Choices

God is the author of life. He created the heavens and the earth and he created us. When we create something, we can do what we want with our creation. It belongs to us and we decide what it is to be, how it is to look and what its purpose will be. We are God's creation. He is the potter and we are the clay. The potter works, the clay is formed. He decided to form us into his likeness. He decided that we would rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over all the earth. He decided that we would have a hand in filling the earth. He decided that, like him, we would be holy. All that he had made was "very good". (Genesis 1)

He also decided that we would be able to make choices. By putting the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden, God gave us the ability to choose. He loved us so much that he even told us the choice to make - "you must not eat from the tree" - and he told us the consequence of the choice, "for when you eat of it you will surely die." What an amazing God we serve! So gracious to allow us to partner with him, to not make us "puppets on a string" and at the same time, providing all that we need to live as we were created - in his image.

It seems that God had a lot of confidence in us. Why wouldn't we make the right choices? He would provide all that we would need to do it. But we didn't. Satan was more crafty and we made the wrong choice. Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Up until that point, all was good. God did not want us to know evil because it would kill us. And it did. Now he would have to resurrect us from the dead! He would do that for us by sending his one and only Son, Jesus to earth to destroy the works of the devil and to resurrect us to new life. A life that doesn't include "death". An abundant life lived by and under his authority.

But he has not taken away what he originally gave us - the ability to choose. Once again, we can choose good or we can choose evil. He has given us the answer. Choosing "good" is choosing Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, all that God had originally intended was restored. Humans could be restored to right relationship with God. He would once again, provide all that we need to live life on this earth and into eternity where we will see him face to face. It's done. Jesus fulfilled the law and paid the penalty. He defeated. He destroyed the works of the enemy (and the consequences of our wrong choices) His death purchased our freedom. Our freedom to choose. We can choose life or we can choose death.

Father God--
You created the earth, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. Then you created man. Your desire was that we would walk with you in the garden enjoying your creation. That we would multiply filling the earth and enjoying intimacy with you and with each other - all under your direction and provision. Your love would give us the power to love and all would be "good". All that you asked of us was that we choose you. Thank you for Jesus, our redeemer. His sacrifice paid for our freedom. His resurrection brought us life. Today Lord, help us accept the sacrifice - to choose you. Draw us into your heart, into your presence that we might know the one true God. That we might, once again walk with you in the garden enjoying all that you have created, all that is very good. Amen

Why?

I'm a question and answers kind of girl. I want to know "why". Why Lord? Why do I get caught up in my "problems"? Why is life so hard? Why do we live in a world where evil seems to run rampant? Why are there earthquakes and pain and suffering? You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. (Psalm 5:4) In my distress I call to the Lord...from his temple he hears my voice; my cry comes to his ears. (2 Sam 22:7)

The first thing I hear him say is I love you. I am raptured by his love and compassion. Out of the brightness of his presence bolts of lightning blaze forth! He reaches down from on high and takes hold of me. He draws me out of deep waters bringing me into a spacious place. (2 Sam 22:17,20) The voice of my creator and sustainer tells me that I need not fear. He is always with me. I know that He cares about what is happening with me and in the world.

Our loving Father keeps us safe in his dwelling. He hides us in the shelter of his tabernacle. "From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth... (Psalm 33:13-14) I will keep you safe, I hear him say. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world! (John 16:33)


"show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Psalm 25:4-5)

God is the fountain of life. I go to the fountain. Wash me in your water O Lord. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) I am reminded that His love reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5)

Somehow my "whys" do not seem so important. I know that He is working it out, regardless of how it looks to me. He knows the big picture. I will trust in him.

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. the days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37:5-6, 18-19, 23-24)

"O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." (Psalm 7:10)

"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Psalm 46:11)

The Cry of my Heart

I just spent 4 1/2 days with some beautiful sisters and brothers in Christ. We were together to grow and heal and be prepared to help others do the same. I shared the following journal entry as we gathered on our final day together. Many told me that the words spoke their own feelings. Perhaps you will agree.

Father I love you, I lay my life before you. As the Son loves you, I too, cry Abba Father. I worship and adore you. I praise you. You alone are worthy. You alone deserve all honor and glory. My heart cries out for more of you. More of your love, more of your Spirit, more of your gifts. My flesh resists, my broken state and sinful nature fight to continue to satisfy their desires. Cleanse me from unrighteousness. Give me a pure heart. A heart that feels what you feel. A heart that desires what you desire. Use this broken vessel and pour out your love and healing to a sinful, broken, needy world. Teach me your ways, O Lord that I might walk in them. Reveal your presence in my life and your Holy Spirit's leading and power for ministry to others. Lead me to rely on you and your Spirit alone. Make me confident that you have been filling me with your Spirit, pouring in your wisdom and revelation. Without you, I am nothing yet you call me daughter, I am a daughter of the King - Holy and righteous because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
Lord, I yield myself to you today. Empty me of self and fill me with your presence and your Spirit. Sanctify me. Heal inner parts. Remove sins and bondages. May I experience you like never before! I desire to be transformed - filled and equipped to serve you with all my heart, mind and soul. I desire spiritual gifts. Am I to prophesy? Am I to work miracles?, speak in tongues? I am yielded, open to your calling. I renounce any distractions, any way the enemy might try to come and curb what you desire to do in me. I invite only truth, love, mercy, compassion. I give you all that I can, all by your grace. Amen

Loving One Another

I walk into a church. At the door are greeters and they say "good morning" but after I get inside, I look around and suddenly feel alone. People are busy getting their coffee and donuts and chatting with their friends. It seems that nobody notices me. During the service, we learn about what God desires for the church - diversity and communion with each other - even those that are different. How can we embrace those that are different from us when we can't even embrace those that seem to be the same?

I realize that we are all different. We are not comfortable with others. We live in a broken world. A world that has broken ways of relating. We have fears of rejection, of being let down or hurt, and trust issues. When we reach out to others, things always get in the way; jealousy, insecurities, indifference, busyness, and annoying behaviors. This is the tactic of our enemy. He wants to keep us divided. He knows that a kingdom divided cannot stand. God is in the business of reconciliation. He wants us reconciled both to him and to others. We were created for relationship.

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (1 John 4:7) Friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11)

The first thing we see here is that we are to love another. Why? Because God loves us. He loved us so much that he sent his son that we might have life. That we might know his love because love comes from God. It's really the only way. Our broken, selfish nature just doesn't really know how to love. We expect to have "feelings" but that usually is just attraction. We like the way someone looks or the status they have. We are attracted to the things we desire for our own lives. If we are not "attracted", we do not initiate relationship. But God says that we ought to love one another because He loved us. I can tell you - there was nothing very attractive about us, yet God, because of his most amazing Grace gave us what we didn't deserve - His love.

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a lier. (1 John 4:19-20)

When we have a growing relationship with the God who is love, then God makes love complete among us. Once again, God does it. God's love is wide and deep. He loves us and loves others through us. When we are loving others in the power of the Holy Spirit, there is no fear. We do not have to worry about what the other person can do for us or give us. We don't have to worry if they will like or accept us. There does not have to be an "attraction" or a "feeling". We just love because we live in God and He lives in us.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 3:3)

Father God -
You are abounding in love and faithfulness, never withholding and always maintaining your love to a thousand generations. You have filled the earth with your enduring, unfailing love. How priceless is your unfailing love! You ask us to not hate our brother but to love him like you love him. We admit Lord, we do not know how to do that. It is only through your love that we can even begin to know about this thing called love. Pour your love into our hearts, precious Savior. Your perfect love is the only power we need. May we love you with our whole heart, soul, and mind and may we seek to be filled with your Spirit and be empowered to see others through your heart and eyes. Then your perfect love will drive out our fears. Thank you for redeeming our life and giving us crowns of love and compassion! We put our hope in your unfailing love. Lord, let your face shine upon your servants and save us in your unfailing love. Surely, goodness and love will follow us all the days of our life. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. (Psalm 63:3) For Great is your love, higher than the heavens! Amen

Cry Out To Jesus

There is hope for the helpless, Rest for the weary, Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing, He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus ------- Third Day

Does Jesus really "meet us wherever we are"? Yes! But.... He won't let us stay there.

The reason that baby boy was born over 2000 years ago was for you and I. God loves us so much that he sent his Son (John 3:16) -- for you. Praise God! We are the helpless and He is our hope. The prophet Isaiah tells us that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

"do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired of weary, and his understanding no one can fathem. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." (Isaiah 40:28-29) Feeling "weary" after all the holdiay hubbub? Cry out to Jesus! He is rest for the weary. He never grows tired. He desires to give you his strength. Receive it for it is for you - right where you are.

Did someone break your heart this Christmas? God is love and his love endures forever. The earth is full of his unfailing love. Even when we walk through the shadow of death, his love endures forever. He prepares a table and anoints us with oil. His love follows us all the days of our life. It reaches to the heavens. He is not an angry God, He is a God abounding in love. A God who forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases, who redeems us from the pit. As if that wouldn't be enough, He then crowns us with love and compassion! When you are brokenhearted, cry out to Jesus. There is grace and forgiveness. Because of Jesus, God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. He has removed our transgression from us. As far as the east is from the west."For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:19) Jesus paid the price for our sins and we are righteous in his sight! He meets us right where we are and then shines his light into our darkness, exposing the lies and revealing his truth. He finds us dead in our sins, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. That's where we start out. BUT... Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. We are sinners, saved by his grace. We do not deserve it, we can't work for it. It is ours for the taking when we CRY OUT TO JESUS. There is hope for the helpless! Jesus will meet us wherever we are and then he will take us places that we could never imagine! Thank you Lord for meeting me right where I am. All honor and glory to you, my God and my Lord.

Father Are You There?

A little child lay in the dark; the room was strange, she saw no where, she was afraid; but then she called, FATHER, ARE YOU THERE?She felt a hand, so strong and warm, close clasping hers; then calm and clear. she heard her father's tender voice, YES, LAS, I AM HERE.Like the small child, we sometimes feel that we are in the dark of care; In terror of some harm, we call, O FATHER, ARE YOU THERE?We reach our hand to Him, and find, a blessed answer to our fear. His hand holds ours; we hear His voice, FEAR NOT FOR I AM HERE.So though we tremble in the dark, in need of strength and help and cheer, We have a tender Father's word, FEAR NOT, FOR I AM HERE.Dinnie McDole Hayes

You are not alone. You will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. "You will seek me and you will find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord." (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

Father God,
You are always with us. In all our days, in every moment, if we open our eyes and heart to you, you are there and you desire to be found. You are everlasting love, everlasting life. When we are needy, you are sufficient. When we are helpless, you are helpful. When we are weak, you are strong. When we feel alone, you are intimately present. When it is dark, you are the only light we need. When we are insecure, you are our rock and fortress. Thank you Father for your faithfulness.
Jesus - thank you for the cross. There is no sinner that your blood cannot save. No sin that your blood cannot forgive. Your blood heals our wounds, breaks the chains of bondage and destruction, redeems our shame and pain and struggles of life. Thank you, Jesus for your sacrifice.
Holy Spirit - The counselor, the comforter, the Spirit of truth. When we are lost, you regenerate. When we are thirsty, you give us water. When we are divided, you unite. When we are carnel, you convict. When we can't pray, you intercede. When we are visionless, you show us things to come. When we are purposeless, you show us purpose.
Father, Son, and Spirit - fill us with joy and peace that we might overflow with hope. Thank you for your love, mercy and grace. We need you. We can't live without you. You are the light of the world. Make your face shine upon us O Lord! We give you honor and glory every day, every hour and every moment. Amen

We Live By The Spirit

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16)

We inherited a sinful nature. Before that dreadful day that Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they lived a life under the watchful, loving hand of God. All their needs were provided for. God had made them "in his image" to rule over the earth under God's authority. Adam was to do nothing without God. God would do his work in the world through His children.

After many years of man trying to "do it on his own" in his inherited sinful nature, God , in his mercy, sent His Son to earth so that man could be "reconciled" to God. Jesus death on the cross was payment for our sins. God placed all of His judgment on Him for our freedom. Freedom from what?

Freedom from the sinful nature. How does that happen? By accepting the "sacrifice" and placing our trust in God. By allowing him His authority over us as originally intended. Not only did God himself pay the price for our sins, He also put his very being inside of us. The Holy Spirit would live in every believer to guide and direct them that they would be transformed and conformed into the perfect image of God.

"…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own. You were bought with a price." (1 Cor 6:19)

We are not our own - we are God's. He is our authority and if we want victory in this life, we must trust , abide in and submit to God. The Holy Spirit lives in our spirit. God's revelation comes from the Holy Spirit into our spirits.

What this means is that we must "live by the Spirit". Romans 8:8 tells us that "those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." But Praise God! Paul continues and tells us "You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you."

Romans 8:10-11 tells us that if Christ is in us, (if you're a Christian, He is), our Spirit is alive because of righteousness. 1 Cor 2:12 tells us that "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." The Holy Spirit is the motivator, energizer and operator of every revealed plan or vision from God. He wants to reveal our God-nature and cause us to live in a higher level than we now live. He is the only power to live the Christian life.

"But the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." (John 14:26)

As Christians, we now serve in the new way - the way of the Spirit. We are to "set our minds on what the Spirit desires." (Rom 8:5) "... the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace…. (8:6)

I will be writing a lot in this blog about the Holy Spirit. (I already have some notes on my FB page) Through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. My body is dead because of sin and my spirit is alive because of righteousness. I believe with my whole heart and soul that a Christian cannot live a victorious, fruitful life without submission to God's Spirit. I desire that all Christians know that "The Spirit of him who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, through His Spirit."