Conviction, Repentance, Forgiveness, Thanksgiving

Song: This is Our God, performed by Hillsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbrL64Ujb1c) or (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0hJ0rT7AHM)

Scripture:
1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Jeremiah 7:22-24
22 For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. 24 But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Luke 15:17-24
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
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I was talking with a friend the other day, and had to confess that there were some things that I felt the Lord was asking of me that I didn’t want to do. Later, driving down the expressway, it’s like I came to myself and said, “Really? You would withhold that? That means more to you than obedience to God’s will, that means more to you than pleasing Him, that means more to you than Him? Really?”

I was convicted of the selfishness of my feelings, and how that self-centered attitude about what I wanted - my comfort, my pleasure – was so disrespectful to and of the One I said was my Lord. In my remorse I prayed something like, “O God, I am so sorry. Thank You for showing me where I was wrong. Please forgive me. You deserve so much more … please help me give my all to You. You can have it all … have Your way, Lord.”

There was static on the car radio (it has issues), so I turned it to another channel. I heard, “walkin’, I’m walkin’” from the song “Walkin’” by Mary, Mary (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjNx9GbIFA&ob=av2el). I thought about the need to “walk circumspectly” – to “walk with the Spirit” so I will not indulge / gratify the flesh.

The next song that played was “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNj9bXKGOiI) and I started to smile then, thinking about how earlier in the day I had been thinking of Luther, his talent, his gift, thanking God for the technology that has preserved the music Luther sang. As the song continued to play, it was as if the Lord was saying that if I wanted to give my all to Him, it would never be too much.

“September” by Earth, Wind and Fire was next on our playlist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8ZrQG0y6g). I smiled again, remembering that it was in September, 1996, that the Lord allowed me to experience His Presence in a way that shook the very foundations of what I thought I knew about just about everything (one day I guess I’ll finish writing about that and publish it in the blog…)

In the car, I sensed a calming, loving Presence as I thought on these things. I felt that I had been forgiven. As I drove by a church, I was so grateful I stopped, went inside, and expressed my thanksgiving in prayer.

Isaiah 25:1-9 (New International Version, ©2010)
Praise to the LORD
1 LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
2 You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will honor you;
cities of ruthless nations will revere you.
4 You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
5 and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.

9 In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

…and my journey with Him continues…

Lord, be exalted!

Song: I will exalt You, Hillsong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfdAvyVzB34)

Scripture: (all Scripture is New King James Version)
Exodus 15:2
2 The LORD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

2 Samuel 22:47
“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation!

Nehemiah 9:4-6
4 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God. 5 And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:

“Stand up and bless the LORD your God
Forever and ever!

“ Blessed be Your glorious name,
Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

6 You alone are the LORD;
You have made heaven,
The heaven of heavens, with all their host,
The earth and everything on it,
The seas and all that is in them,
And You preserve them all.
The host of heaven worships You.

Job 36:22
“ Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?

Psalm 34:3
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 47:9
The princes of the people have gathered together, The people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.

Psalm 148:13
Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.

Isaiah 30:18
[ God Will Be Gracious ] Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Isaiah 33:5
The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

Acts 5:30-32
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Philippians 2:5-11
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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When I am singing or listening to a song, sometimes the words will change for me (see June 18, 2010, blog entry “Singing to Him”). A friend joked with me about it one day, about why I would want to know the (original) words to a song if they were just going to change for me. Later, I felt that the Lord answered that He allows me to know the words as written – as He has given to someone else – so that when He changes the words for me, I know what’s different, again, for me (not that the original words are necessarily wrong, or not right for someone else.) Guess this is the singing of a “new song” for me!

Today, while I was listening to “I will exalt You,” I had another experience where other words were coming to me. It was as if the song that was sung, together with the Scriptures I was gathering - Spirit and truth, if you will- birthed other lyrics:

Psalm 118:28
You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You.

I will exalt You
Lord, I will praise You
I will exalt You
You are my God.

Psalm 18:46
The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalm 21:13
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.

I will exalt You
And praise Your power
God of salvation
You are my God.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Lord, be exalted
Among the nations
Lord be exalted
In all the earth.

Psalm 57:5, 11, Psalm 108:5
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Lord, be exalted
Above the heavens
Let all Your glory
(Be above) all the earth.

Psalm 99:5
Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool— He is holy.

Psalm 99:9
Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy.

I will exalt You
I will, Lord, praise You
Worship at Your feet
(O Most) Holy God.

Proverbs 4:8
Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

I will exalt You
I’ll praise Your wisdom
I’ll give You honor
All that You Are.

Isaiah 2:11
The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

I will exalt You
Lord, humbly I bow
I will exalt You
O Lord, You alone.

Isaiah 25:1
[ Praise to God ] O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

I will exalt You
I’ll praise Your Name, Lord
You’re ever faithful
Your Word is truth.

1 Chronicles 29:11
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all.

Matthew 6:9-13
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Yours is the greatness
Power and glory
Yours is the kingdom
Head over all.

…and my journey with Him continues…

Reading Material

I’ve finished some books which I checked out of the public library before Christmas. I felt like I was supposed to list them in the blog, telling a little about them (from the jackets) and if there is a personal story surrounding them. So here goes (unless otherwise noted, most Scripture is (New International Version, ©2010) from biblegateway.org):

The Daily Bible, 30 Days with Jesus: The Gospels in Chronological Order – Life-Changing Devotions, by F. LaGard Smith (New International Version)

“This remarkable one-month walk through the words of Christ combines the four Gospel accounts into a single chronological story of Jesus’ life. The good news about Christ, along with devotional reflections, speaks powerfully and lovingly to your personal needs and deepest yearnings.”

After Thanksgiving, as it was coming up to Christmas, I began to reflect on my failure to read the Bible through in the year as I had intended at the beginning of the year. I thought about reading through the gospels since we would soon be celebrating the birth of Christ, but I wasn’t sure how I was to do this. I thought to myself that maybe I’d try to read them so that I’d read similar stories together, but realized how ambitious for me that was to try to get through them all in one month if I didn’t read them straight through.

Then I went to the library, and there was this book; it seemed to be just the sort of thing of which I’d been thinking! So I got the book and read it during the month of December. I still may try to put something together on my own, but at least for Christmas I was into the gospels, into the story of Christ.

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

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A League of Dangerous Women: Stories from the Road to Redemption, by Mary Frances Bowley with James Lund

In this book, “Mary Frances Bowley tells the incredible true stories of women who knew only abuse, abandonment, and addiction – until God met their weakness with His strength. Now these remarkable women are warriors for a heavenly kingdom, their lives a testimony to the extraordinary grace of a heavenly
Father.”

Around Thanksgiving, I received an email asking for contributions to “Wellspring Living, a holistic recovery program for women.” While I didn’t have any funds to contribute, I did pray for the ministry and those involved, and I then forwarded the email to others who I thought may have been interested or moved to contribute. Before I forwarded the request, I did look up Wellspring Living on the internet, and that is where I saw that the founder had written a book. I checked the public library and saw that they had the book and that it was available for checkout. So I put the book on hold and went to get it.

As I read the book, I thought of the many women I’ve known who have similar stories. Some I know from my association with a transitional housing program, the House of Hope Christ-Centered Recovery, Inc. (houseofhoperecovery.org), some from Celebrate Recovery meetings (sort of a Christian 12 step program), some from Bible studies or worship with people who were homeless or from shelters, some from my family, some from my church – from all over. And from where ever I’ve known them, it’s been amazing to see how God can help and has helped them.

One of the women to whom I had forwarded the email said she knew the founder. A couple of other things came up where Wellspring Living was mentioned. Then, just last week, I spoke with someone whose church was having a concert with the proceeds to benefit Wellspring Living. So, Wellspring Living is prominent in my thoughts these days even though I’m not sure why. But I’ll wait on the Lord and see what He ultimately says and / or does.

Job 19:25

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 107:2

Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Psalm 119:134

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.

Psalm 119:154

Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.

Isaiah 48:17

This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 54:5

For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

Galatians 3:14

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:17-19

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

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Do I Know God? Finding Certainty in Life’s Most Important Relationship, by Tullian Tchividjian

Although he is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, the author of this book “struggled to come to faith personally.” This book “captures the sincerity and intensity of his own spiritual quest, and shows the way for a new generation of seekers.”

Not too long ago, I had gone to an agency and was speaking with one of the employees about job opportunities. This woman and I ended up talking a lot about God and sharing stories of His goodness. We had been laughing about something and suddenly her countenance changed. I thought she was going to go back to talking about jobs and work, when she looked very seriously at me and said, “you know God.” She said some other things to me, but she repeated a couple of more times, “you know God.” Then she seemed to shift back to where she had been, and went on talking about the same subject we had been laughing about.

I must admit that I was a little startled, but I did write down what she said, and I continued to think about her stating that I know God. I thought about my May 1, 2010, blog entry (Not Who I Think…) and just thanked God that maybe I was / am starting to get it (such that even others can see something of Him in me).

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John 17:3

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Ephesians 1:17

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Colossians 1:9-14
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Titus 1:16

They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

2 Peter 1:2-3

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

1 John 4:7-8

[ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

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You Were Made for More – The life you have; the life God wants you to have, by Jim Cymbala with Dean Merrill

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, “believes that anyone who wonders whether there is something more to life is on the right track. God does have more.”

Guess I’m just in expectation for the fulfillment of God’s promises for the “more” in my life.

Song: Meant for More, Switchfoot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp6Qh-wT3ys&ob=av2nm)

Numbers 23:19 (New Century Version)
19 God is not a human being, and he will not lie. He is not a human, and he does not change his mind. What he says he will do, he does. What he promises, he makes come true.

Psalm 119:49 (New Century Version)
49 Remember your promise to me, your servant; it gives me hope.

Philippians 1:6 (New King James Version)

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 13:20-22 (New King James Version)
Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Colors of the Spirit, by Dorothy K. Ederer

Here the author shares her own prescription for a fulfilling inner life, and illustrates it with the stories of those individuals (“the colors”) who have enriched her own journey.

A reminder of how we each have an effect on the lives of others, and it’s not always in the way that we think.

1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Genesis 9:13

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:16

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Ezekiel 1:28

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Revelation 4:3

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.

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How to Believe: Teachers and Seekers Show the Way to a Modern, Life-Changing Faith, by Jon Spayde

“In this stirring new book, esteemed journalist Jon Spayde goes on a quest to learn how people across the country use faith in the modern world….Spayde’s odyssey brought him to a new understanding of why action is more important than the intellect in faith, how true solace is found in forging a personal relationship with God, and why worrying about one’s own ‘worthiness’ is always besides the point.”

Relationship lived out, and not (just) religion…

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 3:4-6
4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

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As I was going through these books, I see that I actually got them at two different times. Since I had originally gone to the library to get the Bowley book, at that time I got the Spayde book and a couple of others that I decided when I got home that I was not going to read. One in the latter category was a book by Deepak Chopra on Muhammad – for that one, the message was very strong in my spirit that I shouldn’t read it (something like, “Now, why would you want to read a book about Muhammad coming up to Christmas?”) When I saw that the same author had a book on Jesus, I went back the next day and got that book, plus the other four. However, when I read enough of that book to see that the Jesus being written about was not my Jesus, that book had to go back unread as well.

…and my journey with Him continues…

Eternal Wonder

Song: King of Kings, CeCe Winans (lyrics and video at http://www.tsrocks.com/c/cece_winans_texts/king_of_kings_hes_a_wonder.html)
You Are God Alone, Marvin Sapp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7jIBNOic0c&feature=related)

Scripture:
Psalm 16:11 (New International Version, ©2010)
11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Ephesians 3:10-12 (New International Version, ©2010)
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

1 Timothy 1:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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I was cleaning out some old papers, and found where I had written about an experience I had about 8 years ago…

One Wednesday night at Bible study, one of the songs the praise team sang at the beginning of the service was, “King of Kings – He’s a Wonder.” As I had been doing a personal Bible study for about 11 days at the time, and the theme of “Jesus, Wonderful!” had seemed to me to run through all of the lessons, this song just reflected so much joy and praise at His “wonderfulness” that I really enjoyed myself praising God through this song.

At home the next day, I happened to turn on the television to a Christian broadcasting station and CeCe Winans came on a program and sang this very song! I was so happy, and was just dancing and singing along with her, joyfully praising God. As I listened to some of the things she said on the program, it came to me that this program that was such a blessing to me was about 4 years old! I sobered quickly in awe of the eternal nature, wisdom and power of God; I quietly meditated on the thought that there is no length to which God will not go – did not go - to bless us, no obstacle of space or time to Him in the accomplishment of His purpose…

Nehemiah 1:9, King James Version (KJV)
But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

Zephaniah 3:17, New King James Version (NKJV)
The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 46:10, New International Version, ©2010 (NIV)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Mark 13:27, King James Version (KJV)
And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Psalm 107:30-31, New King James Version (NKJV)
30 Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

…and my journey with Him continues…

Correct Attire

Song: More than Anything, Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2BhpYUCPmA)
To Worship You I Live (Away), Israel & New Breed

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvar60wIv2s&feature=related)

Scripture:
Matthew 22:1-14 (New King James Version)
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’ 5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

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My devotional last night, from "Grace for the moment: Inspirational thoughts for each day of the year" by Max Lucado, read like this:

Clothes of Salvation

This body that dies must clothe itself
with something that can never die.
1 Corinthians 15:53

[Does] Jesus care what clothes we wear?

Apparently so. In fact, the Bible tells us exactly the wardrobe God desires.

“But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self” (Romans 13:14).

“You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-27).

This clothing has nothing to do with dresses and jeans and suits. God’s concern is with our spiritual garment. He offers a heavenly robe that only heaven can see and only heaven can give. Listen to the words of Isaiah: “The LORD makes me very happy; all that I am rejoices in my God. He has covered me with clothes of salvation and wrapped me with a coat of goodness” (Isaiah 62:20).

(from Max Lucado's book ) When Christ Comes

All Scripture quotations are from the New Century Version

I thought it was really funny to read this at this time, because I had spoken with someone recently about a church clothing issue (whether or not men should remove their hats in church as a sign of reverence for God) and had spent a lot of time yesterday composing an email about what I thought the Lord told me, and wanted me to share, regarding that situation.

But as I thought about it, I was reminded of an experience I had with the Lord several years ago:

At that time, I was attending a church that had a pretty casual dress code. I was thrilled, because I was just getting back into going to church, and the whole “dressing in church clothes” thing was such an issue for me that I was using it as an excuse not to go to church. So when I visited the church for the first time and happened to see someone I knew and her husband both dressed in jogging suits, I felt that at least there I would be presented with a church experience that was pretty non-threatening and non-judgmental on that level. While I didn’t start going to the church on a regular basis then, this aspect of that church did allow me to keep an open mind about later attendance.

Later, after I had begun attending the church regularly, I would happily wear my jeans and whatever, never giving my style of dress a second thought. Then one Sunday, walking to my car after the church service, I stumbled on the walkway and heard “no more jeans” in my spirit. Immediately I was on the defensive – other people were in jeans, and today I didn’t even have on pants but a blue jean skirt, and I was dressed more conservatively than some other people, so what was the problem? While I didn’t hear anything else – apparently this was not up for debate – I couldn’t forget about what I had heard. So now I no longer felt comfortable wearing jeans, pants, or even jean skirts to church for Sunday service (although I would wear them for other events at the church, even Bible study, and that didn’t seem to be a problem), and as a consequence found myself more thoughtful and traditional in my choice of attire.

What I see now is that as my knowledge of God grew, there needed to be a change in my approach to Him, a change of my focus in His presence. As my “spiritual garment” changed, my physical garments were required to reflect that change.

Luke 12:47-48 (New King James Version)
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.


My concern needed not to be what was comfortable for me, but what would please the One into whose Presence I was being welcomed. I am reminded of Esther’s focus in preparing for her audience with the king:

Esther 2:15-18, New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her.
16 Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. 18 To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.

The Good News Translation (GNT) puts it this way:

15 The time came for Esther to go to the king. Esther - the daughter of Abihail and the cousin of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his daughter; Esther - admired by everyone who saw her. When her turn came, she wore just what Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem, advised her to wear.16 So in Xerxes' seventh year as king, in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, Esther was brought to King Xerxes in the royal palace.17 The king liked her more than any of the other women, and more than any of the others she won his favor and affection. He placed the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.18 Then the king gave a great banquet in Esther's honor and invited all his officials and administrators. He proclaimed a holiday for the whole empire and distributed gifts worthy of a king.

Thank You, dear Lord, for Your kind, patient, gracious and loving guidance throughout all phases of my growth and development as I “put on Christ.” Help me, Lord God, to clearly hear and instantly heed Your Word as I continue to decrease while You increase in me, thereby conforming me to and tenderly molding me into the image of Your Son such that I may inwardly share His likeness and experience the favor and joy of Your pleasure and oneness with You. This is my true heart’s desire, O God. I love You. Amen.

Isaiah 61 (King James Version)
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.

10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

…and my journey with Him continues…

Grace Enough

Songs: Your Grace is Enough, Matt Maher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS9_L7PjacU)
Nothing But The Blood, Jars of Clay (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvg5_V3cUlc)
Nothing But The Blood of Jesus, Jim Greeninger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjkC5qzAnLY)
Nothing But The Blood of Jesus, Hillsong United (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhtppff37pY&feature=related)

Scripture:
Acts 15:1-11 (New International Version, ©2010)
The Council at Jerusalem
1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Ephesians 2 (New International Version, ©2010)
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (New International Version, ©2010)
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

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While I was on the computer, I kept thinking of the song, “Your Grace is Enough” – but of course I got distracted and didn’t ever go to a website to listen to it like I had planned. As I was signing off of the computer, I remembered that I hadn’t done as I had planned – hadn’t listened to the song - and I began hearing lyrics from another song - “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus…” - in my head.

So I got ready to do my Bible reading for the night, which began at Acts 15. As I read, I smiled to see that my reading included the truth that the grace of God by which He has saved us is enough – all of the works man would require are not necessary because He has purified our hearts by faith (Acts 15:9).

Thank You, dear Lord, for Jesus, for Your amazing, saving grace!

…and my journey with Him continues…

My Assignment as God’s Child …

Songs: Jesus is Love, Lionel Richie / Commodores (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS7Uf2uTd5o&playnext=1&list=PL51A35B19FBC1804A&index=26)
Name of Love, Israel Houghton, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOTzq-H02jU&feature=related)

Scripture:
1 John 4:7-12, 19-21, New Living Translation (NLT)
Loving One Another
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
19 We love each other[a] because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister,[b] that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.[c]
Footnotes:
a. 1 John 4:19 Greek We love. Other manuscripts read We love God; still others read We love him.
b. 1 John 4:20 Greek hates his brother.
c. 1 John 4:21 Greek The one who loves God must also love his brother.

Hebrews 1:1-3, GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
God Has Spoken to Us Through His Son
1In the past God spoke to our ancestors at many different times and in many different ways through the prophets. 2In these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. God made his Son responsible for everything. His Son is the one through whom God made the universe. 3His Son is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact likeness of God’s being. He holds everything together through his powerful words. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he received the highest position, the one next to the Father in heaven.

Matthew 22:37-40, Amplified Bible (AMP)
37And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).
38This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
40These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 8:18-30, The Message (MSG)
18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
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My plan to do my Bible reading was interrupted recently by a phone call from a friend. We were discussing difficulties experienced in relationships when, for no apparent reason, the call dropped. As we tried to reconnect, nothing was working. I had picked up my Bible to get back to my planned reading, (since I didn’t think I was going to be on the phone) and of course it opened to a passage directly addressing the subject of my previous conversation. Just then my phone rang as my friend got through, and our discussion continued with a readjusted focus, “a more excellent way”: the Word of God instead of just what we thought or felt.

Another call came in for my friend, and while I was on hold, something like the following “dropped in my spirit”:

God is love. As His children, our job / assignment is to love others with His love in such a way that their response will be to love (us and others) and act according to God’s Word…
- bringing them closer to God
- glorifying God
- magnifying God in their lives, our lives, and in the earth.

It seems to me as though the onus is on us – we who consider ourselves part of the Body of Christ, followers of Jesus. Everyone has the choice in how to respond to love. If we say that we love God, our response to His love is obedience, and the command is to love. (See previous blog entry for September 28, 2009, Christ Our Example.) It is to us, His children, that this knowledge, this assignment, this “call” has been given. And because of Christ Jesus and all that He has done (and continues to do) for, in and through us, it is to us that the power to obey and to love like this as His children, through His Holy Spirit, has been given – we are not without help; we can steep in His love.

1 Peter 3:8-18 (New King James Version, GOD'S WORD translation)
Called to Blessing
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;[a] 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For
“ He who would love life And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”[b]
Suffering for Right and Wrong
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[c] 15 But sanctify the Lord God[d] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Peter 3:8 NU-Text reads humble.
b. 1 Peter 3:12 Psalm 34:12–16
c. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12
d. 1 Peter 3:15 NU-Text reads Christ as Lord.

or, the same passage in The Message translation says:

Suffering for Doing Good
8-12Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

13-18If with heart and soul you're doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you're still better off. Don't give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They'll end up realizing that they're the ones who need a bath. It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That's what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others' sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

Matthew 10:8 (New King James Version)
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

James 4:17 (New King James Version)
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Romans 12:9-21 (New King James Version)
Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes:
a. Romans 12:19 Deuteronomy 32:35
b. Romans 12:20 Proverbs 25:21, 22

Luke 6:27-38 (New International Version, 2010)
Love for Enemies
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 (CEV, MSG, NLT combination)
Unity with Christ
1As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own, worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. I, a encourage you to live the kind of life which proves that God has called you. 2Always be humble and gentle in every way. Patiently put up with each other and lovingly accept each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives, trying your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. 5We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. 6There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in and through all of us.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Contemporary English Version (CEV)
18God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.
19What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.

…and my journey with Him continues…

Choosing to worship in the silence

Song: I choose to worship, Wess Morgan (http://www.myspace.com/wessmorgan)

Scripture:
Revelation 8:1-5 (New International Version, ©2010)
The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

James 4:13-16 (New Century Version - NCV)
Let God Plan Your Life
13 Some of you say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money."14 But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away.15 So you should say, "If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that."16 But now you are proud and you brag. All of this bragging is wrong.17 Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning.
………………………………………………………………………………….
I lay in bed, just waking up to the silence. Because of the inclement weather, I wasn’t even hearing cars going by on the street as usual. I just lay there, listening to the silence.

Then I thought of where the Bible talks about silence in Heaven. Before I knew it, I was singing pieces of “I choose to worship” by Wess Morgan (out loud, under the covers.) As I sang, I remembered hearing someone say once that during this time of silence in Heaven, the reason it was silent was that God was listening to the prayers of His people.

I thought about how the city was pretty much shut down because of road conditions caused by the weather. So, in some places where there was usually noise, there was silence. In some places where there was usually activity, there was stillness. Where some things were usually filled, there was emptiness. Where people thought they were in charge, there was evidence – even if not acknowledgement – that they were not.

I thank You, Lord God, that You are in charge of all things. I praise You for Your majesty, Your boundless power. I humbly bow to You in worship…

…and my journey with Him continues…

Night Songs - Singing in my bed

Songs: Shout to the Lord, Darlene Zschech (performed with Ron Kenoly and Alvin Slaughter, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftuKUV8R-7Y&feature=related)
Surprises, Israel Houghton featuring Fred Hammond, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kwtGn6HPwg)

Scripture:
Psalm 149:5 (New International Version, ©2010 translation)
Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

Psalm 47:1-2 (New International Version, ©2010 translation)
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.

Psalm 32:11 (Good News Translation - GNT)
You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey him, shout for joy!

Psalm 98:4 (New King James Version)

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.

Psalm 100:1 (New King James Version)[ A Psalm of Thanksgiving. ]

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
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Smiling at the Lord’s humor:

Was on my way to bed, and thought to turn on the radio to hear some music before / as I went to sleep, but decided against it. Found an old, unopened ministry newsletter from David Wilkerson at World Challenge, Inc., so I decided to read it before going to sleep.

In the letter accompanying the newsletter, Pastor Wilkerson said: “I hear his Word saying to me, ‘Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.’(Psalm 149:5, KJV).When was the last time you sang joyfully, out loud in your bed, before retiring?”

I laughed out loud. Maybe that was why I thought about some music, so I could sing in my bed, “before retiring” (though I certainly wouldn’t have thought of that!) I didn’t turn on the radio right away, though, thinking about what I should sing. “Shout to the Lord” just seemed to well up and come out of my mouth, so that is what I ended up singing, out loud, several times, under the covers. (Later, I did turn on the radio briefly, and sang my version of “Our God” with Chris Tomlin’s before turning the radio off.)

Then, I thought of another special time “Shout to the Lord” came up. Several years ago, after I first heard that song, it kept coming up in my spirit a lot. One day, I heard about a free concert that Donnie McClurkin was giving. Even though the information came at the last minute, I was able to go with my children. During the concert, I thought of “Shout to the Lord,” and thought that it would be nice if Donnie sang it. A few minutes later – you guessed it – Donnie did break from the other songs he was singing, and sang just a little bit of “Shout to the Lord.” That was a gift for me, to me, from my Lord. I was “giddy” happy then because it was - for me - evidence yet again of God’s Presence in my life, His attention to my heart, and His love for me.

And, Lord, it is because of things just like this, and the remembrance of them, that I just want so much to please You. I know that it is out of love that You shower us with little surprises like this – indeed, that You allow us even to experience surprise, and joy, and love. Thank You for having taken such meticulous care in creating us, and for Your taking such joy in our joy. For all that You do, for all that You are, for Your presence in which I experience gratitude and fullness of joy, I give You thanks, and honor, and praise. I love You, too.

…and my journey with Him continues…

The Accident that DIDN’T happen!

Song: Doxology, by Helen Baylor (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4aa6o_doxology-by-helen-baylor_music)

Scripture: (all New International Version, ©2010 translation)
Joshua 24:17
It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.

Ezra 8:31
On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 20:1
[ Psalm 20 ] For the director of music. A psalm of David. May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 40:11
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Psalm 91:14
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

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I watched the television coverage of the storm watch, paying special attention to the scenes of cars sliding around on the ice. I know what that feels like, to lose control of the vehicle you are driving. That happened to me most recently the other week:

Driving along in the rain, I remember thinking about things for which I had prayed that didn’t seem to be manifesting. Wondering if I had heard correctly what to pray, or if there was some error in my understanding either about the situation for which I was praying or in how I was to pray, I began getting thoughts that maybe I shouldn’t pray at all.

That’s when the car hit a slick part of the road, hydroplaned and veered right. Since I had been in the right-most of the three lanes going in my direction, the car then hit the uneven grade of the highway shoulder, which (with maybe a slight left turn of the steering wheel?) sent it swerving left, all the way back into the highway’s middle lane. That’s where I remember getting control of the car as it straightened up and continued on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

I looked around, and saw that there were no cars near me on the highway at all. I was about to get anxious, thinking about what could have happened had other cars been around, when a calm peacefulness seemed to descend upon me. I leaned back in the seat, and breathed a prayer of thanks to God for His protection. That’s when I was reminded that I had prayed for safe travel for this trip, and realized that what had just happened was part of God’s answer to that prayer. Considering the direction of my thoughts just before this incident, I can only be grateful to God, and leave the answering of prayers that I pray to His faithfulness, compassion, grace, mercy, and wisdom.

…and my journey with Him continues…

Feeling Better

Songs:
By His Wounds, sung by Mac Powell, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brian Littrell, and Mark Hall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwzfdtqAg8&feature=related)
We Fall Down, by Chris Tomlin (version with Steven Curtis Chapman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWItCM-ujKs)
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah – “traditional African-American” – (version by Staple Singers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7hrruXF7K8&playnext=1&list=PL47AA54F1DA74E3E3&index=12)

Scripture:
Isaiah 53 (New International Version, ©2010)

1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, d by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b] 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes[c] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life[d] and be satisfied[e]; by his knowledge[f] my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,[g] and he will divide the spoils with the strong,[h] because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Footnotes:
a) Isaiah 53:8 Or From arrest
b) Isaiah 53:8 Or generation considered / that he was cut off from the land of the living, / that he was punished for the transgression of my people?
c) Isaiah 53:10 Hebrew though you make
d) Isaiah 53:11 Dead Sea Scrolls (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text does not have the light of life.
e) Isaiah 53:11 Or (with Masoretic Text) He will see the fruit of his suffering / and will be satisfied
f) Isaiah 53:11 Or by knowledge of him
g) Isaiah 53:12 Or many
h) Isaiah 53:12 Or numerous


1 Peter 2:24-25 (New International Version, ©2010)
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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I’ve been fighting a cold these past few days. Since I’ve been drinking a lot of fluids, I’ve also been going to the bathroom a lot, especially at night. (Sorry – is that too much information? lol)

Anyway, the other night it seemed like I was getting up every 2 hours or so. But each time I awakened during the night, in my head I kept hearing, “By His wounds, we are healed” (from the song, “By His Wounds.”)

The next day when I woke up, I started hearing another song – “We fall down.”

I’m feeling better now… (this may be out of context, but now I’m hearing “I feel better, so much better, since I laid my burden down”) …

Thank You, Lord. Truly, O God, You are my healer. Thank You for loving me, for caring about me, for caring for me, for watching over me, for forgiving me, for desiring my highest and my best to bring You glory. I am so humbled, so grateful …

Exodus 15:26 (KJV)And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.


…and my journey with Him continues…

2011 New Year’s prayer

Attempting to fashion a paper New Year’s greeting to accompany a mailing by another ministry, I thought of Ephesians 3:20-21 as the Scripture verse to be included. As I looked at this verse in different translations, thinking about what else the greeting should say, I saw more of the third chapter and was impressed to (only) put the prayer from verses 14-21.

Then, it occurred to me to read and then pray this prayer for someone everyday. So I’ve started that (and I’m also writing down for whom I am praying it.) That same day, I was speaking to someone and thought of praying this for them.

Then, today on the television program “Discovering the Jewish Jesus,” the Rabbi was speaking of prayer, and mentioned the prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 – saying we should pray it everyday for ourselves and others. (I think they are doing a study of the tabernacle, and how it is a pattern for how we are to approach God.) I really felt like that was a confirmation for what I was to do. Later, someone called me for prayer, and I had another opportunity to pray this for a specific person.

So, here is Ephesians 3:14-21 from http://www.biblegateway.com/ (without footnotes), the New King James Version (NKJV):

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Also, since that verse is speaking of love, I’m reading 1 Corinthians 13 everyday as well. Here, from the same source and translation as previous passage, is 1 Corinthians 13:

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And
though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

…and my journey with Him continues…