Recently employment questions and issues have weighed heavily on my mind. Convinced by prior experiences to just let things take their natural course, I was quiet and waited. (That is so not my usual manner). It was weeks and weeks of waiting. Other teachers had been given their assignments back in May and June and now in the middle of August things were getting a bit ridiculous. Children come back to school Aug.30 and teachers report for duty August 20.
"Either God is in charge or He's not; either the Bible is true or it is not!"
It's that simple. So, if we go to church and sing and praise the Lord and listen to the Word being preached, we might "act" like Christians and TRUST that we have not followed cleverly written deceptive stories.
Apostle Paul stated it like this, "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." II Peter 1:16.
We serve a KING. He is well able to meet our needs and well takes pleasure in doing so. Speak your faith right now about your need! Tell someone else that you choose to believe. Tell the enemy that you believe that God is good.
Ps. 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
One of our most important jobs....
I've heard it so many times and now that I have walked down different roads I can see even more the importance of the advice I received as a young person: WE NEED TO REALLY PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS.
Anointed preaching of the Word is the very life blood of a church and if a pastor gets overly discouraged, it will show in no time from the pulpit. If you have had a pastor who was used of God at one time and has lost something along the way, begin to build him up with a special time of prayer just for him. He needs to know that his ministry is making a difference. The enemy loves to see our pastors lose their faith and lose their fire.
As a teen, I can recall being so excited to hear our pastor and evangelists preach. We knew that they had heard from God and that we would be moved by the life changing words that came forth. Preachers brought the Bible to life for us. Visitors hearts were changed.
We need our preachers to deliver the Word to us.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? KJV
Now read this in the NIV version of the Bible:
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Churches can have great music, children's programs, outreach programs, but without a preacher who will preach the Word with the fire of the Holy Ghost...we have little.
I attend a church where my husband is the pastor, so I may have an unusual vantage point, but if I have ever seen the need to "Amen" our pastors, it is NOW.
It's God's job to call, equip and correct pastors; our most important job is to pray and support them.
Anointed preaching of the Word is the very life blood of a church and if a pastor gets overly discouraged, it will show in no time from the pulpit. If you have had a pastor who was used of God at one time and has lost something along the way, begin to build him up with a special time of prayer just for him. He needs to know that his ministry is making a difference. The enemy loves to see our pastors lose their faith and lose their fire.
As a teen, I can recall being so excited to hear our pastor and evangelists preach. We knew that they had heard from God and that we would be moved by the life changing words that came forth. Preachers brought the Bible to life for us. Visitors hearts were changed.
We need our preachers to deliver the Word to us.
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?
and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?
and how shall they hear without a preacher? KJV
Now read this in the NIV version of the Bible:
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Churches can have great music, children's programs, outreach programs, but without a preacher who will preach the Word with the fire of the Holy Ghost...we have little.
I attend a church where my husband is the pastor, so I may have an unusual vantage point, but if I have ever seen the need to "Amen" our pastors, it is NOW.
It's God's job to call, equip and correct pastors; our most important job is to pray and support them.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Have you ever broken or lost something that you had borrowed?
When the borrowed axe head flew into the river, the workers hearts sank with it. How were they ever going to replace it? Tools made of iron were highly valued and hard to come by. We have read of villages even in recent history that shared one scissor for an entire community.
Elisha knew that to God gravity was not an issue. Elisha merely threw in a stick near where the axe head fell in, soon the axe head rose to the stick as if it were a magnet and it floated in the water! Really? Did that really happen? Yes!
Why is it so hard for us to believe stories like this in the Bible? Our world is suspended in the atmosphere and never fails to provide stability to our world? We see nature in action every day so we do not think of it as unusual. God loves it when we trust him to defy his laws of nature.
I want God to do something for me today; not because I like to be "wowed" but because I know that He is able and willing to show his power to deliver and save and supply our needs.
A dear friend of mine was invited to a revival meeting and came addicted. After God did what he does so well,(forgive, set free, fill with his Spirit) my friend never experienced any withdrawal symptoms. That defied nature.
Which was that greatest miracle? The redemption or the deliverance from addiction? It's all got the signature of a Great big wonderful God.
God can stretch our income when we trust him with the first fruits (10%).
God can give us an undying love for our sweetheart that does not die.
God can give us a new mouth and take the cuss words out of our vocabulary that have been ingrained in our minds and habits.
God can impart spiritual gifts, and the fruit of the Spirit where doubt, fear and bitterness dwelt before.
I could go on but.....you already know these things....
What do you need God to do for you today?
Does the need defy natural laws? With God nothing is impossible.
Ask him for help. Read this passage to build your faith. 2 Kings 6:1-7
Elisha knew that to God gravity was not an issue. Elisha merely threw in a stick near where the axe head fell in, soon the axe head rose to the stick as if it were a magnet and it floated in the water! Really? Did that really happen? Yes!
Why is it so hard for us to believe stories like this in the Bible? Our world is suspended in the atmosphere and never fails to provide stability to our world? We see nature in action every day so we do not think of it as unusual. God loves it when we trust him to defy his laws of nature.
I want God to do something for me today; not because I like to be "wowed" but because I know that He is able and willing to show his power to deliver and save and supply our needs.
A dear friend of mine was invited to a revival meeting and came addicted. After God did what he does so well,(forgive, set free, fill with his Spirit) my friend never experienced any withdrawal symptoms. That defied nature.
Which was that greatest miracle? The redemption or the deliverance from addiction? It's all got the signature of a Great big wonderful God.
God can stretch our income when we trust him with the first fruits (10%).
God can give us an undying love for our sweetheart that does not die.
God can give us a new mouth and take the cuss words out of our vocabulary that have been ingrained in our minds and habits.
God can impart spiritual gifts, and the fruit of the Spirit where doubt, fear and bitterness dwelt before.
I could go on but.....you already know these things....
What do you need God to do for you today?
Does the need defy natural laws? With God nothing is impossible.
Ask him for help. Read this passage to build your faith. 2 Kings 6:1-7
Friday, July 2, 2010
The NDJ club?
It is so trendy of a message; a preacher could preach it TODAY in any pulpit.
Ezekiel, (in chapter 14) linked Noah, Daniel and Job together several times as examples of how we may have to stand alone in our faith at times.
I literally shouted out, "Wow!", each time I read the verses with these men named together. It caused me to ponder and be amazed that Ezekiel looked to them as heroes of faith just as we do.
Noah stood alone.
Daniel stood alone.
Job stood alone.
We may have to at times too.
Noah was greatly rewarded.
Daniel was greatly rewarded.
Job was greatly rewarded.
God sees when we choose to stand for Him in spite of the odds.
I am sure all three of these men had their times of sadness and fear, but yet they stood.....
"Wow!" That is all I can think to respond to this message from Ezekiel.
Do you want to join the club? The meetings are all in that secret place with God.
Ezekiel, (in chapter 14) linked Noah, Daniel and Job together several times as examples of how we may have to stand alone in our faith at times.
I literally shouted out, "Wow!", each time I read the verses with these men named together. It caused me to ponder and be amazed that Ezekiel looked to them as heroes of faith just as we do.
Noah stood alone.
Daniel stood alone.
Job stood alone.
We may have to at times too.
Noah was greatly rewarded.
Daniel was greatly rewarded.
Job was greatly rewarded.
God sees when we choose to stand for Him in spite of the odds.
I am sure all three of these men had their times of sadness and fear, but yet they stood.....
"Wow!" That is all I can think to respond to this message from Ezekiel.
Do you want to join the club? The meetings are all in that secret place with God.
Friday, June 25, 2010
I really shouldn't tell this story but.....
I can't resist! Our son Tim is being mentored by a missionary who is starting a church in Mexico as well as pastoring a US TX/MEX border church. The room that they supplied for him to sleep in has a nice love seat couch in it, but no bed, nor mattress.
Right away Tim told us he had found some padding and was going to make a makeshift mattress and lay it on the concrete floor. He was pretty miserable but he didn't say anything to the missionary. He did call home and tell us, so we suggested he go buy some sort of cot and he could get by for a month using that. He looked at them at a market but decided not to buy one (they were sort of expensive). So more than a week went by before he realized that the love seat was a HIDE-A-BED!!
I know I should not have laughed, but I could not help it; it had never occurred to him that next to him was his answer. He really began to laugh too when he realized how "blind" he had been.
I am so guilty of not recognizing God's provisions right at my fingertips. The answers to my prayers often are right in front of me.
I am reminded of the couple that ate cold sandwiches out of a cooler the whole time they were on a once-in-a lifetime oceanic cruise, not knowing that the most sumptuous gourmet foods were included in the purchase ticket price.
Are you agonizing over a need in your life? Look in the room you are in, or in your own heart. You may be going without what you deserve due to your lack of faith in God's ability to provide.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
And remember this wonderful old adage:
The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God will not keep you.(author Jim Wallis).
If you are a believer and have followed Jesus, you can bank on your provisions. God knows exactly what we need and he has already planned it out.
A very dear friend passed away from breast cancer some years ago. She and her husband had two young sons. I could hardly work one day because I knew her hours were drawing to a close. I went in to see my principal about some issue and he asked me how I was and I began to sob. It was so unprofessional but I could not help myself. I hurt for her and her husband and children so much.
I will never forget what this wise principal told me: If God takes her home, then he has already written the plan for those boys' lives. He has a plan for them, they would be alright. Oh, what a revelation to me. I lack faith so many times. God help me to recognize that you have it all in control and that you are the best Father anyone could ever dream of. Jesus is my el shaddai!
Right away Tim told us he had found some padding and was going to make a makeshift mattress and lay it on the concrete floor. He was pretty miserable but he didn't say anything to the missionary. He did call home and tell us, so we suggested he go buy some sort of cot and he could get by for a month using that. He looked at them at a market but decided not to buy one (they were sort of expensive). So more than a week went by before he realized that the love seat was a HIDE-A-BED!!
I know I should not have laughed, but I could not help it; it had never occurred to him that next to him was his answer. He really began to laugh too when he realized how "blind" he had been.
I am so guilty of not recognizing God's provisions right at my fingertips. The answers to my prayers often are right in front of me.
I am reminded of the couple that ate cold sandwiches out of a cooler the whole time they were on a once-in-a lifetime oceanic cruise, not knowing that the most sumptuous gourmet foods were included in the purchase ticket price.
Are you agonizing over a need in your life? Look in the room you are in, or in your own heart. You may be going without what you deserve due to your lack of faith in God's ability to provide.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
And remember this wonderful old adage:
The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God will not keep you.(author Jim Wallis).
If you are a believer and have followed Jesus, you can bank on your provisions. God knows exactly what we need and he has already planned it out.
A very dear friend passed away from breast cancer some years ago. She and her husband had two young sons. I could hardly work one day because I knew her hours were drawing to a close. I went in to see my principal about some issue and he asked me how I was and I began to sob. It was so unprofessional but I could not help myself. I hurt for her and her husband and children so much.
I will never forget what this wise principal told me: If God takes her home, then he has already written the plan for those boys' lives. He has a plan for them, they would be alright. Oh, what a revelation to me. I lack faith so many times. God help me to recognize that you have it all in control and that you are the best Father anyone could ever dream of. Jesus is my el shaddai!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A girlfriend or a bride-to-be? Proverbs 1
A girlfriend or a bride-to-be? I taught our church class many years ago that God is not looking for a girlfriend but a BRIDE. A bride has made up her mind. A girlfriend is keeping her options open. She is waiting to see if this is Mr. Right or not. A girlfriend as a lot of questions to get answers for. A bride is focusing on the BIG DAY. Her questions have mostly been answered and she is "sold out" and "in love". A bride is anxious to find out what HE loves and to relinquish any self-centered plans. Love does crazy things to people actually. It's humorous to hear love stories sometimes.
Life is so heavy. I am beginning to abhor negative chatter, but yet I almost cringe when I hear some preachers who never discuss God's "other" side. God is not just love, love, love. He is just, jealous, all-knowing, and all-seeing. Think about it: Jeus knew that the widow woman had given more than all those wealthy worshipers, though she gave only two coins. God knows the little details of our lives!!
God is a jealous God; he expects loyalty. His first commandment is that we shall have no other God's before him, and the NT rendition is that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength...and our neighbor as ourselves.
I am glad God demands my whole heart; that means he loves me wholeheartedly as well.
So, when we ignore the persistent prodding of the spirit of God, we anger and disappoint the Lord. The following passage from Proverbs 1 was written long ago by Solomon, King David's son. It sounds like a God-blog to me....
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
I have ignored the Lord so many times, I am ashamed to say. It's not that I don't want to do the work of the Lord, but like anyone else, I am bossed around by my flesh.
Last night we learned that a neighbor to our church died of alcoholism. He was a younger man; a roofer. I felt sick inside when I learned this news. Yes, we had been friendly to him. His teenage daughter had once come to service and I gave her little gift, I heard that she was not permitted to attend again. I know that the Lord had prodded us to visit their home and invite them again. Lord, wake me up...help me to say "yes" to your spirit and climb over my flesh to act upon your word.
I want to be a wise person. Proverb 2 is chocked full of promises for those that listen! God is so ready to pour out his favor upon us if we just listen to his voice. I want to act like the Bride of Christ, sold out, totally invested in His work. Wake me up Lord!
Life is so heavy. I am beginning to abhor negative chatter, but yet I almost cringe when I hear some preachers who never discuss God's "other" side. God is not just love, love, love. He is just, jealous, all-knowing, and all-seeing. Think about it: Jeus knew that the widow woman had given more than all those wealthy worshipers, though she gave only two coins. God knows the little details of our lives!!
God is a jealous God; he expects loyalty. His first commandment is that we shall have no other God's before him, and the NT rendition is that we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength...and our neighbor as ourselves.
I am glad God demands my whole heart; that means he loves me wholeheartedly as well.
So, when we ignore the persistent prodding of the spirit of God, we anger and disappoint the Lord. The following passage from Proverbs 1 was written long ago by Solomon, King David's son. It sounds like a God-blog to me....
Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
I have ignored the Lord so many times, I am ashamed to say. It's not that I don't want to do the work of the Lord, but like anyone else, I am bossed around by my flesh.
Last night we learned that a neighbor to our church died of alcoholism. He was a younger man; a roofer. I felt sick inside when I learned this news. Yes, we had been friendly to him. His teenage daughter had once come to service and I gave her little gift, I heard that she was not permitted to attend again. I know that the Lord had prodded us to visit their home and invite them again. Lord, wake me up...help me to say "yes" to your spirit and climb over my flesh to act upon your word.
I want to be a wise person. Proverb 2 is chocked full of promises for those that listen! God is so ready to pour out his favor upon us if we just listen to his voice. I want to act like the Bride of Christ, sold out, totally invested in His work. Wake me up Lord!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
We can be imprisoned by our unwillingness to forgive. Job 42:10
My hope is that this blog entry will transform or set someone free.
Job 42:10
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Deep, deep hurts occur in church! Because we are usually relaxed around our fellow church family, we are more vulnerable to unexpected and unintended attacks.
I know what I am talking about.
The last place one would expect to incur further injuries is a hospital! Our churches have often been likened to a hospital. Jesus even said "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" Mark 2:17
Our world is packed with people carrying around a myriad of hurts and regrets.
So, what is the answer, avoid church? The enemy would sure like it if we made that decision. Many have, many very dear people have just quit going. But that is not the answer. The answer is to keep a forgiving spirit flowing like a river at all times. Walk continually in forgiveness and understanding. That is the way God is...continually HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.
Job's friends said many hurtful and accusatory things to him. He realized that their words were keeping him from his healing and from the freedom he longed for.
His health was almost gone, his family were either deceased or blaming him for their circumstances; his sorrow was drowning him.
In his most God-like moment, he made a conscious decision to forgive. He did not want to take resentment to his grave which he fully expected to be visiting shortly. But when he forgave, he did not die, the very opposite happened.
NEW LIFE CAME STREAMING THROUGH THE DARK CLOUDS LIKE A SHOT OF THE BRIGHTEST SUNSHINE EVER TO PIERCE THE SKY.
A miracle happened. The chains of illness fell off. He was made whole, he was restored, he got his life back even better than before.
It's time to forgive my friend, yes, I am talking to you! Let it go...lay it down..leave it there and seek no revenge ever again. Speak of it no longer.
Let the Lord bring your miracle to pass.
I praise you Jesus for opening the door to my soul once again.
Job 42:10
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Deep, deep hurts occur in church! Because we are usually relaxed around our fellow church family, we are more vulnerable to unexpected and unintended attacks.
I know what I am talking about.
The last place one would expect to incur further injuries is a hospital! Our churches have often been likened to a hospital. Jesus even said "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" Mark 2:17
Our world is packed with people carrying around a myriad of hurts and regrets.
So, what is the answer, avoid church? The enemy would sure like it if we made that decision. Many have, many very dear people have just quit going. But that is not the answer. The answer is to keep a forgiving spirit flowing like a river at all times. Walk continually in forgiveness and understanding. That is the way God is...continually HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER.
Job's friends said many hurtful and accusatory things to him. He realized that their words were keeping him from his healing and from the freedom he longed for.
His health was almost gone, his family were either deceased or blaming him for their circumstances; his sorrow was drowning him.
In his most God-like moment, he made a conscious decision to forgive. He did not want to take resentment to his grave which he fully expected to be visiting shortly. But when he forgave, he did not die, the very opposite happened.
NEW LIFE CAME STREAMING THROUGH THE DARK CLOUDS LIKE A SHOT OF THE BRIGHTEST SUNSHINE EVER TO PIERCE THE SKY.
A miracle happened. The chains of illness fell off. He was made whole, he was restored, he got his life back even better than before.
It's time to forgive my friend, yes, I am talking to you! Let it go...lay it down..leave it there and seek no revenge ever again. Speak of it no longer.
Let the Lord bring your miracle to pass.
I praise you Jesus for opening the door to my soul once again.
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