"Brethern, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14
The emphasis here is Heaven and Jesus. Our prize, our reward is "The Upward Call of God", through or in Christ Jesus. You are either in Christ Jesus or in the world.
There is oh so much more in these two verses! They are rich with how we should feel about ourselves, where we have been and where we are going while here on earth. It also focuses on how we are to carry out God's plan for our lives here on earth.
I Know I am not worthy of what He has done for me, but I also Know I was on His mind when He did it for me. I cannot explain how that took place, I just have faith that it has happened. "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God" I John 5:5
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Our Refuge
"As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is flawless; He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." 2 Samuel 22:31
When I have the privilege to counsel or witness to someone about Christ's saving grace, one of the first things I ask is do they believe God's Word to be the truth. I ask this because I use the Bible to lead them in understanding what God would have them to know and accept about His son Jesus. What I have found is that my words and thinking can be misunderstood and or misleading. I want them to know what God says and not me. I have never had anyone tell me they did not believe God's Word to be the truth during these times of counseling and witnessing. I also believe God's way is perfect and His Word flawless in every way.
In so many ways Satan tries to attack us and weaken us when we are hurting, down physically or mentally and these are the times when we need Him as our shield. We can, as it says, take refuge in Him. I know, that I know, this to be true, but I am weak and I need to be reminded from time to time. I don't have to know the root word and/or the Greek understanding of the word refuge. What I know is my refuge in Him starts with faith and ends with faith. It has the same feeling that my salvation has within me. I do not deserve refuge but I know I have it and I will never loose it. My refuge cannot be taken from me nor be denied me. It is a constant and ever present source of peace for me, no matter what takes place around me. My refuge follows Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
When I have the privilege to counsel or witness to someone about Christ's saving grace, one of the first things I ask is do they believe God's Word to be the truth. I ask this because I use the Bible to lead them in understanding what God would have them to know and accept about His son Jesus. What I have found is that my words and thinking can be misunderstood and or misleading. I want them to know what God says and not me. I have never had anyone tell me they did not believe God's Word to be the truth during these times of counseling and witnessing. I also believe God's way is perfect and His Word flawless in every way.
In so many ways Satan tries to attack us and weaken us when we are hurting, down physically or mentally and these are the times when we need Him as our shield. We can, as it says, take refuge in Him. I know, that I know, this to be true, but I am weak and I need to be reminded from time to time. I don't have to know the root word and/or the Greek understanding of the word refuge. What I know is my refuge in Him starts with faith and ends with faith. It has the same feeling that my salvation has within me. I do not deserve refuge but I know I have it and I will never loose it. My refuge cannot be taken from me nor be denied me. It is a constant and ever present source of peace for me, no matter what takes place around me. My refuge follows Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Gospel
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel." Philippines 1:12
In my previous posting I gave you a glimpse into my recent past and discussed my grandson's bout, as well as my own, with cancer. I am convinced now, as much as I have been in the past, that the verse above answers all my questions as to what and why this happened to Jude and I. As to Jude, he has a long life ahead of him where he will be able to witness to and share the Gospel with many many people. His time is still to come. At that appointed time and date God will start his journey of discovery and blessings for reaching the lost for Christ. I know Jude will use his time wisely. As for me, it is a daily vigil, to become aware of those sent my way that have a need or a burden that I can speak to. I pray now that my eyes, ears and the Holy Spirit within me, keep me attuned to those sent my way, and that I will know what to say and or do at the proper time.
Leave a ,comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
In my previous posting I gave you a glimpse into my recent past and discussed my grandson's bout, as well as my own, with cancer. I am convinced now, as much as I have been in the past, that the verse above answers all my questions as to what and why this happened to Jude and I. As to Jude, he has a long life ahead of him where he will be able to witness to and share the Gospel with many many people. His time is still to come. At that appointed time and date God will start his journey of discovery and blessings for reaching the lost for Christ. I know Jude will use his time wisely. As for me, it is a daily vigil, to become aware of those sent my way that have a need or a burden that I can speak to. I pray now that my eyes, ears and the Holy Spirit within me, keep me attuned to those sent my way, and that I will know what to say and or do at the proper time.
Leave a ,comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Hand Of The Lord
"The hand of the Lord hath wrought this." Job 12:9
There have been and will be times in our lives when we experience crushing blows that we do not understand and cannot imagine why our great and wonderful God allows them to happen. Each person is different on how they internalize things that happen to their own body, mind and spirit. When things happen to a loved one and their body, mind and spirit, it is a very different matter.
My personal experience is, I can accept what happens to me. I know God has a purpose for everything in my life and nothing is a surprise to Him. He has already worked out what is to happen, the blessings and the unseen spiritual development He has for me. However, when these crushing blows fall on a loved one, it takes on a whole new dimension for me.
A couple of years ago I went through Carcinoid cancer surgery. I still have it in my liver and I will deal with it for some time to come. I have looked at it from my perspective only for the last few years. I did not realize what my family and friends were going through. This all changed this last month when my six month old grandson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and he had cancer surgery a few days later. Cancer took on a whole new relevance for me. It became personal.
What I am doing now is looking at this from a grandparent's perspective and knowing God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It still hurts though. I know He will use this to grow me and expects me to use this to accomplish His will for me. I am comforted that God is in control and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for me and for Jude.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
There have been and will be times in our lives when we experience crushing blows that we do not understand and cannot imagine why our great and wonderful God allows them to happen. Each person is different on how they internalize things that happen to their own body, mind and spirit. When things happen to a loved one and their body, mind and spirit, it is a very different matter.
My personal experience is, I can accept what happens to me. I know God has a purpose for everything in my life and nothing is a surprise to Him. He has already worked out what is to happen, the blessings and the unseen spiritual development He has for me. However, when these crushing blows fall on a loved one, it takes on a whole new dimension for me.
A couple of years ago I went through Carcinoid cancer surgery. I still have it in my liver and I will deal with it for some time to come. I have looked at it from my perspective only for the last few years. I did not realize what my family and friends were going through. This all changed this last month when my six month old grandson was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and he had cancer surgery a few days later. Cancer took on a whole new relevance for me. It became personal.
What I am doing now is looking at this from a grandparent's perspective and knowing God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It still hurts though. I know He will use this to grow me and expects me to use this to accomplish His will for me. I am comforted that God is in control and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for me and for Jude.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Safe and Secure, No Second Guessing!
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty." (Jude 24,25)
This verse tells me that to those called according to His purpose, we are saved! It is even better than that, we are saved and we can know it. But it is even three times better than that, we are saved, we know that we're saved, and we know that we can never ever lose our salvation. God is able to keep us from falling away. We can confidently say, "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12) We are safe and secure, no second guessing!!
I believe I was given this verse in the little book of JUDE because there is some considerable "second guessing" going on in the lives of those around us at this time. God has let us KNOW He has saved our loved one for His purpose and we should be looking for that purpose instead of looking for reasons to second guess Him. We need to simply trust Him and not continue to think our loved one is no longer under His protection or He has taken His hands off of him. God is faithful and He will honor His commitment. Our loved one is safe and secure and God will never ever loose him.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
This verse tells me that to those called according to His purpose, we are saved! It is even better than that, we are saved and we can know it. But it is even three times better than that, we are saved, we know that we're saved, and we know that we can never ever lose our salvation. God is able to keep us from falling away. We can confidently say, "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12) We are safe and secure, no second guessing!!
I believe I was given this verse in the little book of JUDE because there is some considerable "second guessing" going on in the lives of those around us at this time. God has let us KNOW He has saved our loved one for His purpose and we should be looking for that purpose instead of looking for reasons to second guess Him. We need to simply trust Him and not continue to think our loved one is no longer under His protection or He has taken His hands off of him. God is faithful and He will honor His commitment. Our loved one is safe and secure and God will never ever loose him.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Friday, March 25, 2011
To God Be The Power For Ever and Ever
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1Peter 5:10
God supplies all grace for His redeemed. He has called His chosen to be with Him eternally in Christ(how great that is). Our suffering takes place here on earth for and due to many things. Some of it is so He can be glorified, some so others can be comforted and some to help us lead others to Him and His saving grace. Be ever watchful for those instances where He wants you to do something for Him. How great His restoration will be. Our bodies are but a fleeting vessel used to showcase His glory and faithfulness, when we handle it properly. My body is not the same as it used to be and I know he will make it strong, firm and steadfast again. In some instances, He will restore our young and make them strong, firm and steadfast for the service He has for them. There are times also when our loved ones wander from their roots of salvation and grace. They face the suffering mentioned, but He will restore them and make them strong, firm and steadfast. Never give up on them, pray continually. My mother is ninety two years old. I wish you could see her daily prayer journal. You have to go to be with the Lord to get off of it. I am not sure when I got put on the prayer list, but I know I was in church 9 months prior to my birth. I think it was some time during that 9 months or shortly before then even. I have been blessed and prayed over everyday of my life, over 67 years. Pray now that your loved ones will be strong, firm and steadfast in Him.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
God supplies all grace for His redeemed. He has called His chosen to be with Him eternally in Christ(how great that is). Our suffering takes place here on earth for and due to many things. Some of it is so He can be glorified, some so others can be comforted and some to help us lead others to Him and His saving grace. Be ever watchful for those instances where He wants you to do something for Him. How great His restoration will be. Our bodies are but a fleeting vessel used to showcase His glory and faithfulness, when we handle it properly. My body is not the same as it used to be and I know he will make it strong, firm and steadfast again. In some instances, He will restore our young and make them strong, firm and steadfast for the service He has for them. There are times also when our loved ones wander from their roots of salvation and grace. They face the suffering mentioned, but He will restore them and make them strong, firm and steadfast. Never give up on them, pray continually. My mother is ninety two years old. I wish you could see her daily prayer journal. You have to go to be with the Lord to get off of it. I am not sure when I got put on the prayer list, but I know I was in church 9 months prior to my birth. I think it was some time during that 9 months or shortly before then even. I have been blessed and prayed over everyday of my life, over 67 years. Pray now that your loved ones will be strong, firm and steadfast in Him.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
My People - God's Chosen
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14
God is speaking to all who have called on the name of the Lord to be their Savior. Do you know Jesus as Savior or do you just know of Jesus as a Savior. That one issue must be settled if you are to be called by His name. Being humble in the sight of the Lord should be natural. Praying is of major importance on a daily basis. It is not formal or through someone else, but direct one-on-one discussions with the Lord about anything you desire. Ask Him if He is having a good day. Have you ever thought about God having a bad day. Think of the times you have hurt His feelings or said things that disappointed Him. When His loved ones disobey Him and turn to sin He is having a bad day. Seek His face in all that you do and say. He cannot look on sin, so free your self from the hold of sin, turn away from any wicked ways and ask for forgiveness, then seek His face. When Jesus hears from Heaven He hears God's voice of forgiveness of sin and heals us inside and out.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
2 Chronicles 7:14
God is speaking to all who have called on the name of the Lord to be their Savior. Do you know Jesus as Savior or do you just know of Jesus as a Savior. That one issue must be settled if you are to be called by His name. Being humble in the sight of the Lord should be natural. Praying is of major importance on a daily basis. It is not formal or through someone else, but direct one-on-one discussions with the Lord about anything you desire. Ask Him if He is having a good day. Have you ever thought about God having a bad day. Think of the times you have hurt His feelings or said things that disappointed Him. When His loved ones disobey Him and turn to sin He is having a bad day. Seek His face in all that you do and say. He cannot look on sin, so free your self from the hold of sin, turn away from any wicked ways and ask for forgiveness, then seek His face. When Jesus hears from Heaven He hears God's voice of forgiveness of sin and heals us inside and out.
Leave a comment on what God has placed on your heart about this verse.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)