Category: Gods power

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastics 3:1

This world keeps spinning around and there is nothing new under the sun. Everything has a purpose. Everyone is born at just the perfect time for them. There purpose is for that exact period of time. This morning I welcomed my tenth grandchild into the world. It never gets old. But one day that child will grow up and God will call him home. Nobody enjoys saying goodbye to a loved one. But if they know the Lord it is a big promotion. Their very best days are ahead and if we truly love them we’ll realize all that’s ahead and be excited for them. There is a time to plant and uproot. We are told to sow what we wish to reap but if we sow anger and struggles we may need God to help us rip them out. So we can move forward with a good life. A time to kill and heal. We should pray when we need healing and believe that God is more than able. But sometimes the best healing comes through death and that can be a blessing also. A time to build and a time to tear down. I’m sure you have seen a building implosion torn down when it was no longer able to be patched. Well are lives can get to that point as well but God can and will rebuild what is broken. That’s his specialty. A time to weep and a time to laugh. We all enjoy laughter and good times. Times with family and a great vacation but we also have hurts in this world and it’s ok to be sad. A time to mourn and a time to dance. David danced before the Lord with all his might and sometimes when we a mourning we need to realize that God is so good to us and to start dancing and you will see a breakthrough. There is a time to search and a time to give up. Sometimes we can be so stuck in fixing a problem that we are only seeing what we ourselves can do to make it better and we need to give it up to the God who is in control and is so good. He knows the answer but sometimes he needs us to get out of the way. A time to be silent and a time to speak. This is a very important one. Have you ever felt God say, just keep quiet. Usually before we put our foot in our mouth. He can also have something we need to say to someone that they really need to hear. A time for war and a time for peace. Just as when the Assyrians came against the Israelites God had said it would happen because they wouldn’t repent from evil. He has also told us that in the last days there would be many wars. But he keeps his word and this is a time for us to be excited about. Because Jesus we be returning soon. We need to be praying for those who don’t know him. Now more than ever.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

This is a multiple layered dessert that really needs to be broken down in small bites to be appreciated. Each bite has so much deliciousness in it. God has done so much for us and given us so much. He deserves all of our praise and adoration every day. Not only did he give us his very own son to move out of heaven and all the way to earth just so he could experience everything that we experience and so he could better relate to us and have greater compassion for us. He then could see people just like God does and care for them and teach them how to live God’s way and the very best way for them. He then allowed himself to be beaten and scourged and humiliated to the point of death paying our debt for our sins. So we wouldn’t have to. Buying for us that perfect mercy and grace as well as healing of Almighty God. Now we can become his very own children so he can lavish affection on us. He does not want us doing things that will harm us and ultimately can’t satisfy us. Do you desire to please yourself and those around you more than what is really good for you. I know I did at one time and it brought a lot of hurt and pain to me and my whole family. It almost destroyed everything I had worked so hard for. A you know what it all seams stupid and ridiculous to me now. How empty and shallow my life was. Now that my eyes are focused on my prize, Jesus, I can have so much more. The world holds nothing for me anymore just my friends and family and the people in my life matter to me. Yes, God made some really great things and I will enjoy them but I only live for Jesus now. His kingdom has so much to offer right here on earth that I could never explain. You have to taste it yourself to love it. Until you understand the real truth of God’s words and their transforming power and they come alive in your life you will honestly never understand. But just as we are his branches and he is our vine, or our true power source, we were never meant to be apart from his power. We can not really do anything good without him. Whether it’s good for us or those around us it all comes from him because he is the source of all goodness.

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2

God is not vengeful or angry because we sin. He loves us and does not wish to see us doing things that he knows are not good for us. God can not do anything but good because he is good and perfect. By sinning we are sowing sin and yes it will come back to us in evil. But only Satan causes evil. God may allow evil if it brings glory to God and it is used for our good. Let me give you an example. I had a severe stroke when I was only 45, but I had been running from God and was living a destructive lifestyle. God allowed the stroke to wake me up and it did. It was really bad and I almost died but God had me in the palm of his hands. I had to work very hard but I now have a wonderful life. Yah the stroke was an awful thing and I lost everything I thought was important in my life. But I gained the one thing I didn’t even know I desperately needed. I realized that there was more to life than just me and I began to search for more and I found a wonderful relationship with my savior that I never knew before. People are always praying for God to heal me and restore what I have lost but he has healed me inside and that is more valuable than any physical healing could ever be. I am more grateful and blessed than I can imagine. If I am right where he wants me than I can’t have anything better. I have learned my purpose in the world and my handicap is a large part of it. I am touching more people right where I’m at and that has done so much for me. I still have struggles. We all will. Mine are just different from others. I have a pretty easy life because everyone does everything for me because I can’t. So it’s a pretty comfortable life of reading and writing and enjoying life. But life is just what you make it. Or how you appreciate what you have been given. It’s a treasure worth enjoying.

“Lord do not hold this sin against them .” When he had said this he fell asleep.”

Forgiveness does not hurt you but unforgiving can hurt us greatly. It is a noose around our neck that continues to tighten and a weight that gets heavier the longer you hold that unforgiving in your heart. I love this verse because it says that as soon as he asks God not to hold this sin against them he falls asleep. No more pain of boulders hitting your body, bones breaking or fear. Sleep is peaceful and then waking up to the face of Jesus. Can anything be better than that. When he awoke there was such a party waiting for him. Considering how he died they were probably there to pat him on the back. But the greatest reward will come from the father who always loves to be gracious and proud of his children. Another thing that stood out to me was Paul standing by watching. When Stephen told God not to hold this against them Paul was probably the biggest instigator. He may have thought he was doing the right thing and helping God out by protecting his name but that unforgiveness was probably what helped Paul to forgive himself after he was transformed into the mighty man of God he became. If Stephen had not forgiven would Paul have gone on to write a large chunk of the Bible and bring about the saving of many lives. And even the Gentile people who wouldn’t be saved without Paul’s work and ministry. I know I am one very grateful Gentile. People don’t know why others do what they do because they have not walked in their shoes. Nobody knows the things they have faced in their lives. Hurting people tend to hurt people and holding the hurt against them only hurts you. You may lash out at them making them more miserable and less likely to ever be able to forgive themselves or think that God would ever forgive them. But the most important thing you are alive on planet earth for is to love others into the kingdom of heaven. How much harder are you making it for them by holding that grudge. Should people be cruel and hurtful? No. But oftentimes they do not understand the circumstances correctly and don’t even understand why they lash out the way they do but once it’s done it can’t be undone. I know myself I never want to do anything to hurt others but if I’m scared or misunderstood and get frustrated I can panic and fight or flight takes over and I eventually regret my behavior. God is currently working on this in me but it is very difficult for me. But Jesus told us to forgive and it is a command just like do not kill. Considering all he has forgiven me and others of without even thinking about it. I definitely need to forgive others because I wouldn’t want to be unforgiven for any of my mistakes and sins.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

We are all children of the most high God. Whether we acknowledge him or even want anything to do with him. Or even if we don’t even acknowledge that he exists. He still loves us. Even if you did not feel understood or loved by your family. Maybe you ran from them trying to find love and acceptance. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t love you. Maybe they spend every day worrying about you and hoping you come back home. It takes a mother and a father to be your parents. They loved and created you but ultimately God is your father, he is the one who gave you life. I have been reading a book about royalty, lords and dukes, kings and queens, during war times. People are normally taught to respect royalty and authority but we are all just humans. We all make mistakes and no one is more important than another. No one is more special than another . But we are also all royalty. The King of kings, Lord of lords, the most high authority of this planet is our papa and he loves us fiercely. He loves all his children equally and has told us to love others better than ourselves. He wants us to have great respect for our brothers and sisters because that is who they are really. We are all temporarily based on this planet trying to get by. We can do so much more if we just get along in unity. If we just learn to see each other through God’s eyes of love and compassion we will be so much better off. Treating others better and how you would like to be treated. We all want to be respected and loved. God has done all he can to get his kids to love each other. Now we just need to love him and thank him for that. If not he will still love us. Nothing we could do will make him love us more he already adores us. And he has time so he’ll keep waiting.

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

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

People can say what they will about God, but until you have see his love and goodness and faithfulness for yourself you don’t know God. You also don’t know what you’re missing. I love good food and fresh food. Fresh fruits and vegetables mixed just right together can be so amazing. I remember when I was first married my husband had a nephew that would only eat hot dogs with ketchup or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He was very finicky. I remember one day someone made him a grilled cheese sandwich and he was amazed that it was so good. People just don’t get what they are missing by sticking with what they have always had or done. When I moved to the nursing home they had brussel sprouts and I had never tried them and I liked them. I also found that I loved fresh spinach salad. I would probably never have tried them but they were there so I tried them and liked them. When I was a teenager my parents decided to teach me to cook. They had me put together a menu and write up a shopping list. I loved shopping for food but I often spent too much because there were so many new and exciting foods to try. I always loved to experiment with different foods that looked good. I would buy lots of fresh ingredients and try to come up with cool ways to mix them together. My niece has to eat through a feeding tube because she just can’t eat anything. I feel she is missing so much but she doesn’t know any different because that is all she’s ever had. But God made some pretty great foods and great chefs that have created some amazing dishes. It sure would be a shame to miss something. God is the same way. Every time I read his words in the Bible I learn something new. I am almost 64 and have really learned so much the last several years because I have made a point of being intentional and learning all I can about him. I pray for so many people and God answers in so many awesome ways and it really encourages me, which just makes me ask bolder prayers that also get answered. So do yourself a favor and try something new. You’ll never know just what you’re missing, without taking the risk of not preferring something, to really find something you love. The peace that God can give shouldn’t be missed out on.

Christianity is not a religion. All religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Islam, Paganism, amongst others are based on things you need to do. None have a leader that is alive and that loves their followers and will do anything to really help them in life. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ who willingly came to earth as a man to show how to live a full life. He died by crucifixion but came back to life after three days and was seen in bodily form by many and there is historical proof. He wants to know us deeply. Just as in a marriage you know your spouse intimately. At first your relationship is like a father and child. One of great love and security. He takes care of your needs and loves you like you are his only child. After you get to know him better because you talk to him in prayer and read more about him in the Bible. When you really get to know him and become intimate it grows like a marriage.When you are married it is for better or worse and you are still married even if you don’t do everything they ask. You are accepted completely up front. They may have things they prefer a certain way but they accept who you are because they already love you. You don’t realize how much you need Jesus until one day you realize you could never live without him and one day you will get to be with him forever in paradise which is perfect. You do the things he asks because you trust him and love him so much that you desire to see him smile at you. You don’t wish to do anything that would hurt him. You see all the wonderful things he has given you and he does for you every day. Simple things like the sun coming up in the morning to a friend healed of cancer. You become so thankful and grateful and you are so blessed every day. There is a peace that comes from intimacy that the world could never give. And you know every breath is a gift and one day you will breathe your last breath and be in paradise forever.