Over the past few days I have had an opportunity to reflect over our lives (my husband and myself) and how God has changed us and where we find ourselves today.  It appears to me that sickness and infirmities were designed to thrawt the very destiny that God had planned for us.  Reading Psalm 32 this morning, I realize that the Lord takes us down the path that is needed for spiritual development but we have our part in submitting to His plan.

In Psalm 32, David refers to dryness.

“When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah!  (verses  3 and 4, Amplified)

There is a submission, when accompanied by confession, that  will bring forgiveness and a very hiding place from trouble.  Sometimes we try to hold back something that really just needs to be confessed so that we do not:

“be like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.”  (Verse 9, Amplified)

I want to serve the Lord faithfully walking into the very destiny that He has chosen for me but realizing that I must change and conform to what He wants and not continue in my way.  I want my Father to surround me with mercy and loving-kindness.

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness.  Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart!  (Verses 10 and 11, Amplified Bible)

Reflecting over our lives for the last thirty-five (35) years, we would like to thank all of the men and women of God who were instrumental in helping Dave and I step into the next piece of our assignment and this morning I am especially grateful to Bill and Patty in Cordele, Georgia who we were blessed to serve. God used them to open our spiritual eyes in the area of healing. That teaching has been the “hiding place” we have gone to when infirmities and sicknesses have come. Thank you.  Truly ”by His stripes we have been healed.”

If you are in a “dry” place, seek the Lord, confess your thoughts or sins to HIm and He will bring you into a place that is filled with the morning dew.  I love you.

Deb

As we journey through this life we accomplish some wonderful assignments.  Sometimes there may be a moment of satisfaction and even delight due to the outcome of a situation.  But I believe that when that thought comes to the mind, it also needs to be taken captive, and replaced with new thinking.

This kind of thinking can be a snare from the enemy and it exalts the pride that is lying dormant waiting for some fertilizer to be thrown onto it so that it can grow. As it grows it becomes a stronghold and then it must be overcome and we start the process all over again.   We confess our sin of pride, ask Jesus to forgive us because we realize our pride has once again cost us dearly, tell the Lord if He can use us to please do, and then when He does, we get puffed up and say, “I knew I could do this, I knew this was for me”.  Then we are brought low  because it became about us and not about Him again.

A very thick and scarlet thread that is woven through the New Testament says that Jesus is the ONLY one that is worthy  to stand as the perfect Lamb of God and we can only stand in righteousness through what HE has done not because of anything we have done.

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Neither circumcision or uncircumcision means anything, what counts is a new creation.”    Galatians 6:14, 15  NIV

A better approach in our thinking is to immediately realize that on any given day at any given time, if something that we are involved with happens to have a good seal stamped on it, that it was not our brillant thinking that caused this, but the wisdom of God that operated in us when we became His son/daughter.  EVERYTHING has to point back to the cross or it will be as filthy rags of righteousness and really when something is filthy it is just a matter of time before it starts smelling.  Phew…

I boast in nothing but in Him crucified.  Blessing to you today as He accomplishes His desire for you today.

Deb

I learned a song about twenty years ago that really defines the word “miracle”.  I don’t know who to give credit to for this song but understand I did NOT write it but it is awesome.

“I anticipate the inevitable, supernatural intervention of God, I expect a miracle, I expect a miracle.”

Today why don’t we reflect and share on just one miracle that we have seen God do?  Has He ever performed a financial miracle for you?  Has he healed you, your husband, your child, etc?

 ”No eye has seen,

Nor ear has heard,

No mind has conceived

What God has promised for those

Who love Him.”      I Corinthians 2:9

Our God is mighty!  He made nature so He can overcome it anytime He needs to.  Sometimes we receive so much from God on a daily basis because we are His children, that we forget to says, “thanks.”  Let’s proclaim His goodness and His ability to supersede the natural laws of the earth in order to perform a miracle. He wants to be praised also.  Let’s not take His blessings for granted and let’s not limit His ability. He is miraculous.

I would like to thank Jesus who took thirty-nine stripes on His back for my healing and in 1993 that act resulted in my neurological system being changed so that I could accomplish the plans and purposes that He had for me. He healed me of epilepsy and because of that supernatural intervention of God, I can serve Him on this earth in whatever capacity that He desires!

Can I get a witness from you regarding what He has done for you? Let me know and let’s tell of His excellent greatness!

Deb

What God has prepared fpr tj

How many farmers plant seeds, water, fertilize, pull weeds and as the food needs harvesting decide, “well, maybe I wasn’t supposed to plant broccoli, I should have planted corn,” and then abandon their crop.    NONE!  How many farmers at harvest time plan a vacation because they want to?  NONE!  Not only has there been a financial investment but the reward of that investment is at hand.

In Central Florida many seeds have been planted for various vegetables, fruit and flowers but the farmer must watch for bugs, birds and COLD weather.  The weather will affect his crop but he does not abandon the field when bad weather comes,  he makes arrangements and warms the air around the crop so that the harvest is not lost.

The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:9-10

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Don’t lose your harvest that you have sown so heavily in because you don’t see your harvest coming as quickly as you expected it, or because you want a vacation.  Cover that seed when inclement weather comes, baby that investment and don’t stumble and you WILL reap a harvest.

Hunker down as we face some cold weather for the next few days, get out those sweaters and jackets that we haven’t worn this year, and go forth into the harvest field.

Deb

Are you pushing back those thoughts that are trying to steal your peace?  At Lake Wales High School there was a cheer that we yelled at the pep rallies during football season…..”Push them back, Push them back, Way back”.  I think we were talking about the defense pushing the villain enemy team back so that their team could NOT gain yards that would eventually result in a touchdown. Are you willing to let the enemy team tell you lies or replay old videos of past mistakes?  No, the cheerleaders of heaven are saying, “Push them back, Push them back, Way back.”

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight ) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to JESUS, who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].  He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

New day, new year, let’s do what is right and make baby steps toward change.  Be blessed in the new year!

Hope to see you in the morning service at 10 AM and tonight at 6:30 PM.

Deb

Yesterday….an adverb explaining when something occurred (past tense-nothing can change it)  (Deb’s definition)

Today….an adverb explaining what is happening right now (present tense) (deb’s definition)

Tomorrow….will be a result of what I am doing today.  It’s in the future and I can influence it by what I am doing TODAY.

So, the Word of God for today is from Philippians 3:12-14.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, But one thing I do:  FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND  and straining TOWARD what is ahead, I PRESS on toward the goal to win the prize for which God had called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  New International Version

It serves no purpose to think back to mistakes made and stay wallowing in that pig’s sty. Can you imagine the thoughts that were presented to Paul of how he had persecuted and killed Christians?  He says in this verse that he had not become perfect but in order to receive the prize (because we are in a race) he had to make a conscious effort to FORGET the past and today PRESS (action verb) forward.

The year 2011 is over….forget it….tomorrow starts  2012.  Don’t stay in 2011.   Living with shame and regret is backtracking.  It is of no use.

According to John Maxwell in his book Today Matters, he explains,”It may sound trite, but today is the only time you have.  It’s too late for yesterday.  And you can’t depend on tomorrow.  That’s why today matters.”

Confess your failures, sins and hangups, leave it at the cross because He can handle it, you can’t, pick yourself up, get back in the race and get moving!

I love you and look forward to the new year accomplishing the assignments that He has for each of us.  You know, it’s about Him, not us.

Deb

This morning once again the Holy Spirit directed me on the subject of peace.  So on day three of this matter, let’s look at His Word and let it take us to the next step that He has for us.

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer  and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-THINK  about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received  or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.   And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9  New International Version

There is a condition to the peace He will bring.  We train our minds to think on other things than what is trying to present itself, and think on what He has already done.  I suggest taking each phrase of the “whatevers”,  and writing it as a question on a test and then filling in the blank.  I had a friend named Anita who advised me to do this when my baby died because my mind was playing videos of what could have been versus what really happened.

Example:

1.  What is true in your life?______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2.  What is noble in your life?_____________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

and fill in the blanks so that you can see plainly what the truth of the matter is…..and the GOD of PEACE WILL BE WITH  YOU!

Blessings on you as you grow in Him,

Deb

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NIV

“the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Isaiah 53: 5 Amplified

I have no control of what circumstances may come my way today, but I DO have control over how it affects me.  Yesterday I wrote that peace is a decision not an emotion.  It was needful for my Jesus to obtain for my well-being.

He (Jesus) did not want me to be anxious or fretful so when He was beaten, it was for my emotional healing.

I can allow my mind to be anxious and that decision will permit stress on my physical body which does not profit anything!  I can entertain negative thoughts and allow fear to grip me.  When I do that, I am NOT allowing Jesus to help me in any way.

I must take every thought that is contrary to the Word of God captive,  and replace that negative thinking with Scriptures that are the ABSOLUTE TRUTH!  Then Jesus can do what He did 2,000 years ago-flood me with peace and make me a whole person, not an anxious, fretful, neurotic mess.

Please study the Word until your anxious thoughts are replaced with truth.

I heard on the radio yesterday a composer explaining how his new song was written.  He was going through a very difficult time and he sought out professional counseling which helped him realize his faulty thinking and retrain his brain on the real truth.  Life had become difficult; it was and is not a perfect world. If you need help to get through something very difficult or painful, seek help through the Word and a Christian Counselor.  It is not shameful or a crime.

God sent us His Son because He loved us so much.  Don’t go through this alone.  Take negative thoughts captive, replace with what the Bible says about you, choose peace, and if needful, seek counseling.

Deb

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27

It is easy to have peace when everything is going smoothly.  What about when a situation arises that you have NO control over and you feel helpless.  You have a choice to make….take the peace that He said He has given us or let your heart be troubled and  afraid.

The Amplified Translation explains it in more detail. [ Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]  Does this paint a picture of you when no one is around and it is all quiet?  Does your physical appearance look peaceful but are your emotions raging?

Realize that Jesus said that He was leaving His peace with us.  It is up to us to take it or leave it.

Would you share a time with us when the enemy was trying to steal your peace but you overcame and became still in the middle of the storm?  Share with us.  It will only serve to encourage someone else.

Deb

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

Can you imagine the thoughts that were racing through Mary’s mind as she laid him in the manger?  Whoa, the Messiah, the Savior of the world, had just been born.  The hope of future generations had finally come to earth.  She and Joseph had the custodial care of him until he was of age to rule the world.

I wonder if she thought that maybe she would live in a palace because after all she had birthed the King of kings.  Maybe she thought of fine linens that she would wear one day because of her position as the mother of Jesus. What about jewelry?  Surely a beautiful ring would be placed on her finger!…….The love that a mother feels for her children would turn to anguish one day as she watched the world scorn, ridicule and hate her son.  How could this happen?  He was the King of kings.  She was at the crucifixion….what was going through her mind?

Maybe just maybe she realized after a while that she had given birth to the world and future generations are still remembering  the birth of Jesus and his mom.  Thank you, Jesus for coming to earth and establishing Your kingdom not the world’s kingdom.

If you are part of Word of Life Christian Center or if you want to “remember” what Jesus has done for us, join us tonight Saturday the 24th of December at 7:00 PM for The Lord’s Supper (Communion).

Merry  Christmas!