Monday, April 14, 2014

Waiting in the Lord

Waiting

The action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time

or until something else happens.

We've all waited or are waiting.

Waiting for a job.

Waiting for a sale.

Waiting to get better.

Waiting to see.

Waiting for spring.

Waiting for Justice.

Waiting for....

You fill in the blank.

What are you waiting for?

So I decided to try and tackle the waiting game from a biblical stand point.

I just went through a waiting period with my Beloved Brother In Law who passed recently.

Blessed by time with him, I still don't quite understand the wait.

The only thing that brings peace in the waiting was this verse

1 Thessalonians 4:14 says

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so,

through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

I was blessed with seeing his last breath.

Watching him fall asleep in the Lord.

And knowing that God himself brought my beloved brother in law to Him

made the wait....bearable

In the King James version the word "wait" appears 106 times in 101 verses

So this made me think....why wait?
What is the purpose of waiting on Gods timing?

And how are we suppose to wait?

Lamentations 3:25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

Romans 5:3-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope

So this is what I learned.

Waiting brings out either the best or worst in us. It is a test of our faith. And we will either show impatience, annoyance, frustration to name a few, or we will sit quietly, learning, listening for His voice and showing others stillness.

Waiting produces patience. If we can learn to wait on the small stuff in life, we can wait for the bigger stuff.

When we have to wait, we cherish it more. If we had everything happen in the timing that we thought fit we wouldn't see as much joy in the wait.

Waiting transforms our character. Look what waiting did for Moses,
Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Daniel, King David, Noah......and on and on

When we wait on God

He reveals His will.

He guides our choices and protects the outcome of our obedience.

When we obey Him, we are shielded from all kinds of damaging circumstances.

As we wait, the Lord heals, comforts, teaches, and empowers us.

He encourages, answers prayers, and gives peace (Phil. 4:6-7)

While we wait

God is working on the situation

Working on our motives

Teaching us

Protecting us from the unseen

Preparing us for something grander than we know

We can try and do it our way

Or we can wait on the Lord

His ways are always better than ours!

Waiting requires us to have

Faith

Endurance

Patience

Pray

Give it to God 100%

When we wait on the Lord for an answer

Don't give him a timeline

Moses had to wonder 40 years

FORTY YEARS!

But in the end...

ah, in the end

Gods plan is way better than our own!

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Wait on the Lord

Don't set time lines for God

Let Him be a work in you and your life

Sit calmly, still and listen.

Hear His voice and wait

Psalm 130:5I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Waiting has a way of bringing out the best and worst in people.
Read more at http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/5-reasons-god-makes-us-wait#jb03pG5qAuqidf4s.99

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Would Jesus be on Facebook?

So this morning, I started thinking

would Jesus be on Facebook?

Now, before I start, let me disclaim something.

I am a social media (Facebook) junkie

I have my phone by me all the time

In my pocket, in my purse

I never leave the house without it

and if I did, I would come back to get it.

It is a life line for me.

I'm addicted and hooked on my Android.

I check Facebook several times a day, but only for 2-5 minutes

I don't play any of the games on there

I only check the news feed to get up to date status on those I follow

I don't Tweet

I don't Foursquare

I don't Google Plus

Or anything other social media I am missing.

But I am hooked on my phone, so disclaimer,

I am guilty of having it in my hand most of the time.

With that said

Would Jesus be on Facebook?
Would he have a smart phone?

Android? Old fashioned flip phone?

Or not a phone at all?

The following is my personal opinion.

Well there is this verse

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Then there is Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

I am sure if I researched further, there would be more passages.
I think the internet can be ok, as long as we aren't doing things on it that are displeasing to God.
Now, this is my personal opinion here, so
I think if we bring attention to God on Facebook and other social media
then aren't we bringing Glory to God?
If we complain (I'm guilty of this) on Facebook,
then that is negative and not bringing Glory to anyone!

So I think Jesus WOULD be on Facebook
AND I think he would have many followers, believers and non-believers alike
I think he would talk in parables on Facebook and bring very lively discussion.
There would be millions of posts to His posts on Facebook
I believe that if Jesus were on earth today
He would use social media as a way of reaching people

I could be wrong
But here is another question and this was brought to my attention by a friend this morning
Should we be on social media when we are in the flesh with others?
Much like the picture above, we all have seen it.
People in a resturant
Not looking or talking to each other
just on their phones.
Probably texting each other from across the table
(I am guilty of this as well.)
So, we are visiting a sick friend,
We are at a party
We are at work
Eating out
We are with other people in conversation face to face
Is it then proper to be on social media?
Matthew 18:20 popped in my head
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

And the bible says, where two or more are gathered so am I, says Jesus
So, He is there too, at that table, at lunch.
Your conversing, talking, sharing, fellowshipping
Or are you?
Now, I am just as guilty of this as everyone else
And I do it all the time
But I am asking,
Should we look at our phone and check our messages
when we are face to face with other humans?
Should we?

On my mind this morning is-
SHOULD we be doing this?
Or should we be in fellowship with one another?
Paying ATTENTION to what is in front of us!!
Not what is on the other side of the screen.

I'm not sure I know the right answer
Probably because I am guilty of the very thing I am asking all of you
If I say it is wrong, then I have to stop doing it.
But I ask you to ponder
SHOULD we be on social media when we are face to face with friends, family?
Would Jesus take a selfie?
Would he stop when walking with the disciples and say,
John, James, come, take a selfie with me!!
I don't know, but
It's Something to think about........

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Heaven on day of death....or on judgement day?

So the question has been asked

Do you get to heaven immediately after passing?

Or do you have to wait for judgement day?

From the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod website:

The Bible speaks clearly to indicate that we are granted access to glory at the time of our death. Consider what Jesus said to the repentant, believing criminal who was crucified alongside him: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) This is also the way the Apostle Paul spoke, for example, in Philippians 1:21-23 -- "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. . . . I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far."
The Bible also speaks clearly that we will stand before Christ to be judged on the Last Day. Consider the detailed description of that event in Matthew 25:31-46 or these words from 2 Corinthians 5:10 -- "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ."
So our answer to your question is not an either-or answer but a both-and answer. We are apparently judged privately or individually at the time of our death as our souls are received into glory to be with our Savior. And we will be judged publicly on Judgment Day with all mankind, as our resurrected bodies with the soul are received into glory as well.
And the best news, of course, is that we already know the verdict as we rely on Jesus Christ and rejoice in the salvation he earned for us. We are forgiven! Our sins are not counted against us since they were counted against Jesus and fully dealt with, that is, paid for in full.

In regard to our sin not being held against us when we are believers, this came my way this week in an email, and I found it very well written.

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor'. He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me.

He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar

to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door opened and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.' The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.' He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life, and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not

offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.' When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'HI, DAD,' and then He turned to address the court. 'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.' Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.'

My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.' As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all..' The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..... 'This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed.'

So many people make Jesus so complicated.

They think that must do this, do that, follow that rule,

go to this church, or that one, pray this prayer, or kneel here.

The bottom line TRUTH is simple!

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, with all your heart,

with all your soul and all your mind. ( Deuteronomy 6:5)

Matthew 10:33 says, "But whosoever shall deny me before men,

him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven".

Don't deny Christ for who He Is!

He IS Lord of Heaven and Earth

and HE WILL come back and judge those living and dead

And HE WILL claim what has always been His.

We are all sinners

We all fall short of the Glory of God Romans 3:23

Believe in Who He Is

He is Jesus

Who died on a Cross

For YOU

For me

And He took the judgement

we should be getting

Believe in Him and

On your day of death

You WILL be in heaven with Him

For it is written in the Book of Life

Friday, March 28, 2014

My Box at the Tree of Life

I am a very visual person.

When I got my new vacuum cleaner

I looked at the pictures on the box to put it together.

Directions are fine when I really can't figure it out from a picture,

but I am a visual learner for sure!

Don't send me to a classroom, I won't learn anything.

Don't give me lots of reading and then tests,

I won't get much out of that.

Show me and let me go!

Yep, Visual.

So it is no surprise to me that everything else in my life is also visual.

When it comes to my relationship with Christ

it's the same principal, visual.

When I go to Christ in prayer, conversation, or just to spend time with Him

I go visually.

I picture myself with him.

Its always the same.

He is in His Robe.

Not the bright white one, but the one that is off white,

like this picture from the Son of God movie

(and I imagine that Jesus probably looks something like this too)

And Him and I are by a stream of running water

The water of Life itself

And we are by the tree of Life

The Tree is big, green, lush and full of Life

It is after all, the Tree of Life,

It is bursting with Life from those who's names have been written.

And the grass is rich green and it just smells of fresh earth

Not dirt smell, but fresh....pure.....clean.......Holy

HIS presence makes it Perfect, Simple, Flawless

It is the most peaceful place that we meet, Jesus and I.

He is dressed in His Robes and Sandals

I approach Him

He is always under the tree

Sometimes we sit together

Sometimes we stand

Sometimes, in times of real need, I sit with Him

He has his arms around me

Comforting me

Much like that of a Father.

I always have a box

And in my box are my troubles

He'll say to me

"Whats in the box today Geralyn"

This particular day

I don't want to show Him yet what is in my box

Because I am not ready to give it to Him.

But in the past, we have done this conversation

We have done the box.

We have met so many many times under this tree in my life time.

And many times I have given Him the contents of my box.

When I have given Him the contents of the box

I mean, spilled them out for Him to take

I feel a lightness (John 8:36)

A calmness that I have finally turned something over to Him

For Him to take care of. (1 Peter 5:7)

Once that is done,

the contents given to Christ,

I am now reconciled with Christ in the concerns of my box.

I no longer have to worry about them.

FREEDOM in Christ! Galatians 5:1

We hug

He tells me He loves me

Today I didn't give Him the box

Today, I tell Him my box is heavy and I need to let it go

But I can't......I'm holding on

He says;

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,

Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

(Isaiah from verse 43)

When you are ready, bring me your box

Bring me your troubles and concerns

cast them on me and I will set you free

He tells me this, I hear Him

I'm just not ready....not yet

But the time will come

I WILL go and set the contents of my box FREE

And when I do

Oh, when I do!!!!

I will be FREE!!!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

His Name

_____________________________________________________________________

Big Daddy Weave

The Only Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uMiyfiqSpw

Yours will be the only Name that matters to me
The only One Whose favor I seek
The only Name that matters to me

Yours will be
The friendship and affection I need
To feel my Father smiling on me
The only Name that matters to me

Yours is the Name the Name that has saved me
Mercy and grace the power that forgave me
And Your love is all I’ve ever needed

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
And with the saints I will tell my story
There will be one Name that I proclaim

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, just that Name

________________________________________________________________

I love Big Daddy Weave, he has the spirit within him to be able to capture such beautiful music the way he does. He is touched by God to be able to convey such feelings through the music and words God must give him. I enjoy every song written by this band,

they are truly a blessing to Christian music.

_________________________________________________

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

____________________

Since losing my dear brother in law, Christian music has brought me great comfort.

More than it ever has before. I seem to be listening to the words more

and finding deeper meaning to them.

Some of my favorite songs have been hard to listen to,

the pain is still fresh,

but this one by Big Daddy Weave has been a huge comfort.

Waking up in the land of Glory!

I've talked about heaven on this blog before,

and now that I have yet another loved one with Christ,

I can't stop thinking about Heaven and what awaits those who believe in the Name of Jesus.

His name is THE ONLY name that ever matters.

The name of Jesus. This song captures that so well.

His favor is the only favor we should ever seek.
Seeking mans favor is not what Christ wants of us.

Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do,

in word or deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him".

Everything we do, EVERYTHING should be for God the Father and his Son.

We need to be thanking God for our every breath.

He gave it to us, we did not earn it on our own,

or create it. He created us and therefore,

we should be giving thanks to

Him always for everything we have and are able to do.

Friendship in Christ is the best kind of friendship.

We should seek Him in all things first.

He wants a relationship with us.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

If we can only get to the Father through Jesus the son,

then the only way to do that is in union with His Son.

A friendship. Talking. Praying. Giving. Leaning. Growing.

Christ died for me and you

He wants to be our everything.

The ONE we go to in all things.

He wants HIS name to be above all names when we cry out!

And one day, when we Wake up in the Land of Glory

and the Father smiles on us and says,

well done my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23).

There should be only One Name to Proclaim

The Name of Jesus!

His love is all we ever need.

His approval is all we ever need.

His Grace comes from only Him,

no one else can provide us Grace and Mercy.

We are created to worship Him and Him alone.

Our life is to be a reflection of His love on us.

Surround yourself with His love today.

Worship His name alone today.

And one day,

When you wake up in the land of Glory

The only name you will proclaim will be

Jesus !

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Unhealthy Relationships and when to let go

A healthy relationship is a relationship in which there is balance in giving and taking . . . where there is mutual appreciation and a building up . . . where there are honest words of appreciation without any taint of manipulation.
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Christian-Inspiration/2004/04/Walking-Away-From-Toxic-Relationships.aspx?p=2#TuBdLjrLLQfPV18S.99

A healthy relationship is one that gives and takes on both sides. (Romans 2:11)

A healthy relationship is about building one another up. (Ephesians 4:29)

A healthy relationship is where there are honest words, and not manipulation. (Matthew 4:21-25)

Broken relationships are probably one of the most heartbreaking things that happen to humans.

They make God sad, that is for sure. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

But not all relationships are good for all people.
I believe that all people try to do their best in all their relationships.

Sometimes, they just aren't healthy.

If a relationship is a liability to your health and well-being, and not an asset, its time to evaluate

and possibly give that person to God.

First, there will be constant strife and division. Amos 3:3 asks us, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" A healthy relationship is one in which there is a oneness of goals, purpose, values, and beliefs. God's Word also says, "Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16).
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Christian-Inspiration/2004/04/Walking-Away-From-Toxic-Relationships.aspx?p=1#SJcvor9ojtGGOSBJ.99

How do we evaluate if a relationship is not healthy?

First, there will be constant strife and division.

Amos 3:3 asks us, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"

A healthy relationship is one in which there is a oneness of goals, purpose, values, and beliefs.

God's Word also says,

"Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16).

The Bible tells us that a double-minded man is "unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8).

The situation is out of order and therefore out of control. Only God is a God of order.

He has set up lines of authority, and when those lines are violated,

the door is then open to Satan to come in and take over.

You don't get to choose the brand of evil spirit you want.

When you get out of line with the way God has designed you and your life to work, the devil has a legal right to touch you with any form of evil he wants.

Strife and confusion in a relationship sap your energy and drain your creativity.

They take your focus off what God has for you.

One of the most dangerous relationships is the one that holds you to your past. (Matthew 13:53-58)

The relationships, situations, conditions, experiences of your past

can drag you down and hold you back.

They can keep you from fulfilling your potential in Christ.

All these things weight heavy on your heart and rob you of control over your life.

Don't give power to any person to manipulate you and control you.

Nobody deserves that power but God! Ephesians 1:11

If we lose our identity in Christ, or

Compromise who we are for another person, outside of Christ,

we are in a unhealthy relationship. (1 Peter 3:15)

We have to trust God to lead us to know which relationships are unhealthy.

If we aren't growing in Christ because of an unhealthy relationship

its time to break it off.

Any time another person holds us back from spending time with Christ,

we don't need that person in our life.

Sounds easy based on biblical truth.

But it is never easy to end a relationship,

especially if it is someone close to you like a family member or life long friend or spouse.

But when we are drained and we have tried and there is nothing more we can do

and you have given it your best shot,

And the relationship is now making you sick,

Physically, Mentally, Emotionally

When our soul is in immediate peril because of someones actions, words and presence in your life,

We have no other choice but to turn this person over to God

And then, turn ourselves over to Him as well.

By giving this person over to God, we allow God to do his work in this person, outside of us.

We can't change anyone, but God can! Hebrews 4:13

And by asking God to reveal in us our mistakes in the failed relationship,

we are now allowing God to bring change in ourselves.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Transformation is a process.

When we trust God and take Him at His Word,

He will be free to transform our hearts and minds.

But it needs to be understood that this change does not happen all at once.

It is a process.

And not everyone will agree with it,

but stick to your beliefs!

Be healthy IN CHRIST

and surround yourself with like-minded people.

So as much as a failed relationship hurts,

the best thing to do is turn yourself over to Christ and the other person over to Christ.

Then, and only then, the change can start to take place.

And sometimes, yes, you need to walk away from this person.

You can't seek Christ when you are distracted with

pain, drama, turmoil, hurt, and past differences. .
You need to focus on Christ so you can grow in the Lord.

And if that person isn't part of your future, your life

Its ok

Christ doesn't want us in bad relationships

He wants us first and foremost in a loving relationship with Him!
So if someone is holding you back from that
Its time to let go.

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for you own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:2-4).