A New Year of Simple Abundance!

Mark 16

And now the curtain has been torn and we have a way!  Praise the Lord Jesus Christ---we have a way!  The stone was rolled away and we have a way!  He has risen from the dead and we have a way!  If I thanked him every second of every day it could never be enough, but you know he doesn’t require us to constantly say thank you for doing this for us.  What he does require is that we give our life to him.  That we love him and we serve him.  He has a will for our life and he just wants us to follow it!  He will guide us down every path and he will never, never leave our side.  How easy is that?

As this New Year quickly approaches I have been thinking about resolutions and instead of thinking of how I want to change or how I want to improve myself, I have been thinking about (and praying about) what God wants me to do.  So with that, it is really not a difficult resolution that he has spoken into my heart.  So here goes…My New Year’s Resolution for 2012 is to live simpler!  That’s it!  So what does that mean?  It means exactly what it says…live simpler!  I have thought about how I live and the things in my life and I am spoiled!  Now compared to American standards I am far from being spoiled, but compared to the standards of most people around the world I am more than spoiled…and frankly, that is not how I want to live.  So I am going to focus more on reading God’s Word, seeking His will, spending more time talking with my children, spend more time listening to others, spend more time helping others, spend more time just loving my husband, and spend more time with family and friends.  I will spend less time worrying about when something is going to get finished, spend less time concerned about what I am going to wear, spend less time worrying about what people think about me, and I will not stress over the little things that really don’t matter at all!

God did not send his only son and Jesus did not die on that cross for me to be spoiled!  He did so that I may have life and have life more abundantly (John 10:10)!  And I am certain that when he said abundantly, he didn’t mean that we would be surrounded by things of indulgence.  I really think he meant a life of happiness that comes from enjoying the things that he gives us, not what the world gives us.

With my last post of 2011 I wish everyone out there a Blessed New Year and hopefully a simpler life devoted to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

He Did It Anyway

Mark 15:16-47

They pressed a crown of thorns into his head, but he did it anyway.  They struck him with a staff, but he did it anyway.  They spit on him, but he did it anyway.  They mocked him, but he did it anyway.  They led him to be crucified, but he did it anyway.  They hurled insults at him, but he did it anyway.  His mother was watching, but he did it anyway.  They crucified him, and he let them. 

While reading through these last verses I couldn’t help but think about what he went through just for me.  He knew that I would be sitting on my couch tonight reading his word and he knew that I would love him a little more because of what I realized tonight.  You see with every insult, with ever blow he took, he thought of you and I, and so he did it anyway.  He could have stopped all this at any point, but he chose to do it anyway.  Why?  Because his love for us is greater than anything that he would ever have to endure.  He knew that this was the only way, it was the only way that you and could make it to him.

I have known this story for as long as I can remember, but it has never touched me like it did tonight.  As I was reading I kept on thinking why did they have to do all these things to him?  Why couldn’t they have just killed him if they wanted him dead, why did they have to beat him?  Why did they have to make fun of him and who he was?  I was sharing these thoughts with my husband and he, in his usual simplistic way, said…that it is how it was supposed to be, there was no other way.  He is right, this was God’s plan all along and just like our life we may never understand why things happen the way they do, but we have to completely trust God’s will for our lives.  After all, a God that sends his only son to die for us can only have our best interest in mind.

Nothing Else Should Matter

Mark 15:1-15

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them (vs.15). 

How many times has someone did something they knew in their heart was not right, but they did it to satisfy someone, satisfy themselves, or like Pilate, satisfy the crowd?  How many times have I chosen to do something or not do something in order to please myself or others?  Quite honestly, I probably don’t want to know the exact number---I am sure it would hurt my heart.  Jesus never did one thing because the crowd encouraged him to do so, in fact, most of the things he did was against what the crowd thought he should do.  Why?  Why did he do things so differently?  The fact is that while he is different from the world, his ways should not be so different in our eyes.  Jesus is the truth and his actions only reveal that truth to us.  We have to truly follow his example and we are capable of doing this if, and only if, we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was following God’s will and God’s will alone---nothing else mattered.  That is how we should be---we should be praying for God’s will in our life, we should be seeking God’s will, and we should be accepting God’s will---nothing else should matter.

The Greatest Gift!

So this time last week while discussing the end of time with a group of friends I was posed with a question that I have been thinking about since.  “Are you prepared for a time when you won’t have food for your children?  Are you strong enough to not give in to the world just to get food for the sake of your children’s survival?”

My answer of course is no --- I don’t think anyone is every completely prepared for such a time.  However, I do remember a time when I would constantly worry about something happening to my children when I was not with them.  So much so that it consumed my thought life and eventually I had to seek God with this problem.  After some time, I realized that I had to let go of my children --- I had to let go and let God have them.  I had come to the realization that no matter how much I worried, how much I planned, or how much I tried to protect them, I could never always keep them from harm.  I had no other choice but to put my complete trust, my complete heart and soul into the hands of Jesus Christ.  We can never be smart enough to prepare for what is to come.  Our preparation comes through our faith in Jesus.  We have to cling to Him and His Word because everything else will fade away.  It will not be easy, in fact it will probably be more difficult than we could ever imagine, but His Word gives us many promises, one of which is that He will take care of his children when we trust him with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind.  While researching the promises of God I found two scriptures that stood out to me, funny thing---one was in the old testament and one in the new testament, I think God was letting me know that His word has and always will be true no matter what year it was written.

• For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.  Deuteronomy 4:31
• Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  II Corinthians 1:3-5

So with these scripture I am reminded of who I truly serve….he will not only give comfort to me and my family through difficult times, he will use us to show comfort to others.  I don’t know about you, but that makes my heart flip over! 

Along with all this I have heard the song Mary Did You Know? numerous times this week and while this is one of my all-time favorite songs, I heard something different this time.  The words ‘Mary did you know that your baby boy will save your sons and daughters?’ reminded me that he is in control of me and my children, it reminded me once again that only he can truly save my son and my daughter.  And then tonight as my family sat together in the living room to read the Christmas story we decided to read the version from Luke, we usually read it from either Matthew or John.  We ended up reading more than ever before, because my children said to keep on reading that they wanted to know what happened next.  All this reading lead to even more discussion about Jesus and who he really is to us---I could not have been more humbled by the greatness of God that filled my living room and surrounded each of us. 

My family is all asleep now and as I look back over the story in Luke that we read together tonight I suddenly am drawn to the words of Simeon in Luke 2:33-35, The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  What did Mary think when she heard the words ‘a sword will pierce your own soul too'?  I am sure she had a big lump in her throat and wondered just what he meant by those words.  Although Jesus was God’s son, although he was sent to save us all, he was still just a baby, and he was Mary’s baby, a baby that she felt she had to take care of, just as I do.  I am certain that day long ago when Jesus’ side was pierced on that cross for our sake that Mary felt as though her soul was pierced as well. 

So tonight as I gather everything to put under the tree I am reminded that the greatest gift that I can give my children is to give them back to God.

I wish everyone a most blessed Christmas!

We Must Listen!

Mark 14:12-72

Chapter 14 is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions and I can’t help but compare it to my life.

It began with the disciples saying ‘ok, what do you want us to do Jesus?’ (those are my words).  They listened to Jesus and actually did exactly what he asked them to do.  They enjoy time with Jesus…eating, drinking and even singing.  Everything is going so smoothly, but then Jesus reveals two truths to them: 1) one of them will betray him and 2) the others will fall away from him when conflict arises.  Peter and the rest deny that they would or could ever disown Jesus.  A trial is coming and so Jesus asks them to pray---they sleep instead.  He tells them multiple times to pray---again, they sleep.  The trial is here---they get angry, they rebel, and they desert Jesus.  Like Peter, I sometimes find myself on the outside looking toward Jesus, but too scared to follow.  At times I have denied Jesus by not allowing him full access to my life and heart, and just like Peter after I realize what I have done, I fall down before my Savior and weep.

I can only speak for myself, but this reminds me so much of my life.  I must say that I am getting better, but at times I find myself in a lull and not completely depending on Christ for everything.  He is constantly guiding me, but unfortunately I am not always listening.  I believe that Jesus was asking his disciples to pray because he knew what lay ahead and he knew that talking with God is the only thing that could give them the strength to continue in faith through such a trial.  He does the same for you and I, he is constantly preparing us for what lies ahead, but we are not always listening.  I have said it before, but I will say it again---this world is not getting any better, life is not going to get any easier, we have to put our faith in the only thing, the only One, who can save us….Jesus Christ.  We must, we must, we must give him our life---that is the only way we can survive this world and end up with him in heaven one day!

She Did What She Could.

Mark 14:1-11

This section of scripture began with a conspiracy of betrayal and ended with Judas’ betrayal.  How sad for those individuals involved in such cowardice, selfish act, however, that will not be my focus today.

While reading this numerous times, my eyes began to focus on five words from verse 8… ‘She did what she could’.  Think about that just a minute…she did what she could?  Isn’t that what Jesus is asking us to do?  To do what we can, nothing more, nothing less.  So what is the problem?  Once again I have to ask myself a question or two.  Am I doing all I can?  Or am I doing all I think I can?  Through the study of God’s Word and after recently reading the book Revolution in World Missions by J.P. Yohannan I can definitely say that I am not doing all I can.  I bring up the book because the sacrifice of Mr. Yohannan and the lady in this story parallel each other greatly.  They both sacrificed something of great value in order to follow Jesus Christ with their whole heart.  The people around them did not understand what they were doing, but that didn’t matter, they did it anyway.  Why?  Where did their strength come from?  It came from knowing Jesus personally, from trusting the guidance of his word.  In order to pour the expensive perfume on Jesus the lady had to break the bottle to do so.  What am I willing to break, to sacrifice, in order to do what God has called me to do?  The disciples thought she was wasteful and spoke badly of her for doing this, but then Jesus took over the situation.  It is no different for us, when we step up and out for Jesus he will take over our situation as well.  This seems like a small gesture that she did, but listen to what Jesus had to say about it, ‘I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her’ (verse 9).  It is time, Jesus is calling his children to follow in this woman’s footsteps---to do all we can for the sake of Jesus Christ.  We have to let go of what we think is valuable and cling to the most invaluable resource that we can know, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ!

Serious Words!

Mark 13

“Be on guard! Be alert!” (vs. 33)  “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (vs. 37)

These are serious words from our Father that should never be taken lightly.  Just last night I was reading in the book, Revolution in World Missions, about how serious a decision it is to follow Christ.  That just as much as Heaven and God’s Love is real, so is Hell and Satan’s tactics to get us there.   We have to be on guard and alert at all times, and we must certainly always be on watch.  We need to watch our actions, our thoughts, our words, and our hearts.  We need to be careful in all that we do and make sure that we are seeking Christ in it all. 

It seems that we are always saying how much worse can this world get, what else will happen?  But we know from God’s Word that this is how it is suppose to be, it will not get any better, in fact we know that it will get worse.  His word tells us that ‘if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive’ (vs.20).  The days will become so bad that the length of day will have to be cut short for survival?  Now, I have to be honest, that scares me a bit.  Not because of the reasons that you may think, but because I pray that my faith is strong enough to survive such a day.  You see at this moment I love Jesus more than I ever have in my entire life, but let’s face it I have never had to survive any type of persecution for the sake of Christ.  Unlike much of the world, we American Christians have had it pretty easy, so easy we should be praising him with everything we have in us for making it this easy for us to serve him so freely.  However, because of this lifestyle we have to be all the more prepared for the days to come.  We have to prepare by praying more, reading the Bible more, seeking him with all our mind, our heart and our soul.

There will come a day that ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be will be shaken’ (vs. 24) and I want to love Jesus and have more faith on that day than I do at this moment when it seems that all is right in my world.

I don’t know about you, but I feel a pulling to my Father to draw even closer to him, to depend on him more, to know him more, and to be ever so watchful of the enemy as he tries with all his might to weaken my faith in Jesus Christ.  My friends, the time to become serious about who we serve is now, we can no longer waiver in our service to Jesus, it is time to give him our all no matter what the world may say!

Silent Persecution

2 Corinthians 7:4

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

I have been reading the book, Revolution in World Missions, by J.P. Yohannan; it is his story about being a missionary.  As he is describing how he views the people of the United States he makes the statement “Americans have never known the fear of persecution”.  Although the entire description was a real eye-opener, actually heart-opener, for me, this statement stuck out to me and I must say I agree with him 100%, but after a week of this on my mind something came to me tonight.  I have been constantly wondering why have we not had to suffer persecution for the sake of the gospel?  What makes us different than a large part of the world?  Then it hit me---the idea of the silent persecution.  No, we are not physically persecuted for serving Christ, but have we been ever-so-slightly silenced from spreading the gospel?  We have no problems going to church and worshiping Jesus with boldness, but what about other places?  As Christians, we have become tolerant and complacent with our faith.  Jesus might have shown everyone love, but he was never tolerant of sin and he was definitely not complacent with his ministry.  Aren’t we called to follow his example?  Now don’t get me wrong, while we have been silenced to some degree, we have allowed it to happen.  Instead of being bold and saying ‘no, we will pray no matter what’, we made excuses for why prayer was taken away from certain places.  How many other things have we, as Christians, allowed to fall to the wayside because we don’t want to offend anyone with our religion?  Really we don’t want to offend, when the Bible calls us to be bold!  What will it take for us to bind together as Christians and say no more.  When will we wake up from this silence? 

I was shocked to see the negative comments about Tim Tebow for being bold with his faith and love for Jesus Christ.  In fact, a fellow Christian even remarked that he should tone down his boldness.  Really?  I have not found that instruction anywhere in God’s Word.  Mr. Tebow has a large platform and he is using it---no matter what anyone has to say about him.  No one is physically persecuting him, but he is definitely under a lot of pressure to be silent.  Think about this…Satan is smart and he knows that he cannot use physical persecution in the United States.  He knows that if it happened that it would cause us Christians to rise up for the sake of the gospel, so he uses the tool of silence.  He is blinding us with silence.  We will not make it to heaven by being silent, tolerant, and complacent.  We will join Jesus in heaven after we join him on earth!

Let us not forget that this is not our home and that we are not of this world.

I Peter 2:11-12

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.  Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

Philippians 3:20

 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ"

Great link with many scriptures about boldness.
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=boldness&version1=50&searchtype=all

Love and Sacrifice....Where Am I At?

Today’s Reading:  Mark 12:28-40

Love and sacrifice.  Those are the two words that come to mind after reading these scriptures.  And doesn’t love, true love, come through some sort of sacrifice?  Don’t we sacrifice for those we love?  If we don’t, then should we?  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and his sacrifice came because of his love for us.  His love for us was far greater than any type of suffering that he would have to endure.  Think about that last statement, his love was greater than any suffering when it came to making a way for us to be with him.  So if I am to follow Christ, if I am suppose to use his life as an example to live by, then what am I sacrificing?  I sacrifice for my children, for my husband, and for others, some I know and even some I don’t know, so how much more should I be sacrificing for Jesus?  If we are to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength, than should we be sacrificing with all our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength?  I can confidently, but regrettably say that I know without a doubt that I am not sacrificing enough for Jesus Christ.  He died for me, what am I doing for him?  Am I loving him enough?  Am I loving him more than my own life?

I leave you with these questions, because I myself am pondering these questions and where I am on my walk with Christ. 

Truth!

Today’s Reading:  Mark 12:1-27

I know that Jesus is the son of God and that he knows everything before it is spoken, but throughout these scriptures I am amazed at the intelligence and humbleness of his words.  He speaks to those that hate him, those that he knows will betray him with such truth and conviction.  What is he showing me here?  Maybe to speak the truth no matter whom I face?   He tells us many times in His word to stand on truth, but here he is showing us how.  When he told the parable, they knew he was speaking about them without ever calling a name.  Why?  Because speaking the truth will only reveal the truth in those that hear it.  Even when those deny it, like these men did, it still stirred the truth within them.  Sometimes I want so bad for people to see the truth, but my job is not to open the eyes and hearts of people, that God’s job, my job is to speak the truth and only the truth.  It is so easy to say what people want to hear, to say things that you know will not offend, to say things that may benefit you, but that is not the way it is suppose to be.  Again, Jesus never told us that following him would be easy, but as Christians, we can’t look for the easy path, we look for the right path, the true path----that is the only path that will lead us to Jesus.

As we live for Christ we will always have people trying to trip us up, trying to make us look bad, trying to cause doubt in our lives, but we have to live by the example that Jesus has set before us.  Again, speak the truth!  However, in order to speak the truth, we have to know the truth and that truth is in knowing God’s Word.  God pointed that out to some of the men that were questioning him in verse 24.  I will be the first to admit that I cannot begin to stand against the enemy without having the Word living inside of me.  Now I don’t mean that one needs to know the Bible from cover to cover, in fact, just knowing the story doesn’t make it truth within you.  I have learned that I have to read it, think on it, and seek Jesus to reveal the truth in what I have read, and I have to do this daily.  It is unbelievable how much better my day flows when I read God’s Word first and spend time with Him prior to starting my day.  I am not saying that those days are perfect, but I am able to handle the things that come my way.  Our strength comes from our faith in Jesus Christ and staying in his Word, the Truth, can only strengthen that faith.

I pray all the time for Jesus to please allow me to know the truth, for me to see through anything that is not of Him and reveal the truth of who he is in all that I do.  I know that Satan is right there trying to cover the truth, trying to confuse the truth, and trying to hide the truth from God's children, but he can only be successful if we let him.  We have to be intentional with whom we will listen to and I can tell you that Jesus will show us the truth when we seek him with our whole heart. 

Thank you Jesus for your Word of Truth---I cannot make it through this life without it!

THINK ON THESE THINGS!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.    Philippians 4:8

Alright, once again it has been a little while since my last post and I can definitely tell a difference in my walk with Christ because of it.  I have been reading the Bible and praying, but it is not the same as a commitment to truly studying God’s Word.  It is not about the ‘blog’, but about the accountability.  I have said it many times, but I will say it again…I cannot truly live for Jesus without completely immersing myself in Him.  I just can’t do it, and when I try, I get back off track.  I have to admit; I have let things get to me that I should have let God take care of.  I allowed myself to dwell on the negative words of others instead of moving on with my life with Jesus in control.  I know that Jesus led me in the direction of writing this blog in order for me to draw closer to Him and I am not going to let him down now!  So tonight, I am recommitting myself to writing regularly.  So here goes my latest thought…which turns out to be a big lesson that I have learned!

I cannot tell you how many times I have read Philippians 4:8, but until tonight I never realized how important that scriptures is.  Every scripture is truth, every scripture is inspired by God, and every scripture is a message that will assist us in deepening our relationship with Jesus, but God is revealing a truth within this scripture that will change your life when you apply it!  Think about this, what if we intentionally focused on the honest things, true things, pure things, and good reports?  What would happen?  So along with that question, I had to ask this question of myself….what am I thinking about?  What does my mind dwell upon?  There are so many bad things in this world and it is very easy to let those things take over your thoughts, but that is a ploy of Satan.  He thinks if he can put enough negative around us that we will focus on that and forget about all the good that surrounds us.  I have to admit that I am guilty of falling victim to this attack, but no more.  God has blessed me more than I deserve and no amount of negativity will ever be able to take that away from me.  So how will I do this?  I will have to depend on Jesus to fill my thoughts, but I will have to be very intentional with the focus of my mind.  I will write this scripture on index cards and place them wherever I can see them.  Instead of accepting the negative that is usually thrown in my face, I will seek out the good that Satan tries so hard to hide.  I will stand on truth because there is nothing else to stand upon!  I will think upon the good things of this life, live with virtue, and praise the Lord God with my words!

The Truth of God's Word!

Today’s Reading:  Mark 11

What a powerful chapter, so many lessons to be not only learned, but absorbed.  I have come to realize that I not only need to learn about the truth of God’s Word, but in order to live for Christ in this world I have to absorb it into every ounce of me. 

I think about the disciples that were ordered by Jesus to go into town that day and get the colt.  What were they thinking?  I am sure they thought it was a strange request, but they did it anyway.  How many times have I not done something that Jesus asked me to do because I didn’t understand?  I would probably be embarrassed if I added them all up.  I don’t know about you, but I have got to stop trying to figure everything out and just do what Jesus asks me to do---it is just that simple!  Then I try to imagine what it would be like to be there where everyone is spreading some type of covering on the road before Jesus.  In the midst of a crowd shouting “Hosanna in the highest”, while the Highest is passing before me.  Then I think He is here, he is right in the midst of everything I do, whether I acknowledge him or not---He is right here as I write these words.  And now I can’t help but cry because of two reasons---the thought that he is here and the thought of how many times I have failed to recognize him.   

How real he was in the temple that day.  How disappointed he must have been in what was taking place in the temple, his house.  Is he disappointed with what is taking place in my house?  Is he disappointed with what is taking place in our churches?  Our schools?  Our work places?  Our government?  My children and I pray every morning on the way to school and we make a point to pray that no matter where we go, no matter what we are doing we ask God to help us to remember him first in all that we do, to seek him before any decision and to guide our words, actions, and thoughts to conform to his will.  Now I know that my children and I do not have perfect days, but we say this to acknowledge that we serve Jesus Christ and that we know that we are not capable within ourselves to be good without Him living within us.  So while we mess up, I honestly think that we are not disappointing God.  While the church is a sacred place, I also think that as Christians our responsibility for conducting ourselves appropriately should follow us no matter where we find ourselves. 

As I read about the fig tree I couldn’t help but think about the fruit that I bear.  I so don’t want Jesus to find me useless to his kingdom.  Just to be perfectly honest, I want Jesus to think, ‘I love Rosanne, I wish she would listen to me more, but I see that she is being a witness and that she is striving to learn more about me, that she is growing in me each day.’  I know that my fruit may not be as bountiful and as beautiful as it needs to be, but I want Jesus to find me about his business, I want him to find me loving him more each day.  You know if I could tell Jesus one thing, I would tell him that I love him.  I am so grateful, so thankful for everything he has blessed me with, but in all honesty I just want him to know that I truly love him with all that I have in me.

The religious leaders of that time questioned Jesus’ authority----we should not be surprised when people question us and what we stand for.  The Bible is very plain when it speaks of the trials, tribulations, and persecutions that we as Christians will face.  We are to count it all as joy.  I will be the first to admit that the valley is no fun place to be, but praise God that I find myself there because of two reasons…It is truly the place in which I grow closer to Christ and I know I am living for Jesus when the world attacks.

So I covered more scripture than I usually do, but it just kept coming tonight and I thank God for the message that he gave me through these scriptures, His Words.  I continue to be amazed at his grace and mercy in my life.  I thank him for opening my eyes and my heart a little more today to see a little clearer His will for my life.  Thank you God for revealing the truth through your Word!

How Can I Thank Him Enough?

Today’s Reading:  II Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thank you, thank you, thank you father for the persecutions in my life, for although they may cause me strife and discomfort, compared to what Paul faced and what others around the world face each day it is nothing and with each trouble that I do face I will be reminded that it is not about me, but about you.  I am also reminded of what is written on this little bag that I tote around with me.  It has a red cross painted at the top followed by these words:

GOD LOVED THE WORLD SO MUCH THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON.  JOHN 3:16

THIS MESSAGE IS ILLEGAL IN 53 COUNTRIES.

RESTRICTED NATIONS: 40              HOSTILE AREAS: 13

I choose this bag to carry my everyday supplies of pens, pencils, sticky notes, paper clips, etc. for a reason.  I knew I would have it with me all the time and that I would be reminded of what a privileged life I lead simply because I do not have to live in fear of serving Jesus Christ.  That I never have to hide my Bible.  That I never have to worry about saying the name of Jesus.  That I do not have to hide to pray to my God.  That I do not have to seek a secret place to worship my Father.  How can I complain about one thing?  I can’t!

I will be the first to admit that I let things get to me a little too much sometimes.  That I try to take care of the situation instead of seeking Jesus for what I should do.  That I become very defensive, not so much about myself, as the people I love.  But that is what makes me human, that is my flesh, and that is what also keeps me grounded in your guidance and love.  It is just another reminder that I cannot do this on my own.  I cannot live this life without you.   My life is pointless if I don’t allow you in it.

So did I do everything right today? No!  But do I love Jesus more at this moment than I did yesterday? Yes!!!!  So once again I learn about the truth of James’ words…. “count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2).  It is these trials that draw us closer to Christ, that allow us to see the big picture a little clearer, and to deepen the love for others a little bit more.  Compared to others my persecutions, my trials, seem extremely insignificant, but to God they are not.  Not because of the specific trial or persecution, but because they affect me and he cares about that.  He loves me more than I will ever be able to comprehend and once again I thank him for his will in my life.  I thank him for the problems in my life because each one draws me closer to him and my dependence on him deepens with each one.

Bartimaeus, Just One Man

Mark 10:46-52

One short story about one man that was only mentioned once in the Bible, yet what I have learned from the story of Bartimaeus is immeasurable.  So I made a list of what I learned from him…

v  Seek Jesus! (Even if you have to shout his name.)

v  Don’t Ever Get Discouraged! (Keep on even when people are telling you to keep quiet.)

v  Run to Jesus When He Calls Your Name! (Even when it means you have to throw down everything else.)

v  Tell Jesus What You Want!  (He wants to hear from you---besides he already knows what you want in your heart anyway.)

v  Believe He Will Answer!  (And when it is not immediate, keep on believing.)

v  Follow Jesus! (But always remember that follow means you are letting Him lead the way.)

What faith Bartimaeus had in Jesus Christ, he never wavered in his faith, even though he could not see Jesus, he still knew he was there.  Jesus even told him that it was his faith that healed him.  Don’t you think that might me significant?  We can’t see him either, yet our faith should be just as strong as if he were standing right in front of us. 

Such a Time!

Mark 10:32-45

So have you ever knew that God was calling you to do something and you really didn’t want to do it, so you did everything mentally to convince yourself that it is really not what God wants you to do?  I mean something big, something that involves great change for my life, something that will force me to step out of my comfort zone.  Something that when I think about it long enough my heart begins to actually ache.  The words from Esther have continued to run through my mind for a very long time now and I am constantly reminded that Esther never chose her destiny---God chose her!

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14

Now I am definitely not seeking a royal position, however, I have thought many times why me?  Why can’t someone else step up and do something…why does it have to be me?  And then God reminds me…why not you?  I say I want to step out and follow the call of God, but is that just when I agree with what he is calling me to do?  So I think back to yesterday’s post---what have I left?  What have I gave up?  Am I just trying to convince myself that God has not asked me to give up something?  

Well I wrote this before I read today’s scriptures, and now after reading today’s reading I am drawn to the words of Jesus in verses 43-45… “Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

So what is the connection?  Esther could have enjoyed her life and never risked her life for the sake of others.  Jesus, although he was the son of God, also made the choice of giving his life for the sake of others…those others, the ransom for many that he spoke of, was you and I. 

I don’t want to just walk through this life and live day to day in the same routine.  I want to live my life to the fullest and that doesn’t always mean to live the way I want to.  I can only live this life once and I can only live it to the fullest when I give it, completely give it to Jesus and allow him to lead the way.  I have to let go of what I am trying to hold on to and step onto the path that Jesus is shining his light on.  It may be hard to see now, but I know with each step his light will shine even brighter and I will see it a little clearer!

Has Anyone Loved You More?

Today’s Reading:  Mark 10:17-31

So what have I left?  Have I left anything to follow Jesus?  Would I give everything away?  Would I give my life for him?  So many questions ran through my mind as I was reading these scriptures.  Does Jesus really intend for us to give everything away?  Does he really want us to leave the people we know and love?  The answer to me is yes and no.  If he calls us and specifically tells us to leave or to give something up we should, but we can’t just leave everything to proclaim that we are following him if he did not ask us to do so.  To me, Jesus’ directions for this man were literal and perhaps for others as well, but for all of us he is saying leave it, give it all away spiritually speaking.  What I mean is that he is telling us do not cling to the things of this world; do not put even those we love before him.  Jesus is telling us that although we obey all the rules, the commandments, that this alone does not pave the road to heaven.  We have to let go of what we think is important, we have to hold loosely to the things of this world and hold tight to our Father, Jesus Christ.  He is the only one who will never fail us, he is the only truth, and he is the only way through this world. 

Everything belongs to Jesus anyway, so why should I worry so much about giving things up or giving things away---isn’t he the one that blesses me with all that I have anyways?  Did you notice verses 29 and 30….. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields---and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.  Isn’t he saying that he will just continue to bless us, not just continue but gives us even more than we had once we give it up?  So why, why is he asking us to give things up?  He doesn’t need anything that we have, but he wants to know that he is first; he wants to know that he is our one and only great love.  He wants us to give up what we have so he can bless us by taking care of our every need.  However, notice the last part in parenthesis… ‘and with them, persecutions’.  I could not help but think of Paul when I read those words, we will be persecuted, we will face persecution in all that we do, but we have to stand as Paul stood with boldness and conviction.  His words in II Corinthians remind me of his deep conviction and love for our Savior.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (12:9-10)

With all this we have to rest upon Jesus’ final words in this message to his disciples…. ‘’and in age to come, eternal life.’  Isn’t that our goal, isn’t that why we chose Jesus, isn’t that why Christ died for us?  He loves us so much that he wants us to be with him in a home he has built for us for all eternity…has anyone loved you more?

Jesus Loves the Little Children!

Today’s Reading:  Mark 10:11- 16

Indignant --- feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy. 

And this is how Jesus felt when the disciples were saying something in protest to people bringing little children to Jesus.   We are all very valuable to Jesus, but little children most certainly hold a special place in his heart.  In fact, he tells us that we are to accept and believe him like a little child.  So what exactly does he mean by this and why did he get so upset with the disciples about these children?  I think about how a young child believes in Santa Claus and the excitement they feel when they know he is coming with presents to give.  These children have no doubt that he is real and that he will be bringing them gifts.  We should believe even more in our Father, Jesus Christ.  He is real, he is coming, and he gives us gifts every day.  I think Jesus was so upset with the disciples because they assumed that these children were not worthy of Jesus’ time, but Jesus knew not only were they worth his time, but that his ‘adult’ children could and should learn from the sincerity of these children.  I can’t help but think of how much I have learned from my own children, as well as, my nieces and nephews.  I have been able to experience Jesus even more by witnessing the unconditional love that these children show every day.  They have taught me not only unconditional love, but how to forgive quickly, how to love freely, and how to believe my prayers are answered the moment I speak them.  While we may feel that we have a responsibility to our children to raise them in a Godly manner, our responsibility to God is to watch and learn about him through our children.  We may think that our children should learn from us, but really we learn so much more through raising our children.  Like marriage, children are just another beautiful gift from our Father, and like every gift from God we need to give it right back to him.

Thank you God for my children, I have no words that could every express my gratitude for my two gifts.  They are growing up to be beautiful, Godly people and I know that it is only because I did make a commitment to give them back to you and ask that your will be done in their lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

And Two Will Become One!

Today’s Reading:  Mark 10:1-12

This is a tough one and a topic that people don’t really like to talk about, but just like everything else in the Bible it is God’s Word and his word is truth and that is what I will go with.  So instead of focusing on divorce and the effects of it, I want to focus on the beautiful relationship that God ordained called marriage.  The part that stands out to me the most is that through marriage two will become one flesh.  Think about that, two people will become one, and this was God’s design from the very beginning.  Genesis 2:23-24 records the response from man after God created woman…The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.”  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.  This is so beautiful to me, that this is how every man should feel about his wife and every wife should know that their husband feels this way about her.  God’s plan is for us to marry and stay married.  I know that things happen, but God’s plan for us is greater than anything else.  It is not just that this is some rule he has made up, it is that he knows what is best for us and he is trying to prevent any unnecessary hurt that could come our way through divorce.  Now I am no expert on marriage, but I do know from my own personal experience that marriage is not always easy, in fact sometimes it is downright difficult, but to me there is such a peace and a comfort to know that someone is going to be by my side no matter what is going on.  While I am a very independent person, I still long for the comfort of knowing that my husband is not far from my side.  I know that he will always take up for me, that he will always protect me, and that he will always love me even when the world doesn’t.  My marriage is not perfect, but when we put God first in all that we do it sure does make it much easier.

One of my favorite scriptures that describe how I feel about my husband can be found in the first chapter of Ruth.  I know that this is a daughter-in-law talking to her mother-in-law, but I gave this scripture to my husband on the day we got married and I just thought that I meant it then, but I mean it more today than ever before.  You know my husband will probably kill me for sharing this, but I just have to (he’s not a reader, so maybe he want read this).  Not too long ago he told me that he remembered thinking on our wedding day that he didn’t think it was possible to love someone so much, but now that love that he had for me on that day doesn’t even compare to how much he loves me now.  You just have to know my husband to realize how powerful that statement is.  I know without a doubt that he loves me, but he is definitely not the ‘mushy’ type.  Guess he is loosening up in his older age!

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.  Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.  Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”  Ruth 1:16 &17

Father, thank you for the gift of marriage and thank you for blessing me with Clay, he is a wonderful man of God, husband, and father who is so good to me and our children.  I thank you for bringing us together and allowing us to grow old together.  I will continue to give you my life, my marriage, and my family for your will to be done.  In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Don't Worry, Trust Jesus!

Today’s Reading:  Mark 9:33-50

Worry---that is what I thought after reading these scriptures.  Let me explain…it started off with the disciples arguing about who was the greatest among them---they were worried about each other and themselves as to who was better.  I can just hear them saying well I did this for Jesus or I know that Jesus loves me more because he asked me to do this or that.  Funny they wouldn’t tell Jesus what they were arguing about because you know he knew exactly what was said, what was thought, and they probably knew that too, but don’t we do the same?  I know I think things and even sometimes say things that I wouldn’t want Jesus to know, yet I do it anyway.  Why?  Usually because I am worried about something of the flesh---just as the disciples were doing.

We see next that the disciples were ‘worried’ about others that were doing miracles.  Maybe they thought that these people didn’t know enough about Jesus to be performing miracles.  Maybe they thought that others were not as prepared as they were to perform things in Jesus’ name.  Regardless of what they thought, they were worried that people, other than themselves, were performing miracles.

I don’t know about you, but I find myself concerned (this word sounds better than worriedJ) about things that don’t really matter, when I should be concerned only with hearing and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Listen to Jesus as he responds to all these actions.

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all.” (vs. 35)

“No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” (vs. 39, 40)

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness how can you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other.” (vs. 50)

Now Jesus said a lot more (make sure you read it all) but these things stood out to me.   Jesus was telling his disciples and he is telling us now to concentrate on him and do what we have been taught.   Quit worrying about who seems to be more important than you, quit worrying about what others are doing, quit worrying about what your flesh is telling you to do.  He wants us to serve, the world may be telling us (sometimes loudly) that we are last, that we are behind everyone else, but we have to concentrate on what Jesus is us---when we are serving---it is like serving him, hence making us first in his eyes and isn’t that what matters anyways?  I can’t speak for anyone but myself but I know that I am for Jesus and no matter what anyone ever says about me or does to me I will always be for Jesus and He knows that whether the world sees it or not.  Just as salt flavors bland food, Jesus is what gives me flavor and I so don’t want to be bland.  I want to be the salt of the earth, I want to serve and I want to love and I will do these not with everything that I have in me but with everything that God has placed in me.  I don’t know about you, but I am beginning to see things with the eyes of Christ and I am excited that he has given me this line of vision.  I feel myself pulling away from the ways of this world and the worries that are attached and more towards the will of God and that my friend is a feeling like no other!

"Listen to Him!"

Today’s Reading:  Mark 9:1-32

Well I cannot tell you how many times I have read through these scriptures and prayed for God to give me something to write about.  And what I feel is that the three words from verse 7 sum it all up… “Listen to Him!”  Something that I know in my mind I should be doing, something that I know I must do, but also something not as easy as it sounds.  Sounds simple huh?  Listen to Him! ---why can’t I just do that?  So why is it so hard?  It is hard because as much as the Holy Spirit is speaking to us; Satan is using everything in his power to go against every word spoken. 

Can you imagine the feeling that Peter, James, and John experienced when they were right there to witness not only Jesus transfigured and the presence of Moses and Elijah, but they heard the voice of God proclaim Jesus as his son… “This is my Son, whom I love.  Listen to Him!”  Something that is hard to even relate to, yet these disciples still did not always listen to Jesus.  They even failed him at times.  They even denied that they knew him.  I have to believe that they were like me in that they would be at a point where the power of God was so strong on them that they felt empowered to live boldly for Christ and then the world rises up against us and once again we fail Him….we don’t listen.

Life is hard, but living for Jesus Christ makes the hard times bearable.  Life will be hard no matter whom we choose to serve, but our life will only be fulfilled and complete when we give it to Jesus.  Just as the father of the boy with the evil spirit showed his unbelief by saying to Jesus “but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” we do the same thing when we don’t listen to him, when we don’t trust him with all that we have.  When I first read this I thought wow, this poor man is saying to Jesus “if you can do anything”, surely he doesn’t really know who Jesus is if he is doubting that he can heal his son.  But  don’t I do the same thing when I don’t listen to the Holy Spirit?  When I pray for something and then doubt that it will be taken care of, am I any different than this man?  No, I’m not!  This is no game and God was not playing when he said to listen to Him, in fact this is the most serious choice that any of us will choose to make.  This world will come to an end, but God will remain and if we choose him than we will remain with him as well.  We have to listen and we have to remember what Jesus told this man… “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  So while this life may be difficult, choosing Jesus as our Savior is simple…just ask him and once you choose him let him be your true Savior and listen to him!