Light.....Darkness

In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)...I AM THE LIGHT of the world (emphasis added); he [she] who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the LIGHT OF LIFE. (John 8:12)


At this time of year we are brimming full with the festivities, celebrations ringing  in so many homes for Christmas and the New Year to come.  Excitement and anticipation are in the air and everywhere we see the glow and sparkle of lights, shining out brightly from decorated builds, homes and streetlights.  They light up the grayness of day and the darkness of night in winters dreariest months.  I have read this may be the reason this time of year was chosen to  celebrate Christs birth, but to me what is so important about all the sparkle of the season, is that it reminds me, because when Jesus came as that Babe in a manger, then grew to  manhood, died on a cross and was resurrected, He overcame the darkness of this world and is the Light shining eternally. And in Him I too, and you, can overcome the darkness of this world.  He is our "LIGHT" in the darkness. Praise His Holy Name!

Scripture tells us, Jesus is God the Fathers redeeming  Light to His Creation.  Sent to show us who the Father in heaven is and how we can have a personal, intimate, relationship with the Creator of the Universe The Father wants, even desires, to have a relationship with each of us personally.  How awesomely, magnificently!  No sun will be needed in heaven  because He as the glorious LIGHT will be the light of all eternity.


2000 years ago the brightest star ever seen shined down on a stable manger, on the Son of God who came into this world to light our way to salvation.  Those who believe in Him no longer walk in darkness, but are saved and given a new life which He helps us to live.

As we celebrate this Christmas, may His wonderful Light shine in our hearts, our homes, and our nation.

Oh Lord, how exciting it will be to look upon the radiant light of your face when our time in this troubled, dark world is over,  When we will walk beside You, who overcame that darkness through You victory over death,  so we could be forever be in Your Light.   You are my bright and shining Star this season.  My hope eternal! Thank You and bless You, in your precious, precious name!

Why God's Word Is So Important

For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword...Heb 4:12

Why is Gods Word so important?  Because it is alive and active as this verse says.  It gives life to the "dead". It is the very words of God given to His creation in order for them to  know Him and follow Him.  It is His Spirit alive and at work with in each child who has accepted the gift of salvation from His Son, Jesus Christ.

Scripture says that the Spirit of God reveals the things of God... God wants us to know Him and His ways and thoughts; that's what the Bible is, God speaking, first to the nation of Israel, His chosen people and then to those who accept His Son as Savior.

Scriptures proclaim the glory of God, and man has no excuse for rejecting Him, saying He does not exist  because all creation shouts of His existence.  Scripture is God telling us about Himself and about ourselves, dead in or sins till Jesus gives us life.

Throughout life we are constantly learning, beginning in infancy we are instructed on how to live.  We have to learn in order to function and survive.  The Bible is our instruction manual on how to live a godly life.  How God created us to live before sin entered the world and robbed and blinded us to what He had created us to be--His child.

If we do not read, learn,  and do what Scripture says, we can never be fulfilled, truly happy and at peace.
Scripture tells us all about Jesus, the One whom we learn from and follow to a relationship with God....no man comes to the Father except through Him.

God's word has become the most important thing in my life. because learning what God's wants me to do and how to do it, is my life.  It is where we receive the abundant life that Scripture speaks of.  We became spiritually wealthy when we treasure the Word of God in our hearts and minds.   We receive peace, joy, love, gentleness, goodness, faithful, forgiveness,  all the fruits that the indwelling Spirit of God produce as we grow in God's grace.

God gives a peace that surpasses all understanding, a strong refuge in times of life's trials and storms and I never want to be without it.  His Word truly is a light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet.  He never fails me and always, always does exactly as He says He will do in His Word.

Dear God thank You that You do not leave us as orphans but have given us You precious Word to learn and live by.  Just as an earthly father teaches his children what they need to know and grow, You as my/our heavenly Father also teach us even deeper how to live and have eternal life in You.  Thank You Father for Your perfect plan and absolute sovereignty. What an awesome privilege to be wanted by You in an intimate relationship.  To be loved so very, very much.  Praise You Lord God! Praise You!

FOR.......IN?

...in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.....1 Thessalonians 5:18

As I reflect on this time of thanksgiving, I realize it is easy to thank God for all the good things in my life.  Those things I consider blessings, but for those of us who suffer, whatever the reason, giving thanks to God can be difficult or almost impossible at these times.  When we are in agony, we often wonder if there really is a God, and if so why does He let us suffer so?  I know I have in the past.

The "why" of suffering, I cannot answer you.  Many say its because we've sinned and God is punishing us.  For unbelievers this could be true, but not for  the child of God.  Scripture tells us God loves us with an everlasting love.  He does not punish us. He may lovingly chastise us if we have gotten away from Him and His ways, so that we will turn back to Him. But punish? No! That is not what the Word says. That is not what the NEW COVENANT God made with His followers Is all about.  He is the perfect Father, who only love us unconditionally.Any sin we commit  as His child. is already forgiven and cleansed through the blood of Jesus Christ who died on the Cross of Calvary for us.  As His redeemed child, God the Father loves us and Jesus is with us no matter what we are going through.  Even in the worst of times, He is there, ready to give us His love and comfort and help if we just ask.

I know this for a fact because His sweet loving Presence has met me,  in many times of darkness.  He has sustained me, walked beside me, given me His peace and love, when I thought I could not take one more step in this life.

Do I know about suffering.  Oh yes!  Can I thank God while I am hurting in a difficult trial of life?  Yes, I can!  And I am learning how.  Many people think we are to thank God for the suffering but that's not what Scripture says.  I have come to know by reading Gods Word,  the above verse being one of many such verses, we don't thank FOR the trial or hurt, but IN the trial.  Whatever we are suffering, we can thank Him that He is with us, that His promises to us are true and He always, always keeps them.  That is His nature and His character.

It may not be easy, but there is always "something" we can thank Him about because His  mercies are new everyday.  We can thank Him for His love, His strength; which I know He gives me each and every time I bring my physical pain or emotional sorrow to Him in prayer.  God loves me with a love that can never take me out of His arms.  He will never forsake or leave me or you once we have become His child.

When we learn to run to God in our pain and suffering, and not away from Him, He will wrap us in His everlasting arms and hold us tight.  I know.  I have experience this love for myself and prayerfully offer you what I have found.  Giving thanks in all things brings God into whatever you are experiencing.  And that's just where He want's to be.   Scripture tells us that Gods ways are not our ways, so I have to choose to trust that even in my most trying, painful times, He will work them for my good and His glory.  He promises so.

God does what He says He will do.  Look into His Word and hear His sweet voice speaking to you.  The Psalms are full of His love.  They bring me so much comfort in my times of suffering.  Read them, see what you find.

Dear Lord, You alone know all things and have all power under heaven and earth.  You also know each and every pain and sorrow, for You, Yourself experienced them while here on earth.  You alone know the most true agony of suffering...the Cross....so You understand what suffering is.  Thank You Jesus, that I am never alone in any time of suffering and I can thank You for Your wonderful love and Presence....You my Lord, who went to the cross for me.  Thank You also that Your are not on that cross any longer but are resurrected and sitting at the right hand of the Father always making intercession on our behalf. And that You now indwell the hearts of Your children.  I'm so gratefully for Your absolute perfect love that can only come from an intimate relationship with You. Thank You Lord! Thank You!
 May You except my offering of thanksgiving and praise my Lord Jesus.    Amen

Law and Grace. What God Says.

For what the Law could not do . weak as it was in through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man and as an offering for sin.... Romans 8:3

For many who do not read or spend time in Gods Word I think the concept of these words has blurred and become confusing.  Most all of us know the Ten Commandments in some form, even if the schools and the  government have removed them from their halls and walls--another blog, another time--we have heard them.  The "do and the don'ts" I've heard them called from the Old Testament.  We know them even if we pretend we don't.  God has written them on our hearts, Scriptures says so. To many they are the measure of what it means to be spiritual.   The "Do's and the Don'ts.  The Law.

 Even believers often  use them as a measure for spirituality level, better known be many as "salvation by works".  And we are right to believe them to know them and desire to follow them.  Gods Word is all truth...every verse, every passage, every book.  The Law was given to Gods people so they would know what sin was and how He wanted them to live their lives following Him.  All the time knowing they would never be able to fulfill it.  This was the Old Covenant, and He was already preparing for the New Covenant He God was bringing to His created ones.

Jesus Christ! Gods own Son was the New Covenant.  His coming ushered in what is called "the time of grace".  Grace is Gods Presence.  Grace is Jesus Christ.  He is fully God and fully man, He was full was grace.  Emmanuel, God with us. His life, death, burial and resurrection, fully fulfilled the requirements of the Law that man has never been able to keep himself.  When we speak of law and grace what I see with my spiritual eyes is that law is self-effort on mans part and grace is all the work of Jesus Christ.  Already done.  Nothing to do with mans effort at all. Grace is His gift to us His willingness to face the just penalty of our sins for us and then give new life to us if we choose to accept what HE DID--not we do.

Grace is what comes from the Lord living out His life in and through us.  It is loving others, even when they are difficult. It is being gentle and kind even toward those who hurt or persecute us.  Jesus did.  It is all the qualities Scripture describes in Galatians 5 as the fruit of the Spirit who comes to live within us as our guaran tee- that we belong to Him.

Jesus living within us brings His grace forth from us.  I read a statement recently, " mercy triumphs over judgement".  That is what Jesus's coming to earth is all about. Mercy from the Law through His Grace!


Oh Lord, what wonder that You knew from the very day those commandments were given that You were the only One who could fulfill them.  That You would come as the Father's Son to show what real grace is. It is unconditional love.  Sacrificial  love.  Your love bestowed upon Your children.  May we by the power of Your Holy Presence which You give us,  learn to grant grace to those around us rather than law. You are our  perfect example.  Oh what love of the Father that we should be called Your children.  I love You  Lord, I love You.

Cross of Victory

He's Alive!


I have just watched a movie called the King Of Kings from many years ago made on the life of Christ Jesus and His death and crucifixion.  As I watched my thoughts were about the dramatic license the film studio had taken through the story.  How could anyone ever truly show the story of this extraordinary Man of Scripture.
This Jesus, the Messiah, and if Scripture is true and I with all my heart believe it is, God's very own Son.

I confess I cried as I watch the story being told of what my Lord Jesus suffered on His rescue mission to this world.  The price He paid so I could have eternal life.  The horrible, awful brutally He went through before and while dying.  I cannot imagine on my worst day of pain what it would be to be nailed to a cross with spikes through my hands, bleeding until I finally died.  The crucifixion was a horrible death!  And Jesus chose to except it for the sin I have committed.  He was innocent of any wrong doing.  Perfectly God and perfectly Man.  He could have called down ten thousand angels and wiped the entire Roman empire off the face of the earth, but He choose to die so that I may live and offers that same life to anyone who is willing to except His gift.  His life for ours.   Words truly can not express what I'm feeling at the moment.

Yet, what came to me as the most awesome realization, really, really, feeling it, not just reading about it, was after Jesus death and burial, when Mary first saw Him in the Garden resurrected.  Alive.  Real. Whole.  With all the scars to show He had really died on that Cross.  Victory!  Jesus had victory from that Cross of suffering. And we have victory in Him as His beloved.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as I experienced the joy that knowing He arose from death, I will also have life in and with Him after the sufferings of this life whatever they be.  And I know I am not alone, ever, ever again.  Because of His beautiful love He is beside me now and into eternity when the time comes.  I have no reason to fear death, or even fear in life, because Perfect Love cast out all fear.

Oh Lord, how much my heart overflows in loving gratitude to You for the gift You have given me.  In my self-absorption and mourning and groaning over how hard life is at times; at how much it hurts,  You understand and love me even more than I can imagine.  I love You Lord with all my heart,  Thank You! Thank You that You God Almighty Creator of entire Universes, could love any of us, yet You do and even desire to have a personal intimate relationship with us, with me.  You are truly King of Kings whether we believe or not  one day every knee will bow before Your Majesty.  Praise to You Lord.

Sanctification...Saying Yes or Saying No

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer...Let the meditations be pleasing to You; as for me I shall be glad in the Lord.
Psalms 19:14; Psalms 104:34

I started writing this blog  because of a persistent, prompting I was feeling in my spirit. I could feel the Lord saying to my heart, "Are you listening? If so, I want  you to share what your hearing." Me? Write?  And not just in a journal which I have been writing for His and my eyes only for some years, but on a computer blog, where anyone who wants too can read them. No way! I can't do that.

At first, I just tried to ignore His prompting. I didn't want to write down my intimate moments with Him, in a  blog so others could read them. They were personal. The words of my journals had always been  written for His and my eyes only.  It was our intimate conversations. Besides, I argued back, "You know how much I hate to write anything someone else is going to read. Remember Lord,  when  I was in college, I fussed and fretted, even cried , when I had to do writing projects.  It would take me days to get my thoughts on paper.  I would write and rewrite and rewrite..  It was painful to even watch me, my family has told me since.  No can't do that; I never want to do that again.  Nope, not me. No way!

Yet that sweet, soft Voice, kept prompting my heart until I finally got online and did some checking out what blogging  was all about. I read and I searched the information relating to this blog site. Searching through the helps and guides. Reading to see what others had to say about doing a blog. I had already gained some understanding from reading several other blogs I had been subscribing to daily and knew how much what they shared has meant to me.  How encouraging their transparency about their own Spiritual journey  has been to me personally.

The Lord God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth was asking me to share our relationship with others. No matter how scared or unsure about this I was, the choice for me was whether I would trust Him even though I did not understand why, or would I refuse.  I said yes, Lord, show me and I will follow.
 After that, things simply fell into place. I was totally at  peace because I knew for sure this was what God wanted to do, in and through me.  So here we are.  I'm doing my best to write what I hear Him speaking to  me to share.   What He wants me to say.  May that always be the end result...His Words, His Thoughts, His Ways and how that applies to my everyday life and walk with Him.

Now some of you reading this might ask, "How does starting a blog fit in with  sanctification.
Scriptures says, as a believer I am sanctified.  "Sanctified," when I looked it up, means to be set apart for something.  God has set each one of His children "apart" to hear and share His ways and thoughts when we learn them. "Go into all the world and make disciples ...teaching them to obey everything I  have said.  (Matthew 28:17)  I always thought of being sanctified as something only the really spiritually were, but now I'm understanding that it means I, Lola, with all my stumbles, falls and even at times disobedience, am set apart with the Lord Jesus Christ because I have a relationship with Him. He  wants me to know Him and to know how very, very much He loves me.  He wants me to seek Him and follow Him. To let Him live out His life in and through me, by His Spirit;  revealing more and more of Himself as I learn to hear Him. And now, he's asking me to share with other's how anyone can have this same personal relationship with Him.  Share how He speaks to me through His word,  not just to pastors and  Bible scholars, those whom I see as so much spiritually bigger than me. No just to me,  a plain everyday struggling woman who has now become His child. He wants to meet with me and speak to me from His word everyday as He "sets me apart for Himself.

As I quietly wait, pondering what this means, The Lord  again gently says," My child sanctification is not what you achieve, not something you do.  It's what I Jesus Christ do in and through you as you listen to and obey My Word.  It is our relationship that sanctifies you and makes you whole.

Oh dear Lord, How thankful and grateful I am that You Almighty God, would reveal Yourself to me.  Would even want a relationship with me.  Lord Jesus Your love is beyond anything that I could try and describe in mere words.  But may the joy I experience in Your awesome presence fill You will please.  I love you Lord and only because You loved me first.

  

The Believers Big "C"

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set  us free (emphasis added) from the law of sin and death.

Oh how many of us read this verse and never truly understand how free we really are from the law of sin.
The enemy of our souls wraps us up  in lies of inadequacy and and guilt because we do not fully understand  the freedom we have  in Jesus.

When Christ Jesus went to the Cross to die in our place, we, you and I, who accept His gift of Salvation, were set free. Sin no longer has reign over us,  but many of us do not completely understand this. Because most of us do not know exactly what Scripture says.  When the Son sets you free, you are truly free...it is for freedom that Christ set us free...Gal. 5:1

Dear, precious, child of God, do you feel free?  If you have accepted Jesus into your heart you are free of condemnation of the law of sin.  The Word of God says so. God the Father loves us, "and as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions...sins...from us...Psalms 103:12

Yet you say, I'm a sinner, I sin everyday!  Yes we do, and yes we will, until we are finally in our heavenly home, but the penalty for each and every sin is already paid.  Paid for dearly in the precious blood of our loving Savior.  Our Savior who loved us so much He chose to take our place on that Cross so we could be free, each of  us who accepts the gift He freely gave.

I am only now coming to really understand it isn't anything I have done, am doing, or will do.  It is what Jesus has already done.  And if I will accept His gift and do my best  to follow Him, learn His ways and walk as closely, intimately with Him as I can , I will be free in Him and Him alone.  Jesus is all!  There is no condemnation when we are His, only love and hope and help.

Most of us think we have to clean ourselves up before we can come to God, again a lie of the enemy.  We can not "clean" ourselves up---human self effort will never do the job. But Jesus can "clean" us and set us free from the bondage sin has had over us.

The Word of God has so much to offer us if we would just read it and seek out the God of heaven an d His Son who gives us new life if we choose it.

Read Gods Word and find out for yourself.  He's waiting to meet with you.

Sowing & Reaping

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy"...Psalms 126:5.....weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning...Psalms 30:5


Sowing in tears.  For days now that is exactly what I've been doing.  Someone very close to me whom I love  
dearly has made a very unwise choice in their life and is now going to have to deal with the serious consequences of this choice   Oh how my heart grieves and breaks for them and for those of us closest to them.  We who love them.  For days now I have been crying out to the Lord, Why?  Why did You let this happen? You are all powerful, all mighty You could have stopped it.  Scripture says You control all things.  Why didn't You?  Why didn't You?  Pain grips my heart, tears fill my eyes and I feel as if my God, my Lord, whom I love has abandoned my to my heartache.

Then that sweet soft voice I am learning to listen to in my heart says to me,  Beloved, all mankind has to have choice. Without it they can never love Me or choose Me as their heavenly Father.  I could have controlled this situation; I am controlling it.  Do you not see My hand at work even now?   I have a purpose and a plan in this Beloved, and I will bring it about.  Yes, it is very painful right now.  I do some of my best work in the sorrows of regretful tears.  Trust me!  You will yet see the goodness of the Lord.

Oh Jesus, I am so grateful for Your presence.  For the comfort Your love brings me.  Even in the midst of this vise gripping pain, deep within, I know that things will be okay.  That I will be okay---"yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me"...Psalms 23:4  You have promised never to leave  me nor forsake me and You keep your promises.  I will hold fast to Your word Lord. You are here walking right beside me, and You won't let me fall.  Nothing touches me without Your allowing it.

I started this blog with the Scripture about sowing in tears.  That we actually sow with our tears, seeds of trust and hope if we come and bring them to You.  You know all about weeping for those who choose wrong.  You wept over and died for a people who didn't recognize who You are.  A people who rejected You, crucified You, and all because You loved them so much You wanted to give them new life.

Dear Lord I am so very grateful for the Scriptures.  They tell us Your ways are not our ways, Your thoughts not our thoughts, but never leave us with out hope for a new morning that can and will bring us joy.  You are our joy, our peace in times of trouble. Whether I walk with You on earth or when I come home I can, and will have the joy of all you have promised...because You are faithful and true.  I love you Lord, because You love me so much.  I await the morning, knowing You are beside me in the night.

Listening That We May Live

Then a voice came out of the cloud saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One, listen to Him." ....
 [Luke 9:35]

I do not know about you, but if I heard a voice coming out of a cloud saying anything, I would either stop to hear exactly what was being said, or would find myself so scared by whats happening, I would run the opposite direction in fright.

Reading  these words from Scripture, I tried imaging how God's voice might sound.  Was it loud and booming like a clap of thunder? Or did it sound soft and quiet like a gentle whisper?  To myself  I thought," it must be more like thunder, loud and booming", like nature when it roars.Yet this verse does not tell us how God sounded here, only what He said.

Does it say God spoke? Yes.  And tells us exactly what He said.  "Listen to My Son, My Chosen One". For those who say the Bible is hard to read and understand, this sounds pretty clear to me. Listen to His Son and that's what I've been leaning to do, as I continue to spend time in Gods Word each morning. Learning that God has been speaking to us since the time He created us... [Isaiah 55:3]. Learning, He desires to speak to me, His daughter, personally, if I let Him..

Over and over as I  read, I see the words "listen", "hear Me" "God says"; throughout Scripture  these definitely sounds like He God is speaking.and wants me to hear.  And as I read His words, I am trying diligently to listen to what It says.  Why?  Because His words are life!... "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edge sword....able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [Heb. 4:11] Scripture tell's me how to live the way God planned for me to.  It tells me, He created me and knows me better than anyone else.  His Words tell me He loves me and wants the best for me. So I try to listen with open "ears" and an open heart, because in my heart I know this is true.

 In the Old Testament ,God spoke His commandments through Moses. Using them to tell His people how they should live, on a day to day, basis with Him and why they should do so.We know these words as the "Ten Commandments". The Law of the the Old Covenant ...[Deut. 6]

In the New Testament, Jesus says He came to speak a new covenant a new Way.  What the Law was unable to do, help us to know and do the Will of God, He did by living His life in obedience to His Father. He brought to us the new covenant of Gods love & grace and through His life, showed us how we should live in this new way.  Jesus, the Son of God, is our example, of the new life we can have when we have a personal relationship with Him. A life of becoming like Christ.

The Word says, when we know the Son, we know the Father....only the Son has seen the Father...He, Jesus explains the Father. [John1:18]  That is why we are to listen.  Jesus brings new life. True life! Free life!

The words of the Gospels tells us, He, Jesus, came and died, that we may have life and have it abundantly "....[John10:10].
 Isn't that what we all want? An abundant life?  Not just financial wealth, which is what most of us think of when we think of abundant living, but a life filled with contentment, peace, and joy which we all desire in our hearts, God given desires which we all have.  Desires that can only be fulfilled in having a personal, intimate relationship with the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.  And not just fulfilled desires, but a new Life!  Life the way God  intended for us before sin entered the world. God has a purpose and a plan for every life He created. Every life!  We only have to be listening to what He says to learn what that life is and how to live it..."My sheep hear My voice... and they follow Me "[John 10:27].

My challenge to both myself and those of you reading my blog, is to spend time reading in the Word everyday. Reading the Gospels---Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which tell all about Jesus, who He is, how He wants to help us live,. Reading the Psalms and Proverbs full of insight and wisdom.  Gods Word most importantly tells us how much He loves us; so much He was willing to die in our place for our sins, that we might truly have life. What love! The whole Bible is a love letter from God to His children.

Read God's word for yourself. Actively listen (seek)  what Jesus has to say to you.  Ask yourself, "what do I hear Hims saying"?  If you are a child of God He has promised to reveal what He wants us to know. Reading Scripture is how we learn to Know God.  It is where we can find Him and the perfect plan He has for our life.

Oh Lord how little any of us truly understand this precious, precious gift only You have given us. Thank You that You promise to be with us and lead us in Your paths of righteousness.  Show us what real living is, walking with You daily Lord.  May all of us have "ears to hear and eyes to see" the life You offer.

Anger....Righteous or Unrighteous?

Mans(woman's) anger does not bring about the righteousness of God....James 1:20


A major crisis has abruptly changed my whole life, and I am now  trying with all my heart, to listen to God, as to how I am to handle the the painful emotions that have arisen within me because of what has happened.  I am  filled with painful anger which has resulted due to the behavior of someone else and also anger at myself for how I responded in return. I have been continually lifting  these overwhelming hurting feelings, up to the Lord asking Him for His help in dealing with the intensity of my emotions because they are beyond what I can manage by myself.

And, as if this isn't enough to cope with; there is also, the uncontrolled angry emotions of the other person in this situation,  which is the core issue of my crisis to begin with, that I am having to dealing with as well.  "Dear God, I pray, how I am to handle my anger, fears and doubts that are threatening to "swamp" me in waves of storming emotions? What does one do, when you are the focus of another persons hurtful, undeserved anger?  When they verbally and emotionally assault you, because of their inability to handle their anger in a healthy way?

My answer was to run straight into the loving arms of Jesus; asking Him to hide me in the shadow of His wings; asking Him to be my strength and my shield, my strong fortress in this time of trouble, These were very words my devotional reading had spoken to me this morning.  And that's exactly what He did. He gathered me into the shadow of His wings and with His love He calmed my hurt and anger. He did so because He says in His Word  (Psalms 17:8) that's what He will do; and He does exactly what He says in His Word He will do. I  know I can trust Him to be my refuge, my strength, when I am weak.  Because He has been my strength and my shield, and "a strong tower in trouble," over and over again. The success for this to work though, is that I run to Him with whatever I am dealing with.  Times of anger, times of sadness, times of joy! That I take everything to Him in prayer.

 As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am not to handle my anger in the same way as someone who does not know Him would. Scripture tell me, as His child, I am to respond as as the Word teaches, and that  is to bring my emotions to Him, confess any sin on my part and let the Holy Spirit enable me to forgive, both the other person and myself.  Anger--any ones-- will not bring about God's righteousness, James 1:20 tells us. So, I  must deal with my anger.

Ephesians 4:26 also addresses the subject of anger and helps  me to see that the anger itself is not sin, but what I do with the anger, how I respond that becomes sinful. This verse tells us how to respond God's way, "Be angry, but do not let the sun go down on my anger." I am to deal with it before the day is over.  Only recently have I come realized that I have been letting the sun go down on much unresolved anger and resentment , which had turned into a root of bitterness that I had been unwilling to face. Now as God has revealed it to me I have run to His Word,  my source of truth and guidance, for living a holy life, to learn from Him, what I must do with these feelings.  While anger isn't a sin, bitterness is, and God says we must get rid of it because it is a poison to our souls.

 As I sat with these thoughts, the above Scripture came to my mind. Only the problem was, as sometimes happens to me, I couldn't remember where it was located, so I went searching for a reference in my  Bible concordance, trying to find the exact verse. I looked under specific words used in the verse as I was remembering it: anger, righteousness, man, and God. One after the other, but  was not finding what I was looking for.

So I continued to search the Scriptures. And as I searched I prayed, "Lord why can't I find this Scripture reference? Is there something else here I am missing.  Holy Spirit You know exactly where it is, would You lead me to where God's words are; not what I think He is saying, but exactly what He says?   And on I searched.

Well, as you can tell from my reference verse, I did find it and several other verses God wanted me to meditate on as well.  The verse that spoke to me the most was Ephesians 4:26.  I like so many consider anger to be a sin, but that's not what God says. This verse says "be angry",  but what I'm not to do is let the sun go down on my anger.  That has been my problem in dealing with anger most of my life I realized.

Now for clarity, what I'm not saying here, is that every argument or angry situation can be resolved in the same day.  What I am saying, is  the Lord was speaking to me here about my feelings and that I bring them to Him, confess any sin on my part and put the situation into His hands, then wait for Him to show me what to do; obey Him.

 I'd like to tell you that my crisis is resolved as I am writing this blog, but that's not happened.  What I can tell you, is that God has taken something the enemy meant for evil in my life and has used it for good and ultimately for His glory, by revealing a deep rooted bondage that I needed to be set free from and cleansed my heart with His loving forgiveness. I no longer am filled with bitterness and resentment, but much sadness for the pain this has caused everyone involved. He has set me free to respond with His love and grace. Could anything be better than His goodness?

I am now waiting on the Lord to show me the next steps to take.  I know in my heart He will, because He only does what's good and right and prefect. What He wants is for me to lean on Him.  And that's what I am doing.

Dear Lord, thank You that the truth of Your Word is always available to us.  Thank You that You care and love us so much that You want us to know Your truth and by able to apply it through the power of Your Spirit indwelling us. Your Word truly  is alight unto our path and a lamp to our feet...Ps. 119:105 and You use it to speak  to each of us intimately and personally.  Thank You! Thank You, precious Lord Jesus.

Classroom of Suffering and Patience

Gods Word says:  "As an example of suffering and patience, we are to take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord....James 5:10

Following Jesus means suffering for what He says is truth. The prophets of the Old Testament knew this.

Suffering, pain, anguish and trials are times when believers can learn lessons only God can teach. They are "classrooms" in His hands.  Places where He provides a wealth of knowledge about who He is and how He operates, if we are willing to turn to Him,  actively seeking from His mighty and awesome Word, what He says as the way to handle them.

The prophets and apostles learned valuable lessons in the what I'm calling "godly classrooms".  All  of them listened to Gods voice and yet they suffered anyway, the above verse tells us. And if you read about each one specific experiences you will see how they also learned patience in the midst each ones times of suffering.

Scripture says, "Gods ways are not our ways".  We in our humanity  see adversity as something to stop, something to run from,  something to fix quickly. Yet over and over Scripture tells of the suffering and trials that Gods people went through, book after book. I am learning through my own struggles, that God wants me to see these times of adversity as one of His choicest tools for refining me and making me more like Jesus.  Adversity drives me to Him; to His voice...His Word. Nothing else comforts me more in my suffering than hearing what the Lord has to say to me from His Word.  Telling me how much He loves me, telling me He is with me; He will be my strength and my shield.  Comforting me with the comfort I can then comfort others with because I know their pain and can point them to Him to help them through the dark valley.

Adversity gets our attention, if we let it. It leads us to examine our inner self.  If, as today's verse says, the lesson in our suffering is learned--which is to follow the examples of the prophets and learn patience in our circumstances, this learned lesson effectively make changes our behavior. We can have His peace and to still praise Him even when we suffer. Endure with spiritual patience, which is what I believe the prophets knew.

Jesus suffered. Godly men and women written of in Scripture suffered.  Christ told His followers they--we--would suffer in this world, but not to be afraid, because He has overcome the world....John 16:33  So we will also suffer.  For us it is what we choose to do with the suffering.  Christ gives us the answer.  His strength, His Word, His Spirit sent to help us.  There is no other true way.

I am learning if I let Him, my Lord Jesus, will help me overcome all my adversities, trials and difficulties. and in the midst of  them  give me His patience and peace.  His Voice --the Word-- tells me how I can do so, and my part is to listen  and do what He says. God speaks to us through His holy Word,  His holy Spirit, and the godly counsel of His holy people.  He has something to say to each of His children in every situation we face.  We are the ones who have to decide we want to hear what He says.  His Word is where we must go first. As our Father He knows exactly what we need and longs to help us.  But we must accept His way of doing so and only learn through His Word.

How about you,  whens the last time you had a moment of listening? Reading Gods Word is how we listen to   God.  If we seek Him, He promises He will be found.

Listening....Hearing

I had someone ask me recently, how do I know God is "speaking to me, personally". Why would He speak to any of us personally?"  These are very good questions.  I  remember replying at the time, "Because I hear His voice in my heart.  Not an audible voice like some that claim to hear voices in the head, but in the whisper in my heart: when remembered Scripture reveals itself to my mind. That's when I know He is speaking to me When I hear His Words with in.

Many people ask,  " Is God speaking today?"  My reply to this is, oh yes He is definitely speaking. The real question is, are we listening?.  I am just now beginning to get a glimmer of understanding as to what it really means to listen. How can I know what He has to say, if I do not go to the source of His voice, His Word.? The Word of God is how He is speaking to us, His creation, today.

Scripture says: " God is not man that He should lie...Has He said and then not done; spoken and not made good? [Numbers 23:19]...."My word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path." [Psalms 119:105}
Light shining in darkness, [another blog maybe]. Isn't this, His Words speaking to us? He says," I the Lord your God... I will... listen to what I say?"

No, I do not question whether God is speaking. What I am learning is to question whether I am hearing. When I hear a voice whose speaking do I hear a , my own voice, telling  me to do  what I think and,feel is the right thing to do?.  Is it the worlds voice noisily, shouting out, loud contradictions to what God clearly says in Scripture?  Whose voice am I hearing?

I have learned if I do not go to the source of Gods Voice, His Word,  I can not expect to hear Him speak.  I can not know what He is saying. I can only hear what the other voices I am listening to say. The Bible is how I hear God speak to me.  And when  I 'am  hearing Him "speak to me" I now know it is His Voice,  the voice of His Words, usually telling me to listen.

A very wise, godly man and mentor, whom I greatly admire, frequently says, "Listen! Are you listening? , when he is sharing something important from Gods Word. Because He also says "The Bible has an answer for every circumstance and situation we face daily." If we do not read Gods Word,  is it  He's not speaking or are we not listening?

This is a question I ask myself daily as i spend time in the Word of God.  Am I listening to what He is saying? Do I hear Him?  And when the answer comes up "no" I'm not, as when I am fearful, full of doubts, not at peace in my inner self,  then I know I need to go to the Word, so I can listen because I haven't been hearing .  Each and every day, that I do not spend time with His Word,  my hearing His voice gets less and less clear.  It grows quieter and quieter.  I no longer hear what He says.

Whens the last time you picked up Gods Word and ask Him sincerely from your heart, to speak specifically to you. When you do, I can assure you, He will answer and  speak to your heart personally,  He promises to meet each one of us right where we each are. His Word tells us He will and that  He does exactly what He says.

Thank You precious Lord, that Scripture tells us, You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. and You will speak to us because Your Word says you will. All we have to do is be willing to LISTEN.

Valley....Mountaintops...Gods Ways.

Scripture says: " In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"...Proverbs 3:5

As read this verse I had actually been thinking about another subject.  The title of this message being the subject I had been thinking about. I even had a different Scripture in mind for this blog.  And as I sat listening the Lord spoke gently to my heart, in His sweet Voice and my heart heard.

"Beloved, My children experience adversity, anguish, trials, tribulations, and heartaches as the "valley experiences" of this life. These times, as much as they would like to avoid them, are necessary in order for them to grow and mature spiritually.  They are a part of My plan for their lives here on earth. These "valleys" are times, I seek for them to turn to Me, and listen to what I can tell them, as to how they can walk through the valley.  I KNOW the way.  I Am the way.."

"What I want my children to know, is that I am with them in the valley's as much as I am on the mountaintops.    and that I know it's hard for them to understand, in the pain of adversity, but I have a purpose and a plan for everything that touches their lives.  Yours too."

"It is hard, for some of My children to understand what I mean, when I'm saying, " My ways are not your ways, and My thoughts are not your thoughts".(Isaiah 55:8)  What they see as a calamity, I see as a time of teaching them to trust Me. To trust Me in all of life experiences. In their valleys, as well as on the mountaintops. I, who created them, have a specific plan for each and every child of Mine..."in My book were written all the days ordained for you, before one even came about." (Psalms 139:16)

Each valley, is a time for My child, who is in it, to come and seek Me. "To find Me while I may be found". (Isaiah 55:6). To seek Me in My Word and have a conversation in prayer with Me.  I invite them to come; " Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)  I want them to come"... "I love them with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3)

When I say, "In all your ways acknowledge Me, what I am saying is seek Me, listen to Me, and I will make your paths (ways) straight; both in the valley's, as well as on the mountaintops of life. Abba

And what I share with those who may be reading this post is, God is Faithful! He can be trusted!  I know From experiencing  many valley experiences of my own.  If you heart desires to know how to find a straight path through your valley and walk back up to the mountaintop, seek to meet with Him today in Scripture. There's no where higher. His ways and love are wonderful,  and yes at times, even hard to understand, But He has promised  He is always with us wherever we go.

Thank You Lord Jesus, that there is no where we can go that you are not with us, offering Your love, Your guidance, Your peace.  Praise the wonderful name of Jesus.

Whose Voice Do I Listen To?

Mark 10:1...crowds gathered around Him...and according to His custom, He once more began to teach them.

I am reading in the book of Mark right now and as I read this chapter (10) The Lord, in answer to the request I made in prayer to Him earlier, is speaking to me about  what He wants me to hear from Him.
Speaking to my heart, saying, " listen this is what I say".

The part of this passage that is most familiar to many of us, is when the Pharisees came up to Him and tested Him,  asked the question, "Whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife". They were trying to trick Him. He answered and said, "What did Moses command you?  They said, "Moses permitted (emphasis mine) a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away".

The next verse is where the Lord began speaking so clearly. "Because of your (emphasis mine) hardness of heart, he (Moses) wrote this commandment. The Lord says," But from the beginning of creation, God made them --MALE AND FEMALE (emphasis from my Bible)...AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two but one flesh."  That's what God says.

Now let me stop for a moment to say, this isn't a message about what is acceptable or unacceptable about divorce.  What I am sharing is what I hear God saying speaking to me.  The very next verse is the is the one the one that I want to make known.  "Therefore what God has joined together, let no man (my emphasis) separate."  The key here Beloved His voice says  The point is what, I, God have join together, let no man separate."

So what do you mean, Lord I asked?   He replies, "To whom are the couple making their "vows"? That's a good question, I replied . The Lord then continues gently,  "How have they been joined together?  By a vow to Me or a promise to each other, or a tradition set by  world?.  In their hearts, do they really know what they are vowing to, and to whom they are making their vow?"

I paused here thinking about the word vow, and  what a exchanging vows may mean when we marry today?   So first, I looked up the word vow in the dictionary. Three listings appeared.  The first defines a vow as: "a solemn promise or assertion, by which one person binds him/herself to an act, service, or condition".  The second states, "to make as a vow, to bind or consecrate" And the third, "a vow, declare."

Now I really stopped and pondered.  "So how does this all apply to what You want me to "hear" Lord Jesus? I asked.

"Beloved, what few seem to understand here, is that when anyone of  My children take a vow before Me, and then brakes it, they are committing "spiritually" adultery to Me.  It is not just the vow, it is who are they really making it to?  Marriage vows to Me, any vows to Me, are serious.  Not to be taken lightly."

I , myself, know when I am making a vow before God, I must be very clear as to whom I am making the promise.  So then if I brake it, I know to whom I am braking it also. God, my Father.

I feel in my heart, what the Lord is really saying here, is that vows are made too casually today, and for sometime now.  They have been misunderstood for what they really are. If we make a vow before the Lord God, then we are making a promise to Him which only He has the right to separate, not man!  The issue is  not as much what we vow, as it is to whom we vow.

Now some may say here,  what does she know?  She probably has everything in her marriage just perfect.  She can not know what I'm suffering.  I am here to say, oh yes I can.  I have over 40 years of marriage  behind me and there have been two specific times I have been faced with a decision about my marriage vows and what I promised to My Lord God when I said them. The first time, I didn't listen to God and suffered much within my soul and life afterward, because I did not hear His Word.  The second time I listened, even  though everything in my soul cried out,  "I can't Lord.  I can't."  That time I choose to look to Him first to listen to what He and to say and follow what He asked of me.  And I have never regretted that choice.

Walking in faith is not easy. Sometimes it is down right painful, especially when we are "deaf" to what God is saying about the subject ,or we feel He is silent, or even not involved at all, during  the situation. One of the  lessons I have learn for myself, through these times of pain--and trust me there have been, and still will be many -is Gods wonderful, loving, faithfulness, even in the most painful of challenges.

When I stop and listen, really listen, to what He says, He has and I know now, will guide me into His truth, by using His Word to speak to my heart.

How about you when was the last time you listened not only to what God says, but what you yourself have said in any vow you have taken.  Whom did you make it too?

God's Voice ....Silent?

...and if My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Is God's voice silent?   Does He speak today?  And if He is what does He have to say?

Gods is not silent. He speaks to us everyday, if we choose to listen to Him. He speaks from His Word, the Bible.  Through it He tells us who He is, and what His ways are. How we can be blessed, and the things that cause us  to hurt.

God is not silent.  Scripture says,  He comes in the whisper, not the whirlwind. He doesn't shout at us. His voice isn't heard in the loudness of voices we hear today, who rise up in opposition to what He has already said.   His voice is in His Word, and the message of His Son Jesus Christ. He is speaking but, we have stopped listening.We have become "hard" of hearing.  He's not silent.

How do we hear what it is someone else wants to say to us?  A written message perhaps, or a one-on-one conversation, or maybe even by them sending it to us through an other person.  God speaks the same way: His written Word, His voice in our hearts, as we respond to reading His Word  given to us from those who experienced his written Word.  It is us who do not "hear"how He is speaking.

 The Bible is Gods speaking to us.  It is how He talks to the world today. It tells us who He is and what His ways are, how he does things and why.  It is His revelation to we His creation.  When we take the time to sit and read the Word,  He is speaking to us. It is a one-on-one, personal conversation, between us and Him, passed on to us from others who were listening.

Today more than ever I think God wants to speak to His creation.  He is a personal God, The One and only God, who wants to have a personal conversation with each one of us, if we will take the time to listen to His Voice, the Bible. The real question is, do we want to hear Him?  Do we want to make the time to listen?  Conversation is a two way street. It does not matter if anyone speaks, if others do not listen. There is no communication in this.

I challenge you to take some time today,  pick up His Word and listen to what He has to say personally to you. If you ask with a sincere heart He will answer. I am each day.  You can too.

God' Most Useful Tool

All these having gained approval through (emphasis mine) their faith did not receive what was promised, because god provided something better.....( being made perfect in Christ) ..Hebrews 11:39,40



As I sit with my Bible and a wonderfully delicious, first of the morning, cup of coffee, I am  meditating on today's Scripture passage in my devotional.  The "Purification of Our Faith" is the message; the passage is Hebrews 11:32-40.  And the theme is God's using adversity  to "refine or purify" us into Christ likeness.  As verse 34 says, " made strong from weakness".

Wow! This really spoke to me, as I struggle with the weakness of my physical body, and how my affliction is rapidly robbing me of the  ability to function like others with healthy bodies do, in the everyday world.
These verses talk about men and women of faith and what adversity and suffering they experienced, approved by God but suffering also.  And Why?  Because God has something better for them. His Perfect Son perfected within them.  For them to become Christ-like.  If you read the full passage seems like a tough road to travel.  And it was.

I am slowly, though not always happily, learning that adversity in the hand's of God, is one of His best tools for sculpting Christ-likeness with in us.  Chipping away the surrounding sin and selfishness we all are afflicted with refines us.  But we must be willing to go through the process. God  the Master sculptor of His creation,   knows exactly what each of His children need, "chiseled" away.

I realize more and more that what I humanly think I need is not what God KNOW's I need.  I now have a better understanding of what Scripture means, when it says God's ways are not our ways.  Who would willingly go through the adversity these saints did--and many today need to know this -- if they didn't understand that He is lovingly and carefully, sculpting us into His best work.

Thank you Father God that even if I do not understand how I need to be shaped.  You do.  May I be willing to accept Your work in me.

Freedom Verses Captivity
"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed".  John 8:36

I have read this passage in John 8: 1-36, and each time, remembered  wondering to myself, what does it mean exactly.  The Son makes us free. Free! Free from what? How does He makes me free?   Today I think I finally have an understanding.

JESUS!  Jesus who is the Son ..of God.. is why we are free from captivity and bondage, if we are believers in Christ. It is His life, death, and resurrection, which He offers freely that sets us free from the captivity of  things of this world that imprison us.   Darkness,depression, hopelessness, emptiness, to name a few I  have experienced.  Yes these are prisons that the enemy locks us up in, and wants to keep us there.  Jesus wants to make us free, in Him.

I heard it said recently by someone,  that the Bible is a love story.  The greatest love story ever told. For me it is so true.  Jesus Christ wants to set each of us free, free us to have a personal, intimate, loving relationship with Him.   It is with in the pages of this book, The Bible, where The God of heaven, reveals how much He loves us. Enough to come from heavens glory and live among us and ultimately give up His own life in order to make us free from the bondage of sin which is what imprisons whether we see or don't see it as such.  How much greater love can there be?  A sacrificial love.  I'll die for you so you do not have to suffer eternal death.  That's being set free.

Today's world,  I think, rely's to much on what others say is right or true, especially about God, His Son Jesus Christ and His Word the Bible, rather than really to ask or search out what they, personally believe.  Hearsay! The Bible is Gods revelation to His creation, of who He is, what He thinks, what He wants us to know..about Him..and just how much He loves, loves, loves, us.  He desires to set us free to love Him in return.  How can that happen if we never spend time within the pages of His revealed story to us.

Loves sets the captive free.  Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement for us sets us free. Jesus is love, and wants to set each of us free...
Spend some time in His word  find out for yourself what the Bible has to say about how to be "made free. Read it!  Explore it! I know you will never regret doing so.  The loving God who created you is waiting for you to come to Him.

Are we Listening?

Today is my first day becoming a blogger.  I have been reading many others blogs, but never considered one of my own, until now.  My Lord God of heaven and earth, whom I love and serve, out of that love, has been leading me into "hearing" His voice...learning to LISTEN to HIM!.  Now He wants me to share  what I am hearing.  I am starting herewith this first post.

The Word of God is His voice.  He speaks to us through His words,  given to us by the inspiration of those whom He used to put them into writing--from the stone tablets of Moses day,  to each and every author writing each book of the Bible.

He has been speaking to the world since the time of creation.  The Bible is how He chooses to communicate today.  And the words of His precious and most beloved Son, Jesus Christ, which the New Testament is all about.

His very thoughts and  His ways  are what Scripture is all about.  Imparting a knowledge of who He is and how He operates, page after awesome page.   Sadly many, many people in today's culture do not spend time reading a Bible.  Or seeking  The Author.  They are either to busy, not interested, or just ignoring the need they have for a relationship with the One who created them.

Scripture was given to us that we might LISTEN to God.  Whether we do, or do not, does not change it's truth.  God will do what He says He will do, and history is full of evidence it is so.

So how about you?  Have you taken time to LISTEN to God today?  How will you ever get to know Him if you do not hear what He has to say.

He promises His Word will never return void.

Thank you Father God, that You love us so very much, You are continually waiting for us to turn to You through Your precious Word.  Bless it  when we do and let us Hear from You.
Lovingly in Jesus Name I ask.