by admin | May 4, 2012 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments, Personal
Early in my ‘walk with God’…..you know, after inviting Jesus into my heart and life, I set out to learn all I could about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Someone, and only God knows who, told me to always, and I mean always submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit before reading or listening to any teaching. (2 Corinthians 8:5)
In doing that the Holy Spirit will cause us to question something that is not of God. Sometimes we are taught things that have been taught and handed down from person to person, who, because they respect the speaker, teacher, accept it as truth without thinking through how it lines up with all the Bible. So important that we think not just listen.
The positive side is that the Holy Spirit will convict (convince) us of important things we need to know. God is so Good!!!
Someone else, taught me to have ‘ethical theology’……that which I believe is consistant from Gensis to Revelation of the Heart of God. Since man was under ‘law’ in the Old Testament and under ‘Grace’ (empowered by Jesus) in the New Testament we always need to examine what we believe and have faith in, by Jesus, his life and His teachings.
This has helped me immeasurably to work my way through so many ideas and ideaologies, available to all of us. I pray it will do the same for anyone reading this for the first time. It also has enabled me to love, and care about, those I don’t agree with in doctrine. We, in the Body of Christ are one in the Spirit, not in mental assent. Blessings, blessings, blessings in our Jesus!
Pressing in and pressing on….
by admin | Jan 29, 2012 | Jesus Talk, Kingdom Comments, Relationship Not Religion!
I just posted a testimony of a family that served God for most of their lives…..children, grandchildren, etc. Did they have problems, I would imagine they did, and survived and were blessed through their devotion and faith. www.5minutemiracle.com/mir/208.html
I am the first in my family, thanks to my middle son, Patrick, to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Thanks to his personal love and affect of his relationship with God, the family has been drawn into the Kingdom, and we see blessings and miracles often. Do we have struggles, you can bet we do….but the answer to 'own the blessings' is all tied up in relationship and the Grace of God.
Grace is unmerited favor; Grace is the empowering presence of God; Grace is the bridge between the wrath (God's settled opposition to sin) and the love of God!
The first step is to ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit to come into your life and be Lord (owner) of all you do…..Owners are responsible for those things they own. This does not take away our 'free will' it just gives us access to our Heavenly Father (Creator of the Universe) and undeserved blessings, favor and joy!
And as you get to know Jesus both intellectually and spiritually and most of all experientially you and those you invite into this Kingdom on Earth, will begin and continue to 'own the blessings' of God outlined in the Bible.
Eternal security with Jesus is the most important, but why would we not want to help Jesus with others, our family and regain the earth for Jesus with our faith and devotion now, so that we will have rewards in Heaven as He is promised? "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb 11:6
That was a rhetorical question! If I could break the bonds of my past, you can do it too…..start today….if you already have what we have discussed, increase and multiply with your example of Grace, Mercy and Favor, in and through our Jesus!
by admin | Jan 7, 2012 | Personal, Relationship Not Religion!
One of the things I learned a couple of years ago, about marriage, I find very insightful about life. In the movie SHALL WE DANCE, with Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, and Susan Sarandon, a question was 'asked' that went right into my spirit. We just never know how the Holy Spirit will teach us or who or what He will use…..that sure is exciting!
Susan is Richard's wife (in the movie) and Jennifer is a dance instructor. When Richard comes home late, on a regular basis, Susan hires a Detective to follow Richard. When she finds he is taking dancing lessons, she tells the Detective she no longer needs him……however, in their final conversation she asks him why he thinks people get married. He answers because of love and attraction to that person. Her reply is that we marry so we will have a 'witness' to our life.
There may have been more, but that went into my spirit, thinking how God said it was not good for man to be alone; I am sure for many reasons. And, I realized, one of the reasons, I liked being married so much was that I had another person to think about, consider and love. I was a witness to his life….his joys, his pains, his routine, etc. and it was fulfilling to be a part of that. I also like the idea that the same was true for my husband–he knew and understood me in so much and was kind and patient in the bad times, loving, fun and appreciative in the good times.
Now, that I am a widow and alone there is no witness to my daily life. No one knows when I get up, what I eat or what I do…..there is a vacancy there. My small 5 pound dog, Sparkey, is great company, but it certainly is not the same. I have family and friends who call or see me, but their schedules do not allow for a daily visit….nor should it…..they are very busy and very loving to me. Of course the Lord is always with me, and I am so grateful for that–and feel His presence often–but we do live in a physical world, and association with each other is super important.
I am writing this because if you are married, I how you will take another look at your partner and appreciate even one more gift God has given us in having each other. And, we who are alone appreciate the friends and family no matter how much time we have with them. Having a witness to your life is another reason to bond to that person for the mere sake of down-to-earth well-being. Being alone is definitely not an excuse to feel sorry for ourselves (I tried that and it is no fun) but to recognize the benefil of others and work on being a better mate, friend or family member.
Well, this was fun, and I pray we all have witness to our lives, and we live our lives with gratitude, joy and blessings, a witness to who ever is watching!
Pressing in and pressing on…..
by admin | Nov 30, 2011 | Uncategorized
In the past weeks the news–yes, I did say news–has been full of pictures and information about two celebrities who had a lavish, expensive wedding and then split in 72 days. Publicity stunt or lack to judgment???????
Thanksgiving day, a discussion arose on marriage. One couple said they married at 22 and that was much too young. Other comment came forth about age,circumstance, etc. I added I have a couple of friends who dated for years. They are attractive, intelligent and social and yet they have never found the right person. in dating each person has unique qualities and after awhile one can want all those qualities in one person and that person does not exist.
When I went home that night and began to thank God for a great day, wonderful family and friends, my mind went back to the marriage question. The Holy Spirit responded, "The person one marries should be someone whose character and nature they honor and respect."
A word picture fell into my mind. When we look past the outer core of a person, into the inner-most being, do we find love, kindness, life coming forth. Or is that person nice when it is convenient and self-absorbed most of the time. In a day and age of electronics and internet it is not unseemly to 'check someone out.'
What does their family and friends say about them? How to they treat their family, friends and oh yes, strangers? How do they treat their employees or Boss? what is their attitude toward God, life and the future? When we can honor and respect a person for 'who they are , in their heart' and love them for that, we can weather the storms of life together–especially the little annoyances that come every day.
Three of the reasons people get married are:
Passion–lust, physical attraction.
Convenience–liking the same foods, activities, sports–having things in common.
Social–long time relationship, family association, mutual friends, fitting into a social climate well.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOOD AS LONG AS THE CHARACTER AND NATURE OF THE TWO PEOPLE OVERRIDE THOSE CONSIDERATIONS!
Then of course there are negative reasons for getting married, such as, passion without reason, rebellion against parents or just life itself , a need to be needed without boundaries, a social or career move, etc. Even these marriages can make it if the Lord is brought in, to resolve the issues (All things are possible with God) but sure is tough to start on 'shaky ground'….the odds of success and happiness are slim.
THE POINT IS, WHEN WE SEARCH OUT WHO A PERSON IS, NOT JUST WHAT THEY DO, WE WILL HAVE A GREAT PLATFORM FOR SUCCESS IN MARRIAGE AND IN LIFE!
There are no guarantees in life or marriage. But, a super important point from the Bible In the book of John, Chapter 2, speaks of Jesus and His disciples attended a wedding….clear indication, it is a good idea to have Jesus and friends of Jesus at every wedding. Jesus needs to be part of all we do, Holy Spirit leading, guiding and Father God part of our heart, so that we are able to truly love and be loved!
Pressing in and pressing on…..
by admin | Aug 20, 2011 | Miracle Related
Miracles are answers to prayer where God changes the 'reality of something in our world.
There are facts and there is truth….for instance the facts can be that the doctors have said a person has 'incurable' things going on in their body, but the truth is, healing cam come because 'greater is He that is in the person, than he that is in the world.'
And we do not trust in what we say as much as what we say that is spiritual agreement with God and will bring 'spirit and life' to the situation–it is His power not ours.
I have seen instant miracles, instant healings….each have been different, and each a testimony to God's goodness. Many have also been healed by doctors, and at times, diet and supplements.
There are no formulas but there are 'principles of prayer' that help us to stand in faith, some are outlined in the Lord's prayer. Not formulas or law, but foundational principles that the Holy Spirit can use in our life as we pray, i.e. acknowledging God and thanking Him (two of many). It is so cool that we have three persons in one God working on our behalf.
I am working on a book titled, THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF THE PRINCIPLES OF
PRAYER. Hope to have it available soon.
My best, warmest advice always is to love God whether we get our miracle or not. Never confess that it is not happening….we always want to be in agreement with the Word of God that 'all things are possible.'
Pressing in and pressing on….
