Four months

It's been four months since I added a new post to this blog. Why?  Because our "tipped-over" canoe has become  a righted!  Life took a sudden turn and my full attention has been needed to put things back in order " on the boat".  It  may take us a year or more to put things back in place, but it is so worth it.  In a canoe, it takes a lot of balance to say afloat and the fact that we did "tip over" does not mean we could not make things right; it means we will be ever so careful in the future to keep balance in our lives. God is our healer and he is the ULTIMATE model of forgiveness.
 
During this last year, I can say that I've been testing the Hebrew names of God out....the Jehovah translations that we have heard and sang about for years.

I can assure you that He is everything the WORD says he is and more!
He is:
 my peace,
 my righteousness,
 my banner,
 my shepherd,
 my provider,
 my healer,
 my sanctuary,
 my I AM.
My Lord, you are everything!

Bless the Lord.

 

Rebuild your house before the storm comes.

In college,  I took a class called Building Construction 101.  To explain for those of you that know me,  the other classes offered that hour did not interest me at all.  As I think of this blog entry I reminisce on some of the instruction from that class. 

Jesus said that a wise man built his house upon a rock, but a foolish man built his house on sand.  Both the wise and the foolish man encountered the same storms.  Both had heavy rains, so much so that flooding followed with such heavy winds  that both homes were "beaten". (Sounds like straight line winds, a hurricane or a tornado to me).  The only difference in the outcome was what was not seen initially. Underneath the one house was rock;  under the other home, sand.

What we are founded or built upon will only be evident after the horrendous trials and storms  come our way.  Trials and storms  bring deep pain and suffering. But to experience all that pain in addition to losing everything would be devastating.

God has not promised that we will not suffer the storms of life.  We need to be more clear on this point, we need to teach our youth these things.  We should teach that "no weapon formed against us shall prosper", Isaiah 54:17  "and it (the house) fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."  Matthew 7:24 and " but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  I Corinthians 10:13.

We are truly founded upon a rock, though unseen, it sustains us in any storm.

What if we have not built our house upon a rock?  Is there hope for us?  Of course!  Rebuild before the storm comes! How do we do that?

We open up the depths of our soul and allow God to go in and remake us.  We admit that we have not done right in the past.  We allow God to take over; we trust him with every area of your life.

He will be your ROCK, and the storms of life will NOT destroy you.  You will still have troubles like anyone does, but the ROCK will be holding you up and you will NOT FALL.

The term,  "SAVED" means: To be born spiritually.  Rebuilt.  Reborn. Remade. Redeemed.  Renewed...these are terms that we use to describe this wonderful process of salvation.  Jesus spoke to Nicodemus the lawyer about what it meant to be saved in John 3.  We are born of the water (baptism) and of the Spirit ( Holy Spirit baptism).  The Bible says that God would pour out his Spirit on all flesh., everyone can be saved! 
So, get your house ready for the storm coming, you will be fine IF you are built on the Rock Christ Jesus.

Snow cleans the air....

Every little ice crystal or snowflake adheres to a bit of dust or dirt (pollution)  floating in the air and brings it down as  to the earth. Eventually that snow melts and that dust or dirt just stays on the ground as dirt.

That is why the air is so clean after a snowfall.  Take a deep breath and enjoy God's amazing filtered air.

A storm can do the same to our lives.  Troubles adhere to the  pollution in our mind and spirit.   I'm not sure how it happens, but the ugly/filthy things in our hearts are cleaned out as we allow the storm to do its intended work.

Pray this with me:

Precious Lord, take this storm and use it for good in my heart and spirit.
Go ahead, grab some of the dirt in my heart and bring it down where it belongs.
Let this terrible pain and sorrow be used for some good, I give it to you, I trust you. 


David said, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me". Psalm 51:10.
Til the storm passes by...
just a short clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-a4jYkTSEc



 

Special Forces

Having been raised with four older brothers, and then marrying a big strong guy, I rarely have had to protect myself. I never developed the ability to defend myself against bullies or those that would intend to hurt me. I know this is strange for a woman of my age to write, but I have been asking God for help to be stronger and more fearless. I have always been so protected; spoiled. I looked up the definition of "special forces" on Wikipedia this morning.  These definitions reminded me of the book on spiritual warfare prayer that our ladies prayer group has been studying. People who really learn how to pray are just like those who are trained to be in the SPECIAL FORCES. Under each definition I will add my take from Scriptures (KJV). 

Special forces capabilities include the following:

• Reconnaissance and surveillance in hostile environments 1 John 4:1 (Apostle John wrote) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.(Apostle Peter wrote) 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
• Training and development of other states' military and security forces..... Philippians 3:17 (Apostle Paul wrote) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
• Offensive action..... Our Lord Jesus said, Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
• Support to counter-insurgency through population engagement and support..... (Apostle Mark wrote) Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
• Counter-terrorism operations..... (Apostle Paul wrote) 1.Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
• Sabotage and demolition..... (Prophet Isaiah wrote) Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. (Apostle Paul wrote) 2 Cor. 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
• Hostage rescue..... This may be the most difficult part but also the most noble duty of the special forces: Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. and Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

SPECIAL FORCES ARE CALLED UPON TO DO A WORK FOR GOD.  ONE OF THE MAIN PREPARATIONS ARE OF THE HEART: WE MUST HAVE A CLEAN HEART...

 

CONFESSION FOLLOWED BY PRAYER BRINGS HEALING...AND WHEN RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE PRAY THINGS HAPPEN.(Apostle James wrote)James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. :

My best friends....

I have a few friends in life that I would not trade for any THING. You know who you are. They have laughed and cried with me through many times in life. They have thrilled at what thrills me and sorrowed right along with me in times of distress and defeat. I hope they would say the same about my love for them. But even closer than these friends are my friends that are not tangible; they never leave my side and actually abide in my heart and mind. Their names are Hope and Joy. When I am at the end of my rope, they kick in and find a way to help me through. If you see one you will see the other. They are best friends; kissin' cousins. Last night someone in my house told me as we were saying good night, "I don't feel any joy in my life right now." Right away my motherly instincts rose up and began to try and solve that dilemna. I said that we would begin to study where Joy comes from. But I know already that Joy leaves when Hope leaves; they are inseparable. So, we need to invite Hope to come back. Joy will be toddling right behind, no doubt. Jesus knew this. He had hope that all of his suffering was going to birth something INCREDIBLE. We believers are testimonies that his hope was founded in truth. His sacrifice paid off in me, I know that. I am so thankful to the Lord for being real to me. I met Jesus at age seven. I had quite a talk with Him, told Him I wanted to clean my heart of my sins. Then I was baptized in Jesus' name in Lake Galilee. Later on, I was baptized with His Spirit and spoke with tongues. He has lived in me ever since. I KNOW JESUS. Therefore, I am a part of the JOY that Jesus endured the cross for. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hebrews 12:2 "Looking 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus knew that the torture and shame that he was enduring would pay off. He had HOPE and JOY right there near Him on the cross. All of heaven rejoices when one sinner repents. Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." So, since JOY is in heaven, HOPE must be there too. Invite your friend HOPE back and JOY will walk in also. HOPE must be founded in things that will not let you down. People may let us down, careers, possessions, relationships, our government, all these things and more may let us down, but Jesus will never let you down. Soak up His presence, speak in His language, dance in His freedom, sing those words of praise. JOY AND HOPE will be singing and dancing right along with you. They are such good friends to have. I have let HOPE go lately so, JOY left too. I am TODAY inviting them back in my life.

I fell down.

When we stumble, it is so embarrassing! Once I was rushing to a college class and as I reached the top of the stairs, my shoe caught the lip of the top stair and I went sprawling like a baseball player trying to make a base. My arms, which were loaded with books(no backpack)flew out to catch my fall and I laid there in front of several students who were waiting to get into classes. Oh! I was so embarrassed. One nice young man quickly came to my rescue and helped me up and another one bagan to gather my up notebooks and textbook. It is really funny to recall NOW, but at the time I just wanted to vanish. When we stumble IN LIFE though, due to heavy burdens or mistakes we have made, we must know that the Lord somehow relates to us and comes to us to help us up. He really does relate to us. He did not fall due to his own carelessness or misjudgment; he fell due to the weight of OUR GRIEFS AND SORROWS. This pain was placed upon him by US. The weight of mistakes and sins can feel heavier than a physical weight. Jesus really does know how it feels to fall. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. I love what the psalmist David wrote in Psalm 145:14. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. Don't lose heart; keep trusting. Don't assume that since you have fallen you are without help. Pride can keep us from asking for help. Pride is a lousy friend. James wrote, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10. Jesus is right beside you holding his hand out to help you up.

I hate pain, but it can be a gift.

When you hurt deeply, it hardly matters to you who sees or hears your cry; you are just desparatly needing help. While in heavy labor trying to deliver a baby, it matters not who comes in the room. All you think about is getting that baby out and getting relief of pain. While pinned in a car after a car wreck you don't worry about how messy your hair is or how horrible you look, you just want to be cut free and given medical help. Pain humbles us. Pain humbles us a lot. As we read the story in the Bible where Hannah cried out with such anguish that Eli the high priest, thought she was drunk and apparently struck her (marked her mouth) in disgust. She was not drunk, she weeping for a child. She was at the end of her own strength; her pride did not matter anymore. She decided that she would either hear from God or she would die in pain. Have you ever hurt that much? God hears our cry and he will send us help. We may be suprised at where the help comes from. We must not let pride determine whether the help God sends us is good enough or not. We learn a bit of how the Lord felt when he was ministered to and worshipped by those that were common or unclean. Things seem different when you are in tremendous pain. Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Our Lord knows pain, he chose pain to "buy" our peace, he chose pain to ensure we could be healed. He put our griefs and sorrows on his back. He understand pain and grief and he understands humility.