Sometimes in the quiet early mornings as I study the word I become very aware of God's presence in my life. It's a peaceful time surrounded by His love and light. It's a place of safety and comfort.
It was during one of these times I recalled the story of John, Peter and James on the mountain with Jesus as they beheld His transfiguration. They must have been in awe as they saw the light and the power as He talked with Moses and Elijah. This had to be not only a place of revelation but also of peace, serenity and safety that shut out the world around them if only for a few moments.
I can understand why the disciples wanted to stay and build tabernacles. It was a safe haven away from the trials and sufferings of the world.
It's in my own moments in these early morning encounters that I too want to stay. It's a place of safety and I'm content to bask in His presence. I don't want to face the reality and the challenges of the day ahead, so my spirit longs to stay.
But as God spoke to the disciples that day, He also speaks to me. He helps me realize it's the daily trials that allow me to return to these moments surrounded by His love and peace. It's a time of restoration and preparation for what lies ahead. He reminds me of the victories from the day before that has brought me through to this moment.
I'll choose to trust Him for what lies ahead knowing He has given me what I need for any circumstance I may face. I'll anticipate and look for that special time where His Spirit surrounds me and I get a glimpse of eternity.
For I know that one day I'll be able to stay where I am, not only surrounded by His love, peace and presence but realize the tabernacle was already built.
Matthew 17: v.4,-5 KJV
v.4 Then answered Peter, and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here;....let us make here three tabernacles;....'
v. 5 ....behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Psalm 61: v. 3-4 NKJV
v.3 For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
v. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Monday, June 3, 2019
The Perfect Answer
"Wouldn't it be awesome to find a 4 leaf clover, not for luck but just to be able to see God's glory in all He has created?" God has never ceased to amaze me. There staring me in the face was a 4 leaf clover. I reached down and plucked it up. It wasn't perfect as one leaf had a piece missing, most likely from a rabbit nibbling in the yard.
I suddenly found myself searching for a perfectly formed 4 leaf clover. I looked and looked to no avail. I brought the imperfect clover in and placed it between waxed paper. I was a little disheartened at first, but the more I looked at it I slowly realized I almost missed what God wanted me to see.
It was His response to my request to reveal His glory in all things He has created. Didn't I realize the chances of finding that 4 leaf clover after I asked for it was little to none? Let us open our hearts to receive what He wants to show us. May we also see that as life nibbles away at us, things may not always be perfect. Don't obscure what God is showing you with your own search or vision of what perfection should be and miss His perfect answer and His glory surrounding you.
Revelations 4: v.11 KJV
"Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things..."
Monday, May 27, 2019
Church Reasoning
"Churches are filled with hypocrites." "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian or to believe."
I have often encountered this response when inviting someone to church or if I ask someone if they go to church. Their response often caught me off guard because I realized there was truth to some of their answers.
Since then I've had the time to question it myself and God has opened my heart with this truthful response.
"I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and was saved while going to church. It was at church that I first heard the gospel. It was also at church that I discovered it was filled with people who are broken, searching and in need of forgiveness. It was at church that I found out these same people really do love and care once I looked beyond my own self-righteousness."
Where else will they hear about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice to save and change them? Are You Going To Tell Them?
Romans 10: v. 14
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Monday, May 20, 2019
Believers: Salt & Light?
Does my life make an impact for Christ? As a Christian I have to stop and ask that question and so do we all. As Christians it's not just what we say we believe but how we live and stand out to the world. The world's mold of kindness, love and doing good consist of rehabilitation, rules and often regulations. It consist of a stamp of approval that says, "Look at what I've accomplished."
What Christ did in His death and resurrection was more than just kindness. It made an impact that was felt and seen around the world. Those who accepted the salvation He offered stood out as shining lights in a world of darkness. The light within them didn't come from a self help class, advice from friends or even going to their place of worship. It came from within and it was instant the moment they believed and let Christ in.
God calls us to be salt and light. Are we trying to make a difference through our own efforts or are we truly filled with the Spirit of Christ that causes others to take notice?
I include myself in this examination. I remember when I was a young Christian, so full of joy and amazement of how Christ had changed my life. I had a strong desire that others might know and experience this change and freedom also.
At that time my husband and I had invited a couple over. He often went hunting with the guy but this was my first time meeting him and his wife. There wasn't any preaching or push toward what I believed. It was just a social visit and a way for the guys to talk hunting.
The very next day though the girl called me and said, "I saw something in you that I feel I'm missing. Can you tell me what it is?"
Wow! When's the last time someone said that to me, to you? Now that's impact. That's the salt and light Christ is talking about in Matthew 5: v. 13-14. Do we exhibit that kind of "wow" in our lives today? Have we forgotten to let Christ ignite the light that He has placed within us or have we let it fade, maybe even let it go out?
We can be kind, nice, reach out to others in need and pray but whatever we do has to go beyond the standard mold. It has to be done through Christ and in the power of His Spirit to be truly affective.
May we be filled once again with the joy and urgency we experienced at our salvation knowing we can be the salt and light to others as He would want us to.
Matthew 5: v. 13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?"... v. 14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
What Christ did in His death and resurrection was more than just kindness. It made an impact that was felt and seen around the world. Those who accepted the salvation He offered stood out as shining lights in a world of darkness. The light within them didn't come from a self help class, advice from friends or even going to their place of worship. It came from within and it was instant the moment they believed and let Christ in.
God calls us to be salt and light. Are we trying to make a difference through our own efforts or are we truly filled with the Spirit of Christ that causes others to take notice?
I include myself in this examination. I remember when I was a young Christian, so full of joy and amazement of how Christ had changed my life. I had a strong desire that others might know and experience this change and freedom also.
At that time my husband and I had invited a couple over. He often went hunting with the guy but this was my first time meeting him and his wife. There wasn't any preaching or push toward what I believed. It was just a social visit and a way for the guys to talk hunting.
The very next day though the girl called me and said, "I saw something in you that I feel I'm missing. Can you tell me what it is?"
Wow! When's the last time someone said that to me, to you? Now that's impact. That's the salt and light Christ is talking about in Matthew 5: v. 13-14. Do we exhibit that kind of "wow" in our lives today? Have we forgotten to let Christ ignite the light that He has placed within us or have we let it fade, maybe even let it go out?
We can be kind, nice, reach out to others in need and pray but whatever we do has to go beyond the standard mold. It has to be done through Christ and in the power of His Spirit to be truly affective.
May we be filled once again with the joy and urgency we experienced at our salvation knowing we can be the salt and light to others as He would want us to.
Matthew 5: v. 13 "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?"... v. 14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
Monday, May 13, 2019
The Unconditonal Heart of A Mother
It's the day after "Mother's Day." I'm sure most mothers experienced joy and the company of their children or flowers, etc. sent if the distance perhaps kept them apart.
For some mothers yesterday or any day might be a tough one. They are the mothers who may be struggling with a child with addiction, mental illness or just has walked away from family values and faith in God. It's in times like this that mothers with courage and perseverance show what unconditional love truly is.
They feel their children's pain when they experience disappointment, struggles and also when they have made bad choices.
She's one that would trade places during those hard times and wishes she could shield them. But it's also the same mother that knows she can't even if she could when those trials are the only thing that might save them too.
The mother who after giving the wayward one all the loving advice she can also has to step back and watch as her child struggles to get out the pit he has dug for himself. She cries to God daily with her pain and tears for that child.
While everyone else has written them off or when she hears someone say, "He'll never change", she refuses to give up and waves her battle flag higher.
Though this child has grown into adulthood and the life he has chosen has taken its' toil, she still fights with faith, prayers and tears to replace the story he is writing for his life.
And while others see a defeated and washed up individual, she sees with her heart the child she carried as a baby, the child walking with his hand in hers and she sees the smile when he presents his first drawn picture or something he made just for her in school.
These memories don't fade, they aren't written away or washed up in her heart or vision. They are seared deep within and they are surrounded with hope.
She waits to finish writing her child's story with true victory that says, "Happy Mother's Day" every day.
3 John 1: v.4 KJV "..I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
For some mothers yesterday or any day might be a tough one. They are the mothers who may be struggling with a child with addiction, mental illness or just has walked away from family values and faith in God. It's in times like this that mothers with courage and perseverance show what unconditional love truly is.
They feel their children's pain when they experience disappointment, struggles and also when they have made bad choices.
She's one that would trade places during those hard times and wishes she could shield them. But it's also the same mother that knows she can't even if she could when those trials are the only thing that might save them too.
The mother who after giving the wayward one all the loving advice she can also has to step back and watch as her child struggles to get out the pit he has dug for himself. She cries to God daily with her pain and tears for that child.
While everyone else has written them off or when she hears someone say, "He'll never change", she refuses to give up and waves her battle flag higher.
Though this child has grown into adulthood and the life he has chosen has taken its' toil, she still fights with faith, prayers and tears to replace the story he is writing for his life.
And while others see a defeated and washed up individual, she sees with her heart the child she carried as a baby, the child walking with his hand in hers and she sees the smile when he presents his first drawn picture or something he made just for her in school.
These memories don't fade, they aren't written away or washed up in her heart or vision. They are seared deep within and they are surrounded with hope.
She waits to finish writing her child's story with true victory that says, "Happy Mother's Day" every day.
3 John 1: v.4 KJV "..I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Unconditional Love
Psalm 51: v. 1 NIV
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailling love;"
Today is Calliope's birthday! She is my toy poodle, she is 7 years old and she is spoiled rotten, but beautiful. I thank God for the blessing of having her in my life and for the joy that she has given us.
As I have sat in the recliner each morning to have my alone time with God and His word, she has been by my side. She sometimes beats me to the chair and sits, waiting. If I tarried longer than usual, she's even come and barked at me as if saying, "What's taking you so long."
She displays unconditional devotion with excitement when I'm coming home from work or in the way she waits for me at the top of the stairs at night. She doesn't care what I look like in the morning, how much money I make or who I am in the social realm. I don't have to put up a front or do anything special. She loves me, no matter what.
As I read God's word, she's a reminder of just one of the many blessings God has given and of the unconditional love He bestowed upon us at the cross. He knows us through and through, right down to the very sins that no one else sees or knows about. But He loves us anyway.
As we celebrate Easter, may we be reminded of the sacrifice of love that He gave us, not because we were worthy, but just because He loved us so much.
Romans 5: v. 8 NIV
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailling love;"
Today is Calliope's birthday! She is my toy poodle, she is 7 years old and she is spoiled rotten, but beautiful. I thank God for the blessing of having her in my life and for the joy that she has given us.
As I have sat in the recliner each morning to have my alone time with God and His word, she has been by my side. She sometimes beats me to the chair and sits, waiting. If I tarried longer than usual, she's even come and barked at me as if saying, "What's taking you so long."
She displays unconditional devotion with excitement when I'm coming home from work or in the way she waits for me at the top of the stairs at night. She doesn't care what I look like in the morning, how much money I make or who I am in the social realm. I don't have to put up a front or do anything special. She loves me, no matter what.
As I read God's word, she's a reminder of just one of the many blessings God has given and of the unconditional love He bestowed upon us at the cross. He knows us through and through, right down to the very sins that no one else sees or knows about. But He loves us anyway.
As we celebrate Easter, may we be reminded of the sacrifice of love that He gave us, not because we were worthy, but just because He loved us so much.
Romans 5: v. 8 NIV
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Unexpected Company
Matthew 24: v. 43 NIV
"But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into."
Panic! Company's coming and my house is a wreck. How many days had I put off cleaning telling myself I'd get it done later? As I looked around noticing the dust bunnies, the clutter and the pile of dishes in the sink I wondered what would they think if they walked in now and found my house like this? I didn't want to face embarrassment and feel awkward because of the mess. I had just gotten busy and I'd put off doing what needed to be done.
Procrastination seems to be one of my issues that I'm trying to improve on. How many of us are guilty of putting off something only to find ourselves coming up short later? If we're not careful we may find ourselves doing the same thing in our daily walk with Christ. We may put off Bible study, devotional time with the Lord and prayer while telling ourselves we'll stop later and catch up. We convince ourselves we'll sign up for nursery duty, serving or visitation the "next time" the sign up sheet comes around. We may put off talking to a neighbor, friend or family member about Christ until the "time is right."
What would Christ find us doing right now if He were to return at this very moment? Would He find our spiritual house in order or would we be embarrassed by the clutter and meaningless things we've filled it with?
As I hurry to clean my house and prepare for my unexpected guests I pray it won't be the same thing I'll be doing with the life that Christ has given back to me when He returns.
May we live daily so that not only will we be ready when Christ returns but that others will be also because of our witness and work through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24: v. 44-46 NIV
44. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." 45. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge...."46. it will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns."
"But understand this: if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into."
Panic! Company's coming and my house is a wreck. How many days had I put off cleaning telling myself I'd get it done later? As I looked around noticing the dust bunnies, the clutter and the pile of dishes in the sink I wondered what would they think if they walked in now and found my house like this? I didn't want to face embarrassment and feel awkward because of the mess. I had just gotten busy and I'd put off doing what needed to be done.
Procrastination seems to be one of my issues that I'm trying to improve on. How many of us are guilty of putting off something only to find ourselves coming up short later? If we're not careful we may find ourselves doing the same thing in our daily walk with Christ. We may put off Bible study, devotional time with the Lord and prayer while telling ourselves we'll stop later and catch up. We convince ourselves we'll sign up for nursery duty, serving or visitation the "next time" the sign up sheet comes around. We may put off talking to a neighbor, friend or family member about Christ until the "time is right."
What would Christ find us doing right now if He were to return at this very moment? Would He find our spiritual house in order or would we be embarrassed by the clutter and meaningless things we've filled it with?
As I hurry to clean my house and prepare for my unexpected guests I pray it won't be the same thing I'll be doing with the life that Christ has given back to me when He returns.
May we live daily so that not only will we be ready when Christ returns but that others will be also because of our witness and work through Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24: v. 44-46 NIV
44. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." 45. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge...."46. it will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns."
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