Moving Forward

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Beginning a new year can be both exciting and daunting.  If you have had a particularly trying and difficult previous year, you may enter a new year cautious and possibly even fearful.  Will that illness rear its head again?  Will my relationship be filled with pain again? Will I lose this job too? … the questions are endless depending on your situation.

Weary, worn and battle scarred … I have been there and I’m sure so have you.  You may be there right at this moment.  In those seasons, I have always found my strength in God, His word, and comfort.  When nothing else seems stable … When nothing else seems to make sense … When all seems lost … God is still God.  He is all knowing.  That, right there, has seen me through so many situations.  God is all knowing.  So, what I can’t see, He does.  What I don’t understand or know, He does.  My God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is omniscience, omnipresent, sovereign, full of Grace, full of Love and full of Mercy.  I can make it through, even in my lack of knowledge and pain, because He is God and I am not. In Romans 5:3-4 it states:

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know suffering

Produces perseverance; perseverance, character;

And character, hope.”

As you move forward into 2016, move with confidence, move with perseverance no matter what you’re facing and you will find hope!  Not hope in fleeting things, but hope in Jesus Christ that prevails over all things past, present and future.

 

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“HOPE” – 11/23/2015

When I read and study the scriptures I like to pull out and look at various translations of the text. I did that recently with Acts 2:26 and love how the Message Bible translation paints the picture for this scripture

“I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.”

~ Acts 2:26b ~

It is very easy to lose hope theses days. ISIS killing innocent people because of their hate filled agenda. Nations around the world are being flooded with Syrian refugees who are fleeing countries where violence has escalated to unimaginable levels. Our country losing its Godly perspective that our forefathers built as a foundation for this nation. Diseases ravaging the bodies of loved ones. Bank accounts that are dwindling by the day because of unemployment. Yes, it is easy to lose hope when we look to the world around us.

But, my hope is in Jesus Christ. My hope is not in man and manmade things. I have chosen to “pitch my tent in the land of hope.” The imagery in this verse is beautiful. I dwell, I follow, I live … within the hope of Jesus Christ. He is God’s Son and the sender of the Holy Spirit. He never leaves us. His light of love, mercy and grace shines bright in a dark and disturbing world. I stand in His presence and luxuriate in the warmth of His Hope. No worry, no fear, no anxiety, no hate … only His love, only His saving grace, only His hope, His peace, His strength do I find “in the land of hope.” Today, pull up the stakes of your tent and travel from hopelessness to the land of hope; pitch your tent and dwell in the presence of Jesus and there find your breath of life … Hope!

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“Apple of His Eye” – 06/16/2015

I know that each of us who are called by the name Christ forget at times who we are, especially during times of repeated attack. It is when the war is long and arduous that we begin to waver in faith, in knowledge, in truth.   You may be going through a very difficult time right now and I want to remind you to whom you belong and who you are. You are God’s chosen.  You are the apple of His eye. God loves you. He has not left you. God is with you. He is battling right along side of you. Your battle is there to mold and shape you more and more into the image of Christ. However, also remember this:

“For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you,

for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” Zechariah 2:8

Those who harm you, those who plunder you, those who come against you; God will bring about justice on your behalf. He loves you. He adores you. He delights in you. You are His and you are the “apple of His eye.”

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“IT IS AS YOU SAY” – 03/23/2015

Accusations … false statements … those who don’t believe in you and would much rather taunt you. Theses are difficult situations to deal with. If you haven’t experienced this yet … hold on … because all of us at one time or another will have to endure such things.

So, how do you handle this type of situation? Our initial response is to defend ourselves against the falsehood. However, that is not the best course of action. The greatest example on how to handle your accusers is modeled by Jesus Christ in Mark 15:1-5 … Go ahead, take a moment to read these 5 scriptures … I will wait ……………

 “It Is As You Say” (Mark 15:26)

 

What do you do when faced with accusations and false statements?

• Acknowledge the truth
• Don’t waste time with the lies but keep walking in integrity and peace

When you do, others will marvel!

(Marvel means – to cause wonder, admiration or astonishment)

Better to astound than to defend.

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YOUR TROUBLES WON’T LAST – 01/22/2015

So many people are going through some difficult life struggles already this year. They have become disheartened that 2015 has begun in such a way. Whether it is at the beginning of a New Year when we want things to go smoothly to wipe out the negatives of the previous year or if it is at any other time throughout the year that life deals you a challenge, do not lose hope! If we base our hope on what is happening in our lives, our hope will diminish quickly and our lives will pull us into the chaotic whirl and dizzying sense that we are out of control and can only ride along. If we base our hope In Christ Jesus, we will find our hope is constant, our strength to bear up under our “present troubles” is more than we expected, and we will find that in Christ Jesus we will be able to not only bear up under the troubles of the day, but we will succeed in overcoming those troubles.

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”

2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT

When we overcome, we allow the glory of God to shine! With Jesus orchestrating and directing your way, life troubles will seem small and manageable. If you are facing some challenges in this new year, know that through Christ you will not only make it through, but you will overcome!

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A HEART OF GRATITUDE – 09/26/2014

I have become appalled with the behavior of our culture over the years. Our culture has evolved into an entitlement culture. The lingo of the day is “I have to have” or “I need” or “I can’t live with out …” This language is not being applied to things like food, water, shelter, safe living environment etc. It is being linked with statements like: “I have to have the iPhone 6” or “I need the 2014 BMW” or “I can’t live with out those Ugg boots or I’ll die” … really, has our culture become so shallow and self-absorbed that people really believe they are entitled to all these ‘things’? Let us live counter culturally and daily live with a heart of gratitude. Cultivate an atmosphere of gratitude for all that God has provided.

 

“In every thing give thanks, for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Let’s stop using statements like “I need”, “I have to have” in regards to things that bring no benefit to our lives. Instead, let us shift our thinking to “I need God’s presence in my life in a deeper way” “I have to have my heart beating in sync with God’s” and “I can’t live with out the Holy Spirit’s power operating in my life” then thank God for all that you do have … develop a heart of gratitude toward God and others!!

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WEEPING TO JOY – 08/21/2014

There has been so much sadness and pain in the lives of the people around me as of late. I bring to them the hope of Christ in their situation yet I still find that they weep. I did not get it at first. Was I not connected to God as I should be and because of that, I was not bringing the comfort of Christ? What was I not getting … and then I read Psalm 30:5 and the Holy Spirit revealed a new facet of this scripture that I have read many times before but did not see:

“Weeping may endure for a night,but joy comes in the morning.”

 It is not that they; in the midst of their loss, sadness, and pain were not covered by the comfort and peace of Christ … they wept still because it served God’s purpose. I think this quote will clarify what I mean: “Our tears water the “seeds of providence” that God has planted on our path; and without our tears, those seeds could never grow and produce.” (unknown) … Our tears serve a God ordained purpose in bringing about the change necessary for the dawn of the “new thing” He has purposed  … He will bring us through the pain and to the blessing.  However, we may need to weep first but in the weeping know that the joy will come as we see the sprout of the “new day” the “new season” and the purposes and revelations of God!! Be blessed today, weep if you need to in the midst of your current pain, but be assured your tears serve a purpose and your joy is about to birth forth a great thing through Christ Jesus!

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CARRIED BY FAITH – 06/27/2014

Mark 2:1-12 is the account of the paralyzed man who was carried to Jesus by four friends while he was lying on a mat. His friends were so determined to get their friend to Jesus that the crowds did not deter them. Instead, the men climbed to the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching, removed the tiles from the roof and lowered the man down through the roof to Jesus.

“And Jesus seeing THEIR faith said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven” vs. 5

“I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.” vs. 11

The man was healed not because of his faith but because of his friends (their) faith. There will be times that we will need to collectively surround a brother or sister in Christ and carry them to Jesus because their faith is weak. Too many times, and sadly so, the church today kicks their own when they are down instead of coming alongside and encouraging an individual to persevere … or to say, hey I will walk with you for awhile … or even better, I will carry you and see you through. I have a feeling we haven’t heard Jesus say, in quite sometime, “Now there is faith and because of their faith, you my child are set free!”

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GOD’S ARTWORK – 04/22/2014

Sometimes in the midst of tough circumstances, we forget who we are. We allow the pain, disappointment, and more to wear away at the strength of our assurance. I have “go to” scriptures that I pull out on those tough days, those days that tend to overwhelm and try to pull us under. One of those verses is Ephesians 2:10:

For we are His workmanship, created in

Christ Jesus for good works, which

God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

This verse brings out the warrior spirit in me. The devil wants to taunt me, try and destroy me, and knock me down but he never wins because I know who I am. I am God’s workmanship (Greek – POIEMA). This is the word we get our English word “poem” and “poetry” from. We are the artistry of God. Artists don’t just throw something together. They are thoughtful, masterful, etc. They pour themselves into each creation. A piece of them is placed within each piece of artwork. And so it is with us. God created us with His own hands as a piece of His art; with love, compassion, tears, laughter, joy, and for a purpose. We are God’s poem, His artistry … filled with His breath and His purpose. Remember that the next time satan tries to get to you. Know who you are and stand strong!

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THIRST – 03/04/2014

“… I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” 

Revelation 21:6b

Thirst … have you ever been so thirsty that your tongue stuck to the inside of your mouth?  Those thirst headaches are the worst.  When you are thirsty, you are miserable.  The only thing you can think about is finding something to drink to quench the thirst.  Once you do find that thirst quencher, it is so refreshing!

The same experience can be applied to our lives.  We thirst to fill that void in our lives.  The void is misery.  We want nothing more than to fill that void so that the misery will end.  Sadly, too many people turn to the things of the world to fill the void … alcohol, drugs, relationship, shopping, eating, over exercising … and the list goes on.  Unfortunately, these things do not quench the thirst but increases the thirst at an exorbitant cost.  Thirst after God … not the things of the world.  He is the only One that is able to truly fill us!  He is the only One that is able to fill the void within us!  Thirst after Him and He will quench your thirst and fill you to overflowing with His love, grace, mercy, and presence!  It will cost you nothing … but it cost Jesus dearly … and He paid the price willingly so we wouldn’t have to!!

 

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