Newtown, CT. Needs Prayer !

As we watched television and heard about the horror that unfolded in the town of Newtown, Conneticut on Friday, my wife and I started to pray.  We prayed for the families of all the victims.  And, yes, we even prayed for the soul of the attacker, and his surviving family members, because they are victims too.  We prayed that these families believed in God, and knew Jesus, and that if they didn't, that through this horrific tragedy they would get to know Them, because right now that belief will be the only thing that get's them through this tragedy.  Understand, this belief will be strained and tested deeply.  So many questions will come to mind for so many, in so many different ways, for so many different reasons --  How could God let this happen?  Twenty 5 year olds plus adults needlessly murdered?  Why?  Most were just babies, who never did any harm to anyone, just beginning life, with so much promise ahead of them.   God gave man free will  and freedom of choice.  We can choose to do evil or good.  If God stopped everything evil from happening, He wouldn't be God, but everybodies personal genie.

This tragedy is a wake up call to a dying world.  We must turn to God, and teach our children and grandchildren to do the same.  We must keep God on our minds; we must acknowledge Him daily, and the fact that we can't do anything without Him. 

I personally pray for the world at-large, but I also specifically pray the blood of Jesus over my husband, children, grandchildren, Godmother, and myself on a daily basis.  Not because I'm so holier than thou, but because I know that this is war Saints, and the only way we, Christian soldiers, are going to win is to stay with Jesus on our minds, in our hearts, and in every area of our lives - relationships; marriages; jobs; schools; material gain; finances; health and so on.  No time is promised to any of us, and none of us are exempt from the pain and horror that the people of Newtown, Conneticut experienced, but whatever we have to face in this life we'll get through it if we have a real and right relationship with Jesus.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  II Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

No Test, No Testimony; No Mess, No Message!

It has been a week of test.  One thing after another.  First, the axle broke on the car.  This attacked our material, finances, and physical all at the same time, but don't miss the blessing.  We had just traveled down the highway  from Dallas to Fort Worth, but the axle didn't break until we were pulling out of a parking space in Fort Worth.  And, thank God for AAA plus.  Second, the apartment complex had scheduled for all units to get fumigated.  This process called for emptying out all kithcen cabinets, and draws which was diligently done.  They missed our unit and wouldn't be back until a week later, but don't miss the blessing.  Thank God, that first of all, we don't have an insect problem because we spray monthly.  We used the opportunity to do some extra cleaning, insect spraying, rearranging, and reorganizing as we put everything back in place.  Third, we had to travel to take care of some personal business by bus from North Dallas to South Dallas, but don't miss the blessing.  It reminded us of what we are capable of doing when we have to.  Also, it showed us how removed from interacting with all that is going on on the outside, when you go from point a to point b in a car.  Fourth, our resistance got low, and one of us has a cold.  Well, after everything else has been attacked all that is left is your health.  And with all that had previously happened that weakened our resolve, we were perfect candidates, but don't miss the blessing.  We're still alive, hallelujah!

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Can You Still Be A Christian When...

Can you still be a Christian when:

1) all of your friends walk away from you, because you are living for God.  And what kind of Christian will you be?  Will you continue to praise God, and be glad you still have Jesus, or will you belly ache about being without friends?

2) a sermon effects you personally (directly or indirectly) and it makes you feel bad becasue you are convicted in your spirit, but you know it is the truth because it is based on the Word of  God?  Will you thank God for the revelation, or will you rebel and run because you don't like what you heard?

3) you lose your home?  Can you trust God for direction until He opens another and better door for you, or will you miss what is right in front of you by holding onto what you use to have in your mind?  You may have let go physically, but did you let go mentally?

4) your car breaks down and you have to take the bus?  Will you seize this opportunity of growth and exposure to seek out who you can bless, and what God has in store for you during this temporary transitioning? 

5) someone hurts you intentionally or unintentionally?  Do we really forgive as the Bible admonishes us to do?  I heard one Christian say that they forgave, but they can't forget --- but if you keep talking about the hurt maybe it's because you haven't truly forgiven.

6) you are the one who has to clean up behind all of your neighbor's pets?  Can you do it with a smile on your face, and a song in your heart?

I used the word "you" instead of we or us, because "you" is personal, and all of us need to take to heart all that was written above, and strive to be the Christians we are suppose to be.  We can't say thank You, Jesus, and then turn around and cancel it out by complaining.

 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Thank God for Rebirth (Hallelujah!)

Today is my 53rd birthday and I thank God for another year. Another year to get it right; another year to do better in honoring Him; another year to be a better husband to a wonderful wife; just another year. We know that we are not promised another year, but God's grace and mercy are sufficient.

But what I think about is not the fleshly happiness of another numerical birthday, but the spiritual joy of the rebirth that God afforded me. I think about what Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 (NLT): Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus was bewildered because he was thinking in the natural, in the flesh. John 3:4 (NLT): "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

I thank Jesus for saving my life and offering me an opportunity for inclusion into the kingdom of God. The birthday I celebrate today is wonderful, but the rebirth I received the day I brought God into my life and Jesus into my heart is the greater of the two.

What Are We Doing?!

Last night I read a computer print out that my husband brought home that is titled: "Walking with Jesus, Abiding in Christ - A Faith of Action" (Mark 11:27-33)  When I finished reading what was written I was convicted in my spirit.

The Word of God is suppose to convict us, and keep us on the straight and narrow.

I started thinking about how we like to boast about how blessed we are, how good God has been to us, and how favor ain't fair, but I never hear us talking about what we have done for or with God!

How many hours a week do we give God?  Are we consistent and presistent in the things of God?  Do we attend church services on Sunday and Bible study night regularly?  Do we wait until Sunday to open our Bibles?  How often do we pray, and what or who do we pray for?  Do we feed the homeless, and give aide to strangers, orphans, and widows (SOW)?  And, if we did, when was the last time?  Imagine how much more God can do with, through, and for us if we had a better relationship with Him!

We want so much from God, but we are not willing to do what it takes on our part to get what we need from Him.  Doesn't the Bible say: "To whom much is given, much is required."

Come on Christians, let's get our act together.  God surely deserves better and more from us. 

Road Closed (LET YOUR SPIRIT LEAD YOU!)

We are children of the King.  We are a Spirit; with a soul; housed in a body.  We must be Spirit led in all things, at all times.

As my husband and I walked a new trail recently, and the signs said that one trail was closed and directed us to take an alternate trail.  We let our Spirits lead us, and stayed on the, supposedly, closed road.  We came upon the backside of a row of restuarants, and stopped at a quaint little spot to refresh ourselves.  Because we let our Spirits lead us we found out and saw many new things, had an enjoyable time, but the most important thing we learned is that even signs can be misleading.

People will speak into our lives, but our Spirit has to be careful not to receive and/or believe everything that is said.  There will be many signs along the way, figuratively and literally, but the only signs that qualify with us are from God.  We have to pray, and ask God for direction about the rest.

My Godmother, Aunt Mamie, always said: "Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear."  Seems to me that there is some validity to that saying.

I heard Rev. Creflo Dollar teaching on having a spirit led life this morning.

If we continue to listen for God's voice, and look for His signs; He will show and tell us about the same thing in different ways.

We must not let life detour us from what God has for us, and, more importantly, what He has for us to do.  We must not forget that we walk by faith and not by sight.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body.  So it is with the body of Christ.  Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free.  But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.  I Corinthians 12:12 & 13 (NLT)

God Forgives and So Should We

Can you imagine holding a grudge against someone for more than 20 years, yet many of us do this.  A gruge like this doesn't hurt the person it's aimed at, but keeps the holder in a perpetual state of mental bondage. Allowing someone to take up negative space in your head is self-destroying and serves no good.

I've heard people on television talk about how much they hate, and will never forgive the person that killed or murdered their love one.  Now, someone who has suffered such an atrocity surely has a right to feel the way they do, but they have only allowed the perpetrator to have more control over their life, and they will be in bondage to them until they forgive. 

Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us.  Our natural instinct is to recoil in self-protection when we've been injured.  We don't naturally overflow with mercy, grace, and forgiveness when we've been wronged, but we only hurt ourselves.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13 (NIV)