SPEAK LORD
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Posted:Aug 12, 2006 7:50 am
Last Updated:Oct 5, 2006 5:11 am 1458 Views
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As I awakened this mornig to rain, after 2 months of over 100 degree weather. I could not help but to think of how good God is. Not that the rain makes HIm good, it is just what caused me to realize his goodness today. It looked as though the grass, the flowers, the trees and all the living things in my yard were so estatic over the rain. I swear my grass grew six inches already.
For weeks now, when I enter my patients's house, the hot weather has been a main conversation piece. I always respond with the statement that God is God and weather is His business, and He will send rain when He see fit. I was comfortable with that. Then, God reminded me this morning that we (His ) can ask for what we need and He will grant it, if it is in His will. And I was also reminded of one of my earlier post last month called THE KINGDOM LIFE.
In biology, a kingdom is defined as the top level. This is where God has designed us to be, on the top level. When God created us, He created us in His image. To be like Him. He even came in the person of Jesus Christ to show us how He wanted things to be done, using Jesus life on earth as our perfect example.
When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he instructed them to say "thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven"..So, again, what is God's Kingdom? It is not to be something in the future, a place we go when we die. God desires His Kingdom to be a present and working reality, because God is very much alive and active.
God's Kingdom is made up of those who choose to place themselves under God's rule and reign. God's kingdom is made up of people who have chosen to make God's work THEIR work.
How do we know when that has happened? Jesus tells us exactly what God's Kingdom should be like: "as it is in heaven". Heaven is a place of no pain, so suffering, no hatred, and perfect unity with God and with others. Can this happen here on earth? I don't think Jesus would have instructed his disciples to pray for the impossible. It is only impossible if we (God's disciples) don't do what WE can to bring it about. What this means is that, where I see injustice, I must work to bring justice. Where I see pain, I must work to bring healing. Where I see suffering, I must work to bring relief. Where I see hate and indifference, I must work to bring love. Where I do not see God, I must work to bring Him there.
The only way to do this is to be TOTALLY YIELDED TO GOD'S RULE AND REIGN THROUGH THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST.
Speak Lord, and I will listen and obey. God bless you all.
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GOD
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Posted:Aug 10, 2006 3:52 pm
Last Updated:Aug 12, 2006 2:00 pm 1478 Views
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While reading the Bible today, I came across a couple of scriptures and I had a question. I looked up grace and mercy in the dictionary. Grace is defined as goodwill and mercy is defined as compassion. The scriptures I was reading were these:
Exodus 33:17
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, `Even this thing which thou hast spoken I do; for thou hast found grace in Mine eyes, and I know thee by name.'
'I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy' (Exo 33:19).
After looking up the definition, I still cannot get a clear picture in my mind of the difference between grace and mercy.
Will someone please tell me What is the difference between God's mercy and God's grace? Maybe you have better definitions.
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“FEE-FI-PHOBIA"
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Posted:Aug 9, 2006 4:31 pm
Last Updated:Mar 10, 2007 8:53 am 1492 Views
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We all face “giants” in life....giants that make us feel small...giants that we are afraid of because we think we can never win in our struggles with them. This is referred to as "fee-fi-phobia". “What is the giant you are facing today? What is it that makes you feel like an underdog? What is the source of YOUR fee-fi-phobia?”
I mean–are you struggling with financial difficulties–a stack of bills so high that it looms above you–and makes you afraid to check the mail?
Do you battle with depression? Is that the “dark giant” that taunts you as you begin each day?
Does the “cloud” of a physical health issue hover over your life at the moment, something so serious that even modern medicine can’t offer much hope?
Is there a person at your workplace that makes you hate your job–someone you have to face every single day?
Is the “giant” in your life a marital problem or a parenting issue?
Perhaps your “giant” is some habitual sin that you just can’t beat.
What “giant” is it that intimidates you and steals your joy...your hope...your freedom? In order to defeat the giants of life we must have good EYESIGHT. We have to SEE the problem from the perpestive of God's limitless power. No matter what your fee-fi-phobia is, God's word today tells us that IF HE IS FOR US, HE IS MORE THAN THE ENTIRE WORLD AGAINST US. MORE THAN PHYSICAL HEALTH, MORE THAN MARITAL PROBLEMS, MORE THAN HABITUAL SIN, MORE THAN A STACK OF BILLS, MORE THAN THAT ENEMY ON YOUR JOB, MORE THAN DEPRESSION. HE IS MORE!! So get rid of that fee-fi-phobia by reading God's word daily and believing it!! (and as lonnienord so wisely stated)
"may i humbly add to your solution of reading the Bible daily and believing it Pray daily and trust GOD to take care of everything".
God bless you all.
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ONE DAY AT A TIME
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Posted:Aug 9, 2006 4:07 pm
Last Updated:Aug 9, 2006 8:06 pm 1449 Views
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The most useless thing to do. ....Worry
The greatest Joy........... .......Giving
The greatest loss...........Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work...... ...Helping others
The ugliest personality trait........Selfishness
The most endangered species.....dedicated leaders
The greatest "shot in the arm".....Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome......... .Fear
Most effective sleeping pill........Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease......Excuses
The most powerful force in life..............Love
The world's most incredible computer...The brain !
The worst thing to be without............. Hope
The deadliest weapon...............The tongue
The two most power-filled words........."I Can"
The greatest asset.................Faith
The most worthless emotion.............Self-pity
The most prized possession.............Integrity
The most beautiful attire................. SMILE!
The most powerful channel of communication=Prayer
The most contagious spirit............Enthusiasm
The most important thing in life........GOD
Everyone needs HIm
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PRAISE BE TO GOD!!
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Posted:Aug 8, 2006 10:34 pm
Last Updated:Aug 18, 2006 2:09 pm 1267 Views
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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.”
(Eph 1:3-10 NIV)
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TWO NATURES
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Posted:Aug 7, 2006 6:27 pm
Last Updated:Aug 8, 2006 5:18 pm 1425 Views
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Today is one of those days that I realize that I have two natures indeed. Boy, were they warring with each other. But, Praise Be to God who giveth me the victory, the Spirit won!!Hallelujah!!
I have heard the question asked: If Jesus is God, then why did He say the Father was greater than He?
"You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I,'" (John 14:2 .
Jesus said the Father was greater than He not because Jesus is not God, but because Jesus was also a man and as a man he was in a lower position. He was ". . . made for a little while lower than the angels . . ." (Heb. 2:9). Also in Phil. 2:5-8, it says that Jesus "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men . . ."
Jesus had two natures. Jesus was not denying that He was God. He was merely acknowledging the fact that He was also a man. Jesus is both God and man. As a man, he was in a lesser position than the Father. He had added to Himself human nature (Col. 2:9). He became a man to die for people.
Though I do not agree with the theory of man being God-like, I can understand where that theory came from. Because Jesus was God and man, this gave him two natures. When we become born again, we too, have two natures. There is no confusion with me. I know that I am not God and neither is any man or woman I have met on this earth.
Jesus never denied that He was God. He simply acknowledged that He was also a man and as a man, he was subject to the laws of God so that He might redeem those who were under the law; namely, sinners (Gal. 4:4-5). I, for one, am glad He did. Yet, I battle two natures daily. I am woman, human in nature. I am born again, Spirit, in nature. Striving to become more like Jesus, fighting to become less like man. Working daily to represent God.
Yes, today, the two natures fought. The old man (woman)lost. The new man (woman) won. Thank you my most precious God and Savior for helping me win my battle today. For You are strong and mighty and mighty in battle. We Won! Hallelujah!
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HARMONY AND FORGIVENESS
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Posted:Aug 6, 2006 3:30 pm
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2006 9:04 pm 1404 Views
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Today's Sunday School lesson was on giving forgiveness. It is found in 1Corinthians. The story behind the lesson pertained to one having an affair with his stepmother. The father was deceased, but Paul was telling the church of Corinth that this was wrong and they had to approach the man about it. When the church followed Paul's orders, the chose to continue the affair. The church was then given a means of punishment for the in order for him to realize this was wrong and repent. This formula when followed, worked. When he repented, the church was instructed to forgive him and receive him back into the church.
Patience. Understanding. Forgiveness. Balance. All are key ingredients toward building healthy, harmonious relationships. Without them, the firm foundation of understanding and teamwork our relationships are built on has nowhere left to grow. Just as a plant needs sunlight to grow, we too need the light of God's love to illumine us so that we might grow in spirit. When we harbor negative thoughts, we are diffusing this divine light by turning away from love. The church of Corinth were instructed not to dwell on the sin of his past, but rather to love him so that God's light can shine to others.
It could be that we have found ourselves caught in the past because of a situation we can't seem to move beyond. I have read several blogs on BC indicating this is so. When we are able to let go, we are acknowledging that God is in charge. But how can we do this? By turning to God in prayer and meditation, we allow divine love to flow through us and from us in our words and actions. Forgiveness heals us in mind, body, and spirit.
While we cannot change the past, we can learn and grow from our experiences.
Once we are at peace within ourselves, we will find it easier to face others and open the lines of communication that may have previously shut down due to a misunderstanding.
As we forgive, we are allowing divine love to release us from the burdens of negativity and lift us up in Spirit. The love of God once again fully illumines us now that the shadows of doubt and fear are removed. Harmony is once again reestablished and our relationship can move forward.
The following are some helpful tips as you practice forgiveness:
(1) Find time for open and honest discussions. Turn off the TV. Tune out the rest of the world. Talk to the ones you love. Even if there doesn't seem to be anything to discuss, make quality time a habit.
(2) Let go of the past by affirming: I am God's love and understanding in expression.
Before going to bed, mentally forgive anyone you feel animosity toward. Release any negative feelings by asking yourself, "What would God want me to do?"
(3) Rather than reacting immediately to something said or done, temporarily remove yourself from the situation. Take a walk. Listen to music. Meditate in a quiet place. Refocus on God's presence, then return to work through the situation in a spirit of peace.
Remember: God's love can work wonders toward healing any relationship! Father, help me to continue to practice harmony and forgivenss. In Jesus name, Amen.
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HE IS MY GOD
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Posted:Aug 5, 2006 8:37 am
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2006 9:00 pm 1422 Views
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Today is a day when I usually work at home. I have a friend that calls it "ministering to my house". It's when I do the deep cleaning ( clean refrigerator, stove, dust etc.). I don't feel like it today, so I'm not. I'd rather be on BC reading blogs, magazines and group discussion. So, this is what I will do.
I just read a promise from God found in Nahum 1, it says:
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.
In whirlwind and storm is His way,
And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
5 Mountains quake because of Him
And the hills dissolve;
Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence,
The world and all the inhabitants in it.
6 Who can stand before His indignation?
Who can endure the burning of His anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire
And the rocks are broken up by Him.
7 The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
13 "So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you,
And I will tear off your shackles."
I am glad He is my God
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COURT ORDER
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Posted:Aug 4, 2006 8:17 pm
Last Updated:Aug 7, 2006 6:30 pm 1473 Views
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"You have been accused of bombarding God with prayers! You are hereby
sentenced to Long Life & Prosperity, No bail, No Appeal. You have been
labeled Blessed and hereby detained in God's custody forever, Amen. You
have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals
this year."
What is prosperity to you? The definition is "affluence, well being, or rich". Richness is not just about financially wealthy, it is everything associated with wealthy. Being in a prosperous state is a great feeling of richness and well being. When you are fulfilled, you are in a state of richness, affluence and well being. Do you know what would bring you a rich life? Is it money, family, being able to donate to charity, health, a satisfied and fulfilled life?
You can have prosperity, just put your life in God's hand. Fulfill your destiny by obeying His Word and He promises to give affluence, and well being. The highest court has ordered it!!!
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ROUGH "N" READY
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Posted:Aug 3, 2006 8:29 pm
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2006 9:03 pm 1478 Views
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At Sunday School they were teaching how God created everything, including human beings. Little Johnny seemed especially intent when they told him how Eve was created out of one of Adam's ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and said, "Johnny, what is the matter?" Little Johnny
responded, "I have pain in my side. I think I'm going to have a wife."
ANYONE OUT THERE WANNA WIFE?
TOO ROUGH
A little girl asked her mother, "Can I go outside and play with
the boys?" Her mother replied, "No, you can't play with the boys, they're too rough." The little girl thought about it for a few moments and asked, "If I can find a smooth one, can I play with him?"
ANY SMOOTH GUYS ON BC?
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