Category: Word of God

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?

Trust In God

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

Life comes with lots of questions, decisions to be made, and a lot of pondering until you finally take a leap of faith. Bold faith that God is true and His Word is truth, that He has given you everything you need through the Holy Spirit. Our goal is to overflow with confidence in God’s promises, even in difficult circumstances. There is no way my human self could ever achieve these things without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. He causes me to overflow with expectancy, full of assurance that He is the one in control, which brings me much confidence and comfort when I am searching for the strength to move forward.

Father God, I pray for myself as well as all who are reading this that may be in need of hope today. I pray we recognize you are the source of all hope; I ask that you fill us with joy and peace through our trust in you. I pray that by your Holy Spirit’s power; You would bring us an abundance of hope, inward peace vs. human optimism. I ask that you put people in our paths today that would bring encouragement, especially for those facing loss whether in physical death, broken relationships, jobs, etc. Remove all confusion from our minds and help us to dare to make decisions based on Your truths. To speak firmly to the mountain that is in front of us and to have the strength to persevere with passion knowing we have put our trust wholly in You, Amen.

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

The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

In the movie the Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man wants a heart to feel emotions like love, kindness and sorrow, believing that without one, he cannot love. In the beginning he explains his need for a heart and later he notes, “Now I know I’ve got a heart because it’s breaking”.

Tina Turner sings a song, “What’s Love Got to Do With It”. This was a song about anti-love, keeping relationships casual and physical, rather than emotional, to avoid heartbreak. Its focus is on, distrust, emotions driven by past pain. It’s about protecting oneself from future hurts by not allowing themselves to fall in love. The chorus: “What’s love got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but a secondhand emotion? What’s love got to do, got to do with it? Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?” This secondhand emotion suggests that emotional intensity is less important than physical experience. Tina Turner stated in an interview in 1984 that she personally believed “love has everything to do with everything,” even though the song fit the “liberated” and faster-paced mindset of the time. The song inevitably denies the importance of emotions.

The movie is a fairytale, the song is based on an era in time, but what does God have to say about the matter of the heart? God views the heart as the center of human personality-encompassing intellect, emotion, and will-and the primary indicator or spiritual condition. As humans we tend to look at the outward appearance, God looks directly at the heart as in the Scripture (1 Sa. 16:7), which is often described as naturally deceitful, sinful, and in need of divine transformation. Scripture also speaks of the heart being wicked; filled with evil thoughts, immorality, and greed. Jesus taught that the heart is the source of all behavior, that what defiles a person comes from within, including evil thoughts, murder, and adultery. God says, he searches the heart, he tests it looking for evidence of His spirit, and then he refines it and blesses it according to our conduct; [“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deed.”] I as many of you reading this have experienced our own story of emotions on the matter of the heart. As horrible as the brokenness and the wounds that we have been carrying from the emotions of the heart are, there is GOOD NEWS. In the Word of God it says, broken hearts are not abandoned, but are the focus of His intimacy, healing, and restoration. God draws near to the brokenhearted, offering to bind up wounds, exchange the emotional ashes for beauty, and transform painful experiences into a testimony of His love and grace. He saves the crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). He turns sorrow into joy (Is. 61:1). No matter how shattered the circumstances of your life may seem…”preaching to myself here,” God is the restorer of the damage done. God will use these moments of brokenness to draw me and you closer to Him, a place where His strength and love abound and this is the heart of the matter.

Four Petals

This is a symbolic reminder of the Passion; the cross at the crucifixion; Christ’s sacrifice.

Spring is here and the dogwoods are in bloom, I captured a few photos on a recent ride through the woods. Dogwood flowers symbolize rebirth, resurrection, and Christian faith. Also, representing love, purity and strength. The four petals represent the cross, the center represents the crown of thorns and the reddish notches on the tips of the petals symbolize the blood-stained nails from the crucifixion. As one of the first trees to bloom in the spring, it represents renewal and new beginnings. Due to its bloom time, the flower is used during Easter to celebrate resurrection hope. The Bible does not specify the exact type of wood used to build the cross of Jesus Christ. Olive or oak were common and readily available in the Jerusalem region during Roman times and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition suggest the cross was made of three woods: cedar, pine and cypress, yet there is no direct historical evidence that the dogwood was present in the region in any sizable quantity. What I have found is a folklore surrounding the dogwood tree. The dogwood was the largest and strongest of forest trees, hence it was chosen as timber for the cross on which Jesus was crucified. After resurrection, Jesus took pity on the dogwood’s sorrow at being used for this purpose. He decreed that henceforth the tree would remain slender and twisted, unable again to be used as an instrument of execution. You will not find this story in scripture, it is for those who find poetic clarity in its imagery, seeing the dogwood blossom as a allegory that draws attention to Calvary. What we can find in scripture despite the legend are some biblical truths: Christ’s Sacrifice-“[He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you are healed.] ( 1 Peter 2:24) There was a cross. [Joseph who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate asking for the body of Jesus, Pilate ordered it be given to him. Joseph then took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone in the entrance of the tomb and went away] (Matt. 27:57-60) there was a tomb. After the Sabbath, the first day of the week,[ Mary Magadalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. There was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it] (Matt. 28:1-2). Verses 5-6; [The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen. Come see the place where he lay”] and there was a resurrection day. And there we have an empty tomb and a risen Jesus! And a beautiful dogwood tree in the early spring reminding us of Christ’s sacrifice for us.

He Has Risen

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. (Matthew 28:6)

This is not the tomb where Jesus arose from, it is a picture I took of a enormous rock while riding 4-wheelers through the mountains. Easter is just a few days away and this picture started me thinking about the tomb they had placed Jesus in. We, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion as told in the Bible (Matthew 28:6). It signifies victory over death, sin, and the promise of eternal life, it is a celebration of the new covenant, sins are forgiven and in turn we are offered eternal life. This is our hope, hope in Jesus. Easter is celebrated on Sunday; that’s the day the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead. Easter/Resurrection Sunday is celebrated as a unique, world changing event that occurred on the first day of the week, validating the Scriptures and as tradition would have it it also marks the end of Lent. Revelation 1:18 (NIV): “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades”. I also was dead in my sins until I gave my life over to Jesus. He took the keys and opened the prison doors of my heart and set me free. John 11:25-26 (NIV) “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die'”. Because of the resurrection I have hope and assurance of my future and eternal life, and you can too. Even though this physical body, this shell will one day pass away, my spirit will live forever and ever with my Lord and Savior, for I have been redeemed. “He is risen indeed!”

Uniquely His

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)

God is completely sovereign. He knows all things even before they happen, so He knew Jeremiah even before he was formed in his mother’s womb. God’s plan for Jeremiah was that he be consecrated, or “set apart,” for preaching God’s word. His ministry was to be a prophet to the nations, not just to Israel (Jer. 25:1-14; 46:1-51). God has a plan for each of our lives as well, (Jer. 29:11). He set us apart before birth as well, every person is a unique masterpiece, not a copy.

When you know you’re different and you are okay with it, God will cause you to be right where He wills you to be and you’ll find you haven’t been left out at all. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities; but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (1 Cor. 12:4-6). There are several scriptures that speak of being “different” or a unique person-set apart from the worlds standards-it is essential for doing the work of the Lord. God uses diverse personalities and gifts to serve Him. And remember what the Word says in Colossians (3:22-23); what we do we do with sincerity of heart being to the Lord, not for eye service or people pleasing. Whatever you do, work heartly as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord. So be different, be the unique individual God created you to be.

Reflection of Yesterday

So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps.90:12)

In this Psalm, number of days: This is more than just having mortality; it means valuing the time we do have by using it for eternal purposes. Our life is but a vapor. (James 4:14) “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” The Bible consistently describes life on Earth as temporary, short, and fleeting, comparing it to a passing breath, shadow, or mist to emphasize the need for eternal perspective. (Psalm 39:4-5): “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered-how fleeting, my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” This life here is not our permanent home. We have a temporary assignment here and it would be wise to find out what that is. I have spent half my life living like tomorrow would never come, wasting the days away. When suddenly, I realized how many were gone. I now have more days behind me than in front of me. It makes for an urgency to do what I am here for. I need to use what time I have left wisely, serving God, and focusing on eternity. The little girl is now old and gray. My husband and I were just talking about this very thing today. What we would like for our last years here to look like. What would bring fulfillment to each of us and as a couple. Yes, our focus should be on serving God, witnessing to those who do not know where they are going to spend their eternity, but it also means enjoying life with your family and friends, playing, working and resting. Balance. We don’t neglect our duties or our hearts desires, whatever they may be. Spend some time ruminating on your days. What does that look like to you?

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.