Father knows best

Father knows best
God, the Father, that is.
He knows what is best for us.
Sometimes He sends others
to provide the aid needed.
Other times He desires us
to wait patiently for His answer alone.
Sometimes the answer is not satisfactory
that others provide
Our response is wary
We fear the effects that come,
that bring distress in multiple ways
and we wonder what we should do.

He brings us back to His Word.
He tells us to
Rest in Him
Wait patiently for Him
Trust Him
Commit ourselves to Him

He tells us
Do not fret
He will bring it to pass
He will accomplish what is best

We are to pray
and praise Him
and thank Him.
We are not to concern ourselves
with the what if’s and what now’s
but leave the outcome (s) to Him.

Easy to say, hard to do --
to Focus on Him
to Discipline our minds
to Allow God to work His ways in our lives
to have Complete Confidence in the Almighty
and Believe and Trust in Him above all else.

He will  provide the way to go
in His time.

We must wait.
I must wait.
For God.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret – it only causes harm. … Wait on the Lord, and keep His way.”                         (Psalm 37:5, 7a, 8b, 14a)

(c) July 4, 2014

IF

IF I abide in God’s word, I will know the truth and the truth will make me free.  

(See John 8:32)

IF I abide in God at all times, I will be at peace through every circumstance that comes along.

IF I remind myself daily of God’s truths, I will not swerve off the path and trudge down back alleys that bring untold pain and grief.

IF I truly love God as He loves me and am obedient to His commandments to go out into the world and share His Word, I will rejoice – as heaven rejoices, when a lost sinner has been won for Jesus.

IF I say and do all things without complaining and arguing, God sees me as blameless, without fault, in the midst of a world filled with selfishness, a light shining The Way, The Truth and The Life of Jesus, The One True Light who invades the darkness and destroys the evil. 

(See Philippians 2:14-16)

IF I wholeheartedly believe in Jesus and trust in His promises, and wait expectantly for His answers, without wavering, I can ask anything in His name and He will do it.  

(See John 14:12-14)

IF I am thankful in all things, even a severe wind-rain-thunder-lightning storm, I will not be distressed or discouraged because I know the Lord God above is with me. He will protect and guide me.

IF I get into God’s Holy Book every day to read and study and meditate and discover what words of wisdom He has just for me, I will not be overburdened with the cares of the day, for my burdens will be transferred to Him. 

(See Matthew 11:28-30)

IF I profess to be a follower of Christ, I have become a new person. Old things have passed away – I no longer am chained by the works of the flesh (adultery, idolatry, hatred, contention, jealousy, wrath, selfish ambitions, dissension, envy, murder, drunkenness)  and its passions and desires. All things have become new. I now walk in the Spirit, of which its fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. I strive to guard my heart against those things which bring pain and remorse to my Father in heaven. I strive to love others and Christ loves me and abide by His commandments.     

           (See II Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:19-26) 

(c) June 30/July 1, 2014

 

Jesus is ....

God is Spirit
Jesus is the Son of God
and the Son of Man
We worship in spirit and in truth
When Jesus ascended into heaven
to be with His Father
He sent a helper …
The Holy Spirit
to live within the hearts of all
who come to believe
and accept Jesus
as their personal Lord and Savior.

~~~~~~~~~~

You perceive you want more
but you don’t know what more is

You look for satisfaction
and finding none
you think you must look elsewhere

You want happiness
but you have no answer
as to what that looks like

You think comfort exists
in new relationships,
new passions,
new pleasures,

new jobs,
but you are not comforted

There is only One
who can give you
what you seek –

Only One
who can satisfy you
Only One
who can fulfill the deep longings
within you

He is God
He is Jesus
He is The Holy Spirit

~~~~~~~~

I may  be a nobody to you,
but not to Jesus

I am His
A sinner redeemed by His grace

Others are sinners still lost

Won’t you come
Won’t you come
Be fulfilled
Be satisfied
Be comforted
Be complete
Be loved.

Oh how He loves you and me

(Lyrics by Kurt Kaiser)
Oh, how He loves you and me.
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give
Oh, how He loves you and me.

Jesus  to Calv’ry did go.
Hs love for mankind to show
What He did there brought hope from despair
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me
Oh how He loves you and me.

Oh, how He loves you and me.
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give
Oh, how he loves you, Oh, how He loves me
Oh, how He loves you and me.

~~~~~~~~

“Therefore, we do not lose heart.” (II Corinthians 4:16a)

We should not
Yet we do
We give in
and become remorseful
over circumstances and situations
that have come our way.
Jesus said it would be so.
We are only fooling ourselves
when we believe differently.

We need to return to Him
Be on the same page as He
and move with Him as our lead..

(c) June 26, 2014

I became a nobody ...

I became a nobody …
the day you determined you didn’t want my friendship.

I listened to you.
I didn't pass judgment.
I tried to get you to see both sides of a situation.
I didn't put you down.
I gave you encouragement.

I cared.

I came when you needed help.
I offered solutions.

But it was and is not enough.

You want more than I have to give.

I have nothing left to give you,
but my prayers.

You think I am mad.

I’m not mad.

But I am angry
and I am disappointed.

But that doesn't really matter does it?

The moment you decided
our “friendship” was of no use to you,
I became a nobody.

and for that I’m truly sorry.

(c) June 25, 2014

It is in God's hands ... Trust Him

The struggles come
again and again
A wall
of laying blame on another
and selfishness
grows.
The effort
to tear it down
and rebuild
is stagnant.

Nothingness develops.

It is in God’s hands
whether you acknowledge it or not.
His power is greater than you,
greater than me.

We must Trust Him
We must not turn away from Him
We must stay in His Presence
We must be true to Him

A child of the King
My eternal friend is He

We must trust Him
above all.

Why do we turn away
We seek counsel
We believe
the advice of pastors and mentors
to be sound
yet we do not follow.
We think it cannot be
They are mistaken
There must be another way

God is the answer
He is everything we all need

When we follow Him, obey Him, remember Him and His teachings, Love Him, Praise Him, Worship Him,
When our hand is snug in His,
we are secure.

We are chosen by God
A chosen vessel
to bring forth His light
into the world of lostness, of sin

He does not cast us away
We are the ones who turn away
He remains steadfast
It is us who wander elsewhere
and fail to respond to Him,
fail to obey,
fail to stay focused on Him.

“Fear not, for I am with you.
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
.

“Trust in Him at all times.
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us …
Do not trust in oppression.” (Psalm 62:8, 10)

Trust in God.
Seek His Face.

Focus on God + Trust and Obedience in God = God’s Perfect Peace

(c) June 24, 2014

My Presence is bigger ... Trust Me, Thank Me

He tells me to Trust Him
He tells me to Thank Him
He tells me His Presence overshadows my problems

Trust Me
I am with you
When you abide in Me, I abide in you … Always
Seek My Presence now
and throughout your day
Do not step away
Do not allow rage against another to become your downfall
Seek Me My child
Look into My Word

Thank Me for how I will bring you through these problems that continue to mount
I desire good.

I AM All Powerful
I will never deceive you.
Trust Me

Believe in My Power
If you do not believe in Me and My Power,
there is nothing you can do alone.
It is only with Me that all things are possible.
It is then that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.

Trust Me
Thank Me

Be receptive to My teachings.
Learn from Me.
Do not become like a yo-yo,
constantly being pulled in and out, up and down
Resist sin, Resist the devil.
Do not resist Me.

Trust Me.
Thank Me.
Seek My Presence in the midst of all that surrounds you.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is The One who goes with you. He wlil not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, shame and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)

I can pray for you

I give up.

I stay away
I tire of all the relentless garbage spewing
that slaughters another and another still
in word and deed.

I am distressed.

I pray.

My thoughts are not God’s thoughts.
He knows all.
I only have perceptions
and those I fear are cockeyed.

I pray for direction
I pray for advice
I pray for words to say
but my response is silent.
Silent still.

Escape –
from responsibility
and
Freedom --
to appease one’s appetite and devour another
as the lion lies in wait for the kill.

Do not reproach me.

This is who I am.
I deserve to be happy.
I can be whoever I want to be.
Do not be confused.
It is not all about you.
I have feelings too

Don’t tell me what you think.
What do you know!?
Lies. All lies.
I know what you want,
but it’s not about you.
I don’t need you.
Your friendship is misguided.
Your loving embrace fulfills deep longings
but it doesn’t last.
I don’t want you.
I deserve to be happy.
I deserve to have fun.
I deserve to not be tied down.

Evil invades this space
What is one moment so good
is a split second later so bad.

There is no trust.
There is no honor.
There is no love.
One rises against another.

The worldly door of uncleanness, hatred, contention, wrath, selfishness, drunkenness, idolatry, sex
has opened possibilities to you
and
you have no time to devote to patience or kindness or gentleness or goodness or faithfulness.

Joy is in the moment.
Peace is the absence of noise.
Love is highly overrated.

You know.

You turn people away.
You say, I don’t need you.
I don’t care.
Get out of my life.

But I will pray.

My thoughts are not God’s thoughts,
but the most powerful thing I can do for you is pray.

I have fallen.
I have risen.
I have sat in darkness.
I have seen the Sonrise.
The Lord is with me.
I come to Him
I return to Him
I am not perfect
But I am His
His child forever I am.

And because of whom I am in Him,
I can come to Him

 and pray for you.

(based on readings in Micah 7)

(c) June 21-22, 2014

Forgive me, Lord

The Lord says, Stay on Me
Focus your every thought on Me
He says,
I will be with you, with you all
If / when
we walk in close fellowship with Him
If/ when
we abide with Him
through prayer, Bible study, worship, praise
If/ when
it is Him to which we seek guidance

The Lord extends His hand
He offers a loving embrace.
He gave His life for mine and yours
and unfortunately we often forget
all He has done and continues to do
for us.
We fall prey to words spoken in anger
and action taken in spite
We are overcome with guilt for the hurt
we cause loved ones
and especially, our Lord.
Ashamed, we apologize for our misdeeds
We are sincerely sorry
and pray it won’t happen again

But the Lord knows…
It will happen.
We are human and we are sinners

We have been saved by His grace,
but trouble erupted with Adam and Eve,
and trouble will continue
as a part of life
until Jesus’ return.

Yet, the Lord forgives us.
He forgives us for our shortcomings every day.
We struggle to forgive others for their shortcomings

We make so much out of molehills.
It has to be a certain way
I want you to see it my way
If you don’t do it this way, it’s over.

God never said it would be easy
He did say
He would be with us

Come near to Him
and He will be near to us.

We balk at the starting gate.
There is more pent-up anger
and dismay and destruction today
than anytime in the past.

When will it stop?!

I want Jesus.
I hate how sin often takes a front seat
I strive for a spirit-filled life
instead of one filled with fleshly desires.
I want to be pleasing to Jesus, my Lord
I want His approval
I want Him to be glorified.

Amen.

(c) 6.19.2014

Love is more

He says
stay true
stay conscious
stay alert
stay focused
on ME --
The Lord Jesus Christ
throughout the day
every day
all days
in every situation
every circumstance
every event
all that comes.

He says
do not falter
do not hinder another
do not worry
do not become complacent
do not give in to your distresses
do not be selfish

He says
to Love
Love ME --
The Lord Jesus Christ
as He has loved You
and Love Another
as He has commanded You
Love Your Wife
Love Your Husband
Love Your Children

How can another believe
anything You say
if Your actions don’t speak lovingly

How will another know Jesus
really know Him,
and have a relationship with Him
If your life does not truly say what you profess

Love
is so much more than words
more than a special event
more than an occasional helping hand

It is every day
Every minute
Sleeping  and waking
Desiring  what is best for another
whatever it takes
whenever.

Love
is sharing
the feelings of despair , sorrow
and also of joy and laughter
the hurts and pains
emotional, physical, mental, spiritual

Love
is hearing
listening
understanding
being present  -  mind,  body  and soul,
in the here and now,
not some other place you think you’d rather be

Love
is treating another
the same as You would like to be treated

Love
is caring, sharing hugs and giving kisses
It is talking and  sharing opinions,
but not becoming angry or rude

Love
is praying for each other
and for your children
It is believing God answers prayers
It is believing prayers change things

Love
is
the Greatest Gift God gave us all.

Love
is remembering  Him and His Word

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (paraphrased) tells us:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength … Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” 

(c) June 3, 2014

Have you looked to the one who gives?

You look for stability
But you do not find

You look for greener pastures
but what is next door
is no better than where you are and what you have

You look for answered questions
to why
and when
and where
and how
but answers don’t come
Fear of the unknown is your ever present companion

You look for calmness and peace
but things go this way and that and discouragement looks you in the face
more often than not

You look to the past
and think it was all so much better
but when you try to return
to find nothing is better, nothing is as good

You look for what is right and true
but uncertainty flows
through you as you go through each day
wondering what you should be doing
where you should be going
why you feel useless and incomplete

You look for meaning
and you think perhaps your place of employment provides it
but it does not
Rules and regulations exist everywhere

You look for freedom
but you feel stuck, trapped,
and you don’t’ know where to go
or what to do to escape the forlorn feeling

Have you looked up
Up in the heavens where God reigns on high

Have you looked to the cross where Jesus died for your sins

Have you looked in the tomb where His body once lay
and now is raised again

Have you looked into His power and His might, His love

Have you looked into meeting with a body of believers
to learn, to worship, to praise

Have you looked in the Bible to read and study His Holy Word

Have you reached out, reached up
Have you cried “Help me Lord. Help me. I am lost.”

Have you believed
Have you accepted
Have you moved off the fence and chosen life … a new renewed life

Have you found Him?
He waits for you. He sees you.
He seeks you, but He is quiet.

You must respond to Him
before you will feel
His loving embrace surround you
and bring you to a place of forever rest.

(c) May 26, 2014 

I Pray

I pray Lord
for all those who desire to meet with You
this coming Lord’s Day --
Your children Lord,
Your blessed children everywhere

I pray Lord
none will be hindered from gathering
with fellow believers
to worship and praise and give thanksgiving
to You,
Our Savior, Our Lord, Our King.

I pray Lord
the lives of Your children
and their loved ones
will be changed in an instant and forever,
accepting the path
and obeying the instructions
You have given

I pray Lord
Your children will be strengthened
in their daily battles
against the demons
who seek to destroy
their current lives and their new lives
with, in and of You, o Lord.

I pray Lord
Your enabling power
will help them know the truth of God
and not the lies and falsehoods
of Satan and the world
as life unfolds.

I pray Lord
Your children will see the need
to study Your Word daily,
and consider its meaning
and how it applies to them.

I pray all this in my Father’s heavenly name.

Amen.

(c) May 17, 2014

It is called Faith

Abraham received it
and all who came, heard and believed it
were counted among the righteous --
Jew and Gentile alike

The Promise
of Jesus Christ
fulfilled the Law
given because
of our sins
against God
taking upon Himself all,
dying and being reborn,
redeeming the curse
placed upon us.

The Law
of Moses
set in place
to show us
the way
to The Promise

Works will not
achieve it
All you do
will not guarantee it

It is God’s enabling power
that reveals it

It is called Faith
-- believing and accepting
what you cannot see

Based on Galatians 3:5-25

(c) May 16, 2014

Are we faithful?

God’s grace saves us

Jesus
who died and was buried
rose again
He is our hope
He is our love
In Him is our faith

God’s promises remind us
of all He has done
all He is doing
all He will continue to do
of His return

God’s commandments guide us
how to live in dependence on Him
how to love as He
how to encourage, build up another
how to stand up, be strengthened in Him
how to worship, give honor and praise
how to persevere
how to stay connected to Him

God’s presence brings joy
stability,
life,
peace

Our responsibility is to remain faithful
to keep pressing on
no matter how hard-pressed we become,
no matter how difficult or stressed we feel

We must not forget
Jesus
overcame the world
and through Him
we too can overcome
He will show us the way
through the dark tunnel
for He is the Light
and we as believers
are bearers of His Light

Let us not show the world
only darkness
We all need hope
But hope without Christ
is not, it cannot be
Our hope is in the Light
Our light is in Jesus

Are we faithful? 

(c) May 14, 2014

P - R - A - Y

Pray  without ceasing
Pray  for those near and far
Pray  for all
Pray  for the downhearted and depressed

Pray   for peace

Pray   for the persecuted
Pray  with perseverance
Pray  in the midst of where God has planted you
Pray  in such a way that it is pleasing to the Lord
Pray  for the poor
Pray  fervently, with purpose
Pray  for those who use and abuse you, those who come against you
Pray  before proclaiming His word
Pray  believing in the promises of God
Pray  in the way you should go
Pray  carefully

Run with endurance the race God has set before you
Reach outward to others
Reach upward to the Lord
Read and study and meditate on His Holy Word
Receive God’s instructions and discipline lovingly
Regard  others the same way you would like to be regarded (or treated)
Repent  of your sins
Receive the gift of salvation
Reflect on God’s unfailing, never ending love for you
Remember  the Bible stories, the parables of Jesus
Resist   the desire to hurt another, especially a loved one
Rest in the Lord, body and soul
Return  to your first love if you have fallen away
Robe yourself in the righteousness of God
Rejoice in the Lord always

Abide in the Lord and He will abide in you
Abstain , remove yourself from all appearances of evilness
Always  delight yourself in the Lord
Answer truthfully, honestly, as the Holy Spirit directs
Ask, make petitions to the Lord, seeking His answer and then wait for His response in His time

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is in the future. Live in the present. Live for today.                     

 Your life is but a vapor

Years  come and go – to God a day could be like a thousand years
Joy  fills our hearts with praise and thanksgiving. 

(c) May 5, 2014

Worship and Glorify God

Glorify the Lord of Lords
Glorify the Lamb
Glorify the King of Kings
The great I AM

Glorify the God of Gods
Glorify  the Son
Glorify The One who reigns
forevermore
Glorify He who sits to the right
of His Father
and He who abides within the hearts
of His Children

Give honor to His Holy Name
Lifting  hands in worshipful praise
Singing songs of love and joy to Him
Oh magnify our Lord and King,
Our Savior and Redeemer.

Worship.

We are called
To give honor to God
To glorify His holy name

We worship the Lord
when it is to Him and His will
we submit ourselves,
when it is His purpose
for ourselves we yield to.

We are not worshiping the Lord
when we are not obedient to Him
Submitting to another of God’s creation
is not what The Lord commanded
and it is not His purpose for us.

God is judge over all -
those who are righteous
and those who are not.

God alone will determine
who has been a  good and faithful servant.

Not another.
It is not for any to sit on the judgment seat,
reserved for God and His Son
and propose how every t should be crossed and i dotted.

God has said,
“My thoughts are not your thoughts.
Nor are your ways My ways.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)  

“The Lord reigns.
He shall judge the peoples righteously.
For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with His truth.” (Psalm 96: 10-13)

 (c) May 1, 2014

He opens our ears and our hearts ... and we ...

We hear
We go forth in response
to the Holy Spirit’s nudging
We begin a new chapter
in this journey called Life

We seek to be obedient
to our Lord’s commands
We read and study and meditate
on His word
We strive to comprehend
the language
that seems foreign to us
and how His words
of wisdom
apply to us personally

We are passionate
about Him – Jesus,
who loved us so so much
He, sent by His Father
came to Earth
He became the ultimate sin offering -
His life for ours
a debt we can never repay
His love for us
brought Him here to us
He offers a new life
a life born
from above
Jesus
the pure, unblemished
lamb of God
sentenced to a brutal death
on a cross

Yes, we are passionate
His death and burial
gave way
to victory
Victory – Hallelujah!
Praises to His name
He is risen!
Risen from the grave
Risen from death
He has overcome
the power of
sin and Satan
of death and darkness

We are passionate
We go forth
into our communities
We are witnesses
to the Gospel
In what we say,
how we act

We strive to stay true
to the path
God has directed our steps to take

In the midst of our walk
with the Lord Jesus
we are challenged
by situations and events
by other individuals
who can become deterrents
to the way
God desires for us

We falter
We fear God can’t or won’t use us
because of mistakes,
errors in judgment
because of what others say

We hope we are wrong
We remember
King David and Bathsheba
a man after God’s own heart
Still, he did wrong
He sought forgiveness
from the Almighty God
and was granted asylum,
given rest

We remember God’s word
and hold fast
to His promises
even when there are others
not of similar thought

We move from one
chapter to another
in our journey of life
Encouraged by some
Put down by others

Yet, we remember again
God is with us --
We who are one with Him
He is always present
ready to listen
to teach
to discipline
to enable
to love

We are reminded
of His grace
and His mercy
and His love
of our need to
Trust Him
and be obedient
to do and go
as the Lord leads us,
each personally

God is the one
who opens our eyes
and our hearts

We do not all see the same
Circumstances in our lives vary

It is our faith that opens
our understanding
and comprehension
of the Scriptures

We are called
To salvation – to the Good News
of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection

We are called
To go out into the world and share that Good News

We are called
To give honor through our worship and praise
To rejoice always
To  glorify God in All we say and do

We are called
To visit and heal the sick and downhearted

We are called
To give – joyfully
with kindness

We are called
To give thanks and be thankful in everything

We are called
To pray without ceasing
To study
To meditate on God’s word
To build up another
To speak truthfully, lovingly, patiently

We are called
To refrain from all appearances of evil

For some,
We are called
To be Teachers
and Preachers
and Pastors

God calls us
We do not call ourselves
It is that nudging
of the Holy Spirit
within us
that calls us to a
specific task

It is in our listening
and hearing
that we respond
favorably or not
to His voice

We will be equipped
The Lord Jesus
is our instructor
Our perfect example
As we go out
wherever it is
He is with us
He will provide us
with all we need
for whatever comes our way

The Lord says
to each of us
Trust Me
I will not steer you wrong
Follow Me
Stay near to Me
Do not lean on your own understanding
Without Me you can do nothing
With Me, all things are possible.

I AM with you always,
even to the end of the age.
Be still and know that I AM GOD.

“And he opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”             (Luke 24: 45)

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4: 8)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,  and He shall direct your paths..”  (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

“ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15: 5)

“… with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)

“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20)

“Be still, and I know that I am God” (Psalm 46: 10)

(c) April 28-29, 2014

 

In bondage?

“There are many plans in a man’s heart; Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

Distractions creep in
We need to respond to His initiatives
Listen for His voice
amid all that goes on in our day
Bring to mind His words
The Holy Scriptures

We plan
Make room for changes --
changes brought about by God

If we are preoccupied
with planning
or even complaining
about this and that
we miss
the still small voice of God

Let God show you a better way
We all need a
“closer walk with thee”

For all we do
We need to keep Christ at the center
of our focus
and not just around the perimeter
striving to get in

Don’t let  your day
be all about you
Let it be about God
about Christ
and your relationship with Him

Listen! To the Lord
at all times
He has much to say to us
Much He wants us to know
and understand
Walk with the Lord
and not your own agenda
Keep your eyes on the Lord
He equips you for whatever the task
He shows us the way
He is our best example
Seek His will at every turn
Spend time with Him
praying
studying
worshipping
praising
He will never take you down the wrong path
Trust Him
He is always with you.

But what about you …

Are you always with Him?
Do you seek Him out in
every circumstance,
every situation,
every life event?

Are you one with Him
on the same plane

Or
have you taken yourself
down a road
that does not include
Our Savior
The Very One
who took your sins
upon Himself
and died for you.
He set you free.

Why do you remain in bondage?

(c) April 24, 2014

Is the world winning?

Saul came to know Christ
Saul who once threatened and murdered His followers
was now one of them
one with them
Committed to proving the man Jesus,
crucified on the cross at Calvary,
is Christ,
The Son of God.

Saul the persecutor
became
Paul the preacher
a chosen vessel of God
to boldly bear the name of Christ
before the gentiles far and wide.

And the churches
were at peace with one another
and built up
and were multiplied.

The churches
We are the churches.
A body of believers
united
by the Gospel of Jesus Christ
meeting  with fellow believers
in fellowship
and worship
of the Living God.
Walking among the lost
who do not know
Walking in reverence
of the Lord,
mindful of The Holy Spirit
who guides us,  comforts us.

We may sometimes be built up
and enriched
But are we bold?
Do we move among the many
who do not know
nor see
nor understand?

We are to fear the Lord
show reverence
and boldly go and share
the Good News

But we are many
whose fear  has grown inward
We fear ourselves
our responses
and those of others
Less positive and uplifting,
More negative and degrading
More contention within and among  the churches

Our reverence for the Lord is present
but building up each other
has taken a back seat.
And we are not as bold.
Only a few go forth
Only a few demonstrate
God’s love and listen and hear and obey
Only a few read and study and meditate
on His word.
Only a few are willing.

We are the gentiles
We make up the churches multiplied
since the days of Paul and Peter and John
and many others

But we are not increasing
We are dwindling

and we wonder why

Is it our lack of boldness?
our  lack of reverence?
our lack of faith in the Holy Spirit who abides in us?
our lack of building up one another?

Is this the cause?

Have we turned away from our first Love?

Is the world winning? 

We are believers in Christ.
We accepted Christ as our Savior and King.
We invited Him into our hearts to take up residence
to show us how to live in peace with Him at the helm.

“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”  ~ Acts 9:31

(c) April 21, 2014

The veil is torn

The veil torn
in the Holy of Holies
inner sanctum
a singular place
God’s sanctuary

When Jesus died
His life blood
drained
blood and water
mingled
His side pierced
as foretold

His death
seemed
the end
What now
would His followers do
Where would they go
Hopelessness resonated

Jesus died
It was afternoon
Yet evening
total darkness
Rocks trembled
The earth opened
Destruction
Upheaval
and the veil
torn

Before,
Before Jesus said,
“It is Finished,”
He feared
separation from His Father
but He knew
that moment
had to be fulfilled

It was The Plan
The Plan to
save the world
the people of the world
you and me
from eternal
damnation

Jesus died.
The struggle over,
He reunited
with The Father
He was at Peace

Jesus died
and the veil
was torn

No more
would we need
to go to a priest
to pray for us

We have Jesus
as our intercessor
to pray for
and over us,
to confess to,
to forgive us our sins

We can go straight to Him

The One
who died
to set us free
The pure,
 unblemished
lamb
given
for all eternity,
forever and ever.

(c) April 19, 2014 

My hope is in Jesus

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” ~ Hebrews 6”19

This hope
received through Jesus Christ
whose death, burial and resurrection
brought new life
to all who believed
and believe today
in Him
His promises
Showing us
The Way
The Truth
to victorious life
evermore.

This hope – Jesus
is our anchor – our Rock
in Him
Through Him
we are grounded,
secure,
made strong.

My hope
is in Jesus
He is my life preserver
My place of refuge
and rest
My Savior
My King
My Confidant
My Intercessor
The Holy Spirit within me
My Everything

In Him I trust.

 (c) April 14, 2014