Tag: God

Where's the App? Directions? … God's word

Where’s the App that will let me know what’s ahead? Where’s the GPS to guide me through the next step?

“Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken:” Make no mistake, the prophet reveals,  this is the word of the Lord, and He bids all to hear.

This is the voice of God’s Holy Word.  He seems to call aloud to everyone. Exclamation points in place, New International Version, Isaiah, chapter 1. 

Breathed out by the breath of God, the One who made us, not we ourselves. He sees, He watches, He’s ever present and powerful. He knows our name. He has a plan, He knows what He’s doing. His thoughts are not ours. He is God Almighty, He’s the great I AM.

Do we hear? Do we remember? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Psalm One Hundred, eleven. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning,” found again, in Proverbs 9:10.

At this time, do we care? This is important to ask. Who’s voice do we hear?  Oh children of the world, “Wake up, fast!”

“I reared children and brought them up,
    but they have rebelled against me.
 The ox knows its master,
    the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
    my people do not understand.”  The Lord speaks to he who has ears. Words printed in Isaiah 1.

These words came off the tongue of the Lord. His heart speaks. There are no contractions. Do we take time to see for ourselves, or do we simply think we know it all too well?

 “Woe to the sinful nation,
    a people whose guilt is great,
a brood of evildoers,
    children given to corruption!
They have forsaken the Lord;
    they have spurned the Holy One of Israel
    and turned their backs on him.” These are the words spoken by the prophet, Isaiah chapter 1. 

The Book is living water. Are we thirsty for the well?

Where have we turned our backs, is the question. Have we turned them on God? Let’s stop and have reflection.

  “Why should you be beaten anymore?

    Why do you persist in rebellion?
Your whole head is injured,
    your whole heart afflicted.
6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head
    there is no soundness—
only wounds and welts
    and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged
    or soothed with olive oil.” Isaiah 1: 2-6.

Which direction? Is there a remedy? Where is a reliable fix? If peace is what is desired, the accuser is not the Lord. The accuser is the devil- sin is the reproach.

But God has made a way. He is the Way, you know. He sent His Son – His blood poured out. To atone us, everyone.  To make us at-one with Him. His blood was shed to redeem us. His arm is not short, His ears hear. His name is forever, to bring hope, and peace and salvation, to all the children everywhere.

“Wash and make yourselves clean.
    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
    stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; …” Isaiah chapter 1:16,17. But don’t think for a minute, that this is about you! The only righteousness in you, can be in be-liev-ing.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

It is time to seek the Lord.” …seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1 proclaims,  but the power behind all of this – 

is in the name of Jesus.

Remember the angel and the words proclaimed: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2 verse 10.

The Messiah is born, and a sign was given: A baby in a manger. The shepherds, the star. Have we forgotten? Are our hearts far?

Let’s turn around as John the Baptist suggested and see,  “… the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:9. 

Instead of our backs, let us turn our face – to the Lord. Acknowledge Him. Believe He came for us. Call out His name,seek His promises to guide us.

His name is Jesus, sad hearts weep no more. He has healed the broken hearted open wide the prison doors, He is able to deliver – evermore.”

If you need help with the praise part, open Psalm 111. Read aloud and watch your mind be transformed:

“Praise the Lord.

I will extol the Lord with all my heart
    in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the Lord;
    they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
    giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
    enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
    he ordained his covenant forever—
    holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111. Amen.

It is always fitting to praise Him

“Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” Thus sings the chorus from the 147th Psalm. 
There are times when it’s easy to praise God.  And there are times, when Oh, we don’t feel like praising Him at all.  It can be a sacrifice.
But He tenderly makes it possible when He beautifully paints the morning sky. Can you hear Him ask your heart’s eye,
“Did you see the colors I formed for you? I Am the Lord and I love you.”
He puts joy and delight in a young child’s eye. “The life in this child is a reflection of Me. Be still, take notice. Take time and breathe.”
We work and we toil and we plod along in our lives, we move forward but the rhythm doesn’t always flow real nice, then all of a sudden there is a surprise.
Could it be, we actually won the prize!
Perhaps a sacrifice of praise is the best medicine always. God knows that His children are happy when they hear what He says:
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” 
Breathed out by God, Psalm 147 just might be words to lift weary hearts high as the heavens:
“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel.”
He doesn’t tear apart, He doesn’t divide. The Lord builds up, the Lord gathers, 
‘How good it is to sing praises to God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him.’ (emphasis, mine!)

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.“

These are words from the Lord God Almighty,  we can believe Him faithful always, even when we can’t see.

He is good and He is worthy of our praise, when the sun shines and when the skies are dark with rain. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He loved us yesterday, He loves us today.

“He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.”

We can’t come close to number the stars, yet He knows the name for each of us. He – knows  – whose  – we  – are.

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

He knows the good, the bad, the ugly. He knows our thoughts every minute.

“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”

God’s word reminds us that the ‘fear of the Lord is wisdom’. Trusting Him will make our whole being, sound.

 “Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.”

Our vocal chords have strings. Let us be willing to look to Him and sing.

 “He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain
   and makes grass grow on the hills.
 He provides food for the cattle, and for the young ravens when they call.”

The word of God empowers the weak. Reading His words transform feeble knees. God’s word is light and living. Oh that we would heed it each morning and evening:

 “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”

Will you join me today to praise Him with out ceasing? He knows when the rhythm and rhyme isn’t flowing, but He is the One Faithful to keep you. He is all knowing.

“Praise the Lord.”

On the good days and the bad.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!”

Amen, amen, amen,  Amen!

 
 
 

Nevertheless God

We desire friendship with Happiness. We yearn for acquaintance with Joy. But often we find hidden around the corner, Distress and Restlessness.
Where is Rest?
Airwaves reveal that women “roar” and men “parade themselves.” Children very young and very old, and all the ages in between seek Refuge.
He reaches His hand out in the storm. He speaks, as “our bodies had no rest, . . . we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.
Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us . . .” (2 Corinthians 7:5,6. NKJV).  
Refuge comes in the storm. His Word brings His companion, Calm. And Calm has a twin, who’s name is Song.
“O soul are you weary and troubled. No light in the darkness you see. There’s a light for a look at the Savior and life more abundant and free.”
Then Remember came to my rescue and offered some strong exhortation:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:38, NIV.
“O God,” I cry, “Remind me.” The mountains quake, the trials mount. When lying on my bed, my head cries, “There’s no way out!”
And a still, quiet voice speaks mysteriously deep:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”      Psalm 46, from the Holy Book.
God speaks in the hymn of old, when weariness overtakes our soul, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
So I run to the Word, His present help, and I turn to Psalm 46 to calm me back to sleep:

 “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

So, let us “turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face,” that we might seek refuge from the Lord and not men. That we might have Peace dwell deep inside, giving counsel and comfort to put anxiety aside,

that we might have an abundance of hope and joy and all the rest, because we have made God, The Almighty, Lord of All the Universe, our confidence.

Today, today – let us yearn to seek His face.

 
 

Speak in a hymn. "Be Still My Soul" Make melody in your heart to the Lord

“Be Still my soul … ” (1)
O God … How can it be? The reality? God help us see – that You are the Almighty. “Be Still my soul … Be Still my soul.” 
Words – are powerful. Let us speak old words together. With tears and pain, whether seen on the outside – it is raining within. Let us cry out with our whole heart  – “O God – increase our faith  – again.”
 Words penned in 1752, over 200 years ago, bring health to the soul, somehow. So, today, let us pray together, to our God Almighty and our Father in heaven, with old words, true, (yet first person is changed a few)-  that we might  comfort ourselves in You. Let us say together:    “Be Still my Soul.” 
“Be Still my soul, The Lord is on our side …
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to our God to order and provide;
In every change, You faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
“Dear God there is so much change. But You, O LORD remain. We draw near to You, and You draw near when we do. O God, help us, today in such darkness, take hold of Your light and believe and rest …
in Your faithfulness:
“Be still, my soul: Our God doth undertake
To guide the future, as You have the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
Your voice Who ruled them while You dwelt below.”
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart, And all is darkened in the vale of tears, 
Then shalt we  better know Your love, Your heart,
Who comes to soothe our sorrow and our fears.
“Dear Lord, comfort the downcast with Your Spirit, we draw near.”
“Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with You Lord.
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.”
“Dear Father in heaven, we bow our heads together. The most important change that needs be, is that which must be done, inside of me. Increase my faith, that I might stand, and follow You, as You take hold of my hand:
“Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing,  You, O Lord on high; to
Acknowledge You in all our words and ways,
So shall You  view us with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Son of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.”
Today. Today! This is what You have given us. Teach us to pray. To talk with You the words of this hymn rather than complaint. Be merciful to us.
Teach us to trust.
Help us to take hold of You – who are Love, and let go of all lust. Let us put off the fight, and the anger, and the strife …
and let us make harmony as we sing Your melody throughout the rest of our life.
We bow our heads, we pray to You. We end our words  and whole heartedly say:  “Our soul is still, as we set our minds on the hill, where You laid down Your life, as a perfect sacrifice, forgiving my failures, Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You.”
(1) “Be Still My Soul” by Katherine von Schlegel. 

True riches …

So precious the little girls, how they love tiaras and gowns. And the boys how they make the everyday sticks into a swords protecting all around.
Oh, there is much clamor about how this isn’t true. But, silently, some know not to listen, to listen to all the noise.
To breathe in the beauty of the sky above and marvel at it’s breathtaking brilliance and  magnificent poise.
Some choose to hear the music in the everyday sounds. To know that God is. To sing His praise and own riches of inner peace, casting off cares and sleeping sound.
He is fairer than the sons of men, so much fairer is He. He is a Rock, a fortress, a buckler, tis true, but He’s also the Rose of Sharon.
He’s the Lily of the Valley. He is gentle in beauty. He brings joy greater than any man’s wine, and best of all, He’s mine.
And He can be yours too.
May a song sing and your heart dance when your ears hear His voice at last.
This is no ‘dream’ to  follow. There is substance and power. There is lasting hope, there is beauty – never fading. This is faith in believing.
Believing and becoming part of the Bride, (both men and woman together),  the church – for Christ is by our side.
“She lives in a bubble. She’s messed up in the head. She’s been brainwashed to believe!” these are the thoughts of those around. But what have I lost, by believing in the Son? What have I lost?
Faith is believing. God is Spirit. He’s in everything around.
“My Beloved came to His garden, and He knocked on the door in the night, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew. . .
but I was tired and just wanted sleep and couldn’t move from my bed. But when I came to my senses and opened the door, He was nowhere to be seen, so far out of sight.
So I went searching and asking all around, “Have you seen the one I love?” And it was then, in my search that I found the One . . .
This is written in the Song of all Songs, the words of this ready writer’s pen. Like a wedding procession, He stands and sings over us, His Song:
“Behold, you are fair my love! Behold you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil…(1)
You are fair my love, and there is no spot in you… You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart…”
This is the heart of God towards me, this is the heart of God, towards you!
But the clamor, the noise … movement never ending. “Be Still and know!” He calls in the night. He makes us lie down. But we put up such a fight.
“Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.” (2) He is the Lily of the Valley among the thorns He came down…
He calls, I will follow. Can you hear His voice in the night? – I am His ‘lily’, His lily among the thorns – sick and torn. Even despised in some’s sight. But, He’s got hold of me, He’s got a hold of my heart.  (3) He calls your name too. He waits for your answer. He has a still small voice – He won’t shout and flail His arms. He is the Lord.
He is God.
He stretched out the heavens. He has power to open blind eyes. He is our peace. He doesn’t fret. He is not anxious at all. He loves with an everlasting love. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is first and He is last.  He has broken down every wall. (5)
“But now in Christ Jesus you[Gentiles] who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-18 RSV)
 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 28-30.
What do you say? come out of the night? He will show us the way … moment by moment, one step at a time. He is our Husband, our Maker. He is with us. His love is better than wine!
 
(1)Song of Solomon 4.
(2) Song of Solomon 1-3.
(3) Isaiah 41:10
(4) Song of Solomon 5.
(5) Ephesians 2:14. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

Who knows agony of spirit?

Who knows agony of spirit?
For some it comes in an instant. Sudden loss and trauma roll in like thick clouds. They don’t move, the thick darkness. It simply stays around.
For some there is heaviness of feeling, being abandoned and alone. Being rejected and forsaken, and Confusion makes a home.
“My God, My God. Why have You forsaken Me.” (1) These are the words of Jesus, the Lord.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (2)
This is the word of God. Oh, how it reads like a poem.
The enemy of God wants to destroy faith in His name. The enemy, and our flesh destroy, But God remains the same. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever . . . (3)
Who is like God? He was. He is. He is to come.
“In the beginning God,  . . . and darkness was on the face of the deep . . . and the Spirit of God was hovering over the  . . . waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” (4)
Who knows agony of spirit? We all do.
But Jesus does most.
Beyond the depth of our darkness, He has walked. We cry out, “Jesus.”
He understands.
This is the will of God. That we turn to seek Him.
Hear Him.
Follow Him. Know Him.
There is no One like God.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (5)
“Let there be light.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear …” these are the words that we must hold on to, as Jesus endured hours on the cross. “But of power and of love …” there is hope. God will restore – His word is alive even now, in each of us, ever more.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (6)
God restores and gives us, “sound mind.”
 Right now.
Step by step, and hour after hour.
Does He know we are in agony of Spirit? Oh, yes. He knows.
He is with us.
“Jesus.” we call.
A new creation, a resurrection from the dead, this is what He gives. We wait. We trust.
His name is Faithful.
His name is True.
His eyes remained on the Father, and that is what we  . . . will choose to do.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”
Could it be? Could it actually be? That this present darkness we are in, will be a comfort for someone else, some day, some when? When we can hold their hand and listen, and cry with them too, and say, “Oh yes. Jesus knows exactly what you are feeling. He knows, through and through.”
And somehow, in a way mysterious, where pain and beauty meet, we are drawn to the Savior, like never before, again and again, we worship Him, complete.
 
(1) Mark 15:34
(2) Isaiah 40:28-31.
(3) Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
(4) Gen. 1:1-3.
(5)  John 3:16,17
(6) 2 Tim. 1:7.
(7) Psalm 46:1

How do we let hurt feelings heal?

How do we let hurt feelings heal?
Don’t revisit! Don’t rekindle the flames! Don’t go back and let the enemy gain. ‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His glorious face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.’ (1)
We will pray from our whole heart, broken and torn. We will cry out for  greater faith to see Love through the thorns:
‘ In You O God, I seek refuge. I will put my trust. Let my hope in You not be disappointed. Deliver me in Your righteousness! Bow down Your ear, O God.  Speedily, deliver me!  My rock of refuge, my strong fortress – be!(2)
Do we have neighbor, friend, or even family write us off as evil? We will not be greatly moved by opinion – our prayer has been written. King David cries out to God in his song, Psalm 31, To the chief musician, A Psalm of David, written for us all:
“For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side! While they schemed together against me, they plotted to take my life. But I trusted, relied on and was confident in You. O Lord; I say, You are my God. My hope is in You. (3)
How do we let hurt feelings heal? We open God’s word. We cry out the prayers and the songs that have been written to a living God, “our Father in heaven,” …
“His kingdom come” – He is with you and me – “His will be done” – that we cry out to see, like blind Bartameus, open our eyes, “My times are in Your hand, dear Lord, deliver me from the hand of my foes and those who pursue and persecute me!” (4)
How do we let hurt feelings heal? We will not get our wisdom from philosophy of man, we will follow the King’s steps, we will ‘hide under the shadow of the wings’ of God – we we rest in the midst of God’s  – powerful – right – hand!
“Let the lying lips be silenced! Lips with pride and contempt! Let me not be put to shame, O Lord, or disappointed; for I am calling upon You! O how great is Your goodness” (5) … in my trouble I choose, in the chaos, in the dust, O God, I worship You!
We will be strong. We will let our hearts take courage. “O love the Lord, all you His saints; the Lord preserves the faithful,“(6), those faithful to seek cover in the blood of the Lamb who was slain in great punishment for all the sin of all men.
We will sing a new song, not a song of strife from the past. We will sing as the king, to the King of all Kings: “Oh soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness to see? There’s a light for a look at the Savior! And life, more abundant and free.”
“So turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth, …
will grow strangely dim, …
in the light of His glory and grace.”
Psalm 31 verse 5, our ending prayer: “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth and faithfulness.” In You I find my rest –  Selah    (we will pause and consider all of this!)
(1) Hymn: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Helen H. Lemmel.
(2) Psalm 31: 1,2. (paraphrased by me).
(3) Psalm 31:13-15, (with my paraphrase to make rhyme!)
(4) Psalm 31:15.
(5) Psalm 31:18, 17.

"Cross-fitness! Step #1, Tie your laces and listen to a story!

“Cross-fitness! To be fit to know Christ and Him crucified. This is no time to be flabby, when it comes to eternity! The earth’s final days draw ever so near. Have you ever read the words:  “heaven and earth shall pass away…” (Matthew 24:35). ‘Logos’, the Word, came in the flesh and communicated this, and even more: “but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35). Jesus speaks very clear.
There’s no guessing, there are no ‘opinions’ about it,  do you want Cross-fitness? It will not always be ‘fun!’ This question must be understood:  “what is wise, and what’s a fool?” This IS Step #1! Don’t be offended, but it’s time to understand – this is the first step in fitness is to know God –  because the ‘way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.’ (Proverbs 12:15).
” Tie up your laces, get your ‘walking shoes on!’ ‘Listen to advise and accept instruction, and in the end, you will be wise.'(Proverbs 19:20, NIV). There is  communication from God, ‘Logos’, ‘the Word was God’ (John 1:1) has spoken. Come, there’s a story you’ve got to hear. It paints a picture of the wise and the fool  – making the meaning crystal clear.
“Now I know some of you are saying, (to yourself perhaps), “Hey, wait a minute, you’re moving way too fast! You’re killing me with pointed words – like wise and fool –  They’re poking and messin’, and my heart’s anger is full –  and “I really don’t like you, in case you wanted to know.”
“I know all about that, they rejected my Lord. But He loves you and  cares, Yes, He cares for your soul.”
‘So, this is the story, for whoever will hear: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is like 10 maidens. They gathered their lamps to prepare to meet their  Bridegroom.’ (Matthew 25:1). This represents all who seek God. The words are in red and they say very clear that 5 were wise and 5 were’,…don’t be upset but the words are a bit ‘ish’ ,but the story is told:  ‘5 were wise, and 5 were foolish!’
“The 5 who were foolish took their lamps with no oil. Trusting in themselves and their own works to finish. But the wise filled their vessels with oil – knowing there is nothing in and of themselves to do it, so they called upon Jesus to fill them with His Spirit.”
“The Bridegroom was delayed in His coming, it is told, so the maidens, all 10, laid down and slept. But at midnight, the ‘Cry’ was finally heard: “Go out to meet Him! The Bridegroom is coming!” So the 10 maidens woke and made ready for the Wedding!
“After trimming their lamps and preparing to leave , the foolish 5 said to the 5 that were wise, “Give us some oil! Our lamps are going out!” But the 5 who were wise said to the foolish, “No, for there isn’t enough for us and for you, but rather go and buy from those who sell it! (Matthew 25:9). You have to ask Jesus, to fill you with His Holy Spirit!”
So, ‘the 5 with no oil, went out to buy…but the Bridegroom came,” the story unfolds! “And those who were ready, the 5 maidens with oil, went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was then shut!” This is exactly as the story is told, and it’s typed in red letters because they are spoken by the LORD!
“Oh my! I wonder what the 5 maidens were thinking: “It must have been true, when Jesus then said,  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). We  rejected His counsel! Oh, how we  hated those words! We believed many roads can lead us to heaven.” 
From Matthew 25 verses 1 to 13, we read the story written in red:  ‘Afterward, the maidens came to the door, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!’ “But He answered and said, “I don’t know you.”  Yes, these are the very words that were spoken by Him!
Verse 13 of Matthew 25 says, “‘Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” We must understand, while it’s still in our power, to choose to be wise and not foolish today. To listen to the Voice of the Bridegroom give warning and  have our lamps ready and filled with the oil, the oil of the Spirt, that the Father gives so freely! Have you called out to Him and believed in His Son? This IS Step #1!
This is hard stuff! This is Cross fitness!  The Father gave us ‘choice’ that we might choose to love Him. To listen to His word and believe on His Son! Yes, Wisdom calls aloud, in Proverbs Chapter 1: “Wisdom calls aloud…She raises her voice…How long you simple ones, will you love simplicity?’ For scorners delight in their scorning” each day “and fools hate knowledge” as the speak  loudly their own way. “Turn at My reproof; I will pour My Spirit on you…” (Proverbs 1:20-23). “Maidens, fill your vessels with oil, for without Me you can do nothing! (John 15:3). Be wise today, and call on My name!”
‘Watch therefore, please don’t be foolish’ I, the Bridegroom speak, hear My voice, even now, though I delay: “Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out My hand and no one regarded, Because you disdained all of my counsel, and would have none of My reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes…Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; They will seek Me diligently, they they will not find Me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the ‘fear of the LORD,…
“The Bridegroom is coming!” The cry will soon be heard! It is time for ‘Cross-fitness’! Yes NOW is the time! This is a hard story, but it was spoken by Truth in letters of red, that the whole world would know that the Marriage of the Lamb is soon!  And the Bride? If she be wise,  she will know in her heart, to ask God to fill up her lamp with the oil of the Spirit and make  herself ready!

a child's question: "Are you rich?"

“Are you rich?” is the question brought to my attention. “Yes, I am rich with a full and  thankful heart!”
The child probably thinking of a nice house and vacations, yet the answer flowed quickly, “Yes! I am rich!” He turned with a start.
“Don’t you know that a thankful heart makes one rich through and through?” You become rich when you stop living for the future, and in your present moment, learn to say, “Thank you!”
“Remember today is a gift we’ve been given, and when choosing to be thankful, for every little thing, your ‘richness’ increases with each breath you take. The people around you, the flowers, the sounds – a heart full of thanks makes riches abound!”
“Don’t be deceived by the houses and cars and the outside appearance when in fact, the heart is starved! Riches are ours, today-right now, when we ‘give thanks’ for the breath we are breathing and the songs that we  hear and the taste of the fruits and the smiles that are near.”
Give it a try, just for today, why not! Think on what is good and give thanks and pray. Cast those heavy cares to Your Father above. Talk to Him often, without ceasing, that is. Draw ever near and He draws closer to you. In His presence is joy, the joy of the Lord. “Are you rich?” “Yes I am!” and you’ll discover it is true that a thankful heart is riches – for me and for you!”
“I am rich because the Lord loves me. I am rich because He washed my sins away. I am rich because He gave me breath. I am rich because He’s given me a song to sing. I am rich because He is mine and I am His. I am rich because I need not fear anything!
I am rich because the Lord is my Shepherd! I am rich because He loves his lambs. I am rich because no matter what happens…I am held with love and compassion, and gentleness and care in the Hands of the Almighty! Yes, I am, Yes, I am!”
 
 

Please, child, take My hand – and walk…

“Please, take hold of My hand. Please, child, take My hand…I’m not ‘cross’ like you think, you must know, I understand. I have taken your sin on Myself, I’ve paid the debt in full. The pain and agony of sin, yes, I KNOW, oh, how I know. My nail-pierced hand is reaching out to you. Take hold of My hand, yes, it’s scarred, but it’s healed. Be as a child, and as you seek My face, you will discover, as you do, I am alive and filled and overflowing with grace.”
“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Do you remember that verse? Where were His eyes in that ageless Book?  They were on Me. I gave him instruction and guidance and courage and then, the story is told, I’m on every page, it’s all written down, Please, take time, take a look, and take notice. I love you my child, please take hold of my hand. Trust Me, and in time, you will understand…”
“The story is written, that you might believe – that God, the King, the I AM knows your need. I’ve provided not just words on a page, I’ve provided power through My Spirit to ‘whosoever’ calls out My name! “Jesus, Jeshua, Have mercy on me! Save me dear Lord, from myself and my sin!”
“‘Call unto Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things that you don’t even know’ (Jer. 33:3). Lean not on what you think you understand, trust in Me to lead you through this often rough and dry wilderness – land. I will give you grace, grace indeed in your need. This world I have created, once all things good- is now fallen and hard, yes,  you walk among the thorns, and yes, your feet now bleed,  and your heart is torn.”
But,“I know My plans  for you, yes, a future and hope.” (Jer. 29:11). My ‘hope does not disappoint’,(Romans 5:5). you will see, as you keep your eyes upon Me. My grace all sufficient will overwhelm you with strength, that you don’t have in and of yourself, it comes by My Spirit, wait on Him, (He is ME!)  you will see.”
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; As the Father loved ME, I ALSO have loved YOU.”Today, today, can you hear what I say? I love you, I love YOU! Yes, ME, “I do!” The God of the Universe,  the Three in One, the Creator of all things, the One who calls the stars by name, the One who is with you when you are alone and afraid. He who knows EVERY word that you say. Yes, the Father of Light’,  the Bread, and Living water, The good Shepherd – it is ME who is with you, the Immanuel, the Rock – do not fear my dear child, please take hold of My hand, I will guide you in Truth – please remember I AM!”
I meet you at the seat that is covered in mercy. I don’t give you what you deserve, I give you what you don’t. I give you grace, I give you grace, that sweet, and amazing sound – My grace all sufficient, My grace is alive. My Spirit like the wind, gentle and quiet -surrounds. Please, take hold of My hand my child. I will guide you with My eye. Read My word and stay near, you will then understand always, I AM nearby.”
“Take hold of My hand, My beloved, My bride. Walk with Me and a new song you will always sing, today, tomorrow and each day besides:
“I will rejoice in the LORD, yes, I will, ‘I do!”   And my soul will be joyful in God! He has clothed me with garments of salvation, and has  covered me with His robe. He took my old garments and covered me a-new, with His robe… His robe of righteousness.  He is as a bridegroom who decks Himself with ornaments of love, and as a bride I adorn myself with jewels of joy. As the earth brings forth its bud and the garden shines forth God’s glory, I will take hold of His hand, each day, each morning and sing praise to Him, now, and forever – THIS will be my story!” (my paraphrase of Is. 61:10,11).

The media is NOT your friend! Why do you think believers cry when they sing, "Amazing Grace!"

We live in a fallen world – period. The truth is: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). That pretty much means – everybody! But the media will have it’s ‘selected tolerance ‘ and its voice will be spoken everywhere, to ears that hear but have no understanding. When a politician lies and cheats, the news get washed away with the next natural catastrophe. But when a Christian, or one that professes to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, is found to have ‘sinned’, even close to a decade ago at times, there is NO TOLERANCE!
The media is NOT your friend! You see, the ‘media’s voice’ is like a camera that takes a picture of ‘selected stuff’ –  the media’s voice takes a picture of the garbage, and leaves you there! No wonder when people turn off the voice of the media they are left without hope and depressed!  But for a Christian, one who believes and trusts in the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, his or her sins are forgiven! His or her sins are washed away. (Acts 22:16). His or her sins no longer remain on him, (Is. 53:6). His or her sins were put on Jesus, and they have become healed, (1Peter 2:24). YES, “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory”, AND yes, “The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23), but God’s word doesn’t leave his children there – there is hope, there is truth, there is a gift of God – and that is “eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 6:23, exclamation point,mine.) This is the message of the gospel: Jesus! HE came as a baby. He died on the cross for our ugly and intolerable sins, and He rose again!
(Acts 22:16),”‘And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'”
(Isaiah 53:6), “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him, the iniquity of us all.”
(1 Peter 2:24,25), “…who Himself, (Jesus), bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteiousness – by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
The media is NOT your friend. Jesus Christ IS! Jesus is a ‘friend of sinners!’
The media’s voice rings like this: “THEY did wrong! That Christian messed up! That Christian isn’t perfect!” “This is INTOLERABLE!”
You better believe this or that Christian messed up! It’s because we, they, them – are human beings and we are ‘all’ part of that ‘ALL’ in the ‘all have sinned…’ verse! But NOT EVERYONE is part of being forgiven, and  being washed clean… each human being that has been aloud breath on this broken earth has to, at one point of time in their life, BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ, the precious, gracious gift of God, in order to receive that!
Why do you think believers cry when they sing, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.”  We all are ‘wretches!” BUT GOD has made a WAY for hope, God’s voice speaks TRUTH, and God sent His Son that those who believe have LIFE. Each one of us has to receive Jesus in our life to receive His forgiveness. Each of us has to make the choice to receive the  the free gift of salvation that He offers to each of us personally. His arms are not in a fist and with pointing finger – NO, His arms were stretched out willingly on the cross, for ‘whosoever’ would believe!  Jesus died for the sins of the world – the whole world that is -‘red, brown, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in His sight…’   to ‘whoever will believe on His name'(John 1:12).
Everyone has the free choice! The voice of the media is ‘damnation’ and ‘condemnation!’ “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1). “For the law of the  Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2). For those who ‘choose’ to believe and receive the forgiveness and grace offered on the cross, THEY have the gift of God which is eternal life through Christ Jesus! But the invitation has been sent to the whole world!
The media, the voice of the world and our own flesh fight against us every day, condemning, oppressing -but when we receive Jesus in our lives, we can be lifted to a ‘higher law’ so to speak! Just as we see the engine of a plane rev up and the wheels spin on the runway with all the effects of gravity pulling down, there is a force of ‘aerodynamics’ at work that is more powerful than gravity, which  then lifts that plane to fly in the sky! “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death!” (Romans 8:2, exclamation point, mine.) “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).
The media is not our friend! The word of God through Jesus Christ our Lord IS. If you have not considered receiving and believing in Jesus as your Savior, perhaps you take a minute to put down the ‘voice of the world’ and hear the voice of Jesus, a friend of sinners: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10).
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”(John 10:11).
“”But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never  perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.”(John 10:26-28).
Don’t believe the media, believe the Savior, the Good Shepherd! Make the choice to ‘believe on Him whom the Father has sent: “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:29,30).
Jesus spoke to ‘doubting Thomas’: “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (John 20:27).
“And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (Can you see the tears as he sang a new song in his heart? “Amazing grace how sweet the sound…”)
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believe. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28,29).
“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, The hour I first believed.”
“”Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”
You will not find grace in the media toward Christians, but Jesus warned us already, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to theFather except through Me.” (John 14:6).
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you!” (Romans 8:11, exclamation point, MINE!) Now that is aerodynamics!
“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear…” Now we must continue to go on singing new song after new song as we seek to live in the Spirit, with an aerodynamics to rise above the mess, in this tough and condemning world. And we can do it, because Jesus… He has overcome the world!
*    *     *     *     *     *
Do you see the three crosses on the hill? As you pass by, take some time to realize that our life’s journey is for the sole purpose of this: deciding which ‘thief we be.’
As for me, I choose to believe and receive and …to sing! ‘Amazing grace how sweet the sound…” “What a friend I have in Jesus…”

Jesus died for sinners.

Jesus died for the guilty. This is a fact.

I’m guilty, is another fact.

Every living human being on this planet is guilty. Go ahead and blame Adam and Eve, but we would have done the same thing if we were them.

We’re naturally rebellious. We all struggle with temptation and curiosity. Doesn’t the wisdom of the world always sound like it makes more sense than God’s Word?

Science and scholars convince themselves (and everyone else) that the Bible is only mythology and fables.

But, what we believe doesn’t change who God is, His story, or His Word.

The Bible tells us that Jesus died for liars.

He died for haters.

He died for adulterers and murderers.

Jesus faced nails hammered into His hands, the agony, ridicule, and shame of the cross for the hopeless.

I wonder if our denying Him hurts more than all His scars put together? The spit, the tearing out of His beard. The harsh words, the cruel behavior, the flogging, the whipping.

He didn’t say, “Forget it Father, these people aren’t worth dying for.”

Instead, when it was all said and done, moments before dying, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing . . . ” Luke 23:34.

Who can do this?

Jesus.

The human race is born spiritually blind and mute. Faith is the eye opener.

Do you know Jesus? Let an old hymn unlock Faith’s door:

I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small,
child of weakness
Watch and Pray-
find in Me – thine all in all.

Jesus paid it all,
all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow!

He washed our stain of sin, white as snow. That’s why we make a big deal about Jesus. His power changes us when we ask forgiveness and believe in His name.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

A heart of stone made soft? Change from the inside out?

That’s what Jesus does. And He humbles us of pride:

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Nothing good on my part, save believing on all He has done.

Jesus paid it all. He suffers long and waits. And when we receive Him, life everlasting is ours for the taking:

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat. 

“Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”