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Started days ago.....finished days later....but it is much needed!

5/16/2011

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Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ .
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if you [are] Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

So, I have one very simple question, if these things are true. . . . . and I believe they are. . . . . why is there segregation and prejudice in the Christian world? Why do different colored people see color and act in a non loving way because of it? Why do Christians have hatred in their hearts for one another over unimportant discrepancies in theology that truly nobody knows but God? (I say unimportant meaning things that do not have to do with our salvation i.e. pre-tribulation, post tribulation, and other questions that don't keep us from entering the gates of Heaven) Are we as Christians called to love one another? Of course we are! We as Christians need to unite to do the will of God and leave our petty grievances behind! We need to see beyond the color of the skin, the minor differences of opinion, get beyond denominational lines that have been drawn in the sand, and live in a spirit of love, forgiveness, and truth so that we may glorify the Mighty God we serve! It is our time as Christians to live who we say we are. . . . . . after all, we are all descendants of Abraham's seed . . . . chosen of God to live a life of grace, mercy, and love!
~Father God. . . . I love You. . . . . I ask for Your forgiveness for each and every time I have allowed sin to cause me to bring You shame. Please forgive me for all of the times my heart did not honor You and Your plan for my life! I am so sorry for the times that I allowed myself to be a shameful witness for You because of my attitude towards others! Father God, I pray that You will open they eyes of ALL your children no matter what color, religion, status in life, rich or poor. . . . to Your truths that we should hold evident in our hearts! Please blind our eyes to these things as well so that all we see is the condition of the heart, mind and soul! Father, I thank You and I praise You for what You want to do in my life and in the life of ALL Christians! Please give us the desire to reach out to and love on ALL people. . . . especially those who do not know You! Please give us the courage and discernment we need to share Your Word, Your life, and Your promise with those who need you! Help us to discern when we need to press on. . . . . or to back off! I love You Father and I thank You for all You have given me in my life. . . . for all of the many blessings of this truly blessed woman! I love You, I praise You, and I thank You in the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . .Amen! ! !
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God has given us all we need to learn.....if that is what we want to do!

5/3/2011

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Psa 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.Psa 32:9 Do not be like the horse [or] like the mule, [Which] have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.Psa 32:10 Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.Psa 32:11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all [you] upright in heart!
Once again, God has given us clear direction on instruction. . . . and what to expect if we are stubborn and do not accept that instruction! God has given us His Spirit who will lead, guide and direct us IF we are willing to accept that direction. My prayer is that God will make me teachable, for if I am not, then my chances of learning what it is that God wants me to learn becomes thwarted because of my lack of desire to change! God also clearly warns us not to be stubborn like the mule or the horse that have no understanding and must be guided by the bit. . . .which to me says that it is not in a way that is pleasant! These verses also tell us that the wicked will have many sorrows. . . . now, I know that we Christians have sorrows as well, but the difference is that we have the grace and the peace of the Heavenly Father as it says,"mercy shall surround him"! God truly loves His children and desires for His children to learn and live lives that are full and prosperous in Him! Now our version of prosperous and His version of prosperous are not always the same. . . . that is where learning from His Word and His Spirit come in! He longs to give us the desires of our heart, yet the desires of our hearts should be the perfect will of God! We must be willing to learn that we might learn the mind and will of God. . . . . can you imagine? Can You imagine the relm we could operate in and the total peace in Him we would have if we only could grasp this concept instead of the worldly, fleshly concepts we tend to operate in? We wonder why we don't live lives that are described to us in the bible, and yet we don't really take into account that those who had the closest relationship with the Father, actually lived lives that would terrify us in a fleshly way! Yet . . . . they had total peace. . . .total faith. . . . total communion with Jesus and our Father! Wow. . . . to be honest with you. . . . . I don't know if I could mentally picture this! My prayer is that God will teach me. . . . teach my friends and family. . . . and transform us all into the likeness of Him!
~Father God, I thank You and I praise You for Your Word and for Your Spirit! I pray Father that You help me be teachable that I may be a living example of Your love and compassion. . . . and live a life that is Christlike! I thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your Son to die for my sin that I may live with You forever in Paradise! I thank You for the many blessings You have given me and for the desire You have given me to seek Your face and Your will for my life! I thank You and praise You in the precious name of Jesus. . . . . . amen!~
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Oh how we can be tricked by our minds!

5/1/2011

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2Cr 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;
The reason I titled this the way I did, is because I often have to remind myself that all that is good that I have done. . . . .well, it is not because of me. Yes, I do make the effort and I am so willing to do so. . . . . but it is ONLY because of God that I even have the ability! These things can be taken away at any given time! I watched a movie once. . . . a really old movie. . . . and this girl had such a wonderful life! She was beautiful, had a lot of friends, she was talented and life just seemed to go her way. . . . .then it happened. . . . the car accident! It left her beautiful face disfigured to the point that people were scared to be around her, and her life just fell apart. Men mocked her, played jokes on her, pretended to like her and then made fun of her for thinking they could ever like her. Needless to say, her identity was totally wrapped up in her looks and abilities. As the movie turned out. . . . she had many plastic surgeries, became beautiful again, and started killing the men who hurt her as she would lure them in with her new beauty. . . . . (maybe not the best example, but it gets the point across). All of this to say. . . . . our sufficiency completely comes from God! As many of you know, I am managing a Contemporary Christian Band and I get the pleasure of doing all kinds of things for these wonderful young men! I get to do their pictures, take care of the things they need during concerts and practice, talk to wonderful people when I book them and at the concerts. . . . many different things. . . . and I love just about every minute of it! Taking care of people is right up my alley! Now, I have found at times that it is easy to take credit for things, especially when people go on about things like the pictures I take. . . . . and then reality hits me. . . . it is really God who has done these thing! He gave me the ability to see things that some others do not see when they look through the lense of the camera. He even gives me the right moment to snap the picture and people the ease in front of the lense. I have very little I could even possibly take credit for! All it takes from me is my willingness to do whatever it is that God GIVES me the opportunity to do! Even that comes from Him! ! ! ! ! If I did not have God in my life, I might be willing. . . . . but with wrong motives because my motives should be to do ALL things to please HIM. . . . not man. . . . not myself. . . . .no one but Him! I will confess. . . . that is not easy and it is easy to slip into wrong motives. This is why it is IMPERATIVE to stay in Gods Word and to stay in prayer! We must pray that God will keep us humble and that we will serve with humility, with no puffed up feelings of pride in OURSELVES! Just remember. . . . 2Cr 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;. . . . . . .this is a beautiful place to be. . . . really, just knowing that God is in control of everything takes off burdens that we were never meant to bear! When things go wrong. . . . and we have done all that God commands us to. . . . then we know that God has a plan and a purpose for the turnout we did not expect and will use it in our lives and in the lives of others! This does not mean we can be slack. . . . we must still do all we can as we listen to God and work hard for God. . . . He never meant for us to be lazy and lackadaisical and expect Him to just wait on us as if He were our cosmic waiter. . . . (I strongly caution against that!), but if we do our due process, we can rest in knowing it is all good because it is all God!
~Father God, I thank You for this revelation in my life! I ask You to forgive me for the times I took credit for Your work! Forgive me for not always listening to You and Your plans and tried to institute my own plans instead! Father God, I thank You for the abilities You have given me and the desire that You have given me to do them well for Your glory! I thank You for the opportunities that You have given me to use these gifts and talents! I realize that at any given moment all could be stripped away and that no matter what You are still in control! I thank You for loving me so much that You sent us a comforter through Your Spirit! I thank You that You have allowed me to meet and build relationships with so many wonderful people that love You and lift You up on high! I thank You for opportunities that appear to come from nowhere and bring glory to Your name! I thank You for my family and my friends who love me. . . . . even when I am unlovable! I thank You for Your Son, Your Spirit, and Your Word! I thank You in the precious name of Jesus. . . . Amen!~
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Read it, Hear it, Live it, Do it!

4/30/2011

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Luk 11:28But He said, "More than that, blessed [are] those who hear the word of God and keep it!"
Simplicity at it's best! It sounds so easy, but is it? This is definitely where the rubber meets the road! Blessed are those who hear the Word of God. . . . . (here is the catch). . . . . and KEEP it! This is where often the phrase, "Easier said than done" can come into play. One thing is for sure though. . . . . this is truth and it really is not optional! If I want to be blessed, I must keep (obey, honor, and live) what I hear and learn from the Word of God! We must see, hear, and DO! God is a great and mighty God and He has given us so many opportunities to be blessed, the only one stopping the blessings in our lives. . . . .is ourselves! I think the problem in my life is the still wanting what I want, when I want. . . . and not what HE wants when HE wants! So. . . . . I have a new motto for the day. . . . for my life. . . . Read it, Hear it, Live it, Do it! ! !
~Father God, I thank You that Your Word is so clear! I thank You that You have given us Your Word as a manual for what You expect from us and how we are to live our lives! I thank You for the grace that You have given us through the sacrifice of Your Son! Thank You for loving me so much! Father I pray that Your Word will sink deep into my heart and my mind so that it becomes second nature and I don't even have to think about it! I pray that my life will become a life that is pleasing in Your sight and that You will use me for Your glory! I love You Father, I thank You, and I praise You in the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . . Amen!~
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Wow again! God is so incredible in how He uses us! Whoda thunk?

4/29/2011

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2Cr 3:3clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, [that is], of the heart.
Oh WOW! ! ! !  Now in my last post we learned about being the fragrance of Christ, this time we see that we are tablets of flesh written on by the Spirit of the living God! How exciting. . . . or scary is that! God wants to turn us into walking, talking letters of Him! Our lives should be examples of Christ and His life! Now that is a pretty tall order, but with God anything is possible! These things are manifested through our hearts, so if we want to know where we are in our journey of being a living testimony. . . . we must reflect and look at the condition of our hearts! What is in my heart today? Is it filled with the love of Christ, not boastful or prideful? Is my heart pure, free from unforgiveness, anger, and wrath? This is where the scary part comes in! Am I living this day in the mindset of Christ. . . . or the mindset of sin? Every day I have a choice. . . . .every minute I have a choice. . . . . where is my heart. . . . what is my tablet saying? Yikes! ! ! ! ! One thing I do know for sure. . . . . when I am in the Word of God and in the Spirit of prayer as I am supposed to be. . . . there He is also, writing through His Spirit on the tablet of my life. . . . . now that is AMAZING! ! !

~Father God, I want to start by asking You to forgive me for allowing pride, anger, fear, and other things to often ruin my ability to honor You and Your Son Jesus for all You have done for me! I am so sorry that my tablet of flesh has been defiled with things that do not honor You and the sacrifice that You have made for me! Father, I pray that You will lead, guide, and direct my every step that I may be a living letter of Your love, grace, and peace! I also know Lord that as I allow You to write on my heart and my flesh. . . . there will be those who find me offensive for as You showed me before. . . . as I am being diffused by Your sweet fragrance. . . . those who are lost will smell death and destruction! I pray that even though they smell this. . . . .that the Words You have written on the tablet of my life as a living letter of Christ will be seen, understood and comprehended so that they may find Christ in their lives and start to smell the beautiful aroma of You! I pray that as I go day by day. . . . You will infuse me with Your peace, knowledge, and most of all wisdom so that I will not fail YOU! ! ! ! ! I often feel as if I fail others, but ultimately it is You that I need to please, not man. I thank You Father for the many blessings You have placed in and on my life! I pray Father that You will use me to the fullest extent so that one day You will look at me and say," Well done my good and faithful servant!" ! Thank You again Father for the friends and family that You have given me in my life! Thank You for the talents and abilities You have given me and help me to use them to the best of my ability to bring honor and glory to You! I ask all of these things in the precious name of Jesus. . . . . Amen! ! ! ! ! !~
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Ohhhhh......I cannot wait to get into this one!

4/27/2011

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2Cr 2:14Now thanks [be] to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.2Cr 2:15For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.2Cr 2:16To the one [we are] the aroma of death [leading] to death, and to the other the aroma of life [leading] to life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?2Cr 2:17For we are not, as so many, [fn] peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
I am gonna start this right here with a question. . . . . have you ever had an epiphany? Well, I did this morning! As I was reading this devotion, I saw something that made such perfect sense that I had not really been able to put a finger on before! Let me ask you another question. . . . have you ever done all you can to be the best person you can, giving of yourself for no other reason than to do the will of Your Father with no hidden agenda and wanting nothing in return but the satisfaction of a job well done for Him. . . . . and then got persecuted for it by others thinking you just want all of the credit and that you have a hidden agenda? Well. . . . I have and I have racked my brain wondering why! This scripture here has given me  a bit of an insight! Now I am not trying to build up anything I have done. . . .not at all. . . . for my one true goal is to do for others as Christ has done for us. . . . how do you ever attain that one?! ! ! ! In this scripture. . . it is clear that the fragrance of God is diffused through us. . . . . kinda like those diffusing sticks that make your house smell so good, but they do not stick out liked a sore thumb! The beautiful Aroma of God is too gently loft from us as we do His will! We are truly and instrument of God in this way. Now, it goes on to say that to the fellow Christians. . . . this is a pleasing fragrance that brings about life in God! After all, through Christ we have the gift of eternal life! However, to those who are not saved and do not know the true Spirit of Christ, we have the wretched smell of death! Now I do not know about you, but when someone is bringing horrible news that condemns me. . . . I tend to go on the defensive! The aroma of death and destruction puts a fear in your heart that makes you automatically put up your guard. This must be what it is like in this instance! Automatic thoughts of hidden agendas and deception would come to mind. . . . for the ways of Christ are foolishness to a lost and dying world! My heart aches and breaks for those who feel this kind of unrest! Instead of getting defensive myself. . . . I need to remember to pray harder and longer and more intensely knowing in my heart that God will use EVERY situation for His good! look at the life of Christ. . . . He was perfect.  . . . His intentions were of the purest possible intent. . . . . . and yet he was mocked, battered (wow what an understatement!), bruised, His perfect ways were hated, unrecognized, despised and rejected, and then He was crucified. . . . . all I got was hurt feelings. . . . what foolishness on my part! Instead. . . . . I should consider it pure joy, for I am doing the will of my Father who loves me! I, unlike Christ am totally imperfect and I have sin in my life. . . . pride. . . . the wrong kind. . . . . .and still, God can use me, and at the same time, reveal these things to me! I long to be a big ole diffusing stick for the fragrance of God. . . . I just HAVE to remember that to the lost. . . . .I stink! Funny part about it is. . . . that is a good thing! Maybe through the stink of death. . . realization will come and lives will be changed. . . .that is my prayer! Just recently we had a concert where we were the only Christian Band and most of the people there we as lost as could be! As the boys started singing of the Beauty of Christ.. . . His Blood. . . .His Sacrifice. . . . the people were not very receptive and some even left. . . . .this is why! This is an example of the above scripture. To those in the crowd who were Christians. . . it had the sweet smell of Christ. . . .to those who were lost. . . it carried conviction and the smell of death they will experience if they do not change their ways! As the scripture says," 2Cr 2:17For we are not, as so many, [fn] peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ." We are not to be peddling the Word of God, we are to be living it! Father, let my life speak of You in sincerity in the sight of God in Christ!
~Father God, I long to exude the sweet fragrance of You! I long to have the sweet smell of life that only comes from You reaching far and wide to those around! I also now realize Father that this fragrance is only sweet to those who know You. . . .to those who love and accept You! I now realize that when I am doing my part and that when I am earnestly doing Your will, I will smell to others as the stench of death! I now realize that when intentions are pure and when I am functioning as You would have me function. . . . I will be hated and despised for Your fragrance will bring about fear and trembling! I pray Father that through it all, You will use me to help those who do not know You to find the beautiful fragrance of LIFE! Eternal Life through Your precious Son Jesus Christ! I pray that You will help me keep my intentions pure, that Your fragrance will never go away or die down through me! I pray Father that You forgive me for any times that my intentions were not pure and sought self gratification in which then I am a stench to those who know and love You! Forgive me for the times that I have not pleased You! Help me to understand and to see others with Your eyes and Your heart! I love You and I thank You for all You are going to do in my life and the lives of those You have placed in my life! I Praise You Father for Your revelation in my life! I ask all of these things in the precious name of Jesus. . . . Amen!~
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Now I have gone to medaling! Really, God is the one who has said it!

4/20/2011

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Eph 4:17This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of [fn] the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,Eph 4:18having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;Eph 4:19who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.Eph 4:20But you have not so learned Christ,Eph 4:21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:Eph 4:22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,Eph 4:23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,Eph 4:24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.Eph 4:25Therefore, putting away lying, "[Let] each one [of you] speak truth with his neighbor," [fn] for we are members of one another.Eph 4:26"Be angry, and do not sin": [fn] do not let the sun go down on your wrath,Eph 4:27nor give place to the devil.Eph 4:28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with [his] hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.Eph 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.Eph 4:30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.Eph 4:31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.Eph 4:32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
As much as I could expound upon this, it truly speaks for itself! When we become Christians, we are no longer part of this world, yet we often try to hold onto and want what the world has to offer. These verses here tell us how we are and are not to live as new Creations in Christ! We are no longer entitled to bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor, or evil speaking! We are to be kind and love one another as Christ loved and forgave us! God's Word does not mince words. . . . .especially here! What is it going to take for us to learn that we must live a life that seems foolishness to the world? Sadly enough. . . . I have seen "Christians" make fun of, and chastise other Christians for living a life that is set apart. . . . this truly breaks my heart! What breaks it even more is the times I have done this myself! The more I get into God's Word, the more I realize that my life is often missing components that set me apart. . . . .but I know that I am striving to change through Christ and I know that I long to please my Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit! I pray that each of you long for this as well. . . . are you game? I am! ! ! ! ! 
~ Father God, I pray that You will help me be set apart! I pray that You will show me the ways in which I am pleasing the world and in the process displeasing You. Father, I NEED Your direction, I NEED Your love and compassion for others, I NEED You to give me a heart that exudes Your Spirit and pours out on others Your love! Father, I NEED YOU! ! ! ! I thank You and I praise You for all that You have done for me and for all You are going to do for me! I thank You for my family, my friends, my purpose, and my salvation! I praise Your Holy Name! I pray Father for this weekend, that You will pour out Your Spirit on the band and on all who are around! I pray that You will open each and every persons eyes to the sin, the shame, and the burdens in our lives! I pray that EVERYTHING hidden will be exposed by Your Light that we may "SHINE"! I love You, I praise You, and I thank You in the precious, blood bought name of Jesus. . . . . Amen!
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This one is for the Band. . . . and everyone else too!

4/19/2011

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Col 3:23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, Col 3:24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for [fn] you serve the Lord Christ. Col 3:25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. 
I want to thank my friend Pat Harding for posting this verse on his FB! It is just what I needed for today! The reason I titled this blog the way I did is because I am praying earnestly for the Band and I am expecting miracles to happen in each and every life of anyone involved! We are going on a retreat for the day on Saturday and I covet your prayers for us! There are burdens that need to be laid down, and perspectives put in place. These verses explicitly describe what the ministry of the band needs to be! Each individual needs to do the best they can for the LORD. . . . not man, not money, not fame, not for ego. . . .but for GOD  ALMIGHTY! ! ! ! ! The reward that comes is from the Lord and it comes in a spectacular inheritance in Him! Ministry can start out in ways that are pure and righteous. . . . and end up in ways that serve those who are in the ministry instead of the ministry serving others. This is why I included the last verse. . . . if we, meaning ministries. . . people. . . . whoever. . . .do wrong, we will be repaid for the wrong that is done. . . and there ain't no question about it! God Himself tells us that there is no partiality! Just because you feel you are in the God business. . . . it does not give you a get away with doing wrong free card! We must always strive to do our best, to serve our Lord with all of our hearts, all of our minds, and all of our souls! ! ! ! This is what I long to teach to and live in front of the boys in the band, my children and grandchildren, my friends and family, and the world! I am not perfect nor will I ever be, however I believe this is how God calls us to live on a daily, hourly, even minutely (I made that one up) basis! I ask that each of you help keep me accountable, and I will do the same! Seek God's Word, search your hearts, pray without ceasing and ask God to show you what you need to change in your life that you might please and honor Him!
~Father God, I pray that You will open my eyes to Your truth and to what needs changing in my life! I pray Father that You will do a mighty miracle in my heart and in the hearts of the boys in the band as we go to seek Your face, Your will, and Your direction! I pray Father that You will show up in a way that will blow our minds and change our live forever! Father, I pray this same prayer for all of my friends and family as You work in our lives on a daily basis! I pray that Your Word will come to life and that the desire to live for You and do Your will, will become what drives us forward day by day! Help us to recognize the wrong that is in our lives that we may repent and change our ways! I pray that each and every one of us will seek Your face and live our lives for You and You alone! I thank You and praise You in the precious name of Jesus, Amen!~
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Time for a reality check!

4/18/2011

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1Th 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
1Th 5:15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In reading this passage today, it struck me that I am not doing all that I am supposed to do according to God's Word. I am borrowing a commentary from Blue Letter Bible to help explain verse 14: Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all: Paul told the Thessalonians - the people, not only the pastor and leaders - to minister in a variety of ways, depending on the state of the person who needs the ministry. So if someone is unruly, the duty of the Christian is to warn them. Others need comfort, others need to be upheld.i. The unruly are those who are out of order, using a military word that describes the soldier that breaks ranks or marches out of step. This is the self-willed person who simply demands to hold their own opinion or preference. These must be warned.
ii. The fainthearted are those who, literally, are small-souled. By nature or experience they tend to be timid and lack courage. These need comfort – in the sense of assisting strength – to be brought to them.
iii. The weak must be upheld, and assisted with an eye to building their own strength instead of perpetuating their weakness.
c. Be patient with all: Though different approaches must be taken with different people, Christians must be patient with all. This is because true Christianity is shown by its ability to love and help difficult people. We do not look for only perfect people to minister to and to minister with.
d. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone: The Christian never should seek revenge or vengeance, but let God take up our side. Instead, we must always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. When we have a forgiving heart towards others, not only is it good for them, it is good for ourselves.
Here is the link for the full commentary
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=8051&commInfo=31&topic=1%20Thessalonians&ar=1Th_4_14
Now, I decided to post this because this is a better and more knowledgeable explanation of the first two verses I posted. But I will talk about it! As I have observed over the years. . . . . almost everyone falls into one of these categories to some extent or another. I have even seen pastors that could be described this way, but most of the time the maturity level in Christ takes many beyond these points. The interesting part to me is that I have seen almost all of these categories in my life at one time or another! One very important thing that was pointed out here is that Paul was talking not only to the pastors and the leaders, but to all who claim to be a Christian! It is each and every one of our responsibility to hold each other accountable and hold each other up! I know for me, the verse that tells us to be patient with all is one that can be rather difficult! However, as Christians, this is absolutely imperative! This is one very important way that we SHOW the love of Christ! It goes way beyond our words. . . . .it goes deep into our actions, there is a reason that it is said that actions speak louder than words! Then there is the revenge issue, we as Christians should NEVER seek revenge, why?. . . . because that is what God tells us! We are to trust in Him and allow Him to fight our battles! This part bears repeating: "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone: The Christian never should seek revenge or vengeance, but let God take up our side. Instead, we must always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. When we have a forgiving heart towards others, not only is it good for them, it is good for ourselves." Man, this is great stuff! Now on to the next verses. . . . 
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
Always. . . good times. . . . bad times. . . . hard times. . . . ALL TIMES! ! !
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
This means to always have an attitude of prayer. We cannot pray verbally at all times, but we can be mindful of God and bring HIM into every equation of our lives! We can always have an attitude of prayer and know that in every situation, prayer should be our FIRST defense. . . . not our last hope!
1Th 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In EVERYTHING. . . . . did you get the EVERYTHING part here? Good, bad, ugly, and indifferent. . . . . EVERYTHING! ! ! ! ! Sometimes this seems so absolutely impossible sometimes. . . . I am the first to admit this one! I don't remember being too thankful the last time I had a virus. . . . or a broken heart. . . . . or when I feel like an utter failure! Kinda like when I fail at being thankful in EVERYTHING! Enough said. . . . I have thoroughly convicted myself at this point! Please note that when I try and point out things in scripture, I am doing it more for me than for anyone! It gives me a reality check in my life!
~Father God, let me start by asking You to forgive me for failing to do Your will as Your Word has directed me to do! Thank You for pointing out the things in my life that need changed and thank You for the help and strength You are giving me to help change what is unholy in me! I want to thank and praise You Father for loving me enough to allow Paul. . . . so many years ago, to speak to me today! Your Word is amazing. . . .Your love is incredible. . . . .Your sacrifice was beautiful, and in it all. . . . . I am thankful! I am so unworthy and yet You lavish Your love, Your compassion, and Your Son on me! I thank You for all of the many blessings in my life. . . . . even the ones that are hard to recognize as blessings! I thank You Father. . . . . I thank You! In the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . . Amen!~

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Hold on. . . . here we go! ! !

4/16/2011

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Eph 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
This is going to be a several parter! I am pretty sure I have written on this verse before, but after reading it. . . . I think I need to revisit it! O.k., so what is exactly considered a corrupt word? Well, in context. . . . it is a word that can tear someone else down, or a word that goes against the nature of God! If you read on, if it does not edify (build someone up), then it should not even shoot out of your mouth! Our words. . . . as God shows us here, should impart grace. . . . . wow, grace. . . . just like Jesus extends to us! How can we expect Jesus to extend grace to us if we cannot even extend grace to one another? Kind of like when Jesus says that if we cannot forgive, we cannot be forgiven! Powerful stuff here. . . . are we listening? Now to move on. . . .this is really good stuff! 
Eph 4:30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Oh my. . . . .I am afraid that my actions alone must grieve Him on a daily basis! I must daily die to myself that I may not grieve Him! He sealed me. . . . how can I  honestly grieve Him on purpose? If I can. . . . am I really His?
Eph 4:31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

I am about to go to preaching to myself right here! But Gooooooood. . . . . . do you know how hard some of this is for meeeeeeee! ! ! ! ! Bitterness is sooooo easy to hold on to! Wrath. . . .I have that one under control, but anger. . . . . that one is hard at times! How do I let some of this go? ?  Well, let's read on!
Eph 4:32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Well, someone has to bring Jesus into this! Christ forgave us and continues to forgive us on a daily basis! Jesus. . . . how did you do it? How did you forgive the people who tortured you. . . . .turned their backs on you. . . . . who murdered you with joy and pride in their hearts?! ! ! Well, I think in this verse here, God gives us a way to change our minds and our hearts by following these instructions! Be kind to one another, tender hearted and forgiving. . . . . .you see. . . . . Christ lived these actions! As Christains. . . . .we MUST renew our minds. . . . we must be kind and tenderhearted towards each other. . . . . . We MUST forgive. . . . . let me reitterate. . . . we MUST forgive, this is not an option, it is not a choice. . . . .if we are to be Christlike, we MUST! Why? Because Christ FORGAVE US! ! ! ! How beautiful is this! ! ! Hello Lorri. . . wake up. . . . renew your mind! ! !
~ Oh Father God. . . why does it seem as if my mind must be renewed every single day? Why can it not be second nature. . . . I am so torn in my heart for I feel as if I should be able to do this so much easier! Sometimes I feel as if I am doing a good job, and then wham. . . . I mess up again! I thank You Father for Your grace and Your forgiveness! I thank You for the many opportunities to learn from Your Word. . . thank You for Your Word. . . . thank You for Your Son! Thank You for Your love and compassion for a lost and dying world! Thank You for loving even me! I love You, I praise You and I thank You in the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . . Amen!
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    My name is Lorri and I am a proud wife, mother, Honeygram, and band manager! I pray that you will laugh, cry, find needed information, peace and encouragement as you pa-ruse this site!

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