Do I know you?

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

My sheep
You are My sheep
You My children
All of you are like sheep
Some are guided by the shepherd
Others are scattered

Those guided hear My voice and are comforted
willing to listen, willing to obey

but those scattered hear nothing.
The wind blows and you are fearful
The wolves prowl in the night, silently
but you are not aware
With vengeance they strike
Your life ebbs out.

My children
I hear you
But unless you hear Me
and follow Me
I will never know you.

(c) July 26, 2014

He made us alive!!

(based on readings in Ephesians 2: 1-5)

He made us alive!!
We who were dead in our sins
We who once sought after our own pleasure – in mind and body.

Jesus!
Our Savior
He who died,
hung on a cross
His blood shed for mine.
He bore the pain
and the shame
of my sins – and yours
He brought life

A fresh new life!

God so loved us
loves us still
Awaken! Awaken!
O soul do not linger
He desires you
to come
Come to Him

Accept the gift
of freedom from sin
of new life in Christ

Be alive!
Full of wonder
Full of love
Full of peace
Full of Hope

Come into His presence
Be united
as one, with the Lord
My Lord,
Jesus Christ

Come now, do not delay.
Your life has purpose and meaning
and it can be fulfilled in Christ.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

(c) July 25, 2014

Who do you follow?

Called by God
Led by the Spirit of God
Son(s) of God you be

Do not let the spirit of Satan
reignite the fear disposed of
when you answered
God’s first call to salvation
nor His call again
to preach – to go and proclaim His word

Follow the Light of Jesus
formed in His image we are
Focus on Him
and His teachings
His commandments
His promises
His blessings
His judgments
Be the bearer of His eternal flame

Do not give in to events and circumstances
around you that become distractions
and deter you from
entering doors He has opened

Do not shut a door
Do not let another shut a door
You never know when or if a new door will open

Do not listen to your own thinking
Do not let your fears become bigger
than your love for Jesus Christ
Do not believe what people say
is of more importance than God’s Truths

Open your Bible
The best reference book

Focus
Pray
Meditate
Study

Follow the Light of Jesus
It’s not about you
It’s not about the world
It’s not about your every neighbor
It’s not about anyone, Except Jesus

Focus on Him
and His lead
Be obedient to His instructions
at all times
Let every thought, word and deed
bring glory to His name
Thank Him
Many blessings come in the midst
of every trial we face
Seek Him above all

We He calls
All to salvation
All to Him.

Who do you follow?

(based on readings in Romans 8:14-15)

(c) July 24, 2014

You... chosen by Me

You are My servant
Chosen by Me
to do and go and be
faithful and trusting
obedient to My commands
bringing fruitfulness
into your life
glory unto Me
blessings to yourself
and those around you.

Not always
trusting
have you been
Listening instead
to others
even within the church.
Actions taken
resulted in a closed door
Not meant for you.

Do not fall away from
My path
Stay true to Me
and Me alone
Do not give in
to feelings
of dismay
and discouragement
but be built up
by what you know
in your heart
to be true
and right.

I have not cast you away
I AM right here beside you
I will strengthen you
I will help you.

Wait
when the answer you seek
is slow in coming
for you know
your thoughts are not My thoughts
and your ways are not My ways.
My thoughts, My ways
are best.
Wait on Me.
Your weaknesses
will be strengthened
by My power.

Dwell with Me
Spend time throughout your day
with Me
Do not fear
Do not let your mind
wander down paths that cause
irritation, sadness, worry, anger,
disgust, jealousy.
Be fruitful
Fill yourself
with kindness, gentleness, goodness,
faithfulness, self-control, patience, joy,
peace, love
and multiply.
Share with another

Show your love for Me
in all you do
in all you say
in all you are.

Remember …
I AM with you always.

(based on readings in Isaiah 41)

(c) July 22, 2014

The Lord can

The Lord can
IF His will
deliver me
save me
from all my fears

He hears
my cry
my desperation

I seek Him
and His will
that that which strives
to control me
will be beaten down,
destroyed
no more to be
my daily companion

Be obedient
Trust
Do not speak badly
Do not do evil
Seek peace
and pursue it
He says to me
In His word.

(based on readings in Psalm 34)

(c) July 20, 2014

Bring to Me

(based on readings in 1 John 1: 5-7) 

Bring Me
ALL your feelings
Do not let them
become your ruination
Share them with Me
You who are My child
and you
whose feelings
keep you straddled
on the fence,
unsure of what to do.

I AM the Light
Do not let the darkness control you
I know.
I see.
I AM aware of all that is around Me
I AM aware of everything
I see your anxiety
money issues
relationship issues
health issues
I see it all.

Come to Me.
Trust Me.
Trust Me More.

Do not pretend
Bring all your feelings
to Me …
into the Light.
Be cleansed.

and together,
we will conquer.

(c) July 19, 2014

Pray

(based on readings in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

Pray for me
and my brothers and sisters
to share the gospel
swiftly and joyfully
to glorify the Lord
to keep us safe and secure
from peoples everywhere
who are unreasonable and evil-minded
for they know not
and have not.

(c) July 19, 2014

Bound

(based on readings in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-16)

Bound
not by Satan
to do the works of evil
but by God
to give thanks to Him
always
for those He saved and saves still
Chosen in the beginning
Called by the gospel
to obtain glory of the Lord Jesus Christ
from everlasting to everlasting.
Therefore,
Stand firm, Stand fast.
Do not become less
than that which God commands.

(c) July 19, 2014

Jesus is Coming!

Jesus is coming
He is coming again
For His children past
present
and future
Jesus is coming
Our King on High
Reigning in the heavens
We near His side.

Jesus is coming
Are you listening?
“Be still and know that I am God”

Jesus is coming
Are you waiting?
Patient, but eager for His return

Jesus is coming
Are you focused?
Directing your conscious thoughts to Him alone
seeking His thoughts before your own

Jesus is coming
Are you trusting?
Do you believe His promises… and His judgments
Have you given your life to Him
to guide you on the right path

Jesus is coming
Are you committed?
Do you follow Him no matter what
Do you stand up against the world
and proclaim, “I AM A CHRISTIAN”

Jesus is coming
Are you obedient?
Did you answer affirmatively to the call
He placed on your heart?
Do you say, “Here I am Lord”
“Wherever Lord”
“Wherever You send me Lord, I will go.”

Jesus is coming
Are you watching?
Did you miss Him
IF you have – if you do
there is no coming back
to get things square

Jesus is coming
Are you ready?
Have you lived the life He has willed for you
Have you obeyed His commandments
Have you trusted His promises

Jesus is coming
He’s coming again
On a cloud He’ll come
for you and for me
His children – chosen
before time began

O Glorious Day
When He comes
for me.

(c) July 6-7, 2014 

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