Tag Archives: Love

DEAR GOD: You Are the Keeper of My Soul~

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I observed my niece playing with her toys on the floor in her living room. She methodically placed her building blocks one on top of the other. She seemed to really enjoy the red ones the most. As the pile got higher and higher, she became more excited. Until the last block she placed atop of the huge pile.  I knew it was sure to happen and within seconds she was crying. “All come down!” She cried as her mom assured her; she could build it again. That seemed to stifle the tears somewhat. And within seconds a chocolate chip cookie and milk seemed to erase the entire scenario from her little innocent mind.

That got me to thinking about our souls. The blocks were like the weight of the world, all its troubles piling atop one another. Issues, troubles, finances, division, political discourse, so on and so forth. Until one final piece crumbles it to the ground. That could be our soul!

Jesus very succinctly gives us a warning in Mark 8:36. He is telling us what good to gain the world if we lose our soul in the process? How important is the things of this world that would push our souls to the brink of eradication?

Listen, of course we need to be aware of current events. Jesus warned His disciples as he sent them out into the world in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

The Lord Jesus used the dove as a model for harmlessness and innocence, and the serpent for wisdom and cunning. So, we are to utilize the two in a way that is fitting of a Christian and follower of Christ. We are to be cautious as we venture into the world and be forewarned at all times, remembering the words of Christ.

How can we do this?

  1. Take note of the world events, but don’t get pulled into them in an ungodly fashion. ((Colossians 2:8)
  2. Be aware that evil does exist in the world but remember that Christ gives us authority in His name to overcome it. ((Mark 16:18)
  3. Be an example of His light to those you encounter, smile, help, and be attentive to other’s needs. (Matthew 5:16)
  4. Stay in the Word, and always have your Gospel Armor in place (Ephesians 6)
  5. Don’t fear those who can kill your flesh, but rather those who can “kill your soul.” (Matthew 10:28)

 

Number five on the above list is crucial to your spiritual growth and roots in Christ. The only One we answer to is our LORD. The only One we bow down to is to the Highest Authority in the Universe, our LORD and Savior, King of kings.

Sure, we are subject to “civil law” and “rules” in which societal norms are vitally important to exist. But make no mistake, we are under the control of the Highest Royal God, who is at the helm 24/7!

It is Him and only He that has our soul in His hands.

We have a duty as citizens to obey the rules of the land, but we have a full-blown allegiance to acquiesce to all of what God commands.

So, remembering my nieces “tower” that fell from all that weight. There is only so much world you can take in before it tries to snatch up your soul. But as faithful followers, nothing could ever take us from the love of Christ. Nothing!

Romans 8:39 -Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

“Father my LORD, thank You for Your brilliant light, love and guidance, may I always be aware that we are dealing with daily spiritual warfare in the world, may my spirit always be in step with Your word in all I do and encounter, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: How Do We Stay Focused on You?~

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Stay Focused on Jesus - St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Cobourg

Hebrews 12:2 –

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith

How can we stay focused on God? There are many reasons to want to do so and all are beneficial to us, spiritually, physically mentally.

When we engage daily in prayer, meditation and reading verses in the Bible, we are activating a closer bond with the LORD in many ways. First of all, we are showing Him reverence by being in His Word, and when we obey His commandments, we are doing according to His Word.

Staying focused on God and His Word is relevant to all we endeavor to do or hope to do. Being in the Word brings wisdom and insight and it equips us with the ability to ascertain things we normally would not be able to do without His guidance.

So, how do we stay focused on Him?

  1. By being in the Word.
  2. By being faithful to His commandments.
  3. By spending time with Him alone in prayer.
  4. By showing His love to others.
  5. By being an example of His light and truth.
  6. By doing all things that are right and aligning with His Word.
  7. Seeking His face in all we do and attempt to do.
  8. Loving Him totally with all our hearts, minds, body, and soul.
  9. Putting Him first before anything or anyone else.
  10. And by asking for His will to be done in your life. 

As we focus on His love, His Word, His will we are inherently drawing closer to Him. When we ask for His will to be done in our life, we are placing our trust in Him, knowing He wants what is best for all of us.

Spending time with the LORD is probably the most valuable and important thing you can possibly do in this lifetime. Loving Him is probably the most pleasant thing you can do in this lifetime. And obeying Him is the most rewarding thing you can do in this lifetime, and the life to come in Eternity.

Colossians 3:2 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

 

“Father, may I stay focused on You and Your commandments, love and Word today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: How Do I Protect Myself Against Evil People?

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The Holy Spirit Leads Us Through the Valley of Circumstances - Hallelujah

We can’t protect “ourselves” it is God that does it for us. He reassures us that He goes before us on all levels and mentions it throughout the Bible. We can be careful while following His Word and the practicality of life in general. But it is God that goes before us. It is He that gives us the strength and the ability to sustain and maintain our morality and vitality in all things.

He is with us. No matter what. He goes before us at all times. We are to have no fear. That includes those who hate and despise us or are jealous of us.

Jeremiah 1:8 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

He commands us in many places not to fear, and to trust Him above all else. When we put our trust in God, he guides us, shows us, supplies us with wisdom. All these things fall under the auspices of His Sovereign supernatural power. He guides our paths. He brings us health.

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

There is no fear in humans or what they can do to us. They can’t kill our souls. Only God can. He created our souls only He can destroy our souls. He alone can do ALL things.

 

“Father God, thank You for protecting me in all matters of my life, day in and day out, You are my source of strength, I receive You and Your promises today and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: Not What We Do- but What You Do Through Us~

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GOD Use Me As You Vessel Wall Decal | Zazzle.com in 2022 | Wall decals ...

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

(2 Corinthians 4:7)

 

The showmanship of bragging was something that always irked my soul. I was never a fan of individuals bloviating/boasting/bragging/loving themselves to the point of ad nauseum, is something I could never tolerate!

Having been blessed to grow up in a family that held strong morals and Christian beliefs, I found it odd when people gave themselves credit for overcoming things, issues, or circumstances, it was just wrong in my eyes!

Can’t they see what we do we do is only because of God and His gifts from above. That we in fact gain wisdom and knowledge through Him and His word? We are not the doers but the vessels in which we do!

Can’t people realize when something of importance is accomplished through our words or actions, that it is in fact, “GOD WHO USED US” for that purpose?

And incidentally, He uses ALL His Children. He doesn’t pick only those with the proper education and experience. Nor does he pick strictly those graduates of the most prestigious theological institutions in the world.  NOPE!

He uses us all for HIS purpose and HIS will for HIS glory.

When we are tuned into the LORD and are ready to serve Him, He will use us according to His plan and purpose for our lives.

We were made by His hands and only He can “fill us to capacity” the likes of which we can be poured out and utilized.

You are His possession—for His purposes—and for His honor.

In His hands, we were fully made and designed. We are completely repaired and highly maintained. We are washed and cleansed (by His most precious Blood) Keep your eyes on the King! Trust Him fully in the process.  Believe in Him without any doubt.

And finally, remember this:

“It’s not what YOU do.

Instead, it is what GOD does through you!

 

 

 

 

 

 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and fit for the master’s use, and prepared uno every good work.”

Timothy 2:21

“Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, what makest thou?”

Isaiah 45:9

 

DEAR GOD: Sowing Seeds Amongst Non-Believers?

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Sow Seeds of Peace

James 3:18 –

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 

 

How do we manage non-believers in our circle of friends?

Are we complicit if we are within that circle?

2 John 1:10 says, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him…”

What does that scripture of 1 John mean?  Are we as Christians to shun those who are non-believers?

There seems to be a line of confliction within some scriptures that alternate back and forth between the handling of non-believers. How or what do we do when in the circle of such individuals.

Let’s try and figure this out together.

2 John 1:11 he goes on further to illustrate, “for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”

Yikes!  Now what? Let’s continue with more scripture.

Ephesians 5:11
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

Ephesians above clearly expresses what we are to do. Reprove them. What does reprove actually mean? You can look it up in various places, and it more of less means the same thing.

It’s a sense of guiding someone gently, and in this case, more than likely sharing the Gospel and having patience with them, as explained in 2 Timothy below.

2 Timothy 4:2  “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Jesus wants us to preach and teach. Not in an overly zealot type fashion. For the Spirit is a complete and honorable Gentleman.  He would never force something upon us or be harsh with us in doing so. No. Instead, He wants us to share with those who are in the dark and are ignorant in the Word. Sadly, many people clearly do it by choice.  Still others may be due to a lack of knowledge or instruction by never having been exposed to the Gospel.

Jesus says in Mark 2:17   “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

What do we get out of the conflictions in the Bible?  We keep delving deeper into the word, cross reference scriptures to understand the whole picture. If we were to just go with one line or two, we don’t get the summary of who God is or what His purpose for us in life is.  We don’t get to fully grasp the meaning of God’s infinite love for us and how magnificent He really is. And most of all how He longs to have us be with Him for all Eternity by following Him.

The Bible is filled with wonderment and examples of what men and women went through. The sacrifices they’ve made along the way.  The miracles that were clearly performed, the sick that were healed, and the souls that were saved by Jesus Christ crucifixion, death and resurrection.

God puts us where we should be and need to be at any given moment in time. When surrounded by others who don’t believe, we’re not to be rude, or disparaging, or hurl insults at one another. Instead, be an example of Jesus Christ by our actions, our words of encouragement, and by our unwavering faith. These are crucial elements that are inherent in His children. We need sprinkle seeds along the way under certain circumstances.

The seeds we sow are all we can do. God does the rest. It is up to the LORD to produce growth. We are the Sowers; He is the ultimate horticulturist.  God always gives the increase. We do our job, but He is in control of it all, as with everything in the Universe.

So, the next time you find yourself with a group or individuals who are non-believers, don’t be fearful. Instead listen to the voice of the Spirit, and He will let you know when and where you should “spread seeds.”  And when we do this, we will be pleasing to the LORD and doing our job as Christians.  The growth is always up to the LORD of lords.  Some will grow to incredible heights with deep roots entrenched in the Word.  Others, well…that’s up to God.

 

“Father God, help me to be a witness to Your love and mercy in all I do, and all those I encounter, I will spread the seeds, and know you are the only One who will provide growth, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

 

DEAR GOD: Breath of Spirit~

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 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.  (Romans 8:9)

 

Jesus tells us in John 10:10—”The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

As Christians, we need to latch onto His words, and the true meaning of His statement. He wants to give us peace and joy, that extends from His promise and experience it fully.

Most Christians understand the concept on “paper” but in reality, don’t live or accept readily the promises of Christ.  When we attach and align ourselves with Christ—comfort, peace, security and joy will most assuredly overflow.

When the Holy Spirit—also known as the Spirit of Christ—came to live with us, He was offering us His continual presence and salvation.  The Spirit comes to manifest the presence of Christ, if we accept Him.  We develop a relationship with Him that grows in depth on every level and every aspect concerning our lives.

When we let Jesus work through us let Him in and become dependent on Him, we will begin to live a purposeful life according to His will. His works will begin to assimilate into our daily life, and the temporal findings of routines become visual tangible promises of our ultimate goal, His kingdom, and eternity.

The more pronounced our belief and submission to Christ, the more likely we are to understand the concept and apply it into practice by being “pro-active” Christians.

In other words, embrace Him, trust Him, develop a relationship with Him, and watch how Your life will change for the better. This is an undeniable promise of His truth and love.

 

“Lord Help your children embrace the Spirit within and go forth for Your glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”