Category: inspirational

The Gardener of my Heart

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; (Ezekiel 36:26)

Forecast is rain for the next several days, after all it is almost spring. I’ve been raking for hours on end trying to prepare for spring. As I looked out my front door I realized the trash man hadn’t run yet and I really needed to rake up a couple bags of leaves right quick to put out with the other trash. As I was raking I began listening to God talk to me about being a good steward of what He has given me. He gave me the means to buy my home and He gave me the means to buy this fencing to house my dogs when they go outside. He also spoke to me about the importance of keeping up with it, not just the bare minimum, but to make it nice showing my gratitude for what He has blessed me with. This area that needed tending to is my dogs area for the most part, but I utilize it as well and so does our company. The ground is dirt, stone and little patches of grass that is just now coming up. Since I will be going into town today and already needed to go by the Co-op, I thought this would be just the right time to pick up some grass seed. First, I was going to need to get the rest of those leaves and tiny sticks picked up and rake the yard for aeration before the trash man got here. While out there raking I’m just listening to God giving me all the reasons why I need to do this and how to do it, etc. I’ve mentioned in other writings about my conversations with God being on-going all day long. Sometimes it’s as if no one else even exist because He is the one I sense in my presence all the time and it’s His voice I am always hearing. I heard Him saying things like: if you are grateful for what I have given you, you need to show it. If you want green lush grass your going to need to care for it, cultivate it, nurture it. This is what I do for you. I love you and I only want the best for you. Good things. I want you to flourish in life. I began thinking about that and all the ways He does just what He was saying to me. He truly is the Gardener of my Heart. He knows the deepest most sensitive issues of my heart. He knows how to cultivate and aerate it to cause it to breathe the breath of life again when it feels dormant. He knows what ingredients it will take to cause it to spring forth. He knows what elements it requires for me to flourish. I love how He loves me and cares for me. No one knows me like my Father and no one can do for me what He can do. He created me, He has ownership of me and He has designed me to be what I am. He has created me as a beautiful landscape.

Love of Strangers

“…distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” (Ro. 12:13)

This verse is a perfect example of the photo above. It symbolizes the word Hospitality, meaning, “love of strangers.” Of course, the primary reference is to housing travelers, though all forms of hospitality are included. We in street ministry dedicate ourselves to meeting the needs of others, in witnessing to them about the love of Christ. It may be bringing them food, offering prayer, trying to find housing for them, clothing or other material needs they may have. It may even be taking them to Dr. appointments or getting them necessary medications. But most of all its loving on them, letting them feel Jesus through our touch. This is not only the things I mentioned above but also, it is an act of stewardship. Hospitality should also be offered willingly and joyfully, not as a burden. It is a way to minister God’s grace to others. We all have gifts and here is a scripture for us to know what to do with that gift; “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of us should use whatever gift we have to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Pe. 4:9-10). God has even built meaningful relationships with some of these strangers and me. It truly amazes me how far a little hospitality will go. I have learned how to feel deeply within for some of the strangers I have encountered. Not only that, but gratitude for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to know what He felt towards others. To truly love someone because He loves them, that is such an amazing kind of love. Words to live by; whenever God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. To welcome the stranger is to extend the hand of God.

Tired

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” (Ps. 62:1) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jer. 31:25)

Feelings of exhaustion this morning. I’ve been having crazy dreams at night, leaving me feeling like I didn’t even sleep when I get up. My physical body is overly worn from doing things that are better left for a woman half my age. Yet I find encouragement in knowing when it seems I have nothing left to give physically or mentally, that God never tires and He gives me strength when I need it. These verses are a reminder of that. As hard as it is to write this morning, I am reminded of the word I am holding myself accountable to this year is, “Intentional.” I have come to know the importance of submission and obedience to my Father, God. I know He is the Author of my faith and His Holy Spirit dwells inside of me, He gives me words to speak when I do not know what to say. This morning is one of those mornings. Of course I give Him glory for every writing, because I know without Him, I could never write anything in the first place. My service in writing this Blog is more of a service to the Lord, showing my diligence, not being lazy or doing it half-heartedly. I guess that’s the point of my writing today, stay diligent, don’t be lazy in doing what God has called you too. Give Him your best, He surely is giving you, His best.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

What State Are You In?

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)

Paul shares that he learned to be satisfied in any circumstance-hungry or plenty-through Christ’s strength. When I look back on my life, I can see all the times I was discontent and when I look deeply at those times it all comes back to, I was trying to do things in my strength. What can I do about the situation? How can I help this person? What am I to do about this broken relationship? How will I be able to come up with the means for this …? Never was I looking to my Source, God. Instead, I allowed fret and worry, mounds of anxiety and a lot of sleepless nights to take over my life. I am still a work in progress and will be until the return of my Lord and Savior, but I am also learning just like Paul did. I am learning to praise God in the valley. No matter the period of time of the intensity of my struggle, nor how dark, deep or difficult it is, I am thanking Him for He is there overseeing the things I cannot. He has a plan way higher than mine, a perfect plan. [Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So, we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear, what can man do to me?”] (Hebrews 12:5) This is trusting God’s presence! He is there with me! [And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.] (2 Cor.12:9-10) Again, we see we are weak and we need to look to the Lord who is our strength and He provides the power by His grace. Paul isn’t just boasting about his weaknesses, he said he actually takes pleasure, meaning “to think good,” this is an area I am intentionally working on as well as; To say that “I am well pleased” in them, I’m not quite there yet either. But, like Paul through this he was making it known to others the power of Christ and in the end like all things we want it to bring praise to the only One who deserves it, Jesus Christ. This lesson is not just for us. We are setting examples for others, what it is like to trust in God and to be content in the process. So go ahead and try it, Praise Him now, for what He will explain later.

Come A Little Closer

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)

When I have difficulty seeing something, I will often use my magnifying glass to get a closer look. Today I am getting a closer look at God and relationship with Him. In this scripture we have a biblical promise highlighting a reciprocal relationship: as believers move toward God through prayer, repentance, and obedience, He moves toward them. It is a two-way relationship. Have you ever tried being in a relationship with just yourself? What do you have to offer yourself? What can you receive from yourself? At any point in this one way relationship is there anything tangible? What are you building by yourself? When we align our lives with God, we can be assured of His presence, strength, and grace, which helps build character and faith. When we humble ourself before the Lord, He promises to lift us up. How good are you at lifting yourself up? I know I cannot bring about joy to myself, I cannot do anything in my own strength, it requires an act of God, literally, for things to come out right in my life. If you want to get closer to God it is going to require cultivating a deeper, more intentional relationship through daily spiritual disciplines. Some things you can put into practice are; studying scripture, persistent prayer and worship. Surrender is a Big one, give control of your life back to God, especially during the difficult times. Learn to understand the nature of God and the life of Jesus, His teachings and the miracles He did. Approach God with reverence, respect the Divine Holiness, recognizing Him as both a loving parent and a sovereign authority. God is always close, constant and unchanging, how close are you in relationship with yourself? I know at times I have even lied to myself. God is not man, therefore He cannot lie. How surefooted are you? do you ever change? Can you really count on yourself? Can you remove all fear from yourself? God can and will. Why do we pretend to have it all together and think we can do this life on our own? Truth is, we will never succeed at it without God’s help. According to the Bible, God created humans in His image to have intimate fellowship with Him. This relational purpose means humanity was designed to walk with God and with others, rather than to exist in isolation. So, draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

His Blood Runs Through My Veins

4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5) having predestined us to adoption as sons, by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:4-6)

I am no longer defined by my own humanity, but by the life, holiness, and victory of Jesus Christ. I have the adoption of divine nature, transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for this kind of love is: agape, which is by choice or one’s will, not just a sentimental feeling. Predestined us: this is not fate, but rather a loving choice on God’s part. The Beloved: Jesus Christ. Jesus is not simply one among others who God loves, He is the Beloved Son. And through Him we have redemption; I have been bought back into relationship with the Father through the blood of Jesus Christ. I am a child of God! Glory! Halleluiah! Praise be to the King of Kings! Amen. This spiritual adoption brings righteousness, inheritance, and a new relationship with God as Father. I love how God already chose to adopt me before the foundation of the world, out of love. I always dreamed of my life being a love story, well here it is. And for His pleasure; He wants to spend time with me, He doesn’t just love me, He finds me valuable enough to want to hang out with me. Okay y’all, I’m about to preach myself happy about now. This IS AMAZING LOVE! I now get to call God “Abba Father” through the Holy Spirit. I am ever so grateful to be set free from the debt of my old sinful nature most of all, and you can be to. Thank You Jesus! Come Be a Part of the Family, you are WELCOME here.

Living On A Prayer, Just Not Mine

The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16b)

This is me when I was a baby. I don’t know who was the first to begin praying for me, whether before I was born, after or even now I don’t know everyone that prays for me. What I do know is there has always been someone praying for me. I also know my life would have turned out very differently had they not been. There is real purpose in prayer, if that were not true why would God tell us to pray for each other? Here are a few reasons why we pray for others: Protection, strength when they are weak, to know God’s will and to grow in wisdom, for boldness to share the Gospel. I just received a message today from a friend, asking me to pray just that for her. She wanted me to pray for opportunities as well as boldness & clarity as she entered the streets to spread the Gospel, we call it “Street-ministry.” The Word says in, (Colossians 4:3-4) “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” That scripture makes it clear to me, I had a responsibility to pray the prayer of agreement in that area for her. We should also pray for missionaries and church leaders, our government official’s, our President, all who have been given charge over us. The Bible calls this kind of prayer intercession -a responsibility, a command, and an act of love. I can say now, I was loved from the beginning of time, my time that is. First, God loved me enough that He thought it was necessary for me to be born. Side note to self, “I have purpose.” Then He gave charge or the responsibility of those who loved me to intercede on my behalf. My life was not a fairy tale by no means. I was not a planned pregnancy and to hear my mother tell me how I was conceived was very sad. I would have liked to believe my life began as a love story, but not so. I have heard both sides of the story from both my parents and neither side is one anyone would want. There were attacks on my life right from the start, beginning with a tumor that they were having trouble diagnosing, praise be to God for discernment on the doctors part that determined what it was and surgery was a win for me. I lived through some really tough times as a child of an extremely young mother and a stepfather that was rather hateful towards me most of my childhood, which I will not go into details, but I will say, I ended up in foster care for a period of time. My biofather was sexually abusive to me so that caused a whole other set of issues for me then, as well as later in life. By 15, I was trying to end my life. Obviously someone was praying, someone or someones had been praying all along. So, you see even though people are praying for you, doesn’t mean you won’t go through things in life. What it does mean, God is hearing those petitioning Him on your behalf and He is making a way for you to get through it. This is important, I believe, in my sharing of my childhood; when I was 12 I received Jesus into my heart, obviously I did not know Him then like I do now, but He was with me everyday from that day forward. I have heard, 12 is the age of accountability, so it looks like my first right choice in life had been made. Meanwhile this I do know, my step-grandfather was the first person to my knowing that was praying for me, that is considered an act of love; and a responsibility, being he was a Minister of a Church, which by the way I was spending the week with him and my grandmother for Vacation Bible School when I gave my life to Jesus. Quick summary of the next 20 years; after attempted suicide, I got hooked on drugs and alcohol. I’d be here all day if I went into all the places in life that took me, but I will share more of that at a later time. “People are praying!” Fast forward, I’m now 32 and about to rededicate my life to the Lord. See He never left me, not one minute in those 20 years, He was closer than a brother, I just wasn’t aware of that, though I’m about to be. Next, I’m Thirty-three, I’m down on my knees surrendering ALL not knowing how I made it this far, when I am reminded by an aunt, all the days before this, that my family had been praying for me. Today I am 63 years old and I pray for everyone. I have come to know the importance of prayer in a persons life first hand. Prayer is a powerful tool and like I said before, an act of love. If you love someone pray for them, If someone you love hurt you, pray for them, there is power in that prayer. You will open the door for restoration, deliverance, reconciliation, so many other things through fervent/heartfelt prayer. Food for thought: Imitate Christ, who is continually interceding for us who believe, and carry each other’s burdens through prayer.

Focus

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I have often spent hours and at times days looking for God. “Where are You, Lord?” “I can’t see you anywhere” “Have you left me? Do you not care what I’m going through?” That is some of the questions I would find myself saying, all the while knowing He is there, He hears me, He loves me, He cares what I am going through. But I really wasn’t focused on finding Him, I was in panic mode. At times I would be looking at my problems like that needle in the haystack, they were so BIG that was all I could see. Instead of looking at God, who is even BIGGER than that. That scripture in Jeremiah speaks that to me; when I search for Him with all my heart, I’ll find Him. Not when I’m so focused on my problem or situation I’m going through, NO, when I am whole-heartedly seeking after Him, FOCUSED on finding Him! God is always waiting on us to cry out to Him, but with our whole heart, trusting Him, not just hoping He will hear us or show up. I can’t tell you how many times over my life span, I’ve worried about finances. Before I was a believer well of course I was my own god, so I’d just try to figure it all out and if it worked great; if not I’d try something else, but when I became a believer in Christ, that made the real change. Not saying I didn’t get off kilter at times, but I now knew who was my source and who to go searching for over my finances. Can I just say, EVERY time I have searched with my whole heart, God has shown up. I’m not saying every time my finances where in dire straight did He bail me out immediately, but He did give me direction as to what to do and what not to do anymore, if I didn’t want to go through that again. Ya know, He’s a Daddy, just tak’n care of His girl, daddy’s have to do a little correcting at times. So, God is not a needle in the haystack, if He were He’d be like the one in the picture above. God is accessible, he desires to be found, and a rewarder of those who diligently seek His presence, strength and righteousness. Here are just a few other scriptures you can refer too; (Deut. 4:29): “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Hebrews 11:6): …he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. and one more I’ll share, (Matt. 7:7-8): :Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you.” So remember, it is your “whole heart” He is after and if you will search for Him with that, you will find Him.

Am I, My Enemy?

No weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

If you are allowing your tongue to speak words against yourself, you are becoming your own opposition. You are allowing possible attacks to arise that could destroy you or at the bare minimum keep you from prospering in what you are desiring. God is telling us in the written Word in Isaiah that He condemns the accusers, even as He has equipped His servant/us/all saints, Jews and gentiles, to do so. If God has given us the power in our tongue to come against opposition, challenges, or attacks, ultimately, we are destroying ourselves if we are speaking anything different from His Word. Further in that verse it’s telling us “…and every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn,” that’s indicating false accusations. You are speaking false things over yourself, STOP IT! Take those words out of your mouth right now and start speaking truth over your situation. Don’t let the father of lies deceive you into believing a lie over what the Lord is trying to do in your life or whatever it is your believing for. Just like writing this Blog. The minute my husband brought this up to me, that I should write again and do it in a Blog, I immediately said, “Oh, I can’t do that, I don’t have the background and training for that.” That’s when I had to stop myself and remember who was actually calling me to this and if He was calling me to it, He would also equip me for it (Is. 58:11) Where He guides, He provides! It is so easy to catch yourself believing for something or petitioning the Lord for something and at the same time speaking words of defeat. Wisdom flows from a thoughtful heart. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Use constructive words. Your words can be a tree of life or destructive. They can heal you or they can harm you. Choose what you speak! Remember, not every thought needs to be expressed; once said, words cannot be taken back.

A Worshiping Warrior

Are you going through some tough stuff right now, feeling all the pressures of life? Let me let you in on a little secret. If you become a worshiping warrior, you will find yourself thriving under those pressures, it’s called a “holy boldness” praising God even during the trials. Honestly, I never saw myself waring in worship. I thought that worship was just a time of singing praises to the Lord not realizing that I was actually doing warfare right then. Recently I have found myself in a number of situations that I felt the fight or flight coming on. I also have found a better way to fight those battles. Worship is the way; it takes the load off me and right on Him. That whole flight thing is NEVER a win, unless it is removing yourself from the situation temporarily to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you regarding your circumstance. Also, I should let you know, EVERYTHING happens in God’s time, so be a patient worshipper. First, you are going to need to have a surrendered heart. A true warrior for God is first a worshiper acting out of obedience, humility and submission, something God has been working on in me for the past couple years in a really BIG way. Worship, praise and obedience are our main weapons to achieve victory. Which means we are going to need to stand firm in faith, endure some hardships and trust God to fight the battles on our behalf. After all, God is the ultimate warrior. He’s the One fighting our battles, we simply are worshipping Him in the process. (Exodus 15:3) says, The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. (The battle has been won, and the praise belongs to the Victor.) In verse 6 of chapter 15 of Exodus, we can see God’s active and powerful presence among His people. God is active and He is all powerful and He will fight each of our battles, nothing is too big for our God. That is a God to be WORSHIPPED! If you will practice worshipping God, you can actually get so engrossed in worship you will not even remember what it was that had you upset to begin with. The Holy Spirit is just good like that. (Speaking from experience). Of course, no one gets up and leaves the house before getting fully dressed, well you might, so let me say it this way. When a warrior gets up for battle, he/she puts on their full armor. In the spiritual realm that is called “the whole armor of God.”

I keep this wardrobe list on my refrigerator, so when I get up in the morning and grab that first cup of coffee, I am reminded what I will be wearing for the day. Another side note: remember we are fighting spiritual battles not physical, totally different attire. We are not worshipping ourselves because we are strong and mighty fighters, we are worshipping God the Creator of the universe who fights spiritual beings we cannot see. I want to talk a little more about praise. In the Old Testament the tribe of Judah, meaning “praise,” was instructed to go first into battle, demonstrating that worship precedes victory. And in (Acts 16:25) Paul & Silas exemplified praise being used to break chains and overcome obstacles. If God is fighting our battles and He is victorious in all things, why wouldn’t we worship Him? Why would we want to wear ourselves out physically, mentally, emotionally even spiritually trying to do it any other way? When & where to worship? For me, it’s in the morning before my day even starts. I praise Him for waking me up, breath in my lungs, opportunities that He is placing in my path for the day, etc. etc. Later in the day it may be a phone call from a friend facing something and I simply stop for a moment and thank God in remembrance of one of His many promises to meet that need. At the end of the day, it may be a moment of silence just reflecting on His goodness, even when I didn’t see anything, I know He is on it. Before bed if there is anything else still lingering in my mind, it’s letting go and thanking Him for the rest I am about to receive once my eyes close because every battle is His, He fights for me.