Joyful Partnership

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ~ Philippians 1:4-5

Praying with joy - what?  Have you ever thought about that?  Yes, we often bring God our worries, our terrifying troubles and big ticket prayers, but what about praying with joy and gratitude?  This scripture even talks about praying in the joy of the Lord for fellow believers that we are in fellowship with - the joy of deep relationships that we have on this journey.  Do you have any good spiritual friends like that?  Friends that go deeper with you than just through the mundane daily tasks of living?  There are a handful of friends in my life who share the good news together and find hope through Jesus in this sometimes sketchy thing called life, but I have one who tops them all.  Let me tell you, besides my husband, I know she is my ride, or die; the only other person who knows what I've been through and has pulled me through thick muddy waters with the Lord's help.  She will be a lifetime friend and partner on this journey because of the faith we share, the friendship that we have cultivated over decades and the sheer fact that we hold each other accountable even when it's hard.  That kind of friendship, partnership is hard to find, but it brings me great joy.  Her phone call is one I always have time for.  Everyone needs a spiritually grounded, gospel following friend you can pray and play with.  I know I will have this joyous friendship because of our faith for a lifetime.  If you don't have one - get one! ~ Amen

Unjust Suffering

For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. ~ 1 Peter 2:19

Unjust suffering.  Oh how much of our suffering is unjust and unfair?  It's all over the world everyday.  Somebody starts a cruel rumor about you; someone steals from you and gets away with it; someone takes credit for hard work you have done; someone hurts you for their own personal pleasure and gain.  You cry and are sickened by the very thought of these and many unfair acts.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all lived in a just, kind and fully compassionate world?  A lot of us have felt, or at least seen unjust suffering in this wicked, broken and sometimes warped world.  I am blessed and privileged to live in a country where I can freely praise God openly, but I know many men and women in this world who are still fiercely persecuted for their faith.  God will have the final say and judgements on those who inflict unjust suffering on His children.  We are to submit to every human authority that has been put in place and God will lift us up through the suffering and have the final judgement one day.  Christ never promised a trial free life; after all, Jesus himself suffered unjustly for all of us.  If God allowed his own son to suffer, who do we think we are to ask for a pain free life?  God will set it right.  Just hold on and run the race set before you.  We win in the end. ~ Amen  

Clothe Yourself

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ~ Colossians 3:12

Wearing clothes is one thing, but learning to wear Godly characteristics and personalities that are pleasing to His service and putting them on daily during these chaotic times is hard!  We became one of His chosen when we decided to follow Him and our attitude must look quite a bit different than the world's self-serving and often times narcissistic attitudes.  No pride, prejudice, selfishness, rudeness, or mean-spirited people need apply.  Think of how you treat people on a daily basis; are you a compassionate, patient and gentle giant?  Boy do I need to work on all the above and more!  How you treat people may be the very reason some of your family, friends and co-workers have hardened hearts when it comes to Christianity.  Ouch!  In this verse, there are five ways we are to live our life as followers of Christ.  We are part of a large family who are dearly loved, and just as earthly parents love their children and give them guidelines to follow, so does our Heavenly Father.  Love God, love people, be kind, be gentle, be patient.  Sometimes it's a hard struggle and a tall order to follow, but we must try our very best.  Our Father expects it. ~ Amen

Guard Over

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. ~ Psalm 141:3

Do you know your words can speak life, or death?  Your tongue can actually kill, steal, and destroy.  Yes, you read that right, just like our enemy we can do the same thing with our words.  We can destroy our friend's dreams, kill our child's spirit and steal the peace in our own homes that we all so desperately pray for.  Jesus warns us that what is in our hearts comes out and sometimes it isn't very tasteful.  The bible repeatedly warns us that we can hastily hurt someone and wound spirits with our words, or we can lift each other up.  The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the human body and according to Proverbs 18:21, "the tongue has the power of life and death".  In this broken world of harsh disagreement and continued attack on each other, we need to keep our mouths sealed unless we are speaking life.  Our mouths and lips should be gated, locked and sealed if we don't have anything kind, encouraging, or inspiring to say.  People don't need to hear us talk just to hear us blab.  Let us remember that what we allow to be deposited into our hearts and minds usually comes out one day we will all have to give an account to God Almighty of what we did and what we said.  Let us be uplifting; there is already enough that tears us down. ~ Amen 

Not Far

But you, Lord, do not be far from me.  You are my strength; come quickly to help me. ~ Psalm 22:19

Have you ever screamed out loud to God to help you?  I often wonder who non-believers cry out to when they are in desperate need of peace, hope and answers.  I am thankful that I know I can call on my God and he will answer my moaning.  Sometimes there has not been a person I felt like I could cry and moan out to that could take my cries and understand my massive hurt like God can.  After all, He knows the deepest secrets of my heart and sometimes our pain in indescribable, but He sees all, knows all and can comfort like no one else can.  Sometimes only God will do.  I have personally experienced strength that only God can give; strength to pull me through the throws of so much pain I could barely breathe through my burning tears.  I have wrestled with God under the covers of my bed crammed to the bottom of my bed so my boys would not be woke up by their mom's wailing and leg thrashing sounds until God quieted my spirit into a deep peaceful sleep.  I have felt like God was a million miles away when the whole time it was later evident that He had me firmly in His gentle hand.  However, there are those times when God seems to be taking his sweet time and does not come quickly, but crawls to our aide.  To those times I say be patient and wait on the Lord.  His time is not the same as our time, but His time is always right on time. ~ Amen

Convinced That....

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39

Separation scares us.  Separation often means a loss of someone, or something.  Most of the time separation involves an unwanted circumstance we didn't create.  Jesus was separated from a perfect paradise in order to come save mankind from their own sinful, selfish and destructive selfs.  If you have confessed with your mighty mouth and believe in your heart that Christ is Lord, He promises YOU that you will never be separated from his unconditional love - no matter where you are, where you have been, what you have done, the choices you have made, the regrets you have - He will not take his unconditional love from you.  Period.  Jesus bridged the massive gap between us and our Creator so that we would not have to be separated from God; that was the whole point of his heartbreaking surrender.  If you are a follower of Jesus, then the demons this world may throw your way, the demons that have been allowed to mess with you and even the demons you have invited into your own life and have willingly listened to can NOT win and separate you from God's unfailing love.  There is nothing you can do that will make God STOP loving you.  NOTHING.  Period.  Think of the most sinful thing you can imagine.  God still LOVES you through that.  Praise God! ~ Amen

Judge Yourselves

Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." ~ Acts 4:19-20

When we become followers of Jesus Christ, our eyes should open up spiritually to God's ways and we often see the ways we were following before as very jaded, selfish and "worldly".  You may even have had an experience that has so profoundly impacted you that there is no other explanation than that of Jesus Christ and what his unconditional love and grace has done for you.  No other explanation is needed for why I myself believe in the Almighty God. I have personally seen and experienced His peace; wrestled with His undeserved grace, mercy and love and have felt miraculous changes in my heart and my life that have no other explanation. I have FELT God's embrace.  Period.  Nobody can convince me otherwise; it's to powerful.  Sharing your faith can be scary, but remember that no one can take your experience, or your testimony away and no one can make it invalid - only you.  YOUR testimony is powerful  In this scripture, Peter and John are challenging the Sanhedrin and telling them that only they can decided for themselves who to rightfully obey, but Peter and John know their is only one true God for them.  They have chosen to follow God's authority.  Who do you choose to follow? Ask God to reveal himself to you.  Let your experiences speak to you. ~ AMEN 

Not Destroyed

We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. ~ Hebrews 10:39

I have often wondered what it would take for me to "shrink" back; to renounce my faith in God Almighty.  When you look around this broken world and see all the tragedies it makes one think and yes, I do have some weird thoughts, I know, but would the death of a beloved child make me shrink back?  But what about the cancer diagnosis with limited life left?  What about losing your parents to a global pandemic? They tell you your husband will never be the same after a major stroke....now what?  This verse gives me tremendous hope that because of my steadfast faith in Christ, He will hold onto me and pull me through the thickest and toughest of circumstances and I will persevere.  Instead of shrinking back to old ways, or worldly ways, or into a deep despair, I will be saved because I believe.  Yes, I may hit rock bottom, but if I hope and hold onto the promises God has given me, He promises to pull me out of my pit.  Even in the face of hardship, we can persevere and endure whatever God allows to happen as long as we lean into Him and trust that we are not alone.  We CAN tackle overwhelming difficulties when we lean in.  Yes, everyone has their doubts and fears, but we are called to trust God even when we can not possibly make any sense out of what is happening around us, or to us.  Hold fast, trust, pray, hope, scream at God if you must (He can take it; believe me, I've done it) for reassurance, hope and enormous amounts of encouragement are all around the corner for those who do now "shrink" away from their faith no matter how hard the situation might be.  I will hold on to the promise that God can make beauty out of ashes.  Hold on!  Be steadfast!  Do not shrink!  Help is on the way! I will not be destroyed!  ~ AMEN 

No Fear

There is no fear in love.  But perfect loves drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ~ 1 John 4:18 

While we all know hate is opposite to love, have you ever thought that fear may also be opposite of love?  Because let's be honest, a lot of times to hate is also to fear.  You may fear dark because you hate the dreams that follow; you may fear roller coasters because you hate heights; you may hate your co-worker (although I hope not) because you fear they are trying to replace you. You hate_____ because_______(you fill in the blanks).  As Christians, I believe it's okay to hate ungodly things;  I mean I hate sin because of my faith and belief in God, but I have to be careful not to hate the person engaging in the sin.  We are called to hate what God hates, but I also find it interesting that God hates acts.....not the person; He loves US all the same.  God also expects us to be in awe and reverence of Him, but He does not want us to fear Him as the world uses the word.  To fear God should be out of complete reverence for Him; to realize that He alone has the ability to give, to take away, to cause good things to happen and may I even suggest He allows the bad things to happen sometimes.  God is perfect love even if we don't always understand it.  Remember, His ways are always higher than ours.  His perfect love sent His perfect son to die a horrific death for me and for you whether you acknowledge that or not, it's still fact.  God's love for me should cast out fear and hate for my neighbor.  God's love for me should cast out fear or hate that I may have about my circumstances.  God's love for me should cast out any fear or hate that I may have regarding my future.  If I would fully embrace God's love for me and if I would truly hold on to His promises and His ways, than fear has no where to abide in me and must flee.  We don't have to fear His wrath on our lives when we are following and trusting His guidance.  As a follower of Jesus, let His love engulf you and let go of the fear - He has you.  There is no room for love and fear; they are contradictory.  Let the light of God's love open your heart and watch the fear slither away. ~ 

Confess Sins

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9

Purify - have you ever really looked at that word?  Purify means to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates.  How about unrighteousness?  Well, would you like being called sinful and wicked?  Confessing our sins, which is to admit or state that we have committed a crime or is at fault in some way for some act of sin, opens the floodgates to purification from our sin and our wickedness.  This kind of openness and communication delights God's heart and is what He wants from all his children.  There is something powerful in the spoken word and freedom from our Heavenly Father when we admit we have done wrong.  God wipes the slate clean, gives us a fresh start, takes away all the toxicity and pollutants in our human, worldly flesh and covers us with the gift purchased on the cross by his son Jesus to remove the sin so that we may be able to move on in His will for our lives and in our relationship with Him.  We are clean, we are pure and we are righteous once again....so quit beating yourself up with the past, regrets, bad choices and mindless mistakes; they have no hold on you and do not define you.  Remember them only as a reference to the goodness of God's nature, but now move forward to live the best life God has planned for you and live in the identity God has given you....a child of God.  Those who confess their sins and ask for forgiveness can forge ahead in fellowship with God without any inhibiting strings attached.  You are forgiven, free and clean!  Go forth! ~

Appointed Ones

He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. ~ Mark 3:14-15

While we know we are to go tell of the Good News, have you ever really given any thought to the possibility of driving out demons?  Now there is something to see!  But what does that exactly mean?  When was the last time you saw a demon?  When was the last time you felt spiritually attacked?  Why do we sometimes cower and hide when we feel oppressed, or attacked?  In this scripture I read that I have the mighty power to put the devil and his sneaky minions in their rightful, powerless place!  Jesus gave us the power over the devil's darkness and we need to do more of that in this messed up, upside down world. This could be the very thing we need to do!  It IS the very thing we need to remember!  It doesn't have to be a real life visible demon; it may be the fight you need to battle the darkness you see surrounding your family, your job, your marriage, your_______.  After all, sometimes I think God wants to hear us get LOUD & SHOUT at the spiritual forces that fight for us.  I think he wants to hear our battle cry LOUD & PROUD!  There have been times in my life when I know the Holy Spirit's fire is taking over when my prayer becomes a fierce battle cry as I get louder and louder and sometimes I am not even sure what I prayed, but a perfect peace follows and my spirit returns to ease.  I think God smiles on that type of cry and I dare say that you may even be driving out a demon at the same time.  We need more of it!  Give it a try!  Don't shy away from bold prayers.  You'll never be the same prayer warrior again.  Let's drive Satan to the curb! ~ AMEN