Jesus Stopped.

I was listening to Joyce Meyer this morning and she said it always strikes her how Jesus would stop what he was doing to help people. He never said he was too busy or was in a hurry. He just stopped and listened to what people said to him. I like that too.

He stopped to heal a blind man. He stopped to see a funeral and then brought the young man to life. He stopped to heal a man whose friends had brought him through the roof because there was no other way to get in the house. He stopped to talk with a woman who touched him and was healed. He stopped to heal an old woman who had come into the church bent over with illness. He stopped to bless the little children. He stopped to talk with a Phoenician woman about her daughter and heal her. He even stopped on the way to the cross to speak to crying women.

Joyce was saying we should be like Jesus. Don't be in such a hurry that we ignore the needs of others. Take the time to talk with people and get to know them. Look around you and see who needs friendship and help.

Be Ready!

Jesus said, "Stay dressed and ready for action and keep your lamps burning. Be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes." Luke 12:35-37

I take these verses to mean we should always be ready to do some kind of work for God. Lights and lamps usually represent the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to be ready. How do we stay ready for action? I would say by Bible study and prayer. When our minds are fortified with truth, we will then have something of value to pass on to others when they need it.

If I were to cater a wedding, I would have all things ready for the Bride and Groom when they walked into the house. I would be looking towards the door and peeking out the window to see if they were on their way. I think our eyes should look towards Jesus, anticipating his coming to us, either now or when he returns to take us home to heaven.

Disappointment.

I recently learned a certain pastor and author of Christian books has been having affairs with women. I learned a lot from this man's sermons and books. He helped me to understand and love God more.

I know this happens in churches everywhere in every denomination. What I don't understand is why the men and women who do these things stay in their position, hiding what they are doing - sometimes for many years. Aren't they afraid of what God would think of them preaching while they are having sex with married or vulnerable women? Have they no fear of God's wrath at all?

Well, it isn't my place to judge or condemn them. I just wonder what they are thinking! I don't expect perfection in people, even ministers. We are all human. I hope they ask forgiveness and let God change their lives. But I will say, the whole thing is a puzzle to me. Not the adultery, just the fact they keep on preaching.

Peace

"The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus." Philippians 4:7

I read this verse the other day and for the first time I noticed that peace will guard our hearts. I always used to love the first part that says God's peace passes all understanding. I didn't think about the last part of the verse.

Since I have found more peace in my life lately, I can see how peace guards your heart. If you are peaceful, you don't get angry, worried or depressed. Peace guards you from these negative feelings.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

Who is the Greatest?

Often, the disciples of Jesus would argue about which one of them would have the greatest job when Jesus was ruler of Jerusalem. They expected him to become king one day. James and John's mother even asked Jesus to let her sons sit at his left and right hand when he was on his throne.

Jesus said, "The kings of the world lord it over people... But it is not this way with you. But whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28

Ambition and lust for power is not for followers of Jesus.

"For that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God."

The disciples of Jesus were ambitious, but he did not turn them away because of this. He taught them a better way. We may be selfish and very sinful, but Jesus will not turn us away, he will simply teach us a better way to live.

Goals.

Many times I read blogs that advise us to have goals in our lives. I think it is good to have goals; having something to strive for can be invigorating and can move us along to a better path.

But I read something the other day that explained God's goals for us. I like what this person wrote. I'm sorry I can't give them credit, but I don't know who wrote it.

"If I can stay calm, faithful and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish. His purpose is the process itself. It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God."

Day by day, God teaches us. We are hanging on the vine, ripening as we learn more and more how to bear the fruit of the Spirit. This is the process we all must go through. The Lord is teaching me to become calm, faithful and unconfused when trials come. I used to panic, I used to get depressed and I used to get angry. Day by day, God is teaching me to trust him.

As Paul says, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I have learned how to live with little, I have learned how to live with abundance. I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12

Yesterday Went Well.

Yesterday, I decided to ignore my negative feelings about my illness (fibromyalgia) and just get up and get on with my day. I took my pills early in the morning and made myself get up in spite of the pain.

I kept busy doing some cleaning and stayed on my feet more. I didn't lay down as much or sit as often. It did feel good to accomplish some chores. My feelings tell me, "Why get up?" But I'm not going to listen to that any longer.

One thing about exhaustion from Fibromyalgia though. I can work through the pain, but not the exhaustion when it hits, which I know is okay. Also, I take some pills for the pain which help a lot. Some people don't have that. I find if I take one day-time cold pill and one Tylenol Arthritis pill together that this works wonders. I still have weakness and pain, but it is much improved.

It really was my sad feelings about being sick that was keeping me in bed. I am glad God has shown me I can ignore these feelings and get going.

"The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever."

Feelings About Pain

Every morning I wake up with pain. I have fibromyalgia and now sciatica. I feel exhausted most of the time. Lately, I lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. I want to just sit or lay and do nothing. I do the minimum of work around the house. I've been sick for about 12 years.

I was talking with God this morning about how I was doing and feeling. It came to my mind that I was letting my feelings about my illness control me. Instead of ignoring my negative thoughts, I was listening to them.

I believe God is telling me to just get up and get going. Take my pills, which do make me feel better, and take them as soon as I wake up. Go for a walk, even if I don't feel like it. Stay busy, even if I don't feel like it. Get on my feet and quit sitting at the computer.

I'm going to try and do this for myself and for God. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

Emotions

Last week my grandson got into some trouble. In the past, I would have been crying and depressed about what had happened. But after using the principles taught to me by Joyce Meyer, I didn't cry, I didn't get depressed and not only that, I had great peace.

Joyce has taught me to, "Think on purpose." I no longer have to let my feelings and thoughts lead me. I can choose not to think negative and sad thoughts. I can choose to think positive and trusting thoughts. This has been a wonderful thing for me. I have been tested and found peace in the midst of chaos. Praise God!

I now believe with faith the verse, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

That I May Know Him.

Paul tells us in Chapter 3 of Philippians to, "...put no confidence in the flesh."

He says he used to do that. He was circumcised, he was a Hebrew, he was a Pharisee, he kept the letter of the law perfectly. But he said it was all garbage. How he lived before was of no consequence. He turned his back on that life and said he, "...counted it loss."

Then he said he counted not only that life, but everything else a loss because, "...of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things..."

Paul did lose his standing in his community. He lost his friends, his job with the church, his reputation. He did this so, "...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

What are the things of this world compared to knowing Jesus? They are like a speck of sand next to a diamond. What are we really giving up when we come to Jesus? Nothing. For all these things will pass away some day, and all that will be left is our God and our life with Him.

Is God a Torturer?

I watched Joyce Meyer preach this morning, and I must comment on what she said about sinners burning in hell forever.

I do not believe this teaching. I could not worship or love a God who would do such a thing to people. I could not say to people, "God is love," if I believed he would torture human beings.

I wrote a post a while ago about this subject. I am posting it again. I have said many times how Joyce Meyer has helped me in my Christian walk, and that is true. I love her and I believe she is sincere and a beautiful Christian. But at times I disagree with some of her statements and this is one of those times.


"If God tortured his enemies in a fiery horror chamber throughout eternity, he would be more vicious and heartless than men have ever been in the worst of war atrocities. An eternal hell of torment would be hell for God also, who loves even the vilest sinner."
Amazing Facts Study Guide.

"Rightness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Mercy and truth go before you."
Psalm 89:14

If God made people suffer forever he would not be just, righteous or merciful.

Psalm 37:20 says, "But the wicked will perish...they vanish - like smoke they vanish away.

Hosea 13:3 says, "The wicked will be like a morning cloud and like dew that soon disappears, like chaff which is blown away from the threshing floor and like smoke from a chimney."

Malachi 4:1 says, "...every evildoer will be chaff...it will leave them neither root nor branch." Verse 3 goes on to say, "they will be ashes under the soles of your feet."

Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Love or Need?

I was struck by something I read today. This is a quote from Our Daily Journey with God, by Mark Whittmer.

"When we love others more than God, we inevitably ask more from them than what they can deliver. Our neediness will eventually suffocate them and our relationship." From http://ourdailyjourney.org

This made so much sense to me. When I didn't believe God loved me, I was always searching for perfect love from a man. Of course, no man can give "perfect" love. No human being can. Only God has perfect love, and until we accept and believe His love we will be looking for love from imperfect people who can never fulfill our desires.

This is the great need in every life, to be loved just as we are. This is the emptiness we feel when we are alone and have time to reflect. This is the God who can fill that emptiness with himself.

Jesus at a Party.

Matthew gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Jesus went and when the church leaders saw it, they criticized him.

"Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" they asked Jesus.

Jesus said, "Those who are well don't need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Matthew and his guests wanted to hear what Jesus said about salvation. They knew they needed help in their lives. They felt comfortable with Jesus.

The Pharisees didn't feel a need for Jesus. They believed they were already righteous. They also thought it was a sin to hang around with people who were obviously sinners. They thought they were better than them.

Next they attacked Jesus' disciples, "The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink."

Jesus told them there was no reason to fast right now. He was with his disciples, but when he was gone, then they would fast.

He then told them a parable of how when people drink aged wine they then do not like newly made wine. They say, "The old is good." He was telling them that they did not want to give up their old beliefs and accept the new things he was trying to teach them. Therefore, Jesus appealed to the young, they were more open to new ideas.

The Pharisees had a critical and judgemental way of looking at people. They actually found fault with God himself when he was here. This is the kind of attitude that keeps people out of churches today. We are not to judge and condemn people. That is God's work alone. We are not wise or good enough to do this. Let us love and accept people instead.

We are in a War.

We are in a war. A war of good against evil.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly."
Ephesians 6:12

'Spiritual forces in the heavenly.' These are the evil angels who fell from heaven many years ago. But how can we fight against these spiritual forces?

Paul uses the image of a soldier's battle garb. He says:

1. Gird your loins with the truth. (The Bible)

2. Wear the breastplate of righteousness. (Christ's robe of righteousness covers us.)

3. Shod your feet with the good news of peace. (Wherever you go, speak good things of peace.)

4.Hold up the shield of faith. (Trust God.)

5. Wear the helmet of salvation. (Believe you are saved, it gives you peace and joy.)

6. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (When we read and speak the words of God, the evil insede and outside of us will fall.)

Jesus used the words of God against Satan in the wilderness and he was victorious. We can do the same thing.

The Dinner Party.

Jesus told a story of a rich man who gave a dinner party. He invited many people, but none of them wanted to attend. They all made excuses. One said, "I bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it. Please excuse me." The next man said, "I bought some cattle and I want to go check them out. Please excuse me." The last man said, "I just got married, I can't come now."

Jesus was giving an example of people who refuse to come to him to be saved. The dinner party is heaven.

What kept these people from wanting heaven? First it is material possessions; a house. Second it was jobs or work; using oxen. Third it was love of people or family; a marriage. These were the priorities of these people. They were completely concerned with things and people. They felt no need of going to the party.

Jesus said those who do not come to the party will die. Why? Because he wants them to? No, because it is the natural result of putting this life first. In heaven, all is love and unselfishness. Possessions mean nothing - God means everything.

Jesus was saying, If we don't want God here, we won't want him there.

Imitate God.

"Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God..."
Ephesians 5:1

We all know how children and baby animals imitate and learn from their parents. My daughter has a friend who has a horse and a cow. The cow's mother died at his birth so the family fed him and then put him in the corral with the horse. The little calf adored the horse and followed it everywhere. He started imitating the movements of the horse, like tossing it's head to flick it's mane. Now everyone says the cow thinks he is a horse, but he is a happy one!

The cow became a horse by watching the horse. He kept his eyes on him and began imitating him. Peter says in this verse that we should imitate God. How do we do this? By watching him, reading about him in the Bible and praying for his life to be in us.

"We all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, like in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory..."
2 Corinthians 3:18

What Then Shall We Do?

John the Baptist preached to the people who came to be baptized. He told them to repent and not rely on their heritage to save them.

"Don't say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham."

Many people believed they were saved simply because they belonged to a special people. The Messiah was to come into the world through them. God himself had revealed himself to them. They were God's chosen people.

John was warning them not to rely on the fact that Abraham was their forefather. This fact could not save them. God could have turned stones into people if he wanted to. He didn't need them.

As the people listened to this, some came to John and asked, "Then what shall we do?"

John told them to do things that would help others. He told them to share their clothes and food. He told the tax collectors not to take more money than they were allowed. He told the soldiers not to steal from people, commit perjury or complain about their wages.

If we help others, that will not save us either. But John was talking about the fruits of the Spirit. "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance," he said. This fruit will grow in us if we allow God to live in us and through us. It is the life we live with God and with people that show our true repentance.

What Do You Rely On?

Jeremiah was told by God to give this message to the people of Israel:

"Do not trust in the words, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord."

The people were trusting in their church. They thought that by attending services they were covered by God's protection. But God said:

"Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery and lie and worship Baal...and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, 'We are delivered!' - that you may do all these abominations?"

Then came the words that Jesus quoted hundreds of years later:

"Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight?"

A church will not make you a better person. A church will not save you. Only God can do that. Churches can be filled with evil people as they were in Jesus' day. Churches can be teaching lies, they can be leading many astray. That is why it is so important to search the Bible for ourselves, to spend time with God by ourselves. It is vital to our salvation.

"Where should we worship?" the woman at the well asked Jesus. He told her where we worship does not matter; it was how we worship. He said God was seeking those who would worship him in spirit and in truth. John Chapter 4.

A Robe of Righteousness.

"He made Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin on our behalf, so we might become the righteousness of God in Jesus."
2 Corinthians 5:21

When I was first a Christian, every time I did something wrong I would feel terrible and guilty. I would be ashamed to even pray to God because I didn't think he would want to hear from someone like me. After a few days of feeling awful, I would ask God to forgive me until the next time it happened. It became a cycle in my relationship with Him.

Then I learned about how we are covered by Christ's robe of righteousness. When God looks at us, he sees Jesus. I learned God loved me no matter what I did and I could rest in his love.
"I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness..."
Isaiah 61:10

Now, when I sin, I know God loves me. I talk with him about my sin and ask him to keep me from doing it again. I then just leave it with him and don't worry any longer. Jesus told us not to worry about anything, and that includes our sins, mistakes and weaknesses. In fact, when we see we are weak it is then we can become strong.
"I am well content with weakness, with insults, with distress, with persecution, with difficulty, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Feelings

Feelings come and go. Sometimes we can feel that life is beautiful. We look at the ocean and feel that life is amazing. We look at people who love us and feel thankful. But we can also look at our bank account and feel fear. We can look at our children and feel worry. We can have someone cut us off in traffic and feel angry.

If we live by our emotions, there is sure to be trouble ahead. Emotions are unstable, unreliable and many times just plain wrong. Our feelings can be hurt by someone, but they didn't mean to hurt us. Yet our feelings can't let it go. We can get sick and our feelings tell us, "You will never get better." But the feelings are wrong and you do get better.

When I was dating my husband I once said to him, "I don't feel like God loves me." He said, "It's a good thing we don't live by our feelings then." I was stunned by his answer at the time, because that is what I did live by. If I felt God didn't love me, then he didn't.

I have learned to distrust my feelings. When I am depressed, I think good thoughts, I quote Bible verses and I remember how God has taken care of me all my life. I rarely let my feelings rule me any more. And I know God loves me, for that is what he says.

"Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look around you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
I saiah 41:10

Action!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him,
And he will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

I have often thought how much fun it would be to direct a film. To have a wonderful story to tell and look for the best way to tell it would be hard work, but interesting and creative.

Directing a film is fine, but do we want to direct our own life and the lives of others? We could even be creative about it, but is it a good idea? Are people happy with us when we try to direct their path in life? I don't think so.

Directing our life and the lives of other people is hard and thankless work. People will resent our efforts for them, and our own life probably wouldn't win any Oscars! When I look back and see the times I have gone ahead and acted on something without asking God for his guidance, well, let's just say those times did not turn out well. And if I can't direct my own life, why should I meddle in someone else's?

I think one of our greatest mistakes in life is thinking we know what is best and trying to move all the sets and actors in place so that everything is exactly how we want it to be. Even with the best of intentions I have messed things up by trying to make things happen. I have learned that I want to make God the Director of my life.

"Teach me your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path."
Psalm 27:11

Give Someone A Smile.

I watched Joyce Meyer preach this morning on TV. She was talking about helping other people and she told us that if you have nothing to give to another person, then give them a smile. Smile at people all day because a smile means: acceptance, approval, and love.

A smile gives encouragement. A smile makes people feel better. A smile makes people feel stronger. A smile keeps people from giving up.

I have noticed that when I smile at people they open up to me. They share their lives with me, even if it is only for a few minutes when I am buying something from the store I can connect with people.

If you smile at people, they aren't afraid to ask you for help. Perhaps they need directions, some money or just want to talk. A smile lets them know you will listen.

Bitter or Better?

I read a book long ago about trusting God when you have troubles. I don't remember the book, but I found some notes I made while reading it. Here they are:

1. Don't have bitterness in your soul because God hasn't done what you expected him to do.

2. Do not despise your problems.

3. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. He does that with us.

4. Worship God in the wilderness.

5. Do not despise the water God gives you and go dig your own well to drink from.

6. Love God for who he is, not for what he does for you.

7. God has a different plan for everyone.

8. Remember Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are not offended by me.

9. You can become bitter or better. You can go under or go onward.

10. You are not alone.