God Was There...

I was walking through something.

Not really understanding what was going on in the inner most part of my being. 

It WAS quiet.  I was still.


I was trying to find my hope and strength in the God that had spoken to me in times past. 

But this time....this time was different.  

Why?  Why was it so different?  

I would ask: Lord are you out there?  Do you even know what I am going through?  

I feel like I need an arm around me? 

Could you just deliver me from the midst of despair?  Or is this even despair?  

Then I would think of those all over the world going through far, far worse than what I was feeling. 

I came to a place in my own life where I was questioning even my own understanding and faith.

Questioning the one who had saved me from hell all those years ago.  

I would ask: Who are you?  

But even in my time of confusion and solitude....I knew He was there.  

Sitting right next to me.  Speaking things that I yet couldn't understand.   

The only picture that I could see was of me outside of a small church on top of a high mountain.

This mountain and this little church is the place I enter (in my thoughts) to speak to the Lord. 

But this time I was not allowed to come in 

Or maybe I was??  ...but the confusion was great. I then find that it was "me" who didn't want to hear. 

But as I sat outside this small church my spirit was still communing with the Father. 

My soul was sitting outside on the small stoop.  

Waiting....waiting....and waiting some more.  

I knew deep, deep inside that there was something the Father was speaking to my spirit.

Something that was not ready to be revealed at that moment.

Yes my soul was hurting from being separated.  

It wasn't that God didn't want me to hear the whispers in my spirit....

It was that He was wanting to do a work in my soul. 

To make me see, feel, understand what it feels to be someone who is suffering. 

What it feels to be a person who is not pursuing God at the moment.  

I saw myself at a waiting place.  Waiting to be picked up and be taught once again.  

The only words I could hear was "trust me"and know that it will be revealed soon enough.  

And soon enough it was.  

God in His marvelous, glorious, amazing way revealed Himself in my life in little ways.  

Daily something or someone would come to give me a treasure from Him. 

They were little gestures of Love in tangible ways. 

I knew it was from Him. 

The callousness I felt in my heart was taken off.  I could see clearly.  I could hear Him....

but now it was very, very different from what I used to know. 

It was now something more fresh, new, and lovely.  

The time that was bitter.....became sweet once again.  It was at this time I knew, He never left me. 

He was allowing this to take place in my heart.  

It wasn't Him who caused this pain.   But He used it to help me...to teach me about His amazing Love and Grace. 

It wasn't anything I did.  

It was all about His timing and my readiness.  

He was there.

My Faith tested....

Jesus Messiah

Name above names

Blessed redeemer

Emmanuel....

The Rescue for sinners

THe Ransom from heaven

Jesus Messiah

Lord of All!!

I wanted to share some lessons I have learned through a few trials I have walked through.  I am not going to reveal the details, but will share in a general sense. 

It is quite amazing when you think you have all the answers, you come to find that you know nothing....  You might think that all you have to do is pray enough....Tithe enough....Give offerings....do all the right things and you'll be ok.  Or what if when you look at a friend or loved one going through a trial you are quick to give them all the answers and judge in your heart to say:

 "I know what I would do if that happened to me." 

I noticed I had become a puffed up Christian in my walk and revelations of God.  But thank God.....He...the Lord of All....showed me my disgusting heart through a lesson from faith. 

I had been given the privilege to walk through something with some close friends of mine.  This trial or challenging time they faced was centered around a terminally ill child.  I, whose understanding in healing and faith was freshly revealed and new, was very passionate to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.  I felt my faith was there and with a strong leading I heard the Lord say:

"Walk this with them....take them by the hand....and pray with them." 

So as I walked and prayed with them almost daily, I came to know their hearts in a more intimate way.  My heart began to ache to see them suffering so much and I wasn't seeing any immediate results in healing.  I began to think "Hey....I know I have enough faith for this so why can't I just lay hands and them recover?" , "I know God wants this little one healed."  so then assumed "Maybe the parents just don't have enough faith, that must be it?" 

As time went on the sick child was taken off of life support and passed into eternity to be with her Lord and Father.  My heart was immediately filled with sorrow/grief and also became angry withinn my heart thinking: "This child's parents had given up!!"

I said, "I don't understand!!"  "What happened!?" 

Again, I thought..."They had given up...they had thrown in the white flag because they didn't have enough faith!!  They knew they had grown tired and didn't want to fight anymore....BUT  they should have continued to fight and not given up!!"

In my heart I thought all of this and just moved on....

A few months later, in my own personal life, I was put through a test.  It wasn't the same sort of challenge of losing a child, but a challenge of it's own.  A challenge of loss as well. 

This trial challenged my faith in ways I didn't even realize.  It challenged what I believed, the very core of my foundation....FAITH.  During this time I struggled...I cried out to the Lord....I asked "WHY".....I felt alone.....I felt I could no longer fight.  I noticed I was weak....weak....weak....

This was hard....all in me wanted to give up....I wanted to take this situation off it's own "child support"...and I didn't think this situation could be saved.  Lord I surrender....I don't have the faith to walk this out....Others were telling me to do this or that but I knew I had to do this.  I felt judged....I felt like no one understood what I was going through....I felt like I was abandoned and forsaken....I felt like even those who I loved dearly were against me and my choices.  Job came to mind....

I then heard the Lord speak to me about my friends....my friends who had a child fighting for it's life....my friends who did everything and anything possible to save their small child....my friends who I knew were tired, weak, their very own foundation was shaken...my friends who made a decision to let their child go....

He continued to say to me..."You have the grace.  You might not feel like you have enough faith but you have the grace.....I have given you the grace and I have given you a measure of faith.  This measure isn't revealed until you are in the actual battle.  No one knows how they will react or how they will respond.  Yes, it is a battle of faith, and trust.  BUT....Never think you are higher or better or know more than a brother or sister in Me.  You thought you had ALL the faith to fight THEIR battle.  But it wasn't your battle to fight.  It was their trial....their test....their experience."

Then He showed me how I had become puffed up in my revelation of faith and healing.  How I had become in a sense self righteous and judgemental. Ouch!!!

He continued to say...."You have no right to look upon a brother or sister in the faith and make a judgemental call of how they should have responded.  This was their trial...their challenge...their stuggle.  You have no idea what internal struggles they were faced with.  You have no idea how they came to Me....cried to Me....how they suffered during this dark hour.  This was their battle and no one knows what the battle is like because it is very PERSONAL.  Many think they know how they will respond during a fight....what they would do in a certain situation, but little do they know that most have no idea.  Thus Grace is the answer....and only by My grace can anyone do anything at all.  It is by My grace how they will respond.  It is by my grace how strong their faith is during a battle, trial, or struggle.

In your heart you thought you had faith....enough faith for whatever situation arises.  You think you will respond in such and such a way....But faith is a measure....and yes faith is given by grace.....Grace is where faith is birthed....Faith is PERSONAL....it is known only through revelation.....it becomes stronger by Grace alone....The grace I give.  This faith or even grace is not known UNTIL you have come to a place that it is needed.  Then come to realize that ONLY by Grace do you even have enough faith to walk out this trial.  This is why many have different results in life.

You can't judge or say that a brother or sister doesn't have a relationship with Me.  You can't say that any brother or sister is weaker.  You can't say any of it because each relationship is PERSONAL  and each one walks at a different pace and is at a different place on this road.  There is none better or worse.....I AM NOT A RESPECTOR of people, but I am a Good God...I am a lover of  souls....My heart does ache when I see my children struggle....My heart does ache to see those lose loved ones.  There is so much my children don't know or even twist a bit in ignorance.  Some things you will never know.  Continue to seek, pursue love, and love everyone.  Remembering that you are nothing without me.  Yet, you are something with me.  But with this "SOMETHING" always remembering you are no greater than anyone else.  I love everyone!  And for this WORLD....I died!!"

These are some of the words the Lord spoke to my heart to teach me about faith and a relationship with Him.  I have been brought to my knees and my eyes have been open to being more compassionate and understanding when those walk through trials.  Judgement in my heart has fled.  I was brought to my knees in humility when I realized that I am nothing! When I thought that I had all the answers....I was brought to nought to say truly "You are God and I am no one".   And if I am even able to overcome...It is ONLY by YOUR Grace....YOUR love and YOUR Mercy!

FREE IN CHRIST

For the Oppressed, Depressed, Hopeless

"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.

"I will protect them from those who malign them."

Psalm 12:5

In the secret place

He waits

for those who hunger and thirst

He waits

for those

who are needy

downcast...

Who are oppressed

Come to Him you who are

weary

poor

depressed

lost

empty

hopeless

Come and be filled by the

Most High

Come sit at His

banqueting table

and delight in His

presence

He will wash you white as snow

When He sees you

His face shines

Because

HE sees

HIS beloved SON

in you

He loves

comforts

mends

gives

embraces

kisses

delights in you who comes

to Him
even with your flaws

Even if you have been

a "christian"

all your days

He will repair you

WE are perfected in His image

in

His image alone

Don't run away

from the one

who mends

and quiets your soul

Who will

never

REJECT

you his child

He says:

Why are you so d0wncast oh my soul...

my child?

Let me repair and heal

your wounds

Can

money

husband

wife

children

riches

fame

family

homes

friends

things

or even church

MEND

HEAL

REPAIR?

I will never push you away

reject you

hurt you

destroy you

I am your

ALPHA

and

OMEGA

your beginning
and
your end

Delight in ME!

Walk By Faith!!

For we walk by faith, not by sight.


Sometimes a Faith walk can be so very trying.
Standing in Faith is even harder.

Paul the Apostle said in
1 Corinthians 6:13
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

When the storms come
and they will come to all men...
whether rich, poor, good or evil
the storms of life come.

Depending on the storm
where is your faith?

Is it a light sun shower?
Is it a nice thunderstorm that lasts about 20 minutes?
Is it a flash flood, blizzard,
hurricane or Severe storm with tornadoes.

The storm comes
BUT will you be able to stand?

Unless you have truly experienced a severe storm in your life
you don't truly know what it feels like.

Every ounce of you is wondering
WHERE IS MY SAVIOR?
or
LORD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT?

but I know you are
FAITHFUL!!

When I see some Christians living a life without serious stresses
I often wonder....are they walking by faith.

What is walking by faith?

I find some Christians can say they are
"walking by faith"
but are they?

Is it that maybe some save themselves before the Lord saves them personally?
Or does it depend on when and how the storm hits?

I have found myself in this dilemma:
Boy, do I want to save my self
Boy, do I want to call it quits
Boy do I want a detour
Boy, this road is quite bumpy and filled with pot holes

Sometimes I wonder:
Will I EVER get to the highway where the road is paved smoother and I can drive at a quicker speed.

The children of Israel complained and their hearts were filled with unbelief
The Lord had promised them the good of the Land....
But because of unbelief they went astray and quit

We can read, think and say....

hmmmm... those Israelites....why didn't they JUST believe God and stay on course.
What is wrong with them (rolling eyes in judgment)....

Be careful what comes forth from your mouth
because until we are in the midst of the
TRIAL or TEST...
we won't know how we would respond to the test

It might be an easy quiz
or
a more in depth and lengthy test like an
SAT
either way....God lets us use the book
are we prepared?

SO then PRAY:
That you will be able to stand and believe God for His Word
PRAY
that if a storm you never experienced comes to hit your town(life), you will know how to deal with it and trust God for His word
PRAY
that you don't look at another brother or sister in judgment thinking you are stronger than they
PRAY
that you will be able to stand the wiles of the enemy
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

SO
If we drop out of the race
throw in the towel
call it quits
surrender to the enemy's wiles
or even save our selves by worldly solutions

Understand this:
God never failed you
It wasn't HIS will for you to quit fighting and praying
It wasn't His plan for your failure
It was your own CHOICE,
to throw in the towel or raise the white flag

Yes, He loves you and forgives you and always gives you another chance
But all in all
He is
ALWAYS
FAITHFUL
and wants you to wait
for His promises!!

And He WILL deliver...

HE ALWAYS DOES!!!!!!!


the
LORD
is ALWAYS
FAITHFUL!!

Do Not Fear....ONLY BELIEVE

Do you really trust in God?

What makes you doubt sometimes?

Is it the uncertainty of the battle at hand?

Is it that you just might not trust God to come through for you?

So then are you saying He isn't faithful?

But wait the bible speaks of His faithfulness and Love!

IT ALL OVER THE WORD OF GOD!

Jesus came proving God's love and faithfulness so why do you act in

FEAR

What ARE you afraid of? I think you are more afraid that He might not come to deliver your circumstance, then your are sure He will.

So why are many Christians afraid of the "worst case scenrios" in their battles?

Be it losing a home

or

even

losing their lives.

I truly think that fears hold people back from truly trusting and receiving the Lord's best and His

MIRACLES

Some Christians may shrink back and because of fears, are blinded by the reality of their situation and then are not truly

TRUSTING THE LORD

FEARS

make

BLIND

People can become so paralyzed by their fear that they believe the worst case will happen.

POSSIBLY LOSING EVERYTHING!!!

So then what is the fruit of their lives then......

They do LOSE

then what do they say.....?

"God's in control.....It was His plan for such and such thing to happen"

But then was it really His plan for this destruction or loss to happen in their life?

Of course it is easier to say that God is in Control....so we won't take any responsibility for our actions or lack of. I wouldn't want my child to say "My parent is in control" when they failed the test after not studying. Isn't God our Father? Why would we see God as different.

So then are you saying .....He wasn't faithful? He never told us to trust Him and study for the test?

I thought the word says

HE IS FAITHFUL?

so can you please help me see what it is then....

You see how the enemy can bring so much doubt in Christians lives through fear

and when there is fear..... there is no faith.

Which leads me to say that in many occasions in the bible

when people approached Jesus with fear or He sensed fear in their hearts he said

DO NOT FEAR!!!!

Luke 8:49-50

⁴⁹While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

⁵⁰But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

In this case Jairus's daughter had just died and I'm sure fear now came upon his heart that he wasn't quick enough to get Jesus to her. Before Jairus could even speak a word of fear Jesus stopped him with

"FEAR NOT".

Why would Jesus speak these words first?

Fear must do something to our faith, trust, and seeing the works of God manifested.

I believe that when we fear, we are then in doubt of God's faithfulness and Love.

Even good Christians pray AFRAID. Why?

Maybe because they really don't trust and know who they serve. They might know about Him, but not KNOW HIM.

SO

Don't fear....ONLY BELIEVE....and KNOW who you LOVE and SERVE!

The Three Little Pigs--Build your house on a Firm Foundation!

Matthew 7:24-25

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

When I was reading this scripture, the fairy tale "The Three Little Pigs" came to mind. 

The story goes as such:  

There were three pigs who were set into the world by their mother.  The little pigs went off into the world and contributed to society and built their home.  One little pig built a house of straw, the second built the house of sticks, and the third (the wiser one) built his house of bricks.  The enemy- THE BIG BAD WOLF, was prowling around looking to see which little pig he could devour.  He was watching and lurking behind trees and bushes.  

One random day the wolf decided to attack and try to devour the pigs.  He came to each of the pig's home, with the weakest foundation being the first attacked--the house of straw.  The wolf and little pigs exchange some words 

 "Little pig, little pig let me in!" (wolf)

  "Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin!" (pig)

"Then I huff, and I'll puff, and blow your house down!" (wolf) 

When the wolf blows the house down the first pig runs to his brother's  house with the sticks.  The wolf does the same with the second pig's home, which makes the first and second pig run to their wiser brother's home, the one whose house turns out to be the only one which is adequate to withstand the wolf with the blustery breath. 

So how does this all tie in with Jesus and the firm foundation? 

Simple....if you build your house on the firm foundation of Christ's love, redemption, and His goodness....it will be hard for the "wolf" to come in and devour those who are grounded with the Word of God.  

When you grasp on to the clear revelation of who Jesus is and what He came to do, there is NOTHING that can overcome you.  Truly, NOTHING!  This is good news.  How can this be, it just seems to good to be true?  There are others who are christians that have been overcome in different ways?  Yes, and if you think back to the story, the other little pigs came from the same home and built their little houses but never were wise enough to build it with a strong foundation. Pigs one and two chose to spend less time "building" to make more time for pleasures of the world.  

Our walk with the Lord isn't a religion or something to take lightly.  No!  It needs to be more important than eating!  More important than watching the News or listening to talk radio!  More important than watching soap operas or your favorite evening TV show!  It is more important than spending hours reading "other" types of reading materials or going out to your clubs.

 IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!

If Jesus was constantly in the presence of the Father and doing His father's business?  Then how much more do we need to be in meditation or in the presence of the Lord?  No wonder Jesus did amazing miracles!!  Yes, I know He was God in the flesh, but Jesus came as a man (like you and me) and had carnal thoughts (like you and me).  Jesus was our example of what godly men or godly women should do in the Kingdom of God here on earth. He showed us by what He did, how He prayed, how He solved problems, and how He loved.  

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Being in the word of God teaches us WHO we are as born again believers and to realize what we have and to draw this out by the Spirit of God.  It isn't something we have to ask the Lord to fill us with or gain if we do more good works...NO, WE ALREADY HAVE IT INSIDE OF US!  Our born again spirits have all things pertaining to life and godliness.  

2 Peter 1:3

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Jesus in His love for us warned of the "Big bad wolf".  Told us tribulations and storms would come, and clearly taught for us to build our lives on a firm foundation.  

He says "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 2:14

I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 5:4

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

FREE IN CHRIST

A Shout Out to All Christians!!

GOD WHO ARE YOU?? Whom are we to believe?? DO YOU STRIKE US DOWN WHEN WE ARE SINNING?? Lord reveal yourself!! I know....these are the sorts of questions we ask in our hearts.  Not really understanding who we serve and what we serve.  Yeah, yeah....you might say you know God, but do you really?    Is it the God of the old testament or the God of the New?  I am sure you all have wondered "who this God is?"  Why is He so mysterious?  But is He mysterious?  So many people will say,"Oh, the Lord works in mysterious ways" or "We don't know why God took so and so home at 16 yrs of age."  "I guess God is in Control and Sovereign."  "We will never know on this side why these things are happening."  "What ever will be, will be."  "How dare question God!!"  As they say it with a hypocritical look, judging you like you are such a LOSER who has no idea who God is.   I am sorry but these are lame reasons to not seek the Lord as to why certain things happen.  I, personally, am a big believer in a big God who will speak truths to me and will answer my questions.   I won't relent until I have some sort of answer or peace!!  I am determined to find the answers to the many questions thousands of believers might just think about, but never really search them out.   Some Christians will settle on the same old response "It must have been God's will!!"  They won't seek any further;  they will stop seeking and continue to live a life where they are hanging on by a thread in this world and not wanting to know more.   Hello People??!!  Lets be like the fathers of the faith...Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob (Israel), Moses, Elisha, Elijah, all the Prophets, Paul, John, Peter, and many devoted Christians that have come after.   Lets stop sitting on our fat behinds, sucking our thumbs and spending endless hours doing absolutely nothing to find out who God really is!!  Lets READ THE WORD people and stop creating our own ideas of who God is!!  Stop living in the natural and live in the supernatura!!  If we are truly Christians then we should be walking in greater works then the Lord Jesus!! John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Why aren't we?  WHY??!!!  Have you ever asked yourself these questions?  Why are we not living like the new testament church?  Are we truly walking in the power of the Holy Spirit?  We have fallen to worship the world and not walking in the power of the Kingdom of the Most High!!  We have decided to walk as lukewarm and live a life of godliness lacking power.   2 Timothy 3:4-6 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, FOLKS......OPEN YOU EYES....people are dying!!!  Not just spiritually but literally dying of sickness and diseases, tragedies, and we are falling into the trap of believing that God is doing this.  WAKE UP....STOP being so deceived!!  Has the devil blinded you so much that you are believing such LIES?? WHO IS JESUS??  What did He come to do?  Read the word and find out for yourselves!!  THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!  Not just for heaven it is HERE AND NOW so act on it and know that God is Here!! FREE IN CHRIST

Dusting God

What is your view of the Lord?

Is He out "there" somewhere?

Does He only come when we need Him?

Is He only there to answer prayers?

Many might say that God is a force or somewhat of a being that is there for us when we need Him.  Some can't totally understand who He really is.  I understand how some may not understand Him completely.  But why is that?  

When a situation arises are we quick to FIRST run to our friend, spouse, computer, etc, and not to the Lord?  How about when life is good?  Are you still coming to the Lord on a daily basis?

Picture a fireplace mantle with many different "idols" on it.   On this mantle there are smaller idols and then there's the one of God.  He's the largest of them all, right smack in the center of this mantle.  The rest are labeled such as: Our traditions, church leadership, our image,  $$$,  our jobs,  our homes, entertainment, sports, politics, computer time, friends, shopping, etc...

At anytime, depending on what we are going through in our day, we in our subconscious mind pick up these idols and give our heart, soul, and mind to.  We will literally spend hours on end with these smaller idols but then give God a few minutes of the day.  Oh yeah, God is still the biggest in our lives.....HE REALLY IS!!  Yes, he is the biggest, but He is an invisible "idol". 

"But God is with us all the time!" you might say.  Yes, of course, He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  He is with us always.  But why is it when something serious in life happens is it then we place more value on who God is in our lives?  We then dust off God and give Him more time than the rest.  Our TV's and computers, and whatever else are great tools, but when we start to tune into them more than to God then that will produce a problem.   

These things are not a sin, and God is not mad at us for spending more time on the computer or on the television, than spending time with Him.  He loves us unconditionally!   We need to consider what we are feeding on.  When times are good and everything is going our way, we should still feed on Him.  We should continually desire to be with Him when life is good.  We should always be aware of Him every second of the day.  He is speaking.  

We should be conscious of His word and His presence in us continually.  This means when we are bad mouthing a neighbor, we should be aware of God's correction.  When we are sitting in front of a movie and there is prevalent sex, adulteries, and cursing we should be aware of God.  What is He telling us during this movie?  Is He laughing with us or leading us to turn it off?  How about when we are working on the computer and see a picture of a skimpily dressed young woman and click on the link and it leads us to a pornography site.....was not the Lord warning us from the moment we let our subconscious mind become lulled and now we have fallen into the trap of the enemy!   Or when we are out shopping and realize we are on a budget but really want to buy that cool item that seems to be calling out our name.   Is not God telling us to stop and not buy it?  What is He saying?

Can you see how the Lord is with us in all our ventures?  He is there guiding us and leading us.  But how would we know it's Him telling us to turn off the computer, the TV, to stop bad mouthing a neighbor or not to go over the budget?  By being conscious of Him 24/7!!  We become more conscious of His presence by minimizing all other distractions in our lives and make God real. STOP making Him into an idol.  Make Him your best friend....Above your spouse,  girlfriend or boyfriend; above your friends, above your computer and television; etc...

During your break time instead of flipping through the newspaper or latest fashion magazine, chat with the Lord or read the bible.  Instead of waking up late, make time to wake up early and have an in-depth bible study.  Instead of watching yet another show on TV, go online and listen to your favorite minister.  If you are home most of the time, put the bible on cd while doing housework.   There are many ways to grow in the Lord and make Him more real in our lives.  Find something that works for you. 

The more we fill our flesh with Godly activities, we draw out the goodness of God that already dwells in our spirits.  Then when the trials and tribulations of life get thrown our way we will not even flinch or crumble because we know our God and know He will not let us down.  We can walk through "hell" with a smile on our face, confident, and with great faith, knowing we will come out untouched. 

FREE IN CHRIST 

What is Prayer?

What is prayer?  

Is it something to do when we have a need? 

Is it a mantra or a religious repetitious saying?

Do we need to bow down to a statue or a picture of  Saints of old?

Is it lighting candles or giving offerings?

What is Prayer?

Most people make prayer into "works".  It is something they "have to do", not something they enjoy doing.  Most of their prayer time is spent repenting, praying for needs, and then if they have time, intercession.  


Prayer should not be self-focused, asking for forgiveness by beating ourselves up.  It should not be with complaining of others and how they need to be changed and saved.  Many approach prayer as part of getting God to do something for us (healing, provide our needs, etc...)


We can get so caught up in making prayer time with the Lord as a mundane task.  Prayer should never be work.  It shouldn't be about using prayer beads, lighting candles, or saying three Hail Mary's.   


Prayer is about a relationship with the Living God.  It should be about being intimate with the Lord. Communicating with Him like you would with any of your relationships.  You talk, He listens.  He talks, you listen.  He talks to us in the middle of our day when we are doing our business.  He is with us ALWAYS.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  We abide in Him and He abides in us.  It should be something we want to do 24 hours a day.  Yes, the Lord is quiet at times and not talking.  There are times when communication with a spouse or friend is just the same.  There is quiet even if they are in the same room with us.  


Praising the Lord, thanking Him and just listening should be our way of approaching His throne.  When we seek His kingdom through a relationship we would most likely not have most stresses we deal with on a daily basis.  He has overcome the world!


John 17:3 says "knowing God" is eternal life. 

 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.


Salvation is not just about getting to heaven.  It is about a living relationship with the Living God.  This needs to be our goal when we receive the gift of salvation-- to know the Living god as a person.  


Revelation 4:11 says He created us for His pleasure.

 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


Pleasure is a good thing.  He is a good God!  


When we come to know the Lord in His fullness, our trust in His love and goodness grows our faith in Him.  This is what He wants.  He wants us to know Him in His goodness and fullness. 


We should approach the Lord as we would a loved one.  Coming to Him with love and gratitude and just wanting to commune with Him in His glory, we will then experience and understand who He really is.  When we understand who He really is, our lives would then change without even asking.  It will change in supernatural ways!!  


This is freedom!  This is life!  This is love!!  


It says in Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.


If you have never encountered the love of God in its fullness.  I am encouraging you today to go and ask Him to reveal this goodness in your life.  Talk to Him like you would your best friend. 


Bless You!!

FREE IN CHRIST