Altar Sunday

What does the Altar mean to you? Does it play a significant role in your life as a follower of Jesus Christ? Share your thought with me on what Altar means to you.

There are many religions that use altars, but for God's people it is more than just a place of sacrifice. The altar is a place where we can go and visit with the Lord. It is a place where most often we hear and encounter Jesus in a more personal way. 

Has your time at the altar changed you? How? Oh, I want to hear those testaments. I want to hear of how God spoke to you when you met Him at the altar. 

Why do we not go the altar more? Have we become so concerned with what others would say, that we stay in our pew? 

Why, why is the altar not full? 

I will admit there have been times I have gone to the altar and began laying my heart out before the Lord, but have felt rushed, hurried, as though the music was going to stop and I would be the only one left there. Please tell me you have felt the same way. 

I hate that feeling! I just cannot begin to tell you that this sinner, needs more than a couple of minutes at the altar with Jesus. 

Will there ever come a time when the altars are full, full of people desperate to hear from Jesus. Desperate to give Him praise? 

Jesus we need You, we are desperate for You. Show us just how important the altar is to You. In Jesus name amen

GOD WITH US

Sometimes God takes us down paths we don’t plan,

Often He brings us to hard places we don’t understand,

But He has always been there when we’ve just arrived,

So nothing we face ever takes Him by surprise.

Though storms will surely come, often more than our share,

God guides us through the waters with a father’s gentle care.

Trials and tribulations mark the straight and narrow path,

As we choose daily to follow Him not the way of eternal wrath.

Jesus, with great love and mercy, fully paid our debt for sin,

The Father robes with His Son’s righteousness all who believe in Him.

God knew before he created time and placed man with free will in it,

The hope of our salvation would only in the Lamb’s blood be writ.

He knew us before time, before creation, before the foundation of the universe.

He knows the joys and sorrow in the past, in the now and yet to be birthed,

But His faithfulness is assured, His love guaranteed, His promises very clear,

We need only be still, remember on the cross He conquered death, then never fear.

Alice Grimes

Copyright reserved

^{SWEET, SWEET JESUS}

Sweet, sweet Jesus, how I cherish Your Presence

And bask in Your radiance as I come in reverence

To bow at Your throne.

You are my Strength when mine is all gone.

You are my Friend when I’m all alone.

You are my Guide when the way is not clear.

You are my Peace, dispelling my fear.

Sweet, sweet Jesus, how I depend on Your faithfulness

And delight in Your robe of righteousness,

Exchanged for my rags.

You are my Comforter whenever I grieve,

You are my Truth when Satan would deceive.

You are the Source of all heavenly Wisdom,

You are the only Way into God’s Kingdom.

Sweet, sweet Jesus, how I cling to Your cross,

Knowing without it all would be lost,

All men forever undone.

Alice Grimes

Copyright reserved

Loved

“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him.””…So the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. He took one of Adam’s ribs and closed up the place from which he had taken it. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib and brought her to Adam. At last! Adam exclaimed. She is part of my own flesh and bone! She will be called woman, because she was taken out of a man. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Genesis 2:18, 21-23

Ten years ago I began a relationship with a dark haired, brown-eyed beauty! I really liked this man; he was sweet, funny, different, and driven. I loved those things about him. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was his missing rib. When God revealed that to me I melted. I knew he was it; he was the man I was going to spend the REST OF MY LIFE WITH! That made me giddy, excited, and joyful. 

I love this man; he loved me for exactly who I was. I didn't have to be someone I wasn't. I was accepted, adored, and soon loved by this man I knew I was to be with. I knew he would take care of me forever. I was his helper!

This man and I are now going on 10 years of being together and are about to celebrate 9 years of marriage. WOW! 

Though I have failed miserably as his helper, I love him, adore him, need him, desire him, and never want to go a day without him. He is my best friend, my biggest supporter, encourager, and he is my lover. 

I love him, I love him, I love him.

I want to be the best for him that he is for me!

I am so proud of who he has become over these last ten years. I cannot tell him or express to him how much he has transformed into a wonderful man of God. He is an incredible child of God, daddy, husband, son, brother, friend, and coach.

He has a heart bigger than Texas for kids and people. I love that the most about him! He is a servant, a hard worker, devoted, loyal, and a trustworthy man, who always lives to please God in all he says and does.

I am blessed. This man provides for us in more ways than I have ever expressed to him. I am thankful! 

Every time this man walks in the door, my heart leaps, I feel as though I can finally breathe, and am overwhelmed with joy when I see two little things scream his name and run into his arms. That never grows old! 

Nor will my love for you. It will never grow old. I am proud of YOU! I am proud of all you have accomplished! I am proud that you want every student to have the absolute best and that you settle for nothing less than that. (I think you get that from you mom) I am proud that you have always stood your ground for Jesus and have never wavered in doing what is right for Him.

I am thankful for what you have done for our family and for the lives of all these athletes and coaches. You have turned a program around in one year and it is because of your faithfulness to the Lord. Keep working by the Spirit! Keep listening to Him! No matter how many times Satan tries to knock you down, you just keep getting up and moving forward with your armor on. He can't succeed! He is already defeated!

You and I have both seen what happens when people try to accomplish things in their own human effort. Don't ever give into that. God is able to do more than any human could. God is able to turn something around that seems impossible. He is ABLE! No man is greater than God. No man doing things in their own human effort or in sin will succeed. 

I am thankful, that you always find where Jesus is, and you go there, and begin helping. Stick with Him and you will always succeed. Even if the suffering is hard and the effort seems in vain, if done in Jesus name, you will always come out stronger, successful, and even more blessed. 

Don't ever give into sin, or the corruptness of those around you. Stay strong in the Lord. Stay focused on His Word and the things of Heaven. 

I am proud of you. Blessed because of you! I am honored to be your helper. I am honored to pray for you. I am thankful to be loved by you. 

I am humbled to have been chosen by God to be your earthly wife. 

You are strong where I am weak and I will be strong where you are weak. I am better because of you, these students are better because of Jesus in you. This community is better because of Jesus in you. Keep shinning my sweet man. Don't ever let man cover the light of Jesus in you.

And remember if God can send Ezekiel into the Valley of Dry Bones and bring life into them. Jesus in you can bring life and healing to the things and places that are broken and dry too.

“The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. Then he asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones become living people again?’ O Sovereign LORD, I replied, you alone know the answer to that. Then he said to me, Speak to these bones and say, Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 37:1-6

Jesus thank You for this man!  Protect him, cover him, be near to him, use him, and shine brightly through him. Amen

Sticking to Our Own Lanes

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to that path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." Proverbs 4:25

We recently had a pastor come in and speak while ours was out and there was something he said that really stuck with me.

He said, "God made a lane for each of us to run in. We need to make sure we are running in the lane He put us in and not try and get into someone else's lane."

Wow, how often do we try and step over, thinking, either their lane is better, or, that we can run and do better in their lane along with ours.

That is not our job. Our job is to stick to the lane God has placed us in. Because we all know there is a lot going on in our own lane.

Do you find yourself trying to jump in someone else's lane? Be careful, though it might look good from your lane, doesn't mean it is. You never know what all they went through in that lane to get to the point God has them now. Nor do you know if that lane has remained on the path towards God and heaven or if it detoured somewhere and really leads to sin and death.

Let Proverbs 4:25 keep you focused.

Jesus forgive me for thinking someone else's lane was better or that I could even straddle both mine and theirs. I want to focus on the lane You have placed me in and stay in it until I have finished the race. Keep my eyes focused on what is before me and keep me from getting distracted by someone else running in their lane. Amen

Lifestyle Change

“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

One year ago, Dax had been put through tons of tests, placed on many different antibiotics, creams, etc. All hoping to cure whatever it was making him sick. One year ago we found out Dax had a cyst on his brain, could possibly have celiac disease, allergies, and had a rare mutation, which is still so rare no one knows anything about it. 

All of these things would require a lifestyle change on our part. Before Dax was sent to have a scope done, we endured two solid days of allergy testing, which all came back negative, to all of our surprise. In the meantime we were told to remove any and everything that contained gluten. This was HARD! We attempted to make this change, with little success, all to find out later his test came back negative-no celiac. That was a HUGE praise to God.

Now today, one year later, we find, that, after more blood work, more antibiotics, creams, and long nights of crying, itching, painful skin, and snotty noses. Dax has tested positive to Wheat, Milk, and Egg.

This has required a major lifestyle change. Do you know how much food contains those three ingredients? A TON!

But there is something different this time around. This lifestyle change seems more manageable than it did a year ago. Yes a lot of changes are being made in our home and at school. But these changes will be for his good and that makes it all worth it.

We feel more prepared this time around, more relieved to have an answer, and more equipped to do, what we need to, to help him.

As the Lord and I began cleaning out our pantry (and I cleaned out the pantry) the Lord revealed to me how similar all of this was to our spiritual lives.

When we become believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we can no longer continue living in the sin we were before, nor do we desire to. Just as I had to physically remove all the things that contained wheat, milk, and egg from our home, we have to remove the sins from our hearts. We have to confess and then go in a whole new direction-repent. But we must be ready for this change. And when we are ready and sincere in accepting Christ has our personal Lord and Savior, we are more prepared for all the changes that will take place. We are relieved to finally have the answer to overcoming sin, and we are more equipped to overcome temptation because of the power of the Holy Spirit placed within us. These are great changes! These changes bring healing and hope in a way only Christ within us can.

When we are crazy about serving and obeying Christ, we want Jesus to clean out our pantries (hearts). And when He does, our habits will begin to change, our friends will change, our attitudes will change, our thoughts will change and our behavior will change. And all of this will be for His glory and our good.

So today, our biggest prayer is for a lifestyle change to begin within all those lost and all those living in sin. Our second biggest prayer is that we will be able to maintain Dax’s weight, and that every one of those 4 pounds this sweet thing has finally gained over a two year period will be added to and not lost.

Jesus thank You for changing my life and the lifestyle I use to live. Thank You for the joy You have filled me with and the hope that is found in You. Jesus thank You for the answers we are finally beginning to receive on how to tend and care for Dax. Give us the discernment and guidance we need to make all the adjustments and changes necessary for him. Most of all please help Dax adapt and adjust well to this new way of eating. We praise You Jesus that we are able to manage this with a new way of eating, we are so, so thankful. We praise You and love You. In Your name Jesus. Amen

Altar Sunday

Today, as I enter the House of the Lord, I come to the altar and lay down the things in my heart that are displeasing to Him. Praying that once they are confessed and laid out before Him, my heart will be cleansed and my thoughts transformed.

For that is my deepest desire, to please, worship, and serve Him with a pure heart whose motives are the purest of purest, true and sincere.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Where Hope is Found

"This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners-and I was the worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life." 1 Timothy 1:15-16

This is the place where hope is found. Everlasting hope! Hope that brings comfort to the soul and reassurance of His amazing love.

May you find hope in Him today.

Jesus use us to offer this hope to all who are lost. Amen

Friday Update

1. A HUGE PRAISE-Dana Miller, my sweet girlfriend battling cancer found out in her last check-up that the cancer is shrinking. I still get overly excited and emotional when I share this news. I can't image the sweetness that filled their hearts hearing that news. Praise be to our Amazing Heavenly Healer-Jesus! Please keep praying for Dana and her precious family.

2. God has been blessing our giving fund in more ways than I ever imagined. Thank you to all of you who have prayerfully stepped in to take part in showing love to others.

3. Women Seeking God on Wednesday Nights has been wonderfully God-filled and the Word that God is speaking has been powerful, encouraging, and even transforming. Denise South has just begun our four week series on Purpose. And it ROCKS! We would love for you to come. It is at the Belle Jim on Wednesday's beginning at 5:30. We are also in prayer about a new night so please pray God will direct us in that area! 

4. Coming in March, March 30-31 we will be hosting a Women's Conference-Overcoming the "Me". It will be a great girl’s weekend, full of God's Word, fellowship, laughter, and worship. Please be in prayer about this as well. If you would like to attend please contact me or Sue Gee at thegees@joshua2415.org for more information. We hope you will prayerfully consider coming.

5. First Baptist Women's Ministry has begun Beth Moore's newest series on James. They meet every Monday night and Thursday mornings. It is never too late to attend. For more information you can contact Sue Gee at thegees@joshua2415.org.

6. Our Women Seeking God Ministry has started a Duffel Bag ministry that provides toiletries to families and students in need of them. So far the outpouring of supplies and giving has blown our socks off! THANK YOU! This will be an ongoing ministry so if you feel lead to be a part of this wonderfully ministry please contact Women Seeking God at womenseekingGod2012@gmail.com for more information.

I cannot tell you how amazing each of you have been. Thank you to the ladies that attend our Wednesday night Bible Study for opening your hearts and taking such a huge role in all of this. You will be blessed sweet girls.

7. Please continue to pray for the East Texas Pregnancy Help Center and all that God is doing in the lives of so many women. 

8. Please pray for all the upcoming events as well. You have no idea how much we appreciate your prayers.

"For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 

Are you having an affair?

“Then I will heal you of your idolatry and faithlessness, and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever!” Hosea 14:4

In the world today, it seems as though affairs happen daily. It's sad, it's devastating, and it can destroy a family. But today I want to talk about an affair that is often overlooked that can be even more destructive and devastating.

The affair we have on Christ.

When we said, "I do" and gave our life to Christ, we made a commitment to Him; to love and honor Him in sickness and in health. To be devoted to Him and only Him, and to love Him with ALL of our heart, mind, soul and strength, for eternity.

But here is where the affair comes in. 

Over time our fire and passion for Christ somehow begins to fade. We become more invested in our jobs, our hobbies, our to-do lists, even others. The things of the world begin to become more appealing than our relationship with Christ.

Until eventually Christ is pushed aside and we allow someone or something else to move in.

It’s hard to think that we cheat on Christ, but it’s even harder to admit that we are doing it.

Here are some ways we can check to see if we are having an affair.

Does someone or something get more of our attention than He does?

Does someone or something get more of our time than He does?

Does someone or something take precedence over our time spent in the Word?

Do we desire the world’s pleasure more than we do His?

Do we choose to sleep on Sunday’s rather than go and worship with Jesus?

Do our hobbies or activities take the place of Him?

Does Jesus get our leftovers?

Do we run to get the help and advice of close friends rather than to Christ?

Are our thoughts more consumed with the things of the world?

Do others find us talking more about ourselves than Christ?

Do others find us spending more time doing things that are destroying our relationship with Christ rather than strengthening it?

Sweet one, we are all so guilty of cheating on Christ. We are even guilty of being naïve to the fact that we are doing it, and doing it to much.

Many of us could describe our love life with Christ like Revelation 2:5 "Look how far you have fallen from your first love!"

We have fallen away from Him, our first real love, and we have fallen in love with the things of the world. As much as I don’t want to say it we are similar to Israel in the book of Hosea.

But there is good news! Our marriage and relationship with Christ can be rejuvenated, restored, and it can flourish and grow, if we choose for it to do so. Christ will make sure of it.

How? By destroying the idols, removing the things that have taken His place, and by confessing that we have sinned and cheated on Him.

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your petitions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you the sacrifice of praise.” Hosea 14:1-2

Loved, purely and abundantly, these men all 100 plus of them are loved

Show them the path where they should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for them to follow. Lead them by your truth and teach them, for you are the God who saves them. All day long may they put their trust in You. (My paraphrase) Psalm 25:4-5

They stood a little taller today than days past. Their heads held high. Mommy and daddy are proud and full of emotion. Their babies are turning into men. 

One by one their names are announced to a gym full of people and you can see it in their faces and body language, they feel it today. Special, loved, proud, and aware. Aware that hard work pays off, aware that they are worth something special; aware they are loved by these coaches who want nothing but God’s best for them. Today they are aware that they are wanted and that there is hope for a good future.

Today he stands a little taller than days past. His head held high and his heart overwhelmed with emotion. This love, this God-given and filled love he has for these young men radiates off of him. His calling, to make every child feel as though they are loved, adored, wanted, and worth everything to Jesus. This is not just a job to him, these men, their souls and future, is precious and valuable to him. He pours out all of himself so they can have more.

Today, one year later 7 boys, now men, have a future to go and earn a wonderful education while doing what they love, playing football. (Pray for them)

Today, in a gym full of students, family and friends, hope filled the air. Confidence arose in the stands of other young men, who spoke softly in their hearts, “That will be me, there in that seat, one day, signing my letter of intent, making a future for myself and my family.”

These smiles, they come from deep down inside of them. They are smiles that melt your heart, and flood your eyes.

I can feel her heart, as though it were mine. Full and overwhelmed with joy, sadness, and love. It beats quickly and for a moment a breath has to be taken because the emotion becomes so strong, she almost loses her ability to stay composed.

My heart, full, overwhelmed, and in pain, pain because my emotion is strong as I look at the faces of these boys, their parents, and my husband. It’s a good pain, a joyful pain, but a pain that can only be relived if I would let the flooding begin.

These men, babies to me, though not mine, by blood, are mine. I pray for these young men, our time is invested into these young men, and not just these 7 but 100 plus of them.

They have our hearts, his and mine, even our two. Our need to ensure these babies know Jesus, feel Jesus, see Jesus, and hear Jesus is strong. It is our hearts desire. To put into all of them, everything Jesus has put into us.

It can be hard, frustrating, even devastating, but the reward, which is not our reward, but theirs and His-Jesus’ sigh, worth it.  

They are worth it, every single one of them! No matter who they are, no matter where they have come from, no matter what, these young men, all 100 plus of them, are worthy of Jesus’ love. They are worthy of the best we desire for ourselves. They are worthy because Jesus who created them is worthy.

Jesus bless each and every one of these young men and their families. Place their eyes on You and what You have laid out for them. May they pursue You first Jesus. We love all of these young men, and we praise You for loving them more. Keep Your hand firmly pressed upon them, and place godly men in their lives who will lead them, encourage them, and show them the ways of You. Keep them from being led astray. Use them for Your glory Jesus. Amen

It’s Not What We Have but Who We Have

“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” 1 John 3:1

We do not deserve nor should we have…. We are unworthy, sinners, who deserve death. Yet we live as though we are entitled to things, some things, money, happiness, health, pleasure, success.  

These things, they take away from Him, His purpose, and us. They take away who God made us to be, His children, His love, His chosen ones.

Being those, are greater than being rich, happy, healthy, fulfilled from pleasure and successful. Being those, gives purpose, meaning, value, and are things that last, remain, and are constant.

His children, His love, His chosen ones, these we don’t deserve to be, but are, by His grace, His mercy, and His love for us, you and me. What better things are there than these?

“You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6-7

On Separate Sides Of The Cross His Fringe Is Touched

"She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe." Luke 8:44

It's constant, his itch and pain. It lingers, and flares, and covers his little body. This sickness of the skin. I know, he knows, we all know, but yet he keeps going, never saying, just playing. All while it rages, and covers, this itch, this pain. 

"He's three!" I murmur. But I know, he knows, we all know, it could be so much worse, so we give praise, we say our thanks. We are blessed. He's alive, he's ours, he smiles and laughs. He is busy and squirmy, funny and smart. He's alive and healthy, so we are blessed, we are thankful. 

It's been long, this battle of the skin, sickness, and cyst. Three years long. As we wade through one more opinion, one more doctor to offer relief. One more scan of this little brain, we pray, we trust, we know, we all know...we are blessed. 

This woman, three years is short to her suffering of 12 years. The bleeding, the draining of life, energy, and strength. Living as an outcast, rejected, and called unclean. She knows suffering and pain. She has waded through the opinions of doctors, praying one, just one could bring relief. 

When one day, her on one side of the cross and him on the other, He came. He came and brought relief. The two, one grown and one only three, know, relief has come, and without words, just faith, they reach up and touch the fringe of His robe. 

  

Altar Sunday

Today I lay down the things of "Me." My wants and desires, my fears and worries, my selfish thoughts and actions and my need to be served.

Today I lay down "Me" in order to pick up more of Him.

Jesus keep me from picking these things up as I walk away from laying them down. Amen

What I Thought Was Right, Was Wrong

"We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us." Philippians 3:3

"I have accomplished all I have wanted to in this profession." The man stated. "I have reached the top."  

"So, what now, what's next? What have you learned?" She asked the man

"Now, I don't know. What's next? I want to focus on what lies ahead for me and my family, and that is heaven. I want to put me aside and focus on serving Christ and my family more. What have I learned? Alot!  All these things that I thought to be important; success, being the best, being at the top, means nothing in the end. They are worthless compared to what Christ has done.

In reaching the top of my career, I counted more on my own goodness, human effort and ability, than I did on knowing Christ. I have realized that all this, that I thought I wanted, never satisfied me. It only left me frustrated and empty. 

Today, I have learned to focus on a new goal, a goal that is everlasting. I have learned that real satisfying success comes from Christ, not from me. I had a better relationship with my job and all its success, than I did with Jesus, and I don't want that anymore. Because that relationship, though it led me to the top, it also left me empty, frustrated, greedy for more, selfish, demanding, prideful, and up and down. 

Today I am trusting Christ to save me. Today I am no longer putting confidence in my own human effort. Instead I am going to talk about what Christ Jesus has done for me. For then I can really know Christ and share in His suffering. 

Today I am choosing the path He has laid out for me and not the path I want for my own.

7 Day Challenge

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." 1 John 5:21


Things that take God's place;

T.V.
Self
People
Job
Money
Shopping
Activities
Internet
Facebook
Hobbies
Busyness

Can you add to the list? What takes God's place in your heart?

How can we keep these things from taking God's place and becoming our idols? We can begin by realizing each of these things are all about the "Me". We can monitor the time we spend investing in each one, verse the time we spend with the Lord and in His Word.

Then we can put aside our selfish ambitions, pick up our crosses, choose Jesus first, feed our hearts His truth, instead of trash, and follow Him and His ways and not the world's.

Sound pretty easy? It is when Jesus becomes your habit and when your desire for Him is greater than your desire for the things of this world.

It is daily and a choice.

Here is a challenge; Write down the amount of time you spend on the list above (BE HONEST) Then for the next 7 days spend that same amount of time with Jesus in His Word.

Jesus if I spend more time investing in the things of this world, may my conviction be so strong I become miserable. Amen

It’s Time to Get Uncomfortable and Make a Change

"Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Have you become too comfortable where you are? Are you content with the way things are around you? Maybe your attachment is so strong, the thought of uprooting, or even making a change, scares the daylights out of you. 

As I think back on Paul's life, I bet he struggled with the same things. I bet he grew attached, maybe even became a little comfortable, and I do stress a little. As often as he was thrown in prison, beat, and starved, I can't imagine him, able to get as comfortable as we do. 

With every church he planted, he met and served alongside men and women he grew to love and adore. But Paul always knew his stay would not last long. Paul found out throughout his ministry how often several of his churches became too comfortable and content with sin and little growth, thus calling them out with boldness and love.

I think we have the same problem and need to be called out as well. We have become too comfortable in our own homes, towns, and lives. We have grown immune to the sin in us and around us. We fuss about the problems but what are we doing about the problems? We lack boldness, compassion, and fail to promote peace. 

Instead we demand our way, cause dissension, and we have even segregated ourselves. We have made it more about religion than a personal relationship with Christ. There is only ONE GOD and ONE BODY. So why are we splitting churches? Why are we saying one is better than the other, why are we not working together as one body that stands on the Word of God and shouts with one voice? Instead there are so many voices it has become utter chaos. No wonder the lost are confused. They see and hear two different things.

What keeps Jesus from completely wiping us out? I only know one answer to that. Romans 2:4-11 "Don't you see how kind, tolerate, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”  Grace and mercy that is why!

The changes that are being made, are they made to better ourselves or to exemplify the Lord? Do we sit and wait for others to do something, or do we follow the Lord's leading and get busy doing all things in His name, for His glory, with love, compassion, kindness, as one body and in peace?

The biggest devastation I see about this comfortable, complacent living are the lives that are being affected. If we tolerate sin within our homes, lives, churches, schools and communities, so will our children, generation after generation.

We need a Jesus change brethren, wouldn't you agree? Let’s not wait for our letter or God’s wrath to turn from our sinful ways. Let’s change now, because Christ is coming and He deserves nothing but our absolute best.

Jesus we have become to self –focused, thus losing sight of what is most important-YOU. Forgive us. May we who are called by Your name turn from our sins, humble ourselves and pray. For then, You will bring healing to a very broken world. Amen

Guaranteed Delivery

I know you will think I am crazy and behind on times, and in reality, I probably am. But I have just recently discovered this amazing thing. Tracking my shipment! Just recently I ordered something and was later sent an email that said, "Keep track of your shipment."

So I clicked on the tracking number and it took me to a page that was so detailed. It showed me where my order was, when it was sent, the day, the time, the hours until I would receive it, etc.

It was fabulous. I got more excited checking that email and watching where all my order went just to get to me.

It has been a busy little thing, and doing a lot of sightseeing.

I am thankful for these men and women who work all around the clock so I can get mail, even if it is bills.

I never realized how much work was put into getting mail and/or packages. But today I am thankful.

Do you know something else many of us don’t realize or even get excited about for that matter, is watching God’s Word spread?

Just like my mail and package is delivered by man, so the Word of God is delivered by us. It starts, let’s say in Jasper TX and before we know it, His Word has spread from Jasper clear across the World. Amazing isn’t it?

The difference here is; God’s Word is a lot more beneficial and exciting than this package I am waiting on. And though I cannot track where all God’s Word goes when I send it out, I do know for a fact it is being sent out, and is busy at work, doing a lot of sightseeing, and changing tons of lives as well.

How do I know God’s Word is spreading, well one, I am spreading it along with lots of my other brothers and sisters, and two, God tells me so, in my favorite verse. Isaiah 55:10-11 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my WORD. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

So though I can’t keep record everyday of where all God’s Word goes when it is spread (sent out), I can be sure it is going out, and will reach each person it is to be delivered to.

Now that is exciting!

Jesus, thank You for the guaranteed delivery of Your Word. Amen

One Amazing Relationship

“I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines.” Psalm 26:8

Do you think it is humanly possible to just sit in the presence of Christ, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the two of you? You, enjoying His presence and warmth, and Him just being Him, amazing, and holy!

Oh I long for these moments. Okay, I live for these moments, and yes it is humanly possible. The problem for me is, when I get there, I don't ever want to leave. 

Jesus and I have this time together quite frequently, except for lately. And brethren I am missing it. Yes we spend time together every day studying His Word. And that is amazing, but sometimes, well really, a lot of times, I need everything to be turned off, the studying, the requests, the thoughts, the words, everything, so I can just enjoy Him, His presence and His Holiness. 

This relationship, Jesus and I have, is, sigh, beyond magnificent. It is refreshing, fulfilling, satisfying, and beautiful. Honestly, I am just so blessed to be considered His lover, daughter, and bride.

I desire this closeness with Jesus. Do you?

Oh, I hope you too; have an intimate relationship with Jesus, one that allows you to sit in His presence, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the unbelievable joy of being together.

Jesus I am unworthy to have such an amazing relationship with You, the most Holy God. Thank You. Thank You for the most unbelievable love relationship ever imagined. Amen

Stop Right Where You Are

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

Their burdens are light, actually they have none. Right now they walk with in faith and trust, holding their heads high and their shoulders upright. These two little boys, walk behind the yoke of G and I.

For us we have gotten off track. Our weight is heavy and our burdens are many. Our shoulders are pushed forward as we try to carry each one. His more so than mine, and often times the weight he carries has him bent all the way over, where his eyes only see his toes.

We, G and I, often times step out from behind the Lord, thinking we can carry the weight on our own. All to find it is too much for us to bear.

Why do we try to bear the weight alone?

It is not for us to carry. “Get behind me”, He says. “Take my yoke upon you.” Matthew 11:29

His yoke fits perfectly, and the burden He gives is light. The yoke of the world is heavy and wearisome and its burdens are more than we can bear.

This thinking and believing we can carry the weight on our own, has been traced back all the way before Jesus walked the earth. 

“So now the LORD says, ‘Stop right where you are! Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” Jeremiah 6:16

The Israelites tried to walk out from behind God too. They took more burdens and weight upon themselves than they could bear, and it only caused more sorrow, pain, and problems. It accomplished nothing.

We do the same thing, when we reject taking the yoke of Jesus. We accomplish nothing and gain nothing. Instead, we pile on the weight, cause more problems, add more stress, and increase the pain.

What are our burdens anyway?  If we would stop and lay them down, we would see that a majority of every burden we bear, we created.

Satan likes to weigh us down with the things of this world, and the sad thing is we let him. We take on the stress of our jobs, the problems of others, our financial situations, and sin.

In spite of all the burdens we bring upon ourselves, or that others place upon us, there is hope for us.

And that hope is found in Jesus.

“The LORD is faithful in all he says: he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads. All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as the need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” Psalm 145:13-16

“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 Jesus it just seems like such nonsense that we have tried to carry so many of our burdens alone. Free us from this crazy thinking. Remove the yoke of ourselves, and place Your yoke that fits perfectly upon us. For then and only then will our burdens be light. Amen