8/5/09 Never Homeless

2 Corinthians 5: 1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands

Paul was telling the Corinthians that they struggle with their bodies because they were constantly destroying it. And whether we kept those bodies or not we still (our spirit) has a home.

v.4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

We will never be fully happy until we are in heaven. ON earth our bodies and lives are never good enough, we always want and need more from God. But now its time for me to allow God to swallow up my mortality. I don't want to physically die but I want to spiritually live in heaven and earth. And if i die than i know i have another home. A home that i many not see on earth but one that is waiting for me in heaven. My spirit wants to be in heaven which is why I'm not fully 100% comfortable (rejection, hurt, pain) on earth.

Lord,
Thank you for my earthly body and giving me a chance to get to know you. Thank you for blessing me with breath and life and once I'm not on this earth I'll be with you in heaven. I'll always have a home. You are my God.
I forever love you
Amen

7/24/09 This ones for the ladies

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Being in the ministry a couple years Peter was seeing changes in the church and culture especially in women. Peter knew how women who have impacted the ministry were and how much greatness they did. Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Deborah. And women should follow their footsteps and not the ones that the world admires.

For a woman, this scripture is hard to follow now a days because society and culture has banged it in our heads that make up, nice clothes, the newest fad would make us beautiful. But its time for me as a woman Pastor to break that mentality. Yes, i can wear that stuff but not to make it my reason is how i can be influential. Let me character and submissiveness and humility shine above any gold and that's when God will show off who i really am.

Isaiah 40:30-31
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Lord,
I put my hope, trust, and faith in you. Everyday i need to come to you and give you my all. I will stumble and fall but i know you are leading me to greater things. Show me the steps and places i need to be. Guide me to the places cause i can't go without you. I want to soar with you, fly with you, be with you. Forgive me for my pride, my blindness, my fear, and my sin. Renew me today
I forever love you
Amen

7/21/09 Don't sin for them

James 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James wanted the people to know how much better it would be to be free with God. He says v. 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. It was that easy for him. And it is that easy for everyone.

The hardest thing for me is to admit my sin to someone else because than I'm admitting my weaknesses and embarrassments. I think people would judge me and hate me. But i can easily tell God anything even when I'm wrong. James wanted everyone to be free from sin and just simply be free. And that's what i should strive for not only for me but for everyone else.

Lord,
Here i am. I've been gone a long time and I'm not proud of it. But I'm here with you and there is nowhere else i want to be. Forgive me God: only you know whats in the core of my heart. Take me and use me as you want. I am yours forever
I forever love you
Amen

7/4/09 God made me do it!

Hosea 1:2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD."

Hosea was the last king of Israel and for many years before that the kings were doing evil in the eyes of the Lord. God was fed up with the kings and how much they walked from Him that He had to make an example out of innocent people.

Though I may not understand why God would make an example of innocent children He knew that His plan was not to leave them sinful. His ultimate plan was to restore them to new.

Just like he does with us. He allows us to sin and others do things that are completely wrong but His end plan is to have us restored for the next season.

God,
there are many things that i have done that i am not proud of. And i have sinned but i don't want to stay that way. Restore me and make me new. Make me clean Lord, because that is your ultimate plan.
I forever love you
Amen

6/26/09 The Hidden Truth

Jonah 4:10-11 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

Jonah was a man wanted to do God will but wasn't in accordance. God wanted to challenge Jonah in what He really wanted to teach him. Jonahs level of grace only extended to "Gods people" but he didn't know the extent of Gods people reached over to the Gentiles as well.

Jonah was like many people today, their religiousness gets in the way of knowing the level of Gods mercy and grace. SO many people have much more forgiveness and patience with a dog than with people that God wants us to reach out to. I will never understand the level of Gods grace because He is divine and hold and I am human and a sinner. However, if God wants me to go out and reach those who need the most mercy than that's what I should do. And its not about Gods deep voice calling me - He's already told us - in His word that we should have mercy on the merciless.

Father,
Your mercy surpasses anything I can understand. But i thank you for it. Only you can show such love to me in my confusion and lost state. Lord make things clear to me as much as possible. Show me whats hidden from my eyes even if it hurts. Guide me to the right path - Your path.
I forever love you
Amen

6/24/09 The King & I

2 Kings 11:8, 17 Station yourselves around the king, each man with his weapon in his hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."

As servants of God and people with bosses, parents, teachers, esp those who are specially anointed God wants us to protect them. He has called his people to protect the anointed until death. There are those who are to be "kings" and we are to be their protectors. Jehoash was only 7 and these people were ready to die for him they need those protectors from gossipers, greedy people, arrogant and throne stealer's. We are those protectors.

17 Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

When protecting a king there should always be a good reason to keep fighting for something. I believe to keep a land holy is the reason to fight to the death. Jehoiada wanted the land purified and the people followed the covenant as did the king. My king should stand for something right, pure, and holy. Because if not than my reason and energy to fight would be gone.

Lord,
Keep my kings looking at you. The covenant they made with you was forever. God you know their hearts and i choose to follow your path because you have it all under control. Take my life and use it as you see right. Help me everyday to see more of you.
I forever love you
Amen.

6/9/09 My Reading

Ecclesiastes 11:8-10 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. 9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. 10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body,for youth and vigor are meaningless.
12:1, 13-14
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"- 13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Ephesians 5:1-2,17 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.