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Truth: He is more than enough

John 4:23-24 (MEV) Yet the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For the Father seeks such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.

As I was writing the prayer for last week’s blog, this verse came to mind. Then I pondered, how many people worship God and love the spirit part, but lack the truth part. So many worship their problems and circumstances, their identities outside of Christ, their feelings and emotions, their thoughts, etc. When is Jesus going to be enough for us? We need to stop defending our flesh with “we are enough” and replace it with “Jesus, You are more than enough.”

I recently read the book The Fight for Female by Lisa Bevere. There was a section in it about the “Fight against idols.” I am forty-five years old and in the throngs of perimenopause. Hot flashes get all the attention but that is not all a woman goes through. We have brain fog, feeling tired even when we sleep at night, frozen shoulder, times of sadness, just the don’t want to’s, then being sensitive about things we really do not care about. We can get all up in our thoughts. My identity is not in what I am going through. I can spiral and skid into the crazy that is perimenopause or I can combat it with truth.

Let me show you some areas that can be a sign of idolatry in our lives then we are going to combat it with truth. What we determine to be rest. Sometimes we are striving so much in our day to day lives that we choose what we think is rest instead of receiving the gift of community that He gave us. Separation is not to do within the body but the body as a whole is separate and light into darkness. Isolation can be a form of idolatry. Idols can be found in our homes, and I am not talking about the decorations. Here is how Lisa defined an idol: “an object of extreme devotion; a representation or symbol of an object of worship; a false god; a false conception; fallacy; a form or appearance visible but without substance.“

Idols are created when we turn to that which is less and treat it as more; as a source of identity instead of the God Most High. Idolatry is often the practice of engaging with the right thing in the wrong way. For example, marriage, children, a career, friends, a spouse, food, sports, and even exercise are all good things, but if we attach too much importance to any of these, they can potentially become an idol. This happens when we give our strength to or draw our strength or comfort from sources outside of our Creator. This could mean we the wrong focus and are looking for the right thing in the wrong place or we’ve made ourselves the source. Addiction can be a form or idolatry. Entertainment can become idolatry. – Lisa Bevere

When I look inward and start to make decision that is best for me, then I have made an idol of myself. This is not about being healthy or healing emotionally. This is about becoming whole in Christ. How do I know? I have been there. I wanted to do the selfish thing years ago, when I claimed to be a broken woman living for Christ. I was so hurt with the church that we are serving now. I felt so unappreciated and still have to fight those things. I have feeling of sacrificing so much for people that, in my thoughts, would never consider me. I felt so used and taken for granted. The thoughts of giving all of me and nobody would care if I was not there. Can you see the idol of myself? What had to happen? I had to get back in the truth of His Word. Here is the lie that I believed, I was an orphan because no one was like me.

Ephesians 1:5 (AMP) He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will

When Paul wrote this, He was thinking of the current Roman law that stated that adopted had their debts erased and transferred to the adoptive father. This is not talking about the adoption of children, they were adopting adults, with new rights and responsibilities. They were adopting heirs. Their past had nothing to do with their adoption. An adopted son could not be disowned, they could not be disinherited, and they could no longer be identified as an orphan. I have stated before that the orphan spirit is not of God, so therefore it must be antichrist, which makes it demonic. Yes, Christians can be oppressed by demonic spirits. Is deliverance needed? A heart of repentance and surrender is needed. Do these thoughts try to creep up? Yes, but now I have a weapon to cast them down.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (AMP) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are to worship God in Spirit and Truth. The truth is that we cannot reason away with what Christ gave us as a gift. I am not an orphan. I have been adopted into a family that has Christ as the head. I do not have to keep striving, because He is my rest. I am not alone and He adopted me into a family that includes all of those that have received Him as Lord and Savior. We may have our differences and things we don’t like about each other, but if we direct one another toward Christ, He can transform us to reflect His image. We can love like He loves. We can stop telling each other that “you are enough” and tell the truth that “He is more than enough.”

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Word for the Year: Joy

John 15:9-11 (AMP)  I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.

I tend to be joyful person. I have been through some trials in life, and I have been known to complain when it did happen thinking that I had a sympathetic ear. I have learned to not because some people used it against me. If you do not know this about me, my husband and I took over as the pastors of our church about thirteen years ago. Before that we served as associate and assistant pastors at the same church for nearly thirteen years. This has apparently given license for people to correct me from those that I submit to and those that I serve. I have had comments from “I love to see you serve me,” to “you are going to hell.” Then there are those that weaponize my words or actions, just to see me get corrected yet again. I have been hurt by people like you would not believe, but yet I am still here.

So, when God gave me the word “joy” for 2026 my first thought was “what is going to happen now?” The first book in the Bible I read for this year was Habakkuk. We ended 2026 in our church with not very good attendance, but deeper growth for those that wanted it and better giving. We ended 2026 not in a new building, as we had hoped for all year long, and now entering year seven in someone else’s building. We even got really close the last month of the year. So, I cried out to God, why? That is when I got the word “joy.” Habakkuk starts off in chapter one with, “O Lord, how long will I call for help and You will not hear?” When we have doubts about His goodness, He is still faithful. I read this book over and over again for a full week. God said He would show up in a mighty way. God told Habakkuk it would get worse before it got better. Yet Habakkuk responded in faith.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].

With every time correction has come into my life, I have checked it against the Word. When it lines up with His Word, I accept it gladly. It is a discipline from the Lord. He will help me change this within me. One thing I never did was bite back or disrespect the person it came from, even when malice was intended for me. I am grateful for the people that allow me to speak into their lives. I have learned from experience what it means to genuinely care for others. If we are afraid of correction, then we are missing out on something that is necessary for our spiritual maturity. There are so many babies still in the body of Christ because people are not allowing Word of God, the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ to do what they were given as gifts for.

The next book I read was Philippians. Paul is in prison, literally chained to a person that was guarding him, writing this letter. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness depends on our circumstances. Joy depends on our relationship with Christ. Paul had a confident assurance of God’s love and work in his life and the life of fellow believers. The secret to joy is grounded in our relationship with Christ. There are some that say, “I have lost my joy.” Have you lost Christ? Look back at John 15. Jesus is telling us the importance of our abiding in Him (our relationship with Christ). It all goes back to love. The real reason we have lost our joy, is because we have become self-involved. We look out for our own self-interests. We start asking “what about me?” We can have joy, even in hardships. Joy does not come from our circumstances. We are not to rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy, but Christ within us.

Philippians 2:1-5 (AMP) Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

It is the confidence I have in Christ that I know that people have a problem with. It grieves me to know that what they most want they can have too. What is limiting others from attaining such? Not that I have arrived myself, it is to surrender more. I am pressing on. I will continue to press on. It is when we give up or find something else to get our identity in that we become stagnant in our spiritual growth. I desire for growth in all of His body. It is hard to watch people “lose their joy” yet with not receive the gift that will point them back to their dependency of Christ.

Which brings me to the third book of the Bible that I have read this year, Nehemiah. Being in leadership I have heard gripers and complainers or what our church needs to do, what we do not have that meets their needs and so forth. It is easy to sit back and analyze and talk about the problems that you see. Instead of gathering people to discuss, be like Nehemiah and pray then act. Nehemiah saw a problem, was distressed about it, didn’t complain about it, not wallow in self-pity about it, he took action. Nehemiah became a person who God could count on. He did not even allow the people who were giving false reports to distract him. He did not allow the ones who did not participate in the rebuilding get him discouraged (I need to work on that one myself). He not only rebuilt walls but wanted to align the people back to the heart of God. They spent days listening, being taught and implementing what they heard from the prophet Ezra as he read them the law. God does not want our actions without our faith. This is the book that we get “the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Another thing I got from Nehemiah is the importance of our praise and thanksgiving. I want to start off my closing prayer with what is written in Nehemiah 9: 6. Pray this prayer with me and add it what you are most thankful for.

You are the Lord, You alone; You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host (the heavenly bodies), the earth and everything that is on it, the seas and everything that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host is bowing down [in worship] to You. Jesus, Your Son, was with You at the time of Creation. We were created through Him and for Him. You sent Him in fullness of Love to die for our transgressions. You have forgiven us of our inequities and we in turn at to forgive others. We repent for not forgiving as you commanded. You gave us the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You gave us this gift to mature us and grow us. You also gave us the gift of the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ. Your desire has always been that we would work together to mature into a glorious Body. We thank You for desiring so much for our lives. We thank You that You desire for us to be full of joy and peace. Thank in our submission to self-control empowered by You we are secure in who we are in Your Son. You are forgiving, gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though hardships may come upon us, even persecution, You remain faithful. You are patient and keep your covenant of love. We love you. We choose to remain in Your Son. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Fourth Quarter Reads of 2025

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.

We are already a few weeks into 2026 and I am just now getting around to summing up the last quarter reads of 2025. I have been spending time with my immediate family, as everyone was home for most of the day. When they are home, I do not like to lock myself in my office and write. I do continue to read, but not nearly as much as when the house is empty. In the last quarter of 2025 I finished reading through the Bible, Romans through Revelations. I was done by the end of November and took the first days of December to read a chapter a day of Luke. The last week of 2025 I read Habakkuk in its entirety daily. There is something that God showed me and I will hopefully write on it next week.

The one phrase that stood out to me as I was finishing with Revelations was, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. I did complete 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan as a devotional. It was very eye opening to me about the founding of our universities and their beginnings as seminaries. There was one that really stood out to me were the Four Chaplains that gave their lives aboard the Dorchester on February 3, 1943. They were all from different denominations but held the same heart, “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends, John 15:13).” They gave everything including their life vests, books and clothes to make sure all survived, even though they lost their own lives. They gave their lives without being asked. This is the life that I aspire to live.

I also read nine books. Some I purchased at yard sales and at thrift stores recently. Bringing my yearly total to 47 books read. Here is list of my fourth quarter reads (I will write about two of them):

  • The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel
  • Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
  • Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
  • Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistar Begg
  • Beyond Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
  • The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
  • I His Image by Jen Wilkin
  • The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  • Healing the Wounds of Rejection by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I picked this book up at a yard sale recently. It was an encouraging book about the importance of a church that puts prayer as their priority. It is a church with a surrendered heart that the Holy Spirit dwells. “The first step in spiritual awakening is demolition. We cannot make headway in seeking God without first tearing down the accumulation junk in our souls. Rationalizing has to cease. We have to start seeing the sinful debris we hadn’t noticed before, which is what holds back the blessings of God.“”Anytime the people get hungry to truly know the Lord, the Holy Spirit quickly puts a shovel and into their hands.” We are going to be willing for God to deal with our deep-rooted issues. A truly humble church is a powerful church. Are we passionate about what He is passionate for. Jesus said that His house should be known as a house of prayer. We currently do not have our own building, or we would have the doors open more that they are. Currently we meet on Tuesdays at eleven for prayer and Sundays we invite people to come in pray at twelve thirty as our service is at one thirty. The American church is all about comfort and convenience, yet He is the same God that said, “and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).” What are we passionate about? Brooklyn Tabernacle were passionate about prayer and surrender. We know them because of their choir. Reading some of the stories of change in that city because of this pastor and the heart of prayer that they have. It encouraged me to continue.

In HIs Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character: By Jen Wilkinson. Have you ever asked the question: I want to know God’s will for my life? “If we focus on our actions without addressing our hearts, we may end up merely as better behaved lovers of self.” Jen takes ten attributes of God and had us reflect if we can see those in our own character. They are Holy, Loving, Good, Just, Merciful, Gracious, Faithful, Patient, Truthful and Wise. Do you see the possibility for you reflecting Him in all that He is? First and foremost, God is Holy. “If we emphasize any of his attributes above or apart from his holiness, we fashion him after our own imagining or for our own ends.” You do not have to be conformed to who you were. We are conformed to His image, we are to reborn, remade, reformed. Understand your positional holiness and you will want to pursue practical holiness. God our most loving is the hardest part for people to grasp. His love is not transactional. His love is not conditional. “When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love God even if it costs us. And it costs us -it costs our pride, our comfort, our self-will, our self-sufficiency. At times, it costs us amicable relationships with family, our expectations of safety, and more. But in laying these aside, we learn the worthiness of the object of love in a deeper way. We find increasing freedom, and as we mature, we resolve to love God no matter what it costs us. When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love our neighbor even if it costs us. And it costs us – it costs us our preferences, our time, our financial resources, our entitlement, our stereotypes.” It is such a good book that I am adding it to my pile to read again in 2026.

I write these blogs on books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am reading a new study Bible this year and so I am reading a chapter at a time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. For years, I didn’t read just read my Bible, only focusing on the verses that went along with my devotions. But my desire to surrender led me to pick up the Bible and truly read it. It became part of my journey to seek more. I have no regrets, and neither will you.

This Sunday I have decided to give away some of my books. Something I have not done. However, holding onto them only benefits me. God had told us to be generous with all that we have. So, I have set aside a box and will be taking them to church for others to do with their liking. I pray that you have a blessed 2026!

Books completed in 2025

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.