Monday, December 20, 2010

Windows

Have you heard the saying "Eyes are the windows to the soul?"  That got me thinking about windows.

Windows have have several uses.  We open them to let in fresh air, we close them to keep out cold air or dust and debris from the outside.  We also close them for safety.  We read time and again about thieves who have crawled through a window and stolen valuables from homes.

Hmmmm.....If our eyes are windows and our body is a temple then there are some good lessons here.

We must keep our eyes open to the things of God.  His Word, His voice, good Christian music, books, etc.

But at the same time we must close our eyes to keep out the bad.  The dust and debris of spiritually unhealthy TV programs, music, movies, etc. 

The Bible refer to Satan as a thief.  We just got done talking about how a thief will come through the windows of our home in order to rob us.

  Well, Satan is no different.  We lock our doors, but sometimes we crack open our windows just enough that Satan can get the foothold. What do I mean by that?

  I mean that we must pay attention to the little things that will rob us.  We "lock our doors" meaning we shut out those "big, sinful things" .  But sometimes we don't pay attention to what we may see hear and there when we watch questionable shows or listen to questionable music or go to questionable movies.  That is when we allow Satan a foothold....he just needs a crack in the window to enter in and rob us of our joy in the Lord!

What we take in with our eyes will affect our souls....remember that old song you may have learned as a child

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
oh be careful little eyes what you see
for the Father up above is looking down in love
oh be careful little eyes what you see

Take time to care for the windows to your soul

let's talk again soon

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Cravings!

If you are a woman, you know about cravings!  Women seem to "crave" more than men.  Or perhaps, we are just more open about our cravings.  Whatever the case, what are you craving today?

Common cravings are: ice, cream, chocolate, sweets of any sort.  How about Jesus?  Do you crave Jesus?

When we crave chocolate or ice cream, etc, we may actually find ourselves driving to the store to get it, in order to satisfy that craving.  I must admit, I have gone out in traffic or a little out of my way to go to a certain restaurant or store to get  what I was craving.

The thing that we should crave the most is a deeper more intimate relationship with Jesus.  That is a craving that will not cost us money, or cause us to get in our car and go to the store.  However, it is a craving that will cost us our time.....it will cost us our lives!

Jesus wants our lives!  Not in order that He can take from us but rather that He can give to us!  Jesus always gives back more than we give Him.  He is looking for a willing and surrendered heart.

When we crave chocolate, we often find ourselves feeling worse after we satisfy the craving.  We look at the calories or fat grams listed on the wrapper.  We look in the mirror and already can imagine  exactly where those fat grams are gonna go!  We end up feeling worse after satisfying the craving!! (AT LEAST I DO!)

Not so with Jesus, we will never fully satisfy that craving for more of Him in our lives, but one thing for sure, we will never feel worse after ingesting His Word and His presence....we will only feel better.

Are you craving Jesus?  Great, just go to your Bible, take some time to soak up what He wants to say to you today......and keep coming back.......never be satisfied.........He is the greatest and He wants to speak to the needs of your heart

See you later

Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift?

We've all been through this!  Many go through it every year at this time of the year.  Finding that perfect gift....Christmas gifts are fun and there is nothing wrong with them.   However, in the midst of your Christmas shopping and wrapping gifts, don't foreget to share Jesus.  Yes, use your Christmas shopping as witnessing opportunities. We will see people that we will probably never see again, cashiers, fellow shoppers, people at your church that only show up on Christmas and Easter.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would alert you to those people who need Jesus. It may mean actually telling someone about Jesus, it may mean showing who Jesus is through our conversation and our actions.  Have tracts available to leave with your tip or to give to someone you come in contact with.


Don't let Christmas go by without sharing Jesus with someone.  The whole reason He was born was for us, yes we are the reason!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

No cell phone covergage!

This background reminded me of several things and I want to take a moment to tell you!

You can look at people in any direction and you will see one thing we all have in common- we all seem to have this growth coming from our ear which, in layman's terms, would be called "cell phone"!  Yep , we're all guilty.  Some folks have it more discreetly hid with something called "blue tooth", but nonetheless it is there!

One frustrating thing about cell phones is when you are in a certain location and all of a sudden you learn you have no coverage in this location.  Perhaps it is the mountains, the desert, a hospital, etc.  The phone that is supposed to provide you a little peace of mind and safety suddenly is of no value to you.

I am thankful for the one place I will always have access and always have coverage. That place is the Throne if heaven- the place where my Heavenly Father and Savior reside.  Yep, heaven is somewhere way up there, but I am not out of range, praise the Lord!

As a child of God, we can call on Jesus from any location and rest assured that He hears us.  It's never a question of whether He hears me, but rather, am I listening.  The Bible says that I am to come boldly to the throne of grace so that I will find mercy and help in my time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Am I taking the time to call Him and then taking more time to listen?  Are you?  In this busy world where we are obsessed with our cell phones, we need to remove that growth coming from our ear, get away and talk to Jesus!  See that empty chair by that phone?  I immediately saw this and thought about that empty chair and old phone can be one of the most beautiful places ever.  To me, it represented a time when I get alone (you notice there is only one chair!) with God and call on Him.  The only phone I want glued to my ear is the one that takes me to direct access with the One who is waiting there to answer.

Do you feel far away from God today? Perhaps you are facing a mountain, perhaps you are in a low valley.  Perhaps you feel when you are trying to pray it is just like your cell phone- no access, no coverage.  You couldn't be farther from the truth dear child of God.  You are never too far away that He cannot hear you. 

Perhaps you don't understand what I am talking about- you don't even know this Jesus I speak of- well, it that be the case, let me tell you- you, too, can come to that chair and call upon God.  Admit that you have sinned, but the blood of Jesus that flowed from that cross so long ago, flowed that you may be forgiven!  Ask for forgiveness, invite Jesus into your heart, your life.  Once you to that, keep returning to that chair...not for salvation, that was just settled when you prayed.  Rather, keep coming back for fellowship and guidance.  He is waiting for your call,  don't put it off, there is too much at stake!