Predictions

Predictions! How true are man's predictions? The weatherman has predicted rain chances for a couple of days and yet my ground remains dry and my plants are begging for water. How many predictions have you believed but they never came to pass?

But there is one whose predictions we can believe. Jesus predicted his death, burial and ressurection. He promised us that he would be with us always in The Spririt. His love for us is eternal and we are indeed eternally blessed. Believe and Rejoice!

" On that day people will say to the faithful in Jerusalem,
“Do not be afraid, Zion;
Hold your head and hands high,
and take courage.”
The Eternal your God is standing right here among you,
and He is the champion who will rescue you.
He will joyfully celebrate over you;
He will rest in His love for you; He will joyfully sing because of you like a new husband."Zephaniah 3:16-17 The Voice

Get Rid of the Rags

For three years Jesus taught and walked along beside his disciples. Now he was predicting his death. What were they to do? How can they possibly live without his steady and constant guidance? But wait a minute. He promised to be with them, even after his death. How can that be? Well, his father would provide us with the Holy Spirit, the Teacher, our Counselor, our guide.

So we are never alone. The Spirit is always beside or behind us. Just listen for his voice and see what he does for us. No need for crystals, symbols or other physical reminders that are important to non-Christians who worship other spirits. Get rid of them all from your head, your heart and your lives. Embrace the One True Spirit sent by God to stand in for Jesus in our time. We are so blessed with our 3 in 1. He is waiting to take our hand while we wait for the Lord's return.

" Even though the Lord has fed you the bitter food of adversity and offered you the water of oppression, your great Teacher will reveal Himself to you; your eyes will see Him. Your ears will hear sweet words behind you: “Go this way. There is your path; this is how you should go” whenever you must decide whether to turn to the right or the left. Then you’ll get rid of all your worthless idols clad in silver and your despicable images plated with gold. You will destroy these idols and discard them as you do filthy rags, saying, “Get out of here.” Isaiah 30:20-22 The Voice

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Our Needs

When you don't get what you want, what do you do? Pout or shout? Cry or try harder? Is what you want what you  truly need? Do  you ask for help or stubbornly try to work it out by yourself? When you get what you want do you chalk up another win for yourself or do you show gratitude by helping others? Have you ever prayed for something and it came to you with God's help? Haven't you heard? He will provide all our needs.

I would be overdrawn if I paid the utility bills. My husband was at MD Anderson in Houston receiving cancer treatment. I had come home to check on my son, pay my bills and head back to Houston. My son was staying with friends and I needed to give them some money. I broke into tears as I left the bank. I got home and prayed all night for our situation. I asked friends to pray. In the mail the next day was a check from MD Anderson for the exact amount I needed until next month. I called them and they explained it was an insurance refund. I couldn't figure it out, but God had come through for us again, one of many times and in many different ways. My praying friends also rejoiced as we praised God for this blessing.

"And now I have it all—and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes."
Philippians 4: 18-20 Message.

Assumptions

I adore Karol Ladd's messages in her books and Bible Studies. She brings to light God's love in so many events that we often overlook. Yesterday we looked a Bathsheeba throught God's eyes instead of through assumptions. Do we blame her for David's behavior? How closely have we looked at their "love" storyand their lives? How often have you erred in judgement because you acted on assumptions rather than discovering what was real? Have you misjudged people based on their looks or one comment they have made? What about based on the assumptions of others? What about forgiveness? Do you still hold grudges from way back in your life history based on immature behavior?

"Let go of your complaints, forgive those who loved you poorly, step over your feelings of being rejected, and have the courage to trust that you won't fall into an abyss of nothingness but into the safe embrace of a God whose love will heal all your wounds." Henri J.M. Nouwen

Thanks, Karol

Have You Got It, Yet?

"Do you still not get it?" How many Bible Studies and how many sermons and how many best selling religion books will it take you to get it? Get what?

"Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, “Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? Don’t you see the point of all this? Don’t you get it at all? Remember the five loaves I broke for the five thousand? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

They said, “Twelve.”

“And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many bags full of leftovers did you get?”

“Seven.”

He said, “Do you still not get it?” Mark 8:16-21 Message

As we move closer to reliving Christ's passion, have you gotten it yet? Do your ears hear and your eyes see?

Celebrate Spring Blessings

We are basking in sunshine today. The rain clouds have disappeared. But we must remember that it takes both the rain and the sun to produce the spring flowers, green trees and grass that color our world and make spring such a colorful time of year.It is cause for celebration!

But we have another cause for celebration. It's remembering God's grace and the reminder of what the season brings as we approach Easter, blessed by Jesus death and resurrection and the hope for his return. Because of his love, we are freed from the slavery perpetuated by sin. But It's up to us to abandon the lusts of the world and abide in self control, doing the right thing and living a holy life.

"We have cause to celebrate because the grace of God has appeared, offering the gift of salvation to all people. Grace arrives with its own instruction: run away from anything that leads us away from God; abandon the lusts and passions of this world; live life now in this age with awareness and self-control, doing the right thing and keeping yourselves holy. Watch for His return; expect the blessed hope we all will share when our great God and Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appears again. He gave His body for our sakes and will not only break us free from the chains of wickedness, but He will also prepare a community uncorrupted by the world that He would call His own—people who are passionate about doing the right thing." Titus 2:11-14 The Voice

Intercessory Prayer Needed

A few years back, I had the privilege of teaching a trauma healing workshop in Bangladesh where I met men and women who lived according to those 1st Century Christians described in  the book of Acts. Although they lived in a Muslim country, they were at peace with their neighbors. I got a different story yesterday from one that I have kept in touch with. He was pleading for intercessory prayer and asking me to pass the request along to friends.

It seems times are changing. The fundamentalists are taking over and persecuting the Christians. We are hearing stories from Iraq and Syria about beheadings. He sent me a picture of a child being crucified. Please pray for Christian Martyrs around the world. Keep Christians in Southeast Asia in your prayers. They need a strong prayer covering and this is something we can all do. And it doesn't cost us a penny. Please be a prayer warrior for fellow Christians around the world, especially those falling into the hands of the fundamentalist Muslims. Children are not exempt from their wrath and are in serious danger. Your intercessory prayers are powerful weapons.

From 2 Corinthians 1:9-14New American Standard Bible (NASB)

"]indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,  you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many."

The Prize

"I've had enough of this, Lord. When I signed up to follow you, I thought the road would get easier. So why is it so hard?  Ever had these thoughts? Life was so much easier when I was in control of it myself. I've had more challenges and difficulties under your control. I give up.

Wait a minutel Ever start up a mountain  and stop before you saw what was on the other side? Ever start a race and quit, without realizing the end was just around the bend? Too many of us give up just before we reach the goal and miss out on the gold. Perseverance will get you to the end. Hang on for the prize. And what is the prize when we hang on with the Lord? Is it worth it? You bet it is.

"Jesus leads us into a place of radical grace where we are able to celebrate the hope of experiencing God’s glory.  And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance,  which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness.  And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love."  Romans 5:2-5 (The Voice)

Who Says?

Do you remember playing "Simon Says" or "Follow the Leader" as a child? What happened when you were following a clown or someone who tried to make you stumble? Does this still happen sometimes? You find yourself following a leader who isn't exactly honest or doesn't have your best interest at heart? You begin to question their sincerety and knowledge. What about false prophets? Even attend a church filled with them? Run like the devil himself is after you. He probably is. When we know scripture and follow those who know it, we will not be fooled. So how do we know?

"But as for the wicked and the imposters, they will keep leading and following each other further and further away from the truth. So surely you ought to stick to what you know is certain. All you have learned comes from people you know and trust  because since childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, which enable you to be wise and lead to salvation through faith in Jesus the Anointed. All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right  so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work." 2 Timothy 3: 13-17 The Voice

So then, how do we know? Read scripture. Go to His Word for answers. Talk with fellow Christians who also read and depend on Scripture. Go to your pastor or spiritual adviser. Pray for Divine Guidance.

God's Job

Someties it seems the Message is twisting God's Word, but the author uses language today's world understands. Have you even experienced a situation where you feel abandoned by God and on our own to solve the problem? There are those who forget about Christ's suffereing on the cross and what it means for us today. As we review the passion of the cross and recall the suffering he went through from the time of his betrayal by his own disciple, Judas, and the treatment he received by the Jewish and Roman leaders, we get a taste of how deep his love is for us. When we concentrate on his last words on the cross, we feel his momentary sense of abanconment by God, then his intense love as he asks the Father to forgive those who took part in the actions. Thankfully God does not make us endure this for our refinement. Christ did it for us, once and for all. Keep the faith. Through Christ, glory is just around the corner.

" Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 1 Peter 4:12-13

California Dreaming

"California Dreaming" was the theme of movies and hit songs. What was that California dream that motivated so many to fill up their cars and head west? Was it for fame or fortune or both. For some it was to get a job when eastern companies were moving west and jobs were fading. Even some went for welfare benefits because California's welfare system was so generous. California seemed to have something for everyone.

A lot of folks found their California Dream and prospered. Some found an active drug scene and succumbed to all sorts of evil as a result. Some decided the grass just looked greener and headed back east. A lot gave up affordable housing and lower tax bases to join a mass of folks struggling to make ends meet even though their salaries were excellent.
Times change. Others prospered and built a star studded life for themselves. What was desireable 30 years ago, may not be so desirable today.

So if you know someone who is seeking fame and happiness through financial resources, you may want to have this discussion with them:
"Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life." 1 Tim 6:17-19 MSG

The Right Door

Have you ever felt that you have one hand on one door pulling you into a conflict and the other hand on another door pulling you to peace? Both doors hold a reward, depending on what your idea of reward is. How do you make the decision when you want some of what each holds for you?
Sometimes you just throw your hands up in hopelessness.

"You may think that the situation is hopeless, but God gives us more grace when we turn away from our own interests. That’s why Scripture says,

God opposes the proud,
    but He pours out grace on the humble.
 So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure.  Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other.

Since the beginning, our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him. He invites us to move closer to Him so we can be fully His." James 4:6-9 Message

There is your answer and your way to peace. Humble yourself before God and follow his ways, not your own. Step through his door completely and leave the other (worldly) door completely, finally and forever.

Read Me the Story

I remember how much my boys loved to be read to. They would climb up next to me or their father with a favorite book in hand. After a hard and frustrating day, reading a child's book was the last thing I wanted to do, but because of their persistence, I would relent and soon I had my second wind and began enjoying the task. It was a time of bonding and learninging as well as expressing that unconditional love.

Remember the story about Jesus trying to leave the crowd so he could get rest? When he saw their hunger for his message, he relented and welomed them to him. Like a child, do you hunger for him and his message. Do you run in search for him? When you pursue him, does he tell you he's too tired or does he welcome you with open arms, gentleness and patience? Do you treat the lost and those hungry to hear his Word the same way?

"The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.” For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.
So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them." Mark 6:31-43

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No Guilt Trip

My budget is just not working this month. Here it is, the first of March, tax time is upon me, and there are more blls to be paid than money to pay them. I'm already behind in my pledge and I know my pledge to the Lord should be of my first fruits, but does he want me to sit in the dark the rest of the month. How did I get myself into this mess?

One of my New  Year's resolutions was to keep a balanced budget. I hadn't figured on being slid into on the ice from an underinsued driver or the roof leaking from all the snow after I'd increased the deductible on my home owners. Which check do  I write first, to the church or the electric company? Do I think about the work of the missionaries this month so others are fed and clothed or what to put on my table? Such a dilemna.

"And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give, but to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the giving is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others may be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be  equality." 2 Corinthians 8:10-13 NIV.

God does not put a guilt trip on us, but understands our needs and will help us through our every ill.

He Will Not Fail nor Forsake You.

I slammed the notebook shut and said a few choice words. I'd worked half the night trying to complete the talk I was to give the next day at a retreat I was speaking at. I was frustrated. I was discouraged. I was exhausted. I was angry. Why didn't my thoughts come together? I had followed the scripture that was to be my guide. I had researced the material from several resources, but just couldn't get it down on paper. I wanted my talk to be perfect. Secretly, I wanted to be the best speaker there. Have you ever been in that situation?

What I had forgotten was to trust God instead of focusing so much on my own desire,, reserch and understanding. After all he was behind the program and would bring it all together. I had to get myself out of the picture and just focus on his word and what he wanted me to say. I prayed the rest of the night and when I got up to speak, the words rolled off my tongue. I was speaking for the Lord's glory not for my own. When we are doing work for his service, he will be our guide. Trust him.

" David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV