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Showing posts from 2012

Still Praising

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"Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah." Psalm 84:4 Time of prayer was had, and we get up from our knees, praising God. Lifting high His name. We leave the closet, leave the place where secrets where whispered, grace was given, love was received -we leave it and forget it, almost as though it didn't happen- and we go about our business, forgetting the precious moments we had with the Savior. And then, clouds roll over our Christian life, thunder rumbles, lightning strikes, we are dealt hatred by those we love, unkind words from those we cherish. People turn on us. We lose our most precious belongings to tragedies. Trials come that were completely unexpected. Things don't go our way. ...And what do we do? What is the first thing we run to?

Safe?

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When we think of God, what exactly do we think? Is He safe? I believe that in many hearts of many people, we believe God is unsafe. You sin and you had better not go near Him. If you tried, He will punish you in some way. Sure, He loves you, but when you associate yourself with sin, He no longer associates Himself with you. But... is that true?

Every Girl's Battle

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I walked all alone down the leaf-strewn sidewalk, my hands in my pockets. A dark figure came out of the shadows and walked towards me. I could not make out who it was, but I sensed an evil about him -an evil that threatened my beautiful surroundings. And then he spoke in a forceful tone. "You had better face it. You are alone, and it will always be that way. Nobody really loves you. You just think they do. Really, though, you are alone." I tried to fight back the tears as the reality of his words sank in. Was it really true? People seemed to like me, but really, did they? It seemed true enough. I was all alone in this world. Nobody really wanted to know what I had to say or think. It was just me, and that was it. Deep in thought, I failed to notice that the dark figure had left me to think about his lies alone.

Heart to Heart

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Ok, so its been a while since I last wrote on here. I must say, much has gone on since that last post. God has done much. Many lives have been touched by His great grace and unending love. There have been times when I've felt like crying for joy as I watched Him reach through my feeble life and touch some person's hurting heart. You know, God is so capable of binding up broken hearts! Recently, I was feeling cold and weary. Empty of goodness, because I had passed it on to all and forgotten to get "refills" from God, I struggled to find rest in His presence, but it would not come. I went to pray, and couldn't form my feelings into sentences.

Comfortable or Uncomfortable?

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Are you comfortable? A sense of being comfortable had crept over me as I would go before God with my requests. No longer was there fear of a holy God. No longer was there a sense of awe. His love had been the emphasis so much that it was getting old.  I mean, can't we come before God "as we are"? To an extent, yes...  Our church culture of today emphasizes God's love so much today that we forget a very important aspect of our God and His love seems to be something we can just take advantage of any time we want.  But, don't you remember the God of the Old Testament? The God who was jealous of His people because they went after other gods? The God who fumed with hatred towards sin and evil? Isn't He the God who doesn't change?

Insights from a Coffee Mug

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This morning in my time with the Lord, my eye caught a couple of verses that always touch me, I had underlined them, but I knew it was time to return to them again and take up meditating on them again... Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust in Him."  I had to look at it in KJV too: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust."   I knew it was for me this morning. God wanted to tell me something, so I went to writing in my notebook what He began to show me as I meditated on it:

More Brilliant Light

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A timid Christian stays in the shadows. He doesn't know the light, or understand it's beauty. After all, if he goes to it, what will happen? Will he be forced to do the worst possible thing? He's afraid, inching deeper into the shadows. What could possibly be in the light that he wants? The only thing to hope for there is discomfort.  Ah, but he doesn't know! When the light shines on something -brilliant sunshine- it makes it beautiful! It covers up dark shadows, making color appear more brilliant! There is nothing so beautiful as something that is being covered over by sunlight!

Save the Nuba

There is a mass genocide going on in Sudan, and we, as Christians, need to take action. The government is trying to eliminate these people, because they are Christians and non-Muslims, by means of starvation. They are bombing their crops, which is their only means of sustenance.  Please take the time to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFbG3niMsI We MUST do something! Please check out their website: www.savethenuba.com and sign the petition.

A Clear Reflection

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It is impossible to see what is not shown to you... It is hard to want to live truth if you haven't seen it lived...  Its difficult to want what you don't see others craving... And there are too many people who aren't drawn to Christ because they don't see Him alive and real in the lives of Christians. They look, and the only reflection they see is a reflection of the inner soul of the one before them; a reflection of their dirty, sinful nature. But Christ has called us to much more than that! We are to reflect His character: we are to reflect His love, beauty, kindness, meekness, righteousness, etc.

"What are they among so many?"

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Imagine a crowd of about 5,000 men, plus women and children milling around. You cannot see the edges of the crowd, and they are pressing in on you.  Then imagine with me the twelve disciples, looking at the sizable crowd, unsure of what to do with them. Lunch is approaching, and stomachs are feeling empty. Hunger is gnawing at them, and then it dawns on them: "we have nothing to feed them!"  A little boy walks up, appearing excited. "I have some food! Would you like to use it?" The disciple looks at it, at first impressed with the gift, and then realizing that it is not nearly enough.  "Lord, there is a boy here with five loaves and two fish, but what are they among so many?"  Then, Jesus tells the crowd to sit down, breaking a loaf in two as He gives thanks, and then giving it to the disciples to pass on to the crowds. Imagine the disciples' surprise as the five little loaves and two fish don't run out after the first couple of people! It is

Insights from Matthew 6

Serve to be seen --not of men, but of God. Sacrifice, but not so others will love you; do it so they will know God's love and love Him, that He may be pleased. Smile, not to draw attention to self, but to reflect God's great love for you. Give, not expecting anything in return, so that others can know how generous our God is, and that He may satisfy you more with heavenly things. Don't show off your righteousness -you have none of your own anyway. Wear Christ's righteousness, aware it did not come from you, and God will pour His joy into your life. Pray, not to be seen of men. They can't reward you, and God doesn't answer selfish prayer. Pray to God alone with His interests in mind. Fast, not so you can be something great, but so you can have Someone great in your life living out impossible things through you. Love, not expecting love in return. God promised to reward sacrificial love. Do all things without complaint, for His glory, knowing that your r

"Come unto Me"

There is only one place to receive fellowship sweet.... One still small voice saying, "Come unto Me." When all other voices are shouting, Jesus whispers a sweet invitation to His throne. When all are clamoring for your attention, Jesus beckons for you to come to Him. When all seem to be shouting for you to do, do, do, Jesus says, "Be still and know that I am God." When all the burdens seem to be crushing you, Jesus reaches out to carry them for you. When all of life seems filled with fear, Jesus says, "Fear not. Peace, be still." ...Don't get caught up in life, get caught up in Jesus. His presence is always ready to receive you. Go to Him. Rest in Him. Believe His word. No burden is too heavy, no trial too hard, no joy too small, that He does not want you to share it with Him. He loves you, and He always says in a still small voice, "Come unto Me."

Where I want to do this, His will is greater...

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This morning, I was praying through parts of Colossians 1, where in verse 9 it says, "...that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding."  The NLT put it this way: "...We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will...." My response to that verse was, "Lord, how can I have complete knowledge of Your will? How can I really know what it is? It seems impossible!"

Maybe we just don't know!

"Give it to me." "No!" "Why won't you give it to me?"  "Because I don't trust you!" Often, we have this conversation with God without realizing it. Maybe we wouldn't say those words -those faithless words- with our mouth, but we most certainly live it every day, and our hearts are unwilling to let go. I don't know how many times I've found myself on my knees,  praying through something big -something hard- and He says, "Give it to Me." My instinct is to say, "No!" Quickly, He asks, "Where is your faith? Don't you trust Me?" And I am left speechless...

What Really Matters?

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Your life is only a brief moment. Blink, and it's gone. Some live all of their lives for themselves, knowing it is for themselves, and then the end comes and they realize it is all over. They missed the point. Some live their whole lives for themselves, and think they are living for God, but in reality they do things that appear outwardly good, but inwardly, they want glory, fame, respect -you name it. Then the end comes, and they are just as disappointed as the ones who knew they were living for themselves. They, too, missed the point.

Be Still in God's Presence

Be still in God's presence. When life gets too hard to understand.... Look to the One who understands all things. When it seems too complicated to figure out.... Be still in the presence of the One who knows the future and is prepared to carry you through it. When things happen you hadn't counted on... Bask in the presence of Him who planned out your life from the beginning. When your heart seems broken beyond repair... Take it to the One who heals the brokenhearted. When loss seems too great to handle.... Go to the One who always holds you in His arms and let Him hold you close to His heart. When trials come and you feel you have no place to turn.... Turn to the One who is always there for you. He said He would never leave you.  Let Him show you the way. When your world falls apart.... Give your world to the One who is never shaken and let Him be your world. In HIS presence there is peace. In HIS presence there are answers. In HIS presence

The Glory of God

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The Glory of God: Life's purpose, His plan, Our everything. My prayer has been, "God, make your glory to come down on me! I want Your presence to be real in my life!" Several mornings ago, God showed me a prayer of Asaph, which he repeated three times in Psalm 80: " Turn us again to Yourself, O God. Make Your face shine down on us. Only then will we be saved." (Vs. 3,7,19) " Turn us again to Yourself.. ." Sometimes we are too weak to turn ourselves to Him. Might we ask Him to turn us to Him? Don't you think it will be a prayer He will answer? Are you "willing to be made willing"?

"Christ is all; and in all."

"Christ is all; and in all." (Colossians 3:11) Christian... Don't look for identity in what you do or who people say you are. Christ has made you a child of God! Don't seek protection in people you have in your life. Christ has made God to be your Protector in every situation. Don't look for acceptance from friends or people you respect. Christ has made you acceptable to God. Don't search for fulfillment in friendships. Christ has already said that you are His friend, and who could be a better friend than Jesus? Leave off the search for love in a boyfriend or girlfriend. Christ has made you complete in Himself! Never give in to the idea that you are as secure as the people and friends make you to be. Christ has given you eternal security in Himself! Don't seek to ease the guilt that comes when you fail by running to temporary pleasures! Christ has forgiven you once for all! You are washed in the blood and that never will need to be repeate

One Simple Gift; One Big Purpose

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As I approached Him, I held in my hand everything that belonged to me. At first, I was doubtful as to whether or not this was a good idea. Give Him everything? What would He do with it? Could I trust Him? I grasped it tightly as every step I took brought me closer to the Throne of Grace. And then that battle took place. "Do you really want to give it to Him?" A voice inside my head seamed to ask.  "Well..." I searched for an answer. I knew it was the right thing to do, but doing it was getting harder and harder.