We've been quite busy in the last week or so, as we put our house on the market, bought a smaller one and still are preparing to take a trip or two for graduations and weddings. So, my blogging routine has been sorely disturbed. But today, I promised myself, that I would blog this particular message. So, yesterday's message in my journal was based on Matthew 23:22 "A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account, regardless."
Jesus was scolding the Pharisees for dictating to the people when and how a promise became acceptable and true... by swearing on the scriptures, shaking hands or raising your hand to God. In one of these ways, you could identify an honorable promise. This is rather like kids. If they crossed their fingers they didn't have to keep the promise or they would swear something was true even if it wasn't. Just like kids.... poppy-cock! A promise is a promise and God will hold you to it.
We utter a promise when we marry. We accept a promise to pay a debt. We promise in court to tell the truth. We even promise that we will do what we have said we would do. And for the most part, I think most people do tell the truth as they know it to be. Sometimes what we tell is our opinion only and then it becomes true as far as we are able to ascertain. It would be nice if we could swear in court, " I promise to tell the truth as I understand it to be." But, no takers, so far.
Everyday I make promises to myself. Today, I will definitely exercise. Tomorrow I will definitely iron clothes. I will get at my Bible journaling right after breakfast.
I need to make more promises for myself...and keep them. But, I admit, I fear I will not keep for one reason or another any promise I have made for myself. Myself doesn't have to get mad at me for a broken promise. Other people might. Oh, shame for shame. Woe is me. I guess I need to pray.....
Lord, right now, this moment, I admit this hesitancy to make promises...much needed ones...to myself. I am now so aware that a broken promise to myself is like broken promise made to you. I freely admit to you that I hesitate to make a promise I may find an excuse not to keep, or forget about, or decide it to be unimportant after all. Forgive my hesitancy and my mistrust and help me see the importance for determination and willingness to promise myself and you when a promise is needed. Amen.
Lord, I am so glad that I am in your care!!
Your...Jo
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
WAITING AND WANTING
There is a passage in Matthew that tells of a situation when faith failed to rescue a child that suffered from demonic seizures. Now, Jesus had just returned from an extraordinary experience at the top of a mountain where God had arranged for Him to be visited by the spirits of Moses and Elijah. Peter, James and John had witnessed this great event, also. But the remaining disciples who had tried their best and yet could not help the helpless child, were devastated at their failure as they waited at the foot of the mountain for Jesus. Only Jesus could help this little one.
Jesus told them later that they had lacked faith, that with the smallest amount of faith one can move mountains.
This begs the question, Did the disciples who had waited at the foot of the mountain have no faith? And for those of us who are here today, and call ourselves followers of Christ, do we not have faith, either?
What does having faith look like? What does it feel like? Do I have faith that God is who He says He is? I believe I do. Do I believe I have enough faith to heal the sick? I don't think so. I haven't seen any true healings in the past in which I was given trusted participation. Does one need exceptional faith for healing? Or for helping another to see God and believe in God? Does absolute faith feel or look different than ordinary faith?
Does one need to wait upon Jesus' presence as the disciples did at the bottom of the hill? Do you have to first believe that Jesus is already present? If you need to receive special power, will God let you know when you have received it?
I have many questions about faith and faith's ability to heal and help and hold the knowledge of God out to the un-faithful. How does one receive this faith? Doesn't one still have to wait upon the Lord in order to receive it? Or is believing God's power is in you already all there is to it?
I need some answers, God! I am still learning, Lord! Yet, I ask your forgiveness for my doubtful attitude.
If any of you out there can lend me some light on this subject, I would greatly appreciate it!
Your friend, Jo
Jesus told them later that they had lacked faith, that with the smallest amount of faith one can move mountains.
This begs the question, Did the disciples who had waited at the foot of the mountain have no faith? And for those of us who are here today, and call ourselves followers of Christ, do we not have faith, either?
What does having faith look like? What does it feel like? Do I have faith that God is who He says He is? I believe I do. Do I believe I have enough faith to heal the sick? I don't think so. I haven't seen any true healings in the past in which I was given trusted participation. Does one need exceptional faith for healing? Or for helping another to see God and believe in God? Does absolute faith feel or look different than ordinary faith?
Does one need to wait upon Jesus' presence as the disciples did at the bottom of the hill? Do you have to first believe that Jesus is already present? If you need to receive special power, will God let you know when you have received it?
I have many questions about faith and faith's ability to heal and help and hold the knowledge of God out to the un-faithful. How does one receive this faith? Doesn't one still have to wait upon the Lord in order to receive it? Or is believing God's power is in you already all there is to it?
I need some answers, God! I am still learning, Lord! Yet, I ask your forgiveness for my doubtful attitude.
If any of you out there can lend me some light on this subject, I would greatly appreciate it!
Your friend, Jo
Monday, April 29, 2013
MY BASENESS; YOUR BEAUTY
If you don't like confessions, you may not want to read this blog, for I have a confession to make. Yes, my God wants my world of readers, no matter how small or large, to know how I really think lots of times.
We were in church on Sunday singing away, happy to be there greeting friends and worshiping with them. In the midst of one of the songs as we stood clapping, I smiled and thought how much others could see and know that I loved Jesus. There I was, thinking I was worshiping Jesus when in reality I was worshiping myself! Oh, lame person that I am!
So, I bowed my head without a song on my lips and told Jesus how sorry I was. And even today, I am sorry that I have so much ego that I lost sight of what church is all about.
Today, when reading my assignments for journaling, I came across a couple of verses that spoke to my sorrow, Ps.139:4 and Matt. 16:19. They read, "You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence." and "Now, I'm going to tell you who you are, really are!" ( David spoke the first line and Jesus the second to His disciples.)
How base I am! How full of human traits! God has been working a long time to change me into a person full of Him, and yet I cannot quit myself of the me, me, me that continues to plague me. Yet, I am what I am, and Jesus knows what I am and has forgiven. Yet, I wish for all of us still on this earth that we might have less of us and more of Him and have it start with me.
What a blessing to have a Lord that loves me just as I am! What a blessing to have His forgiveness and His love and beauty!
(You know? It's hard to write about Jesus Christ without exclamation points!)
Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Jo
We were in church on Sunday singing away, happy to be there greeting friends and worshiping with them. In the midst of one of the songs as we stood clapping, I smiled and thought how much others could see and know that I loved Jesus. There I was, thinking I was worshiping Jesus when in reality I was worshiping myself! Oh, lame person that I am!
So, I bowed my head without a song on my lips and told Jesus how sorry I was. And even today, I am sorry that I have so much ego that I lost sight of what church is all about.
Today, when reading my assignments for journaling, I came across a couple of verses that spoke to my sorrow, Ps.139:4 and Matt. 16:19. They read, "You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence." and "Now, I'm going to tell you who you are, really are!" ( David spoke the first line and Jesus the second to His disciples.)
How base I am! How full of human traits! God has been working a long time to change me into a person full of Him, and yet I cannot quit myself of the me, me, me that continues to plague me. Yet, I am what I am, and Jesus knows what I am and has forgiven. Yet, I wish for all of us still on this earth that we might have less of us and more of Him and have it start with me.
What a blessing to have a Lord that loves me just as I am! What a blessing to have His forgiveness and His love and beauty!
(You know? It's hard to write about Jesus Christ without exclamation points!)
Jesus!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Jo
Saturday, April 27, 2013
ALL WE HAVE.....
The huge crowd had followed Jesus and His Disciples most of the day, and now they were hungry! And they were tired as they had listened to Jesus' preaching all afternoon, and the sun had been hot. It was a long distance to a town, yet no one wanted to leave the Teacher.
The Disciples cried out in concern, "All we have are fives loaves of bread and two fish! What shall we do?" And Jesus said, "Feed them!" And they did.
"All we have...." The Disciples could not see how these thousands of villagers could possible be fed with the little bit of food that was found. No one had come prepared to feed themselves, let alone so many more. But Jesus said, "Feed them!" And they did.
God takes all we have from each one of us and uses it. If given willingly, He can use those gifts for His miracles. Miracles still happen; yes, they do and maybe on this very day! I have no doubt of this. I believe that each one of us can be part of a miracle if we give all we have in skill or capability for God's use.
We may never see the miracles God does. We may never be able to prove there was a miracle.! Yet, by faith, we can believe that a miracle has occurred or will occur and be thankful.
God, of course, can do a miracle without us. Naturally, I believe that. Don't you? But, I think it's possible that God does miracles so those of us on this earth will believe in Him. So, a couple of fish and five loaves of bread became enough food to feed thousands. Yet those fish and loaves are still talked about to this day! So, just maybe, they are still making miracles! Just maybe those loaves and fish are changing lives even at this moment!
So, what does it take to make a miracle? Sometimes it takes all we have. Sometimes it takes all we are willing to sacrifice. These things partnering with our Father who polishes the process by His Spirit, can make the hoped for miracle.
Yes, miracles still happen. But, we new disciples must give "all we have."
And believe!
New Disciple, Jo
The Disciples cried out in concern, "All we have are fives loaves of bread and two fish! What shall we do?" And Jesus said, "Feed them!" And they did.
"All we have...." The Disciples could not see how these thousands of villagers could possible be fed with the little bit of food that was found. No one had come prepared to feed themselves, let alone so many more. But Jesus said, "Feed them!" And they did.
God takes all we have from each one of us and uses it. If given willingly, He can use those gifts for His miracles. Miracles still happen; yes, they do and maybe on this very day! I have no doubt of this. I believe that each one of us can be part of a miracle if we give all we have in skill or capability for God's use.
We may never see the miracles God does. We may never be able to prove there was a miracle.! Yet, by faith, we can believe that a miracle has occurred or will occur and be thankful.
God, of course, can do a miracle without us. Naturally, I believe that. Don't you? But, I think it's possible that God does miracles so those of us on this earth will believe in Him. So, a couple of fish and five loaves of bread became enough food to feed thousands. Yet those fish and loaves are still talked about to this day! So, just maybe, they are still making miracles! Just maybe those loaves and fish are changing lives even at this moment!
So, what does it take to make a miracle? Sometimes it takes all we have. Sometimes it takes all we are willing to sacrifice. These things partnering with our Father who polishes the process by His Spirit, can make the hoped for miracle.
Yes, miracles still happen. But, we new disciples must give "all we have."
And believe!
New Disciple, Jo
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
JESUS, THROUGH THICK AND THIN
Christians in the United States have more freedom as Christians than any other country in the world. Certainly we have enemies. I guess Christians will always have enemies, but on the whole those who are not Christian tolerate us, even if they find us laughable. They say, How can anyone believe in that old fairytale? Non-believers make gestures as if they are hanging on a cross, or make the sign of the cross across their chests, or piously bow their heads and fold their hands. Hurtful? Yes. But a Christian perseveres and prays that God will forgive "for they know not what they do."
Jesus probably knew in His heart that the day would come when His disciples would struggle with hate and violence. And that is why he warned them. Matthew 10:38,39 quotes Jesus saying, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."
Peter, if you remember, for all his certainty for his loyalty, denied the Lord three times before morning on the night Jesus was betrayed. How can we be assured we will not betray Him, too?
This quote of Jesus' may just be a safety net for us in these latter years. The latter days follow the Kingdom days and it is unknown to us when these days will occur. For all we know we may be about there right now or very soon. We are told in the Revelation of John that Christians will be sorely threatened. Satan will take control for awhile. We will be asked to mark ourselves with a tattoo of sorts in order to buy bread and other necessities, and those that do not have the mark of Satan will be killed. Yet, Jesus said, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me." Oh, I so much want to go all the way with Jesus!
How can we ever know how we each would react under circumstances of hateful violence against God's people? We do not; we can only pray that should it come in our lifetime, our foreheads will be clear and unmarked and we will be so filled with the Spirit of our Lord Christ that His Spirit would be visible to all we meet! Forgetting the consequences, we would be free of fear, knowing that we are God's now and always, and ready to meet with Him...no matter what!
Lord, I want to love and obey you, through thick and thin. And I desire for your Spirit to be visible in me...always. Amen
Reader, do you feel this way, too?
Yours in peace or otherwise.......Jo
Jesus probably knew in His heart that the day would come when His disciples would struggle with hate and violence. And that is why he warned them. Matthew 10:38,39 quotes Jesus saying, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me."
Peter, if you remember, for all his certainty for his loyalty, denied the Lord three times before morning on the night Jesus was betrayed. How can we be assured we will not betray Him, too?
This quote of Jesus' may just be a safety net for us in these latter years. The latter days follow the Kingdom days and it is unknown to us when these days will occur. For all we know we may be about there right now or very soon. We are told in the Revelation of John that Christians will be sorely threatened. Satan will take control for awhile. We will be asked to mark ourselves with a tattoo of sorts in order to buy bread and other necessities, and those that do not have the mark of Satan will be killed. Yet, Jesus said, "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me." Oh, I so much want to go all the way with Jesus!
How can we ever know how we each would react under circumstances of hateful violence against God's people? We do not; we can only pray that should it come in our lifetime, our foreheads will be clear and unmarked and we will be so filled with the Spirit of our Lord Christ that His Spirit would be visible to all we meet! Forgetting the consequences, we would be free of fear, knowing that we are God's now and always, and ready to meet with Him...no matter what!
Lord, I want to love and obey you, through thick and thin. And I desire for your Spirit to be visible in me...always. Amen
Reader, do you feel this way, too?
Yours in peace or otherwise.......Jo
Monday, April 22, 2013
THIS IS KINGDOM COME!
"No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdome Come!" Jesus threw out these words at his questioners when they asked him why His disciples didn't fast. We are glad when we see Jesus still able to speak up to his aggressors in this way, and we find His words in Matthew 9:15. Those outsiders sure did pick on him as they tried every advantage to ridicule Jesus. But Jesus knew His time would come and was coming soon. The time for fasting would be soon about them, but at this time.....this time was a time of rejoicing, celebrating and praise.
This is Kingdom Come. This, the word itself, tells us that this time, this set of circumstances, this feeling of peace in this very moment, THIS is Kingdom Come.
This...moment as I seek God and read His scripture.
This...moment when I bow to my Savior, Master and relinquish the right to myself.
This....expression of words that comes to my mind and heart.
This...peace, this time, this Life in God, this certainty that Your life is in me.
This...love I have for you, for your people, and even for those who do not believe.
This...all this and more I savor and enjoy. Each moment with you, each prayer, each thought, each Word, each person I see that carries your Spirit or needs your touch.
This is Kingdom Come.
Will I be different today because your Kingdom is Here?
I hope so. Love, Jo
This is Kingdom Come. This, the word itself, tells us that this time, this set of circumstances, this feeling of peace in this very moment, THIS is Kingdom Come.
This...moment as I seek God and read His scripture.
This...moment when I bow to my Savior, Master and relinquish the right to myself.
This....expression of words that comes to my mind and heart.
This...peace, this time, this Life in God, this certainty that Your life is in me.
This...love I have for you, for your people, and even for those who do not believe.
This...all this and more I savor and enjoy. Each moment with you, each prayer, each thought, each Word, each person I see that carries your Spirit or needs your touch.
This is Kingdom Come.
Will I be different today because your Kingdom is Here?
I hope so. Love, Jo
Saturday, April 20, 2013
MAY THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW HIM
The last few days after the Boston bombing, it appears to have had me dumb-struck. As I felt numbed in horror, God kept hammering away at my senses and I began to write things down. The day of the bombing, I read and wrote about Sam. 7:47, "The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God!"
How often before and since this particular moment in time have we hoped that the whole earth would know there is an extraordinary God, a God of LOVE. Not a God of hate nor vengeance, but a God of Love. How could God not be loving when He gave His Son to die for our sinful natures? And in turn He asks us to be loving, and not hateful, to one another. But the battle does belong to God, and we, the people who have been harmed by hate and violence, must just carry out His orders to love others, forgive ourselves and others, and repent for our own sin--a tall order when we have been hurt so badly.
There is one thing which gives me great joy. Whether or not we are aware of it, God is at work. Every moment of every day, God is working, and those who look for Him, or even look for the miracles He works, will certainly see Him. If they cannot see Him, more's the pity, because there are no coincidences. There are only instances of God.
Lord, I pray, and will continue to pray all my life, that the world I see today in pain and sorrow because of the tragic bombing in Boston would reach out toward you, God, for comfort and healing. Even those persons who cannot see you, perhaps they can question why this tragedy happened and find you are there in the midst of their poverty and pain.
Many people are praying for the persons involved who have been touched by death of a loved one or one terribly wounded. And there are prayers for the witnesses, the helpers, and even for the perpetrators of this evil. Oh, how all of us need you, Lord, for your healing, your help, and your guidance. We even pray for your mystery and our trust in it. May each one receive an answer to their prayer, Lord. And to the hundreds of questions? May they all lead to you and the answer be in you.
We thank you , Lord, for your mercy--once again! And may this sadness and anger lead to a new beginning with you and hundreds of people, or thousands or ten-thousands. Yes, may the whole world know there is an extraordinary God in Israel- and beyond- available to the multitudes who, whether they know it or not are in preparation for the Heavenly Places and to be with You, forever.
Amen..............from Jo
How often before and since this particular moment in time have we hoped that the whole earth would know there is an extraordinary God, a God of LOVE. Not a God of hate nor vengeance, but a God of Love. How could God not be loving when He gave His Son to die for our sinful natures? And in turn He asks us to be loving, and not hateful, to one another. But the battle does belong to God, and we, the people who have been harmed by hate and violence, must just carry out His orders to love others, forgive ourselves and others, and repent for our own sin--a tall order when we have been hurt so badly.
There is one thing which gives me great joy. Whether or not we are aware of it, God is at work. Every moment of every day, God is working, and those who look for Him, or even look for the miracles He works, will certainly see Him. If they cannot see Him, more's the pity, because there are no coincidences. There are only instances of God.
Lord, I pray, and will continue to pray all my life, that the world I see today in pain and sorrow because of the tragic bombing in Boston would reach out toward you, God, for comfort and healing. Even those persons who cannot see you, perhaps they can question why this tragedy happened and find you are there in the midst of their poverty and pain.
Many people are praying for the persons involved who have been touched by death of a loved one or one terribly wounded. And there are prayers for the witnesses, the helpers, and even for the perpetrators of this evil. Oh, how all of us need you, Lord, for your healing, your help, and your guidance. We even pray for your mystery and our trust in it. May each one receive an answer to their prayer, Lord. And to the hundreds of questions? May they all lead to you and the answer be in you.
We thank you , Lord, for your mercy--once again! And may this sadness and anger lead to a new beginning with you and hundreds of people, or thousands or ten-thousands. Yes, may the whole world know there is an extraordinary God in Israel- and beyond- available to the multitudes who, whether they know it or not are in preparation for the Heavenly Places and to be with You, forever.
Amen..............from Jo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)