The Bible is so much more than just a book!

The Bible has the amazing ability to teach you new things each time you read it even if you've read it countless times before!  The Bible was given to us by our Heavenly Father...not to sit on the coffee table, or bookshelf, or to stay in the back seat of your car until next Sunday.  It was given to us to answer our questions, seek guidance from, comfort us and better acquaint us with our Heavenly Father.  The stories in the Bible are there to let us know that there are others that have gone through similar problems.....it shows their successes and their failures, proving true that what we sow we will reap.  The greatest reason we have the Word of God in our hands is so we may read the salvation plan and we may walk through this life victoriously.  It gives us insight to the tactics of the devil and tells us how to defeat him....which by the way, is with the WORD OF GOD.

All that being said.....have you read it today?  I sure hope so.  The Lord took me to Psalm 119 today and I want  to share with you what the longest chapter in the Bible has to say about the Word of God.

Psalm 119

vs 1-blessed are those who walk in the Word
2-blessed are those who keep the Word
4-God has commanded us to diligently keep His Word
6-Walking in the Word will keep us from shame
7- Knowing the Word will cause praise to flow from our heart and our mouth
9-The Word cleanses us
10-We are to seek God with our whole heart
11-Hiding the Word in our heart will help us keep from sinning against God
12-We are to pray for God to teach us His Word
13-We are to declare the Word with our mouth
14-We are to rejoice in the Word
15- We are to meditate on the Word
16- We are to delight in the Word and memorize the Word
18-We are to ask God to open our spiritual eyes that we may learn and understand the truths of the Word
21-We are disciplined by the Word
24-The Word is to be our counselor
25-We are revived by the Word
28-We are strengthened by the Word
31-We are to cling to the Word
33-We are to keep the Word til our final breath
34-We are to pray for understanding in order that we can keep the Word with our whole heart
36-Clinging to the Word helps us not to covet
37-Keeping our eyes on the Word helps to take our eyes off of worthless things
42-The Word provides us with answers for those who reproach us
43-Our hope is to be in the Word
45-Walking in the Word allows us to walk in freedom
46-We are to speak the Word unashamed before anyone big or small
50-The Word is our comfort is affliction
52-We find comfort in the Word
67- The Word keeps us from straying
77-When we delight in the Word we will find the mercies of God fall upon us
89-The Word of the Lord is settled in heaven, unchanging
92-Delighting in the Word gives us strength in our affliction
103-The Word is sweeter than honey to our mouth
105-The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path
114-The Word is our hiding place and our shield
117-The Word holds us up and keeps us safe
127-The Word of God is more precious than the finest gold
130-The Word provides light and givens understanding to the most simple
133-The Word keeps sin from having dominion over us
136-We are to be grieved when others do not keep the Word
140-The Word of God is pure
143-In the midst of trouble and anguish the Word is our delight
147-We are to rise in the morning seeking the Word
160-The entirety of the Word is Truth
165-Loving the Word brings peace to our heart
176-The Word is the way back when we go astray.

This is just a small list of everything this chapter teaches about the Word of God.

Friend, do not neglect it....it is your life.  When I have found myself in some of the toughest situations I have often slept with my Bible as a child sleeps clinging to a teddy bear.  The words on those pages are straight from the lips of my Heavenly Father and I know, while others will let me down- my Heavenly Father is faithful and speaks only truth.  He is Truth!  He will only do what is best for me.  For over 45 years now this Book has been my life.  I can testify every word to be true.....I will until I die and awake in heaven in the arms of THE WORD.

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Why not spend some time right now in the Word.

Let me know how it goes.

To God be the glory!

What to do when you don't know what to do

I want to look at a verse from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  II Chronicles 20: 12.


"O our God, will you not judge them?  For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon You."


Have you ever been there?  I have.  I've faced health problems, financial problems, just like everyone else.  I have tried to take care of things myself, thinking that I can handle it all....only to find that I can't.  But I can testify that EVERY TIME I went to God and said "God I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on You" and then REALLY fixed my eyes on Him, He comes through every time.  Oh perhaps He does not come through as I had hoped, but without fail, He comes through in a way that is for my benefit and will turn out better than any plan I had come up with.


We serve a God who has an endless supply of resources.  He speaks and IT IS!  This God is my Father.  I am a child of the King.  Oh that ought to bring us peace.  


The world just finished watching the royal wedding.  I doubt that Prince William or Prince Harry worry to much about finances....after all, they are related to the Queen!  Yet, I can top that one.  I am a child of the King of Kings!  God has an endless supply of resources.  He speaks and IT IS!  I am a co-heir with Christ to all that belongs to the Father.  That's not me talking- that's the Word of God.
  Galatians 4:7
 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.


Heaven does not operate on earth's economy!  God is not watching the stock market or trimming the budget in order to make it.  If you find yourself in a situation today that has you fearful and wondering what will happen, take it to the Lord.  Just throw your hands up and tell Him you don't know what to do, then fix your eyes on Him and sit back and watch Him work.


Now I want to say just a few things.  God knows our heart, He will not give us things we desire so that we may consume it upon our own lusts.  He is not a genie in a bottle, granting our 3 wishes.


But when we have given our will to Him and we are walking in His will then we can be sure He has our back.  


He loves you.  Don't let Satan whisper anything different in your ear.  Surrender your heart to Him today.  Surrender your WHOLE heart.  God is not interested in "renting a room", He wants to move in to every part of our lives.  He is worthy, dear friend.  It is a decision you will never regret.


It starts with a desire, planted deep within your heart
You pray in faith, and wait for God to move
Times passes and you wonder
Did He hear me when I called?
Should I even have prayed that prayer at all?


There comes a time when child-like faith
Must graduate to trust
Trials come and you're convinced you're on your own
But the teacher's often silent
During the hardest test
But He'll answer when it's time 
With what is best!


You never pray a prayer, your Father will not answer
He can't ignore His child's earnest request
While you're waiting and believing
For what you thought was best
Trust God if He says no...............you're still blessed
There must be a greater "yes"

Gratitude

Recently someone told me they were starting a gratitude journal.  I think that is an awesome thing to do.  You see, it is our human nature to be quick to point out all the problems in our lives, but we are often slow to think about all that we have to be thankful for.  I am not just talking about the common things we all think of....family, friends, health, a job.  I'm also thinking about those "small" things.....a parking place.......a good nights rest....an unexpected thoughtful deed.


Thankfulness is important to God.  You often hear Christians talk about finding "the will of God" for their lives.  Well, let me help you.  Giving thanks is the will of God for your life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (King James Version)

 ¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


How do we learn to give thanks for those things in our lives that have brought us pain?   

Romans 8:28 (King James Version)

 ²⁸And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose


God does not say that "all things are good" but He does say that He will work all things for our good.  A few years ago I had cancer.  Was that good? No, rather it brought with it some very difficult days.  But God did take it and worked it out for my good.  It was in those times that He grew me, and renewed me and used me and I can honestly say that I am a better person today because of  those difficult days.


If you are a born again, true child of God then you can rest assured that whatever you are facing today has been permitted by the hand of God.


I did not say that God brings about all the bad things, but because God is sovereign, He permits whatever comes into our lives.


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances as a consequence of our sin.  It is the sowing and reaping process God spoke of in Galatians 6:7 when He said that whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances because of the circumstances of life, the fall of man in general.  By this I mean that we might suffer at the hands of the economy, or a disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane or tornado, etc


Sometimes we face difficult circumstances because God has us in the refining fires.  He is purifying us, just as the finest gold or silver is purified in the hottest fires.  God desires to grow us and conform us more to the image of His Son and this is not always a pleasant process, but as Job said in Job 23:10, when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.


Why don't you take some time to start a gratitude journal?  I believe you will find that there is no journal large enough to hold all that you have to be thankful for.  If you don't believe me, then test me....I am certain you will find what I have said to be absolute truth!


When He walks among us, all that He does
All of His mercy and all of His love
If the pen of a writer could write every day
Even this world could never contain
Just how I've been blessed


The warmth in the winter, the flowers in spring
The laughter of summer and the changing of leaves
Food on my table, a good place to sleep, clothes on my back
And shoes on my feet
Oh I have been blessed


Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk
Hands that can touch and legs that can walk
Ears that can listen and eyes that can see
Oh I've got to praise Him as long as I breath
Cause I have been blessed


Father and mother, nurtured and raised
my sister and family, memories made
My pastor to lead me, an altar to pray
Stripes that can heal and Blood that can save
Oh I have been blessed


We live in a country, the greatest on earth
Our flag stands for freedom and what it is worth
She stands in the harbor, Miss Liberty calls
All have gave some, but some gave it all
For me to be blessed


A shoulder to lean on when I am down
A Rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed
The place where He hides me under His wings
He's not just a song, He's the reason I sing
Oh I have been blessed


I have been blessed, God's so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I could count them, there's not enough time
So I'll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good.   I have been blessed.


To God be the glory!

Thoughts on Osama Bin Laden/lessons we can take with us

My jaw hit the floor last night as I decided to check my email one more time before going to bed!  Was it true Osama Bin Laden dead?  I had a few reactions.  1.)  I am so grateful for our military!  I can't imagine being on a mission to capture the most wanted man in America!  My deepest respect goes to those men and women throughout history have fought and in great number gave the ultimate in order for me to enjoy the freedom that I enjoy 24/7.  My heart goes out to their families as they wait with anticipation for their beloved soldier to come home.  2.) Osama Bin Laden is just beginning an eternity that is more horrific than we can even begin to imagine. How am I supposed to feel?

As I was thinking about that, I knew in my heart that Jesus died for Osama Bin Laden!  I also know that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked!  That's straight from the Word of God.  Ezekiel 18:23,32

²³Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.


How overwhelming is the grace of God?  That Osama bin Laden was loved by Jesus.  Just ponder that for a moment!  I still can't wrap my mind around it.


Can I be happy that Osama is dead? Well, I don't think the Bible condemns capital punishment and certainly the mass murderer Osama is deserving of such a punishment because of his horrific trail of terror.  I also don't think that the Bible speaks out against war and  certainly if there is ever a reason to wage war, it was after 9/11/2001! 


Do I rejoice over the fact that Obama is now facing an eternity separated from God and will endure endless torture in the lake of fire?  No!  I can't!  I no more deserve heaven than Osama!  I don't like to think that- but it is Truth.  The Bible says all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  That word "all" pretty much says it ALL!


So then my attention went to the speech the President gave, announcing Osama's death.  He said something that caught my attention and prompted me to write this blog entry.


President Obama reminded us that just because Osama is dead, the war on terror does not stop.  Yes, we took out the leader and mastermind of it all, but  we will see another rise up at some point to "carry the torch" and continue the legacy of Osama.  Therefore, we must not be careless or drop our guard.


Immediately I thought about the strategy of Satan and our spiritual battle with the prince of darkness.  You see, we can become careless in our spiritual lives.  We may think we have put to death some particular sin and now we are OK- but Satan never quits fighting us.  Just when we think we are free from the bondage of one sin, if we aren't careful, we will become entangled in another sin.  


We must never let down our guard with the devil.  He is a mastermind even exceeding the expert on terror, Osama.  The Bible calls us to get dressed in our spiritual armor and be ready at all times to resist and flee from sin.


The Navy seals carried out a very well planned strategy.  Why?  This was their chance, a chance that, if botched, may not come again for a long time.  They were not careless, they were not unorganized.  Rather they followed the instruction given to them by our military experts.  They were ready!


That is how we must be in our battle with Satan and in the war with our flesh. We must not be careless, but rather follow the instruction of our expert, the Captain of our army, Jesus Christ.  What do you think would have happened if a navy seal got ready to carry out his assignment, to kill or capture Osama, then all of a sudden he thought he would do it his way?  No!  our men came out alive and uninjured because they took their mission seriously and they obeyed the higher ups who have the careful instruction.


We must take our war with the devil and our flesh seriously.  Equally important, we must take our Christian walk seriously.  We must be willing to submit to the One who was tempted in all ways, like us, yet was without sin.  We must obey the orders of our Master.  When we choose to do it God's way, we will always come out ahead......but the opposite is true also.  If we fail to do it God's way and choose to act independently, we open ourselves up to the wounds the enemy will inflict upon our soul.


Osama had up to his last breath to repent and accept Christ.  From all we see, he chose a different road.  He now faces the consequences of his decision.


Thank you once again, every soldier, past or present for all you have done for me and every American.  May God bless you and your family  and protect you from harm.  I pray for you and I love you and appreciate every one of you!

Thank you Jesus for your mercy and grace.  Please bless our soldiers and protect them.  Thank you for allowing me to be born in the United States.  

Everybody is talking about it.......what are you and I talking about?

Well it came and went.....the "wedding of the century" as it was called.  Prince William and Kate had a wedding that most girls can only dream of.  I think that's great and I hope they have a wonderful life.  But it was amazing to arrive at work and hear everyone talking about it.  People taped it, some got up and watched it at the wee hours of the morning.  I engaged in this conversation.  After all, if you're a girl, then you must talk about the dress, the attire of the guests, the attire of the bridal party, the flowers...on and on it goes.  Truth be known, I don't know Prince William or Kate and their wedding had no impact on my life, yet I still talked a lot about it.
Perhaps you found yourself doing the same thing!

As the day progressed and as I was thinking more about it today, I asked myself "how readily do I speak about Jesus, not a "future King, but rather the KING OF KINGS!  How often do I talk about the royal wedding that will take place one day, THE WEDDING SUPPER OF THE LAMB?"

Now those are 2 items that have a huge impact!  Not only does it impact life here but our eternal life!  How much effort do I make to talk about Jesus?  If Christians are going to great lengths to watch the royal wedding but not going to great lengths to talk about Jesus then our priorities are out of line.

This week take some time at the end of your day to ponder what conversations you engaged in during the day.  What did you spend the most time talking about in your free time?  I have asked myself that question quite often and it can be very convicting.

From the abundance of the heart our mouth will speak.  If your heart is filled with the things of Jesus then that will reflect in your conversations.

Let the words of our heart and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your site O God!

Beware of the little foxes!

I am currently going through something that I wish I did not have to go through.  But, I can do nothing about it right now....just endure.  I have been forced to change some things, develop some patience, grow in my faith, just to name a few.  Rest assured that when we are going through something painful or tough, our enemy is going to try to use that to his advantage.  My frustration level has been higher than normal, I have at times been angry at my lack of control and at times ponder some questions that I really didn't have a business pondering to begin with.  


Here's the confession- the Holy Spirit, faithful friend that He is, convicted me on the spot when my spirit was headed in an unhealthy direction.  I recognized His voice and, by the way, I agreed with Him whole heartily....but I didn't confess it at the very moment.  Instead, while I agreed with His assessment of the situation, I just wanted to hang on to my questions, frustrations and anger a little longer.  Perhaps it seemed fair-(I don't even really know what that means)- perhaps I thought I deserved to be this way and so I was gonna be this way just a little longer.  Oh, I had no desire to hang on to my thoughts and feelings forever....but  just a "little longer".  That had to be music to the ears of Satan.


About a week ago- I found myself my feelings of anger, frustration, and my questions had grown a little bit.  Then, the light went on!  I saw what was going on.  Just like someone who has a small infection but doesn't get treated until they have a big infection, I had failed to take care of my sinful attitudes and feelings that were now starting to grow roots and try to make my heart their home.


My mind went back to a sermon that my pastor preached when I was about 8 years old.  Even now, I remember it like it was yesterday.  It came from this verse:


Song of Solomon 2:15- Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. (KJV)


The "little foxes" do the damage!  How does this apply to us in our everyday life?


We don't have to be Biblical scholars to know about those "big" sins- murder, adultery, theft, pornography just to name a few.  If you have served in ministry for any length of time, you have probably placed safeguards in your life in order to not become entangled in these sins.


But what about those "little foxes"- those petty sins that we let go unchecked because after all no one knows, it won't hurt anyone, and there's plenty of people out their doing worse things than what you're doing.


That is what happened to me- I have safeguarded myself throughout my life in order to stay away from certain situations that might lead me into one of those "big sins".  However, I had not safeguarded my attitude.  And probably, sad to say, I used those excuses I just listed above.  Because I failed to stop in my tracks the moment the Holy Spirit called me on it, in no time I saw a bitter root trying its best to take up residence.  I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit would not let go and kept hammering home the point.  I then pulled that root and confessed to God that I had not given to Him what He demands and what He is worthy of, immediate whole hearted obedience.


What are the little foxes in your life today?  Please pay attention to them.  I have never counseled a woman who just fell into some "big sin".  The story comes out and I learn that there were "little foxes" that were unchecked and now that lady had found herself dealing with much bigger problems.  It's the little fox of neglecting conversing with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis, the little fox of certain TV shows or music or movies, the little fox of gossip that will sooner or later come back to bite you.


Look at King David-  What Christian doesn't know about his adultery, and his murder.  What was the little fox?  He was not where he was supposed to be.  When he should have been at war, he was at home.  When he should have turned his eyes away after seeing Bathsheba, he gazed on her beauty and from there it was all down hill.


Look at Lot- He looked toward Sodom and the beautiful land, he pitched his tent near Sodom and shortly thereafter he is in Sodom and in trouble.


Read Psalm 1- The progression is interesting in the very first verse as it reads 
"Blessed is the man that WALKETH not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor STANDETH in the way of sinners, nor SITTETH in the seat of the scornful. 
Walk- that's not commitment- you're still on your feet, and you can run.  Standing- .  You're getting relaxed, standing still... and soon you are sitting.....and soon you're in trouble


Little foxes will destroy the fruit that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in you.  Don't let little foxes limit how God can use you- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you those "little foxes" that are lurking around you waiting for their opportunity and then take safeguards so that they are caught before they cause you pain and stunt your spiritual growth.

All Time Undisputed, Undefeated Champion of Love

We have all watched the NBA championships.....there is always a winner and a loser.  And while the sportscaster always interviews the champions first, sooner or later he makes his way over to the losers.  It's always the same thing....they congratulate the champion and then move on to what they could have done differently in order to have won the game.  They usually say something about "next year" or "next season".

In most situations this is how it goes.  There is almost always a "next time".  Shortly after the championships are over, you will read about some changes in the team, coaches, players, tactics, etc...getting ready for "next time".

Today I want us to take a look back resurrection morning and the victory that was accomplished  that day.  We have a Champion, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We also have a loser, our adversary, the devil.  I want to look at what the outcome of that morning meant for every believer.  I want us to look at what it meant for the loser, Satan.

What  the resurrection meant for the devil

1.)  His fate was sealed for good.  Satan will never get a second chance to tempt Jesus or overtake the authority of Jesus Christ.  The keys of death and hell .  Revelation 1:18 (KJV) "I am He that liveth, and was dead and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death"
2.) His powers were revealed for what they were- weak and substandard to the powers of the God Almighty!   Satan had given it all he had and perhaps he thought he was within close reach to the championship title! Yet, He could not keep Jesus down!  Resurrection morning showed different and forever Satan will claim the title of loser.
3.) While Satan and his demons were not annihilated, their authority has been greatly curbed- Colossians 2:15.
While he stands to accuse the saints, that is all he can do....accuse!  For the risen Christ is the Advocate for every saint!

  Zechariah 3:1-5 (KJV)  Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose.  And the Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, Satan!  The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!  Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?  Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and standing before the Angel.  Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him.  And to him He said, See I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.  And I said, Let them put a clean turban on his head, and they put clothes on him .  And the Angel of the Lord stood by.


What the resurrection means for the believer

We live defeated lives when we fail to recognize what the resurrection of Jesus Christ gained for us.  Heaven was gained but we must also recognize that the day to day victory while on this earth is something that is possible for us.

Because of the resurrection....
You have been
 Set free from sin and condemnation- Romans 8:1-2
Set free from Satan's control- Colossians 1:13
Set free from Satan's kingdom- Ephesians 2
 given the Holy Spirit- II Corinthians 1:22 given all things pertaining to life- II Peter 1:3
 given authority over the power of the enemy- Luke 10:19
 given access to God- Ephesians 1:8

You are:
Free forever from sin's power- Romans 6:14
Kept from falling- Jude 24
One with the Lord- I Corinthians 6:17
The head and not the tail- Deuteronomy 28:13
Hidden with Christ in God- Psalm 32:7
Protected from the evil one- I John 5:18
Kept by the power of God- I Peter 1:5
Secure in Christ- John 10:28-29
More than a conqueror- Romans 8:37

You have:
Access to the Father- Romans 5:2
A home in heaven- John 14:1-2Luke 10:19
All things in Christ- II Corinthians 5:17
A living hope- I Peter 1:3
A hope that is sure and steadfast- Hebrews 6:19
Authority to tread on serpents- Luke 10:19
Power to witness- Acts 1:8
Boldness and access- Hebrews 10:19
Peace with God- Romans 5:1

You can:
Do all things through Christ- Philippians 4:13
Find mercy and grace to help- Hebrews 4:16
Come boldly to the throne of grace- Hebrews 4:16
Quench all the firey darts of Satan- Ephesians 6:19
Tread on the serpent- Luke 10:19
Declare liberty to the captives- Isaiah 61:1
Overcome the enemy- Revelations 12:11
Tread Satan under foot- Romans 16:20

You cannot:
Be separated from God's love- Romans 8:35-39
Be charged or accused- Romans 8:33
Be condemned- I Corinthians 11:32

(This is such a partial list - there is so much more in the Bible I could include but didn't for the sake of time and space-  Get in your Bible and you will find so much more!!!)

Dear friend, do not live as though Jesus is still in that tomb!  He is alive and well and lives today to intercede for you!

Hebrews 12 2 says we can look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Two very important things to digest here.  He "sat down"- an obvious sign of finality, when Christ cried out "it is finished!" He wasn't kidding- -
" at the right hand of the throne of God."-  A place of  strength, power, importance and pre-eminence



If you know Christ as your Savior then dear child of God, live with the knowledge that you don't have to live in defeat.  Satan has already been defeated- don't let him tell you otherwise.

If you don't know Jesus, then you are currently defeated- and you do have reason for grave concern- for you currently do not have the benefits of the resurrected Christ available to you.  Please go to my tab in this blog on how to have a personal relationship with God.  He loves you, Christ died and rose again for you!  You can change your eternal address from hell to heaven the very moment you accept Him into your life and ask Him to be your Savior!

There is no other "god"!  No other "god" has died and rose again and no other "god" can forgive your sins and offer you the hope that Jesus Christ offers you.  It is hope for today and hope for eternity!

If you accept Christ, let me know!  I would love to send you materials, even a Bible to help you get started on your walk with the Lord- no charge to you....my highest privilege to send it to you!!
He is Risen!   To God be the glory!