They Burned The Church Down

As I have read through the Chronicles in the Old Testament, I’ve thought a whole lot about the Jews and the tragedy of their ultimately going into captivity in Babylon. For all those years, they had thought that they knew what was best for them ~ to have a king to lead them. Most of the kings were very wicked; and the final one ~ King Nebuchadnezzar ~ had the temple, which King Solomon built, destroyed. In II Chronicles 36:19 it says And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. My heart hurt when I read that verse - trying to envision the darkness of that day when the temple was burned to the ground.

Under the leadership of many evil kings, the Children of Israel continued to make very poor choices. II Chronicles 7:22 says Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshiped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. In the end, God’s chosen people were taken into captivity for 70 years.

This very account reminds me of the "falling away" of the church today. For some it is just about stage entertainment. They feel if you don’t entertain then folk won’t come. For others they have gotten away from preaching the Word ~ of telling about Jesus and how to be saved from our sins. And yet for others it is meeting to eat or socialize in place of preaching. The church has fallen away. And these situations don’t even include the many folk who call themselves Christians and they don’t even attend church.

I believe that in the same way it grieved God in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar ~ it grieves God today that His church ~ His people ~ are not about the Lord’s business. We live in a very wicked time and I believe it is directly related to the falling away of God’s people. In many ways we are already in captivity to the sin that lies around us.

What can we do to help strengthen the church? That’s a whole lot to ponder ~ isn’t it. Stay in prayer and stay in the Word ~ and we will be well on the pathway that we need to be on.

God Is Thinking ~ But Are We?

How much do you think God thinks about you? In Matthew 10:30 it says But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Hebrews 4:12 says He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Both of these verses certainly indicate that God thinks about us. Psalm 40:5 talks about God’s thoughts and if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Imagine that. God thinks more about you and me each and every day than we can even number. Psalm 139:17 reiterates the same truth about how often He thinks of His children ~ O God! How great is the sum of them. That warms my heart that my God feels that much love toward me.

And so the big question is "How much do we think of Him each day?" Do we give Him a second thought as we go throughout our regular routine? When we walk past His Word do we pick it up and spend some time with Him? Do we go to Him in prayer praising and worshiping Him? How much do you think of Christ these days? Can we say what King David said in Psalm 42:1~

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

For so much of my life I would have had to answer weakly and feebly to those questions above. But I finally got it - I finally realized what I was missing by not reading and praying on a regular basis. May our souls pant after God every day we remain on this earth.

My Love Letter's Gonna Have To Wait

I had planned on posting about a "love letter" I've been writing for the last two days ~ but I reckon that will have to wait. Today was the big day for our new president. I've been out and about throughout the day ~ I checked some blogs ~ and read some email ~ and even talked to some family and friends ~ and it seems that there is an air of apprehension ~ even worry ~ about what tomorrow and the next day and the next day holds.

On November 4th our nation went to the polls to vote ~ and the popular vote results (66,882,230 to 58,343,671) reflected a country that was pretty much divided. That night I wrote a post that God laid on my heart ~ and in light of the uneasiness I sensed among so many this day ~ it seemed fitting to post it again. And as for that love letter ~ I reckon it will have to wait until another day (you can stay tuned for that one).

It is a solemn evening as many Christians watch to see who will be the next president of the United States. I have been encouraging friends and family for quite some time to take God’s Word and use it as a measuring stick against the beliefs of the candidates. In the end we can vote the way in which we feel God is leading us through His Word and the rest is up to Him. So, if we wake up tomorrow morning to find that the man chosen by the people is not the man that we feel measures the tallest against God’s Word ~ we need to keep some very important things in mind.

~ We are to pray for our new leader ~ no matter who he is. God commands us to in His Word. I Timothy 2:1-4 says I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth.

~ OUR GOD IS STILL SOVEREIGN. HE IS STILL ON THE THRONE. In Colossians 1:16-17 it says For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for him; And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.

~ We are to work for the night is coming. John 9:4 I must work the works of them that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work.

I can see how Christians may grow very worried and fret over the election results. This is why it is so important for them to be in God’s Word. If we stay in His Word then we will be anchored and strong and ready for whatever comes. It is your only comfort; it is your only peace; let it be your all in all.

Listen, my friend, I can’t help but believe that the United States has become a "stinky" wound in the sight of God. This country ~ our country ~ founded on the God of the Holy Bible ~ with a heritage so rich for our Lord ~ has turned its back on Him. So many many Christians have become like the world ~ their complacency is so strong ~ just living to live ~ following God as it suits their lifestyles. Why do you think one out of two Christian men are addicted to pornography? Why do you think so many Christians are divorcing and then going on to live with the next person they come to care for? Why do you think 50 million helpless babies have been aborted since 1973 ~ even some by Christians? We are in a very sad state. And that is just in respect to the Christians. Looking at those who are still lost and dying ~ it is even more sinful and dark. We are an infectious wound in the eyes of God indeed.

I love America and have always counted it such a blessing and privilege to live here ~ to be an American. But we are so very far from where we started. We are so very far, even, from the days when I was raised in the 60's and 70's. Not long after 9/11 I saw a bumper sticker that said "We say God Bless America but we need to say America Bless God." We want God to bless us but we haven’t been blessing God in the way in which we live our lives.

As we near the end of our journey on this sin-sick earth things are not going to get better. They are not going to get easier. And I encourage you my friend to stand fast in the Word of God, stay in church, pray like you’ve never prayed before. We are fast becoming the minority in this world. If God tarries coming this night, we will see another morning. But be not discouraged. For God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling there of. COME WHAT MAY ~ FEAR NOT ~ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH. Those verses still hold true today just as much as they held true back in November just as they held true when they were written. We are commanded to pray for our president ~ I hope you will. So dig your heels in ~ stay busy for the cause of Christ ~ and lift our new leader up ~ he's gonna need it ~ because this old world is spinning out of control ~ he's got his work cut out for him.

Are You Sleeping?

I'm come to be quite fond of the verse We spend our years as a tale that is told (Psalms 90: 9). I reckon my fondness stems from the reality check that it constantly reminds me of. This verse can truly put your whole life into perspective. Our life is a tale ~ a story ~ and with all tales an end is emminent. We have one "go around" ~ and while so many in the world see that as an excuse to live the devil's way ~ it truly is the perfect reason to live the Lord's way ~ and redeem the time that He has given us.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Our time on this earth is running out. My pastor preached on this very passage last week ~ in tears pleading with us to "redeem the time." He talked about how the world is at an all-time low ~ because people are getting farther and farther away from God. And in the mean time Christians are sleeping. In verse 14 of this same chapter it says Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

I think a lot of us can go to sleep ~ through indifference (having a more "open mind" in respect to this evil world which will lead to 'fence sitting' and a state of indifference) ~ and through sin (yielding to the temptation that encircles us in this world) ~ and even through distraction (satan loves to distract the Christian with everything imaginable from prestige and riches to trials and troubles ~ whatever it takes to make us ineffective for Christ).

God is coming back and if death does not take Christians from this world then the trumpet will. And with that thought, Pastor Dan encouraged us ~ that until that happens ~ to redeem our time in three particular ways:

1. Read your Bible ~ everyday. Cherish it like those Africans that Raphael took Bibles to (see post entitled "Greasing The Way in Prayer"). We need for it to be our most precious possession.

2. Win your lost relatives to the Lord. Now is the time ~ tomorrow might be too late.

3. Serve God with all you have.

Pastor Dan shared with us that he had been out soul winning and he was able to speak to a gentleman out in his yard about Christ. The man accepted the Bible tract but was unwilling to pray and ask God to save him. He said what so many say "Not today. Maybe another time." One week later my pastor went back to visit this man again and he had been killed in a drive by shooting. We won't know until we enter eternity whether this man read that tract and accepted Christ. Little did Pastor Dan know that less than seven days after he witnessed to this man ~ that his life would be needlessly snuffed out.

Oh that we would redeem the time that Christ has given us here on this earth. Oh that we would redeem the time so that this tale we are living might be a worthy story to tell. Oh that we will redeem the time...........

The Twelve Days of Christmas Origin - Maybe.....

Last Christmas season I received an email about the origin of The Twelve Days of Christmas (Author Unknown). I tried to check it out ~ some believe in its authenticity ~ while others do not. No matter whether it is truth or an urban legend, I really liked it. If it isn't the origin of that old song, maybe it should have been. Read on and enjoy.

You're all familiar with the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." To most it's a delightful nonsense rhyme set to music. But it had a quite serious purpose when it was written. During the period of 1558 to 1829, Parliament had finally emancipated Catholics in England, and they were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law - private OR public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. It was a secret memory aid ~ for to be caught with anything in *writing* indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could lead to imprisonment or even worse ~ they could be hung (shortened by a head as they called it).

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (Luke 13:34).

The other symbols stand for the following:

2 Turtle Doves ~ The Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens ~ Faith, Hope and Charity, the three virtues

4 Calling Birds ~ The Four Gospels

5 Golden Rings ~ The first Five Books of the Old Testament

6 Geese A-laying ~ The six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming ~ The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

8 Maids A-milking ~ The eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing ~ The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping ~ The Ten Commandments

11 Pipers Piping ~ The eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming ~ The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

So there you have it. True or not ~ I don't know ~ but an interesting read nonetheless. Merry Christmas

In All Things ~ Don't Complain

I believe there are no coincidences in life ~ ever. I was driving down the road recently and something I had been reading about in the Bible just jumped into my head. And, I suppose, it was the parallel that was made in my mind and then in my heart that really got me to thinking.

I had been reading in the Book of Numbers about the Children of Israel and how God reacted to their complaining and murmuring as they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. It displeased and disappointed Him that they didn’t trust Him enough to provide for them (Numbers 11:1). And it got me to thinking about when I complain - and how that must displease God. Frankly, it is an expression of disbelief toward God's order in my life. Complaining is unbelief in His Word ~ "For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). If I believe that the Lord is in control of my life and is working ALL THINGS for my good then I need to stop complaining and starting thanking Him for the plan He is working together for me.

Aw.... easy preaching and hard living you might be thinking. I’ll have to agree. But it was what came to my mind after that initial thought that caused me to really examine my heart. At first it was hard to remember but my thoughts began going back to different times in the past when I had given place to complaining and grumbling about my life. I remembered that when I started praising God for those "all things"(Romans 8:28) ~ when I began to show appreciation to God for guiding and leading me through this ole world despite the ups and downs ~ that those "all things" began to be taken care of in one way or another. (Psalm 50:14-15). A friend put it this way ~ "Grumbling and complaining only prolongs your agony. Praise moves God to change your situation."

Have you ever prayed for something so hard you can taste it? Well, that is where I am. And my heart needs to be right in order for God to move - however He may move. It won’t be easy but I’m going to try with God’s strength to be thankful in all things ~ it’s just the right thing to do.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings
Philippians 2:14

Stand Up For Jesus

Have you ever been in one of those situations where you knew you were going to "major-ly" kick yourself later if you didn’t speak up right then and there? Have you also found out there are going to be some folk ~ relatives included ~ that have made it quite clear that they don’t believe what you believe, they don’t want to believe what you believe, and would you please stop talking about what you believe?

This Thanksgiving weekend brought such a time for me. I was visiting with family and was half-way listening to a relative talk about something she had been reading on the internet in respect to land that the Jews are fighting for ~ something about Mesopotamia ~ wars ~ fighting over land was mentioned again ~ Abraham ~ and so on. (I really started listening at this point). She concluded by saying "They say the wars will continue until the end of time ~ and no one will really win the war over this disputed land. Everyone is just going to blow up anyway and no one will win."

I sat there for a moment and contemplated whether I should speak up or not. And then I quietly spoke and told her of God’s covenant with Abraham and how the land did belong to the Jews ~ how the battle would ultimately be won ~ and that everyone was not going to blow up. She was quiet for a moment and then said "I don’t believe that." I told her that it was clearly written about in God’s Word. She then said something that hurt my heart ~ "I don’t believe in the Bible completely ~ just parts of it are true ~ it is not literal." Now this is not "just" any relative ~ this is a relative that knows better. She was raised in the church ~ made a profession of faith at the age of 12 ~ she once professed that she believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Years ago a "new age" colleague drew her away from the truth. Oh how far from the Lord she has come.

It’s possible that had this conversation taken place last Thanksgiving I might have not said a word. But this Thanksgiving was so different for me ~ I am tremendously thankful for God’s Word ~ more so than I have ever been in my life. It has been that light unto my path and a lamp unto my feet this past year. To hear someone I love ~ someone I know who knows the truth deep down in her heart ~ dispute the Word of God ~ to proclaim that it is not inspired but rather "written by a whole bunch of different men" ~ to say that portions are not real ~ that was hard for me. I told her to say that even one small part of the Bible was untrue meant that we could not proclaim that any of it was true. I tried to explain to her that it was inspired by God ~ that it has withstood the test of time ~ and for me to sit back and say nothing to her statements against the Holy Bible would be a tragedy against God. She looked at me and said, "Cathy, you’ll be alright" to which I replied "Yes, I know I will." And she concluded by saying "Hey, I know I’ll be alright."

I walked away from the conversation feeling so inadequate ~ as if I had failed. Yet God promises in His Word that He will give us what to say when we need it. Matthew 10:16 says Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Verses 19-20 say But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

I know this ~ excluding my family ~ God’s Word is the GREATEST earthly treasure to me. I can’t live without it ~ now that I know what it is like to live with it. I had to stand up for it. Did my feelings of inadequacy and failure come from satan? I think so. Did I let the Holy Spirit speak through me? I pray so. People have died standing up for their faith ~ standing up for His Word ~ should we do any less? It isn't easy to take a stand. Plenty of times I have quietly stood by. I pray I will always speak up when God wants me to ~ and that I will say what the Holy Spirit gives me to say.

Slaves To Sin

God’s timing is always perfect ~ even when we don’t understand it. In the by-and-by it always falls into place and makes sense. Yesterday I was driving to a nearby town and I decided to put in a preaching CD. My mother had ordered it and had shared it with me over a year ago. I’m not really sure why I had never listened to it. So there it was in the visor ~ and I decided to put it in and see what it was about.

I was actually kind of surprised - it was about being a slave to sin. I must say that after I listened to it I called my mom and asked her if she remembered giving it to me and she said that she did ~ she also said that there were folk we knew that were enslaved to sin and she thought it might help. Simply put ~ that is an understatement!

Christian families are falling apart in epidemic proportion. And I believe I state that without exaggeration. If I ~ me all by myself ~ know of six Christian families that are devastated by sin and the family is broken, that tells me that the war of satan against the saints is heating up.

So many Christians are enslaved to some type of sin that wages within them. They go to church on Sunday, heartily shake everyone’s hand, answer "I am doing great" when asked how they are - but they aren’t fine. Most of these folk would even say that they are free ~ but they aren’t free. Oh, they are free physically but emotionally and spiritually they are slaves ~ slaves to something that has a power over them ~ a power that commands them to indulge in desires that they should not be indulging in (i.e. alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, porn, gambling, etc). They are slaves to sin.

In John 8: 31-36 Jesus is speaking to the Jews about being in bondage to sin. In verse 34 Jesus says Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Certainly we all sin every day of our lives. But in this context ~ in referring back to the Greek word for committeth ~ it states the definition "continually." Understandably, if we continue in a sin we become a servant to it ~ we become enslaved. I can truly relate to this bondage. For 12 long years I was enslaved to soap operas. It began very subtly and before I knew it I was watching three a day. I was addicted, I didn’t care that I was addicted, I completely stopped reading my Bible, I completely stopped praying ~ how in the world it happened, I’m not sure. But the point is I became a slave to that sin. I’ve been "soap opera free" for 10 ½ years and when I look back on it, it is truly hard to imagine how I let myself get in that shape.

Only God could set me free from that bondage. John 8:32 says And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. I had to recognize that it was sin, that I needed to walk away from it ~ and it wasn’t easy. There were times in the beginning that I so desperately wanted to turn the TV on and start it up all over again. It wasn’t easy. But eventually, after getting back into the Word, after reestablishing my prayer life ~ freedom finally came.

I do believe that God had me to listen to this CD to remind me of where I’ve been and even more importantly to better equip me in dealing with those who are there now. You see, I’ve gotten angry particularly with the ravaging of sexual immorality among Christians. The statistics are staggering with 50% of Christian men addicted to porn and 27% of Christian women struggling with it. It is wreaking havoc in the homes, in the work place ~ everywhere we look we see sex being used to sell any and everything. It is at every turn.

Listening to this preacher talk about sin and how it can enslave ~ giving the analogy of a chain being wrapped around our neck and being drawn tighter and tighter with each indulgence ~ I reckon the anger just left. I know we are to hate the sin and not the sinner but when I see people I know and care about hurting ~ well, I just kept getting angry.

I thank God that He guided me to this sermon at a time when my heart was open and ready for it. I don’t know what the next step is in ministering to these folk but I do know that feeling hateful toward the one enslaved ~ toward the one that has done what seems to be irreparable damage ~ doesn’t help anyone. I need to pray more and talk far less.

'Trying' Is Used Only Once

This year marks my 50th birthday. I’m at a point in my life where I can say I have some loved ones who have gone on "home" before me and I’m actually thinking about the day when I will see them again. But I’m also at the point in my life where I think about going to Heaven for I yearn to be brought into His presence ~ for troubles and trials have a way of drawing us closer in our relationship with Christ.

I’ve been reading the Book of James today ~ and it opens with an exhortation in respect to these very trials. For the first time, I read it differently than all the times before. Verse 2 says My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. Temptations are typically thought of as those things that tempt us ~ and I was thinking along those lines in the past when I read this. Verse 3 goes on to say Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. I reckon, in my mind, I was reading verses 1-12 as "if you can get through the temptation without yielding to it then it will develop patience." I ‘supposed’ this in my mind but never failed to study it further ~ until tonight.

I checked out my Strong’s concordance for the Greek meaning of temptations in verse 2 ~ which said "a putting to proof - adversity." I then checked the Greek meaning of the word trying in verse 3 (interestingly this word is used only once in the entire Bible) ~ which said "a testing; a trial." The word temptation is used again in verse 12. Upon checking the Greek meaning it said "uncertain affinity; depth; deep or open sea."Definitely these words indicate troubles, trials, tribulations, and deep despair rather than evil temptations. This has meant a great deal to me ~ once again ~ that the Holy Spirit as brought me to yet another understanding of the scripture.

Divers temptations (trials) = patience

I liked what J. Vernon McGee had to say about this passage ~ "Testing will either drive you to the Lord or it will drive you away from Him. So many Christians become bitter. It is not going to be a pleasant experience to come someday into the presence of Christ if you have let the very thing your heavenly Father was using to develop your character and to bring you into a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ make you bitter."

So we have to hang in there. We will have testings and these testings are a method God uses to develop us in the Christian faith. And there will be a crown of life for those who persevere under trial ~ James 1:12 says Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Divers temptations (trials) = Patience = Crown of Life

Now I’m not anticipating the Crown of Life ~ for I have too often become weary and bitter while going through the refining process by my Potter ~ but I just want to leave here trying ~ if you know what I mean.

There is only one solution on how to get through these divers temptations ~ these trials of life ~ stay the course, gain patience, keep the faith, and He will see us through.

Is there no other way open, God,
Except through sorrow, pain, and loss,
To stamp Christ’s likeness on my soul -
No other way except the cross?
And then a voice stills all my soul
As stilled the waves of Galilee,
"Can’st thou not bear the furnace heat
If midst the flames I walk with thee?
I bore the cross. I know its weight.
I drank the cup I hold for thee.
Can’st thou not follow where I lead?
I’ll give strength. Lean hard on Me."

~ Author Unknown

Cathy ~ You Must Find Victory Within Yourself

This is somewhat of a long read ~ but it shows how God moves and I pray it can encourage someone.

I’ve been waiting for days, weeks, even months - waiting for something specific from God. I had told Him it would make it so much easier if He could scrawl His answer across the sky ~ or send me a letter in the mail. :) I found that the more I sought His face on this particular matter the more anxious, impatient, and even desperate I was beginning to feel.

This afternoon I had to run an errand for my mother. I drove to the store and as I walked the aisles I once again implored God for help in this very crucial matter that is uppermost in my mind. I can’t tell you exactly how "what happened" took place ~ I just know that it did. God spoke to my heart and I found myself saying out loud "Cathy, you must find victory within yourself." My mouth moved, said the words, and I believe God put them there. I had not even been thinking these words. And at that moment the oppression and loneliness that I had been feeling lifted from me. The impression was profound.

Now I can’t tell you that I knew exactly what that meant. All I knew was that God gave it to me. The lift of that heavy weight of oppression was so tangible. I knew this was my starting place ~ and I also knew where I had to go to begin searching for what God was trying to tell me. So when I got home this evening I began a word search in the Bible. I figured my work was cut out for me ~ with a term like victory ~ there had to be many citations. But surprisingly it occurs only 13 times in the Old and New Testament combined. And there were three citations that really stood out to me this evening.

The first citation is found in I Chronicles 29:11 which is King David’s "kingdom prayer." Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the Heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. This is considered one of the greatest prayers in the Scriptures. J. Vernon McGee puts it well ~ "It repudiates (refuses or denies) all human merit and declares human dependence on God. It reveals self-humiliation, confession, and dedication of self. It admits that all belongs to God." Human merit unimportant ~ dependence ~ meekness ~ confession.

The second citation is in Psalm 98:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvellous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Matthew Henry says "The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him ~ let us praise Him." Praise God - He has overcome all obstacles ~ victory indeed.

The final citation is in I John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Faith saves us and faith keeps us. J. Vernon McGee says "...and faith is the only way in which you and I will be able to overcome this world around us." This verse says that whoever is saved (whoever is born of God) will overcome this world. And it doesn’t say that we will overcome by fighting but rather by faith. God will do the fighting ~ in the same way that Joshua was to march around the walls of Jericho. His business was to believe God that the walls would fall down - his job was not to fight and knock the walls down. And so it is for us - to overcome this world by faith.

God burdened my heart ~ ‘Cathy - You must find the victory within yourself.’ Lay down any effort to fight this battle. Believe that God will fight it for you. For He knows all your infirmities and He has overcome the world.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I don't even know what the next step will be. I only know that I will overcome this situation with my faith. God is my victor.

We Are In A Spiritual Battle

The first time I gave any credence to spiritual warfare was in my early adult years. At that time I believed it to be real but I don’t know that I really comprehended it. Several years ago I had the opportunity to read several of the Frank Perreti books ~ Piercing the Darkness, This Present Darkness, The Prophet, The Oath, and The Visitation. All of these books bring to life what is warned about in Ephesians 6:12 ~ For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. My knowledge and awareness of just how tangible the spiritual world really is has never been the same.

God saw fit to warn us about it in Ephesians 6:12. Praise God that He also gave us the anecdote to combat this great threat we know as satan and his demons. J. Vernon McGee says "It is only God’s armor that can withstand the strategy and onslaught of satan who has all kinds of weapons." The Christian does not fight the enemy who is flesh and blood. Our enemy is spiritual so our warfare must be spiritual. Who is the enemy of every believer? The devil. McGee goes on to say "There are spiritual forces working in the world, evil forces working against the church. They are working against the believer, against God, against Christ. It is happening, and you and I alone are no match for it."

And the way to victory over the devil is to follow what God has laid out in Ephesians 6:13-18. The first thing we must do is stand. (Vs. 13). We need to be in standing position to fight a good fight. Second, we need our loins girt about with truth (we need to know the Word of God); and have on the breastplate of righteousness (not self-righteousness but the righteousness of Christ ~ a heart and conscience that is right with God) (vs. 14). Third, our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (our feet are to be anchored on the Rock ~ The Lord Jesus Christ) (vs. 15). Fourth, we are to ~ above all ~ take the shield of faith (Christ, not only the door to salvation but also the door which protects the believer from the enemy on the otherside). By faith, we are securely in His hands (vs. 16). Fifth, put on the helmet of salvation. (vs. 17a). All of these weapons are for the defense - protecting the front of the Christian. Our magnificent God further lays out His plan in the next verse that will supply weapons of offense. The first one is the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God (vs. 17b). In Hebrews 4:12 it says For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword..." We desperately need that sharp sword coming out of our mouths today. The other weapon offense is found in verse 18 ~ the weapon of prayer ~ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

We need to recognize these spiritual enemies called satan and his demons and we need to grab hold of that which is God’s in order to fight the battles that are going to come. If you are a Christian, living for the Lord, those battles are going to come. Be ready my friend. I speak from great experience ~ be ready.

My "Thankful" List

Tonight a friend sent me a message that led me to one blog, which led me to another, and then another ~ you know how that is. Anyway, the gist of it all was about showing gratitude to God ~ finding Him in ALL things. The idea is to simply keep a Thanksgiving Journal ~ not just at this time of year but all year long. As I hopped from blog to blog I was finding those who were actually keeping their list online for others to read.

So I decided to follow suit and take the time to truly count my blessings ~ listing them as God lays them on my heart and brings them to my attention. And in so doing, I believe I will be a more thankful person ~ a person more enthusiastic in the harder times of life ~ and hopefully be an encouragement to others that they might count their blessings as well. So here goes....

I am thankful for ~

1. My salvation

2. God's Word

3. Three wonderful daughters that love the Lord

4. A warm bed to sleep in each night

5. Hot cocoa on a cold day

6. My calico cats Callie, Fluffy, and Camie.

7. America

8. Fresh green beans from the garden

9. My mother who led me to the Lord

10. My sister Jo Carol who makes me feel special

11. A beautiful sunrise

12. A rainbow of colors at sunset

I think I will stop there and start again tomorrow. Why don't you try this along with me ~ simply counting your blessings. As the old hymn says "Count your many blessings name them one by one and it might surprise you what the Lord hath done." Amen to that.

Christian ~ You Are the Conquerer Not The Conquered

I have been walking through the book of Romans. And I’ve been particularly fascinated with all that is within Chapter 8. Actually the entire book seems to be jam-packed with so much ~ it is a bit overwhelming ~ but it is a "good" overwhelming.

With all the uncertainty in this world, what a comfort it is to read verses 35-39 of this chapter. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? It seems everything imaginable is mentioned here. As Christians, we will go through persecution. We will experience distress and tribulation in our lives. We may lose all our material possessions or have to go to war. As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Christians are being "slaughtered" in different parts of the world today ~ simply because they are Christians. But the good news is found in the verses to follow (vs. 37-39) ~ nothing will separate us from the love of Christ. Words that are music to my ears ~ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Paul wrote NAY ~ NO ~ ABSOLUTELY NOT - we will conquer and not be conquered. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nothing at all will separate - not death or life; not the present or the future; not demons (principalities and powers) ~ NOTHING will separate us. Now that is cause for rejoicing. That is cause for shouting hallelujah.

Are you reading the Word everyday? Are you sharing the Good News? He’s coming back ~ the times we are now living in show that. And don’t forget - if you are a child of the King - you are a conqueror ~ not the conquered. You’re on the victory side. As my pastor reminded us yesterday ~ "This is not your home. Heaven is your home. You are just a pilgrim passing through ~ and you are in a battle of a war that has already been won." And so as we sojourn through this land, we must fight the good fight and keep the faith until we see Jesus. Keep looking up ~ He is coming back. Thank God He is going to come back for us!

Contend For Your Faith!

In the 1980's a poll was given to 700 preachers with the following results:

48% Denied the inspiration of the Bible
24% Rejected the atonement
12% Rejected the resurrection of Christ
27% Rejected that Christ will return to judge the quick and the dead

One minister was quoted as saying "We liberal clergymen are no longer interested in the fundamentalist-modernist controversy. We do not believe we should even waste our time engaging in it. So far as we are concerned, it makes no difference whether Christ was born of a virgin or not." Another preacher said, "In our denomination what you call the Faith of our Fathers is approaching total extinction. Of course a few of the older ministers still cling to the Bible. But among the younger men, the real leaders of our denomination today, I do not know of a single one who believes in Christ." Heaven help them! And these results are nearly 30 years old. It makes me wonder what the percentages would be today.

All of this points toward the theme of the Book of Jude ~ the "impending apostasy" ~ a departure from the faith. J. Vernon McGee says "Apostasy was just a little cloud the size of a man’s hand in Jude’s day. But now it is a storm of hurricane force that fills the land." The statistics above certainly amen that thought.

The Spirit of God inspired Jude to write on this apostasy and to encourage the Christians to contend for the faith (i.e. defend the great doctrines of Christianity) ~ Jude 3 says Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

At this point Jude gives his reasons why we as Christians must contend for the faith. He is sounding the alarm about apostasy. Verse 4 says there are certain men crept in unawares..... Just yesterday I received word that a guest speaker at a fundamental Bible college made contradiction in reference to the inspired Word of God truly being inspired. Unfortunately this is not the first time I have heard of such. I can think of two other Bible colleges that have fallen way from the truth ~ disputing the authenticity of the Bible, proposing that Jesus was "just a man" and denying the deity of Christ (2 Peter 2:1).

Apostasy was nothing new even to Jude. He cites six different examples ~ from fallen angels now chained in darkness, to the fornicators and homosexuals in Sodom and Gomorrah, to the apostate teachers which creep in without our knowing

Apostasy took place in Bible times and it is taking place today. Jude finishes out the chapter describing what to look for in apostates so we can expose them. Verses 17-19 tells that in the end times they will walk after their own ungodly lusts (their desires are totally apart from God and from God’s will); they will separate themselves (causing divisions in the church) and the list goes on. To see the falling away of God’s people, to see His own allow wolves into the church to lead them in the way of untruth ~ It is sobering isn’t it ~ but it is occurring in rampant proportions.

This is why it is so very important to stay in God’s Word. Study it, meditate on it, memorize it, live it. Know what you believe and why you believe. Be ready to give an account - to take that stand for Christ. CONTEND FOR YOUR FAITH!!! Some day He is coming back ~ He is going to take His own home ~ and when He does apostasy will be unleashed for there will be no Holy Spirit present. What a dark and evil time that will be. Is that not enough to cause us to cry out to the lost ~ begging them to come to Him?

No Matter The Election Results ~ God Is STILL On The Throne

It is a solemn evening as many Christians watch to see who will be the next president of the United States. I have been encouraging friends and family for quite some time to take God’s Word and use it as a measuring stick against the beliefs of the candidates. In the end we can vote the way in which we feel God is leading us through His Word and the rest is up to Him.

So, if we wake up tomorrow morning to find that the man chosen by the people is not the man that we feel measures the tallest against God’s Word ~ we need to keep some very important things in mind.

~ We are to pray for our new leader ~ no matter who he is. God commands us to in His Word. I Timothy 2:1-4 says I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth.

~ OUR GOD IS STILL SOVEREIGN. HE IS STILL ON THE THRONE. In Colossians 1:16-17 it says For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him and for him; And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.

~ We are to work for the night is coming. John 9:4 I must work the works of them that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh when no man can work.

I can see how Christians may grow very worried and fret over the election results. This is why it is so important for them to be in God’s Word. If we stay in His Word then we will be anchored and strong and ready for whatever comes. It is your only comfort; it is your only peace; let it be your all in all.

Listen, my friend, I can’t help but believe that the United States has become a "stinky" wound in the sight of God. This country ~ our country ~ founded on the God of the Holy Bible ~ with a heritage so rich for our Lord ~ has turned its back on Him. So many many Christians have become like the world ~ their complacency is so strong ~ just living to live ~ following God as it suits their lifestyles. Why do you think one out of two Christian men are addicted to pornography? Why do you think so many Christians are divorcing and then going on to live with the next person they come to care for? Why do you think 50 million helpless babies have been aborted since 1973 ~ even some by Christians? We are in a very sad state. And that is just in respect to the Christians. Looking at those who are still lost and dying ~ it is even more sinful and dark. We are an infectious wound in the eyes of God indeed.

I love America and have always counted it such a blessing and privilege to live here ~ to be an American. But we are so very far from where we started. We are so very far, even, from the days when I was raised in the 60's and 70's. Not long after 9/11 I saw a bumper sticker that said "We say God Bless America but we need to say America Bless God." We want God to bless us but we haven’t been blessing God in the way in which we live our lives.

As we near the end of our journey on this sin-sick earth things are not going to get better. They are not going to get easier. And I encourage you my friend to stand fast in the Word of God, stay in church, pray like you’ve never prayed before. We are fast becoming the minority in this world.

If God tarries coming this night, we will see another morning. But be not discouraged. For God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling there of. COME WHAT MAY ~ FEAR NOT ~ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH.

Who Will Be King, Um, I Mean President

As the election nears, there is much speculation and even worry about who will become president. I know who I would prefer to be president ~ who I believe comes closest to what God’s Word says. Yet in the end, all we can really do is pray about the outcome, go to the polls on Tuesday, and the rest is up to God. I like what Psalm 118:8-9 says It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. There is much comfort that can come from claiming these verses.

When you start to think about "Who will be president" ~ trust in the Lord. When you begin to worry about the "what ifs" if the candidate further from God’s truths becomes president ~ trust in the Lord. When you dwell upon the price of gas, the falling stock market, and your husband’s job security ~ trust in the Lord.

In the book of Daniel 2: 20-21 it says Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are His. And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.... Jeremiah 27:5 says I made the earth; the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And finally in Psalm 75:6-7 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But GOD is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. God’s Word is pretty simple on this matter. He sets kings (i.e. world leaders, presidents, governors, mayors, etc) in place and He removes them as well. He gives these positions to whom He deems "meet" to have the job. So why should we worry? We can’t change a single thing by worrying or even feeling concern. Our job as Christians is to vote for the individual who comes the closest to God’s standards laid out in His word ~ that is all we can do. The rest is simply up to Him. So don’t worry about it. God owns all the stocks, all the bonds, all the money, all the jobs ~ He owns everything. Put your trust in Him and in His Word and you will be just fine.

Moon River ~ A Simpler Time

When I was a little girl I remember Moon River playing on the radio. To this day it is still a special song to me. When I hear it play I go back to a time when, in many ways, things were just a whole lot simpler.

Today I was made aware of yet another family where the use of pornography in the home has taken its devastating toll. Christian folk may not want to talk about this dirty little secret but it seems to be one of satan’s number one tools to ravage the Christian home these days. In Luke 22: 31 it says And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat. And that is exactly what he is doing. It is reality and it is happening more and more often. And not talking about it won’t make it go away.

The internet has made it so easy for folk to look upon things that they have no business looking upon. While the world wide web offers so many wonderful and positive opportunities, I can’t deny that when I get news like I received today it makes me want to take a sledge hammer to my computer. Oh Christians, be careful what you watch. Be careful what you listen to. Don’t forsake reading the Bible. Don’t forsake praying. Don’t compromise your walk. There is no compromise between light and dark. They can not co-exist. You cannot serve two masters. God says it is impossible. Matthew 24:6 says No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammom." I fear the moon river days are over. Christ is coming back. And with the shape of this world ~ it doesn’t appear to be far off. Make no compromises between light and darkness. Work harder than ever before ~ for the night is coming for those who do not know Him.

A Bitter-Sweet Situation

Two weeks ago I turned 50 years old. Thirty-eight of those years I have been saved ~ a child of the King ~ the Lord Jesus Christ. You might think that in all those years I would know the Bible fairly well ~ yet to my shame I do not. But for nearly a year I’ve been feasting at His table ~ lapping up the Holy Bible like a thirsty dog lapping up water on a hot summer day.

It’s kind of bitter-sweet. Bitter because so many years have gone by without truly studying God’s Word as I should have ~ and sweet because it has become so precious to me as I am getting to know God better. I believe that I worry and fret far less ~ and I know I trust far more. It is a much better way of life. For even when I’m not on the mountain top I am happy in Him. And that, my friend, is an awesome experience.

So don’t forget ~ if we aren’t reading The Word then we aren’t fully communicating with our Mighty God.

A Sweeter Journey ~ Part II

I am continuing to repost writings from my old blog that I believe will be particularly helpful to those going through a struggle great or small. To follow is the second of a three part devotional that the Lord laid on my heart to write back in the summer.

I have been journeying through a book entitled Something More by Catherine Marshall. I first read the phrase “A Golden Bridge To The Heart of God” in her chapter on praising God. She writes “God steps in to change unhappy or even disastrous situations in our lives when we thank Him for the situation itself.” She goes on to reiterate the first theme (of which I posted yesterday) that this concept of praising can be true “only when we at last understand that God is ‘in’ every circumstance ~ good or bad ~ that He allows to come to us.” She further shares that growth comes when we take an “active step toward God who stands waiting for us at the center of the problem” ~ and the quickest route is via the pathway of praise.

Much scripture backs this up.

~ Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

~ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

Many more could be sighted. Marshall goes on to give illustrations from the Bible of praise being the “hinge upon which great events turned.” One in particular was the account of Paul and Silas in prison. Their backs were surely raw and bleeding from the stripes laid upon them. Their feet were in stocks. City authorities were clearly against them. It didn’t look good. Acts 16 tells the account of how Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and placed in prison. In verses 25 & 26 it is recorded And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the excitement didn’t stop there. Not only was the jailer and his entire family saved, by morning all charges were withdrawn and they were free to go.

Praising God in the good times is something I can do quite easily ~ but praising God for the bad things is not something I have a lot of practice with. Catherine Marshall writes that the prayer of praise is the most powerful prayer of all. “It is a golden bridge to the heart of God. No human situation is too burdensome, no circumstances too calamitous for praise to bring as marvelous of results today as in Bible times.” So I’m gonna pray toward this end. I’ve actually already begun. Being a Christian for so many years and yet not really dealing as well with “things” as I should ~ I want to see change. I want to see victory in my life and in the lives around me. I figure this route far outweighs the more traditional ones I've tried ~ praying yet still worrying, praying yet still complaining, and even praying yet still not truly believing that He CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE. There is so much more that can be shared but that will have to wait for another time. May the Lord richly bless you!