“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.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
I was at a funeral this week for a man that was given just a few weeks to live. This man had experienced hell on earth in many different ways, and he had a faith in Jesus that what Jesus did on that cross was real and it was for him, death would not win because Jesus had already conquered death once and for all. He knew in just a few short days he was going to Heaven and Jesus was the only way there. He wasn’t scared, NO fear! He knew the devil was real and he was a liar. He had the Holy Spirit living in him, guiding him through all truth, it just resonated in his whole being. No questions what-so-ever, truth is truth, believe it or not, he believed and we should too. The day of the funeral was a celebration day, not a sad day, because how could we be sad about where he was? A place we all want to go to one day. Of course he will be missed by many, but the awesome part of that for those of us that know the truth, we know that we are just going through a temporary separation and soon we will all be together once again. Our friend is not gone for good; he is in heaven awaiting our arrival. When the Pastor was with our friend shortly before he left this earth, he asked him, “are you okay?” Meaning did he have any reservations about what was about to take place. The Pastor said, “In the 20 years of being with those that are dying, I never met a person so prepared, so sure and so ready to go” and not because he was suffering or in pain, though he was, but because he was just that certain of where he was going. We would be wise to prepare ourselves for the truth in such a way as our friend did. Death is not the end; it’s the beginning of a life that we will never be able to obtain here. We will have for the first time a direct, unhindered communion with God. To actually be in His presence, the “Heaven of heavens” a place where our souls find true rest. So, the answer to the question is: Yes, Jesus is the ONLY way to get there.
“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)
Prayer of Salvation “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.”
But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
God’s grace has made me who I am today, just as Paul saw his conversion from “persecutor” to “apostle to the Gentiles” to be a free and wholly underserved gift of God. I to have been set free through the salvation provided for me through the precious blood of Jesus. Sin has a way of creeping in, and God has provided a way to be freed from it. Easter is approaching and I have had Jesus on my mind and just what all He endured for me to have this freedom. Many years ago, an evangelist came to my home church and his message was titled, ‘The Price Has Been Paid.” I was a new Christian at the time, so I was just learning of this thing called forgiveness of sins and how, who and what all could be forgiven. This message was so intense in how he described what Jesus went through, from the drinking of the cup, what all was in that cup, to the way to the cross and finally on the cross. By the time he finished his message I was bawling. I couldn’t believe God would allow His Son to go through all of that for me. I knew I was a sinner in need of a Savior, but I never expected my Savior would have to pay such a price as that. As a mother I have sacrificed. As a wife I have sacrificed. As a friend I have sacrificed. I have never sacrificed like that. I remember the one area of forgiveness I was struggling most in was, forgiving myself. At that time, I had a knowing that God had forgiven me, others had forgiven me, but I was hung up on forgiving myself. I felt so bad about certain things I had done in my life, but there was a part in this teaching that night about forgiving ourselves. This was the part that changed everything for me. Ivan Tait the evangelist said, “If you cannot forgive yourself, you are saying to Jesus that He didn’t pay a big enough price for your sins.” That was all it took. I knew that moment it was time to lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Since then whenever I find myself being convicted of something, I don’t hold on to it, He paid the price for me to be who I am, and His mercy and grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). I have received that unmerited favor, I didn’t earn it, it was a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) free to me because He paid the price. Today again, I thank you Jesus; for what you have done for me, transforming me through your power and love.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Ps. 16:11)
Yesterday was such a refreshing in my soul. My husband and I spent the entire day enjoying being in the elements of this beautiful nature God created for us. We get so busy just doing life that we don’t take enough time to simply bask in His presence, allowing our souls to be filled with joy, “unspeakable joy.” The trees are in bloom, the waterfalls and streams are flowing from the spring rains, flowers are budding. The forecast was: God reigns and the Son shines, it was a beautiful day. A day to be taken in with every breath, exhaling with all thanks and gratitude. There is none like You Lord. As much as I enjoyed the day, spending it with my husband riding the trails on our ATV’s, I couldn’t help but see God everywhere. I would be rolling right along and suddenly come to an almost stop in awe of His wonderful creation before me. The cliffs of the rocks and how flowers were blooming out of them. A trunk of a tree that some animal had managed to create a home for himself. The ripples in the water and the rocks how they had changed over so many years and the sound of the water flowing was so soothing to my ears, so peaceful. True joy and fulfilment can only be found in God’s presence, and I was certainly there in His presence. I knew our time of joy out there was going to end soon, but my intimacy with God is a lasting satisfaction and joy. This day was temporary, like many things we do in life, but God offers us everlasting, eternal blessings and happiness, rather than just temporary, earthly pleasure. My destination yesterday was Mill Creek Trails, my destination with God is a place of security, peace, and eternal reward, “Joy Unspeakable.”
But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray (Luke 5:16)
Jesus frequently withdrew from crowds to pray, it was a continual practice of regularly withdrawing and praying, prioritizing his ministry over meeting every demand. I recently deactivated my Facebook for 7 days, I needed a time out. I have found that occasionally it is important for me to turn off social media to allow myself time to get closer to God. Sometimes I have things that just don’t make sense to me or my heart may be hurt or feeling like I need a little help getting through some issue, this time I was at a loss for words and didn’t know why. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to protect our hearts, which means to set boundaries to protect our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. So, in order for me to be the best I can be at the things God has called me too I sometimes, like Jesus need a time out to pray, to seek Him. Galatians 6:5; Each of us has to bear our own load. Our actions and choices allows us to set limits/boundaries on the things that are getting in the way of us spending that crucial “time out” with God, without feeling guilted. Setting boundaries is not unkind; it is a form of self-respect. Before crucial decisions or during high stress times, Jesus would withdraw to maintain his connection with God the Father and avoid the noise. I to have found that just deactivating social media is not enough, it sometimes requires not talking to anyone during that time too. A real sabbatical experience. You may find people that can’t understand that, but even the disciples in Mark 1:36-37 said to Jesus, “everyone is looking for you.” Peter and the others only see the needs so they don’t understand why Jesus went away to pray. Once Jesus has finished he is then able to go on and do what the Father has called him too and I too can do the same. Immediately after the time out I heard exactly what the Lord wanted me to say. My intentionality for writing had not left me, but I knew I could not write without His leading and now I was prepared once again. You see, being intentional about “EVERYTHING” in my life, means “EVERYTHING!” I matter, my health matters, my sanity matters, relationships that don’t question my actions and choices of what is best for me matters, my calling matters, most importantly what God says to me matters most. Jesus is my example, when I don’t know what to do; what would Jesus do? He took a time out and prayed, he set boundaries and I did the same. Just being Intentional.
For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (Phil. 4:11)
I can be content and find peace by accepting situations, material things I have or don’t have as well as current relationships I’m in exactly as they are. Because I am not relying on what or they can or will do for me. Even though while being content with whatever my present situation may be, I am still striving for improvement and personal growth. I am still working on improving in the area of managing my stress, reducing my anxieties, trying to be more positive and calmer in specific situations. I am a work in progress. When I spend some mindful time meditating on being content, what exactly does that require of me? One of the first things that comes to mind is; what am I grateful for right now, this very minute? I have to start in the right now, my current situation. Because it is usually my current situation that has me feeling discontent. I have to avoid comparing myself to others. That is a huge one for me. I always feel like I don’t measure up, I see all my flaws whether anyone else does or not. If I am content, then I will have a quiet sense of peace and satisfaction in knowing I am enough. There is a very spiritual part in this that goes deep, it’s an inner sense of completeness, not relying on my eternal being, but instead who I am on the inside. That is … who I am. That is who God created me to be. I heard many times in life what I was not and what I was incompetent at, people have even shared their value of me. I don’t say that for pity sake, I say that because we need to learn to hear what our creator has to say about us, not others. We cannot be content with what others say, only what our Creator says. The One that gave you life, made you in His image, doesn’t make mistakes. The One that says, I have a plan for you and a hope for your future and it is GOOD. I know you may be thinking, “well yesterday you just spoke of how you were not content in your home here on earth. That contentment to you was your home in heaven.” And that is correct. Because that is truth. God has already explained to me the reason for the discontentment. This is not my home, I’m just traveling through, it’s a journey on my way home. By knowing this I can now be content. Truth allows you a sense of contentment, while wondering and worrying will bring you discontentment. “I give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18). Contentment is learned (Phil. 4:11b) “….for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” I am making it a goal to set my mind on the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Phil.4:8) and FIND the presence of the God of peace (Phil.4:9) I am learning to be content.
As I bow down before the Lord this morning, I know there is nothing I can do without Him. For three days I have been in a dark place unable to hear from God. One reason is the enemy is very real. Anytime I give FULL SURRENDER to the Lord, the enemy comes in and does everything in his “limited” power to throw me off guard. It first started three days back at the end of my day with tending to an elderly neighbor that turned into a nine hour stay at the ER, then coming home 30 minutes before I would have to wake up and start my day all over. Sleep deprovision is an attack from the enemy, because when you are tired and wore out, he will then get you to thinking on things that are not true. Or if another obstacle arises in that time of tiredness you cannot handle it with a sound mind. I know that to be true because the Word of God says in (2 Ti. 1:7) that God gave me a sound mind, so confusion obviously is from the enemy. Due to the lack of rest I am now so exhausted and do not have the energy to do the things that were on my agenda, so I got behind. The enemy doesn’t allow for rest, but God says, “I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28-30) I wasn’t just tired in my physical body, now I was needing spiritual rest and only Jesus could provide that. Long story short, I went on and worked harder and longer to accomplish the things that needed to be done, with much frustration. I felt overwhelmed, ungrateful, couldn’t see the good in anything for about 24 hours. I don’t know about anyone else, but the enemy can really play havoc on my mind when I am exhausted. I was not feeling a spirit of obedience unto the Lord either, that was for sure. See if he can get you to a place where you are even frustrated with God that will take you down a whole other path. Being that obedience in the Lord is an area I have been trying very hard to do well along with my word for the year, “INTENTIONAL,” yeah he had me right where he wanted me, obedience wasn’t a thing for those three days, sad to admit. I am just thankful that I woke up this morning and by the grace of God, was able to see him and the tactics he was using to get me off kilter. I have my mind in the right place today; I’m trusting in God’s faithfulness: Remembering that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). I am approaching God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me in my time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) and I am in need of Him. You see, I know I can’t do this without Him. I just spent 3 days in my own strength and where did that get me? So distraught that I only found myself singing, “Come Jesus Come” with all my heart. I wanted the pain and suffering to be gone, I wanted every wrong to be made right. We can find ourselves in a really pathetic state of mind when we let loose of the hand of Jesus and try to take the wheel ourself. Another sad part of that is, this was not the first time, but sadder yet, It won’t be the last either. Because I am human and I live in a fallen world and I am flawed and I have struggles, but the GOOD NEWS is; I have Jesus, to help pull me up from those dark days when I have been under attack. And that, is why we NEED Jesus.
“There is neither Jew not Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28)
This is my family in India. It was 2015 when I was given the opportunity to go on a missions trip out of the country. It was more than an opportunity, it was a divine appointment. One that will remain in my heart forever. From the time I rededicated my life to the Lord I saw different things I would do as a Christian and one of them was missions. There were three of my dear friends from church that were about to go to India and I felt the Holy Spirit saying …GO! I didn’t see any way possible for that to happen, after all it is very expensive, I’d be gone for 2 full weeks and at that very same time I had just signed on to host not one but two foreign exchange students that year as well as I would need to take time off work. All this would be left in my husbands hands and he to had a full time job. I had already resigned to the fact that my mission work was here, with the exchange students. I do want to mention that while the boy from China was here he did give his life to the Lord and our girl from Slovakia was already saved yet, she and him both were baptized while here with us. Glory to God! Through much prayer and discussion between my husband and I, he made the decision that I should go, this would be an anniversary gift from him to me. Of course it would require fund raising to pay for what we were not able to pay for, but if God calls you, He will provide what’s necessary, and He did. This process began in October of 2014, Jan. 2015 I was on an airplane headed half way around the world, to an unknown territory. Fear has always been a factor in my life, but this time “NO FEAR” pure excitement to know God had chose me to go be the hands and feet of Jesus to a people that I knew nothing about. Not only did I know nothing about, but we did not speak the same language. I’m not a quick study and learning Telugu which is the language in Southern India was out of the question. I was so thankful that my new family, Raju; the pastor and father of the village I stayed and his son Jonn spoke English …YAY! There were a couple others as well, but for the most part I had to rely on interpreters’ or the Holy Spirit. One thing I really want to share about this trip was how the Holy Spirit did play the interpreter between myself and Raju’s wife Lalita. A little bit about who she is; she is a wife, mother, and had just become a new grandmother when I arrived. She was the one that made sure the village was running on course, there was a school for children, a place for Christian’s to stay and be safe, due to being persecuted for their faith in Jesus if they were elsewhere. There was a church all within their small village/camp/home area. Lalita prayed! When I say she prayed I mean this woman talked to God about everything ALL the time. I fell in love with her spirit. Her and I could not speak to one another in words but, OH how we conversed in a way only the Holy Spirit could have made happen. We would sit outside the huts and somehow talk, to this day I can’t put it into words how that all happened, but it happened. We laughed, we prayed, we cried, we shared anything and everything we had or could. I’ll never forget the two days before I was about to head back to the states, I was speaking with my husband on the phone, he and the exchange students were ready for my return. When he asked me, “are you ready to come home?” I didn’t know how to answer him because the truth was, I wasn’t. I had fallen in love with my new family and I couldn’t imagine leaving my new sister in Christ, Lalita. The next day was even harder, I was counting the hours down to my departure. She and I were feeling all the same things and we did manage to learn to speak a few words in each others language over that two weeks. The morning came, we cried so hard. We were in every way now family. I moved off from Michigan to Texas right out of high school so I remember what good byes with my family were like when I would come for visits and then have to leave. It was just the same with Lalita and Jole her daughter in law and Jonn her son and Jaqc her new grandson and of course Raju. All the women there in the village were so kind and generous to me while I was there. These women even made me a Saree and some Punjabi’s I now could dress as them and take these articles of clothing home with me in remembrance of them, they were so kind and loving. I can’t say enough about how good I was treated, they protected me as we entered dangerous territories. I was very sick the entire time I was there and they made sure I was being nurtured back to health in everyway possible. Let me add, I never missed a meeting or clinic no matter how sick I was or how far away that village may have been from where we were or how long it may last. Sometimes those meeting would go on for hours and then we would have to travel back to our village when finished. I remember just a few days before I left there was a trip planned to go to the mountains near Nepal, it would require a car, train, jeep and a lot of walking to get us there, two days worth of traveling. This trip would be very different from the other days, it would definitely require me being physically able. Raju did not think I should go due to my health. It was Sunday the day before the trip to the mountains and we were at church taking communion. I remember taking communion unlike anytime in the past. I said to God with everything inside of me, “I BELIEVE this cup and this bread was and is for my healing” I stood in faith like never before, “I am HEALED” I will make this trip to the mountains. I went and laid down for a little nap after church and when morning came, I was well and ready for the trip. Praise be to God! God showed me so many things over that two weeks, I was beginning to know Him in ways I had never known. To tell of all that would require another blog. Todays emphasis is on family. Today, 11 years later, I am still very much a part of this family. Thanks to WhatsApp, video chats, cell phones, MoneyGram and computers. We are still able to be together, encouraging one another, supporting the family through financial means, prayer, tears and laughter. They give back as much if not more to me then I could possibly give to them. This is my Blood bought Family!
“…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.
“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)
Bread and Water 