Becoming a butterfly

 And the peace of God will gaurd your hearts and your minds!!!  Be anxious for nothing!!!Before my mom passed, she spoke of the tremendous peace she had. I know that when I let go of my personal expectations and TRUST God in my present moment I have peace.    Many things, I think I would tweak a bit, but many things I am simply over the top grateful for!!   My life is better when I rejoice in what is good and TRUST God has a plan in the things I’d like to tweak.    I love this quote, “Just when the caterpillar thought life was over he became a butterfly”.  🦋   Remember, we are becoming the butterfly’s!!! 

The true gospel

 Galatians 1:6 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel…7 which is really no gospel at all.  Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. “.  

There are many different religions, there is only one true God. It is tempting to believe in the name it, claim it prosperity gospel.   Jesus never said this life would be easy. In fact He said, “ In this world you will have trouble! Take heart I have over come the world.”

John 16:33   In Bible study this week one of our ladies was confused about which religion is correct.  Paul said I preach Christ and Him crucified.   My Pastor said, 1 Do you know you are a sinner?  2 Do you  believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of your sins?  3 Do you believe Jesus was raised from the dead?    Jesus takes our sins and removes them as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more!!   That is prosperity!!!! We are saved by grace not by works.   We do good works when we are saved because we get a heart that wants to be pleasing and serve Our Lord.  Even with our new heart we still fall short and 

sin.  We ALL don't whats right and do what's wrong. The difference is in Jesus we have forgiveness and a sincere desire to keep trying to be a better version of ourselves.  We want to be pleasing to God, not because this gets us to Heaven, but, because we long to be who God created us to be.  Be careful for false teachers today.  Make sure your teachers are preaching from the Bible in context.   That they are teaching Christ crucified, for you, because you need a savior and Jesus is it!! We all sin and fall short of the glory of God!!  Jesus is The way, the truth and the life.   He is the gospel the good news!!

Go on the heights

 Habakuk 3:16-19 “I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled.  Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us.  17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of the deer, He enables me to go the heights.  For the director of music On my stringed instruments.”

Even when everything seems hopeless we have hope in Jesus!!  We may get 100 years here on earth and we may only have days.  Either are nothing compared to eternity.  We have an eternity of joy to look forward to.       This life can be very challenging, each obstacle we face and go through gives us the ability to truly rely on God for our strength and song.  No matter what we are facing today as a Nation or as individuals, Let's stay joyful in God our Savior, our Sovereign Lord is our strength!! He makes our feet like the feet of a deer and enables us to go on the heights!!😇

Go for your dream!!

 Romans 8:15 “For you did not revcieve a spirit that makes you a slave to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry “Abba, Father.”.  

Sometimes we give up on our dreams because of fear.   “Fear Not!!” (Isaiah 43:1). If We have a dream or vision, and we are confident it is from God, then pursue!!! We may have to pursue  patiently, but pursue!!! “Never give up”, was my mom’s montra. Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”   we are more than conquers in Christ !!!  Let’s go after our dreams and visions through the powerful gift of Jesus.😇🙏❤️

Fear Not!!

Temple not a trash can

 1Corinthians 6:19 “ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.”

If someone loans me something, I try to take very good care of it actually extra care of it because I don’t wanna break something that belongs to someone else.   But, if it’s my own stuff, I’m a little more reckless. Our bodies are not our own. We belong to the Lord it’s not about doing what satisfies our flesh is about doing what satisfies God and what’s most pleasing and honoring to Him.  Yesterday,  I was at a small gathering and I ate a lot of things that were probably not good for my body, and I sat most of the day and at the end of the day my ankles were swollen, (which is one of the first times in my life, this happened to me) Our bodies belong to our Lord.  Let’s be good stewards of them. Let’s sleep well, let’s move well, let’s eat well and let’s trust God so that we have peace in our heart so that we’re not full of anxiety.  Remember, we are not your own!    We've been bought with a price. Let's try our best to honor God with our physical bodies.   We are the temple of His Holy Spirit!!! We are not our own, we are on loan!!😇

Fake it tell you make it!!

 John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”    Have life and have it to the full when I was a little girl I believed on Jesus so that I could get to heaven.  Now I realize, I can have a glimpse of heaven here on earth!!  God gave each of us unique talents, desires and abilities.   We are not to leave those in a box under a bed, we are to use them and bless others with them.    Depression is rampid these days.  Its like the enemy wins when we hide who we are from the rest of the world.  God created each of us on purpose  for His purpose!!!   When I stifle who I am, by being afraid to be me.  It’s like the thief comes in and steals my joy.   When I let go and shine in my unique way, I can feel the love of Jesus flowing out from me which fills me up!     Sometimes this life can be so difficult. I can see what’s wrong and not what’s right, but when I look to Jesus and I know He is with me always, and He will never leave me, never forsake me and that He’s working all things out for my good.   I can rest in the storm.  Let’s live in hope and joy today.  Let’s let Jesus fill our hearts to overflowing!   Our over flow, can help others!!!  Today, let’s remember the thief comes only to kill steel and destroy, but Jesus came so that we may have life to the full!! Be filled!!  Let's Be who He created us to be, even when we don’t "feel like it".  Fake it tell you make it!!!    We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.   We will make it!!!😇🙏❤️

Rudeness as a Christian?

 Luke 6:45 “The good man brings good things out of  the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks.”

My dear friend, told me that one of her coworkers described me as being, “very rude”.       I was taken back,   I don’t think of myself as “rude”, but that is how I was described.   I remember the encounter.  I remember being frustrated, even before I entered the store.  I didn’t realize aI had been rude, yet looking back I own that.    I am embarrassed,  I let my personal frustration hurt someone else.   That clerk did absolutely nothing but try her best to help me and I (someone that calls herself a Christian) showed her rudeness.   I didn’t think I had rudeness in me, I think of myself as a kind loving person, if my friend wouldn’t have pointed this out I still wouldn’t realize it.     I’m very thankful she called me out.   I will intentionally give that clerk a sincere apology.   I wont give her my excuse for why I was frustrated, I will simply tell her that I had no buisness making my problems her problem by being rude to her.    It’s easy to be rude to people who are in customer service.  I thought I was above this, obviously not!!! Today may the overflow of your heart be kindness and love even when you  don’t “Feel it”.

Hope in grief

 Psalm 51:10 “ Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”   Create in me a pure heart O Lord, restore onto me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.   My heart cries out that I may desire the Lord first.  My actions, my flesh cries out for other things. I can put grief and pain ahead of God.  Instead of seeking His restoration, I can hold unto my pain as if looking at the emptiness is somehow going to make me full.   Only Jesus can fill the hole left in me by grief.   He is the only one big enough.   Today Dear Lord fill my heart and the hearts of others that are feeling the pain of grief.   Let us have hope in the darkness.  Create in us a clean heart O Lord, restore on to us the joy of your salvation and grant us a willing spirit to sustain us.    I hope this helps you today.  😇🙏❤️

He is “The Way, find His peace now!”

 John 14:1. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?  6 Jesus answered, “I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”     

It’s not our good works, or “ mostly” good life that gets us to Heaven.  It’s the grace of God!! All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  We have been made right with God simply by putting our faith in believing Jesus paid the price for "all our sins", on the cross and believing He rose from the grave and He alone is our way to Heaven.    It’s so simple, we don’t deserve it, thank God it’s true!!   John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Grief and emptiness rival faith and Trust.

 John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  30 I and the Father are one.”     These are the words of Jesus.    No one can snatch us out of our Father’s hand!!!    I have a couple of my dear friends preparing to go home to Heaven.  Grief and emptiness rival faith and trust.   It’s hard to see the goodness of God when our beloved is dying.   If we believe, what we say we believe,  we can know our beloved, when they leave their earthly body, will be more alive than they have ever been!!!   Can you imagine the glory?     A dear Pastor friend of mine advised me, when I am missing my beloved; I should see her in heaven, smiling happy, and her in her new glorified body. When I do this, I feel peace with her transition. No one not even death can snatch us out of our father‘s loving hands Hold onto to Hope today, letting the peace of God rule your heart.   Romans 8:18 “ I consider that our present sufferings not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”   Keep the faith!!   God loves our beloved, even more than we do!!

Hope, patiently

 Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Wait for it, wait for it….   Patience.   I have a plaque on my wall that states, “I remember when I prayed for the things I have now”. I like that reminder.   When I start to “ feel”  hopeless, like God doesn’t care about my requests I like to remember the many answered prayers.   His timing  is not my timing.  His ways are not my ways.   When I look at the many things God had done for me in the past, I have renewed energy to TRUST Him with my here and now.  It is very human to have doubt and fear.  We are to walk in the Spirit, not the human flesh of fear.   What ever you are hoping for today; be inspired to wait patiently as you TRUST God for it.

Power in His name!

 Romans 10:13 "for, "Everyone that calls on the name of the Lord, will be saved."  Jesus!! Jesus!   This is my one word most effective prayer!!  There is much power in the name of Jesus!! I call on Him with all sincerity of heart knowing full well He alone is the only one that can help me!!  Years ago I was being rushed to the OR they were loosing me, the medical staff call out, "Call the clergy!" I called upon the name of Jesus.  I immediately was surrounded by a warm, white light and felt a peace that surpassed all understanding.    I knew that I was going home to heaven.  Then I heard a voice that said, " You can’t go yet, those twins need you."   I had just given birth to my twin boys.   I then woke up in the recovery room, longing for the peace I had a glimpse of as I remembered the voice, "those twins need you" and I mustered  the strength to do this life.   Since that time many times I have simply, called upon the name of the Lord for my strength.   He always shows up He always gives me His peace, even when I don't like His answers. Today be inspired to TRUST God in all things.   Call upon the name of the Lord, you will be saved!! There  is much power in the name of Jesus!!!!

Love the light. Let go of the dark

 John 3:19 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."   When I was drinking, I hated the addiction but I embraced it above everything else.   If my mother would tell me to, “cut back”, I would get viserally angry.  I wouldn’t say anything to her, out of respect for her; but I resented her thinking she could judge my drinking.          I embraced my sin of drunkenness like it was my divine right.  I have embraced many sins in the same way.    Ask yourself is there a behavior, in your life you are embracing more than walking in God’s full light?   These behaviors (sins) can become strong holds.  I need the help of Jesus to remove the strong holds in my life.   First step for me, is to recognize they are there.   Second step is to humbly ask God to remove them.   Third is to be actually willing to let them go and do so.    Seems so easy, yet it is often a daily battle.   One that is only won by the, powerful gift of Jesus.   May He heal each of  us now!!    Love the light!!! Let go of the dark!

Rid ourselves of all malice, deciet…..this takes

 1Peter 2:1 "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.  2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."   I have a huge desire to rid myself of all malice(evil intentions, ill will toward others) and all deceit.

( Deceiving someone falsely representing the truth) hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.   It’s very embarrassing to admit to you, that I have these things in me.  I was hoping that I would have a purer heart by this point in my walk with Jesus.  Still I have to fight these things!!  I am better than I used to be, but I am not where I want to be.   When I feel bitterness, resentment malice, deceit…. enter my thinking, those thoughts can quickly enter my heart which makes my heart cold and bitter.  It’s an illness that only the love of Jesus can help me with.   To fight this condition I try to spend daily time reading the Bible reflecting on it and imagine living it.   I pray, “ Holy Spirit, fill my heart and mind that I decrease and you increase in all I think, say and do.  Give me a pure heart O Lord, that I may sincerely love others as you love me. Give me energy O Lord, to do what is right even when I feel wrong.”    I hope this helps you today too, turn from the ensnaring of evil thinking and pursue Holy thinking and Holy living.  We are not saved by works, we are saved by grace.  Yet, when I am actively pursuing Holy thinking and living, I am much more at peace in my daily life then when I let my evil, defeated thinking take controlI.   None of us can do this perfectly.  Let's thank God we each walk in continuous forgiveness through "the powerful gift of Jesus" , so we can keep shaking off what we don’t want and pressing forward to what we do!!

Pray the Word, its powerful!!

 John 1:4 “ In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.  5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”   I have heard a couple of my friends say, “Some people, just cant have faith.”  I don’t believe that!!   I believe that each of us are loved by God and each of us have the ability to turn our life and wills over to God.  I believe this is possible because of His Holy Spirit.   When I am struggling with my faith, I stop and pray, “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!!”   Sometimes God feels so far away, especially when He is not answering my prayers the way I want Him too.    I have to remember, I cant possibly understand God, I can however TRUST Him in all things.  I can be thankful in all things and try, try, try my best to shine His light even in the darkness.   If you are having a time of struggling with faith, pray; “Lord I believe, help me with my unbelief!”   He will meet you where you are at!!   I also like to pray Jeremiah 17:14 “Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.”   These prayers help me when I am struggling these prayers help me anytime.    They are directly from the Word of God.   They will help you too, praying the Word of God, is powerful!  😇

Suffering to hope and hope does not disappoint!!

 Romans 5:3 “ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit , whom He had given us.”     I thanks God in all things because I know all things, will work out  for His glory, my good and the good of the ones I love!! Be at peace today by trusting God fully, in all things!!😇🙏❤️ Suffering  produces perseverance; perseverance, character, character, hope  and hope does not disappoint us!!!!

Cursde when we trust in man. Blessed when we trust in God

 Jeremiah 17:5 "This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes.  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 a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

As i read these verses this morning Im convicted that I am trusting in man more than God. I say,  “I trust God.” But my actions say, “ I trust God if He does it my way.”   Please Lord today, let each of us be like the tree!!! Let us be humble enough to accept the things we cannot change, give us the courage to change the things we can,  and give us the wisdom to know the difference.”   Hope this helps you today to TRUST GOD not man!!

Want what God wants

 Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Matthew 6:33 “But, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Let’s first be about our Lord,  then He will give us our desires.  Recently I discovered a thought, “help me want what you want.”  I have adult children.   If I want a different relationship with them then they can give me, I become a burden to them with my neediness.  I believe one of the reasons I have good relationships with my children is because I try my best to respect their boundaries.  The secret for me to enjoy my any of my relationships, is to enjoy what I get, without worrying about wanting more.    I need to let Jesus fill the emptiness in my heart not look to my friends or family to do for me what only God can do.  The Bible says to “seek Him first”, to  “delight myself in Him”, when I truly do this I am on a  closer walk with Jesus.   He then helps me, let go of my pride,  and want what He wants for me.   The secret of happiness is not having what we want but wanting what we have.   When I seek God first,  He helps me know what I have is what He wants for me.“.   He also tells me to be patient and wait.       This Godly lifestyle is a constant turning my will over to the will of God.  When I do, I walk in peace.    I hope this helps you today too. 😇❤️🙏. Psalm 46:10 “ Be still and know , I am God.”