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!!

Can you get past the fear and have love?

 John 17:25-26 "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."   (These are the words of Jesus.).  Is the love of God in you attracting others to Jesus?   Is having a loving spirit how you identify yourself? Or are you easily offended and find fault in others then go a head and gossip and complain?   We are called to love others as Jesus loves us.     My friends were just downtown Minneapolis, they said it’s a different experience now because of all the people hanging out on street corners and  urinating there.    It’s hard for me to have love in my heart for people I fear.   Only through the powerful gift of Jesus can I see past my fear.  

Stacking too much. Make it a joy!!

John 16:20 "I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will be turned to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.  22 So with you: now your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”   Sometimes I stack things too high on my to do list.  It feels stressful when I can't fit it all in.  Most of my busyness is because I love exercise and helping people.   I get a bit overwhelmed in the midst of over stacking.   God always makes a way.    It is so wonderful when I can push through the I can't and enjoy the accomplishments of perseverance.    I am not an advocate of being too busy.   It's my downfall.   But pushing through the grief of giving something up to do something for Jesus that is worth it every time!!! 

OVERCOMERS!!

John 16:33 “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  In this world we will have trouble, but take heart or fear not, He has overcome the world!!    Things don’t go as planned!    I can have the best laid plans and then one plan after another other just topples.   I have learned to have peace in toppled plans.   If I’m running late and I hit traffic that is not my plan. Many, many times plans change. I try to enjoy the adventure and TRUST God.  When I stress  about  what is “wrong” or “not my plan” I get confused.  I can go into my kitchen and turn around a number of times before remembering what I need to do first.    First things first, trust God in all things.  Let His peace rule our hearts,  even in trouble.     In this world we will have trouble.   Fear Not!!  Jesus has over come the world!! Because of Jesus we are OVERCOMERS!!!

Help me!! I do believe, yet I need help!

 Mark 9:24

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do 

believe; help me

 overcome my unbelief!”   John 15:5 “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not remain in me he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

  Someone said to me, the other day, "Our country was better off when we had patriotism and religion. I want to be part of the solution not the problem.   I have lots of patriotism I need more religion."  It's not religion that we need its God.   Religion can be very ritualistic.   Relationship with Jesus is a personal life changing experience.      If we each seek first to be in the Word of God and try, try, try to apply His word to our lives we'd strive for pure love toward each other.   We'd be filled with the fruits of His Spirit, not the fruits of anger and hatred.      I can't make other people want what I want for this world.   I can pray.    I can seek God first.   I can read the Bible to be educated in solid life skills.   I can simply believe.   When I'm afraid and unbelief enters my head; I can call out to God and say, "Lord I believe help me with my unbelief!"   

Fear Not!!

Proverbs 22:13 “The slugger says, “There is a lion outside!” or “I will be murdered in the streets!”  Faith not Fear is a slogan I try to live by.   We can all fall into fear of various things; fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of getting hurt, fear of death is a huge one for many.    We can conquer all our fears through the powerful gift of Jesus!!  Sometimes I picture my worse case scenario and then I picture Jesus there with me.  If we truly believe He is who He says He is we have nothing to fear but fear itself.  Fear Not!!   Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."