want to encourage you to you are and not try to be someone’s everything. First, I want to show you who Jesus is.

Wonderful Counselor: A king’s wisdom often came from the counselors they surrounded themselves with. A wise ruler knows they can’t possibly know everything, so they rely on trusted advisors for guidance. But Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor—His wisdom is perfect. He never made a mistake, never had to guess the right path. His way is always flawless.

Mighty God: He had the ability to carry out the perfect plan. Christ’s authority is everlasting, and He reigns as Lord over all creation.

John 1:1-4 (AMP) In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

Yet, He became a man, just as human as you and I.

Everlasting Father: This isn’t about the first person of the Trinity. Jesus is like a perfect father to His people, bringing us into His family and holding us forever. “Everlasting” doesn’t just mean eternal—it speaks to the never-ending care He has for us. There will never be a moment or a single day when the Lord of creation doesn’t love you. He is, in every way, a perfect father.

Prince of Peace: Sin ruined so much for us, but Jesus was the only one who could end the separation between us and God. He bridged the gap, taking our place for the sins we committed. He loved us enough to willingly make that sacrifice, despite our flaws. True peace and prosperity don’t come from personal achievements or setting goals to become a better person next year—they come from fully embracing Christ.

Without Jesus, having everything still means we have nothing.

John 15:5 (AMP) I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

I have been meditating on Jesus being our everything. Then this revelation came to me: I am somebody. He is our Everything. When the somebody tries to take the role of our Everything we are out of order and chaos enters our lives. This is when we open the door for offense, resentment and strife. It is when I am content with being a somebody that I am full of joy and then I can offer others grace, mercy, forgiveness and even peace.

I am meant to be a branch, not someone else’s’ root. He is our Everything. When we stop trying to be everything then our Prince of Peace can take his rightful place in our hearts. Strongholds can be broken. I do not have to go through the cycles of happy, disappointment, depression and resentment. My joy is found in the Lord. Insecurities flee and I am content in being a someone not their everything.

This Christmas remember He is our Savior and you are not. Us being a someone should point others to the One who was, is and always will be our Everything. Take a step back and reflect on the why you are doing something. Who are we reflecting? Will this glorify God? I am praying for you.

God, our Creator, You are wonderful and holy, worthy of eternal glory and honor. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Marvelous Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter, and for Your Word that helps us know You more. We repent for trying to take the place of savior in others’ lives and making everything revolve around our own happiness. You are our Everything. Shape our hearts to align with Your vision and plan and help us surrender to the roles You’ve truly called us to, as ministers of reconciliation. You alone deserve all glory and honor, and You are enthroned as the most important in our lives. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted on

Preparation

Ephesians 6:15 (AMP) and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 

Preparation is something that we take for granted these days, especially in world where we do not like to wait. How about a world where everything revolves around self? I am a woman that likes to be prepared. Do you know when I prepare for birthdays and Christmas? Right after the last one ends. I know they will be coming around the same time every year. I am not in the stores right now looking for wrapping paper. I bought enough for my family and probably yours when it all went on sale right after Christmas.

Today I had a sweet mom and her two kids over to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I have learned that I need to prepare when have littles over my house now. My boys are eighteen and twenty-one, so my home is no longer set up for babies and toddlers. One of the things I did, other than put items away, was I baked ahead of time half of the cookies we were going to decorate. The waiting is the hardest part when they are that young. I spent my morning preparing for them. I had them in mind when I set up my living room.

The preparation of the cookies was not just for my gifts to others; it was also a way for them to gift people as well. We made enough to share. That took preparation. I planned on them having all they needed. I planned on them having more than enough. Why? Is that not how our Father in Heaven is (Matthew 7:11)?

This time of year, is my favorite. I get to give in ways that are special to me. I search out opportunities for our church to bless others in our community. I love to bake, so there are lots of people that are going to get treats from me. I love to find treasures for others and let them know that I am thinking about them and listen to them.

Above all, I get to help prepare the special Christmas message for church. I have been meditating over it for weeks and have been talking to my husband about what the Bible reveals about Christ’s birth. What special piece does God want us to pay attention to this year? Last year we shared about it not just being a story. Christ’s birth is recorded in history. Everything that happened is not just a story, it really happened. The story of Christ’s birth is not a myth. This year, are we going to have ears to hear? There is a parable about preparation. I will end this blog with the parable. I hope you take a look and know that you are loved and that I want the best for you. The best was given on Christmas Day!

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. – Matthew 25:1-13 AMP

Posted on

Heart Matters

Luke 10:25-29 (AMP) And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

My husband and I have been on a topic of Heart Matters on Sundays. The topic has a lot to do with our whys. I am also reading a book by Lee Strobel called The Case for a Creator. Lee admits that he clung to science as the reason that he did not believe there was a God (a Creator). In his book he states, ” For me, living without God meant living one hundred percent for myself. Freed from someday being held accountable for my actions, I felt unleashed to pursue personal happiness and pleasure at all costs.” If you have read any of his books or watched the movie, The Case for Christ (of which there is also a book), you would realize that Lee no longer holds those thoughts.

Luke 8:18 (AMP) So be careful how you listen; for whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a longing for truth], even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.

Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

Matthew 5:8 (AMP) Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

I was asked by one of our youth many years ago, “what can I do before it would be considered a sin against God?” I told them that it is not that you are desiring to do just enough that it is not considered a sin, it is the why do you want to do that thing. Why are you asking that question? The point was what is the intent of the heart? It all goes back to why the lawyer asked the question in Luke 10; it was about self. A self-centered person is going to justify and vindicate their reasoning.

How would you answer the question: how can I have a heart of repentance and a contrite spirit? This is not a bad desire. I looked up the definition of contrite spirit, and it has to do with deep remorse for sin and a humility before God. Repentance is not a bad word. These desires have nothing to do with legalism either. They are so full of grace if you just knew the love that God has for you.

James 4:6 (AMP) But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

Titus 2:12 (AMP) It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age

God gives more strength to those who stay humble and set aside their own self-interests. There is so much power when we choose a life of surrender. There is so much more to life with you walk in obedience.

I have a situation where I am judged quite heavily due to unmet expectations. If I say that I am a Christian and I quote so many scriptures, then why I am not doing this. If I did that, it still would not please them. There would be another reason for them to be upset at me. It is not about me though. I have come to realize that. It goes back to a surrendered life. They do not want to live it because they are pursuing their own happiness and pleasures. My life convicts them and that is okay. A person living a life of surrender is going to make a person living their lives for themselves mad. I am secure in the love of Christ; I am rooted and grounded in it.

Does that come from a place of love? Yes, it does. My desire is for them to know this freedom as well, but I cannot compromise so that they will want to just do just enough, to surrender just enough. It is the same type of question my youth asked, how close to the line of surrender can I get without having to go all in? Why do you not want to go all in?

In Acts 24 we read about Paul’s time in prison. There is a certain governor named Felix that was put over his charge because he had an understanding of people of “the Way.” Felix and his wife took an audience with Paul and was presented the Gospel. However, “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you‘ (verse 25). ” Did Felix never see him again? He did, he had an intent, but was it pure? “At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him (verse 26).”

Why are you a follower of Christ? If you are not, why aren’t you? Why do you attend church? If not, why aren’t you? Why do you do good works? Why do you serve others? If not, why aren’t you? Why do you speak the way you do? Why do you read your Bible? Why do you pray? Do not be afraid to realign your heart with these matters. I am rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. I love that about myself, because I cannot love others well without it. If I were not, then the Gospel message that I preach would be about self-gain. We were created in His image to glorify God. My love is to glorify God. My serving is to glorify God. My giving is to glorify God. My attendance at church, to build up His body, is to glorify God. I follow Christ, because He glorified the Father. I read my Bible to know the God that I am glorifying. I pray because He is a God to be honored and praised. When He answers prayers; it is for His glory. That is why the heart matters.

Posted on

Echo

Revelation 2:7 (AMP) He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…

I sat down last week to write on blog on Thanksgiving and the importance of being thankful every day. It is a form of prayer that should be daily on our lips. Then I was short on time and still needed to prepare for the people I had coming over. People are important. Being present with people is important. We have times when we put our families first, never before God. Then there is a time when our families make their own families, and we find a way to expand the love of Christ within and unselfishly love others to build up His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). I found a way to do both last week and it was so fulfilling.

However, this word “ears to hear, let them hear” kept going over and over within me. It was like an echo. I had finished up my yearly reading plan through the Bible early. I started in Genesis on January first and ended with Revelations by the last day of November. When I read, I do not just take a few verses at a time because this is not my first time reading it through. I read chapters at a time or if the book is small the whole book in one sitting. I look for the repetition, the instruction, the action words and the context. In the second and third chapters of Revelation there are seven letters to seven different churches. Each one had this repeated statement in some form, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” There were words of instruction, but there is also a promise. I want to not just listen to the Word but hear the Word.

James 1:23-25 (AMP) For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

I encourage our church to want everything that God has available to us. This is not about physical blessings; this is about us becoming the whole person that Christ redeemed us to be. When I read Revelation, I looked at all that He desires for us. Here is what I found in those seven letters:

  • I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
  • Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. Will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).
  • I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.
  • I will give authority and power over the nations; and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; and I will give him the Morning Star. 
  •  will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].
  • I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name. 
  • I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

These are just too grand to keep my focus on. I believe that is His point. There is so much that we cannot even imagine. Where should my focus be on when I read this? It should be on the echo He made sure to repeat, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” Ears to hear and do what the Spirit says. Jesus is the strength of my overcoming the world. Jesus is the strength in my repentance to regain focus. How can we lose focus? Look at the seven letters again:

  • you have left your first love [you have lost the depth of love that you first had for Me]. So remember the heights from which you have fallen, and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will] and do the works you did at first [when you first knew Me]; otherwise, I will visit you and remove your lampstand (the church, its impact) from its place—unless you repent. 
  • Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. 
  • there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching, put a stumbling block before others, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual] immorality. Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will
  • you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants 
  • I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements
  • Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith].
  • I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 

Not every letter had a statement of rebuke, two of the churches did not. They still had a statement of instruction. They were told to fear nothing and to hold tight. The others had a call to repentance. The only fear I do have is not holding true to His Word. It is so easy to slip into pride and draw people to yourself. I keep these words in my mind, because I reverence my Holy God. I care about you, genuinely and do not want you ignorant to what He says in His Word. I encourage you to start a reading plan this coming year.

You do not have to wait until January; you can start now. I have found that when we say that we have to prepare ourselves or we are waiting for the perfect time, we usually keep putting it off. The time is now. My first time reading through was a start in March. It took longer than a year. I started in a random place, I started in the epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 1 Peter, 2 Peter), then I read the letters to the churches. Next, I completed the rest of the New Testament, starting with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). That’s when I got to the Old Testament. I read the first five books of the Bible last. It put a different perspective of the why Jesus, and I could see Jesus in all of it. When we read the Bible trying to find ourselves, we are reading for selfish reasons. We need to read to receive more of Him.

Am I a hearer? Am I putting His Word forefront in my mind? Am I doing (taking action) according to His Word? Am I faithful to His Word? Those were the questions I asked myself. My husband has this checklist for us when we want to make sure we are successful: Am I where God called me to be? Am I doing what God called me to do? Am I doing it with the people God called me to be with? A heart for the ministry of reconciliation is going to answer yes to all three.

Are we hearing? “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege]…” What echoes do you hear when you read the Word?

Posted on

Joy of the Now

1 John 1:5 (AMP) This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection]. 

I was pondering on what to write this week and remembered the peace that came upon me when I thanked God for His daily bread yesterday. It brough back to remembrance what I felt when I read the first few verses of 1 John 1 this week. So much peace and joy.

1 John 1:1-4 (AMP) [I am writing about] what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life [the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ]—  and the Life [an aspect of His being] was manifested, and we have seen [it as eyewitnesses] and testify and declare to you [the Life], the eternal Life who was [already existing] with the Father and was [actually] made visible to us [His followers]—  what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship [as partners] with us. And indeed our fellowship [which is a distinguishing mark of born-again believers] is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.  We are writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be made complete [by having you share in the joy of salvation].

There is a peace that comes that Who was at the beginning of everything is the Word of Life. Not too long ago I wrote about Now, is eternal life. If we are Christ, then eternal life is now.

John 17:3 (AMP) Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.

1 John 5:12 (AMP) He who has the Son [by accepting Him as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; he who does not have the Son of God [by personal faith] does not have the life.

Jesus is not just the Savior of my life; He is the Lord of my life. I have invited Him into every aspect of my life, not to be a spectator, but to lead. Holy Spirit have your way and Lord search are my heart are not just words of lip service to make me “feel” good. What is our true heart intent? Mine is of surrender. If I keep striving for my way I have learned that peace is absent and usually that is also removes joy from my life.

1 John 5:10-11 (AMP) The one who believes in the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies confidently on Him as Savior] has the testimony within himself [because he can speak authoritatively about Christ from his own personal experience]. The one who does not believe God [in this way] has made Him [out to be] a liar, because he has not believed in the evidence that God has given regarding His Son. And the testimony is this: God has given us eternal life [we already possess it], and this life is in His Son [resulting in our spiritual completeness, and eternal companionship with Him].

Why not live a life like you are in eternal life? Love God. Love People. We know that we have passed out of death into Life, because we love the brothers and sisters. He who does not love remains in [spiritual] death (1 John 3:14). When I still love me more than I love others, I am not living life like it is eternal. We have a small church. However, we make a big impact. Why? Our love for people. People have a preconceived idea of what it means for someone to love them. Some it is that we are there for their every need. That is not the purpose of the church. We are to point them to Him who can supply all their needs and do what we can with what we have. Some it is that we agree with everything that they feel. Our feelings are deceptive because when we do not renew our minds in the Word, they will overtake us. We are to point them back to the Word and allow growing moments.

I love the time I get to spend daily in the Word. It truly is my daily bread. The Word of God is nourishment to my soul. Everything about my time in the Word is about Him. I am living in the eternal. So why not live like it! Give Glory to our God, our Eternal God!!

Abba Father, You are worthy of honor and praise. We are in awe of Your majesty. Thank You for sending Your Son, the Word of Life. Your Word is a light to our lives, and we trust in You. Forgive us for not spending time in Your Word and giving Your Word first place in our lives. We’ve let the busyness of life keep us from focusing on Your Word, choosing instead to dwell on our worries. We repent for letting deception into our minds and allowing our own truths to overshadow the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for reminding us through Scripture that You love us, desire us, and want us to live free and whole. Thank You for sending Your Son to redeem us and restore our relationship with You. Your Word is life, truth, and power, and today I choose to abide with Jesus—the Word, the Truth. You are the source of our joy. You are our Eternal God. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Posted on

Watch out for the pricklies

Mattew 7:12 (MEV) Therefore, everything you would like men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

While in prayer yesterday, I was praying for our church to seek God first. The word ‘seek’ kept going over and over in my mind and I turned to Isaiah 55:6 (MEV), “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near” and Matthew 7:7 (MEV), “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” Then I kept reading in Matthew, “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, it will be opened. What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!“

I have learned with a “Therefore” that I better pay attention to what is going on before and after. We love the verses about when we ask it will be given to us but check out what He tells us to do. Do you know that the way you view people is important? How many of us are disappointed at people, but most of it is our own doing. Matthew 7:12 in the Amplified says this, “So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” What did Jesus say were the greatest two commandments? To put it simply, to love God and to love people. It is a self-centered mindset for wanting people to do for you but for you not to seek out opportunities to do for others.

Matthew 7:13-14 (AMP) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.

Be mindful of the temptation to seek the best for yourself only. Seeking God takes a surrender of self. When we are positioned to love God, we should have the fruit of loving people. Jesus tells us that anything we would like for people to do for us, we should do for them. It is not when people do for you, you do the same in return. You start the process, even if they never do in return. When we lose peace and start keeping score is when we have done things without love. Love does not keep a record and does not keep score.

Matthew 7:15-20 (AMP) Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruit you will recognize them [as false prophets].

Eating from a tree that is dripping with bitterness can turn you sour. It can make you distrust God and the body of Christ. Watch out that you do not become prickly yourself. This is not to do good to the prickly people, but do not become one yourself. Set boundaries but always do good.

So, who does the initiation in seeking, asking and knocking? We do. Who does the start of the good works? We do. Can we expect others to do for us, and we are not willing to do for them? Absolutely not. Check our motives and keep our hearts pure, because self-focus and self-centeredness may seem like a path to take but it does not lead to growth in Christ. It may just lead to a life of prickly. So next time you are in your feelings about people not doing for you, get out of yourself and into the love of Christ. Seek out an opportunity to do for others, like you would want done for you.

Abba, Father, our Creator, You are worthy of our Praise and Honor. You are Marvelous and full of Majesty. You are Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Prince of Peace. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter. Thank You for the revelation of Your Word to bring us to know You more. We want to know Your heart as we seek Your face. We repent for taking score and keeping records of when we feel like we have been disappointed by people. People are not our problem. Sometimes we have created our own problems, and we are sorry for that. Give us a heart that sees, hands eager to help, and the courage to move forward without pause. May our actions mirror Your compassion, bringing light to dark places, hope to the weary, and love to the lonely. Seach our hearts Lord, let us surrender our will and our ways to Yours. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted on

Is it real?

Hebrews 4:14 (AMP)  Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].

Do you know what brings me back from spiraling out? Do you know what I think on to bring me back from sitting in despair? This right here. I cling tenaciously to the absolute trust that Jesus is my Savior. Some may say that I have a “bulldog tenacity” but really, I know that I am truly loved in Christ. Read the rest of that verse because I want to show you a little something about stepping out daily knowing that the presence of God is not so far away, nor is it a formula of getting there. Also, what do you define as there?

Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)  For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Jesus understands, it does not give us a warrant to freely sin. Hebrews 10:26 says, “For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],” so do not take this grace out of context. I want to put this out there first and foremost because I am obligated to choose how I think. Need some more proof?

1 John 2:4-6 (AMP) Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.

I am not to put on my Jesus costume, I am to allow Him to transform my character and nature. This is an inside out transformation and it takes surrender and trust. It is not overnight that this happens, transformation is a process (2 Corinthians 3:18). From reading any of this, would Jesus have allowed hurt to hinder forgiveness? Would He have kept Himself from serving? We He have allowed His mind to rehearse anything that was not true? Do you believe Jesus is real? Do you believe He did the hard stuff for us? If so, then what is hindering you from walking out your salvation? What is keeping you from going freely into the throne room of grace and mercy? I am not talking about a prayer closet experience. I am talking about living a life of God surrounds me, is within me, and has got me.

James 3:2 (AMP) For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

I am not perfect. I have flaws. I make mistakes. The key is not to wallow in those flaws and mistakes. The answer is to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within you to overcome them. Jesus overcame so we could overcome. The only perfect man is Jesus. I am not Sister Jesus; I am secure in who I am in Jesus. Can you decide to grow? Can you decide to help other imperfect people like me grow? I want to help the imperfect person like you are to grow. I want to let you know that the Perfect One gives me the privilege to stand in the throne room of His Presence. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19), individually and collectively. I take His Word as truth and really believe all that it says, so much so, that I choose to surrender areas of my life that did not line up with what it says we should be like. Is that extreme to you? Can I tell you that I forgive faster because of it? Would you like to hear about the joy in my life because of the surrender? I may be tenacious to some with my relationship with Jesus. He has made my life so big because of it (Ephesians 3:20). Will you just believe that it is real and walk in the freedom too?

I want to give you a little insight into what this looks like. It is not complicated. We have complicated this so much that we either quit or go into extreme grace, making everything about surrender null in our lives. I have lived under the umbrella of condemnation (my right to live how I sit fit). I had to choose to live a surrendered life. It was not easy at first, I have had to grow in this. This is what grace does. Grace empowers us to hold fast to the Word and allows the growth to happen. Stop trying to help the Word out by making excuses or quitting. Do you really want all that God said is yours through Christ Jesus? Do not stay chained in captivity when the keys to your bondage have already been given to you.

Can you see the throne room? Can you see the Majesty of who God is right where you are now? Can you feel the peace and joy permeating from the inside out? It is real, you are not imagining this. This is the life that He wants you to live. So live free through surrender!! It is real!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

Father, Elohim, Creator and Lord, You are everything that is and will ever be. You are Holy. Today, we honor You through our worship. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship with You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who dwells within and among us. We are grateful for the throne room of grace and mercy, Jesus gave us the ability to stand free. We repent for the times we sought Your face only when we needed something. We seek not just Your blessings but You. We choose to love as You love, to see the best in others, and to live selflessly. We surrender our hearts and minds to You, desiring to offer our whole selves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, as an act of worship. Through Jesus we can forgive freely and love deeply. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted on

Even Though, I Will

Genesis 15:6 (AMP) Then Abram believed in (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right in regard to God and man).

A statement rung out in me yesterday as I was preparing to go into corporate prayer with my church. I heard, “We can know the Word and not have faith in the Word.” Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Faith is required for righteousness. It is faith in Christ that we are made righteous. However, this faith only works by love.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Galatians 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

The church today has a faith problem. Why? Really, we have a love issue. We are looking at anything but the Word of God to define love. We have let the world define love to us. Love was sacrificed for us. There is so much knowledge available to us that we can reason away everything that is really promised to us. We will use our symptoms or our circumstances. Yet, the Bible gives an account such as,  “Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) (Romans 4:19-22 AMP). Even though, I will. That is what I am saying right now. Even though should not stop our obedience. Our obedience is the product of our righteousness, our faith, and I do not have to waiver in it because of my position of Love in Christ.

Our positional authority is because we have been rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. An “I can’t” response is not of faith, and it is not coming from a place of love. That may sound rough, but I tell you this truth in my love for you because I want you whole. I do not want you limping through life quoting scripture but not having faith in the power of Christ within you.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (AMP) May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

I want to see all that the Word tells about. I do not just want to read it and think that is a cool story. Do you really believe that is real? Do not just dream about it. Talk about it. Have an expectation about it. Encourage others in it. Faith works through love, but faith without works is dead. We cannot please God without faith. If faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), then faith requires obedience to His Word. We can know the Word and not have faith in it, abstaining us from obedience. This is not what God called righteous. Remember, everything is permissible (1 Corinthians 6:12). We have been given free will. However, we can choose to say to God not our will, but His. Even though, I will.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Holy and Marvelous. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all life. Thank you for sending Your Son, who embodied the fullness of who You are, making us whole through Him. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit, who reveals the depth of who You are and empowers us to understand the vastness of Your love. We repent for only having head knowledge and not believing in Your Word. We know that we please You with our faith. Through ongoing surrender, we will reflect on what it means to be fully Loved by You through Christ and our faith is found in that Love. We long for everyone to grasp the enormity of Christ’s love, which is incomprehensible without the Holy Spirit. Even though reports may say or circumstances look a certain way, we will choose obedience. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted on

Update 2025: Here I Am

Isaiah 6:8 (AMP)  Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

One January eighth of this year I wrote a blog called “2025: Here I Am.” Here is what I wrote: “Here I am” is a heart position to be all in. It is a response to God that you are sensitive to His call. It is a willingness to listen and to obey His commands. “And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him” (1 John 4:21). Seeking the best for others requires a lot of dying to self. That lines up with what Christ said we would have to do to be His disciples (Matthew 16:24-26). So that new thing He is doing in me, has a lot to do with my surrender. God doing a new thing requires me changing (Isaiah 43:19).

When I dedicated this year to answer the call with, “Here I Am,” I did not know where it would take me. Some would hope it would take them across the world. Some would expect a change of scenery. Some would expect a huge move. What it did in me caused me to make a holy shift to Your will not my will, Lord. I have answered calls that I did not want to. I have gone into homes that I did not want to. I have made trips to spend just a few moments with someone, that was way out of my route for the day. Why? “Here I Am.” How can we say we want to do great things for God when we will not give Him the fifteen minutes, or even a couple of hours, that will make us uncomfortable for someone else? He has given me a heart for people like never before. It is not to point out what is wrong in their life, it is to point them to the person who will make them whole. I am not there to fix their problems; I am pointing them to the One who can ground them in Truth.

This still rings true today: What should we be praying for the church? That God becomes real to us. That we stop going through the motions and desire a real relationship with God. You can listen and not hear. You can look and not see. This will happen until you surrender your ideas. We have the luxury of doing so much research that we have not need to sit and listen for His voice. We have access to so many books and teaching online, that we do not need to read the Bible for ourselves. We read the Bible through the lens of experience and not really listen for His voice. We depend on scripture taken out of context and wonder why God is not doing what I want. It is not until we surrender that we will be rooted and grounded in Christ. This is where love starts. We cannot love each other when we are only worried about ourselves. Serving only those we want to serve is really self-serving. Only reading what we like is self-serving.

“Here I Am” is a call for deeper surrender. I do not know why God has me doing this. I spend my week with people. People that I am not looking for anything in return. I asked God why, especially since church attendance was looking sad this past Sunday. It can be disheartening when we look at people. I have to keep my eyes focused on Him. It is not about what I see in the natural, it is about what He is doing when I am obedient. I put my trust in Him. At the right time (His time).

Galatians 6:9-10 (AMP) Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).

Here I am, send me. I am choosing not to give it, not giving up.

Abba, Father, we are in awe of You. You are Holy, Marvelous, and Righteous. Help us to fully accept Your Son for who He is, the One who came to make us whole and whose peace fills us completely. When we love You and put You first, everything else finds its rightful place. When Your voice is our priority, all other voices fade away. When Your Word is first in our lives, distractions lose their hold. When we follow Your principles, the promises of Your Word become evident in our lives. Lead us back to putting You first. Let us say, “Here I am.” We repent for prioritizing ourselves over Your Word, Your voice, and Your guidance. Help us to open Your Word and crave it like the most satisfying meal. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your mercies that are new every morning. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Posted on

Gifts that Build

1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP) Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

I just spent the last few days reading through first Corinthians. These books were written to the churches he had already been to. This book is one that is taught on when talking about the gifts of the spirit. When we receive Christ, we have all been gifted with salvation. It is free, we did not earn it, we receive it. This is a gift that we should be willing to encourage others to receive. This is called the ministry of reconciliation of which all of us are called into, once we receive Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (AMP) But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].

People want to know their purpose, their calling, what they were created for? You were created to glorify God. You were made in His image. You are to reflect Him. This takes surrender. What about gifts? When reading the list in first Corinthians twelve, one phrase jumped out at me, “Let all things be done for edification.” Why did God give the church gifts? Edification. Our gifts are not about us, they are for the body of Christ, for the edification of the body of Christ. Meaning, we are to build up each other for the unity of the gospel. Edification is not about being self-motivating not self-promotion. Actually, it is not about promoting an individual, it is about the whole body being built up into His temple.

Ephesians 4:16 (AMP) From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.

There is not a “me’ focus in any of this. Now, we do see in 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].” One of the gifts that people want, and even Paul tells us is one to desire, is the gift of prophecy. However, I do not believe He meant it in the way the church today has abused it. In context, this gift is not about just about foretelling the future, correcting leadership or reading someone’s mail. This is the supernatural ability to proclaim God’s will and truth to build up the church. It is primarily about speaking the message of God, through God’s Word. It is speaking directly to people in a way they can understand God’s Word. It is to help bring clarity to the Word of God. Even to the point of revealing inner motivations and bringing conviction and an awareness to God’s presence. They bring people to a place of true repentance so that we walk in humility.

If we are seeking a new revelation from God, as not revealed in His Word, then we are seeking something outside of God. We have fallen into idolatry. What about our imaginations? Yes, God gave us imaginations, but we are still responsible for bringing our thoughts in line with the Word of God. Does it really matter what I prophesy? We have been prophesied over, and a check was put immediately within because we knew it did not line up with God’s Word.

Jeremiah 23:16 (AMP) Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Do not listen to the words of the [false] prophets who prophesy to you. They are teaching you worthless things and are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own mind and imagination and not [truth] from the mouth of the Lord.

What is Paul talking about? He is talking about desiring to understand the Word of God so that you can talk about it with each other. Prophecy is for the edification of the body, just like all of the other gifts listed.

1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 (AMP) Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]. If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].

At the heels of Paul talking about spiritual gifts he leads into love. The end of chapter twelve flows into it. What is the point in wanting all of these gifts if you do not know His love? They will never fulfill you. You are searching in the wrong place for your purpose. Get to know the God that loves you and start right where you are with the people He has called you with to grow in, for the edification of the body of Christ. Let everything be done in love, unselfish love.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are so Worthy of our honor and our praise. You are Holy and Marvelous. Thank You for Your Son putting us back into right standing with You. Through Him we have been born again and created new. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and our Friend. Thank You for Your Word. We repent for seeking gifts to build up ourselves. We repent for only being a part of the body when it is self-serving and pleases us. We long to know You. You reveal Yourself to us in ways we could never have imagined for ourselves. We thank You for spiritual gifts, but above all we thank You for Your Love. Let us desire Your love above the gifts. Let us be trees of righteousness. You set the captives free not for us to look for anything to fulfill us other than You. We choose surrender today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.