Realizing Who He Is And Whose We Are

I love how David, the "man after God's own heart" knew God's love and faithfulness well enough that no matter what was present in his life, no matter what state he was currently in, that God would hear and forgive if he came before Him with a repentant and honest heart; such as displayed in Psalm 24:1-5 as he proclaims "The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein; for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted  up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
David shows clear understanding of God, the Creator, and that is only with clean hands, a pure heart, and undefiled service, that we come before Him with thanksgiving as proclaimed in Psalm 100, "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD, He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name; For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."
In the reading of his Psalms, the Spirit impressed upon me the last verse of 100- "For the Lord is good" and isn't He tho; so loving, so giving, so caring) "His mercy is everlasting"(forever and ever His mercy is upon us continually pouring out fresh mercies each day-WOW) "and His truth endureth to all generations" (His Word is Truth, never changing/never deviating from His truth; whatever It says is so; if God said it, He'll perform it; just as He said, it endures forever and ever!) Amen! 
WOW!!! What an Awesome and Mighty God we serve. He knows each of us by name and loves each of us the same. Good or bad, there is no difference in His love for us. He forgives All our sins, no matter how small or how great; a sin is a sin and each one is measured the same. No matter how much we sin, He loves us none the less, and no matter how great our service is to Him, He loves us none the more. We are His creations and He loves each and every one of us, Unconditionally. That's what sets Him apart from all we can comprehend. God Loves us just the way we are right now! He is forevermore merciful and loving and Forever Faithful- WOW!!! This is the God we serve. 
Think on these things and Be blessed today, dear friends, God loves you and so do I~~

Learning to Wait Upon The Lord

Ever wonder why some prayers are answered quickly, while some seem to take far too long for God to answer? Ever think God didn't hear you the first time so you repeat the request time and time again but still no response? Ever search through the Word for a scripture to bring before the throne so you can convince God to answer that request the same way as noted therein?
I wonder how often God shakes His head at us in Fatherly love and smiles to Himself as we try to convince Him why He should do this or that; how He must chuckle sometimes as we try to nudge Him or offer up ways He could fix a given situation if only He would do it that way. And knowing His plan for our individual lives, don't ya know He probably thinks, "Oh my precious Child, if only you knew what I know, you would understand." God has to have a sense of humor or where else would we get our funny traits from. He created us in His own likeness and Jesus walked the earth, lived among us, and was tempted as we are, so He knows what leads us to think the way we do.
In Isaiah 55:8-9 God tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways; that as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways and thoughts higher than ours; so why do we try to tell Him how to do His business, or try to manipulate Him to do things our way? Because we are humans and He is Almighty God, and because He is the Creator and we are His creations. And because He loves us with a love far beyond anything we can ever conceive!
We read throughout scripture how God is a jealous god who shares His praise with no one: not doctors, not treatments, not therapy, not laying on of hands by well known individuals, not anyone! And since we are His creations, to God rightfully belongs all praise. But more often than not, we somehow get the notion that we know more about our own families and how things need to be done, and without realizing, we have dared to rob the Creator of His glory.

As individual creators over special things that become dear to us, we become very protective of what we created and will fight to the finish to protect them. As parents over our children, we are quick to protect them from harms way as we set about nurturing them and making sure they have all they need to grow into well developed individuals; but Lord help that individual who attempts to harm them or say something hurtful about them or to them. Our mother hen feathers will quickly rise up and we quickly come to their defense; and everyone knows you don't mess with a mother hen! No one is going to spoil or harm our masterpiece; because That creation is ours and what right do they have to cause them damage?

In much the same way God watches over us, His creations, to guard and keep us in all our ways. As a creator molds and shapes their creation, even so our lives are molded and shaped by God's own hands to be all He created us to be; and just as we don't want anyone messing around with our creation, neither does God want His creation to be changed from what He designed; His very own workmanship. Since we are His creation, It is His plan that He safeguards and when we pray our requests unto Him, as we make our needs and desires known, we should be reminded that even Jesus prayed to the Father in the garden, "nevertheless not my will, but Thy Will be done."
So instead of growing impatient with whatever has come our way and possibly getting discouraged when our request is not answered; maybe we should do a self exam and see what mindset we really have. Do we have the mind of Christ, being submissive to the Father's will; or are we the created telling the Creator what to do and how it should be done, instead of trusting Him with full confidence that He has heard our requests and in His own way and perfect timing He will meet that need in the best way for all concerned? He wants us to trust Him in all our ways as declared in Prov.3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths". He already knows our requests even before we ask, and watches over us to protect and provide those things necessary for us to enjoy an abundant life in Christ Jesus.

So why should we become disgruntled when cares of life are not met in the time frame or manner we think it should be? It's all in our relationship with our Creator, and knowing who we are in Him. It's in knowing that we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus, and that God is forever faithful and will answer in the way Best for all concerned. So as we learn to trust fully in His wisdom and guidance, we learn that in our weakness He is made strong; and as we walk in the pathway He has designed for our life; step by step, hand in hand with Jesus; we will receive His Best in all our ways. He wants only the very BEST for our life, not second best, but only THE BEST as declared in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So let's learn to trust God when an answer to prayer is delayed and fully lean on Him and trust that He is working all things for everyone's good as we wait upon the Lord to accomplish all that is needed in times like these. According to His perfect timing He will bring us to that perfect state in Christ Jesus.... If we trust and not grow weary!

Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends, God loves you and so do I~~~

And The Spirit Hovers Over The Darkness

Ever find your self out into the dark and wonder what it was like in the beginning before God created light? Back when darkness covered the deep and nothing had yet been created; Only the Spirit of God hovering over the deep as noted in Genesis 1:2 NKJV,"The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."  I wonder what it was like, no light anywhere, just total darkness as the Spirit was hovering over the darkness. 
I wonder if He anticipated something was about to happen? It reminds me that we were once covered in the darkness of our sins as the Spirit of God hovered over us; how He must have been anxiously waiting, lingering close at hand, anticipating the moment we would finally realize His presence and allow Him to shine forth light in the midst of our darkness, I can only imagine how excited He was when we finally welcomed Him in to our heart as Lord and our darkness became Light. What a celebration began in the heavenly realms as even the angels rejoiced! So amazing to consider the love He has for us!
He loves us so much that I would never want to live life without Him in it; to feel His eyes watching over me, anxiously waiting for the perfect time to bring His plans to pass in my life. He cares about every thing I do; and even when I mess things up and things look really bad, He has a way of turning it around for my good; performing incredible works needed within my life to make me the best that I can be. I am forever amazed at how He encourages me, empowers me, teaches me, and comforts me; bringing such peace to my soul with full assurance that I am never alone!  
While darkness may attempt to keep us from seeing clearly and temporarily diminish our view, Holy Spirit rises up from deep within and shines His light around us and the darkness is gone. You see there is no darkness in Him at all, and when He abides within us we walk no longer in darkness but in His Light. Jesus tried to express the importance of Holy Spirit to His followers, but it was difficult for them to understand because The Light was right there with them. How could the Spirit do all Jesus said It would do? But in reality, from the very beginning when God spoke the Word, the Spirit performed whatsoever Word was Spoken! God the Father, Jesus the Word, and Holy Spirit- All three in One, forever and ever! Such a mystery and yet So True! Jesus is the Light!
I pray you will allow Him to light your pathway so you can enjoy the beauty of all God has created just for you. Holy Spirit is hovering over your darkness and anxiously waiting to meet your needs today. if you will ask Him in. He can make a way where there seems to be no way! Trust Him to shine His light upon your darkness so you can enjoy a wonderfully blessed day. God loves you and so do I~~~

Learning To Walk In The Light

Colossians 3:12-17 tells us "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another-if any of you has a grievance against someone Forgive, as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 
Dear friends, as followers of Christ Jesus and witnesses of His amazing grace, it is so important that we display the fruits of the Spirit in all we say and do so others can see Christ in us, the Hope of Glory! Learning to walk in the Light to the best of our ability and do unto others as we would have them do unto us is not just "the Golden Rule" but it is the manner in which Jesus taught His followers so others would be drawn into His Kingdom by their Love one to another. So as fellow Christians, let's determine to open our eyes, our mind, our heart, and our ears to His guidance and walk in His Light daily; so at the close of our day, we can lie down in peace knowing that it is well with our soul.
Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends, God loves you and so do I~~~

Walking In His Footsteps

Psalms 27:33 tells us, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." Everything that comes your way today can be a God-opportunity as you acknowledge Him in all your ways (Proverbs 3:5-7) "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." So don't go blindly through today but look for His hand in the midst of it all. You never know when misfortune or unplanned opportunities will produce a "work of God". 
As witnesses of His Divine Glory, we now walk in His footsteps on the pathway of righteousness, having been cleansed by His Sanctifying Blood and Redeemed by His Marvelous Grace. As witnesses, He sends us forth to minister to the world, empowered by Holy Spirit; to preach the gospel to the poor, to bring hope to the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to heal the sick and afflicted, and to set at liberty those who are bound by sin and oppression! It is His desire that everyone come to know and receive the Gift of Salvation and Eternal Life in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
Whatever God has done in the past for just one person, He will do the same for you and me because He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). God is our Strength and our Source. He supplies the Knowledge and Power needed for us to act on His Word. All we need, He Is. (Acts 1:8) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Just think about the *Power* working on the inside of you, empowering you; enabling you to be more than conquerors! You have the Power of Almighty God strengthening, equipping and enabling you to do ALL things (Phillippians 4:13). 
His Power becomes an extension of His Word working through you to accomplish His plans and goals; not only for you, but for every one in this world. We can be God's hands reaching out to a lost and hurting world, His voice sharing love and encouragement, and that comforting hug someone needs to feel today. We can make a difference in this world one soul at a time. We can share His Word and be that light for Jesus so others will follow because His Word will never return unto Him void, but will accomplish every thing It says It will do, for His Glory Sake!  
So today let's walk in His footsteps and be that man who delights in God's way. Let's look for those opportunities to spread hope to that certain someone searching for spiritual guidance, someone needing a hug, or someone needing peace of mind. We can make a difference in lives if we acknowledge Him in all our ways. We can make this day the best it can be if we follow in His footsteps!  I pray you have a blessed day, dear friends, because God loves you and so do I~~~

Learning to Rest In Him

With the final seconds of His earthly life while hanging on the cross, knowing that all things were now accomplished, Jesus cried out, "It Is Finished!"(John 19:28-30). He had fulfilled everything required for our redemption. Once we repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior our sin debt is Paid In Full, Once and Forevermore! Praise The Lord! There is nothing else for us to do, nothing we need to clean up, no words left to be spoken, but only to Rest in Him and in His works as we accept the righteousness given by God in our Lord Jesus!
So let's stop trying to make our self good enough to be His child and learn to relax in Him and in His loving grace. God loves each one of us with an unconditional love that goes far beyond our human comprehension. No matter how far we have fallen, No matter what we have done, No matter where we are at in life, no matter the circumstances that surround us; when we repent of our sins and call upon the name of JESUS, He is right there to wash away EVERY sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It is Not by our works, but through Him and only through Him, that we can be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!
It is then that we have become children of the Most High God with full assurance that nothing can ever separate us from His love as noted in Romans 8:31-39 (TLB), "What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son for us but gave Him up for us all, won't He also surely give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? Will God! No! He is the one who has forgiven us and given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For He is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in Heaven. 
"Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because He doesn't love us anymore? And if we are hungry or penniless or in danger or threatened with death, has God deserted us? No! For the Scriptures tells us that for His sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day-we are like sheep awaiting slaughter; But despite all this, overwhelming Victory is ours through Christ Who Loved us enough to die for us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are-high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean- NOTHING will ever be able to separate us from the Love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for us!" 
What blessed assurance of His divine Love as we proclaim, "I am His and He is mine, forevermore!"
Have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friend. God loves you and so do I~~~

Becoming His Chosen Priesthood

In Isaiah 43:19 we are told, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness" and surely even today, God continues to do new things all around us; Can you not see it; Can you not hear His plea to come up a little closer; to come up a little higher? He cries out for us to Move in a little closer, to Trust Him more completely, to Seek Him in the face of trouble surrounding us, and to lay aside the "norms" as we gather to worship Him as His Spirit hovers in our midst. After all, we gather to lift up His Holy Name, the name of Jesus; don't we? 

It's when we learn to keep our mind upon Him, that He brings us into higher realms of praise and worship and meets needs only He can meet. God seeks a child-like personal relationship with each and every one of His children. We were all created to be His family; not creations who are distant and don't know Him personally! He desires to bestow His love upon us so we can feel how truly loved we are and enjoy a Father-child relationship one on one. The closer we draw to God, the more our spirit rises up from the depths of our soul and songs of praise come forth, "Because of who You are I give you glory; Because of who You are I give you praise; Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and say, Lord, I worship You because of who You are; Lord I worship You because of who You are. Jehovah Jireh, my provider; Jehovah Nissi, you reign in victory; Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace and I worship You because of who You are; Lord I worship You because of who You are!"

God is surely our Provider, our Strength, our Healer, our Refuge, and our Peace; "a very present help in time of trouble"(Psalm 46:1). Where can you hide that He is not there (Jeremiah 23:24)? What can you think about, speak about, or do that He doesn't know about it already (Psalm 139:1-5)? His ways and His thoughts are far above ours (Isaiah 55:8) and yet He loves us so unconditionally that He would move heaven and earth to give us His Best because of His great love for you and me! God sent Jesus into the world, not to condemn the world; but that through Him all who would believe might be saved(John 3:16,17). We are repeatedly assured in the Word that He is quick to hear, slow to anger, and always gives the right advice. Through the darkest of times, He assures us that "Weeping may endure for the moment, but Joy comes in the morning"(Psalm 30:5). He is Forever Faithful and hears our faintest cry, and He stands ready to wrap us in His comforting arms and give us peace as we call upon His name.

I think about the eagle and its unusual large eyes compared to the size of its head, allowing it to have extremely keen eyesight. Eagles are admired the world over as living symbols of power, of freedom, and transcendence. They are so graceful as they fly high into the heavens over-riding storms that may arise, bringing Psalm 91:1 to mind: "He that dwelleth in the Secret Place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." and in verse 4 "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust; His truth shall be thy strength and buckler." Such love He bestows as I Peter 2:9 declares, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession; that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

It is our Father's will that we walk not in darkness but as children of Light; reflecting His Love throughout the world. His Light shines in the darkness and only those who choose Not to comprehend it are left in darkness (John 3:19). Moment by moment as we walk with Him, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus, Who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. As we walk in His light to the best of our ability, others will see the change within us and want to know the Hope we have found, so they can walk in the light in return; and this glorifies our Father in Heaven through Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

So "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."(Colossians 3:12-17)

I pray that as you walk through this day, you allow His light to shine from deep within as it reaches out to others in darkness; and I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day, dear friends, because God loves you and so do I~~