Me and God

Me and God.  A friend at church sings that song occasionally and I just love it.  It’s how I feel about the Lord.  He’s my friend, my life, my everything.  Without him I would be nothing, lost, maybe even dead.  I see proof of his existence everywhere, I feel his presence with me continually, and I am so grateful for that.  His fingerprints are everywhere from the beauty of the Easter lilies just beginning to bloom to the delicate shades and stripes on the snow crocuses peeking through the soil.  I hear him in the sweet symphony of spring peepers, whip-or-wills, and the laughing of the wandering creek, sweeter music was never heard.  I know he is there when I look up at the sky to behold the deep brilliant blue, spotted with clouds like pillows or cottage cheese, brightest white as my robe in heaven will one day be.  And there is nothing more breathtaking than the glimpses of stars on a cloudy night when I am in tears praising Him for his abundant blessings in my life, or when I am praying for the salvation of family or friends who are not yet brothers and sisters in Christ, or when I offer him my heart asking that his will and not my own be done in my life.  The night sky has always fascinated me but it wasn’t until I was saved that I truly began to realize just how beautiful and astounding it really is.  In the last few years my appreciation of God’s handiwork in the heavens has grown even greater.  When we moved to the country a few years ago I realized just how big the heavens are, just how breathtakingly glorious, how God’s awe inspiring it is to look up at the vast expanse of his artwork and know that he spans it with his hand!  Yet he loves me, insignificant little ole me.  Loves me so much that he shows me each night in some little way that he has heard my prayers, he doesn’t always answer them with a yes mind you, but he does always treat me to some little delight.  Whether it is a clearing in the stormy cloudy sky allowing a few stars to twinkle down on me just until I say Amen or,as the case the other night was, I witnessed a meteor falling to earth.

God knows I love to see them, my boy and I have sat out a during meteor showers, staring up and talking about how amazing it all is and how we serve such a glorious God.  We sometimes quote favorite passages of scripture that remind us of God’s glory, or one of us will recite favorite poems.  I sometimes will share stories of my childhood or we just ponder and pray in stunned silence, wrapped in blankets with his dog at our feet, as we behold the magnificent display of the hand of God.  So when I was praying so earnestly, brokenly, painfully at the end of what had been a very hard day with that boy of mine, that boy who is fully in the grip of being twelve and having his world rocked with hormones, growth spurts, and lots of physical changes; fearing that I would push him too hard, damage our relationship somehow.  I prayed to God to lead me, guide me to handle this burgeoning young man carefully, pointing him always to God that he would never stray from the path God sets before him.  As I finished and stood there drying my tears and looking up right before my eyes God sent a meteor for me to see.  A “falling star” to comfort the heart of weary mom trying her best to raise her child up to love God with all his heart.

 

In that instant my heart swelled with praise and thanks to God for again letting me know he is there, listening, loving me.  That the God of heaven and earth is the same one I turn to when it is just me and God!.

No Turning Back 2

Last night I shared the video for the song “NO Turning Back”.  Every time I listen to it I am reminded of Romans 8:35-39 about how as followers of Christ we will suffer persecution and tribulations but that no matter how much the Satan and the world try to tear us from our Savior they are going to fail!  Scripture is explicitly clear that nothing can separate us from our Lord, once we are washed in the blood we are saved!  Forever.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

Now I do mean here truly washed in the blood, truly believing with our hearts, minds and souls that Jesus is the only Son of God, who died on the cross for the remission of our sins and rose the third day from the tomb as the first fruits of the resurrection our example of hope and are baptized and publicly declare our faith in Him then we are eternally saved.  When we do these things then we are changed, made new.  We have a new hope and life in Jesus and through that we die to our sins.  We don’t want to sin anymore,  we no longer desire those vises that were imprisoning us before we accepted Jesus and asked him in to our hearts.  Now I’m not saying we don’t stumble or even fall at times, sometimes we do.  I have slipped out a few cuss words when in tense moments, but I don’t make a habit of it, it’s happened a few times in the 7 years I have been saved and you know the closer I walk with my Lord the less it happens.  Stumbling can’t separate us from our Salvation when we truly follow Christ loving him with all our hearts.

Think of the joy of that, no matter what we may face as believers, Jesus has us in his hands and he is never going to let us go.  That’s how much he loves us.  That’s our hope, or security.  That is also why we are able to follow our Savior with no turning back even unto death.  We will face persecution as believers on both a large scale, just look at the anger and hate directed at believers in the world today.  We are called vile names, told we are less valuable as humans, ought to die, some of us even have died for the name of Jesus.  Or on a small scale within our personal realm of family, friends, and acquaintances.  For instance I have experienced certain people in my life who have rejected my choice to live my life for the Lord.  It was hard at first to realize that I had to distance myself from them, they were having a negative influence on our son to the point he would cry and beg not to have to see them, which made me realize I felt the same way around them.  As if I were literally fighting for my life the entire time, constantly having to defend my faith and subsequent calling as a follower of Christ.  When faced with highly toxic, psychological attacks like we faced I would remember certain verses to help me stand my ground.  I am sharing a few below to help you in your walk with our sweet Savior below.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.  Ephesians 6:10-20

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  2 Timothy 3:10-12

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.  John 10:27-30

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, …  John 17:9-12

Take heart brothers and sisters as you too face persecution and tribulations in this world, for Jesus has overcome the world!  We have the promise of eternal life with our Savior, such a blessed hope!  Why would we ever even consider any other option other than that of no turning back!

No Turning Back

Fear Not

One of my favorite stories from the New Testament is when Jesus walks on water.  It’s one of the few stories I remember hearing as a child for one,  I was raised in a secular home with minimal exposure to God and Jesus.  I knew more about Santa, and the Easter Bunny than the truth about the holidays they had usurped.  But that’s another post, I also love how this story so perfectly demonstrates Philippians 4:13.

I can relate to Peter’s fear, his hesitation as he realizes he is actually walking on water.  It must have seemed totally impossible for that split second when his faith faltered – the winds whipping wildly about him, the waves crashing into him, and Jesus waiting patiently in the storm before him.  So as his mind takes over and he thinks this can’t be real, no way am I really doing this, he begins to sink.  So it is with us when we try to rely upon ourselves instead of our Lord.  We begin to sink.  Luckily we can do just as Peter did and cry out “Lord, save me!” knowing that our loving Savior will do just that.  Of course he lovingly reminded Peter and thus us that we ought to try not to let our faith falter.  “Oh, you of little faith…”  How those words sting when I read them, as I am sure they did Peter, but the sting is quick because it is followed by the catching of my hand by my precious Savior as he rescues me as he did Peter that stormy night so long ago.  He rescues and comforts his own, loving us even when we are weak, when we falter, stumble, even if we fall.  He is always there just a call away waiting to reach out and draw us safely to His side once more.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  Matthew 14:22
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  Matthew 14:23
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  Matthew 14:24
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  Matthew 14:25

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  Matthew 14:26
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  Matthew 14:27

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  Matthew 14:28
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  Matthew 14:29
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  Matthew 14:30

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  Matthew 14:31
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.  Matthew 14:32
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.  Matthew 14:33

 

Rescued Sinner?

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:  2 Thessalonians 2:8
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  2 Thessalonians 2:9
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  2 Thessalonians 2:10
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  2 Thessalonians 2:11
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  2 Thessalonians 2:12

Folks, I wanna be real with you tonight.  Maybe to real, but I’m not going to apologize for it, there isn’t time for that.  Jesus is coming soon and if you are not right with God, the Father, through the Son; if you haven’t repented of your sins, asked him to forgive you, save you; then the time to do so is running out.

Fast!  God tells us he will send delusions into this world in the last days and he has done just as he said.  We have delusions everywhere – drugs are rampant, the media’s mission is thought control, false religions grow by the day, sexual sins and perversions are being applauded praised.

Speaking the name of Jesus, the most revolutionary man who ever lived, the very Son of God, we are told by the world is wrong, we are evil bigots, hate filled, racist, deplorable, ignorant.  They are so far into their sin, their delusions that they really think that good is evil and evil good.

My heart  cries out for all caught in these deceptions, for those lost sheep who blatantly, defiantly shake their fist in the face of God; declaring they don’t need Him, don’t love Him, he never existed!  I pray constantly for those who are running from the Father, running from the Son their only hope and Savior.

I cry for them, I plead with God to open their eyes, to tear the scales from them that they might truly see how much He loves you wants you.  That you would cry out to God, repent of your sins, ask Jesus to cleanse you of them to change you make you into a new person!

A change so incredible it’s a miracle.  Believe me I know, I was dirty through and through before I asked Jesus into my heart, now I live my life for Him, striving with all I am to follow Him.

Invite Him into your heart thanking Him for dying to save you, cleanse you, restore you to a right standing with God.  Believe Jesus, the only Son of God, died for you then rose on the third day, resurrected!  Praise God, that grave is empty!  And just as Jesus was resurrected so shall all his followers be, whether literally raised from the grave or taken alive in the rapture, the great snatching away that will occur before the final judgement comes on this sin cursed world.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  1 Corinthians 15:50
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  1 Corinthians 15:51

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  1 Corinthians 15:52
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  1 Corinthians 15:53
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  1 Corinthians 15:54
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  1 Corinthians 15:55
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.  1 Corinthians 15:56
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:57
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58

If you are saved then please live it!  Preach it!  Get busy winning souls for the kingdom snatching them out of the fire!

If you are not saved then I urge you to get to know Jesus the Savior, who loves you just as you are, who wants to save you, invite you into the fold.  The scriptures below can help you do that, help you come to know the Lord and realize why you need him so.  Please, I beg you, take the time to read them, let the Lord work in your heart and become part of the harvest of the kingdom today!  Jesus loves you!

 

 

Be Salty, Be Light

I never experienced unsalty salt until recently – I had bought a box of it and used on it for way  to long apparently because the last few times I used it bleh!  It was pointless, useless, good for nothing.  It also got me to thinking about the passage in Matthew about the salt and light.  Was I still salty, I wondered.  I hope so, I pray so.  I live my life to serve the Lord, whatever he calls me to do, I pray I will always do it.  It is why I teach the toddlers at a local church, a church I fear is lukewarm, fast approaching apostate status.  I feel God has called me to be salty there, even though most don’t ant to hear it, see it, etc.  I am salty in my teachings to the kids because if I am not then the seeds of God’s love, his deep abiding passion for us may not get sown.  This church hardly mentions sin, repentance, salvation, it’s mostly feel good fluff.  It’s unsalty salt.  I just pray that through the position God has placed me in I can have some impact on the church as a whole.  That salt and light will spread from me to the children then to the congregation.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Matthew 5:13

 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Matthew 5:14
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Matthew 5:15
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

To Be Saved

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not die but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Romans 3:23

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  Romans 10:9

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 2:38

It seems too simple, too easy sometimes, being forgiven.  Just believe, repent, confess, and ask.  4 simple actions.  It’s not easy though, I know.  It is the most important decision we will ever make, one with eternal consequences.  I can promise you this though, choosing to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the one single decision in your life you do not want to get wrong, and the only decision you are guaranteed never to regret.

Think about it, from before God even began to create our universe, he knew exactly how it was going to go down and he had a plan in place already to save us.  His very first creative act was to create the Light, his only Son, our precious Savior.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  Genesis 1:3-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.  John 1:1-5

Before there was an Adam or Eve, before the garden, the serpent, there was the Light of the world, the Savior of the world, the only hope of the creation about to come into existence.  Our God is an awesome, mighty, wonderful, wise God who loves us so much he covered us for our sinful nature, our rebellion, pride, anger.  Instead he created the purest form of love, Light, to come and die in our place, take on our sins, at the perfect time then rise form the grave on the third day the first fruits of the resurrection.  Because He lived and died we are are set free when we call upon his name in repentance, acceptance, and faithfulness.  God loved us that much and Jesus loved us enough to do his Father’s will, and suffer for us.  To accept us in all our dirt and brokenness.  Will you accept Him?  He calls out to you, don’t hesitate to answer!

 

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Preach It

And Jesus said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to everyone.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  – Mark 16:15-16

Well, that’s the Great Commission folks, our call as follows of Jesus.  To go out and spread the good news that others might come to believe also.  To gather new souls for the kingdom of God.  We are to be about the Father’s work sowing seeds and reaping new believers in the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It’s why I have this blog, to plant seeds and encourage my brothers and sisters to do the same.  So let’s get busy sowing seeds, tomorrow may be too late!

My Sweet Lord

This is such a beautiful song.  I always need my sweet Lord’s help and love!

Light Shining Out Of The Darkness

John tells us ” And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”  Jesus said “I am the light of the world”, His Father said “Let there be light.”  I thank God that I walk in that light in the darkness.

 

Consider the following verses.  Read them through think about them, pray about them, because in these verses we see the salvation of man laid out from the very beginning.  God knew we would mess up, rebel against Him, yet he still gave us free will a choice.  He coulda just said nope, not gonna take a chance with these guys, they have to love me, obey me, they have no choice, no free will.  But God knew that forced love is false love, and God’s a gentleman – a true, just and loving God – he doesn’t want false love, he wants real deep meaningful love with us.  To be in relationship with us, he wants us.  Just the way we are, rebellion and all.  Because once we have his light in us, we are changed, that rebellion we gloried in is replaced with His love and a desire to serve Him to let the God who created us, who loved us enough to send his only Son to die for our rebellion and sins, then raise that Son from the grave the third day so that we might live forever with Him.  Do you have the Light?

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:3-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:1-10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:16-21

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:12

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 9:4-5

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.  John 11:9-10

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
John 12:35-36

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. John 12:44-47

Come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.  Isaiah 2:5