Snap or Bark

Have you ever seen anyone just loose it?  We call it “snap” or “bark”.  It is when a person is under such pressure because of circumstances in which they cannot change, or letting upsetting things mount up and then explode.  This is how you tell if a person is spiritually mature or not to handle the hand in which we are dealt for the day.  When I see someone so call “snap” about something, then I know they are under some type of pressure that was not planned.  When they snap, I also realize they have not been keeping focus on the main thing in their life which is their relationship with Jesus.  We all have those bad days and we all snap at times.  When this happens we don’t care who sees us or who hears us bark.  We don’t realize there are people watching us, our children watch us and repeat the same emotion when they themselves are under pressure.  We must learn to stop the madness of a distorted view of Christian lifestyle.  

With all of the pressures of life and the daily grind of our own complex scheduling, we sometimes go full force with a busy lifestyle.  I cannot imagine just laying around all day watching TV or nothing to do.  When Jeff and I have a free day or night, we sometimes just look at each other and don’t know what to do with ourselves.  It is not very often where we have one of those days unless we plan it.  Everyday there is always something to do, however we must plan and keep our focus on the main thing.  Even with the business of keeping active with church, people, work and children or home, we must discipline ourselves to daily word and prayer.  We must fight just like everyone else spiritual battles and self nature.  We are no different.  There will be many things that try to distract us and get us off track of showing the love of Jesus Christ. This could be one of those snapping times.   It could be the boss who decided to be grouchy to you for no reason at all or it could be your child who suddenly got sick in the middle of the night in which all of these things are not planned or under our control to prevent.  I remember when Spencer’s hip came out of his socket last year while he was playing football.  This was not planned and was such a freak accident, yet through this circumstance, although shaken up as a mom, I remained calm while in the ER.  I could have blamed myself, Spencer, the coach or the other team who tackled him wrong.  I could have screamed at the coach for not taking him in the ambulance or the trainer who said it was just a pulled muscle.  However, this show of emotion of being upset would not prove anything after the fact except my immaturity of controlling my emotions along with my lack of Christian maturity.

When a person barks about a past event in which he could not have prevented there is care of fear and distrust, an emotional sin which only perplexes and distracts the mind.  What is the remedy for this?  Constant prayer and daily fellowship with Jesus.  We must join ourselves with Him daily with being thankful not only for the things in which we have but also for the mercies we have received.  We should value the mercy and depend on Him, which gives us peace.  Barking at others does not bring peace, only distractions.  This type of daily interaction with God will keep our hearts at peace and also keep us from sinning under troubles or situations of life that are unplanned.  We can remain calm under the pressures if we have constant communion with Him on a daily basis.  As believers we are to get and keep a good report for the good things we show not only to God but also to man.  We should walk with the ways of virtue whether our praise is of men or not it will be of God.  Joy in God is of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. It more than outweighs all causes for sorrow.

Prayer:  Lord please help me remember the next time I get upset to remain calm in Your peace and loving kindness.  Let me continue to show Christian maturity with my emotions and be thankful for you always showing mercy to me.  Even in life’s daily unplanned situations, I will remain stable and will keep my snapping under control because you live with me and are greater than all distractions and circumstances.  In Jesus Name. Amen

Philippians 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Knowing A Person’s Heart

A heart of a person is more clearly seen by what they’re willing to embrace without offense, than by their expression of faith only in what they already understand.

My husband had recently posted this on his Facebook status but he didn’t get much feedback.  This entire sentence must be clearly thought out and pondered on for it is so true.  Every time I am talking with someone about relationships, I have learned to spot the red flags in premarital counseling.  One advice statement I give goes along with the above statement.  ”How do you know if we are unequally yoked”? is what most of them want me to answer.  One thing I have learned in counseling relationships is not to tell them what to do, I am not the problem solver, Jesus is.  I give them exercises to enhance their relationship, faith building homework and let them make their decisions.  I want them to depend upon God, not me.

When a couple is going to two different churches or has two different religious backgrounds and both are unwilling to depart, that is a red flag.  Tradition is good but only when both agree and continue to move forward in their relationship not only with each other but also toward God.  Both parties must be willing to be teachable and want to learn.  Both parties must be willing to enhance their relationship with God and grow, learning new things and be willing to change.  They must not be offended in the truth of the Word.  It is easy to stay where tradition has been imparted in you and that you understand all that you have been exposed to.  Where the red flag comes is when you are unwilling to believe the Word can teach you more than what you already know. Most people do not reach the stage until after already married, hoping the other will follow them and change.

This is what happens in most cases.  Boy meets girl.  They start dating, forming a relationship and the friendship and eros love kicks in.  They will do anything to please each other and to gain favor in the site of their soon to be mate.  They are willing to put aside the differences for now but in the back of their minds the thought of changing long-term is not pondered on.  I have always stated to date at least two-years before getting married, although not liked but it is during this time the true person will manifest.  The feel good stage is gone and true love must kick in.  How do you know it is true love?  Get passed the two year stage and then you experience it.  Relationships are work!  Don’t fool yourself if you are in the first few months of dating and think you can get by your differences in religion or others things that you have been entwined with over the years.  Couples are asking for future problems if this is not talked about.

A person’s heart is clearly seen by what they are willing to embrace without offense…. you will know when a person is willing to seek God first over a matter before getting offended by what they may think is right.  If both only stand on what man has taught them, their relationship with God is stunted.  God is a moving God and His wisdom is beyond our limitations.  There is always more to gain as we seek Him.

Study the Word together, and obey what the word says, not what tradition tells you.  If you both seek God more than pleasing man or each other, God will show you what is right.  However both need to not be offended in what truth God has shown each but be willing to learn from one another.  If one person is not willing to grasp new things and change, trouble will only follow in the relationship.  What happens most of the time, people go into a marriage, each thinks they will change the other person to believe how they believe.  It won’t happen as long as one continues to believe in only what they already understand instead of seeking to understand and learn more.  A relationship will ALWAYS struggle if one or the other are unwilling to put God first in their life FIRST.  Having a relationship with God first will change a person’s heart to be the type of person God wants them to portray to their spouse, friend, family and to others.  When conflict arises in a relationship without God the focus it means:  Carnal thinking, selfish desires, hard-hearted, fruits of the flesh, sinful nature and etc.

In conclusion of this statement, here is my advice for what it is worth.  If both people are seeking God with everything that is within them first, (before man, before friendship, before tradition, before past teachings) and both are willing to be teachable and grow toward God without restrictions then God will change the heart to love one another for agreement.  We cannot change others no matter how hard we try.  We can only change ourselves, our actions but only through living out the heart of Jesus Christ within our own lives.  Jesus must come first and foremost and this is the only way a relationship will work.  This is for all relationships, whether you have just started a relationship or whether you have been married for over fifty years.  God must be in the center of your heart to have a heart of true love.  Love is changing and love is giving yourself for the cause of others without offense.

The next time you are offended in your relationship, ask yourself this question, “Is God offended over this, or is it just me?”  If the offense is a sin or goes against God’s word, then God is offended, you might have a right to be upset, but if God would not be offended then you will know it is your stubborn attitude of not willing to show His love or fruit of the Spirit in the matter.  We all must be willing to embrace more than what we already know.  When we do this, our heart will shine!

Prayer:  Lord help me to realize my relationship with you must be first through all my relationships.  Help us all to realize that when we seek you first the offense will not come to those who have your heart and your word to stand upon.  Lord I pray for wisdom and understanding.  I pray for relationships to know and seek you first before they commit to each other.  Help me to relate your love.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Acts 17:27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. New International Version

Job 8:5-6 “If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty, If you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate. New American Standard Bible

Overstuffed and Guilty

Thanksgiving is a time where family get together, eat, laugh and show love.  We start preparing days before in spending money for food, decorations and must have accessories and don’t forget the cleaning the house from top to bottom.  We get up early and start cooking in which makes us look exhausted by the time company arrives.  There is always the battle of who is coming and who is not or why is some of the family so dysfunctional.  Thanksgiving is a time to put aside quarrels or differences and instead a time to enjoy the thanksgiving of life itself.  Society however has made it far from being thankful or enjoying life.  Not only does our culture turn Thanksgiving into an exhausting day but also the day after becomes one too.  Black Friday as some call it is a day to fight, argue and push people out of the way to get those supposedly good buys.  I even saw on the news where the stores are no longer opening at 4 a.m. but now opening at midnight for all those early shoppers.  I don’t know how good of a deal it is to sleep right outside the store in a sleeping bag just to be the first person in the store because I have never shopped the day after Thanksgiving.  Maybe I am missing out of the so called fun or saving money.

Let us also reflect the banquet of Thanksgiving.  Whose idea was it to have every kind of vegetable on the table?  Whose idea was it to have not only turkey but also ham and chicken added to the table?  Why do we have to have a relish tray or appetizers before hand, or ten different desserts?  Why can’t families just get together and eat a simple meal, save time and save money, enjoy life and be thankful?

Now let us not forget the overindulgence everyone consumes.  We all know that we are going to stuff ourselves until we cannot eat another bite then we feel guilty about doing it.  Even when we know we are going to anyway.  Then there is tons of leftovers in which we must also stuff the fridge and still eat it again the next few days.  I sit here satisfied yet feel sad also.  I think of all the children I fed in India and how they just get rice.  I feel guilty knowing I have more than enough in my fridge to feed a village.

As I reflect today on Thanksgiving and the goodness of God, let us not forget those who have little or nothing at all.  Let us extend a hand to those who are hungry, sick and without family.  As you take a bite of the leftovers, don’t feel overstuffed and guilty but thankful that God has chosen to bless you just to bless others.

Prayer:  Lord help me to have your heart, the heart of giving and showing love.  I am  most thankful for all that you have done in my life.  I know you have prepared me to give to others.

I John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.   New International Version (©1984)

Who is Grace?

Who is grace?   Grace is someone most of us know about, we have seen, yet sometimes takes years to get to know.  People view Grace differently.  They see her as first in command or second but not equal.  Some think she is highly important and others think she is a nice attribute to have around.

Now let me explain who Grace is.  Grace is someone who wants to live with us, walk with us daily and show us how to live in peace and holiness.  We know about Grace and we think we know her once we are introduced.  Grace doesn’t demand we perform or look a certain way to show others who we represent.  Who is grace?  I am not talking about a person but the unmerited favor of God.  I am talking about the undeserving mercy of God. We can play the part, look the part but we however cannot change ourselves inwardly by our works or looks.  We cannot change ourselves because we just want to.  Why do you think change is so hard?  You can change the way you look, your actions and change your lifestyle to fit into the Christian mode.  However, although we may look good to others but inside we cannot fool ourselves. Grace must be imparted into someone who has an open mind and heart.  Grace is imparted into us by knowing Him.

Why do we all come to know Grace at different times in our lives?  Grace sometimes comes when we have done something so totally wrong against our teaching and discipline trainings in which we feel as though we are lifted above all sinful nature, it is then we fail.  It is when we become so proud of what WE have accomplished, being prideful.  Once we fail the test of trying to prove our own spiritual hierarchy, Grace comes to our rescue but only when we ask.  People don’t really get to know Grace sometimes until they fail, they may have an idea who she is but not really know her valuable worth until they realize they cannot earn her love nor do enough works to obtain living above the world’s sinful acts.

Grace is the action of God bringing to pass the good things, which we neither deserve nor can accomplish on our own.  It is a tremendous dynamic of personal experience where the reality of God’s life enters what we are doing, feeling, and thinking.  It is being filled with the power of Jesus as our life moves in every aspect. It is when God initiates action and we respond with action.  Grace never means inaction or being totally passive.  The opposite of grace is works but not effort.  Works has to do with earning and there simply is nothing any of us can do to earn God’s love or acceptance.  God already loves us utterly and perfectly and our complete acceptance is the free gift of God through Jesus.

Action is not the same as works so let me explain.  The foundational structure for the growth or action of grace involves a training of body, mind and spirit by means of disciplines of spiritual life.  Through a process of time and experience, we become the kind of person whose life naturally and freely expresses love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We cannot make ourselves have these fruits WITHOUT inclining our hearts toward Him.  Only He can reprogram the deeply ingrained habit patterns of sin that constantly hurl toward works of flesh.  We cannot become humble by trying to become humble.  Action on our own would make us all the more proud of our humility.  Instead we train with disciplines appropriate to our needs and then God see the effort and our offering of ourselves to him.  God often uses the various difficulties and trials we face in life to produce in us a kind of endurance.  These experiences shape us, form, us and make us different people to the extent we are willing participators in this work of grace.

In the Old Testament it teaches about obedience to truth, however the New Testament presents the message of grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus.  At first, truth and grace seem to be opposite but they are both at the core of God’s purpose and plan.  To be healthy, there must be balance between the two.  Grace only, leads to self-indulging and immature children.  Truth only, leads to rebellious attitudes.  Rules without relationships are first resented then resisted and ultimately rejected.  Many churches and religious people gravitate toward one extreme or the other.  Environments that become legalistic, rule oriented, and guilt-driven promote an impossible expectation.  This in turns leads to a never-ending works mentality of I will never be good enough.  I have seen many people fall into sin, fall away from God or live in depression or poverty who view grace as unimportant.  They push and convince people to live a certain way as to gain favor with God or to live above the world.  Although spiritually in tune, they themselves become judges or they may cast away people who don’t follow their truths.  Then there are those who focus on just grace.  The focus is on love and forgiveness not consequences of sinful behavior.  Many then will interpret this openness as license to live any lifestyle expecting forgiveness.  There is no common ground when you deal with truth.  Truth and Grace live together and must be balanced.  We cannot earn or deserve God’s grace and we cannot select what part of His truth we want to embrace and abide by.  Truth should magnify grace.  Truth without grace is legalism.  Grace, without truth leads to license to sin.  Truth proves the message grace provides the method.  Grace doesn’t provide the freedom to sin but forgiveness for sin.  Grace never supersedes or compromises truth.  Grace does not replace truth it reflects it.  Truth and grace lead to liberty.

God’s grace should not be viewed as independent of His truth.  Both grace and truth are essential elements in His gift of eternal life.  We show people Jesus only when we show them grace and truth.  It is living in balance and harmony with everyone we come in contact with.  It is not only the disciplines in lifestyle, the works that we do but allowing God to manifest His mercy in grace in our lives as we are transformed to be more like Him.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus help me to gain not only more of your truth but also know your grace and mercy.  I want to find balance in both.  I want to know you in the fullness to expound to others and to show others the true life of a Christian.  I do not want to demand certain things in people where they feel they can never live up too nor do I want to give them the freedom to continue to live in sin.  As a leader, Lord help me impart grace and mercy to those who fail and encourage them to go forward when they do fail and not cast them away.  Let your truth and grace be balanced in my life.  Let spiritual fruit be manifested in my life.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

John 1:14-17  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. New International Version

Expression of Grace

I received a message from young man in which I use to babysit when I was a teen.  He told me there is a message being posted throughout his town saying, “It is OK not to believe in God.”  It is a slap in the face to us Christians who know there is a God and He makes a difference in all the world in our lives.  Although some might not notice, or agree or even ignore the sign, we the people of faith need to step up a bit with an expression of grace.  We must extend God’s grace to a hurting person who has needs.  God will help them through you.  If we ignore the possibilities to help, then we contribute to the sign…..

As a Christian we must express grace and truth in our mission, message and ministry.  God has given us a mission to be an instrument of His grace to others.  We should always communicate God’s grace by what we say and also by what we do.  Your life is a message that people read.  You are an ambassador of Christ in both word and deed.  We must not only have grace but truth.  When people give grace with truth they lose realism.  When they give truth without grace it becomes legalism.  Religion condemns people and is an act but a relationship with God shows true love.

To receive the grace and truth that we need for others we must spend time alone with the Lord every day.  We must submit ourself to Him and acknowledge and obey His voice.  God will impart His reality to us to be able to pour out to others.  The more we sense this reality in our own life the more we will have to give to others.  When you touch somebody’s life and those you reach can touch others.  Jesus said to make disciples and whether you realize it our not your ministry of grace and truth to individuals may have more impact than if you were preaching to thousands.  Let God’s grace flow through you and it will change nations!

Prayer:  Father forgive us when we do not stand up and proclaim your grace and truth through our words and actions.  I pray that we are faithful in reaching others and showing your love to the world.  I pray that all people who don’t believe or even know you that you will pour out your spirit on them and take away the scales of unbelief from their eyes.  Let our mind be your mind, let my thoughts be your thoughts flowing from me to reach others.  I praise you for your grace, mercy and truth.  In Jesus name. Amen.

2 Corinthians 9:8  God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all-sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Just Thinking Out Loud About Me

I know what you are thinking, “Why haven’t she wrote daily in the last few weeks”?  Sorry to all my friends or family who just might read one of my blogs every so often.  You see, I get a feed back on my stat page and can tell when stats are low and where they come from.  Although I have reached over 19 thousand hits within a year, I am not so sure my writing is beneficial.  So, if you have just stopped in today to read a daily devotion you may not find where I have written daily but I have plenty of topics to choose from the past that might be interesting to you.

Most of my hits come from bloggers or researchers hitting on topics of washing clothes cartoon or General Patton.  I do have some fb friends open my page when I do post it but just the average person out there don’t even know I exist.  Not that it is important that I write everyday, I just wanted to discipline myself to do this so I would have a book at the end of the year.  So, you see it was a short time goal, not necessary a long one.  I love to write, don’t get me wrong, I am not stopping just reconsidering the daily thing.  I think I got out of the habit being gone for over two weeks to India.

Since I have returned from India I have changed.  Changed focus and redirected myself in things I want to do.  I have been busy with photo appointments and Mercy 29 fundraisers.  I love photography and have no plans to stop but just to really slow down with appointment far between.  My husband wants me to really focus on ministry with him and be with him at the church on a daily business.  My gift is administrative Leadership so sometimes we butt heads.  It’s not just that I don’t have the heart for being at the church it is just that my time is eaten up by so much “stuff”.  I just can’t seem to get my focus on working there.  Can anyone relate?

I love being creative with making the new jewelry line for Mercy 29 and I love having parties and meeting new people.  I also am involved getting shoe boxes filled with items for Christmas to send to India.  Plus, I must make room to keep the house clean, cook and daily chores around the house on top of all that.  Starting next week, I will teach every Wednesday night for our Fastrack class.  My schedule never slows down unless I just take time to make it happen.  This is our life.  Did I mention Spencer is playing basketball this year?  Another activity added and time doesn’t slow down for no one.

Timing I know is important in all things so I don’t think I am avoiding it on purpose or procrastinating about ministry at the church.  I think the timing is just a little off right now until I get the Indian children taken care of.  Maybe the mommy is taking over in wanting to see these children have a nice Christmas vs typing or researching something at the church.  I don’t know.  I think I am in transition, and for all those in the transition you will know what I mean.  So as the new year approaches it is time to focus on setting some goals again for the new year.  Thanksgiving is this week and then the Christmas rush starts so hopefully my focus will be on writing again soon.

So, if you find yourself thinking about your focus, your activities or trying to make a decision, just stay busy but set goals.  Don’t be idle or bored because it is ineffective for the Kingdom.  Do something for the Kingdom, be creative, use your talents and act with what pleases the Lord.

Prayer:  Lord I wake daily with loving you and trusting in you with my day.  You are the One who helps me get through all this “stuff” of life in which none seems more important than following your heart and lean upon you for direction.  Help me to understand your ways and what you want me to do.  Jesus Name, Amen.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. New International Version

Seasons Change

I found myself saying, “Burr it’s cold” yesterday.  There is a cold front coming in and it is hard to get used to the cool weather.  As I sit here looking out my kitchen window and my dog is whining to go outside, I know the season is changing.  My dog won’t stay out long because she knows it’s getting cold too.  The trees are almost bare, the grass is turning brown and the wind has a chill in it.  I love seasons but I don’t like the transition to the season.  I love when there is snow on the ground and every is white and glistening but I don’t like the gray days before or when the snow melts.  Transition, now that is a word not too many people are fond of.  Over 70% of people view change as grief followed by pain and anguish.

Transition is like being in the hallway.  You know where you want to go and you know where you have been.  Being stuck in the middle yet is not fun or it can be time consuming.  I hear people all the time say they are in transition.  I like to refer it as between seasons.  It is change.  We must all have or desire to want to change on a continual basis just like seasons.  As we continue to grow in the Lord, the spring time and the summer brings much harvest in the fall.  Then there is a time to rest as winter approaches and the daylight is shorter.

Be thoughtful today and glean on the seasons that may be changing in your life in the natural and in the spiritual.  Be rest assured that God is in control over all the seasons.

Prayer:  Lord help me know that it is you who controls my season of life.  Let me rest in your arms through every transition as I trust in you.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Acts 17:27  From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live.   GOD’S WORD® Translation

For The Love of Money

Have you noticed that most of us have an unhealthy emotional relationship with money?  Money is held dear to our hearts even if you do want to admit it or not.

Christmas time is coming upon us fast and we can see people start getting worried about purchasing gifts in which there is not enough income coming in to pay for them. People hold on to money and they fight if you try to convince them to let go of it.  Some people let go with ease for giving to a good cause or let go only when they reap a benefit from it.  Others keep it for themselves for security.  Call it what you will but all of us struggle for the love of money.  We always have people coming up to us and asking us about budgeting, saving, investing or borrowing.  Money plays a big part in all of our lives.  I am thankful that my husband knows and has wisdom about money because if it was left up to me, I am the spender.  I think it is important that marriages and families live in reality when it comes to spending.  There should be an agreement between husband and wife along with no secrets in spending, credit or debt.  My mother is very frugal because she had to be.  My father did not make much money during the winter months, so she had to manage and save for the winter.  She knows how to live off the bare necessities without splurging and finding herself in debt.  Some people do a good job as this planning short-term but not long-term. My parents did not save for retirement, therefore they live off of their SS and dad’s disability.  Many people think tomorrow will be the day to start planning and saving however tomorrow is pushed ahead each day until years have passed then they find themselves either in debt or continue to live without.

Debt is another issue.  We know several people who have credit cards that have a balance in which there is no way in a life time to get them reduced or paid off with the income they have now.  It is sad and selfish but true.  Here’s a big problem,  the USA is a nation of spenders, not savers. The personal savings rate is negative, meaning Americans spend more than they earn. And the portion of disposable income going toward paying down debt — including mortgage and credit card debt — is near a record high. Households with at least one credit card carried an average of $9,498 in card debt in 2005, nearly twice the level of a decade ago, according to CardWeb.com.  The love of money is infiltrating on wisdom in how we spend.  Here is a recent article I found to be true.

On one hand, we love money because:

• we need it for basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing

• our financial security and well-being depends on it

• it gives us freedom to do whatever we like

• it is a powerful tool to help others

On the other hand, we hate money because:

• we feel it controls our life

• we do not have enough of it

• we believe that money changes people and brings out all the negative qualities in them

• it forces us to get a job that we hate and robs us of our freedom

This love-hate attitude is very similar to the one we have with food.

A moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips…

When we eat a big piece of cake it gives us a sense of an instant gratification. We truly enjoy the feeling of rich warm chocolate melting in our mouth. Mmmm…If someone puts a bowl of chocolates that we like in front of us, we will eat most of them! And we will do it not because we are hungry, but because we can have them now!   This would not be so bad if we had not  taken that money out of our emergency funds, our children’s education or other things that we actually needed to buy.

But 10 minutes later, after the cake is gone, the pleasure gives in to bitterness, regret and guilt. The cake we so strongly desired just a few minutes earlier turns into a reminder of our weakness and flabby belly.  Again it is lack of discipline.

Our relationship with money is very similar. We love  the feeling of exchanging it for something we really want! On our way home the “instant gratification” that lies in our shopping bag feels heavy and wonderful! But the next day when our initial excitement wears off a nasty feeling of guilt creeps into our soul. We realize that we have wasted our hard-earned money on something that we did not need in the first place. And we mentally beat ourselves up for our wastefulness.

What if I do not get any?

Thousands of years ago, when supermarkets did not exist, our ancestors had to apply enormous effort to procure their food. The survival principle was very simple – “If you find food – eat it all while you can, because there is no guarantee that tomorrow it will still be there”. Up to this day we all have this hard-wired mechanism in our brain that urges us to take it all every time we get the feeling of ’scarcity’.

It is ok to splurge sometimes when you have an extra little money but only if you plan the day and the amount you want to spend.  I know people who go out every week-end after the paycheck to spend that extra instead of paying off the credit card or putting it into savings.  Selfishness verses discipline!

Think about the next time you spend a dollar…. it is because you want to, need to or just put no thought into it.  What can you do with that dollar?  Self benefit or for the benefit of others should be the question and it will be determined in your heart.

Jesus spoke in the Bible dealing with money.   Throughout the entire Bible there are roughly 2,350 verses concerning money. This is roughly twice as many as faith and prayer combined. Fifteen percent of everything Jesus said related to money and possessions. He spoke about money and possessions more than heaven and hell combined. The only subject Jesus spoke of more often is the Kingdom of God. Why? Because the Scriptures make clear there is a fundamental connection between a person’s spiritual life and his attitudes and actions concerning money and possessions.  If you want to study more on money and the Bible here are the Scriptures you can look up.

• The Rich Fool — Luke 12:16-21
• The Shrewd Manager — Luke 16:1-8
• The Talents/The Minas — Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11 -27

• The Cost of Discipleship — Luke 14:28 -33
• The Faithful and Wise Servant — Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48
• The Great Banquet — Luke 14:16 -24
• The Master and His Servant — Luke 17:7-10
• The Shepherd and His Flock — John 10:1-18
• The Tenants — Matthew 21:33 -44; Mark 12:1-11; Luke 20:9-18
• The Thief — Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:39-40
• The Two Sons — Matthew 21:28 -32
• The Unfruitful Fig Tree — Luke 13:6-9
• The Unmerciful Servant — Matthew 18:23 -35
• The Watchful Servants — Mark 13:34-37; Luke 12:35-40
• The Wedding Banquet — Matthew 22:2-14

• The Lost Sheep — Matthew 18:12 -14; Luke 15:4-7
• The Rich Man and Lazarus — Luke 16:19 -31

• The Workers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1-16

• New Cloth on an Old Garment — Matthew 9:16 ; Mark 2:21 ; Luke 5:36
• New Wine in Old Wineskins — Matthew 9:17 ; Mark 2:22 ; Luke 5:37 -38
• The Pharisee and the Tax Collector — Luke 18:9-14

• The Friend in Need — Luke 11:5-8
• The Good Samaritan — Luke 10:30 -37
• The Moneylender — Luke 7:41 -43
• The Owner of a House — Matthew 13:52
• The Prodigal Son — Luke 15:11 -32
• The Son’s Request — Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13

• The Growing Seed — Mark 4:26 -29
• The Kernel of Wheat — John 12:24
• The Mustard Seed — Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19
• The Yeast — Matthew 13:33 ; Luke 13:20 -21

• The Discarded Salt — Matthew 5:13 ; Mark 9:50 ; Luke 14:34 -35
• The Fig Tree — Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-31
• The Lamp under a Bowl — Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-22; Luke 8:16 , 11:33 -36
• The Lost Coin — Luke 15:8-10

Eternal Reward

• The Hidden Treasure — Matthew 13:44
• The Lowest Seat at the Feast — Luke 14:7-14
• The Sheep and Goats — Matthew 25:31-46
• The Valuable Pearl — Matthew 13:45-46
• The Wise and Foolish Builders — Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49

The Treasure Principle by Randy Acorn is a great book to read when it comes to dealing with money and I highly recommend it!  Just click on the link for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5RM5GJL0oA

Behold The Clouds

Sharing what God spoke to me this morning.  Be rest assured God has heard your prayers and He speaks to you now…..

I am God, your Father.  Where you stand right now, I have given you and to your children.  Wherever you go it is yours and you will be blessed.  I am with you and I will keep you in all places wherever you go and I will bring you again into all lands you claim.  I will not leave you nor will I forget the promises I have made to you.  I am the only God and I am faithful.  I keep my covenants and mercy with them that love me and keep my commandments.  I will bless your future generations.  My faithfulness reaches high into the clouds and far above.  Look up and see the clouds, can you touch them, do they fade away or do the rain down upon you?  They rain down and then reproduce, there is always refreshing promises coming to you.  I am faithful to keep you from your enemies.  My righteousness is as of great mountains.  I am the only one who can satisfy. Please remember and do not doubt I am faithful and I have created you for love.  My mercy is everlasting and it is only I that give you rest. Declare my works and go forth rejoicing!

Prayer:  I will trust in you always Lord of your unfailing love and your great faithfulness.  Teach us to lean upon you for strength and to overcome.  It is you who we run to and find rest.  Thank You Jesus!  Amen.

Genesis 28, Deut. 7, Psalms 36 & 89

I Am An Atheist

I recently had an email that was returned to me and explained that she didn’t support what I was doing because she was an atheist.   I pondered on how to respond to this type of remark and I kept telling myself over and over, “she is not rejecting me, but my God”.  At first I just said a prayer for her and deleted the message.  However as time went on, I found myself pondering if I should respond, after all she had the guts to respond to my email with her beliefs.  So this is what I said.

I am sorry if I offended you.  There is such great need to help children whether you are a believer in Christ or not.  Compassion for suffering is born in the heart and our eyes should be open to the world in which we live in.  Please don’t be angry or upset with me but in this world there are times when we will realize there are unexplainable, things we cannot see, or touch that moves through us and upon us for a purpose.  Life is full of seasons and some of those times will bring us to a place where we will cannot rely on ourselves but on the one who created us.  Jesus does love you even if you don’t believe in him or not.  In much love…. melissa

I hope this didn’t sound mean because I know she must get many comments from believers who wish to argue with her whether there is a God or not.  I don’t want to fit in the “normal” Christian attitude of showing anger or confusion when I run into people who are atheist.  I want to show the love of God in a manner of wisdom in knowing what to say or how to respond.  I am not for sure why she doesn’t believe but there will become a time in which at the end of life, a person will struggle or be at peace with the possibility of eternal life.  It is a question we should all ask ourselves.  Although we all don’t have to respond to those who refuse to believe in God, we can walk away feeling rejected, upset or sad but we must do as Jesus would have done.  He stands there full of mercy, grace and love with arms open wide.  I hope my email didn’t show anything other than that, which I do question my motives sometimes.  How would you respond?  Have you ever met anyone like this?

I did find some information about atheist.

A chart showing the relationship between the definitions of weak/strong and implicit/explicit atheism. An implicitatheist has not thought about belief in gods, and would be described as being implicitly without a belief in gods. Anexplicit atheist has made an assertion regarding belief in gods. An explicitatheist may eschew belief in gods (weakatheism), or further conclude that gods do not exist (strong atheism).

 

Prayer:  Lord help me to understand those who refuse to believe in you.  Help me reach out to the unbelieving person with wisdom and words that come only from you and not my feelings or emotions.  Let your Spirit penetrate their heart in a way they will know and feel your love.  In Jesus Name. Amen.

Psalm 14:1  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

Psalm 10:4  The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.  New American Standard Bible