The Watchers

Hello Friendly People,
     As I'm thinking about Christs' sacrifice this week I was drawn to this idea of Jesus being constantly watched and evaluated. People not wanting to discover Him, but to trip Him up in some way; to find fault that could be used against Him. Every synagogue meeting must have been stressful, every meal, every time He touched or healed someone, His was under peoples scrutiny. I can see their glaring eyes, their sinister grimaces........ as He offers them truth. Pastors, in particular, are pushed to the edge, along with there families helping people; and many times the very people they pour themselves into, turn to curse them. Now more than ever we need the power of Jesus' death.

Luke 13
V31 Jesus is warned by the Pharisees that Herod is out to kill Him and He better leave that place.
V32 And He said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach my goal.'
V33 "Nevertheless I must journey on today and tomorrow and the next day; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
V34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, Just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you would not have it!

Chapter 14
V1 And it came about when He went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching Him closely.
V2 And there, in front of Him was a certain man suffering from dropsy.
V3 And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?"
V4 But they kept silent . And He took hold of him , and healed him, and sent him away.
V5 And he said to them. "Which one of you shall have a son or an ox fall into a well, and will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?
V6 And they could make no reply to this.
   

                           Bloom where your planted, let your light shine, even among the watchers!

                                                        Never give up! Never give in!

Christ will shine on you

                                              
                                                        "Wake up, O sleeper,
                                         rise from the dead    
                                and Christ will shine on you."   
                                           Ephesians 5:14                     



Hi Friendly People, 
      This holy week as I remember what Christ did for me and try my best to stay focused, to honor Him and have a grateful heart; I am inundated with attitudes, interruptions and worries of this world. I am praying for you along with myself that we will embrace Christ this week. That we will see His beauty and sacrifice in a new and enlightening way. I want to remember the day He cleansed me and pulled me out of darkness and His love covering me like a warm blanket. Could you take some time and remember.............
     
Isaiah 60
V1 Arise shine, for the light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
V2 See, darkness is over the peoples, But the Lord rises upon you and His glory appears over you. 

Malachi 4
V2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

   I had horses for awhile and some ducks,chickens,pigs,geese and goats. I remember the feeling of watching our horse when I would give her oats, she would run like a mad woman and kick up her heels; this was especially funny to watch because she was 25 years old! Must tell this one for those of you who want to know a little about Pastor Jame's sweet wife Heather. She was riding bareback on our young horse,"Tudor", when he decided to buck her off! He ran around kicking as Heather held on by his mane, her body hanging over the side! She never let go! She still has that inner strength too.

That got me to boohooing because this was a time of healing for us. God used these animals and life style to heal us up after a very heart breaking season in our lives. To see Heather stand so strong and support her husband sacrificially, is a tribute to God. She should be a mess emotionally, as many people are, when they have lived with fear and chaos. We can praise Him because He is faithful to those who call on Him, no matter what we've been through. If it seems impossible for you right now, call on Him! He loves the biggest challenges and then shows us off for all to see His handiwork. Have to put some pink flowers here cause I'm weepy and feeling my girlishness.

               

2 Corinthians 4
V6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Oh, Praise Him!

                           Never give up, Never give in!

Charles Finney

Hi friendly People,
   I hope you will enjoy this man's life testimony as I have. I was greatly moved first by the opposition he encountered from the church, then from the bravery God gave him to endure it. Even when  blessed with the presence of God, as described below, man's opinions can send the most faithful saint into hiding. This man spent entire days in prayer and fasting before his meetings, keeping his priorities intact and his worldly feelings and desires at bay.

 Taken from the book,Charles Finney by Basil Miller ( I checked this book out at the local library)

   As dusk darkened his law office and the Judge bid him good night, Charles was Spirit-driven into the back room to pray. Few records of conversions and Spirit-baptisms equal the experience he was about to go through on wings of joy as he entered the rear room. Let's go into that inner sanctuary through his own description: "There was...no light in the room; nevertheless it appeared to me as if it were perfectly light. As I went in and shut the door....it seemed as if I met the Lord Jesus Christ face to face...as I would see any other man. He said nothing, but looked at me in such a manner as to break me right down at His feet...it seemed to me a reality that He stood before me and I fell down at His feet and pouted out my soul to him. I wept like a child ...I bathed His feet with my tears."
   This state continued for some time yet Mr.Finney could recollect nothing he said, but when he broke the interview, as he calls it, and returned to the inner office the fire had long since burned down. Nor was the sur-charging of his soul with a mighty baptism completed. He goes on to describe the after-effects of meeting Christ face to face:
  "But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without expecting it... the holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me body and soul. I could feel the impression like a wave of electricity going through and through me.Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love...like the very breath of God...it seemed to me like immense wings.
   "No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart . I wept aloud with joy and love; and ... I bellowed out the unutterable gushing of my heart. These waves came over me and over me and over me one after the other until I recollect I cried out,' I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me...Lord, I cannot bear any more.'"
   Yet he was calm, for he says, " I had no fear of death."
   In this mental state the doctrine of justification by faith as a present experience was taught him of God. "I could now see and understand what was meant by the passage, "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God...' I could see that the moment I believed while up in the woods all sense of condemnation had entirely dropped out of my mind; and from that moment I could not feel a sense of quilt or condemnation...I felt justified by faith...I was in a state in which I did not sin. My heart was so full of love that it ran over."

   Notice that Mary Magdalene was the first one He shows Himself too. Let us all pray for the encounter that Mary had with Jesus that enabled her to be faithful and believe even when all seemed lost to hell. She was witness and participant to the power that transforms and deliverers, that could not be taken from her!

Look at this passage in Mark.

(paraphrased by me)
Mark 16
V9   He first appears to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
V10 She reports to the disciples, they are still mourning and weeping.
V11 They refuse to believe!
V12 He then appears in a different form to them as they are walking.
V13 They report to the others and they do not believe them either.
V14 He appears to them, the eleven, and reproaches them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.
V15 He tells them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
V16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved.
V17 "And these signs will accompanied those who have believed; in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
V18 they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison , it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover."

   This man, Charles Finney, left his career as a lawyer and started preaching immediately. Spent his days praying and preaching. There are many of us who are called, and in position, but have not yet died to self or taken up the commission. But when we do, and I believe it will be soon, we will see the signs and wonders that Jesus has promised to those who believe and are baptized.
   Please lift up Derick Domae, missionary to Japan, and the team there. They have chosen to heed the commission. They are in the midst of devastation, but they carry the promise of God. Let's pray the power of God will overtake them as they share the gospel with these desperate people. Also, pray that their physical body would be divinely protected. God has opened wide the window of opportunity for the Gospel to be heard in Japan, and these missionaries that are there have been chosen for such a time as this! Pray Holy Fire will rest on them!

                                                         Never give up! Never give in!

Abandoned

Hi friendly people,
   This is a tough blog today because freedom in this area (abandonment) didn't come easy for me, it seemed those roots would never die. But, God is always the victor! Abandonment will replay itself in our lives until it is dealt with by the healing light of Christ. Some  people can recall the pain of their childhoods as though it was yesterday. They live in the defeat of self-hatred and low self-esteem. Getting help in this area is so essential because it will effect all of our choices in life. Every relationship will be affected by how we see our worth. God does all He can to help us, clean us up, and love us. But for some of us excepting real love, even Christs perfect love, is a stumbling block in our walk of faith. We were raised by unloved people, who could not  model for us what acceptance, honor and love was. God can heal these wounds and bring resolution in the way we see pain and disappointments. Jesus chooses to change all the feelings of lack in our lives. He wants to teach us we are protected now, accepted and loved. We are loved and will always be treated honorably, in fact He strives to give us a place of honor at His table, in His family.
   Jesus talks about how He will never leave us or forsake us. How He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful. He rescues us because He delighted in us. He comes to heal the faint hearted, the afflicted and the storm tossed.

Isaiah 53
V3 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised and we did not esteem Him. He was despised and forsaken and a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was like one whom men hide their face. He was despised and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 54
V4 Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; neither feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of our widowhood you will remember no more.
V5 For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your redeemer is the Holy One Of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.
V6 "For the Lord has called you, Like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit , even like a wife of one's youth when she is rejected," says your God.

    Every prayer spoken God listens, and He takes action. So many of us think we have made too many mistakes and will be reaping destruction forever, but listen to these scriptures, meditate on them. Let hope be renewed in you. (when you read these scriptures in their context you will be greatly encouraged by Gods grace and redemption)

Isaiah 55:
V10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven , And do not return there without watering the earth, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
V11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
V12 "For you will go out with joy, and be lead forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands,
V13 "Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up; And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up; And it will be a memorial to the Lord, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."

Sample Prayer
Father God,
           I ask you today to speak to me about the state of my self- image. I want to reflect you, I want to love like you do. If my self image is effecting my life, and my relationships, please lead me into truth as I seek you. I want to walk in freedom and I give you permission to change me and help me. I give you complete control to have Your way in my life, I belong to you. Breathe your breath of life on me. I forgive those who have hurt me, those who have dishonored me in any way. I forgive myself for not loving myself and therefore not loving Your creation. Help me to see the beauty You have put in me and the power to except it, and the courage to allow You to use my gifts for your glory. Undue all the ugly words that have been spoken over me and as I read your word give me knew thoughts about myself to replace the old ones. I choose to trust You because You say that You love me. I will close my ears to ugly thoughts as you give me strength. Thank You Lord Jesus for all you have done on the cross, just for me, may I walk in those liberties!    In Jesus name, Amen.

Never give up! Never give in!

Qualified

Hi Friendly People,
    I'm writing about this passage today because in the church we are so ready to disqualify our brothers and sisters in their place of ministry. I personally have lived this one out, and have watched many good people leave churches because they feel so inadequate and judged. I have many "disqualifying mistakes," but God chooses to make me brave and so I'll serve Him until He Himself disqualifies me.  I challenge you as you read this passage to evaluate your response.  Do you feel justified, qualified, glorified? We look at others lives and qualify them by what we see and believe them to be, but just maybe we are qualifying ourselves. We get downright upset if God chooses to put someone in a position that we think they are not qualified to be in.  When the gift of grace truly touches our lives and we give that grace to others, then we are free from the insecurity of people's opinions. We know how loved we are by God  because of His grace, and that we are called, justified, and chosen. If you aren't comfortable with these passages get with God and talk it out. Then get some prayer too, with a saint.
    
Romans 8
V28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
V29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.
V30 and whom He predestined these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (He does it all for us)
V31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
V33 who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies, Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
V35 who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,or peril, or sword?

Tribulation- trouble , ordeal, suffering, wretchedness, misfortune, worry, care heartache, torment, pain,etc.
Distress- agony, torture, need, want, acute suffering, trouble and danger.
Persecution- annoy cruelly, pursue continually, oppress, abuse.
Famine- deficiency, lack, scarcity, insufficiency, exhaustion, meagerness, depletion, destitution.
Nakedness- unqualified,, disrobed, bared.
Peril- risk, danger, jeopardy, pitfall, threat, defenselessness, insecurity, uncertainty.
Sword-steel blade.
V37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

   Are you convinced? Can you imagine being able to conquer these things we go through? Can we conquer exhaustion? I recently went to pray at church as we had a lot of people sick and I was especially down that day with some personal stuff.  But as I began to pray, little by little it lifted as I felt God's presence wash over me. Make it a priority to get with God and let Him wash you with the love of His Son. Lilly says "Take a God shower."
                                                  Never give up! Never give in!