True Friendship and Love

"This is my commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." John 15:12-14


Recently I have known people that have gone through tremendous difficulties and pain.  It kind of reminds me of when Job was going through his tough times and his "friends" attacked him and told him that he had sinned against God; this was why, according to him that he was in the situation he was in. Of course, we have the whole story and we know that God was not punishing Job.

This passage of scripture says that a true friend is one who will lay down his life for his friends like Christ did. We are God's friends if we do what He commands us to do.  What should our response be when someone we know is going through a rough time? One solution is to pray for them and with them, sincerely. A second response is to ask what they would like us to do.  Many times the friend is only looking for someone to vent to. Thirdly watch for opportunities. You might see that they need something as small as bringing a meal, or giving free babysitting. You will not only be serving them, but you will be serving God.

Sharing From An Open Heart

When you have an open heart, it's easy to get wrapped up in the lives of others. You want to see them succeed. You want them to make it. You want them to be happy. But, just because you want something doesn't mean you'll get it when it concerns the well-being of someone else. And if we invest too much, we can find ourselves sucked into this dark emotional void when Christ came to give us an abundant life full of joy, an unspeakable joy.

The trick to loving others without destroying yourself is to understand that we all have decisions to make. No one gets it right always. Some people are going to hear you. Some won't. Don't be discouraged or depressed. Just keep right own loving and praying for others.

As an ordained elder, I know the trials and hardships of living a godly life and carrying this beautiful Gospel. It's not always easy, but keep the faith and keep sharing your love with others even as God continues to share His love with us.

Terrified to Think of What Might Be Coming

This may not be at all popular and God knows I've waited to say anything about it, but there's this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach about this topic.

It seems lately that the more psychologists study human behavior and give it titles, calling it treatable or not, the closer we get to a place none of us in our right minds want to be. Let me start with this disclaimer. I am by no means a hater of homosexuals. I don't agree with homosexual marriage, but I equally disagree with mistreating people because of their sexual preference. A homosexual's sin is no worst than the sin of a liar. And who hasn't told a few of those in life? So please don't take this as judgmental.

Most professionals do not consider homosexuality to be treatable, unless it started in jail or late in life after heart breaks. They say that homosexuals cannot help but be how they are, that they are born that way. As a result, in some places homosexual rights are compared to that of being black, or Asian, or Hispanic. We have homosexuals coming out of the closet all the time, when personally I don't see the need for it. Our bedrooms have become all too public for something that should be guarded and held as deeply personal for the homo or heterosexual.

By the same token, another evil has crept up on us. Those who molest children and view and make kiddie porn are now saying that they were born with these feelings of desiring children rather than adults. There are psychologists out there studying those we call perverts today, trying to figure out what makes them tick, if they can help themselves and if their condition is treatable. It scares the bejesus out of me to think that 20 years from now my children and yours might have to vote on whether to allow old ancient men to marry young girls, and then young boys, or old women to do the same.

I am by no means saying that molesting children and being attracted to your own sex are equal in the eyes of society, though for sure they are in the eyes of God. Of course, sex before marriage is right there equal with them too in God's eyes. What I am saying is that we must be careful what tools we use as a society because our weapon of choice today might be our destruction tomorrow. We must learn to view some things as they really are- simply a choice. We choose to act upon feelings we have, whether to deny them or fulfill them. We make the decision and as such should bare the consequences without a lot of excuses. For instance, when I was severely ill many years ago and living with my mom who was also severely ill, I made a decision to write bad checks for medication. Was that the right thing to do? Heck no! But I did it and the probation and fines are a result of that. I can't blame it on society or how I was raised or anything else. I made a decision. I don't need an excuse. I was wrong. 

I pray that those reading this will learn the power of "I was wrong." and not continue to look for excuses for our choices. We don't want to start something we cannot finish. 

PRAYER & ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOU

NUMBERS 6:24-26

(24) The LORD bless thee, and keep thee;

(25) The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

(26) The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Whatever it is that you must face on today, know that the Lord is on your side and He will put no more on you than you can bear.  He's the heavy load bearer so turn it over and let Him/God handle all that you must face today and every day after.  Remember, God allowed the thing to happen, therefore He ALREADY has the answer and the solution to it.  Be encouraged even the more dear hearts for there are more with and for you than there are against you ~ HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Deeper Love

Sometimes, it's not enough to say you love someone. We all know this because we've experienced times when the words didn't satisfy us. We wanted the actions. We wanted something tangible to prove the professed love.

Most people are completely clueless about real love and what they means. Many are shallow and don't understand that love ALWAYS requires a sacrifice. Love means giving, sharing, understanding, showing mercy and forgiving things before even being asked to do so. These are the things you do when you love. We have long tried to make love a million easier things that it isn't, and later on live to regret it. What am I saying?

Today is another day in which you can make a decision about how you're going to interact with your family and those around you. You can decide to love people the right way, making room for their imperfections as you would want them to do for you. Or, you can continue on with that emptiness inside that is crying out to give and receive something. The choice is yours, but for sure, there's no use saying you love God if you can't, don't and won't love people.

Satisfaction for A Weary Soul

John 4:13-14 - Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that i shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

When one is thirsty or dehydrated, it doesn't matter how many other fluids you drink only water will quench that thirst. Christ alone is the only water that can revive our parched spirit. He's the bread that nourishes our hungry hearts, and only His truth can answer our mind's deepest questions and thoughts. Real Satisfaction to the soul is found only in Christ, seek Him today!

Many of us become parched or dehydrated in our soul as we deal with different issues on a daily basis.  There are times we become weary, tired, frustrated and we even feel like giving up at times but we have but to remember to drink from the Well that never runs dry.  Scripture tells us not to be weary in well doing for WE SHALL REAP if we faint not.  It ALL shall come to pass, (the businesses, the healing, the ministry, the books, the Cd's, etc) all that God has shown but it's important that we take one day at a time, and we MUST drink of that water that Jesus has to offer and nights end for this helps us to be refreshed for the next day's journey.

 * Jesus is the Water of Life that is able to quench all of your life's thirsts, drink as much as you please for His well never runs dry!

Why are you so down?

"Why are you in despair, o my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him."  Psalm 42:11

The past couple weeks have been challenging ones for me. Something that I thought was going to happen didn't and I to say that I was disappointed is an understatement.  I spent several days in a funk. Even my husband couldn't get me out of it.  I pouted, I screamed and cried. I've seen small children respond better to having their toys taken away than I did, but the great thing about God is that He's still there urging us on and loving us despite our moods. He's not like some people who avoid us when we're crabby and down.  He's there. I'm so glad that He is! He's waiting for us now. All we have to do is run to Him and praise Him.

~ NEVERTHELESS I GIVE GOD THANKS ~

There are some situations and circumstances in our life that make us stand back and say, "I don't see anything to give God thanks for".   When it comes to daily life issues, thanking God is usually not at the top of the list, (just keeping it real), yes it comes once we realize that it's our of our control or we realize that we can't deal with it without God but TRUTH BE TOLD -  It's not easy thanking God when dealing with grief, heartache, pain in the body, rape, sexual and mental abuse, etc., etc., etc. but when we LEARN to step aside of self and just begin to THANK GOD for ALL things good or bad, happy or sad we realize that it is definitely worth it!


Psalm 26:7 - That i may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.


Psalm 95:2 - Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.


Amos 4:5 - and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God.


Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.


Colossians 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;


Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks ALWAYS for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Turn your frown upside down by giving God THANKS in all things, whether good, bad or ugly ~ we have to, it's part of our survival process!

A Word of Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,


I ask forgiveness for everything that I have said, thought and done that is against your will.  Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a constant spirit within me.  Cleanse me and make me whole.  I thank you for allowing your people to see a whole new day, I pray that we walk in it according to your Perfect Will.

Father, go through out this entire world and grant every petition and prayer request as your Perfect Will allows. Increase your Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Revelation and Obedience of your Word
in my life and the lives of others, that we may know and be comforted in all of your decisions.  Father I am mere flesh that at times tend to forget that you, THE ALMIGHTY GOD, knows what's best for me and the lives of our family members.  Continue to watch over us keeping us safe from all hurt, harm and danger and surround us with your protecting angels that no harm nor evil come nigh unto us.

I bind all that is not like you in our lives and therefore it is bound in Heaven and I loose your SPIRIT in the lives of your people so we dont become entangled in the snares and traps of the enemy. Teach us Father to lean and depend on you even the more, knowing that you have everything in control.  In your Word it tells us that you will never leave us nor forsake us, and for this I am thankful and give you the Most Highest Praise - Hallelujah, in your precious Son Jesus name, Amen, Amen and Amen!

PRAYING THAT YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE, BLESSED, PROSPEROUS AND FULFILLED HOLIDAY WEEKEND!