Friday, February 11, 2011

Calling Upon The Lord

The times I feel there is no way I can call on the Lord is so many that I can't even begin to count them. My sin is to bad, it is something God just won't forgive me for. What am I going to do now? I know He has turned away from me (although in truth I know He hasn't). I knew it was wrong but I did it anyway. Will God ever show His mercy? Have You rejected me completely, Lord?


Lamentations 5:21-22; "Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. v.22 But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us."

I am asking the Lord to restore me to Him so that I may be restored. If I feel God has left me, that is my thinking that He has. Hebrews 13:5; "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." It tells me right in God's Word that He will never leave nor forsake me. When I feel this way I know the best thing for me to do is to pray, pray, and pray. While I am praying I will also praise the Lord, He loves to hear my praise.

When I earnestly pray and I mean from the heart and I should do this everytime I do pray to the Lord, I am amazed at the feeling, the closeness, and the love I feel from the presence of the Lord. God wants me to feel this way all of the time.

There is no sin or deed that is so bad that I am not able to call upon the Lord. Romans 10:13; "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I just have to be willing to go to Him, I can never feel so embarrassed that I won't go to Him. God knows every single thing and thought about me anyway. There is no place that I would be able to hide that He wouldn't know where I am and what I am thinking. God knows everything and come to think about it I am so glad He does.

God knows when I get mad, when I envy, when I doubt, and if I just want to say 'no' to Him. It is better that I go to Him and talk to Him than to wait around and think He will forget what I have done, or forget that I got angry, that I had envy in my heart, that I doubted, or that I wanted to say 'no' to Him. In my case, waiting around makes it worse for me than if I go to Him in the very beginning.

Romans 8:39; "Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This Scripture tells us that should anyone fail in their spiritual life it isn't because of lack of divine grace and love. It will be from their own neglect to remain in Jesus. God's love has been shown clearly in Jesus and only in Him do we experience it. When we abide in Jesus as our Lord we can be certain that we will never be separated from God's love.

If there is ever a time you feel you can not go to the Lord in the time of need, please be reassured He is waiting for you to come to Him. There is nothing that you have or can do that is so bad that He wouldn't want you to call upon Him. He loves you always and He is always waiting for you to go to Him.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

All comments are welcome.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Boasting

I wonder how many of us have boasted about things we have done. I believe we as earthly beings we like to be boastful. As a child growing up my parents always told me it was not right for me to 'brag' as they called it, about myself. I was supposed to brag about others but not myself. I was told it was unbecoming to 'brag' about oneself. This has always stuck in my mind and I thank my parents for telling me this. By remembering what my parents told me I have kept myself from being ashamed that I would have given myself credit for something that I should not have.


James 5:16; "But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil." You might ask why is this evil. When we have set goals for ourselves and we have succeeded then we have the tendency to say we have done it. In all truth, by saying we have done it by ourselves this is completely wrong. We did not do this by ourselves but with the help of God. God may have had others involved in this also but we did not do it ourselves.

II Corinthians 12:5; "Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities." This is saying that we can boast about others but not ourselves unless we want to boast about our infirmities. It is better for us to give someone else tribute for what they have done than to ourselves. But we can tell people about our weaknesses.

II Corinthians 11:30; "If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." By telling about my weaknesses, I believe it is showing I am not a fool by boasting about myself and making others think I am better than what I am.

When I have done something I think is really neat I think to myself, 'God knows what I have done and should He think it should be acknowledged, He will do it in His own way and His own time.' I don't have to tell anyone about it. Perhaps God doesn't want me to be recognized for this deed I have done. Not that it wasn't important but for some reason He doesn't want me to have it right now. There isn't a thing wrong with that. I can still feel good about what I have done and not one person has to know about it. I would much rather feel good about it and not say a word to anyone than to feel I have sinned because I want others to know about what I have done. I would rather God look down at me and smile and know I have done something good.

Proverbs 27:2; "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." It is our own works that will praise us. When we have done what is good and worthy it is not for us to speak well of ourselves. By doing this it is an indication of pride. There may be a time that we would need to justify ourselves but it does not do us good to praise oneself.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

All comments are welcome.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Miracles

John 9:16; Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them."


This miracle happened on the Sabbath and people weren't supposed to work on that day but Jesus healed the blind man by spitting on the ground and making clay out of the spittle and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. Jesus told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. The man did this and went away seeing.

Jesus raises Lazarus. John 11:43-44; "And when he thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. v44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."

Aren't miracles just awesome? When I read of the miracles Jesus preformed I just get so excited. When I think about it, the miracles I hear of today really get me excited. Miracles happen every single day. Have you ever thought about the miracles that happen each and everyday? We take a lot of these miracles as just an every day occurrence, when we do this we really miss out on all the excitement.

There are two miracles that happen every day that I can think of at this moment. The first one is the birth of a baby. How great this is. This baby has been in a dark and secluded area for nine months and then when this baby is born it is a perfect human being that God has blessed us with. I say perfect because it is a perfect, loving, and wonderful being God has given us, one that He has created for us. Now sometimes this baby is not perfect in the sense that some think is perfect but to me since God gave this child to me or to someone it is the way God has allowed it to be. Something doesn't have to look or be perfect to be someone awesome. This child is to be treasured forever and to be taken care of by us, the ones God has given this child to.

What about the miracle when a woman has multiple babies at the same time? Wow, that is just an extra miracle on top of one. Praise the Lord.

The second miracle is the miracle of healing. I know there are healing miracles as Dave, my husband is living proof, Kendil, my granddaughter is another one, and Brian, my grandson is another one. Dave was healed of cancer in 1996 and he is still living. Kendil had the cord wrapped around her neck when she was born and was actually chocked to death, she was brought back to life and is still living and is now married with two children and is also a nurse. Debi and Jim, Brian's parents took him to the doctor as he was ill and the doctor immediately sent them to the hospital with congestive heart failure and was afraid he wouldn't make it to the hospital. Prayers were immediately sent to heaven and when they got him to the hospital the doctor wanted to know why they brought him in. The doctor said his heart was fine.

We have had many miracles in our family. I praise the Lord for each one of them. I believe we may have other miracles happen in our family but if we don't I won't be disappointed at all. You see, I know God loves us and He cares for us so much. He loved my family and your family before we even knew Him. It is because of His love for us that He gave His Son, Jesus to the world so that we could have a heavenly home with Him if we would believe in His Son.

We need to always keep our faith and love the Lord. We need to obey Him and keep His commandments. Romans 6:16-17; "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? v.17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you."

As a believer if we give ourselves to sin we will become a slave to sin but if we give ourselves to righteousness we will have everlasting life and be with the Lord.

Can we always expect miracles? Yes, there will always be miracles but that doesn't mean the miracle or miracles will happen to my family or yours but yes, I expect them. I hope that you will also.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

All comments are welcome.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Real Meaning Of Words

Do we really know what the real meaning of words are? Yes, sometimes we do but if we really concentrate on words will we come up with the true meaning? I have a few I wanted to share with you and hope you enjoy them.
LOVE - A strong affection, usually for a person. Matthew 5:44; "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" This is the kind of love God wants us to show. It is always easy to love someone that will love you back but an enemy doesn't want to love you.

Love is to show kindness and admiration to someone that is different than yourself. So many times we think everyone should be perfect in looks and one that can speak well but God has made each of us different, the way He wants us to be.

SORROW - Mental suffering caused by loss or disappointment; sadness, grief, or regret. That which produces suffering. Isaiah 25:8; "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it." All the sorrow, misery, and death will be removed from God's future kingdom. Just like a caring parent, God will wipe away the tears from the eyes of His children, there will be no need for grief and for the tears.

INNOCENCE - Blameless, freedom from sin, evil, or guilt. When we choose to obey the Lord and do His will it can give us a sense of innocence. We must believe in, love, and obey Him. Job 22:19; "The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them scorn."

DEPARTURE - A departing; going away; leaving. Psalm 18:21; "For I have kept the ways of the Lord. and have not wickedly departed from my God." Should we falter but ask God for forgiveness and guidance He will forgive us and guide us so we have not departed from our Lord.

PAIN - Penalty, punishment, the sensations one feels when hurt, suffering, great anxiety, grief. Revelation 21:4; "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain" for the former things are passed away." The pain, anguish, sorrow, and tears we have here on earth will be gone for good when we are in our forever home.

RESPECT - To feel or show honor or esteem for; consider or treat with deference or courtesy, to show consideration for. Psalm 119:6; "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." The commandments refer to rules and regulations that express God's authority and will for His people and that He expects us to obey.

COMPASSION - Sympathy, to feel pity, sorrow for the sufferings or trouble of another or others, with the urge to help. Matthew 14:14; And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." Many of the people were sick, He had compassion for them and healed them. Jesus did this many times. He also had compassion on the crowd as they had followed for a long time and were hungry and He fed them.

FRIENDSHIP - The state of being friends. Attachment between friends. Friendly feeling or attitude. James 2:23; "And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." He could not have been called the friend of God had there not been a friendship.

PATIENCE - Act of being patient, the will or ability to wait or endure without complaint, endurance, or perseverance in performing a task. Romans 5:3; "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;" Tribulations in our life refers to all types of trials that may cause us anxiety. This may include financial problems or a physical need, persecution, loneliness. But we have the promises that God will always be with us and help us through these times.

DIVINE - Given or inspired by God; holy; sacred. II Peter 1:3; "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" God has everything worked out for us who love, obey, and call upon Him for guidance. Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

RESCUED - To be freed or saved from danger, freed from imprisonment, evil. We have been rescued from the evil one through Jesus Christ. John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It is awesome that God loved us enough to give His Son, Jesus and just as awesome that Jesus was willing to die for our sins. He did this for us before we ever knew Him.

These are words that we probably use everyday and perhaps this has helped you know the importance of each of them.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

All comments are welcome.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Isaiah 55:8

Isaiah 55:8; "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord".


Our thoughts are not the same thoughts God has. So many times our thoughts are on the worldly things. People have become so involved in the worldly things that they have forgotten about the heavenly treasures. We fail to see the treasures here on earth are just that, we aren't able to use the worldly treasures in heaven.

Have you ever wanted something really bad and you prayed and prayed for this? I have many times. Then I have heard this little word "wait". When I hear this word I think to myself, have I been wanting something God doesn't think is so important? Not necessarily. It just might be God saying it isn't the right time.

Even though I may be disappointed I am glad I heard the Lord speaking to me. You see I know He is looking out for me, that it just isn't to be right now but maybe down the line I will have what I was praying for or I may never get it.

I believe waiting on the Lord is very important. Whether it be for something I am wanting or waiting upon the Lord for Him to do His will. Or He may be waiting on me to do His will. I Peter 3:17; "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." Even though what I was praying for was not evil or bad perhaps it could have led into something that was not good. This is one very good reason not to get angry with the Lord if we don't get what we want.

If we wait on the Lord, turn away from evil in word and deed and if we just pursue the peace and the will of God we will have something special. Our life will be full of God's favor and blessings. We will certainly experience the close presence of God and we will have His help and grace. We will have God's answers to our prayers, they may not be exactly what we were wanting but who knows best, God or us?

When we want something really bad and it is not to be, have you ever thought God might be telling you there is someone outside of your family, friends, or neighborhood that is needing something? Maybe this is God trying to get our attention so that we could help someone else in real need. I have found with myself that at times I want something but I don't need it, I just want it and I have started thinking lately that maybe God is trying to tell me to look around to see what I can see. We need to use our eyes to try to see things instead of just looking. It is like having ears to hear but not really listening. There are people that are in real need and actually why should I not try to help them? God has provided for me for years so why shouldn't I be willing to help someone that needs it? It would be one way for me to help God help someone that needs it. This doesn't mean I have to give up anything except something that I want that I don't really need. But if I did have to sacrifice something what would be wrong with that, didn't Jesus sacrifice His life for me so that I could have a home in heaven?

When we do things for someone we need to have our heart in the right place. We can't do something for someone and then think we have really done something great. We should never brag or give ourselves glory for it. We must want to do it. It is better that we work for the Lord and seek what His will is for us and not seek self gratification. God will give us the peace, happiness, and satisfaction He believes we deserve. God is a gracious God, there is no other like Him.

Why not work for the treasures in our heavenly home? They will last forever and we won't have to worry about anyone taking them from us. Praise God.

I Peter 5:6; "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:" We should never be afraid to humble ourselves to the Lord. It is better for Him to exalt us than for us to exalt ourselves. We will have our reward when the time is right and not before.

The next time you want and pray for something and you do not receive it why not send praises up to the Lord as He knows best? He loves you and wants you to have what is really necessary and some things that aren't.

Thank you for stopping by and may you know the peace of the Lord. Blessings!

All comments are welcome.