Are you ready......

Dec 31 [ Rev 19-22] Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! The Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. See; Listen, Heed for this is the future.
Look and see for I show you the future. Soon there will be the marriage supper of the Lamb, whose name is Faithful and True, the Word of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Look and see His Bride adorned in her righteous acts. The Bride and the Lamb’s invited guests are the ones had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They will be resurrected and never experience the second death, for over them it has no power. They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him 1000 yrs.
Look and see: The 1000 yrs will pass and Satan, the great deceiver will seek vengeance but will be vanquished by fire from heaven. The great deceiver, the false prophet and the beast will be thrown into the lake of fire. Never more shall they have power over anyone or anything for it is an eternal lake of fire.
Look and see for I show you a new heaven and a new earth, the holy city adorned in her beauty. See the light of the Lamb as He illumines the city streets dressed in gold, the gates in all their splendor of pearls, the river of life flowing clear as crystal and the tree of life bearing 12 different kinds of fruit. See those who are walking here. Do you see His Name on their foreheads? Do you hear Him say; I will dwell among My people and wipe away every tear? Do you hear the news? It is here that there will be no more death. Do you hear Him say I will make all things new and freely quench their thirst with the water of life?
Pay attention/Heed now these words for they are faithful and true and this is His inheritance for those who overcome.
See, Hear, Heed: I, Jesus have sent My angel to testify to you for the churches; I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the End; the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge. Recall what I said at the first: Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it, because the time is near!
From Alpha and Omega, Faithful and True: I am coming soon….
Challenge: Are you ready?

Have you planned your legacy?

Dec 30th [Rev 12-18] The Lamb, The Worthy One to open the parchment sealed with 7 seals, the Book of the Future. See Him standing on Mt. Zion ready to rule the nations with a rod of iron. This is He who was born of a woman, caught up to heaven. Read, hear, heed the words of this book that you may be blessed. The future is this: there will be war in heaven between Michael, his angels and the dragon, the accuser of the brethren, and his angels. The accuser and his angels will be thrown from heaven to wage war against the faithful ones. These chose to follow the Lamb even to death. These had an ear and heard what the Spirit has said and now sing the song of Moses and the Lamb “Great and astounding are your deeds, Lord God, the All-Powerful! Just and true are your ways, King over the nations! Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name, because you alone are holy? All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed.” These are the ones purchased among men as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths, and because they were found blameless, were slain as prophets and saints upon the earth. They died in the Lord and now rest from their labors, their deeds following them. War may rage upon the earth but rejoice, God's judgment has come and He will be victorious over the accuser of the brethren. Until then, you who remain, the faithful ones, fear God, give Him glory, worship Him who made heaven and earth and the sea and the springs of water, persevere, keep His commandments, hold fast to your faith in Jesus.

Today ponder this question: What is your legacy to your loved ones, your friends, your acquaintances, the world? What will you do to prepare your legacy so that your epitaph can read as these in Rev 12-18?

Christmas Eve!

Dec 24: [2Tim 1-4 What Christmas gift are you wrapping for Jesus? Here's some choices from which to choose from chapters 1-4: your sincere faith, your testimony of our Lord, your belief that He is able to guard; your preparation as His soldier; your diligence to be able to handle accurately His Word; yourself as a vessel of honor, sanctified and fit for His use, yourself as a man/woman of God equipped for every good work; yourself as one who is ready in season and out of season.
Today choose wisely and wrap with love those gifts you have chosen.]

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh714.sht

Are you looking for Jesus this Christmas?

Dec 22nd [Heb 7-10 Our LORD, who descended from Judah, is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. This is HE who is able to save forever those who draw near to God and lives to make intercession for them. This is HE who entered the holy place through HIS own unblemished and pure blood having obtained eternal redemption, thus cleansing our consciences from dead works so we may serve the living God and thus receive the eternal inheritance.
Therefore, {brothers/sisters}, - draw near, hold fast, consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds; do not forsake the assembling together of yourselves. Watch-pray-live expectantly, for in a little while HE will return.]
Today are you watching? Are you praying? Are you living as if today HE may return?

The WHO in Christmas

Dec 21 Heb 1-6 "WHO is Christmas?" Jesus; the heir of all things; the radiance of God's glory; the exact representation of His nature; upholding all things by the word of His power; sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty; better than angels; more excellent name than they; God's Son; first born; sits on the eternal throne; righteousness is His scepter; Creator; crowned with glory and honor, merciful, faithful high priest; Apostle and High Priest; faithful Son of God; Priest forever; and to all who obey is the author of eternal salvation.
Thus with Isaiah we proclaim: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Today take time to reflect upon the "WHO" of Christmas.

Are you looking for Jesus this Christmas?

Christmas! What does it mean to you? Does it mean Santa and gifts or the Christ child? As I sat in church yesterday I was amazed at the Pastor's sermon on Luke 2 and Simeon. As he read the passage stopping along the way he asked us to visualize the entrance of the Christchild in the Temple. But, that was not his focus; instead it was Simeon. Who was this man? What do we know about him? Why was he there in the temple? How did he recognize Jesus? Why did God allow him to see Jesus as the Messiah who would die for our sins? These are questions that lay unanswered but we do know some details that help fill in the blanks:
1. he was old
2. he must have lived in the vicinity of the Temple or at least in the city of Jerusalem
3. he was righteous
4. he was devout
5. he was looking...note that...looking for the consolation of Israel...aware of God's promises from the OT...that means he was educated in some way about them
6. he was anointed by the Holy Spirit
7. he had been given a special revelation by the Holy Spirit
8. he had been given a promise: no death until he had seen the one for whom he had been looking...longing.
9. he came into the Temple...in the Spirit. Remember what Paul said...be ye filled with the Holy Spirit
10. he noted and stopped Mary and Joseph and took the child
11. in the Spirit he prophesied
12. he blessed God

So what is it about Simeon that we should "take away" for our lives? Are we too looking for Him? are we filled with the Spirit? Are we righteous? Are we devout?
Are we in God's house so we can be aware of His presence when He comes? Do we know the promises of the OT? OR
Are we so busy with the trappings of Christmas that we are not looking for Him "in the temple" but instead we are looking for Santa? Where are we today in our preparation for Christmas?

Looking for Jesus? Start here...in His house...in His Word...and receive the promises that are awaiting you.

Perhaps this song will inspire you to think: where's the line for Jesus?
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

The Veracity of Light

The Veracity of Light

Anyone who has lived in Florida or Texas for any time knows the impact of lightning as it illumines the sky for a fraction of a moment. If it happens at night the illumination is startling and revealing as happened recently when there was thunder, lightning and then hail which was hidden to the naked eye until the illumination occurred.
It revealed what is hidden in the darkness. Just as physical illumination reveals the good, the bad and the ugly so spiritual illumination reveals the same. Think of it this way. Within the heart of man likes a big black gem that is hidden from the eye of man but is seen through the lens of the Creator and the created one, Satan, that stepped away from Him in days long ago. This evil one knows of the darkness and seeks to keep it hidden from the illumination that will not only reveal it but cause it to be eradicated. He blinds (2Cor 4:4) the mind of the one who has had a glimpse of his darkness lest he turn from his evil ways and turn to the Creator/Christ. Into this scenario steps the Light of the World to not only reveal this darkness but also to give the human his opportunity to turn and be illuminated. But as scripture tells us that men loved darkness rather than light, (Jn 3:19) but to those who love the light He gives them the right to become the children of God (Jn 1:12) with all of the rights and promises such as are listed in Ephesians 1 (saint, blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen before foundation of the world, holy, unblemished, redeemed, forgiven, God’s own possession, sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit).

The veracity of our decision to throw off the darkness and yield to the light is when we either do as the wicked servant by hiding his talent or gift it in the ground or we proclaim the message of these gifts to others who are still walking about wrapped in the cloak of darkness. To the world we stand unchanged or changed; they are watching and listening. Should we hide our gift in the ground one day we will hear “thou wicked and slothful servant” or if we share these gifts we will hear “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord”. Whether you are a sower or a reaper we will rejoice together (Jn 4:36). Should you not be growing through study and meditation upon His Word, not proclaiming nor hungering for the Word there is to the world and Christendom alike a real question of your state.

Will your light shine or be hidden under a bushel?

2Cor 4:4 the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God
John 3:19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.
John 1:12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children
John 4:36 The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together

Reformation Day and Entrusting Treasures

In two books, Paul challenges his readers to know that God has entrusted His treasure of His Word in us, (Titus 1 and Timothy 2) His chosen vessel. On Oct 31, 1517 a man lived that out and put his life on the line. His name was Martin Luther and it was today that he posted his 95 theses on the Wittenburg Church Door in Germany calling all of Christendom to halt where they were and to understand that it was because of the gift of Jesus Christ that now they could as justified believers live by faith and faith alone apart from any works. So it is because of his stand before the entire church of Rome that today we are able to say I am righteous not by my works but by grace alone without fear of reprisal. (Eph 2:8-10).
HAPPY REFORMATION DAY

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/

The Eternal Perspective

"The eternal perspective" from the books of John, 1 John, 2 John and Revelation.

In all three of these books we hear from the Apostle John of his life with the Master Redeemer. Note his words:
John 1:2 The Word was with God in the beginning; vs 14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.
1 John 1:1-2 This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life – and the life was revealed,
1 John 2:2 he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.
Rev 1:4 Grace and peace to you from “he who is,” and who was, and who is still to come, v 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God – the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come – the All-Powerful!

Now try to put yourself onto the island of Patmos and allow yourself to be invited to sit beside John as he reflects upon these words and recalls the past when he and Jesus walked about the earth through the land of Israel, hear his reflections of the Feeding of the 5000 and other miracles and then look deep into his eyes as he looks upon the Crucified Christ and share in his grief. See grief to joy as he tells you about seeing the empty tomb, watch with him as he sees the Master ascend. From there see his eyes as he beholds a man who is in need of healing as he and Peter walked to the Temple, and now see his eyes as he recalls all of this and more and his time as a persecuted prisoner ...I John am on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.

The question before us is how was it that John outlasted all of the Apostles, the Jewish Sanhedrin's "fire", the tribulations and persecution? (and more importantly how do our brothers and sisters across the world as well as ourselves endure times of challenge/tribulation) The answer comes from his own words: vs 10 I was in the Spirit ...which reminds us of Paul's words to the Ephesian church: be filled by the Spirit. The Power of the Illuminating Teacher Holy Spirit was His lifeline to the eternal perspective: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.

Take time today to reflect upon where you have walked and where you are now walking....allow the Spirit to bring to your mind that which is tied to the eternal perspective that you may join Joshua and the cloud of witnesses from Heb 12 to be able to say: be strong and brave! don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do and experience [editor's addition]

Is Your Slip Showing?

Ever been to a function only to have some kind lady come up and speak quietly into your ear: your slip is showing? Every gal who has experienced this felt the onrush of a scarlet face and then looking around for the nearest ladies room! Once there you tug it up, fold down the waistband, breathe a sigh of relief and ask the next gal...is it showing now?

Paul reminds the Corinthian Church that their "slip", (their conduct) was to be as his: pure and without hypocrisy; with holiness and godly sincerity. In the NET 2Cor 1:12 it reads "pure [without contamination] motives [thoughts, words or actions] and sincerity" Paul is emphasizing this in a phrase with two close synonyms. He gently reminds them that it is their conduct, worn before a world whose eyes are blinded by the evil one that must be guarded at all costs. They are a letter of Christ and may be the only letter the blinded world reads. Therefore, may your actions/words/thoughts be uncontaminated and without hypocrisy.

So is your slip showing? Listen carefully to the whispered quiet word of the Illuminating Holy Spirit - you may have to exit into the nearest restroom and do an adjustment.

Fragrance

II Corinthians has become a sweet fragrance to my soul in the last few days as I see my precious husband grieve over the loss of both parents in the space of 18 days and having read Christina Wilson's blog on memorial stones (see http://users.bible.org). My heart has been churning on ideas, thoughts and memories in a time of grief.

In going through all of the funerals, the many wonderful "things" that made up their lives, and seeing the fruits (literally flowers, squash, pumpkins) it became abundantly clear that their lives were a sweet fragrance to many that we were not aware of even though we spent time with them, interacted with them weekly, visited as often as work allowed. As we viewed family photos, dug through the many boxes in the attic, there were more than enough of those to fill a consignment shop, we became more acutely aware of their love of creating crocheted rugs for family members, saving items for a future date or for their loved ones upon their passing. The greatest gift of all has been looking through their Bibles for notes and sermons, pastor's names and ideas they had gleaned over their 73 yrs of marriage. Yes they will be missed but their legacy of a sweet fragrance lives on. This challenges me to begin thinking, what fragrance am I leaving for my loved ones should the Lord tarry His coming?

2Cor 2:14-16 God ...who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life.

Quinceañera and Nana

Next week my granddaughter will have the experience of a lifetime. Her parents are showering her with a major birthday celebration called a Quinceañera that she might have experience some of her Spanish heritage. Being a former Yankee but now transplanted Texan, I have attempted to know more about this event and why it is so very important. I found that it is her transition from childhood to womanhood. This celebration’s history began long ago to mark the coming-of-age rituals to mark a girl's independence as a woman. One of the traditions is to have her shoes changed from flats to heels, dance the first dance with her father and to be given a Bible showing the world that this is not just a birthday but rather a birthday with a spiritual emphasis.

Recently I had a week with my precious family and had time with my granddaughter. One of the wonderful gifts she gave me was her willingness to obey, her willingness to please her grandfather. He had noted her bedroom needed a tad bit of cleaning and encouraged her to do so. She did in fact please him with her obedience to that task and that made her Grandpa proud and pleased.

But, back to the event at hand. So how do we fit into all of this? My husband, Christina's grandfather, has an important role in that he is the one that will present her with the spiritual side with a gift of a Bible, a prayer and a word of spiritual wisdom.

For me, I have been gathering my prayer cards together and have collated the verses I have been choosing at the beginning of each school year since Christina began first grade. My focus was to pray for her to develop her character according to biblical standards. I am “pleased as punch” to say that many of my prayers for her have already been answered. But, that does not mean I am at the stopping point. She is just 15 and there are many more years ahead.

Here is one of my prayer examples from Prov 30:24-28

There are four things on earth that are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
(the character trait that year was on wisdom)
Ants are creatures with little strength, but they prepare their food in the summer;
(character trait of diligence to work in anticipation of future needs, thus to not wait to accomplish chores, school work)
Rock badgers are creatures with little power, but they make their homes in the crags;
(character trait of discernment- a crag is a steep, rugged rock, projecting out of a huge rock, thus one must choose wisely in just the right place of safety)
Locusts have no king, but they all go forward by ranks;
(here the character trait of teamwork – and symbolizing strength as one follows Christ in all duties)
The Spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces
( in the NET this word is lizard yet the spider was the one chosen as I was also curiously studying and reading the book of Esther. The spider gives us a picture of an insect who is skillful and crafts her web with beauty and intricate details. Thus the character trait is one of skill and beauty.)

As I prepare for this marvelous and exciting event in my granddaughter’s life, I pray that I might take to heart that I am but one of her spiritual advisors and may God give me grace to pray wisely for her. I will be presenting these verses to her in a journal just for her.

Perhaps you might take this challenge for your grandchildren.

G.A.P.Eternal Perspective

G.A.P. (God’s Abiding Principle) which comes from this verse: Is 55: 8-9 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans…and my plans are superior to your plans.” Thus: have an eternal perspective.

The disciples give us a glimpse of how they did not have that yet idea firmly entrenched in their minds. Looking at our own lives, we as well, do not have an eternal perspective in terms of those who are “suffering”. As we read the story of the blind man whom Jesus healed in John 9, we find ourselves being shocked by the question of the disciples. How could they be so insensitive? But, if we are honest with ourselves, how often do we ask the same? They asked: “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?” In other words, why has this been allowed to happen? Jesus answered them that there was no sin. The word here is “oute” and has the idea NO, EMPHATICALLY, there is not a question of sin at all. In fact, if you had an eternal perspective you would know that God’s plans were executed perfectly for one reason---so the acts of God may be revealed, through what happens to him. As I re-read this story I find how much like the disciples I am. (I am speaking to my own heart here) I have to stop and ponder what Jesus is really saying because often, I, like the disciples, have that mindset or I am too “busy”, meaning I am talking rather than listening, asking the proverbial question: why God? How often do my questions take center stage instead of looking for what God is going to do? Do I really believe Rom 8:28 or am I merely quoting a verse out of memory? How often are my eyes focused on the here and now and not on the eternal? James said faith without works is dead. He also asks: You say you have faith? Where is the work of the eternal perspective? Good question to ponder.

As I do the prayer log each week I remind myself of this enduring spiritual principle because of the depth of pain some are experiencing. It is to me an enigma for which I have no answer but I am also reminded that my work of faith is to pray that God’s plans, which are superior to mine, would be perfectly executed for an eternal reward. I pray that you too will join me in this season of quietness and prayer for those who are living out God’s plan, who are revealing His work so that the world would take notice but more importantly, He get the glory.

How Cool is this?

Hey there it is now Day 21 in our quest to be in the Word daily. What is God teaching you? Where are you reading and meditating? What is God teaching you? Here’s what God taught me today from Hebrews 10.
First: Jesus is the PERFECT sacrifice and God prepared it that way. “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me. Heb 10:5. Did you catch that idea? God prepared a body for Him…that means it was determined and executed.He chose His only begotten Son for this one and only perfect sacrifice and it had to be done with a body.

Secondly, If you understand that concept you are just one step away from being a child of God. As a child of God the author of Hebrews then gives us some very basic and practical applicable life changing steps to take!

1. Be confident brothers and sisters…you can enter God’s holy sanctuary
2. Draw near in your confidence, God is no longer far away or on a high mountain in fire and threatenings but is as near as the breath you take. But note it is that we must draw near with a sincere heart…none of this wavering well maybe so maybe not…you must be sincere about this. So how sincere are you today about your faith? Are you confident?
3. Hold unwaveringly to the hope you have within you…he who wavers is lost and is like the sea as it ebbs and flows back and forth. So don’t expect to receive anything from the Lord as you waver between yes and no. You must be unwavering, that is steadfast and immovable as Paul said in 1 Cor 15:58!
4. Then after you have come boldly before the throne of God, don’t just stay there! Jesus said “go, make disciples, baptize them, teach them” Sooooo friend, are you going?
5. Lastly in your going out into the “holy huddle” are you thinking? Is this on your mind? How can I spur someone else on to love others and to do good deeds thus working out their salvation.

Whoo hoo friend…how cool is that? Come near, get your heart recharged in the tent of meeting’s throne room! Be steadfast in your faith! Be steadfast in your in your hope! Go to believers and encourage, Go and find those who are lost and win them to the Lord!

Day 17: Mice, Men and Plans

Principle: God is Sovereign and Ruler over all, His dominion is both heaven and earth, He is planner and executor and yet He allows man to choose his way.

In the challenging novel written by John Steinbeck “Of Mice and Men” the characters make plans but they often go astray. They find themselves in places and circumstances that tragically end in death for the one softhearted individual in this cast of characters. A famous line from the book is “the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray” which was captured from Robert Burns poem “To a Mouse”. Frequently the phrase has been used often by people when they see their dreams go awry.

Steinbeck leaves the audience to ponder this thought but never gives a reason as to why and leaves us in the dark as to the other side of this coin. In contrast, authors of both the OT and the NT do reveal the other side of Steinbeck’s coin which gives us a hope and an answer to every man who asks (1 Pet 3:15 always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess)
1. God is Sovereign and in control (Is 14: 24, 27 “Be sure of this:
Just as I have intended, so it will be;the Lord...has a plan,and who can possibly frustrate it?
just as I have planned, it will happen.)
2. Man plans but God is the executor (Prov 16:9 KJV A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.)
3. God uses all of man’s plans to bring about His perfect sequence (Rom 8:28 we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,)

Man plans but God brings about His intended purpose proving that He is the Sovereign of the Universe. The clearest example of this from scripture is found in Genesis where we read about the evil plans of Jacob’s sons to remove Joseph from their presence. You can almost hear the sons quoting Steinbeck/Burn’s statement as they stood before Joseph as a dignitary in Egypt. Gen 42:21 “Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!”; translated into today's pc lingo: “oh just dandy; our plans have gone amuck and look where we are now...we are in a heap of trouble" The brothers were unknowingly unaware that this was God’s intended purpose was to bring about the deliverance of His people in a time of famine. God orchestrated each movement in Joseph’s life to bring about His intended end.

The challenge before us is to see that even though we may plan, God is the one who lovingly and carefully brings about His intended purpose so that He alone gets the glory. Jeremiah wisely wrote: Jer 9:24 If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth”

Prayer: Father, El Elyon, may we today stop and pause to worship you as the sovereign possessor of heaven and earth. May we know without a shadow of doubt that today has been planned in eternity past for such a time as this. May we trust you as the author and finisher of our faith and to see your purposes before our eyes so that we may boast in this: I know You, I understand that you are faithful, you are fair, you are just and all things bring about your good to those who love you.
Application: Keep track of today’s events and praise God as He executes His plan for your good.

True Piety

Piety: a reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations; the quality of being pious Synonyms : respect, veneration, awe, godliness, devotion, sanctity, holiness.
In contrast the antonym is irreverence; atheism, godlessness

True piety instills in us a desire to please God to live out the indwelling Fruit of the Spirit in all we do, say, think. Hebrews 5:7 says that Jesus’ prayers were heard because of his piety/devotion. Perhaps the author of Hebrews was thinking of Is 11:2-3 “the Lord’s spirit will rest on him...a spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord,” This is the Holy Spirit that came and anointed Jesus at his baptism. Verse 3 continues: He will take delight in obeying the Lord which takes us back to what true piety is; a desire to please God. In 2 Chron 7 we read God’s response to Solomon after the dedication of the Temple which are the characteristics that in pious people: a humbled self, seeking to please God, repudiate (that is reject with disapproval or condemnation) sinful practices. When God sees those characteristics, He hears, He responds, He forgives, He heals. 2 Chron 7:14.

Prayer: Father, El Elyon, God Most High, as you look down from heaven this day upon this your servant, may you see a heart of devotion as you saw in your Son, your only begotten Son, the one who is now crowned with glory and honor because he through his death destroyed the one who holds the power of death (that is the devil). May we be a people of humility, devotion, seeking your face so that our worship brings praise to You,e the Only Wise God, the author and finisher of our faith.

Application: Philip Yancey writes: “Whatever you do, don’t ignore God. Invite God into every aspect of your life” …Beware of those daily distractions that cause the focus of God to fade. Claim James 4:8 as your guide this day: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.”


Yancey, Philip “Reaching for the Invisible God”, Zondervan; 2000; pg 189.

Day 12: Fear God

1Peter 1:17: And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one’s work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence (NET)
Or
1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;(NKJV)

Spiritual Principle: What does this word really mean? In listening to a sermon tonight the Pastor indicated it merely meant “awe”. Is that the true meaning of this word reverence/fear? In the Greek the word is fobov phobos (from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:-be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.) To “fear” God is not only to be fearful of who God is, but fearful of His holiness, fear and revere His Name and His character.

What is Peter really saying in this verse? As he penned this book to those believers who were “temporarily residing” abroad it seems that he wanted to grab their attention as to how they were to conduct themselves in this temporary life. It was to be fearful not of the persecutors but of the Holiness of God that they would someday face in eternity. Do we have that fear of God? Do we live our lives daily moment by moment aware of His existence and His power and His Majesty? Do we live in not just “awe” but in fear? The OT Israelites were so fearful of God they told Moses to speak to Him for them. Do we have that fear? That reverence? It appears that we claim this promise from the book of Hebrews: come boldly before the throne of grace but we fail to grasp that we are entering the throne room of the Holy Almighty El Elyon God Most High. So how are we to come? Come with fear and reverence that comes from understanding that God is Holy beyond what our minds can comprehend. Philip Yancey writes in his book: Reaching for the Invisible God that Japanese Christians, unlike American Christians do not have a problem with this concept for they live in a culture of a monarch who has rule over all. Americans come to God with a wish list, the Japanese Christians come to God bowing in reverence. A missionary revealed their mindset: “We know how to come to God as humble servants with boldness, you don’t have to tell Japanese people about hierarchy. When they learn that God is Lord they immediately know all of the implications of that. They know who’s boss and that is never questioned. When they pray they use language that combines the highest forms of speech and the most intimate phrases of love and devotion. When they ask for something they ask with humility, knowing they have no right to what they’re asking except that God give them that very right to ask and promises to answer” Perhaps we might take a lesson from these as to how we are to approach God.

Application: Pro 9:10 The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and acknowledging the Holy One is understanding.
Is 57:15 For this is what the high and exalted one says, the one who rules forever, whose name is holy: “I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.”

Whoo Hoo

Saw God at work once again.Oh ye of little faith.Why do I get so anxious when God has a plan already in His pocket? Saw one more house this a.m. and it is perfect. Perfect plan for moving "once again"...which is such a pain but perfect because it is what we have to do and perfect for the price, the size and the location! Whoo Hoo. God you are one amazing God. This image is for me who always gets so anxious. May I remember this and learn from this experience.

Calendar Day 9: El Roi: The God who sees me

Day 9 – El Roi: God who sees me
Spiritual Principle: Although Hagar in Genesis is the only one to have used this name for God, the holy majestic God of the universe, the principle is throughout scripture. God sees all, knows all, and one day will reveal all as the books are opened in eternity. No matter our circumstances, God hears and God sees and He alone provides the answer to our dilemma. Because He is all knowing and all seeing we can “take his yoke upon us for his yoke is easy to bear and his load is not hard to carry (Matt 11:30) which is only possible when we know that we are a His child (John 1:12).


Prayer: Holy Father, with whom is no variableness or shadow of turning. You revealed Yourself to Hagar, as El Roi for you heard and saw her affliction. What a marvelous caring God would leave the heavenlies to reveal Himself? It is that through the example of Hagar, we might know of your love and compassion for those in the deepest times of despair to encourage, and to reveal Your love to and for them. You saw the affliction of your children in Egypt and chose Moses to lead them out. You saw the need for a godly king and revealed David to Samuel. You loved Daniel and revealed the knowledge of dreams and the future. That is why as obedient children we come boldly or confidently before your throne of grace to seek your help. (Heb 4:16). We thus claim your promise to order or direct the steps of the righteous this day. We claim it so that your plan perfectly ordained in eternity may come to fruition and glorify You as the author and finisher of our faith.

El Roi, you know each hair upon our heads, each sparrow that falls to the ground and you know us whether or not we recognize Your presence at this moment in time. Therefore, give us a heart to know your love, an eye to see your work, an ear to hear your words so that we may worship you. Hebrews 1 tells that when Your Son was manifest you told the angels to worship Him. This day we ask but one thing; a heart to share your love in divine appointments that you have planned before in eternity past; an eye to see your beauty around us and an ear to praise and worship rightly. May we so live and worship that we know we are but exhibitors of the good works that You have prepared for each one of us.

Application: I Th 4:18 “therefore encourage one another with these words” by sharing your comments.

Day 8- El Elyon God Most High

Day 8- El Elyon God Most High
El Elyon in the Septuagint: ho theos ho hupsistos — the God most high
Scriptural Principle:
God is Sovereign and rules over all. He is supreme above all. Dan 4:34-35. El Elyon is praised and extolled for His eternality, His authority, His all encompassing roving eye over all of His creation. It is because of that we stand in awe and as Nebuchadnezzar said; we recoil from asking, “What have you done”? Stop now and praise Him and allow your heart to focus on who He is and not your circumstances.

Prayer:
El Elyon, God Most High, we stop now and pause to elevate your Name above all Names. Your name is a reminder that in time of distress, discouragement or any other time of uncertainty we can come to You; for in Your presence we find security. You see all, know all, and are over all. When I stop to view my day in light of eternity then I know that all things are working for good that I might boast in this one fact alone: that I know and understand that you Lord, Jehovah, The Existent One, act out of faithfulness, fairness and justice over all your creation both in the heavenlies and on earth.

Scriptures:
Dan 4: 34-35; Jer 9: 23-24; Rom 8:28; Is 14:24; 27; Is 46:9-11; Dan 2:20-23

Change and/or Resistance

Change and Resistance

Eldercare, the new buzz word. In Ps 90:10 we read: “The days of our lives add up to seventy years, or eighty, if one is especially strong”. Today because of the wealth of medical knowledge we are seeing this being pushed farther back. Many of our neighbors and family members are living well past this into their nineties and even to the ripe old age of 100. So what challenges does this bring? Recently in the Kindred Spirit magazine published by DTS there were a series of articles on this subject. You can read all of the issue by clicking here. Nancy Barton wrote an article entitled “Are you Aging Well Spiritually”. Her points are well taken and are noted as those often seen in the very elderly. Note how many receive checks!
1. Fear: Losing independence and losing the ability to care for oneself, losing a spouse, losing abilities to respond as one did earlier in life. (check, check, check, check!!!)
2. Relational Wounds: Loss of children’s touch and attention, pain from betrayal, slander or gossip. (check, check)
3. Physical Issues: Wrinkles, sagging skin, physical abilities declining (check, check check!!!)
4. Weariness: Been there done that mentality (check check check)
5. Attitude Issues: Complaining, grumbling, apathy. (check check check check!!!)

Lately as we face this with family members we are asking how should we respond? Again from Kindred Spirit, Dr. Jeffery Watson reminds us of two scriptures: Ex 20:12 “Honor your father and mother so you may live long” and 1 Tim 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives...he has denied the faith”. Wise counsel to the young but to the elder who is resistant at any type of change what do you do? You have talked, prayed, visited, offered assistance, hired caregivers and yet are faced with a brick wall. So it is that God provided yet another article with some sound and wise advice. “What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity”. How true that statement is and is the stalemate many are facing. Now the next question is this: how do you make it clear to the elderly whose mental processing has been diminished due to a recent mini-stroke or heart attack or just plain aging? It seems so clear to you but to them it is “you want to take away my independence”. You have sat face to face explaining all of the issues before them, showing them options and instead only hear “I resist your help”. The article continues with this statement: The point is, often, we misinterpret resistance. We misunderstand the root of push-back and view it as negative. Yet, in reality, it can be a positive! Resistance is an opportunity to clarify our vision, our expectations, and even our hopes and dreams.

As we walk in this valley we continue with the daily constant prayer: Protect the resistant, clarify their understanding, protect them from a major crisis, open their eyes to see and feel our love, may they accept the provision for their help, remove all doubts and fears and lastly may we have wisdom to know the next step especially when the geographical distance is so great.

Open mouth..put in foot...

A week of not putting mind in gear before opening mouth should be a reminder of this verse that would be best learned and memorized and recited daily: Eph 4:29 "You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear."

"Wants"

W.O.W. “Want” defined by: to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire; from having wishes in consequence of our wants, we often feel wants in consequence of our wishes. Mark 8 is a good example of this description. Note the first part of the chapter indicates the “wants’ of the people to be fed, then the “wants” of the Pharisees for a sign, then the “wants” of the disciples for understanding, the people’s “wants” for the blind man to be healed, and lastly, Jesus “want” of knowing who people think He is. Let’s analyze each “want”. As we walk through each ask: is it a wish? A need? A craving? A demand? A desire? Does the circumstance fulfill or bring about a want that we did not know we had or is it that we know we have a have a want which is then fulfilled clearly because of the compassion of Christ?
1. How do you see the first “want”? There was a need for food for the people who had come to see and hear Jesus. Observe the people, Jesus and the disciples. The scripture is silent on the people but we note that Jesus had compassion on them. The disciples on the other hand, “wanted” a decision, a direction from Jesus. Observe their attitude. They questioned Jesus on how they were to provide food for this multitude. You can almost feel and hear the tension in their question.
2. What about the Pharisees who “wanted” a sign? Is it a need or is it a demand? Observe their behavior before Jesus. They came out and began to argue with Him.
3. In the boat Jesus “wanted” the disciples to have learned from #1 and 2 situations. Observe the disciples and Jesus. The disciples discuss amongst themselves but do not include Jesus. Note Jesus question: do you not yet understand? Translated being, I just performed a miracle of provision of food for a people that did not request it and I did not perform a sign for those who did. Are you still not able to distinguish between a need and a want?
4. The villagers and the blind man want for healing: Did the blind man seek it or was it a compassionate spirit of the villagers? Reading between the lines we see two clues. Jesus took him apart from the villagers and Jesus told him to not return to the village.
5. Jesus wanting to know: Who do people say I am? Observe the answers of the disciples. Observe Peter who rebukes Jesus. Clearly it was not just a wish but a demand. In a matter of seconds Peter goes from doing what is right to being a servant of Satan.

From all of these examples we can draw some conclusions:
1. A want is distinguished from a need and our attitude and behavior demonstrate where the difference.
2. A want more often stems from a selfish desire rather than wanting to glorify God

Hump Day...Moses or Paul?

Yesterday was a "Moses day". I wore "I can't do this" all day. How does one get over the hump when one faces a "Moses Day?" One turns their face to the heavenly Father. And so I found myself this a.m. reflecting upon Ps 25-26 and pondering the character of God. I noted that the Psalmist knew that in uncertain times God was trustworthy, His teacher, His lovingkindness and compassion was ever before him and that God was his and my refuge. Then in the NT I was reminded that when Paul was "dressing" he put on the "I can do all things robe" unlike Moses. What a contrast.

On "Moses Days", it is good to reflect upon these qualities and to know that even though I do not know what is ahead He does and thus He can be trusted. He will teach me what I need to know as I seek to do His work. He wants to shower me with His lovingkindness and compassion when I feel weak.

I feel so overwhelmed with this course work and yet as I think about doing the audio portion I know that He will give me the right words to share, the right timing and the excellent enunciation and articulation. He is trustworthy. So I am putting aside my "Moses robe", and finding that robe Paul wore, drying my tears and setting forth today to accomplish His task.

Attitude Adjustment needed....

Today was just like any other day; or so I had supposed. But, then I had a nightmare about my piano lesson which led to the fact that I overslept. Then upon arising I spilled the blueberries all over the kitchen and I forgot to add the coffee to the pot. And then the Bible reading was from Numbers 35-36 about the Levites and God's provision for their livelihood. But added to that positive side was the flip side where Israelite men asked Moses to make sure the daughters of Zelophehad did not marry outside their tribe or if they did they would lose their inheritance. Now you tell me why they did not mind their own business? Why did they come to Moses about this "problem" as they saw it? These poor girls were Zelophehad's only heirs and these men were either looking to inherit their property (what scumbags) or they were looking to protect their inheritance (what righteous godly men). It came across as the first to me today. GRRR Who said women are busybodies? So my morning was less than reflective of God's goodness I must admit. Do you have days like that? What was the result: An hour late to work and a stomachache from the rushing and the frustration. What is God teaching me in all of this?

As I was thinking about this on my morning preparation of showering etc. I began to say God thank you! Thank you that You did not want me to judge those men...lesson #1. Thank you that God would provide husbands for them. What a dowry! Lesson #2. And thank you that Moses seemed to understand their need of protection. Lesson #3. It is amazing what a 5 min shower will do to one's attitude when one is listening to the voice of God.

As I was pondering all of this we took time to call my father-in-law who recently experienced a mini-stroke. Today was his 95th birthday. That put life into perspective. God began to ask me how He had provided for my dear mother in law who is 93. Let's see: I have graciously kept her husband of 73 yrs alive for yet a few more days or months or even years if I see fit. Thus, God said, who are you to question the Israelite men? Attitude adjustment.

So God said, will you stop today and ponder my goodness? Will you stop and reflect upon this as the day I have given to you to serve Me? Will you get your attitude in the right frame of mind as you wait on Me for the future?
I had to admit how impatient I am. And I had to reflect on the fact that I am not resting in His provision, praying and reflecting upon my Lord and on His goodness. Attitude Adjustment needed! Done! It is good to have these lessons in life as hard as they are. DRATS!

Oh ...PS: (I still think they were scumbags... :-)