Good morning all-
Well it definitely has been a hard week around the Rogers household. Hunter had a friend move from UT to Kansas in June. It went well for awhile but then things started going wrong and this last week was the end of his free ride. He is only nineteen but he will be learning the consequences for his actions and I have been full of sadness. As I prayed for him yesterday, I thought about how our Father feels when we sin against Him. He must be as hurt and devastated as I am because He knows the consequences to our actions will not be easy. Now Trevor will move in with family and have to pay rent when I asked for nothing. I bought him a bed and now he will lay on a couch. I opened my pantry to him and now he will have to contribute money for food. He raised my food and water bill and I never asked for a penny. Why? Because I believed this is what God had asked of me.
I believe in people. I have this rare gift of seeing what's inside. But as time goes by, I won't be fooled for long because Christ will give me His eyes. There are so many people that believe everyone is bad, they aren't bad but their actions are. Trevor continued to disobey rules and last week we found that he broke a window to sneak a young girl into my home. I have been sick about it. I also have experienced anger, hurt and sadness. He will reap the consequences of his actions but I also had to bear the brunt of his actions. Doesn't God do the same thing? He gave us free choice and allowed us to make decisions. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us and yet, when we are weak; we fall into temptation.
I used to think God loved to punish those of us that sinned. Now I know that it's us that makes those decisions and as we make those decisions, God weeps for us, just like I have for Trevor. I saw it as I was praying. My feelings were just like our Makers. He tries to stop us from going down the path of destruction but we continue on believing there won't be a complication. Well, this week Trevor is beginning to feel the complication of his actions. I have forgiven him and understand that he has his own walk in life. I'm not sure he believes in Jesus but when he's alone I hope he remembers that I loved Him with God's heart. I'm going to miss him. He's complicated and scarred but at the end of the day, he broke the rules and lost a home where he could just be himself. I'm praying for his journey and hope that God and him meet up. In the meantime, if you are sinning against God, please ask for His forgiveness. Don't walk further away because you don't feel worthy. Walk toward the light because He is near and wants His child to come home.
I probably won't ever take in another child. At least right now that's how I feel. This has been a good learning lesson to me too because I truly want to look at the child and not the man he had become and at nineteen you are a man. So with that being said, repent and ask God for direction. We all fall into sin but now my question is, "How much of my sin hurts my Father?"
Take heart in Jesus and thank Him for being a loving, forgiving Father. He is love and understands the temptations of life. Satan spent forty days tempting Him. He knows what you're going through so fight it with all your power, Christ is your shield. Wishing you the best day ever as we walk toward the light of the world.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)
My Prayer today:
O, Lord of Israel, help me hear Your voice. Temptation is everywhere and when we are tempted and fall, consequences are on the door. Please lead us from temptation and forgive us of our sins. We are weak but You are strong. Thank you for giving us a resting place full of power and majesty. We need You to guide us all our days and to remind us their is no temptation more satisfying than You. Thank you for letting me see through my prayers Your sorrow for those that sin against You. I am a sinner and if my actions caused You to shed one tear for me, I am so very sorry. You are my world and You hear our cries. Protect the weak and make us strong. In Jesus name, AMEN.
Until tomorrow...
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Ebola and prayer....
Good morning all-
Well Ms. Pham has been upgraded from fair to good and Ms. Vinson doesn't have the virus in her system. Do you think it was just the great care at Emory and Bethesda? Every article I have read dictates that early detection, lots of fluids and our system have attributed to our success and I'm sure they have. However, what it doesn't state is how God's people prayed and how a little boy donated blood to a physician that has continued to donate so that others can live.
I am so grateful to the men and women that put their lives on the line for us. If we not were so scared of Ebola, I doubt many would even care. I remember when AIDS came out and it was considered a homosexual disease so no one that was heterosexual even cared. Many years later I was sitting in a women's study class in college and a young, beautiful mother of one started to tell her story. I think we were all shocked when she announced to the class she had AIDS. The silence in the room was deafening.
We believe that we are immune to the worlds problems but we aren't. What is happening in Russia could happen anywhere. When we see people dying of famine, we could be next and when a man comes from Nigeria, our country begins to see the horror of the West African people. People are only surviving by 30 percent, so far, beyond one man, in the US they have all survived. We weren't prepared for an epidemic or this disease, really no one is. So when I'm scared and want to confine myself to my home, I start to pray and so I have. I have prayed for the people of Africa and I have prayed for every victim fallen of this horrific disease. I have asked women in every nation to pray and ask God to protect, heal and bring revival. Will revival come from this experience? I have no idea but I do know that God is calling and although our medicine was good, He is greater!
Prayer is power beyond human imagination. He hears our cries and will answer the way he sees fit. For the family of Thomas they lost a precious sole, who tried to help a dying pregnant woman, for others they will survive and fulfill their purpose. He was not the enemy; He was a person who loved and cared for others. He was a victim of this great plague and my hope is that we will all take his family and lift them up in prayer. May the families of these nurses be wise and may every victim speak of God's great glory, for we know it wasn't just modern medicine that brought them through the valley. It was God. Please continue to pray as another physician trying to help has caught this disease and pray for the people of Africa as they continue to fight for their lives. We are one under God.
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7, 9-10 NIV)
Well Ms. Pham has been upgraded from fair to good and Ms. Vinson doesn't have the virus in her system. Do you think it was just the great care at Emory and Bethesda? Every article I have read dictates that early detection, lots of fluids and our system have attributed to our success and I'm sure they have. However, what it doesn't state is how God's people prayed and how a little boy donated blood to a physician that has continued to donate so that others can live.
I am so grateful to the men and women that put their lives on the line for us. If we not were so scared of Ebola, I doubt many would even care. I remember when AIDS came out and it was considered a homosexual disease so no one that was heterosexual even cared. Many years later I was sitting in a women's study class in college and a young, beautiful mother of one started to tell her story. I think we were all shocked when she announced to the class she had AIDS. The silence in the room was deafening.
We believe that we are immune to the worlds problems but we aren't. What is happening in Russia could happen anywhere. When we see people dying of famine, we could be next and when a man comes from Nigeria, our country begins to see the horror of the West African people. People are only surviving by 30 percent, so far, beyond one man, in the US they have all survived. We weren't prepared for an epidemic or this disease, really no one is. So when I'm scared and want to confine myself to my home, I start to pray and so I have. I have prayed for the people of Africa and I have prayed for every victim fallen of this horrific disease. I have asked women in every nation to pray and ask God to protect, heal and bring revival. Will revival come from this experience? I have no idea but I do know that God is calling and although our medicine was good, He is greater!
Prayer is power beyond human imagination. He hears our cries and will answer the way he sees fit. For the family of Thomas they lost a precious sole, who tried to help a dying pregnant woman, for others they will survive and fulfill their purpose. He was not the enemy; He was a person who loved and cared for others. He was a victim of this great plague and my hope is that we will all take his family and lift them up in prayer. May the families of these nurses be wise and may every victim speak of God's great glory, for we know it wasn't just modern medicine that brought them through the valley. It was God. Please continue to pray as another physician trying to help has caught this disease and pray for the people of Africa as they continue to fight for their lives. We are one under God.
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7, 9-10 NIV)
Monday, October 20, 2014
What if you only had today?
Good morning all-
I've been really thinking about this one question, "What if I only had today?" It's not an easy question but it should be one we ask ourselves on a regular basis. Worry comes and it's because we are worrying about tomorrow. Fear comes because we just don't know what we don't know and peace comes from resting and staying in today. I often let my mind wander to tomorrow and it only causes fear and destruction. Ulcers, health issues and other diseases come from worry and distraction. Right now there are those that fear Ebola, those that are panicking and those that are resting. Honestly, my first instince when they brought the physician to the US was to panic. But as I sought the Lord and began resting in Him I was spurred to pray for him and the nurse that was effected. Why? Because I was listening in the moment.
Will this plague be the largest for all time? That's a question I can not answer for only God knows what is happening in the world. Can we stop it? I'm not sure but I do know that we can pray and come together and ask God for a worldwide revival. Through every historical event people have come to Christ because they were hurting, desperate or ill. We are often not on our knees until something happens with our health or our money. Loss is a powerful tool to ones heart.
While talking to the young man that has moved in with us, he asked me what I thought about Ebola. I asked him if he truly believed in Jesus. He never really answered. He has made a lot of bad decisions lately and it's very hard to get the young to realize they may only have today. Youth believes they will survive war, famine and disease but in reality if it's your time, that's all you have. Which puts me back to the beginning of this message. It's time to live our lives to the fullest. We must ask ourselves if we only had today what would we want to be remembered for? I for one would want to be remembered for loving others, teaching my sons to be Godly men and seeking God in my every day life. He is the reason I am here after all. Do I expect everyone to see the value in these words? Not really, but they are true and they are in the Word. Often, I find myself reflecting on passages that reveal God's calling and there is one that is so true. Live for today just like Jesus did because tomorrow will come soon enough.
At the end of the day, there are thousands of people in Africa struggling to survive. Ebola has already taken 4400 lives and many more to follow. Should we live in fear or should we pray for them and ask God to move mountains and heal nations? That's my prayer. So how do we respond in this historical event? We get on our knees and ask the Father of us all to come and heal the people of the land bringing revival to all nations.
I pray today that millions will join with me to ask God for mercy and revival. I am praying for a cure of biblical proportions and asking our Savior to intercede where man can not. This moment is ours and we may only have today so let's take this day and love those we can not see or touch. Please pray for the victims of this radical disease and pray for all of us to ask God for a new revival throughout the land. He is our Savior and whether it's war, famine or disease; we are to rest in Him. Powerful words and yet hard to follow. God of Abraham is all powerful and all knowing. Through our own will we can seek Him and find Him. Please take a moment to seek Him today with everything you have and to ask that He give you direction just for today.
God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NIV)
I've been really thinking about this one question, "What if I only had today?" It's not an easy question but it should be one we ask ourselves on a regular basis. Worry comes and it's because we are worrying about tomorrow. Fear comes because we just don't know what we don't know and peace comes from resting and staying in today. I often let my mind wander to tomorrow and it only causes fear and destruction. Ulcers, health issues and other diseases come from worry and distraction. Right now there are those that fear Ebola, those that are panicking and those that are resting. Honestly, my first instince when they brought the physician to the US was to panic. But as I sought the Lord and began resting in Him I was spurred to pray for him and the nurse that was effected. Why? Because I was listening in the moment.
Will this plague be the largest for all time? That's a question I can not answer for only God knows what is happening in the world. Can we stop it? I'm not sure but I do know that we can pray and come together and ask God for a worldwide revival. Through every historical event people have come to Christ because they were hurting, desperate or ill. We are often not on our knees until something happens with our health or our money. Loss is a powerful tool to ones heart.
While talking to the young man that has moved in with us, he asked me what I thought about Ebola. I asked him if he truly believed in Jesus. He never really answered. He has made a lot of bad decisions lately and it's very hard to get the young to realize they may only have today. Youth believes they will survive war, famine and disease but in reality if it's your time, that's all you have. Which puts me back to the beginning of this message. It's time to live our lives to the fullest. We must ask ourselves if we only had today what would we want to be remembered for? I for one would want to be remembered for loving others, teaching my sons to be Godly men and seeking God in my every day life. He is the reason I am here after all. Do I expect everyone to see the value in these words? Not really, but they are true and they are in the Word. Often, I find myself reflecting on passages that reveal God's calling and there is one that is so true. Live for today just like Jesus did because tomorrow will come soon enough.
At the end of the day, there are thousands of people in Africa struggling to survive. Ebola has already taken 4400 lives and many more to follow. Should we live in fear or should we pray for them and ask God to move mountains and heal nations? That's my prayer. So how do we respond in this historical event? We get on our knees and ask the Father of us all to come and heal the people of the land bringing revival to all nations.
I pray today that millions will join with me to ask God for mercy and revival. I am praying for a cure of biblical proportions and asking our Savior to intercede where man can not. This moment is ours and we may only have today so let's take this day and love those we can not see or touch. Please pray for the victims of this radical disease and pray for all of us to ask God for a new revival throughout the land. He is our Savior and whether it's war, famine or disease; we are to rest in Him. Powerful words and yet hard to follow. God of Abraham is all powerful and all knowing. Through our own will we can seek Him and find Him. Please take a moment to seek Him today with everything you have and to ask that He give you direction just for today.
God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NIV)
Saturday, October 18, 2014
We need to be watching with God's eyes...
Good morning all-
As natural disasters, Ebola, war and huge earthquakes break out, are you an observer or are you watching through our Lord's eyes? Over six years ago, I started this blog and the one thing I asked God is that I would have his eyes. I was sitting on my couch with such sadness I didn't even want to get up. My best friend had died and all I could think was, "I need you mom." I wasn't ready to face the world without her and I was really sad. On that couch I spoke out loud to God and asked that He would help me through my loss but at the same time give me His eyes. I knew He was with me, which meant He was watching His children. I never felt alone but I did feel lost. Did God feel all our pains, all our fears and did He hear us?
Those days and hours were some of my quietest, most profound and totally spiritual. I was quiet and I heard the Lord prompting me to have His eyes and His hands. So as I pondered what was going to be expected of me I cried out, "Let me see what you see." And since then, I have seen more than I ever could have imagined. Almost no detail goes by me. I see the homeless man in the street. I see the single mom trying to make enough money to take care of her children. But most importantly, I see the world like I never did before. If it didn't happen in the US, I really didn't pay much attention. But from the onset of this spiritual awakening I felt God calling me to the women of all nations. I can remember thinking, "Why me Lord?" I rarely watched the news and pretty much tried to ignore world events but in my quiet time I knew this was the path that I was meant to journey on. How was God going to use me to reach the women all over the world? And then the blog became the way I would spread His love, His sacrifice and His Word! I would be able to fulfill my promise to Him. So I began to pray for women all over the world and my heart expanded and continues to expand. I can't read about ISIS without thinking about the women that are dying. I can't read about Syria without thinking of the women that are in the middle and I can't read about Ebola without realizing we are in the middle of a plague of God proportion and women need to hear from God so they can pray for their countries, their men and their families.
God hears us that's for sure. Prayer has changed world events, it has provided support, encouragement and love. Prayers have built trust where there once was none and through prayer God speaks His heart unto the world. Every figure in the Bible prayed and whenever I doubt it, I pick it up and see prayers throughout. Even this week as I was researching the last seven plagues, there was a prayer glorifying God. We can sit and be in fear. We can contemplate Ebola and not care or we can stand up and pray that God would heal the broken and through this devastating disease a revival would be born. He loves His people but we turn our backs, we throw our cares into ourselves. We need to start caring about every person in every nation. Famine is here, war is here, natural disasters are here and Ebola is HERE. No one is safe but we are in God's arms and those ladies that worked in Texas are God's angels because they didn't worry about themselves. They loved a very sick man and now we must love them and those that are in Liberia, Nigeria, and throughout the world.
Do I ever wish I could run? Not anymore because I know He has called me to spread the hope He has to give. The same hope He gave when He made a dead man walk or when He sat with the woman at the well. It is a hope for the ages. From Abraham to Jesus and now to us, God is here and He knows us by name. Give Him the glory today and ask that He would supply you with the words to heal nations, spread love and most importantly, have His eyes. Is it hard to look through His eyes? Of course it is because there is a lot going on out there. It's through His spirit we can grow with Him. I'm praying that you all feel His spirit and that you spend time in the quiet to hear His voice. The time is now and we are being called to calm the storm, quiet the hearts and spread the word that our God will cover us. Lord our God cover us in the shelter of Your wings!
Take time today to love someone, to pray for a nation and to pray for doctors and nurses. They are God's workers and if you live in another country, please pray for the nurses in Texas who loved a foreign man and layed down their lives for Him. And please give thanks to the little boy who gave his blood so that a doctor in the US could contribute his blood. He has helped several survivors, what a gift he got through a small child. Let's be a gift to God and love!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:10-12 NIV)
Don't be afraid, move toward the tower of strength and give what He has given to you. Give your life for Him, release your fear and follow the only God that can destroy evil, plague, famine and death! He is the One and only One. Please spread the word, pray and have His eyes!
My prayer today:
Lord be with us today as we contemplate the unkown. Help us live for today. Give us your eyes and your heart for the people of this world. And as we contemplate Your word and resting in You, provide peace, wisdom and love. We come to You with hope in our hearts because we know that You will bring forth healing and encouragement to every people group throughout the world. We are Your children, help us hear from YOU! We also take a moment to pray for the nurses in Texas and those that are serving the nations where the plague is having its greatest impact. Please have Your hands on them and help them become great workers for You! In Jesus Name, hear our prayer Lord!
As natural disasters, Ebola, war and huge earthquakes break out, are you an observer or are you watching through our Lord's eyes? Over six years ago, I started this blog and the one thing I asked God is that I would have his eyes. I was sitting on my couch with such sadness I didn't even want to get up. My best friend had died and all I could think was, "I need you mom." I wasn't ready to face the world without her and I was really sad. On that couch I spoke out loud to God and asked that He would help me through my loss but at the same time give me His eyes. I knew He was with me, which meant He was watching His children. I never felt alone but I did feel lost. Did God feel all our pains, all our fears and did He hear us?
Those days and hours were some of my quietest, most profound and totally spiritual. I was quiet and I heard the Lord prompting me to have His eyes and His hands. So as I pondered what was going to be expected of me I cried out, "Let me see what you see." And since then, I have seen more than I ever could have imagined. Almost no detail goes by me. I see the homeless man in the street. I see the single mom trying to make enough money to take care of her children. But most importantly, I see the world like I never did before. If it didn't happen in the US, I really didn't pay much attention. But from the onset of this spiritual awakening I felt God calling me to the women of all nations. I can remember thinking, "Why me Lord?" I rarely watched the news and pretty much tried to ignore world events but in my quiet time I knew this was the path that I was meant to journey on. How was God going to use me to reach the women all over the world? And then the blog became the way I would spread His love, His sacrifice and His Word! I would be able to fulfill my promise to Him. So I began to pray for women all over the world and my heart expanded and continues to expand. I can't read about ISIS without thinking about the women that are dying. I can't read about Syria without thinking of the women that are in the middle and I can't read about Ebola without realizing we are in the middle of a plague of God proportion and women need to hear from God so they can pray for their countries, their men and their families.
God hears us that's for sure. Prayer has changed world events, it has provided support, encouragement and love. Prayers have built trust where there once was none and through prayer God speaks His heart unto the world. Every figure in the Bible prayed and whenever I doubt it, I pick it up and see prayers throughout. Even this week as I was researching the last seven plagues, there was a prayer glorifying God. We can sit and be in fear. We can contemplate Ebola and not care or we can stand up and pray that God would heal the broken and through this devastating disease a revival would be born. He loves His people but we turn our backs, we throw our cares into ourselves. We need to start caring about every person in every nation. Famine is here, war is here, natural disasters are here and Ebola is HERE. No one is safe but we are in God's arms and those ladies that worked in Texas are God's angels because they didn't worry about themselves. They loved a very sick man and now we must love them and those that are in Liberia, Nigeria, and throughout the world.
Do I ever wish I could run? Not anymore because I know He has called me to spread the hope He has to give. The same hope He gave when He made a dead man walk or when He sat with the woman at the well. It is a hope for the ages. From Abraham to Jesus and now to us, God is here and He knows us by name. Give Him the glory today and ask that He would supply you with the words to heal nations, spread love and most importantly, have His eyes. Is it hard to look through His eyes? Of course it is because there is a lot going on out there. It's through His spirit we can grow with Him. I'm praying that you all feel His spirit and that you spend time in the quiet to hear His voice. The time is now and we are being called to calm the storm, quiet the hearts and spread the word that our God will cover us. Lord our God cover us in the shelter of Your wings!
Take time today to love someone, to pray for a nation and to pray for doctors and nurses. They are God's workers and if you live in another country, please pray for the nurses in Texas who loved a foreign man and layed down their lives for Him. And please give thanks to the little boy who gave his blood so that a doctor in the US could contribute his blood. He has helped several survivors, what a gift he got through a small child. Let's be a gift to God and love!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5 NIV)
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” (Revelation 12:10-12 NIV)
Don't be afraid, move toward the tower of strength and give what He has given to you. Give your life for Him, release your fear and follow the only God that can destroy evil, plague, famine and death! He is the One and only One. Please spread the word, pray and have His eyes!
My prayer today:
Lord be with us today as we contemplate the unkown. Help us live for today. Give us your eyes and your heart for the people of this world. And as we contemplate Your word and resting in You, provide peace, wisdom and love. We come to You with hope in our hearts because we know that You will bring forth healing and encouragement to every people group throughout the world. We are Your children, help us hear from YOU! We also take a moment to pray for the nurses in Texas and those that are serving the nations where the plague is having its greatest impact. Please have Your hands on them and help them become great workers for You! In Jesus Name, hear our prayer Lord!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Hoping through Ebola...Please join me in prayer
Good morning all-
Having a medical background, I have been really following the Ebola outbreak. If you didn't think it could happen here, think again. Much like the great plague it will be spread. How do we respond? We respond with love, hope and prayer.
Last night, I had a dream that there were sick people in a house I was doing a Bible study with many women, two of them nurses. I remember the dream because I contracted Ebola by touching a patient. The nurses and staff all around the world that are caring for Ebola victims are servants and heroes. They didn't run away; they did their jobs. So will you unite with me for the next 30 days and pray for the nurses and doctors that are laying down their lives to serve and protect others? I need your help. At the end of my dream as I woke up, I heard a voice say to me, "Hope and pray." So as I got up the first thing I thought is spread the word to my readers. We are praying for all people around the world and that God will start a revival of hope and love as we fight another plague. Please join me in believing that God is God, that He can move this mountain and that we, through prayer can spread the word of hope, love and mercy to all people.
We must believe in Jesus right now. Thank you for joining me. Spread the word of hope! Please take a moment to pray this prayer. Great and marvelous are Your deeds Lord. Read the words, speak the words and pray the words. His Word is more powerful than medicine!
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. (Revelation 15:2-8 NIV)
Having a medical background, I have been really following the Ebola outbreak. If you didn't think it could happen here, think again. Much like the great plague it will be spread. How do we respond? We respond with love, hope and prayer.
Last night, I had a dream that there were sick people in a house I was doing a Bible study with many women, two of them nurses. I remember the dream because I contracted Ebola by touching a patient. The nurses and staff all around the world that are caring for Ebola victims are servants and heroes. They didn't run away; they did their jobs. So will you unite with me for the next 30 days and pray for the nurses and doctors that are laying down their lives to serve and protect others? I need your help. At the end of my dream as I woke up, I heard a voice say to me, "Hope and pray." So as I got up the first thing I thought is spread the word to my readers. We are praying for all people around the world and that God will start a revival of hope and love as we fight another plague. Please join me in believing that God is God, that He can move this mountain and that we, through prayer can spread the word of hope, love and mercy to all people.
We must believe in Jesus right now. Thank you for joining me. Spread the word of hope! Please take a moment to pray this prayer. Great and marvelous are Your deeds Lord. Read the words, speak the words and pray the words. His Word is more powerful than medicine!
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed. (Revelation 15:2-8 NIV)
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Knowing the Holy Spirit 9
Good morning all-
Well as I was having dinner with my sister-in-law she was trying to describe to me the Holy Trinity. Many other religions think we worship three persons individually. For many years I struggled with God, "I am who I am," Jesus, "I am the way and the truth," and the Holy Spirit who was left when Jesus ascended to His Father.
How do three seemingly separate entities really equate to one? Well, if we were to use mathematical terms of one plus two equals three, then what others believe would be true. Our goal is not to justify or challenge everyone. However, in order for you to know and understand, you must know where its described in the Bible and to show it. I still can't say I totally understand the Holy Trinity but in reality, I don't think I'm supposed to. God was very sincere and forthright when He said that, "His ways are not our ways." So what that means to me is that not everything written in the Bible will match our thoughts or our ways.
As you all know, I am not a great theologian but I do love the Lord and as common as I am; I believe He speaks to me through His word. I love the Bible and wish I made more time for it. You notice I said made more time, right? Because like you my life is very busy and when I have down time I typically want to sit and read about something mindless. I'm challenging myself to work on this as the days grow shorter. I want to know more and be used by God more and if that's my intention then I must seek Him more.
So with that being said, I am going to find some mighty Scriptures for us today that describe the Holy Spirit. He is powerful and part of the great I am. You may not understand it and I may not but there is one truth and one way and all three parts form One. If you don't believe me speak to your pastor or priest but know that it is written and truth is truth. Our time is now, hear our cry Lord as we come before You seeking the wisdom and power of Your word.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:42-48 NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17 NIV)
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV)
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:4-7 NIV)
My Prayer today:
O, Lord, I call to You today from Your hiding place and ask that You would reveal to the masses the power of the Holy Trinity. I am calling on You to bring forth men and women that don't believe in You and send them on a journey of love everlasting. I am praying that hearts and minds will be transformed to think and live like You. We are selfish and we are coming to confess our sins. We believe we know more and yet, we know nothing. We believe we are powerful without you and yet, we are weak. We believe that we can live our lives exactly the way we want with no consequence so we are naive. You are God and You sent Your only Son who left us with the great Counselor. Please help us see the power behind the cross and the power You have left inside of us to guide us toward You and to make You known. Please spread this message far and wide and turn our hearts toward You. We confess that we are humbled by Your mightiness and we know that You are Lord of all. Be with us as we teach the words You left for us. We thank You Lord for loving us and for helping us even when we don't think we need Your help. Bless Your people especially in the worn torn countries all over the world. In Jesus name, AMEN
Well as I was having dinner with my sister-in-law she was trying to describe to me the Holy Trinity. Many other religions think we worship three persons individually. For many years I struggled with God, "I am who I am," Jesus, "I am the way and the truth," and the Holy Spirit who was left when Jesus ascended to His Father.
How do three seemingly separate entities really equate to one? Well, if we were to use mathematical terms of one plus two equals three, then what others believe would be true. Our goal is not to justify or challenge everyone. However, in order for you to know and understand, you must know where its described in the Bible and to show it. I still can't say I totally understand the Holy Trinity but in reality, I don't think I'm supposed to. God was very sincere and forthright when He said that, "His ways are not our ways." So what that means to me is that not everything written in the Bible will match our thoughts or our ways.
As you all know, I am not a great theologian but I do love the Lord and as common as I am; I believe He speaks to me through His word. I love the Bible and wish I made more time for it. You notice I said made more time, right? Because like you my life is very busy and when I have down time I typically want to sit and read about something mindless. I'm challenging myself to work on this as the days grow shorter. I want to know more and be used by God more and if that's my intention then I must seek Him more.
So with that being said, I am going to find some mighty Scriptures for us today that describe the Holy Spirit. He is powerful and part of the great I am. You may not understand it and I may not but there is one truth and one way and all three parts form One. If you don't believe me speak to your pastor or priest but know that it is written and truth is truth. Our time is now, hear our cry Lord as we come before You seeking the wisdom and power of Your word.
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:42-48 NIV)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17 NIV)
And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV)
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:4-7 NIV)
My Prayer today:
O, Lord, I call to You today from Your hiding place and ask that You would reveal to the masses the power of the Holy Trinity. I am calling on You to bring forth men and women that don't believe in You and send them on a journey of love everlasting. I am praying that hearts and minds will be transformed to think and live like You. We are selfish and we are coming to confess our sins. We believe we know more and yet, we know nothing. We believe we are powerful without you and yet, we are weak. We believe that we can live our lives exactly the way we want with no consequence so we are naive. You are God and You sent Your only Son who left us with the great Counselor. Please help us see the power behind the cross and the power You have left inside of us to guide us toward You and to make You known. Please spread this message far and wide and turn our hearts toward You. We confess that we are humbled by Your mightiness and we know that You are Lord of all. Be with us as we teach the words You left for us. We thank You Lord for loving us and for helping us even when we don't think we need Your help. Bless Your people especially in the worn torn countries all over the world. In Jesus name, AMEN
Friday, October 3, 2014
Holy Spirit 7
Good morning all-
How do you know when God is talking to His people? Well, you look at another persons blog and find out that God is steering her in the same direction. My mind has been full of the Holy Spirit. People need to hear the message, not tomorrow, but today and then I get on Angel Ministries and see that Anne Lotz is being called too. Coincidence? I think not.
God is calling all of us to lift each other in prayer. The first US case of Ebola is here, people are dying around the world and men are teaching young boys to be warriors. Hate is everywhere and the sound of recklessness is strong. We have dictators and corrupt leaders and if that's not enough we are fighting battles more spiritual than earthly. The problem is no one knows it.
Yesterday, I was speaking to a co-worker about the power of prayer and she laughed at me and told me she was done. Everyone is always done when nothing happens but the older I get and the wiser I get; I realize that when your at the point of done but keep going, Christ does something.
The Holy Spirit was given to us as a guide. His reference is throughout the Bible. Jesus said He would leave us with Him. Does that even matter faced with death, destruction and disease? Well it should if it's not then I feel sorry for all of us. The power that is in the Holy Spirit is unconceivable and yet, we all put it behind closed doors. When are we going to stand up and thank God for the awesome gift we were given. He is who He said He was! He left us His guide! We don't need anyone to be our intercessory because we have Him. He is it for us. Our link to the spiritual realm and our power behind the doors.
I for one want to shout it to the world. Jesus lives! Can you feel Him? If you can't, then you're really not thinking about Him, reading about Him or praying to Him. Get down and dirty ladies and find Him in you. So for this morning, I leave you with yet another passage that lights our path to Jesus. Take it to heart and call upon the Holy of Holies today. He is your guide to this crazy and frustrating world. May God be with you as you seek Him today!
Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 11:16 NIV)
Dear Lord our God, rain down on us today and bring forth Your Spirit to the unkown. We need You all our days and all our hours. Please heal the sick and make wise men out of fools. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen
How do you know when God is talking to His people? Well, you look at another persons blog and find out that God is steering her in the same direction. My mind has been full of the Holy Spirit. People need to hear the message, not tomorrow, but today and then I get on Angel Ministries and see that Anne Lotz is being called too. Coincidence? I think not.
God is calling all of us to lift each other in prayer. The first US case of Ebola is here, people are dying around the world and men are teaching young boys to be warriors. Hate is everywhere and the sound of recklessness is strong. We have dictators and corrupt leaders and if that's not enough we are fighting battles more spiritual than earthly. The problem is no one knows it.
Yesterday, I was speaking to a co-worker about the power of prayer and she laughed at me and told me she was done. Everyone is always done when nothing happens but the older I get and the wiser I get; I realize that when your at the point of done but keep going, Christ does something.
The Holy Spirit was given to us as a guide. His reference is throughout the Bible. Jesus said He would leave us with Him. Does that even matter faced with death, destruction and disease? Well it should if it's not then I feel sorry for all of us. The power that is in the Holy Spirit is unconceivable and yet, we all put it behind closed doors. When are we going to stand up and thank God for the awesome gift we were given. He is who He said He was! He left us His guide! We don't need anyone to be our intercessory because we have Him. He is it for us. Our link to the spiritual realm and our power behind the doors.
I for one want to shout it to the world. Jesus lives! Can you feel Him? If you can't, then you're really not thinking about Him, reading about Him or praying to Him. Get down and dirty ladies and find Him in you. So for this morning, I leave you with yet another passage that lights our path to Jesus. Take it to heart and call upon the Holy of Holies today. He is your guide to this crazy and frustrating world. May God be with you as you seek Him today!
Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 11:16 NIV)
Dear Lord our God, rain down on us today and bring forth Your Spirit to the unkown. We need You all our days and all our hours. Please heal the sick and make wise men out of fools. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Knowing the Holy Spirit 6
Good morning all-
I am combating a cold or virus today so I'm going to make this short. The Holy Spirit is alive and well inside you and me. Call on Him and see for yourself what God reveals to you. I am always amazed how when I call on Him a passage comes to me that fits the event in my life and gives me wisdom to move forward. I will leave you today with another Scripture geared for us to know Him and make Him known!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7-11, 13 NIV)
I am combating a cold or virus today so I'm going to make this short. The Holy Spirit is alive and well inside you and me. Call on Him and see for yourself what God reveals to you. I am always amazed how when I call on Him a passage comes to me that fits the event in my life and gives me wisdom to move forward. I will leave you today with another Scripture geared for us to know Him and make Him known!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7-11, 13 NIV)
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Know the Holy Spirit 5
Good morning all-
I hope you have been enjoying our study on the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting that disciples of Christ didn't know or hear of the Holy Spirit until Paul wandered in their midst. Obviously, they had been with Christ for some time but it wasn't until Paul came upon them that they really were inhabited with Him. It got me to thinking. How many people have heard about Christ and follow Him but don't know the Holy Spirit exists? I know that in some churches it's frowned upon because they aren't sure of speaking in tongues and feeling God but it's Scriptural and that's what we have to concentrate on. There is power within us. We don't want to slice and dice the Bible to fit our needs; we want to learn what it says. Can you all say AMEN?
Are you a doubter that God comes to man in dreams? Are you one that feels like the Holy Spirit isn't part of God? Or are you a skeptic that wonders why would Christ want to live in us? I'm sure we have all asked ourselves these questions and maybe even doubted the word. But the word is real and there is a divine reason he lives in us. It was the new covenant. Before Jesus there were profits and men that were given divine direction. Some of them you may have read about like Abraham, David, Issac, Jeremiah, and more. These were men that God either spoke to or they were directed by Him through divine intervention. They heard the call and are written for all of us to know about today.
The Holy Spirit holds more power than any of us realize. He promised never to leave us or forsake us so that promise is in us. He guides us as we seek His Holy face. Sometimes when your still, I'm sure you have felt His peace, His joy or just a sense that something is guiding your every move. That is God. He may not speak to us audibly now but He could if He wanted to. He is all. We can't fathom the power of the cross, nor can we under estimate what He left behind to become the Holy Trinity. He is a God head in three. Many don't understand that and even I have trouble understanding how three parts equal one but they do and it's not for us to question. It is written.
Whenever I really need help, I call to Christ and ask His Holy Spirit to pour out on me. I need to feel Him and often, when I have prayed that prayer I have felt peace so much that every part of me feels relaxed. Now if you knew me you might be surprised by that because I get up running and don't stop until I go to bed at night. So peace is not near me often, its something that is given to me because I asked my Father to provide it and He did.
All over the world people are being faced with hardships and terror. Fear of Ebola, ISIS and other things has caused many to quake but where must we run? We need to run into our Father's hands. He knows us and He knows exactly what we need. Our lives are His and we are to make Him known. We don't just get the honor of having Him inside of us without serving Him and crying out His name. He is the Father of all and many don't believe but that doesn't mean He is not real and living in us today. Be aware of false prophets the Bible says. How do we do that? How will we know? We will know through the Holy Spirit. So study Scripture and really get to know the full power that lives inside you and me!
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8 NIV)
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (Luke 1:67-69, 71-80 NIV)
Praise be to the glory of God our Father who came and died for us so that the world would have a Savior that lives within them and that loves them beyond understanding! O, Praise God!
I hope you have been enjoying our study on the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting that disciples of Christ didn't know or hear of the Holy Spirit until Paul wandered in their midst. Obviously, they had been with Christ for some time but it wasn't until Paul came upon them that they really were inhabited with Him. It got me to thinking. How many people have heard about Christ and follow Him but don't know the Holy Spirit exists? I know that in some churches it's frowned upon because they aren't sure of speaking in tongues and feeling God but it's Scriptural and that's what we have to concentrate on. There is power within us. We don't want to slice and dice the Bible to fit our needs; we want to learn what it says. Can you all say AMEN?
Are you a doubter that God comes to man in dreams? Are you one that feels like the Holy Spirit isn't part of God? Or are you a skeptic that wonders why would Christ want to live in us? I'm sure we have all asked ourselves these questions and maybe even doubted the word. But the word is real and there is a divine reason he lives in us. It was the new covenant. Before Jesus there were profits and men that were given divine direction. Some of them you may have read about like Abraham, David, Issac, Jeremiah, and more. These were men that God either spoke to or they were directed by Him through divine intervention. They heard the call and are written for all of us to know about today.
The Holy Spirit holds more power than any of us realize. He promised never to leave us or forsake us so that promise is in us. He guides us as we seek His Holy face. Sometimes when your still, I'm sure you have felt His peace, His joy or just a sense that something is guiding your every move. That is God. He may not speak to us audibly now but He could if He wanted to. He is all. We can't fathom the power of the cross, nor can we under estimate what He left behind to become the Holy Trinity. He is a God head in three. Many don't understand that and even I have trouble understanding how three parts equal one but they do and it's not for us to question. It is written.
Whenever I really need help, I call to Christ and ask His Holy Spirit to pour out on me. I need to feel Him and often, when I have prayed that prayer I have felt peace so much that every part of me feels relaxed. Now if you knew me you might be surprised by that because I get up running and don't stop until I go to bed at night. So peace is not near me often, its something that is given to me because I asked my Father to provide it and He did.
All over the world people are being faced with hardships and terror. Fear of Ebola, ISIS and other things has caused many to quake but where must we run? We need to run into our Father's hands. He knows us and He knows exactly what we need. Our lives are His and we are to make Him known. We don't just get the honor of having Him inside of us without serving Him and crying out His name. He is the Father of all and many don't believe but that doesn't mean He is not real and living in us today. Be aware of false prophets the Bible says. How do we do that? How will we know? We will know through the Holy Spirit. So study Scripture and really get to know the full power that lives inside you and me!
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8 NIV)
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (Luke 1:67-69, 71-80 NIV)
Praise be to the glory of God our Father who came and died for us so that the world would have a Savior that lives within them and that loves them beyond understanding! O, Praise God!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Knowing the Holy Spirit part 4
Good evening-
I had a dream last night I just can't get out of my mind. I dreamed that I heard a voice say, "Israel must turn towards me." It was faint but real and I asked, "Why?" And then I heard the voice say because I'm coming soon. What the heck? I remember actually thinking that and then as I was looking into the clouds Eagles were falling dead from the sky. I still can't figure out if the dream meant anything at all but it definitely got me thinking about Jesus returning and how much I'm not prepared. Even today I lost my temper. What's he going to do with a mess like me?
Before I went to bed I read Psalm 26 and really thought about part of the Scripture. You may know it, it states: Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:1-3 NIV)
I don't know if that triggered it or what but I do know that I have been thinking of God's return. It's time we look for Him and believe in Him and the guide He left behind. I know He exists in me and for that I am truly grateful. I don't know why I had that bizarre dream but I'm hoping that doing this series on the Holy Spirit has us all calling His mighty name.
If you have confessed that Jesus is Lord but have never heard of the Holy Spirit or don't understand its power, ask God to reveal Himself. He will. He left it for each one of us that calls Him Lord.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-4, 6 NIV)
I had a dream last night I just can't get out of my mind. I dreamed that I heard a voice say, "Israel must turn towards me." It was faint but real and I asked, "Why?" And then I heard the voice say because I'm coming soon. What the heck? I remember actually thinking that and then as I was looking into the clouds Eagles were falling dead from the sky. I still can't figure out if the dream meant anything at all but it definitely got me thinking about Jesus returning and how much I'm not prepared. Even today I lost my temper. What's he going to do with a mess like me?
Before I went to bed I read Psalm 26 and really thought about part of the Scripture. You may know it, it states: Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:1-3 NIV)
I don't know if that triggered it or what but I do know that I have been thinking of God's return. It's time we look for Him and believe in Him and the guide He left behind. I know He exists in me and for that I am truly grateful. I don't know why I had that bizarre dream but I'm hoping that doing this series on the Holy Spirit has us all calling His mighty name.
If you have confessed that Jesus is Lord but have never heard of the Holy Spirit or don't understand its power, ask God to reveal Himself. He will. He left it for each one of us that calls Him Lord.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-4, 6 NIV)
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Know the power of the Holy Spirit 3
Good morning all-
Well this morning hasn't been my best. I hit my son's car this morning trying to avoid a truck that was illegally parked behind our driveway. What a day? I actually was trying to serve my husband by going to get milk at 6:30 am and instead hit my son's car. Those two gallons will now cost over five hundred dollars. Needless to say, it's taken a couple hours for me to settle down and write this blog. I can't believe how stupid I am but then it happened and I can't go backwards; I can only look ahead.
What did I do in the last two hours? I tried to calm down by reading the news around the world. And what faced me was Scottish freedom, Egyptian arraignment of Islamic extremists, Ebola home isolation and the story behind the BTK serial killer. Nice right? Well at least I'm starting to feel better about crushing the door of my son's car, which leads me to the point of today's message. Life happens whether we want it to or not. People all over the globe are dealing with all kinds of obstacles and in the scheme of things mine is quite small. It will cost me money but it didn't cost a life, so I feel blessed about that. I also realized that my behavior after I hit the car was wrong and have spent some time asking God to forgive me for my really bad language. Again, life happens and I'm still human. With all this going on in the world and my life, where am I to go? I must go back to the One who knows me, who understands the obstacles of this life and who loves us. Once again, I am in the center of the God who sent His Son and through His sacrifice I now have the Holy Spirit. I can't say that the spirit was guiding me during my bought of bad language but as I came down from the emotion; I found him. Thank goodness I have a guide in this crazy, chaotic world.
The Holy Spirit is our guide, our power and our trigger that helps us know right from wrong. It guides us to know when we need to move, repent or just stand still. Through our Lord's sacrifice we have a wonderful counselor. The Spirit gives us wisdom when we don't have any. I felt that as I was killing myself with words that no lady should think. It is hard sometimes to see why bad happens to good people. We often don't understand why a car gets wrecked, why a girl goes missing, why we lose our jobs or why people die of diseases. These are daily events and often, we question God on why they happen. But through experience I know there is no reason to ask God why? We need to pray and ask God to give us direction, to guide us and to help us spread His Holy name.
So as I end this blog today remember to be quiet and still and ask the spirit to guide you. We will always face difficult times but it's contemplating Christ and all that He sacrificed that will help us get through it. Remember He lives in us. He is not an idol; He is real, living and loving. He lives in us so that we will have victory. Be well and look up!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV)
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:15-20 NIV)
Well this morning hasn't been my best. I hit my son's car this morning trying to avoid a truck that was illegally parked behind our driveway. What a day? I actually was trying to serve my husband by going to get milk at 6:30 am and instead hit my son's car. Those two gallons will now cost over five hundred dollars. Needless to say, it's taken a couple hours for me to settle down and write this blog. I can't believe how stupid I am but then it happened and I can't go backwards; I can only look ahead.
What did I do in the last two hours? I tried to calm down by reading the news around the world. And what faced me was Scottish freedom, Egyptian arraignment of Islamic extremists, Ebola home isolation and the story behind the BTK serial killer. Nice right? Well at least I'm starting to feel better about crushing the door of my son's car, which leads me to the point of today's message. Life happens whether we want it to or not. People all over the globe are dealing with all kinds of obstacles and in the scheme of things mine is quite small. It will cost me money but it didn't cost a life, so I feel blessed about that. I also realized that my behavior after I hit the car was wrong and have spent some time asking God to forgive me for my really bad language. Again, life happens and I'm still human. With all this going on in the world and my life, where am I to go? I must go back to the One who knows me, who understands the obstacles of this life and who loves us. Once again, I am in the center of the God who sent His Son and through His sacrifice I now have the Holy Spirit. I can't say that the spirit was guiding me during my bought of bad language but as I came down from the emotion; I found him. Thank goodness I have a guide in this crazy, chaotic world.
The Holy Spirit is our guide, our power and our trigger that helps us know right from wrong. It guides us to know when we need to move, repent or just stand still. Through our Lord's sacrifice we have a wonderful counselor. The Spirit gives us wisdom when we don't have any. I felt that as I was killing myself with words that no lady should think. It is hard sometimes to see why bad happens to good people. We often don't understand why a car gets wrecked, why a girl goes missing, why we lose our jobs or why people die of diseases. These are daily events and often, we question God on why they happen. But through experience I know there is no reason to ask God why? We need to pray and ask God to give us direction, to guide us and to help us spread His Holy name.
So as I end this blog today remember to be quiet and still and ask the spirit to guide you. We will always face difficult times but it's contemplating Christ and all that He sacrificed that will help us get through it. Remember He lives in us. He is not an idol; He is real, living and loving. He lives in us so that we will have victory. Be well and look up!
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV)
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:15-20 NIV)
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Know the power of the Holy Spirit 2
Good morning-
Today will be the second installation into the power of what Jesus left behind, His Holy Spirit. Many churches leave this part out. The Holy Spirit scares a lot of people so it is down played or not talked about at all. The Holy Spirit is the power that was left behind in You and me. When we come to know Christ, He breathes life into us through His spirit. It's not something to be frightened of; we should embrace it and make it known.
Although we don't know everything about the Holy Spirit, Christ did tell His disciples that it would be their guide and today, all around the world, the Holy Spirit is guiding Christians to pray, speak and love. Only our God could leave something so very powerful. He wanted us to know that He was with us in battle, in divorce, in murder and in day to day life. He gave us power beyond our understanding that prompts us to submit, repent and to be better people. His spirit flows through our veins and directs our course when we seek Him. It was His gift to a lost people very similar to the Manna that was given to the Israelites. Its our daily bread, along with the word, His spirit comforts us in our grief, lifts us up from our pitfalls and guides us like a beacon in the night. Its powerful and we need to call upon it for the world and for those that don't know Him.
Often, I find myself asking God to rain down on His people. Do you know what I mean by that? I want Him to have His spirit rain on us, in all His glory. I want to feel Him even though I can't see Him. I want to know Him even though I can't touch Him. As I have grown to know my Father it has been His guide I sought and His guide I called upon to help me navigate the waters of life. If you haven't really studied the Holy Spirit this is your time to find Him in all the power He possesses. He is not some God that is simply a statue. He lives in us and although we will never understand all His ways; He's near and He's our guide into the holy realm of God.
In this second blog about the Holy Spirit my prayer is that you will capture the essence of Him who gave His life for you and me. He was power on a cross. What would seem like failure was the greatest success of all time. So if you feel like your failing, just wait because on the other side will be His glory! I'm praying for all of you and asking God to link us all across the world. It's always so exciting to see the countries pop up on this blog but I'm praying too for the countries that don't have the ability or the freedom to read these words. May God rain down His Holy Spirit all over the world as we preach His glorious name.
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22 NIV)
Receive His power and know a love more powerful than this life! I'm hoping you have been blessed by this Scripture today and that You have been driven closer to our Lord and Savior.
Today will be the second installation into the power of what Jesus left behind, His Holy Spirit. Many churches leave this part out. The Holy Spirit scares a lot of people so it is down played or not talked about at all. The Holy Spirit is the power that was left behind in You and me. When we come to know Christ, He breathes life into us through His spirit. It's not something to be frightened of; we should embrace it and make it known.
Although we don't know everything about the Holy Spirit, Christ did tell His disciples that it would be their guide and today, all around the world, the Holy Spirit is guiding Christians to pray, speak and love. Only our God could leave something so very powerful. He wanted us to know that He was with us in battle, in divorce, in murder and in day to day life. He gave us power beyond our understanding that prompts us to submit, repent and to be better people. His spirit flows through our veins and directs our course when we seek Him. It was His gift to a lost people very similar to the Manna that was given to the Israelites. Its our daily bread, along with the word, His spirit comforts us in our grief, lifts us up from our pitfalls and guides us like a beacon in the night. Its powerful and we need to call upon it for the world and for those that don't know Him.
Often, I find myself asking God to rain down on His people. Do you know what I mean by that? I want Him to have His spirit rain on us, in all His glory. I want to feel Him even though I can't see Him. I want to know Him even though I can't touch Him. As I have grown to know my Father it has been His guide I sought and His guide I called upon to help me navigate the waters of life. If you haven't really studied the Holy Spirit this is your time to find Him in all the power He possesses. He is not some God that is simply a statue. He lives in us and although we will never understand all His ways; He's near and He's our guide into the holy realm of God.
In this second blog about the Holy Spirit my prayer is that you will capture the essence of Him who gave His life for you and me. He was power on a cross. What would seem like failure was the greatest success of all time. So if you feel like your failing, just wait because on the other side will be His glory! I'm praying for all of you and asking God to link us all across the world. It's always so exciting to see the countries pop up on this blog but I'm praying too for the countries that don't have the ability or the freedom to read these words. May God rain down His Holy Spirit all over the world as we preach His glorious name.
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22 NIV)
Receive His power and know a love more powerful than this life! I'm hoping you have been blessed by this Scripture today and that You have been driven closer to our Lord and Savior.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
The power of the Holy Spirit
Good morning all
I have been hearing the call to begin a series on the Holy Spirit. It has been on my mind a lot lately. Maybe it's all the disruption in the world or maybe it's Jesus gently reminding us of the power He left behind. I believe in the power of the Spirit. During my journey with God, I have often felt Him through the Spirit. I think it's essential for us to recognize it and use it to guide us in our walk on earth. Once God had profits and now He has Himself living within us. My question today is, do you know the power behind the Spirit and where do we look to find it?
I can remember as a little girl calling to God. My grandmother took me to church until she died when I was five. I can remember the church and her speaking of her love for God. My grandmother did not have an easy life. She lost a daughter before she was two and lost her husband at forty-six. She knew much sorrow and yet she proclaimed the name of Jesus to me.
My memories are vivid and often when I was making bad decisions I called on her. I can remember one time alone in my apartment, crying because life had thrown me a curve ball and asking her to help me. At the time, I thought she was but later I found out that what I experienced was really the power of Jesus. He heard my cry and knew my thoughts and was with me long before I knew it.
The power of His presence helped me get through a really tough time, led my boss to lead me to Him and began to feed me through His spirit and His word. Has my life been a bed of roses? Not really. It has had great moments of hardship, defeat, and utter failure. It has been filled with sorrow and grief but through it all I had Christ and through His spirit I felt peace and joy. How could I have joy? Because I knew that He had me and that He loved me.
The Spirit is our guide in this tumultuous world. It's time to hear His call. He left us with a way and He left us with a guide. We need to recognize it and know the power that's within His spirit.
I look forward to our journey through Scripture on the Holy Spirit and I hope you do too. The world is doing exactly what God said it would. Today is the day we must contemplate, not tomorrow, not next week and not next year. It's simply today and today holds power, love and mercy for the weak and for the faithful. Please join me in our search for the Holy Spirit and all that God has to offer to His people.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, we come to You asking for You to show us Your Holy Spirt and all the power that is within. Please help us discover You through Scripture. The world is in turmoil but You still live in the hearts of those that call upon You. We call upon You now as we walk through Scripture. Reveal Your purpose to us and give us wisdom on how we are to impact Your people. Guide us towards joy, mercy, and understanding through You. We thank You for Your sacrifice and for Your mighty forgiveness. Give us strength and a determination to learn Your word and all that it encompasses. We need You today and every day. In Jesus name, AMEN
I have been hearing the call to begin a series on the Holy Spirit. It has been on my mind a lot lately. Maybe it's all the disruption in the world or maybe it's Jesus gently reminding us of the power He left behind. I believe in the power of the Spirit. During my journey with God, I have often felt Him through the Spirit. I think it's essential for us to recognize it and use it to guide us in our walk on earth. Once God had profits and now He has Himself living within us. My question today is, do you know the power behind the Spirit and where do we look to find it?
I can remember as a little girl calling to God. My grandmother took me to church until she died when I was five. I can remember the church and her speaking of her love for God. My grandmother did not have an easy life. She lost a daughter before she was two and lost her husband at forty-six. She knew much sorrow and yet she proclaimed the name of Jesus to me.
My memories are vivid and often when I was making bad decisions I called on her. I can remember one time alone in my apartment, crying because life had thrown me a curve ball and asking her to help me. At the time, I thought she was but later I found out that what I experienced was really the power of Jesus. He heard my cry and knew my thoughts and was with me long before I knew it.
The power of His presence helped me get through a really tough time, led my boss to lead me to Him and began to feed me through His spirit and His word. Has my life been a bed of roses? Not really. It has had great moments of hardship, defeat, and utter failure. It has been filled with sorrow and grief but through it all I had Christ and through His spirit I felt peace and joy. How could I have joy? Because I knew that He had me and that He loved me.
The Spirit is our guide in this tumultuous world. It's time to hear His call. He left us with a way and He left us with a guide. We need to recognize it and know the power that's within His spirit.
I look forward to our journey through Scripture on the Holy Spirit and I hope you do too. The world is doing exactly what God said it would. Today is the day we must contemplate, not tomorrow, not next week and not next year. It's simply today and today holds power, love and mercy for the weak and for the faithful. Please join me in our search for the Holy Spirit and all that God has to offer to His people.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11 NIV)
My prayer today:
O, Lord, we come to You asking for You to show us Your Holy Spirt and all the power that is within. Please help us discover You through Scripture. The world is in turmoil but You still live in the hearts of those that call upon You. We call upon You now as we walk through Scripture. Reveal Your purpose to us and give us wisdom on how we are to impact Your people. Guide us towards joy, mercy, and understanding through You. We thank You for Your sacrifice and for Your mighty forgiveness. Give us strength and a determination to learn Your word and all that it encompasses. We need You today and every day. In Jesus name, AMEN
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