In the Beginning

In the beginning God. Imagine if you will all that went on in that one little week. The Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit, the triune godhead all together created the heavens and the Earth. The word was God. Who is the word? Jesus Christ. He was the spoken word that created everything that ever was or will be. Everything we would ever need for all time. Together as one unit and not independent of each other they agreed together and it was done.

Before that day the earth was formless and void. Nothing but them existed. The spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Complete nothingness is hard for finite mind to understand. But the question “what came first,” comes to mind. God came first and without them nothing would be. They agreed in their efforts and had a plan. I have been told it is like any great building project you need an architect (God), to design; then a builder (The word or Jesus Christ spoke it into existence.)

All the exact specifications, the details were in God’s mind (on those blueprints) But Jesus just had to say ‘sky’ and everything needed like clouds, wind, seasons, details happened. And God said let there be light. In that one word so much happened. The sun with its exact specs and the moon for night with its exact orbit for time and seasons. Stars in the sky shining down on us. Even some meteorites darting in the distant sky. They were all there. And so much more.

God saw that the light was good! We can look into a powerful telescope and see some of his great handiwork but will never comprehend the half of it because we can never know all that they do. His reasons are not ours. We will never understand why he did everything he did but all we need to know is that he is perfect and that’s enough. It wasn’t just good I know it was perfect just in one simple word, ‘light’. The light we know as day and at night darkness came with its lesser light. The first day.

Let there be a vault to separate the waters. The dictionary states that a vault is an arched structure, (first clue the earth was not flat), I can see the world separating from the sky. This all happened on the second day. The waters in the sky would not be liquid in form but would be released into air molecules, I guess, but God is perfect remember. He knew what he was doing. Let the water under the sky be separated from the dry land. All the oceans, seas, lakes, rivers and streams with all their inlets and outlets were set in place by their command. All working together in synchronized perfection.

It was very good. He was making all we would need. Nothing was left out of his design that we would ever need or want. He thought of it all. How awesomely we are taken care of. Science with all the things we have learned can never come close to their knowledge and foresite. Let there be vegetation on the land. Every seed bearing plant. Can you imagine all that is included there? I am not a plant specialist but I do know there are more seed bearing varieties than I could ever comprehend. We are looking at the greatest landscaping that was ever done. It had to include everything we would need for food, clothing, shelter, and to create everything necessary. Just for us to enjoy. Whew, that wrapped up the third day. What a day. It was a very good day.

Light and all that encompasses. Sun, moon, stars, set in the heavens. Giving their light in hours, minutes and seconds. What orchestration. This would cause days to become months and years. Rotation of everything flowing so perfectly. Earth as well as planets, sun and moon. This was good, day four.

Then God designed animals and all creatures in the seas and birds in the air.  So many creatures. Just birds alone is mind boggling. Billions of species. Large and small. From penguins to tiny hummingbirds. All for us to enjoy, and for food to sustain us and the animals themselves. Such variations in all different environments. ‘Be fruitful and multiply, filling the waters and the sky’s.’’ Now that’s a lot of birds and fish. This was day five.

Then God created all animals on the earth, all creeping creatures. Cattle, buffalo, and just think of the animals used in stuff we need every day. Things like leather for shoes, gloves for working, ingredients for cosmetics for us women. as well as eating just to stay alive. There even needs to be food for the food to survive. The circle of life to continue. Then God created man in the image of God.

All we will ever need to be all he created us to be and do. He thought of everything. I know at times I can get an awful lot on my plate to do. I can remember a lot but always forget stuff. Like last night at 3:30 am I realized I had not plugged in my power chair and it was dead. I would be able to do nothing without it.  God never forgets anything. His plate is a whole lot more full than I can imagine.

He created man but he needed him to have a companion and mate so he could be fruitful and multiply the earth. Just think of everyone that ever was. He knew each and every person. He knew the hairs on their heads. Everything about them. Good as well as bad and he loved ALL of them  They were all in his mind before the world began. What he had made was so very very good

So after all that he created in just six days he rested. He knew we would all need rest. He set apart the seventh day as a very special day. His sabbath day of rest. A time for renewal for us. We have all week to do our labor for income to support our lives. But the seventh day really should be devoted to him. We need that time and doesn’t he deserve it for all he has done.

Chosen

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special possession, that you may declare the praises of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NIV

“You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:6 NIV

We have been chosen by God before time began. Before we were ever formed we were called out to be his chosen people. Not everyone is chosen. We are called to be the sons and daughters of Christ. We are called to serve our king.

We are to be the image of Christ. To be Jesus hands and feet to our communities.

We must accept this gift he has given us. It was given freely by Christ as he suffered and died on the cross to give us the chance to be made right with God. We have been given free will to choose for ourselves who we will serve.

Once we have chosen to serve the Lord we need to begin every day with that commitment. We live every day in this world but this is not our true home. It is with Christ in heaven. Each day we need to choose him. To follow his ways and serve him with our whole being.

As part of the special needs community it is very important to be chosen and accepted and loved. I had the privilege to go to camp all last week up in Williams, Arizona. Along with sixty or so other handicapped individuals we got to spend the week with Special Touch Ministries..

It is a wonderful environment for all ages. All different physical and emotional needs. We are loved on and accepted for who we are. We learn who we can be in Christ.

We are called to be priests. Jesus no longer lives on this earth. The only way people can see Jesus is through his children, his priests. We are very special to him. He is with us the whole way and will help us.

For me personally I learned that God has called me to be an encourager. The words I speak are not mine but God’s words spoken through me. This is one reason why I started this blog. I always had a desire to help people. I am a fixer. I like telling people how to fix themselves.

I had many opportunities to speak to people at camp and show his will for them. It was great but it was him not me talking. I am just willing to be used by God. He is not physically walking on earth but we are. The only way for others to see God is through us as we serve as his priests.

He has brought us out of our past of darkness and sin and given us light a future, eternal life with him. We have so much to be thankful for. His Glory and Mercy and his greatness is so manifest in our lives. The more we give the more he gives.

Peace wonderful peace.

Many people accept the gift of eternal life. And then go about life on their own doing whatever they want. Theirs is a wasted life and they don’t know all they are missing. I was one of those people for forty some years before I really got to know Jesus Christ and make him my personal friend and King.

My life has changed drastically and I never want to go back. Life is not about me but about Jesus Christ in me the hope of glory. He has made my life complete. Come join me.

Holiness

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth.” John 4:24 NIV

We need to learn what Holiness is. It is described in the dictionary as sanctity or sacred. Our God who we serve is sacred above all. We owe him the utmost respect over everything. He has done so much for us. Not only did he send his one and only son to willingly live a perfect life just to show us how to live, he came just to give his life up for each of us. He knew only he could be that perfect sacrifice for all of our sins.

Without Him we would not be able to be redeemed, we would be destined to die in our sins as we deserved and to suffer in torment for all eternity in the lake of fire. Separated from him and his goodness forever. What a horrifying thought.

“Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His Holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.” Psalms 99:9. NIV

He is worthy of all our worship, but worship is not just singing and dancing before the Lord. It Is doing what he has asked us to do. Keeping his commandments, and doing the right and true things he has shown us. This is true spiritual worship. If we truly love him we Will keep His commandments.

They say you can tell a tree by its fruit. We are his children, but how far have we fallen from the tree. It is important for any relationship that you respect the person you love enough to do the things they have shared with you. Those things that show respect and that you truly honor that person’s opinions.

How much more the one who made us and loves us more than anyone. He knows what is best for us and tries to get us there. By following him and his will we are actually helping ourselves.

Sometimes we just don’t understand why he is telling us to do something. I was reading in Exodus last week all the things he had for the Israelites to do. Some of it made no real sense. God seemed to be so nit-picky. But it’s just like my mom used to say. “ Because I said so,”. She was my mother and knew more than me. She knew what was best for me even if I didn’t know why.

Out of respect and love for my parents I obeyed them. I did just like they taught me to show them I loved them. I trusted that all they taught me was for my good and they would never hurt me. I respected them and now I can respect me Heavenly Father even more.

I wouldn’t do anything that could possibly hurt him. I love and respect Him so much that I always wish to do His will. He has rewarded me with an abundant life because of it. I look at so many people’s lives and see so much trauma and turmoil, but then they have chosen to do things their way. It seems so sad but how else can we learn.

I read a book last week talking about the good and bad kings who reigned over Israel. Some were Godly and some were wicked. God’s people fared far better when the King honored God. When they tore down idols and high places for worshiping idols and did all that God had commanded they prospered. The people lived in peace and were blessed.

I choose to be blessed in my life. I will love the Lord who is so worthy of my respect and honor. He has never failed me and never will. This is my act or true worship.

He is Alive

As I look back to all God has done for us this Resurrection Sunday I see a picture in my mind of a young man. With all the love of the Father in him. Remember this is a picture of what God is like a God that jealously loves us more than ever and wants us to have and be everything we can through him. He is standing at that door.

There is no hardware on the door, it can not be opened from the outside, only we can open that door. Open it to all the love, joy, peace and life out there that he has available for us. It is totally our choice. Life abundantly or death. Not only is it an eternal choice of life ever after we die, but true life right now.

Freedom from sin, death, hell, and the grave. That same power that raised Jesus back to life from that tomb of death, brokenness and darkness is available to everyone. It is free for the asking.

Are you suffering from an addiction that you have no control over that has you imprisoned in a spiraling downward motion of destruction. Are you hurting from unforgiveness towards someone who has caused you great pain in the past, something that has robbed you of all your joy and peace. Are you struggling from day to day with why you are even alive.

You can be free. Jesus is reaching his arms out to you. Arms that want to hold you and never let you go. To give you answers and hope. To make you happier than you have ever been. Help you have purpose and meaning in this current life. Won’t you let him in. Change is available through that door for you just open it.

It says in the Bible that all we have to do is ask Jesus to come in. Tell him that you have sinned and are not perfect. Ask him to forgive you for your past. A past that you have tried to do on your own. One that we truly need his help and power to enjoy. Ask him to help you to have the life he has for you. Ask him to help you do his will.

He will gladly hold your hand as his child today. He will give you a future and a hope.

The prison doors will swing open and you will walk into that glorious light.

That is not all! Talk to God have him show you what’s next. Read his words in the Bible so you will know how to live right. And lastly find good Christian family to unite with and to help you grow in this new life. They can show you truths that can help you have the most successful life ever.

May God our Father and Jesus his son richly bless your lives with the help of their powerful spirit to fulfill all they have for you forever and ever. Amen!

My God How Great Thou Art

The one sure thing we are here on earth for is to give praise to our King. He so deserves it. Think of all he has done for you in your life. I’m fifty-eight so I have many good years to thank him for. I can look back over my life and see how amazing he has been over the years.

Many people have contemplated these same things and have come up with great praise songs to show God how much they adore him. This morning at church we sang ‘How Great Thou Art’. As I sang the words resonated throughout my heart. Oh how much I felt these words.

‘Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds thy hands hath made

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder

Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

And when I think of God, his son not sparing

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart

Then I shall bow with humble adoration

And then proclaim, my God, how great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee

How great thou art, How great thou art

God truly has done so much for me. Sending his one and only son to be born of a virgin. In a poor young family. His was not a life of privilege and esteem. Just the opposite. His life was difficult just like ours. He can understand our burdens and pain. Sin tried so hard to break him but, he overcame it.

He did all that gladly. Gladly, not just getting by, but there was joy in his heart as he suffered. He knew this was the only way we could be together forever. Unless we were redeemed by that perfect spotless lamb, it could never be.

This world he created is one thing, one mighty thing, but think of how he has enriched this world by working in the lives of billions of humans giving them great wisdom and ideas that continue to make this world better and better. People whose hearts have touched the world so.

People like mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Martin Luther King. They have made such a difference in so many lives. People like Moses, Elijah, King David, and Saul(Paul). Where would we be without them. Many would not be sons and daughters of our King.

Think about that day when as sons and daughters we will see his face. Standing before him FOREVER. In that wonderful place he has prepared for us in advance.

That awesome perfect place where absolutely nothing is too good for us. His building plans surpass all we can imagine.

Oh God how GREAT thou art!!

How Big God Is

I went to the movies one night and it got me thinking. How big our God is. Throughout history, for thousands of generations God has been creating people and endowing them with great things to be world changers. He has given that power to all people. It doesn’t matter if you are black or white or green, male or female, Jew or Gentile, rich or poor. We are all God’s children and He wants the very best for us.

Just think of all people past, present and future God has placed on this planet. He cares about each one. He knows the hairs on our heads. He can design us each differently for the time we are in this earth. We can all be world changers.

Look at Esther in the Bible and Rahab and King David. Just to think of a few.

They were nobody’s till God made them somebody’s. He wants to do that for everyone, if we will let Him. To be made for a unique purpose should be the cry of our hearts. “Let me be a part of what you are doing in the world, today and every day Lord.”

Think of all the important people in the world. Inventors, writers, athletes, world thinkers like Einstein, doctors and others who make a great difference in our lives. God made them for a purpose.

Every morning I thank God for someone making coffee beans into coffee as I enjoy my breakfast with a hot cup of coffee. And I can’t really do anything without thinking of Him and something he did. Everything that is or was or will be in the future came from Him and the knowledge he gave someone.

Look at mother Teresa and all she did for the world and hurting people. Or Billy Graham and all the people who came to know the Lord through his ministry. Bill Gates and technology, Henry Thoreau , Isaac Newton, Henry Ford and I could go on forever. These people changed our lives. Could we live without these things, sure but God wants us to have them.

They make our world evolve, getting better every day. In this movie men were working at putting a man on the moon. They just couldn’t get it right. The trajectory was all wrong. Well God gave a bunch of black women unbelievable talent in mathematics and science. They were looked down on in those days of segregation. But they showed America what they were made of. Changing the way people saw black people. Martin Luther King did so much to change thinking towards black people. God used him mightily.

I am a child of God

I am a child of God. My God adores me. He adores all of his children. Just keep telling yourself this each day. First thing to do is thank God for this new day he has given you and choose to rejoice in it. God wants you to have an abundant life. He is for you. You can confidently go before him and ask for success, knowing his will is for your best.

“I know the plans I have for you, “says the Lord””, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”” Jeremiah 29:11. NIV

Each day is planned out in advance for me. He knows just how my day will go. I can confidently trust him. Spend time with him before your day begins. Give him a chance to tell you things you need to do. Ask him for the strength to meet your days needs. Tell him that you want to be in his will for you.

My father is awesome. Look how well he has always taken care of you. Let him know how great he is. He can keep each person in his perfect will. Everyone, everywhere. I can be strong and courageous for he is with me wherever I go. He is my strength when I am weak.

My daddy is the King of the whole earth. There is no one greater. If God is for me then who should I fear. No one! I am a royal daughter. The apple of his eye. No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor mind has conceived the things he has for me because I love him.

Even in my wildest imagination I can’t guess what he has planned. He loves to give me good gifts. This makes me love him more and more. I want to do all I can for him..

Yesterday he gave me a wonderful present. My very good friend had been in the hospital for three weeks in a diabetic coma. Doctors said there was no hope she was on a respirator with no signs of life, but she woke up and they brought her home yesterday. She is her old self but weak. Gods not done with her yet. I am so happy. He loves her too and has great plans for her life.

If you love your God and have been called to repentance he has an awesome plan for you too. Trust in his plan for your life. Seek him and his will. And see how great life can be.

Miracles all around us

Believing in miracles is difficult for many people. If you asked most people they would love to see a miracle in their life. Most can probably remember one occurring in their life or the life of a friend or family member. Miracles are happening, though, every minute of every day. God is performing many miracles and just his nature is a miracle. We just need eyes to see them.

Living in faith helps us to see more of God’s miracles. If we have faith to believe in God we can see miracles. What is a miracle: an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. That sounds like God to me. From day one he has been doing miracles.

Making our entire world and universe and everything in it in six days. Yep a miracle. Why is that so hard for some to believe. It takes real faith. Faith is: confidence or trust in another person or thing: faith in another’s ability. By reading the Bible over and over your faith will be strengthened.

Another way to increase faith is in prayer which is:a devout petition to God or object of worship. Every time we ask God for something to be answered by him we are opening ourselves up to a miracle. We tend to do things ourself until it gets out of our ability. Then we need him to come to our need. That’s when miracles happen.

The more we pray for God to work in our lives and in those around us the more miracles we will see. As our faith grows by seeing God do amazing things we ask him to do more.

Tommy Barnett has believed God for many things in his life and in turn this has changed the lives of his children. They now are believing God for more and more miracles. Dreaming for extra amazing moves of God has become this family’s legacy. The more risks this family takes the bigger the rewards become. It has gotten to a point where day to day living takes more miracles to get by. Just the monthly budget for a church of that size with all of the ministries they are involved in to remain solvent requires miracles every day.

When you get to the point where you believe God to use you more and more in your life. He is able to show you more and more of his ways. Miracles are a big part of his ways. John 14:12 always seemed odd to me. It says: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” NIV. Me do greater works than Jesus?

That always seemed hard to believe. But Jesus is in heaven with God and he is interceding on our behalf with his father. He is believing with me for me to see God work. That’s got to cause miracles to happen.

So if you want to see miracles in this life just ask God to meet more needs. Needs for you, your family and others in your life and you will see many more miracles.

Following God and Serving

You have to make a choice in life who you will serve. Either you choose God or you will end up serving something else. Maybe it will be someone good and fair. But can they give you blessings or eternal life. God says in His word how much he loves us. Even at our worst he wants us to come to him. He wants to make your life the very best that it could ever be.

God doesn’t just desire a casual acquaintance. He wants a relationship with you. Spending time together. Good quality time. As I was growing up I was blessed with a good Christian family. He blessed me in so many ways that I didn’t even realize till I was almost fifty. Things I took for granted. I didn’t know what I had. A loving Christian family with both a mom and dad who adored each other.

Loving and caring brothers and a sister who shared everything with me. We were in church each Sunday. My family read the word together during are great family dinners each night. Vacation Bible school spent with my friends making crafts and bible learning games and skits.

In summertime I went to church camp for a week and spent time with God meeting new friends. But other than that I just lived my life. I knew all about God and Bible stories. I could name all the books in the Bible and got a trophy for that but, didn’t really do anything about it. I was a Christian from five years old but I didn’t really know Him.

Even as an adult I attended church with my family but did not have any fruit in my life. I was a good person but had no personal relationship with God or Christ. I didn’t spend much time with Him beyond church just living my life. It wasn’t till I had my stroke and started looking deeper into who God really was to me. I met a wonderful woman who loved God so much and was always talking about her and God. All he did for her and all she was doing for Him. She was our care home chaplain .

She knew something I didn’t. I was determined to find out. At the time I had committed to reading my bible every morning. That was a good start because I would start in Genesis and read every word. Then start all over again. I would read several pages each day. After a few years I was really understanding who God was and how he would act in different situations.

I told myself this is God’s Holy inspired word and I would believe each and every word. This started changing my behavior. I would be careful to keep his commands and do what he said. Each time I would read a new thought would pop up. I didn’t remember reading before.

I decided to listen to Christian music and would sit outside with my earphones on and listen for a long time. One year I made a resolution to start praying every day. For my family, my caregivers, my nurses and my church chaplain. These prayers grew from five minutes to where I now wake up when the caregivers check on me at 4:00am till breakfast comes at 8:30. Some of that time I nod off or sit and listen to God chat with me.

He will tell me so much and time spent with him is so sweet. I can think of so many people to pray for and so much to bring to him that I sometimes keep praying longer.

If you don’t have a dream of your own then start by praying for others. I prayed for everyone in my life and their dreams, I prayed for more love for others. More love for God and his ways. Then just watch God work. Until you have your own dream to pray for like living the life he gave me.

The relationship I share with God is so great. I have seen so many prayers answered and every day I spend more and more time with him.

I always start every morning thanking him for a brand new day to spend with him.

And always tell him to help me do all he has for me. Let me be part of what you are doing in the word. He has made my life so exciting and has shown me so many things to do for Him.

Following him now means finding a need and helping to fill it. I spend my time trying to make others happy. That might mean teaching a bible study about my closest friend. The one I love spending time with. New Year’s Day he gave me an awesome gift he told me we were leaving this nursing home and returning to my family home in the pines.

He has a lot of new things to teach me and new things to do for him there. I will be living in a home with in home help. I don’t know what my life has in store for me. What challenges I might face. But, I know who does and am willing to follow him to the ends of the world to do it all.