Friday, July 29, 2011

SO MUCH MORE

AN OLD SHOE WILL ALWAYS BE AN OLD SHOE.  A USED PAPER PLATE SERVES NO PURPOSE.  ONCE A COTTON BALL GETS WET, IT LOOSES ITS FLUFFINESS FOREVER.  A BROKEN WINDOW MUST BE REPLACED.  EVEN THE BEST ICE CREAM LOOSES ITS APPEAL ONCE IT MELTS.  PAPER TOWELS ARE DISPOSABLE.  WE ALL KNOW THESE SIMPLE FACTS TO BE TRUE.  AS USUAL, MY MIND IS WHIRLING THIS MORNING AND MY THOUGHTS ARE COMING TOGETHER TO A SPECIFIC POINT. 

ALL TOO OFTEN, WE, IN REALITY, VIEW OURSELVES AS DISPOSABLE, USED, BROKEN, TORN, REPLACABLE OR GARBAGE.  WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE ARE NO GOOD OR THAT WE WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING.  SOME OF US MIGHT HAVE A HORRIBLE REPUTATION, WHICH MIGHT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME.  THE TRICKS OF THE DEVIL ARE PLENTIFUL AND HE GETS HIS GLORY THROUGH OUR MISERIES.  ADDICTIONS, BAD CHOICES AND THE LIFESTYLES WE SOMETIMES CHOOSE TO LIVE BRING US DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.....RIGHT WHERE THE DEVIL WANTS US TO BE.

BUT.................
HERE COMES THE GOOD PART......................

WE WERE ALL CREATED BY A GOD WHO LOVES US TREMENDOUSLY!  WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECES (EPHESIANS 2:10), NOT GARBAGE.  WE ARE HEIRS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD (MATTHEW 19:14), NOT MEANT TO BE SLAVES TO SIN.  WE WERE CREATED IN HIS OWN IMAGE!!!!  JUST THAT THOUGHT ALONE IS ENOUGH TO BLOW MY MIND!  WE ARE JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST (ROMANS 8:17).  COUNTLESS ANGELS WATCH OVER US ALL (HEBREWS 12:22).  WE WERE MEANT TO WALK IN LIGHT, NOT DARKNESS.  CONFIDENCE, NOT FEAR.  LOVE NOT HATE!!!

WE ARE ALL THESE THINGS TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.....AND SO MUCH MORE!

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE WAY I FEEL WHEN I CONSIDER THE LOVE GOD HAS FOR US ALL.  NO SIN IS TOO GREAT AND NO PAST IS TOO HORRIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO HIS FORGIVENESS!  WE ARE SUCH A BLESSED PEOPLE!  TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17  THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION;  OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW

Thursday, July 28, 2011

WHATEVER IT TAKES

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WE DO IN OUR DAILY LIVES WHICH WE DONT EVEN THINK TWICE ABOUT.  WE KNOW WE GOTTA DO THEM WHATEVER IT TAKES AND THATS THAT!  I AM TALKING ABOUT SIMPLE THINGS, LIKE, KEEPING GAS IN OUR VEHICLES, EATING, GETTING THE KIDS OFF TO SCHOOL, PAYING OUR ELECTRIC BILL, OR EVEN CLEANING OUT THE REFRIGERATOR FROM TIME TO TIME.  THOSE THINGS ARE NECESSARY AND MUST BE DONE!  I WOKE UP FOR A FEW MINUTES AT 2:47 THIS MORNING AND JUST KNEW WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TODAY!  IN FACT, I HAD A HARD TIME GOING BACK TO SLEEP, WHICH IS QUITE ODD FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!

ALL WEEK LONG, A CERTAIN CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE HAS BEEN POPPING UP IN MY MIND, IN CONVERSATIONS AND EVEN HERE ON FACEBOOK.  THAT SPECIFIC CHAPTER AND VERSE HAPPENS TO BE GALATIANS 5:22, THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, OF WHICH THERE ARE 9.  IT IS A NECESSITY THAT WE ALL NOT ONLY LEARN, BUT ALSO LIVE OUR LIVES BY THESE PARTICULAR FRUITS!  JUST AS WE DO WHATEVER IT TAKES IN OUR DAILY PHYSICAL LIVES, WE MUST DO THE SAME SPIRITUALLY IF WE WISH TO ENJOY HEAVENLY SPLENDOR.

WE ABSOLUTELY MUST REMOVE ALL DOUBTS IN OUR LIVES AND REPLACE THEM WITH MORE THAN A MEASURE OF FAITH.  ANGER HAS NO PLACE IN A CHRISTIANS LIFE, BUT JOY SURELY DOES!  CHAOS IS A TOOL OF THE DEVIL AND CANNOT COMPETE WITH THE PEACE OF GOD.  HATE IS A DEADLY EMOTION, BUT LOVE SURPASSES ALL!  WORLDLY DESIRES ARE IMPATIENT, BUT LONGSUFFERING PAYS OFF IN THE END.  LETS NOT BE IMPULSIVE, BUT PRACTICE SELF CONTROL.  EVIL KILLS, BUT GOODNESS LIVES ETERNALLY.  WHY PRACTICE CRUELTY WHEN KINDNESS IS SO MUCH EASIER?  INFIDELITY IS ANOTHER TRICK OF SATAN, BUT GOD IS THE DEFINITION OF FAITHFULNESS!

I HAVE BEEN CONSUMED WITH THESE THOUGHTS THIS MORNING.  THE LORD HAS PLACED THIS FIRMLY ON MY HEART.  I AM SO THANKFUL, GRATEFUL AND ENCOURAGED THAT GOD'S WORD TELLS US OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.  WE ARE A BLESSED PEOPLE!  GOD LOVES US ALL SO MUCH!

GALATIANS 5:22  BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

THE WATER

ISNT IT STRANGE HOW WE DONT EVER MISS ANYTHING UNTIL ITS GONE?  WE TAKE SO MANY "LITTLE" THINGS FOR GRANTED.  SPEAKING FOR MYSELF, I SURE DO!!!  OUR WATER IS TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF OUT HERE ON NORRIS ROAD THIS MORNING DUE TO WORK NEEDED ON THE WATER LINES.  I DIDNT REALIZE HOW OFTEN I TURN ON THE FAUCET UNTIL JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO.  THE LORD HAS ALSO USED THIS TEMPORARY LACK OF WATER TO LET ME KNOW JUST EXACTLY WHAT HE HAS IN MIND FOR ME TO WRITE ABOUT TODAY!!! 

I AM REMINDED OF TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN I SUFFERED FROM SEVERE SPIRITUAL THIRST AND DEHYDRATION.  I REMEMBER LITERALLY DRIVING DOWN A NEVADA HIGHWAY, EXHAUSTED BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, FEARING THE DESERT HEAT.  I ALSO REMEMBER DAYS OF SPIRITUAL DEHYDRATION RIGHT HERE IN MY HOMETOWN.  FROM ONE EXTREME TO THE NEXT, I WAS NONETHELESS THIRSTING FOR A CERTAIN WATER AND DIDNT EVEN KNOW IT. 

IT DOESNT TAKE MUCH TO BRING THE WOMAN AT THE WELL TO MY MIND (JOHN 6).  I STRONGLY IDENTIFY WITH THIS SAMARITAN WOMAN.  SHE REMINDS ME OF MYSELF IN SO MANY WAYS.  THIS BIBLICAL WOMAN AND I SHARED THE SAME SPIRITUAL THIRST!  SHE AND I ALSO SHARE THE SAME LIVING GOD WHO SUPPLIES THE EXACT SAME SPIRITUAL WATER.  HE SUPPLIED HER NEEDS OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING FOR ME TODAY!!! 

THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, GOD SUPPLIES ALL OF US WITH A LIMITLESS SUPPLY OF SPIRITUAL WATER.  WE ARE ABLE TO DRINK ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, AS OFTEN AS WE CHOOSE TO DO SO.  HE SPECIFICALLY TELLS US THIS IN JOHN 7:37, "IF ANYONE THIRSTS, LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK."  IN THE NEXT VERSE, HE TELLS US MORE.  THE DIRECT WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST SAYS, "HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, AS THE SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER." (JOHN 7:38)  WOW............RIVERS OF LIVING WATER!!!!!!!  RIVERS!!! 

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIS RIVERS OF LIVING WATER TODAY!  FOR ME, FOR YOU, FOR US ALL!  THANK YOU LORD!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

THE BEST CHOICE YOU WILL EVER MAKE

ONCE AGAIN, I SIT DOWN TO WRITE ABOUT SOMETHING WE ALL HAVE IN COMMON.  WE ALL ARE FORCED TO MAKE CHOICES DAILY.  SOME BIG, SOME SMALL, SOME DIFFICULT, SOME SIMPLE.  OUR CHOICES VARY IN LEVELS OF IMPORTANCE.   WE HAVE ALL MADE THE OCCASIONAL BAD CHOICE OR WRONG DECISION.....SOME OF US MORE THAN OTHERS!!!! 
 
YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WAS ONCE THE QUEEN OF BAD CHOICES.  NO MATTER WHAT I DID, NO MATTER WHERE I WENT, WHO I WAS WITH OR WHAT WAS GOING ON, IF THERE WAS A BAD CHOICE TO BE MADE, I MADE IT. I SUFFERED THE CONSEQUENCES OF MY CHOICES AND BELIEVE ME, I PAID DEARLY.  I WAS ONCE VERY ASHAMED OF MY CHOICES.  I SAW MYSELF AS A FAILURE.  MY CHOICES LED ME STRAIGHT DOWN A PATH OF DESTRUCTION, ANGER, FEAR AND DEPRESSION.  I BELIEVED THE LIES OF THE DEVIL AND HE HAD ME RIGHT WHERE HE WANTED ME. I WONT GO INTO DETAILS, THOSE ARE NOT IMPORTANT.  THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME ARE AWARE AND I DONT HAVE TO SAY A WORD.  THANK GOD FOR HIS MERCY, FOR HIS SAVING GRACE.
   THE CONCEPT OF CHOICES STARTED WITH ADAM AND EVE.  THEY MADE THE CHOICE TO EAT OF THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT AND WERE BANNED FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN.  CAIN MADE THE CHOICE TO KILL HIS BROTHER AND WAS EXILED TO BECOME A WANDERER.  NOAH CHOSE TO BUILD THE ARK EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE THOUGHT HE WAS CRAZY.  GOD CONSIDERED HIMN RIGHTEOUS.  NOAH'S ACTIONS SAVED MANKIND.  ABRAHAM NEARLY SACRIFICED THE SON, WHO MEANT EVERYTHING TO HIM, WAS STOPPED BY THE VOICE OF GOD AND THEN RECEIVED PROMISES, PROMISES, PROMISES!!!  MOSES ALSO CHOSE TO OBEY GOD AND BECAME LEADER OF A GREAT NATION.  YOUNG, INNOCENT, SWEET MARY CHOSE TO BE USED BY GOD AND SHE GAVE BIRTH TO JESUS, WHO BECAME OUR LIVING SACRIFICE!!!!!!  JUDAS CHOSE TO BETRAY OUR LIVING SACRIFICE FOR A FEW COINS AND WENT ON TO COMMIT SUICIDE.  AND WE GOTTA LOVE SAUL, WHO WAS STRUCK DOWN ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS WHILE ON A MISSION TO PERSECUTE, TORTURE AND KILL CHRISTIANS.  HE MADE THE CHOICE TO OBEY GOD AND BECAME THE APOSTLE PAUL, WHO WROTE OVER HALF OF THE NEW TESTAMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   
THE CHANGE IN PAUL WAS SUDDEN, IMMEDIATE AND DRAMATIC.  THROUGH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, BUT FOR ME, THE CHANGE DIDNT TAKE PLACE OVER NIGHT.  IN FACT, I STILL BATTLE SELF WILL AT TIMES.  I ALWAYS WILL!  THATS WHERE THE GRACE OF GOD STEPS IN.  IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE ALL MOVE FORWARD.  LITTLE BY LITTLE, DAY BY DAY.  THE GRACE OF GOD WILL NOT LEAD YOU WRONG.  BY MAKING THE CHOICE TO STAND FIRM AND TO LISTEN FOR THAT STILL SMALL VOICE WE CAN ALL LOOK FORWARD TO A GLORIOUS FUTURE IN HEAVEN.
   
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17  THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW..............................................A CHOICE
 
PSALM 37:3-5  TRUST IN THE LORD, AND DO GOOD; DWELL IN THE LORD, AND FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS.  DELIGHT YOURSELF ALSO IN THE LORD AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.  COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD, TRUST ALSO IN HIM, AND HE SHALL BRING IT TO PASS...........................A CHOICE
 
MATTHEW 6:33  BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU.........................A CHOICE
 
PROVERBS 4:27  DO NOT TURN TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT.  REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM EVIL......................A CHOICE
 
MATTHEW 6:24  NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS, FOR EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER, OR ELSE BE LOYAL TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER.  YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MAN......................A CHOICE
 
LUKE 11:23  HE WHO IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME, AND HE DOES NOT GATHER WITH ME SCATTERS......................A CHOICE
 
GALATIANS 5:1  STAND STRONG THEREFORE, IN THE LIBERTY BY WHICH CHRIST HAS MADE US FREE, AND DO NOT BE ENTANGLED AGAIN WITH A YOKE OF BONDAGE..........................A CHOICE
   
EACH DAY, ALL DAY LONG, WE ARE FORCED TO MAKE CHOICES.  EACH HOUR WE LIVE IS A GIFT.  NONE OF US ARE PROMISED TOMORROW.  CHOOSE LIFE.  CHOOSE LOVE.  CHOOSE GOD.  I CAN PROMISE YOU IT WILL BE THE BEST CHOICE YOU EVER MAKE!!!!!

Monday, July 25, 2011

THAT FIVE LETTER WORD

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, THERE WERE CERTAIN WORDS WHICH WE JUST WERENT ALLOWED TO SAY.  MY PARENTS DIDNT ALLOW US TO CUSS, BUT THOSE ARENT THE WORDS I AM TALKING ABOUT TODAY.  MY BROTHER AND I COULDNT CALL EACH OTHER STUPID.  SAYING, "I HATE YOU" WAS NEVER ALLOWED.  AS A CHILD, I REMEMBER GETTING FUSSED AT BY MY GRANDMA WHEN I SAID THE WORD PREGNANT....LOL  THOSE ARE THE KIND OF WORDS WHICH WERE BY NO MEANS ALLOWED.  I HAVE A WORD ON MY MIND TODAY WHICH MIGHT NOT BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE, BUT TO ME, ITS CONCEPT IS DESTRUCTIVE AND UNGODLY.  IT DOESNT HAVE FOUR LETTERS, IT IS A FIVE LETTER WORD, AND THAT WORD IS..........DOUBT!

DOUBT, CONFUSION, CHAOS, UNHAPPINESS, ANXIETY, STRESS, DRAMA AND SORROW ALL GO HAND IN HAND.  THESE WORDS PAIN AN UGLY PICTURE.  THE DEVIL CONTAINS ALL OF THESE CONCEPTS, AND MORE, IN HIS DIRTY LITTLE BAG OF TRICKS.  HE KEEPS THEM READILY AVAILABLE AND OFTEN SPRINKLES THEM DIRECTLY ONTO OUR PATH.  I ONCE ALLOWED HIM TO HEAP ALL OF THESE CONCEPTS AT MY FEET.  IN FACT, I WAS NEARLY SMOTHERED BY THEM ALL.  I DIDNT FEEL WORTHY.  I HONESTLY BELIEVED THAT HAPPINESS WASNT MEANT FOR ME.  I FELT UNDESERVING OF THE HAPPINESS WHICH OTHERS SO FREELY ENJOYED.  DOUBT CLOUDED MY DAYS AND SERVED AS MY BLANKET AT NIGHT.  THAT FIVE LETTER WORD WAS A MONSTER!

I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLE.  THEIR EXPERIENCES OFFER ME CONTINUOUS GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION.  IN REGARDS TO DOUBT, THOMAS SPRINGS INTO MY MIND (JOHN 20).  THOMAS WASNT WITH THE OTHER DISCIPLES WHEN THE GRAVE CLOTHES OF JESUS WERE FOUND.  WHEN TOLD OF THIS MONUMENTOUS EVENT, HE EXPRESSED HIS DOUBT BY STATING, "UNLESS I SEE IN HIS HANDS THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, AND PUT MY FINGER INTO THE PRINT OF THE NAILS, AND PUT MY HAND INTO HIS SIDE, I WILL NOT BELIEVE" (JOHN 20:25).  AFTER 8 DAYS, JESUS HIMSELF ARRIVED, STOOD IN THE MIDST AND SPOKE DIRECTLY TO THOMAS.  HE SAID, "REACH YOUR FINGER HERE, AND LOOK AT MY HANDS;  AND REACH YOUR HAND HERE, AND PUT IT INTO MY SIDE.  DO NOT BE UNBELIEVING, BUT BELIEVING" (JOHN 20:27).  IMAGINE THOMAS' AMAZEMENT WHEN HE EXCLAIMED, "MY LORD AND MY GOD!!!!" (JOHN 20:28)  JESUS THEN REPLIED, "THOMAS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME, YOU HAVE BELIEVED.   BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET BELIEVED" (JOHN 20:29) 

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THIS CHAPTER OF THE BIBLE SPEAKS VOLUMES TO ME!  GOD'S WORD IS TRUE!  GOD'S WORD CANNOT LIE!  IF HE TELLS ME I AM WORTHY, I BELIEVE IT.  IF HE TELLS ME MY SINS ARE FORGIVEN, THEN SO BE IT.  HE KNOWS I HAVE FLAWS.  HE KNOWS I AM NOT PERFECT, BUT HE LOVES ME ANYWAY.  HOW CAN I DOUBT THAT?  HIS PLAN FOR ME IS UNFOLDING AND WILL BE NOTHING LESS THAN MARVELOUS!  THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!  DOUBT IS A HINDERANCE.  I STAND ON THIS BELIEF TODAY AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY! 

Sunday, July 24, 2011

DONT BEAT YOURSELF UP

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BLESSED, EVEN WHEN I DIDNT KNOW IT.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE TO WORRY, EVEN AT TIMES WHEN I SHOULD HAVE.   MY HEART GOES OUT TO SEVERAL PEOPLE CLOSE TO ME, WHO SEEM TO WORRY A GOOD BIT AND HAVE A HARD TIME FORGIVING THEMSELVES.  I KNOW THIS SOUNDS SILLY, BUT I WISH THAT SOMEHOW I COULD TEACH THEM OR GIVE THEM WHAT I HAVE INSIDE OF ME THAT BLOCKS WORRIES AND ANXIETIES. 

AS I SAID, I DIDNT WORRY, EVEN WHEN I SHOULD HAVE.  TODAY, I REALIZE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF FAITH.  NO WONDER MY FAVORITE EXPRESSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN, "ITS GONNA BE ALRIGHT."  I ALSO REALIZE TODAY THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, I AM IN FACT STILL HUMAN AND I WILL SIN AND FALL SHORT.   WE SERVE A LOVING GOD WHO KNOWS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO EVEN BEFORE WE DO IT.  OUR TENDENCY TO SIN GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE START OF THE HUMAN RACE.  BY SENDING HIS ONLY SON HERE TO DIE FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, GOD MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR SINS TO BE FORGIVEN. 

IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE OUR SINFUL BEHAVIOR, ASK FOR FORGIVENESS WITH AN REPENTIVE HEART AND TRY OUR BEST TO SIN NO MORE.  ONCE WE GET HONEST WITH GOD AND CONFESS OUR SINS, THEY ARE THROWN INTO THE SEA OF FORGIVENESS, AND ARE NO LONGER REMEMBERED BY OUR LOVING GOD.   HE PROVIDES US WITH A RENEWED STRENGTH, A NEW HOPE AND THE MEASURE OF FAITH NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD INTO HIS LOVING PRESENCE.  HE DOESNT WANT US TO BEAT OURSELVES UP.  JESUS WENT TO THE CROSS FOR THAT EXACT REASON. 

THE TENDENCY TO WORRY IS NOT OF GOD.  IT IS A TRICK OF THE DEVIL, WHO LOVES TO PLACE DOUBT INTO OUR MINDS.  GOD WANTS FOR US TO BE HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE.  FREE OF ALL FEAR AND ANXIETY.  FREE OF GUILT.  AS I SAID, OUR CONFESSED SINS ARE THROWN INTO THE SEA OF FORGIVENESS....WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!  AND FOR THAT..........I AM SO THANKFUL TODAY!

ISAIAH 40:31  BUT THOSE WHO WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY, THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT

PSALM 32:1  BLESSED IS HE WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN, WHOSE SIN IS COVERED

PSALM 51:2  WASH ME THOROUGHLY FROM MY INIQUITY AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN

Friday, July 22, 2011

THERE COMES A TIME

HERE ON FACEBOOK, WE SEE ALOT OF STATUSES WHICH URGE OTHERS TO "REPOST."  SOME ARE SILLY, SOME ARE FUNNY, SOME ARE OUTRAGEOUS, SOME ARE UPLIFTING AND SOME ARE DOWNRIGHT SAD.  I HAVE BEEN SEEING ONE QUITE REGULARLY AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I SEE IT, I READ IT AGAIN.  IT CARRIES AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE, A MESSAGE WE ALL NEED TO HEAR.  I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY TO COPY AND PASTE IT INTO MY "NOTE" TODAY.  HERE GOES...........

There comes a time in life when you walk away from all the pointless drama and the people who create it. Surround yourself with people that add meaning to your life. Life is too short to be wasted on controlling, insecure, jealous and unstable people.

 NO MATTER WHO YOU MIGHT HAPPEN TO BE, I FEEL QUITE SURE YOU CAN RELATE TO THE WORDS OF THIS MESSAGE.  WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED DRAMA, POINTLESS CONFUSION AND NEEDLESS HEARTACHE AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.  WE HAVE ALL BEEN INSECURE AND WE ALL HAVE ENCOUNTERED BOTH JEALOUS AND UNSTABLE PEOPLE.  WE MIGHT HAVE EVEN BEEN THESE PEOPLE OURSELVES.

UNHAPPINESS, MISERY AND CONFUSION ARE ALL TOOLS OF THE DEVIL.  IT GIVES HIM PLEASURE TO SEE US DEFEATED.  I AM IN NO WAY GIVING HIM GLORY, BUT SATAN IS THE MASTER OF DECEPTION AND WILL BRING ENDLESS HEARTACHE INTO OUR LIVES..............AS LONG AS WE LET HIM!!!!!

 WE HAVE LITTLE CONTROL OVER MANY THINGS IN OUR LIVES, BUT WE DO HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER THE PESTY TRICKS OF THE DEVIL.  WHEN WE STAND FIRM AND REMIND HIM OF WHO HE IS, HE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FLEE!  WE NEED TO STAND TALL, PUT HIM BEHIND US AND SEND HIM ALL OF HIS DRAMA, CONFUSION, HEARTACHE, UGLINESS AND MISERY RIGHT BACK TO THE PITS OF HELL.......WE HAVE THAT POWER AND AUTHORITY!!!

COLOSSIANS 3:8 TELLS US TO PUT ANGER, WRATH, MALICE, BLASPHEMY AND FILTHY LANGUAGE OUT OF OUR MOUTH.  GALATIANS 5:22 URGES US TO EXHIBIT THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH ARE LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL.  WE MUST BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO WRATH.  GOD WANTS US TO BE HAPPY, JOYOUS AND FREE.  WE MUST SPEAK ALL THESE THINGS INTO EXISTANCE.  REMIND THE DEVIL THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD, THAT YOUR DAYS ARE BLESSED AND THAT YOUR LOVING FATHER IS WITH YOU ALWAYS!

SAY GOODBYE TO DRAMA!  HAVE PEACE, JOY AND LOVE IN YOUR LIFE!

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A CLOSER LOOK AT LOVE

ITS EASY TO SAY WE LOVE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSE TO US AND TO KNOW THAT WE LOVE THEM IN RETURN.  I LOVE MY CHILDREN, MY PARENTS, OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND CLOSE FRIENDS.  I KNOW THAT I LOVE THEM AND THEY KNOW IT TOO.  I SHARE AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE BASED UPON EMOTION WITH THESE PEOPLE.  IN MY "NOTE" TODAY, I WANNA TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT LOVE....AGAPE LOVE, GODLY LOVE, BROTHERLY LOVE!

IN OUR DAILY LIVES, WE OFTEN PICK AND CHOOSE WHO WE LIKE, LOVE OR EVEN TOLERATE.  WE OFTEN BECOME ANGRY WITH OTHERS AND SIMPLY WRITE THEM OFF, BAD-MOUTH THEM OR TAKE PLEASURE IN THEIR MISFORTUNES.  WE FIND IT EASY TO POINT OUT THEIR FAULTS, WHILE IGNORING OUR OWN.  AROUND HERE, PEOPLE ARE OFTEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING.  IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS, CAIN KILLED HIS BROTHER ABEL.  WE COMMIT SPIRITUAL MURDER DAILY WHEN WE CHOOSE TO IGNORE GOD'S COMMANDMENT THAT WE WALK IN LOVE (MARK 12:30,31). 

WE PROFESS TO LOVE THE LORD, BUT OUR ACTIONS DEMONSTRATE OTHERWISE WHEN WE CHOOSE NOT TO LOVE.  GODLY LOVE IS AN ACTION, NOT AN EMOTION.  WE MUST DECIDE DAILY TO WALK IN LOVE, NOT HATE.  WE MUST FORGIVE OTHERS SO THAT WE MAY BE FORGIVEN AS WELL.  LUKE 6:27-28 TELLS US TO LOVE OUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU.  ROMANS 12:14 SAYS TO BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU;  BLESS AND DO NOT CURSE.  THESE COMMANDS GO DIRECTLY AGAINST OUR SINFUL HUMAN NATURE.   DEVELOPING GODLY LOVE CAN BE QUITE DIFFICULT, BUT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE.  GOD IS LOVE!  WITHOUT LOVE, WE CANNOT SEE THE FACE OF GOD.  IN ORDER FOR US TO BE FORGIVEN, WE MUST FIRST FORGIVE.  FORGIVENESS AND LOVE GO HAND IN HAND.  WE WONT FIND ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER! 

LOVE IS A BASIC CONCEPT OF THE BIBLE.  WITHOUT IT, WE ARE NOTHING.  GOD LOVES US ALL SO MUCH, EVEN WHEN WE DONT DESERVE IT.  WE DONT GET OURSELVES OUT OF JAMS, GOD DOES THROUGH HIS LOVE AND MERCY.  IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, AS CHRISTIANS, TO SHOW THE SAME MERCY AND LOVE TO EVERYONE.  IT IS A REQUIREMENT.  IT IS NECESSARY.  IT IS HIS FIRST COMMANDMENT.   LETS WALK IN LOVE SO THAT WE MIGHT ALL ENJOY HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT!

JOHN 13:35  "BY THIS ALL WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER"

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

GET OFF OF THAT FENCE

A HALF BUILT HOUSE IS EXACTLY THAT.........A HALF BUILT HOUSE.  UNDERCOOKED RICE DESTROYS A GOOD MEAL.  READING THREE QUARTERS OF A BOOK IS A WASTE OF TIME.  A BOX OF CEREAL IS USELESS WITHOUT MILK.  IF I WANT TO EAT SPAGHETTI, I MIGHT NEED A FORK.  A CAR WITH NO WHEELS SERVES NO PURPOSE.  A CAKE WITHOUT ICING LOSES ALL APPEAL....AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.  CERTAIN THINGS IN LIFE GO HAND IN HAND.  THE SAME IS TRUE WHEN IT COMES TO LIVING A GODLY LIFESTYLE.  WORDS AND ACTIONS GO HAND IN HAND. 

ONCE AGAIN, I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.  FOR QUITE SOME TIME, I CLAIMED TO LOVE THE LORD.  I WENT TO CHURCH.......WHEN I FELT LIKE IT.  I PRAYED.....WHEN I WAS IN TROUBLE.  I THANKED GOD.......WHEN HE DID WHAT I WANTED HIM TO DO.  BUT...............MOST OF THE TIME, GOD JUST WASNT IN THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND.  I LIVED WITHOUT GODLY DIRECTION.  I CLAIMED TO LOVE GOD, BUT I SEE NOW THAT I DIDNT REALLY MEAN IT.  I LOVED HIM WHEN IT WAS CONVENIENT.  I STRADDLED BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE.  I LOVED THE WORLD AND ALL THAT IT REPRESENTED.....MY PARENTS OFTEN TOLD ME THAT I WAS A SUCKER FOR PUNISHMENT!  LOOKING BACK NOW, I SEE THAT I TRULY WAS.  MATTHEW 6:24 TELLS US THAT "NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS; FOR HE WILL EITHER HATE THE ONE AND LOVE THE OTHER, OR ELSE HE WILL BE LOYAL TO THE ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER.  YOU CANNOT SERVE BOTH GOD AND MAN."  I ACTED LIKE BITTER WATER AND SWEET WATER COULD COME FROM THE SAME ROCK!!!  I HAD TO GET OFF OF THAT FENCE!!!!!!!!!

I KNOW TODAY THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOVE THE LORD AND TO LOVE A LIFE OF SIN AT THE SAME TIME.  IT SIMPLY CANNOT BE DONE.  IF I AM GONNA LIVE FOR GOD, I AM GONNA LIVE FOR GOD!  IN CHURCH, OUT OF CHURCH, IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON (2 TIMOTHY 4:2).  WHEN WE DECIDE TO FOLLOW THE LORD, WE DO NOT TAKE ON A PART-TIME RESPONSIBILITY.  OUR ACTIONS EITHER ENCOURAGE OR TURN AWAY OTHERS WHO MIGHT HAPPEN TO BE STRADDLING THE SAME FENCE THAT I ONCE USE AS A BALANCING BEAM!  WE MUST MAKE IT OUR BUSINESS TO BE SEEN AS A BEACON OF GOD'S LOVE.  WE CANNOT BE SEEN AS DOUBLE-MINDED (JAMES 1:8)  AND WE MUST MAKE IT OUR BUSINESS TO NEVER BECOME LUKEWARM (REV 3:16).  LIVING FOR GOD IS A PRIVLEGE, A WONDERFUL WAY OF LIFE!  LORD, LET ME SHOW OTHERS THEY WAY TO A LIFE OF JOY UNSPEAKABLE! 
LUKE 9:23  THEN HE SAID TO THEM ALL, " IF ANYONE DESIRES TO COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME" 

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

DONT LOOK BACK

IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU OFTEN HAVE A HARD TIME MAKING DECISIONS.  YOU WONDER WHAT PEOPLE WILL THINK, HOW THEY MIGHT REACT AND EVEN WONDER WHAT THEY WILL SAY ABOUT YOU IF YOU DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.  WELL, HERE IS A NEWSFLASH...........NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO OR WHEN YOU DO IT, PEOPLE ARE GONNA TALK.  PEOPLE WILL PUT YOU DOWN.  THEY WILL HATE TO SEE YOU SUCCEED AND WAIT TO WATCH YOU FALL.  ITS JUST HUMAN NATURE. 

FOR A VERY LONG TIME, I GAVE PEOPLE REASON TO EXPECT THE WORST OUT OF ME.  THROUGH MY ACTIONS, I BROUGHT OUT THE WORST OF RESPONSES FROM OTHERS.  I LIVED A CURSED LIFE AND I RECEIVED CURSES IN RETURN.  I PUT MYSELF DOWN AND HELD NO EXPECTATIONS OTHERWISE.  I ACTUALLY SOUGHT OUT OTHERS WHO ENJOYED LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF UNHAPPINESS.  THAT IS WHERE I THRIVED! 

I SAY THESE THINGS NOT TO DWELL ON THE PAST, BUT TO FIRMLY ENCOURAGE OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN LIED TO BY THE DEVIL.  THERE IS A BETTER WAY.  A SIMPLER WAY OF LIFE, WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DRAMA, THE STRESS AND THE DEFEAT OF THE WORLD AROUND YOU!  SATAN HAS LIED, CHEATED AND STOLEN WAY TOO MUCH FROM ALL OF US!  GOD, ON THE OTHER HAND IS READY, WILLING AND MORE THAN ABLE TO RESTORE EACH OF OUR LOSSES!  ALL IT TAKES IS DETERMINATION AND A WILLING, OPEN, HONEST HEART. 

DONT WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT SAY.  THROUGH CHRIST, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.  IT IS HIS OBJECTIVE TO SET CAPTIVES FREE.  BECOME TIRED OF LIVING IN DEFEAT!  TURN YOUR BACK ON THE WICKED WAYS OF THE WORLD!  BREAK THE CHAINS WHICH HAVE BOUND YOU SO TIGHTLY!  LISTEN FOR THE STILL, SMALL VOICE OF GOD!  FIND A WAY TO GET INTO HIS PRESENCE!  DISCOVER THE REAL MEANING OF LIFE!  WHO CARES WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT THINK?????  MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO LIVE FOR GOD TODAY AND DONT LOOK BACK!!!!!  I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET IT!

MATTHEW 6:33  "BUT SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU"

ACTS 5:29  "WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MAN"

ROMANS 12:2  AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT NBE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD

Monday, July 18, 2011

GOD CAN FIX ANYTHING

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN WHERE EVERYBODY PRETTY MUCH KNOWS ONE ANOTHER IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.  MY DAD IS PRETTY MUCH WELL KNOWN FOR HIS CARPENTRY WORK AND HIS ABILITY TO REMODEL HOMES AND STRUCTURES.  HE CAN BUILD A HOUSE HOUSE,  WHIP UP A DEER STAND AND FIGURE UP MATERIALS NEEDED FOR A PROJECT WITH A QUICKNESS.....

BUT.................................

I KNOW A MAN.....................................

WHO CAN MAKE EVEN MY DADDY LOOK LIKE A CHILD ERECTING HIS FIRST SET OF LEGO'S!  I AM NOT SPEAKING FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, I AM SPEAKING FROM FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE!  MY GOD IS A MASTER AT RESTORATION, A CRAFTSMAN OF THE UTMOST EXPERIENCE AND THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECT OF ALL THAT IS GOOD!!!!  HE IS CURRENTLY IN CHARGE OF REBUILDING EVERYTHING THAT I SO CARELESSLY CAST ASIDE AND HE IS PAYING SPECIAL ATTENTION TO EVERY LAST DETAIL.  WHERE I WAS WEAK, HE IS MAKING ME STRONG, HE HAS REPLACED MY DOUBT WITH IMMEASURABLE FAITH AND HE ENCOURAGES ME DAILY TO SPREAD HIS WORD TO OTHERS JUST LIKE ME! 

MY GOD IS THE THE MASTER OF RESTORATION.  I SEE IT DAILY, RIGHT HERE IN OAKDALE!  HE IS MENDING BROKEN HEARTS...HE IS BREAKING THE CHAINS OF ADDICTION...HE IS SETTING EVERY SORT OF CAPTIVE FREE!!!!  MY GOD IS IN THE RESTORATION BUSINESS!  HE IS TAKING BROKEN DOWN LIVES AND TURNING THEM INTO BEAUTIFUL SHOWPLACES THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE!  THE MIRACLES OF THE BIBLE ARE OCCURING RIGHT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES!  OUR GOD CAN FIX ANYTHING!  IF ONLY WE ALLOW HIM TO....................

PSALM 51:7  WASH ME AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW

PSALM 51:12  RESTORE ME TO THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION, AND UPHOLD ME BY YOUR GENEROUS SPIRIT

JOEL 2:25  I WILL RESTORE TO YOU THE YEARS THAT THE SWARMING LOCUST HAS EATEN

JOB 42:10  AND THE LORD RESTORED JOB'S LOSSES WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS.  INDEED THE LORD GAVE JOB TWICE AS MUCH AS HE HAD BEFORE

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

FISHERS OF MEN

I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM NOT NOR WILL I EVER BE HAPPY TO JUST SIMPLY EXIST.  TO SOME EXTENT, WE ARE ALL GUILTY OF SITTING AROUND AND COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR BORING LIVES, OUR LACK OF HAPPINESS AND OUR GENERAL DISSATISFACTION WITH LIFE.  WE OFTEN SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE.  WELL, I KNOW FOR A FACT, IF WE DONT MAKE THE CHANGES, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES.  IT IS OUR DECISION!

PEOPLE PROBABLY THOUGHT THOMAS EDISON WAS INSANE WHEN HE DESCRIBED THE LIGHT BULB.  I FEEL QUITE SURE THAT PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT POOR OLE ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL WHEN HE WANTED TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO WERENT IN THE SAME ROOM.  ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT BILL GATES IS THAT HE IS A GENIUS!  ALL THREE OF THESE PEOPLE REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD IN THEIR OWN SPECIAL WAY.  THEY ALL EXHIBITED A SHARP FOCUS AND A SPIRIT OF DETERMINATION. 

JESUS CHOSE SPECIAL DISCIPLES TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD IN ORDER THAT THEY MIGHT PREACH, HEAL THE SICK AND CAST OUT DEMONS (MARK 3:14-15).  SHORTLY BEFORE HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, HE TOLD THE APOSTLES THAT THEY BY THEN HAD HIS POWER WITH THEM BY WAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  HE INSTRUCTED THEM TO SPREAD HIS MESSAGE TO EVERY PERSON ON THE PLANET.  THEIR WILLINGNESS TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS TRULY CHANGED THE WORLD.  ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.................

WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE, AS CHRISTIANS, ARE HIS DISCIPLES OF TODAY!!!  BACK THEN, THEY TRAVELED MOSTLY ON FOOT, HAD NO MODERN CONVENIENCES AND FACED TRECHEROUS OBSTACLES.  WE, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAVE NO EXCUSE.  IT IS TIME FOR US TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE, BRING OTHERS TO HIS PRESENCE AND ENLARGE THE BODY OF CHRIST!!!!  THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE DYING, WHO ARE LONELY AND WHO NEED TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE LORD!  WE HAVE NO EXCUSE TO SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN.......

MATTHEW 4:19  "FOLLOW ME AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, IT IS QUITE EASY FOR MY MIND TO GET BLOWN.  WHEN I STOP AND THINK ABOUT THINGS, I EASILY BECOME AMAZED.  SOMETIMES I WONDER ABOUT THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE, LIKE, HOW DOES A HUMMINGBIRD STAY IN ONE SPOT OR DOES IT EVER REST?  HERE LATELY, THE WONDERS OF TECHNOLOGY HAVE CAPTIVATED MY ATTENTION.  THE CONCEPT OF FACEBOOK ITSELF LEAVES ME SPEECHLESS.  THROUGH THIS SOCIAL MEDIA, I HAVE CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, PEOPLE I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN EXISTED, BUT THATS A WHOLE DIFFERENT "NOTE."  I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE EARLIER ABOUT THE WONDERS OF TECHNOLOGY AND WE BOTH AGREED THAT WITHOUT THE WONDERS OF GOD, EVEN THE MOST MODERN ADVANCES WOULD NEVER BE POSSIBLE!!! 

THE WONDERS AND MIRACLES OF GOD GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE VERY START OF THE UNIVERSE.  THAT IS REALLY A MIND BLOWER!  ALL OF THIS............IN 6 DAYS!  NO WONDER HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH!!!!  HE PARTED THE RED SEA...MADE WATER FLOW FROM A ROCK...DROPPED MANNA FROM THE SKY...CAUSED THE BLIND TO SEE...TURNED WATER INTO WINE...RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD...CAST OUT DEMONS...WALKED ON WATER...AND RESURRECTED IN THREE DAYS!!!!!  AND THATS JUST A FEW.  WHEN I THINK OF ALL THESE SIGNS AND WONDERS, MODERN TECHNOLOGY SOMEWHAT LOOSES ITS POWER OF AMAZEMENT OVER ME.  THOUGHTS OF THESE AMAZING MIRACLES ALSO REMIND ME OF SOMETHING ELSE.......

I GET SO WORKED UP OVER WHAT I SEE AS MAJOR PROBLEMS IN MY LIFE.  WHAT IS SEE AS IMPOSSIBLE MUST SURELY BE AN INSULT TO GOD!  HOW CAN I DOUBT HIS DIRECTION?  HOW CAN I BE STRESSED?  HOW CAN I FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF?  HOW CAN I WORRY?  HOW CAN I NOT BE JOYOUS FOR WHAT HE HAS SO FREELY GIVEN TO ME?  HOW CAN I NOT PRAISE HIS NAME?  AS I WRITE THIS "NOTE", GOD IS MINISTERING TO MY SOUL!!!! 

HE IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY.  HE IS THE CONTROLLER OF MY DESTINY.  HE IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THAT IS GOOD.  HE WILL NEVER LEAD ME IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  HE IS THE GREAT I AM!!!! 

HOW'S THAT FOR AMAZING????

MARK 9:23  BELIEVE, AND ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

YOU ARE NOT BEING PUNISHED

LAST NIGHT, I WAS TALKING ON THE PHONE TO SOMEONE I HADNT HEARD FROM IN YEARS, THIRTEEN YEARS TO BE EXACT.  THIS PERSON HAD NO IDEA OF ALL THE CHAOS AND DRAMA WHICH I HAD BROUGHT INTO MY LIFE THROUGHOUT THOSE YEARS.  MY FRIEND HAS BEEN THROUGH ALOT AS WELL AND HE MADE A STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN STUCK IN MY HEAD.  HE TOLD ME THAT HE FEELS TODAY THAT GOD IS PUNISHING HIM FOR MISTAKES HE MADE IN THE PAST.  HE HONESTLY BELIEVES THAT.  MY HEART WENT OUT TO HIM. 

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, I HAVE OFTEN HEARD OTHER PEOPLE EXPRESS THE SAME IDEA.  IN FACT, I ONCE BELIEVED IT MYSELF.  AS CHILDREN, MY FRIENDS AND I LOVED TO TELL ONE ANOTHER, "GODS GONNA PUNISH YOU" WHENEVER WE DID SOMETHING WRONG.  ONCE I GREW UP AND MY LIFE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, I FOUND IT EASY TO BLAME GOD FOR MY UNHAPPINESS AND TO LET PUNISHMENT FOR MY SNS BE ANOTHER EXCUSE.  INSTEAD OF BEING ANGRY AT MYSELF, IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER TO BE ANGRY AT GOD. 

WHEN ROSS AND GINA WERE LITTLE, I HAD TO SHOW THEM DISCIPLINE AT TIMES.  IT DIDNT MEAN THAT I DID NOT LOVE THEM.  THE DISCIPLINE WASNT EXCESSIVE.  I DIDNT TRY TO HURT THEM OR PUNISH THEM IN ANY WAY.  I LOVED THEM THEN, JUST AS I DO NOW AND I HAD TO USE DISCIPLINE TO TEACH THEM RIGHT FROM WRONG.  THEY HAD TO EXPERIENCE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS.  I KNOW TODAY THAT JUST AS I LOVE MY CHILDREN, GOD LOVES ME.  IN FACT, HEBREWS 12:6 TELLS ME THAT GOD CHASTENS THOSE WHOM HE LOVES.  JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS.  HE TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT.

GOD FORGIVES OUR SINS, FREE AND CLEAR, WHEN WE ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS.  PSALM 103:12 SAYS "AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HAS HE REMOVED OUR SINS FROM US."  AND THATS FAR.  WHEN WE CONFESS OUR SINS AND TRUST IN THE LORD, WE BECOME A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST.  OUR OLD MAN DIES AND WE BECOME TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF OUR MINDS, AS LONG AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD. (ROMANS 12:2)

GOD WANTS TO BLESS US, NOT HURT US.  HE WANTS US TO THRIVE AND NOT BE ENSLAVED BY OUR PAST.  HE ALLOWS US TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE IN ORDER THAT WE APPRECIATE OUR SUCCESSES, BY DOING SO, WE GIVE GLORY TO HIM!!!  WHEN LIFE GETS YOU DOWN, PRAISE YOUR WAY BACK UP!!!  REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE FORGIVEN...YOU ARE FULLY LOVED BY GOD AND NOTHING CAN CHANGE THAT...NO SIN IS EVER BIGGER THAN THE LOVE OF GOD....GOD WANTS TO BLESS US, NOT PUNISH US....WE ARE ALL FORGIVEN!!!!!

PSALM 103:12  AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HAS HE REMOVED OUR SINS FROM US

Sunday, July 10, 2011

WE CANT FOOL GOD

THE IDEA OF THIS "NOTE" HAS BEEN ON MY MIND FOR A FEW DAYS.  I HAVE HELD BACK FROM WRITING IT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AFRAID OF MAKING CERTAIN PEOPLE UPSET.  I DECIDED TO WRITE IT TONIGHT NOT TO POINT ANYONE OUT, BUT TO REMIND MYSELF AND OTHERS OF ONE VERY IMPORTANT FACT.  WE CAN FOOL SOME OF THE PEOPLE, SOME OF THE TIME, BUT WE CAN NEVER OR WILL NEVER FOOL GOD! 

WE CAN PUT ON AN ACT. WE CAN SAY AND DO ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. WE CAN EVEN MEMORIZE AND QUOTE SCRIPTURES.  WE CAN LIE TO OTHERS AND CLAIM TO BE VICTORIOUS IN THE NAME OF JESUS!  WE CAN LOOK LIKE A CHRISTIAN.  WE CAN ACT LIKE A CHRISTIAN.  WE CAN EVEN BE SEEN IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES.  WE CAN SIT ON A CHURCH PEW TIL THE COWS COME HOME.

BUT....................

GOD KNOWS ALL, SEES ALL, HEARS ALL.  HE EVEN KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS!!!  WE MIGHT LIE TO OTHERS AND WE MIGHT EVEN FOOL THEM, BUT GOD KNOWS OUR HEART AND IS NEVER FOOLED.  HE KNOWS THE MOTIVE AND THE REASON BEHIND OUR EVERY ACTION.  IN FACT, JESUS EVEN ASKS IN MATTHEW 9:4, "WHY DO YOU THINK EVIL IN YOUR HEARTS?"  NOTICE I USE THE WORD "WE."  TO SOME EXTENT, WE ARE ALL GUILTY OF THESE ACTIONS.  A LIE DETECTOR TEST IS NOT ADMISSIBLE IN COURT, SIMPLY BECAUSE "WE" ALL HAVE A TENDENCY TO LIE.  HOWEVER, GOD'S LIE DETECTOR TEST IS ALWAYS RELIABLE, NOT ONE OF US CAN LIE TO HIM!!! 

THERE COMES A POINT IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE MUST SIMPLY REALIZE THAT THE LORD KNOWS OUR EVERY THOUGHT.  JAMES 1:8 DESCRIBES A DOUBLE-MINDED MAN AND CALLS HIM UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS.  WE NEED TO TAKE THIS SCRIPTURE SERIOUSLY AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO NOT LET THIS BE OUR DESCRIPTION.  BEING DOUBLE-MINDED BLOCKS OUR BLESSINGS.  GOD WANTS TO BLESS US ALL.  HE TRULY WANTS WHATS BEST FOR US.  ALL HE ASKS FOR IN RETURN IS AN HONEST HEART WHICH CAN BE MOLDED BY HIS GUIDANCE AND LOVE. 

INSTEAD OF TEARING ONE ANOTHER DOWN THROUGH LIES, LETS TRY TO BUILD EACH OTHER UP THROUGH PRAYER.  LETS SPEAK LOVE, NOT HATE.  LETS BRING BLESSINGS, NOT CURSES. 

1 CHRONICLES 28:9  ...FOR THE LORD SEARCHES ALL HEARTS AND UNDERSTANDS ALL THE INTENT OF THE THOUGHTS...

Friday, July 8, 2011

WHAT A THOUGHT

I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN.  WHEN I THINK OF HOMELESSNESS, I THINK OF BIG CITIES.  I THINK OF PEOPLE BEING SHELTERED BY CARDBOARD BOXES AND LIVING IN SQUALOR.  VISIBLE HOMELESSNESS IS NON-EXISTENT HERE IN OAKDALE.  THANK GOD FOR THAT. HOWEVER, I WATCHED A VIDEO HERE ON FACEBOOK THIS MORNING, WHICH REMINDED ME THAT THE HORROR OF HOMELESSNESS IS RAMPANT.  IT ALSO REMINDED ME THAT ANGELS UNAWARE DO INDEED EXIST AMONG US AND APPEAR AT THE LEAST EXPECTED TIME AND PLACE. 

HEBREWS 13:2 TELLS US, "DONT FORGET TO ENTERTAIN STRANGERS, FOR BY SO DOING SOME HAVE UNWITTINGLY ENTERTAINED ANGELS."  I WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVE THIS HAPPENS FAR MORE THAN WE EVEN THINK POSSIBLE.  MY DAUGHTER OFTEN GETS TIRED OF ME REMINDING HER OF THIS FACT.  AS I SAID, WE LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN, BUT GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS AND HE CAN WORK THROUGH ANYONE.....THE TROUBLED, THE DRUG ADDICT, THE ANGRY PERSON IN LINE, THE HELPLESS CHILD, THE POOR, THE UNPOPULAR KID AT SCHOOL OR THE OLD AND FEEBLE.  GOD MAY SEND HIS ANGEL UNAWARE THROUGH ANYONE!!!! 

WE ESPECIALLY NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF HOW WE TREAT THE POOR, THE CRIPPLED AND THE FEEBLE.  THROUGHOUT THE NEW TESTAMENT, WE ARE TOLD OF HOW JESUS PERFORMED HIS MIGHTIEST MIRACLES THROUGH ALL OF THEM.  JESUS LOVES THE HELPLESS, THE WEAK AND THE DOWN TRODDEN.  HE EVEN TOLD US THAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, THE FIRST WILL BE THE LAST AND THE LAST WILL INDEED BE FIRST.   THE THOUGHT OF ANGELS UNAWARE IS FOREFRONT IN MY MIND AND ON MY HEART TODAY.  IT IS MY PRAYER TODAY TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS AND SHOW COMPASSION AND LOVE TO EVERYONE WHO MIGHT CROSS MY PATH.  WHO KNOWS, I MIGHT EVEN BE ENTERTAINING AN ANGEL UNAWARE. 

WHAT A THOUGHT....................................

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

Thursday, July 7, 2011

DO UNTO OTHERS

THE WORDS, "DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU" ARE VERY COMMON.  WHILE SOME WORDS AND PHRASES ARE COMMON TO ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE, THESE WORDS ARE SOMEWHAT UNIVERSAL.  THIS SCRIPTURE IS FOUND IN MATTHEW 7:12 AND HAS BEEN ON MY HEART AND IN MY THOUGHTS TODAY.  IT IS NO WONDER THAT THIS IS CALLED "THE GOLDEN RULE."  I THINK THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US IF WE ONLY KEPT THESE WORDS IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS AT ALL TIMES.  WHEN I THINK OF THIS SCRIPTURE, I THINK OF "RESPECT", SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO PRACTICE IN ORDER TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

WE HAVE ALL HEARD IT SAID THAT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.  WHEN I THINK BACK ON THE PAST, I AM TRULY ASHAMED OF THE WAY MY ACTIONS SPOKE.  I WAS IN NO WAY A ROLE MODEL FOR ANYONE.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD THAT MY CHILDREN SHOW ME THE RESPECT THAT THEY DO TODAY.  IN THE PAST, I LIED TO MANY PEOPLE, WHICH LED TO A LACK OF RESPECT TOWARDS ME.  I WAS OPENLY CRITICAL OF OTHERS AND I RECEVIED THE SAME IN RETURN.  I WASNT VERY RESPECTFUL OF MYSELF, SO WHY SHOULD ANYONE ELSE RESPECT ME EITHER.  BY BAD MOUTHING OTHERS AND TALKING BEHIND THEIR BACK, I ENCOURAGED THE SAME WHEN IT CAME TO ME.  I COULD ENDLESSLY DESCRIBE THE WAYS I IGNORED "THE GOLDEN RULE."  I WAS ONE OF THE WORST OF THE WORST AND DIDNT CARE HOWANYONE ELSE HAPPENED TO FEEL.  IT WAS ALL ABOUT ME!!!!

IT WASNT UNTIL I LEARNED TO RESPECT MYSELF THAT I COULD EVEN THINK ABOUT GAINING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS!!!!!!

THROUGH THE FORGIVENESS, THE GRACE, THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF GOD, I HAVE FINALLY LEARNED THE LESSON OF "THE GOLDEN RULE."  I HAVE LEARNED THAT RESPECT IS NOT GIVEN, ITS EARNED!  IF I WANT RESPECT, I FIRST HAVE TO GIVE IT.  RESPECT IS NOT A ONE WAY STREET.  THE GEIKO MAN SAYS, "IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO," BUT THE GOOD LORD SAYS, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY AFFECTION."  MY LIFE IS SO MUCH DIFFERENT THESE DAYS.  I CAN FINALLY WALK WITH MY HEAD HELD HIGH AND NOT BE ASHAMED OF MYSELF FOR THE WAY I TREAT OTHERS.  I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT I AM A CHILD OF GOD, THAT I AM A JEWEL IN HIS CROWN AND I AM WORTHY OF LOVE AND RESPECT.  AND THIS IS HOW I TREAT OTHERS TODAY.  RESPECT IS A TWO WAY STREET.

WE SHOULD ALL ATTEMPT TO SEE OURSELVES AND OTHERS THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD.   WE ARE ALL WORTHY OF RESPECT.   BUT, WE MUST FIRST GIVE BEFORE WE CAN RECEIVE.........

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

A VISIT WITH MY CHILDREN

WITH ALL THE COMMOTION REGARDING THE CASEY ANTHONY VERDICT YESTERDAY, I HAVE BEEN REMINDED MORE THAN EVER OF HOW MUCH I TRULY LOVE MY CHILDREN.  I MAY NOT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CONTENDER FOR "MOTHER OF THE YEAR" BUT EVEN AT MY WORST, I LOVED MY CHILDREN WITH A PASSION.  THE LORD BLESSED ME TREMENDOUSLY WHEN HE ALLOWED ME TO BE THE MOTHER OF BOTH ROSS AND GINA.  I CANNOT THANK HIM ENOUGH! 

GINA LIVES HERE AT HOME WITH ME, BUT ROSS LIVES ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AWAY.  HE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND SHANNON CAME OVER THIS MORNING TO VISIT AND I WAS SO HAPPY TO HAVE THEM HERE WITH US.  THEY ALL SAT AROUND THE SNACK BAR AND TALKED AND LAUGHED WHILE I COOKED THEM ALL A HUGE BREAKFAST.  AFTER THEY ATE, WE VISITED A WHILE BEFORE THEY HAD TO LEAVE.  EVEN THOUGH WE SEE EACH OTHER OFTEN, WE ALL EXCHANGED HUGS AND KISSES AS WE SAID GOOD BYE.  I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY CHILDREN, EVEN IF IT IS TO SHARE A SHORT VISIT SUCH AS WE DID THIS MORNING. 

AS I COOKED AND ENJOYED DOING SOMETHING FOR MY KIDS THIS MORNING, MY THOUGHTS TURNED TO THE LORD.  HE LOVES SPENDING TIME WITH EACH ONE OF US AND HE WAITS PATIENTLY FOR OUR VISITS.  LIKE A LOVING PARENT, HE WANTS US CLOSE TO HIM.  HE ALSO WISHES TO GIVE US THE DESIRES OF OUR HEARTS.  IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE SHOW NO FAVORITISM TO ANY OF OUR CHILDREN, GOD LOVES US ALL EQUALLY.  HE IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS.  AS A LOVING PARENT, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US.  IT IS HIS DESIRE THAT WE GROW BY READING HIS NURTURING WORD.  OUR GOD IS NEVER TOO BUSY FOR ANY OF US.  HE WAITS PATIENTLY TO SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS STILL, SMALL VOICE. 

JUST AS WE WAIT PATIENTLY TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN, WHOM WE LOVE, THE LORD WAITS FOR US ALL!  I AM NINDFUL OF THIS TODAY!

PSALM 37:4  DELIGHT YOURSELF ALSO IN THE LORD, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

THANKS FOR READING MY "NOTE"
LOVE,
M

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A DIFFERENT PATH

IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE ARE ALL GUIDED BY SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN OUR LIVES, EVEN THOSE OF US WHO CLAIM TO BE SOMEWHAT SELF SUFFICIENT.  BE IT IN A GOOD OR BAD WAY, TO SOME EXTENT, WE ARE ALL A "FOLLOWER" AT SOME POINT.  NO MATTER HOW STRONG ANY OF US ARE, WE ALL HAVE A TENDENCE TO NEED AND RESPOND TO THE LEAD OF OTHERS.  NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER WE ARE, NONE OF US ARE COMPLETELY SELF SUFFICIENT. 

I HAVE A PRETTY STRONG PERSONALITY AND COULD BE CONSIDERED SOMEWHAT OF A LEADER.  I AM PRETTY OPINIONATED AND FIND IT QUITE SIMPLE TO VOICE MY THOUGHTS.  HOWEVER, FOR MANY YEARS, I WAS FOOLED BY THE DEVIL AND BECAME A FOLLOWER OF HIS WAYS.  DONT GET ME WRONG, I STILL WAS ABLE TO SHOW LOVE AND CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE I CARED ABOUT, BUT I WAS A FOLLOWER OF A LIFE OF SIN.  I FOUND IT EASY TO LIVE A SINFUL LIFESTYLE AND ENGAGED IN ALL SORTS OF UNGODLY BEHAVIOR.  YOU NAME IT, I DID IT.  NOTHING REALLY BOTHERED ME, NOTHING PHASED ME, NOTHING OFFENDED ME.  IF IT SEEMED LIKE FUN, I DID IT, WITHOUT CONCERN OR MUCH THOUGHT AT ALL.  I DIDNT THINK ABOUT OR CARE ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF MY ACTIONS.  I FOLLOWED THE PATH OF SIN.

MY LIFE AS A FOLLOWER OF SIN LED TO ONLY HEARTBREAK AND UNHAPPINESS.  IT LED TO SERIOUS DESTRUCTION.  IT WAS AT MY LOWEST POINT THAT THE GOOD LORD APPEARED IN ALL HIS GLORY.  HE SHOWED ME THE ERR OF MY WAYS AND PUT A STRONG CONVICTION ON MY HEART.  IT WAS AT  MY LOWEST POINT THAT I EXPERIENCED GODLY SORROW.  WHEN I WAS ALONE, LOST AND UNLOVABLE, GOD APPEARED ON THE SCENE.  HE RESTORED MY HOPE, MY FAITH AND MY DETERMINATION TO LIVE, NOT ONLY TO EXIST!  THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, MY LIFE WAS RESTRUCTURED.  I NO LONGER AM CONTENT TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF SIN.   IN GOD'S EYES, I AM WORTH SO VERY MUCH MORE THAN THAT.  I KNOW NOW THAT THROUGH HIM, I CAN HAVE AN ABUNDANT LIFE AND A GLORIOUS FUTURE.  I AM A SUCCESS IN THE EYES OF GOD, A JEWEL IN HIS CROWN, A REFLECTION OF HIS LOVE. 

I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT GOD SAW FIT TO RESTRUCTURE MY LIFE, TO RIGHT MY WRONGS AND TO LOVE ME AT MY WORST.  HE HAS GIVEN ME HOPE FOR MY FUTURE AND HAS PLACED ME ON THE PATHWAY TO HEAVEN.  ALL IT TOOK WAS A DESIRE TO CHANGE, AN HONEST HEART AND GODLY SORROW.  HE SET MY FEET ON SOLID GROUND. 

IF HE DID IT FOR ME, HE CAN AND HE WILL SURELY DO IT FOR YOU!

PSALM 119:105  YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH

HE DOESNT NEED OUR HELP

AS A CHILD, I REMEMBER ALOT OF NAME CALLING BETWEEN ME AND MY BROTHER.  I CAN RECALL ONE TERM IN PARTICULAR THAT WE USED QUITE OFTEN.  WE LIKED TO CALL EACH OTHER AN "INDIAN GIVER."  I KNOW TODAY THAT NAME CALLING IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TERM USED IS OFFENSIVE TO OTHERS.  I GOOGLED THE TERM "INDIAN GIVER" A FEW MINUTES AGO AND SAW IT DEFINED AS A "PERSON WHO GIVES A GIFT AND LATER WANTS IT BACK."  IT ALSO WENT ON TO STATE THAT THIS TERM IS SOMETIMES SEEN AS OFFENSIVE, PARTICULARLY TO AMERICAN INDIANS.  AND I CAN SEE WHY.  I AM USING THIS TERM IN MY "NOTE" TODAY, BUT I MEAN NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE.  I AM USING THE TERM TO DESCRIBE MYSELF AND I AM ABOUT TO TELL YOU WHY. 

ITS QUITE EASY FOR ME TO GIVE ADVISE TO OTHERS, ESPECIALLY ADVISE OF A SPIRITUAL NATURE.  I ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO "GIVE IT TO GOD" SOMETIMES ON A DAILY BASIS.  I NEED TO FOLLOW THE SAME ADVISE MYSELF.  HERE LATELY, I HAVE BEEN AN "INDIAN GIVER."  I HAVE BEEN GIVING IT TO GOD, ONLY TO TAKE IT BACK.  WITHOUT GOING INTO DETAILS, I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS IN MY PERSONAL LIFE, IN TERMS OF RELATIONSHIPS.  IT IS IN MY SELFISH NATURE TO TRY TO FIX THINGS.  I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THIS MY WHOLE LIFE.  CERTAIN THINGS HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEKEND WHICH PROVED TO ME, ONCE AGAIN, THAT I ABSOLUTELY MUST LET GO AND LET GOD!  I MAKE A MESS OF THINGS.  I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF MY DESTINY.  I HAVE NO ANSWERS.  THE PAST IS THE PAST FOR A REASON. 

BY TRYING TO "FIX" THINGS, WE CREATE A BIGGER MESS.  OUR BIBLE GIVES US PROOF OF THIS FACT.  IN ONE EXAMPLE, SARAH GOT TIRED OF BEING CHILDLESS AND TOOK IT UPON HERSELF TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.  THE RESULTING MESS WAS CATASTROPHIC, SUCH AS OUR MESSES BECOME WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO SOLVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS.  I AM TIRED OF BLOCKING MY BLESSINGS.  I HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISAPPOINTMENT.  I NEED TO FOLLOW MY OWN ADVISE AND TRULY "GIVE IT TO GOD."  HE ALONE HOLDS THE KEY TO OUR HAPPINESS.  HE ALONE KNOWS THE PLAN.  HE ALONE IS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS OF OUR FUTURE.  AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE ARE HELPLESS, EVEN WHEN WE THINK WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS.  SELF DESTRUCTION IS IN OUR VERY NATURE.  HE DOESNT NEED OUR HELP.  WE NEED TO JUST SIT BACK, WAIT, OBEY AND LISTEN FOR HIS STILL, SMALL VOICE. 

THATS WHAT I AM DOING TODAY!

JEREMIAH 29:11  FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAYS THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.

Friday, July 1, 2011

THOUGHTS

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING KINDA LAZY.  MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO JUST ROLL OVER AND GO BACK TO SLEEP, WHICH I DID FOR A LITTLE WHILE.  I AINT GONNA LIE, I WAS TEMPTED TO LAY AROUND ON THE SOFA AND WATCH THE CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL, BUT I ALSO KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO GET UP.  ONCE I GOT UP, LITTLE NAGGING THOUGHTS KEPT SPRINGING INTO MY HEAD, NOTHING REALLY BAD, JUST THOUGHTS......

I AM SO VERY FAR FROM PERFECT, BUT I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL THIS MORNING THAT THE LORD SAW FIT TO WORK WITH ME TO CHANGE MY VERY NATURE.  I KNOW TODAY THAT I WILL NEVER BE RID OF MY SINFUL INCLINATIONS, BUT THROUGH HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS GRACE, HIS MERCY AND HIS LOVE, I CAN START FRESH EVERY DAY.  IN THE PAST, I CHOSE TO SLEEP SOMETIMES TIL NOON AND WHEN I DID WAKE UP, ITS NO TELLING WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE.  IF I CHOSE TO GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY, I WENT, BUT I LEFT JESUS RIGHT THERE IN THE CHURCH HOUSE UNTIL I CHOSE TO RETURN.  IF I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE AND HURT THEIR FEELINGS, THATS EXACTLY WHAT I DID AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.  I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT MY SINFUL NATURE, BUT THATS THE PAST......I WANNA TALK ABOUT TODAY!!!!

I RECOGNIZED MY SINFUL NATURE FOR EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THIS MORNING.  THANKS BE TO GOD!!!  I REALIZE THIS MORNING THAT MY SELFISH WILL WILL GET ME NO WHERE.  IT IS UP TO ME TO MAKE A CONCSIENCE DECISION EACH DAY TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS.  THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT BY OUR FRUITS WE WILL BE JUDGED.  WELL..........I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I NEVER WANNA APPEAR AS A WITHERING VINE EVER AGAIN!!!!  BY STAYING IN THE WORD, FILLING MY MIND WITH HIS GOODNESS AND REFLECTING HIS LOVE, MY ONCE WITHERING VINE CAN AND WILL PRODUCE BEYOND MEASURE!!!!  BY LISTENING TO THAT STILL, SMALL VOICE, I WILL CHOOSE RIGHT ACTIONS OVER WRONG!  GOD TRULY DOES PERFORM A RENEWAL OF OUR MIND.......IF ONLY WE LET HIM.  ANY THIS DAY, I CHOOSE TO LET HIM!  THANK YOU JESUS FOR YOUR UNENDING LOVE FOR A SINNER LIKE ME!

ISAIAH 55:8  "FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, NOR ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS, SAYS THE LORD"