Keeping Up!

You might think of times you had to keep with an older sibling or cousin. Think about how you tried to keep up in school or in gym class as a young teen. Of course we have tried to "Keep up with the Jones'" one time or another in our lives. When do we ever learn we are not in a race with any other but ourselves. Maybe we tumbled to that conclusion after much trial and error!

Then the golden years hit and you just want to keep up with your children and their children. Now that is a task! Or keep up with the day to day activities and planning and goings on in your life!

Whatever our reasoning may be to "Keeping UP" it is the flesh that causes us to strive in areas for our ego to be puffed up in one way or or another. In Philippians 3:8-9 tells us Paul to consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord for Christ's sake he has lost all things considering them trash so that he may be found in Christ. Paul goes on to say having righteousness of his own only comes from law (and may I add the World's competitive nature). Yet the righteousness found through faith in Christ gives us power of His resurrection! That power enables us to carry out our destiny designed by our heavenly Father.

Philippians 3: 13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Will we ever learn that in our Father's eyes there is no "Keeping UP". We run the race of one, setting our aim at the prize and running with confidence that He and He alone will accomplish every good deed within us.

As we live our lives, I suggest we cling to those things that are from above and let those other things fall to the wayside. Let us seek out Christian friends who are also in the race of one. Let us band together and encourage each other as we all walk this journey of life towards eternity.

Today I pray, Father guide me and lead me to those who are like minded and are walking the walk of Faith. Bring me to a clear understanding of my prize that is stored for me in Christ Jesus! Amen

I Have a Friend

Boy do I have a friend! When I am down my friend picks me up. My friend prays for my every need. He dispatches angles before me and sends the Holy Spirit to guide my every move. I have a friend who supplies all my needs and gives me strength when I am weak. In time of trouble my friend supplies a shelter in the cleft of the rock. My friend sends wisdom when I am dumbfounded and discernment when I find myself in a quandary.

Today I look around and see His handy work in my life and within me. By His spirit I know I am free. I can walk in confidence knowing He will always be there. He has given me His authority and power to use for His glory.

My friend is the best ever. He even sends me others to confide in and walk out my faith journey with. I am so grateful for what He has supplied me. Now I have people in many states I can call on in a moment. They are friends that honor me and I honor them. For in Christ we walk as brothers and sisters, reaching for the goal He has set before us all. No matter where we travel, I can feel at home. What a family of friends my Lord Jesus has supplied.

Proverbs 18:24
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)

Today we take stock in who you are to us, for us, and within us, Jesus. You are our all in all. Heavenly King and beloved, You are the lover of our souls!

In Love

Do you remember when that special someone came into your life? You jJust couldn't get enough of them; right? There was constant communication and you were never lost for words. You couldn't wait for that intimate embrace in the honeymoon suite. Every chance you got you were trying to surprise him with a treat of sorts.

How about when it came to all your friends? You just couldn't wait to show him off, telling them all about his dynamic talents and attributes. What a catch I have; what a treasure!

Yeah, when we are in love with that special someone we cannot help but boast about him, share our excitement, and have others experience for themselves that unique relationship you have with him-a relationship that could only have been made in heaven.

I must confess that I am frustrated that I do not see many boasting about Jesus. They say they love Him and yet do not talk about what He has done for them or how wonderful He is just being who He is. If you confess that you are a Christian and you never boast about Jesus or share about your treasured relationship with Him; it is time to sit back and ask yourself this question. "Am I truly going to heaven to spend the rest of eternity with my Savior?"

Luke 9: 26-27
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." (ASB)

"Lord I pray that my heart melts and my eyes, ears, and my mind are open to Your everlasting, perfect love. Help me Lord to crave Your Word and a relationship that will change me and grows me into the bride you expect me to be! Amen"

Saving for a Rainy Day

Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (NIV)

"Save for a rainy day" my dad told me. Have you ever made some creative meal with leftovers? Or do you have a veggie garden and learning to can and freeze so you can have fresh veggies all winter? Some learn to knit and sew so they can have nice new clothing to wear. Or you may be like me and have a friend cut your hair or be like my husband who cuts his own hair. These are just some ways we can save for a rainy day. It does not always have to do with putting money into a savings account at the bank.

We all have gifts and talents; with some of us those gifts and talents are very obvious while with others they may be subtle. Who would think that gardening and freezing and canning would save money? Or for that matter how about hand-me-down clothing and homemade dresses?

Save for a rainy day in the spirit. You may not think you are saving for a rainy day when you read the Word, or while you are enjoying some Christian music, or listening to a Christian speaker. Maybe just hanging around some Christian friends will do it for you. Maybe you think that doing a Bible study is the way to save for a rainy day. The fact of the matter is that they are all ways to build up your spirit man so you will be able to fight the wiles of the enemy.

It is in all we do, think, and ponder that adds to our transformation journey. So when you awake in the morning, consider those small things you may do that saves for a rainy day. Because when trouble strikes you will be prepared; that song will pop into your head or that scripture verse will come to remembrance and protect you from some wrong.

Needs and Seed?

Needs: I need a new car, some new clothes, a new apartment, maybe. I need some friends. I need a handout. I need a doctor to heal my ailment. I need to see my children or I need to not see my children as much! We could go on and on couldn't we? Whatever our predicament is there we are in the midst of our own turmoil.

Seeds: If I work hard enough I will get my needs. If I know the right people they will supply me with my needs. If I search hard enough I will find the right doctor and he will cure me. If I give my children lots of things and/or money they will want to be with me and will love me. If it is to be, it is up to me. WRONG.

Those needs and seeds are too much work if you ask me. I am not saying that a person should not work nor do research to arrive at solutions to some of their needs. However, if we search out the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance won't we have all our needs met?

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
Know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom and discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish and has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. (NIV)

Back to seeds. I planted some string bean seeds back in May. Now the harvest is overflowing with RED string beans. I had thought I was planting GREEN string beans. Well there you have it. Red string beans. Being skeptical I searched the Internet to find out what they were all about and how to cook them. They originate in China and are high in fiber and some much needed protein. However, no matter what I do with them I cannot get past the color. I planted other things I knew about--tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, and eggplant. I knew what to expect and I am grateful for that harvest.

When the Gospel message comes our way, it is a tremendous seed. It is not just about salvation however. In and of itself, salvation leads us to our ultimate destination to live forever with our Lord, our God in heaven. The purpose of the cross and the shed blood of Jesus are to instill in us the power of God so that we may live according to His standards and produce vegetation from His seed. Now it would be great if we knew what that seed would produce. However, sometimes our lives are so filled with linear thinking and worldly standards we are mislead to look for the wrong harvest.

Psalm 121
A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains -- does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (NIV)

The seed I am speaking of is JESUS. No other seed will do. And the harvest will come from that seed which the Father planted within our hearts.

"Oh how I love Jesus because He first loved me! Breathe Holy Spirit. Breathe upon me! Jesus is the seed and the harvest will be His love through me, the Hope of Glory!"

When you are confused about your needs and your seed, take a break and breathe. Allow the Holy One to bring you back to the cross and the love blood that was shed for you. Come back and begin to worship, and praise Him for whom He is. Thank Him for your eternal life and the rest of life will unfold unto you!

Blessings, dianne.

Longing for Friendship

As I look over my life I realize I was always looking for people to surround myself with. People who would love me, and encourage me. People whom I could trust and care for just as they would trust and care for me. Is that true for you? I truly believe that life is not worth living without someone to share it with. And we do not need just one person, but a village of people whom we can live with. Now I am not speaking of a communal living. I am speaking about trusted God given men and women to share life with. These are people you may confide in and those you may help.

Now this has gotten me to thinking that the soul reason we have been created is to worship the one true God. To walk with Him in the dew of the morning, in the heat of the day, and in he cool of the night. We are to give Him praise and thanks as we rise in the morning. As we walk and talk we praise Him even in the midst of trouble and give Him the Glory when we rise victoriously through our troubles. So I believe that the Lord has placed inside each of us a yearning to belong to someone, a people and most of all to Him.

Is your relationship with God a once a week practice? Is your relationship with your spouse only good while things are going good? Is your faith in the one true God only displayed on Sundays? Do your church friendships only occur on Sundays and Church functions? If you answered yes, or sometimes to those questions consider your salvation and your call by God our Father. Consider the price Jesus paid for our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for eternity!

Our first purpose to fulfill according to the Word is to Love God with our whole minds, hearts and soul. The second is to Love our neighbor as ourselves. To me that has relationship written all over it.

Today we pray: "Lord I surrender to your everlasting Love and I give you my entire being to mold into Your image and likeness. I give you permission to touch in those places within me I hold private. Lord, embrace me so that I may embrace others. Help me Lord to see others the way you do and to be able to Love them as you love me--ever loving, ever encouraging, without judgment, and without criticizing. Keep my emotions in check and in balance so I may remain firm in you and resilient to offence. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."

Love Changes Us

I am always taken back and astounded by the Love of Christ Jesus, His life sacrificed for us, and the Love of the Father who sent His son to us. Today I think upon the everlasting and prevailing Love of the Holy Spirit, the one who indwells us forever prodding, teaching, encouraging, and correcting. His tutelage never ends, never fails, never gives up, and is never angered by our ignorance or our rebellion! When I just think about myself, it is hard to understand that level of love-His not losing patience with me while continuing to provide opportunities for me to grow and change through His guiding power of LOVE.

There is no good in me except for Christ Jesus who perfects me. So I no longer focus on my sin but on Christ crucified for my freedom. No longer do I put myself or my fellow man down with malice in my heart. Once there resided an anger within me that lashed out in rage, now there is a sensitivity that overcomes me; a sensitivity that causes me to retreat to that perfect Love. Do not get me wrong. I do make mistakes and say or do the wrong thing on occasion. However, today it is done without thinking about judging or anger. It just comes out of the old man impulses. One day I look forward for that to diminish as well; for the perfect Christ to be revealed from me.

So today we pray that we all are perfectly rooted and grounded; established in that perfect agape Love from above. Together we may come to an understanding of how wide, how deep, and how long the Love of Christ truly is. It is a love that goes beyond all our natural understanding and will fill us one day to the fullness of God!

Consider the Love of the Holy Spirit and ponder on the Love of the Father and Son. Bask in their unlimited love supply and allow the transformation to continue. With Love all is possible. Without it we will be doomed into eternity. This is the only way we can regard our former way of life:
"... put off your old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds; put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4: 22-23.

Ephesians goes on to talk about the things we must shed. When I read them over there are times I am over whelmed and feel I cannot put off the old. And then I realize I cannot do it. It is only His Love in me that can produce the fruit of His Love.

Today I leave you with Ephesians 5:1 "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant sacrifice to God "