INSPIRATIONAL WRITINGS

Borne Out of the Fire

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Borne Out of the Fire

We desire to go on with God… But what we do not see is that we are carrying things that cannot go with us – things we cannot take with us to walk in the next level of His glory… But because we do not see all of this in proper perspective.. (there is so much right now that we do not understand)… Indeed it does seem as though “we look through a glass darkly”… And thus we urgently plead, “Lord help me!”

And of course He is always there to lead us… (He can’t take us unless we ask – because in His sovereignty, God gave man authority on the earth – so that as James 4:2 tells us “…you have not because you ask not.”)  So – ask, we do – not seeing or knowing that between where we walk now and the place we desire to be – is “the FIRE or the RAGING waters!” But we ask, and so he leads us out… But before long, we began to think… “This must surely be a mistake!” I mean.. we were wanting to go upward, to get better!… But instead, here we are in a frightening place!

Now, water and fire can both destroy and wreak havoc… But carefully tended and directed, they cleanse and ready the ground for new growth – so that in the time that follows, out comes a thing for God’s use and our “beauty.”

Then through tears of joy, and with strengthened devotion – we look back – and our understanding is lightened!… Now I see!… There is no other way, else He would surely bring us… But should we come another way – I mean that He would just “zap” us – we would be “there” all right… And “there” would be “perfect!”… But who would He be?… Would we even know Him??

You see, there is so much “distance” between who He is and who we are – a world of difference – that it takes a lifetime just to begin to understand that difference… So that, how could we ever have a proper view of Him… if we had not seen the things that “fill up the way” between our mortality and Him??

Sure, now we see through a glass darkly… But each new level we press to brings us closer to His light, and we grow in our personal knowledge of Jesus Christ… Then from this new place of glory, I see Him more clearly, and do better understand the futility of the unregenerate man…

Indeed later, I shall see Him as He is – but for now I’m just learning and growing – so that I simply see Him in the best way that I can… I see him now through the eyes of my fellowship with Him, and as the word of God reveals…. Indeed that is God’s plan!

Thus He brings us through the fire.. or through the “raging waters.”… And frightening indeed it seems – until we come to the place of understanding.. THAT WE CAN TRUST HIM!  And that those hurtful things are brought along our path by our adversary (I Peter 5:8) who is seeking to devour any closeness of relationship we try to form with God… But God our Savior seeks to bring us safely to the other side… And thus you and I who seek Him, are “borne out of the fire.”

 

 

A Confession of the Faithfulness of God

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

I thank You, Father, that I am never alone…Jesus is always with me.

He will never leave me – and all of my life, He will never forsake me!

He will never forsake me… Because like God’s Word, Jesus is faithful and true…  To the end of all things, He is faithful and true!

Therefore I will not be afraid…

Though a mountain rises before me to stand in the way- I will not be afraid!..

I will not be afraid nor uncertain.. about the outcome of anything I face….

Though a storm may blow long and hard… I thank You Father God.. that You are with me and for me!…  So then, who – or what – can possibly succeed against me?

Even when failure appears eminent… as the enemy’s attacks are relentless….

But as I hold in my heart.. and in my mouth, the very sure Words of God – and with them do oppose every accusation and operation of the devil against me.. I am not uncertain of the outcome of anything which I face…

For God is with me and for me..whom shall I fear or of whom shall I be afraid? As I give thanks to God.. which always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus!

For it is He who holds my hand.. saying.. “Fear not – for I am with you.. Do not be dismayed or discouraged, for I AM your God.  I will strengthen you – Yes, I WILL help you!  I WILL uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.!” (Isaiah 41:10)….

SO.. as for me…I WILL praise Him who is the health of my countenance and my God.  I WILL delight myself also in His Word upon which He has caused me to hope….

And in my hope, I shall not be disappointed… For what He has promised, He is able also to perform!   And I am confident that every word He has spoken, He WILL  bring to pass.. as I keep my eyes on Him and His word in my mouth!

And if I stumble and get off track, His right hand will lift me up again…. He will lift me up again and help me get back on track… because He is there when I call… I KNOW He never leaves me…nor will He ever forsake me…  Therefore I WILL call on Him forever.. Jesus the faithful One!

For if God has said I win..then I win..as long as I walk the storms of life out with Him!

And even as Jesus’ victory was – not apparent – to many, on the day they laid Him in the tomb … Even so are many of the victories which we wait for in Him!

For God is faithful.. and many are the blessings of those who trust in.. AND.. wait on Him!

Note:  After I published this post, a friend called me “to make sure I was okay”!  She feared that I was in a real storm that she didn’t know about…  So I decided that it would be good and helpful for me to come back to this post and explain that “Yes, I’ve been through many storms of life, but I know whom I have come to trust and this post is simply something that the Lord put into my spirit – to encourage anyone that is going through some storm in their life – that they can indeed trust Jesus.   He has become so dear to me and truly He is my Help.. and my Counsellor through any time of uncertainty – as He wants to be .. and will be.. to any and all who call upon Him.

 

 

 

 

 

A POETIC PROMISE – Which I Chose to Believe

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Things can change within a day.. a week.. a year.. or even within an hour!

Things are going to change…

The wall – even  that wall standing in front of you – WILL come down!

Like the Berlin Wall – your wall also will be torn down….. (HOW??)

As believers – we just decree what God has said/shown us!

For there is enough power in any word that God speaks.. to bring it to pass…

Your part and mine – is to decree what God has said..  which means that we speak in line with what He has said… regardless of what we hear or see!

That’s what II Corinthians 4:13 refers to as “the spirit of faith speaking”….

We speak because we believe… and then wait and watch Him do the work!

He will do the thing He promised!

And here’s a “poetic promise” He spoke to me some time ago…

“I will perform it.. and you will see..

I will perform it – that which I promised thee!”

And things will change!  Just dare to believe that I mean what I say…

Things will turn – even from the things of the curse to a blessing!

Indeed – the power of life and death are in the tongue.. (Proverbs 18:21) – and those who love it will “eat the fruit thereof…

Forget it not…and you will see..”life” rise up in place of death… according to all that you will – in Jesus name – believe and decree!

 

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And just to let you know — this “poetic promise” — for me came to pass (big time!).. exactly 4 months to the day..after it was given to me!  I believed it, received it, and decreed it… The result being that it came to pass…It happened because this is a spiritual law that God Himself set in place – and God’s word is always true! 

(Note that there are both longer and shorter times we wait to see our promise come to pass – but you can know that from the moment you set yourself to believe, God goes to work… He works to influence for good.. move things around or out of the way, and otherwise work to bring that promise to pass!)

 

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The Greater Side of God’s Plan….

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

We can get so busy trying to “help people change”  that we overlook the greater side of God’s plan… which is for every person to know His love!  And this is incredibly important -.because when you  KNOW the love God has for you.. then you will also understand that He is “for you” –  and not against you!!

We all have strongholds to work through and come up out of… and when these are looming before our eyes…it may seem that everyone is against us and that God doesn’t care… But on the reality side of that.. is His Love! 

Indeed, there are other factors that do come in to work against us… But even as the word of God tells  us in Romans 8:31-39… It is God’s desire that nothing separate you from His love…. It’s not God that brings  oppression!! I Peter 5:8 expresses this truth very clearly… that “your adversary the devil” looks for ways to bring harmful things and hurt into your life… and to devour the good things that belong to you from God… To accomplish this he works to build strongholds that will hold us captive in our minds.. to keep us from knowing God and His love… or from even seeing that it exists for us!!…

When all the time….

God and His love IS the one constant reality!   And His goal and desire is to touch each one of us with that love…. For…AS WE SEE.. and behold His love, we are changed and yokes of bondage in our lives are being destroyed!  Hallelujah!  Thank you for buying us that freedom Lord Jesus!

In view of those things,  it is easy to see why the enemy (our adversary the devil)  works to “blind people’s minds” to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ  (II Corinthians 4:3,4).  For… knowing the love that God has for us “casts out fear”… which the enemy uses along with deception – probably more than anything else – to rob people of the good life which God desires for all of us.

So.. while we are busy trying to help people change,  we mustn’t forget the greater side of God’s plan – which is “to know and believe the love He has for us”….And that God and His love.. IS.. the one constant reality!

When “Ask” is More Than a Request….

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

“Ask” is such a small word… But when we understand what it sometimes refers to – the effect can be a powerful thing.

Now what I mean by that.. is the fact that the little word “ask” in the New Testament .. has more than one use or meaning!… So let me explain when the original Greek word for “ask” has such a powerful effect: ….

To begin this explanation – I will tell you that there are at least five different Greek words used in the New Testament..  all of which are very often translated “ask.”  Here are 5 different Greek meanings for the word “ask” ….

  • Ask..  as a question (to ascertain by inquiry)
  • Ask..  as a request or favor
  • Ask..  as a search for something hidden; investigate
  • Ask..  as a petition for help; beseech
  • And finally the “ask” we are going to focus on here – which is “to call for something due; to require  (see #154 & #4441 in Strong’s Concordance)

In Matthew 11:12,  Jesus gave voice to some very interesting words….”From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence (to crowd into); and the violent (a forcer) take it by force”  (to seize, catch away by force, to take for oneself.)  It is the taking by force – the seizing that the “ask” (Strong’s Greek #154) refers to… “calling for what is due” – from the Kingdom of God.  You are not resisting God, but the forces of darkness – the “authority and jurisdiction of darkness” from which we’ve been delivered (Colossians 1:12-14) !

Why “seize” it?… You must actively take hold of what God has promised – because “your adversary the devil” (I Peter 5:8) will not sit passively while you receive all the things that belong to you as a believer in the Kingdom of God!... The Word of God is very clear about that in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8 – in the parable of the sower – which tells us that any time we have a promise from God, the enemy comes immediately to snatch the word of promise away from us – to keep us from receiving it.  That is where we must not be passive!  But we must stand (which is an active upright position) – holding forth the word of promise in faith – against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-13).  It is an active resistance – not as those who lie stretched out passively under his influence while the enemy takes their goods….

And thus, we are back to the scripture on seizing the Kingdom of God by force – which does not mean that we are to be forceful and demanding with God! … No, indeed .. “for it is His good pleasure to give us the benefits of belonging to His Kingdom  (Luke 12:32)… What we are being told is to “ask” (#154) – call for what is due!  It is like when you are writing a check on an account that belongs to you… You don’t get nasty with the bank – and they aren’t upset with you for “calling for” what belongs to you!  Indeed the bank is working with you… And so is God!!  It’s all for the increase of His Kingdom – and His plan is to increase you too – i.e. “blessed to be a blessing”… That’s how God the Father operates… He would like to touch a lot of people through you that aren’t open to Him any other way!

We are talking about a whole lot more than money here.. because we are co-laborers together with God in establishing His Kingdom on earth.  We have a part to do.. because He has “given (assigned or appointed) the earth to man – for a season of time.  (Psalm 115:16)   Indeed, in Genesis 1, God the Father – in His sovereignty – chose to give the authority over the earth to man.. Then after man “fell” from his place of relationship and fellowship with God – God made a way to get man’s authority.. directed by God.. back into the earth  – i.e. He made a way to reconcile man back to Himself by Jesus Christ.

Now we know that when any man receives Jesus, that man becomes a citizen of God’s Kingdom – but as a man – he still has God given authority on the earth…to the end that he can co-labor with God to establish the kingdom of God on the earth.  This is the place where we must “call for what is due.” God is the powerful one that set everything in place (Is God sovereign or what!!)… But He needs us to use our God given authority in the earth to “call for” the things that we need to live according to His will and do His bidding….

This is when and where it is right to 154 – “Ask” – call for what He has promised – so that He can “supply all our needs” in and through our relationship with Christ Jesus.  He doesn’t count it as a request, but as a call for what is due His sons and daughters who live to please Him and see His will done on the earth.  This is when “ask” is more than a request!

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Note: The Greek word for “Ask” #154 – is used more in the New Testament than any of the other Greek words for “Ask”.  Here’s just a few examples of the 154 Ask ….

John 16:23,24,26,30      James 1:5,6    James 4:2,3      I John 3:22

“Hitherto have you asked nothing in My name – ask (154) and you shall receive – that your joy may be full.”   John 16:24  !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Resurrected Life

~ kathrynspen ~ Leave a comment

Put the past behind you!…..  Turn loose and step into that fresh new day.

No man can stop you.. This is “God ordained!”….

The resurrected life… “fresh”… with no mistakes..

New – walking a different way!

Lay down the pride – this having to answer/explain – thus to “fix” everything.

It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong.. or if you’re right.. Let it all go!  Let it go –  and thus turn loose of living to defend your life… And trust God to be your defense!

“Be still and let Me “be” God in your life” He says…”And you will see that is the way to show (whoever needs to know)… “what is what” and Who I Am”.. “Isn’t that what your life in Me is really all about?”

So lay down the pride – even this pride that will not rest until you get everything just right… And THAT is beyond your power both to see how – and to do!

So, let go!  and enter into that place of rest which I have prepared for you.  It starts when you decide to “seek first the Kingdom of God – setting your focus and your efforts on Him – Who has already “fixed” everything for you!!

Oh the peace that awaits you in that place – the abundance of joy and grace…  Walking in His righteousness… Knowing you have none of your own….

Time to rise up, look ahead, and leave the things of death behind you.. to walk in life anew – even the resurrected life He has called you to…

Understand that the past cannot go with you .. and there is no time and no place in Him to “vindicate self.”  Self must be denied to walk in this resurrected life…

You must lay it all down – this “demand” to be justified… For when God is your defense, there is nothing to prove… Oh, the freedom in that – just to rest in Him… humble yourself under His mighty hand – and thus receive grace to conquer and reign.. over all the inequities of this life!

And because You’re wonderful and good, Lord… I can lay down shame where the enemy has accused me.. And even in the place where I have failed to walk altogether uprightly… when I turn to You, Your righteousness vindicates me!  This is the place where all things become new again – the place of the fresh start – the walk without pride.

The key is to look at Jesus… Keep your eye, your focus on Him/His life – and so walk in the standing with the Father Jesus gave you… Walk with Him – could anything be better?  There you’ll find true vindication – as His glory surrounds you!

The “price” of all of this….?   Set your focus on Him – and don’t look back!   (Why would you want to – when you can be done with what is behind you!) Your walk, your direction – HE is your life… There’s nothing to prove or to clear up – not when you are done with all of that!!  Just step out and walk after Him… His righteousness is your “justification”..great joy and peace the reward

….. of the resurrected life.

 

 

 

 

 

“COME TO ME”

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In Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus gave a wonderful and deeply heartfelt invitation to those weighed down by any kind of care….. “Come to Me – all of you that labor and are heavy laden.. and I will give you rest”… And from that simple discourse in the word of God the following lines came into my spirit….

 

Come to Me.. Do not be afraid.. I am “with you and for you”.. Do not let fear or discouragement stop you.  I AM your God!…

Come – and worship Me… I will meet you there…

You can be strong to rise up against fear..and the things that “come in the door” that fear opens… For My authority is in you to rise up over those things which the enemy has brought to stop you… Your fight is in the spirit realm – and that is where I operate to affect the natural realm.

So.. come to Me! ……. You will find the strength you need as you worship Me…. I love you!  Do not let people or pain from the past hinder you and rob you from returning to worship Me… I love you.. and I am stronger than any of those things….

Come to Me!   I will meet you – and you will know the peace that touching Me brings.. and the confidence that I have to give you.  There is a refreshing that comes to those who choose to draw aside to spend time with Me… And in My presence – you will find the answer to things that stop you from walking strongly with Me.

COME!… You “chase” other things – CHASE ME!  You’ll find Me waiting to touch you..  So come to Me and know how much I LOVE YOU!

 

readywriterblog

GOD’S CALL TO HIS PEOPLE ….

Come to Me.  Do not be afraid – I am “with you and for you.”  Do  not let fear or discouragement stop you.  I am  your God.

Come – and worship Me.  I will meet you.  You can be strong to rise up against fear – and the things that come in the door that “fear” opens.  My authority is in you to rise up over those things the enemy has planted to stop you.  Your fight is in the spirit realm – and that is where I operate to affect the natural realm…. So, come to Me!  You will find the strength that you need as you worship Me.

I love you!  Do not let people or pain from the past hinder you and rob you from returning to worship Me.  I love you.  I love you – and I am stronger than…

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Does Faith Come in Different Shapes and Sizes??

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We all have problems that come in different shapes and sizes…. But none of them are too big for God to handle.  For the born again person who has gotten to know God reasonably well – and has began to have a pretty good understanding of the Kingdom of God  (that receiving Jesus brought us into) ….. You already knew that – i.e. That nothing is too hard for God!… But the real issue for most Christians about this – is.. How do I get God to “fix MY problem?” 

First off – The day you ask Jesus to come into your life – you have put yourself on the starting line of a truly incredible journey…. One that I’ve been on for 38 years and have NEVER regretted starting.. I’m in this for the long haul and I find myself always waiting for something  to be answered – even while I am still rejoicing over the last prayer God answered.. and the last miracle that I saw at His hand… There’s nothing boring about it.  As you press in to know Him more and more – there is an ongoing freshness in the relationship… For the longer you know Him, the more reason you will see to be in awe of WHO He IS – and HOW HE IS.   Jesus, my Lord and Savior – You are incredible!

What I am saying to you is that there is enough going on in your life at all times to keep you challenged,  glad, and hoping – all at the same time – as you walk through problems the way He directs you to, receive wonderful unexpected “suddenly” answers to prayers – AND WAIT – for things close to your heart that  “feel like” they’ll never change!…. All going on in your life at the same time!   And that – all because we’re still human and still have to deal with what we see, hear, feel, taste etc. – which things always stand to oppose walking by faith.

But God gave us the remedy for that… He gave us His Word – from which faith comes.. He gave us His wonderful presence to refresh us as we seek Him… He gave us authority over things that the enemy uses to oppose us.. and He gave us the gift of each other when we need someone “with flesh on” to stand with us.

Knowing Jesus is wonderful – but that alone doesn’t keep some storms from coming.  Yet we have His promise that “I will never leave you.”… and that He will supply all our needs …. And the reality of His presence and of His promises will continue to grow bigger and bigger within you – as you get started following after Him to know Him….And as you go – with your eyes on Him – you will find it easier and easier to trust…. And trust is a good nesting place for faith to root itself into your life and start to grow …. Faith to deal with any size and shape of problem…. “Because nothing is too hard for God” and “All things are possible to him that believeth.“…

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So speak always in line with God’s word and according to the promise that He has given you concerning the problem you face…. because His word does not return to Him void … and though the problem may seem to grow into a mountain .. it will change..  It will change before God’s word does!

Psalm 16:8,9  “I have set the Lord always before me (I have His promises – and I’m beginning to see that He IS BIGGER than my problems)… Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved…. therefore my heart is glad.. my tongue rejoices.. and my flesh also rests in hope.”   Glory be to God- Jesus, thank You.!  Knowing You sparks faith within me … faith big enough to deal with any size of problem!

 

 

 

The Capacity of the Born Again Spirit to Know God

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News Flash…. You and I can not “MAKE” God do anything….But the “good news” is…. that because He loves you and me – He made a way for us to come to Him..and to connect with Him – if we choose to….

In John 3, we see a man who DID choose to…. Indeed, Nicodemus did want to know….He wanted to know so badly – that he risked losing his standing as a ruler among the religious crowd of his day – by coming to Jesus to inquire “Who” Jesus was –  and about the connection Jesus had with God….. (To be honest with you, there are many people today that ought to take a little bit of a risk – in order to inquire “Who Jesus Is” and about His connection to God….!)  It’s worth everything in the world to know the real answer to that…

But then – as it would be now – Jesus wasted no time in answering Nicodemus’s questions about the Kingdom of God and who He was….He began by letting Nicodemus (as well as you and me) – know that the natural man cannot understand the Kingdom of God…. “You must be born again,”  Jesus explained…” Except a man be born again, he cannot see/have knowledge of the Kingdom of God.”  (John 3:3)

When Jesus told Nicodemus “You must be born again” – Jesus was speaking of a SPIRITUAL BIRTH…. And until you and I can understand that, we will continue to equate “religion” in it’s various forms with “knowing God” – but yet not understanding God’s Kingdom or being born again into the family of God…..i.e. Being born of the Spirit – as Jesus told Nicodemus in the discourse between the two there in John 3:1-16 …. And as surely as Nicodemus had trouble seeing (v9-12) just what it was that Jesus was trying to tell him – so it always is with the natural mind of man… there is not in him the “capacity” to understand the things of the Kingdom of God –  because they are “spiritually discerned”…

The natural man neither sees or knows the things of the spirit….Those things are actually foolishness unto him…..Indeed,  the things of God knoweth no man  (I Corinthians 2:11-14)- But the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are born again – a spiritual rebirth into the Kingdom of God…. And from that moment, we have the “capacity” to see and be taught the things of the Kingdom of God – and to truly  get to know who He is and what He has done for us to bring us into right relationship with Him……

That- in a nutshell- is what happens to us when we get born again….But that’s just the beginning…..We have our birth/ our beginning in the Kingdom of God in the spirit…. But as the Apostle Paul asked of and explained to the Christians in Galatians 3:3….”Having begun in the spirit, do you now think that you can fulfill your place and walk in the things of God by the flesh”?… The answer to that is obviously “no”…. But the born again spirit of a man is .. READY.. is WILLING… and even PREDISPOSED  to follow after God to know Him.  Indeed, that born again spirit cries after God the Father to know Him….. But as long as you’re still living in your “earth suit” – you WILL have choices to make.  Your born again spirit was designed by God to feed on the things of God – His Word, time apart from other things to worship God and taste His presence so that you can grow strong in the spirit.

The born again spirit  (YOUR born again spirit!) – has an amazing CAPACITY  to fellowship with and grow in knowing God – and in understanding the things of the spirit….

 

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God’s Grace Is Sufficient For You

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Note:  This poem/psalm was given to me – both to instruct and encourage  – as I hope it will do for you.   It was given on my way to work November 11, 2003…. I had a little recorder with me, so that I was able to “capture the words” to pen later…And today, I thought it good to share it with you..

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 My grace is sufficient to bring in your new day…..

And it is ENOUGH – to “open up the way”- for you to walk in that new day!

So.. take hold of My grace….. Rest in and rely upon Me….

Walk out of the past – and KEEP WALKING…..

‘Till you walk out of the things that have stood to block your way!

My grace is sufficient….. It is enough!

And as you keep your focus on Me – I’ll move those things that have entangled you.

So, keep this one thought in all of your days…..

My grace IS SUFFICIENT to move every mountain out of the way!

But keep moving – pressing in – to fellowship with Me…knowing….

I AM (IS) with you….. EVERY DAY…

Thanksgiving – A Day to Celebrate…. and an Attitude to Cultivate

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One day as I began to ponder “why” I should be feeling a little “dull and testy” when nothing was actually “wrong” with my day…. I heard something  in my spirit – which was this – “The secret to keeping things fresh and new.. is a thankful heart”…..  

And now having gotten my attention, the Spirit of God began to add more to what I had just heard! …… It was to this effect…..”The secret to keeping things fresh and new – is a thankful heart”….. And having a thankful heart is also the secret to walking in and letting patience have its perfect(ing) work in your life… Which thing the Word of God tells us is very important – i.e. “Count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations, knowing this – that the trying of your faith worketh patience….. But let patience have her perfect work – that you may be perfect (complete) and entire, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

In thinking about it, I can see how that having an overall thankful heart attitude makes it much easier to be patient … with things and with  people  …. Because we know that patience is the secret to possessing your own soul (the mind, will, and emotions)  Luke 21:19….. So a thankful heart makes it easier for you and me to stay in control of our own thoughts and actions….    

I am beginning to see that developing a thankful heart is the foundation upon which other strong and desirable qualities in our life are built.   I am not generally an ungrateful person, but I see today that there is still room for (and cause for ) improvement in having this irreplaceable heart attitude of thankfulness….   (Do you suppose that this could be one reason why God – in His love for us – has commanded us to give thanks and be thankful?)

I hope this that I just shared with you will cause you – as it did me- to check out the attitude of your heart and see if there is room in you for more of this wonderful virtue of a thankful heart ….. It just might be the very thing that is needed for the opening of some other doors for you!

Thanksgiving – a day to celebrate….. and an attitude to cultivate!

 

 

Bread For Life: The Standing Jesus Bought for Me

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I received Jesus as my Savior January 15, 1978… . It is – without question – “my favorite birthday”!  How come?….

Cause I was born again…into a family…. I became a son/a daughter of the Living God. (Scripture tells me that the instant I received Jesus – a miracle happened in me….. I was “born of the spirit” – by the Spirit of Almighty God (John 3:1-8)…. Who transferred me out of the kingdom of darkness over into the kingdom of His own dear Son (Colossians 1:12-14)… Who redeemed us with the price of His own blood….

I was born again into a family — And in this family I have a standing – with our Father God….. the standing that Jesus bought for me…. (A standing that belongs not just to me – but to everyone who has believed and the sacrifice of Jesus received.)….. A standing that belongs to every son and daughter!  I am  “a child of God.” .. That is why January 15 is not only my favorite birthday,  but a very very special day of the year to me -in every sense of the word…

I am a child of God – and in that place as His child,  He positioned me to receive – ALL His benefits and blessings – (Psalm 103:2-4)…..That is the standing that Jesus bought for me… But it requires that we love Him and learn to  “walk in the truth” (III John 1:2-4)….. A journey that is both very exciting – and very challenging!… .

But now … Seeing His heart – I CAN believe!.. all the love and the other good things Jesus bought for me….  And in every dark hour – the sweetness of His voice quiets all the noise of doubts and fear… and when I hear Him say “Peace be still” it calms my storm as my heart it does fill…. For His peace (John 14:27) is part of my heritage – in the standing with My Father – that Jesus bought for me.

Daily Bread – A New Song for a New Thing in Our Lives

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“Behold I will do a new thing …. Isaiah 42:9 & 43:18,19…. Before it springs forth, I will tell you…. Therefore – remember not the former things.. neither consider the things of old.  I WILL  do a new thing; now it shall spring forth! …Shall you not know it?”…..

When God is getting ready to bring some new things into our life – or to transition us out of a place or position that is familiar and “comfortable” to us – He will oftentimes share something to change our outlook and the direction of our thinking…  It’s kind of like when you and I are getting ready to take a trip to some place that we’ve never been…. We may get out a map or do a search online to try to familiarize ourselves and connect in some way with this new place that we will soon be going to….

One of the “neatest” things that I have had the Lord share with me to prepare me for one of these new things in my life – is that He will put “a new song” in my heart…. and before I know it,  I am singing and humming this new song as I go about my day….. and as I continue to let that song fill my heart and mouth, I find a peace and a real anticipation.. filling every part of me…..

The Lord gives us this “new song” – and our part is to let it “deposit” what He has purposed – into the very heart and soul of our being….. Thus He is readying you and me for this new thing that He has purposed to bring into our lives….. even a new song for a new day.. and a new thing for you and me.

Daily Bread – Sent to Reconcile Man to God

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He was conceived in the womb of a virgin – who dared to believe God – that it could be done even as He had told her…… “Be it unto me according to Your Word,” she had said……  (Luke 1:38)

So this “Life” was sent from Heaven – God’s person to reveal…He came out of the bosom of the Father (John 1:1-18) – this “outlet” of divine mercy and grace……. sent to reconcile and heal – all the broken places “in man apart from God.”

He came to “seek and to save that which was lost  (Luke 19:10)… And although God the Father gave this gift to man at great personal cost….. He so loved the world that He took upon Himself the loss – of His only begotten Son – that you and I might – through the Spirit – also become one….. even a son of the Living God!

This is truly not so hard to believe – if you really stop to ponder – the miracle of the world itself – how incredible it all is…… With everything all put together to reproduce themselves….. from the fruit trees and herbs to the animals that roam the earth…… And then man himself…. so loved by God that He desires our fellowship… We worship Him because He IS God….. He is God alone – and truly no man (or “accident” of nature?) – could do the things that He does!…..

So we worship You – God the Father and God the Son – our Lord Jesus Christ.  We worship You because – through You and Your life – we’ve been reconciled to God!…

Daily Bread – Growing in the Fellowship of the Spirit

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“As the deer panteth after the water brooks.. so my soul longeth after You, oh God”  (Psalm 42:1)…..

It is fellowship with each one of us that God desires … And He has planted that same desire for fellowship with Him in our hearts as well……As the heart of God the Father longs for this fellowship, so you and I have need of it….. For it is this very fellowship that helps us keep growing and becoming strong – and sensitive to the things of the spirit…..

Our growing in fellowship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ – is indeed comparable to that in the natural of an adoring mother or father as they see their child growing into the place where it can have greater fellowship with them….. In the beginning, the relationship was pretty well one-sided – with the babe (and with you and I in our relationship with God) -needing all this personal attention…. And even though there was delight in giving us that needed attention – how much deeper the bond and the satisfaction between us as we grow to the place where there are things that can now be shared that were once beyond our understanding…… And the great delight then – to our Father –  when we come to Him just because we want the fellowship that binds us in that “forever relationship.”

So, just as it is necessary to grow up in the natural in order to have more understanding and deeper relationships….. Even so, God the Father desires to see us grow up in the things of the Spirit… For that IS the “forever relationship”

“How Do I Forgive You?”

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The things that you said (or did) really hurt me…. I thought you were my friend.  So .. how do I forgive you?  And on the other hand, the one who has come against me may truly not care – they seem to want to be my enemy!……And the things that they are saying or doing are creating for me some problems … Father, how shall I deal with this?……

It is indeed interesting that I am led to write this post today – for only this morning I had to decide about the very thing that I just mentioned above to you…..What I did as my response to a strong offense began as a choice – a choice that I did struggle a little over because I had prayed for this person – in the beginning of this..  Indeed, I had prayed for them as I would have wanted someone who knew how to touch God – to pray for me…..

But those prayers appear to have done no good…. NO.. that’s not so! .. For we all make choices about how we respond to God’s dealings with us….. And I cannot hold myself accountable for someone else’s response to God’s dealings with them….. I.m only accountable for how I respond to His dealings with me.

So, this morning I chose to pray again for this individual – and God was so in that prayer time with me – that however things turn out after this, I’m okay… I can stay at peace… Because there was such an outflow of God’s concern for this person’s well being that came through me in prayer – that made it a very special and memorable time between Him and me…. And the very thought of it now ushers in His incredible peace….

We make the choice – to do what He puts in our heart to do – and He gives us the strength….. And along with the strength there is a lingering warmth of the feeling of how much He loves each one of us….So, in the coming days, should my mind try to again rehearse the details of that one’s offense,  I will be firm – firm with myself and not allow the negative thoughts to overtake me….I can speak God.s word, stir up a song of praise, start giving Him thanks, or put on gentle worship music to get caught up in as I work.. or just start praying for someone else that has a real need!  …..I’ll do whatever it takes to stay free of getting back into that offense.. .

How do I forgive you?..  First is the CHOICE to forgive and move on…. Then we learn as we grow – how to stand and resist the negative thoughts that the enemy may try to send to overtake our mind with renewed offense…. But like it is with building any new habit into our lives – we learn to be patient and to persist – until we realize that we’ve become strong and the place of God’s peace is easier to reach…..

So, understand that when we choose to do the right thing, God is there to give us the added strength to see it through…. And because the strength that He gives is enough …. That is how I will forgive you….

Daily Bread – God’s Supply of Forgiveness

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To the world, God the Father says “Come”….. I loved you so much that I gave Jesus Christ, My Son – that whoever believeth on Him should not die in their sin, but have everlasting life….. So, come! You can know My forgiveness and love….. Be reconciled to Me through the One – who gave Himself as a sacrifice for all who would come…..

…… And for the believer, this supply of forgiveness continues into every day of the rest of our lives…. for as He tells us in  I John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins – and – to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Glory be to God….. He IS incredibly good!

I believe I John 1:9  means that the supply of God’s forgiveness is so complete that you and I don’t ever have to wonder – if He will forgive me “this time“- because the promise is clear….. And if you’ve ever tasted that forgiveness when you’ve really “missed it” and you know it… there’s just nothing that can compare – to that feeling of release from the weight of all guilt – and the peace that comes with that release.

God’s supply of forgiveness is “free for the asking”….. So, ask and receive all that you need of it….. because that is the “door” back into fellowship with Him when you and I have “missed it.”

Daily Bread…. The Love That Casts Out Fear

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With a “deliberate hurl” – the original Greek of John 4:18 says – that “the love of God casts out fear.”…. And we are further informed in II Timothy 1:7 – that “God has not given us the spirit of fear!”

…. Obviously, God the Father does not want fear to have a place in our lives….. A main reason for that being that fear is an opposing force to faith .. It actually works to “neutralize” faith for a particular situation in the believer’s life.  In other words – I could have strong faith in one area, but be over into fear in another – and thus find it hard to receive from God in that particular area…..

But God has the solution for that … He wants us to come to know Him more and more – to the point that we “know and believe the love He has for us”…. because as we do, the love of God that we find in knowing Jesus – will progressively drive out the fear we are in that He can’t (or won’t) help us in some area of our life…..

Indeed, He has promised you and me that – “I will never leave you or forsake you!”…. So we need not fear that we are ever alone with our problem or in our time of need. Even if we were in the wrong – as long as we turn our face to Him asking for help – He will be there for us….. helping us to get turned around….. And the love that He has for us will drive out the fear that we can never get it right again…..Because that incredible love that casts out fear is being perfected in us as we keep turning to Him.….

Daily Bread….. Whose Love Is It?

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Recently a friend quoted Galatians 5:6 about “faith working by love”…… And they asked the question “Whose love is it?….. Is it mine or God’s?” …….

The first “thought” that came to me was from Romans 5:5 – which tells us that “the love of God is shed abroad (poured out) in our hearts/spirit by the Holy Ghost” – which we have of God as born again believers….. So, we see then that the love of God is resident within the believer’s born again spirit…. and is also listed in Galatians 5:22 as a”fruit of the spirit”  (fruit being a “product” of the spirit).  So, although the believer’s own spirit is capable of producing the fruit of love, we understand that the love that was/is poured into our heart/spirit has its origin in God….. 

And as we choose to draw aside from the affairs of this life – to spend time in fellowship with Him – we come away from those times of fellowship – instilled with the very attributes of His nature.. love, joy, peace……. Thus we begin to build a “reservoir”of His love and the other good things/fruit of the Spirit into our own spirit……The love is of God, but when you and I received Jesus as our personal Savior we were given the capacity in our born again spirit to contain the love of God……

And as we follow after to know Him, the love that He has for us more and more casts out fear in our lives  (I John 4:16-19)….. Which is very important because fear is the greatest enemy of our faith….. This is “in a nutshell” describes how faith worketh by love…. and we can trace all genuine love back to the very heart of God.

 

Daily Bread…… As Ambassadors for Christ

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Now you and I as believers are ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:18-20). We are His representatives/His agents – urging all men – to be reconciled to God.

We are ambassadors for Christ – and the things which we have seen and heard of Him – we share with you that you also may have that same fellowship with Him ….. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ…. which brings great joy to our lives…

As ambassadors, we make known these things to others that their joy also may be full by knowing Jesus Christ and tasting His presence in their lives…… Thus we urge all in Christ’s stead…… Receive Jesus as Savior today – receive Him and thereby be reconciled to God!…….

“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.” (John 3:16)

I’ll finish this little post with the part we seldom quote – the very next verse –“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  (John 3:17)…..  This part is “the rest of the story/good news” – which all of us truly need to hear….. and as ambassadors we certainly should more often share!