Light of the World

Matthew 5:14-15

New Living Translation (NLT)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

We should not forget who we are and whose we are. We should not forget who lit the lamp inside us or whose fire it is. He has not chosen to put us under a basket, but rather to place us on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. I pray we realize the position in which He has placed us in our world today. Let's ask Him to burn brighter in us, to fuel the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and to use the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells the church to light the darkness...for this is the will of God concerning us.

Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Be Silent!

Zechariah 2:10-13 (NLT)

10 The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. 11 Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. 12 The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. 13 Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”

A snippet of verse 13 was printed in something I was reading yesterday..."Be silent before the Lord..." I started thinking about what it actually takes for one to quiet themselves before the Lord. How do we drive out or even ignore all other people, thoughts, and things that vie for our attention and will ourselves to be silent. It wasn't until now that I decided to go to Zechariah and examine the context of the verse. What a beautiful passage! It is certainly worth going back and reading the entire 2nd chapter. "I am coming to live among you." "Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day." "I will live among you and you will know that the Lord of Heaven's Armies sent me to you." The exiles are being called home, but can't you hear the promise of Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Can't you hear the promise of Zion...eternity with the Lord? Revelations 21:3 says, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them and they will be his people. God himself will be with them." We can "be silent before the Lord for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling."
Dear friends, If today you desire more than anything to have God spring into action in your circumstances, then, ask the Holy Spirit to enable to you to be quiet before Him. Silence yourself, your cares, your will before the Lord of Heaven's Armies. Think of the immeasurable peace that will come...trust that at the right time, He will spring into action.

Jesus, Hope of the Nations

I don't usually do this, but I have had this song, Jesus Hope of the Nations, by Brian Doerksen, on my mind for a couple days. I hope that you will take time to click on this link, actually listen to it and enter into worship and lift up praises to our God. I don't know what your circumstances are today, but it comforts me in the situation where I find myself to realize that the ONE who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. (Phil. 1:6) I think I am better sometimes at claiming this verse for others than for myself. But think of the truth of it...HE isn't going to leave us where we are. Whatever fears or failures stare you in the face today, HE is going to continue to work in you by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT until the day JESUS returns. You are not abandoned. I am not abandoned. I am not beyond repair or without hope for HOPE lives in me. And if you have surrendered your life to HIM, HOPE lives in you, too. Take heart Friend! Let's focus on JESUS...the HOPE of the Nations...the HOPE of Christy Venable ...the HOPE of You, too!

God's Prescription: REST!

Psalm 127:2 (NLT)

2 It is useless for you to work so hard
    from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
    for God gives rest to his loved ones.

I knelt this morning surrendering my day to my LORD and to HIS will. My prayer started something like this, "LORD, I give you this day..." In the back of my mind, I was thinking of all I previously thought this day held, but that was before yesterday's sinus infection diagnosis. I have a tendency to try to pack too many things into a normal day and then force myself to get those things done. My prayer went on with these words, "protect me today from my own will to accomplish things. Let your will prevail." My own will to accomplish things. If I am left alone with it, it will surely destroy me...not just in the area of busyness, but in the area of trying to conform others as well.
What specific will of your own would destroy you if the LORD took HIS hands off and let it have it's way in you? Will you surrender that will to HIM today and let HIM give you HIS rest? So sorry for the late post. Now back to bed.  

EMPOWERED!!!!!

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Last week in Bible study, we were challenged to think about what God might want to do in our lives that we have no idea about. It's actually kind of exciting to think about what that thing might be. At first, I only thought of positive things like being His witness or being used to help someone learn to walk with the Lord (making disciples). Then, it occurred to me that the Lord's list of things that He wants to do in my life probably involves other things like teaching me to speak the truth in love rather than just speaking the truth so often or perhaps teaching me to keep shorter accounts by offering forgiveness more quickly. His list of "Things to Do" in my life might also include teaching me to be less critical. I totally understand that all of these things would be good and have a purpose and I can see Him wanting to accomplish them. Of course, changing me heart and attitude would bring glory to Him. To take it one step further, what if on His list He's written, "suggest some Job-ish thing"? Ummm...I wasn't wanting to think in that direction at all.

As I think back to the twelve...I mean 11 Apostles...I am reminded that the Lord Jesus had plans for their lives that they had no idea about. Intermingled with moments of Holy Spirit strength and power were the moments of Holy Spirit empowered humility and suffering. Still they were Holy Spirit-filled vessels. Still they were His witnesses. Still they remained true to the One they knew to be faithful. What a powerful force! What a testimony! 

God's strategy for our lives: Possessed by Jesus Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we go forth to manifest the life and power of God the Father. ~Ray Stedman

So regardless...He's using us...using us to change the world...using us to make a difference... Let us remember to rely on His power and not on our own!

An Ex-outsider's Testimony

Ephesians 2 was part of our lesson this week for Morning Glories Bible Study.When I read it, I was struck by the fact that I am a Gentile, one of the people to whom Paul wrote. I went back through and personalized verses 11-22 letting their message speak into my own heart about what Christ has done for me. This is my testimony according to scripture:

   I used to be an outsider because I am a Gentile. I was considered an uncircumcised heathen by the Jews who were proud of their circumcision even though it only affected their bodies and not their hearts. In those days I lived apart from Christ. I was excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and I did not know the covenant promises God had made with them. I lived without God and without hope. BUT NOW, I have been united with Christ Jesus. Once I lived far away from God, but now I have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. 
   For Christ himself has brought peace to me. He united the Jews and the Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between the Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups of us to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
   He brought this Good News of peace to us Gentiles who were far from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 
   So now I am no longer a stranger or a foreigner. I am a citizen along with all of God's holy people. I am a member of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him I am being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. 

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. Verse 18 is very powerful! I love that all 3 persons of the Trinity are recognized in it. I believe all of us Jews and Gentiles alike fall on one side or the other of the same coin. We either have or we have not "come" to the Father. Have you come? If not, will you come today? If you have come, will you worship Him for breaking down the wall that kept us separated and making a way for us? And may all of us in God's family be careful not to form opinions about who is worthy and who is not worthy of coming into the family...the key word is ALL!

Expectant Worship

Luke 2:25-38 (NLT)

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
    as you have promised.
30 I have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
    and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

The Prophecy of Anna

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[a] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Our Morning Glories Bible Study study of Acts has begun. I was thinking about how in Acts 1, the disciples of Jesus faithfully gathered for worship at the temple having been instructed not to leave the city until the promised Holy Spirit had come. They worshiped and waited.  Then, I was reminded of how Anna and Simeon waited at the temple 33 or so years before for the promised Messiah to come and He did. Likely swaddled in some kind of blanket and cradled in Mary's arms, the 6 week old baby Jesus was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord. Anna and Simeon were expectant as were the disciples 3 decades later. I wonder if I am expectant when I gather with others to worship. Are my motives pure or am I there to appease or please? Do I plan on encountering Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit have HIS way with me? Do I come planning to be called or sent out? Do I come with open ears to hear and eyes to see? What is my focus when I stand and sing His praises? Others look on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.
Father, today find me focused on YOU above all else. May all my motives and my worship be pure. With all my heart, I pray I will encounter YOU.

Saturday in the Psalms, Psalm 119, Stanza 2

The writer of Psalm 119 is contemplating how a young person can remain pure. He realizes the answer lies in obedience to God's Word and he has sought to find God. Let's list all the things he has done to prevent his own wandering:
~ prayed that God would not let him wander
~ hidden God's Word in his heart
~ praised God for His decrees
~ recited God's Word aloud
~ rejoiced in God's Word
~ studied God's Word
~ reflected on God's ways
~ delighted in God's Word
~ committed God's Word to memory
We, too, need to realize that remaining faithful in our relationship with Christ does not come naturally. We need to be committed like the Psalmist to making God's Word a priority and asking God to give us the strength needed to remain pure. We also need to keep short accounts with the Lord. When we stay from His Way, we need to quickly turn and get back on the right path. So don't be discouraged if you've slipped away from your faithfulness in spending time in the Word, just pick it back up today and start anew. To take your time in God's Word to a new level, try memorizing some verses, reading aloud, or checking out the listed cross references. His Word is alive! When we go seeking Him in His Word, we are sure to find Him!

An Attribute a Day... Day 5, by Janice Gleason

“An Attribute a Day Will Help Keep Us in God’s Way”

[An attribute describes God’s character]

A.  Attribute of God: Preserver

God protects those who are His own. He is our “Pro-Active” God!

Intentional in all He does for believers and to believers.

1.   “He found [God went “looking”] His people in a desert country in a howling wasted wilderness.  He protected them and cared for them.  He guarded him like the apple of His eye.  Like an eagle that stirs up her nest and hovers over her young, and spreads out her wings, she takes them and carries them as she flies.  ADONAI alone led His people.  No alien god was with them.” Deuteronomy 32:10-12

2.   “I am praying for them.  I am not praying for the world but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours…and in them I have been glorified…they are in the world, but I am coming to You.  Holy Father, guard them by the power of Your name, which You have given to Me, so that they may be one, just as we are.”  John 17:9-13 [I did not print all of these verses out]

3.   “Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on earth.” Revelation 3:10

“Thank you that when I obey Your command to endure patiently You keep me from unnecessary trials and testing.”  Rosemary Jensen

4.   “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

“Thank you that no matter the choices or decisions before me You Holy Spirit will speak to me to keep me on the right path.”  Rosemary Jensen

B.  Quote to Ponder: “You are valuable to God.  Therefore do not be perpetually uneasy.  Even though others attempt to take you down, Your God knows your value.  He cherishes you and is intentional about cleansing you through His Word.  He will preserve you.  You will make it.”

C.  Personal Touch of the Holy Spirit:

1.   Promise – How did the Holy Spirit console, comfort or encourage you as you read the Scriptures describing Him as our Preserver?

2.   Press – In what area of your own personal holiness does the Spirit seem to be pressing you to yield to Him?

3.   Probe – What relationship is He probing and calling you to consider in light of Him as Preserver?  What circumstance?  What difficulty?  What frustration?

4.   Prod – What will you do in response to His personal prodding?

An Attribute a Day... Day 4, by Janice Gleason

“An Attribute a Day Will Help Keep Us in God’s Way”

[An attribute describes God’s character]

A.  Attribute of God: Righteous

Perfectly just, right, honest, lawful; God is the standard for all ethics and morality; it is part of His nature.  As the Holy Spirit undertakes to make believers more like Jesus they can be just but not sinless.  Believers therefore should never be self-righteous.

1.   “May the God of peace make you completely holy …may your entire spirit, soul and body be kept blameless [righteous] for the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.  The One calling you is faithful and He will do it” 1 Thess 5:23-24

2.   “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works [loving toward all He has made].” Psalm 145:17

3.   “I know ADONAI that Your rulings are righteous, that even when You humble me, You are faithful.” Psalm 119:75

4.   “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19

5.   “Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear [respect] Your name.” Psalm 86:11

B.  Quote to Ponder: “Are you prepared for what the sanctification of the Holy Spirit will cost?  It will cost an intense narrowing of your interests, and an immense broadening of God’s interests.”  Oswald Chambers

C.  Personal Touch of the Holy Spirit:

1.   Promise – How did the Holy Spirit console or comfort or encourage you as you read the Scriptures about God’s righteousness?

2.   Press – In what area of your own personal holiness does the Spirit seem to be pressing you to yield to Him?

3.   Probe – What relationship is He probing and calling you to consider in light of His righteousness?  What circumstance?  What difficulty?  What frustration?

4.   Prod – What will you do now in response to His personal prodding?

An Attribute a Day... Day 3, by Janice Gleason

“An Attribute a Day Will Help Keep Us in God’s Way”

[An attribute describes God’s character]

A.  Attribute of God: Faithful

This attribute reveals God’s firmness and constancy in His relationship with men, especially His own people.  It is closely connected to His goodness, mercy and unconditional love.  He is the Covenant-Keeping God.  It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit for believers.

1.   “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The LORD knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the LORD must turn away from wickedness.’” 2 Timothy 2:19

2.   “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and I will bring you back to this land.  I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:15

3.   “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

4.   “I said to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” Lamentations 3:24

5.   “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

B.  Quote to Ponder:

“Beloved, let us love.”

LORD, what is love?

“Love is that which inspired My life and led Me [faithfully] to My cross.  Love is that which will make it thy joy to lay down thy life for thy brethren.” 

LORD, evermore give me this love [increase it]. 

“Blessed are thy which do hunger and thirst after love, for they shall be filled.”  Amy Carmichael

C.  Personal Touch of the Holy Spirit:

1.   Promise – How did the Holy Spirit console or comfort or encourage you as you read the Scriptures about God’s faithfulness to you?

2.   Press – In what area of your own personal holiness does the Holy Spirit seem to be pressing you to yield to Him?

3.   Probe – What relationship is He probing and calling you to consider in light of God’s faithfulness to you?  What circumstance?  What difficulty?  What frustration?

4.   Prod – What will you do in response to His personal prodding?

An Attribute a Day... Day 2, by Janice Gleason

“An Attribute a Day Will Help Keep Us in God’s Way”

[An attribute describes God’s character]

A.  Attribute of God: Long-Suffering

God is patient.  It is LOVE that endures for a long time and is kind in the wait.  It is the quality of self-restraint.  It is not quick to retaliate.  It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit for believers.

1.   “But You, O LORD, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” Psalm 86:15

2.   “Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the desert.” Ezekiel 20:17

3.   “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

4.   “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” Romans 2:4

5.   “May the God Who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow [accompany] Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:5

B.  Quote to Ponder: “If I have not compassion on my fellow servant, even as my LORD had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.”  Amy Carmichael

C.  Personal Touch of the Holy Spirit:

1.   Promise – How did Holy Spirit console or comfort or encourage you as you read the Scriptures about God’s Long-Suffering?

2.   Press – In what area of your own personal holiness does Holy Spirit seem to be pressing you to yield to Him?

3.   Probe – What relationship is He probing and calling you to consider in light of God’s Long-Suffering?  What person?  What circumstance?  What difficulty? What frustration

4.   Prod – What will you do in response to His personal prodding?

Janice and me at Emily's Wedding

An Attribute a Day Will Keep Us in God's Way, by Janice Gleason

Dear Reader, I am so excited to bring you this selection of devotions focusing on attributes of God written by Janice Gleason. Janice leads the Morning Glories Community Bible Study here in Middle TN. I pray you will spend time each day delving into God's Word and getting to know your Lord better as you understand more and more about His character. Beginning on Wednesday of this week,  Janice's weekly video teaching through the book of Acts will be available at morninggloriesbiblestudy.com.  Revelation and Genesis are also available through the website.  I'm eager to know how the Lord uses these devos in your life so please leave comments...Enjoy! ~Christy

“An Attribute a Day Will Help Keep Us in God’s Way”

[An attribute describes the character of God]

A.  Attribute of God: Accessible

God makes Himself available to man.  God is approachable.  [“We must therefore keep company with Jesus; we must go on with Him and know Him as more than our personal Savior.” Oswald Chambers]

1.   “ADONAI, what are mere mortals, that You notice them at all; humans, that You think about them?  Man is like a puff of wind and his days like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:3-4

2.   “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need [timely help].”  Hebrews 4:16

3.   “In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12

4.   “But Jesus turned and as He saw them following Him He said to them, ‘What are you looking for?  And what is it you wish?”  And they answered Him, ‘Rabbi, where do You stay?’  He said to them, ‘Come and see.’” John 1:38-39

B.  Quote to Ponder: “One of the saints tells us that it seemed as though God had withdrawn Himself from her.  His mercy seemed clean gone.  For six weeks her desolation lasted, and then the Heavenly Lover seemed to say: ‘Catherine, thou hast looked for Me without in the world of sense, but all the while I have been within waiting for thee; meet Me in the inner chamber of thy spirit, for I am there.’  Distinguish between the fact of God’s presence and the emotion of the fact. “ Samuel Rutherford

C.  Personal Touch of the Holy Spirit:

1.   Promise – How did the Holy Spirit console or comfort or encourage you as you read the Scriptures about God’s accessibleness?

2.   Press – In what area of your own personal holiness, does the Holy Spirit seem to be pressing you to yield to Him?

3.   Probe – What relationship is He probing and calling you to consider in light of God’s approachableness?  What circumstance?  What difficulty? What frustration?

Prod – What will you do in response to His personal prodding?

Janice and Me at Emily's wedding in July

The Holy Spirit

John 6:63 (NLT)

63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 14:16-17 (NLT)

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 14:26 (NLT)

26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 16:13-14(NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

   All of the verses above are about the Holy Spirit. Jesus wanted His disciples to know that although He was going back to God the Father to prepare a place for His followers to live with Him in eternity, He was not leaving them alone. The Father would send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity through whom God acts, reveals His will, empowers individuals, and reveals His personal presence in the Old and New Testaments. God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit make up the trinity of the One True Living God.
   These facts might seem hard to understand. It is easier to understand the Holy Spirit if we read what Jesus Christ said about Him and trust that what Jesus said is true. First, the Holy Spirit gives eternal life. Our human bodies will eventually die. Without the Holy Spirit, we will be eternally separated from God. If the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have eternal life with God in heaven. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we surrender our lives to Jesus and believe He paid the price for our sins when He died on the cross. Second, the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of all that Jesus told us. It is the Holy Spirit that helps us understand what the Bible says and changes us from the inside out. Third, the Holy Spirit only tells us the truth. We can trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in paths of righteousness.
   It is important for us to pay attention to the Holy Spirit's leading. The Bible tells us that if we know what we are supposed to do and choose to do differently, we are choosing to sin. The Holy Spirit will never lead us into sin. In what direction is the Holy Spirit currently leading you? Will you ask the Lord to give you keen spiritual ears to hear His voice and a heart of obedience to follow?

Disciples Follow Jesus

Luke 14:26-27 (NLT)

26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

We should not be confused by this passage of Scripture. When Jesus spoke to those following Him, He did not mean they need to hate everyone. Jesus wanted His disciples  to understand that He was to be the most important person in their lives.
In the last blog, I said, "Disciples are followers of Jesus." Disciples should be willing to go where Jesus tells them to go and do what Jesus tells them to do regardless of the cost to them personally. The cost I am referring to does not always involve money. It could cost us money, if Jesus tell us to give to another person who has a need. It could cost us time, if Jesus tell us to take care of someone's child so they can go to work. It could take us away from our family, if Jesus asks us to go and tell others about Him. Sometimes following Jesus will cost us our pride, for example, if Jesus asks us to go and apologize to someone we have hurt.
As Jesus said, in the scripture, His followers need to be prepared to "carry their own cross." That means as His disciples, we need to be ready every day to deny ourselves, our wants, and our wishes and do what He tells us to do. It is important that we understand, we are  following Jesus when we take care of those for whom we are responsible. We are following Jesus when we care for our children, our husbands, and our homes. We should strive to do do our best in any task our Lord gives us.
Dear Readers, I wrote this devotion back in the spring for a project I was working on. Reading back over it now, I realize how many times I have been tested over the past few months in this very area. In some areas I am still being tested and I know that testing isn't nearly over. These areas require daily surrender for the long haul. Often, I fall short, realize my failure, and have to get up the next day, trust that my Lord's mercy is new for that day and start again. I sometimes get frustrated, throw up my hands, raise my voice, and want to quit. True disciples don't quit. My new son-in-law is a treasure. He spoke these words to me, "Let's think of the scenario of the Shepherd and His sheep. If the Shepherd leads you to cross the river, you will cross it with His help. But don't go throwing yourself into the river when that isn't what the Shepherd has for you." In another area, my Lord has shown me that I have a responsibility toward those who are hurting. He has opened my eyes to see their needs and given me a desire to meet those needs. It's going to cost, but I know it's where He is leading. I am anxious to be a part of His work. What about you? Where is He leading you? Disciples follow Jesus!

Salvation is for Certain!

   Glad to be back writing...I try to blog out of the overflow from my own quiet times with the Lord. Just needed a break to focus on some things between just me and my LORD. I know you understand. Thanks for your patience.
   Yesterday morning in church, I was given an unexpected opportunity to pray with two ladies regarding the certainty of their salvation. It was truly a precious experience with them and the LORD. I loved sharing from my heart the truth of Christ, our Redeemer...

John 3:16 (NLT)

16 “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's Word, the Bible, teaches us that all people are born sinners. Sin is the bad things we do that go against God's laws. Because Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, sinned, we are all born with a sin nature. Sin separates us from God. God loves the people He created and wants to have a relationship with us. Since the payment for sin is death and eternal separation from God, the only way to restore our relationship with Him was for God to send someone perfect to pay the penalty for our sins. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus was perfect because He never sinned.
   Jesus came into our world as a man. He was fully God and fully human. We know this is true about Jesus because the Bible tells us it is true. Jesus took our sins on Himself and was crucified on a cross. His death paid the penalty for our sins. When a person believes in Jesus, her sins are removed. The person is no longer responsible for paying the penalty for her sin. She has been saved.
   It is important for us to understand what it means to believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus is more than just knowing He is God's Son. Believing involves knowing we are sinners, accepting Jesus' free gift of salvation, and entrusting Jesus with our lives. For example, think of a chair. You may look at the chair and believe it will hold you if you sit in it. But, until you entrust your body to the chair and sit down in it, you haven't really believed in it. When we believe in Jesus, we trust Him with our lives and we become His follower. Jesus' followers are called disciples.
   Yesterday, those two ladies prayed and affirmed their commitment to Christ. It was a joy to share with them as I said before, but more than that...it was a privilege to be present as the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts and they uttered sweet prayers of surrender. All glory to the One made us and draws us to Himself!