The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.
Thank God for everlasting love, and for His mercy and grace, and forgiveness of our sin through Jesus Christ!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Judge Is At The Door!
Therefore, any one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. Romans 2:1
"Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look--the Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9
It's so easy to see the speck in another's eye, but to see the huge beam in one's own eye is so very difficult!
("Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?") Matthew 7:3
I wonder at how we can even see anything in someone else's eye when we have such a beam! How can we judge another?
When we do judge another....do we not understand that we are BEING judged in like manner....by the one and ONLY TRUE Judge, the One Who will judge the world?
God's Word says that as you 'mete' out it will BE 'meted' out back to you. I once heard a story of a man who sold his merchandise at a market. He would also purchase his bread at that same market.
He discovered that his bread weighed less than it was supposed to weigh, so he confronted the manager about this indiscrepancy......the manager replied, "I weigh my bread by the same measurement you weigh your merchandise."
He was meting out the measurement in the same way it was meted out to him......justice.
God will do this as well. He will judge us according to how we judge others....it would seem expediant that we use proper retsraint in judging others.....do unto others as you would have them do unto you.....better yet- do unto others as you would want God to do unto you! Because He will.
(Matthew 7:12)
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Where do I come up with my ideas for what I write? From the understanding that we are ALL capable of being like Hitler, himself........BUT for the grace of God, and the forgiveness through Jesus, the Messiah......when I look into my heart and see the possibilities of what sin is like, when it rules the heart, mind, and soul of a person.....I think as Isaiah did; "I am a man (woman) of unclean lips......or rather heart-without the touch of cleansing fire from the Holy Spirit...we are all people most lost!
"Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look--the Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9
It's so easy to see the speck in another's eye, but to see the huge beam in one's own eye is so very difficult!
("Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?") Matthew 7:3
I wonder at how we can even see anything in someone else's eye when we have such a beam! How can we judge another?
When we do judge another....do we not understand that we are BEING judged in like manner....by the one and ONLY TRUE Judge, the One Who will judge the world?
God's Word says that as you 'mete' out it will BE 'meted' out back to you. I once heard a story of a man who sold his merchandise at a market. He would also purchase his bread at that same market.
He discovered that his bread weighed less than it was supposed to weigh, so he confronted the manager about this indiscrepancy......the manager replied, "I weigh my bread by the same measurement you weigh your merchandise."
He was meting out the measurement in the same way it was meted out to him......justice.
God will do this as well. He will judge us according to how we judge others....it would seem expediant that we use proper retsraint in judging others.....do unto others as you would have them do unto you.....better yet- do unto others as you would want God to do unto you! Because He will.
(Matthew 7:12)
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Where do I come up with my ideas for what I write? From the understanding that we are ALL capable of being like Hitler, himself........BUT for the grace of God, and the forgiveness through Jesus, the Messiah......when I look into my heart and see the possibilities of what sin is like, when it rules the heart, mind, and soul of a person.....I think as Isaiah did; "I am a man (woman) of unclean lips......or rather heart-without the touch of cleansing fire from the Holy Spirit...we are all people most lost!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Joyce Meyer
You know, I just love Joyce Meyer. She says things in such a simple-down-to-earth way. She also 'cuts to the chase' in her book "Starting Your Day Right."
I have taken this little devotional book with me everywhere I've been since I purchased it in 2003 or 2004......not sure about the date, but I do know that it's been to China, Thailand, Taiwan, Poland, Hungary, Ecuador, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Japan, and of course the good old U.S.A.
I've read it day-by-day and been encouraged by her daily scriptures, personal words of encouragement, prayers, and insights.
Each morning I read Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest", "Daily Bread", and "Starting Your Day Right" by Joyce Meyer, and of course the Holy Bible....God's own Word for me.
They all give me a lot to ponder, they all seem to have a special message for the reader-yet Joyce Meyer speaks to the heart of women.
She understands the daily struggles of the 'average' woman-old or young. I am not into being concerned with a 'special doctrine, teaching, or belief' I am only concerned with what the Bible says.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I have examined the Bible-for many years actually looking for any contradictions!!!
I have to honestly say "I FOUND NONE!"
IF you THINK you have found one-maybe you are not being led by the Holy Spirit. I know from personal experience that if you ask God to show you what each scripture means and study with the clear intent of seeking the TRUTH-you WILL find it!
I would challenge anyone......atheist, sceptic, confused......anyone to ask God for guidance-seek the truth and HE will reveal it to you.
Reading wonderful and encouraging devotionals are helpful in whetting your 'spiritual appetite' but we need so much more....we need God's Word to live the abundant life.......when I say abundant-I'm NOT talking fleshly desires-I'm talking 'spiritual abundance'
There are no riches on earth to compare with the riches of God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness!
Start your day right....go to God in humble adoration, thanksgiving, and praise....and love Him, seek Him with all your heart and you WILL find Him-He Is Nigh....The Word Is Nigh!
I have taken this little devotional book with me everywhere I've been since I purchased it in 2003 or 2004......not sure about the date, but I do know that it's been to China, Thailand, Taiwan, Poland, Hungary, Ecuador, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Japan, and of course the good old U.S.A.
I've read it day-by-day and been encouraged by her daily scriptures, personal words of encouragement, prayers, and insights.
Each morning I read Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest", "Daily Bread", and "Starting Your Day Right" by Joyce Meyer, and of course the Holy Bible....God's own Word for me.
They all give me a lot to ponder, they all seem to have a special message for the reader-yet Joyce Meyer speaks to the heart of women.
She understands the daily struggles of the 'average' woman-old or young. I am not into being concerned with a 'special doctrine, teaching, or belief' I am only concerned with what the Bible says.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I have examined the Bible-for many years actually looking for any contradictions!!!
I have to honestly say "I FOUND NONE!"
IF you THINK you have found one-maybe you are not being led by the Holy Spirit. I know from personal experience that if you ask God to show you what each scripture means and study with the clear intent of seeking the TRUTH-you WILL find it!
I would challenge anyone......atheist, sceptic, confused......anyone to ask God for guidance-seek the truth and HE will reveal it to you.
Reading wonderful and encouraging devotionals are helpful in whetting your 'spiritual appetite' but we need so much more....we need God's Word to live the abundant life.......when I say abundant-I'm NOT talking fleshly desires-I'm talking 'spiritual abundance'
There are no riches on earth to compare with the riches of God's love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness!
Start your day right....go to God in humble adoration, thanksgiving, and praise....and love Him, seek Him with all your heart and you WILL find Him-He Is Nigh....The Word Is Nigh!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Breaking Down Strongholds!
A STRONGHOLD is defined by Webster Dictionary as a fortified place. One of the earliest definitions means a STRONGHOLD can be a "Refuge"
Do we find refuge in the fortresses built up in our minds? Of course! Biblically speaking a stronghold is exactly that!
We allow Satan to use both ourselves and others to 'plant seeds' in our mind and as we cultivate, tend, water, think on, and nourish these negative ideas....they become spiritual strongholds that we just can't seem to be rid of!
No one can seem to penetrate these invasive and destructive thoughts and ideas. We build even more walls until one day we have a monstrous fortress surrounding our character until we no longer have a real say in our lives. We aren't the person we used to be at all. We have become such an integral part of the lies Satan has been feeding us that we can't even see that we have changed, and God is no longer our God, but the stronghold has become our god.
These thought patterns become behavioral patterns before you are aware of what has happened to you. You face anyone who sees the change in you and all of a sudden they are the enemy....you no longer want them in your life because they no longer "understand you". So you build yet more of the same wrong- thinking around yourself. You reject those who see your walls and you push them away! How dare you want me to tear down this, my fortress?
These strongholds can be in the form of greed, lust, ungodly thoughts, selfishness, lying, lack of faith in God and others who love you, deceit, disrespect, disobedience, and fantasies that may either be adulterous, or become so in reality, and as these thoughts are cultivated in the mind, they are more likely to be acted upon in reality......we often allow our thoughts to MOLD our character and behavior......be CAREFUL what you permit Satan to plant in your mind......your mind is where most of your battles lie!
You know the right choices to make, yet you make all the wrong and usually self-destructive choices. Paul mentioned this in Romans 7:15 shown below.
I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
So many times others can SEE a Stronghold in you, but you can't see it at all. When someone tries to show you that you're under the power of a spiritual stronghold or power of darkness, you become angry....often like a drug addict who does not want his 'source' destroyed!
Strongholds can usually be identified by their destructive habitual behaviors. When you know that what you're doing is creating a dangerous environment for yourself and those you love, and you can't seem to stop the behavior....knowing how destructive it has become-CONSIDER that you may be under the influence of a Satanic Stronghold!
There is HOPE, however, for these strongholds to come down!
II Corinthians 10:4 is how we accomplish this.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
God's WORD is a two-edged SWORD! Know His Word. Test yourself to see that you are IN the FAITH!
II Corinthians 13:5
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"
Before ANY Stronghold can come down...you must admit that there IS a problem! Ask God to Reveal to you anything that is CONTRARY to HIS plan for YOUR life, that is taking root within your heart! You most assuredly will know it!
II Corinthians 10:5
King James Bible
"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;"
He will remove all strongholds....but first there must be complete surrender to HIM and HIS plan for your life......GOD is GOOD!
Nahum 1:7
"Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knows them that trust in him."
Now-THIS is a STRONGHOLD you CAN BELIEVE IN!!!
Do we find refuge in the fortresses built up in our minds? Of course! Biblically speaking a stronghold is exactly that!
We allow Satan to use both ourselves and others to 'plant seeds' in our mind and as we cultivate, tend, water, think on, and nourish these negative ideas....they become spiritual strongholds that we just can't seem to be rid of!
No one can seem to penetrate these invasive and destructive thoughts and ideas. We build even more walls until one day we have a monstrous fortress surrounding our character until we no longer have a real say in our lives. We aren't the person we used to be at all. We have become such an integral part of the lies Satan has been feeding us that we can't even see that we have changed, and God is no longer our God, but the stronghold has become our god.
These thought patterns become behavioral patterns before you are aware of what has happened to you. You face anyone who sees the change in you and all of a sudden they are the enemy....you no longer want them in your life because they no longer "understand you". So you build yet more of the same wrong- thinking around yourself. You reject those who see your walls and you push them away! How dare you want me to tear down this, my fortress?
These strongholds can be in the form of greed, lust, ungodly thoughts, selfishness, lying, lack of faith in God and others who love you, deceit, disrespect, disobedience, and fantasies that may either be adulterous, or become so in reality, and as these thoughts are cultivated in the mind, they are more likely to be acted upon in reality......we often allow our thoughts to MOLD our character and behavior......be CAREFUL what you permit Satan to plant in your mind......your mind is where most of your battles lie!
You know the right choices to make, yet you make all the wrong and usually self-destructive choices. Paul mentioned this in Romans 7:15 shown below.
I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
So many times others can SEE a Stronghold in you, but you can't see it at all. When someone tries to show you that you're under the power of a spiritual stronghold or power of darkness, you become angry....often like a drug addict who does not want his 'source' destroyed!
Strongholds can usually be identified by their destructive habitual behaviors. When you know that what you're doing is creating a dangerous environment for yourself and those you love, and you can't seem to stop the behavior....knowing how destructive it has become-CONSIDER that you may be under the influence of a Satanic Stronghold!
There is HOPE, however, for these strongholds to come down!
II Corinthians 10:4 is how we accomplish this.
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
God's WORD is a two-edged SWORD! Know His Word. Test yourself to see that you are IN the FAITH!
II Corinthians 13:5
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"
Before ANY Stronghold can come down...you must admit that there IS a problem! Ask God to Reveal to you anything that is CONTRARY to HIS plan for YOUR life, that is taking root within your heart! You most assuredly will know it!
II Corinthians 10:5
King James Bible
"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;"
He will remove all strongholds....but first there must be complete surrender to HIM and HIS plan for your life......GOD is GOOD!
Nahum 1:7
"Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and HE knows them that trust in him."
Now-THIS is a STRONGHOLD you CAN BELIEVE IN!!!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
LOVE IS:
What is Love?
The "Love Chapter" of I Corinthians is chapter 13. Actually, the entire Bible is filled with God's love for us. Song of Solomon is said to represent the Love Christ has for the Church; His body of believers. I believe it to be true because His love for us is so great that He willingly died for us....for our redemption from sin that came to every person ever born, because of the fall of man through disobedience to God's very first instruction for Adam and Eve.
Yet, although they disobeyed God, He loved them and so He had a plan for our forgiveness and our redemption through Christ.
Love is not something you just toss aside and disrespect. Love is not something you should take lightly. Love is a free gift and should be treated with the UTMOST respect. Love can't be bought nor sold. Paul speaks of love in this way:
Love suffers long-that means it endures many trials, tests, and hardships and comes up stronger than ever before!
Love is kind- That means it speaks gently, even if firmly. It stands in another's shoes and feels their pain!
Love is not envious-That means it does not resent another person having or being something we wish we could have or be!
Love is not puffed up-That means it is not filled with false pride in self, nor glorifies oneself!
Love does not behave itself unseemly-That means love behaves in a respectful, loving manner to others, at all times!
Love seeks not her own-That means love is NOT selfish, but seeks the benefit of others first-preferring one another over ones self!
Love is not easily provoked-That means love is very patient, listening to another rather than thinking about what will be said next!
Love thinketh no evil-That means love thinks on the good of another, gives the benefit of the doubt-FIRST!
Love rejoices not in iniquity-That means love is not happy when another suffers for any reason!
Love rejoices in the truth-That means that love rejoices when another is saved, honest, love tells the TRUTH, love does not lie or tattle, talebear, or gossip!
Love bears all things-That means love is strong, it can stand strong in the face of trials and tests, listens patiently, prays for one another, supports and exhorts, encourages, and gives Christ-like support!
Love believs all things-That means that love believes in Loving God, Loving People, love believes Truth, love seeks truth, love believes in what is good, love bears one another's burdens, receives one another in love, faith, and truth in Christ Jesus!
Love hopes all things-That means love never gives up or quits! Hope is what we know to be true, we may see it but not now, but soon we know that our hope is a reality...so love never quits!
Love endures all things-That means that love will never die, it is like God's love for us-unconditional, enduring, never failing, always quick to forgive, never holding a grudge, returning good for evil, always abiding!
What is love?
God is LOVE......oh to be LIKE HIM.....that is LOVE!
Only through Jesus Christ can we ever be like HIM
Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself!
The "Love Chapter" of I Corinthians is chapter 13. Actually, the entire Bible is filled with God's love for us. Song of Solomon is said to represent the Love Christ has for the Church; His body of believers. I believe it to be true because His love for us is so great that He willingly died for us....for our redemption from sin that came to every person ever born, because of the fall of man through disobedience to God's very first instruction for Adam and Eve.
Yet, although they disobeyed God, He loved them and so He had a plan for our forgiveness and our redemption through Christ.
Love is not something you just toss aside and disrespect. Love is not something you should take lightly. Love is a free gift and should be treated with the UTMOST respect. Love can't be bought nor sold. Paul speaks of love in this way:
Love suffers long-that means it endures many trials, tests, and hardships and comes up stronger than ever before!
Love is kind- That means it speaks gently, even if firmly. It stands in another's shoes and feels their pain!
Love is not envious-That means it does not resent another person having or being something we wish we could have or be!
Love is not puffed up-That means it is not filled with false pride in self, nor glorifies oneself!
Love does not behave itself unseemly-That means love behaves in a respectful, loving manner to others, at all times!
Love seeks not her own-That means love is NOT selfish, but seeks the benefit of others first-preferring one another over ones self!
Love is not easily provoked-That means love is very patient, listening to another rather than thinking about what will be said next!
Love thinketh no evil-That means love thinks on the good of another, gives the benefit of the doubt-FIRST!
Love rejoices not in iniquity-That means love is not happy when another suffers for any reason!
Love rejoices in the truth-That means that love rejoices when another is saved, honest, love tells the TRUTH, love does not lie or tattle, talebear, or gossip!
Love bears all things-That means love is strong, it can stand strong in the face of trials and tests, listens patiently, prays for one another, supports and exhorts, encourages, and gives Christ-like support!
Love believs all things-That means that love believes in Loving God, Loving People, love believes Truth, love seeks truth, love believes in what is good, love bears one another's burdens, receives one another in love, faith, and truth in Christ Jesus!
Love hopes all things-That means love never gives up or quits! Hope is what we know to be true, we may see it but not now, but soon we know that our hope is a reality...so love never quits!
Love endures all things-That means that love will never die, it is like God's love for us-unconditional, enduring, never failing, always quick to forgive, never holding a grudge, returning good for evil, always abiding!
What is love?
God is LOVE......oh to be LIKE HIM.....that is LOVE!
Only through Jesus Christ can we ever be like HIM
Love the Lord thy God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Taking the Mystery Out of Knowing God's Will
Taking the Mystery Out of Knowing God's Will
EXCELLENT Video by John Mac Arthur
He's one of my all-time favorites and this is a wonderful example of his down-to-earth and Biblical teaching.
The will of God IS NO MYSTERY!
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