The news is covering the mass of people standing in the streets and celebrating the birth of the new son of Kate and William! What a glorious thing, not just to have a new son, but knowing he is a real Prince, a future King! I know the kingdom is excited, much less the proud parents.
But, wait...this is not the first royal baby to be born. Let us compare a few things here....
Future King of England.........no name yet, born in a private wing of a hospital with guards surrounding them, not only the country celebrates, but the whole world sending best regards. Future earthly royal life.
Son of God.........named Jesus before birth, born in a manger inside a barn, guarded by only the animals, the shepherds and heavenly hosts celebrated...earthly future is death on a cross. (Luke 2:1-7)
But, let us compare a bit more...Jesus is the son of God, who still reigns from on high and will reign for all eternity. The King of England is for a short time, if ever, that he is King. Jesus, came to set me free from eternal condemnation. The King of England does nothing for me or the people living in England.
I guess I am disappointed that people don't see the relevance of who the important person is here. We should not put anyone or anything before our God. The true King of Kings is still alive and well and is to be praised and honored.
True, babies are cute and yes, I am happy for the young couple having a son. I remember holding a newborn son, there is nothing more precious. But to see the hoopla on the news, just made me mindful of the birth of Christ. There was no hoopla for Him then, but one day the skies will open up and what a news story that will be!!
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (1
Thessalonians 4:16 NASB)
Are you ready to see Him? Is your relationship with the true King as close as it could be? Celebrate your birth and life in Him, show Him you care enough to serve Him. Love Him, Praise Him, allow Him to be Lord of your life......you will be blessed by the King!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Seeing Beauty, but where is God?
"Seek my face"....wow! Do we see God when really are looking around us? I have had the good fortune this week to see His beauty in the Hawaiian Islands (where my daughter lives with her family) by only looking out the car window as we drove from the airport! Look at the massive ocean beauty with the sun setting on it, or look to the lava filled mountain tops.. He is here in the waterfalls and every flower that is in bloom.
But, wait, doesn't He say He is with us all the time? We just need to seek Him. We must also remember God does not hide from us, like a child playing hide and seek. He loves us to much to hide, He wants us to know where He is, so we can have fellowship.
I personally believe that He is crying for our nation and our people to come back to Him. He made us a promise and I am afraid we have forgotten it.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
But, wait, doesn't He say He is with us all the time? We just need to seek Him. We must also remember God does not hide from us, like a child playing hide and seek. He loves us to much to hide, He wants us to know where He is, so we can have fellowship.
I personally believe that He is crying for our nation and our people to come back to Him. He made us a promise and I am afraid we have forgotten it.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
" if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
God promises us, He is with us, why do we continually pass the beauty and not see Him? Let us be the beginning of change and a daily walk with Him, so we can turn our nation back to Christ. Let us be the ones to pray daily for our nation when we see beauty in our land. Seek Him, pray to Him, see Him in the beauty only He can create. Yearn for a deeper relationship with Him.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Arroggance vs Confidence
Often in life we look ahead and ponder what God has in store. With Him giving me the little book, "Round Eyes" to write, I was so afraid of people thinking I am something I am not. God gave it, and He knew long ago, when we adopted our son, that there was more to come.
Beth Moore says to 'flee from arrogance, but whatever you do, hold tightly to the confidence you have in Christ'. In other words, if Christ tells you to do something, it is in Him that you can do it anyway, be confident in it.
The enemy will try to steal your joy and devour the glory for God. Be aware of those who allow the darkness to use them.
Hebrews 10:35-36 "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all the He has promised."
How can God continue to trust us to do anything if we are afraid to move forward with Him?
Be still, listen...what is God telling you to do? Are you afraid of what someone will say? Are you afraid you are not qualified? Remember, if God is with you, who can be against you?
Be encouraged that He is with you all the way.
Paul said it like this in 1 Cor. 15:10 " Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me...and not without results. For I have worked hard than any of the other apostle; yet it was not I but Go who was working through me by His grace. "
Bragging? No! Paul was giving God the glory, honor and praise. SO...I tell you now...Listen and do what He is calling you to do...
Beth Moore says to 'flee from arrogance, but whatever you do, hold tightly to the confidence you have in Christ'. In other words, if Christ tells you to do something, it is in Him that you can do it anyway, be confident in it.
The enemy will try to steal your joy and devour the glory for God. Be aware of those who allow the darkness to use them.
Hebrews 10:35-36 "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all the He has promised."
How can God continue to trust us to do anything if we are afraid to move forward with Him?
Be still, listen...what is God telling you to do? Are you afraid of what someone will say? Are you afraid you are not qualified? Remember, if God is with you, who can be against you?
Be encouraged that He is with you all the way.
Paul said it like this in 1 Cor. 15:10 " Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me...and not without results. For I have worked hard than any of the other apostle; yet it was not I but Go who was working through me by His grace. "
Bragging? No! Paul was giving God the glory, honor and praise. SO...I tell you now...Listen and do what He is calling you to do...
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Blessings from beyond....
While sitting and thinking about all God has blessed me personally with...I also look around me at my surroundings. How often do we drive down the road and don't even slow our minds (much less our vehicle) down to look at the mountains or the rivers and creeks we are passing. I often look up (when hubby is driving) and still look at the clouds as I did as a young girl, thinking about what is beyond.
Well, "beyond" is actually where the love and blessings come from...Heavenly Places. God created earth for his children. Our son recently just built a new house. We want the best for him and his family, we are proud of their new country home. I think God is proud of the beauty He has created for us, His children.
If we just give Him the moment in time to look at the beauty...for us, surely we can saw 'thank You', even in a small whisper.
Stop what you are doing right now, reading this, and look around you. You home maybe, your family, whatever you see, be thankful and whisper to Him. Let Him know you realize He gave them to you. He loves us so much, we can feel it when we give Him glory. Give the love back our heavenly Father, who is in Heavenly Places.
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
Well, "beyond" is actually where the love and blessings come from...Heavenly Places. God created earth for his children. Our son recently just built a new house. We want the best for him and his family, we are proud of their new country home. I think God is proud of the beauty He has created for us, His children.
If we just give Him the moment in time to look at the beauty...for us, surely we can saw 'thank You', even in a small whisper.
Stop what you are doing right now, reading this, and look around you. You home maybe, your family, whatever you see, be thankful and whisper to Him. Let Him know you realize He gave them to you. He loves us so much, we can feel it when we give Him glory. Give the love back our heavenly Father, who is in Heavenly Places.
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
God sent us a son! Here's the story..."Round Eyes"
It is official! I am now a published author...my book went on sale today at Crossbook.org and Amazon. God gave me the story, because He gave us a son.. Jamie. "Round Eyes" is the title of the book.
The book is a colorful children's book, illustrated by my dear friend Tracey Applewhite Broome, of when we realized Jamie recognized he was different. Jamie came to us from South Korea through Holt Adoption Agency. (A Christian adoption agency, same one Dale and Roy Rogers used)
But, God was the orchestrator of both the adoption and the story. He so lovingly placed Jamie in our home and now it is a story for the world to read.
It is once more... God giving to us...and a son. No, this story ends in laughter and love, not like the sacrifice of the Son of God. But all in all, it is about His love...we cannot understand how He can be so giving and loving, but we do know that He is all those things. He is our Father...we are adopted into His family by the blood of Christ and we love Him very much.
And Jamie, we are so blessed that God sent you to our home to be our son. We love you very much and are proud of the man of God, husband and father you have become.
The book is a colorful children's book, illustrated by my dear friend Tracey Applewhite Broome, of when we realized Jamie recognized he was different. Jamie came to us from South Korea through Holt Adoption Agency. (A Christian adoption agency, same one Dale and Roy Rogers used)
But, God was the orchestrator of both the adoption and the story. He so lovingly placed Jamie in our home and now it is a story for the world to read.
It is once more... God giving to us...and a son. No, this story ends in laughter and love, not like the sacrifice of the Son of God. But all in all, it is about His love...we cannot understand how He can be so giving and loving, but we do know that He is all those things. He is our Father...we are adopted into His family by the blood of Christ and we love Him very much.
And Jamie, we are so blessed that God sent you to our home to be our son. We love you very much and are proud of the man of God, husband and father you have become.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Devestation and Pain vs Peace and Comfort
This week I was speaking with a friend who had just been diagnosed with cancer. The peace of moving forward with whatever happens is from the Lord. But, the endurance of the physical pain she is facing is a challenge.
Also, this week we heard of the Colorado fires on the news, this reminds me of them last year. We were sent there with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team to give hope in the midst of the burnt ashes. Then, before we left CO, the Aurora shooting happened. The pain...in the hearts for those who had lost homes and everything they owned and then the ones who had lost their loved ones or injured at the theater.
The pain of this world hurts so badly sometimes, we ache physically. We ask, "How can we make it this time?" We wonder what the news will be on tv, only to hear more pain. We live in a world of pain and suffering, disease and death, hurt and loss.
But in Psalms 23, He promises to be with us in the valley, His rod and staff they will comfort us. He will be with us, even when we are surrounded by the Enemy, He will take care of us. Psalms 23 is a scripture I had to memorized in 4th grade, in a public school! This scripture is still close to my heart, because we can rely on it during good or hard times.
Yes, we go thru this world, but we are only travelers...we are not home yet! We also have the best Guide that a traveler can have..Jesus Christ. Lean on Him and let Him carry you through whatever you are going through.
Also, this week we heard of the Colorado fires on the news, this reminds me of them last year. We were sent there with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team to give hope in the midst of the burnt ashes. Then, before we left CO, the Aurora shooting happened. The pain...in the hearts for those who had lost homes and everything they owned and then the ones who had lost their loved ones or injured at the theater.
The pain of this world hurts so badly sometimes, we ache physically. We ask, "How can we make it this time?" We wonder what the news will be on tv, only to hear more pain. We live in a world of pain and suffering, disease and death, hurt and loss.
But in Psalms 23, He promises to be with us in the valley, His rod and staff they will comfort us. He will be with us, even when we are surrounded by the Enemy, He will take care of us. Psalms 23 is a scripture I had to memorized in 4th grade, in a public school! This scripture is still close to my heart, because we can rely on it during good or hard times.
Yes, we go thru this world, but we are only travelers...we are not home yet! We also have the best Guide that a traveler can have..Jesus Christ. Lean on Him and let Him carry you through whatever you are going through.
Pslam 23 NASB
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul, He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Walking in this world....
Wow! A few days ago I was doing my devotional and listening to a man on tv doing a bible study. I am sorry I do not remember his name, but he was from Arkansas. Anyway, he was teaching in the book of Jude and went off on a rabbit trail...just for me. He strayed from Jude to the book of John beginning with chapter thirteen and I will just start with verse 8, where Jesus was going to wash Peter's feet.
Now, I must admit, if Jesus were to say to me, let me wash your feet, I would be just like Peter and say "No way!" But, Jesus goes on, when Peter then asked for Him to bathe him, to explain that Peter was already cleansed, but his feet were dirty.
The thoughts that were opened up to me were truly an awakening.....this could clearly be the way we are as spirit and flesh on this earth. We are forgiven, we have been cleansed (by the washing of our sin, by the blood of Jesus), but we continue to walk in this dusty (sinful) world and our feet (sins) need to be washed everyday.
Lord, help me to never keep the dust on my feet, but allow you to wash them clean everyday. Thank you for Who you are and giving of yourself to die for me....to give me the Living Water that washes over me.
Giving God Glory
gs
Now, I must admit, if Jesus were to say to me, let me wash your feet, I would be just like Peter and say "No way!" But, Jesus goes on, when Peter then asked for Him to bathe him, to explain that Peter was already cleansed, but his feet were dirty.
The thoughts that were opened up to me were truly an awakening.....this could clearly be the way we are as spirit and flesh on this earth. We are forgiven, we have been cleansed (by the washing of our sin, by the blood of Jesus), but we continue to walk in this dusty (sinful) world and our feet (sins) need to be washed everyday.
Lord, help me to never keep the dust on my feet, but allow you to wash them clean everyday. Thank you for Who you are and giving of yourself to die for me....to give me the Living Water that washes over me.
Giving God Glory
gs
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