What is God doing in your life? It's a question each of us need to stop and ponder. Do we really believe and see all God has for us in our daily walk with Him or do we just drift through each day, oblivious to His presence?
Do we only want His intervention when our need suddenly becomes a burden too hard for us to handle? On an opposite note, some of us may find we only praise and thank Him when all is going great. Otherwise we may let doubt creep in and obscure what God wants us to see.
May we realize not only to call on Jesus when we are in hardships but be aware of His presence when our joy is full, our mountains are high and the sun shines bright.
Be deliberate about God's presence and work in your life. Take note of even the simple things around you and give thanks for all you have. Thank the Lord for the things your don't have and ask Him to use each situation for His glory. He always has a purpose working behind the scenes for our good.
Whether our circumstances are good or hard at this present time; God's blessings abound all around us. May He open our hearts to His abundance continually in all seasons of our lives.
Romans 8:28 NKJV
28"And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
1"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose..."
Friday, September 20, 2019
Thursday, September 12, 2019
When More Equals LIttle
Haggai 1:6 KJV
"You have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink; but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."
In this book of the Bible God brought to His people the reason for their lack. They had turned away from their source of being full and that source was God.
As they tried to build upon their own desires and add more to their wealth, they were finding themselves lacking and empty. This only created the desire to seek more but never be satisfied.
They had set aside building God's house to build upon their own. Therefore God caused a lacking and emptiness that could not be filled.
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." If not, we'll find ourselves empty even though we strive to be full. Our efforts to build and to have will be futile unless we use the resources God provides to build with knowing that all comes from Him.
We must examine our reasons for what we want. Of course we want to provide for our families, bring in an income, have food and clothing; but do we fail to give God the glory for the necessities we need or do we just crave more?
Have we put off building upon God's plan for our life to build upon our own desires? Do we think bigger is better and more will make us happier or more comfortable?
Let us remember the promises of God in providing all we need not necessarily all we want. If not, we may find ourselves empty even though we have much.
Matthew 6:31 NKJV
"Therefore, do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things..."
Philippians 4:11,13 NKJV
11 "... I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content..." 13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
"You have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink; but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."
In this book of the Bible God brought to His people the reason for their lack. They had turned away from their source of being full and that source was God.
As they tried to build upon their own desires and add more to their wealth, they were finding themselves lacking and empty. This only created the desire to seek more but never be satisfied.
They had set aside building God's house to build upon their own. Therefore God caused a lacking and emptiness that could not be filled.
Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." If not, we'll find ourselves empty even though we strive to be full. Our efforts to build and to have will be futile unless we use the resources God provides to build with knowing that all comes from Him.
We must examine our reasons for what we want. Of course we want to provide for our families, bring in an income, have food and clothing; but do we fail to give God the glory for the necessities we need or do we just crave more?
Have we put off building upon God's plan for our life to build upon our own desires? Do we think bigger is better and more will make us happier or more comfortable?
Let us remember the promises of God in providing all we need not necessarily all we want. If not, we may find ourselves empty even though we have much.
Matthew 6:31 NKJV
"Therefore, do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things..."
Philippians 4:11,13 NKJV
11 "... I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content..." 13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Storms Are Coming
Hurricane season is definitely here and Dorian has already brought damage and chaos to many in its path.
Hurricane Dorian isn't the only thing bringing in storms. Life brings its own storms and it may seem at times we are surrounded with no way out. The storms of life can be destructive and leave damage that seems unrepairable.
Proverbs 1:27 says it well: "When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you..."
Yes, that's the feeling. It's the kind of destruction and terror that can't be kept out by boarding up openings or putting down sandbags, nor can you escape the storm by running away. Many will use their own worldly wisdom and strength to no avail.
There is only one shelter that provides safety and calm from the destruction these storms can cause. That shelter is found in Jesus. It's a place of peace and rest. It's where Jesus provides healing and repair from the damage that seems so unrepairable.
Yes, the storms are upon us, the waves are high, the winds are strong and the darkness that wants to surround us seems ominous. Listen, for there is a voice calling through the darkness of the storm. A voice that calms the winds, stills the waves and brings peace to the soul.
Listen for the voice of the Savior and trust His calling. He will take you through the storm and out the other side to a place of safety, peace and healing.
Matthew 8: 23-26 KJV (each verse followed with paraphrase by Marie Levy)
v. 23 "And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him."
And when He entered our lives we followed Him.
v. 24 "And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, in so much the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep."
And there arose a great hardship and stress in our lives; it was so bad that it covered our life with darkness and fear. God seemed so far away.
v.25 And His disciples came to HIm and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we perish."
And we cried out to God and cast our fears before Him and He heard us.
v. 26 And He saith unto them, "Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Then He reached down to remind us that He is in control, to not be afraid and to give us more faith. He set aside our fears and gave us peace.
Hurricane Dorian isn't the only thing bringing in storms. Life brings its own storms and it may seem at times we are surrounded with no way out. The storms of life can be destructive and leave damage that seems unrepairable.
Proverbs 1:27 says it well: "When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you..."
Yes, that's the feeling. It's the kind of destruction and terror that can't be kept out by boarding up openings or putting down sandbags, nor can you escape the storm by running away. Many will use their own worldly wisdom and strength to no avail.
There is only one shelter that provides safety and calm from the destruction these storms can cause. That shelter is found in Jesus. It's a place of peace and rest. It's where Jesus provides healing and repair from the damage that seems so unrepairable.
Yes, the storms are upon us, the waves are high, the winds are strong and the darkness that wants to surround us seems ominous. Listen, for there is a voice calling through the darkness of the storm. A voice that calms the winds, stills the waves and brings peace to the soul.
Listen for the voice of the Savior and trust His calling. He will take you through the storm and out the other side to a place of safety, peace and healing.
Matthew 8: 23-26 KJV (each verse followed with paraphrase by Marie Levy)
v. 23 "And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him."
And when He entered our lives we followed Him.
v. 24 "And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, in so much the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep."
And there arose a great hardship and stress in our lives; it was so bad that it covered our life with darkness and fear. God seemed so far away.
v.25 And His disciples came to HIm and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we perish."
And we cried out to God and cast our fears before Him and He heard us.
v. 26 And He saith unto them, "Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Then He reached down to remind us that He is in control, to not be afraid and to give us more faith. He set aside our fears and gave us peace.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Our Power or God's?
Why do we as Christians insist on putting a magic wand in the hand of Jesus? Why do we assume or believe we have one in ours?
So many times I've seen on social media and in messages sent to me, (others receive them too), that try to make the blessings of God into a magic spell that you make happen by some ritual you're told to do. You see postings such as, "If you send this message to twenty people within four minutes you'll receive so much money or God will send you a special blessing. Then you have another one that states, "If you love Jesus you'll copy and paste this message" or "Let's see how many people repost this if they care about..." whatever the situation is.
Really!! Where did Jesus ever say in His word we were to follow such advice? When you read such things does it cause a twinge of guilt, even just for a moment if you don't comply? God's word says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
I get so tired and fed up with messages that contain the "must dos" to show we care or we have faith. It doesn't matter if it concerns God's blessings, an illness of someone or our faith. We don't show we care or receive from God anything by sharing or sending chain letters. We are only showing how superstitious we are or how little we trust and know the Lord.
Be careful what you let in and how you live out the Christian life. Don't let superstition or good luck charms lead you astray. Get rid of the objects in your life that lead you to believe such things and can bind you to the dark side. Even do away with sayings such as, 'knock on wood", "good luck" and please throw away the rabbits' foot, etc.
Our blessings depend solely on God and His promises. He is all the supernatural we need.
1st Timothy 4:1 NKJV "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons;..."
Leviticus 19:31 KJV "Regard them not that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God."
So many times I've seen on social media and in messages sent to me, (others receive them too), that try to make the blessings of God into a magic spell that you make happen by some ritual you're told to do. You see postings such as, "If you send this message to twenty people within four minutes you'll receive so much money or God will send you a special blessing. Then you have another one that states, "If you love Jesus you'll copy and paste this message" or "Let's see how many people repost this if they care about..." whatever the situation is.
Really!! Where did Jesus ever say in His word we were to follow such advice? When you read such things does it cause a twinge of guilt, even just for a moment if you don't comply? God's word says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
I get so tired and fed up with messages that contain the "must dos" to show we care or we have faith. It doesn't matter if it concerns God's blessings, an illness of someone or our faith. We don't show we care or receive from God anything by sharing or sending chain letters. We are only showing how superstitious we are or how little we trust and know the Lord.
Be careful what you let in and how you live out the Christian life. Don't let superstition or good luck charms lead you astray. Get rid of the objects in your life that lead you to believe such things and can bind you to the dark side. Even do away with sayings such as, 'knock on wood", "good luck" and please throw away the rabbits' foot, etc.
Our blessings depend solely on God and His promises. He is all the supernatural we need.
1st Timothy 4:1 NKJV "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons;..."
Leviticus 19:31 KJV "Regard them not that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God."
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Claim God's Full Restoration
As Christians it's easier to think about how healthy we are spiritually. We go to church, read God's word, we may teach or in some way give to others. Then we cross it off "our list." We often fail to realize we need to be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally also. In neglecting this part of our lives it does have an effect on where we may be spiritually or rather where we could be.
We live in a world of busyness and everyone is always in a hurry. It may be our jobs, school activities with the kids, church or appointments, etc. but life is going just too fast. Unfortunately this sometimes means fast food or quick to fix meals with little or no quality time with the family. We hop into bed at night asking ourselves, "Where did the time go?"
Many of us need to start asking, "Where did my health and vibrancy go?" Well, it got up and went taking with it incentives, energy, self-worth, goals, dreams and everything else God intended for you. It may have left some baggage behind such as fatigue, brain fog, health issues, lost dreams, forgotten goals and that realization that hits you like a ton of bricks the day you decide to step on the scales. I'll speak for myself on this one.
Jesus never meant for us to live unhealthy lives. He knew that if our bodies were overtired, in bad shape and our minds so clogged with "stuff" that we wouldn't be able to carry out His plan for our life nor would we portray a complete witness for His glory.
Self-care is not being selfish. You cannot love others if you do not love yourself. Leviticus 19:18 (KJV) says, "...but thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." Also even Jesus took time to rest and pray. He knew it was vital to His ministry. Matthew 14:23 (NKJV) says, "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."
It's time to get rid of that baggage left behind. It's time to realize the physical and spiritual go hand in hand; they are connected. We cannot do our best or be God's best if we are exhausted or have health issues holding us back. I'm not talking about handicaps you're born with or something beyond your control. God's grace, purpose and strength covers that. There are so many things we bring on ourselves because of the way we live, what we eat, (and how much) and not walking in God's will in every area of our life.
Give God charge of your daily plans, your eating habits and your body. Take your rest and pray as Jesus did. He will restore you, not only spiritually but in body and mind also. Let us move forward to full and complete restoration.
1st Corinthians 10:3 KJV "Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God."
Jeremiah 30:17 KJV "For I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds..."
We live in a world of busyness and everyone is always in a hurry. It may be our jobs, school activities with the kids, church or appointments, etc. but life is going just too fast. Unfortunately this sometimes means fast food or quick to fix meals with little or no quality time with the family. We hop into bed at night asking ourselves, "Where did the time go?"
Many of us need to start asking, "Where did my health and vibrancy go?" Well, it got up and went taking with it incentives, energy, self-worth, goals, dreams and everything else God intended for you. It may have left some baggage behind such as fatigue, brain fog, health issues, lost dreams, forgotten goals and that realization that hits you like a ton of bricks the day you decide to step on the scales. I'll speak for myself on this one.
Jesus never meant for us to live unhealthy lives. He knew that if our bodies were overtired, in bad shape and our minds so clogged with "stuff" that we wouldn't be able to carry out His plan for our life nor would we portray a complete witness for His glory.
Self-care is not being selfish. You cannot love others if you do not love yourself. Leviticus 19:18 (KJV) says, "...but thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." Also even Jesus took time to rest and pray. He knew it was vital to His ministry. Matthew 14:23 (NKJV) says, "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."
It's time to get rid of that baggage left behind. It's time to realize the physical and spiritual go hand in hand; they are connected. We cannot do our best or be God's best if we are exhausted or have health issues holding us back. I'm not talking about handicaps you're born with or something beyond your control. God's grace, purpose and strength covers that. There are so many things we bring on ourselves because of the way we live, what we eat, (and how much) and not walking in God's will in every area of our life.
Give God charge of your daily plans, your eating habits and your body. Take your rest and pray as Jesus did. He will restore you, not only spiritually but in body and mind also. Let us move forward to full and complete restoration.
1st Corinthians 10:3 KJV "Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God."
Jeremiah 30:17 KJV "For I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds..."
Thursday, August 15, 2019
God's Light in the Darkness
Searching for a light in the darkness, looking for a door, any door that will open and shed light on the situation you're facing. Hoping and desperately seeking answers that you need or want "right now." We've all been there and waiting on the Lord isn't exactly what most of us want to do.
Depending on your situation you may become anxious for the answers you think you need. You grasp at solutions you think will give you relief to the problems you face, whether it be financial, a health crisis, or a relationship in trouble. It may seem your desperate cry for help has gone unheeded and you might become discouraged.
Don't let fear or disappointment cause you to make decisions that only give temporary relief or may very well make your situation worse in the long run.
God's light will shine through with the answers He knows is best. We often reach for a solution that may seem good but often regret our decision later. Trust only in prayer and God's timing for the best outcome you need. I have often looked back at situations and I can see both sides of decisions I've made. When I've chosen to wait and trust the Lord, I could clearly see the outcome and purpose of it all.
In 1st Samuel 16, even though David was chosen to be king, it didn't happen right away. While he waited, he would face Goliath and go through many trials including being hunted down by Saul. Two times in 1st Samuel 24: 4 and 1st Samuel 26: 8-11, David waited patiently in the darkness; not taking advantage of the opportunity but trusted God's timing. He didn't let the hardship of what he was going through cause him to make an unwise decision. He waited and trusted God for His light to show the way.
Desperateness and discouragement can cause you to make unwise choices that only lead further into the dark. Trust and wait on the Lord. His light of hope will come through as He promised.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."
John 8:12 NKJV
… Jesus spoke..."I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
*Photo taken by Marie Levy
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
An Urgent Call for Truth
"God has not called us to stand quietly on the truth but to be loud and clear in proclaiming it."
- Marie Levy
- Marie Levy
I'm repeating some of what I wrote a few weeks ago but I feel such an urgency to do so while the time is right or rather because time is getting shorter.
We are living in a world that is descending more and more into darkness. This cloud is starting to widen over our own country where once it shown light to the world.
While some in America are starting to feel the sting of persecution for being a Christian, most sit in their comfortable pews, smile, go about "their" own lives and never think about spreading the word of Christ outside their church. They have no idea what it means to face persecution such as the baker in Colorado or the florist in Washington State who were taken to court for refusing to use their God given gifts for a homosexual wedding.
How do we not only live out the Christian life but how do we spread the gospel of Christ in truth? Being a Christian, a true disciple is not just being nice, staying out of trouble or having a "picture perfect" family.
In 2nd Timothy 4: v. 2 Paul charged Timothy (and us) to "Preach the word,...Convince, rebuke, exhort..." Are we really doing this? There are those around and even in our midst who will and are distorting the word of God, forming it into a "fit all" religion that caters to the whims of anyone. You see no change in those who profess to have Jesus. There is only the gospel of Jesus without repentance. This cannot be.
I have a son who has had a chemical imbalance since he was young. He has struggled for years, sometimes being suicidal. For a number of years I coaxed, pleaded and handled him gently or with what I thought was love. Then one day I realized I wasn't helping him but was closer to losing him instead. I took off the gloves and told him that if he ended his life he would spend eternity in hell, never to escape the torture he was going through. You see, my son had never accepted Christ, had never known the deliverance Christ could offer and I feared for his soul. He told me later that what I'd said to him was enough to keep him from making a fatal mistake. It also gave me more time to pray for him to make that decision for Christ that is still ongoing.
Do we fear enough for our loved ones or others to tell them the truth? The true Gospel of Christ is not told because we are so perfect but because of the change He has made in our lives. It's a testimony of the power of Christ within us, not to stay the same but to become more of what He intended us to be.
Christ didn't die on that cross to make us feel good but to save us "from our sins" and give us eternal life. The disciples died delivering this truth to others.
Presenting "all" of God's truth is not judging if given with our testimony of how He wrought a change in us that is ongoing. We don't stand in front of those we are trying to reach in self-righteousness because we have none.
We do present the truth with an urgency of love and concern for those who need His salvation. If we allow God's Spirit to lead He will do so with grace in our words without softening the gospel to no effect.
The disciples didn't hold back. In Acts 2: v.38 Peter says, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin..."
In Acts 4: v. 12, Peter says, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given by which we must be saved." He didn't say, "This is my personal belief" nor did he apologize. That would have weakened the truth.
We are so scared of offending someone we turn the gospel into our own version of what should be told.
No, we don't beat someone over the head with it. We present it in the way Jesus meant for it to be heard. We do not change the truth of God's word; we change the "tone" in our voice and attitude from self-righteousness to one that reflects His grace and love.
Deuteronomy 4: v. 2 KJV
2"Ye shall not add unto the word I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it..."
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