2 Timothy: 20-21: In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets - some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. (The Message)
Last October, while attending my church's Women's Retreat, I picked out from a tub of rolled up Scriptures 2 Timothy. It was an actual torn page out of a Bible so it was front and back which covered chapters 1-3. I knew instantly why I had chosen this one; why God designed for me only to read this Book. What I love about it is every time I re-read it, a different verse jumps out at me. Whatever I am going through, there are words in these few chapters that always seem to be exactly what I need to hear. And this morning was no exception.
I pulled out my Message Bible to compare the verses and somehow I just understood verses 20 and 21 better in The Message version. It's simple and to the point which totally describes me in a nut shell!
A lot of people struggle with knowing what God has called them to do. Is it a ministry? Do I lead a Bible Study in my church? Do I volunteer with a local ministry? Sometimes the thinking overwhelms us and then we just end up doing nothing because we don't want to get ahead of God. Excuses, excuses! I think this Scripture explains plainly what we ALL are supposed to be doing. And that is being a blessing to others. However that comes about, in our everyday lives, at work, with our family and friends, we are to be a blessing to others.
The more I read this, the more I kept asking, "How do I become the kind of container God can use?" First, I have to open my mind. I have to get out of my own way and realize that maybe this time, I don't need to be refined and proper to reach someone. Maybe the way to be a blessing to someone is get down and dirty. Maybe I have to go into the dark alleys where the trash is kept. Maybe I have to get out of my comfort zone and go where I usually don't. God is looking for containers He can use to present gifts to hurting people. But I bet most people expect it to come in a special golden box and not a cardboard box. It reminds me of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They finally find the Knight who guards the cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper. All these beautiful and ornate goblets were displayed yet it was the small wooden cup that was the winner. God doesn't need the bright and fancy things of this world to bring people to Him. He Himself is bright and fancy...all that other stuff just gets in the way of His awesome Glory!
2 Timothy 3:17 I think goes great with the above referenced Scripture. It's a great ending to this message. I believe it gives us the perfect equation to accomplish becoming the container God wants us to become. "Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." How do you know what God has for you to do? You get in His Word. He will put together and shape you. We are called to reach those who are hurting and lost. They may be in the dirty streets where light no longer shines. You may not speak as a refined and educated pastor but if you go and present yourself as something God has put together, it won't matter what you sound or look like, your container will be a blessing!
Who is God asking you to bless this week?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Romans 8:14-15
Romans 8:14-15: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
We've been singing this awesome song in church the past few weeks and I love it so much I wanted to share it with the world.
In honesty, I have not been living up to my true potential and birthright lately. What an honor it is to be called a daughter of the King and yet I take for granted a lot of the privileges that go with that title. I neglect the accessibility through prayer to my Father daily. I allow myself to exist in a weakened state instead of claiming the power that rose Christ from the dead. I unknowingly share in His glory; just a little bit still counts! Most of all, I put other indulgences in front of the King of the Universe. As you can see, I have a lot of work to do! But that's okay because we all do!
This song speaks to the true meaning of Christianity which is relationship. What a true relationship between a son or daughter with his or her Father should be. Acknowledging the freedom we have from the mistakes our earthly families made in our lives. Taking hold of the victory that is ours because of what the Father asked His only Son to do at the Cross. Thanking Him for driving the darkness out so that we could see again and for all eternity. There is nothing in the world that can separate us from His love but we sure do take the scenic route a lot of the times, don't we?!
It is my goal to reconnect back to my Father and step back into the role that I know He sees for me. I want to start seeing myself as the Princess He created me to be. The daughter who has a divine purpose and position to adhere to in His Kingdom. I want to make my Abba proud!
Love has a Name. Turn back to Your Father and reclaim your sonship today!
We've been singing this awesome song in church the past few weeks and I love it so much I wanted to share it with the world.
In honesty, I have not been living up to my true potential and birthright lately. What an honor it is to be called a daughter of the King and yet I take for granted a lot of the privileges that go with that title. I neglect the accessibility through prayer to my Father daily. I allow myself to exist in a weakened state instead of claiming the power that rose Christ from the dead. I unknowingly share in His glory; just a little bit still counts! Most of all, I put other indulgences in front of the King of the Universe. As you can see, I have a lot of work to do! But that's okay because we all do!
This song speaks to the true meaning of Christianity which is relationship. What a true relationship between a son or daughter with his or her Father should be. Acknowledging the freedom we have from the mistakes our earthly families made in our lives. Taking hold of the victory that is ours because of what the Father asked His only Son to do at the Cross. Thanking Him for driving the darkness out so that we could see again and for all eternity. There is nothing in the world that can separate us from His love but we sure do take the scenic route a lot of the times, don't we?!
It is my goal to reconnect back to my Father and step back into the role that I know He sees for me. I want to start seeing myself as the Princess He created me to be. The daughter who has a divine purpose and position to adhere to in His Kingdom. I want to make my Abba proud!
Love has a Name. Turn back to Your Father and reclaim your sonship today!
Romans 8:14-15
Romans 8:14-15: For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
We've been singing this awesome song in church the past few weeks and I love it so much I wanted to share it with the world.
In honesty, I have not been living up to my true potential and birthright lately. What an honor it is to be called a daughter of the King and yet I take for granted a lot of the privileges that go with that title. The neglect the accessibility through prayer to my Father daily. I allow myself to be exist in a weakened state instead of claiming the power that rose Christ from the dead. I unknowingly share in His glory; just a little bit still counts! Most of all, I put other indulgences in front of the King of the Universe. As you can see, I have a lot of work to do! But that's okay because we all do!
This song speaks to the true meaning of Christianity which is relationship. What a true relationship between a son or daughter with his or her Father should be. Acknowledging the freedom we have from the mistakes our earthly families made in our lives. Taking hold of the victory that is ours because of what the Father asked His only Son to do at the Cross. Thanking Him for driving the darkness out so that we could see again and for all eternity. There is nothing in the world that can separate us from His love but we sure do take the scenic route a lot of the times, don't we?!
It is my goal to reconnect back to my Father and step back into the role that I know He sees for me. I want to start seeing myself as the Princess He created me to be. The daughter who has a divine purpose and position to adhere to in His Kingdom. I want to make my Abba proud!
Love has a Name. Turn back to Your Father and reclaim your sonship today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1N3zac7648
We've been singing this awesome song in church the past few weeks and I love it so much I wanted to share it with the world.
In honesty, I have not been living up to my true potential and birthright lately. What an honor it is to be called a daughter of the King and yet I take for granted a lot of the privileges that go with that title. The neglect the accessibility through prayer to my Father daily. I allow myself to be exist in a weakened state instead of claiming the power that rose Christ from the dead. I unknowingly share in His glory; just a little bit still counts! Most of all, I put other indulgences in front of the King of the Universe. As you can see, I have a lot of work to do! But that's okay because we all do!
This song speaks to the true meaning of Christianity which is relationship. What a true relationship between a son or daughter with his or her Father should be. Acknowledging the freedom we have from the mistakes our earthly families made in our lives. Taking hold of the victory that is ours because of what the Father asked His only Son to do at the Cross. Thanking Him for driving the darkness out so that we could see again and for all eternity. There is nothing in the world that can separate us from His love but we sure do take the scenic route a lot of the times, don't we?!
It is my goal to reconnect back to my Father and step back into the role that I know He sees for me. I want to start seeing myself as the Princess He created me to be. The daughter who has a divine purpose and position to adhere to in His Kingdom. I want to make my Abba proud!
Love has a Name. Turn back to Your Father and reclaim your sonship today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1N3zac7648
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Luke 24:3-6
Good morning!
Luke 24:3-6: They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected!"
I know this seems like a strange Scripture for Winning Souls Wednesday but that question the angels asked just jumped right out at me. That used to be the epitome of my life: looking for living things among dead things, thinking they would bring me joy. More than anything, I felt dead inside and desperately wanted to feel alive. I believe that is what everyone wants when they really think about it.
My mom got involved with a group when I was a teenager called the Landmark Forum. I have vague memories of it but after Googling it, I see a lot of people felt the same way I did back then. It is a cult! Self-help seminar, derived from Scientology, give me your money to obtain a revelation kind of cult. I remember them telling me I wasn't opening my brain up to them and then the other memory was the leader saying he could heal anyone's headache just by visualizing the pain and in layers, believing it to go away. They even tested it on a girl and of course, her headache went away as everyone was staring at her. What else was she going to say?! Thankfully, we did not stay long but looking back, all those people were just in search mode. Trying anything and testing whatever they could to feel alive and loved.
As we are about to celebrate Easter this weekend, I am reminded of my journey. Before Jesus, I always looked to dead, cold, inanimate, and lifeless things to fill me. After Jesus, the truth that He died on that cross for me isn't the end of the story. He doesn't rot in that tomb, dead and cold and inanimate and lifeless. He was raised from the dead and is alive! He is not a ghost that can never be approached. He is not a story trapped inside a book. He is not a deity that was with men thousands of years ago but we are left on our own. No! He is real, flesh and bone and sitting at the right hand of His Father, praying for you right now. Stop looking for the living among the dead!
Later that day, Jesus came back to His disciples and showed himself them since they still didn't believe He was alive. He said in verse 46: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Jesus fulfilled this promise just for you! I promise when you realize and come to the truth that He is alive and He is what you've been looking for, your old life dies away and a new creation is born! It's an amazing feeling to feel alive and be able to envision a bright future. I was existing before Jesus but not truly living. As I look back, I always wonder...why did it take me so long?!
Happy Easter everyone!!
Luke 24:3-6: They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" asked the men. "He is not here, but He has been resurrected!"
I know this seems like a strange Scripture for Winning Souls Wednesday but that question the angels asked just jumped right out at me. That used to be the epitome of my life: looking for living things among dead things, thinking they would bring me joy. More than anything, I felt dead inside and desperately wanted to feel alive. I believe that is what everyone wants when they really think about it.
My mom got involved with a group when I was a teenager called the Landmark Forum. I have vague memories of it but after Googling it, I see a lot of people felt the same way I did back then. It is a cult! Self-help seminar, derived from Scientology, give me your money to obtain a revelation kind of cult. I remember them telling me I wasn't opening my brain up to them and then the other memory was the leader saying he could heal anyone's headache just by visualizing the pain and in layers, believing it to go away. They even tested it on a girl and of course, her headache went away as everyone was staring at her. What else was she going to say?! Thankfully, we did not stay long but looking back, all those people were just in search mode. Trying anything and testing whatever they could to feel alive and loved.
As we are about to celebrate Easter this weekend, I am reminded of my journey. Before Jesus, I always looked to dead, cold, inanimate, and lifeless things to fill me. After Jesus, the truth that He died on that cross for me isn't the end of the story. He doesn't rot in that tomb, dead and cold and inanimate and lifeless. He was raised from the dead and is alive! He is not a ghost that can never be approached. He is not a story trapped inside a book. He is not a deity that was with men thousands of years ago but we are left on our own. No! He is real, flesh and bone and sitting at the right hand of His Father, praying for you right now. Stop looking for the living among the dead!
Later that day, Jesus came back to His disciples and showed himself them since they still didn't believe He was alive. He said in verse 46: “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Jesus fulfilled this promise just for you! I promise when you realize and come to the truth that He is alive and He is what you've been looking for, your old life dies away and a new creation is born! It's an amazing feeling to feel alive and be able to envision a bright future. I was existing before Jesus but not truly living. As I look back, I always wonder...why did it take me so long?!
Happy Easter everyone!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Exodus 3:13-15
Good morning!
Exodus 3:13-15: Then Moses asked God, "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?" God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
God responds to Moses not with a name that would put limits on Him in any way. Instead, He replies with the statement that He is the permanent substance and foundation that always will be and act as He wills. He is all and everything we need, for every need and want. He was and is and is to come. He has been here before the stars and planets, He is here in this world that continually decides to deny Him, and He will be here when this world is nothing but a memory. This song is an awesome example of "I AM WHO I AM". Praise Him this morning, not because of what He can do for you but just because of who He is.
Exodus 3:13-15: Then Moses asked God, "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?" God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
God responds to Moses not with a name that would put limits on Him in any way. Instead, He replies with the statement that He is the permanent substance and foundation that always will be and act as He wills. He is all and everything we need, for every need and want. He was and is and is to come. He has been here before the stars and planets, He is here in this world that continually decides to deny Him, and He will be here when this world is nothing but a memory. This song is an awesome example of "I AM WHO I AM". Praise Him this morning, not because of what He can do for you but just because of who He is.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Matthew 7:13-14
Good morning!
Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
The Lord woke me up at 5:00AM with this Scripture in my head and I've been thinking about it ever since. Jesus is speaking about the Kingdom of Heaven in this chapter and the road it takes to get there. In John 14:6-7, Jesus declares HE is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. If we know Jesus, then we will know His Father too.
So the road that we walk that leads to the gate of Heaven is a picture of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
I very well could have been one of the many that did not find the narrow gate. I looked up narrow in the dictionary to get a better picture of the word. It means a slender width, minutely precise.
I started thinking back to when I was an unbeliever and all the reasons I used to come up with in my mind not to accept Jesus as my Savior. I heard it all but I just couldn't make the decision. It sounded like too much to give up. So I kept walking the broad path of destruction, with all of my junk and issues dragging along with me.
The gate is narrow because the path is only big enough for you to walk it. You can't bring your family along with you if you truly put Jesus first and take up your cross and follow after Him (Matthew 16:24). You won't have room for all the junk and issues because there is freedom and liberty in His salvation (Galatians 5:1).You can't try to be like anyone else because God has a special plan just for you; this is your journey (Jeremiah 29:11).
God knew it would be difficult to walk the narrow road because of all the road blocks the world throws at us. The Devil desperately wants us to miss the path that leads to that precious narrow gate and instead go along with the masses down the broad path of destruction that is so deceptively decorated with "fun" and "good times". That road is full of the mind set of it's all about me, and how can I make myself feel better and how much more stuff can I get to complete me. That road leads to death.
But once you turn down the narrow path that leads to that gate, your mind set changes to it's all about Him, and how can I bring Him glory, and what can I give to help others in need. That road leads to life.
Think about it...how easy is it to live for yourself, giving in to your fleshly desires, satisfying yourself before anyone else? How difficult is it to set your mind on unearthly ways, think of others before yourself, give first and then save, love your enemies, believe and trust in a hope that others can't see? Living for ourselves brings death and living for Jesus brings life. It may seem like the other way around when you are trying to make the decision on which road to take. I know it did to me 12 years ago. But since I chose the narrow path, I have never looked back. Nothing compares to His love! I found everything I was looking for and needed on that path and I will continue to walk it until it's my time to enter through that gate. To my eternal home.
Stay the course. Don't falter just because the road is narrow. Don't get tripped up by bringing more than you should with you on your journey or trying to be someone you are not. He is all you will ever need and He provides all you need to keep going. The narrow gate that is the entrance to Heaven is calling us all. Be one of the few who finds it!
Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
The Lord woke me up at 5:00AM with this Scripture in my head and I've been thinking about it ever since. Jesus is speaking about the Kingdom of Heaven in this chapter and the road it takes to get there. In John 14:6-7, Jesus declares HE is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. If we know Jesus, then we will know His Father too.
So the road that we walk that leads to the gate of Heaven is a picture of our salvation through Jesus Christ.
I very well could have been one of the many that did not find the narrow gate. I looked up narrow in the dictionary to get a better picture of the word. It means a slender width, minutely precise.
I started thinking back to when I was an unbeliever and all the reasons I used to come up with in my mind not to accept Jesus as my Savior. I heard it all but I just couldn't make the decision. It sounded like too much to give up. So I kept walking the broad path of destruction, with all of my junk and issues dragging along with me.
The gate is narrow because the path is only big enough for you to walk it. You can't bring your family along with you if you truly put Jesus first and take up your cross and follow after Him (Matthew 16:24). You won't have room for all the junk and issues because there is freedom and liberty in His salvation (Galatians 5:1).You can't try to be like anyone else because God has a special plan just for you; this is your journey (Jeremiah 29:11).
God knew it would be difficult to walk the narrow road because of all the road blocks the world throws at us. The Devil desperately wants us to miss the path that leads to that precious narrow gate and instead go along with the masses down the broad path of destruction that is so deceptively decorated with "fun" and "good times". That road is full of the mind set of it's all about me, and how can I make myself feel better and how much more stuff can I get to complete me. That road leads to death.
But once you turn down the narrow path that leads to that gate, your mind set changes to it's all about Him, and how can I bring Him glory, and what can I give to help others in need. That road leads to life.
Think about it...how easy is it to live for yourself, giving in to your fleshly desires, satisfying yourself before anyone else? How difficult is it to set your mind on unearthly ways, think of others before yourself, give first and then save, love your enemies, believe and trust in a hope that others can't see? Living for ourselves brings death and living for Jesus brings life. It may seem like the other way around when you are trying to make the decision on which road to take. I know it did to me 12 years ago. But since I chose the narrow path, I have never looked back. Nothing compares to His love! I found everything I was looking for and needed on that path and I will continue to walk it until it's my time to enter through that gate. To my eternal home.
Stay the course. Don't falter just because the road is narrow. Don't get tripped up by bringing more than you should with you on your journey or trying to be someone you are not. He is all you will ever need and He provides all you need to keep going. The narrow gate that is the entrance to Heaven is calling us all. Be one of the few who finds it!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Psalm 97:9
Good morning!!
Exalt: 1. to raise in rank, power, or character. {EXALT} 2. to elevate by praise or in estimation. {GLORIFY} 3. to raise high. {ELEVATE} 4. to enhance the activity of. {INTENSIFY}
We sang this song at church yesterday and it is one of my favorites! Maybe because my brother who is the worship leader at church rocks it out! It is no longer an outdated hymn when the band starts playing. It is alive and anointed and powerful. And VERY loud! I can't help but lift my hands, display my best air drumming and dance like I am in a club! Somehow, I can see the angels doing the same thing in Heaven.
But this song also gets me thinking about what I exalt on an every day basis. Who am I exalting? What do I glorify? What is elevated in my life over me? Am I intensifying anything and if so, is it the right something? Lately, God has been in the middle for me with a lot of other things above Him. I don't know how it happens, small choices I am sure. Justifying my actions somehow. And then I sing this song. And I am brought to my knees. My heart cracks open. His love floods over me and I realize He is the One I am leaving below and behind and beside.
He is over all of the earth, all of Creation, over all the cosmos The Message version says. That amount of space is mind-blowing to me; I cannot really fathom. He created it all yet He cares for me. He is worthy of my exaltation and I hope as you watch this 9 minute video of Jesus Culture rocking this song out, that you will exalt and glorify and elevate and intensify your relationship with the God of all creation. The God that loves you.
Psalm 97:9: For You, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted above all the gods.
Exalt: 1. to raise in rank, power, or character. {EXALT} 2. to elevate by praise or in estimation. {GLORIFY} 3. to raise high. {ELEVATE} 4. to enhance the activity of. {INTENSIFY}
We sang this song at church yesterday and it is one of my favorites! Maybe because my brother who is the worship leader at church rocks it out! It is no longer an outdated hymn when the band starts playing. It is alive and anointed and powerful. And VERY loud! I can't help but lift my hands, display my best air drumming and dance like I am in a club! Somehow, I can see the angels doing the same thing in Heaven.
But this song also gets me thinking about what I exalt on an every day basis. Who am I exalting? What do I glorify? What is elevated in my life over me? Am I intensifying anything and if so, is it the right something? Lately, God has been in the middle for me with a lot of other things above Him. I don't know how it happens, small choices I am sure. Justifying my actions somehow. And then I sing this song. And I am brought to my knees. My heart cracks open. His love floods over me and I realize He is the One I am leaving below and behind and beside.
He is over all of the earth, all of Creation, over all the cosmos The Message version says. That amount of space is mind-blowing to me; I cannot really fathom. He created it all yet He cares for me. He is worthy of my exaltation and I hope as you watch this 9 minute video of Jesus Culture rocking this song out, that you will exalt and glorify and elevate and intensify your relationship with the God of all creation. The God that loves you.
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