"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let
us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." - Hebrews
4:14-16
Jesus
came to the earth and was tempted in every way. He was insulted, he was
persecuted, he knew hunger, he knew thirst, he had to deal with friends
and family. And through everything He went through, He learned obedience. "Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9). When Jesus went to the cross, His blood provided the
full access to the Father and His throne of grace. We have grace. No
matter what we do. No many how many times we fall and fail. Every time
we come to the Father and the throne room, we are covered in grace.
"That's All Folks!"
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Genuine Faith
"These (talking about trials, life circumstances) have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - 1 Peter 1:17
Our faith is of greater worth than gold, but for it to be actually worthwhile, it has to be proved genuine. The other day I was reading something that really stuck with me: "We are like a child playing with dolls, pretending to have a tea party: 'Okay, let's pour the tea now.' There is no teapot, but we pretend to pour the tea and drink it. That is how we, as Christians, relate to faith, but faith is not pretending. Faith becomes our new sense that allows us to perceive what really does exist" (Gary Hargrave, Obtain the Promises, Chpt 4). When I read that, it was like a light bulb went off in my head How many times have I claimed to have faith, but have just been pretending?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." - Hebrews 11:1-3 KJV
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see." - Hebrews 11:1-3 MSG
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:1-3 NASB
What does it mean to have assurance of things hoped for? Here are a few definitions of assurance: 1) a promise or pledge; guaranty; surety 2) full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty 3) freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one's abilities. So faith is having the full confidence that what God said is true and being free to believe without doubts assailing.
Wow, mind blown! Imagine that...having full freedom from doubts. Having complete freedom from timidity. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). Let me repeat that, living a life with full freedom from doubt. No more thoughts popping in your head during the day. Did I do a good enough job? But what about this? Or that? Am I enough? Those lies that Satan plants in your mind. POOF! GONE! Vanished into thin air never to be heard again! With full freedom from doubt, instead of lies filling our head we have the truth - Jesus (John 14:6).
Faith is not pretending to pour a tea and drink it. It is actually seeing things created out of that which is not visible. Today is the day I want to stop pretending and have genuine faith. Faith that allows me to perceive that which really exists.
"That's All Folks!"
Our faith is of greater worth than gold, but for it to be actually worthwhile, it has to be proved genuine. The other day I was reading something that really stuck with me: "We are like a child playing with dolls, pretending to have a tea party: 'Okay, let's pour the tea now.' There is no teapot, but we pretend to pour the tea and drink it. That is how we, as Christians, relate to faith, but faith is not pretending. Faith becomes our new sense that allows us to perceive what really does exist" (Gary Hargrave, Obtain the Promises, Chpt 4). When I read that, it was like a light bulb went off in my head How many times have I claimed to have faith, but have just been pretending?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." - Hebrews 11:1-3 KJV
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see." - Hebrews 11:1-3 MSG
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." - Hebrews 11:1-3 NASB
What does it mean to have assurance of things hoped for? Here are a few definitions of assurance: 1) a promise or pledge; guaranty; surety 2) full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty 3) freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one's abilities. So faith is having the full confidence that what God said is true and being free to believe without doubts assailing.
Wow, mind blown! Imagine that...having full freedom from doubts. Having complete freedom from timidity. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). Let me repeat that, living a life with full freedom from doubt. No more thoughts popping in your head during the day. Did I do a good enough job? But what about this? Or that? Am I enough? Those lies that Satan plants in your mind. POOF! GONE! Vanished into thin air never to be heard again! With full freedom from doubt, instead of lies filling our head we have the truth - Jesus (John 14:6).
Faith is not pretending to pour a tea and drink it. It is actually seeing things created out of that which is not visible. Today is the day I want to stop pretending and have genuine faith. Faith that allows me to perceive that which really exists.
"That's All Folks!"
Friday, March 17, 2017
What Is Your Calling?
Two blog posts in one day, it must be a miracle. :)To be honest though I wrote the previous blog post months ago, but never got around to publishing it. I just found it again when I went to write this post. If you've haven't had a chance to read the previous one (since it was literally just posted), it is about living a life worthy of your calling. And in a God-thing, connects quite well to this one. If I want to live a life worthy of my calling it it brings the question: what is my calling? This is what the Father has been revealing to me the past few days...
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew (chose) you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5
We are not here by mistake. We are not some afterthought or some accident. Before we were born, before we were even a possibility in our parents' lives, the Father knew us. He chose us. He chose and brought you forth for a purpose. He chose me and brought me forth for a purpose. As you live your life, are you just walking around aimlessly, thinking that at some point, some day, you may have a purpose from God or are you walking knowing what His purpose is for you right now, in this hour?
Before he was born, before he was even formed in his mother's womb, the Father set Jeremiah apart to be a prophet "to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10). What did God call you to do? It may not be a prophet for "God has appointed first off apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28), What is your gift? We need to know our calling. "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10).
It can be a scary thought trying to figure out what your calling is (at least for me). However, what you do and what you are called to do does not have to look like the calling of your brothers and sisters. You are not insignificant just because you do not have the same gift as those around you. For "there are different gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Remember that it is the Father who determines your gift. "All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (1 Corinthians 12:11). I love that! HE determines what our gift is going to be. Stop worrying about coming up with something on your own (Self I'm talking to you) and just abide in Him. He will lead and guide you into what you are suppose to be doing and where you are suppose to be. "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, (not just some, but EVERYONE of them. Yes, that means you!), just as He wanted them to be" (1 Corinthians 12:18).
To be honest, if I was with someone in person, I'm not sure that I would be able to say all this. I'm not a talkative person. I'm quite and shy. So I may not be the mouth of the body, but that doesn't mean I don't matter or don't belongs. I was born to be a worshiper. Quit trying to fit where you think you should and just be what He called you to be.
"That's All Folks!"
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew (chose) you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." -Jeremiah 1:5
We are not here by mistake. We are not some afterthought or some accident. Before we were born, before we were even a possibility in our parents' lives, the Father knew us. He chose us. He chose and brought you forth for a purpose. He chose me and brought me forth for a purpose. As you live your life, are you just walking around aimlessly, thinking that at some point, some day, you may have a purpose from God or are you walking knowing what His purpose is for you right now, in this hour?
Before he was born, before he was even formed in his mother's womb, the Father set Jeremiah apart to be a prophet "to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10). What did God call you to do? It may not be a prophet for "God has appointed first off apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28), What is your gift? We need to know our calling. "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10).
It can be a scary thought trying to figure out what your calling is (at least for me). However, what you do and what you are called to do does not have to look like the calling of your brothers and sisters. You are not insignificant just because you do not have the same gift as those around you. For "there are different gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men" (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). Remember that it is the Father who determines your gift. "All of these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (1 Corinthians 12:11). I love that! HE determines what our gift is going to be. Stop worrying about coming up with something on your own (Self I'm talking to you) and just abide in Him. He will lead and guide you into what you are suppose to be doing and where you are suppose to be. "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, (not just some, but EVERYONE of them. Yes, that means you!), just as He wanted them to be" (1 Corinthians 12:18).
To be honest, if I was with someone in person, I'm not sure that I would be able to say all this. I'm not a talkative person. I'm quite and shy. So I may not be the mouth of the body, but that doesn't mean I don't matter or don't belongs. I was born to be a worshiper. Quit trying to fit where you think you should and just be what He called you to be.
"That's All Folks!"
Live A Life Worthy
Are you living a life worthy of the calling you have received?
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4:1-7
Over the past few months the Lord has been making real to me about living a life worthy of the calling I have received. He has been working deep in my spirit drawing me closer to Him because the only way we can walk in a manner worthy is by His grace. There is nothing in me that will allow me to do this on my own. I will make mistakes, I will fall short time and time again. But the most awesome thing about it, is that it doesn't matter. No matter how many times I fall and fail, He is always there to catch me. His blood washes over me, cleansing me, making me holy. Through Him we have been sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:10). Through Him we have been made holy. Through Him we have been made perfect (Hebrews 10:14). Through Him I live and have my being (Acts 17:28). Through Him I can do ALL things (Philippians 4:13). Through Him NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). Through Him, through Him, through Him. It is all through Him. Like Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I will leave you with the question He has been asking me for months: Are you living a life worthy of the calling you received?
"That's All Folks!"
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4:1-7
Over the past few months the Lord has been making real to me about living a life worthy of the calling I have received. He has been working deep in my spirit drawing me closer to Him because the only way we can walk in a manner worthy is by His grace. There is nothing in me that will allow me to do this on my own. I will make mistakes, I will fall short time and time again. But the most awesome thing about it, is that it doesn't matter. No matter how many times I fall and fail, He is always there to catch me. His blood washes over me, cleansing me, making me holy. Through Him we have been sanctified (1 Corinthians 6:11, Hebrews 10:10). Through Him we have been made holy. Through Him we have been made perfect (Hebrews 10:14). Through Him I live and have my being (Acts 17:28). Through Him I can do ALL things (Philippians 4:13). Through Him NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). Through Him, through Him, through Him. It is all through Him. Like Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I will leave you with the question He has been asking me for months: Are you living a life worthy of the calling you received?
"That's All Folks!"
Sunday, November 20, 2016
A New Day
This walk with the Lord is a love affair, we must never lose that first love. Our love should continually be increasing and overflowing for Him as we continue to have revelations of how great His love for us is. Each experience should be new, alive, and afresh as we move deeper into the Father's presence. He is saying to us, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it spring up, do you perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19) and "See the former things have taken place and new things I declare, before they spring into being I announce them to you" (Isaiah 42:9). What we received yesterday and in the past was awesome, but it is not enough for today. Each day we must have a fresh revelation of Him and who He is to us. Will our eyes be open and our hearts prepared for this new day or will we stay stuck in the ruts of an old day? If we open our ears to hear, He will talk to us and declare His plans for us.
"That's All Folks!"
"That's All Folks!"
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
"I will remember the deed of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples."
-Psalm 77:11-14
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Let Your Light Shine
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light." - Luke 11:33
"He said to them, 'Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.'" - Mark 4:21-22
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16
Now is the time to stop hiding. As Jesus said, nobody lights a lamp and then hides it. The Father didn't create us to be sons and daughters of the King so that we could just stay hidden in our bubbles. We were created to bring forth His Kingdom on the earth. We were created to be Christ in the earth. We were created to be the change on the earth. Now is the time to step out of hiding and to let our light shine before men that they may see and praise God.
"That's All Folks!"
"He said to them, 'Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.'" - Mark 4:21-22
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16
Now is the time to stop hiding. As Jesus said, nobody lights a lamp and then hides it. The Father didn't create us to be sons and daughters of the King so that we could just stay hidden in our bubbles. We were created to bring forth His Kingdom on the earth. We were created to be Christ in the earth. We were created to be the change on the earth. Now is the time to step out of hiding and to let our light shine before men that they may see and praise God.
"That's All Folks!"
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Merry Christmas!
Wow, I can't believe that Christmas was yesterday! Can it really be the end of December? Part of the reason for my disbelief is that I wasn't home for the holidays this year because I was working. However, I think the biggest reason I'm in disbelief is the fact that is has been in the 70s all week!!!! Being from the Midwest, I'm used to cold weather in December...And most likely snow...Now that I'm in a warmer climate it feels very weird (but nice) to be in the 70s.:)
Since it was Christmas, I thought I would spread some holiday cheer (no I'm not going to sing even if its the best way to spread Christmas cheer. My singing would be too painful), I figured I would share some pictures of gingerbread men that I helped make and decorated yesterday.
Now the close-ups...
Anyways, I ended up giving the cookies to my co-workers today. Pretty sure they were all amused by the way they were decorated. Hope they also provide you with amusement! :)
"That's All Folks!"
Since it was Christmas, I thought I would spread some holiday cheer (no I'm not going to sing even if its the best way to spread Christmas cheer. My singing would be too painful), I figured I would share some pictures of gingerbread men that I helped make and decorated yesterday.
 | |||
| The crazy, groovy gingerbread family! |
 |
| I just couldn't help myself with this one 'cause I totally LOVE Jesus! :) |
 |
| Now that I'm looking at them, I feel like they should have names. |
 |
| Maybe, Mo, Larry, Curly, and Shemp? |
 | |
| Or maybe they could be representatives of me and my siblings. ;) |
Anyways, I ended up giving the cookies to my co-workers today. Pretty sure they were all amused by the way they were decorated. Hope they also provide you with amusement! :)
"That's All Folks!"
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