Keep Growing And Flowing

I know that you are committed and faithful about seeking God's face. You are faithful in drawing nigh to him. You don't seek counsel from those who don't love the Lord. You refuse to practice the un-Godly ways of unbelievers. You don't socialize with those who scorn the Kingdom of God.  You delight in the things of God, and you meditate in his Word day and night. You work out your salvation with fear and trembling every day. Because of this lifestyle, you are like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that brings forth fruit in it's season. Your leaf shall not wither, and whatever you do shall prosper. You are on a roll, in God and for God.

 

You will run across others who desire for you to be bound, as they are, because they have not advanced as you have. They will want you to be fearful, as they are, because they are still living in fear. They will want you to draw back, as they do, because they can't move forward in their faith, or lack of faith. Don't buy into it. Don't receive it. Allow your faith, your God-given insight and your power through freedom in Christ to reign. Don't turn back. Don't be drawn back. Keep pressing forward in studying and learning. Rivers of living waters flow from your belly, but that water is only for those who will partake of it, as God ordains.

As you continue to be filled with blessings, you will bless. Flowing waters of blessings from God in to you. Flowing waters of blessings from God out to others who are ordained to receive. Don't allow those who can't receive from you to stop your flow. Get wisdom. Get understanding. Protect your relationship with the Lord.

Dear Lord: Send anointed friends and associates to those who are growing in you everyday. Close the hedge of protection around your servants who obey you, and who prove daily what is your good and acceptable and perfect will. We thank you for only allowing the appointed ones to get through to close fellowship with them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 1:1-3

Romans 12:2

Philippians 2:12

John 7:38

Proverbs 4:5,7

Proverbs 16:16

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Image Credit: loewus9_photos
Scripture References: Bible Study Tools

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Paul's Letter Of No Condemnation

Paul grabbed hold to the essence of his salvation.

Because of his past persecution of Christians, Paul elaborates in Romans on the great state of grace that we are under. This grace that we are free to receive was bought for us through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Paul's agenda can be seen as an ultimate sin by some, to harass, persecute and murder those who choose to accept The Christ as Savior. Paul must have felt a great burden when his past came to mind. I believe it came to mind often.  How could so infamous of a past not torment the perpetrator. Through his torment and his desire for relief, Paul was able to quickly grasp hold to the spiritual truth of salvation.

Paul's ministry, after he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, is a large part of the story in Acts. However, though the bulk of Paul's life figures heavily in Acts, he did not write it. At times as we read, we would think that he had. Luke penned Acts, which some feel should have been named The Acts of Paul. If you have read Acts, you may have felt a natural flow to proceed into Romans. This is because Paul wrote Romans, which is actually a letter to friends in Rome. This letter is full to overflowing of the wonderful fact that we are saved by grace, not works. Scripture upon scripture reminds us of this, and is there for whomever will drink of The Living Water of The Word.

Paul grabbed hold to the essence of his salvation. Because of that he was able to obey God and to hold on until the end. God infused him with power and might. The only thing that mattered to Paul was to be able to preach and teach the gospel, whether bond or free, in Jerusalem or Rome, in a jail or hired house, before kings or peasants. He was on a mission on which he could have never conceptualized that he would be. Never would he have dreamed that he would endure a burning and driving desire to speak on behalf of God. He advanced to instant faith, as in scripture, Acts 28:3-6, and he practiced the laying on of hands. He ran headlong into the conflicts which God presented to him with determination and consistency. He never tried to save himself.

Grab hold to the real essence of your salvation, that you therefore do not have to live with a feeling of condemnation about your past, because you are in Christ Jesus. Since you choose to live by the Spirit of God and not according to your fleshly existence, you enjoy freedom from guilt about your past actions, whether they were yesterday, last week or 10 years ago. When those evil memories surface, cast them down with The Word in Romans. Paul  wrote it so that you could live free, just as he did.

Dear Father: Bless this reader with a dynamic understanding of your words of freedom in Romans, and in other places in your Word. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. 
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Why Am I Feeling So Annoyed?

 

As I bent to wipe up the small water puddles on the floor, I thought how once again I have to stop and do extra work as I make my way through each day. God has me in a place to help my mom, but it does add extra responsibilities. I'm able to be at home each day, but I always have so much to do to make a living for myself. It seems like most blessings are accompanied by stress.

As I straightened up, I asked myself Why are you annoyed?  You see, there's usually a reason behind the reason. The surface ripples are caused by a deep stirring underneath. It is said that addictions are the result of a deeper problem, and not the problem in themselves. So often is annoyance fueled by other things, not the annoyance itself. The biggies are concern, anxiety and fear. Jesus said Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)


As I turned inward and delved deeply into my emotions, I saw that I was not annoyed that I was having to wipe up water that someone else had unknowingly spilled. It was just one thing among the many that whittled at my precious time each day. Combined they bit off big chunks of the time that I devote to schooling and creative pursuits. My hours are precisely layed out for these activities, and it's critical for me to be able to support myself. Anything that I have to do outside of caring for myself, my space, and my schedule is a reminder of how much I have to do. If it was just me, I would not have had to do this. With persistent annoyance there is usually an underlying cause.

I had always thought that one of my 7 sisters and brothers would help mother into her old age. I was establishing my life out of state, and never expected to return. I was finally free from my poor family dynamics and free from the dysfunctional relationships with which I grew up.  I was free to build a positive life, away from the crippling negative influence with which I've lived my whole life. I was glad to be gone, but God had something else in mind. He brought me back here to assist my mother as she ages. It was not against my will that I returned. Through a series of occurrences God brought me to a position where I could say yes when his Spirit bore on me. With persistent annoyance there is usually one or more underlying causes. Resentment.

I have an assignment that is very challenging, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. With persistent annoyance there is usually an underlying cause. Resentment. Fear. The resentment is all of the accumulated burdens in life, plus this one. Do you feel that? The fear is that I won't be able to do what I need to each day because of this assignment that I did not ask for. This will result in me not passing my classes in school, which is a huge challenge as it is, or not selling my creative products and services fast enough. If I don't do everything perfectly, I won't be able to pay my bills and plan for the future.

I feel that my life is now more precariously balanced than ever. This viewpoint causes me to exist in constant annoyance. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. You view your life as being precariously balanced in some way. Maybe it is not balanced exactly like mine, but you do feel, like me, that you are a circus performer, spinning several plates on sticks. One wrong move and they all come crashing down to shatter around your feet.

When Jesus says rest in him, how is it that we exist in annoyance, fueled by fear? Is it because we haven't reminded ourselves of the scriptures that we know? Is it that the Holy Spirit can't get through to bring these scriptures to remembrance? Is it because we are trying to do God's job? Are we trying to do what it is God's responsibility to do? Are we trying to make things happen or control the outcomes instead of leaving that to God?  Are we trying to heal our ownselves from past damage that is too devastating to manage? Are we feeding resentment and fear?

It's time to re-evaluate in what it is that we believe. Returning to the scriptures is always an answer, but the Holy Spirit can only bring sustaining scriptures to remembrance when we're in a receiving spirit. Allowing God to help us get to the root of annoyance opens our spirit to receive. Prayer is always an answer, and when we don't feel like it, the Holy Spirit will do it for us, when we put forth our desire to pray.

Are you in a cold place because you are annoyed. Are you existing in annoyance? Does it take very little for you to fly off the handle inside? Do you find yourself speaking within and saying things like I knew this would happen. I expected that. I'm not surprised. Why would anything happen differently for me? Things will never get better for me. God does not love me. Do you often feel hopeless, or that your life struggles are hopeless?

Jesus said to rest. Period.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28 KJV)

Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. (Luke 12:22 NKJV)

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? (Luke 12:25-26 NKJV)

And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.
(Luke 12:29 NKJV)

For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:30-31 NKJV)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest . Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Luke 12:28-30 NKJV)

He wants us to rest every single day. 

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Image Credit: hanka-muffin-angel   

If You Believe It’s A Miracle, Then It Is

Recently, when space became available for me to participate in an educational program, I felt that it was a miracle from God. As I shared it with others, some said that openings came every day. Some said that someone was always leaving the program and making an opening available. The implication was that my chance to enter the program was nothing unusual, but was a common occurrence.

At first, I started to adopt this attitude about my blessing, but my spirit rose up and said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights..." James 1:17. "Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass...” Psalm 37:5.

I believe with all my heart that the way into this program was paved for me by God. I believe I could have easily missed the opportunity by an hour, or by a day. I believe that God placed me in the right place at the right time, and that I could not have done that myself; not regarding this circumstance anyway. I chose to reject the idea that my blessing was commonplace. I chose to continue to embrace the conviction that it was a special gift from God.

I believe that to allow my faith to flourish like this is to “...draw 'nigh to God and he will draw 'nigh to you..." James 4:8, to become deeply rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus, and to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. For me it keeps the door open for His power to work in me and through me for others.

If someone wants you to believe that your miracle is an everyday, common occurrence, cast that attitude down as “…a high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God...”  II Corinthians 10:5, the knowledge of what you know God has done for you.
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Reject Revenge, Receive God's Blessings

Taking revenge cheats us.

Have you ever thought about what scathing comments you would return to make to someone who angered you? Ever planned what to do to someone who hurt you? Do you entertain thoughts of revenge, because of mistreatment, unfairness and maliciousness? Do you replay the imaginary scenes of revenge over and over? In your anger and suffering, you have no difficulty justifying these thoughts and plans, right?

The truth is, revenge is never justifiable, because God said in his Word, Vengence is mine. I will repay (Rom. 12:19 KJV). When we reject meting out revenge, and even go so far as to repay evil with good, we heap glowing coals onto the heads of those who spitefully use us (Prov. 25:22 KJV), especially for those who are not repentant and who continue in their behavior. But God's revenge and the heaping coals should not be our focus. They are facts that give us comfort, as we choose a higher path.

God is grieved, not because we plot revenge, but because in doing so, we cheat ourselves out of his blessings. This is what taking revenge, whether physically or mentally, does. It's based in the flesh, and we know that in fleshly behavior dwells NO good thing (Rom. 7:18 ESV). To be carnally minded is death. There is no useful thing in thinking on revenge. To be spiritually-minded is life, and peace.

When we are wronged, our battle is not with flesh and blood, or persons, groups, companies, etc. These are the entities that we see when we plan revenge. Spiritual thinking and taking on the spiritual weapons of God causes us to look past these entities, and see our real enemies, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:11-12 ASV).

When we take our pain, our suffering, our fears, our angers and channel them through the spiritual principles in God's Word, we become empowered to receive His blessings. His blessings, while they manifest in the physical world, originate in the spiritual world. If we don't choose the spiritual path when we are treated unfairly, we cheat ourselves out of spiritual blessings. We receive from God by relating to him in spirit and in truth. The truth is that the warfare is spiritual, not physical, not fleshly, not carnal.

I know that it is hard. It is difficult. It is not easy to not at least think on revenge, if not being determined to do it. When we can't change our situations, and are subjected to unfairness and hostility, revenge seems the only way out, at least temporarily. While we receive temporary, fleshly relief when we choose revenge, it has no lasting significance. It also eats away at self-esteem and we really don't feel good about ourselves. Don't do it. Don't think on revenge at all, if you truly want and need help and blessings from God.

If we deal in revenge in any way, God won't be cheating us, we will be cheating ourselves. We can't walk in the flesh and receive from the spirit. Oil and water don't mix, and we can't plant orange seeds and harvest apples. We can receive the strength and courage to turn away from relying on the flesh to make things right. All things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23 CEB).

Reject revenge and choose God's spiritual weapons, directed at the real enemies. When we do, all things work together for good, we are kept in perfect peace, the Lord becomes our light and our salvation and we don't fear anyone (Psalm 27:1 KJV), and we overcome the world. As Max Lucado said recently, when he was speaking on Daystar, You can make it through this. If we actively take on God's weapons of warfare against spiritual wickedness, we will win God's blessings, with flying colors.

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Image Credit: sringler

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Scriptures Taken From: BibleStudyTools

Feel Depression Coming On Today?

Begin to thank God for anything and everything, around you, and on you, and in you, that you deem as good. It's like praising God (though you don't feel like it), and it will help lift you up.

Be strengthened the rest of this day, and receive God's presence throughout this week. It is not over. God is still working on your behalf.

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God.

Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth .

 (Romans 14:22, KJV)

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Both Images Credit: Gary Lerude
Scripture Taken From: Bible Study Tools

Poetry: It Matters To Me About You

My child, I know thy sorrows,

Thine every grief I share;

I know how thou art tested,

And, what is more-I care.

Think not I am indifferent

To what affecteth thee;

Thy weal and woe are matters

Of deep concern to Me.

But, child, I have a purpose

In all that I allow;

I ask thee then to trust Me,

Though all seems dark just now.

How often thou hast asked Me

To purge away thy dross!

But this refining process

Involves for thee-a cross.

There is no other pathway

If thou would'st really be

Conformed unto the image

Of Him Who died for thee.

Thou can'st not be like Jesus

Till self is crucified;

And as a daily process

The cross must be applied.

Just as the skillful gardener

Applies the pruning knife,

E'en so, I too would sever

The worthless from thy life.

I have but one sole object-

That thou should'st fruitful be!

And is it not thy longing

That I much fruit should see?

Then shrink not from the training

I needs must give to thee;

I know just how to make thee

What I would have thee be.

Remember that I love thee!

Think not I am unkind,

When trials come to prove thee,

And joy seems left behind.

'Tis but a little longer

Until I come again;

What now seems so mysterious

Will all be then made plain.

Take courage then; and fear not!

Press forward to the prize,

A crown of life awaits thee,

Glory before thee lies!

 

~ Alice C. Lefroy ~

 

 

Hold on. Don't give up. Tell God.

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Poem From: The Tract League, Grand Rapids, MI 49544-1390
Image Credit:  bcjordan

Such As It Is

I walked briskly out onto the boulevard, then made a right onto the drive, and then another right onto the side street. I was having my usual morning walk, talking to the Lord and enjoying nature.

The same old troublesome thoughts began to insinuate themselves into my mind as I prayed along my peaceful journey. Turning it all over to God, I said

Thank you God for happiness and health,

and as the depressive thoughts tried to reenter, I added,

such as it is.

Though some things in my life are not as I want them to be, I don't allow that fact to prevent me from thanking God. Such as it is means that I have in my possession all of the good things that God has created. I may be waiting for the manifestation of many things, but I thank God for those things now. Such as it is dis-empowers the thoughts that will ask do you really have that, do you really feel that, do you really mean that. I always want my answer to be a wholeheartedly YES! Such as it is declares that what I currently have is worth thanking God for, and I also have the increase that is coming.

And so I am filled with gladness, and my words are full of joy.

And I, mortal though I am, will rest assured in hope,...

(Acts 2:26, GNT: Good News Translation, BibleStudyTools.com) 

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A Chance To Prepare

The knowledge of the inevitable is a chance to prepare.  Often, we don't take the chance that is given to us.  It's a lifelong chance, for we have all of our lives, starting today, to prepare.  It seems that something as inevitable as death would be attended to by all, but instead we avoid it until it overtakes us.

If we die instantly and before our time, we don't know what hit us.  We laugh at people who plan their funerals and choose their burial garments.  We hope it won't happen to us, while knowing it will, and that it could be any day.  We ignore children when they ask questions about death, preferring to judge them as incapable of dealing with it, when really it is the incapability of us adults.  As a result of being unable to face the inevitable, we die without our affairs in order, and without consideration to the ongoing lives of our loved ones.

If we care about those who will live after us, we can show that by beginning today to get our affairs in order.  If we want to be good stewards of all that we've been given,  we'll make time today to begin to prepare for our loved ones to have a smooth transition when we are gone.  We can love the ones we love by facing the fact that because we will be departing, we need to work to lessen the burden of those left behind.  We can begin to face the inevitable and leave a legacy of Godly preparation.  

For this God is our God, for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

(Psalm 48:14, King James Version)

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

(Psalm 25:21, New Living Translation)

What Difference Does It Make, If Any At All?

Obey the prompting, in faith, and it'll all work out.  God promises to replace, in this world, in our present lives, what we feel we may miss.  I know because it has happened to me several times.

Once when I threw away a paperback book because some of the content would turn my mind away from the good things of God, an amazing thing happened.  I think the book was a Christian romance.  The main character had a flashback about erotic details of a previous relationship.  Because of that, there was the potential of similar flashbacks occurring in the story.  I had read about 1/3 of it, and wanted to learn the end.

I felt in my spirit that I didn't need to know the end.  I tried to convince myself that I could finish the book, glossing over any more flashbacks, but decided to toss it anyway.  It was not easy since my curiosity was so strong, and it almost stuck to my hand as I tossed it in the round file.

Satisfied, I still lamented that I'd have to find and start a new book right away.  The very next day, as I walked into the foyer of the community outreach where I helped out, there was a pile of hardback books on the donation table, where clothing usually was.  Loving the written word, I advanced to the table and saw that the dust jackets were similar paintings of town scenes. I'd never heard of Jan Karon and read on the back of one that it was a Christian novel, and that this author was a Christian.

The seven volumes were a series, with the first one titled At Home In Mitford.  I felt excitement rise, and feeling that it was too good to be true, I asked anyway.  As I held my breath, because I wanted them so badly, I was told that they were free, that I could take what I wanted.  I almost tip-toed to the table, nervous that someone would rush out and prevent me from claiming such a wonderful gift.  As I piled them into my arms, I knew that they were a reward from my God, for my obedience, not sacrifice, to his Spirit.

Ms. Karon had written 2-3 more in her wonderful series about Pastor Tim.  They are about a clean Christian romance, with comedy and drama, and spiritually encouraging.  I would say that I got a seven times return on my investment, wouldn't you?  I eventually checked the others out at the library.

The thing is that God didn't need me to give up that book, but it strengthened me.  It also helped me to understand a little more about who God is.  He does not take things from us, and jerk us around.  If his Spirit nudges us to do or not do, it will help us, not cheat us. 

Obeying the prompting of the Spirit is vital in every area,  regarding associations with others, things, thoughts, circumstances, plans, pursuits, everything.  Spiritually, and therefore technically, we cannot accurately choose of what to deny ourselves.  The Holy Spirit pinpoints the things which daily should be denied.

Samuel, a prophet, priest and judge, knew that obedience is always better than sacrifice.  Sacrifice is generally something we have chosen to give up, so we don't feel very much tension about it.  We feel pious.  When we obey God's prompting, it may feel uncomfortable, or even painful at first.  It is certain however, that we'll be strengthened and righteous, rather than pious.  Our sacrificial choices bring fleshly joy and no lasting significance.  What God asks us to do/not will result in spiritual joy and eternal significance.

 
Allow God to daily chose the sacrifices, obey the prompting of the Spirit and choose strength.  You'll be storing up valuables in heaven, where they will not become obsolete or stolen.  Your heart will be for things of God, helping you to lose your attachment to non-beneficial things in this world.

Don't focus on denying, because often failure comes through denying.  It's founded upon our fleshly strength, which is weak.  The spirit of man is willing.  The flesh is weak.  Just listen, and obey.  That's founded upon the power of God through his Spirit, which is strong.  If we can remember that God always has our best interest at heart, we'll listen and obey much more often, and not waste time on picking what to sacrifice.  Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice for everything.  We don't have to do that anymore.

Luke 9:23

I Sam. 15:22
Matt 6:19-21
Col. 3:2 
Luke 9:24

Books by Jan Karon at Amazon
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God Is Not Mad At You

Many places in the Bible say that God is grieved by certain behaviors.  Because of the fearful mindset of some, God is misrepresented as being mad at us because of our struggles. The whole Gospel of Jesus Christ nullifies this belief.

I think that God is always grieved when we struggle.  I think that the whole situation of mankind gives God great sorrow.  I believe that God feels our inner and outer suffering.  It seems to me that he will be glad when it's the end of time, as he set it.  When this situation here on Earth will come to an end for all souls, past, present and future.

I believe in his plan, as I understand it through reading the Bible, for a new Heaven and Earth.  It is then that all will be made right and fair.  As time ticks down, God's not mad at you about what you do or think, or how often you do or think it.  God is continually sorrowful that we, in our human limitation, can't see how his suggestions can benefit us.

A God that gets mad at us for struggles, failures and mistakes?  No way!  He gives us suggestions, guidelines and rulers to make us free in every way.  He draws us to the base, or root of problems because he's always offering us power.  Power over the detrimental things that we can't see.

He's always giving to us and wants us to be wise.  He never steals from us or takes anything from us.  His mission and determination is always to reveal, and empower.  God is very mad yes, but not at you.  He's mad at the things that you have to combat in your mortal life, and what is behind it all.   

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