Hurtful Words and God’s Love

I have written about this topic before but I want to add a bit more.

We need to be so focused on God’s love that we can give unconditional love back to those who hurt us.

Words hurt especially when they come from those close to us and our reaction is a want to pull away and stay away from them but instead of pulling back from them- let that situation speak into your life as a sign that you need to get closer to God.

For in his love our heart remains tender and receptive unlike when we pull away and build up a wall or callus around our heart towards that person.

I am not going to preach and tell you that the devil uses those close to you to hurt you and we don’t fight flesh and blood because if you are Christian you already know this.

I will say this:

We are to live in God’s love.

We are to breath in God’s love.

We are to be protected in God’s love.

We are to speak in God’s love.

We are to walk in God’s love.

But we cannot do that if we don’t take the time to study God’s word, meditate and “be” in God’s love each day and throughout each day.

The intellectual wisdom of God’s love is not just going to do it for you- God’s love needs to translate into our daily actions and way of living and communicating with others. Where we live in God’s peace, love and hope regardless to the actions fired upon us.

People say things. People speak without thinking. They say things that tear down instead of build up. They get into thinking performance instead of love. People make judgments based on what they see and understand not what is actual fact.

You know God loves you - not what you have done or can and can not do. He is looking at the heart. Is it after Him or is it not?

People are so focused on outside appearances- they either don’t know or forget what really and truly matters. They either don’t know or forget what really matters is the heart for God.

People's hearts that are not set upon the foundation of God will always hold the past against us. They will see the bad and/or insufficiency in our ways and efforts- especially those who are not being guarded and mindful of the Lord and his ways. They are quick to pass judgment.

But I want you to declare something with me to God.

Declare: “I will surrender those things that people hold against me in some shape or form to the Lord. There upon the Lord my burden is light. For who really knows my heart but the Lord? Should I not suffer- if I had no suffering how would I have or come to my dependence upon the Lord’s love?”

Romans 12:21 "Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."

We must continue to raise our dependence upon the Lord’s love. We must surrender all that we are in the flesh in order to become more like the Lord, who love’s us. We shall cast off and cut the strings of the naggings of the flesh that hinder our way in walking continually in the presence of the Lord.

I shall remember and live knowing my true life is in Christ Jesus. There is freedom. There is real life. There is life, as we all should know it.

Can I speak for those who hurt us? Not for certain. I don't walk in their shoes- I don't know what their life is like. I don't see through their eyes and heart. I don't know what is broken inside of them. I don't know type of callus that has formed over their heart. No I can speak for those who hurt us. For there are some things I think I understand but probably don’t fully understand. There are some things that the Lord only knows.

People need watch out which pair of socks they put on in the morning- are they a dirty pair or a clean pair?

Knowing God's love allows me to walk and speak in love and respect. It allows me to give mercy and be empowered by God's grace.

I, a sensitive soul must not need to be concerned what kind of laundry they put on in the morning but where I shall put my focus. For the suiting up of the armor of God has all to do with focus of the heart and mind and knowing the God who truly loves me. For my home and treasure is not here on this world but with God and in heaven. I shall not fear for the LORD is with me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect your from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

Casting Crowns "Your Love is Extravagant"

After God? (Pursuing God)

These are the things that have brought me to closer to God and thankfully God’s word has mirrored these truths through scripture.

So what do I want you and everyone else to get out of these truths? My hope is that you will experience more of God and the more you become closer to God the more you will experience and live in God’s hope, peace, and joy. You will not just be looking into God’s love but be living in God’s love. And meditating and growing in these riches -your life can’t help but glorify the Lord and share His love with others.

Write these truths down and meditate on them as often as you can throughout your day.

These truths are:

1. God is love. (1 John 4:16) His Love is Faithful and Unfailing. (Psalm 31:7 Psalm 100.) Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Romans 8:38) God’s love perfects our love. (1 John 4:17)

2. A Humble and Contrite heart and Respect/Reverence for His Word. A heart that is broken for Jesus Christ. A heart and mind that his surrendered to God and His will. A heart this is sensitive to the will of God. Think of your heart as a bone that is broken- you sense and feel every moment or touch. That is the way our heart should be towards the Lord. A heart that is surrendered, humble and contrite to God can’t help but be obedient to God’s word because you are living in His wonderful truths. (Isaiah 66:2) (Numbers 12:3-8) (Philippians 2:3-11) (1 Peter 5:5-7)

3. Renewing our mind: Who is God? God created the heavens and the earth. He made us to be vessels of His love. He is a faithful, unfailing, merciful, gracious and JUST. He is a jealous God who loves us. He desires to be close to us and He never lets go of us. (Exodus 34:14 ) (Genesis 1:1) (Psalm 89:11) (Isaiah 42:5-6) (Psalm 75:2) (Hebrews 1:8-10) (2 Chronicles 30:9) (2 John 1:3)

4. God inhabits our praises and thanksgivings. He emerges and manifests himself in our praises. He manifests himself in direction and “God” focused or honed thought. (Psalm 22:3) (Psalm 73:1,28) (Psalm 100) (Psalm 116:5) (Acts 17:27-28) (John 14:21) (James 4:8) (Matthew 5:3) (Luke 17:21)

Christians since you have given your life over to Christ Jesus. God is within us. He is within our soul.

Jesus (when speaking about the Kingdom of God) said "You won't be able to say, 'Here it is!' or 'It's over there!' For the Kingdom of God is among you. New International Version says "The Kingdom of God is within you and under further examination into the Strong's concordance it means "in your midst" but more then that "it is within you/ within your soul."

Christians…. since we are made right with God through our Lord Jesus Christ why do we try to get close to God by climbing some legalistic approach or understanding? Doesn't that come from some pridefully thought of our own? Recognition from God isn't based on our own ability to get some place or somewhere but us drawing near and living in God's grace, mercy and love.

Why do we try to reach or blindly run? Why do we think we have to reach some point or spiritual pinnacle only to come short and frustrate ourselves? Why do we have to be rescued by God in order to find Him? So let us not be stubborn or “into” ourselves in “our” approach to drawing near, living in and experiencing God. God is already near us! You have the Holy Spirit- HE is already in you and He wants you to experience more of Him. Ask God to give you the heart and mindset that He needs for Him to work inside and with you.

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8

There in the humble, thankful, surrender, and quiet tenderness of the heart–we enter into the courts of the Almighty.

Oh the joy that awaits!

A Contrite/ Humble Heart- Citizens of Heaven

Isaiah 66:2 "My hands have made both heaven and earth, and they are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! This is the one I esteem: He is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."

"Trembles at my word" is translated in the Hebrew as: "who reverences my words."

God blesses, looks to/ esteems one with a contrite and humble heart who has reverence towards the word of God. I want a heart that is continually broken, receptive and sacrificial to the Lord Jesus Christ. There the heart has Spirit filled direction, guidance, assurance, hope, life, joy and is focused upon our heavenly home. We have peace no matter if we are understood, hated, loved, liked, disliked, persecuted, hunted, sick, because the more we know God's love the more Jesus' love flows through us. The word of God has meaning and depth that is not just understood on an intellectual meaning but a deep heartfelt sense in which we understand it in a very real living source. The words of God have become so real they have become like food which our soul finds strength and nourishment from.

Sounds crazy to the unbeliever that words on a page can become so real that they are as real as something we can live in and touch. To the unbeliever this sounds all like foolishness but they are confounded by the wisdom of God. They are confounded that someone would value and die for their faith. But we know God is mightier then anything that might come into our lives- even death cannot keep God's love from us that is why we don't fear when others do fear.

We as Christians do not fight flesh and blood but those dark spirits that puppet the emotions, understandings, actions of our haters, oppressors, persecutors, abusers and killers.

Those who hate us don't know they are doing humanity a disservice. They don't even know why that hate, judge and accuse us? For having a faith in the only Savior named Jesus Christ- That is a threat? They don't even understand why they outlaw the word of God for if they understood the word of God and it's saving message they would hold it up in high regard. They would shout the saving message of Jesus Christ from the roof tops.

I am reminded of Paul and Silas in the book of Acts chapter 16. They are in prison but their minds and hearts are not. They have been stripped and severely beaten with wooden rods and taken into the inner dungeon and clamped in stocks. Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening and suddenly there was a great earthquake and the prison was shaken and the doors flew open and the chains of every prisoner fell off. The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped so he drew his sword to kill himself Paul shouted of the darkness of the dungeon, "Don't do it! We are all here!" Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran into the darkness and fell before Paul and Silas seeing their merciful actions had saved his own life. He brought them out of dungeon himself and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul's and Silas' reply, " Believe on the the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household."

"Why didn't they run and escape?"

Paul and Silas had something more valuable. They had the privilege of having a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and even though they were physically in prison and were pain their mind and heart was focused and honed on God and their heavenly home. Their hearts were broken for the Lord and they poured their lives out for the Lord. They did not fear death or their circumstances. They knew they where citizens of heaven and their heart and mind was set upon their heavenly home not this world in which they lived.

In other words- their bodies were in this reality but their mind and heart were set on the realities of heaven. They let heaven fill their thoughts and did not just think of things down here on earth. They knew their real life was in Christ where he sits in the place of honor and power at God the Father's right hand. The cares of this life were not the emphasis but their resurrected life in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 3:14 would be a good place to read this information.)

(Think about this for a second. When something is broken, like a bone, you can feel every little movement that is attached to that bone. When we have a broken or contrite heart for the Lord we can feel the Lord's presence and his guiding and directing. We can “live” in the hope that God provides and we have “joy” because we feel His unfailing and faithful love. We don't put any emphasis on our life or the things of this world but on God because He is the only one that satisfies and fills our life with all good things.)

Philippians 3:19 "Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere."

Revelation 3:7 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: This is the message from the one who is holy and true. He is the one who has the key of David. He opens doors, and not one can shut them; he shuts doors and no one can open them. I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut. You have little strength, yet you obey my word and did not deny me. Look! I will force those who belong to Satan- those liars who say they are Jews but are not- to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. Look, I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write my God's name on them, and they will be citizens in the city of my God- the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And they will have a new name inscribed upon them. Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

We must work hard to remember and retain this information and to renew our mind with these truths every moment of everyday. We must put our trust and hope in our heavenly home where Christ, who loves us, encourages us to finish this "experience of life" in faith. And in doing this our lives can't help but glorify and bring honor to God who is the source of our strength.

Song: Amazed by Jared Anderson

Hope and Confidence In God

Jesus said “What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” Matthew 10:27 So I shout from this housetop to you this morning.

Jesus asked,"Must I do miraculous sings and wonders before you people will believe in me?" John 4:48

I believe Jesus does do signs of miracles and wonders. He has done that many times for me to encourage my faith in him. I have laid hands on the sick and injured and they were healed. He has allowed me to see and sense things that are not possible in the human sense but are possible as we draw close to him. He has done a miracle inside of me with his love and Holy Spirit. But there comes a time when we must trust in his love and through that trust in his love comes mature faith and fellowship with the Father and the Son- Jesus Christ.

I sense Jesus' disappointment here. It's like he knows he can't just show up and say I am the Christ that is written about in your scrolls but he knows he has to show some proof of that.

He knew people would want some signs and wonders like today- where people of this world can't believe something unless they see it in person. Faith in God is hard to see when you have little faith in God. It's sometimes like the wind. You see the tree branches move and the leaves blowing and falling to the ground and moving the clouds in the sky and over the mountains and hills but we can't see the wind just the evidence of the wind. Signs and wonders are for the unbeliever.

Signs and wonders are not for the strong believer or mature believer but for the weak believer and those with little faith or no real faith at all. Does that mean we no longer believe in signs and wonders- of course not. God's signs and wonders and they are very encouraging and we should walk and use those gifts God has given to encourage the weaker believer and awaken the unbeliever.

The question we must ask it this:
But is that really true faith if we put our faith solely on signs and wonders?

Remember Jesus asked,"Must I do miraculous sings and wonders before you people will believe in me?"

Signs are wonders are different then God's presence. I believe God's presence should be evident in every believer's life.

"Outward" signs and wonders should NOT be an "emphasis" point of our faith. Signs and wonders can be a "sign" of our faith but not an "emphasis" point of our faith. Example: I may be able to pray over someone and they be healed in Jesus name but that is a "sign" of my faith in God - my emphasis should be in my "hope in God" and "his love" for me not in the signs and miracles. Same with tongues and prophecy. I may speak in tongues and have the interpretation of tongues and have the gift of prophecy but that is a sign of my faith- it should not be an emphasis point of my hope and Gods love for me.

God himself should be our emphasis point- for the mature believer has surrendered their life to the will of God regardless of what appearances look like on the outside. No matter what gifts I have or not have. No matter if I am saved from my suffering condition or not - my faith and conviction in God stays the same.

1 Corinthians says 13:7 "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance."

1 Peter 1:39 talks about our lasting hope- in God. A trust in God with roots of depth that when we go through trials our hope in God is refined and we have a glorious inexpressible joy because he shows us in that trail and fire that he is faithful and loves us so much. This kind of trial and fire builds our faith in God's salvation for ours souls because during that trial we are drawing even more closer to God and we stop putting any kind of hope or emphasis on the things of this world. We stop putting emphasis on signs and wonders. We let the world have itself and we let ourselves have God in the midst of this world. For we are not citizens of this world but our heavenly home.

Think of the assurance we have in God's love and hope. Remember understanding God's love and consistently putting our hope in God- think what a difference it would make in our lives and those around us especially in trial, challenges, conflict and loss.

Mercy Me on "Bring the Rain"

The Lessons We Learn in the Fiery Furnace

"Some things are only learned in the fiery furnace."
- Oswald Chambers

Surrender and dependence on God's love does something - we don't just realize we are not in control but we can live according to God's will, hope, love, grace, mercy which disarms everything that wants to attack the soul. Knowing these wonderful gifts deep down in our soul's understanding as ministered by the Holy Spirit allows our heart to be tender, receptive, without fear, quiet and full of gratitude and joy in the LORD.

Those angry with God hold onto this life as if means something - as if this life has some lasting value not realizing the richest person knows the value of themselves is in God not in the ones who hate, judge or applaud them and certainly not in what material things they may have or not have and certainly not in their health or physical condition.

If God's eyes are on the sparrow how much more does he love us being his chosen creation.

"But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. When I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both your soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him then a whole flock or sparrows."
(Matthew 10:26-31)

Again I remind myself were were created and saved by God to do his will- no matter what the costs but the costs are nothing compared to the knowing our LORD, Jesus Christ who is so deeply good and cares for us.

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

We will find life empty and worthless without God in it and using it.

"But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News and about God's wonderful kindness and love."
(Acts 20:24)

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

To Suffer and God's Will and Love

"Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace."
- Oswald Chambers

"Pain is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads."
- C.S. Lewis.

I want to be a living sacrifice that lives in the perfect will of God- no matter what may come knowing God's love will over take me as I surrender to my hope in Him. I am going to let go of the steering wheel of life and not try to grab it back from God no matter what may come.

Do we really know or want to suffer knowing the unmeasurable amount and understanding of God's love that comes through suffering. To know the deep reality that is so secure that nothing can robe you of the fact of God's deep love for us. To come to the end of ourselves seeing no value in anything that the world could offer. To be so persuaded that there is no hesitation to admitting our frailty and our need to be solely empowered and dependent upon God's love- where we are not afraid of death or what may come. Not afraid to speak of God and Jesus to anyone because we so deeply and genuinely know He is here with us not matter what we may suffer in this life or what things look like on the outside. Where we are comforted by the reality of heaven and the joy of our God who cares so deeply for us.

When Peter was asked by Jesus, "Do you love me?" several times what was he truly saying? He was saying, do you really understand how much I love you and if you know how much I love you will be able to endure the suffering to come. Of course Peter's understanding of God's love grew has he went through suffering and torture and his own crucifixion.

The most expensive perfume we can pour out upon the Lord's feet is our lives for we were bought with a high price and it only means something if we truly love the Lord and know he is good, unfailing and faithful.

Our lives are not our own- so why do we try to live our lives as if they are our own? Why do we hang on so tightly onto this life when our life is suppose to be in Christ. We are his vessels to be used as he wishes and he wills. - Just as Jesus said, "May your will be done Father." We are to do the same knowing no matter what happens to us in this life God truly love us.

If we truly understood this we would not fill our lives with things that do not really matter and worry and fear things that do not really matter.

God wants to live in our hearts not part time or when we think the time is best but all the time as we trust and exist in His wonderful limitless love.

God does not want us to just know the WORD- Jesus Christ but live in the WORD's love. And the more we do this the more we are willing to live the will of God regardless of what may or may not happen to us- because we have such a deep understanding of how much God truly loves us.

Thinks of those who risked everything for Jesus Christ? Think of all apostles. Think of the high schools students who did not deny God and were shot for it. Think of those who suffer and say I wouldn't take this cancer or these circumstance away because it has brought me to stronger and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

He alone is my rock and my salvation; my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death or life, neither angels nor demons; neither worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16

"I pray that from His glorious unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is." Ephesians 3:16-18

You Lift Me Up- The Afters

The Real Me- Song

The Passing of a Dear Christian Friend

I received an ushering from the Holy Spirit to check up on a dear friend that I had not spoken to in person since college. Her name was Janine Killough. God would have me pray for her on different occasions but I didn't know why. When I looked her name up on the Internet I found to my regret that she had recently died from cancer just a few days before. I didn't even know she had cancer.

(If you lack faith in God I want you to ask yourself what are the chances of me finding out of my dear friend's death just days after she had passed away? They are humanly impossible but God knew of our friendship. God knew how her passing would affect me.)

Janine and I met in a sociology course which I was required to take for my minor in communications. When I came into class and saw her the first time, she was sitting in a desk right beside the wall by the door. I took a seat behind her. There was something different about Janine that drew me to her.

Later in the course we became study buddies and shared many laughs. I look back on this time as God ordained. I never had seen Janine before until that year and that quarter and then we started bumping into one another all over campus.

At the time I considered myself Christian because I went to church when I was younger and participated in Christian youth activities such as Young Life but my life style was anything but Christian. No I did not party or do drugs but my god was more of the "salad bar" variety if you get my drift. I chose what I wanted to believe and not wanted to believe about God.

Janine would invite me on occasion to one of the campus Christian group gathers but I always had an excuse for not attending. I would sometimes pass by the group as I went through the SUB, the student union building, in the evening and they would all be singing and praising God and there Janine would be too.

So what does a person get from a Christian's life after they have gone? What do I get from Janine's life and passing?

1. No matter our circumstances in life- no matter cancer, sickness, loss, sorrow, health, persecution, oppression, death, life - God really loves us and is there for us.

2. God uses things like cancer to not just touch others around us but us as well. Through life threatening circumstances we draw close to God. We see how fragile this life is and we need God for our strength. (That shouldn't just be when we have a life threatening circumstance but all the time.) Janine grew a strong intimate relationship with the LORD and because of that intimate relationship with the LORD she was a light and testimony of God's love.

3. Janine's strong conviction and faith in God/ Jesus Christ encouraged and made her a beacon of light. She said she would not take back this experience because it engulfed her in Christ's love. She realized the reality of God's love for her.

4. Janine was a vessel. She knew she was a vessel and she knew her life was in God's hands. We are like seeds that grow mature and die to glorify Jesus Christ. In her suffering and intimate relationship with the LORD she could not help but glorify the LORD. Her hope and passion for the LORD was not just a confidence and expectation but she knew personally how much God loved her. She knew God was faithful and unfailing even in death. She had peace when she passed into eternity. Janine was a vessel of God's love. She was not perfect but she was just the perfect vessel to be a light to many people's life - including mine.

5. This life is short compared to eternity. If we have to suffer for a while so be it-as long as God is with me. Even when there is disharmony in our body there isn't with our soul for we are connected spiritually with God not our bodies or circumstances.

6. Tell the truth no matter the circumstances but speak it in love. We are but dew on the morning grass. This is not our home. We know where we are going but do others know where they are going if they don't know Jesus Christ?

7. We are sometimes blind to God's love until God shows us all the many blessings bestowed upon us through different circumstances.

8. This life is temporary so let us not live it as if we have tomorrow because none of us has that guarantee or assurance. Let us live in true genuine love, hope and faith of Jesus Christ. Let's see how faithful and unfailing he is in all circumstances.

I thank God for Janine and I know those who know and love her and have a trust and confidence in Jesus Christ will see and be reunited with her again. I am personally excited that I will be able to see her again.

When a Christian dies we have a tendency to feel sorry for ourselves because we won't see that person for a time but in all reality that is selfish. Who was should really feel bad and great sorrow for- are those who didn't give their lives to Jesus Christ. Would I had loved to see Janine again? Of course yes! - But that be only for selfish reasons. Janine is not suffering anymore. She is in the presence of the LORD that loves her. Janine is alive and well in Jesus Christ so let her life (a seed) go into our hearts and let her memory bear much fruit in us for Jesus Christ. Let us honor those Christians who have passed on before us not by feeling sorry but being thankful to have the opportunity to have them in our life- even if it was for a short while.

Janine's life has touched mine- and I know she has and will continue to touch many other people's life by the relationship she had with the LORD down here on earth. You cannot help but shine if you have an intimate relationship with the LORD and grow in that true genuine truth and reality that God is faithful and unfailing.

"You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope." Psalm 119:114

"He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." Romans 8:38 "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them." 1 John 4:16 "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is." Ephesians 3:16-18

I hope that these words haven't just been some words on a page but that you might see and understand the important significance of Jesus Christ in our lives.

You can see her honest, true and beautiful testimony at this address: http://vimeo.com/28829301

Art Imitating Life

I had a dream I was back in art school. I can’t remember much about the dream but when I woke up it reminded me of some of the last words my stepfather spoke before leaving this life and stepping into heaven. The words were, “To receive, to become part of the process, to artfully leave.”

In Jesus Christ there is life for He is life.

John 1:1-4 says, “In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone.”

We are God’s craftsmanship. We are continually being molded, shaped and refined as we look to Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We as Christians are to imitate Jesus.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

We are to imitate Jesus but that is impossible if first God has not transformed us by his Holy Spirit and second if we are depending on the physicality and mentality of ourselves. If we are focused on our own perceptions or our physical ability we cannot imitate Jesus.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Ephesians 4:23 says “Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness- righteous, holy and true.”

Being able to imitate Jesus not only has to do with our transformation of the Holy Spirit, which is essential and required BUT a focus and surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ.

In his glorious authority Jesus Christ molds us into the person/ vessel we were meant to be. He knows our make up. He knows our soul’s periodic table. He knows the elements, which we are made from. He knows us better then we know ourselves. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He made our unique recipe that is uniquely us- knowing exactly how to use that recipe to honor and glorify Him.

But in like all secret and special recipes it needs it’s creator to prepare it. Only then can it be exquisite. Then when the Master Chef serves it, everyone who tastes it and looks back on the dish will appreciate and give honor and praise to the Master Chef that has caringly prepared it. We are a spiritual dish to serve others by God and that dish cannot claim credit -for we were made and transformed by God. We are not own creator.

So how does this moving and breathing recipe not become self-absorbed? How does it not think just on of the earthly things of this life that are here today and gone tomorrow?

Remember we are only a recipe -and it is only satisfying when prepared by God. Like a dish seasoned and prepared with the finest wine- the Expert Chef cuts and trims and separates the good stuff from the bad stuff but the amateur who does not know what he/she is doing cooks it all together and the dish is ruined and has to be tossed out. Expert Chef God is but we are not.

And as a beautiful work of art receives accolades- it only does so because of its creator. And so it is with us as we allow the Master’s hands to continue His good work in us – it brings Him and his Son glory and we get to experience some of that glory for ourselves even though we don’t claim any credit for it whatsoever.

Pick up your Mat and Walk

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Ever been oppressed? Oppressed to the point you feel disabled and handicapped spiritually? Ever feel this burdening presence that closes in on you? You sense its weight. You sense its tension on your body as if you are wrestling something invisible as you try to do what needs to be done throughout the day. It is a presence that just does not leave you alone.

Most often we wrestle this presence with our physical and mental strength and it doesn’t go so well because we are up against something spiritual. We need to use spiritual weapons when we are up against spiritual weaponry and foes.

You are saved by Jesus Christ and because you are saved by Jesus Christ you have the authority in Him. You have spiritual authority in Him. You have been set free from the law of sin, which so easily influences the physical and mental sides of us. The physical and mental sides are often manipulated causing us to lose peace and rest- we move into areas of unbelief (sometimes unknowingly) which is a sin.

This unbelief in sin causes us to become captives to our oppressors. We sit handicapped spiritually on our mat and feel sorry for ourselves because "everyone is able to get into the pool of Bethesda before we do when the waters are stirred up."

We grumble and complain serving the law of sin not realizing we are falling into the same trap as the Israelites who had left Egypt. Though they had been set free – their hearts sank back into their old ways and desires. And we know what happened to them….

However those with Joshua had a promise. Joshua had the promise from God and we also have the same promises through Jesus.

Do these sound familiar? “ I will be with you. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous. Do not turn away from God and you will be successful in everything you do. Meditate on the word day and night and obey it- only then will you succeed. I command you- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:5-9)

Jesus told the man at the pool of Bethesda after he asked him, “Would you like to get well.”

The man complained but Jesus ignored the complaint at first and simply ordered, “Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat and walk!”

Instantly the man was healed. He rolled the mat and began walking. When Jesus found the man in the temple again… Jesus then addressed the man’s complaint with this. “Now you are well, so stop sinning or something even worse may happen to you. (John 5)

We are to strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress- we do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. Hebrews 12. Hebrews 4:14-16

Through the things we suffer we learn to be more obedient and dependent upon God- seeing our need for Him everyday of our lives. 

Why is the Cross a Threat?

Jesus said "They hated me without cause." John 15:25.

The cross... the cross signifies Jesus and the Father's love for us. So why is the cross a threat? Why do people hate the cross without cause?

To the devil and the demons it is a very big threat and they will use any organization and individual to get rid of any cross. Just think if a single cross in the Mojave desert has gotten the attention of organizations and individuals who have this unexplainable hate or extreme dislike towards the cross- then you know the cross is a major threat to Satan and his demons. Who would of thought that a post with a vertical and horizontal post put together would be such a problem. Think about. Other symbols don't seem to be a problem to these groups and individuals - just the cross. Where the simple cross stands- "the" saving message stands and that message is a great threat to our spiritual foes. We don't fight against flesh and blood but Satan and his demons. Those poor human saps don't know what they are doing and who they are serving when they fight to take down the cross. If they knew who they served they would stop.

If so called atheists see the cross as a threat - and they calm there is no god. Then what threat is there in the cross? Why are they fighting "something" that they say doesn't exist? Seems like a waste of money and energy to me.

Satan and his demons want the saving message of the cross to vanish from view in hopes they can take as many souls with them when they finally meet their destruction and judgement by God. They want the message of the cross to vanish because they know if the message of the cross is remembered and passed down then they are defeated and the blindfolds come off of those who are spiritually blind and that means those set free- set more people free in the freedom of Christ Jesus. And if you are reading this and you think Satan and his demons are not real- let me tell you I know for certain that they are no myth. I thought Satan was some fictional character until God brought down the spiritual veil and I got to see him first hand.

The cross... People have been murdered because of the message of the cross. They have been persecuted? They have been haunted down. They have been slandered and misquoted because the message of the cross.

"Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me." John 15:20-21

Why do atheists and groups like the ACLU want to ask you and force you to take down your crosses? What is this repulsive response and hatred they have towards the cross alone? Why not any other symbol?

Is the cross offensive? No. It should be the most wonderful sign we have as God’s creation. Are there groups out in this world that use the cross in offensive ways? You bet.

The cross of Christianity is not a threat to the human. It is not a fashion symbol or a symbol of hatred and prejudice.

The cross is a sign that without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins- there is no way to Heaven. (There is no way to Father except through the son- Jesus Christ.)

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Before I was saved and Holy Spirit filled my understanding of Jesus was tiny and as I grew in the ways of society and men I hated when “true” believers would use the name Jesus Christ.

"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." 2 Corinthians 4:4

I lived NOT according to God's will but the world's will- mostly afraid that if I gave my life over to God I would lose all "fun". Unfortunately I held onto this philosophy for so long I became a very unhappy and unsatisfied person in a deep hole that I couldn't get out of. I saw my life as worthless and so I did the one thing I thought I would never do- I gave my life to God. Who saw worth in my life and He reached down into that deep miserable hole gave me a new life- a life I did not deserve and wasn't even expecting. From living in spiritual blindness to living a new life in His Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 45-21-24 “Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me." The people will declare, "The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength." And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.”

Before I gave my life to the LORD, I wanted to believe that God would not send me to hell- I had not killed anyone and I was a “good person” BUT my definition of “good” was in my comparison to other human beings not to God himself who is perfect. We all fall short of the glorious standard of God.

When we look at the law -murders, liars, thieves, covetors and adulators all stand the same fate without Christ Jesus. We all fall short and are guilty of breaking God’s law. The law shows us how we all have served sin and sin has been our ruler not God. Exodus 20:1-17

Romans 3:19-28 “Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.”

People who choose not to believe that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life in heaven are not just fooling themselves but if they keep their false hope they are going to hell. Hell is very real place. I have heard the blood curdling screams and seen Lucifer/ Satan above it.

The cross says we cannot get into heaven by our own efforts. For if we could get to heaven by own efforts Christ Jesus (the only sinless man to walk the face of this earth) would had died in vain.

Those who want to get rid of the cross- do not know they serve Lucifer who wants to take their souls to hell. Lucifer is revengeful and comes to kill, steal and destroy. Some might say, isn't God able to protect his chosen creation? He is but if his chosen creation chooses not to seek Him and have confidence in Him and put their hope in Him- they are running from God not to God. Lucifer has been at this for quite some time. He is an expert at seduction and influencing understandings and encouraging false religions and manipulating and twisting God's truths.

People don’t seem to know God created them for purpose. They are continually unsatisfied because they look for this purpose but they never find that purpose because they don’t seek God to show them their God given destiny. People's prideful thinking make them believe they themselves create their own destiny and are made right with God by their own good deeds.

Isaiah 64:6 “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

People do good deeds in their own human understanding and these ways do not to honor God. They do it to make themselves feel and look good. They do it for pleasure, power and popularity. They do it for their own benefit not to honor God. When these good deeds are tested with fire they will just be ashes because God was not in it.

The symbol of the cross of Jesus Christ is powerful. It claims that faith alone in Jesus Christ will give you eternal life. And in this faith in Jesus Christ- we are free from the law of sin -for when we truly give our lives to Jesus Christ we are transformed. We no longer practice sin and serve the spirit of this world but God.

Romans 2:29 “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.”

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

The spirit of this world (Satan) does not want you to find your true destiny that God has created you for because then you would be against him and against him you will be empowered by God's Holy Spirit which defeats him and the forces of evil. Lucifer rather keep you captive and try to satisfy you with temporary pleasures and counterfeit promises until the day when you will be thrown into hell with him- for he already knows his fate..

In the cross- comes your true life and if some deem the cross to be a crutch then so be it. I rather be empowered by the Holy Spirit and living my true life that God has created for me then be tricked and side tracked to live some lie that takes my fate to hell. I rather be empowered by the Holy Spirit and to fear nothing but God himself. I rather know and seek God for He is limitless in what He wants to show and have me experience. He wants to enrich our lives spiritually beyond our imaginations.

In the cross we are set apart, heaven bound, liberated and empowered and hopefully now you can see why the enemy of our souls would want the cross to be forgotten and silenced.

It’s not “who” you know but "in whom" you know.

The church secretary brought a rather excited young man to me. After a dizzying and hurried introduction on his part he asked for prayer because he was having a very important meeting with some people that could drastically change his life in funding a project he had proposed to them. He said he was from Seattle and I originally from Seattle asked him if he knew my hometown. It was clear by his answer that even though he might have come from Seattle he did not know where my hometown was which was a bit odd but we continued in our discussion. He then quickly told me about all these “important” people he knew which I didn’t know -which he took as a shock as I calmly shook my shoulders. We prayed over the jittery young man. I prayed for God’s will to be done in his life and that he be himself and have peace during the meeting. I also prayed that he depend on God’s grace. He prayed for wisdom and the our church secretary prayed that he live for God but after it was all said and done a thought came, “That young man is depending on “who” he knows not the one who knows his purpose and plan for his life.”

To seek God in counsel is to know God. You cannot know God unless you seek him. In fact when you look up the definitions of “seek” and “know” in the bible concordance you will find the same definition. (Qal and Niphal)

This young man wasn’t seeking God out of the right motives. He was seeking God out because he wanted God to give him something that he desired for his own life. “He desired” … was not the same thing as “what God desired” for his life.

Understanding this principle is very important. Your destiny was planned long ago by God -but we as humans so often ignore that destiny and find ourselves in the endless search to be satisfied. God knows what will satisfy us because he created us for a specific purpose.

Sometimes we even complain until we get what we want and then when we get what we want we become sick or tired of it.

Take these records into account.

“And tell the people to purify themselves, for tomorrow they will have meat to eat. Tell them, ‘The Lord has heard your whining and complaints: “If only we had meat to eat! Sure were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will have to eat it. And it won’t be just a day or two, or for five or ten or even twenty. You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and have complained to him, “Why did we ever leave Egypt.” But Moses said, “There are 600,000 foot soldiers here with me, and yet you promise them meat for a whole month! Even if we butchered all our flocks and herds, would that satisfy them? Even if we caught all the fish in the sea, would that be enough?” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Is there any limit to my power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!” Numbers 11:18-23

"Look," they told him, "you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have."
Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the LORD for guidance.
"Do everything they say to you," the LORD replied, "for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don't want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.
Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them."
So Samuel passed on the LORD's warning to the people who were asking him for a king. "This is how a king will reign over you," Samuel said. "The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots. Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment. The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him. He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials. He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and donkeys for his own use.
He will demand a tenth of your flocks, and you will be his slaves.
When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you."
But the people refused to listen to Samuel's warning. "Even so, we still want a king," they said.
"We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle."
So Samuel repeated to the LORD what the people had said, and the LORD replied, "Do as they say, and give them a king." Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home. 1 Samuel 8:5-22

They gave up God’s prophet and judge Samuel for a human king because he was old and they wanted to be just like everyone else who had a king so they weren’t the oddity. Appearances…. Hum?

I rather be an oddity. I rather be the oddity that serves God then mold myself to a society that decides what is good, bad and crazy.

I rather know God than know who is who and what is what in a society that rejects God. I rather seek God and be different and make a difference in the soul God has created.

Jeremiah 2:13” For my people have done two evil things: They have forsaken me- the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!”

Jeremiah 2:17 says “And you have brought this on yourselves by rebelling against the Lord your God when He wanted to lead you and show you the way!”

Yes I rather seek and turn to God then be lost in something that doesn’t matter at all. I don't want to gain the world and lose my soul. I rather walk a straight line then run in circles and never get to the destiny God has for me.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Proverbs 14:12

God wants to empower his creation, his vessels, his beloved, his forgiven by his mercy and grace- so they can touch and set others free but that can not happen until they seek and walk and know Him -even though God is so great we will never stop learning to know about Him and His ways.

We all know there is a God but do we really take the effort to know him? Our culture and society pushes Him out of the way. We forget about God and His values and principles. We instinctively know right from wrong- for God has put those in us but we choose to ignore because we don't want to look prejudiced and out of place from society's practices. We push God out of the way and disasters fall upon us and we ask where is God? We wonder why there is such a moral decay in society and why justice seems slanted and bias and we ask where is God? And God says, "Right were you left me." You see we leave God, God doesn't leave us. We are to turn and draw God - And God empowers and individual, a people and a nation but without Him we are wasting our breath and time.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being being. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring" Acts 17:24-28

For just as we learn from our human fathers we are to learn from our heavenly Father as well but how can we learn from our heavenly Father if we don't take the time to seek and get to know him and know him better?

No one can walk in the glorious power of God unless they surrender and obey him. Our soul is at stake when we don't obey and surrender to him.

Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher then your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." 55:6-9

Many religious people know there is a God but do they really know HIM? We all must understand God is the one who created us (who knit us together in our mother's womb) Psalm 139:13 and He created us for a God given purpose and destiny. And to walk in that purpose and destiny we must seek and get to know God daily so He can direct us.

You weren't meant to gain the whole world and lose your soul in the process. You were meant to seek and know God and in doing so he would truly show you direction and your God given destiny.

You Really Understand HOPE?

1. Check out the word "HOPE."

2. What is the difference between the human definition of hope and hope defined by God and His word? When compared side by side- they are two different meanings. There is a human hope which is "if" or "maybe" and a godly hope is a sure confidence knowing God is your salvation. He is where we find rest. God is trustworthy and we should put our full reliance in Him. He is our lasting foundation. God is where we should direct our focus. Hope in God is where we are able to receive and attached to faith God is able to build up us in Him.

(If your bible has a concordance you can look up the definition and see examples for hope there. In some of the newer bibles they have reference words such as hope in the front of your bible too.)

Here are some other "hope" references:
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1680&t=NIV

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1679&t=NLT

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H4723&t=NLT

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1680&t=NLT

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7664&t=NLT