Author Archives

by

Seeds


ImageGenesis 1:11-13 God said, “Let the earth put forth grass, seed-producing plants, and fruit trees, each yielding its own kind of seed-bearing fruit, on the earth”; and that is how it was. The earth brought forth grass, plants each yielding its own kind of seed, and trees each producing its own kind of seed-bearing fruit; and God saw that it was good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a third day.

Wasn’t that smart to give the plants the ability to reproduce themselves through seeds? I have been thinking a lot about seeds, dirt, water, harvests etc. today. God does that with me. He gives me a topic and I’m not sure I heard Him so He brings it back to my mind over and over until I stop and get quiet enough to hear exactly what He’s trying to tell me….so here goes.

In the scripture referenced above The Lord is talking about plants but I believe the same principle applies to us. Before I was saved I can remember several instances of people “sowing” into my life. Sowing seeds of words, sowing seeds of actions, sowing seeds of love into me. And I’m sure there are some I’m not even aware of. I wonder if all the people that loved me into the Kingdom knew what they were doing or were they just letting the love of Jesus flow through them.

In John chapter 4 Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman at the well and then, after she walked away, He begins talking to His disciples about the harvest. John 4:35-38 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

Did the people who sowed seeds into my life realize they were entering into other people labors and that they were gathering fruit for eternal life? It must be very gratifying to lead someone to Christ. To lead them in the sinners prayer and watch them become saved. I haven’t had the privilege yet but I do think I have planted some seeds.

In 2012 on Valentines day I went to inner healing at Restoring the Foundations in Hendersonville, NC. During my week there I was exploring the area just after sunset. The Lord took me to a rock, at the top of the mountain, that overlooked the city below. As the sky darkened and the lights in the houses below began coming on The Lord said to me, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Go and join My workers in the harvest.” My response was yes Lord!

Please join me in sowing seeds of love and hope into the lost and hurting in this world. Let the streams of living water flow through you and spill onto everyone you meet today. (John 7:38)

by

Overcomers


imageRevelation 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of The Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

I got the word from The Lord yesterday morning that I was going to write on overcoming but when I typed it into my bible gateway concordance I was surprised at what I found. Beginning in Revelation 2 there are interesting promises for “he who overcomes” I will list them for you below.

Revelation 2:11 he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

Revelation 2:17 to him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who received it.

Revelation 2:26 and he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.

Revelation 3:5 he who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12 he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 3:21 to him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

What does it mean that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony? You wouldn’t be reading this and I wouldn’t have written it if there were no blood of the Lamb. We were redeemed, from the sin we were born into, and the sins we committed and will commit, by the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19) So that we could testify of Him and the ways that following Him have enriched our lives. We testify about Him in every action that we make. Everything we say. Everything we do. Once you have identified yourself as a Christian people are watching. It reminds me of the quote from Gandhi “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike Christ.” While Gandhi was in South Africa he tried to attend a church service but the elder at the door would not grant him access based on his ethnicity. This was before he went on to lead India out from under the bonds of English rule mainly through non-violent rallies and marches. He was called the father of the Indian nation. It makes my stomach turn to think about all the lost people of India that could have been saved if those Christians that he encountered had encouraged him rather than blocking his entrance to church. And while we probably won’t have that kind of influence we do still influence all the people we come in contact with each day.

If Christian means little Christ then we are supposed to be acting like Jesus Christ…right? What did Jesus do? He loved people. He ate with sinners and tax collectors. He healed people. He was a servant who put other peoples needs above His own. And He told us to do the same. Jesus did not come to judge the world but to save it (john 12:47). If that man that denied Gandhi access to the church service had known what it means to be a Christian he wouldn’t have judged him.

Are you judging the world or loving and serving the world?

by

Gifts


2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

How do you choose a gift for someone you love? Whether it is for a friend or a relative or one of your children you pick something that will enrich and bring joy to their lives. And through the giving of the gift you receive joy. I especially love to give my children gifts. I remember on their birthday or Christmas morning basking in the laughter and squeals as they opened their presents. I think God is the same way. He loves us with an everlasting and complete love. He is so pleased to lavish on us good gifts. He loves to watch us receive a gift from Him. He watches as we inspect it from every angle. Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

I believe my writing is a gift from God. He started urging me to write, last year, as I began my journey through cancer and all the surgeries and treatments. I fought it. I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t do it consistently until several weeks ago when I started this blog. Then, as I began to write, I would wait for Him to show me the topic for the day. As I wrote each days blog I would pray continuously for Him to speak through me. And I believe He has. Before I allowed Him to control the flow and direction of my writing I couldn’t put two cohesive sentences together.

There are several places in scripture that talk about the gifts of God. It says in Ephesians 4:7-8,11-12 but to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
So the gifts are given to us for two reasons according to this scripture.
1.) For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.
2.) For the edifying of the body of Christ.

In the summer of 1999 The Lord told me that the gift He was giving me was to preach and teach. He told me by illuminating that part of the scripture I just referenced. I had no idea that it would take 14 years for me to step into my calling, even to the small degree that I have begun. God is faithful and He doesn’t forget. (Romans 11:29 for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable) Even while I was so far away from Him He never forgot His plans for me. (Jeremiah 29:11) A lot of things have happened in my life in the last 14 years. I know that if I share, without reservation, He is going to use the things I have done and been through to draw people to Him. He will soften their hearts so they can accept that if, after everything I did, God loves me and blesses me and calls me His child, He will do the same for them. That is my calling and I accept it without hesitation.

What is yours? Are you being obedient?

by

Our covering


He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:1, 4 NKJV)

Do you ever feel exposed, un-covered, vulnerable? I know I have. The main fear of women is being unsafe in any/all areas of life. Above all we want to feel safe, secure and taken care of. We go from being taken care of by our parents to being taken care of by our husbands. I know that’s how it was for me anyway. After 30 years of marriage it is scary being on my own. God is working with me in this area. Soon after I came back to the area God gave me a close circle of friends, that I spent a lot of time with, who helped me deal with problems that would arise. But now it feels like He is slowly separating me from them. Some are recently married, some have moved or are moving, and the rest are just really busy. I feel like He is setting me apart to be completely dependent on Him. Right now it feels uncomfortable but I know that as I grow stronger in Him I will learn to rely on Him on a much deeper level.

Recently, during prayer with a few friends, The Lord told my friend that He had some instruction for me. She said that The Lord said 1) there was tempering to be done in me 2) leave behind the anxieties of yesterday 3) be patient because He is changing things in me and teaching me and 4) I am a woman of God. I didn’t exactly know what tempering meant so I looked it up.

Tempering:1) to dilute, qualify, or soften by the addition or influence of something else- moderate. 2) to exercise control over. To cause to be well disposed-mollify.

So to me that confirms my recent realization that I am being set apart I equate it to being on a shelf. I believe He is gently moving into a place where I can begin to rely on Him and Him alone. Isn’t it interesting to see how He treats us differently depending on our own insecurities or individual proclivities? How He knows us intimately. He knows where we need work in order to have the character and maturity to fulfill our destiny for the Kingdom. I just have to open up and be willing to let Him do what needs to be done. To change and mold me like the potter does to the clay.

Thank you Lord for your loving kindness. You meet me exactly where I am with all my faults and shortcomings. You are my trustworthy potter and I am Your willing clay.

by

Draw near


Image

 

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Jesus talks a lot about us being sheep and him being our shepherd. The beginning of this verse reminds me of when my children were little. We would be walking through the store. The grocery isles are not wide enough for me and 3 children and they always wanted to argue about who got to walk next to me. So I instituted a new rule. I would quack like a duck and they were to follow behind me in single file so we weren’t obstructing the grocery isle. It was great at getting their attention.

That reminds me of what it says in Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,“This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.” Sometimes it seems so hard to hear Him. Doesn’t it? I know that the bible is full of promises of Him being present, and active in my life but I don’t always feel or hear Him.

When you feel like He is far from you what do you do?

Do you rely on what you feel or what you know?

I wish I could say that when I feel farther away from God my first reaction is always to go to the bible and encourage myself with the Truth. That even though I don’t feel Him He is right beside me holding my right hand. (Isaiah 41:13) I am not as consistent as I want to be in this but I’m still breathing so there is time to change. I think it would be helpful to have some scriptures written down and easy to access so I’m going to list a few for me and you to refer to when we need encouragement.

Isaiah 41:10, 13 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Psalm 73:23-24, 28 Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 27:4-5 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of The Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

 

 

 

 

by

The law


Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

Thank you Jesus for fulfilling the law as no other man could.

Did you know that from the time of Adam until Moses came down the mountain with the law, given to us by God, sin had not been held against mankind? Paul says in Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. There was idolatry, murder, adultery, and every other form of sin being committed but none of them were being held against the perpetrators. When I first read that I was astounded! Do you mean to tell me that when Lots two daughters got him drunk and had sex with him so that they could get pregnant, that wasn’t a sin? Or when Simeon and Levi killed all the men of the city because Shechem defiled Dinah, their sister, that wasn’t a sin? Oh it was sin alright, but it wasn’t counted against the sinner.

Why? Because there was no standard. There was no law. If God had counted mans sin against him with no criterion upon which they would be judged He could not be called a just God. So when God dictated the law to Moses and he brought it down to the people they began being judged based upon that law. And since there was no way for man to keep every law the blood sacrifices were instituted to atone for their inability to keep the law. Ever since God killed the animal to clothe Adam and Eve, after the original sin, blood has been necessary to cover our sins.

So fast forward to the New Testament. The law in still in effect. Jesus is born a Jew and is taught the Tanakh which is the canon of the Hebrew bible or our Old Testament. He went to school with his peers as was expected of every Jewish male and was taught the law. In the scripture I referenced above (Matthew 5:17-18) Jesus is saying that He kept the law, the only man, since Moses brought the law down the mountain, that was able to abide by all the rules and regulations. Some may say that He could keep the law because He was God. But I believe that when He stepped off His throne, in Heaven, He took off His godly power and majesty, entered Mary’s womb, and became fully man. The same as you and me. Yes, His DNA was different because of His father, but He was fully human with all of our shortcomings and weaknesses. Paul says in Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. So it wasn’t like Jesus was walking around, a foot off the ground, with a pious look on His face saying “thus says The Lord”… No He was a man like any other man. Going about His life, doing His job, eating, sleeping and doing it all without sinning so He could be our perfect and spotless sacrificial lamb. The only One who could take away the sins of humanity once and for all. Almost two thousand years ago He died for my sins past, present, and future. He was such a perfect sacrifice that there is no need for animal sacrifices anymore to atone for sin. I love the way it’s put in Hebrews 10:11-14 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Because He loved us so much He fulfilled the law so we could get out from under it. That’s my Jesus, my Savior, my groom! Isn’t He marvelous?

 

 

by

Live abundantly!


Deuteronomy 6:10-12 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Isn’t that just like God? He is so good to us. He knows what we need even before we do. I guess that’s the advantage of omniscience…

I work for a furniture manufacturing company. I have been there for about a year and a half. I am also involved in helping my friend, who has been directed by The Lord to open a new women’s center in the Daphne area. We have incorporated and are in the process of applying for our 501c3, which is a form that qualifies you for non-profit status with the IRS. Once we get our non-profit status we will be able to accept tax exempt donations. Also, The Lord told my friend that once that is accomplished He will show us the building we are supposed to have and begin bringing donors, and volunteers to us. It occurred to me today the reason God put me at my current workplace, other than the obvious need for a steady income, is so I will have access to purchase the furniture that we will need to furnish the women’s center. I was talking to a co-worker today about it and she told me that the company I work for has been known to donate furniture to worthy local causes. Wow…isn’t God so smart!?

God is in the details of our life. He is concerned and wants to be involved is the circumstances of our lives. He wants us to be happy, healthy, and whole. Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” He came so that we could live abundantly in this life. He gave us everything that we need to do that. So let’s trust Him and have what is ours!

by

He first loved us…


1 John 4:19-20 We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

There are countless scriptures about love. Well, not countless, but a lot! I checked my concordance and there were over 500 times that love is mentioned in the old and New Testament. Do you think there would be so many if we “got” it? If we understood how important love is? I have found, in my bible research, that God repeats Himself when the topic is dear to Him. It says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 that if you do great things for people but aren’t operating in love it’s counted for nothing. That’s strong…

I knew I wasn’t operating in love when I did things for other people or in my interactions with people, so I starting praying about it. Each day I ask God to 1) show me how much He loves me, 2) show me how to love Him the way He loves me, and 3) show me how to love people the way He loves them. He has definitely softened my heart in that area but I’m not going to stop praying those prayers yet because I still have a very long way to go. I’m still way too selfish and self centered.

It is easy to love the people you are close to like your friends and family. You know, nice people. The people you have picked and choose to be around. But what about the people that grate on your last nerve? What about the surly cashier, the guy who cuts you off in traffic, or your boss? Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those who use you.” Wow! Just WOW! Is He kidding?! No I don’t think He is.

So, how do we do this? Good news…we can’t. Not in our own strength or our own wisdom. So we pray and ask Him to fill us up with His love. He has an infinite supply and daily He gives us what we need for that day if we ask Him. We can’t give what we don’t have.

by

He brings us out to bring us in…


Image

Deuteronomy 6:21-23

“We were slaves of pharaoh in Egypt, but The Lord sent signs and wonders-great and terrible-on Egypt and pharaoh and his whole household. But He brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land He promised on oath to our ancestors.”

What are you a slave to? What burdens are you laboring under? What lie has the enemy told you that has caused you to doubt the love and grace of our Father and His Son Jesus the Christ?

I was enslaved in 2010 and the beginning of 2011. I was living, in Pensacola, in an abusive relationship with a man who was not my husband. I had been unemployed for 16 months and the repo man was looking for my only transportation. I was basically estranged from my three children because of the choices I had made. Even though my life was awful I felt like it would be impossible to leave.

Then The Lord began courting me. He began reminding me of my true identity in Him. He quietly but persistently pursued me. I picked up my bible for the first time in years and was reminded of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24. I was the prodigal, as I looked around I realized I had to find a way to get out of the pig pen I found myself in.

So I packed my stuff in my car and came back to the Spanish Fort area. I was basically homeless and on public assistance but I was out of the pig pen. Then God started restoring me. I got a job and an apartment. I repented to my husband and my children for my behavior. When my car was repossessed God provided me with the funds to pay cash for a vehicle. I was desperately lonely so God lead me to a singles group at Bay Community Church. They loved me back to life.

In the last two years God has done so many miracles in my life it would take a book to recount them all. The most amazing and the one I treasure above all the rest is that my relationships with my children have been restored. But not just restored, they are all better than they were before. I am so thankful to my Abba Father, my Redeemer who has brought me out to bring me in…to an unbelievably blessed life full of peace, joy and hope.

The best part is that if He did it for me He will do it for you! Isn’t that good? He does not play favorites. He loves you just as much as He loves me and wants to bring you out of whatever bad situation you have gotten yourself into so He can bring you in to the life He planned for you before the creation. All you have to do is let Him. He stands at the door and knocks, but He is a gentleman, you must ask for Him to come in and take over.

So what are you waiting for? The best is yet to come if you give your control away to the One who knows you, the One who created you. Go ahead, open the door.

by

Slow Fade


Slow fade by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go for it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white turn to gray
And thoughts invade
Choices are made
A price will be paid when you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
it’s a slow fade
It’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear, when flattery leads to compromise the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say, for empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
The journey from your mind to your hand is shorter than your thinking
Be careful if you think you’d stand you just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white turn to gray
And thoughts invade
Choices are made
A price will be paid when you give yourself away
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
it’s a slow fade
It’s a slow fade
Be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see

If you have been reading my blog you might have seen a pattern. It seems like I am a broken record talking about staying close to Jesus. That is because I have experienced the slow fade…away from Him and into a very bad place.
I was saved on Valentines day in 1999. I was on fire! I was in love with The Lord. I had quiet time each morning, listened to Christian radio, went to church every time the doors were open, and was evangelizing my workplace. During one of my morning times with The Lord, He showed me my calling by illuminating the scripture! It was most exciting!

Around 2002 personal events and a church split stopped me from going to church. I still kept in touch with my church friends, for a while. I kept my quiet time up for a while and then that went by the wayside. Since my mind was not focused on Jesus and His word, like it should have been, it began wandering to places it should not have gone. Thoughts gave way to conversations, which gave way to meals, which gave way to an affair. Culminating in me leaving my husband, of 28 years, and 2 teenage children in 2009.

I cannot stress this enough!
You must stay connected with The Lord!
It takes intentionality and it will be well worth all your efforts.