Walk in the Spirit

You can be consumed with your sin.  Being down on yourself all the time.  Maybe spending more time looking at your sin that being with Jesus.

Everything apart from faith is sin.  Spend time in His presence.  Learning to trust and lean and follow Him.  He will be faithful to lead you.  Listen to that quiet small voice.  And the gentle nudge  that says to the left or the right.

Enjoy Him.  With every one look at your sin look ten times at the cross.  Learn to walk in the Spirit.  It is a way of life.  Not keeping a set of rules but a true loving relationship with the living Father, Son and Spirit.

Live Like You are Dyeing

Have you ever had a test come back negative?  Had a bad symptom.  Got some really bad news.

We are not promised but this very moment.  Wonder what we would choose to do.  How we would spend our last hour.  If we got the news we were dyeing. Would we take risk.  How would we enjoy our lives and others...

I wonder, 'How would we spend our money'.  How would we spend our time?  How would our relationships be with others and with God.  How we would minister to the poor and broken hearted?  Those with a contrite Spirit. Would we minister and reach out beyond our friends?  Or would we stay in our holy circles?

Jesus said if you have reached and invited all your friends you have invited the wrong people to your home.  May we have a passion for the lost.  May we Live Like We are Dyeing.

Paid in Full

God is not angry at us.  He took His anger on our sin and against us on His Son on the cross.  Jesus said it was finished.  The final price had been paid in full.

Now we can serve Him and love Him without fear.  The only fear we have is an awe of our Gods greatness, holiness and righteousness.  In who He is.  He is just and full of mercy and grace.  Our sin deserves death and Christ died in our place.  Our sin crucified Him on the cross.

Christ gave His life for us that we might have a full, lasting, meaningful relationship with Almighty God forever and always.

Humble your Heart

There are times I think I am ok if I am doing the right thing.  The Lord sees the heart too.  I am interested in the outside of the cup.  While the inside of the cup is dirty.

God wants to draw dear to our hearts.  His Spirit lives in us.  We are the Spirits home.  We are to humble our hearts.   Although we are never separated from Him.  We can be closed to the relationship.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to us.  Resist the devil and he will flea from you.

 I believe we need the Spirit to humble us.  He will.  All we have to do is ask.  He makes us willing to surrender our hearts to His way and His will.  No more precious place to be than in the loving arms of the Father with the Son and Spirit resting.

Perfect Gift

God is involved in every area of your life.  Every good and perfect gift is from above.  Everything that happens to you is sifted through fingers of His love for you.

Word Study

Today I was anxious about different things.  I went to biblegateway.com and looked up the word worry.  God knows we are going to worry.  He tells us not to worry about what we wear.  What we eat.  Don't worry about tomorrow.  Tomorrow has enough problems of its on.  Be anxious for nothing but pray.  Turn you worries to Him.  Don't worry about what you are going to say.  The Spirit will tell you.  If He clothes the lilies of the valley and the birds in the sky how much more will He take care of you.

God's Pleasure

New post of www.whispersofgod.org.  God's Pleasure

Somewhere Special

Do you have a special place?  One where you can meditate and be alone with God?   Sit with a friend?  I like to create special places for myself and others.  I like this one especially.  The chairs I have had for many years.  The table came from a junk store, cheap.  The large glass globe was a gift.  Also the lantern was a gift we got at a great end of the summer sale last year.  A friend of mind but a strain of Christmas lights in it by some floral wire.  The other flaming pot is the only thing new.  I found it at a bargain store.  The other globes I have collected over the years.

Use your imagination.  Look in magazines or other peoples special places for ideas.  I also have a water fountain that was an end of the summer sale years ago,  I love.  And chimes that were a gift.  It is so tranquil.  I will pray for you tonight to have a place you can go and just be.  God especially meets me there as I retreat there throughout my day.  Especially in the evenings.   It is a place of rest.

Fear Not

God tells us in His word do not fear 365 times.  Once a day for a whole year.  He knows we are going to fear.  The question is what do you do with that fear.  Does it make you freeze?  Do you stuff it?  Do you explode because you as so fearful you cannot have relationships.  Or do you let it take you to God.  He can calm your fears as He did the sea.  Give you the gift of faith to walk on water.

As a friend of mine said, "I want to move out of the box".  I want what new and exciting thing God can do in my life.  I don't know what it is but I am excited.

Has your comfort zone kept you from living a gracious, generous, thankful, thrilling life?  If so take a leap of faith.  It will be a better high than you have ever experienced.  Scripture tells us to be drunk not with wine but with the Holy Spirit.  Let the Spirit lead you and go for it.  Do something you have never had the nerve to do before that you have always wanted to do.  Let God use you in ways you never could imagine.  Pass the love around!

Nothing really matters...

You may think nothing really matters but my reputation, but my profession, but my wealth, my hobbies, my life.  The truth of the matter is nothing really matters but our relationships.  Our relationship with God and with each other.  Nothing is more important.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

God knows what you need.  He says don't worry about what you will eat or what you will wear.  That He will clothe you.  He will meed your deepest needs.

The scriptures are true and real.  They are not just for a daily bible reading or a bible study or Sunday school lesson.  You can depend your life on them.  They are a promise and they are true for real life.  For today.  Apply, live it and trust Him.

Pray without Ceasing

Many of us expect to pray to God in times of trouble.  In times of want and need.  Thanksgiving and blessing.  We pray before our meals.  At bed.  Even on Sunday morning.  Prayer is so much more than that.  It is an ongoing communion and fellowship with Father, Son and Spirit.  It is more than to agree with God in prayer but no less.  Leaning in and depending on.  Intimacy with the living God beyond any relationship we may have here on this earth.

Blessing

Jesus is the words of God.  He choses His words very carefully.   He created, rebuked, corrected, healed and blessed with His words.  And so much more.

I do not believe that saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me".  I think words can be extremely painful.  They can tare down.  They can build back or build up.  Words can give someone blessing and prayer.  They speak of the heart.  Words can express hate and love.

I want to choose today to bless all those I see and come in contact with.  How God blesses me with His words.  I want to do the same.

When God Shows Up

One of the things God has been teaching me is how to wait.  It is really hard not  to rush in and rescue and fix.  Read more on desperate delight face book or www.whispersofgod.org

My friend posted this and I wanted to pass it to you

You can deal with an enormous amount of success as well as an enormous amount of failure without losing your identity, because your identity is that you are the beloved. Long before your father and mother, your brothers and sisters, your teachers, your church, or any people touched you in a loving as well as in a wounding way-long before you were rejected by some person or praised by somebody else-that voice has been there always. "I have loved you with an everlasting love." That love is there before you were born and will be there after you die.
~Henri Nouwen

Rather Die than Live Without You

God had rather suffer a horrible death, suffer for your sins, feel the pain of your suffering,  experience the aloneness of rejection and be separated, for a time, Father from Son.  Than to live without you.  What love He has bestowed upon us.  What Glory!

Greatest is Love

There are times I think no matter how hard I try I just can't measure up.  It was not always this way.  Before I got sick I was Ms. Perfectionist.  It is hard now to think I am so dependent on God.  But it is where I want to be.  Then God, the Father reminds me of His perfect love for me right where I am.  Nothing is more satisfying.  Than the gentle touch of the Fathers love.

The gifts of the Spirit come forth in us the longer we are in the midst of God.  But the greatest of the gifts of the Spirit is love.  If you have love you have peace, patients, self control, joy and all that God so gives you.  Be joyful in your gifts.  Remember whatever it is it is a portion of love.

Love changes you and me.  Love reminds us in our hearts, who we are in Christ.  Love speaks truth into our lives.  The greatest thing we can do in someones life is to love them.  As we were first loved while we were still sinners.  We actually love because He first loved us.

Light of the world

Have you ever wondered what it meant to be light of the world?  I think of when I have depression and someone gives me hope.  It is like a dark world with a tiny light in the midst of it.  Then you see joy.  evidence of the presence of the Spirit.

When A world is in turmoil.   There is total confusion.  People are biting and devouring each other.  Then there is peace.  Out of no where there is patience.  That is the Spirit working to bring light.

There maybe total desperation.  The feeling maybe you are or someone is drowning.  They are overwhelmed with circumstances.  With life.  Then someone comes along and tells them Jesus and the Father and the Spirit loves you.

Hope, joy, peace, patience, love.  When we have the fruits of the Spirit we are light into this darkened world.  The Spirit is alive in our hearts as a tiny light in a darkened room.

We Have the Power

"[I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength."  (Ephesians 1:18-19)

Roxy, our dog, broke through back screen door to get on the porch. The next time I decided to leave the door open for her.  A small bird came in.  Then began to struggle to get out. The bird flew into the screen over and over.  One place to another.  All the bird had to do was to quit fighting and striving. Then it could see to fly through the open door to freedom.  I watched, thinking all the time how I used to be like that bird.  Just a short time ago.

For years I had lived not facing the truth that my life was not perfect. As I came out of denial I could not face life. So I felt trapped in another way: deep dark depression.  Always a roller coaster of struggle and addiction. Not knowing the love of the Father for me.

Christ died to bring me into a trusting relationship, taking away the veil from the truth that had left me living in fear, condemnation, shame, and guilt. My sins forgiven. Past, present, and future. God is not angry with me.  Christ is my Comforter and Best Friend.

Christ came to give me His and the Father's Holy Spirit. Christ lives in me. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is in me. I don't have to live a defeated and powerless life. The Spirit has enlightened the eyes of my heart to see this wonderful truth. The power of God lives in me!  And in you who are children of God. If you are not a person trusting Christ but desire to know Him, you can write me, or contact someone you know who can walk you through this.  The Spirit is working in you.

Paul says there is a confidence of life and greatness of spirit that comes from understanding God's power.  I am overwhelmed by a loving, relentless God and His incomparably great power. This power also gives insight into the beauty, the excellence, and glory of holiness. This power illuminates not only your heart to truth, but to desire as God desires. Not that you don't still struggle with sin in your life, but it no longer dominates. And you know you are forgiven. You confess your sin and pray for repentance. This gospel is part of who you are and the power in you. Depending on God in moment by moment leaning into Him.  Reliance on Him brings a life of power of God, by faith.

Lord I pray eyes will be opened to see what incredible power is operating in us. Thank You for giving us life and life abundant.

 

Suggested reading:  

John Owen - "The Holy Spirit: His Gifts and Powers"

"How People Change" - Timothy S. Lane & Paul David Tripp

"Crazy Love" - Francis Chan,

"Three free sins" - Steve Brown

Tim Keller sermon: "Incomparable Power"

"Discover a New You" - Dr. Jamie T Pleasant, Ph.D

Just can't get it right

How many times when things have gotten hard do you thing.  I have done something wrong God must be punishing me.  Or when things seem easy and smooth.  Do you think, 'I am just living right'.  God is pleased with me.  Then it seems we just can't get it right no matter how hard we try.

Actually one has nothing to do with the other.  Walk down the lane of the saints and disciples before us.  Paul was imprisoned, Peter was crucified upside down.  Joseph was a slave.  Joan of Arch was burned.  Many saints were beheaded.  The list goes on and on.

These things happen, we are told.  That we might glorify God through our suffering.  Also that we would become more like Jesus.  We see Gods faithfulness and mercy and grace in hard times.  Like no other time.

So if you are suffering.  Do like Paul.  You have a Savior who got it right for you. Count it all joy!

Whom Jesus Loved

 

"There was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom one of  

His disciples, whom Jesus loved."  (John 13:23)

We have a running joke in our family. Each of our children like to claim being the favorite grandchild to their grandparents. They have reasons they give for this conclusion. I remind them that they are each loved unconditionally, but in different ways. They are loved individually and uniquely by their grandparents.

John was not the only disciple loved by Jesus. But he chose to refer to himself as the "one whom Jesus loved." He knew who he was. That he was loved. When Jesus informed the disciples that one of them would betray Him, John leaned into His breast, knowing that he was loved. What consolation he received from Jesus.

Where do we go in difficult times?  Times of suffering.  Do we run to the things of this world that we think can comfort us?   These can be referred to as idols or false gospels. They give us the promise or illusion that they can comfort us or offer consolation. There may be "some perishing comfort given for a little season."  But only Jesus can comfort with everlasting consolation.  

No matter what the circumstances we have, the promise of the Spirit is to offer us consolation. We enter into that consolation by faith and by grace. Leaning into Jesus breast. Consolation is setting our soul in rest and contentment in the midst of troubles. "It is a knowing within that the good outweighs the evil, trouble or perplexity that it wrestles with. As the sufferings of Christ abound so does the consolation of Christ abound."  (2 Corinthians 1:5-6).

God has given us a sense of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts and a clear witness within that we are children of God. That we are sealed and marked of God for His own. That we are heirs of all the promises of God. " He has made it impossible that [through Him] we should not triumph in all our tribulations."

"[Consolation] is abiding. Thence it is called 'everlasting consolation.' (2 Thessalonians 2:16) This consolation is from everlasting things. It vanishes not. The consolation which we have from the Holy [Spirit] is from things everlasting: everlasting love, eternal redemption, and everlasting inheritance."  

This consolation is through all opposition.  It strengthens the heart under any suffering or tribulation. It makes the heart willing to go through anything that it is called to because it is from God.  It brings great joy to the heart through the presence of the Spirit and the work in our hearts. It provokes us to love, worship, believe in God.  The Spirit is like a never ending fountain that springs within our hearts.

We are indeed the ones whom Jesus loves ...

Quotes and insights taken from:  "Communion with God" by John Owens

All things New

Have you ever looked at an old photograph and thought, 'if I could only start over'.  The things I would do different.  Changes I would make.  Things I have learned.  Would it make a difference.

With God all things are new.  His mercies every morning.  He makes all things right.  He takes our mistakes.  Our sins.  Our failings.  And uses it all for the very best for us.  His plan is never altered.

Our job is to show His greatness in our lives.  To tell of it from one generation to another.  That is why I write.  To tell of His awesome love and faithfulness.  Even when I am not.

Tears in a Bottle

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my  

tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."      

                                                                                                                                                                        (Psalms 56:8)                                                                                      

Life does come with struggles.  I always thought I had kept a close tab on the forgiveness list.  You know, someone hurts my family (or me) in some way and I automatically forgive them.  He who is forgiven much loves much.  Jesus forgives me so much, how can I not forgive others?  Sometimes, though, hurts rise to the surface unexpectedly.  When I get angry at another time, I might throw up past offenses.  Or just out of the blue that past hurt will suddenly come to mind.  It is the Spirit wanting me to deal with these things. 

Someone may not have any idea that he has hurt you.  But it's something you struggle with every day.  Maybe something that happened long ago.  It does not mean you have not forgiven.  It means forgiveness is a process.  Believe it or not, the unforgiveness can keep you in bondage.  If you want to live in the freedom of the gospel you must give forgiveness even when it is not deserved. 

St. John of the Cross says, "I tell you acting in love when others are not acting in love toward you--this is of the highest value to your soul.  It is worth more than all the other acts of faith you may have done, no matter how great they may appear." 

The other morning getting ready for church, I really had to pray to get there.  For some reason I don't understand, it is just hard for me to leave home at times.  Probably control. Wanting comfort. Security apart from God.  Anyway, it was a huge struggle.  I do have praying friends and professional help with my disorder and I am doing very well.  Still, sometimes it is just hard. 

I even thought about the death of my mother.  I had been with her for weeks, but was not there when she died.  I have struggled with guilt because of that.  Even knowing my mother would not want that.

My pastor said that after the death of Lazarus, Jesus was so angry at sin and sickness and death, He quaked.  God tremors.  He is angry at the effects we suffer because of sin and sickness and death.  I thought of the rage of a volcano as it erupts.  It hit me.  God is angry at illness, not the person who is ill.  In the past, I had felt guilt, shame, and humiliation at times about my illness.  I didn't even realize it at the time.  But to hear God is for me, that He is angry at all the illness' effects on me, knowing He is with me and the love God has for me, that made a huge impact.  

Christ died on the cross for our freedom.  That our conscience would be clear and we would be free from guilt.  Free to follow Him.  He became mortal.  He humbled Himself even to the cross.  One reason that He suffered was to identify with our suffering. There is nothing we will ever go through that He does not know exactly how we feel.  He is full of compassion for us.  Nothing we go through is wasted.  We are not in the second plan for our lives. We are in His perfect plan.  God is still in control.  You can trust Him.  He is making things right and in Heaven they will be perfect.

One night as I sat in my car waiting for my daughter, it began to rain.  It had been a very tough day.  The drops ran down the window.  I put my hand against the window and it was as if the Spirit said to my heart:  "These are the tears I have shed for you.  I catch all your tears in a bottle.  None are wasted.  I love you."

Lord You know our hearts better than we do.  Thank You for Your compassion for us, and for Your anger toward those things that harm us.  Let us live in the freedom and joy that is ours in You. We know God, that You will work it all for good and for Your glory.  That brings such confidence in you. 

The Impossible Dream

Impossible Dream

Sometimes we think of things that are impossible for us.  We live in a canal.  Not venturing beyond what we are sure we can accomplish.
God wants us to live beyond ourselves.  To do the impossible.  Have faith.  The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us.
Conquer fear.  Live in places and do things you have never done before.  Step out.  Beyond yourself.  Dream big.  Think big.  That is where we see miracles happen.  That is where God who created the universe and many others, meets us.  Go there.  He loves to surprise us.  Hold things of this world loosely.  Come into your destiny.  Live in the glory of God.  The impossible Dream.  Leave room for God to do more than you can do.  He loves to show Himself great through you.  Give Him the glory when you accomplish the Impossible Dream.

Loneliness is Gone!

My doctor said I could not lower my medications right now.  Did you pray for me?  I was able to get my mind off of me and on to other things.  Listening to a sermon on the web helped.  Then I just got busy cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes, getting dressed.  It is very hard to do this when you are extremely clinically depressed.  But there are many times we can take a walk, do a hobby, or get busy in any other way and not focusing ourselves.  I did pray as I wrote you, Father let my thoughts be on you and your love for me.
The loneliness is gone.  I have gotten some much needed sleep.  It was a hard week with stressors and the death of my dad.  Realizing I am focused on not getting something I want makes me look to my circumstances.  Another good way to rise above circumstances is to worship!  The joy of my Lord has returned.  A song in my heart.  A skip in my step.  A thankful mindset.  A rest within my soul.

Praying for you dear friends...

Never Alone

Never Alone

All I am wanting to do is sleep.  I don't think it is depression.  Even though these last few days have been really hard.    When I am like this I feel really alone.  I can't enter into relationship.  Do activities or my duty.
I have no energy mentally or physically to do anything.  I can't even concentrate enough to read.  I tried to listen to sermons but I fall asleep.  The other night I was talking to my daughter and I fell asleep on the phone with her.  Then later with a friend.
My husband says I talk drugged.  I think my medication needs lowering.  Sometimes the better you are feeling the less medication you need.  I have a call into my doctor.
This feeling of being alone is the hardest thing to cope with.  No one can really walk with me through this.  I wonder why the Lord does not remove it?  But one thing I know is He walks with me through this.  He may not remove the hard circumstances but He does walk with me through them.  I am never alone.  One thing, with the help of the Spirit, I am able to do.  I am able to fix my eyes on the Father and His love for me.    He is relentless and never changing.  I can rest there.  In His precious affections for me.  My mind may say I am alone.  But my heart tells me I am
NEVER ALONE!

Unveiled Eyes

Old but New

It is such a miracle when God takes an old truth and gives you a new way of seeing it.  He unveils your eyes.  It moves from a head knowledge to a heart understanding.  It is like seeing something for the first time.
This usually is when He is working something new in your life.  He wants you to change, to do something new, or just rest in His perfect love for you.  Usually this comes as a complete surprise.  You could say it is His working of Grace in your life.  You feel joyful, clean and with power to accomplish whatever it is He is wanting to do in your life.

Surrender

Letting go

I don't pretend to understand it.  But there is something to surrendering, letting go.  Some how when we let go and give control to God.  Is when the miracles happen.  It is very hard to do.  It runs deep within our soul, this control.  Trusting God to be in control gives Him opportunity to move in mysterious and wonderful and powerful ways.  It is our partnership with the Spirit of God.
Things usually turn out better and different than our plans.  Something usually happens that we are surprised by grace.  There is evidence of Gods glory in our lives as we let go and surrender.  Trusting God to do more than we can hope or imagine.

Tears in a Bottle

New Post, Tears in a Bottle, www.whispersofgod.org

When in Doubt

Never Alone

When you are in doubt about your future or the future of  one you love.  When the loss has been so great you feel you cannot breathe.  When your heart is breaking.  It is a great comfort to know your Father holds you and them tenderly in His arms,  Your name is written in the palm of His hand.  That He has a plan and a purpose for your future.  That He knew you before the beginning of time.  In your mothers womb.  It brings all praise to the one who is praise worthy!  He will not leave you now.  Or ever alone.

Thankful Heart

Time alone with Him

Sometimes we are anxious about what is going on in our lives.  We may feel like we are the victim.  We may get on a pity party.
But when we spend time alone with Him.  We come away knowing His love for us.  We have a confidence that He is a loving and good God.  Even though we are fully responsible.  He works His control of everything to bring the very best for us.  To make us more like Jesus.  We realize there is no second plan in our life.  He works only the best for us out of our mess ups, our sin and our failures.
When we realize His faithfulness to us, His child.  We have a grateful, thankful, heart.  In all situations.
This thankfulness brings great joy in us.  And to the glory of God!

He remains Faithful

He Remains Faithful

Have you ever gone through a difficult time and looked back and thought, O What Little Faith I Had.  But at the same time you see how faithful God was to you.  And to His glory.  Maybe you failed miserably and see now how you just didn't trust in God.  You didn't do the right thing.
2 Tim 2:13 says that eventhough we are unfaithful.  He remains faithful.  For He cannot deny Himself.
You see His Spirit lives in us.  His promise to us is to be faithful.  For Him not to be faithful would be for Him not to keep His promise and deny Himself.  Oh what a Savior.  How awesome is our God.