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Change can be one of the most unsettling things in our lives but it happens to be the one constant in our life. Change is inevitable. If we let it, change can bring great anxiety which is sad since we’re in a constant state of change. God has told us nothing stays the same, no matter how hard we try to control it. Ecclesiastes 3-4 (KJV) To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Time moves on and sometimes we notice the change and other times we wake up one day and are hit with the reality that things changed while we were busy. Our bodies change, our family, our jobs, living location and society changes. Unfortunately, some even try to change the interpretation of the Bible but there is ONE THING THAT NEVER CHANGES...THIS ONE THING REMAINS.... His love NEVER fails and his word endures forever (as is)! Isaiah 7-8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. 8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 1 Peter 1:25 “but the word of the Lord stands forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.” Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Daniel 2: 20 “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. We work hard to arrange routine, continuity and consistency in our lives so we have a feeling of order and control but God says, “TRUST ME, I’m in control.” No matter what comes our way, he tells us in his word that he will never leave us or never forsake us. Any illusion of control is just that... an illusion because we really have NO control. Only God knows what tomorrow brings and he controls it. So, my dear child, rest in the Lord and relinquish the illusion of control or the belief that you have anything in order and release it to God. The Holy Spirit will be with you. Just invite him in to any circumstance you face. While change can create anxiety, worry is not of God. It is a weapon of the enemy. God calls us to walk in perfect peace with direction from the Holy Spirit. When we operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, then our steps are directed of the Lord. Lord please help us (me) relinquish complete control, walk in faith and turn every aspect of life over to you. My life is not my own, it was bought with a price. Next time you notice change, try to get excited because God may be trying to send you blessings and power to do great things! Like that old hymn states: “We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know who holds tomorrow.” God bless you with peace and joyful anticipation today! Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace. Seasons on Belle Lake. Change can be a beautiful thing!
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It was the day before Easter, 2019 and I couldn’t sleep so I got up from bed and went to my prayer closet. It’s my actual, walk-in closet with my clothes in it, because I don’t have an unused closet in my house.... all space is utilized, if you know what I mean.
As I began to pray, it quickly came to me that one of the most notorious and heartbreaking suicides happened to someone very close to Jesus. Hard to believe that someone could actually live with, learn first-hand and look in to the eyes of Jesus for probably three years (Jesus called his twelve disciples at the beginning of his ministry) and end up the way he did. I believe it confirms that we are ALL susceptible to the deception of Satan. We know that Satan HAD to use Judas (or someone) in the manner that he did for God’s will to take place on earth. It was a true ‘necessary evil’ so Jesus could be crucified and raised from the dead for our salvation and eternal life BUT the tragedy is that it did not HAVE to end that way. Even Judas could have received forgiveness had he repented instead of committing suicide. He could have been used to further the kingdom for Christ had he held on long enough to see the risen savior. He would be spending eternity in heaven, right now with Jesus but he chose to give in completely to Satan. His story is one of great sadness rather than one of the redemptive powers of Jesus Christ, as it could have been. It’s always darkest before the dawn and no matter how it looks, morning IS COMING and His MERCIES ARE NEW EVERY MORNING (Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.) This is Satan’s desire for ALL humans, especially Christians and can happen when we are not paying attention to the attacks of the enemy. When we make things about ourselves, we especially become vulnerable. We cannot make it about ‘us’ – it should always be about Jesus – helping others to know him. We must remove all pride and be willing to strip ourselves of guilt and shame, to receive forgiveness and place our lives on the alter for Christ in order to further his work and overcome the enemy. Our purpose is to always point others to Jesus so they can have a personal relationship with him. They must know that NO MATTER what the sin, guilt or shame, it can truly be washed, forgiven and cleansed in the mercy and grace of Jesus. It’s a daily struggle because Satan will not let up in his efforts to take you out! He tries to reach your emotions which will affect your thoughts and if you continue to dwell on the thoughts and let your emotions take control, it becomes actions. Negative emotions create negative actions. Avoid this downward spiral by allowing God to be Lord of your emotions! Don’t think you can do it alone...reach out to others and to God by getting to know Him and His word, daily. May God bless you as you draw near to Him for complete wholeness today.  Published on Memorial Day 5/27/2019
Why do we look for external purposes for our life when there are plenty of things, if we just do what Jesus tells us in the Bible? Jesus has instructed us to spread the good news of the gospel, love and serve others and give ourselves to God. Our life is not our own. If we do those things, we wouldn’t have time for anything else because there’s always someone in need. My Life Group Leader simply texted this verse to our group yesterday and nothing else with it: In Psalm 90:12, Moses wrote, “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” So, I set out on a quest to understand his message. First of all, I didn’t realize some of the Psalms were prayers of Moses; secondly, I had no idea my Life Group Leader's text would be my next blog. Here is my LIVING BIBLE VERSION of that verse: Psalm 90:12(TLB) Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should. Note from Living Bible: It is easy to forget how short life really is. Realizing that life is short helps us use the time wisely. It helps us concentrate on using our lives for eternal good, not just for the pleasure of the moment. Take time to number your days by asking “What do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step could you take toward that purpose today?” As I was studying this verse early this morning, I began to listen to a message online from Rick Warren and he stated: “Manage your time wisely to maximize your time for God’s purpose.” The referenced verses in Rick Warren’s message were: Ephesians (KJV) 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” The Living Bible Version....Ephesians 5:15-17 (TLB) So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. There could not be a clearer message than to redeem our time on earth by finding God’s purpose for our lives and DOING IT. I began writing this blog over two weeks ago following a conversation with a friend who was wondering what her purpose in life is and she's in her 60s. I typed this question: why don’t we start with doing what Jesus told us to do, if we’re not clear about our purpose? As believers, we’ve ALL been called to spread the good news of the gospel. I believe everything else will fall in to place, as with this article. The above verses fell in to my lap in order for me to finish this blog to say what God wanted me to say. I think He has given us clear direction (I’m writing to myself also). Start by spending time with God, read His word and then go love and tell others. It’s that simple. If you’re waiting on a neon sign from God for your purpose or you’re single and want a spouse or someone to come along side you to begin serving, or waiting on a financial windfall, then you’re wasting precious time. God might have your spouse already serving and you’re supposed to meet them there. Please do not spend your life saying ‘when this happens’ or ‘when that happens’. I’ll do that when I meet someone or when my finances turn around or when I win the lottery (I hope you’re not wasting money on lottery tickets). SOMEDAY MAY NEVER COME...DO IT NOW! I’ve seen it happen to my friend. He used the excuse that everything would be different when.... or he could really start living when he received his inheritance. That old friend is now a millionaire.... but sadly, finds himself alone and physically, mentally and spiritually bankrupt and unable to enjoy it. Apply yourself NOW. This is how you will find true JOY, not how the world seeks ‘fun for the moment’ but true JOY. That kind of joy ONLY comes from ‘being about the father’s business'. My morning ‘cold brew’ photo (above) is a cup from a church in Powder Springs, GA that my husband and I played a small part in helping start up in 2010. That church is thriving today! My friends, that’s what we have to be about. Carpe diem for God!  I wrote this blog on 4/2/19 Today (4/15/19) in Hobby Lobby I found a wall hanging (see picture to left). As I drove out of my garage, the beautiful pink flowers on our cherry tree in the front yard caught my eye. I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself. I wanted to immediately take a picture to capture the beautiful flowers and the heartiness of the tree, but I was in a hurry and traveled on, out the driveway and down the road towards the ladies’ Tuesday morning prayer meeting. As I drove, God showed me the amazing comparison between Christians and that cherry tree. My husband, Mike, and I planted that tree as a small seedling last spring. It had been a year of waiting and watching what looked like only a stick. I wondered if there was life left in it. So many elements could steal the life of that seedling. There’s always the many deer that could eat the leaves and flowers. The winter can play havoc on new plants and kill them. Bugs can eat the leaves and destroy it. You wonder if it was placed in the right spot. Is it getting too much sun, not enough sun and what about all that rain we received last year? Did it receive too much water or not enough? So, when your hard work and efforts are rewarded with beautiful flowers (and pink and purple are my favorites) it’s easy to get excited. Your baby has survived! It feels as if you’re child has accomplished a great feat and you swell up with pride, knowing that if it made it through its first winter, you will probably enjoy beautiful pink flowers for many years to come! All the gardeners out there know exactly what I mean. God showed me how we’re the same. A seed is planted in our hearts when we accept Jesus as our savior. Will that seed survive the early months and years of life? What about when life turns cold and difficult? Will we continue to survive and eventually thrive? There are many things in this world that will try to come against a believer and try to snuff out their purpose. There are the cares of life, tragedy, busyness, ignoring God and His calling. Not spending time with Him or in the word, on a daily basis. All these things can mean death to our spirit man (woman) but when we overcome the world and all these distractions, we bloom and become beautiful for all to see. We can become what God saw in us all along. I believe God feels the same excitement when he sees us flourishing and fulfilling His call on our lives. His heart must overflow with joy and He wants others to know what He is doing through us. “Look what my child has done today.” “It’s my pleasure to boast on this beautiful creation, as they are about my business and my plans for their life.” I can only image how proud and happy we make our Lord when we become the beautiful creation, He called us to be and knew we could be. We are at our best and most beautiful when we BLOOM WHERE WE’RE PLANTED!  |
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