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Light

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“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

We are here to be a bright light shining in this dark world. To be totally set apart and different than others in this world. People are watching everything we do to see if we are really different and what is so special about us. People may know we are Christian’s but do we act differently? Do we have something they desire. Is there peace in trials, is there greater love and compassion, do we really care about people? Are we people of integrity and reliability. We are called to share the gospel with people but sometimes actions speak louder than words and you don’t really have to say anything. I had a stroke so people don’t always understand me or I speak too quietly. Sometimes a quiet person can speak the loudest. It isn’t what you say but what you do that counts. People who make a name for themselves are people who leave a lasting impression, not necessarily preaching or teaching but just being different in a good way. I think of people I admire and their lives say it all. They are unforgettable. You have to be focused on Jesus and spend time abiding with him. When you are spending time in his presence he will rub off on you and you will be more like him. His behaviors will become your behaviors. Something drew people to Jesus and it was his great love and compassion. Peace was in his life. People wanted to be around him. Do people know you are God’s kid? Will they thank God for someone like you in their lives?

The One Way

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“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.

Woman of God

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“She is clothed with strength and dignity. And she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” Proverbs 31:25-26

I want to be the strongest woman I can be. My daughters are always giving me plaques and I have one for each of these scriptures. Some people are afraid of death. Well in 2005 I had a massive stroke while I was at the doctor’s office of all places. I was just about to leave when I blacked out for a few minutes and I told the doctor something was very wrong. The next thing I knew I couldn’t move or speak and in my head I was screaming call 911. He thought I was unconscious because I wasn’t responding but I was very aware of everything. He did call 911 and I just remember feeling such peace. I could feel God saying it is ok I’m in control. For the next few hours I don’t remember much but when I did remember everyone was coming to see how I was doing if I was going to be ok. The doctors said I probably wouldn’t make it and if I didn’t want to live to let them know. At first I just thought take me home to heaven because I had accepted Christ as my savior as a teenager but then I realized I have three daughters and a husband who need me so I told them I chose to live by shaking my head. Now I laugh about dying and say I’m ready whenever you want me. I will probably live to be 100 because longevity runs in my family. I’m looking forward to that day. I’m also mindful of my words and always try to say what Jesus would say not what I think people want to hear. I pray that God will give me the words I need to say. I want him directing my thoughts. Another plaque says, ‘she talked to God and this made her lovely.’ I want people to like me because I speak what God tells me to say. I will always try to do the next right thing. I know that I can’t be perfect but God knows I have a perfectionist mentality and I want to do all that I can. I think all people should be the best they can be and never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. What do you think?

Blessings

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‘And God is able to bless you abundantly, so in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

The God that we serve loves to bless. Especially if you are one of his children. If you are one of his kids he will bless you abundantly and keep blessing you because you love him and want to further his kingdom. He will also bless you financially when you show God that you can be trusted to use your finances to further the kingdom. The more you give the more you get, because you can’t out give God, My niece adopted two special, hard to place children that have lots of needs. They just bought a beautiful big house at way less than most homes and everything just fell into place. They have four children and are very busy people but they couldn’t be any happier. I also know others who have adopted special needs children and God always meets all of their needs and has totally blessed their lives and these kids totally bless their lives. Whenever you are a blessing you will be blessed. God also made us to be creative. He gave us dreams and visions and an imagination to see these dreams come about in our lives. Without a dream the people perish. Only humans can create and make a difference with their lives. He wants us to love others and to love them into his kingdom. He wants a really big family in heaven one day. When we are loving others and helping to meet their needs he will continue to bless us. You can’t be happier than when you are blessing people.

Love NEVER Fails

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“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galations 5:14

God is love and God is perfect. He will continue to love everyone he has ever created with perfect love because he knows everyone’s thoughts and needs completely. We are not perfect though and we will make mistakes that can cause us added problems as well as sins. I There are consequences for sin. I know I would do anything for my children but I will fail them because I don’t always know their needs or wants. Let me try to explain in a way most will understand. I use my iPad every day and write on it. I got new charger cables that are magnetic. When I first plug them in they glow as they are charging. When they are perfectly charged it shows 100%. God’s love is flowing continuously at 100%. We can cause draining to happen by our own imperfection. We can even have God’s perfect love when it doesn’t feel like it. We might not even know what we really need. Or even how he is also working on millions of others needs and that also is a factor. He won’t fail to love anyone perfectly. With the spirits strength we can love others as we love ourselves. That won’t be perfect but it will make a big impact on the lives involved. Treating others how we want to be treated is way more than most people do. If you really know how much God loves each human life and you treat them like they matter to you also you will be following God’s law. Maybe not perfectly but in your heart you are.

Sickness

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“When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’” John 11:4

We all have trials and sickness and we have no control over it. We have been given authority to command the enemy to get his hands off of us. But what if nothing seems to work? Do you still trust God? He can have many reasons why things progress as they do. He could be strengthening us. Like he did Job when he challenged him. It made him a better man. Or I know firsthand that nearly dying will cause you to rethink your lifestyle. I have talked to other people besides myself and they tend to draw closer to God once you realize that you were not living right and causing yourself destruction with your life choices that can be selfish and prideful. The awesome thing is that God is always in control and he knows what’s best. Doctors can be confused why a patient doesn’t get better when they are doing everything right. Then things can turn around all at once and make a miraculous recovery. They may die when we don’t understand why they weren’t healed. Maybe their work on earth was finished and God is ready to reward them for a life well lived. We do have to die one day so that we can enjoy an eternity with him in heaven. I don’t think anyone gets to paradise and doesn’t want to be there no matter how much their family and friends want them here. Some people have died and had a near death experience that they can share to encourage others. Trials are a part of life so embrace them and see what God is trying to do in your life.

New Year, New Plan

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I watched some New Year’s resolutions people were making last night when I couldn’t sleep. They were interesting and got me thinking. I always tell myself that if I just do the next right thing that I don’t need to make resolutions. But this was more. They were really making plans to do the next right thing in detail. There are so many things that take a little thought that you can implement throughout the year. Do some investigating of charities that you can support on a regular basis. Tithing at your local church. Do you realize only 10% of people actually tithe anymore but you really can’t afford not to. Tithing makes the world go round. What about the over abundance of stuff you have and don’t need. Who could be blessed by it. Give it away. Become a blessing to others by giving, tipping, giving compliments and encouragement. Speak life and not complaining and grumbling over yourself and others. Go out of your way to talk to people and lift them up. Work in different ministries and help out those in need and the marginalized. I always thought that because I’m in a wheelchair that I can’t do much but there is so much I can do. Offering to pray for others that may seem down or just might be a little grumpy because of what they are currently going through in their life. Life can be difficult and people have many battles they are going through. Rejoice over the little things throughout the day. There are so many things to be thankful for. People in other countries have so much less than Americans do but yet they are so much more grateful for all that they do have. What can you do to make a difference in your world in 2024.

All In

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“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession , that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

At one time I knew there was a God but I didn’t know God. Once God is revealed to you it changes everything. My eyes were opened and I knew that I knew that there was no other way for me. I remember I had been searching for more and decided to do whatever it took. Well one day I heard God speak to me that he loved me just like he loved David. Who me? David was a man after Gods own heart. But it says in the Bible that God loves everyone the same. He doesn’t have favorites. That really stuck with me. The more I sought the Lord the more he opened my eyes. You never know how much you need Jesus until you realize you could never live without him and you just want more. Before I wasn’t one of his chosen people but once I was, his grace and mercy became so evident in my life. Every day his mercy is more and more, giving me the strength, wisdom and desire to be all that he created me to be. It’s not up to me. I can do nothing good without him. I can try and wear myself out trying but it is his work in me that makes the difference. The life of a child of God can be so exciting if you let it and cooperate with God. He is doing so much all the time. It is not a boring life by any stretch of the imagination. It can be very exciting.. First of all his ways are not our ways. He will do whatever is necessary to meet different people right where they are. Example: he took a young shepherd boy and made him a giant slayer with a few rocks and then made him a very famous king. When you work for him and his kingdom you never know what you’ll experience. Some pretty cool stuff. Miracles! The more you ask for in prayer the more you can see. Healings, battling Satan and his evil bunch and just seeing God moving in the lives of different people around you. And he uses everyone that is willing to be used in awesome ways. Who knows what he has for your life next.

Onward Christian Soldiers

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“For are struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

As Christian’s we are in Gods army, everyone of us. It is not just for pastors or the leaders around us but he has called each of us. When you become a soldier of the American army you are sent to boot camp to learn what will be required of you. To receive your weapons and all important orders that you will need to do your job and stay alive. It’s very important that you use everything given to you to get the job done. Well it is no different with God. First of all he has given us his word written thousands of years ago but still very relevant for our lives today. He has given us his Holy Spirit to give us guidance and counsel and the strength to do what we need to do. He has given us the armor we will need to fight. The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith. Everyone’s battle looks different. I remember the last few years I told God I didn’t understand why I had this stroke because it left me broken and unable to do much anymore. What could I possibly offer to God? Well he has plans for everyone and he will use everyone that will be used right where they’re at. I am in a wheelchair and speak with difficulty because of aphasia. People have difficulty understanding me and I can’t just get around and do everything like I once did but, God helps me write and communicate through my writing with people around the world, thanks to the World Wide Web. I write books, devotionals, and a blog. I am encouraging others in their Christian walk. Maybe he called you to feed the homeless or provide needs for the needy. To provide a service that is really needed or just to lift people up and encourage them. When Jesus called the apostles he didn’t pick leaders and perfect people that had everything together. The people he used in the Bible in powerful ways were usually the week and humble that didn’t see it in themselves. Perfect for God because that just makes him look good and even more powerful. The ones he has a hard time using are the ones who think they can do it themselves. They don’t need God or his help. So get out there and serve or love on others but be available for whatever God has for you. He will reward you greatly one day.

Good Isn’t Good Enough

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“I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me.” John 14:6

There is nobody good except God. There is nothing we can ever do to make us good enough to stand before a Holy God. But his son was willing to give up everything to become a man, not just any man. He only did the work that he saw his father doing and that was a miracle considering he was tempted in every way that we are and yet he did not sin. He lived a perfect life. Without sinning. He was hated, abused, despised, and brutally murdered so that we would never have to be separated from our Heavenly Father. We can be joint heirs with him to all God has for his family. Oh, and God desires a really big family. This is why he allowed his son’s death. Oh, Satan thought he had won when he got Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus but it was the ultimate setup and Satan lost. I had a chance this week to hear Bill Weiss, an excellent speaker who went to hell for 20 minutes. What he saw would horrify anyone. You can google him I’m sure. It is well worth hearing. It is worse than you could ever imagine. The pain, the horrible smells, the isolation and darkness. Nothing good, only horror forever. He has spoken everywhere and even to atheists. One he spoke to said God won’t send me to hell because I’ve never done anything really wrong and I’m a good guy. And Bill told him a simple story. There was this guy, an average guy, but he had heard of this rich guy that had a really nice mansion on a beautiful estate. This guy longed to live there and be someone important. But do you think he could just drive up to this estate and knock on the door and they would welcome him in. No, I’m sure they would have extensive security. They didn’t know this guy. Well God wishes to make everyone members of his family and he even let his son die to see that happen. All he wants is for you to accept his son, which is the gift he has for you that is free. To have a real relationship and to ask for forgiveness for not being perfect, which nobody is, and not meeting Gods standards. Then serving him and living by the house rules, which by the way lead to the best life possible. And then when you die you get the mansion in paradise forever with all of his riches and love and then spend forever with a really big family that loves you.