God Speaks

I love how God speaks very clearly to our hearts. He takes a truth, a verse, a Scripture and impresses it upon hearts.  I desire to know more-to know Him more.  You are aware God-Christ Jesus is a person, right?  A Living Person!  So when you sit in His presence with His Word (the Bible is His spoken word to you)  believe by faith in your heart, that He is there with you.  Sit in awe, be still in His presence.  You must be careful not to llisten to every voice for many thoughts and ideas will bombard you.  Make quiet your heart.  This takes time to learn and only by the help of the Holy Spirit is it possible.  Ask Him to teach you through the word how to do this.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:1

So what are you asking for?  Consider this...does your emotional, physical, relationship needs supersedes your desire for God?  How much are you longing for Him?  How hot is the fire burning in your heart?  Is it a flicker, a flame, or a all consuming fire?

I have asked for the sin raging in my heart to be uprooted.  The sin of pride, self consuming, acceptance and approval.  I have walked through some times of battle-battle of the flesh and battle of the enemy.  But do you know what I have discovered? 

I waited patiently for the LORD;
         And He inclined to me,
         And heard my cry

Psalm 40:1

I have new eyes to see truths in His word.  Every few days a new passage will speak and have meaning.  Friend, mediate, pray,camp out here-God is speaking.  Allow Him to cleanse and purify you by His Word.  One by one confess sin and be specific.  Is it a relationship, a friendship, even a ministry opportunity that you desire  more than your relationship with God?  We can do many good things and we should.  If we see a need and we have the means to meet the need-we must!  But when this desire to be used by God is greater than your relationship with God, greater than your desire for Him, for His presence, for His glory, I believe this is sin.  Sin of pride.

One by one name the sin-the desire that rages its ugly head over your desire of Christ.  It must be crucified .  If you are like me my flesh continues to crawl off the alter- well it rolls off and then runs!  But by faith continue climbing back on the and consider yourself dead to sin.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:11

This blog was written Saturday January 29, 2011

Lago Vista Bed and Breakfast

I am sitting at Lago Vista Bed and Breakfast, http://www.lagovistabedandbreakfast.com/ , in Broken Bow Oklahoma, looking out a large window watching the sun rise over the Broken Bow Lake.  A lovey sight!Lago Vista is located 3 Miles from Beavers Bend State Park, so you can imagine how beautiful the landscape is, even in the winter!  Todd has been asked to speak at Broken Bow's Football Banquet.  A great honor and one he does not take lightly.

I am thankful for a time to be alone with Todd and with the Lord.  A time of reflecting-which I have committed that to this day, at least until time for the banquet. 

Our room is on the second floor with two large windows and a privacy balcony overlooking the Broken Bow Lake.  Breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and fruit was hand delivered to my room.  We took a two mile hike to the lake with Sooner, the owner's dog leading the way.

The hike was incredible, down the mountain to the lake and then back up to the home.  I say incredible because I like the idea of  a hike-the idea of hiking through the woods.  Notice I said, "the idea" of hiking!  I like it until I physically do it.  Going down the mountain to the lake was slippery, coming up was difficult but Todd was there to push me up-yes literally push me up! 

As I was walking down the mountain, I thought about life.  To get  to the body of water, we had to travel down the mountain across slippery terrain of leaf covered rocks and moss.  To get to God we must also travel down-down to brokenness, brokenness over our sin.  It can be a long hard way down to our knees but you will soon reach that refreshing body of water.  Our walk becomes slippery as we become aware of our sin.  For we can either waller in self-loathing and guilt (this is where the enemy desires us to be) or we can bow, agree with God, confess our sin and ask His forgiveness.  Scripture says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you  free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1

This is what repentance is - agreeing and turning away from sin but you must turn to a Person-Jesus Christ Himself.  This brokenness is the only way to God-just like the path down the mountain is the only way to the lake.  You must go down!

Then a beautiful clear lake comes into view.  It was worth the hike down.  Flint rock and quartz laying side by side.  The soft and hard left unveiled by the receding water.  A question must be asked here-Where is your heart, soft and sharp as the flint or hard and shiny as the quartz?  Oh, we enjoyed the water.  Todd whittled on a stick and I tried to take in the vastness of it all.

Then it was time to start back up the mountain.  This was a hard hike as well-going to the top to get to our room-our place of rest.  I am thankful someone was with me to encourage me to continue on.  Someone to literally push me up the mountain.  I was told not to look at where I was stepping but look ahead.  To keep my focus on the goal of the home.  Paul tells us the same thing in Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  I am thankful in our Christian walk, we have people to encourage us to continue pressing on.  To encourage us and not give up.  Even though I did not want to continue up that mountain...sitting down on the rocks was not really an option.  Neither is our sitting down in our Christian walk.

Now as I write this blog, Todd has gone to explore the town and left me to what I enjoy most, reading, blogging and just quietness.  Now I know I must rejoin the world around me soon for the hour is approaching to leave for the banquet.  Coming soon will be a Banquet in heaven, prepared for us by Christ Jesus Himself.  Oh a glorious day that will be!

This blog was written Saturday, January 29, 2011

Confession/Healing

Todd and I had the opportunity this weekend to spend some time away and alone with each other.  It was a refreshing time for me and I am most grateful.  I did not take my computer with me but I have two blogs written in a notebook that I will type out for you soon. 

We made a point to leave about 6:00am this morning, to attend Sunday School and Church. I am thankful we did, for the Lord was worshipped today.  Today's service was all about healing!  God's healing.  Aaron said, "Sunday Smiles Conceal Hidden Sin". and he is correct.  Sunday smiles also conceal stuffed pain.

I feel a quickening in my spirit of spiritual maturity, not that I am mature, but that God is maturing, growing me up in the faith.  He removing some deep rooted sins, fixation, and self consumption. I am thankful, but I don't believe this great work of His is to make me a better Christian, more peaceful, or happy.  I believe there is a spiritual battle brewing in our church, our city, and our country. I believe God is maturing people quickly for this battle.  For this battle is to won on our knees, with openness to our sin before God and others. Is your heart quickened to repent of hidden sin and allow God to bring healing?  The sin you are struggling with is the same sin others have succumb to.

For Scripture says, So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Do you see it?  The temptation is common to man.  We all struggle with the same sins.  Jesus was tempted as we are.  We have believed a lie from the enemy that we must cover up the sin or others will not except us.  Friend this is a lie!  Would you like freedom?  Confess that sin!  Confess that sin to the Lord and then share the sin with a dear friend.  When we speak the words -when we open our heart to others, the enemy cannot hold it against us any more.  It is in the open and we are free.  This may also give your friend courage to confess and repent of their sin as well. The Lord will bring healing.  The enemy has us in a state of fear, and yes confession is fearful, but all you have to lose are your chains. 

Again we are in a battle.  God is bringing salvation and spiritual healing.  The enemy is attempting to cause havoc. It may even appear he is successful at times and this could bring discouragement. (which is sin as well)  If you know the Lord Jesus Christ, you hold the answer and hope for the hurting people  But God will not use a half-hearted Christian in this battle. 

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole heart, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Hm.  Chronicles 16:9  You cannot be loyal to Him if you are loyal to the hidden sin.                                            

Friend, this battle could mean REVIVAL is on the way.  Confession and Repentance will usher in revival. 

Can you see it?  Is your heart quicken with God's Spirit to repent and be obedient?  Do you have a heart that is ready to intercede and share the hope that is within you?  Can you see the hurting people walking around you with smiles?

Sanctity of Human Life

Righteousness exalts a nation,

But sin is a reproach to any people

Proverbs 14:34

Tonight was an eye opening experience for me at church.  The topic is one I am familiar with, but since it does not apply to my life personally I have never given it much thought.  Selfish, yes. Aware of that selfishness before tonight-no.  I hope you see a truth here, "If we are seeking God, wanting to know Him more intimately, He will not allow us to stay in our comfortable selfish little world."  Oh, the mercy, love, and grace..Thank Him for that!!  

The topic of tonight was the Sanctity of Human Life.  Don't shut me out on this topic.  Don't stick your head in the sand, believing it does not apply to you, because it does. We watched a short graphic video.  It was enough to make me angry, sick, and sad all at the same time.  Angry that sin is running rampant in this world.  Sick do to the images of what happens to babies when they are aborted.  Yes they are babies!  If they were not alive why would they have to be killed by decapitating or severing the spinal cord?  Graphic and sick, I know, but we must face the facts and wake up.  I believe that is what happened to me tonight.  I was awakened. 

This sin of murder does affect each and every one of us, even if we are not aware of it.  The women who are victims to this act, are hurting, angry, sad, and confused.  They live among us.  They are our neighbors.  They are people teaching our children,  sacking our groceries, collecting our money, selling us products, passing our laws.  These women are hurting and we need to be aware.  If you know Christ, you have an answer and a hope for these women.  By the murder of these children, we have lost doctors, teachers, government officials, etc. Many many people have died at the hands of abortion doctors.  They did not even have a chance of life.  The people who are committing these legal acts are deceived.  Deceived by the enemy.  Again as Christan's, we hold the key that gives them freedom.  Are you beginning to see how this affects us? 

Then if we look at God's word and see how He has dealt in the past with nations living in habitual sin.  His hand of blessing and mercy will not be on us forever.  His judgement must come for He is a righteous God. We must repent and turn back to Him or suffer the consequences of our sin.  "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is in the way of death" Proverbs 14:12

I am not sure what all this means for you and me personally, except my eyes have been open and it is time to pray to intercede for our nation.  It is time to be aware of the hurting people around us and give them hope.  It is time to storm the throne room of heaven, asking for mercy and grace upon us personally and this nation as a whole.  It is time to vote for godly officials who are willing to take a stand for these innocent children. 

"Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death." 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

If My people, who are called by My name would humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, than I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.  2 Chronicles 7:14   

I  have one question, Is our nation sick?    If you find that answer to be yes, don't blame the ungodly people around us.  It is time God's people took responsibility and bowed their knee before Him.

An Ungrateful Cat

Moo, my cat was "saved" on one November day in 2008.  She made her way into the sanctuary of the church we attend. It was the second year of a very difficult trial, God had me walking through.  As I looked at this kitten, I knew she was picture of my heart--hurt, hemorrhaging actually, discouraged, unkempt, broken, hungry, and oh so skinny.  As I picked her up, I knew she was mine.  I also sensed God would use this cat to begin the healing of my heart.  Yes, He did.  But that, my friend is another blog for another time.

We adopted this precious kitten into our life and home.  She received her vaccination from a Veterinarian.  Medicine for her parasite.  Iams Cat food for her stomach ailments.  The garage became her home and a box of hay for her bed.  Love was showered upon her and she gave that love back  graciously.  That is until she started to become comfortable!

Now this precious cat "owns" the garage.  If we want to park in the garage, someone must get out of the car to physically move her out of the way.  If her food bowl is empty, well lets say the whole house is aware of a problem.  Now she does bring us gifts, live gifts...snakes, moles, mice, birds,etc.  And she still gives great love, because a soft pillow and a bed is where she thinks she belongs.

As winter has approached, we have fluffed her hay bed and closed the garage door to help keep her warm.  I would think she should be a content cat.  But no, as soon as she hears us in the morning, the crying begins.  The crying and complaining will not stop until the door is opened and she can come inside where it is warm.  It seems she has taken ownership of  the household with us included.  Roles have changed. One must be careful to approach and move her from the bed to outside...depending on whom the person is doing the task a slap of the paw and great meow could be forth coming!

As I watch this cat, I am reminded by the Holy Spirit that many times we are just like her.  You see God has rescued us from ourselves...from our sin and our life of destruction.  He feeds, clothes, heals and extends His great love to us.  All we have belongs to Him and He graciously extends all that is His out to us. We on the other hand become comfortable and griping.  We begin to think we deserve more.  And when we do not get it, we start the complaining and whining.  And boy watch out when God begins to removed things from our lives.  The fists begin to close and we start swinging. 

Now friends, our lives should not be this way.  We need to remember where we came from.  We need to remember who and what we were when God found us.  You see, He called us and choose us while we were living in our sin.  He spoke our name and we bowed our knee.  As Christians, we should be the most grateful people on the face of the earth.  For we have been save and redeemed.  We are washed clean, pure, and holy.  And we have a God who loves and cares for us and even though we may be swiping at Him with our fist, He graciously picks us up, disciplines us, and teaches us how to be grateful.

Is there hope for my cat?  I don't think so...But there is hope for each of us.  To God be the glory!