Through Gods Eyes

2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

2 Samuel 6:20-22 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"

²¹ David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. ²² I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."

While David was growing up, he loved to be alone worshipping God in his own element. No one was around to tell him what was a good or bad way to praise God. Not even God told him what was right or wrong, because David opened his heart and worshipped God with everything in it and that was all that mattered to God. Michal was used to a more confined way of worship, a modest and quiet prayer to the Lord, which still isn't wrong either. Yet when these two worlds clash and judgement is involved than that's when things get wrong.

Michal was embarrassed by the way David was worshipping God, especially because he got naked in front of people. As a wife it is OK to have concerns when a your own husband is disrobing in front of others, especially other women, however David was being vulnerable and weak in human eyes but if Michal would have looked through her spiritual eyes, she would have seen a man acting like a happy child praising his God.

Judging others is an ugly road to walk on. The reason we do judge is because we are looking through our worldly eyes and not our spiritual eyes. We see things that are not acceptable in the world but forget that the Lord loves the weak, the broken, the lost. Those are his people and He only have love and compassion for them. And I need to put on my spiritual eyes and start seeing the world through them. Not looking at things in the surface but the heart of the people, why they are doing what they are doing; acting the way they are acting; being who they are being. When I look through Gods eyes I will see more than a naked man or woman I will see their heart and who they truly are.

Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to see through your eyes. The world tries to force their views and thoughts upon me, but through the darkness God you shine your light upon me. You are my lamp through this dark place and only you can make me into a child once again.
I forever love you always
Amen

Intricate Stitch

2 Samuel 4-5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Psalm 139 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

⁵ You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, ^a]">[a] you are there.

⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

¹⁷ How precious to ^b]">[b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

²² I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

David was a man after Gods own heart. What that means is that he searched for God and His word; everything that it meant, what God wanted Him to know and how He wanted David to live. In this Psalm David was searching how God created him. He discovered that it was an intricate process, it was delicate with much thought and time.

God didn't create us by a touch of the button, but one by one made us different not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Like sewing clothes, each stitch God knows about, each hemline that is off, each crumple of the fabric, each color that is off, each short sleeved, bad cuff, too tight, too loose. When fabric falls off He knows, even when we don't. He knows when someone pulls at the cloth and damages it. He knows when a part is destroyed or hurt.

At times I think God is not there and wonder where He could've gone. But I'm the one whose wrong. God has never gone anywhere I just stopped searching. I stopped looking for Him, He's just been waiting for me to open my eyes. He created my voice, my eyes, my heart, my mind, my spirit, those things that i need to find Him. He knows my next move, my next word, my next thought and still loves me....

Lord, Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being there for me and never leaving my side even when i forgot to look for you. I know that you are the One who will always be here and never leave me. I know you love me so much that i cannot even fathom that love. But i will receive it all the days of my life. I forever love you always. Amen

This is My Kingdom

2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

2 Samuel 3:39 And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!"

David wanted to be a peaceful yet just king. Right before this he had sent away Abner in peace. Yet for the sins of Abners past, he was killed on his way back home. When David heard about this he was distressed and sad because he didn't want any more unnecessary killing, especially in his kingdom. And David admitted he was weak in that time because he realized even as king, people would take justice into their own hands.

There are people who take matters into their own hands. No matter what their authority wants, they want to control the situation. However, God appointed people to be in authority so there would be order in the country, and home. God appointed a mother and father over children's lives to show them order and discipline. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. David was a king who didn't want his own people to be afraid of him, he wanted peace and order in his kingdom. He admitted he was weak not because he was a weak man, but because he was a strong man. He was strong because others might know his true feelings but he wasn't going to go down with a fight. He knew how strong the Lord was and knew that God would bring him justice to those who would try to ruin his kingdom.

I need to be a person that doesn't allow others to try and take away the order from my kingdom. If i want order or confusion than i will allow either. But my strength needs to be in the Lord to lift me up and give me strength when i most need it.

Lord,
thank you for your strength. I know i need more of it everyday to be that woman you have called me to be. You are my Father and i should be more like you. I need order in my life and need to put things in the right places. I know you are teaching me things everyday and I want to listen to you. Forgive me when i shut my ears to your words.
I forever love you always
Amen

Brotherhood

2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

2 Samuel 1:26 I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.
David, during this time was grieving the death of his king and best friend. Jonathan wasn't only his best friend, but he was his right hand man. He was the one David went to talk to, his most trusted mate. He had a solid brotherhood with David and nothing, not even the evilness of his father could take that bond and love for one another away. Not even death.

There are people who find a soul mate in the same sex. But its nothing obscene, its pure holy friendship. The world has perverted a holy friendship to be designed for their own good. David, obviously loved women, but had a special connection with Jonathan that was called Brotherhood. Some people go through life never finding that one person they can run to without feeling judged or afraid. David was never afraid to tell Jonathan how he felt even if it was against his own father. Jonathan saw his fathers true colors and followed who the Lord wanted, not what the people wanted.

It is the best feeling when you come into a brotherhood with someone and can feel the trust and love. That is a Godly friendship. That is an appointed time and place when you meet someone that will be their for you for the rest of your life. I had a brotherhood with someone yet unfortunately it only lasted for a season. And I believe it was God appointed however I do believe that now my brotherhood is with God and that's the way He essentially wanted it.

Lord,
Thank you for your friendship. For listening to me and allowing to go to you without judgement or fear. You have always made me feel welcome and like i belonged with you. You have loved me from the beginning and I know you will never let me go.
I forever love you always
Amen

Whats the harm?

1 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 8; Psalm 57-58; Matthew 8

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.
God has a purpose for everyone. He has a path for each and every one of us to take. Whether we take it or not is our decision. There are people that you can tell straight away that they did not take Gods path and others who you know are following God. Rich or poor each one has a choice. King David had a choice. He was anointed by God to be the next king but he had to wait to Saul was dead. Now, he could have taken his own path and killed Saul himself, and still be anointed king. Or take Gods way and wait it out to see what happens. If you keep reading King David waited on God and gave him a great kingdom. Doing things Gods way gets you above and beyond what you can imagine. Doing things your way limits your mindset.

Matthew 8:2-3 A man with leprosy^a]">[a] came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." ³Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured^b]">[b] of his leprosy.

The leprous man could have stayed the way he was. He could have suffered his whole life without knowing how it would feel again with normal skin. What is the harm of finding out what God can do for you? What bad can come out of asking God if He can heal you? Sometimes we have to be at the lowest of the low to finally reach out to God. And God will take you there just so you can seek Him.
I was in a depressive state, anorexic, no friends, when finally i reached out wholly and completely to God. No one understood what i was going through, No one tried to help until the last minute, No one knew what my heart and mind was going through, only God. And He was waiting for me. He was at the door waiting for me to ask Him inside and when i finally did, it was the best thing i ever could have done.

Lord,
Thank you for coming through that door and saving me. I know that i needed to ask you but you could have said no. You could have rejected me like everyone else but you saved me from a treacherous life full of hate and bitterness. Your strength covered my weakness and made me strong again. Thank you for loving me and knowing me when no one does.
I forever love you always
Amen

Who are you looking at?

1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31, 54; Matthew 7

1 Samuel 23:17-18 "Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this." ¹⁸ The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

Jonathan was introduced to God through his father Saul. Jonathan remained in the path of God but Saul decided to follow his own will. And the consequence was a strained father-son relationship. Jonathan went under the wing of David and became his second in command. Jonathan didn't want to follow who the world wanted but followed who God appointed. He knew that David was the king that God chose and left his family and commitments to follow the God that had shown Himself time and time again.
The Israelites saw God many times yet kept on doubting His grace, His mercy, His power and authority. But Jonathan followed the footsteps of Joshua and Caleb and knew which God he served.

Matthew 7:1-2 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ²For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Jonathan could have stayed with his father and fought against David. He could have killed David many times, yet instead he didn't blame David. He didn't judge his friend for Gods plan, he embraced what the Lord was doing.
Many people in powerful positions sometimes get jealous and mad because other people are moving up in the world. Some people are threatened by others who can do better than them. Who are more creative, more hard working, and tend to judge those because of their own insecurities. But its time not to look at the talent the person has but what does God want to do with me?
I can't keep asking can that person take my job? Can that person do things better than me?
But instead what does God want to do with me here? God put ME in this position for a reason and i cannot stop till God wants me to. Which means I got to do the best that i can, the best that God has put in me. Its time to stop looking at others and time to keep my eyes on Him.

Lord,
Thank you for bringing me to this place in my life. I know without you i would be lost and unhappy. But with you I am perfect in your sight. You put in me talent and gifts that no one else has, you made me unique and different and i love you for that. Keep me in your path and continue to guide me to you.
I forever love you always
Amen

What will i be known for?

1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Matthew 3:10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
John the Baptist was a passionate man. He knew who God was and lived to do His will. He lived to spread the good news and wasn't afraid of what people thought. Many men through that time were like that, Paul, Peter, John, James. John the Baptists life was cut short but his legacy lived on. He was a man that bore good fruit therefore wasn't cut down from God. On the contrary he was most known for only one thing baptizing Jesus, but that one thing made him be the man we all know him for.

Some people think they have to do thing after thing for people to remember them. Those people try to live their lives pleasing others making sure other people see them and they are not ignored. But it is those people who produce bad fruit because they are only living for themselves. When someone lives for God and His will is when they will produce good fruit, that's when God will make a way and bring more things in their path.
I am not perfect and sometimes i don't do things that i should but when i do things for God i see what happens next, good things. I am happier, i can smile more, i talk more, i share more. With God and choosing to live with Him is where I am supposed to be.

Father,
Thank you for being in my path in life. I could have ignored you and your will for me but i chose to embrace it sometimes strong sometimes weak. But i am here for you, living for you, doing things for you, loving you. You are who keeps me going in life and keep pushing me further Lord, i know my life isn't over yet.
I forever love you always
Amen

4/14/2010 Obedience vs Sacrifice

1 Samuel15-16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

1 Samuel 15:9-11 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves ^b]">[b] and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.
God told Saul to kill and everything and everyone. Period. There is a reason why God told him that and it was because God wanted everything that had to do with that clan had to be destroyed so nothing and no one could stay lingering. Saul, already on Gods bad side, decided to keep the strongest part of the tribe alive. He thought by doing that and offering him up as a sacrifice would make God even happier, but he was wrong.

v.22 But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice...

God wants us to obey Him. Period. When we don't obey God we are basically telling Him that our way is better than His. That we have better ideas and we are smarter and craftier than Him. God has us doing certain things for certain reasons. He wants things done His way not to give us more work, but because it is the best way, even if we don't think so.
God wants me to obey him instead of sacrificing anything. It is better for me to listen to His voice than try to impress Him with my brains. Because He gave me this brain, He made me as smart as I am, He gives me knowledge...how can i not listen to the Almighty?

Father,
Thank you for looking ahead when i want to stay in the present. You are the smartest because you truly know it all. Forgive me if i would rather sacrifice than obey. You are my King and Authority, it is you i listen to and follow.
I forever love you always
Amen

4/13/2010 Under Control

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

1 Samuel 14:24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, "Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!" So none of the troops tasted food.

Saul as king was losing his way. He was losing the purpose of why God had anointed him. A king looks out for his people and not just himself. A king is appointed to lead his people through good times and bad times. A king makes sure his soldiers are ready for war at all times. Saul was selfish and wanted to win at all costs. He thought that his people had to do things for him and allowed them to suffer for his cause, not Gods.

v.29-30 Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the country. See how my eyes brightened ^f]">[f] when I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?"
Jonathan even knew better because his heart was right. He knew that making the soldiers refrain from eating was probably the dumbest idea ever. When someone is leading and they are making the wrong choices it is hard to point them out to the leader. There is a level of respect that has to be maintained however when the rest of the people are suffering because of a bad decision, something needs to be said.
God will always bring in someone to be able to let the leader know, their decision is wrong. Jonathan was appointed that person because he had ties to the king and was close to God. I cannot think i am the one that always has to speak up and you cannot think that either, unless God calls us to do something, that's when we move. But there has to be a trust with God knowing that He has everything under control, even if we don't think so.

Lord,
Thank you for having everything under control. There are times that i want to go against authority because i think they are doing wrong, but unless you call me to say something than i will stay back. Thank you for using me in the times that you do and for choosing me to be your voice.
I forever love you always,
Amen

4/12/10 Gods way vs My way

1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicle3s 2-3; 2 Corinthians 12

1 Samuel 13:13-14 "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

Samuel, through Gods help, chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Before there were judges who helped keep justice and peace throughout the land. Before judges there were leaders like Moses and Aaron and Joshua. The people wanted to be like everyone else so they cried out to God for a king. Saul was chosen by the people and Samuel anointed him. Throughout the time of his kingship he lost his way. He stopped listening fully to Gods instructions and started doing things "his way". However, when we start doing things "our way" God decides to step back from the big picture. Just like He did with Saul. And the end result, God chose somebody who would do things Gods way.

God gives us options: His way or my way. He doesn't do it to be selfish but to be real and for us to have free will. The pros about Gods way are:
I will take joy from the end result
I will have peace
I will know its the best for me
The cons:
It will be hard
I will suffer
I can lose friends and loved ones in the process
The pros about my way:
I can be cautious
I can control things
I know what can and cannot happen
The cons of doing things my way:
I will not have Gods best
God will be second and not first
I will not be as happy as i would

Father,
I thank you for your will. I thank you that you have everything under control and your will is the best will. You are my number one and you know my heart and have the best in store for me. Help me to stay in your path and see you in everything.
I forever love you always
Amen

What is good enough?

1 Samuel 8-10; 2 Corinthians 10

1 Samuel 8:6-9 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. ⁷ And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."

The Israelites were Gods people, yet most never had that unconditional faith in God, no matter what He did for them. God had mercy on them, He saved them from Pharaoh, from slavery, from hunger, from dying yet they still wanted more. God showed his mercy, His rage, His compassion, and His justice and yet they wanted more. God heard their cry, showed Himself in different ways, sent prophets, apostles, servants, even the Messiah and yet they wanted more. Samuel was saddened when the Israelites wanted a king because he realized they still didn't get through their thick skulls how powerful and mighty God is.

And even though we can point fingers at the Israelites, like how blind were they? We have to look at ourselves because we are doing the same things. When we go to God last about things we need in our lives, we're basically telling God your not powerful enough. When we complain and moan instead of pray we're saying your grace isn't sufficient. When we get mad that other people who don't even believe in God have more than we do we are telling God your will isn't good enough for me. We have all done this...I have done this and continue to do it, yet God wants us to stop.

Its time to let God know He is the king, He is finisher, He is everything. Its not about what i see on earth because my treasure is stored in heaven. I may be suffering now and not see those things i want now, but what about the greater things in heaven? I am to set my eyes on heavenly things and know that's where my happiness lays.

Lord,
Thank you that my home is not on earth but in heaven with you. Show me those things that i am to look forward to in heaven, help me see those things so i can push through the junk in this world. I want to worship you forever God, be with you and know you more and more. Only you can get me through these times that are tough; only you can lead me to greener pastures.
i forever love you always
Amen

Give with your Heart

1 Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Everyday God wants us to give. It doesn't always have to be money or material things, but it could be a smile or some good advice. When Paul gave, he gave everything. He gave his heart his soul his energy his spirit to everyone and anyone who needed it. The Corinthians were greedy people, they didn't know how to give. And when they did give they wanted something in return. But Paul was trying to teach them that when you give don't have any expectations. Don't think about your reward, because most likely you won't get one.

In church we give tithes and offerings. I give when i can, i can't give every single time, but when i have it i give it. And that's not only with God that's with friends and loved ones. They know that when i have it I'll give it to them if they need it. The good thing is is that when i give though it would be nice to get something back, i don't expect anything. All i truly want is for them to be grateful and for the Lord to be pleased that i am helping His people. I give from my heart and with a smile on my face because i know that one day i may not have enough and on that day the Lord will bring me favor because only He can see my real heart.

Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to have enough for myself and for others. I want to give my heart to you and to those who need it. I ask that you keep giving me more so that i can keep giving it away. I want your people to know that i am here for them to help them to know your love and favor.
I forever love you always
Amen

4/8/2010 Your word in Me

1 Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8

Psalm 77:10-12 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

¹² I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

"The Lords goodness lasts forever".

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

"Jesus wept".

"For thine is the kingdom, the glory, and the power forever".

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life".

All the Lord truly wants from us is remember His word. Remember what He has done and fulfill His will for our lives. Every day and whenever we have a chance it is for us to remember the Lord our God and everything He has done and everything He will do.

"Go and make disciples of all nations".

"The word was with God and the word is God".

"It is finished".

"Go and sin no more".

"And only three remain: faith, hope, and love and the greatest of these is love".

"Love is patient, love is kind"

Lord,

thank you for your love and your word. thank you for keeping your promises and your will for my life. I trust in you always and will follow you all the days of my life. You are my everything.

I forever love you always,

Amen

4/7/2010 Don't make a Promise you can't keep

1 Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

Hannah was a woman after Gods heart. She knew that if she needed something she would seek the Lord for her deepest desires. So many people easily make promises to God and don't keep them. God doesn't grant their prayers because they don't ask with their heart. They ask with their mind. Hannah when pleading to God asked with her heart. And the reason Eli thought she was drunk and couldn't understand how she was praying was because only God knows whats in our hearts. Eli tried to kick her out and almost costed her her prayer to God but she pushed through and was humble before this man of God and through her faith got her dream.

It is so easy to say you will do something than don't end up doing it. I keep saying I'm going to get up and run and little by little I'll lose weight and feel better about myself. It would be easy to say Lord, please let me lose the weight and when i do I'll follow you all the days of my life. Many people use this line to get what they want. "Lord, please if i get an A on my exam, if i get that job i want, if i marry this person, if i get a raise...i will dedicate my life to you 100%" And what ends up happening is once we get our dream, we forget God...But God wants us to be like Hannah, because she remembered what she told God and kept it in her heart.

v.26-28 and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there.

Lord,
i thank you for your mercy. I have said those words many times to you and many times i have failed you. I know your grace is sufficient but i want to change my words. I want to change my heart and redirect it more to you. Help me to keep looking forward and stop trying to see whats on my right and left.
I forever love you always,
Amen

4/4/2010 Blind Eye

Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

What Paul went through, the majority of the people in the world will never go through it. He lived and breathed his ministry. He wasn't perfect but he tried his best to the last breath. There were things in life he never go to experience, things that he never saw, places he never went to. He was beaten, bruised, murdered, humiliated in front of his people yet his joy and strength came from knowing the unseen.

What we don't see doesn't mean its not there. I can't see oxygen but i know its around me. The sky is blue yet it is mixed with multiple colors that i cannot see, but i know they are there. My heart and eyes were not meant to search endlessly for what i cannot see. But they were meant to feel and see what is there. I can see things in front of me right now yet i know they will all go away but God whom i cant see will be around always.

This is my faith. This is what i believe in. This is where my hope is...in what i cannot see. My temporary eyes were meant for temporary things. My permanent spirit is meant for my permanent God.

Lord,
Thank you that you have been here yesterday and today and will be here tomorrow and tomorrows tomorrow and the day after that. I can always count on your love and mercy for me. Without you i know i would be lost in this crazy world. I know without you I wouldn't be me. I love you for loving me and creating me your own.
I forever love you always
Amen

4/3/2010 Your Freedom

Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3: 17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect^a]">[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

When Paul was writing about the veil that once covered Moses, he wasn't doing it to disrespect the ministry of Moses. However, he did it to show these people that that was what the people did in those times and times have changed. Its not about hiding who we are and wherever we are with God. Its not about if we have a weak or strong relationship with God we should boast or hide it. Its about knowing that we are free to be in the Lord.

With God there is freedom. Freedom to love, freedom to shout, freedom to be happy, freedom to show people how we truly feel. There are people who have a weak relationship with God and think they have to hide themselves but God wants us to seek Him out to get stronger. When we seek and search the spirit the spirit will find us because he's just waiting for us to call out to Him.

When we have the spirit, we change. We change for the better and turn more into God. More love, more grace, more freedom.

Father,
Thank you for your spirit, that i can count on you for everything in my life. Help me to seek you out more with the good and bad things in my life. Don't allow me to seek you through the rough times, tug on me Lord, show me your Freedom.
I forever love you always
Amen

4/1/2010 Never Forget

Judges 11,12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort

Paul while talking to the Corinthians drew hope from them. They were a hard headed, stubborn people who were set in their ways. But when God has a plan for someone or a group of people He is stronger than them. They were beginning to change, they were seeing God for the Lord that He is. They were backing away from the worlds plan against them. They were seeking joy from the Lord and not material temporary things. And that's what helped Paul keep going in his mission. He knew that his trip to Corinth wasn't in vain.

Gods plan for me, for you is to draw faith hope and strength from Him. As we think we are going through the worst things in the world, unfortunately there are people who have it worse. But during our hard times we are to think of those times that we smile. We are to think that those who are also suffering can draw power from God and pray for them. Pray for those who have less but live better. Sometimes more is worse because than we forget what God gave us, who it all came from. Where God drew us out of. That is the message we must never forget - where we came from, who we once were because we can thank God everyday that we are no longer there.

Father,
thank you for taking me out of the dumps and bringing me to a better place. I know you have even better places than where i am today but i thank you that i am in your path, that you are leading me to better paths and those around me can see who you are in me. Forgive me for my sins and weakness and make me stronger today so i can help those who were like me. Use me for your glory
I forever love you always
Amen

3/30/2010 Deep calls to deep

Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 5

Psalm 42:4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

There are times when i look back to what i used to do; how i used to be. Those things i remember how the sons of Korah were remembering. I can see it now, being in the conferences being excited to dance, being excited to lead and learn.

v.5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and ⁶ my God. My ^c]">[c] soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.

When you come from such a high and life happens a low happens too. Wheres the excitement? wheres the joy? what happened to make it go away? Yes, life happened but God didn't leave that life. Sometimes i think God stepped out and i am left all alone. But He wants me to praise Him even if my soul is downcast. Even if i am sad and down and tired with His praise I am to lift up with that smile and remember what i felt before because if it was there once, it will come back again.

v.7-8 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. ⁸ By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life

Your water Oh Lord, is over me like oceans roar over the sand. Your love is never ending and your mercy lasts forever. You are my God today yesterday and forever. Whether i am up or down or even sideways you remain my God and i remain your child. Thank you for your forgiveness thank you for your love and kindness. I do fall and i am weak but you God are my strength. Give me the power to say no and to say yes when the time is right. Hold strength to the weak and poor because they can rest in you.
I forever love you always
Amen