Saturday, December 31, 2011

Communion - All you can eat… Free!



Read Acts 2:42, John 6:53-58, 1 Cor. 11:17-34

I present for your consideration some thoughts on “Holy Communion”, which has become the eating of a tiny cracker and thimble full of juice at church, and the wonderful, ginormous meaning behind it.

The ceremony of Communion is a metaphor of eating the word of God. Scripture often refers to eating our daily bread. Man can not live by bread alone but by every word of God. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ps 34:8

Communion replaces the Passover meal that the Jewish people ate every year and still do. But what Jesus did at the cross was become the Passover lamb and the perfect sacrifice for all people. It also draws a reference to the manna that Moses and the Isrealites received straight from heaven. When Jesus breaks bread the supply never stops. He fed 5000 with a loaf and 2 fishes.

Communion is a word that means “common participation.” Commune. This draws all believers together. What Jesus did is for all people, not just the Jewish people. It speaks of unity among rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles.

It also draws the metaphor that we need to eat to live. If we do not eat we die. Likewise if we do not eat what Jesus provided we spiritually die.

When the bible says to “examine yourself” it is talking about some people who were treating the remembrance ceremony like it was not special. It is not for examining yourself to see if you need to ask for forgiveness of current sins. Maybe you are sinless this week? Of course not! Maybe you do not need Jesus? Of course you do, we all do. Maybe you have failed lately to live up to God’s standards. Welcome to the club. So we need the sacrifice that Jesus’s body provided. Examine yourself to see if you are acting like his body and blood are just another tradition, or a regular meal to rush through (or get drunk on).

So what did the body of Jesus provide for us? Isaiah 53:5 “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” In other words…”He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Yes, please.

Could it be that many are sick and weak and dead because we FORGOT that Jesus’s body was provided to take our sickness? Taking communion is a way for us to draw strength by remembering.

And what did the blood of Jesus provide? The true sacrifice that wipes out our sin from God’s remembrance as far as the east is from the west. His blood was pure and straight from heaven and not spoiled by sin, rebellion or selfishness. This is the blood sacrifice that stopped all animal sacrifices.

How often did Jesus envision that we have a communion ceremony? The bible does not say. But we do know that Passover was once a year. But we also know that bread and wine were staples in Jesus’s time. They were eaten all the time. Could it be that every time we eat and drink it is an opportunity for us to remember what Jesus did (and does) for us?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Ding! It is Finished. Come and Get It!



One day as Gramma Grace was baking she heard the shuffle of little feet. She looked down and was surprised to see her busy young grandson slowly carrying his time-out chair to her. He explained that he had broken a rule in the living room and now he just couldn’t seem to feel very happy. When Gramma Grace saw how sorry he was it touched her heart. So she sat him on his time out chair and set the timer. But after a minute or two she told him he could get up and go play again. Yet how could he? He saw that the timer was still ticking and the punishment was not over. Then, to his surprise, Grace sat down on the chair! She stayed there the whole time while he freely enjoyed his toys. When they finally heard the bell chime she said, “It is finished” and she stood up. The boy felt so loved that he ran to his Gramma and gave her his tightest hug ever. And to thank her, he even “helped” in the kitchen that afternoon.

What Gramma Grace did reminds us of what Jesus did.
You see, before we were ever born the people of earth rejected God. This brought many bad things into our world. But then God sent Jesus to the earth. Now Jesus already served the punishment for all people. When he was on the cross he said the words, “It is finished”.

All we have to do is open our heart to Him. And because God hears our thoughts we can talk to him without even speaking. So it is just the two of us.

Each of us gets to choose who is king of our own heart.

That is the Christmas baby...the one who showed us grace and paid our punishment. He makes it possible for us to know God.

Monday, September 12, 2011

I Hope you have a great Day!


That’s what I say every morning when you walk out the door into this crazy messed up world, about to experiencing life’s ups and downs. But what I really want to say is…

I hope you remember that you are very important - highly valued - and always always loved!

I hope you don’t forget that everyone you encounter is precious to God.

I hope you learn to define success in the truth that you are so wonderful in God’s eyes, not by your accomplishments, or your wealth, or clothes, or possessions, or even by the way others treat you. I hope you don’t get caught up in the lie that you are not good enough and you will never be a success. Define success through God’s grace and you already are successful, even if it is a bad hair day.

I hope you get to know the excitement of pursuing your interests.

I hope you get to know the joy of helping others.

I hope you find the peace of trusting God when life stinks.

I hope you find lots of good reasons to laugh out loud.

I hope you take time to use your brain to filter everything that happens today through the scriptures. Then you can be wise and speak truth to every situation.

I hope you know all the blessings that God has provided for you.

I hope you understand more and more and more exactly what it was that Jesus did for us.

Ya, I wanna say all that.  But who has time?  I'll just say "Have a great day! 

Ephesians 1:3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer…so that we might be free from all evil before him in love: As we were designed … for the position of sons to himself… In whom we have salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, through the wealth of his grace, which he gave us in full measure… so that all things might come to a head in Christ, the things in heaven and the things on the earth…

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Chrisitanity… “Am I Ever Going to Get this Right?”


Umm…No. I guess not. It looks like we are never going to reach a place of complete understanding and victory on this earth! In Philippians 3:12 Paul is talking about his feelings on the matter. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Wow!  Not that I have already obtained it? Paul had an amazing supernatural experience with God! He heard the voice of Jesus! He was blinded then healed. He was personally taught by the Holy Spirit the mysteries of the age of grace. If he can not obtain perfection, who can? How did I ever get the idea that I would?

Oh yea, I know how, the well- meaning Christian community… Three points and a poem, Seven habits of highly effective people, Ten rules for Christian dating, Guidelines for Godly marriages, Pray one hour a day. Rules, rules, rules. Which bring condemnation, condemnation, condemnation. My grade, C+. Come on, self, be good! Do better! Or how about I just beat my head against the wall?

There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) He is not asking for us to achieve perfection. He is asking us to acknowledge Him as our Lord.

In fact the bible mentions something called “freedom in Christ”. I have to admit that in some churches I have felt anything but free. So is this the freedom to sin? Is that your desire?

IT IS THE FREEDOM TO BE REAL. Freedom to find truth. Freedom to rest in the fact that Jesus Christ is your covering as you ask your ugly questions. As you go boldly to God and ask things like “What the "Hell" is going on down here? The entire earth is a war zone full of self- righteousness, political failures, and hurting people.” (He didn’t break it, yet we blame Him for not fixing it.) “ We humans can make it better, but we can’t fix it. God, when are YOU going to fix it?”

Someday, but not yet.

OK, then fix me. Why is my heart in such a mess? What lies have I believed?
At this point in my experience the Holy Spirit very gently began to show me things. He is not in a hurry or panicked, even though I often am. He allows me to ask Him my ugly questions and He helps me find the answers. Then he uses the bible in amazing ways to confirm what I think I heard, observed, or realized. This could take a lifetime!

The more I learn about God the more I understand how much he loves me. The real me, not just the dress- up- for- church me. The more I know the truth of His unconditional love for me, the more I am set free to love Him back, and the desire to sin or offend Him becomes very rare in me. My “want to” has changed.

There was a time when God walked and talked with man, face to face and heart to heart. God wants that relationship with us again. That is why He sent Jesus. He has a plan to heal the world, but right now He is healing the hearts of those who seek to know Him.

I bow my knee to Jesus Christ not because I am forced to, but because I see no better answer. I have no confidence that man can achieve perfection or fix this world, although God is being patient while we try it our way. The only victory I see man achieving is when Godly principals are followed. Love one another was God’s idea. Share, forgive, be humble, these things are not natural to fallen man.

All points lead to the fact that God is God and we need His Spirit to be our inner guide- the guide to truth, healing, and freedom, through open and honest fellowship with Him. Not out of obligation to try (and fail) to live up to any list of rules or cultural standards. Newsflash…God is not mad at us.

Eventually every eye will see that Jesus is Lord. Dear God, by your life-giving Spirit, help us to see it now.

 Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ckTUuSfSz8 for the song that helped me deal with this.  Jimmy Needham - Forgiven and Loved

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Between Heaven and Hell


I used to think that being a Christian meant that nothing bad would ever happen in your life again. I heard that if you do and say all the right things then you would be lining up with God and you could have heaven on earth. And many times this was true, but not always. My grandma still got sick and died. Our dog died. Also we lost our business- a business that was dedicated to God.

We need to understand the times that we are living in. Adam and Eve had no death or loss. Then they chose to follow their own ideas instead of God’s and ate the fruit of disobedience making themselves their own Lords. From then on we all get to live a life where we experience good and evil. Earth became a place where we are exposed to things from both heaven and hell.

Someday Jesus will return to the earth and be King here. That is when there will be no more death and sickness here. For now we have the Holy Spirit in us to help us in difficult times. He is a powerful help and comfort. And yes, life is full of God’s blessings and sweet love. And many times people are spared, and healed. But, life on earth right now will not be without challenges.

You are in charge of your own life. You can help bring more of God’s goodness to the earth. Or you can try all kinds of evil activities and bring more sorrow into your life and pain to those who love you.

Many blessings are brought to us by following God’s guidelines. Yet many, many times we receive blessings in spite of our rebellion and failures. But nothing we do will cause God to disown us or kick us out of His family because Jesus already took any punishment we had coming to us.

Adam talked with God every day. They were good buddies, a close father and son. Likewise, God is waiting for us to chat with Him about our concerns, hopes, fears, and experiences. He cares about our details. His spirit is very gentle in the way he reveals truth throughout our life on earth.

The love of God is the most powerful force in the universe. I can not resist it.

And that love will never end. God will never stop wanting you to make your reservation for heaven. He will never stop wanting to teach you his heavenly secrets. He will love you from afar if that is the way you want it. How sad.

So when life gives you hell, run to Him -not from Him.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

DON'T PLAY IN THE STREET


Maybe the Ten Commandments were written for our protection, like kindergarten rules for grownups.

Obey your Parents- Don’t learn everything the hard way. Follow good advice from people who love you.

Don’t steal- Don’t mistreat others.

Don’t murder- We can all agree on this one.

Don’t lie- Be real. Be yourself, own up. God loves the truth. He doesn’t want us to hide behind lies. The spirit of the Lord leads us to all truth.

Keep a Sabboth- Take a day off? Sure, my pleasure. This is also for our protection. So we don’t become a nation of stressed out workaholics. Wait! Too late. God wants to help you. You are not all alone in this. He knows your needs. Consider the lillies, man.

Do not covet other people’s stuff- Dude, you will never enjoy life if you always have to have the best stuff. Chillax!

No sex outside of marriage- Most people disagree with this one. But I have been married for 28 years and can’t bear the thought of my hubby being with someone else – even before we met. Yes, I can forgive it and get past it, just like God does. But I hate it. In a perfect world I could be his one and only. I guess that was God’s goal, a perfect world.

No other Gods- Well, if you can’t get this right, nothing else in your life will line up either. You will have constant confusion. Put God first and all these things will be added. Once you figure out that Jesus is Lord you will have your heading. Savvy?

Don’t take God’s name in vain- A sign of respect and belief. God says, “Hey! I’m right here. I can hear you”.

No carved images or idols- Wow, he really had to say this? Sad. God is not a thing you can see or possess. He is a spirit. You can only know him with your spirit. Many people are trying to find Him through science, reasoning, and academic proof. When it comes to God, the human mind can only process and confirm what the spirit already knows. Invite Jesus to make Himself real to you in a very personal way. Go ahead. I dare you. Believe me, He knows you better than anyone else. There will be things that only the two of you can share.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

LOVE SONGS


There is someone who thinks you are amazing. He loves you more than you can measure. You can’t see this person with your eyes, but you can feel him with your heart.

You know those sweet love feelings that you can get when you hear your favorite song? Songs that say things like…

Girl, you know you are special. You know that I think of you all the time.
I’m yours. I long to be close to you. You are so beautiful.
I can’t help falling in love with you. I will always adore you.
I would die for you.
You are the one and only. I'm the lost and lonely.  Oh its magic when we meet.
Let’s be heart to heart. Heartbeat is a love beat and when we meet its a good sensation.
Let me take care of you. I want to shower you with my love. 
Love everlasting is what you're asking.  Until the twelfth of never I'll still be lovin you.
I'll be there to protect your with an unselfish love that respects you.  I'll be there.

And many more.

We get the message that someday there will be a special boy that will love us this much. But it is a trick because no human can love us as much as we want to be loved. What you feel when you hear songs like this could really be God singing to your heart. It is God’s Holy Spirit that causes those feelings of love in you, and hopes to draw you closer to Him. God can and will use anything in this earth to draw us to him.

We could go and search the whole earth. Try all kinds of exciting things. But will never find a greater love or a greater thrill. And maybe you will meet a wonderful guy someday and get married. But God wants to be your first love . His heavenly love for you will always be bigger than any human love you can find. God’s heart breaks when you ignore Him. Jesus laid down his life so he could have a relationship and a future with you. The bible says that the church is the bride of Christ. What great love!

I invite you to try this…the next time you hear your favorite song take a minute to pray. Ask Jesus if He is speaking to you through the song. Notice how your heart feels after you pray. See if you get happy tears. I bet that you will find that He is the real source of your special love. Go ahead and let yourself fall in love with Him. Sing to Him. Share your secrets with Him. He is the only one you can fully trust with your heart.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Who is your Best Companion?


Who knows you better than anyone else? Who can you talk to when there is no one else around? Who is the best listener when you need to vent your troubles? Who gives you a little extra affection and comfort? Who is always there and never leaves you no matter how much you mess up? Who is not judgmental or demanding? Who loves you unconditionally? Who can you lavish all your love on? Who can you trust with your secrets? Who can’t wait to spend time with you? Who wants to go on long walks and share life with you? Who wishes to rescue you? Who would love to teach you the hidden secrets of a restful, peaceful life?

It’s God. Jesus did the work of our rescue. The Holy Spirit is our companion and comfort. Invite Him to show you his unconditional love today. Call upon the name of the Lord, Jesus.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Faith, Hope, & Love


FAITH= Trust. Faith is putting your trust in something or someone. The only person worthy of your trust is the Lord Jesus. Faith is also allowing yourself to believe the amazing things that were written down for you in the bible. Childlike faith is a good thing.

HOPE=Optimism. Letting go of your fears and look for good things to happen in your future. A new life and home in heaven is our ultimate hope. But hope is also looking for God’s blessings in your life right now so you can recognize them when they happen.

LOVE= Giving. Love is doing something for another, fulfilling a need, helping, and putting someone else’s need before your own. Showing kindness when you don’t feel like it or it is not deserved. Jesus saw what mankind needed. He put our needs before his own. He defined love.

The bible says that these 3 things remain forever. Many things in our lives will change when we finally see God face to face. In fact, the whole earth will change and get a make over. But faith, hope, and love will not need to change. They will endure even in to a future age.

Everything about living on earth tells us to do the opposite of these three. We are told to “trust no one”. So we become fearful of taking a chance on faith. We also conclude that if we expect the worst then we will not be so disappointed in life. We become pessimistic and actually think that we are happier that way. If we listen to the advice that we should take care of ourselves first, allow survival of the fittest, and look out for number one. We may never discover the surprising joys of sacrificial love.

It seems easier to give up and live in negativity. That is the way life on earth pulls us. But faith, hope, and love are what God called us to do. He even said He will help us. That is the life He can work in. That is the mindset that produces a thankful attitude. For you will see what you are looking for. So with God’s help we can be brave and fight the good fight of faith.

1 Corinthian 13:13 Now abideth faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.

Friday, February 18, 2011

He knows MY name!

If you have asked Jesus to come in to your life then you know that you have a home waiting for you in God’s heaven. The bible says that before the earth began He knew who would come to Him. He also knew that you would be born into a world that is full of disappointments.

Yet, for you, He has dotted the earth with glimpses of heaven.
Our dads were meant to be an example of what our Heavenly Father is. Wow, what a huge responsibility for them! But how can they do that unless they had a good dad to learn from? And what dad can ever even come close to being the super dad that our Heavenly Father is? Sometimes our earthly father is so busy that we wonder if he even notices us. Many times our fathers are gone long hours trying to make enough money. Sometimes a dad can say something that really breaks his child’s heart. And some dads actually abuse and hurt their children. Some of us have fathers who have already gone on to heaven, or have a father that we have never even seen. But the bible says that, if you have seen Jesus you have seen your Heavenly Father.

So how can we see Jesus? We see Jesus in the pages of the bible. The bible tells us all about Him. Jesus loved children. He had time for people. He was helpful to them. He fed them. He healed them. He taught them. He listened to them. He encouraged them. He worked with them and he rested with them. And that is what Father God does for us.

For us, Jesus gave up His life on earth. He knew we could not get to heaven. And if He would take the punishment that belonged to all people, then we could follow Him into heaven. He could have said no. But He trusted Father God. And that gave us a wonderful future in God’s family.

Our Heavenly Father will never be too busy for us. He will never be in too big a hurry. He will not forget about us. In fact, He waits patiently for us to call on Him... and if we don’t, He misses us. He thinks we are beautiful. Be- you- T- ful! Nothing we have to say will ever be too small for Him to listen to. He will never leave us. He will never change his mind. He will not punish us, because Jesus has already taken our punishment. He only loves us. And that make us love Him back and want to do everything we can to please Him.

He Knows My Name (by Tommy Walker)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBmtGSuw04Y

I have a maker. He formed my heart.
Before even time began, my life was in his hand.
He knows my name. He knows my every thought.
He sees each tear that falls. And hears me when I call.
I have a father. He calls me his own.
He’ll never leave me. No matter where I roam.
He knows my name. He knows my every thought.
He sees each tear that falls. And hears me when I call.
And hears me when I call. And hears me when I call.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Looking At The World From Every Angle...As It All Comes To One Point!

My Life with My First Love


God gave me life… When I was a child He became my friend. When I got to know Him He became my Father. When I wanted to see what I could do He taught me to fly. When I thought flying made me special He taught me to be still. When my heart longed for love He brought me a marriage. When my lover became my God He sent jealous discontent. When my heart was broken He lifted my head. When my eyes were up He healed my relationships. When I least expected it He grew me a family. When I loved like a parent He showed me his heart. When my children left home He showed me a seed. When that seed was planted He increased our family. When lonely days find me He sends me friends. When friends don’t exist He fills me with music, or romances me with dramas, or thrills me with passions, or adorns me with colors......
When winter assaults me He provides me a nest. When summer is here His world is my playground. When I hate the world He sends dreams of heaven. When I long for heaven He shows me how great life is. When I'm down for the count He invites me to dance. When I dance too fast He leads me to rest. When my tears start flowing He sends me a laugh. When I laugh too long He shows me the needy. When I fulfill a need he sends me great joy. When the sun is too bright He sends me a cloud. When the skies turn gray He leads me to shelter. When I pray through the storm He sends me His peace. When peace turns to fear He is still with me. When panic takes over He waits next to me. When all hope is gone He comforts me there. When my songs are silent He sings to me. When I can’t get up He reaches for me. When I respond to Him He becomes clearer. When I am weak He is yet stronger. When I am strong we run together. We sprint, We leap, We soar together. When I am king we rule together. When I am a pauper He’s my bread daily…Hourly...Now. When I question everything He sends me answers. When I question my hearing He shows me His word. When I engulf in the word He opens my eyes. When my eyes are open I see my neighbor. When I see my neighbor I see the world. When I see the world I feel like a speck. When I am but dirt He sees me as clay. When I am a vessel then He fills me up. When I am full He flows into my world.

God’s Valentine


Precious One… Do you know how very much God loves you? I found these scriptures scattered throughout the bible and there are many more. It is nice to highlight them in your bible so you can find them easily when you are having a bad day. I use a pink highlighter for the love scriptures so I can feel like I am reading a valentine. I know...I can be such a GIRL! I can't help it. There is no love like God's.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his loving kindness is everlasting . Psalm 118:1

I love you just as the Father loves me, live, linger, and enjoy my love. John 15:9

I love those who love me, and those who seek me shall find me. Proverbs 8: 17

Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Romans 8:35

This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (to rescue us) 1John 4:10

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:12 (be kind to those who hurt you Luke 6:27)

We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5: 5

How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36: 7

Be rooted and grounded deep in God’s love. (like the tallest flowers of a garden) Ephesians 3: 17

Whom the Lord loves He corrects, like father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3: 12

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For God so loved the whole world, that He gave us something…(he gave us a way to be reunited with him). That he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will never perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone who loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for GOD IS LOVE. Beloved let us love one another. 1 John 4: 7 & 8

Dear One, never let anything take God's place in your heart. 1 John 5:21

His love for us goes on forever! Psalm 118:4

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Why we are... DUST IN THE WIND


I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone. All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea. All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind
Don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away, all your money won't another minute buy
Dust in the wind, All we are is dust in the wind

Kerry Livgren, Kansas, Point of Know Return album, 1977)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Oxx0kQ

Anyone who enjoys this song would also enjoy dusting off their bible and reading Ecclesiastes, Solomon’s depressing rant about the hopeless state of fallen man. This also could have been the song that Adam sang to Eve after they ate the apple. Genesis 3:19 That is when God said, “From dust you came and dust you shall return.”

Yet, death was not part of God’s original plan for mankind. He originally intended us to be rulers of the earth and to live forever. He wanted us to always be in a close relationship with Him. God loves us with an everlasting love as a good Father loves his son. The bible says that He sees us as treasures inside of clay pottery. The fact is that we were the ones that broke fellowship with God by committing treason and falling for a trick of his enemy. Adam and Eve did it, and we do it all the time. We deserve to be forever banished from God’s kingdom. We deserve the death penalty.

God said that all we have to do to be restored to his kingdom is follow his laws. That is what happened throughout the Old Testament. Yet he knows no one can ever do it. Like watching a child try to do something you already know he can’t do. He patiently let man try, so we would realize our limits.

But one man finally did it. Not only did Jesus follow all of God’s laws, he stood up face to face with his enemy and defeated him. After he was filled with God’s spirit he had the strength to resist every earthly temptation the enemy offered, including money, power, and fame. Then He spent the next few years teaching the truth about God’s love and desire for restoration. He exposed lies, took authority over earthly forces like oceans and storms, and annihilated sickness and disease. Then the enemy used mankind to torture his body and Jesus allowed death to take him. But he did not return to dust. He woke up with a body better than any zombie movie you have ever seen. It had been changed into a body that was not made of earthly elements. Jesus used this new body to teach on earth for several more days then He rose up into the atmosphere on his way to God’s kingdom. Think about it, his new body was for earth and heaven, and it defied time and space.

The bible says that we can also receive supernatural bodies. It just depends who we choose as our leader. Is it going to be Jesus, who will bring us into God’s kingdom of unconditional love and acceptance-and where a new mission is waiting for you? Or is it going to be the invisible trick master who slowly destroys you, all the while letting you think that you are the wise one?

God, you are King of the Universe. Most days I feel like I am just a speck of dirt. But I want to know the truth about things. I do not want to be tricked or used by your enemy. Your Holy Spirit has been released on the earth to lead people to find the truth. I want to follow that Spirit only. Open my eyes to the invisible things of God. Help me to believe that I am valuable and important to you as a Dear Son and that I have an amazing future in your kingdom. I declare now that Jesus is my Lord and I intend to follow him. I ask you for your spirit’s help in that endeavor. Be my strength as I fight the good fight of faith. Amen.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Like Dancing in the Rain



It seems like it might be fun to dance in the rain if it is a light sprinkle and I have a really great umbrella and awesome rain boots. Have you seen Gene Kelly dancing and singing in the rain? He seemed happy.

But dancing in the rain has come to mean much more to me lately. It means that we can learn to find joy in the middle of a bad situation. When we have problems in our lives we pray for God to remove the problem. And, thankfully, sometimes he does. Poof! Just like a fairy godmother. The problem is gone. But sometimes trouble is still there for a long time, always in our face.

We know God hears us when we pray. We know he loves us. We know God can reach us in this messed up world. Then we must know that God is with us right in the middle of our troubles.

Psalms says “He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies”. “Our cup runs over”. So in the middle of a battle in a giant war we can feel like we are sitting down to a peaceful dinner, even as the trouble makers watch us eat our favorite meal and even have dessert!

This can happen when we learn to connect with God’s spirit. It is a matter of what you look at and think about. If you spend a lot of time thinking only about your problems, you will feel overwhelmed by them. Take a break from your troubles. Take time to think about God’s love for you. Maybe you have a list of bible verses that are about God’s love. Take time to read through them. You could watch your favorite Jesus video. Maybe you have songs about God that you can sing or dance to. Music is a powerful way to focus on God and feel his love. There are lots of ways you can take a mini vacation with God every day.

There is a bible story about Jesus walking on water. He was actually walking on top of the lake! Peter got out of the boat. He focused his eyes on Jesus and walked on the water too, for a while. Then he stopped looking at Jesus. He got distracted by the big waves. They were trouble. Looking at the waves he began to sink. It is our choice where we want to focus, on the waves of troubles, or on Jesus.

Jesus didn’t let Peter sink. Jesus reached out and rescued him in the end.

Jesus said “In the world you will have troubles. But don’t worry, I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33)
Psalms 46 says that God is an ever present help in trouble.

Dear Heavenly Father…Thank you that you never leave me lost in my troubles. I know my future home is in your heavenly kingdom where there will be no more problems. But I want to know the Joy of the Lord while I am here on earth. Let the Holy Spirit help me find a great way to connect with your love each day.
Your Princess, Amen.