Category: growth

Coat of Many Colors

…in God I trust: I shall not be afraid. (Psalm 56:11a)

If you know me, you know me. I am much like the cat in the picture. I’m charismatic, outgoing in every direction, have a style of my own and not afraid to wear it. I love the fluffy feeling of being complete in my attire, all the accessories. The colors in this cat make me feel happy, relaxed and comfortable. I’m just not sure about the look on her face though. She almost looks frightened, or surprised. Then I thought about that for a bit, I wonder if anyone notices that in me when I’m dressed in my coat of many colors, all fluffed up? Do they see the hurt, or fear that I sometimes feel, the shock or overwhelming feeling of life in the moment? Can they see the burdens that I am carrying that are woven so intricately into the fabric of my being, that I try to disguise as some form of accessory? I have hidden things in my attire in the past because I didn’t want people to see the deeper parts of me. When you are the one that people look to for a smile, a touch, a word of encouragement, the last thing you want them to see is what you are going through. We can do pretty good at hiding those things from other people, but we can’t hide them from God and honestly he does not want us too. God is my Father and a Good Good Father at that. He cares about EVERYTHING I care about. He knows my every thought, every happy, sad moment, he even knows every hair on my head and He collects every tear I’ve ever cried and puts’ them in a bottle, recording them in His book (Ps. 56:8). He knows my pain, sorrow, and struggles and he won’t ever forget them. He is aware of every burden I’ve had to bear, from the sleepless nights to the quiet unseen sorrows wrapped in my “Oh I feel so good” outfit I’m wearing. So when I look at this cat, what I see is beautiful on the outside, but on the inside is a different kind of beauty. It’s not a form of weakness because of that look in her eye, or the look in my eye, rather it is a need to give it over to the One who sees and remembers. Those feelings on the inside I call them beautiful to because I am created by a God that does not make mistakes, therefore, He wanted me to feel or He wouldn’t have given me the emotions to do so. What He doesn’t want is for me to be in bondage to those feeling and feel the need to hide them or hide from them nor does he want you too. So, get out your best outfit, accessorize, put a smile on your face and let the light shine down upon you with confidence that what others see you wearing on the outside, is the same thing you are wearing on the inside.

Rain On Me

“I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season-showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26)

I was at a prayer meeting for revival. As much as I tried entering in to prayer asking for the Spirit of God to pour down on us as a city, a nation, the world in whole I found myself drawn to repentance. Repentance for not loving others like Jesus, for the times I felt selfish or conceited, how much more I needed to look at others with a greater significance. I became very humbled in my spirit asking instead that I could have a mind more like Christ Jesus. When he was here on earth in human form, being he was born in the likeness of men through the Virgin Mary, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross. Of course I know I will never be able to compare to the One whose name is above all names, but I’m always going to try and when I fall short which is most days, I’ll seek His face in forgiveness. After that I was able to pray for revival again, first in me. I asked the Holy Spirit to shower me with abundance, a refreshing and divine favor that would bring forth more productivity in the things God had already called me to. To reach more souls in the streets, the stores, the churches, everywhere I am, including those of you reading this. I wanted new growth in me. I wanted to have everything I needed to do more good works for His glory. I wanted Him to pour down blessings on me like the rain, like spring showers, which as I’m writing this right now the rain outside is pouring down and I have had to restart my computer 3 times already due to the power flickering off and on. Maybe God and I got our wires crossed in what kind of rain I was asking for …haha, just kidding, but it really is raining outside I just thought that was rather interesting being I was writing in regards to rain. So my prayer for revival ended something like this; asking for an abundance of grace, mercy, and prosperity that would exceed what I had already been given, allowing me to be a blessing to others in new ways. Of course I did pray for others to receive those same things. Once we left the church I began sharing with my husband in the car what I had experienced in our prayer time being we were all praying individually, when I began to cry because I was still in that humble spirit state of mind and heart. The tears made it hard for me to speak, so I stopped talking and just rested in His presence the rest of the way home. I would have to say, my prayers were answered tonight, He poured down the rain like spring showers both in the spiritual realm as well as the natural.

Turn the Page

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer.29:11)

Like most people my life is a storybook. There is a beginning, a middle, and then there is the end, with a whole lot of pages in between. I had nothing to contribute in the beginning, the middle became my learning experiences, and the end will be determined by, if I walked in wisdom from the things learned in the middle of my story. Life can be full of twist and turns, highs and lows, good and bad. Times of sitting still or times we are on the move. Comical or serious, guess work, clockwork, does anything work? I believe for most people, and I would like to reiterate the word most, because I realize it does not apply to all, I believe the latter years to be a bit more comical than serious. We’ve already done the majority of our stressing over choices like; schools, home to buy, marriage, raising kids, how to keep up with the “Jones’s,” funny when I think about the things and people we worry about comparing ourselves too. Now I certainly cannot deny there are serious days, real concerns, and hurdles to get over, that is life to, but as we age we tend to have a different perspective about things than we did in the middle of our story. The younger me was a true believer in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The older me, nearing the end, sees grace or ignorance depending on who or what, just being honest. Which brings me to being honest, younger people don’t appreciate honesty as much as older people in my opinion. I am prepared now to hear the truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God. Younger me, “Just lie to me, I can’t bear to hear the truth.” The younger me didn’t want to be lectured on what’s right and what’s wrong, the older me gets annoyed at wrong doings and tries to right every wrong. The younger me was okay with what I considered “fire insurance” rather than a real relationship with my Lord and Savior. Now, He’s the first one I talk to when I wake up and the last one I talk to before going to sleep. As you can see a lot of pages have been turned in my storybook. I believe or at least pray that I have another chapter or two still left. Right now I’m on a page that the things I am doing are bringing glory to my Heavenly Father and for the first time in my life I can say with all certainty, I am loved, I am valued, and my story matters. What chapter in your story are you on? Is it time to turn the page? Do you have any idea how your story ends? You might be thinking, how is it that I know my ending is going to be okay? The answer to that is easy, it doesn’t end. I have been promised an everlasting life by the One who conquered hell and defeated the grave. My story just gets better and better, turn the page.

I can’t end today’s story without offering an open invitation to all who are reading this; you are welcome to come and be a part of my story. Jesus is the ONLY way to get there. If you don’t know the end of your story yet and would like to, just say this simple prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I confess that I am a sinner, and I believe that Jesus you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I ask you Jesus, come into my heart and be Lord over my life. I repent of my sins, and I trust in You alone for my salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10)

If you said this prayer I just want to say to you “you have turned the page and now you know the end of your story.”

The Test of Free Will

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Gen. 2:19-20)

We have all been created with free will. According to theological perspectives, God generally does not override human free will to protect us from our own choices. God can however intervene in circumstances and influence hearts, I know that personally because He has done it in me. Free will is considered essential for genuine love and moral responsibility. This is actually a gift from God that allows us humans to choose to love and obey God, rather than being forced to do so. We are free to make choices, just like in the Garden of Eden, but remember we are also responsible for the consequences of those choices just as Adam and Eve were. I have recently had to make a choice on to how to handle a situation based off of my free will, not a heaven or hell issue, but a moral response that I would have to live with for the rest of my life here on earth. I will say it was definitely a life altering one. This choice was going to permanently change my life, my perspective as well as my future path. On the other hand it was going to be a positive, transformative moment in my life, allowing for more spiritual growth, rest in my spirit, knowing that I had made the right choice for me. I am learning the importance of true rest, not just sleeping, but resting. I have spent a lot of my life restless, tired, worn out all due to choices I have made, that thing called free will. Free will if not taken seriously, is not free at all. The older I get the more peace means to me. Peace of mind, the restfulness of knowing I’ve made right choices regardless of the outlook of others. God tells us in (Joshua 24:15) “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Decide your own path. I’m choosing the path He is directing me in. I highly advise getting to know the promptings of the Holy Spirit, though God does not stop us from making bad choices, He does influence, nudge or create circumstances that will steer us toward making good decisions if we are paying attention. God is sovereign, and he does protect believers from harm, but it doesn’t mean every bad choice is blocked or reversed, so we still have to be careful when making choices. Again, it’s so important to be still and quiet and listen before making a choice. Remember bearing the responsibility of our choices whether good or bad is ours to bear. That’s the gift of free will. What sort of choices do you need to make today?

Don’t Mistake a Blessing for a Curse

Nehemiah 13:2b -yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.

If you are living in misery, you are NOT living in your blessing. If you are feeling condemned, lacking favor, desolate, unhappy, forsaken, damned, cursed or living in unforgiveness, you are NOT living in your blessing. There have been times in life I have felt all the above, certain I had missed out on or even had had my blessing taken from me, and actually I have had things taken from me more times than I can count, yet I realize the things I thought should have blessed me, were NOT the blessing at all. I also realize that God is the giver of ALL good gifts. He is the only One that can turn a curse into a blessing and I know I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure and JOY, is gonna be my STRENGTH! You can find it all over in the Bible; Numbers, Lamentation, Joshua, Nehemiah, 2 Corinthians, Galatians are just a few place. Maybe you lost your job due to someone else’s actions or you applied for a job and was turned down for a reason that makes no sense to you. Both of these things actually happened to my husband a few years back. Here’s a personal testimony of mine I’ll share; I was robbed several years back. I had four of my grandchildren living with me at the time, I was also a substitute teacher at our local public school where my grandchildren attended when the robbery occurred, which is where we were at that very time, my husband was at his job as well. So the first blessing was that no one was home at the time of the break-in. When the kids and I got home the front door was still open, so I took the kids back to the car, called 911 and waited. My husband got home about the time the police arrived and they had the kids and I stay outside until they searched the house and found it to be safe to enter. When I got in there I was in shock at the things that were taken. It was EVERYTHING of mine. EVERY sentimental thing I had, an early 1900’s safe that had been in my family for years, all my jewelry, things of my childrens and grandchildrens memabillias I had been holding on for my entire life, the lamp beside my bed which the necklace I wore when we were married hung from the switch that turned it on. Right down to my clothes, including undergarments, along with some other things such as guitar and computer, etc. but mostly EVERYTHING that was gone was mine. I was devastated to say the least, because I am a very sentimental person. For the next 48 hours I was a mess, I couldn’t see how I would ever get any peace about this, I had been violated once again in my life and why? Was there a curse on my life? The questions that were going through my mind were of course due to shock and well of course fear which is nothing more than lies from the devil. After that 48 hours I heard the Lord tell me I was blessed. You can imagine what that might have been like, hearing I was blessed after all that. But this is what I heard God say as if He were standing right beside me. “He had protected my family, none of us were harmed and as for all of my belongings; I wasn’t going to be able to take any of those things with me when I leave this world, the ONLY thing I was going to be able to take were other souls and at the time the souls He was talking about were my four grandchildren that I was raising at the time.” Blessed I was; all four of my grandchildren ended up receiving the Lord as their personal Savior and were ALL baptized while in my care. When you’re not feeling blessed, give those feeling, thoughts, and circumstances over to God. God’s ways and our ways are not the same. What looks like misfortune or a curse to us, He says is a blessing. When in question, I just pray and I don’t act until I have a knowing in my spirit what will lead me to my blessing. Trust me there is a blessing. Have I ever missed it, sure, who hasn’t? Misfortunes happen to us all in some form or another, but so do blessings. Thank you Jesus for redeeming me from the curse of the law and may the LORD bless each person reading this and keep you and make His face shine upon you, Amen.

Practical Advice

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

I’m just full of practical advice like, Going hunting? You might spend some time at a gun range or target practicing first. Want to lose weight? Eat things you don’t like, you’ll eat less. Want to save money? Quit spending. Things always breaking down? Try regular maintenance. You have no peace? Stop dwelling on things that you can’t fix anyway. Don’t like what some people are saying about you? Stop saying things about some people. Don’t like the rain? Be patient it will stop. Can’t sleep? Don’t take things to bed with you that don’t belong there. Your family falling apart? A family that prays together, stays together. Clothes don’t fit? Lose weight, gain weight or buy new clothes. I could go on forever, but I have more to say regarding practical advice. There is a thing called “Biblical Practical Advice.” It focuses on applying wisdom to our daily lives. Some of the key principles would be: practicing empathy, managing finances wisely, working with diligence, maintaining patience, cultivating healthy, respectful relationships. We should be better listeners than we are talkers. Learn the “Golden Rule” do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Don’t speak disrespectfully about others. Don’t take revenge on those that have wronged you, instead show kindness whenever possible. Work like your working for the Lord. Be like the ant in (Proverbs 6:6-8), be faithful in small things, baby-steps. “I am a BABY-STEPPER.” Stop trying to impress everyone, focus on impressing the One who matters. Be patient, it builds character and it shows God is in control not you. Avoid arrogance, “Do not cast the first stone” and be honest about your own mistakes before criticizing others. Use your personal gifts to benefit others rather than for selfish gain and actively forgive others, recognizing everyone makes mistakes. Now how many of these do you think I have down? If I was to be honest, I’d say NONE. Every day I have to repent in one area or another. But, knowing all these things gives me direction on where I want to be. I can set realistic goals, ones that are obtainable. Bottom line the Bible is full of Practical Advice. It is our instruction book for life, life more abundantly. So next time you find yourself struggling in an area, open it up. Get you some good “Biblical Practical Advice” that’s also called, Wisdom.

Bread and Water

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst'” (John 6:35)

I just want to share a little about my Blog. When I began this, I really had no idea where it was going or who would read it and I was okay with that. I needed to write more than I needed people to read, what I did know was God was speaking to me. He first spoke the words Bread and Water to me. I knew right then that was the domain name for my Blog. I also knew I was a sinner saved by grace which in turn gave me a tagline; “Personal experiences and revelations of a sinner saved by grace.” A slogan; “Overflowing in grace” my life story. Lastly, my logo; a photo of a wall plaque a man from our church over 25 years ago had made for a housewarming gift for us; “Jesus Living Water.” All that I am writing about are things He is currently or has in the past spoken to me directly, whether through the written Word of God, or a knowing in my spirit, or by word or a sentence of words that suddenly come to mind, which usually becomes a title to a blog at some point. I love to take pictures, picture of all kinds and sometimes I look at a photo that I’ve taken and suddenly there’s a Blog. My Blog is an example of my life with Him, what it looks like in recorded form. Blogging is also a way for me to unleash some things that bring discomfort or uncertainty in my life. It allows me to focus on Him verses the chaos that is going on around me or even just in my mind. I have always been a person given to journaling; it is great therapy. It allows my mind time to sit in the silence, it brings a calm in my storm, and I hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit giving me that feeling of inner guidance. I am able to reflect on life circumstances and writing down my thoughts help me recognize spiritual insights. I feel a real heart-to-heart connection with God in these moments. A lot of the writings are personal, yet sincere conversations between me and the Lord and I feel that others can glean from them as I do, at least that is my prayer. This picture aside from what the woman looks like, is truly a picture of me, what I look like when preparing for writing a blog. I have my Bible, my 13 little notes scattered all around me, and I am sitting ever so intently listening. I also have days when I do not hear anything and it’s just a time of silence and waiting, reflecting or ruminating on a word, or a moment. This is my time. I don’t believe life allows for a lot of “MY TIME,” you just have to make it happen and cherish it like a newborn baby. Originally writing a Blog was my husband’s idea simply because he was aware of how much writing does for me. I thought, why not? I’d just like to say, thanks to him for knowing me so well, and knowing what I needed more than I did. I pray any and all who read my Blog will be blessed in some way and a big thank you for taking your precious time to read it.

Always …Everywhere

Proverbs 15:3 (“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere”)

Psalm 121:8 (“The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go”), and Psalm 32:8 (“I will guide you with my eye upon you”). The Bible teaches that God is constantly watching over people as a protective guardian who never sleeps or looks away. Psalm 33:18 (“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love”). Psalms 139:1-12 describes God’s intimate knowledge of a person’s actions, thoughts, and movements, indicating he is always present. Hebrews 4:13 (“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account”).

Knowing God is watching is meant to bring a sense of peace and comfort to believers during our difficult times. Yet, it also brings about accountability; we are warned that this watchfulness means God sees everything done in secret and that people will answer for their actions, which brings me to another area of who else is watching? We should live with integrity, because the Bible also talks about others watching us. We should set a godly example to everyone; I have to repent because I miss it in this area quite often. I do want to live in such a way that when people see me, they see Jesus and that my Father in heaven would be glorified. That it would also bring encouragement to others to live a right life before the Lord, seeing God’s work being done in my life, which is a work in progress, it would bring hope to them. God is not a respecter of persons, what He is doing in my life He will do in theirs. Baby Christians: people new to their faith in God, a younger generation, they need to see our life, our actions, aligning with our claims of faith. In Hebrews 12 it speaks of a cloud of witnesses, people witnessing our life. Not only is God’s eyes ALWAYS on us, but others are watching too. We are to witness to others by doing right especially to those that accuse us of doing wrong, that they would glorify God on the day he comes to visit them (1 Peter 2:12). We are called to be an example to those observing us (1 Ti. 4:12). It is also true that some will simply watch you to find fault or catch you making a mistake, just as how spies watched Jesus to find something to use against him (Luke 20:20, Mark 12:13, Luke 6:7). This is where I will end. A Prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way of everlasting! Amen

Am I Producing?

Knowing the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience do its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (Ja. 1:3-4)

Let’s turn our adversities into opportunities. Let’s become complete and whole. Let’s produce “FAITH.” Faith produces patience, endurance, and perseverance, which leads us to completeness, I want everything God has for me. Faith produces the ability to withstand hardships which in turn should mature us as believers. Eventually it will lead to good works and obedience in God, which I am steadily maturing in with each circumstance presented before me. Faith is our weapon to war against the enemy. If we have the faith to believe God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Battles seem to be never-ending, but with God we are more than a conqueror. It also produces peace, joy and love for others, that’s where we see the adversity turning into an opportunity. An opportunity to show the love of Christ in any given circumstance; I am still working out the kinks in that area just FYI. Faith is the foundational assurance of things hoped for, confidence to trust God’s promises. I have hope, and I trust, that’s the only reason I am still here. It is an anchor, a grounding for all future hope today, tomorrow, days and years to come. While hope is looking forward with an expectation, our faith is relying on God’s character that He is who He says He is. Faith is the inward certainty that generates the outward expectation of hope. This is where I know that I know comes in. If we will get this seeded deep inside of us, it makes it possible for us to move forward with confidence. Life allows us so many opportunities, yet I have found most require faith to do them. I don’t always feel that kind of faith. I have to stir up faith inside of me, it’s there, but I have to remind myself. Without it I am an “Udder FAILURE,” I have to pray for direction and guidance and be ready and willing to receive. God simply wants me to trust in Him, have “FAITH.” By doing it that way it is perfect, I lack nothing. That trouble situation, self-doubt, rejection, lost loved one, struggle to succeed in what I am trying to accomplish; adversity overcome. DONE! Once you have faith, the test is finished. (Hebrews 12:2), Jesus is described as the “author and finisher” (or perfecter) of our faith. Doubt and faith do not co-exit.

After “It Is Finished”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations …” (Matt. 28:19)

Jesus gave the command after his resurrection and shortly before his ascension into heaven. Immediately after rising: He appeared to his disciples behind locked doors in Jerusalem and told them, “As the father has sent me, I am sending you”. Shortly before ascending: He gave further instructions near Bethany on the Mount of Olives, telling them they would be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth” after receiving the Holy Spirit. According to Scripture in (Matthew 28:18-20) [And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”] This applies to all Christians as a mandate to share our faith. We just spent an entire week in preparation for the celebration of our Risen Savior, now it’s time to GO! If you gave your life to Jesus at anytime during or before the celebration you have now been commanded to Go …share the good news, be fishers of men, make disciples. This is the mission of the Church to spread the gospel message of salvation, we are the Church, don’t just sit around and wait for the world to come to you, we need to GO to them. If you need a place to start, start with letting others see the change in you. What the cross did for you, your freedom from the sins you were carrying, the hurts, habits and hang-ups the Lord just freed you from, the new love you have for people, even the unlovely. Go … looks different for everyone, just like our fingerprint is different from everyone else’s, so is the way we bring others into a personal relationship with the Lord. For others it may look like evangelism in the streets to the homeless or a co- worker the Lord put on your heart, a schoolmate or a random person at the grocery store. Acts of kindness are a very good tool for everyone to start with. Let me also remind you, that you are not the one doing the calling, the Holy Spirit calls them, you are the tool in which He uses to accomplish His good work, lest anyone boast of his good work (Eph.2:8-10). The purpose of good works is not causing salvation, instead we believers are created to do the good works to show the fruit or evidence of our faith. Remember is was entirely by the grace of God that you were saved and it is by grace that others will be too. Just GO! that is the command, put your individual fingerprint on another soul for the kingdom of heaven.