Living Holy

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit .” Galatians 5:25

As children of God we are to be like him. We are not to try to earn our salvation by doing works but we need to be changed. Think about how Jesus acted while he was here on earth. He was to show us God. He was here to do just what his Father had for him to do, just how his Father wanted. If you ask yourself what Jesus would do in any situation, then you would know what the Spirit would do also since they are all one. Would he hang out at the local pub? He may have drunk wine but he didn’t get drunk or disorderly. He never got angry and yelled at somebody. He wouldn’t look at a hungry, homeless person and walk the other way. He wouldn’t even use the word hate about anything let alone one of God’s creation. He would heal, encourage, and take care of those who couldn’t care for themselves. He would spend time with God in prayer. Go to the synagogue and read God’s word to others. He got upset with priests that were not doing God’s will. He told people to sin no more, because bad things would happen if they kept sinning. He wanted people to have an abundant life and to do God’s will so they would be blessed. He taught many things that should be done because he wanted us to know God’s will. It was all done with great love and respect, not in a bossy way. Just because the Spirit dwells in us because we asked God into our hearts doesn’t mean we no longer sin. We need to do things God wants us to do even if it’s not always easy. It makes God happy and we will be blessed.

Seeing Is Believing

“…to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” Isaiah 42:7

What we see with our natural eyes is not always the truth. When our eyes become dim because of sin or just a wrong focus they can be deceiving. When I was in my 30’s i was trying to drive in a snow storm one night and just couldn’t see clearly. My husband told me I probably needed glasses. Well I went to Costco and got me some and when I put them on I couldn’t believe the difference. When our focus is not on God and his ways we can get confused. We can see all that God does for us every day and miracles are always around if we look for them. Blindness is not just a physical condition and being captive is not just where you are at but mental. Being Christian’s makes us God’s children and he equips us to deal with the lies of our enemies, namely satan. He always loves to twist the truth to confuse us. To make us think we are fighting a loosing battle but that’s not true. He who is for us is greater than he who is against us and Jesus has already won our victory. We can constantly be afraid of what may not happen to us and keep us in bondage in the right now, because God can take care of us and he knows the devils plans and tricks. Don’t worry about tomorrow because God already has that covered, let the world worry about those things. Most of what they face is negative because of sin and poor choices. When you are serving the Lord and studying his words and praying over your life and the lives of your family. God is watching over you. He’s got your back and he will never stop.

Forgiveness

“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13

Everyone is different and some have done terrible things but whether you are rich or poor, black or white, or young or 99 you matter to God. One sin isn’t blacker than another but sin is sin. He has no favorites but loves everyone the same. He loves you before you are even born and right up till you die. When he said Everyone it was capitalized for a reason. Someone may have murdered and had stolen and committed adultery many times but he didn’t say if you’re good enough you might be saved. He said Everyone Will be saved. The second you call on the Lord, in the blink of your eyes, it is done. He forgives everything and doesn’t even remember it anymore so don’t keep dragging it up. He said, “as far as the east is from the west.” You can go west and never stop. It goes forever. Jesus bled and died and his blood is enough. He wasn’t murdered, but it was an intricate played out plan so that one day when we breathe our last breath we will instantly be in the presence of the Lord, forever. You do not have to be perfect, Jesus did that for you. You will still sin, because nobody’s perfect. Sin hurts you more than it hurts God because it gives a foothold for satan to bring terrible things in your life and it blinds you to Gods goodness. But you will want to walk differently because of all your life could be, and because if you love your savior you’ll want to show it. But it does take faith, believe that you truly are saved and you will please God, knowing that Jesus is enough and you believe it is done. His grace and mercy are extended to you every day and they are more than enough. The more you believe the more exciting life gets here on earth. So let’s bring as much heaven down to earth as we can.

Perfect God

“…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” Titus 1:2

God is perfect because he is constantly doing things that speak of his awesome power and omnipotence. If he says he can’t lie and nobody can prove differently, then who could know more? God knows more about everything than we do and he knows what will work in every situation. He knows how to have an awesome and abundant life. Character is proven over time. He has been proving himself for thousands of years over and over again. Have you ever known anyone who would never lie, even a little innocent lie? If every word is true and every fact that happened in his words is true, isn’t that amazing? I see things around me every day that blow me away and billions of people are seeing even more. Just some of the miracles I’ve seen just this year, not to mention for the last thousands of years, are unbelievable but true. Just look at everything around you. Now imagine them just appearing in all their perfect intricacies and abilities. No we didn’t just evolve from dust, and where did the dust evolve from? I know what I’m capable of and I’m not downplaying my abilities but some things I think of just aren’t coming from my brain. There is no way I knew that. I have to much reason to believe God is just what he says he is and believe everything is true.

Overcomes

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

We are extremely special because we have been chosen and called by God. That means we are Gods children and we are royalty. Just as kings and queens have their people all around them we also have our entourage around us. We don’t have to do it on our own anymore. Life can be difficult and challenging and we don’t always feel up for the task but that doesn’t mean we give up. I often feel inadequate because my body just doesn’t do what I ask it to do anymore. But when those times come, and they do all the time, I tell myself that I can do all things with Christ who gives me strength. Then I pray for a little help and God does. It might just be reaching for something just out of my reach or something I don’t really think I can do. But I really hate to ask for help, I like being independent. But then sometimes it’s good to let others help too. To be humble enough to ask. God has really helped me stay independent though. He gives wisdom and perseverance when you just can’t go on. Those in the world don’t understand how great it is to have insider information and help that is always there for you. Someone who loves you so very much and is always a shout away. When you are struggling with a mountain that seems to be right in front of you such as a cancer diagnosis or loss of a job or worse when someone you love dies how can you go on? Gods always there and the answer is just around the corner. He always comes through for you. The world has a lack of hope and strength. And suicide is on the rise especially with younger people. But there is hope and there is an answer for everyone can have that help if they just ask and believe.

Holy

“You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” Leviticus 20:26

What is it to be holy? Declared sacred or consecrated. Devoted to the service of God. Devout and saintly and full of pure love. So if one has asked God to forgive them is that enough? It is really a heart issue. And only God truly knows your heart but you need to want to see your life changed 180 degrees. We don’t want to have fleshly desires any more. We want to have God desires. What would Jesus do? That’s a real good place to start. Does that mean we have to be perfect? Nobody’s perfect and if you are trying to be perfect who are you trying to please. God knows you won’t be perfect but you do need him to help you be as perfect as possible. If you try to do it yourself you will die trying and that is works plus grace which is not why Christ died for you. He died so you could be accepted by God just like he accepts his son. You are a joint heir and the hard work has already been done. We still need to change by spending time with God and in his word. Attending a local Christ based church. Fellowshipping with other Christians regularly. When you start to keep your eyes focused on Jesus and all he has and is doing for you and living a grateful life, thankful life you will feel so much peace and love. It just feels so much different when you aren’t struggling to be perfect but taking each day as it comes and rejoicing in each moment with him. This did not come for me till I was already 60 but when I started getting it, it came fast and God just kept giving me new revelations every day. Thankfulness was the biggest change and every day I thought of new things I was thankful for. Now I find myself saying thank you a whole lot. God is always doing stuff for his children and he has done so much for us already and even if he doesn’t answer my prayers exactly how I want and when I want that’s ok. His ways are so much better than mine anyway. I seen more all the time.

Useless Learning

“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21-22

I have the opportunity where I live to hear people speak their mind. And so many things they say are so sad and wrong. Not just wrong in my eyes but in Gods. People really do understand that there is a creator and they use words like hallelujah, or thank God, or you,re blessed. But they don’t really understand what they’re saying. People spend a lot of time and money to get smarter and have the credentials to prove it. But the smarter they get the less truth they actually know. Considering what professors are teaching them as truth, which is a bunch of false truths. It is no wonder. My granddaughter just started college this last fall and I know the things she will face and I am so concerned and pray that her strong upbringing will stay strong. Just the curriculum of education now days is so distorted and even some teachers don’t believe it but they are paid to teach it. So is it any wonder that college students who believed in God don’t end up continuing to believe because they believe college professors are right. Staying strong with God takes work to keep the fire burning, even for a strong Christian. Reading the word of God, studying it, memorizing it, and putting it to use. Fellowship with other strong Christians. We are stronger together and God is for us so whoever is against us can’t prevail against us. People who put their trust in anything but God will not have the strength they need to stand in the world today. So, do not trust in your education, your job, your friends, your money or your lovers. They may not even be on your side like only God can be. You can appreciate people and stand strong with them and support them. But remember to always seek God first and encourage them to do the same.

Seeking

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

The Lord is always working on behalf of his children. There are so many things he is doing that we don’t see. This life can be so exciting because it isn’t necessarily just what we can see. We also have a spiritual world and it is very busy. The more we spend time with the Lord the more we discover. When you know him and his ways and promises you have so much more power to face this life. What works and what doesn’t work and how to have an abundant life. I know personally I can’t get enough. The more I know the more prepared and equipped I am to do things well. I pray more and more all the time because all prayers are answered but so many times it’s a miracle that comes and that’s exciting. You’ve heard you don’t get what you don’t ask for. That is so true and I have seen God do some amazing things that I didn’t even think could happen and now I can pray bold prayers believing. God doesn’t always answer the way we would ask but he knows better and has a better plan than we do. The more we open ourselves to God’s ways, the more we are open for the impossible because nothing is impossible with God. When you stop expecting and just let God surprise you, you will watch amazing things start to happen. I love to read what people have to say about God and what he is doing in this world. Some pretty amazing and exciting stuff is going on around us and we don’t even know half of it. People just don’t know what they are missing out on by focusing on the world around them.

Tasting

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

I have so many people around me who have believed lies and untruths about the Lord and I’m always wondering what I would tell them if the opportunity arose. God says we should always know the hope we have and why we believe. But the biggest reason is that I know things that they may never know because I have seen and felt Gods goodness. I think of it like anything I’ve learned to love. I love good food. I think food can be an amazing experience. Like a juicy fresh strawberry or pineapple. I remember the first time I tried crab legs soaked in hot butter. They were sooo good. Well God made all of that for us to enjoy because nothing is too good for his children. He is so much better than everything. I grew up going to church every time the doors were open and I learned all the Bible stories and I lived a great life. But I didn’t really think about God much. It wasn’t till I wanted more and decided to go all in and search for more that I started to learn more. God had taught me a lot but I was still eating baby food. Baby food is somewhat bland. I started praying every day about everything that affected my life. I started reading all I could about God. I began going to church every week and got to know some great people. I would sit and listen to praise music all morning and listen to what others had to say about God. As I started to immerse myself in him he began teaching me things. The more you pray the more miracles you will see. And the more I saw the more I prayed for others and everything I might feel I needed. It was all giving more flavors of God. Now I’m getting new revelations every day and I know that my God is amazing me and blowing me away so much all the time. I couldn’t imagine not having God in my life every minute. I can’t take my eyes off of him. He is so exciting in some amazing things he has done. People love fantasy and make believe because we wish there was more to life. Well there is but their eyes are blinded by pride, greed, and evil. They keep their eyes focused on all that isn’t good and away from all that is good. I can see why they are jaded. I have never felt happier, and my life in a nursing home is not much. Every day is exciting with God. Have you ever fallen in love? Nobody is perfect and they have flaws, but butterflies flutter in your stomach and every day brings so much happiness. Gods kind of love will never let us down and there is so much more every day. So take a taste and see.

Stability

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still’, then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:39

God is the one who created everything and he has control over everything. every day dawn comes to a brand new day and the sun sets every day when it is time to rest up for another brand new day. The thing about brand new days is that we can always have a do over. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make changes or ask for forgiveness so you can go for a better life. Tides come in and tides go out. Winds blowing keep the weather changing at the proper time bringing rain or snow when needed. God is so good and he knows just what we need. The animals don’t worry, they know their next meal will be provided. Everyone has bumps in their road and everyone’s bumps are different but God is more than able to smooth the road. It brings so much peace to let God be God and trust him. We don’t have control even if we like to think we do. What will be, will be. We can do all we can to do all that we can to cooperate with the God who is in charge. We do our part by keeping his commandments and always praying and seeking wisdom we can keep the bumps to a minimum. There are always rocks in the road but we need to keep our eyes, not on the rocks but on the one who knows the beginning and the end of the road. And one day God is going to say, ‘Son it’s time for you to go get your bride.!” And there will be no more rocks, forever. Amen