Side by Side Hand in Hand

Psalm 85:10 Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

A friend reminded me of a time when we just wanted be hippies who would never grow old. The “beautiful” people who lived for rock and roll and lived in a place (“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” sometimes induced by drugs) where PEACE was the only rule of law!

All they were saying…

The dictionary (*on my computer) defines peace as 1. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility: 2. a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended:…

… is give peace a chance! **remember 1969 and the song written by John Lennon? (Per Google  he and Yoko were having a “bed-in” – their version of a peaceful demonstration – in Montreal, Canada when he wrote it)

… a bed-in… mmmmm

When I look back on that time in our life, I realize that what we all were trying to escape – though we explained it in words and word pictures that sounded very “right on, dude”, and even patriotic – we really were a generation that HATED personal responsibility… i.e. growing up.

Peace was defined as freedom from war and war was defined as anything that stood in the way of immediate gratification at having MY WAY!

If I was not mellow and happy, it was always the fault of those evil authority figures. As we threw tantrums against them although and their wicked ways, we still very much expected THEM to provide OUR WORLD without end.

Whether or not we bear the soul of a hippy today, we still seem to define peace in terms of freedom from interrupted playtime – WHICH WAR CAUSES, without cost to us.

Most people see peace and war as two separate events, when in fact they are two sides of the same event called… wait for it… RELATIONSHIP.

We tend to believe that peace and war describe two types of people, with peace having all the good people on its side and war having all the evil people.

The fact of the matter is everyone of us have the passion for either, depending on which side motivates our will, our ability to choose, whom we will unite with for THE CAUSE… the cause being DISCONTENTMENT WITH WHAT IS.

Philippians 4:11-12 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 

If lovingkindness and truth meet together they will seek to find the best for all, and righteousness and peace WILL KISS each other!

Peace isn’t the absence of war, it’s the absence of fear for today and tomorrow.  War isn’t the absence of peace, it’s the absence of trust in today and tomorrow.

Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil (fear and mistrust) and do good; Seek peace (love and truth) and pursue it (seek with all your heart to put love and truth together). 

Above all seek God and His peace. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

First, peace with God… the author of LOVE and LOVINGKINDNESS…

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Next, peace with your world… dwelling always on THE TRUTH…

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things…

Love meets truth… practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you… and… Righteousness and peace kiss each other.

All I am saying is… Give Peace a Chance!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

“But I’m a GOOD person… I haven’t killed anyone!”

Where have I heard this before? Oh yeah, I use to say this in response to those nosey people who wanted to know if I had accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

It was my “go to excuse” when the Holy Spirit was confronting the NEED in my life… Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… “But, but, but… if you compare me to all the sinners (you know apples to apples), I’m not so bad!”

Surely a “GOOD God” wouldn’t count my small “MISSTEPS” against me, especially when He had so many REALLY BAD people to deal with. Besides, who elected Him as judge and jury in MY LIFE?! If He doesn’t DO RIGHT by my wishes, He may just find Himself in my bucket of useless unicorns, fairytales, and Santas… yeah Buddy… as EVERYONE knows, perception is reality! If God doesn’t straighten up and fly right, I just may have to adjust my perception and declare Him no more than a myth.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. 

Like so many, I fully expected the rules to declare that I could believe in God and serve myself. I wasn’t an atheist, I believed there was/is/maybe will be God. I just didn’t know what to do with Him – especially when He insisted on CHANGING me! When God said, “Let Us make Mary into Our Own Image”, I thought when They were done making me, They would then become the Cheerleaders (my daughter’s description of the role some gospels give to Jesus) of my life. After all, isn’t that what outstanding parenting is all about?

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, (Galatians 5:17)

Thank You Holy Spirit, for never giving up on training this fleshly diva, for wrestling with me as I continue to demand Your blessing, and mostly for producing Your fruit in my life against  all the birds, rocks and weeds that make use of the fleshly soil in my life.

What’s in my heart today? You tell me… Romans 10:9-10 if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 

Jesus as Lord! Do I confess before myself and men that He has the right and authority, due to ownership, to do with my life as He wishes?

Jesus as Savior! Do I believe with the heart that once I was lost… that He is the One who paid (He is risen!) my debt (for the wages of sin is death)… and now I’m found!

What’s in my heart today is evidenced by what is PRACTICED (Strong’s Concordance: performed repeatedly or habitually or Thayer’s number 1 definition: to be busy with) in my life.

Deeds of the flesh… Galatians 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, 

Or the fruit of the Spirit… Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Deeds, which come from me, and always become defined by, ironically, my own legal interpretation, or Fruit, which comes from the Holy Spirit, and is never a matter of legalism?

Growing up I always strived to be a good girl… it seems I always failed at being good enough. I used my siblings as the measuring stick and was always very careful to stay out of trouble – at least the trouble THEY got into. Of course I was trying to please my parents but in hindsight I realize I was the one who rendered every verdict. I was raised with religion as a staple of our household. Our household religion declared and demanded we know and parrot all of the standard doctrine which is still used today to label ourselves, hopefully, as “ok with God”.

I do believe there is a heartfelt desire to please God in each of us… Romans 1:19-20 that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that we are without excuse. 

Rather than walking in the garden with God Himself… Romans 1:21 we did not honor Him as God or give thanks, we became futile in their speculations, and our foolish heart was darkened… We made up our own brand and called it RELIGION…

Romans 1:22-23 Professing to be wise, we became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Preferably an image that could not nor would not talk back to us!

What was in my heart thirty seven years ago? Religion, or to be more truthful, ANTI-religion. I believed in God, but the God I believed in was no friend of mine! I never met Him personally because He, from everything I was taught, was a REALLY SCARY DUDE!

Until… I met Jesus! And He said to me… “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (John 14:7)

What’s WHO IS in my heart today? Jesus, the One I confess with all that I am as my LORD and the One whom I believe with all my heart, conquered death so that I might live!

Thirty seven years ago I didn’t get religion… I got God, Himself!

Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means “God with us.” 

Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Numbers 6:23-26 “Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel (and all Israel’s grafted in siblings). You shall say to them: the Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.”

The greatest blessing for: Hanukkah, and Christmas, and Birthday, and… oh yeah for sure… EVERY DAY (Psalm 118:24 let us rejoice and be glad in it.) the LORD HAS MADE blessing.

What better way to show you I care.

I can cook for you. I can give you trinkets and such. I can hug and love on you. I can definitely spend time with you and tell you over and over again how grateful I am (and I AM!) for God’s gift of you.

I can, will and joyfully do these things!

But… none of them will be enough. They all will loose their “shine” and none of them will last until the next holiday installment reminds me to give again.

This Thanksgiving I want to say THANK YOU with the treasure that neither moth nor rust destroys, and where the thieves of sin do not break in or steal (Matthew 6:20) the LOVE.

This Thanksgiving I shout with all that is in me…

May the Lord bless you, and keep you.

May the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.

May the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.

The thing is… before the day even comes, before the food is prepared and stuffed into our bellies, before this prayer is even shouted whispered…

It. Is. Done!

Can you “see” it? I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. So that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)

I pray… that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

I pray you are blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

How can this be? It is absolutely TOO EASY!

ANYONE can say the words! You mean to tell me that those of us who spend our entire lives trying to be good and follow the law, will sit next to the worst of the worst sinner at the banquet of God??????

How can this be?

Well, consider this… there are two men – two brothers – from the SAME household. Both raised by the same Father, both sons of the man in charge. Both know the rules, both love their father. One leaves and one stays. One asks for and receives his inheritance, one stays home and lives on riches and luxury that is provided (his inheritance still tucked safely away in his father’s vault). If you were to ask each brother, at the beginning of the event, “So, what do you think of your father? Good Dad? Wonderful Provider? Worthy of honor and glory?”

I imagine both would have proclaimed the glory of being a part of this fabulous family. But look what happens in Luke 15:11-16 when our expectation of happiness meets our less than happy judgement of life as we know it.

One son realizes that money doesn’t always buy happiness – especially if you’ve spent it all and have no more money! The other son, the one who claims the title of the GOOD son, dares to judge his father for being unfair and irresponsible to give the BAD son a welcome home party AND gives this bad boy all of the stature and status of heir. “WHAT?!!! I STAYED HE LEFT!”

The Father loves both of his sons. Yes, the Father watched for and waited for the son who left to come back so he could have him home, with the family. But… what did the Father take away from the other son by loving the one missing?

Which son gained more heart knowledge, intimacy, and trust with his father? The one who experienced the grace and mercy so unexpected or the one who only saw things through his own selfish eyes?

You see, when we confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead we have to realize it can ONLY BE because it is God (Philippians 2:13) who is at work.

It is God who gives us His inheritance. It is God who stands and waits for us to return. It is God who gives the undeserving that which we do not deserve.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

How can this be?

When we return from our insatiable lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and our boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16) we have come to the end of ourselves and know that even being a slave in the house of God is better than eating the pig slop that our hand has produced. When I come to the end of me, myself and I, I KNOW what I deserve.

If you are the good son, and have never experienced the moment the Father takes your hand, raises your eyes to His, lifts you up from your face plant at His feet, and commands His angels to, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:22-24) realize you don’t have to leave, you just have to recognize that the Father’s love is never depleted and never taken away from the one He gives it to. Don’t judge your brother as unworthy, celebrate with joy what you equally share.

If you have been the center of the such a royal celebration, NEVER FORGET the place you were and the place God has brought you to.

It isn’t “too easy” as some would claim. It isn’t “just saying the words or claiming that you believe”. It is SPEAKING with your mouth what your WHOLE HEART KNOWS! It is being.like.Peter… “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20).

We cannot stop… 2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 

Is Jesus in you? Do you recognize Him in you? Do you welcome Him there?

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt (because He told us so) that He has not nor will He ever leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore,  IF you feel He’s no longer with you, it has to be you who has left or has never came to Him! How can this be?

Just… Come Home!

Romans 11:33-35 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? 

Come Home and Abide!

1 John 2:28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 

THIS is How It Can Be!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

The 2018 midterm elections are history. This morning we wake up and find that life goes on (at least for most of us). Surely, not one of us got EVERYTHING we wanted and some are grieving because they feel they got NOTHING.

All or Nothing! This is the cry of our politics. And I admit the energy of it all distracts me, it causes an anxiety that cries out for the comfort of group think – the group think that agrees with me! Our enemies and friends, are labeled by a line in the sand. The noise on each side of the line is deafening. So much so, that I loose the signal to hear the still small Voice of God… And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;  (1 Kings 19:11) For the last 2 years, when it comes to politics, these are some of the sounds I hear!

Today, this morning, I WOKE to the sound I need to hear… and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing… When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

In admit, I ran to the mountain because I didn’t get everyone and everything I voted for yesterday. I ran to the cave of “SORE LOOSER” because I thought I knew what God wanted and I thought I voted for exactly that.

This morning… behold, a voice came to him me and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah Mary?” 

It was the sound of a gentle blowing! And in the gentle blowing I was WOKE to what God wants AFTER the vote…

When all is said and done, God wants…

• Entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of ALL (not just who you voted for) men, for kings and ALL (not just those who were elected by you) who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
• The men (and women) in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, WITHOUT wrath and dissension. (1 Timothy 2:8)
• Render TO ALL what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:7)

Yes, in this wonderful country blessed by God, we are given the privilege and responsibility to participate in our government (of the people, for the people, by the people)…

But it is ALWAYS God who has the final control!

Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 

When all is said and done, it isn’t about making me happy, comfortable, a winner, a loser, part of the “in” crowd. It is ALWAYS about God having His way in me and in my world. It is ALWAYS about hearing and trusting and obeying His still small voice. NOT because I think I know what He wants and furthermore I agree with what I think He wants. But because I love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

In loving Him, I know He is good all the time, and all the time He is good…

Psalm 139:16 His eyes have seen each of our unformed substance; And in His book were all written The days that were ordained for each of us, when as yet there was not one of them. In knowing Him, we can all WAKE UP this morning, and in the midst of the cacophony of voices claiming victory, defeat, and doom and gloom, we can live this ordained day with His abundance.

We can… love our neighbor as ourself. We can owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. (Romans 13:8)

In becoming WOKE we can actively pursue being trained up in the way we should go (Proverbs 22:6), without forgetting that all discipline (training up) for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11)

For me, the results of the midterm elections of 2018… when all was said and done… has already given this old kid lots of training in love… God’s way. After all, I am His child therefore, when all is said and done, I should learn to love like He loves.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-47)

After all… Titus 3:3-7 we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

When all is said and done…

When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Let’s all be WOKE this morning!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

This was said by John (whom we call the Baptist) when his followers asked him about the One he recognized at the Jordan River that day.

Ah, THAT DAY! The day I was going about my business… crying out… “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’” (Matthew 3:2-3)

Many listened… Matthew 3:5 then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

Remember what I said that day?

Matthew 3:11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy spirit and fire.”

And then… Jesus arrived… coming to John to be baptized by him (verse 3:13)

John recognized Him! He’d know Him anywhere – this is the same One that made him (John) jump for joy in his mother’s womb when Mary and Elizabeth greeted each other.

John even tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

Jesus said, “Just DO IT!”

What a day it was… Matthew 3:16-17 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” 

John continued ministering but he knew, his “crying in the wilderness” was pretty much finished. Now, it was just a matter of time… Jesus time! He must increase, but I must decrease.

Ready or Not… Here He Is!

I think the same is true for each and every one of us who have beheld the heavens opening, the Spirit of God descending and the voice out of the heavens speaking to our hearts, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”…

He must increase, but we must decrease. There’s just not room in the world of our heart for two kingdoms, the wilderness and heaven.  We are to make ready the way of the Lord and make His paths straight but the Way and the Path are His! There’s just not enough room in the throne room or on the throne for our desired way and our favored path.

He must increase, but we must decrease.Ready or Not… He Is Here!

John 3:16-19 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 

The Light has come into the world, but we love the darkness because it is so much better to hide – ourselves and our deeds in.

As I’m writing this I am having an Aha! moment. I have been heading toward encouraging us (and maybe highlighting a tool or two to use) to “decrease” and allow Jesus to “increase”.

ALLOW JESUS TO INCREASE!!!????

I’m still working John’s ministry (making the way ready and the path straight). The Way of the Lord is here! No more preparing for it, no more crying out for it. Jesus has come and He is the Light of the world… ready or not… His way is to overpower the darkness. My way is to hide in the darkness.

I must decrease the darkness by allowing (not just talking about it) the Light of the World a straight path to SHINE, SHINE, SHINE in me.

My deeds are evil (I’m talking about the ones I hoard and try to keep secret)… darkness must decrease… I must no longer protect my hidey holes and their contents.

Aha! It’s not This Little Light of Mine! It isn’t little and it isn’t mine.

It’s Jesus. He is the Light of the World!

He must increase, but I must decrease… 

FLIP THE SWITCH! Decrease the darkness by bringing everything into THE LIGHT. The Light wins… EVERY TIME!

Ready or not!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 

Ever wonder what in the world is happening in our world today?

James 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 

“Temptation, the sperm of “anything is possible”, meet the egg of lust, the nature of mankind”…  we “saw” that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that it was desirable to make one wise (Genesis 3:4).

Baby making not just a female thing now! The egg of lust is found in each of us, one is consistently sent down the tubes from our “secret ovaries” – the place where we hoard our deepest imaginations of grandeur. It waits in the warmth and fertile conditions of MY KINGDOM COME – MY WILL BE DONE until temptation comes to wiggle and push into the center of the lusty egg!

In a romantic setting of whispered words of “You can have everything you want!” and the candlelight of well wishers sent from the angel of light (i.e. Satan), we dance with temptation and fall in love with the idea IT IS MEANT TO BE and a baby of sin is conceived and birthed when it is fully formed and actionable.

I’m blushing but it truly is a sexual encounter! With ourselves and an enemy that wishes and delights in death and destruction… OUR death and destruction!

Ephesians 6:12 our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

What in the world is happening in our world? Mankind is pregnant with sin!… lust has been conceived, sin is born and raised, death has been brought forth.

Funny thing is, this  “baby” actually does cause death (wages of sin is death). One would think EVERYONE would RUN to the nearest abortion clinic BEFORE their life is in ruins. Unfortunately, when we feel the hormones of our flesh, look into the “eyes” of the unicorn of delight, and  know without a doubt this baby will solve EVERY problem in my life and the life of my world, we do not seek to kill this potential unborn prodigy of health – wealth – and all that is wise.

What in the world is happening in our world? Death and destruction! God has been kicked out of our government, our schools, our churches, and most importantly out of every area our hearts!

There is no excuse… Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, God has ALWAYS been transparent!

But mankind… Romans 1:22-23 even though they we knew God, they we did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they we became futile in their our speculations, and their our foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they we became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 

Therefore… God gave them us over (allowed us to have our free will) in the lusts of their our hearts to impurity, so that their our bodies would be dishonored among them. Romans 1:24

They We exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature. (Romans 1:25) We kicked God out of our government, our schools, our religions, our churches, and most importantly, our hearts!

What in the world is happening in our world? Hate filled warfare against the love of God! Our world is in deep deep sh–  I mean TROUBLE!  The hate is palatable! Unity in love is all but impossible with the demand of total agreement as we assume the role of jury, judge AND executioner. In hate, we no longer acknowledge our common humanity (there but by the grace of God go I) with each other. In hate, we no longer accept the responsibility to love our neighbor as ourselves not treat every one of them as we ourselves wish to be treated.

I believe the hatred we see everyday all around us is truly the secret knowledge we hold of ourselves. I truly believe WE KNOW GOD (we are – every one of us – created in His image), and I truly believe we KNOW the cancer of hate exists in our soul (the weapon of our evil enemy) and is killing us and our world!

We just don’t want the only treatment that has already defeated our enemy and will eternally destroy him for eternity.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 

God’s LOVE! He does not wish for any to perish!

He gives us baby-food … long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:2)

Instead of carried away by lust, we can be carried away by Daddy… 1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. 

We can be a changed people… a CANCER FREE people… Titus 3:3-7 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

For those who feel righteous in their hate, LOOK AGAIN… WHAT ARE YOU DOING to your very own soul? It is GUARANTEED that when all is said and done in the passion of a world gone crazy with hate, the only soul that will be destroyed by the cancer of hate, will be the one that harbors and hoards it!

As I watch the wicked hate filled trials of souls who’s only grievance against the court of hell is that Satan does not like them, I grieve for what IS happening in our world today. I cry out to God to let me turn my eyes away from the horror, let me turn off the 24/7 circus of fools who really believe they are reporting the truth, let me say the magic words and make this nightmare go away!

But no…  He says… take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking the shield faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-16)The battle is on – BE.MY.SOLDIER and fight like a girl My girl!

There is one comfort found in this earthly fox hole God has given me… It is… What in the world WILL BE happening in this world?

At the name of Jesus… every knee… every tongue  – of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth…

Wait for it… WILL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

What In the World is Happening in Our World Today? Oh Baby! My Hero is on His way!! Bo Yeshua!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.

We’ve had a bit of building going on in our house these last two months (August/September 2018). The results of a “bit” of water rushing to places it was never meant to go.

Though it is NOT something I would ever recommend to someone who wants to make a few changes to their nest, I have to say the opportunity to be changed (not just tweaked) and blessed have been “pressed down, shaken, full and overflowing”!

Once we emptied the rooms and areas that needed repair, and stashed everything in rooms and nooks and crannies and “out-of-the-way” places, we were sent packing also. A VACAY while others tore down, rebuilt, replaced, repainted!

Until late last week… it is now time to put all the STUFF back where it goes, along with cleaning, not just the current construction dust off the surfaces, but in many cases years of dirt/dust because of non-use. I didn’t put hammer to nail in “building” this house, but I certainly FILLED this house.

What an opportunity to revisit the labor that has taken place in this house over the last fourteen years! How much of my labor has been in vain? How much of my “sleepless” activity to fill all the spaces, has been useless in watching and guarding the ministry housed within my home?

Joshua 24:15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

Overall, if I were to give my opinion/judgement of my work, I may not give myself an A+ or even a B or C+. But, I would happily rank myself as OK! I’ve tried to be a good child. I’ve tried not to worship the house Mary built!I fully admit I have not always filled my house well nor guarded the fearfully and wonderfully made treasure that God intended. Thankfully God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)The opportunity I have, is to take up each hoarded thing, dust it off, and put it away, working heartily, as for the Lord rather than for me, (Colossians 3:2)

During my short-lived vacay at the very clean, very comfortable, very quiet hotel, Jesus began to show me His building plans and His guarding duties.

John 21:15-17 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep. 

Do you love Me, Mary?

Not just a little… not just enough… not just in the big stuff.

Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 

I have been told and have read that this Hebrew word for love is way more than an emotion of good will toward someone. This word holds a place of honor and loyalty that cannot be nor ever will be filled by anyone or anything else. It is the throne, the seat of ownership, that gives the Seated Royalty complete possession and authority over the person it resides in. Not just a little bit of the person, BUT THE WHOLE heart, soul, and might.

As I laid in bed each night, thanking my God – my Abba – my Jesus – my Holy Spirit, for this day which He had made, I declared my love for the Lord my God.

Do you love Me, Mary… with your WHOLE heart, soul, and might?

Now, as I begin to assess the “stuff” I have filled my house with, I have the opportunity to make sure NONE OF IT is taking the place of or crowding my King, whom I have given the throne of my life to.

King Jesus doesn’t want just a piece. He doesn’t want just my leftover space. He doesn’t even want just the pretty stuff. He doesn’t want just the Sabbath days. He doesn’t want just the dessert.

Do you love Me, Mary… with your WHOLE heart, soul, and might?

Does the house I have built reflect my answer? Yes and yes!

Yes… I want it to! And yes… We (Jesus and I) are working on it!

One of the men working on the repairs, told me that my house felt calm and peaceful. With tears threatening, I thanked him and told him that is the mission/ministry of my decorating plan. As for me and my house… But I don’t want you to just see the physical declarations, I want you SEE the work of my Lord in my house and in my life. My brother and I had a short but wonderful time confessing our love to our Lord for the work He does in our lives! We were “tending His sheep” (which is my definition of fellowship)!

The difference between the house that I build and the house Jesus builds will be the love it has and holds. The difference in the security measures I install and the security Jesus offers is eternity.

I cannot love God or anyone else with my WHOLE heart mind and might, without the One who makes me WHOLE! I cannot guard my home or my city from the sufferings of this present age without the One who goes before me, walks beside me, and resides within me.

For Sure… The House That Jesus (and I) build together will NEVER be in vain!  And we know…  Romans 8:28-30 that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.I am AWAKE and WATCHING… HIM!!!!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.