Live in the Guarantee!

 1 Corinthians 1:20 " For  no matter how many promises God has made, they are YES in Christ.  And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us.  22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."  Guaranteeing what is to come!!!   We have HOPE in Jesus!! We have His guarantee!!  Sometimes when things look the bleakest and I don’t think I can take any more, I pray, wait upon the Lord and TRUST HIM!   He always comes through!!! He always gets me through!!    His ways are not my ways and I would often chose things differently, but I trust in His guarantee and that gets me through.    Today be inspired to see the "Yes" He has put in your life.  Remember He has sealed you!! Enjoy His embrace!!

Merry Christmas 😇✝️🙏❤️🎁🎄

John 13:34

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

May the love of our Lord Jesus be with you today and always.   Merry Christmas!!😇🙏❤️✝️🎄🎁.  He is our perfect gift!!

BE His peace this Christmas

 Luke 1:76 "And you my child will be called a prophet of The Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, 77 to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven. 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."   Jesus came, lived and died to give us peace, true peace!!  It’s Christmas Eve.  Many people are feeling “Stressed” about things they have left to do.   Christmas is not about doing it’s about being!   Be in Gods peace!! Our culture has largely taken the PEACE out of Christmas.   Today, tomorrow and always; let the peace of God rule your hearts.  Everything gets done and if it doesn’t so what?   That’s funny coming from me a person who has forever been an over achiever.  I have found that even if I have everything perfect and my heart is stressed then nothing is perfect.   Let the condition of your heart be love today.   Love others where they are at.  Likely they are feeling stress of expectations too. Love them with patience kindness and understanding.    Let the Love of Jesus BE in you and radiating through you this Christmas !!   Merry Christmas!!😇🙏❤️🎄🎁✝️

The perfect gift

2Corinthians 5:14 "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And if He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

I remember when I was studying Jesus in confirmation class. I was so excited that I was loved by Jesus I went around telling everyone!!     Then life started happening again, bad things happened and I lost my enthusiasm to share the good news.   The good news of Jesus isn't bad news in hard times it's the news that helps us get through bad times.    His love for us is with us always!!! In the good times when we feel like praising Him it's awesome!    In the hard times when we wonder if He's there, praise Him!! Tell people about Jesus blessings and how He helps you in the hard.   Telling people about Jesus not only helps them it helps you!! The hardest times I've face has helped me draw the closest to Jesus.  Close to Jesus is the basis for my health and wellness.   Give the perfect gift this Christmas!! Give the love and joy of Jesus !!   Tell someone about who He is and how He is helps you!  Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 😇🙏❤️

Hope in the darkness

 2Corinthians 4:6 "For God , who said, "Let light shine out of darkness, made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

.....16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us eternal glory that far out weighs them all.  18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."   Today is December 21st.  My second favorite day of the year!!  June 21st is my favorite!  It is the day with the most sunlight.   Today our daylight hours start increasing again.   For me it is a day of hope!!   I love the daylight!! I enjoy the night skies too. Yet, the sunshine is simply drawing to me.  This winter solstice be reminded of the hope we have in Jesus.   No matter how dark the day, His Son Shine prevails!! We do have plenty of darkness in this world, good thing we have complete eternal glory to look forward to.    Even if we get 100 years here.   That’s a drop in the bucket compared to eternity.   Let today be your day of hope too!! 😇🙏✝️❤️.  Merry Christmas

Looking at the piece that is missing and not the beauty of the whole?

2Corinthians 3:11 "And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!"     “Christmas is a time for joy, Christmas is a time for love”……these are some lyrics from the hymn Peace, peace.   Christmas is a glorious time of year but it can also bring our attention to missing the ones we love.   Sometimes even when my life is full and good I still look at the pice of the jigsaw puzzle that is missing and focus on that.  I miss my loved ones that have gone on to be with the Lord.   When I focus on my grief it’s like looking at the piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is missing.   I don’t see the beauty in my current moment I just see the empty space.  Grief is extremely difficult and it’s exhausting.   It can steal my hope and then I feel doomed even when the world around me is okay.  My pastor told me, “when I miss my loved ones, I should envision them in Heaven.  See them happy, in complete joy and love.“  I also remember, we are not bound by time in Heaven.  So when we are reunited with the ones we love; it won’t be,”I have missed you so much!” It’ll be, “There you are!” As if we had never left their presence in the first place.  I so look forward to being reunited with my beloved in Heaven.   That is one of the beautiful promises of Christmas!!  Fading glory  becomes greater glory that lasts!!! Praise the Lord for the " Powerful Gift of Jesus!"  Merry Christmas!!

Competent, confident and courageous

 2Corinthians 3:4 "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life."   Our competence comes from God!!   When I feel competent  I feel confident!!   In today’s culture it’s easy to feel the pressure to keep our faith to ourselves.   Personally, when I am with someone that is a strong non believer it’s easiest for me to not to talk about faith.  Easiest is not always the best.   If I truly care about that person, I want them to know Jesus.  Therefore they can have His peace here on Earth and for eternity.   I need to find the competence, confidence & courage to speak boldly about Jesus with discernment.  One way I have found to speak boldly to non-believers is to quote the word of God.  I simply say, “ In the Bible it says……..” I have most competence & confidence when I can quote a specific verse.   Here is an example;  If a friend is struggling with fear, I can tell them I too struggle with fear.  When  I do it’s because I am not trusting God’s perfect love for me. In the Bible it says in 

1 John 4:18

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 

  Jesus took the punishment for each of us.   Our sin debt has been paid.    We may have consequences to deal with, but I need not fear my worst case scenario if I TRUST Jesus love for me and His love for the ones I love.   Quoting the Bible gives me credibility. Shoving our faith down other’s throats doesn’t win souls for Jesus but speaking competently by quoting His word can.      Be competent, confident and courageous in Jesus!!! Tell someone why Christmas is important to you!!   Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 ✝️😇

Freedom is free in Jesus Christ

 2Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.  18And we who have unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."   Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!  I think of the sins that so easily ensnare me.   When I am actively choosing sin I can feel that I separate myself from God.    The sin, (lust, gossip, greed, gluttony, pride, worry…..) becomes my focus and I take my eyes off of God.  When Adam and Eve sinned against God in the garden, they tried to hide.    That’s what I try to do too.   I try to pretend that God will accept the sin that is convicting me, even though every time I choose it, I feel pain in my heart.    We all have sins that are enslaving us and separating us from being fully transparent with God.    These sins make us feel ashamed,  and we can feel unloveable, even by God.   Jesus died for us, while we were yet sinners!!! His love for us frees us from the guilt and shame of our sins and transforms us into His likeness.     This transformation is a lifetime process.   Our souls our sanctified immediately when we put our Trust in Jesus.   Our flesh is our battle while we live on earth.  Today, no matter what sin is that is ensnaring you, confess it to God, repent and let Him Set you FREE!!  Sometimes sins have strong holds, I spent 29 years trying to give up the sin of drunkenness.  Jesus set me free!!   He will set you free!!                                 (Every time you are looking to your sin for comfort, call on Jesus to help you.   See James 4:7-8)

People do horrible things

Isaiah 1:18 " Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. " Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson they shall be like wool."   Forgiveness and restoration is what we get in Jesus.   He doesn't just make us neutral. He makes us clean!! He makes us white as snow!!

I have had such a hard time seeing myself as a beautiful, valued child of God.   When I was a child, things happened that made me feel like no one could ever love me.   

Then my Grandma Gunny, she came in to help.   The biggest help she gave me is to make sure I knew Jesus loved me. This is still and will always be  the biggest and best gift I have and will ever receive!!  

Each of us have this gift to simply receive.   Salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. Complete forgiveness  and restoration is found no where else!    When I get down on myself (which is easy to do) I try to stop and remember I am not the culmination of all my past mistakes and intentional sins.   I am the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  He takes my sins and removes them as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more!!   As if that's not enough He renews a right Spirit within me.  He makes me a new creation!! Turns me from red like crimson to wool.   Today be inspired to walk in the forgiveness,  restoration and newness of life Jesus died to give you.   Extend that same love and forgiveness to others.    People do horrible, stupid things.  Ask God to help you have compassion with sincerity of heart to ALL including yourself !

Own it!! Don’t let it wreck you!

2 Corinthians 1:8 "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not relay on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us."  “Feeling the sentence of death”, this is pretty bleak!   I know when I mess up  especially with the ones I love, I can be overwhelmed with despair.   I am someone who looks at my part in what went wrong and wants to go back and fix it.    The repeating, in my mind, of what I should have done isn't healthy,  if I take it to an extreme of rethinking.  Many people do this.  What's done is done, learn from it and move forward.     We can ask for forgiveness from those we have hurt and try, try, try again to not repeat the destructive action.     This is a healthier way to deal with our mess ups.   We do have to OWN IT, when we mess up! A dear friend of mine pointed out, since a lawsuit against Mc Donald's happened years ago; when a woman spilled hot coffee on herself, sued and won a huge amount of money,  our culture has been blaming  others for their own mess ups.   We can't get well if we don't own our mistakes!    Today,  be inspired to own it, give it to God and try, try , try again.     Leta forgive others when they mess up.  Accept the forgiveness Jesus died to give us, when we do  then move on and try again.  Then because we are human.... repeat!😇🙏

During Christmas gatherings it’s very easy to “ Mess up”.   Be inspired to let Jesus take the wheel!!

“BE” there this Christmas

    1Corinthians16:7 "For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits."  Paul wrote this to the Corinthians.    This time of year it’s easy to “check the visit box”.   In our fast paced world we have gotten used to texting, or snapping people instead of talking.      There is a huge difference between a phone call and a snap.  There is also a huge difference between a quick visit and spending time with someone.  There is a place for both.  If we truly love someone we long to spend time together”real time” with them.   Often people don’t prioritize significant time or quality time with each other or don’t feel comfortable with that closeness.   Our main relationship is the one we have with God.    He is with us always! ( Matthew 28:20) Be encouraged to practice deep closeness with Jesus.   Take that sincerity of heart to  others and give them “real time” too.  Real time can also be described as being in our present moments, not distracted with worry, stress or thinking about the next thing.   Let’s not let our phones be more important then the one’s we are spending time with.   Let’s truly “BE” with the people we are with when we are with them.  May you be blessed with beautiful time with Jesus and those you love this Christmas time. 😇❤️🌲Merry Christmas!! 

Motivated by guilt at Christmas

1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."   Give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord!   Let nothing move you!   This time of year I can get a bit overwhelmed with things that are not "works for the Lord".   When I grew up my parents were divorced.  My mom used to buy a bunch of presents for us.   I have always felt the pressure to do the same.   I'm a divorced mom.  I think I have been guilty of over spending on my kids as a way to cover my guilt and shame.    I wish I could have just been honest with them about my feelings about divorce and celebrated the forgiveness and new life we have in Jesus at Christmas.   But I didn’t, I kept that kind of talk away from them and showered them with gifts instead.  Gifts that put a financial hardship on me, which caused more stress, which made me less available for my children at the most Holy time of the year.  How ridiculous!!!  That type of behavior is not ,”works of the Lord”.   I hope this helps you too, evaluate if you are doing Gods' work this Christmas.

Speak intelligibly from the heart

1Corinthians 14:14 "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do?  I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind.  I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sign with my mind. ...... 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in tongues."    Speak intelligibly from your heart!!   This is the time of year when it is very politically correct to speak of Jesus!!   Speak from your heart what makes sense!!! We each have different experiences with God that keeps us close to Him.   Tell YOUR story!!  It doesn’t help the unbeliever believe if we speak in a language they can’t understand.    Speak from your heart about what is real in your life!!!    Most of us can relate to each other’s failures.   And most of us want to know how to get back up.     A teacher friend told me, the kids that were the biggest “ winners” had the fewest friends.  Maybe it’s because there is only one winner and the rest of us can’t relate.      Be the person people can related to.   Then relate it all back to Jesus.   Win souls this Christmas time!😇❤️🙏🎄

Truly Love

1Corinthians 13:4 " Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  5 It is not rude, it is not self- seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs.  6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always perseveres."

......13 "And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."   Love ❤️ When I read these verses I evaluate if I am truly walking in love.    I know the people who say they love me don’t always act these ways toward me.   Truth is the people I know in every breath of my being, I  love; I don’t always act like this toward them either.   God is the only one that can love us this way and He does!!  Jesus broke the sin barrier that separated us from God.    Today I will try to embrace His overflowing love for me, love Him back and take that devine love and share it with my loved ones.   Let’s choose to love people where they are at not if they are the way we want them to be.   Put on a 1 Corinthians  13 Love for Christmas !!

Hurting people hurt others put on live anyway

1Corinthians 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ."   We are many parts, one body.   Is an eye less valuable than an ear?  Of course not!! Is a rich man more valuable than a poor man? Of course not!!! Is a healthy person of different valuable than a sick one?   Of course not!!!! Why then do we treat each other as if we have different  values?  We have been conditioned by our culture to value one thing or one person over another other.  Jesus looks upon our hearts.   Let’s try to be like Jesus and see each other through the eyes of love.       I heard it said, “ If you’re having a tough time seeing someone in love, remember they were someone’s precious baby one day”.     Not all of us have had the privilege of growing up in loving families.    Many people have suffered many things.   Hurting  people hurt others.   Try to love people even when they are seemingly unloveable.   This time of year we think of Our Precious Baby Jesus.    Let’s try to see each other as precious no matter how different we may be.   Each of us were created on purpose for His purpose!!!

Destitute but loved at Christmas

Joel 2:12 "Even now," declares the Lord, " return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Joel 2:32 "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."   I love the focus on Jesus at  Christmas time.   I love the old hymns and tradition carols.  I love extra advent services and singing in the choir.  I love the extra emphasis on connecting with the people I love.    Christmas time reminds me to live a life for Jesus.   It's easy to get distracted with things that are meaningless at this time of year or anytime.  Let’s try to stay focused the true meaning of the season.  I remember one  Christmas I was so embarrassed, because I was so poor I didn’t have money to buy presents or bring food.  I didn’t plan to go home.   I mustered up the courage to walk in the door empty handed.   That was one of my best Christmas  memories of love.  I enjoyed the love of my family and the love of Jesus and of course an amazing Christmas Eve service.   Joel 2:13 “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, He relents from sending calamity.”  Let’s have a Jesus Christmas season!!!  Be the love of Jesus!!! Let His love be the biggest present you give and receive!! 

Content in competition?

 Philippians 4:11 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."    I have been playing Pickleball.   I'm a very average player.      I used to be someone who excelled at sports.  I can get pretty frustrated with myself when I'm not performing at a level I would like.   Then instead of being content.  I'm busy complaining to others about my lack.    Last night a dear friend pointed this out to me.   Isn't it funny how I can read the word daily and not see clearly my own discontentment.   That's why it's good to have people in our lives that help us remember Gods word.    Today, let’s be energized to encourage each other in the Word of God!!

The way out!

1Corinthians 10:12 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!"  13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."   If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! Whenever I think, “I’ve got this” I usually get humbled pretty quick.   I take comfort in knowing I don’t face any temptation that is not common to man.    We all struggle!!  When I first started in ministry my goal was to help alcoholics be filled with Jesus instead of booze.   What I have found in the past 20 years is we all need to be filled with Jesus instead of what ever temptation we are lusting after.    God promises a way out!!  I have been guilty of seeing the way out and still choosing to go forward in my sin.    Today may we each look to Jesus and take the way out when He shows it to us!!!   1Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”

Get the prize!

 1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all runners run , but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  25 everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  26.  Therefore do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  A crown that will last!!!   Recently a dear friend of mine went to Heaven.   She is wearing a crown that will last, all the time I knew her she shared the love of Jesus, she ran her race with endurance..   I have always liked these verses because I have been a runner and physical fitness has been important to me.   Godliness is most important.    When I think of training as an athlete I make sure I have the discipline to workout daily with a commitment to a goal.  In my Faith journey it is even more important to workout daily, with a commitment to a goal.   My work outs, for faith are daily Bible reading, listening to Christian radio and podcasts, felllowshiping and participating in Bible studies with other Christians, belonging to a church family and praying constantly.   Being a faith filled Christian is like going into physical training.  Unlike physical training it produces a crown that will last!!  (We are not saved by our works, we are saved by the finished work of Jesus on the cross)   Our Spiritual journey here, helps us introduce the Savior to all those around us.   Be the light of the world today!    Run the race to get the prize!   😇🙏❤️

Live loved. It builds us up!!

1Corinthians 8:1 "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”   Knowledge puffs up while love builds up!!!  How profound!!      People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.       I am a Christian life coach.  I try to help people live, holy, healthy, happy lives, through the powerful gift of Jesus.    Jesus's  love for us is the key.   We need to understand how much we are loved, that is what builds us up!!   We each have good knowledge of our screw ups and what is wrong in our lives and also what is right.     It’s love that changes our hearts.    I can be my own worse enemy.    I can believe the lies of defeat.  Yet, when I look toward God;  I remember; He loves us!!  Oh how He loves us!!   This knowledge helps me choose better behaviors in my life.   Gods love builds me up knowing that even if I don’t always choose well  I am still loved.  We are loved just because we are His.   Live loved  today!!  We  are loved beyond all measure! 😇🙏❤️

Put the fire out and be nice!

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. …….9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of wChrist.”      So that you may abound in love and knowledge so that you can discern what is best!    When I worked for the Fire Department, our chief said, “ I want you to do two things; 1.  Put the fire out.  2.  Be nice. “.  Basically he wanted us to know what to do and do it full heartedly!    It’s not enough to know what to do and do it you have to put your want to on and do what needs to be done with a pure heart.    If you can’t do something with a pure heart and you don’t have peace, maybe you aren’t doing the right thing in the first place.   Go back to discerning. In emergency situations we need to make good first decisions.    If your gut is telling you to rethink it, better listen and reevaluate.   Then go forward again with full hearted commitment.     Life is liquid, keep putting the fire out while being very nice!!😇🙏❤️ May God give you wisdom and love abounding as you make your decisions today and always!!

Agree with your adversary quickly or it will not go well.

1Corinthians 6:7 "The very fact you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already.  Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?  8 Instead you yourselves cheat and do wrong and you do this to your brothers."    This reminds me of when I went through divorce.    My worse behavior came out during that time.  I came out with venom against someone I loved.  It’s a point of my life I am ashamed of.    I have been divorced twice, both times I called myself a Christian and acted as a raging fool.  During one divorce I  read a verse that said, “ solve your disputes among yourselves quickly  or you will be taken to the judge and be judged harshly. “ ( something like this; see Matthew 5:25 and Luke 11:58). I remember the verse hitting me like a ton of bricks and then i ignored it and pushed,   with venom, in the court system.    It did not turn out well for me.    That’s what happens when we react with a “get even” spirit.  It is far better not to take offense in the first place and solve our disputes quickly in love.  Two lessons I learned from this; 1.  Don’t take offense in the first place.  Practice constant forgiveness.   2.   If God highlights a Bible verse for you, Don’t ignore it!!    I hope this helps you today live a life in Love, forgiveness, thanksgiving and attention to the word of God.

Matthew 5:25

“Settle matters quickly with your adversarywho is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversarymay hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Also Luke 12:58

Thankful, Thanksgiving

1Thessalonians 5:15-18 "Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else.  16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ."   Be kind, be joyful, give thanks in all circumstances, this is the will of God for you!! Holidays can be difficult.   We can still choose to have a beautiful day.  We ALL have difficulties, in those times it's easy to grumble and complain.   I have learned that even in the worst of times I can maintain hope and joy if I look for what I can be thankful for.   Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the end of my mother’s life.   I choose to be thankful God gave her to me, in the first place.      I choose to be thankful she is in heaven.    I don’t let this day mark something sad, I choose to let it mark something wonderful that I can give thanks for.   Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what the circumstances!  This is my constant thanksgiving.   May you have a blessed, thankful Thanksgiving!!😇🙏🦃🏈💃❤️

Gaze upon what is right!

Psalm 139: 13 " For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  14. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Your works are wonderful I know full well........23 Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  34 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me to the way of everlasting."    Psalm 139 is a great pick me up chapter!!! It’s all good!! 😇.  Today I needed to be reminded that I’m okay.   That God created me on purpose for His purpose and He is with me and loves me always.    He is with you and loves you always too.   It’s mind blowing to me that each of us are intimately loved and cared for by God.  His thoughts for each of us out number the grains of sand.   Sometimes I’m tempted to feel sorry for myself, especially when I set my gaze on something God is not giving me.   If God wants me to have something I’ll have it.  He has blessed me beyond all measure.   Why I look at what I don't have instead of what I do have is insane!! God, You know my anxious thoughts, please let me humbly and boldly walk in thanksgiving!!!   😇🙏❤️🦃🍁🏈

Clear conscience?

 1Corinthians 4:4 “ My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  …… 4:12 We work hard with our own hands.  When we are cursed we bless, when we are persecuted,  we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.  Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.”

My conscience is clear but that does not make me innocent!    Wow.  That is powerful!!! That is the powerful gift of Jesus!!  I used to be condemned with every little thing I did wrong.    I would keep repeating my behaviors over and over again in my head as if somehow I could make the past different by replaying it differently in my head.    What is done is done!    Now when I mess up, (which happens often) I give it to Jesus.    I repent, I ask for the strength to not do it again and I try, try,try  to walk in a manner pleasing to God.  I am not defined by my sins I am defined by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.     He takes all our sins and removes them as far as the east is from the west and He remembers them NO MORE!    Why I beat my self up over the sins Jesus already has forgiven and forgotten is insane.   Insanity is often defined by doing the same thing expecting different results.   Today be inspired to walk in a clear conscience and take that frame of mind into doing your best with your current moment! 😇🙏❤️

Get our hearts right, so we don’t snap!

Matthew 23:24-26 "You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.   25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate but inside they are full of greed and self indulgence.  26 you blind Pharisees!  First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean."   Let’s get our hearts right!! I noticed the other day I was on edge.  When I “feel” this way, I can be easily frustrated and offended. It’s the condition of my heart that shows up in my actions.   Jesus said, He leaves us His peace! For me to have my heart in His peace, I have to continually feed myself with His word, pray and fellowship with other Christians.    Sometimes, I don't fit these things in.  When I don't get "God time" the condition of my heart deteriorates. Listening to Christian radio is easy way to help my "heart condition". Today, let's make sure we are cleaning the inside of our cups.  So when we get squeezed, kindness and love will come out.    When we squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out.    What will come out of you if you get squeezed today?😇🙏❤️. Let's get our hearts right let seek God first!!

What to do , what to do😇

 Galatians 5:22-23 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

 faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

When I first read 5:17 I miss read it to say “ So you do not know what to do.”   I can spend way too much time on indecision!     5:17 explains; “so you do not do what you want.”  It’s a constant battle we each face; obey our sinful nature or the Holy Spirit.  In order to discern the Holy Spirit, I have to read the Word and pray daily.     If I get way from either of these I am more prone to obey my sinful nature than the Holy Spirit.    Personally when I live in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control my life is much better!! 😇🙏❤️

TRUST & SHINE

Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."   Harsh words stir up fear and anger in me.    Fear is often dominant for me.    When I was a child I had a step father that was over the top on his discipline.    He would say, “I only hurt you because I love you.” My real dad was across the country and I had no other Father figure active in my life.    I internalized abuse with love.   A person suffering under abuse often doesn’t even realize it’s happening. I remember believing the lie, “ if anybody really knew you they wouldn’t love you either.”    I've had an extremely difficult time believing Jesus loves me just the way I am.  Today, my health and wellness is  based on "The Powerful gift of Jesus!”   Jesus knows me, He loves me, He designed me on purpose for His purpose, I am forgiven, I am made new in His righteousness and I have Heaven to look forward to.  Nothing can snatch me out of His loving arms.  This life can be hard when we believe what man says about us we can coward and fear.   Be strong in the Lord today!    Fear not!!! We each have the strength and the beauty of the most high God inside of us.    TRUST & SHINE!!!

Godliness with contentment

 1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."    Contentment in Godliness seems to be a shunned idea in today's culture.    I can get caught up in being a man pleaser verses a God pleaser.   Being a God pleaser will bring us great gain.    When I am a people pleaser.  I usually get " Stressed out!"    Let's be strong in our  convictions today, it will be for our gain!! 😇🙏❤️Matthews 6:33.  "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added into you."

No place I’d rather be

Isaiah 25:1 "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

Isaiah 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal."    O Lord, you are my God!!!    I hope I can use this phrase all day long.  I can often get caught in playing scenarios over and over again in my head.   I can think about conversations I'd like to have with people, which I never do.   I think about things I have no control over as if somehow my thinking about them can make things differently.   This weekend one of my dear friends and I were talking about this very thing, we came up with; " Everything brings us to right here and right now and there is no place we'd rather be."   We were hanging out in the Sparta, Wisconsin area.   Now it could be argued that there are other places to be that may be better but our minds were set on enjoying our present moments.   Our minds were set on God has us exactly where He wants us.   Sometimes life is truly so difficult I can hardly breathe and sometimes I am riding bike on a mountain top.   God can and will keep us in perfect peace when our minds are set on Him trusting He has planned our paths long ago.  He is taking us through to get us to.    Today, when I am tempted to worry and fret about anything.  I hope to say to myself, “O Lord, you are my God!”

TRUST. The “Son will rise again!”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water it does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of draught and never fails to bear fruit."   The “Son”will rise again!!   Is the song I’m thinking of this morning.    Some people say, “I can’t believe in God because if there was a God, why would He let all these bad things happen?”    I can’t begin to understand why things happen and certainly life isn’t fair.  Through it all, for my health and wellness, I TRUST God.  He didn’t promise us a life without trouble He promised He would be with us during our trouble and that we would be blessed if we TRUST in Him.   John 10:10 “The thief comes but to kill steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”    These are the words of Jesus.    The best “Son rise” ever will be the one we see in Heaven.   Today be inspired to TRUST the Son, no matter how many clouds or storms are in the way.

Matthew 28:20 “…. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Nursing a grudge?

Mark 6:17 " For Herord himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison.  He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philips's wife, whom he had married. 18 For John had been saying to Herord, "It is not lawful for you to have your brothers wife."   19 So Herodias nursed a grudges against John and wanted to kill him.  But she was not able to."      “Nursed a grudge…… and wanted to kill him”, these are intense feelings    She “nursed” a grudge and it turned into such hate she wanted to kill.   In fact she was the one in the wrong by being with Herod in the first place.   When I was drinking and someone pointed out my issue with alcohol I would get so mad at them.   I protected my sin with everything.    I look back at that now and see how crazy it was.    I nursed a love affair with alcohol even though it destroyed everything that was good in my life.    In this Bible account Heridias daughter could have been given up to half Herods kingdom.  But because of Heridias hate toward John, she had her daughter chose John’s head on a platter over all th possible good things she could have had.    That’s what nursing a grudge gets us.   

Don’t do anything to help your brother stumble

 1Corinthians 8:13 "Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."   We are not to do things that will cause our brothers or sisters to fall.    As a recovering alcoholic I want to be with people that are not big drinkers.   I have been clean a while now but if I decide to start back up, I will be destroyed.  

When I was drinking it was the most important thing in my life.    At that time,  if you would have asked me, I would have told you my kids and my job was most important to me, but truth is everything I did had something to do with the booze.   I am so thankful the powerful gift of Jesus broke those chains for me!!!   The people in my life that wanted to help me be sober, (especially in early sobriety) didn’t  drink in front of me to help me not be tempted.    My drinking buddies would still offer me alcohol and say something like,”just have one it won’t hurt you, just don’t have ten”.  The people who loved me helped me by not drinking with me.   Don’t do anything that will make your brother stumble.  We can help each other stumble in many ways, we can complain, gossip, cheat lie.    Our behaviors influence each other. Even if alcohol or sugar or……… is not a problem for you, don’t do it if it’ll make your brother stumble.    This is a beautiful way to love our fellow man.    😇🙏❤️.  Many people will want to complain about the election  today.  Our faith is in God not man!!   Try to remind people of this truth, no matter what side of the political spectrum they are on.

Love is a verb …. Just do it!!!

 2 Thessalonians 3:5 "May the Lord direct your hearts into Gods love and Christ's perseverance."   Love is a choice.   Love is a verb.  Love is often associated with a feeling.   Feelings are fickle. You can go to bed feeling one way and wake up feeling an other way, you eat chocolate or drink coffee and you “feel” differently.   Love is a choice!  Sometimes,  I didn’t “feel“ loving toward my mom when I was her main care giver.   I always chose to LOVE her.    This is something I will never regret.  Today don’t let your heart be fickle in Love.  Chose to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and chose to love your neighbor as yourself even if your neighbor sees the world differently than you do.  2 Thessalonians 3:5 “ 

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ perseverance.”

Love….. tall order

1Timothy 1:5 "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

....16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. "  LOVE.❤️     Pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith and unlimited patience are some of the powerful gifts of Jesus.   Sometimes I think I love out of my own selfish ambitions.   This isn't love it's lust.   If I truly love someone I want what is best for them.  I will sacrifice myself so they can have what they need.   Today, I'm thinking of how Jesus did exactly that, for each of us, while we were yet sinners He died for us!  Today I hope to love the people in my life, with a pure, unselfish, patient heart.   I will pray that God fills me with His Holy Spirit so I can.   This type of Love is because of the powerful gift of Jesus, our humane condition can't do it on its own.   Be inspired to ask the Lord to help you love with a pure heart today and always!!!😇❤️🙏

Lonely, and your relationship?

 Proverbs 30:21 "Under three things the Earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: 22 a servant that becomes a king, a fool who is full of food, 23 an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress."  The unloved woman that is married,  stood out to me today.    I have been that woman.   It was the loneliest place I can remember.   I grew up with a mother that taught me my value was largely associated with the man I married.  She was born in 1942 and that was her belief.  I grew up desiring to be Cinderella or any other fairytale princess  meeting her Prince Charming and living happily ever after.   My illusion of this paradise has sometimes made me a bit, “boy crazy”.   I have found it is far better to be alone than to be tied to someone that doesn’t love me .  The TRUTH is we are never alone.   Jesus is with us always and Jesus always loves us!!   I much prefer being alone with Jesus than being lonely attached to someone I'm not connected with.    If you find yourself in a lonesome marriage good news is Jesus can fix that!!!  Jesus can change hearts  and make our relationships fulfilling.       I wish I could go back in time and have my mother teach me that my value comes from the powerful gift of Jesus but I can’t change yesterday. What I can do is know that now!!  I can enter into all relationships, knowing that I am valuable and too knowing the person I’m in a relationship with is extremely valuable as well and we are to love each other with a Christ centered love

What are you gazing at?

Matthew 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness?"

Matthew 6:32 " But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."   I can take my gaze off of Jesus, when I do I get stressed.    I look at something I want and focus on that more than I focus on having it if God allows.   When I gaze at the things God is saying NO to, it’s like my body being full of darkness.    Today I hope to keep my eyes upon Jesus and TRUST Him not my gaze.

Proverbs 28. Better open rebuke than a flattering tongue.

Proverbs 28:9. "If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction,

    even their prayers are detestable.....13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,

    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

14 

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,

    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble....::::

23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor

    rather than one who has a flattering tongue."   Some days I have a limited time for my Bible Study.  On those days I often read the Proverb associated with the date.      Today Proverb 28 is reminding me that my sin gets in the way of my prayers.     Sometimes I feel like God is ignoring my pleas.    He is not ignoring me He is waiting for me to get my heart right.   I can’t do that on my own.   I need His Holy Spirit and the help of brothers in sisters in Christ that won’t just flatter me but will give me open rebuke.    I hope this helps you today too.  Take a good look at what’s happening in your heart, are you embracing sin or are you embracing God?  I love the powerful gift of Jesus.  We can repent and start fresh every moment of every day!!  Then try try try again

From a place of victory

You are not fighting for victory, but from victory, for Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan!

Warren Wiersbe

Romans 8:37  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”      I love this!!! We are not fighting for victory but from  victory.   The battle has already been won!!!   I can forget this.   I can feel overwhelmed and defeated.  I struggle with various sins I wish I could just be done with.   I don’t accomplish my  goals.    These failures don’t define me!    Jesus defines me!   Jesus defines you!! We are the righteous of Jesus Christ when we believe in upon Him.  I can approach my every challenge from a place of victory.    An example is in my battle with Alcohol.     I tell people, im a  non-drinker.    If someone offers me alcohol.  I will simply say something like, “ I don’t touch that stuff”.  I avoid drinking from a stance of victory.    I am not a slave to that!      Same can go for over eating, gossiping….. you name it.     We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.    Live in His victory today!!!

Call yourself a Christian yet walk in blatant sin?

1 Timothy1:12-13 " I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.  13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief."   These verses remind me of how our hearts are ok with our own sins while we are in ignorance and unbelief.   Sometimes I wonder how people can boldly claim to be a Christian and also un apologetically embrace various forms of sin.   Then I reflect on my own life.   I have always called myself a Christian.   I’ve been going to church since I was a child.    It was not until I started “seeking first the kingdom of God”,  that I started getting convicted of the sin in my life.   I was walking around in ignorance and unbelief.    Unbelief because even though, I thought of myself as a Christian, I sought after many things over reading the Bible and praying.   I sought alcohol, I sought immoral relationships, I sought the podium, I sought gluttony.  I sought ego and so many many worldly things in my ignorance I didn’t realize my sad state.   Now that I realize the depravity of my heart, I try,try try to seek after things of God    When I do the allure of the sins that used to ensnare me takes a back seat for my desire to conquer them through the powerful gift of Jesus.     Today, be inspired to live in the light, let go of ignorance and unbelief.     Embrace “ Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Peace be with you!

 John 20:21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me , I am sending you.  22 And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."      Peace be with you!!    We can share His peace when we are His peace.   Many things happen everyday that can disrupt my peace.   Often it’s my own poor behavior and sin that causes me anguish.    I have found that if I know what to do and don’t do it, I will be up doing something I shouldn’t do.        These types of behaviors can lead me to anxiety which is the opposite of peace in God.    Today, I pray for the perseverance to do what He calls me to do and not do the things I know not to do.    When I mess up, and I will.    I will repent and try, try, try again.   When I accept the forgiveness Jesus died to give me and start fresh with a clean slate, I am starting from a position of peace.     Extending forgiveness to others also helps me in that peace.😇🙏❤️ “ Peace be with you!”

If we can’t meet the mark why do we get so upset with others when they don’t meet the mark?

Sincere forgiveness for ourselves and others helps tremendously in our peace.

Purity in thought, word and action? Pretty hard to do.

 Proverbs 31:30 " Charm is deceptive, and beauty  is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. ".  This weekend I heard a Pastor speak on men treating women with purity.    It was a great message!!   In today’s society sexuality is strongly encouraged.  It is far better if we can keep our sexual passions for the marriage and marriage bed.  This pastor said many people will come in to his office and disagree about this.   Men will tell him,” she wants it as much as I do”.    Unfortunately I have been that woman.   I have thought that I needed the fulfillment of a sexual relationship.   For me every time I have been involved in a sexual relationship outside of marriage it leaves me more broken than I already was.  Just because society says sex is pleasurable and we shouldn’t deny ourselves, doesn't make it true.    Purity is a beautiful thing.    As an older woman speaking to younger women and men, my advise is to value each other for the person God made them to be.   Let God fill you to the full don't expect a humane relationship to do that.   In your fullness, not in brokenness needing to be adorned by fading beauty and charm then be open to love each other in purity.  Value purity in your thoughts, words and deeds.   I need fullness in Jesus to do this.  My greatest sense of value comes from knowing how beautiful I am in Christ Jesus.  Proverbs 31:30 “ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Angry group think? What can we do?

John 19: 15 "But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified."

   Angry group think, was one tool used to crudity Jesus.   How do we get to that state in our culture?   I am babysitting my two year old grandson this week,  it is much harder to stand firm against his temper tantrums than it is to give in.  I’m thinking of how Pilot gave into the group think temper tantrum even though he found no fault in Jesus.    It is hard to stand up against group think even when it’s dead wrong!  Today I’m babysitting again.   I will try to practice standing up against temper tantrums at this small level, hopefully I’ll be able to do that.   If I’m not faithful in small things how can I be faithful in big things?  I think if a society is to resist group think we have to practice in our daily relationships.

Be encouraged to stand up for Jesus and BE  all He has called you to BE!!

In Us we trust? Wow!! Not me!!!

Romans 3:23 “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Isaiah 64:6

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags

; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”   I saw something on the television last night, a group of people were standing behind the phrase. "In us we trust".  I was alarmed by that.   I know many people have wonderful intentions.   Yet, when push comes to shove, we all fall short.    Even Simon Peter one of Jesus 12 Disciples denied Christ after being convicted he would die for Him.  All people are sinful by nature, even the Pope.   Personally, I will be continuing to put my Trust in God!!!   I know that even the best of people fail Miserably.   Who will you be trusting in today?

Jeremiah 17:5-8. "This is what the Lords says:  "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns alway from the Lord, 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; He will dwell in the parched places of the dessert , in a salt land where no one lives. 7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green, it has no worries in the year of draught  and never fails to bear fruit."

Be the Tree!!🌲

Slow is smooth smooth is fast

Proverbs 14:30.  "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."     I love this verse!! It reminds me of Matthew 6:33 “ Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added into you .”   My health and wellness is solely based on looking first to Jesus in all things.    My mantra is 

,"If you put on your faith you are fit for anything!"  When I remember this, I can start from a position of peace and strength.    Last weekend I participated in an Enduro  mountain bike race.  It was a blast and way over my skill set.  One of the participants coached me by saying, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast”.  I had a Lieutenant that used to say that on the Fire Department. When we start with the peace of God, things go smooth even in the chaos.  Today try not to panic in the crazy.  Trust  God and walk in His peace.😇🙏❤️

Willful sin in the Holy temple?

 John 17:25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  26. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."   I have the privilege of being with my grandchildren tomorrow so I won’t be posting then.    It is truly a joy to be the love of Jesus especially around them.    We are always the love of Jesus, or are we?   When I reflect on Jesus words,    "I myself may be in them”.  I ask myself, "am acting as if Christ Himself lives in me?".  We are the temples of His Holy Spirit.   With this in mind, I know I need to “ clean house”.   My temple has some sin that is unbecoming for hosting Jesus.   How’s the condition of your temple?    Willful sin is such a difficult thing.   We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!!! We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!!!😇🙏❤️. Be inspired to clean your temple today!!

Judgy? Unforgiving? Get over it!!!

 Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."  Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.  15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."     Judgy, unforgiveness makes for a difficult person.  When the woman was caught in adultery, Jesus said, " You without sin cast the first stone."   Why do we try to take the speck out of our brother's eye, and leave the plank in our own?    Pride!  True humility is seeing everyone through the eyes of Jesus.  Each person, was somebody's baby at one point.    Life is hard.    Many time people become bully's because they have been severely abused.    We each have a plethora of experiences that shape us into who we are.    If you are blessed enough to have turned into a person you like, thank God for that.  Ask Him to keep helping you walk the walk.   Hurting people hurt others.   Try to love others where they are at today.   Ask Jesus for the strength to do so.    Our humane condition, makes us feel judgy and unforgiving.   Jesus give us the strength to  be accepting, kind and forgiving.    If we are to be fishers of men we have to have good bait.   Not just to catch them but to help others truly know Jesus, His love, forgiveness, newness of life and life everlasting!!