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One small issue~one huge pain.

8/17/2017

I have this tooth that just once in a while hurts. For no reason it will just send me in orbit. Sometimes it's hot things, then it is cold things that bothers it. Others times it will just hurt. Today I go to the dentist. I'm not going to guess what's wrong. I am not going to ignore what's wrong. YES! I have prayed and ask God to heal it. I have faith. I also have a dentist. I have not had any issues with my teeth. God has blessed me with great teeth. I have taken great care of my teeth. It is just a small issue so it would be easy to ignore it. It's easy to handle things when they are small but small things have a way of turning into big problems.

Thinking about this God reminded me that it is the same way with sin. Oh, it's just a little white lie. Oh, it's just one untruth...one compromise. It was only one sin that took the rich young ruler from following Christ. It was just one lie that almost caused the King to take Sarai as one of his concubines. One compromise that destroyed Samson.

If we could ask Eve I think she would tell us one small issue caused great pain.

Samson’s commitment to God, through his Nazarite vow, was the key to his strength (Judges 16:17). The enemy constantly sought an opportunity to find out what would make Samson weak, but they failed to realize that Samson would become weak long before the locks of his hair were cut off. Samson’s undoing would prove to come through the portal of his eyes. In Judges 14:1-3; 16:1, we find the following statements, “saw a woman”, “I have seen a woman”, “for she pleaseth me well” (literally, is right in my eyes), “saw there an harlot”. The man who was renowned for his strength would be brought to his knees because he couldn’t harness his own fleshly desires.

Small things have a way of turning into big problems. Samson lost both his eye sight and his strength. He did not have to suffer in that manner. The pain of disobedience and, turning a deaf ear to the call of God, upon his life changed Samson. Obedience changed him once again.

Everyday we have an opportunity to nip things in the bud, or allow then to blossom. The choice is ours.

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Why do we do what we do?

8/16/2017

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“All behavior is purposeful,” (Sigmund Freud)

Knowing why we do, what we do, is of very little value in resolving emotional issues. Knowing what purpose, a behavior serves, will likely bring much more valuable information, and produce a more lasting change. For example I love Jesus so I obey Him. A greater driving force is "disobedience brings pain" emphasis mine. That is what I have always told my children their entire life. To this day, they still remember that little saying. No doubt I will hear them say the very same little saying, to their children.

Some people don't want to rush, so behaviorally they prepare ahead of time. Others don't want to be held accountable, so behaviorally they avoid making commitments.

King David didn't deal with his son. Eventually King David's son dealt with him because he wanted his fathers attention. Abraham had an affair with Haggar because he listened to his wife? or because he too was tired of waiting for the promised son? or to keep the peace with the wife?

Find out what you are desiring by the behavior you are displaying, and you will learn a lot about yourself. Why do you do what you do?

Ask God to search your heart.

Psalm 51:10 (KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

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The Sun will shine again.

8/15/2017

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Rainy days to me are for sleeping in and reading. Unfortunately, rainy days come on the days I have to work, and run errands, and meet with people. If only we could schedule our rainy days. The worst days to rain are your Wedding Day, or the day you have to bury a loved one. No wonder, when you are studying rain you are apt to find a scripture about rain in the book of Job.

Job 28:26 (KJV) "When He set a limit for the rain And a course for the thunderbolt,"

Job knew there was a limit to what he was experiencing. How about you? Do you realize there is a limit to what you are going through? God knows our frailty, and He knows our limits. He created us, and He is well aware of our weaknesses. The question remains then are we aware of His strengths?

There came a day when the sun shined again on Job. His losses were replaced with gains. I am sure as any father he often thought of all he lost. He probably thought of those beautiful sons, and daughters, that once ran to him with open arms yelling, "Daddy", that were instantly silenced. The sunshine doesn't make the memory of the rain go away. Those that have lost more than words can say in the recent flooding, do not forget the power of the deluge on a sunny day. Neither will we, that have lost forgotten what the bad days brought our way. However, God in His goodness brings us the warmth of the sun once again, and we remember the promises are as sure as the rainbow.

Today the sun may not be shining. Your body may not be what you want it to be. Your loved ones may not be in a good place, but God has placed you in the palm of His hand, and you are the apple of His eye. You are the reason, He sent His only son to earth. You are the one, He would leave the 99 for. Never forget the love of God toward us who believe. He knows what we can take. God knows what is best. Tomorrow the sun may shine again. Embrace the day. You need not embrace all the circumstances, but you are one day closer to the sun shinning again.

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A stranger

8/14/2017

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This past Sunday I got to spend some time with my two grandsons. I think they are the most fun-loving, out-going little guys; and they are to me. They see me and their faces light up. Most of the time they run to me, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw them turn away from people I know and love. I was a bit stunned and then I realized they didn't know they and had no way of just knowing who all these other people were. The scripture came to mind, "...depart from me I never knew you..." (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV)

My little grandsons had no way of knowing who these people were. Neither of them have recollection of meeting them, or had spent any time with them. My little guys hadn't read about them in the family Bible, or checked them out on Facebook, or talked with them even on the phone. So when approached they simply turned their head. My heart broke, because I wanted them to embrace the ones I loved. I wanted to share them, with their extended family who knew exactly who they were, and that they loved them; but that wasn't going to happen.

On the day that you meet God face to face is He going to know you? Have you read all about Him? Have you been personally introduced to Him, and recognize His voice when He speaks to you? Or will He hold up His hand and say, "Depart from me. I never knew you." Although this would be horrible, I wonder how many hold their spiritual hand up to God, and tell Him "no" everyday? They don't recognize His voice. They don't have a relationship with Him, so they turn away from Him like a child would a stranger. Some may be so hungry for attention, or help, they will turn to anyone...that's ok. He will not turn them away. But what about the arrogant ones that think they have all they need, or want, and God is not in that equation? He is just a distraction, or worse a reminder of what they are, what they have done, and what they have refused to accept.

On that day--"Judgement Day", I want to know the God of the Universe. I want to know my Maker and Creator. I want to know the one who gave His life for me. I may have never seen Him face to face but when I do...I will know Him, because when I see Him, I will be like Him, because I knew His voice, I studied His word, and I spent time in His presence. He was not stranger to me.

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The Well of Life

8/11/2017

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The well you drink from really matters. When I was a little girl we had well water. Daddy had plumbed the well water straight into our house. When the well was low we had to drawl water. We would take the bucket off the side of the well, and drop it into the well. The handle would spin around real fast as the bucket plunged toward the bottom. Soon the handle would stop spinning. Then we would begin to turn the wooden handle and, bring the bucket back up. It never failed, the bucket would be full. Then we would have to reach over the well, and pull the robe and bucket towards us, to empty the bucket into whatever container we brought with us, to the well. We never untied that old wooden bucket from the rope on the end. We never untied the robe from the handle, or rod that stretched across the well. No one ever told us not to, we just didn't. How did we know what to do? We watched our parents and others who were older, and when we grew-up--we just did what we saw them do.

Every morning I drawl from my spiritual well. I haven't let go of the bucket since the 1960's when I gave my life to Christ as a little Methodist girl. I walked away from the well, but always came back when I got thirsty. The well has never failed me. The bucket has never failed to bring up water. No one ever cut the rope. The handle has been very hard to turn at times. It seems is has taken all my strength to keep turning, and not let the handle slip, and spin out of control hitting the bottom again. But, the well has never run dry. It takes effort to go to the well. It takes the faithfulness of those that have gone before you to keep the well in tack, to keep the bucket and the rope and the well house in good working order. But, the well has never been dry.

It is interesting that there were five of us children in my family growing up. None of us ever had a cavity until we were grown up and moved away from the well. We all had great teeth. My one brother never had a cavity until after he was married. We were all healthy and rarely ever got sick. We got a bath every night. We ate out of the garden and brushed our teeth every night and every morning. It's the way we were raised. And the well never failed us. Mother washed clothes and hung them on the line to dry. We changed our bed clothes every week. the well never failed.

We were all a little afraid of the well. We never knew how deep it was. We were careful not to fall in and knew it wasn't a place to play.

The Lord will never fail us. The Holy Spirit is always there waiting for us to lower our buckets, and gives us strength to turn the handle, and bring up the bucket--but, we have to come to the well. By faith we lower the bucket. By faith we turn the handle. Everyday we can drink, we can bath, we can wash our clothes and brush our teeth and make ourselves clean and healthy. But, we have a part to play.

I never saw the water jump out of the well and into my mouth. I never saw the clothes clean and dry themselves. Some people think that it is all God's job. We can't just sit around and expect God to take care of it all. That is not how life works. You need to lower your own bucket, take a bath, brush your teeth, wash your sheets. God gives the well but you and I need to drawl from the well. If we do our part He goes above and beyond to bless us and keep us whole.

John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

I challenge you to get into God, into the word of God and then get it in you. I challenge you to go to the well daily. Let your bucket down and begin to turn the handle bringing the living water up, and pull it towards your container, and fill it to the full. Do what it takes to keep yourself clean and healthy. Yes, it works, it is life to those that find it, and use it.

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When you're empty then what?

8/10/2017

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When you are running on empty, God is up to some thing. But, it is simply not true! God did what He was going to do when He sent Jesus. Jesus said, "It is finished." So why do you and I go around as if we need something else?

I believe the work we as human being need to do is, "Renewing the Mind." No one wants to work everyday, but this is what it takes to be a successful Christian. Renewing our mind daily to the word of God, and the finished work on the cross, whether we feel like it or not. We may not notice mind renewal for a long time, but we will certainly notice it much sooner, if we do not renew our minds.

God doesn't just make suggestions in His word that we can decide to do, or not to do. If God speaks, He desires for us to listen, and obey, because He loves us, and wants what is best for us. Think about that today.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Life is tough. No one said it would be easy. But God promised to be with us until the end and then some. God knows what He is doing. If you have tried everything else? Try God. He is the only real way to make it through this life alive.

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A "Mercy Killing"

8/9/2017

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Yesterday was the day after my surgery. I felt like someone had stepped on a shovel and taken a large scoop out of my head and then sewed it back up. The feeling was a severe thumping headache, and the sensation that someone was pulling my hair out. Now in reality, I know that a small section was removed, and that the scalp had been sewed back together, and in time, the tight feeling and thumping would go away--but today, couldn't come to an end soon enough. What had been done to me was to prolong my life, not end it. It was a mercy killing. Kill the cancer and heal the person. Let the healthy live, and kill what had the potential to kill me. However, that is not how it felt. But, feelings lie.

Matthew 18:8 (NLT) "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet."

When we cut friends off, when we quit over-eating, taking drugs, drinking alcohol, or anything that we enjoyed or was part of our life style, and ask Jesus to take it away, it may be painful in the beginning, but the end is long life and health. It may even feel as if we are punishing ourself, or being punished. We may feel worse, not better during the process. However, soon we will recover.

Hebrews 12:11-13(NIV) "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Today if there is an area of sin in your life, ask God to remove it. Trust your Father in Heaven, because He loves you, and only wants the best for you. Trust God. He sent Jesus His Son to die for you, that you may live. What more could He do? God doesn't give us cancer, He can't. He doesn't have any. So also, God does not give us sin, or the desire to sin. That too, comes from the devil. Just like I trusted my surgeon to do me good and not harm, you and I must trust God. God is preparing a place for us so we can be with Him, that's how much He loves.

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The similarities between Cancer and Sin.

8/8/2017

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When I first went to the Doctor I only went because a friend of mine in Florida used to work for a skin doctor, and pointed out a place on my check she felt needed looked at. I waited about 2-3 years and decided okay, I would go. The spot she was concerned with was nothing, but another place was biopsied, and came back cancerous. They removed the cancer. Three months later I returned for another look over as I refer to it, and 2 more places were burned off and one area biopsied. Once again I had surgery. This time it was twice as deep and twice as many stitches. Now I am asking questions. The mark was very small on the surface, but very deep. I learned that basal cell cancer grows deep and for a long time before it shows up on the exterior of your skin. This reminded me of sin. Sin can lay dormant on the inside of people for a long time. Then when a person is promoted or challenged or put in a certain situation the sin appears. It was there all along, but it seemed to suddenly surface. Both come from hell. Both need to be exposed in order to be dealt with. We need to fight both, with the Word of God. The picture below shows how small an area can be and if we are not looking for it, or are ignorant to what it is, we can miss it.

Hosea 4:6 (KJV) "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge,..."

Today I resemble Frankinstien, but I am cancer free. Because a good friend confronted me with truth, I had removed what could of potentially done me great harm. We need to be so concerned with the sin we see in our own life, as well as in the lives of people we love, as if it were cancer. My friend loves me and wanted the best for me. I didn't heed her words for a long time, but eventually I did. She may have very well saved my life. How much more are we, or should we be concerned with the eternal destiny of those that are dear to us. If you have been praying for a friend and even talked to them about their spiritual condition, don't give up!

I am in a great deal of pain as I write this. However, in a few days I will be back to normal. This will all be a memory to me. The lesson I have learned, besides to come against generational curses (my father had skin cancer), is to be vigilant when it comes to sin. We are in a war, and we must not ignore even the slightest sign of sin in our lives. It may lurk within us doing great damage before we are aware of the hold it has on us and the damage already done. Take charge of your spiritual condition like you would your health, and refuse to compromise, or ignore a sign or symptom. Get help if you need it. Don't think it will just go away. It may cost you your life.

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Just do it!

8/7/2017

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While reading the book of Isaiah I imagine what it must be like to hear the voice of God, and know that I must answer the call. The call to go, and do, whatever it is that God impresses upon your heart is an awesome responsibility. Jonah ran from the call, and God was so determined to have His way, he prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. No doubt that is why we don't have a book of Jonah in the Bible. As a matter of fact, we don't really hear from Jonah after this incident. Isaiah didn't run he responded with, "Here I am, send me." We read about the coals that touched Isaiah's lips, and how he saw, not only his own unclean soul, but the condition of those around him. However, those coals felt and whatever mark he was left with, I wouldn't think could compare with being inside the belly of a whale. The stomach acid alone they say burned his entire body and left him forever scared. One thing we can determine from scripture, once you have been touched by God you are never the same. Moses looked upon the glory of God even after he was hid in the cleft of a rock and it still lit his face up enough that he had to wear a veil over his face. What about you? Have you been permanently changed since God touched your life?

Have you been touched by God? Have you heard his voice speak to you? Each of us is created with a purpose. God created us with a plan, and a purpose in mind. All we need to do is to seek Him, and allow Him to lead, and guide us to where He would have us to go. Hang out with the King of the Universe for a while this week. Talk with Him like you would a friend. Then listen to what He has to say. Once you have heard His voice and you know what it is that He would have you to do--do it immediately. Don't wait. Scripture tells us the fields are white with Harvest but the laborers are few. When wheat is about to die it turns white. the Bible is telling us we don't have time to waste when it comes to winning souls. I encourage you this week to make haste to obey God. Hurry to do what He asks of you. Immediate obedience with the right attitude will take you far. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

John 4:35(NIV) "Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."

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Do you want to inspire or impact?

8/4/2017

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It's great to be inspired, but to make an impact, action is required. Many people talk a great talk, but few people follow through, with the words they have spoken. Think about it. Some one tells you that they are going to lose weight, and get in shape. The next time you see them, they look the same. Even in the church it happens. You talk to some one, and they tell you how much they love Jesus, and how they want to serve Jesus, and the next thing you know they are bar hopping, and partner shopping.

I don't know about you but I don't want to be some one who inspires others, although that is good. I want to have a lasting impact on people. Goosebumps are great. Feeling like you can take on the world, are a great feeling. Driving the devil back and healing the sick are a whole lot better, than a goose bump.

When Apostle Paul spoke he made an impact on people. God backed Paul up because, Paul was walking in obedience to Christ. If we want to make an impact on people, culture, and the world for that matter, we must be walking in obedience to Christ. I wrote a song that says, "Wherever you go I'll go, whatever you say I'll say, whatever you teach, I'll teach and whatever You pray I'll pray..." The words to this song were birthed out of my prayer time with Him. I was singing my commitment back to Him. In being committed to Him, it made it easy to be committed, to those in authority over me. In keeping with that I know the things I taught in other countries, as well as here at home, have had, and continue to have, a lasting impact on the lives of others, and therefore a lasting impact on the culture at large.

So the question then remains. What are you going to do? Do you want to inspire or impact? The choice is yours. Wherever you are or wherever it is you are wanting to go, the first step to doing the latter is obedience to God and His Word. The choice is yours. God's Word has enough power to bring itself to pass without any other evidence in the five physical senses. All God asks us to do is seek and obey for there truly is no other way.