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.

Prayers

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7

Jesus was so close to his Father and wanted to do everything to please his Father. But he was still human. He needed extra strength and wisdom to do what he was called to do just like we do but he also felt pain, anxiety and hurt. He had honest emotions just like we have so he does understand all we go through. But does that mean that God didn’t hear his cries? Of course God heard and he always hears are cries also. But sometimes we need to go through certain times for a very good reason. It may be just as simple as gaining strength. I know for sure I wouldn’t be the person I am today if not for the trials. It also has helped me grow in trust because I have seen God overcome so much in my life and in lives around me. We may want our prayers answered the way we want but that’s not always best because we don’t know all the ramifications. It doesn’t do us any good to get upset with God and basically demand our own way. That would just lead to hurt feelings and frustration. Just imagine if Jesus had not suffered and died on that cross. If there was no death there could be no resurrection. If Jesus had never been resurrected then we could never be resurrected either. I am so glad God stuck to the plan and one day I am assured eternal life in paradise with him forever.

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

Discipline In Love

“because the Lord disciplines those he loves. as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:12

Nobody likes to be disciplined but we all want to grow. To learn new truths and overcome problems and make a difference with our lives on this earth. But have you ever grown much while things are good and comfy? No! But after you have overcome a problem in your life, and seen how God was working all along you become more trusting. We all need to be able to trust God to do what he does best. When we do we can rest in the comfort of knowing that it’s not us who gets things done. He is always working in the lives of those that love him and are called to his purposes. This world is broken and Satan is always trying to get our eyes off of God and on our problems and what may happen. Of course most problems we worry about will never happen but in the meantime he has us so upset and worried. I used to always worry about death and pain, things I couldn’t control. But when I had my stroke and almost died I was in such peace. I am his and he was just working my life for the better. Since then my life has changed so much and I have such peace. I used to worry about having my needs met even though I made good money. Now that I have no income God has abundantly provided all of my needs and I always have money to give to the church and I always have an over abundance of stuff that I have to give away because I have only so much space where I live. I have learned that always praying first when I worry and spending more time praying for others in my life keeps my life rocking smoothly. God is always taking care of me and my concerns before they even show up because he loves me just like I am his little princess, and I am.

Blessings For Generations

“but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:6

This is such a special promise. Growing up I had a wonderful life and I thought everyone had the same things I had. My family had been serving the Lord for as long as I knew. My grandfather had a church and I was in it from my very beginning. All my extended family served the Lord and my parents loved all of us kids and we had a wonderful life. It wasn’t till I was grown that I saw people who didn’t have it so good. My kids married Christian’s and my grandkids loved the Lord. Then my daughter’s husband walked out on her and their three children. She was a very good mom and eventually met and married a great young man who loved the Lord and who adored her and her children. They had a baby and this week I saw a video of my daughter bouncing him on her lap and tickling him. He was squealing with laughter through the whole thing. He was just 3 months old and I just couldn’t get over how perfect we were made. He didn’t have to be taught to laugh, we were made to enjoy this life and rejoice. There is no way with all that we just know and can do that we just happened or evolved from an ape or a fish. We can learn and understand and have natural emotions and thoughts. I also watch people who don’t know the Lord struggle and have diseases and problems. I know that trials and problems come to everyone but not as much to those serving the Lord. People who don’t know the Lord have so many more trials that they bring on themselves with their lifestyle choices. This life can be hard and I appreciate every advantage I have and serving the Lord has proven to be so worth all the effort. Having somebody who is always giving you the strength day to day to do all that comes your way is so valuable. Also knowing that I am loved unconditionally by someone who will bless me and is in control of my future is so comforting also.

God’s Promises

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.” Psalms 119:140

God is good on his word. When God spoke to Abraham about his future he spoke as if it had already happened because in his mind it was done. Abraham could only see the problems. He was childless, he was old, and his wife was too old to have a child. Nothing is impossible for God though. God knows the beginning and the end of our story. He knew everything happening in Abraham’s life because they were God’s plans and he would bring them to pass precisely as planned. David was anointed as king years before it came about and it looked hopeless with everyone trying to kill him. But when he was ready God came through. He may be working on getting us ready also. His plans are perfect and they sometimes take time. When we are in the middle of crisis and trials it is very hard to see how it will all work out. I have watched God working in my life for years and he has always come through. Maybe not as fast as I would like but he is right on time every time. I pray for needs at my church and so many times in the back of my mind I’m thinking man this is bad and seems hopeless but God proves me wrong every time. People die but I do know that for those that know God there is no better place to be than in paradise with Jesus. Life really begins at death. This is one promise we don’t really think about. The promise of eternal life is a game changer. Christ was the first to raise from the grave but everyone with eternal life is also going to raise to life ever after. The human body doesn’t want to give up. But God has told us he has overcome death, hell , and the grave. That is the past, Satan wants us to believe it’s over but he isn’t in charge. God has always proven faithful. Can you think of any promises he hasn’t kept? No! Look at all the prophecies ever told and they happen precisely. That should at least convince people there is a God. A God who is patiently waiting for us to one day come to live forever with him.

Power

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

David knew one thing well. That praise and worship brought power. In front of his army he had worshipers. Because God is a Spirit we need to do things in his realm. We need that power 24/7 because we are dealing with principalities and powers that want bad things for us. They never sleep either. The more I have grown in my relationship with the Lord the more he has opened my eyes to the unseen world all around me. Life as a Christian can be very exciting as you see God working. He is always working and doing something good. First through prayer, we have so much power. He has said to ask what you will and not doubt and you can have what you are praying for. That does not make God a genie that answers all your wants but as we pray Gods will he will do what is best in every situation. I see so many miracles everyday and it just makes me pray more and about everything. Part of the power we seek is actually the armor he has given us to protect ourselves against the attacks of our enemy. The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and the most important is the sword of the Spirit because again the spirit is our power. When Christ died on that cross he took power from Satan and gives it to us and that is because we need it in this world if we want to overcome. The next thing we need is to know his words because they are truth and the more we know the more we can follow them and be in God’s will for us. He speaks to you with wisdom when you are seeking to do all he asks. People just don’t know how much more that you can get out of this life when you know how to live abundantly. It’s not just weakness and a crutch but so much more.

Christ As King

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:18

Jesus is our King and our leader he has shown us how to live to make a difference in this lost world. After his death on the cross and his resurrection he overcame the powers of evil and took the keys back from Satan to death, hell and the grave. Because all things are possible for him we no longer need to fear because he is in control and he knows what is best, always. Whenever we fear we need to pray. Paul was in prison and death could come any time to a prisoner. But he wrote that we are to fear nothing and to pray always. He knew that they could take his life, but that would just send him home to live with Jesus forever in paradise. That sounds like a win to me. After the Holy Spirit fell upon the people at Pentecost the church began with boldness. He was the very first to rise from the grave but now we too will rise when we go to the grave. Life forever with them in perfection. God was so excited when his son offered to die for the dying world in our place. And he was so proud of his son when he went through everything without sinning. What parent wouldn’t be. He was so excited he gave all power and authority to him. Everything and everyone would praise him for all eternity. Everything he spoke into existence in the very beginning was now reconciled, it was made perfect again. The blood Christ shed on the cross bought back so many things for us. And the son of God became our Princess of Peace. Our leader and King purchased it all for us.

Forgiveness

“Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing’.” John 23:34

Forgiveness is such an important thing for our own wellbeing. Holding onto unforgiveness doesn’t do anything to the other person. They probably have long ago forgotten about everything. They may not have even realized they hurt someone. It also gives yourself time to convince yourself that it might have been your fault and that you did play a part in it second guessing yourself. And holding on to hurt causes a chain to tighten around your neck becoming heavier and heavier Al the time. They say it is like drinking poison and hoping that it will eventually kill them. While the entire time you are dying a slow excruciating death. Jesus forgave everyone who ever treated him badly That is saying a lot because he was actually murdered for something he didn’t do in an extremely inhumane way. Roman crucifiction was designed to be the worst punishment you could experience, on purpose. He went through this of his own will. He could have bailed on us but he thought of each and everyone of creation and how much he loved us. He knew it was the only way that his Father could justify completely forgiving us. Something perfect had to die. Nobody is perfect! He has told us that if we forgive someone when we don’t want to then he can forgive us. His Father does. Do you want to risk not being forgiven by God. That penalty would be more than we could bear. And if Jesus hadn’t agreed to go through with it, where would we be? He even gives us the desire and strength to do the right thing. That doesn’t mean you will forget what was done to you but you will eventually not dwell on it constantly. It will no longer be able to torment you. And you can have peace about it. Do you want others to forgive you for your mistakes? Mistakes that may not have been intentional. God knows our thoughts and if we have forgiven or not. He doesn’t want us suffering needlessly so he tells us to forgive so we can be more like him and have peace. Peace with ourselves and with God.