Child of God

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who did believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12

Believing that he is, is all it takes to become a child of the King. Precious and dearly loved. He loves everyone he has ever created and he makes only good just the way he planned them to be. Never a mistake was made because they are perfect for all they were made to do. People may tell them they are imperfect and we all are but we were made perfectly by a perfect God. But as his child he is always working to make you holy and complete everything about you is good because even hard things he will use for your good, strengthening and equipping you for his purposes. Do you realize just how much he thinks about you? He wants a deeply personal relationship with you where you can share everything with him even things you may not like but they are still part of his plan. He wants to give you so much but he loves to hear you ask even though he knows what you really need. He is working all the time for you he never stops. Whenever you ask for something he is already making a way. He rejoices over you and delights in you. Just like any daddy he loves to give you things that are good for you. He probably brags about all of his children just like most parents do. He knows everything about you, your thoughts and intentions. There is no way you can hide from an omnipresent God. Your life is all written down before your first day began. And he loves you anyway. Nothing could change his mind about you. He knows when you will mess up and when you will make him proud but he wouldn’t change you. He looks forward to the day that all of his children will be home for eternity and he can spend time with them.

King of kings

“The Lord will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” Zechariah 14:9

There is coming a day where everyone will bow before the true King and that will be an exciting day. It will also be a terrible day for those that lived however they wanted thinking they were the only God they needed. We will no longer be thought of as weak and crazy. Things we tried to tell them would finally make sense and fear would be widespread. Maybe I was good enough? Even Christian’s need to fear if they weren’t living how God commanded in his words because there are no more do overs. Forgiveness is the greatest gift we have been given and God will forgive anything if you mean it. We are all called to something with the gifts and talents we have been given. If God called you to be a bookkeeper he doesn’t want you to be a doctor or minister. He has a plan and purpose for everyone and it will impact our world. Maybe he just called you to be a father, so do it with all your heart. Lead by example and be strong to make a difference in the lives of your family. Being a Godly man has so many rewards. What we do this side of heaven is so important. Were you loving, compassionate, a person of integrity, honest and respectful. When you look into those eyes of fire from the Lord of heaven and earth, you will want him to be proud of who you became. Not ashamed of what you thought was so important that will be burned up as you realize it had no importance in the kingdom of. God. Thousands of people will be facing the worst horror movie ever to be for an eternity. The lake of fire is worse than you could ever imagine. A good God isn’t sending you to hell, you choose that path all by yourself by rejecting his drawing over and over again saying, “ I don’t need you!”. You missed out on some of the most exciting things God had to give you if you had just asked. Don’t have regrets for an eternity. Start today to make a change for the better.

Righteousness By Faith

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes; first to the Jew, then to the Gentle. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, for it is written: “”The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

Our God is very Holy and Righteous for he is perfect. But he chose to cooperate with mere humans that are not righteous anyway. It is through the work that Jesus began on the cross. We were lost and hopeless as soon as Eve took that first bite of the apple. Before that time earth was good. God said so himself every time he created something. But as sin entered the world all mankind sinned. We couldn’t not sin because it is our nature just like God’s nature is righteousness. Now we won’t be perfect until we get to paradise. Because there is no sin in heaven. You have to be perfect in heaven or it wouldn’t be heaven. The work has been done and God will finally have the huge family he always wanted and his children will be perfect just like he is. There will be no more sin, pain or death. Only every good thing forever and ever. Only the best for his family. We are heaven: just like he tried to do in Eden before the fall of man. Now he loves us very much and he would do so much to see that day. Right now he does so much for us here on earth but we are surrounded by imperfect people. But if you have faith, so much is possible. The more faith you have the more is possible. So you don’t want to have just a little when you can have a whole lot. I spent most of my life living on crumbs until I wanted more now I eat like a queen at God’s table because I have tasted and won’t go back to scraps. What a difference. It is impossible to please God without faith but with God he pleases me always. You still have free will to choose how you will live but if you want to live by faith you can have everything you ever wanted.

Holy Family Power

“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid , but gives us power, love, and self discipline.” 1 Timothy 1:7

Remember when the spirit fell upon the disciples in the room while they waited. They all began to speak in languages they didn’t know but God knew. Because there were people visiting from around the world who spoke different languages and they could understand their speaking and it was with power praising God and giving him glory. They also knew that these fishermen from Galilee were uneducated and would not know what they were saying but it had a large impact on them because it spoke of this amazing God. They knew just what to say and they said it directly to the people God wanted them to. It made such an impact that many came to know the Lord. That is power. To be able to open your mouth and say things you don’t know to people you can’t talk with because of a language barrier. I know someone who speaks Spanish but very few can understand a word he is saying but he keeps talking till they get someone who can understand it. I know our church has headphones that you can hear the service in their language but in Jesus time they wouldn’t have been able to be ministered to any other way. But they spoke just the right languages at just the right time to tell them about Jesus. Now that’s being led by the spirit. Most people wouldn’t be able to understand tongues. To me it makes no sense but just like when my friend speaks Spanish it makes no sense to me. But to the right person it can bring life. We are now sons and daughters of the highest King there is and his blood flows through our veins. That gives us amazing power.that we need to take ahold of and use. That blood flowing through our veins totally changes things and until you know your daddy like I do you don’t understand what you are missing. We have been given a weapon and we need to know how to use it properly. This weapon is not carnal but it is very powerful.

The Temple of God

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that God’s spirit dwells within your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16

One very special gift God has given us is the Holy Spirit. He is our closest friend and confidant. Giving us everything we need from strength and wisdom to awesome power. Back in the early 1900’s a handmaid was there for a woman’s every need from dressing to styling hair. But even more they were usually a close confidant. Someone they could confide in and it would go no further. They gave advice like a close family member. The spirit is similar but so much more. When Jesus died on that cross the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom as Jesus breathed his last breath and cried, ‘It is finished.’ Prior to that time only the selected priest could get behind that veil. It was still dangerous because if he was not right with God he might end up dead. This was a very holy place. Remember when God told Moses take off your sandals because this is holy ground, the presence of God is holy and should be respected. You also don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit because bringing great sorrow to the spirit is not forgivable. Just as the spirit fell on those in the upper room seeking and praying this power came upon them and they preached boldly and the church began. Without the spirit dwelling within them they were unable to keep from making mistakes and putting their foot in their mouths. But because the spirit fell upon them they were then able to do the same things Jesus did while he was walking on earth. Jesus was human like us and could understand what we deal with every day but he overcame it all because of the spirit working in his life. We have that same help, something so precious we should never take it for granted, and we can pray for the sick and see them get healed. God did it for Jesus and we are also his children. So he will do it for us. The more time you spend with the spirit the more of that power he imparts. He prays for you when you don’t know how to pray and he knows Gods heart and can pray Gods will in any situation. We don’t always know what is best for everyone but he does. There is nobody better to have on your side. One day Jesus is coming back and he will take us home and we will be together forever. What a glorious day.

The One Way

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

You really need to read every word to get this into your head. Do you want to live with God for eternity in paradise? Not separation from God and everything good. Then you better do something about it quickly because we may not have tomorrow. Accidents happen every minute and it could be your last minute. There is only one way and that is by believing Jesus died for you and then doing something about it. Without asking for forgiveness you can’t have forgiveness. There is no other name under heaven given as a gift to all mankind but you must accept that gift or you don’t get to use it. You can’t take the gift and stuff it under your bed for later, you have to open it and start using it. You cannot really live this life without it, at least not happily. Jesus gave all he had for you by being tortured horrendously and then hanging on the cross all day and finally dying. Just so you could have life after death. Oh, you still have life in hell but you will wish you could die but eternity is forever and ever. That is an unfathomable amount of time to think about mistakes. It only takes a second or two to ask for forgiveness. You can then start enjoying that gift and it is the gift that never stops giving. The more you know and start trusting the more you will see. I’m 66 and my eyes weren’t opened till I was about 50 and boy is it amazing more every year.

Responding to Life

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.” James 5:13

There is a response for everything that God is looking for. If you have problems do you dwell on them and complain? Well they won’t get better if you complain, actually that’s telling God you aren’t talking care of me and you could do better. They don’t get better till you ask the one who knows how to change things and enjoys to. There are so many answers to prayer in the Bible, I always complained about things I had no control over. Saying things like, it’s not you God it’s them. Because I didn’t like the food that was prepared for me I would complain to anyone but God because how could he do anything about their menus. Well someone preached on complaining once and I felt convicted so my New Year’s resolution was to bite my tongue if I started to complain. Either pray or just don’t eat it and eat food I bought for backup. But I also thanked God for anything good I did have to eat. God gave mana and quail to the Israelites now I have restaurant quality food and plenty of it, I learned to dwell on the Lord and his goodness. Thankful, grateful people are happy people so I stop and say thank you for everything I can think of. Especially people in my life because people are what makes life worth living. I always wake to a praise song stuck in my head but that’s good because I can never say thank you enough for all God has done. I love to listen to praise music it lifts me up. Miriam sang praise when God parted the Red Sea, We are to rejoice always. God didn’t say that just once but many times because the joy of the Lord gives me strength and boy do I need it. The stories in the Bible aren’t just to fill a book they teach us Gods ways, Many miracles come from saying not today Satan, We don’t have to take it as Gods children, Just ask.because God can!

Courageous

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Do you know who you are? When we are called we are given the authority to do everything we need to do. The highest King in any land has gone before me and given me the authority to represent him. Just like any king who delegate’s authority it’s as if the king himself is going. It’s as if he stamped a document with his ring and sent it with you to do whatever he commands. Legal and binding. If a king sent his son to do something people would jump to do his bidding. Well as a child of Gòd you are his son or daughter, He has commanded us to be strong and courageous because as his child it’s like God is going. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is living within us and all the power,wisdom and strength with authority is with us so we do have everything we need. We have already won because he always wins. We might need to muster the strength in our minds because our minds are battle fields but we’ve already won the war. You may think you can’t but you have overcome by the blood flowing through your veins that says, it is done. My Father says so! He doesn’t lie, As a soldier in the military your commanding officer is who you report to. If he says jump, you say, yes sir how high sir. You don’t think on your own, you just obey. Can you think of anyone who outranks God? We’ve been commanded to go make disciples of all nations and be strong and courageous while doing it because I am with you and I will tell you what to say. Any questions? You’ve been given the authority and the strength to use it so what are you waiting for?

Promises

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. But he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Aren’t you glad God is patient? How many times have we done something wrong and felt bad about it? We are far from perfect but God has promised to show grace and mercy new each day because he knows we make mistakes every day. How many times did your parents tell you just to say you are sorry and mean it and try not to do it again. They tried to not get upset but sometimes out of frustration they cracked because they aren’t perfect but God is. We may do the same thing tomorrow also. But God knows he will forgive us tomorrow also if we ask. Even if we keep doing the same thing over and over but ask to be forgiven he forgives. It’s keeping his promises. How often do we get upset when someone doesn’t keep their promises? And we should because that’s integrity and God admires integrity but it is rare today. God will never lie he always keeps his promises and is very faithful. He promised us eternal life, even sending his precious son to leave heaven to come to this wicked world to give his life willingly as a sacrifice for everyone who would believe his promise. Now that is one promise we will want kept. To ask forgiveness, knowing God would forgive anything. Even though we don’t feel people always deserve forgiveness it isn’t our decision and he says everyone deserves patience so they can come to the place where they ask forgiveness. He doesn’t want anyone to perish and it is on us if anyone does perish. Personally if we can’t trust a perfect God to ask for forgiveness and as Christian’s if we don’t share his wonderful promise. God warns us that we don’t have forever because we all have to die one day and it could be today or 80 years from now but once you are dead it’s too late to be forgiven. So take God at his word and trust him today. Don’t wait for someday that might not come.

Protection

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2

Aren’t you glad that we aren’t the one in charge because we don’t have all the answers. No matter what comes our way God is in control and he loves us more than anyone ever could and he has good plans for us. Trials will come and insurmountable difficulties but he knows what is coming and he already has the answers to protect us and get us through them. There is nothing we have to do but trust him. When you have health problems and unforeseen challenges you know the end of the story. When we have relationships that get off track you can give us wisdom to know which way to turn. When we lose a job or our home you have another one waiting just in time. Sometimes they are even better than the last. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were threatened with the blazing furnace they knew their Gods was bigger, better and stronger than the king and he could save them. They had no fear because the God they served would go before them. And they got to hangout with Jesus that’s day. The only risk we take is maybe dying and going to paradise to be with Jesus forever and that is far better than the best day on earth so it’s a win in my book. When I almost died I was in complete peace knowing that God was going to give me what was best and his plan for me. I always thought I would fear death and it would be painful and scary but it wasn’t. I was afraid for my family but not for me personally. They told me I probably wouldn’t make it and did I want to try? My children were still young adults so I knew they needed a mom. It was a very long, hard road but God got me through. I did so much better than the doctors predicted. Actually they were amazed by my progress each day.