Dear Readers,
The following article was not written by me. It was shared with me by my mother and it was like a heart hug and brought tears to my eyes and JOY to my heart. So, I thought it would be perfect to share with you this Christmas season as a reminder of what we have in a committed unity with Jesus Christ, and what astounding and overwhelming wonder there is to come.
Read on...
THE JOY OF JESUS by R.T. Kendall.
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy Name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Psalm 89:15-16.
If you think you are going to be happy when Jesus comes the second time, let me tell you that it will but like crumbs from the table compared to the joy our Lord will have on that day. Parents, what makes you happy on Christmas Day? Is it not seeing your children happy? When I watch my son or daughter open a present that they had hoped for, and I see their joy, it is my joy. I delight in just seeing their faces. And that is what makes our Lord's joy complete. His joy comes not only from what He did or from pleasing His Father but also from seeing the expressions on our faces when we see Him.
What was it like on Easter morning when Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene? Do you know why He appeared to her first? I suspect Mary Magdalene took it the hardest when Jesus was betrayed and crucified. Oh, the joy Jesus felt when He could see her as she wrapped her arms around Him. He had to say, "Stop clinging to Me." There was joy that Jesus felt when He could say to Peter, "It's all right." For Jesus knew how Peter felt when he wept his heart out (Matthew 26:75). Jesus wanted to go to Peter and say, "It's okay." There were those disciples in the upper room. They had forsaken the Lord in the last hour; now they heard that He was alive and they were so ashamed. But what joy Jesus had in going to the disciples to say, "Peace. Peace. It's all right. It's okay." And when they saw Jesus meant it - that He held no grudges, but absolutely and totally forgave them - what joy they felt! What joy He felt in seeing them accept His forgiveness!
(Taken from a Daily Devotional book called "Treasures of Wisdom".)
Readers, ideally, at this time of year, our thoughts are cast toward Jesus and the gift He was and is from God moreso than ever before. For those of you who know Him, share Him!!! Tell your family and friends, tell an acquaintance or a stranger. SHARE HIM!!!! Not only is it our obligation as Christians, but it should be our uncontainable desire and JOY to do so!
For those of you who do not know Him, He is waiting, with open arms for you to accept Him, and in turn share in the JOY that comes from a life of knowing Him as Lord and Saviour. You won't regret it! :-)
NOTE:- The author of the above piece wrote a book called "The Parables of Jesus". Highly recommended reading for anyone who does, or has struggled with understanding some, or all, of the parables told by our Lord. (**hand shoots up in the air...Me - Me!!) A very, very good book.
Now, from me, Dearest Readers...
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I still feel so new to this whole blogging thing, but in the short time I have been at this I have felt so blessed by you, your thoughts, prayers and comments - those directly here to my blog, and those who have commented on FB, Twitter and personally to me by TEXT message. (I've been challenged too, and as a Christian looking to continually grow in my faith, I welcome that!) Thank you to each and every one of you who have taken the time to read and comment on my posts. I look forward to where God will guide me through writing in 2012, and hope you will continue to travel this literary road with me.
Have a truly wonderful and blessed Christmas, and a safe and healthy New Year - 2012. Be a blessing to others in Jesus' Precious and Beloved Name, and take care of yourselves. God bless.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Monday, 19 December 2011
Sunday, 4 December 2011
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY...
Focus point taken from a Devotion by - ( (c) Edward Hindson, D.Phil. & Edward Dobson, Ed.D.) - source, "The Knowing Jesus Study Bible".
People want to be in charge of their own lives. This theme began to unfold in the Garden of Eden, when humanity first turned away from God. God created a perfect world and placed man (Adam) and woman (Eve) in the Garden of Eden. In the entire garden there was only one tree whose fruit they were forbidden to eat - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told them that, if they were to eat the fruit from that tree, they would die. Adam and Eve were not innately prone to sinful choices, nor were they surrounded by temptation in an evil environment or victims of dysfunctional backgrounds. They were sinless people in an idyllic environment - and still they chose to disregard God and indulge in sin.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS FOCUS POINT?
Sometimes it's hard to imagine two people who had everything, including freedom and a sin-free existence, could so completely mess it up. I've often thought on Adam and Eve and wondered primarily why God put the tree in the garden in the first place...it was almost like being shown every day something you couldn't have. If it was detrimental to Adam and Eve to touch it and eat it, why was it there? Why couldn't God have put it somewhere else, out of their sight? Surely, because He created them, He was aware of their human weaknesses? Right?
This is the approach I take with my life sometimes...actually I am smack-bang in the middle of that right now! - wishing for the easy way that requires no effort or commitment on my part. God is more than aware of my weaknesses, but He allows temptation (He doesn't tempt us, but He will sometimes allow the things or people around us to be a temptation) as a way of strengthening me and my resolve as a Christian, and teaching me to rise above them in His strength - not as a way of teasing me into falling headlong into a place I should go, but as a way of building my character and my Christ-like-ness.
I suppose we can get caught up in thinking that because Adam and Eve were the first people to walk the earth that they were perfect...completely, utterly and unequivocally perfect. But what we must remember is that although they were the first and, as the authors of the above piece say, were void of all hurdles we can lay claim to as to why we do the things we do, they were still mere humans! They were not gods, they were not equal to their Creator God in any way. They needed to be taught and guided and shown and warned and told, just like we do. They needed instructions and they needed to know they had to follow them, that they were for their own good! It was no different for the angels God created, who were required to do His will. If that was the way it was for the angels why would it be different for the first man and woman?
If we think back further, before the Creation and remember an angel who fell because he wanted to be in charge, and run his own existence, and be God! - Satan - we see another act of disobedience and rebellion. Like Adam and Eve who came after him, Satan was also banished from what should have been his perfect paradise home.
For whatever reason - and who are any of us to question Him? - God did put the tree there and said don't touch! He set boundaries and made it clear what they were and what would happen if they were crossed...and Adam and Eve still crossed them. By whatever human reasoning - and that is a powerful tool, isn't it? - they did what God said not to do. We parents know sometimes we have told our kids 'don't touch' and when they have asked why we answer, 'Because I said so!' We all have at some point in our lives, disobeyed the will of God, and in days to come we still will.
And on top of it all, when they were found out they played the blame game. Adam blamed the woman and God. Eve blamed the serpent. In the wording of Genesis Chapter 3, I don't think either of them actually owned their mistake. Neither of them took responsibility. Neither of them even said they were sorry. They just made excuses.
Genesis 3:11-13;
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman You put here for me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
When God asked; "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?", Adam didn't say, "Yes, Lord." He said, "She made me do it, the one You gave me." When God said to Eve; "What is this you have done?", she didn't say, "I ate from the tree when I shouldn't have." Instead she said, "That snake lied to me." And God wasn't asking because He didn't know, He was asking to see if they would tell the truth and take responsibility.
I think also they were complacent and naive, and many of us still are, about the seriousness of God's commands, believing that He didn't really mean it, or He changed His mind...because He loved them, adored them, enjoyed having them around. Perhaps once they realised that they'd made a right mess of things they thought God would be upset - rightly so - perhaps angry even, before giving them a good talking to and that would be the end of it. But instead they lost everything. All the beauty and wonder and perfection God had given them was taken away from them again. God's judgement is sure and severe, and we all need to remember that. It doesn't mean He stops loving us, or loves us less, but He is a perfect God commanding righteousness from His creation - us! Of course, when we foul up, we are forgiven when we repent and turn away from our sins, and as long as we live we are given one second chance after another, but there are still consequences to anything we have done. A large percentage of people now languishing in prisons around the world are living the consequences of their stupid, ill-thought out choices.
HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
These things can be applied by owning up to our mistakes instead of trying to hide from God. And doing so, not because He can see into our hearts and knows them anyway, but because we love God and want to obey and honour Him with Christ-like living. And instead of wishing God would make our life easier by taking temptation out of our way completely, we can grow in His strength toward continuously being able to resist the temptations we are faced with through the strength of the Holy Spirit within, and growing as a person, as sons and daughters of the King.
Hugs - Jeanne.
People want to be in charge of their own lives. This theme began to unfold in the Garden of Eden, when humanity first turned away from God. God created a perfect world and placed man (Adam) and woman (Eve) in the Garden of Eden. In the entire garden there was only one tree whose fruit they were forbidden to eat - the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told them that, if they were to eat the fruit from that tree, they would die. Adam and Eve were not innately prone to sinful choices, nor were they surrounded by temptation in an evil environment or victims of dysfunctional backgrounds. They were sinless people in an idyllic environment - and still they chose to disregard God and indulge in sin.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS FOCUS POINT?
Sometimes it's hard to imagine two people who had everything, including freedom and a sin-free existence, could so completely mess it up. I've often thought on Adam and Eve and wondered primarily why God put the tree in the garden in the first place...it was almost like being shown every day something you couldn't have. If it was detrimental to Adam and Eve to touch it and eat it, why was it there? Why couldn't God have put it somewhere else, out of their sight? Surely, because He created them, He was aware of their human weaknesses? Right?
This is the approach I take with my life sometimes...actually I am smack-bang in the middle of that right now! - wishing for the easy way that requires no effort or commitment on my part. God is more than aware of my weaknesses, but He allows temptation (He doesn't tempt us, but He will sometimes allow the things or people around us to be a temptation) as a way of strengthening me and my resolve as a Christian, and teaching me to rise above them in His strength - not as a way of teasing me into falling headlong into a place I should go, but as a way of building my character and my Christ-like-ness.
I suppose we can get caught up in thinking that because Adam and Eve were the first people to walk the earth that they were perfect...completely, utterly and unequivocally perfect. But what we must remember is that although they were the first and, as the authors of the above piece say, were void of all hurdles we can lay claim to as to why we do the things we do, they were still mere humans! They were not gods, they were not equal to their Creator God in any way. They needed to be taught and guided and shown and warned and told, just like we do. They needed instructions and they needed to know they had to follow them, that they were for their own good! It was no different for the angels God created, who were required to do His will. If that was the way it was for the angels why would it be different for the first man and woman?
If we think back further, before the Creation and remember an angel who fell because he wanted to be in charge, and run his own existence, and be God! - Satan - we see another act of disobedience and rebellion. Like Adam and Eve who came after him, Satan was also banished from what should have been his perfect paradise home.
For whatever reason - and who are any of us to question Him? - God did put the tree there and said don't touch! He set boundaries and made it clear what they were and what would happen if they were crossed...and Adam and Eve still crossed them. By whatever human reasoning - and that is a powerful tool, isn't it? - they did what God said not to do. We parents know sometimes we have told our kids 'don't touch' and when they have asked why we answer, 'Because I said so!' We all have at some point in our lives, disobeyed the will of God, and in days to come we still will.
And on top of it all, when they were found out they played the blame game. Adam blamed the woman and God. Eve blamed the serpent. In the wording of Genesis Chapter 3, I don't think either of them actually owned their mistake. Neither of them took responsibility. Neither of them even said they were sorry. They just made excuses.
Genesis 3:11-13;
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman You put here for me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
When God asked; "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?", Adam didn't say, "Yes, Lord." He said, "She made me do it, the one You gave me." When God said to Eve; "What is this you have done?", she didn't say, "I ate from the tree when I shouldn't have." Instead she said, "That snake lied to me." And God wasn't asking because He didn't know, He was asking to see if they would tell the truth and take responsibility.
I think also they were complacent and naive, and many of us still are, about the seriousness of God's commands, believing that He didn't really mean it, or He changed His mind...because He loved them, adored them, enjoyed having them around. Perhaps once they realised that they'd made a right mess of things they thought God would be upset - rightly so - perhaps angry even, before giving them a good talking to and that would be the end of it. But instead they lost everything. All the beauty and wonder and perfection God had given them was taken away from them again. God's judgement is sure and severe, and we all need to remember that. It doesn't mean He stops loving us, or loves us less, but He is a perfect God commanding righteousness from His creation - us! Of course, when we foul up, we are forgiven when we repent and turn away from our sins, and as long as we live we are given one second chance after another, but there are still consequences to anything we have done. A large percentage of people now languishing in prisons around the world are living the consequences of their stupid, ill-thought out choices.
HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
These things can be applied by owning up to our mistakes instead of trying to hide from God. And doing so, not because He can see into our hearts and knows them anyway, but because we love God and want to obey and honour Him with Christ-like living. And instead of wishing God would make our life easier by taking temptation out of our way completely, we can grow in His strength toward continuously being able to resist the temptations we are faced with through the strength of the Holy Spirit within, and growing as a person, as sons and daughters of the King.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
A CALL TO PRAYER......Dear Fellow Prayer Warriors, In Sydney, Australia this Saturday, December 3rd, at 12 midday a rally will be held for what is being termed the demand for "Marriage Equality". Basically the Homosexual community is calling for Australia to join the ranks of more than a dozen other countries who recognise and accept (and condone) the marriage of two same-sex individuals. Our current stand against this is being called outdated. Any Christian knows where God stands on this issue - but it seems for some the words 'detestable' and 'abhorrent' have escaped their understanding. (Read all of Leviticus chapter 18.) Or perhaps for some that is just one of those parts of the Bible they choose not to believe. In the eyes of the world Australia's stand against gay-marriage may well be outdated, but not in the eyes of God. God does not change His mind to suit a modern world. (Malachi 3:6.) I am not usually a campaigner, or a person who makes a big noise about anything in the political arena, but this is striking a nerve with me. Please, come together in prayer over this; for my country, for a united stand for Christian and Biblical beliefs, for my own, yours and our joint, personal stand in adherence to God, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you, and God bless. P.S. Pray also for safety for those attending....these things do tend to get out of hand.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
PRAYER AND SHARING GOD...
We are all weak and powerless, and filled with fear.
We are all weak without God.
This describes so many of us in all walks of life, no matter our circumstances or situation. When fear strikes us in whatever personal form that takes - for me it's dogs - we hide, we are paralysed, we back away, sometimes we run.
In some situations people face in their lives even our church doesn't know how to help...each other or other people. Just like each individual, the church needs the power of God in order to help and guide itself and others. The church needs God's power.
We - the church - cannot do anything without the power of God.
How often do we try, though? I know I go about my life, my day, so often under my own strength and the result is always a colossal mess. That's coupled with feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, the overwhelming desire to hide or run away...yeah, at my age!!! However, recently I have found - perhaps because I am more aware of this shortfall in me than I used to be, and most definitely because God refuses to give up on me - that following close on the heels of this mess-making caper I keep embarking on, is the sense of relief when I realise (finally) that God is right there, waiting to take over and fix my mess, and take charge of the rest!
Sadly society is having more of an impact on the church than the church is impacting on society. How frightening is that? Media attention is freely given to those who speak out about their disbelief, but whenever any attention is given to the church through the media it is usually from a negative viewpoint. In the celebrity circles there are numerous Christians, or people of faith, but it seems very few of them are even willing to speak out about their belief, for whatever reason. Perhaps they are afraid of its effect on their celebrity status or careers. Perhaps they are fearful of the reactions from their peers. After all, the world is just a big 'ole High School, right? And as one secular song suggests High School Never Ends! Whatever the reason, it's a sad state of affairs when they have at their disposal a fantastic platform for the spreading of God, His Word, and His Kingdom, and they are not using it, or certainly not as they should be.
Even as ordinary, everyday, un-famous people we should still take every oppotunity presented to us BY GOD to speak out about our own beliefs. Do we? Are we afraid too? Okay, confession...I know at times I am!!! I admire the candour of the minister at my own church who reveals to us even his own fears of this. It happens to all of us at some point or another, but the difference in his case is that, more often than I do, Vince (my minister) pushes forward anyway, despite the fear!
I remember years ago I had a friend who lived in another state, and we spoke often on the phone. She was a Christian I found out months after getting to know her, but she revealed to me that she didn't want anyone to know. She had her reasons...we all do for whatever form our short- or long-term hesitation takes, whether they are valid or not. Fear, I believe, will remain the greatest of these. Fear of rejection because of our faith, of mocking and humiliation, fear of persecution, fear of finding ourselves standing all on our own outside the popular group or the charmed circle...I could go on, this is a long list!
We need to remember again to draw on the power of God within us...the same power that rose Christ from death.
We need to know God's power to experience the Lord's power in our lives. We mustn't try to live relying on our own power and strength. Satan wants to get control of our children, our family and friends, and us. We need to encourage our children and the people around us to turn to Christ, get to know Christ, to accept Christ...we need to get to others through Christ before Satan gets to them. And whether those very people want to know it or not, the truth remains that a life apart from Christ is a life in allegience of Satan! Anyone who does not accept and follow Christ, sins against God and rejects Him, whether they are a good person or not, whether their lives are an action by action itinerary of good works or not!!! The misconception of evil is that it is only the ugly, the heinous, the abhorrent, but anything that keeps us apart from a relationship with God is all those things to Him...it is rejection of Him. Anything less than the acceptance of Jesus Christ is sin against God.
"Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions" by Elmer L. Towns gives this answer to the question 'What is sin?'; Sin is an act, attitude, or response against the Person or law of God. No acceptions!
T.V., music, newspapers, magazines...any media outlet is bombarding our young people with immorality and evil. And so much is being passed off as acceptable. The censorship scale is being widened allowing in more depravity, not only on a world-wide arena but in our own homes as well. Children and young adults need the power of God to break free of this, and to live successfully in this life. Really, I think this applies to anyone of any age. There are men and women, church leaders, people (including Christians) in every area of life and in any age group, who are influenced by the effects of the media, and most especially today by the internet.
We will continue to repeat our mistakes if we don't have God to guide us right, and if we don't pay attention to that guidance - we stay with what we know if that is all we know! Those in prisons are a great case in point. I've encountered inmates, through Crossroad Bible Institute, who before coming to Christ admitted that they would go back to their old ways if they were freed because it was all they knew. It is our responsibility to show them that there is something new for them to strive toward. As Christians we need to speak out to these people, to anyone who lives apart from Christ and through the power of God within us show them a new way...the ONLY way.
We need to confess our needs to God in prayer, and show people that they can do the same. We all have needs, and whilst it is good to pray for others we need also to pray for ourselves and bring our needs, troubles, confusions and our desire to grow ever closer to Him, before God. Our joys and happiness too, of course. God wants it all.
Before you can solve a problem you must first recognise the cause. Some of the reasons why we may struggle in our day to day life, and through the trials life throws our way, are:-
*Unbelief
*Doubt
*Little faith
*Too much faith in past victories!
That last one forces accountability, doesn't it? I've experienced that! :-( I've had successes in the past and then the next time tried to march forward on the wake of that rather than on the power of, and the ability presented by God.
Instead we need to have faith through God, confindence through God. I heard a saying; "Pray and doubt and you do without. Pray and believe and you will receive."
PRAY!!!
Spend time in prayer before doing anything. Seek God. Prayerlessness is a cause for lack of faith. Where there is little prayer there is little faith. All too often we lack faith. Our failures are God's reminder to rely fully on His power. Jesus has complete dominion over Satan and his followers. Satan just doesn't know when you're dead lie down!!! As Christians we should want and desire to see more people saved....to see ALL people saved.
Have faith in Jesus. Bring it all to Jesus. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome everything - problems, temptations, etc. Consider these things that can bring us into a deeper faith.
*Remember what Christ has done.
*Read God's Word.
*Share our own experiences of God.
*Ask God for stronger faith.
*Ask God to cast out our doubt.
*Claim God's promises.
God cannot lie! Return to the promises of God all throughout His Word.
Have faith, of course, but also be persistent in prayer. Have regular prayer time. Prayer is an acknowledgement of not only God, but God's power. Pray and believe, and the faith, insight and wisdom will come.
Hugs - Jeanne.
We are all weak without God.
This describes so many of us in all walks of life, no matter our circumstances or situation. When fear strikes us in whatever personal form that takes - for me it's dogs - we hide, we are paralysed, we back away, sometimes we run.
In some situations people face in their lives even our church doesn't know how to help...each other or other people. Just like each individual, the church needs the power of God in order to help and guide itself and others. The church needs God's power.
We - the church - cannot do anything without the power of God.
How often do we try, though? I know I go about my life, my day, so often under my own strength and the result is always a colossal mess. That's coupled with feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, the overwhelming desire to hide or run away...yeah, at my age!!! However, recently I have found - perhaps because I am more aware of this shortfall in me than I used to be, and most definitely because God refuses to give up on me - that following close on the heels of this mess-making caper I keep embarking on, is the sense of relief when I realise (finally) that God is right there, waiting to take over and fix my mess, and take charge of the rest!
Sadly society is having more of an impact on the church than the church is impacting on society. How frightening is that? Media attention is freely given to those who speak out about their disbelief, but whenever any attention is given to the church through the media it is usually from a negative viewpoint. In the celebrity circles there are numerous Christians, or people of faith, but it seems very few of them are even willing to speak out about their belief, for whatever reason. Perhaps they are afraid of its effect on their celebrity status or careers. Perhaps they are fearful of the reactions from their peers. After all, the world is just a big 'ole High School, right? And as one secular song suggests High School Never Ends! Whatever the reason, it's a sad state of affairs when they have at their disposal a fantastic platform for the spreading of God, His Word, and His Kingdom, and they are not using it, or certainly not as they should be.
Even as ordinary, everyday, un-famous people we should still take every oppotunity presented to us BY GOD to speak out about our own beliefs. Do we? Are we afraid too? Okay, confession...I know at times I am!!! I admire the candour of the minister at my own church who reveals to us even his own fears of this. It happens to all of us at some point or another, but the difference in his case is that, more often than I do, Vince (my minister) pushes forward anyway, despite the fear!
I remember years ago I had a friend who lived in another state, and we spoke often on the phone. She was a Christian I found out months after getting to know her, but she revealed to me that she didn't want anyone to know. She had her reasons...we all do for whatever form our short- or long-term hesitation takes, whether they are valid or not. Fear, I believe, will remain the greatest of these. Fear of rejection because of our faith, of mocking and humiliation, fear of persecution, fear of finding ourselves standing all on our own outside the popular group or the charmed circle...I could go on, this is a long list!
We need to remember again to draw on the power of God within us...the same power that rose Christ from death.
We need to know God's power to experience the Lord's power in our lives. We mustn't try to live relying on our own power and strength. Satan wants to get control of our children, our family and friends, and us. We need to encourage our children and the people around us to turn to Christ, get to know Christ, to accept Christ...we need to get to others through Christ before Satan gets to them. And whether those very people want to know it or not, the truth remains that a life apart from Christ is a life in allegience of Satan! Anyone who does not accept and follow Christ, sins against God and rejects Him, whether they are a good person or not, whether their lives are an action by action itinerary of good works or not!!! The misconception of evil is that it is only the ugly, the heinous, the abhorrent, but anything that keeps us apart from a relationship with God is all those things to Him...it is rejection of Him. Anything less than the acceptance of Jesus Christ is sin against God.
"Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions" by Elmer L. Towns gives this answer to the question 'What is sin?'; Sin is an act, attitude, or response against the Person or law of God. No acceptions!
T.V., music, newspapers, magazines...any media outlet is bombarding our young people with immorality and evil. And so much is being passed off as acceptable. The censorship scale is being widened allowing in more depravity, not only on a world-wide arena but in our own homes as well. Children and young adults need the power of God to break free of this, and to live successfully in this life. Really, I think this applies to anyone of any age. There are men and women, church leaders, people (including Christians) in every area of life and in any age group, who are influenced by the effects of the media, and most especially today by the internet.
We will continue to repeat our mistakes if we don't have God to guide us right, and if we don't pay attention to that guidance - we stay with what we know if that is all we know! Those in prisons are a great case in point. I've encountered inmates, through Crossroad Bible Institute, who before coming to Christ admitted that they would go back to their old ways if they were freed because it was all they knew. It is our responsibility to show them that there is something new for them to strive toward. As Christians we need to speak out to these people, to anyone who lives apart from Christ and through the power of God within us show them a new way...the ONLY way.
We need to confess our needs to God in prayer, and show people that they can do the same. We all have needs, and whilst it is good to pray for others we need also to pray for ourselves and bring our needs, troubles, confusions and our desire to grow ever closer to Him, before God. Our joys and happiness too, of course. God wants it all.
Before you can solve a problem you must first recognise the cause. Some of the reasons why we may struggle in our day to day life, and through the trials life throws our way, are:-
*Unbelief
*Doubt
*Little faith
*Too much faith in past victories!
That last one forces accountability, doesn't it? I've experienced that! :-( I've had successes in the past and then the next time tried to march forward on the wake of that rather than on the power of, and the ability presented by God.
Instead we need to have faith through God, confindence through God. I heard a saying; "Pray and doubt and you do without. Pray and believe and you will receive."
PRAY!!!
Spend time in prayer before doing anything. Seek God. Prayerlessness is a cause for lack of faith. Where there is little prayer there is little faith. All too often we lack faith. Our failures are God's reminder to rely fully on His power. Jesus has complete dominion over Satan and his followers. Satan just doesn't know when you're dead lie down!!! As Christians we should want and desire to see more people saved....to see ALL people saved.
Have faith in Jesus. Bring it all to Jesus. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome everything - problems, temptations, etc. Consider these things that can bring us into a deeper faith.
*Remember what Christ has done.
*Read God's Word.
*Share our own experiences of God.
*Ask God for stronger faith.
*Ask God to cast out our doubt.
*Claim God's promises.
God cannot lie! Return to the promises of God all throughout His Word.
Have faith, of course, but also be persistent in prayer. Have regular prayer time. Prayer is an acknowledgement of not only God, but God's power. Pray and believe, and the faith, insight and wisdom will come.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Monday, 14 November 2011
ME & GOD...YOU & GOD.........
Dearest Readers,
I didn't write these questions, and sadly I don't know who did in order to give them due credit. This is something my mother gave me months ago and she has had it for more than 40 years. But they remain timeless, and can still be a guide for each of us in our times of prayers and conversation with our Lord. Feel free to copy this and keep it...and follow it. Feel even freer to answer some or all of the questions next time you talk to Jesus. Oh...and finally, feel free to leave a comment, or a question of your own, or even share here something of your own prayer life.
THINK OF OUR LORD SPEAKING TO YOU AND SAYING OR ASKING THE FOLLOWING...
* "You do not have to be clever to please Me. All you have to do is to want to love Me. Just speak to Me as you would to anyone of whom you are very fond." .....JESUS.
* "Are there people you want to pray for? Say their names to Me, and ask Me as much as you like. I am generous and know all their needs, but I want you to show your love for them, by trusting Me to do what I know is best." .....JESUS.
* "Tell Me about those in need, the sick, and those you know are in trouble." .....JESUS.
* "If you have lost the friendship or affection of anyone tell Me about that too." .....JESUS.
* "Tell Me about your husband or wife, about your children...are any of them causing you anxiety? Tell me about it." .....JESUS.
* "What about the church to which you belong? Your ministers and those who teach? Tell Me about them." .....JESUS.
* "Is there anything you want for your soul? If you like, you can write Me out a long list of all your needs, and come and read it to Me." .....JESUS.
* "Just tell Me about your pride, your touchiness, self-centredness, meanness, perhaps laziness. Do not be ashamed. There are many Saints in Heaven who had the same faults as you. They prayed to Me and little by little their faults were corrected." .....JESUS. (Dearest Readers, this one especially I have been actioning in the last few days. I have become starkly aware of many of these faults in myself and I have taken my shame and guilt to Jesus, and He is fixing the mess I made, and repairing the damage done! Praise Him!!!)
* "Do not hesitate to ask Me for blessings for the body and the mind, for health, memory, success. I can give everything and I always give everything to make souls holier." .....JESUS.
* "What is it you want right now? Tell Me, for I long to do you good. What are your plans? Tell Me about them." .....JESUS.
* "Is there anyone you want to please? What do you want to do for them?" .....JESUS.
* "Do you want anything for Me?" .....JESUS.
* "Do you want to do a little good for the souls of your family or friends, who perhaps have forgotten Me?" .....JESUS.
* "Tell me about your failures, and I will show you the cause of them." .....JESUS.
* "What are your worries?" .....JESUS.
* "Who has caused you pain? Tell Me all about it, and add that you will forgive and forget, and I will bless you." .....JESUS.
* "Are you afraid of anything? Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears? Trust yourself to Me. I am here. I will not leave you." .....JESUS.
* "Have you any joys to tell Me about? Share you happiness with Me. Tell Me what has happened since yesterday to cheer and comfort you. Whatever is was, however big, however small, I prepared it. Show Me your gratitude and thank Me." .....JESUS.
* "Are you determined not to run into temptation? Have you made up your mind about bad influences in your life? To be done with them? They disturb the peace of your soul." .....JESUS.
* "Are you going to be kind to that one who has hurt you?" .....JESUS.
* "Go along now. Get on with your work. Try to be quieter, humbler, more submissive, kinder, and come back again later and bring Me a more devoted heart. Tomorrow I shall have more blessings for you." .....JESUS.
God bless....hugs - Jeanne.
I didn't write these questions, and sadly I don't know who did in order to give them due credit. This is something my mother gave me months ago and she has had it for more than 40 years. But they remain timeless, and can still be a guide for each of us in our times of prayers and conversation with our Lord. Feel free to copy this and keep it...and follow it. Feel even freer to answer some or all of the questions next time you talk to Jesus. Oh...and finally, feel free to leave a comment, or a question of your own, or even share here something of your own prayer life.
THINK OF OUR LORD SPEAKING TO YOU AND SAYING OR ASKING THE FOLLOWING...
* "You do not have to be clever to please Me. All you have to do is to want to love Me. Just speak to Me as you would to anyone of whom you are very fond." .....JESUS.
* "Are there people you want to pray for? Say their names to Me, and ask Me as much as you like. I am generous and know all their needs, but I want you to show your love for them, by trusting Me to do what I know is best." .....JESUS.
* "Tell Me about those in need, the sick, and those you know are in trouble." .....JESUS.
* "If you have lost the friendship or affection of anyone tell Me about that too." .....JESUS.
* "Tell Me about your husband or wife, about your children...are any of them causing you anxiety? Tell me about it." .....JESUS.
* "What about the church to which you belong? Your ministers and those who teach? Tell Me about them." .....JESUS.
* "Is there anything you want for your soul? If you like, you can write Me out a long list of all your needs, and come and read it to Me." .....JESUS.
* "Just tell Me about your pride, your touchiness, self-centredness, meanness, perhaps laziness. Do not be ashamed. There are many Saints in Heaven who had the same faults as you. They prayed to Me and little by little their faults were corrected." .....JESUS. (Dearest Readers, this one especially I have been actioning in the last few days. I have become starkly aware of many of these faults in myself and I have taken my shame and guilt to Jesus, and He is fixing the mess I made, and repairing the damage done! Praise Him!!!)
* "Do not hesitate to ask Me for blessings for the body and the mind, for health, memory, success. I can give everything and I always give everything to make souls holier." .....JESUS.
* "What is it you want right now? Tell Me, for I long to do you good. What are your plans? Tell Me about them." .....JESUS.
* "Is there anyone you want to please? What do you want to do for them?" .....JESUS.
* "Do you want anything for Me?" .....JESUS.
* "Do you want to do a little good for the souls of your family or friends, who perhaps have forgotten Me?" .....JESUS.
* "Tell me about your failures, and I will show you the cause of them." .....JESUS.
* "What are your worries?" .....JESUS.
* "Who has caused you pain? Tell Me all about it, and add that you will forgive and forget, and I will bless you." .....JESUS.
* "Are you afraid of anything? Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears? Trust yourself to Me. I am here. I will not leave you." .....JESUS.
* "Have you any joys to tell Me about? Share you happiness with Me. Tell Me what has happened since yesterday to cheer and comfort you. Whatever is was, however big, however small, I prepared it. Show Me your gratitude and thank Me." .....JESUS.
* "Are you determined not to run into temptation? Have you made up your mind about bad influences in your life? To be done with them? They disturb the peace of your soul." .....JESUS.
* "Are you going to be kind to that one who has hurt you?" .....JESUS.
* "Go along now. Get on with your work. Try to be quieter, humbler, more submissive, kinder, and come back again later and bring Me a more devoted heart. Tomorrow I shall have more blessings for you." .....JESUS.
God bless....hugs - Jeanne.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
JUST A GOOD MORNING...
Hello,
For no reason other than I can, I thought I'd send a good morning shoutout! Thank you to the fifteen wonderful people who are following my blog. I am honoured and overwhelmed! I am still learning how all this all works and add to that the fact that I tend to be technically challenged, it all makes for an interesting experience. All of you Dear Readers who are more computer savvy than I am will have noticed that a couple of previous posts have been posted as TITLES. LOL, that was from my phone, because I haven't worked out how to do it a different way. However, from an ordinary PC I am managing to get that part right anyway! :-)
I'm enjoying keeping a blog, for two reasons especially. Firstly because this is yet another way to share God. Secondly because I love to write. So combined I think God has got a good thing going on. And I am honoured and astounded that He wants to use me....but He does, so I am willing.
I trust that today, Dearest Readers, will be a good day for you all. I pray that you are blessed in many surprising ways and that you in turn are a blessing to others. Big hug, and catch you next time.
Hugs - Jeanne.
For no reason other than I can, I thought I'd send a good morning shoutout! Thank you to the fifteen wonderful people who are following my blog. I am honoured and overwhelmed! I am still learning how all this all works and add to that the fact that I tend to be technically challenged, it all makes for an interesting experience. All of you Dear Readers who are more computer savvy than I am will have noticed that a couple of previous posts have been posted as TITLES. LOL, that was from my phone, because I haven't worked out how to do it a different way. However, from an ordinary PC I am managing to get that part right anyway! :-)
I'm enjoying keeping a blog, for two reasons especially. Firstly because this is yet another way to share God. Secondly because I love to write. So combined I think God has got a good thing going on. And I am honoured and astounded that He wants to use me....but He does, so I am willing.
I trust that today, Dearest Readers, will be a good day for you all. I pray that you are blessed in many surprising ways and that you in turn are a blessing to others. Big hug, and catch you next time.
Hugs - Jeanne.
Monday, 7 November 2011
HOLINESS AND GOD'S WRATH
In a Selwyn Hughes devotion I read some time ago the topic was the character of God, and one collection of readings was on the wrath of God, and how this is a crucial part of what makes God God. All too often we are happy overlook or ignore God’s wrath, because to consider it makes us feel...what? Uncomfortable? Accountable? Awkward? Afraid of a grace giving, merciful, compassionate God??? The devotion looked at God’s perfect holiness and His intolerance of unholiness in His people. On the surface that seems cruel and uncaring – especially from a supposedly loving God. But in actual fact it is this truth about God which affords Him the reverence and awe He deserves.
First of all, the intense and full wrath of God belongs upon those who purposely and willingly disobey God and His will. There are many accounts of God’s wrath upon such people, that we can read about in the old Testament. So, in that thinking, it is good to remember that there is a difference between wrath and discipline. Those of us who follow God, trying (and often failing in that trying) to follow God’s will still at times (some more than others) need to be disciplined, and also need to be shown that with our actions come consequences...sometimes harsh consequences.
Unholiness is an imperfection. How could we even begin to serve a God who was fallible? Or, how could we serve a God who is perfect, yet tolerated or overlooked our imperfection? Wouldn’t our view of Him be altered...tainted? Wouldn’t we then try to push the limits and expect to get away with it? Wouldn’t we lose respect and reverence if we knew we could sweet talk our way out of the discipline we deserve, and need? Wouldn’t we also cease to grow and, more so, cease to try to be more like He Who created us? Wouldn’t He be just like any other earthly leader, or created god or idol, we have now, who either demands perfection from his or her subjects and fails to adhere to them themselves, or is (near) perfect but too wishy-washy to follow up with those who neglect their edicts or flat out rebel against their authority.
If God was that kind of God what purpose would there have been in Jesus’ death in the first place?
What we need to look at now is the immense love that is birthed from the fact that God is intolerant of imperfection, and deals with it justly. So that we may still be freely given the opportunity to commune with God, and have a relationship with Him, God made a way for that when under our own strength and unholiness it simply could not be. He went over and above...He went the extra mile...He did the humanly impossible...God repaired the damage...He rebuilt the bridge...He closed the gap...and how? By sending His Son to die on our behalf - to wear it all; all our sins, all our imperfections; all our shortfalls, all our unholiness...so that we can now walk freely back where God always intended us to be – in His presence, in His company, in His arms...safe and secure in His everlasting love.
First of all, the intense and full wrath of God belongs upon those who purposely and willingly disobey God and His will. There are many accounts of God’s wrath upon such people, that we can read about in the old Testament. So, in that thinking, it is good to remember that there is a difference between wrath and discipline. Those of us who follow God, trying (and often failing in that trying) to follow God’s will still at times (some more than others) need to be disciplined, and also need to be shown that with our actions come consequences...sometimes harsh consequences.
Unholiness is an imperfection. How could we even begin to serve a God who was fallible? Or, how could we serve a God who is perfect, yet tolerated or overlooked our imperfection? Wouldn’t our view of Him be altered...tainted? Wouldn’t we then try to push the limits and expect to get away with it? Wouldn’t we lose respect and reverence if we knew we could sweet talk our way out of the discipline we deserve, and need? Wouldn’t we also cease to grow and, more so, cease to try to be more like He Who created us? Wouldn’t He be just like any other earthly leader, or created god or idol, we have now, who either demands perfection from his or her subjects and fails to adhere to them themselves, or is (near) perfect but too wishy-washy to follow up with those who neglect their edicts or flat out rebel against their authority.
If God was that kind of God what purpose would there have been in Jesus’ death in the first place?
What we need to look at now is the immense love that is birthed from the fact that God is intolerant of imperfection, and deals with it justly. So that we may still be freely given the opportunity to commune with God, and have a relationship with Him, God made a way for that when under our own strength and unholiness it simply could not be. He went over and above...He went the extra mile...He did the humanly impossible...God repaired the damage...He rebuilt the bridge...He closed the gap...and how? By sending His Son to die on our behalf - to wear it all; all our sins, all our imperfections; all our shortfalls, all our unholiness...so that we can now walk freely back where God always intended us to be – in His presence, in His company, in His arms...safe and secure in His everlasting love.
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