The Art of Listening

 

For those of you who know me, this may seem like a strange topic for me to be writing about. I don't in any way  claim to have mastered this topic, but what I am working towards is becoming better than I have been in the past. Isn't that what all our lives are about? Striving to become better than we have been in the past.

I am learning that it requires starting our day with him. Just as meetings are called in offices all over the world daily to give briefings of the days' events, and plans are given as to how to carry those events out--Christians should also meet with God early. This is not a new concept that I have taken from a page of the world's book. In Exodus 24:4,5 The Word of God says:
And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.

He rose up early, before the cares of the world,or to use the modern day term, the business of living gets into full swing and there isn't time to wait before the LORD for his blessing on the day. Once the work day begins, then decisions must  be made 'on the fly' as it is called-- there is no time to wait upon the LORD in  prayer seeking his will in how to handle the daily life.It must be done before 'the daily life' happens.

We all will travel through this life only once. Getting everything right all the time is something that only a perfect man (or woman) can do. There was and still is only one who is perfect--Christ. That's why God does not expect it of us, he knows we cannot reach such a high mark. But he does expect us to always strive to be the best that we can be for Him daily in our lives. To do that we must develop the art of listening to Him. Will we still make mistakes? Yes, but if we have listened, obeyed and trust him to take care of the rest he does.--- He's that much God! None can do what he can do and is willing to do for the child who listens and seeks him early!
 God Bless you and yours today.

Merry Christmas!

I'd like to wish everyone who visits here a wonderful Christmas. May you enjoy the company of friends and family at this Christmas season, and above all cherish the true meaning of Christmas with your families. As the world grows weary of all the strife and war, may the peace of Christ rest in your heart, and shine through your lives in the coming 2013 year. May God bless you from our house to yours.  Carrie

Book Giveaway

For those who follow my blog I have a surprise this month! We are having a book giveaway--
from Emily Ann Benedict, the author of , The Father Christmas Confessions, an ebook which is available on Amazon .com comes the opportunity to win her first novel Only Angels Are Bulletproof.

Homeschooled by her parents her first inclinations were toward art, but after an illness left her with lots of time on her hands she turned to writing as an outlet. Emily Ann Benedict lives and writes in the Central Valley area of California. God works in ways known only to him to put our feet on the paths that he wants us to travel--when you read her books you will see what I mean. For a chance to win leave me a comment  on why you would like to read this book.

FBI agent, Scott Malkin, did not believe in God, heaven, and certainly not angels…until a simple bank robbery went horribly wrong.
In her first novel, Only Angels Are Bulletproof, Emily Ann Benedict takes her reader on a page turning ride of suspense and mystery when a seemingly random young woman is fatally shot in front of Scott and dozens of witnesses, yet survives and disappears before anyone can question her.
Scott’s quest to stop a plague of bank robberies in the Los Angeles area quickly becomes a quest to prove that things such as angels and miracles do not exist. But when the hunt turns deadly and threatens to consume his friends and family, Scott is faced with one very strange question: Is believing Only Angles Are Bulletproof the only way to stop a criminal?

I have read both of these books and can only say that you are in for a treat. She has the God-given ability to pen a story that is not only a page turner but at the same time weaving the witness of the gospel into each chapter--and have you smiling at the same time. Don't miss the chance for a great read--enter by leaving me a comment below along with your contact information so that I can notify the winner. The winner will recieve a signed copy of Only Angels Are Bulletproof  from Emily Ann. Contest ends December 25th.

Listen Intently

You ask almost any Christian and they will be able to name off a verse of scripture that is special to them. Some have one, others may have several, but almost everyone has at least one. I was thinking of this the other night, comparing my husband’s favorite verse with mine. When the Lord showed me that the two seemed to be linked together, so I began to study the two side by side.

 Phillip’s favorite verse is Psalm 51: 10:

Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (spirit = mind--according to Strongs)

It is the heart’s cry of David during some of his most trying times. David wanted to know God in the most desperate of ways.

Yet he knew that because of his sinful nature(the same nature that is in all people) he was separated from God. God is Holy, too holy to look on sin, so David cried out for God to cleanse his heart of his sin and give him a clean heart so that he could have that right spirit/mind that he needed for him to be able to continue close to God.

 

One of my most favorite verses is a promise God gives not just to me, but to every one of his children.

      “If there be first a willing mind it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” 2 Cor. 8:12

(if you remember, mind=spirit)

When I was shown this verse it was like a light came on in my head! All God wants from me is a willingness to obey him. Then lately as I have been studying what scripture says about the mind of Christ I realized Phillipians 2:58:explains why the promise in  2 Corinthians 8  is given:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but, made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion(or form) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (the part in italics took place in heaven as he voluntarily laid down his deity for a time , the rest of the verse(underlined) speaks of Jesus as a man here on earth)It is the willing mind/spirit of Christ that God looks for in us, his children.

When you think of these verses side by side, you see the answer to David’s cry for cleansing. 

David was willing for God to change him, not just willing be pleading with him to. God accepted David just as he was and indeed created a clean heart and a right spirit/mind in him-- Just as he does with us when we cry out to him.

 

In the same way that David understood he could not do this for himself no matter how much he tried, we must realize that we cannot make our hearts clean enough for God, but if our minds are willing to allow him to make us clean- first through the washing of the blood of Christ, then daily if we come to him with that willing mind, then He can work in and through our lives.

 

Not us working, but him working through our willing mind/spirit—which  he has promised us he will accept.

 

Satan works on us with doubts and feelings of unworthiness, trying to make us feel that we do not have what it takes to raise our children as God wants-- to teach a Sunday School class-- to witness to our co-workers-- to come alongside a brother in need and walk with him through his trials. Why does he do this? Because he knows our prideful nature, that we will look to ourselves for the ability to do these things and in most all cases will admit we can’t and give up.

But God doesn’t look at any of those things that we think of as necessary. He is not concerned with what we don’t have. Why?—because “ my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Php. 4:19

God has the resources he needs stored up, just waiting for you to willingly listen to him. Why do I say that? Go back to Phillipians 2:58 and read it again, the last part of the verse is our key. We as men and women must humble ourselves, admit that we don’t have what it takes to carry out his work-- and become obedient, which in the Greek carries the meaning of ‘listening intently’.

 

After Jesus found himself in the flesh and blood of man-- with all the weaknesses and tendencies to sin that all mankind has: look back at the verse-- from that point on he humbled himself,(he conceded that he did not have what it would take as a man to live the life God intended for him). Thank God he did not give up or stop as we are so prone to do. What did he do? Then he “became obedient’ or he began ‘listening intently for his heavenly father’s instructions’  How long did he listen? until his death.

 

This is what we need to do, follow Jesus’ example: admit you don’t have what it takes. Not to others, not to the world for they are not the ones who matter in this situation, but admit it  to God! Humble yourself before a God who loves and knows you before you ever tell him, then start listening intently to what he has to say to you. The ability you(and I) need is in his outstretched hand Christian!

 

Continuing Faith

I thought of this title just "off the top of my head". My first reaction was that it needed to be more interesting, something to 'catch the eye of the mind'. (you may think the same:),but when I began to think of what I could rename it, the thought came that it was exactly what I wanted to talk about. So yes, I am continuing this discussion on faith that I began the first of the month....AND in addition I will be talking about 'continuing faith'-- the type of faith that God looks for in us and that each of us must also draw on everyday. To do that I am looking at the continuing faith of Job.

 Most of us today have experience with trials such as Job faced only through reading or possibly watching a movie that portrays a character beaten down by circumstances, rising up and fighting back in revenge for the wrongs that he has faced. It makes for exciting reading because the human part of us wants to take charge of our own destiny-be the hero that rights all wrongs-or feel that we have the power to care for ourselves and others. It is the natural response from the natural man.

His family gone, his wife turned bitter, his position in the community and the prestige and respect that came with it lost when his assets were confiscated by warring tribes--Job knew he could do nothing to get back what he had lost--but he knew someone who could. The entire book of Job contemplates the dilemma of Job.
1. Why did it happen?
 It happened because by right of His position as Creator and Sovereign God, God himself can and  does do what he wants and does not answer to anyone-- least of all the creation.
2.What good came of it?
Job came away with not only a new family,restored possessions and a deeper respect by the community, but with a far deeper knowledge himself of the God that he never stopped trusting through it all.(Job  13:15) Here is our continuing faith! Job determined to believe in his heart.
He learned that yes, he had been a righteous man who had served God and stayed away from all evil-- and the outward appearance of evil,(Ch. 2:10) but he also learned that his righteousness was as filthy rags beside the holiness of a Sovereign, Holy God. (Ch. 40:7-8)
In the end Job confessed his sinful nature, his lack of knowledge and repented before God.             (ch. 42:6)

What about the friends who had only made things worse, by offering advice on something which they  had no knowledge? (ch. 38:2)While they judged Job on circumstantial evidence-- God told them Job was more righteous than they were. Why? Because they had not repented when God showed them his majesty. Because of that it would be only through bringing sacrifices and asking Job to pray for them would they be able to receive His forgiveness.(ch. 42:7)
In  this way God placed respect for Job  back into these men's eyes and hearts-- but also into the hearts of the community as others saw them asking Job to intercede on their behalf.
  The Lesson they learned that day?
The day the Lord met with them, all four men learned that no matter who you are, how much you think you know, or how good you think you are doing--you are nothing compared to God!

  3.What can we learn from it?
 I can only tell you what the Lord showed me through this story: God knows the limits of our faith; and the trials he allows to come to us are placed there to grow that faith to the next level. I have only a partial picture, a partial understanding of the events that are happening around me. As a created being I cannot understand everything - unless the Lord, my Creator, chooses to open my understanding.
 When I practice continuing faith as Job did and sacrifice my natural desire to control my destiny and 'fix' things the way I think they should be 'fixed'-- my obedience allows God to move and work on my behalf just as he did with Job, therefore it is Himself that receives the glory-- and that is just how it should be!

Hoping for Faith that will move Mountains?

So many times I hear others say "I'm praying for faith". Or "my faith is just not strong enough". I have heard myself say the same things. As I grow older--in time and in the Word--I am beginning to understand things about faith that I had never thought of before. Listen again to God's definition of faith:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

 

This statement is couched in what is called a 'compound' sentence. Which simply means the subject of the sentence is followed by two statements that could be put with that subject(faith) to make a sentence that stands alone.

 For Example:  Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

                         Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

Since faith is made up of two things and not just one, the writer placed them both into one sentence.

It is only by doing this that he could give the complete and correct definition of faith.

 

Maybe you are wondering why the English lesson? It's very important to our understanding of what faith truly is. It makes the passage on faith and works in the book of James 2:17 a little easier to understand as well.

Look at Peter's famous 'walk on the water' episode in Matthew 14. he was in the middle of a huge storm, they saw someone coming toward them, they weren't sure who it was-fear started to take over,verse 27 says 'straightway' that means 'immediately' when the fear started before they asked, Jesus reassured them that it was him.    vs.28 Peter says, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." In Peter's statement is the first part of the definition of faith. 'Things hoped for' What was he hoping to do? Walk across the water to Jesus. Now here is the second part of faith: vs. 29 "And he said, Come" Jesus let Peter know right then that it was possible for him to walk across that water and come to him in that one word-come. The two parts of faith have been met.

 

Now back to the book of James.

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Jms. 2:17

 

If Peter had never stepped out of that boat his faith would have been dead faith. It doesn't matter that he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink and Jesus had to come to his rescue. This was a growing faith that had not matured at this point. The point on faith here is that Peter put the works of stepping out to the hope he had that he could do it, and to the evidence Jesus gave him that he had given him the power to do it.

 

I hope you will study these verses on faith. and on the next post I will continue.

 



 



 

2 Peter-dealings in the church

Ch. 1 --The apostle Peter makes it clear in this letter that he is reminding this congregation of believers of something they have already been taught. He has gone back through the character traits that set a child of God apart from everyone else in the previous verses, and warns them to diligently make their calling and election sure.
He doesn't tell them that they should judge each other with this list but themselves. Why? Because he knows that without these traits, they cannot stand against the attacks of Satan.

We who call ourselves Christians today would do well to study this list, go to the references given, and study those as well to make sure our election and calling is sure-- today more than any time in the history of mankind the congregation of God's children is under attack. Do we have what it will take to stand under it? In some cases do we have the knowledge of the living Word we need to know when we are even being attacked?

Peter says that if we don't have an intimate knowledge of the ways of God and how he works then we cannot expect to stand.  He reminds them(and us as well) that it is not just his word, but the words of Christ himself and the other apostles who heard it the same as he did-- while they studied and learned from him for those three years. Vs. 20 says there is no private interpretation of the scripture, the reason for that was because the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. They weren't just voicing their opinions as is the case so many times today.

May we be careful that we have a clear knowledge of the Word so that we may recognise false teachings when we hear it.

Kit Up!

A kit is a package containing items a person will need to be able to carry out a certain job or activity-
 Students recieve a student packet or kit when they enroll in school. Soldiers are issued a kit when they volunteer for service to their country. Inside these kits are literature about this new life they are beginning, giving them what is required of them by the school or by the particular branch of armed services they are in. The literature consists of:

• Their personal identification- something that is exclusively theirs which no one else can legally use.
• The history of the organization, and the current leadership.
• What is expected of each person who enrolls or signs up with the organization.
•  Information on how to contact authorities to ask questions or make requests for help when they run into difficulty.
• If they have problems understanding they have been assigned an advisor, or an officer who can help them. 
•   Access to places and valuable tools they will need in the future.

Another more valuable kit
The Holy Scriptures tell us that when each believer accepts Jesus as Saviour we are given a Guide in the person of the Holy Spirit to lead and help us through this new life. But did you know that you were also given a "kit" when you became a disciple of God? This kit is what I will explore in my blog today.
Inside this kit every believer is given:

• A personal ID which no one else can use.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Revelation 2:17

You become a part of a new family and are given the family name so that you can be identified as such.
This isn't just any family that is adopting you, this is the God of Heaven and earth himself.
This bond-- this adoption is an eternal transaction. (Jn. 3:16)

You are given a timeless and divinely inspired book

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inspiration in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16,17

-- the Holy Bible which gives you:

•   the history of all creation(Genesis)
•  as well as your new family(The four gospels) 
• An introduction to Jesus who made it possible for you to be offered freedom from sin

          The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God,         which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1: 29 

• Information on how to contact the One who can answer all your requests and who is there to give help anytime it is needed through the person of the Holy Spirit
• Grace that  enables you to live a life that will be pleasing to God your Heavenly Father 
• Peace that comes from knowing the will of God and submitting to it in your life

Sadly most Christians don't even realize what a valuable resource they been given,or they read through it only to decide it is something they don not want to follow--They have ways they think are more in tune with today. They feel it doesn't "apply to their situation". Do you use the "kit" the Lord has provided for you? Look for it-- dust it off-- and become familiar with it's contents and commit to obey so that you are able to truly stand as a child  the Living God can be proud of!

Procrastination

As the title of this post so aptly put it I am a procrastinator. Not intentionally mind you, I intend to get  things done in a timely manner- just at another time, as is obvious by my lack of articles lately.
I sit down to my work - and emails need to be read and responded to, then there are the notifications from facebook that let me know I should check out friends there. Everyone and everything seems to be calling me away from my purpose of placing another article on the page.The next thing I know, I have traveled the internet from "stem to stern", have never left my desk and sadly, have still to write my article. Then as just happened about three hours ago family responsibilities call me away and the temptation to "wait and write tomarrow" comes over me.But tonight, for it is night now, I will perservere and complete the task I set out to do today at lunch!

As I sit and think about it,if I am not careful, my spiritual days can follow that same pattern. I am tempted to be the same procrastinator. Setting out to witness to someone and being sidetracked by a phonecall from a friend or family member to meet for lunch or something--resolving today that I will start to read my Bible through this year- yet going to bed after a hard day with the promise to do better "tomarrow". Then day follows day and my good intentions get pushed to the background by the day to day routine of interruptions. And that is what they are-routine interruptions.The ones that Satan is so adept at placing in just the right spot at just the right time to distract and ultimately deter me.These interruptions have just enough variety to them that if I am not careful I won't notice the daily routine.

How about you? When you think of the past few months or weeks, can you think of any "interruptions that have become routine at keeping you from spiritual growth or service? I Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober, be vigilant(always on the lookout) Why? because your adversary (your enemy) the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
I ask you to remember that lions hunt in prides. Just as it isn't always the lion that is roaring that brings the prey down-- Satan does not hunt alone either.The demon that is stalking just out of sight is lethal as well. It is only through the perservering of faith that we--you and I will be able to resist.

Merry Christmas!

This year has been in some ways very intense. I know that there are many of you who feel the same way. I am afraid that my writing has suffered because of it. I can't help but question if much of it hasn't been my own fault, but that is neither here nor there now as they say.

 I do wish each one who reads and follows my writing a wonderful Christmas this year. I will be praying that whis will be our last Christmas here. That next Christmas every born again believer will be spending Christ birthday with him, in heaven.

I am sure that is the wish of every true born again believer. The Lord tells us to not just look for his appearing but to pray for it as well. The Lord doesn't stop there in his instruction tho--even though we sometimes stop there in the telling of it.He also tells us to work on doing the work that he has put us, his children, in this field called earth to do.

What work is he talking about? As God's children we are to always be aware of the opportunity to reveal Christ to someone we come in contact with. Show them not the front that so many religious organiztions today have, but to reveal the true Lord. This is the Lord who met with us when we were at our lowest point to save us from the sin that we were in. The Lord who lives within us daily to guide us in every decision that we make, and to strengthen us in every temptation that we encounter.

That is the Christ that few see from Christians today, that close personal saviour and friend. Why is that? We take credit for God's work. Yes it's that simple. We ourselves seem to forget who it is that keeps us from falling. Someone congratulates us on our achievements. What do we do? "Oh, thank you" we say, "I really had to work hard for that." We begin to think it is something that we are doing ourselves. There is nothing wrong with that, but we 'forget' to acknowledge the grace that brought us there.

This Christmas season I pray that all of us  will make plans to include Christ in our lives and reveal him to those around us as never  before. This is how that co-worker will know who to turn to when they need encouragement. Or how that family member will know where our strength comes from in times of crisis.

If you truely believe that Jesus is the reason for the season, let it be known to those you meet-- in your actions and your words in a way that will be pleasing to God. It is time for God's true children to stand and be seen.

God bless you this Christmas and everyday following.

Carrie Parker

The Building of the Spiritual Temple.

In the Old Testament, God gave Moses the plans for the tabernacle that they were to build. It was to go with them everywhere they went, as they traveled through the wilderness.

In the New Testament, you will fnd that there is still a tabernacle that is to go with you everywhere you go. If you have been born not just of water, but of the blood of Christ, then your body is that reborn spiritual tabernacle that is God's temporay house that goes with you. Of course you cannot leave your body and travel without it, that is the idea. God's desire has always been,and still is, to be with His people.

When a person asks Jesus to forgive them of their sin, and save their soul from Satan, that is what happens.

"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23

The dictionary definition of the word "abode" is:  housing that someone is living in. How can that possibly be? God is spirit, the spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit who is the third person of the triune God is who lives within the believer. Look at what Jesus told his disciple before he ascended:

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot recieve, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:17

Jesus Christ, the second person of the triune God was preparing his disciples for this major change that was about to happen. He would no longer be with them physically, but God himself in the person of the Holy Spirit would be moving into their body, he wanted them to know what to expect. Just as he wants the believer to know what to expect today.

Inside the Temple

Inside the Old Testament temple of God, there were several pieces of furniture.In Chapter 25 of Exodus God is very specific as to how the furnishings are to be made and the materials that they are to be made of. For instance the ark of the covenant. Verses 10- 22 explain how the ark is to be made and also the mercy seat. The ark was made of wood, then covered inside and out with pure gold. The mercy seat was placed over the ark.
Inside the ark were to be reminders of the testimony of God for his people, and a copy of the ten commandments.

"And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."

Now I want you to look with me in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6:19 says:
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

A Christian's body is the temple (tabernacle), that the Holy Ghost lives in. There are items within you that were given to you at the time you willingly offered yourself to Jesus to come live within you. These items will remain forever. Just as the furnishings of the tabernacle of the Old Testament, these are meant to be permanent.

Your spirit, or what the Bible calls your heart/mind, the new man, is one of these. It is the piece that can be compared to the ark of the Old Testament. God takes the old heart/mind, made of wood (something that will decay) changes it with the washing of his Word, that is incorruptible and can never decay, and covers it with his blood for protection.

The psalmist David could only plead with God:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
Compare that to the New Testament :
"for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."Eph. 2:10
Jesus has created in you a clean heart, cleansed by his pure, perfect sinless sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 6:19 spells it out:
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
You see, after you ask God to come into your heart and bring the forgiveness that he has died to give you he places within that clean ark of your heart, the evidence of his grace and mercy, his good faith offering of his intentions to keep his part of the agreement. What is that good faith offering? Read what the scripture says:
"...ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, (see Cor. 6:19) unto the praise of his glory." Eph. 1:13,14
Then he wrote his agreement on your heart.
"This is the covenant that I will make them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16

Until next time-- think about it.

The Spiritual Temple (cont.)

I promised that we would compare the tabernacle in the Old Testament with the spiritual temple of the believer ,as Jesus taught, in the New Testament. It has been a few weeks so  you may want to check the first post for a refresher(that would be 3/7/11).

"According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." Exodus 25:9
Chapter 25 gives the instruction for the building. Here in this verse God is cautioning them to follow the pattern He has given. He is very precise in what he wants; not just what He wants, but how he wants everything done--the materials needed, the way it should be built, even to the furnishings that were to be inside.

They must be built or fashioned and placed according to the pattern he gives. No variations would be accepted. "But Lord this is the desert! Can't I just use this instead?" would not cut it with God then and it still doesn't today. He had provided everything needed for this tabernacle when they left Egypt. Whether they realized it at the time or not, what they needed to be able to serve Him --they had been carrying around with them all the time. The test was--would they be willing to give it back to Him?

This tabernacle  was not meant to be a permanent structure. It was mobile and could travel with the people until they reached the promised land. This was --if you will, God's tent. A place designed for God to live among his people, He wanted to be near them. He wanted them to  involve Him in their day to day lives. He wanted the parents to be able to point to His house and tell them "This is where God lives, let's go visit him"
God wanted the people to be able to draw assurance that He was "in their midst", meaning he was right there in the middle of everything that happened to them all the time. This was their loving, providing Heavenly Father wanting to build a relationship with his children.

The outside was a temporary structure, but the furnishings inside were meant to be permanent.
Next time we will take a look at each piece and how God wanted it made.
Till next time..... God bless you and keep you.

Seasons of Change

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:16

The month of March has lived up to its name again this year. Notorious for coming in softly and leaving in a huff of swirling chilly winds, the month seems to have acquired a less than admirable reputation. None of us like cold winds finding all those places we are trying so hard to keep covered and warm, and then exposing them to the elements.

March is the last brush with winter that most of the country will see until next year. Those chilly winds, as troublesome as they may be, come for a purpose. They play an important part in the future productivity of the fruit trees and vines from which we love to gather plums and grapes once summer is here.

God plans swirling changes in our lives much the same as He does the month of March. We don't always like the abruptness of these changes, but just as with the winds of March, God is looking forward to the time of harvest when He can gather the fruits of righteousness that He so very much wants to see in His children.

A Spiritual Temple

"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded fogether for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. 2:21,22

Have you ever wondered just why it is that God compares Christians to a temple? Specifically the temple of the Jews during the time of Christ and before. Once again God was taking something that most of the people at the time (if they were Jews) would know about and using it to explain something they did not understand.
He does this over and over throughtout the Bible.

Today in America, Christians are not as familiar with the Old Testament of the Jews so it may take some explaining and some study to get the connection. This is not meant to be an exaustive study, and I may break it up into several posts to give time for you to do some study on your own. I hope this helps you in your walk and understanding of Christ.

We will start in Exodus. In Chapter 25 you can read the commands for the tabernacle that God gave to Moses (the leader of the Jews). What does the plan start with  in verse two?

"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering." Ex. 25:2

God is the Creator of all things, you know that He could have commanded the Tabernacle to spring up fully built, perfect, just like he wanted it. He didn't need Moses or the people's help but God wanted to involve the people that he had chosen. He wanted their participation in this gift. But he places a requirement on their work and their offerings, their part must be done willingly, just as His was. It wasn't a command that they had to give, it wasn't the amount they could give,matter of fact it was a command that they first be willing to give what God had asked of them.

Where have we heard that before? The way God commands his people to give didn't change in the New Testament when Christ began to build his church. Paul tells us that in the following:

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12

Paul is telling us that it is a requirement that giving to the Lord for the building and work of the church must first be from a willing mind/heart. Again, God is looking at the attitude the gift is given in, not how much the gift is.

God had a plan for the Tabernacle in the Old Testament and he laid it out for Moses and the people in the book of Exodus. God has a plan for the New Testament church and both plans require the same thing from his people: that we participate because we want to. In this plan of God's, he knows exactly what is needed to do the work. He looks to his children to willingly supply as much of it as they can, then look to Him to provide the rest. God's work, done God's way, will prosper. He gives the increase.

I hope that this has whetted your appetite to come back and find out more of the plans God has for his church that can include you if you are willing. Until next time...God bless.

Gates of Pearl

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Rev. 21:21

"Dust thou art to dust returneth was not spoken of the soul." Such a telling statement that William Shakespeare placed in one of his more famous plays. Taken from the facts recorded in the book of Genesis, this line standing alone can be taken as a sober warning or a proclamation of hope.
As a Christian I choose to take it as a proclamation of hope. I don't have to live my life thinking that this is all there is. I can get into God's word and learn about that life beyond the grave that is so beyond my finite imagination I can't even begin to describe it. And I am not alone,those whom God revealed glimpses of heaven to were hard pressed to be able to find something on earth that they could liken it to. God inspired them to use some of the most costly and precious things that man values so that we would have an idea of what it would be like.

I don't know about you but it is hard for me to imagine the gates of a city made of pearl. Those are some really huge pearls. Even harder for my limited mind is to imagine the oyster they came from!  But I believe it. I believe it all! Why? Because God said it, and I have seen God work enough in my life and the lives of others to know that He is who he says he is and can do what he says he will do. So if he says that the gates of heaven are pearl, then it's His city, He lives there, who am I to question it? 

 Most know that the pearl comes into being as a result of a lot of pain and labor on the part of the oyster. What better material for the gates of heaven to be made of than pearl? I don't have to tell you that the journey to heaven is filled with rough edges. But God has gone before us in the person of His Son Jesus to take the brunt of the pain for us.
Our contribution as His children is to be obedient in learning how we are to behave in this city we will be calling home. Start practicing it now so that others might see and one day follow you through those gates of pearl.
Have a wonderful day!

Lighting the way VS cluttering the path

At work this past week I made the statement to one of my co-workers that I didn't understand how anyone could make it day to day without knowing God. I know that I would not like to try. She was quick to give me an answer. Three words: drugs, alcohol, and bitterness. and then the conversation began. She told me that she had not tried this 'Christian stuff' long. She had an aunt who was a Christian, and she seemed to be happy all the time like I was. (talking about me) She went on to say that she and her mother thought that when her uncle died her aunt would stop being so happy. They thought she would begin to grow angry and bitter. It surprised them both when she didn't.

 I told her that it was because as a Christian, her aunt knew her husband was with God. Her response was," Yeh that's what she said". I told her that her aunt's grief was a natural thing. Of course she would be sad, it was only natural to miss her husband, but if a person is truely a child of God, as it seemed her aunt was, the grief she had for her husband would not turn to bitterness. The Lord is there to comfort his own children through these times.

 More and more each day I realize I am being watched by those around me. Others are watching to see how I will react to not just the low times in my life, but also the happy times. As the gospel is being removed from public places: ie: prayer in schools, scripture from public buildings, mention of God in public gatherings, we as children of God are fast becoming the only light that the lost will be able to see.  Are we giving them enough light that they will be able to come to Jesus?

New year - same choices - new hope

Yes, I know the title sounds a little depressing. None the less, it is true. We do still have the same choices. Are we going to think before we act and make right choices that will lead to change, or will we follow the "status quo" as they say.

 It’s the beginning of a new year, the time to make resolutions for changes that we plan to put in our lives. Traditionally it is a time of hope. We know ourselves better than anyone else, and we know the things in our lives that need change.


Life is choices. These choices must be made over and over every day. Some of them over and over in a day. Even doing nothing is a choice that people make, although most of the time it is a bad choice to do nothing. But here are two of the choices people are making this year.

“This is the year I lose weight.”
It is the #1 resolution according to those who take polls of such things.
#2 in the polls is: “This is the year I will get out of debt.”

Both of these resolutions require a good deal of determination. But then that is true with any real change that we make in life; and these are real changes.
How do you follow through on a resolution to change your life?
For an undertaking like this you need a plan in place, something that you can refer back to and log your progress.

Sit down and seriously make a written plan of the actions you need to take to make these changes come about.

For instance: If you plan to lose weight, think of how you eat now, aside from the obvious that needs to be eliminated, like using food for recreation(sitting on the couch eating without tasting as you watch TV).
Think of diets that will suit your taste buds and your lifestyle. For example, my son-in-law calls me the “great carnivore” I love meat. So when I decided to go on a diet, I chose the Atkins diet because it let me eat the foods I already liked. I just had to stop eating the carbs.

I can go to a fast food restaurant, order a roast beef and cheese, ask for a fork and satisfy my hunger for meat. I just don’t eat the bread. To keep me from being tempted, I toss the bread before I sit down. When I am at home, I can eat salads covered in baked chicken, with all the vegetables that I love, and still not blow my diet if I watch my portion sizes. You get the idea?

Maybe you like chocolate- try the 3-2-1 diet plan on the Slimfast website. Just be careful of your sugar levels.
Where there’s a will there is a way.

Do you plan to get out of debt? Then sit down and look at your income, your bills, how much do you spend that isn’t necessary? How much are you willing to cut out? Can you afford to pay a little above any of your monthly bills each month? If so, in most cases the overage will be applied to the principal. When you cut down your principal on a note you are also cutting the amount of interest that you will pay in the long run. Check with your lender on this.
Most important is to stop credit card use!

As I said, where there is a will, there is a way. Gain control back of your life this new year. It can be done: one decision at a time, one hour at a time, and one day at a time. Next thing you know it will be a week of change, and a month of change. If you fall and make the wrong choice, don’t let Satan trick you into giving up. Get up and the next choice that comes along make the right one and get back on track.

May God Bless you in the choices you make this new year.

The Fear covering

My last post was on Satan coming in under the cover of doubt to hinder you in your service of the Lord. But it can hinder every part of your life. Doubt, left unchecked opens the door for other terrorist activities such as fear.

First you are attacked by doubt: Should I really do this? Can I do this? What made me think that God wanted me to do this? While you are in that weakened state, fear comes in and the mind stops thinking rationally.

God has known this from the beginning and this is why you will see him in His word, encourage us not to be afraid. It was the first words spoken by the angel Gabriel to Zacharias the priest the day he came to tell him that his prayers for a child had been answered.

Fear not. Two simple words that are so very hard to obey. Yet Gabriel  repeated those words to everyone that God sent him to speak with concerning the birth of Christ and the events that were to precede it.

Today God tells us the same. Fear not. Maybe not through the visible presence of an angel, but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who was sent to strengthen us and teach us of the Father.

Mary and Joseph were human beings just like you and I. They had no supernatural holy power of themselves that made it any easier for them to choose to obey the command to fear not. Yet they chose to take that first step of faith and trust God to be God.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will be able to trust the Holy Spirit and choose to "Fear not", to allow God to do wonderful things in your life. Mary and Joseph did. It is a conscious choice that must be made on a daily basis by everyone of us. 

May you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

Under Cover of Doubt

You hear much about terrorist today. Everyone is uneasy, not sure what the future might hold. As Christians we are used to terrorist activity. Satan has used these tactics for a long long time. He comes in under many disguises. One of the most successful is the cover or disguise of doubt.

This one can be your greatest enemy because once inside, it will open the door for other enemies to come into your mind. That is your battlefield as one author so aptly put it. But doubt can only enter and grow if you allow it. It will make insinuations that there is nothing you can do about the situation. That you are helpless to the circumstances that surround you. Do not believe it. The Christian is never helpless unless he fails to call on the power of his heavenly Father. But Satan will try to make you think that you are.

How do you break free of this undercover terrorist? By using the weapons that God has given to you. The sword of truth, the Holy Bible, will cut away the disguise of Satan and will leave him open to the eye of faith.
Shine the light of God's word and the reasoning of a mind trained in the ways of God and Satan will not be so quick as to confront you head on with doubt. A word of caution here: he will not leave you entirely, but his power to harm will be greatly reduced once you see him for what he is.

Remember that the price of freedom from doubt is being always on the watch for it, and never allow it to take a hold in your mind. The scripture says for us not to 'give place' to the devil. Don't give him a place to work in your life.