remember the sabbath...

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

I have been looking at resting because I have not been feeling very restful.. more stressed... we often look at the scripture and determine this is about particular day... I am not sure it was... I think that God is telling us that we have to set apart a day each week that is dedicated to Him... dedicated to drawing near to Him... does it have to be the sabbath? I wouldn't think so...

we get so busy with life that we never slow down... we never rest.. we never sit in silence just spending time with God... do we go to church to be alone with God? not really... we go to hear the word.. to learn from the sermonic moment.. we go to praise and worship... we really aren't there for God.. that is more for us than for Him...

I am thinking that we should be setting aside a particular day or more.. weekly.. that we are before the Lord.. that He is our only thought... that we leave the world behind.. we aren't focused on anything or anyone but God... how will we hear Him if we are never alone and silent before Him...

Lord call us all to rest in you... to spend time alone and listening to you... worshiping you... loving you... thinking of you alone... I love you Lord... you are my everything... truly... and I am thankful...

patience...

I have been writing intermittently about different fruit of the spirit... patience wasn't one of the ones I wrote about.. but as I am told that patience is what I lack.. not peace... I am looking at that one... some versions call it long suffering... looooonnnnnggggg suffering...

Colossians 1: 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

So that we may live a life worthy of the Lord... we have to have patience to live a life worthy of the Lord... wow... hadn't expected that! I really don't WANT to have great endurance and patience.. yet apparently this is necessary to live a life pleasing to and worthy of the Lord...
Psalms 78: 40 Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland. 41 Again and again they tested God’s patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 42 They did not remember his power and how he rescued them from their enemies.

oh how often they rebelled.. and tested God's patience... sheesh.. rebellion is one of the utmost things that God hates... who would have considered not being patient as rebellion and provoking the Lord...
Psalms 106: 13 Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! 14 In the wilderness their desires ran wild,
testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland. 15 So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it.

aaaauuuugggghhhh... so God gives it to them.. ahead of time... and sent a plague with it... oh.. I SO don't want a plague with it....
it also says that their desires ran wild... hmmm... I wouldn't say my desires run wild... or do they...
Proverbs 25: 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

LOL! as I desire to persuade the prince to come on with it... I guess I am needing this patience...
Romans 15: 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May GOD who GIVES this patience... so.. there is no 3 step plan... this is given by God... and look at that.. it will help us to live in complete harmony with each other... I am glad about that!! I do not ever want to go back to a life of drama.... ever!!
Galations 5: 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

these are the fruit of the Spirit... the Spirit of God PRODUCES these things in us....so apparently it is a process... of waiting.. of circumstances... this is what produces patience in a person...

Looks as though the answer to resting in God is on my knees.... as I pray and ask God to give me this patience that is necessary... (oh I SO don't want to ask for that...) then the Spirit will bring circumstances.. to produce it in me.... and that is the way to pleasing God and apparently finding the rest I am lacking....

from the beginning of the bible.. God lets us know we need rest.. He created 6 days and on the 7th day He rested.. if God needs rest you can best believe we need it more than He did....

for me... it is one thing to know that God is in control... it seems to be another thing that I have no control at all... and it is hard for me to be able to relax with the unknown.... relax... that is a key word....

rest: –noun 1. the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep: a good night's rest. 2. refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor: to allow an hour for rest. 3. relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs. 4. a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity: to go away for a rest. 5. mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity. --verb 1. to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing. 2. to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor. 3. to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace.

relax: to make less rigid.

mental or spiritual calm or tranquility... to be at ease.. having tranquility and peace... yep! that is the trouble... that is what is missing... what is in human nature that makes us such control freaks?? after all the things in this life I have lived through.. surely I should realize that you can't control anything anyways.. and we have to just trust that God will carry us through it.. right??

I guess for me... I know that God will carry me through... I know that no matter what happens I will be all right... somewhere I just lost that day to day relax thing... seems I am far too rigid... far too.... not able to control the situation.. so then I can't control my emotions.. I need to be able to control my emotions without controlling a situation... somehow...

Exodus 31: 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

Exodus 33: 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” 14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

hmm... is it about carrying the presence of the Lord with us? I think that is truth.. if we are not spending time in His presence.. how can we rest?... it seems so many of our issues stem from lack of time in His presence... now I am not talking about going to church or bible study... I am talking about just me and God.. just sitting still... silent.. reading my word.. meditating on Him.. just talking about how good His is with forgetting about what I need for a while... usually it is what I think I need anyways... truly... other than food (less than we get) sleep... a house to shelter us... for existance.. we need little else... we just THINK we need so much more... those things are about quality of life... not actuality of life....

don't take His name in vain...

Exodus 20: 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

all of my life I have been taught that taking the Lord's name in vain meant using it as a curse word.. or cussing with it... but as I thought about what to write on this.. and I researched a little.. I heard another point of view...

of course it is still wrong to use the name of the Lord as a cuss word no matter what... and I doubt God will allow that from someone for very long..

this new view I am seeing though.. .is this... like when we marry someone.. it is a covenant.. and we take their name... when we take their name.. we are a representation of that name.. so if we look bad... it makes them look bad too... well.. what if.. God feels this same way... and us being in covenant with Him.. we carry His name.. so when we act wrong.. we misrepresent Him... or when we don't show Him in our walk.. show Him in who we are... and if we aren't walking right.. we misrepresent His name.. and make Him look bad...

I thought that was surely the truth.. even if it is not the way that it is meant.. if it is meant not to curse... I do my best not to curse anyway.. but I think our walk is such an outward show of what and who is important to us...

it says God will not hold those guiltless who take His name in vain... let's all do our best to be a right representation of God in every way... speech and action both...

2 Corinthians 2

5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. 9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

how often are we unforgiving.... sometimes it takes us years to really forgive someone... sometimes we have to go through the process over and over again... until finally we are able to let go... but what about when the shoe is on the other foot... what about when we are the one who needs forgiveness from someone... it is easy to decide I would never hurt someone like I was hurt... but are you sure? what hurts you may not be what would hurt someone else... we are no different... we hurt people just like others have hurt us... ours may be unintentional... maybe theirs wasn't... it really isn't the issue.. we need to learn to be forgiving... why carry around all that anger and malice in our hearts? I don't know about you.. but I need a clear heart.. clean hands...
14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

our lives are a Christlike fragrance rising up to God... are they? I pray this is the case.. I pray that when God looks at me He is smiling... recently a man decided that the end of the earth will be tomorrow... as we know that no man knows the hour nor the day.. it is easy for us to say.. we are ready... but what about those who are not ready.. what about those who are mislead by such teaching... are we really doing our part to save the sinner? are we really teaching others all we know about the goodness of God? or are we like so many Christians.. who are thankful for salvation but keeping it to themselves... I pray that when people look at me.. they don't even see me.. instead they see Christ shining out through me... I pray that my spirit is the spirit of Christ at all times.. in the light and in the dark....

2 Corinthians 1

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

I'm not sure I agree with Paul about comfort... not so sure that the more that is put on you.. the more comfort God gives through Christ... I wonder in my personal opinion if you don't just learn to let less and less upset your equilibrium.... what I mean is... we all go through things.. in the past I would get upset over many things... now I really don't get upset much at all... do I think Christ is giving me more comfort.. not at all... do I think the struggles I have now can compare to what I had in the past.. not at all... with me personally.. I think what it is is that Christ has truly become my foundation... so I know that whatever it is.. it won't kill me... and if it does... then I get to be with the Lord... so I can't walk around upset all the time.. of course that doesn't mean that I am never upset... I think I just accept it differently than I did in the past.. before I wasn't truly leaning on God... in the end.. I feel I have nothing else to lean on... God is really all there is.. nothing else is sure.. nothing else is permanent... nothing else is security... just God...
12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice—16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm

I'm not saying this is the same issue.. but I think it is so important that we come to the place where we do what we said we would... I know that there are times when plans have to be changed.. but for the most part it is so important to mean what you say and say what you mean... when my kids were little gregory (brat that he was..) always felt I was lying to him.. because plans changed... and while that wasn't my intention... sometimes you just can't help but to change plans... I try very diligently now to be able to do what I say and to not commit if I am unsure... this too causes issues though because people want me to commit to being places that I can't be sure I can so I will not commit until the last minute... we have to be true to our words.. especially if the only reason we are changing our mind is because we no longer 'feel' like it... and would rather not be bothered...

1 Corinthians 15

30 And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour? 31 For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. 32 And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus—if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

bad company corrupts good character... we all need to be cautious who we are spending alot of time with... while I don't think that I am any different than someone else... their struggle may cause me to fall too... so I need to try to limit time with them... and example being... I am prone to gossip... so I cannot spend large amounts of time with those who gossip.. I will easily fall into joining in....
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. 37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. 38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. 39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. 41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:“Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I don't think very often about what type of body I will have in heaven.. or if it will be heaven or the new Jeruselum... I am someone who doesn't really question this type of thing very often... I figure whatever God decides to do is good with me.. now I may not feel like that once I see it... but for now.. I'm good with it... I feel sorry for Paul in this scripture... he was so sure that Jesus was coming so soon... he felt he would be one of the ones who would be caught up... he was daily in expectancy that this would be the day... I feel sorry for him on this because he did die an earthly death and was probably confused about that as he could clearly see what would happen and thought he would too be part of it... how often do we think today is the day? are we honestly ready for today to be the day?
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

be strong and unmoveable... working enthusiastically... nothing we do for God is useless...
I was thinking about someone yesterday.. and how they stay away from unsaved people... they feel they are called to ministry.. yet they avoid association with the unsaved... how do you do that? who then would you be saving? because surely every person up in the church or pretty close to every person.. thinks they are right with God... saved by grace.. and need nothing from anyone... so what would your ministry really profit? I think it is a sad situation when we get to the place that we think we are right.. we need nothing... we need no one... we all need one another.. we all need to see the sin within us... we all need to be striving to saving those who are unsaved... we cannot decide to not associate with someone because we are more advanced than them.. even if it were true.. there is someone else that is more advanced than us... we all need to ask God to open our eyes to our own sin.. so we would stop focusing on someone else's...

1 Corinthians 14

22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. 23 Even so, if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. 24 But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. 25 As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.”

I believe there is a difference between speaking in a 'prayer language' than to speaking in tongues... I have seen someone stand and speak in a language that I didn't understand and someone else get up and interpret... yet.. if no one else in the congregation spoke the strange language.. what purpose did it serve? I am not condemning.. I am just commenting... there are a few ministers at my church that use the prayer language and I think it scares people more than comforting them.. which I believe to be what they are striving to do...

prophecy.. most people want to hear and then will determine whether they are willing to accept what you said or not based on how well they liked it.. LOL
26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.
29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
34 Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

the big dissension... women are to be silent.... yet here it is.. even in the new testament... even toward the back... even from a man who didn't have a wife... a man who allowed women to have a place in the church.. just not in the pulpit... I believe we are all needed.. all called.. yet not all to be in the front... women tend to be clouded by a 'jezebel spirit' which is a usurper of authority... most of the dissention in the church.. in my opinion.. comes from women... even if their husband is the one to announce it... that is in my thoughts.. why they are to ask their husband at home... so that it doesn't start a bunch of mess....
36 Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? 37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. 38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized.39 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

1 Corinthians 12

7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

I like how he described some of the gifts in this passage... saying that wise advice is a gift.. and great faith is a gift...
we often think if we are not called to leadership that we are not gifted.. that is SO not the truth... there is a woman at my church whose gift is the gift of helps... she go randomly buying gifts for people.. not always expensive gifts.. many times just a $5 book of bible promises.. or a bookmark... but her gift touch people.. not so much by what they are.. as that she thought to do something kind.. something nice for them and she really doesn't even know them...
we ALL have important gifts.. even if we don't recognize them as a gift...
11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

we tend to be so self absorbed that we only think if things are good with us.. then we aren't so concerned with how they are for everyone else... but that is not reality... I am learning.. as God has made me one with another person... that we are all sewn together with someone else... and we may not feel their literal pain or sorrows as we do with someone we are one with.. but their position still affects us if we are to be around them... think about your job or your home... at my job.. we have a man that talks CONSTANTLY... about NOTHING... (I know more about government now than I ever did in my life... I can do just about anything around the house with all the knowledge this man spews out daily... LOL) and it affects ALL OF US... not just the person enduring the conversation... it affects the others too... or... if you have someone who is just miserable... that persons demeanor can bring down the mood of a whole office or a home... we are all suffering with one another.. anyone we are connected to.... it affects more than just one person...
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:
first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

I thought the order that he listed the gifts was very important here... so many people strive to be leaders.. yet paul did not put them at the top of the list.. as if this was not all that important... the gift of helps is above leadership in the list... which tells me... the gift of helps is a very important gift even though we don't look at it like that... it reaches many people in love and servanthood... so often we all want to be a leader and not a servant... yet it is the servant that is able to change lives... by kindness.. by encouragement... by a happy disposition.... think in your own life about someone who is always miserable and complaining and how much you don't want to be around that person... then think of a person who is pleasant and encouraging.. and how you want to be with them all the time... and decide for yourself.. who do you want to be? a servant or a leader? an encourager or a complainer? a life changer or a voice of dispair?

no graven images...

Exodus 20:4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

how many of us have graven images in our house? like statues... I collect teapots and cups.. I don't really know if that would constitute a graven image... I have a sun on my back.. I would imagine that surely does... I do not worship these things..
hmmmm... if I think about this... I have ALWAYS loved the sun... I have been able to swim since about 3 years old... I have layed in the sun... I actually feel close to God when the sun beats down on my body... would I think this is worship of the sun? no.. because I know that the sun that I love is created by God... my Father.. my Savior.. my Ruler.. my King... but how would HE feel about it? would HE consider it worship? this love I have for the sun... such a love.. that I drew an image of it with a face on it and endured GREAT pain in order to put it on my back... how would God feel about this?

look around your house... look within your heart... speak to God... have Him reveal your sins to you... sins of idolatry... ask Him for forgiveness and repent of it... in Jesus name... and restore right standing with God...

look at what God states about this... He will punish our children to the third and fourth generations... who is to say that we are not one of those punished generations? and if not.. God knows I do NOT want my children to pay for my sins...

Father I pray for my sins... I ask your forgiveness.. I ask you to show me anything within me that is unpleasing to you... I ask you to change my heart Lord.. change my thoughts... I desire to repent Father.. to turn for sin and never turn to it again... speak with me Lord and change me... in Jesus precious name.. amen.amen.amen.

1 Corinthians 9

17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I was just thinking about how God is teaching me.. and has been for some time now.. that I am not to expect anything in return for my doing what He has called me to do.. if no one is ever kind or thankful.. that is irrelevant... what my concern should be is that I have done what God called me to do.. that He is who I answer to.. and if someone else is wrong.. it is nothing to do with me.. it is God's concern.. and that might be the right thing to say but it is hard to live out.. because many people take us for granted when we do the right thing... when we serve without grumbling.. when we are encouragers... people expect more from you... because you have set a high standard for yourself...

my original thought would be that I have not set any standard for myself at all.. I am just doing what God has told me to do... but I don't imagine that is how it is perceived... it is amazing.. that the ones that we would expect to live the most spirit filled lives.. seem to only do so in public.. and in the dark.. they are like everyone else... so why would I continue to strive to do what is called of me when those who should do not? because I do not live for man.. nor will I die when man wants me to... my life and my death are all in the hands of God... so I am required to answer only to Him... and if I am wrong.. He will let me know... if I continue to think of how I hurt or what I need.. then I have taken my focus off of what God wants from me...

if even just a few of us.. will be true servants.. called by God.. righteous in the light and righteous in the dark.. maybe we few can make a difference in the multitude of people who only choose to be righteous in the light... quit looking at others.. look only at what you can or should be doing...

happy mother's day...

today is mother's day... today is a sad day for my heart...

I have a son.. who is not with me on this day...
I have a daughter who is with me today...

while I am SO thankful for the daughter who is with me.. the one who does the right thing most of the time.. the one who is there for me.. who does things for me...

I am also so sad about the one who is lost...

the story of the prodigal son is very close to my soul... it is my son who has chosen to forget all that he was taught growing up and instead is chasing the ways of the world... the bible tells us that when a shepherd has 100 sheep.. and 1 is lost.. the shepherd will leave the 99 to go and find the lost 1...

I pray that God is the Great Shepherd is searching for my 1 lost son... daily... and I pray that He will find him.. and bring him home.. even if never with me... at least with the Great Shepherd...

so to all who have a wayward child.. I say to you.. God is the Lover of the lost soul.. and we can continue to be faithful to God and know that God will be faithful to us in saving our lost children... and we thank Him oh so much for the ones that are still here.. still righteous.. in Jesus name... amen.amen.amen.

lessons from a bracelet...

God will use absolutely anything to teach us a lesson if we will listen to the quietness...

a few months ago.. God tells me to put on this jade bracelet... He tells me it is a covenant band... that I am in covenant before Him.. and this is a visual reminder of this covenant...

so I am excited... God loves me special... He has given me a covenant... I research the meaning of Chinese Jade.. what makes it special.. I find it is a sign of royalty... it is valuable.. it is unbreakable... it is green.. which is the color of life... it is small so it will not come off and on.. it is permanent... this is a great thing.. right?

so as time goes on... I realize.. it doesn't match everything.. sometimes it is not comfortable... it is hot sometimes.. sometimes it is tight.. sometimes I want to take it off.. it is an annoyance... some days...

isn't this just like us as people? we want to be loved.. we want to be special to someone.. to be with someone for a lifetime... to belong to them.. to be a part of them... to be protected by them... but as time goes on... sometimes we want to take them off... they are too confining.. too uncomfortable... too annoying... I can't do everything I want to do because I am a reflection of this covenant... this person...

I continue to wear this bracelet... truly.. I am not sure it wouldn't have to be cut off because it is so small... some days this is the most beautiful bracelet I have ever seen.. the meaning behind it is so special to me... some days I cannot stand the sight of it... some days I can't breathe.. as though it is cutting off my circulation.. other days.. it breathes life into me...

I will continue to be faithful to this covenant.. true to it.. regardless of the feelings I have.. covenant is permanent.. it is for a lifetime.. it is unbreakable...

1 Corinthians 7

17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. 20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.

I don't agree that we are to remain as we are called necessarily... the issue here was that Jesus had just left.. so they assumed he was coming back any day.. so they didn't think they needed to continue procreation... they felt that they could wait and he would come right away... but we see that has not been the case... and there is a saying that marriage is the one place where God can completely destroy who you used to be... and build you into who you should be... I am sure that is truth.. it is very hard to learn to deny yourself for someone else's comfort.. yet that is much of what marriage is about...
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 36 But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. 37 But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. 38 So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.

well it is easy to realize that if we are married or if we are not.. our marriage cannot be our only focus... the kingdom of God is to be a focus.. we have jobs to go to daily that we have to focus on... we have friends we neeed to have some focus left for... people in the church are hurting.. we need to be there for them... I am in full belief that we are to be married... I do think there are some people who are not called to marriage... and they are truly content alone.. but for most of us.. sexual desire overrides that contentment.. and we get lonely sometimes... in my own case I am only lonely for a particular person... other than that I would not be lonely... but sexual desire is a whole other monster... one that is not so easily tamed... so rather than have constant thoughts of sleeping with someone.. we need to be attached to one person....
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

I've seen women when their husbands die they stay alone for the rest of their lives... I think this happens when that was the person they were created for... but I have seen other women marry right away... I think that paul was comfortable alone... so he thought everyone else should be... but again.. sexual desire is a monster that is only tamed in marriage... or at least in God's will it is only tamed in marriage... lust is never a good thing... physical love on the other hand.. is an amazing thing...

1 Corinthians 6

9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. 15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

honor your body... do we really do that at all??? I'm not really talking about sexual sin when I make that statement... do we exercise... do we eat right.... do we go to the doctor regularly... do we go to the dentist as we should... can you imagine the cost of your body? we have physical items that are valuable.. like maybe a car.. that we would take great care of.. or a house... or a tv.. whatever it is.. we take great pains to take care of these things that grow old and out of style.. but what is the cost of our body? we only get one... I am sure that it is really worth millions of dollars.. and we take it for granted... we over eat... we over drink... we are lazy... we are selfish... all of our lives are centered around what feels good to us...

look at the sexual part of it... when we join ourselves to a man.. we are becoming one... so you are joining Christ with that person... yet for some of us.. it is many men.. and we take on their spirits.. their demons.. their issues.. and we wonder why we are so screwed up... well.. we have hundreds of people in us... we don't realize the cost of the things that we do... then it takes years and years to be purified mentally and emotionally and spiritually... we take purity far too lightly... this is all of us.. not just someone who is promiscuous... we are all guilty... for some people it isn't in action... it is in their minds... they fill their minds with lustful thoughts... where is the difference? the bible said as a man thinks so is he... so if you have thought it out.. you have mentally done it...

we need to be far more conscious of our body being the temple of Christ.. our minds being the gate He enters or leaves.. and our hearts being the altar on which we sacrifice ourselves to Him....

have no other gods before Me

NLT says no other god BUT me...
I believe our biggest god is ourselves... how many times has God- the Living God- woke you up in the middle of the night to read the bible- and you didn't... yet we expect Him to wake us in the morning...

how many times has He told you to get down on your knees to pray- yet we refuse to bow down... we pray sitting up... but we expect Him to keep our legs working... keep our bodies in movement...

how many times have you stayed away from God because you wanted something else... like going out on a saturday night and you couldn't get up for church in the morning... or you stayed up to watch t.v. and don't get up early to read the bible and pray...

we are ALL guilty of this sin in some form.. I am the one one who puts self before God sometimes.. and choose not to see it for what it really is.. because I would rather sleep... yet reality is... someday I will sleep and never rise again...

yet God waits for us... patient and understanding... loving and kind...
forgive me O Lord.. for putting my own comfort before you... teach me your ways... cleanse my heart... give me a right heart... clean hands... in Jesus name I ask.. amen.amen.amen...