Wisdom and Understanding

Studying the book of James and wow what amazing scripture is there! Of course, you have read it before, but it knocks you up beside of your head when you dig into some of it and God sheds a little light! Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3: 13-18 What is the difference between wisdom and understanding anyway? Per Beth Moore... wisdom is the what. Understanding is the why. Wisdom often knows what to do, what is right, or what is awry. Understanding often knows why. For instance, wisdom knows that pride is serious sin and should be shunned. Understanding knows that pride is the fastest way to a painful, ugly fall! This scripture and Beth Moore's words really got me to thinking! How often do I pray for wisdom before making decisions and am I seeking God's pure wisdom that will produce a "harvest of righteousness"??? Because...if I have sought God's pure wisdom..the understanding will follow! and the result will produce peace that will raise a harvest of righteousness. Now that is GOOD stuff!

Because He Lives!!

Because He lives...I CAN FACE Tomorrow!!! or the next minute! It's Good Friday and most of us know what that means. And then came Sunday! and I am overjoyed to know what THAT MEANS!! He LIVES!! Jesus is alive and well and living in my heart! He longs to walk with you and talk with you! He is very present in everything we do. He wants to guide you and hold your hand. I am so thankful for salvation and His forgiveness for me! Easter is special each new day He allows...because HE LIVES! Shout it to a lost and dying world!

The Will of God

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. —Ephesians 5:15-17 How convicting as I sat and read this verse this morning! My decisions about everything in my life should be wise and God should be sought through prayer and studyiing His Word intently. How do I lose sight of understanding that God cares about everything in my life? I was discussing with a co worker this morning that it seems as if my job consumes me these days. I asked the question "is this the kind of life I want?" But the better questions is "Does God want this kind of life for me?" Where work takes over much of your thought process and anxiety creeps in more each day? It's certainly not wise to believe that God wants this for us! How do we find balance...how do we keep God at the forefront along with His will for us? I encourage you as well as myself...dig into prayer and into His Word! It is still POWERFUL and HIS ANSWERS WILL come! The days are evil my friend....look carefully and be wise choosing God's will...not ours!
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A Rainbow of Promise!

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." Gen. 9:16 While making my normal commute to work today, I was driving along praying as usual when I happened to look out into the sky and saw the most beautiful rainbow that I think I have ever seen!! Rainbows have always totally touched my heart for obvious reasons, but today, I had just moments before asked God to speak to my heart and let me know that He was with me today. And right before my eyes was a rainbow that touched the bottom of the sky on the left and the right. It wasn't a thin rainbow...it included every color and was so vivid...it took my breath for a moment! And then I heard His whisper..."I am with you, my daughter"! Oh...can I just tell you what my heart did! The scripture then came to my mind reminding me of God's great covenant with man with his signature rainbows!! What an awesome reality that the GOD of this universe purposely puts rainbows in the sky to remind us of His great promises for us! How wonderful His love is for us! Claim them today...and don't forget to look for the rainbow!! (the pic above is the actual rainbow!!)

What Really Matters?

I am presently attending a business meeting in Washington DC. When I arrived yesterday, it struck me how people looked when coming into the hotel. They all seemed to be on a "mission", as if this meeting they were about to attend would accompish some great thing in their life. I can appreciate the need to work hard and be all that we can be with the talents that God has given us, but to lose sight of my "true mission" would be a total waste. I believe God equips us to use daily talents and we should "work" as unto the Lord, however, when we believe that this "man work" will totally meet all of our needs, we lose sight of what really matters. I wonder if we interviewed any of the victims in the recent tornado towns whether or not they would mention their jobs to us. I believe they are all grabbing and holding tightly to the last moment they had with their loved one. So what really matters? Keeping focus of the "mission" that God has placed before us...to show others the love of Christ, while reaching out with every fiber to help those who are hurting and in search of the peace of God. When the tornado arrives...we will have accompished what really matters! Turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of earth will grow strangely dim...in the light of His glory and praise!

"This is the DAY the Lord hath made!...Happy Leap Day!"

The buzz going around today is "it's Leap year"!! Comes every four years! Pretty cool if you think about it! Of course, it's another one of those "man" things that we do...mearsuring time! What if we didn't think about today being Leap day or Wednesday...but just another day that the Lord hath made! Let us REJOICE and be glad in it! Let us reach out to touch someones's life today or allow ourselves to be touched by someone. Today is special...it is ALL we have. Why not make the most of it, not rush through it to get to tomorrow or Friday. While watching the morning news today, my heart was broken listening to the parents of the young boy killed in the OH school shooting that happened this week. The father was speaking of his last cell phone call with his son. The mom repeatedly said "I just want him back!" Making TODAY the best it can be is to KNOW that you and all those you are in contact with KNOW Jesus as Savior, while KNOWING that no matter what happens today, they have eternal life beginning the minute they receive Jesus into their hearts forever! We are a people of measuring time and spreading news quickly....why not become a people of rejoicing in TODAY and praising our Almighty God for today!

What Am I Willing to Give?

The season of Lent is upon us and many believers across the world are spending time reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many are deciding to "give up something" during this time in rememberance of all that Jesus gave. I have often pondered during Lent whether I should give up something myself in rememberance of my Saviour. For whatever reason, I never have given up anything specific during this time. I guess my thinking goes more along the lines of being "sacrificial" every day. "Sacrificial" because of ALL that Jesus gave for me and continually gives me in a personal relationship with Him. "Sacrificial" in hopefully putting others before myself. I'm reminded of a verse that God placed on my heart many years ago when I was debating whether or not I was in His Will. "What does God require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before your God." Micah 6:8 I believe that living 'humbly' before God has to happen every day and hopefully that will tie in very closely with being sacrificial. You see, I can't get off of the bed in the mornings without the mericies of my Heavenly Father. I can't perform in my job everyday without His constant abiding, and I certainly can't do this thing called "life" without His Word guding me constantly. What can I give up to show others my love for Jesus? Not sure yet...but I can tell you what I can't give up...His Hand in mine as my constant companion throughout every minute of every day! So rather than contemplating what I'll give up...I think I'll decide how much more time I can spend learning of His great love for me and abiding in His Awesome Presence!! Happy Lent! but more than that....Happy Life with Jesus!! He lives!!

God's Love!

Why do men make God's love such a "difficult" thing to recieve and understand! It's quite simple...He gave His Son to die for you and me. His death on the cross covers our sins past, present, future. His love brings freedom to live every day with eternal life beginning the minute you receive this gift of Jesus, confessing your need for a Savior. Once this love enters you....you cannot keep it hidden..it spills out of your mouth and you are able to love others...ONLY because of His love. He walks with you, He talks with you....He is present with you forever! What a priceless LOVE! And oh how He wants you to give it away.....not argue over it...just simply receive it...and live it, and give it to someone else! Thank you Jesus!!!

Happy New Year and all that jazz!

So it's 2012 whether we like it or not! I imagine that you have had some of the same thoughts I have....gotta lose 10 lbs...got exercise more, need to be more involved with volunteering, etc.! Quite honestly, I ventured into 2012 with excitement about all that God will do this year! He is on time and He will show up, I can assure you of that! Our sermon this past Sunday was on "being sacrificial and surrendering" to God. It's two major requirements by the way! Let's begin 2012 with God at the center, seeking His will and showing others Jesus! And that will bring a Happy New Year!