Connection - a relationship in which a person, thing or idea is linked or associated with something else. It can also be described as a bond or attachment.
Have you ever met someone and instantly felt a connection or bond with that person? I have been so amazed over the years how this type of connection is made between Christians.
Not long after I had received Christ I was at Kings Dominion with my children. I met this young college student who was also a new Christian and was in charge of the ride my children were on. I don't remember how the conversation got started but I remember the joy of meeting another Christian and the instant bond between us because we both shared the love of Christ and His Spirit.
I've also made that same observation with many in my church over the years. God's Spirit intertwines each of our hearts and spirits in love, peace and unity. It's not just a connection because we say we are Christians but a supernatural bonding that is truly felt and experienced throughout the body of Christ. I've also had that same bonding with other Christians on Facebook and social media even though I've never met them in person. It's a friendship that goes deep and is shared through prayers, our joys, our accomplishments and care for each other.
When we as Christians are Christ centered in our lives His Spirit makes that connection possible no matter the distance between us. I have often physically and spiritually felt the prayers of others offered up for me or a loved one. That's the bonding power of God's Spirit in our lives.
As His children we have access to this connection. 1st John 5: 6, "...And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth..." Praise God! I have that connection. Do you?
Colossians 2:2 KJV
"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love..."
Philippians 1:27 KJV
"...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together..."
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
"Won" Battle At A Time
"You did it again, you can't get it right, you'll never get ahead, you're stuck where you are, you're finished now, you're a failure, you're going to lose it all," etc., etc., etc.
Those words are screamed over and over in your mind as the fears paralyze your very being, so much that your thoughts, relationships and your emotions are in chaos. There is no hope in the midst of it, no where to turn and you feel you can't live like this any longer.
You cry out to God for deliverance for some sign of relief or peace in the midst of it all. A mountain of anxiety looms before you and dark valleys fall deep on each side. There is no where to run and no where to hide. You feel tormented and helpless. You wish the earth would open up and swallow you.
Then you hear a voice coming in through the darkness. It is faint at first but slowly makes its way through the loud shouts of disparity and the downward spiral of depression.
The voice of God does not shout but is sharp and distinct yet gentle and encouraging. "Trust me and seek My face. I will deliver you." A calmness and peace unwinds your jumbled thoughts. A place of safety is opened before you and you enter in, but not alone. This place has always been here for you. Jesus has walked with you up to and through it many times. He will do so again and again as needed. For now this battle is won.
Psalm 34: v. 4 KJV
4"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 55: vs. 17-18 KJV
17 "...I will pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." 18 "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me..."
Those words are screamed over and over in your mind as the fears paralyze your very being, so much that your thoughts, relationships and your emotions are in chaos. There is no hope in the midst of it, no where to turn and you feel you can't live like this any longer.
You cry out to God for deliverance for some sign of relief or peace in the midst of it all. A mountain of anxiety looms before you and dark valleys fall deep on each side. There is no where to run and no where to hide. You feel tormented and helpless. You wish the earth would open up and swallow you.
Then you hear a voice coming in through the darkness. It is faint at first but slowly makes its way through the loud shouts of disparity and the downward spiral of depression.
The voice of God does not shout but is sharp and distinct yet gentle and encouraging. "Trust me and seek My face. I will deliver you." A calmness and peace unwinds your jumbled thoughts. A place of safety is opened before you and you enter in, but not alone. This place has always been here for you. Jesus has walked with you up to and through it many times. He will do so again and again as needed. For now this battle is won.
Psalm 34: v. 4 KJV
4"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 55: vs. 17-18 KJV
17 "...I will pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." 18 "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me..."
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Listen With The Heart
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and suddenly realized they never heard a word you said? It can be frustrating and even hurtful if it's someone close to you. Sometimes people are caught up in their own problems or circumstances. Stress and burdens can be a barrier to listening to others.
As Christians we can take our burdens or requests to the Lord. Psalm 55: v. 17 says, "...I will pray and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice." Do we stop long enough to carefully listen to Him as He answers back? Proverbs 1: v. 33 "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."
Listening with the heart is key to understanding where they are in their situation. Hearing not just words but their joy, pain or if they just need someone to vent to is important. Don't be quick to judge or give advice unless it's necessary. Be ready though if advice is given that sometimes it is not wanted. You may find those who want you to listen may not be willing to listen themselves. Your advice may be unwanted or rejected. As a parent, spouse, teacher, or friend, your years of experience may not resonate with them at this time which may stir feelings of rejection or even anger. Remember, only God can soften the heart and make it ready to receive what's offered.
Last but so important is trust. When we are called to listen we are also called to protect what has been given to us in confidence. As we have trusted in Christ may we show others that we can also be trusted.
James 1: v. 19 KJV
"Wherefore, my brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
1st Timothy 6: v. 20 NKJV
"...Guard what was committed to your trust,..."
As Christians we can take our burdens or requests to the Lord. Psalm 55: v. 17 says, "...I will pray and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice." Do we stop long enough to carefully listen to Him as He answers back? Proverbs 1: v. 33 "But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil."
Listening with the heart is key to understanding where they are in their situation. Hearing not just words but their joy, pain or if they just need someone to vent to is important. Don't be quick to judge or give advice unless it's necessary. Be ready though if advice is given that sometimes it is not wanted. You may find those who want you to listen may not be willing to listen themselves. Your advice may be unwanted or rejected. As a parent, spouse, teacher, or friend, your years of experience may not resonate with them at this time which may stir feelings of rejection or even anger. Remember, only God can soften the heart and make it ready to receive what's offered.
Last but so important is trust. When we are called to listen we are also called to protect what has been given to us in confidence. As we have trusted in Christ may we show others that we can also be trusted.
James 1: v. 19 KJV
"Wherefore, my brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
1st Timothy 6: v. 20 NKJV
"...Guard what was committed to your trust,..."
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Opportunities Are Blessings
Opportunities. The definition defines it as a "set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something." Sometimes it means an open door such as Paul described in 1st Corinthians 16:9..."For a great and effective door has opened to me..." It was an opened door to preach the gospel of Christ.
I have been praying a lot about seeing the opportunities that God puts in front of me. I don't want to miss any of them and because of those prayers I have seen so many doors opened to be a witness for Christ in some way. I have learned by now though that if I ask, He will answer and I have to be willing to step into the moment.
Years ago I was coming out the bathroom at the State Fair when I noticed the attendant (at that time they had one in each) sitting and reading her Bible. I stopped and inquired which passages she was studying. She said the Book of Job but she was very confused about why Job was going through so much and didn't understand the purpose behind it.
Opportunity! I spent at least twenty minutes going over those scriptures with her. It wasn't that I was such a Bible scholar but that God had recently given me more understanding of that same chapter some months earlier. God used a blessing to me to pass on to someone else. She was delighted.
Sometimes we are on the receiving end of those opportunities. Once I had been clowning at a birthday party at Children's Hospital. I'd stopped by Golden Skillet on the way home to get something for supper. I knew I'd be too tired to cook plus I had all this clown makeup to scrub off. Of course a clown always stirs up a conversation so as I waited for my order I answered inquisitive questions. It has always amazed me how adults get just as tickled at seeing a clown as much as children do, sometimes more.
My number was called and as I stepped up to pay for it, the cashier said, "Your order has already been paid for." Someone ahead of me had taken the opportunity to bless me. I had no idea who might have done this. They didn't require recognition or praise but had quietly left the scene.
Conversations also are opportunities that can be used to witness. When you genuinely show interest in someone's story you find out so much about them in just a few short minutes. I've often discovered that they will open up if your words are filled with grace and love. They have often opened up about family situations, having cancer or struggles they face. I will politely ask for their names and if they would like for me to pray for them. You never know how you may change someone's day or outlook.
How many open doors or opportunities have we stepped into to be a blessing to others? How many have we missed? I know that if we ask the Lord to show us these opportunities He will also give us the courage and strength to carry them through. Let us also remember these blessings don't require paybacks for they are freely given and should also be freely received.
Matthew 10: v.8 NKJV
"...Freely you have received, freely give."
Galatians 6:10 NKJV
"Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,..."
I have been praying a lot about seeing the opportunities that God puts in front of me. I don't want to miss any of them and because of those prayers I have seen so many doors opened to be a witness for Christ in some way. I have learned by now though that if I ask, He will answer and I have to be willing to step into the moment.
Years ago I was coming out the bathroom at the State Fair when I noticed the attendant (at that time they had one in each) sitting and reading her Bible. I stopped and inquired which passages she was studying. She said the Book of Job but she was very confused about why Job was going through so much and didn't understand the purpose behind it.
Opportunity! I spent at least twenty minutes going over those scriptures with her. It wasn't that I was such a Bible scholar but that God had recently given me more understanding of that same chapter some months earlier. God used a blessing to me to pass on to someone else. She was delighted.
Sometimes we are on the receiving end of those opportunities. Once I had been clowning at a birthday party at Children's Hospital. I'd stopped by Golden Skillet on the way home to get something for supper. I knew I'd be too tired to cook plus I had all this clown makeup to scrub off. Of course a clown always stirs up a conversation so as I waited for my order I answered inquisitive questions. It has always amazed me how adults get just as tickled at seeing a clown as much as children do, sometimes more.
My number was called and as I stepped up to pay for it, the cashier said, "Your order has already been paid for." Someone ahead of me had taken the opportunity to bless me. I had no idea who might have done this. They didn't require recognition or praise but had quietly left the scene.
Conversations also are opportunities that can be used to witness. When you genuinely show interest in someone's story you find out so much about them in just a few short minutes. I've often discovered that they will open up if your words are filled with grace and love. They have often opened up about family situations, having cancer or struggles they face. I will politely ask for their names and if they would like for me to pray for them. You never know how you may change someone's day or outlook.
How many open doors or opportunities have we stepped into to be a blessing to others? How many have we missed? I know that if we ask the Lord to show us these opportunities He will also give us the courage and strength to carry them through. Let us also remember these blessings don't require paybacks for they are freely given and should also be freely received.
Matthew 10: v.8 NKJV
"...Freely you have received, freely give."
Galatians 6:10 NKJV
"Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all,..."
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Who's In Charge?
Over the last year I had become so concerned about churches and their leaders/pastors becoming so lax concerning the truth of God's word. The fact that there are many that have strayed from what God's word actually says to make it fit their own lifestyle is troubling. Others preach feel good stories and spread the love of Jesus without repentance.
I've struggled lately and asked God to show me how to witness for Him and be able to stand on His word concerning the issues we face today. He indeed did answer.
He showed me first that I had a "push when it comes to shove" attitude. I was running ahead and leading the charge with my own sword - (a stubborn "I'm right" weapon) to make my point.
Realizing that God's word stands on its own merit, not me forcing it, but presenting it in a way that draws those hearing it to Him, I took a step back. It dawned on me that as He opens the doors and opportunities to share His word of truth I need to do so with grace and love.
Yes, we need to believe and stand on all of God's word even when others say otherwise. We also need to let Him lead us and not let our own self-righteousness get in the way. After all it was His grace and love that brought us to the cross, saved us, changed us and continues to do so daily.
May we present the Gospel of Christ with truth, love and grace knowing that God opens the heart for change. May we allow His Spirit to bring others to repentance as He also did with us.
2nd Timothy 2: v. 24-25 NKJV
24. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25. in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance.
1st Corinthians v. 4-5 NKJV
4. Love suffers long and is kind...
5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own....
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