I know many like to study the book of Revelation for prophecy. Personally, I don't get much into prophecy for the future. I know Christ will come again and take us to heaven and this world will come to an end. The detail I don't try to figure out. I just know in my heart and life I need and long to be ready and in tune with God at all times. God will carry me through no matter what His plans and details are.
I do, however like to read passages from Revelation. Ones like: don't take away or add to the Word of God. And I especially like and am many times reminded of the the 7 churches in the 2nd and 3rd chapters.
This morning was one of those times. I went to bed at 9:15, slowly fell asleep and woke up some time around 3:30 to look at the snow which is piling up outside and still coming down. Unusual for NC. Still awake, I decided to email Carol Kent (the author of a book I am reading called "A New Kind of Normal). And also to read about the Laodicean church in the 3rd chapter of Revelation. Here are some facts listed there:
God comments that He is a faithful and true witness to us.
Also note that His word was relevant not only to the Laodiceans but to all of mankind through all ages including us today.
He called them lukewarm.
He said they professed to need nothing
He said they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked.
By the way this was people in a church. (Being in a church doesn't mean you are going to heaven)
He warned he would spit them out.
He told them to get white rainment.
He told them to anoint their eyes with eyesalve so they could see properly.
He said I rebuke and chasten you because I love you.
He admonished them to: Repent
He told them If you listen to me I will come into your heart and fellowship you.
He told them If you overcome you will sit on My throne with Me
He said if you are willing to open your ear, hear and listen and realize what I am saying to you.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Your Way or God's Way?
Song on my mind this morning: Chorus of Yield Not To Temptation: Ask the Saviour to help you, strengthen, comfort and aid you, He is willing to help you, He will carry your through.
Also, it is amazing that people who profess to be Christians when it comes down to the wire, when the pressure is on to stand up for what is right they would rather have lukewarm, watered down experiences and say “let me alone, I don’t want to change, we’re alright the way we are, leave us alone.”
You know the song Frank Sinatra used to sing? Just for the record I don’t like it. It says “The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.” All throughout the song it states “I did it my way.” Sounds proud, arrogant and unGodly doesn't it?
The scriptures below came to my mind also this morning and I looked them up.
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jer 5:31 (KJV)
What will you do?
The unclean demonics listed in Mark and Luke said “Let us alone” I wrote this in my personal journal this week, Jesus said that things would wax worse and worse. And the unclean spirits have stayed around in this world lurking in corners like a mold growing and growing. And they don’t just lurk they come out boldly. They’re here around us today and we must constantly stay “Under His (Gods’) Wings.”
Here in God's word He lets us know how Jesus dealt with unclean spirits:
Mk 1:24 This man was in the synagogue and Jesus spied the unclean spirit. And the unclean spirit said:
"Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
The same account is in Lk 4:34 only it called it an unclean devil.
34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jesus cast the unclean spirit out. He came to deliver us from our sins, not to comfort us while we enjoy wallowing in them.
If you like to study Revelation or want to know how seriously God deals with unclean spirits and wrong attitudes read about the 7 churches in Rev 2 -- Rev 3. Analyze and see how God saw them. He still removes His candlestick from people and places that love to have it "their" way.
Also, it is amazing that people who profess to be Christians when it comes down to the wire, when the pressure is on to stand up for what is right they would rather have lukewarm, watered down experiences and say “let me alone, I don’t want to change, we’re alright the way we are, leave us alone.”
You know the song Frank Sinatra used to sing? Just for the record I don’t like it. It says “The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.” All throughout the song it states “I did it my way.” Sounds proud, arrogant and unGodly doesn't it?
The scriptures below came to my mind also this morning and I looked them up.
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jer 5:31 (KJV)
What will you do?
The unclean demonics listed in Mark and Luke said “Let us alone” I wrote this in my personal journal this week, Jesus said that things would wax worse and worse. And the unclean spirits have stayed around in this world lurking in corners like a mold growing and growing. And they don’t just lurk they come out boldly. They’re here around us today and we must constantly stay “Under His (Gods’) Wings.”
Here in God's word He lets us know how Jesus dealt with unclean spirits:
Mk 1:24 This man was in the synagogue and Jesus spied the unclean spirit. And the unclean spirit said:
"Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God."
The same account is in Lk 4:34 only it called it an unclean devil.
34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jesus cast the unclean spirit out. He came to deliver us from our sins, not to comfort us while we enjoy wallowing in them.
If you like to study Revelation or want to know how seriously God deals with unclean spirits and wrong attitudes read about the 7 churches in Rev 2 -- Rev 3. Analyze and see how God saw them. He still removes His candlestick from people and places that love to have it "their" way.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
When God Says Good Morning
I love the way God says "Good Morning". I really like to lay in in the morning and think. Not every morning is the same. And God doesn't always say "Good Morning" in the same way.
Sometimes I wake up feeling fearful and trying to let the problems of the world run through my head and wonder what I can do to solve them. With God's help of course. That is when I finally get up and begin preparing for the day, asking God to drive out my fears, help me to trust Him to handle it all and show me what to do. He begins the process of clearing out the rubble of my mind and filling it with His thoughts. I become energized and ready to face the day because there is nothing that He and I can't face together.
Other times when I wake up and lay there, He says "Good Morning" and floods my mind with scriptures and songs that fit the very battle I'm in.
Like this morning: "He Will Roll You Over the Tide". Names of real people in the Bible that took risks for Him: Esther, Stephen, Daniel, Mary the mother of Jesus, Abraham, John the Baptist and of course Jesus himself.
Esther stood up for her people, God showed her a plan of action and she put her life on the line for God's people.
Stephen repeated the story of Jesus to a group of people, religious people, that were so mad they stoned him.
And of course Daniel, thrown to the lions for praying to God.
Mary, confessing and believing that an angel from God had told her she was carrying the SON OF GOD. Now who in that day wanted to put her in a crazy house for the insane?
Abraham, put to the test by God to check in his heart whether family met more to him than God. God reminds me now that "Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart" He is a jealous God, the Bible says so, and will not allow us fellowship with Him if we place any thing or any one even one step ahead of him. That causes me even now to check myself because God is definitely still workin' on me.
John the Baptist, his whole life's job was to prepare the way for Jesus. And he sure had to take a sweeping arm to start clearing a path for the truth that there had to be some repenting done or we wouldn't be accepted into the Kingdom. He made some people angry enough to take his head for proclaiming those truths.
And Jesus Himself. It makes me want to weep on how He put HIS LIFE on the line for me and all mankind. So that if I would repent and believe on Him I wouldn't perish for my sins, but have EVERLASTING LIFE.
GOOD MORNING TO YOU LORD. I love you and I need your help today to do the right thing at all times. I am looking for you to "Roll me over the tide" today, keep my heart clean, do a work in me and through me. Prepare me for Heaven, let me be a light to those around me, break out a revival. "Touch your people once again":
TOUCH YOUR PEOPLE ONCE AGAIN (Song sung by Steve Green)
We need wisdom we need power
And true love for each other
We have had so many big but empty words
So we come before Your face
Asking for Your grace
Bring Your people to a state of kingdom life
Restore Your church again
Chorus:
Touch Your people once again
With Your precious holy hand, we pray
Let Your kingdom shine upon this earth
Through a living glorious church
Not for temporary deeds
But to restore authority and power
Let a mighty rushing wind blow in
Touch your people once again
Lord You see Your tired servants
And the broken wounded soldiers
Oh how much we need Your precious healing hand
We need the power of the cross
As the only source for us
When we stand up facing final battle cry
Restore your church again
Sometimes I wake up feeling fearful and trying to let the problems of the world run through my head and wonder what I can do to solve them. With God's help of course. That is when I finally get up and begin preparing for the day, asking God to drive out my fears, help me to trust Him to handle it all and show me what to do. He begins the process of clearing out the rubble of my mind and filling it with His thoughts. I become energized and ready to face the day because there is nothing that He and I can't face together.
Other times when I wake up and lay there, He says "Good Morning" and floods my mind with scriptures and songs that fit the very battle I'm in.
Like this morning: "He Will Roll You Over the Tide". Names of real people in the Bible that took risks for Him: Esther, Stephen, Daniel, Mary the mother of Jesus, Abraham, John the Baptist and of course Jesus himself.
Esther stood up for her people, God showed her a plan of action and she put her life on the line for God's people.
Stephen repeated the story of Jesus to a group of people, religious people, that were so mad they stoned him.
And of course Daniel, thrown to the lions for praying to God.
Mary, confessing and believing that an angel from God had told her she was carrying the SON OF GOD. Now who in that day wanted to put her in a crazy house for the insane?
Abraham, put to the test by God to check in his heart whether family met more to him than God. God reminds me now that "Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart" He is a jealous God, the Bible says so, and will not allow us fellowship with Him if we place any thing or any one even one step ahead of him. That causes me even now to check myself because God is definitely still workin' on me.
John the Baptist, his whole life's job was to prepare the way for Jesus. And he sure had to take a sweeping arm to start clearing a path for the truth that there had to be some repenting done or we wouldn't be accepted into the Kingdom. He made some people angry enough to take his head for proclaiming those truths.
And Jesus Himself. It makes me want to weep on how He put HIS LIFE on the line for me and all mankind. So that if I would repent and believe on Him I wouldn't perish for my sins, but have EVERLASTING LIFE.
GOOD MORNING TO YOU LORD. I love you and I need your help today to do the right thing at all times. I am looking for you to "Roll me over the tide" today, keep my heart clean, do a work in me and through me. Prepare me for Heaven, let me be a light to those around me, break out a revival. "Touch your people once again":
TOUCH YOUR PEOPLE ONCE AGAIN (Song sung by Steve Green)
We need wisdom we need power
And true love for each other
We have had so many big but empty words
So we come before Your face
Asking for Your grace
Bring Your people to a state of kingdom life
Restore Your church again
Chorus:
Touch Your people once again
With Your precious holy hand, we pray
Let Your kingdom shine upon this earth
Through a living glorious church
Not for temporary deeds
But to restore authority and power
Let a mighty rushing wind blow in
Touch your people once again
Lord You see Your tired servants
And the broken wounded soldiers
Oh how much we need Your precious healing hand
We need the power of the cross
As the only source for us
When we stand up facing final battle cry
Restore your church again
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Hidden Rainbow
I have an old paperback book that is one of my favorites. It always comes back to mind when I have to stand for an unpopular truth. "Hidden Rainbow" by Christmas Carol Kauffman. It is a true story about a forbidden New Testament that shattered the calm of a village. God revealed to them about salvation amidst the village tradition of no Bibles in the home. It was a scary thing as at first they had to hide that they had one. Then they decided to put it away for one year. But they were so pulled by it, became saved and was open about it. Their whole family and village was against them. The annual traditional house blessing was denied them. People were afraid to associate with them and scorned them.
Here is part of the preface: "John and Anna were led to truth, light, and true happiness through the ministry of a Protestant missionary. Their courage, faith, and suffering for the sake of soul peace will put many of us to shame for ever thinking our way was difficult." On the back: "The intimate family life of John and Anna Olesh is portrayed as they struggle for economic stability in their poverty and for peace of mind and heart amid the heavy tradition that envelops and almost destroys them."
They wanted God not tradition. They hungered to live right. You know, I don't want to be a lemming. I don't want to follow anyone off a cliff. I don't want to roll over and fall asleep at the wheel for Jesus. I don't want to ignore God and just be a yes person. Thanks for the example John and Anna.
Here is part of the preface: "John and Anna were led to truth, light, and true happiness through the ministry of a Protestant missionary. Their courage, faith, and suffering for the sake of soul peace will put many of us to shame for ever thinking our way was difficult." On the back: "The intimate family life of John and Anna Olesh is portrayed as they struggle for economic stability in their poverty and for peace of mind and heart amid the heavy tradition that envelops and almost destroys them."
They wanted God not tradition. They hungered to live right. You know, I don't want to be a lemming. I don't want to follow anyone off a cliff. I don't want to roll over and fall asleep at the wheel for Jesus. I don't want to ignore God and just be a yes person. Thanks for the example John and Anna.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Carol Kent "When I Lay My Isaac Down"/Conference
Tonight started a wonderful women's conference in a nearby town. The speakers were great, some local very inspiring and a well know writer/speaker Carol Kent. We had done a Bible study on her book "When I Lay My Isaac Down". I would recommend it highly. It continues tomorrow and I am looking forward to it. She and her husband have experienced some very very tough turns in their road of life that God has been able to use in spite of the heartache.
One of her sentences tonight was "Pain, is pain, is pain." It doesn't matter what kind of circumstances is giving us pain, we all suffer from either health, financial, abuse, death of a loved one, relationship heartaches. But God is there for us all and we can commit it to Him and continually lay it down. I say continually because we will catch ourselves picking it up again.
One local girl spoke of how God had helped she and her husband after losing their daughter just last October. The baby had health problems in the womb and they chose to continue the pregnancy. She lived for only 63 minutes but had a great impact.
The theme is the song "Their is a Fountain filled with blood" which we sang a verse of. God has a fountain and it is there to fulfill all our needs. I am so thankful for Him.
One of her sentences tonight was "Pain, is pain, is pain." It doesn't matter what kind of circumstances is giving us pain, we all suffer from either health, financial, abuse, death of a loved one, relationship heartaches. But God is there for us all and we can commit it to Him and continually lay it down. I say continually because we will catch ourselves picking it up again.
One local girl spoke of how God had helped she and her husband after losing their daughter just last October. The baby had health problems in the womb and they chose to continue the pregnancy. She lived for only 63 minutes but had a great impact.
The theme is the song "Their is a Fountain filled with blood" which we sang a verse of. God has a fountain and it is there to fulfill all our needs. I am so thankful for Him.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
From One Train to Another
Unbeknowns to each other, my daughter J and I were on our computers this morning and chatted a good morning to each other. She has a sweet blog today about her Train of Thoughts in the wee hours of the morning. Go read it. Her link is on the right Directed Paths. Her train led my train to this song,
I Love you Lord and I lift my voice
To worship you
Oh my soul rejoice :)
Take joy my king
In what you hear
Make me a sweet sweet sound in your ear.
There are other verses like...I need you Lord as I walk today.... but I should really be getting ready for work.
Also, I have been reading some good devotion books lately. My secret pal last year at church contributed 2 of them which I have really found helpful. Thank you, Mary. And one I got from the barn gift shop "Tea Time with God" I am enjoying. I'll have to share it later. Bye Bye.
I Love you Lord and I lift my voice
To worship you
Oh my soul rejoice :)
Take joy my king
In what you hear
Make me a sweet sweet sound in your ear.
There are other verses like...I need you Lord as I walk today.... but I should really be getting ready for work.
Also, I have been reading some good devotion books lately. My secret pal last year at church contributed 2 of them which I have really found helpful. Thank you, Mary. And one I got from the barn gift shop "Tea Time with God" I am enjoying. I'll have to share it later. Bye Bye.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Stay at home Sunday musings
Since Lori and Rick have eye infections we stayed in today from church so no one would catch anything. There are too many people at church that are susceptible. I did think strongly about doing some work at EJV while no one was there but decided between day job, tax evening work and a conference Fri night and Saturday that my husband also needed to see me.
We three had breakfast together of a light omelet and flaxseed/apple muffins made with stevia instead of sugar. Lori got a new expresso maker for Christmas so we made our own lattes.
I ran to get some Lysol cleaner to wipe of door knobs etc. to clear out some germs. Driving back home and turning into our street the mountains are very pretty on this clear day with plenty of snow to be seen on them.When I came back Lori and Rick were going over a song. I joined in and Lori and I then practiced a couple more. We're excited about an arrangement we are working on ourselves. Can't wait to get Julie and Clay in on it and see what it sounds like.
Later for lunch I used my new WW cookbook Rick got me for Christmas. Lori and I made a Greek pizza. We used Julie's dough recipe Julie shared on her blog. It is really a "pizza pie" as it had pizza crust on bottom and top. The filling was onions, spinach, ricotta and feta cheese. We decided it needed to be baked a little less and add some oregano and possible other seasonings for the next time. But it was very good with a salad.
On another note I found a school friend through her siblings on facebook this week. We talked for about an hour on Friday night. It has been about 39 yrs since high school graduation. That makes me sound old but I don't feel that old. I am so excited to get connected again.
We three had breakfast together of a light omelet and flaxseed/apple muffins made with stevia instead of sugar. Lori got a new expresso maker for Christmas so we made our own lattes.
I ran to get some Lysol cleaner to wipe of door knobs etc. to clear out some germs. Driving back home and turning into our street the mountains are very pretty on this clear day with plenty of snow to be seen on them.When I came back Lori and Rick were going over a song. I joined in and Lori and I then practiced a couple more. We're excited about an arrangement we are working on ourselves. Can't wait to get Julie and Clay in on it and see what it sounds like.
Later for lunch I used my new WW cookbook Rick got me for Christmas. Lori and I made a Greek pizza. We used Julie's dough recipe Julie shared on her blog. It is really a "pizza pie" as it had pizza crust on bottom and top. The filling was onions, spinach, ricotta and feta cheese. We decided it needed to be baked a little less and add some oregano and possible other seasonings for the next time. But it was very good with a salad.
On another note I found a school friend through her siblings on facebook this week. We talked for about an hour on Friday night. It has been about 39 yrs since high school graduation. That makes me sound old but I don't feel that old. I am so excited to get connected again.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Blog Friend
Today I have met a new blog friend who left me a kind comment. I have added a link to her blog on the side: Joyful Chaos
She is a great writer about her life growing up Amish. She also has posts that answer questions about the Amish. There are stories to come of salvation and the separation from the Amish church. I will be checking out her posts from time to time and have left her several comments.
I find her comments most interesting as we too have left a group that was very strict and got sidetracked by so much preaching on rules and obeying the pastor. As I told my new blog friend, God has lead us very slowly so as not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater". But being away from the group has allowed God to lead us and work out our own salvation. It is amazing that the very truth that we believe about salvation being a personal relationship with God and how He has power and grace for us individually, can be buried by manrule causing us to feel we can't survive without that structure. Oh Thank God for His goodness to me. He has done so much. It has cost us dearly but I wouldn't trade, I wouldn't trade.
She is a great writer about her life growing up Amish. She also has posts that answer questions about the Amish. There are stories to come of salvation and the separation from the Amish church. I will be checking out her posts from time to time and have left her several comments.
I find her comments most interesting as we too have left a group that was very strict and got sidetracked by so much preaching on rules and obeying the pastor. As I told my new blog friend, God has lead us very slowly so as not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater". But being away from the group has allowed God to lead us and work out our own salvation. It is amazing that the very truth that we believe about salvation being a personal relationship with God and how He has power and grace for us individually, can be buried by manrule causing us to feel we can't survive without that structure. Oh Thank God for His goodness to me. He has done so much. It has cost us dearly but I wouldn't trade, I wouldn't trade.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Random Thoughts
I don't believe I have felt such a long stretch of wind and cold air since we moved here. It must be global warming! Ha! Ha! Expecting a bit of snow tomorrow.
The button labeled overload is still on at work. I don't think it is going to change for a while.
God once again has supplied the grace for a day that seemed overwhelming upon awakening. The situations that seemed to be as big as the boogyman have melted down to size since they faced a big God.
Thank God for my husband.
I have enjoyed looking at other bloggers tonight, reading their Christian thoughts along with sharing their tea inspirations. A cup of tea and a scripture/devotion is a good vacation for the soul. I also placed some of their beautiful music on my own playlist.
Baked a cookie pizza with lots of goodies on it for work tomorrow. There is a farewell lunch for one of our plant managers who has been with the company since its' start. I have had to tell hubby and daughter no they can't have any cookie. I guess I'll have to plan one for them in the near future.
Time for bed. Must stop the enjoyable blogging.
The button labeled overload is still on at work. I don't think it is going to change for a while.
God once again has supplied the grace for a day that seemed overwhelming upon awakening. The situations that seemed to be as big as the boogyman have melted down to size since they faced a big God.
Thank God for my husband.
I have enjoyed looking at other bloggers tonight, reading their Christian thoughts along with sharing their tea inspirations. A cup of tea and a scripture/devotion is a good vacation for the soul. I also placed some of their beautiful music on my own playlist.
Baked a cookie pizza with lots of goodies on it for work tomorrow. There is a farewell lunch for one of our plant managers who has been with the company since its' start. I have had to tell hubby and daughter no they can't have any cookie. I guess I'll have to plan one for them in the near future.
Time for bed. Must stop the enjoyable blogging.
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