Month: May 2022

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7

Something that takes a lot of work is accepting others. I know, I have struggled with that for a long time. I still get frustrated when someone thinks differently than I do. But God has called me to love them. They are precious to God, and for that reason alone I should accept them. I don’t have to love their actions because that’s between them and God.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Without Jesus there is no hope. If he didn’t come, die and rise again, we have nothing. But he did, and that fact is worth shouting about. Now that I know how good and merciful he is I can trust him through anything. That gives me such joy and peace.

“Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for Jesus Christ to be revealed.” 1 Corinthians 1:7

We are learning all the time. God is perfecting us more every day. But he always makes sure we have what we need to keep growing. We do not need to seek to know him more. But God will use everyone and everything around us to do it.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25

God is not foolish or weak. But he is so much stronger than the strong and wiser than the wisest. God knows everything and can do anything. But you know what? He is living inside of us and enables us to have wisdom and strength for anything he wants us to do through us. We can’t brag because it’s him, not us. Isn’t that exciting!

“Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 10:17

Enough said!

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

We can never know everything God is thinking, and he is thinking more and better things than we know.

“If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:15

I want to build that which is solid and stands. I want to do all God has for me. My life is so rich because of this. I want as much as I can get of him here and now. I don’t wish to wait till I get to heaven to experience it all.

“For who makes you different than anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

We were all made the same. Blood, bones, muscles and lungs. Yet we are all very unique because we received different life experiences and gifts from God. Not one of us is more special than the next. God loves everyone he has made.

“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” Romans 4:7-8

Isn’t it wonderful to realize that God remembers our sin no more. It’s as if they never happened. The enemy will try to convince us that we really screwed up and aren’t worthy of God’s forgiveness. But Christ paid a huge price to remove those sins and they are gone.

“But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness – for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Romans 4:24

We are righteous in Gods eyes. That is such an awesome feeling. We can come boldly before God in prayer. We aren’t perfect but he is perfecting us as we wait on him. He also is patient and in no hurry.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned-“. Romans 5:12

One little sin is all it took. We were all lost. From the day we were born we would do things wrong. We couldn’t really help it. I’m always saying and doing things that I know are wrong. Jesus died to take that away. What love!

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will also certainly be united in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:5

For those who don’t believe there is anything after this life, this says it all. Jesus was raised from the dead. Right now he is with the father in heaven. If, we are united with him. Those who are not united with him, well they have cause to worry.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

We all have that dreadful disease. We can’t stop it. But Jesus came to do away with it. He is the cure. Believe in him. What an amazing gift.

“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but in the realm of the spirit. If indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9

It is so exciting living in the realm of the Spirit. I see so much moving of God and miracles that just knock my socks off. He is the same God today as when Moses lead the Israelites. He’s just doing new stuff, but same God.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26

I am glad that when I am just not sure how I should pray, the Spirit does. if I am unsure of God’s will for something, the Holy Spirit knows the mind of Christ. I have times during the day where I can just speak in tongues and feel better.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?” Romans 9:31

If the one who made everything and everyone is on my side. Only he has the power to control anything. What can I lose? Who can come against me without his permission?

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 9:38-39

NOTHING! Nothing can or will separate us from God’s amazing love. That’s a promise I can always bank on.

“”After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own tree.” Romans 11:24

If Christ can save anyone he can bring someone back to himself who has fallen away. We are drawn by him. We cannot be saved unless he draws us.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

When you become a Christian you get a portion of the spirit. But when the spirit comes upon you and you are filled you suddenly have power and boldness that you never knew before. You will want to spread what you have found to the ends of the earth.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which you must be saved.” Acts 4:12

There is one way to heaven, only one, and that is Jesus Christ. You either accept him or you have rejected him.

“As for us, we can’t help speaking of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

I have seen and heard of so many amazing miracles, stories of God moving in lives and throughout the world. I get so choked up and overwhelmed at times. Just my little church in Phoenix is making an impact in the world. I can’t keep it to myself. I just have to pass it on.

“When they heard this, they had no further objections and they praised God saying so then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” Acts 11:18

I am so grateful that there are stubborn Jews out there, because God decided to widen his scope to even more people, of which I am one. If he had stuck with just the Jews his chosen people, I would not have the assurance of heaven one day.

“…I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, he will do everything I want him to do.” Acts 13:22

I remember once when God told me he loved me like he loved David, and I was floored. But I know he shows no partially. It made me strive more to be a woman after Gods heart.

“And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:25

God does not need us or our money. He is all sufficient and abounds in everything. He does want us, he wants us to want him. He has given us everything and offers to give us rest, what more could we want?

“For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offspring.” Acts 17:28

Without God you can not really live. Because we are his children he can, and will, give us everything we will ever need to live a very abundant life because he loves us.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has for me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24

God has a different plan for each of us. My plan is different than yours or my pastors. But my plan is to do his will for me. He has equipped me to do it. I should not be concerned with my own agenda but only his. That will bring me the most satisfaction.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first Jew and then Gentile.” Romans 1:16

I once thought, who wants to hear about God? They’ll think I’m nuts or goody-goody. Well then I thought about it. If I found a treasure map to a chest full of gold, would anyone care? Of course they would. Since I have gotten to know the Lord he has brought so much joy, peace and love. If others wouldn’t want that then they are just nuts and I truly feel sorry for them.

“For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in Gods sight, but it is those who obey the law who are righteous.” Romans 2:13

I can read the Bible every day, even for hours , but if I don’t put it into practice and learn to do what it says it does little for me.

“…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24

Grace is a wonderful thing. God gives it to anyone who has faith, but it is because Jesus redeemed us by giving himself for us. God has always been good but he is just and it had to be given in a special way.

“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a small amount of money.” Mark 12:42

This woman did not have much money but she gave with her whole heart. What she gave was more like 90% not 10%. There are people who make thousands of dollars but still gripe about giving to God. So they give a generous $20 tip. It isn’t that God needs the money but he does want your heart.

“The curtain of the temple was torn into from too to bottom.” Mark 15:38

At one time only priests could come before God. I’m so glad that I live in a day where I can come before God and actually have an intimate and very fulfilling relationship with him and I know he does hear me and he cares about me.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15

This is a commandment to every person trying to do God’s will. But how many of us actually do this? This is not just for preachers and their staff. You do not need a diploma to lead people closer to the kingdom of heaven. Just showing the love of Jesus to everyone is a start. Let people know just how much Jesus does love and care about them.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.” Luke 5:16

Something I’ve learned since I began praying regularly about ten years ago is that I’m no longer lonely. I may be alone by myself most of the time but I am never alone. I feel the presence of my “dream team,” which is what I call the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Never will they ever leave me or forsake me.

“It’s not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.“. Luke 15:31-32

People who are saved but aren’t really living a full life have only themselves to blame. They have God’s words telling them how to live an abundant life and he will give them every bit of help they need but they need to desire it. God will not push them. He’s working on the broken and hurting that are dying.

“Therefore I tell you, her many sins are forgiven- as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little, love’s little.” Luke 7:47

Good people seem to think they do ok. They need to realize that we all are just filthy rags. We all complain, say bad things, think bad thoughts and are sinners. We may not do big things but even little wrongs count. God has forgiven us for it all. If we believe in Jesus. We would all be dying if Jesus had not cared enough to come and make a way.

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word and obey it.” Luke 11:28

If you want to be blessed, than trust and obey it, ALL.

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourself that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” Luke 12:33

Do you want your treasures to be safe. The only place they will truly be safe is in heaven. Doing the things that God has asked you to do brings rewards. Lending to the poor is like lending to God and he always pays back, with interest.

Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the country and go after the lost sheep till they find it.” Luke 15:3

Aren’t you glad that God loves all of his sheep and he can’t stand to lose any. He will never give up on us, no matter what it takes. He is so patient and loving. I strayed away once when I was trying to find myself. Boy was that a mistake.

“Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through who they come.” Luke 17:1

I do not wish to cause anyone to stumble. That is why it is so important to be intentional. What I do and what I say is being watched by others. All of it.

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:17

God will forgive anything and he doesn’t hold a grudge like we do. He delights to do that. Isn’t that good to know.

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, violence! But you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me, there is strife, and conflict abounds.” Habakkuk 1:1-2

It is so easy to say why? We don’t like pain or trials but God has told us to expect them. People say they cannot trust a God who would allow evil. But God always has a reason even if we may never know it. The worst injustice I know of was sending an innocent, loving person, who did so much good, to die on a cross. Even Jesus didn’t want to do it if it wasn’t necessary, but he only cared for what God wanted. Where would we be without that unjust act? It was harder on God than anything and he feels our pain too.

“The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:20

The Lord is in control of everything. Whatever will be, will be. Worrying and complaining will not change anything. The Lord will use everything, whether good or bad, for his purposes. There is nothing the enemy can throw at him that will change that. This should bring comfort if you are on his team.

“…yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior. The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:18

My team is, the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. I have an awesome team, what should I fear. My team wins. They give me the strength to rise above anything.

“Not by might or by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Zechariah 4:6

Nothing can we do on our own or should we try. We don’t have to face anything alone either. People who trust themselves to do everything don’t normally succeed at least not very long and they will never know abundant life. When we allow God to be our strength, realizing that it is through him that we are strong we will be happy.

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Zechariah 10:1

God takes care of everyone. The sun rises every day and we all get a brand new start. A beautiful sunset. A clean fresh snow storm. A beautiful hillside of flowers. But not everyone appreciates his goodness and blessings. I don’t take things for granted anymore because you never know when they might be taken away.

“I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, they are my people , and they will say, the Lord is our God.” Zechariah 13

We will have trials, but if we let them, they can make us better, stronger and more like Jesus. To be purified metals need to be heated. The hotter the better to get rid of impurities.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” Malachi 3:10

This is a simple principle but people like to complicate it. A tithe is 10% or $1.00 for every $100.00 you make. The more you make the easier it should be to pay. But actually the less you make, the more reason you have to give. Because God blesses you for everything you give. If we all tithed there would be no needs, because there would be a vast supply to share. I have found that giving of my little tithe has given me riches beyond my understanding and I always have more to give.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

I have known many people who did not believe there was a God. People who were blind to all the beautiful creation around them. They tell God to prove it. If you are God?, do something amazing that will show me that you are who you say you are. Well I wouldn’t think he would do something like that. But maybe he sees more than I do. Maybe they do want him to prove them wrong. This life is totally meaningless if there is no God. We all seek in our own ways. He does say seek and you will find. And he means it. I’ve seen it.

“Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord” did we not prophecy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers.” Matthew 7:22-23

I cannot imagine doing these things and not being saved but I also know people who are the image of holy but, do not act out of love and compassion but for what’s in it for them. I make sure I always act out of love. First for God and then for others.

“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say.” Matthew 10:19

I trust God to give me words of wisdom in all circumstances. I am continually asking him to show me his ways and truths. I tend to be quiet because I realize it’s not about me or what I think and I best keep quiet unless I feel him leading me to speak.

“All things have been committed to me by my father. No one knows the Son but the Father; and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27

God totally left everything up to his son. He could have chosen to do his will but God also knew that he would do his Father’s will. Thank you Jesus that you have also chosen to reveal this to me.

“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Matthew 15:11

That which comes out of your mouth comes from your heart. Either your heart is right with God and you seek to honor God or your heart is not right.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. “. Matthew 18:20

Boy I missed being at church while Covid was going on. I was forced to stay in my room and watch church online. I missed all of my friends and the fellowship I had been used to. The biggest thing was being in the presence of corporate worship. I did worship alone in my room but there is nothing like being in the presence of everyone in one room.

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

The greatest commandment is to really love the Lord. To put him very first above everything else. I believe if you have done that, then all the other commandments will follow because of that. My greatest desire is to do God’s will for me.