Breakfast For Your Soul

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Your works; and that my soul knows right well.
[Psalm 139:14]

MADE BY GOD!

Good Afternoon Beloved,

I absolutely love this verse.  Barring a mental medical condition, there should not be an insecure member in the Body of Christ.  For many years, this has been a quiet, almost polarizing thought in Christiandom.  One side believing that in order to be meek and humble like our Lord, we must almost denegrate ourselves (“At last and did my Savior bleed and did my Sovereign die, would He devote that Sacred Head for such a worm as I’) … beautiful words from a pure heart of total devotion to God.  The other side verging on “spiritual arrogance”.  There are also a few scriptures that would seem to support the “worm” thought as well:

I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. [Job 17:14]

How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm? [Job 25:6]

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. [Psalm 22:6]

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. [Mark 9:44]

(*This phrase is mentioned 3 times in Mark)

Even the Lord seems to support it by this verse:

Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. (Isaiah 41:14)

What is going on here?  Are we “fearfully and wonderfully” made or are we “worms”.  Remember the Bible tells us to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy:2:15).  Does the character of who God is support what is being said?  What part does our English translation play in all this?  Well, I was puzzled, so I looked at the phrases a little deeper.   In Isaiah, it is interesting to me that God calls “Jacob” a “lowly worm” and acknowleges the people of Israel as “people”.  Remember God changed Israel’s name from “Jacob” which means “deceiver“, to the honorable ‘Israel’ which means “God Wrestler or “Champion of God“.  If you notice, sometimes God uses the names interchangebly when discussing “Israel’s” descendants.  Possibly based on what they were doing at the time.  When He called them the people of “Jacob”, they were probably “cuttin’ up” (as my grandma would say), and when He called them Children of “Israel”, He was speaking into their future as His people, and remembering His covenant with them.   Regarding Mark 9, I noticed a note tagged on this verse by Ezra Palmer Gould, cited by A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures and Henry Swete, The Gospel According to Saint Mark.  It said:

Where their worm [*which preys on the inhabitants and is a symbol of the wounds inflicted on the man himself by his sins] does not die, and the fire is not put out. (Mark 9:48)

In that instance, it would seem that Mark is speaking of that which will face eternal destruction.  Fascinating.  What amazes me is that God never leaves us without an answer.  The issue for me was settled when Jesus told His disciples:

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.  [John 15:15]

And Galatians takes it over the top ~ 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a *son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  [Galatians 4:4-7]

(*son having more to do with position, than gender… ladies in this context we are “sons”, the same as the fellows are members of the “bride” of Christ) 

BALANCE… God does not tell us this for use to get a “big head” or become puffed up and prideful.  He told us who we were so that we would have no excuse for being what He called us.  All pity-parties were cancelled by His Word… now we can work… build the Kingdom, produce fruit.. be that church “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing” [Ephesians 5:27] …

… and THAT Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulously Wonderful Day

Regina

“I Give You Praise”, Darwin Hobbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c48LkI0ZQTE

“Take Me In”, Kutless

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0cuOawD_I8

“Is My Living In Vain”, The Clark Sisters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWtrpuPHDcM

“With Long Life”, Israel & New Breed (dance by Angels of Praise)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgRs_aXUWuk

Monday, March 8, 2010

*****

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”  When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”  “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.  I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached Me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt.”  But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”  God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the One who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”  But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent Me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what should I tell them?”  God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am.  Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent Me to you.”  God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent Me to you.

   This is My Eternal Name,
      My Name to remember for all generations.

[Exodus 3:1-14]

Feeling Restless or Complacent? … Restlessness is not Always a bad thing.

Good Morning Beloved,

Moses … rescued by the daughter of Pharaoh as an infant.  Raised in the lap of luxury.  Given the finest education available.  Even allowed to grow in the home of his mother and father for a time.  His life was balanced.  He knew the pain and struggle of his people, and was in a position to seemingly help his people.  That is what he thought.  Through a chain of events, which included him killing an Egyptian task master, he ended up on the run–a fugitive. Finally, he finds a life of hard work, but comfort in the home of a wise man by the name of Jethro.  He marries one of Jethro’s daughters, and has a family.  Life is pretty good… and then God tells him that He wants him to GO BACK and tell Pharaoh to let His people go!  WHAT!?  I’m learning that God uses many things to get our attention.  Pain, aggravation, confusion, anxiety, trouble, restlessness.  Notice, I didn’t say He caused it… but He will use it.  When we experience these emotions, it indicates that something is wrong.  We may not know what, but knowing that much should give us cause for pause.  Ideally, it should drive us to the arms of the Lord for guidance. Otherwise, we could stay in a state of limbo for many, many, many years.  We have to be shaken out of our comfort zone because, we will stay there… why? … well it’s comfortable!  Who really wants to leave comfort?  Comfort is safe.  It’s what we know.  Those who know me, know that I love Tyler Perry.  Last night, he had a part in the Academy Awards.  Talk about being catapulted out of your comfort zone!  He has gone from homelessness, to stage plays that only a few segments of the population knew anything about, to the big screen, to the small screen, to the big screen/small screen simultaneously, to presenting at the Oscars!  I’ve written, produced and directed a few plays.  The productions have been great, but can I share a well-kept secret with you?  I never really stepped out all the way into the ministry.  I’ve ’kinda’ dipped my theatrical toes in the water, but when the temperature was a little too hot, quickly withdrew them.  The last production I did was in October 2008.  To be honest… (telling on me now) … I was extremely frustrated. Folks did not show up to rehearsals, and when they did they were completely unprepared.  Money was a little funny, change was strange.  Everything that could possible go wrong did.  I was tired.  Tired of being understanding and smiling complacently when I was given excuse after excuse… and then came showtime… MY GOD! I’ve never been so confused in my entire life!  Some had forgotten what they were supposed to be doing and at times, so did I.  Thankfully, I had a few amazing young people who became my ‘rocks’,  and helped to carry the show.  After that harrowing experience, I decided to take a break… from the whole ministry.  Poor Regal 1 has been sitting on the shelf ever since.  I just couldn’t seem to get motivated.  Now I know that there is a timing element involved, and lately I have been feeling like it is now time to blow the dust off of my patient baby.  I have heard Tyler voice a similar experience.  A time when he wanted to give up, but unlike me, he didn’t.  He will tell you that he still gets frustrated.  New levels, new devils.  We grow stronger “going through”. Going through difficult circumstances prepares us for the “new level” challenges. Every experience is an opportunity for us to learn and to do better.. if we allow “The Teacher”  (The Holy Spirit) to instruct us.  He is ready willing and able.  Check your feelings.. don’t ignore them… it could be your Father about the set you up for the greatest blessing you have ever received in your life!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose

[Romans 8:28]

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“ummm Good”, Smokie Norful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lsYUeihV8s

“I Understand”, Smokie Norful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0skD7d3usw

“God Is Able”, Smokie Norful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t5YhOJ_6PI

“I Almost Let Go”, Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTQmgp1JppU

“Victory”, Yolanda Adams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4q5l9FQSIQ

“I Believe I Can Fly”, Yolanda Adams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50PGCN14lkE

“Everyday”, Darwin Hobbs w/Michael McDonald

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spWfcFFxym0

“He’s Able”, Darwin Hobbs w/Dietrick Hadden (Voices of Unity)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSEBT8EDTuE

“He’s Able”, Dietrick Hadden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GVZeRIaAhI

Friday, March 5, 2010

 “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.

{John 3:16-17 New Living Translation}

THE GREATEST LOVE STORY IN THE WORLD

Good Afternoon Beloved,

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! What a blessing those words are!  God “so loved the world”… the world… wait a minute.. the world?  Yes.  Lest we forget, the mission of the Son of God has always been salvation.  Why?  Because God loved the little human entities He created and put on planet earth.  That kind of love is incomprehensible to us.  We sing about it, we write about it, we muse about it.  There are television broadcasts that try to explain it, and others that try to disprove it.  We are finite beings.  We only know, what we know.  Our knowledge is not all inclusive and there is always a margin for error in our judgment.  Our God.  The Almighty God and the Lover of our souls… is not like that.  His love is based on past, present and future knowledge.  He knows what we’ve done (everything), what we didn’t do that we should have done, and what was done to us.  There is nothing that we can ever do to make Him love us more or less.  While we were completely ignorant of His love, He loved us… and He loves them …the people who thumb their noses at Him on a daily basis. Those who curse and vilify Him. Those who steal, kill and destroy without mercy.  Murmurers, complainers, mockers, blasphemers… my God!  What an awesome God … so powerful and yet so merciful.  What is worldliness?  Is it a style of clothes? A genre of music?  A television show or movie?  I have been pondering on this all week.  I believe it is so much more.  The clothes, music, shows may be by-products, but the real spirit of “The world” is something some much deeper and even more subtle.  It is a shift in mindset away from the holiness and truth of the Living God to another god.  There was a time when the saints could not dance because it was deemed “worldly”.  Yet, in biblical times the people of God have always danced.  Musical instruments were considered unGodly in the not so distant past, but in the Bible there were musicians who played and the Glory of God appeared.  Young David chased away the evil spirit from Saul, by playing his harp (1 Samuel 16:23) .  I believe I understand why the concentration on the externals.  The saints were so conscious of the blessedness of Heaven and the horrors of hell that they did not want anyone to miss Heaven. They drew the line in the sand, so to speak, as far away from possible backsliding and everlasting torment as possible.  For most of them, they were coming from a place of love and concern.  The bible tells us that “all things are lawful, but not all things are expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12 & 1 Corinthians10:23) ()”.  I know that scares a lot of well meaning  saints of the Most High ().  They see that as “license” for people to live raggedy lives (as if they really needed a license) that could cause them to be lost forever.  So what do we do?  Well, Go has sent His Spirit to dwell in us.  One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is that our ”Teacher”.  He will lead and guide us into all Truth so that we never need to live a lie.  We can’t go wrong listening to Him.  If something feels ”wrong” in your spirit, don’t do it.  There are saints who drink wine, and those of us who don’t.  That may shock you… but they may love Jesus just as much as you do.  The wine itself is not the problem… excess is.  There are cultures where wine is a part of their meals and they have no problems drinking whatsoever.  The bible is very clear on what sin is.  God does not have a problem telling us what is displeasing in His eyes.  He wrote it so that there would be no confusion.  In spite of all of this, there will be those who turn their backs on that love and refuse to give their lives to God.  God still loves them, but if they have made their choice, He will honor that choice, and they will face an existence separated from Him in a place that He never intended for them to go… hell.  But, LOVE … not a wishy-washy, flimsy, flippant type of love, but a steadfast, faithful, strong, never-changing but ever-evolving type of love… (I say ever-evolving because, though He never changes, we do and at ever stage in our development we are introduced to another level of Gods’ love) that’s what our God has for us…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend

Regina

  “He Reigns”, Kevin LeVar and One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUvrKIRtY

“Like Never Before”, Shekinah Glory, w/William Murphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNRxUDxfsI

“I Desire More”, Crystal Aiken

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3nWrD2nF9o

“All I Need”, Brian Courtney Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_SKO_pCn1A

“Days of Elijah”, Judy Jacobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUIa674GGCo

“I Have A Friend”, Clint Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3GMSY6Dp4

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

When JESUS returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that He was back home.  Soon the house where He was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While He was preaching GOD’s Word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to JESUS because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above His head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of JESUS. Seeing their faith, JESUS said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is He saying? This is blasphemy! Only GOD can forgive sins!” JESUS knew immediately what they were thinking, so He asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the SON of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then JESUS turned to the paralyzed man and said,  “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!“ And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised GOD, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

[Mark 2:1-12]

PRESS IN!

“Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you.” [James 4:8]

“Here I Am To Worship”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkkhhlKrrkc

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMiXvKGvwM

“Chasing After You”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrDqi7HQzUc

“Bread of Life”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPLTB_72fE

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU

“Hear My Cry”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deQNmb7gPqM

“Breathe Into Me”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hpl_906fqk

Monday, March 1, 2010

And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him.  And He began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

(Luke 4:17-21)

Friday, February 26, 2010

 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto GOD in the Heavens.
[Lamentations 3:41]

Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy Name.
[Psalm 63:4]

My hands also will I lift up unto Your commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Your statutes.
[Psalm 119:48]

Throw Your Hands Up!!!

 Good Afternoon Beloved!

Happy Friday!   Can we say “WINDY!” WOW… guess we’re getting a taste of “Chi-Town” (Chicago).  Still, what a wonderful day!  Oh the power in uplifted hands.  The Bible has a lot to say about that.  I believe it is because raised hands is a sign of surrender.  What does the police officer tell the suspect to do… put his hands up.  It is a place of vulnerability.  That officer knows that the person will be less of a threat with their hands in the air.  They can see what the person has in their hands… hmm.. pause… ever think maybe that’s what God wants as well… to see what we have in our hands.  What are we holding onto that we need to release.  It is not always something bad.  What treasures has He placed in our hands, that we are holding onto.  My dear friend reminded me of that just this week.  I have been suffering with terrible writer’s block.  There are several books locked up in me.  One of them has me stuck on the first page, another the first chapter.  Janelle, has been encouraging me for a long time to put the “Soul Foods’ in book form.  Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.  “DUH!”… it just became clear to me… “what do you have in your hands Regina?… well, use that!”  When I begin to surrender to that, I felt a tremendous relief.  Sometimes, we have no idea what the problem is.  The situation seems so complex and confusing, but the wisdom of God is an awesome thing.  It’s not like I haven’t had that “thought” before.  It is not like no one had every complimented me before by telling me to “go for it!” and publish these daily offerings.  There was something special about that day…I just figure my “spiritual ears” needed a little tweaking, so that my receiver (my spirit) could catch up to it. I’m so glad that God doesn’t give up trying to get through to us. Even when we seem a little “hard of hearing”.  There is nothing God can’t do with a surrendered heart and uplifted hands…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

 

 So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What a statement!  Some of us lose it when the cable goes out! … Not you, but some people I heard about somewhere on the planet.  Paul went through, indescribable agony, but in his heart and mind, he had one thing that kept him… a WORD from the Lord!  He knew that he could not die until he went to Rome.  Paul was human.  I’m sure he felt how we would have felt in his position, but his trust was in the God of his salvation.  His encounter with Jesus on the road that day forever sealed in his mind his destiny.  He became a servant of the Living God.  This was a man who was looked upon as a great intellectual, upper class in his society.  He was well respected, revered and feared, but at one point he made the statement that:

“…Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…” {Philippians 3:8}

We will get to the other side… no matter what “beast” tries to attach itself to us or hinder us.  Shake it off.  Our mission will be accomplished.  Smash through every stumbling block, speak to every mountain, lay aside every weight until your purpose is fulfilled.  Some go through more than others.  That is why it is essential that we pray for one another and help each other.  

“…For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
[Ecclesiastes 4:10]

What is a “successful” life?  In God’s eyes, it is finishing the task He gave us.  Together, with the help of our beautiful Savior, we will make it!

 

 

 
 

 

Friday, February 19, 2010

  GOD’s thunder sets the oak trees dancing
   A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
   We fall to our knees—we call out, “Glory!” 

   Above the floodwaters is GOD’s throne
      from which His power flows,
      from which He rules the world. 

   GOD makes His people strong.
   GOD gives His people peace.

[Psalm 29:9-11]

Good Evening Beloved,

Sorry for the lateness — had all sorts of meetings today.  Just wanted to touch base and quickly say that GOD IS GOOD!  He is gracious and all together lovely!  I love this verse.  Man!  God is so great, the trees are dancing! Even as their “branches are being stripped” they are saying “Glory!”  WOW.  That reminds me of us.  Praise is not only beautiful in the sight of God, it rejuvenates us.  Worship brings us closer to the heart beat of God… Praise allows us to dance with God…. (ummph … pause).  Dance with God.  It stands to reason if God sings over us as stated in Zephaniah, that He can dance with us as well.  That floors me.  He is great.  Admittedly, we tend to overuse that word, but when we pause to really ponder on the wonders of God… words become almost inadequate and we do the best that we can.  He makes His people strong… meaning if you feel weak, not a problem.. He can MAKE you strong.  For those who are going through all sorts of turmoil… He will give you peace in it and bring you through it.  For those who are experiencing a season of abundance, and material prosperity, He will also give you peace so that you can not only enjoy it, but have the wisdom with it.

… and THAT Beloved of God… is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Evening and a Wonderful Weekend

Regina

 ”He’s Keeping Me Alive”, Georgia Mass Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsAK8xQS0CU

“How Excellent”, Walt Whitman and the Soul Children

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w1S5xbeSO0

“Battlefield”, Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW9ejLoHw54

“God’s Got A Blessing”, Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn2C0tpF01c

“Because Of Who You Are”, Vickie Yohe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6WexG9uAJI

“Rain On Us”, Ernest Pugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4EH7-TQj0k

Thursday, February 18, 2010

 Your love, GOD , fills the earth!
      Train me to live by Your counsel. Be good to Your servant, GOD ; be as good as Your Word. Train me in good common sense; I’m thoroughly committed to living Your way.  Before I learned to answer You, I wandered all over the place, but now I’m in step with Your Word. You are good, and the source of good; train me in Your goodness. The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what You are saying; They’re bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of Your revelation.  My troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from Your Textbook. Truth from Your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine. With Your very own hands You formed me; now breathe Your Wisdom over me so I can understand You.

(Psalm 119:64-73)   

Delivered or Suppressed?

If you see the person, and you don’t beat the *devil out of them…. then you’re over it…

(I added “devil”… those who know Madea understand why ;0)

“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

{1 Corinthians 10:13]

Always bearing in mind that God has His finger on the pressure gage.  We may not understand it, but He really is in control.  The end of the thing will be better.  The thing is, that for the child of God, no, we’re not exempt from bad thoughts, feelings, and emotions, but the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from our sins.  Jesus sent The “Helper”… The Holy Spirit to guide and Comfort us, and we have the Word of God to renew our minds.   No matter what, we are victorious because “we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus”!!!

 

 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you: you continue in My love.

[John 15:7-9 New King James]

*******

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

[Galatians 5:22-23 New Living Translation]

Living In Jesus = Sweet Fruit

I’ve always loved that verse.  I’m awe-struck that a flawless and Holy God would want to claim me as His child, but even more blown away by the fact that He wanted to live in me.  I am His handiwork.  A one of a kind designer’s original.  If you searched all over the world, and down through the annulls of time you will would never find another me… (that is the same for you too, by the way).  A work in progress.  Once we say ‘yes’ to the Lord, He begins preparing us for the day when we will see Him face to face.  To see Him now would mean death for us.  When Moses asked God to “show him His face”, God told him that he would not do that because Moses would die if He did.  He denied his request out of the concern and love that He had for him, not to be mean.  He covered Mose with His Hand, and allow him to see the backside of His glory (Exodus 33).  That must have been breath-taking.  In that instance, God actually came to Moses in a “cloud of smoke”, but then He told Moses to meet Him on Mt. Sinai.  That contact with God was so intimate and powerful that Moses’ face changed.  He illuminated so brightly that the children of Israel could not look at him.  He actually had to wear a cover over his face.  Likewise, when we leave the presence of the Living God, we are changed.  Our change brings joy to the heart of God.  The more ‘fruit’ that is developed in us, the sweeter we will become.  We will know that balance between, “occupying until He comes” and “wearing this world as a loose garment”.  Appreciative of every blessing, quick to forgive, ready to encourage.  Bold and fearless in the face of change and adversity.  Able to love the “un-lovable”, care for the “careless”.  Patient, kind willing to share freely what was freely given to us… the fruit of the Spirit which nourishes our spirit, mind, body…

“So Come”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLM0FqAqjgs

“Just To Be Close To You”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3TbkAentU

“Breathe Into Me Oh Lord”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hpl_906fqk

“Never Seen Your Face”, The Williams Brother w/K&K Mime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQwYnagGw1A

“Jesus Be A Fence”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7LQfY0d30