Israel

Luke 21:32-33 "I tell you the truth, this generation[a] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Ever since the time of Jesus and before the Israelites were hated by everyone. Watching the news today, the same is true. These people are Gods chosen and have remained that since the beginning of time. That is why they are hates and that is why they cannot be wiped from the earth. They are to see the coming of the Lord as it is said by Jesus Himself.

I may not know all of Israels history but i know what is loved by God, i should love as well. Even if it is a whole country. Going to Israel and seeing for myself gave me a new love for these people. Stepping off the plane i just felt God all over and knew this was the chosen land. So even if society said to hate these people i choose not to. i choose to defend them and help them and pray for them because Gods chosen people are the ones that need the most help today as they did thousands of years ago.

Father,
I sit here today thinking about my trip to Israel. Meeting your people, talking to them and falling in love with a country that's not mine. I pray for Israel this morning for their safety and that they rise up for the occasion and never back down. May they be a David to their Goliath and trust solely in You. I bless Israel today and pray that they may find peace in you.
I forever love you
Amen

Righteous vs. Sinners

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Jesus knew the hearts of the men he was talking to. All he wanted from them was for them to change their hearts and be men of their word. God knows our hearts and wants us to be real with ourselves; be real with who we are and expose that. The men were trying to be so righteous that they forgot that they were still sinners.

Some people think why even try to be righteous if God celebrates the sinners? Why should i try to be good if the ones who sin get most of the praise for turning their lives around? My answer is the more you sin the more guilt will eat you up and a party is temporary. When we are good we are not better, we are still sinners. I am a sinner. As long as that is still in our hearts that even though i didn't get into drugs and gangs and had a miraculous change...I am a sinner. And I need to ask for forgiveness every day.

Lord,
You are my judge and my Saviour. Show me the things i need to change in my life and please forgive me for the pain i have caused and for pushing you to the side. You are my guide and shield, protect me this day and forever.
I will forever love you
Amen

1/13/09 Weep with me

Genesis 33:4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

After so many years of Jacob thinking Esau hated him, Jacob wept in his brothers arms. He was tired from wrestling with God and himself that all he could do at this point was weep. He knew that Esau's hug was the hug of God comforting him and weeping with him.

When we go through a time of trials, god feels our pain. He feels what our hearts feel. He feels what pain is pressing me. He feels the suffering, the shame, the depression, and all He does is weep with me. And the farther i think I'm from Him the closer He gets.

Lord,
weep with me. You know my heart and what i really need. Father, i need you and your shoulder. Be my Saviour today and forever. You are God and i will forever Love you.
Amen.

Beyond Emotions

Genesis 23:14-16 Ephron answered Abraham, 15. "Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between me and you? Bury your dead." 16.
Abraham agreed to Ephron's terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

Reading the Bible can teach some life long lessons. I find it sad when people say this book doesn't have the answers because they are right in front of us. Abraham could've been greedy and taken the land for free because he led these people. He could've let his emotions take over and agreed with Ephron. But he decided to do something different. He didn't want anything hanging over his head or be indebted to someone. He made a choice beyond emotions.

As life passes us by we'll have friends, enemies, and acquaintances. People will love us, hate us or just not care. But as life brings its challenges God brings His wisdom. I can deal with things the wrong way and hurt other but God brings His grace. I can destroy someones hope in me, but God brings His mercy. I can betray those I love but God brings His forgiveness.

Whatever God brings is what our Spirit should follow. Emotions are from God but sometimes they need to be controlled because than we can make decisions based on what we want and not what the Lord wants for us.

Father-
Happy New Year. I know your time is different than mine but you know whats going on. I thank you that you have given me the privilege to have another year, to start over and to work things out. You have given me grace and forgiveness and I couldn't go on without you. You're my Savior and Lord and my Best Friend.

I love you forever
Amen

The Now

Revelation 21:1-2 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

John saw the future as God showed him. He described a place full of worship and joy. A place where its God all the time - no wasted time - no broken hearts - no guilt or shame. But before the new church is revealed we have to go through the earth now. And the now will pass away as quickly as it came.

"...Amen. Come, Lord Jesus" (22:20)

This year (2008) is the old earth. It was full of pain, suffering, joys, heart break, passion, work, sweat, sin, smiles, depression, and love. But whether good or bad there is one thing that remained: God. Whether i thought He left or took a break, He didn't. Whether i prayed or journaled, He was still there through every happy or sad moment. He met me through the pain and the worship. He knows my heart, He knows whats going on - How I really feel and still wants to be with me.

Lord,
Sometimes I don't understand why you keep hanging on and i may never understand but with your majesty and love keep holding me. You are my Savior and King, my love and Father, my best friend - You are m heart. Keep it beating God through this new year of new revelations and findings. You are peace to this world and the answer to all.

I forever love you
Amen

All For Me

Titus 3:3-7 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Jesus, since before creation knew what He was going to do for us. He knew that no matter what bad thing we did we could be saved.

I am saved by what Jesus did for me, not for anything I have done. Not the hours of prayer, the tears, the reading, or any nice thing, but its because of Gods mercy upon me. Because He has decided to do that for me. Its because God wants us to have that stuff: the kingdom, His treasures. He is the ultimate Father. The father that has done things i still don't know about because of the mercy and grace He holds with Him.

Lord,
Show me your grace. The mercy you have is indescribable - its untouchable - its impossible in my eyes - but you have made it reachable - tangible and worthy for me to see it. Only you can make grace something i can touch and physically see. Only you God.
I love you Always
Amen

12/6/08 Broken Storm

Philippians 2:6-8 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,7. but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-

Jesus was human yet divine at the same time. He wasn't above God, but is God and equal to Him. Does this make sense? No. Does it have to? No. But when Jesus became human he left his position in power and didn't even use it when he could have. He became the worst to understand our torments as humans.

Jesus is not who we make him out to be. He's not what we say He is because there is so much about him that we don't understand. He's not a huge being tats super far adn too busy. He's approachable and likeable because he's human. He may have been perfect but he also went through the junk we do.

Jesus Loves Me. He really does. He wants me to be happy and to stop torturing myself.

How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the ocean's shapeless form
The water's getting harder to tread
With these waves crashing over my head

If I could just see you, everything would be alright
If I see you this darkness will turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And everything will be alright
And everything will be alright

I know you didn't bring me out here to drown
So why am I ten feet under and upside down
Barely surviving has become my purpose
Cos I'm so used to living under the surface

If I could just see you, everything would be alright
If I see you this darkness will turn to light
And I will walk on water
And you will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And everything will be alright

And I will walk on water
You will catch me if I fall
And I will get lost into your eyes
And everything will be alright
Now everything is alright
Everything's alright.


Lord,
Get me out of this broken storm. Help me to choose the right path. Make things clear for me. I want to be in your light and shine for you. Grant me peace and mercy with you.
I love you Always
Amen.