Jesus clears the temple, what about your heart?

In a world where money is the route to most ends, it is hard to imagine money and profit are not the main point. The Bible reminds us that it is hard for a rich person to get into heaven. I don't believe it is because they have money and means. No, it is because their temple isn't clean.

Is your temple clean?

This all comes up because as we are getting closer to Easter I decided to look at the Holy Week. You know, the week of Jesus' death and resurrection. What happened that week, what can I learn. When we think of the Holy Week we think of Palm Sunday, and Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

Just like it is hard to imagine money and profit, not being the main point of life. It is hard to imagine much more packed into Holy Week.

But 1 story comes to mind from Matthew 21: 12-17

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them,“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” 17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Oh, what we can learn from Jesus cleaning the temple. I was studying this and was using the SOAP method. So in my observation phase, I noticed a few things.

1. Jesus drove out all those who were using the temple courts as a marketplace. Those in it for the profit, are who we immediately think of. But I noticed that he also drove out those who were buying. Why? When you're in business and profit is your goal you will stay until there is no more money to be made. So Jesus had to drive out both to remedy the problem.

Sometimes God allows the innocent to see his wrath because it is the only way to stop the guilty.

2. Jesus told them that God's house, the temple, was a place of prayer. They were making the temple into a marketplace. A place to make money, and sometimes not even giving what they promised. (Making them thieves) The sellers would take advantage of the people. Selling them animals that didn't fit the requirements for a sacrifice. Anything to make that buck. God's house is a place to meet God.

Why do you go to church?

This one is hard for me. (I'm not proud to admit this). Sometimes I don't want to go to church. I know, and I'm a leader in the church. It is hard, especially if I am going for someone or something else. But oh those days, were I am going to meet God and hear lessons from His word. Those days are so much better.

3.Everything boils down to our heart. The sellers were in it for a profit, but God wanted compassion and he wants people who will treat others well. Jesus modeled this. After he cleaned the temple, he spent time healing those who needed him most, the blind and lame. His heart was to help them, not take advantage of them.

How do you treat those around you? Especially those who can do nothing for you? As we head toward Easter, let's stop focusing on ourselves. Let's allow God to clean our temple (our heart). It is by doing this that we can show compassion and forgiveness to those around us. And that will bring Him glory.

Driving out darkness with love

Today's reading and Journaling is: Luke 6:35-36

You can do this by writing the scripture, you can also join me in using art. Print the large or small version of our Lessons on Love, from Jesus lesson.

************************************************

We left yesterday with the assignment to ponder John 15:13 and ....

 Jesus gave up his life for _______. (Insert your name.)

Now for the rest of the story....

Today's verses take this a step further.

"But Love your enemies, do good to them .."Luke 6:35

The hard part for my fleshly, natural, sin-filled man, is what I'm getting ready to say.

Jesus gave up his life for your enemy, too.

Our enemies treat us horrible, that is why we consider them our enemy. But God's word reminds us that no matter what we should still treat them well, doing good to them.

No more back biting, gossiping, or showing our disapproval. No, strive to do good to them. Because as Martin Luther King Jr. said "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

As you spend the weekend with those you love, look for ways you can show love to your enemy. Because that is what will make the difference.

***Side note, abuse is not what I am talking about here. Abusers are the enemy and do not understand love. In that situation, yes, please still love them, but love them from a distance, by praying for them. Make sure you get help from your abuse, which comes in many different ways. Ask God to send those who will stand with you and pour His love into you, helping you to see the truth. You are precious. ****

Living Fearlessly; My one word for the New Year

If you have known me for any of 2011-2015 you know that have been fearful. God doesn't want me to live in this fear. As I have been journaling (writing Scripture) this month. I have encountered "Do not be afraid". It feels like it has appeared constantly, but I think that is because God wants me to live in freedom.

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. - Luke 2:10

Living in freedom means not being afraid. 

So before I tell you about what I hope living fearlessly in 2016 looks like. I want to tell you about living in fear.

I accepted a job because I was scared nothing else would come around. That I wouldn't be good enough. I mean, I applied to a job that I thought I would be perfect for and they went with someone else. Without even telling me. 

I have ignored God's voice telling me it is okay to allow others in. Yep, I am a true loner. I would be fine sitting in my apartment all by my lonesome. Ok, that is so not the truth, but it is what I want people to think.

I took a break from my church jobs, yet I still worked on these things, because I didn't want to be replaced. Yep, so break or no break. I didn't rest like I needed. God is pointing out this in my pure exhaustion.

I have ignored God leading me to start my own business.  Except in those moments when I am tired of the toxic work environment, I have grown accustomed to.

All this time, I have yearned for the faith to move, in these areas. Yearned for God's protection if I did move. Yet, I see the holes in the plan and am concerned that God will let me fall through them. So in 2016, I want to live fearlessly.

How am I going to live fearlessly?

1. I am going to work on starting that business. I have an idea, a deadline, and my plan is coming together. When I am exhausted, I know I need to move forward, but can't see how. I have reached that point with this, but I have a plan to work it out while also resting.

2.  I am once again going to take a break from my church duties. Not everything, but I am no longer going to strive to do it all. We were never meant to do it all. God has others who are capable of doing some of the things I do. So I will let them stretch their wings and grow.

3. I am going to let people in. I am still working on this plan. In the past, the plan worked but then fell through because I said yes, but reacted with a no. So I'm working on this, but I am going to try and follow God's lead and let people in, and get out and do stuff as well.

These are the biggies. I hope that you will join me as I try to live 2016 fearlessly. Oh, and if you want to pick one word for your 2016.  It isn't too late. You can do it, check out one word 365 where you can decide to live intentionally and find your one word. If you do I would love to hear your one word.

If you're a blogger, link to your post about your one word, so I can check it out, and help encourage you.

If you want to follow my journey you can subscribe to my blog. I promise to not take advantage but to treat it like I would want mine treated.

Becoming a thankful Job; when things are falling apart

It is November. The thankful month, but what if you have nothing to thank God for?

My falling apart

My life feels like it has been in shambles the last few years. We moved out of the house I had lived in throughout high school. We moved to an awesome house in the middle of nowhere. Then we found out that the house didn't have a septic tank and everything was backing up. Luckily we were only renting, but that meant we had to move right back out. 

With nowhere to go we spent a week at my grandma's house, while we looked for a new place to live. My mom found an apartment, but my sister and I couldn't move in with them. Which is fine in the fact that we are adults, with good jobs, but sad in the fact that we still would had nowhere to go.

Job's life falling apart

This stories reminds me of Job from the Bible. Job was blessed, he had great wealth, a large family, and literally God's blessing.

One day the angels and Satan came before God. God and Satan had an exchange. This led to Satan being allowed to take everything from Job except his body and health.

Wealth gone. Family, gone, except his wife. Servants, mostly gone, except the few who brought word of these trials. 

Do you know what Job did? 

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. - Job 1:20-22

May the Name of the Lord be praised! What great faith. 

A Christians fight mode should start with praise and prayer.

What a great example. I wish I could tell you that I was as good of an example through my trials. But I didn't even come close.

Falling into Place

My parents took that apartment. The landlord had an apartment across the hall for rent. So we stayed with my parents for a month, while he finished getting the apartment ready. 

That was the beginning. I know that what I felt was horrible at the time, moved me closer to where God wants me. My trials are far from over, but lucky for me I am learning to Praise God throughout. It isn't easy, I fail at it all the time, especially when I don't see God moving on my timetable.

God's timing is never our own, and his plan isn't always what we want. Even Jesus dealt with this.

Have you come through great trials and testings? I would love to hear about how God used those moments to help you grow. If he blessed you even more afterward, I would love to hear that as well. Maybe it will help my faith grow.

If you are looking for what to praise God for, check out my post from last week. 

This post was linked up @

Trust what you see & believing in God's promises!

 I saw Mommy with Santa Claus (by Ona C)

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus, underneath the mistletoe last night.  Okay I lie they weren't kissing under mistletoe it was in my living room. My dad resembles Santa. It is the beard he usually wears and his rose colored cheeks. As a child if you would have seen him you would immediately believed you had seen Santa.

As adults our faith isn't quite as strong. Sometimes we doubt what we believe to be true. Maybe you are like me and doubt that promise God gave you to take care of your needs and some of your wants.

Well that reminds me of the a story that started a few posts ago.

After Elisha had taken the army to Samaria they left went home. Well one day Ben-Hadad sent his entire army to lay siege on Samaria, they blocked the road and set up camp.
The price of food was so high that the Samaritans were starving.  Some of the people resorted to eating their neighbors children. A women who gave up her son for food, hung onto the promise that her neighbor would do the same. That wasn't going to happen so she sought the king. Who put a price on Elisha's head.




Elisha told the king that the next day the price of food would be down and there would be plenty. There was a catch, the king would not get to eat any of this plenty.

The story goes on to tell us about how the King heard the opposing army has deserted their tents. Leaving plenty of food and there belongings. Does the king praise God for the food good people need?

No, he says, it is a trick and tells the people to stay clear. Finally he sends troops to see what happened and they say the other army did leave everything. As he releases the people he is trampled to death.

How often are we like the king of Israel? We have no faith that God will provide, then when he finally provides we think it is a trick. I know I am guilty of that. I crave the faith of a child. I want to believe but there are days when it is just plan hard. I pay for God to help my faith.

What do you do when you seem to be lagging in faith? Do you have a specific memory of a time that God took care of your needs, that you fall back on?

Grace beyond consequences

One day long ago, there was a beautiful garden. A grounds keeper was placed there. He was to take care of the animals and plants. He was allowed to enjoy the garden, and eat of any tree that brought forth fruit, any tree except for the tree in the middle of the garden. Sound familiar?

If you've been in church, I'm sure you have heard how Adam and Eve were allowed to enjoy the garden. They were allowed to eat of the fruit in the garden, except for the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  If they ate from that tree, they would die. It was the only rule, yet one day while out in the garden, Eve was tempted. She fell for the lie that God was holding out on her and Adam. How their life could be better.

We fall for the same lies don't we, a lie that causes us to become jealous of what others have. Spending time plotting how we can fill up our lives with more toys, more money, and more attention from other people.



Shame by Anthony Easton

Well when she heard this lie she immediately started to doubt the goodness of God and she saw that the fruit would be good to eat, so she took some. She then shared the fruit with Adam. They didn't die as God had said, but they quickly were introduced to a new emotion. Shame! Shame for the fact that they were unclothed, shame for what they had done. So when they heard God visiting them they hid in their shame.

Something we as humans are known to do. We realize what we have done and feel shame, instead of going to God the one who can make us whole again, we hide.

God gets right down to the bottom of their shame, and he hands out their consequences.  To each his own consequences that would continue down the ancestral line. The man would no longer be provided for when it came to food but would forever have to work for his food.The serpent would slither on his belly, he would forever deal with a war between him and the women.

The women would have pain in childbirth, but one of her offspring would bruise the head of the serpent. That offspring would be Jesus, and he would come to help heal us from our shame.

These consequences are something we still live with today, but God showed grace and mercy. First off Adam and Eve should have died immediately, but instead God allowed them to continue to live. He took care of them in some interesting ways.

He exiled them from the garden... but he gave them clothing, a way to cover their shame  He also gave them an out for their temptation.  He gave them an exit from being tempted to eat of fruit they shouldn't have, especially the tree of life.  This is grace, why? Because this was God's way of not making us live in our sin and shame forever. If they would have eaten of the fruit of life they would have forever lived in their consequences and their mistakes, forever living in shame.

 Do you remember that offspring I told you about, you know Jesus.  Well he came to take away our pain, suffering and accept our consequences of death. 

Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

-Isaiah 53:4-6

Praise God we don't have to carry our sin and shame until we die,  Jesus came to heal us from our sin and shame. He took it all with him on the cross.

Why not spend some time today thanking God that he sent Jesus to show us love, by standing in our place.  Join in the song of the forgiven, because Jesus saves.

Faith in what you can't see!




A few weeks ago I went on the walk to Emmaus.  It was a great weekend of God's love.  During the weekend one of the things they tell us is to participate don't anticipate.  That is a huge lesson; the week after the walk I realized that this was not only a lesson for Emmaus, but also a lesson for life.

Why is it a lesson for life?  It is because we can't see the whole picture.  If you read my last post you know that I struggle with this greatly.  I learn from my Bible that I can't trust my physical eyes for they can't see the spiritual protection around me. We find this in 2 Kings 6:8-19.

 

Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans

⁸ Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”
⁹ The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” ¹⁰ So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
¹¹ This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
¹² “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
¹³ “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
¹⁹ Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.




Wow the faith that Elisha the prophet had. He knew God would protect him, that is he always there, and he is for us. Elisha could see something others couldn't. When the servant became scared because of the impossible that he could see with his physical eyes. Elisha prayed that God would open his eyes  God had something ready to make the impossible, possible.

Wow. The Bible tells me that all things are possible through Christ. So today my prayer is for God to open my spiritual eyes to see that he has control of the different situations in my life.

Dear Lord, I praise you for your protection and strength. Please touch my eyes may they be opened to your provision and allow me to see the path you have rest prepared for me. Help me to remember with You I can do what I need to.

In Jesus name, Amen

How do you live the truth that you can do all things through Christ? When you fail how do you start over?

Confession time

I don't know if you remember my Lent challenge?

Well my plan was to use a Scripture journal to keep myself on track. 

Well it worked and didn't all at the same time. I allowed myself to become distracted and I am still working through it. Slowly but surely. I have 18 more days (including 3 days of rest) to work through.

 As you can see I'm, still working through my love for color and my fear of being artistic. Hey, I've drawn in it a few times, so I'm getting better.

So how do you keep yourself accountable in your study time? What do you use to stay in time with God when your busy?

He is strong when we are weak

Confession time.

 I haven't sung in front of the church for over a year. I hate it, my heart just hasn't been in it and then there are times were I am doing it for the wrong reasons; so I just stopped.

Thursday one of my biggest cheerleader pointed out that we don't sing anymore and he misses it. So

fast forward a little

During my Lent Scripture journal time I was reading the story of the talents. I realized I didn't want to be the one to not invest, or use my talents.

“Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶ The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. ¹⁷ So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 

The "Balmorals" composing songs

 Fast forward to Sunday.

My sister and I had not made time to practice, and I was in the office, which is at the front of the sanctuary, with no way out. Out of the blue I get a text messages.

Sister: Do you want to sing 'You are Holy'.

Ona: I guess, but not sure I have enough breath in me. Can we not split at the end?

Sister: That is fine.

So I start praying.

Dear Lord this is for your glory not my own. Please use this song

They ask if there is anything else and my sister says yes and starts walking up. Everyone gets excited and they haven't even realized I'm already on the stage. My sister explained that we didn't think we had enough air to split at the end ( our weakness). God sure did show up, and his strength carried us through. All the way through, it was beautiful, not because of anything we did but purely because God inhabits the praises of his people. We weren't doing it for the wrong reasons and God used us to bless the congregation.

Now I just have to remember not to hide my talent, but to use it for his glory.

Dear Lord, I give all of my talents to you. Please use then for your glory not my own. In Jesus glorious name, Amen

I would love to hear about a time you were weak and relied on God?

Help me of my unbelief...

During adult Sunday School we were learning about the time when a man brought his demon possessed son to the disciples. They tried to rebuke the demon but they couldn't. Such a sad thing for this father who so bad wanted to see his son healed. The disciples knew the one who could heal the son. So they took the father and son to Jesus, the ultimate healer. This should have given the father confidence, it didn't. He asked Jesus to help his unbelief.

Peace and joy by

Monica Arellano-Ongpin

 

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit

 ²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
²³ “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” ^{- Mark 9:22-24 (read the entire story from Mark 9:14-29)}

A few things we should remember before we judge this man's unbelief. Remember earlier in the chapter when a miracle happened Jesus told those around not to tell anyone. So the father had not heard of many, if any miracles. This is the reason we should not neglect meeting together with other believers. When we meet together we can rejoice with then about how God is working in others lives as well ourselves. Then when doubt comes, we have a reminder of those miracles.

 

The band Finding Favour has a new sing "Say Amen" that remind me of this. On a difficult day when nothing was going right I heard that song and felt a desire for community, for a chance to hear praise for what God is doing.

 

 

 

Next, he had just put faith in those who said they could, the followers of this man, and they couldn't. So while he still believed I can see how there would be doubt in his heart. He could see the doubt and he asked Jesus to help his doubt.

 

We can learn something from this man. He didn't try to hide his doubt, but came to Jesus and asked for a healing of his doubt. This is something I am working on. 

Dear Lord help my doubt.

My sister once said she prayed God would reveal truth to her. That comes by spending time in the word of God, the Bible. It comes from praying and meditating on these things. Faith is the same way. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. It may be the testimonies of others, songs, or reading the Bible either way spending time with God had a way of helping our doubt.

 

Dear Lord,

You know that I allow fear and doubt in. Please help my doubt and erase my fears.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

 

Righteous living speaks volumes

I have been reading from Hosea this week. I feel as if I unlovable so I thought reading about how much God love his people and the example he used through Hoses was important. So I press on reading.

 

In Hosea chapter 10 I catch a glimpse of a lesson. It is about righteous living and the shame that comes when we aren't living right.  I remember seeing the difference between guilt and shame. Guilt brings about confession while shame is an after I am caught confession. Shame causes us to beat ourselves up. Shame beats us up and brings no peace.

 

In Hosea 10:5-6 it says

"The people who live in Samaria fear

    for the calf-idol of Beth Aven.

Its people will mourn over it,

    and so will its idolatrous priests,

those who had rejoiced over its splendor,

    because it is taken from them into exile.

⁶ It will be carried to Assyria

    as tribute for the great king.

Ephraim will be disgraced;

    Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances."

 

According to a note in my bible when Israel split into the northern king made Beth Avenue a place to worship instead of Jerusalem. There he put a gold calf, this was plan and simple idol worship. This golden calf was taken away to the king of Assyria and the people world be disgraced. If you don't finish the verse you may think they were disgraced for losing something from the temple but in reality it was simply for having an idol, which goes against the law of God.

 

How many times are we judged by nonbelievers because of failings within the church. Same concept; this is shameful. I know that we are too live out our own convictions but if we live a righteous life then this shame wouldn't exist.

From Bogdan Suditu

Satan wouldn't have darts of shame to throw at us. I know we all fall and we should have faith that were we fail Jesus covers us. Flirting with unrighteousness brings about that shame and disgraced when you fall.

 

So leave your idols behind and run to God who has open arms to accept you. You are the beautiful bride and  so live your life pleasing to him.

 

 

 

Dear Lord,

 

Help me to see your love for me. Give me a passion and desire to live a life pleasing to you. Give me mercy and grace when I fail. Also give me courage to stand up and run from temptation.

 

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Burned out




Photo by The Ewan

God warned me as I gradually got worse. He warned me that the path and the rate I was taking the path weren't healthy. Yet something inside told me that this was the life God had for me. I started to believe that I was put on this earth to be over used and abused (lie).

 

I sat across from my mom at my kitchen table almost in tears as I finally let those words I had been holding escape. It was terrible, yet liberating all at the same time. I had started believing that I was all used up, of no use to anyone, even God. (Lie)

 

What a terrible place to be, but finally speaking my mom almost in tears because she is tired too. Gave me some much needed truth. God loves us, both of us. He came to give us rest, yes he wants us to do work for him but not at the cost of relationships. The most important relationship being with him.

Photo by The Ewan

 That is exactly what God warned me of, I can't lead or even teach without him. Without spending time with him, I am forgetting love and grace. Without love and grace the words I say are nothing but noise. 

 

Now for a little bit of truth; if Satan can pull us from God long enough we forget love and grace; then he steals our purpose. Our purpose of giving grace and love to others while pointing to the author of it all.

 

So I am trying to rekindle my relationship with God. Seeking him knowing he has promised to be found. I was reminded of where I was while reading another blog called The Good Life.  This blog reminded me that God didn't put me on this earth to be over used and abused. No that is a lie, God went through great efforts to show his love.

While I feel like I have been used up to the point of being useless. That is a lie, God always uses the least expected and most unqualified people. Think about it, God uses Moses who had a speech impediment, and Paul who persecuted his followers. Yet these are just a few examples of people God used that didn't fit the mold. So know I just need to rest, and be ready for God to use me.

As long as I don't allow Satan to take my voice, and I seek God with all of my heart, I am useful; and so are you.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for your wisdom. I thank you for the opportunity to get closer to you. Please continue to draw me toward you. Help me to find you, where I can understand and share your love and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The perfect man and bff...

Jesus is the perfect man. I know what your thinking; Jesus was sinless. Yes that is true but not what I said. I said he was the perfect man and the best friend you could ever want.

When Jesus asked a question he listened for the answer. Not like we do. Speed listen if we can call it that. We listen for key words that help us to respond in an appropriate way.

I admit I do this so many times. When I am talking to someone I glean what I need from the conversation and move on. Luckily for me God blessed me with being an audible learner. So I can take a few notes and remember the basis of the conversation. Works like a charm in school but totally stinks when trying to build relationships.

So I need to take a lesson from Jesus, the perfect friend. Jesus didn't see somebody and pull out his God power and know what they needed and give it to them. No, Jesus asked questions. One of these questions seemed odd to me but it was simple. "What do you want". We see this in John 1:38

It wasn't that Jesus didn't know the answer, he wanted to hear the answer, no he wanted to be present for the people to make their own decision. With Jesus we always have to make our own decision. Do we accept his love and grace or do we try to be good and earn it? 

I am glad that  Jesus didn't always answer yes. In Mark 10:35-38, Jesus shoes that sometimes what we adj for isn't something we can handle or even what is best for us. John and James asked to be on Jesus right and left side in Heaven. Instead of telling them no, they had the privilege of another question. Can you drink the same cup as me?

When faced with the same question I may long to say yes, but God knows my heart and he knows what is best for me. So when I am tired of fighting I may pray take this cup from me but Good had said time and time again it will better you. So I continue to fight the lies and pain in hope to see a better me. 

I know that I have the perfect friend to give me strength, love and grace. Praise God. 

Dear Lord,

Thank you for knowing what is best. Thank you for listening to me, and pushing me toward better things and complete truth in you. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

  

The beginning of a year of rest...

Even before I started this blog I had this huge weight on my shoulders. I was tired, but I needed to extend grace to myself and thought it may benefit others. I really needed grace at that point in my life. You see, it was terrible. I was struggling with God's love for me as well as my love for myself, his creation.

I mean when God was finished creating the world he said it was very good. So I am exactly what he had planned before I was ever born, I am where he knew I would be. Yeah, I disappoint him, heck I disappoint myself every day of this life. In my head I know that God loves me, and that he extends his grace to me. I also know that through Jesus I don't have to carry the shame of where I have been anymore. The problem is in my heart those just feels like words.

So about three weeks ago I approached my pastor and told him that I am exhausted. As my sister says, I am burned out, and she sees it the most as we share an apartment. So she sees me ready to curl up under my desk and cry, or ready to burst out in anger at those around me because they are just putting more pressure on me than I need.

Photo by Spyros Papaspyropoulos

Great Plans begin with perspective and Great Faith

So far this week has had a theme. Have faith, you are not forgotten. Hold on to the promises of God even when the world is against you. Most of all God has a plan to prosper you. Just typing those words and I just want to cry. Why? Because there are days when I just feel hopeless.

I've been under attack for almost 2 years straight. At this moment, everything I have ever heard has taken hold.  It has been those little things that steal my hope.

Today the idea that God has plans that He will one day reveal and will be well worth the wait seems like the lie. It hurts, but God knew this was coming so he started giving me lessons on Faith Sunday night. Then  this morning on the radio, was yet another reminder of faith and trusting what God has said.


A football player is making news today.  All because God told him if he took one step then something pretty big would happen. This football player has faith, and he told the world what God revealed to him. Wednesday night was all about faith and how Abraham's faith was credited as righteousness.

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. - Genesis 15:6

I am reminded that tough things are going to come, and things won't always go our way, God loves us and has plans for us.  I am sure the Israelite were not happy about losing their land, and being taken into captivity.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” - Jeremiah 29:10-14

I need to remind myself to stop looking at what I don't have. I need to start looking at the opportunities I have because of where God has placed me. I need some of God's perspective.

Dear Lord, I need some of your perspective. Please help me see purpose behind not getting what I want. Also please redirect my view around me. In Jesus Name, Amen.