For this Sunday, I’m going to share this video…..
The Lord bless you and Keep you and make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace!
Thanks for joining me on this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.
I am at Galveston State Park. Early this morning, we took a walk on the beach.
Early in the morning - Galveston Beach - 15 Jan 2011
I woke up thinking about sand, and how it just blows around – wherever the wind blows it.
Galveston Sand Dunes
Sand does not CHOOSE where it goes…it just goes. If it isn’t the wind blowing it, it’s the water moving it.
waves laying down the sand
Sand Ripples at Galveston Beach
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
As we were driving around the Beach area of Galveston…I saw a construction company sign named “SandCastle Construction.” Really? With the evidences of Hurricane Ike every where, someone would advertise building sand castles! Unbelievable!
Matt 7:26-27 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
The foolishness of the world…this beach that I’ve walked on was twice this size before the Hurricane. Here is a photo view of what happened.
Interestingly enough, the Bishop’s Palace and the Moody Mansion, in the middle of Galveston, have withstood many Hurricanes. Why? THEY HAVE A FOUNDATION! And they are made with stone.
We are building a ‘house.’ It will be tested in the end.
1 Cor 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
So, we ought to build it RIGHT! Starting with the foundation.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
And use the best materials –
1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Because the building is going to be tested…by fire…..and the test determines the reward.
1 Cor 3:14-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
But if the FOUNDATION is right…even if we mess up, we will be SAVED!
1 Cor 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
JESUS CHRIST – He is the foundation for everything. He is the ROCK.
Matt 7:24-25 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
When it comes to sand, seas, and power….
Jesus calmed the sea….Luke 8:24
He tells the waters how far they can go ….Job 38:11, Prov 8:29
He was there at creation, as the spirit that moved over the face of the waters Gen 1:2
He rides upon the storm…he dwells in the clouds…he rides the wind…just read about it in Ps 18:1, Ps 93
With a foundation like that…who can fall? The building we are building is the temple of the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor 3:16
The truth is, we will all fall, somehow. We will all use some wood, hay and stubble, somewhere in our building. And when the tests come…when the winds and storms blow, those parts will not stand. But if we have used more and more of the good stuff – gold, silver and precious stones – and we have based it, rooted it, in the one foundation, we will stand. The promise is we don’t have to do it alone.
Is 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
And if we mess up:
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25
God, through the power of Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, chooses to help us…if we just ask.
No matter what comes at us….
God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Ps 46:1-3
The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.Ps 46:7
When the wind, and the rain, and the lightening, and the thunder pass by, there are treasures to be found in the wake.
Washed up Sea Shells
Thanks for joining me in this journey!
foot prints in the sand
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I have so many things to do today. I have to do things that I have not stacked together in a long time. Sometimes life is like a storm, with all sorts of responsibilities.
Martin Luther said, as quoted in Good Reads, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
I admit, I am not spending the first three hours in prayer…though, I am convicted to go spend more time in prayer.
In October, 1997 I wrote about being still. And that message rings true today. Enjoy.
I’m a simple Jew, raised in the simple Jewish ways…….but I get sort of fired up at times. Let me tell you a bout a few of those times.
One day, my friends and I were sailing across the sea of Galilee. We were on our way to the other side. Our Lord had just gone up into the mountain to pray, and we were going on without Him. Suddenly a storm came up, and the boat was tossed to and fro. I know what these storms can end up as and there we were, tossed back and forth, waves crashing around up, up and down with the water, rain everywhere, thunder crashing and lightening flashing…….and then we saw a ghost coming on the water right at us, I thought I was going to die and the angels were coming, then I heard “Do not be afraid, It is I”. In the stillness of that voice, I knew it was Jesus, my Lord. His still voice gave my heart peace, and I knew this was my God, and I said, call to me and I will come out on the water to meet you! And His still, quiet voice said, “come” and I came! I was walking on the water, looking at His calm and quiet face, full of peace! I was walking on the water…….in the midst of a storm…..THE STORM! It was all around me, lightening flashing, thunder rolling, water splashing and down I went!
If I had kept my heart quiet, and remembered my Lord, I wouldn’t have sunk.
Another day, we were all in the boat. Jesus was sleeping. Poor guy, He rarely got anytime to just rest, so here He was taking a nap as we sailed across the sea. Then the winds came up, the waves started beating the boat, water was coming in every side, rain was pouring and pouring, lightening was crashing all around, thunder pounding in our ears……How could He sleep! “Master, don’t you know we are going to die?” I screamed! He said quietly “Oh ye of little faith, Peace be still” and the storm stopped. All was quiet. All was peaceful.
If I’d been still and quiet, remembering my Lord, I wouldn’t have feared for my life.
Yet another day, I was with a group of people, they were all talking, yelling, and clacking like chickens around a fire…….Who is he, what is He, where did he come from, crucify him, kill him, and then to me “ aren’t you one of them?”
“No.”
“ Sure, you were with them”
“ NO”
“You’re a Galilean, of course you were one of the ones”
“ NO I DON”T KNOW HIM!”
Then it became deathly quiet, as I heard the cock crow three times, and I looked up and saw my Lord.
If I’d been still and quiet, I would not have denied my Lord.
Scriptures say, Be Still and Know that I am Lord, and through Jesus Christ, we are given the Peace of God which passes all understanding, and keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
When was the last time you and I were still before the Lord in order to be filled with His peace in the midst of the storms?
Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Thank you for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
Get up, wash our face, brush our teeth, get dressed, drink coffee, and go to work?
Get up, wash the children’s faces, make breakfast, dress the children…pick up dishes….get the children ready for school, make sure their teeth are brushed…then get dressed and maybe go to work, or go to work teaching the children at home.
I’m focusing on something that the government, society, and all the people that have tested our foods have said. Multi-Vitamins. Just google for “does everyone need a multi-vitamin?” and there are a lot of opinions. One thing is certain – everyone needs vitamins daily. That’s the whole purpose of food! And the government tells us what we should eat with the Food Pyramid and USRDA.
Here’s a food pyramid for diabetics from Diabetes Diabetic Diet:
The Diabetic Food Pyramid
An interesting article on Discovery Health explains a bit about multi-vitamins. They have good points, and bad. The bad being, one can lean on the multivitamin, and become malnourished by not eating.
A vitamin A capsule cannot replace the benefits of a carrot.
A vitamin B complex cannot replace the benefits of whole grains.
A vitamin C tablet cannot take the place of a fresh orange.
They are for supplementing, because, it is hard to gather and eat enough food to provide the complete nutrition. They are to fill in the gaps between good meals and snacks.
BREAD –
Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
Jesus said that we needed ‘bread’ daily.
God gave the children of Israel “manna” every day. (Ex 16)
Even as important as bread is, when Jesus was tempted after 40 days of fasting, he said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt4:4)
I have a collection of Daily Vitamins of God’s word:
These are daily vitamins. When I need some extra help, an extra reminder….here are a few more:
A few more of my favorite things
There are apps on the phones, FB and twitter that will send you a Bible thought a day. All of these are VERY good! These are like the Vitamin C that we take every day and the Zinc and the Echineacea that we pop when we are sick…these are hiding God’s word in our heart, as Ps 119:11 says:
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
These are like the flashlights we carry in our purses so we can see in the backseat of the car, find the door lock, or read the menu in a dark restaurant.
Ps 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
It is a good thing to keep the Word of God before our eyes….but even better to keep it in the midst of our heart.
Which would you rather do at a restaurant dinner table?
I think most would rather eat the meal. But so often, I get hung up on the little sound bites of scripture, that I get lax on the memorization. Sometimes I get so hung up on memorizing ONE passage(green beans), that I forget READING(the whole meal plus dessert).
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25.
This is my memory verse for the first two weeks of January. I just flubbed it up, typing it into the computer. Today is the 13th. I’m supposed to be able to recite it on the 15th. This is a GOOD tool…keeping me active in memorizing scripture, but, this is the green beans!
A third option at that dinner table – just a menu.
All you have to ‘eat’ is the menu. Someone else telling you what the food has in it, and what it’s going to taste like. But you walk out, saying the menu says the prime rib is delectable…I’m satisfied that the prime rib is delectable…the menu knows what it’s talking about!
Did you taste the prime rib? No? then how do you KNOW the menu was RIGHT?
Do you read my blog, Beth Moore’s blog, or Billy Graham’s blog, and say “the Bible says this because Beth Moore says it does” or “I know that Jesus lives because Billy Graham’s book says the bible tells us so”?
That’s not nourishment – that’s vicarious – that’s like walking away with the menu…and saying the food was delicious.
Reading the Word is the meal! Faith is a muscle. It needs exercised, yes…but muscles also need to be NOURISHED!
Rom 10:17KJV So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I’ve heard this all my Christian life…hearing, and hearing…what?
Rom10:17 NIV Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Now, that makes sense. Hearing the message of the word of Christ.
A side note…I am so frustrated with the people that go to sporting events and hold up the sign “JOHN 3:16”. That’s like holding up a sign that says “I-10 W”. Only those that have been on I-10 have an idea where that is, but it doesn’t tell them much at all! THE CHAPTERS AND VERSES ARE NOT DIVINELY INSPIRED!!! They are NOT the Word of God!
Another frustration is those that do have signs that say “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand!”. This is scripture. BUT THERE IS NO MEAT!!! Someone sees this, and, so what? What does repent mean? Which God?
To me, this is like sitting down at that prime rib dinner, and letting someone sit at the table, and only giving them one green bean or giving them a piece of the menu! You have this huge, fantastic meal, and all you hand them is a green bean? They are going to starve to death…and you pat yourself on the back saying “I shared my dinner with them!”
But that is not my point in this blog. My point is are WE eating the whole meal? Jesus said man shall live by every word that proceeds from the fathers mouth. Mat 4:4
EVERY WORD.
The food pyramid falls apart if you don’t eat part of every section. That’s the point of the food pyramid, to show you what you need to eat in what proportions to get WHOLE nutrition.
The Bible falls apart, if you only take one piece, and then another – because you do not get the whole story.
2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The word of God, in it’s fullness, provides, from Prov 4:22 and 2 Tim 3:16 –
Well, here, I’ll let God say it through King Solomon (Ps 19:7-11)
God has given us a buffet of wondrous words with which to nourish our spiritual selves. God has promised that as we nourish our souls, our bodies will see benefits.
We need the tools to remind us – they are like snacks that help us over difficult or rough times.
We need the tools to help us memorize – they help us build spiritual bones to hang our faith upon.
We also need to read the whole Bible – cover to cover, to get the fullness of the gospel of God. There is milk. There is meat. There is dry toast. And there is the water of the Spirit that will wash over us. It is all necessary.
There are several ways to start reading through the Bible.
Online there are quite a few options. Here are two that I am familiar with:
However you choose to nourish your soul and spirit – just do it. A person that is dehydrated doesn’t register thirst – but they are dying all the same. Take time, 10 minutes, 15, 30 – whatever you have and just read the Bible. Your thirsting soul will thank you for it!
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:31-34
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. …The Prince of Peace… Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Numb6:24-26; Phil 4:7; Is 9:6; Phil 1:6; Rom 8:38-39)
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I went to a conference and met a young man that is using his talents to further the Kingdom of God, and ministering to young people about courtship, and standing up for the unborn.
His family has produced this amazing music video. Please watch.
Abortion stops a beating heart.
I am ProChoice. Before the baby, it’s a choice. After the baby, it’s a responsibility.
For more information go to Almighty Music Video.
If you are pregnant, and need help – they have links there.
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Thank you all for your wonderful response to our time of prayer last weekend remembering the victims of the tragedy that happened on Saturday. I led us to pray that God would bring good out of this tragedy. Please continue to join me in that prayer. Already I’m getting emails from people in our church that God is using to touch the lives of others, including family members of the victims. I’m am so blessed by a church that truly cares for people and its community.
I’ve also been getting a lot of questions about a group called the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, KS that is planning to come here to protest at the funerals of some of the victims from Saturday’s shooting. The simple explanation is that this group attends the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and other high profile deaths to make a statement that these deaths are God’s judgment on our sinful nation. They are known for hate declarations. You can go online and see some of the signs they show at these funerals – “God hates America,” “Pray for more dead soldiers,” etc. I don’t even want to repeat here all the people and groups that they say God hates. It is these kinds of practices and people that do a great deal of damage to the true message of Jesus and his church.
Most of us don’t understand how this group, that calls itself a church, can say and believe what they do. It is a classic mistake of taking one part of God’s nature (He is the final Judge) and exaggerating it out of proportion while at the same time ignoring the powerful aspects of God who is love and offers grace and mercy. That is an oversimplified explanation to be sure.
Because of our beloved protected right of free speech, these folks have the lawful right to say whatever they want. They have the right to misrepresent the character of the true God. Several from our church and churches in Tucson are planning to join others in attempting to create human shield. These shields are intended to keep the family and friends of the victims from seeing these signs and hearing their ugly chants. I’ve been encouraging churches in Tucson to join our greater Tucson community that together we stand for dignity and compassion. Here’s one group you can check out: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=146050748782975)
If you participate in this, let me remind you to model Jesus in every way. Do not engage these people or anyone in an angry confrontation. I’ll guarantee that if you engage them, you’ll be tempted to respond in a hateful way. If you go, be a person of grace and peace. Pray diligently before you go and while you are there. Be sure to encourage and be a voice that helps others to model what we all stand for – compassion, kindness and grace and not about what we are against – hate, bigotry and unconscionable insensitivity. May our stand truly be a peaceful loving stand that represents Jesus well.
The best advice comes directly from God’s word in Romans chapter 12. Verse 9 – Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Verses 14 and 15 – Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Verse 15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Verse 21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Our mission as a church – Loving people to Jesus, launching passionate people to make our world different.
Together to make a difference in Jesus’ name,
Glen
~~~~~~~~~~~Christi Here~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am in total agreement with Pastor Glen. I lift up the families of these slain, and pray that the Lord will enlighten the members of that church about the Love and Compassion and TIMING and TACT of the Great God of the Universe, Jesus Christ.
Please join me this week praying a wall of protection around these families, and any family that is the object of their protests.
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Day 7’s blog was about how day 6 was messed up.
I’ve made commitments for parts of the 100 days:
I’ve done this for 7, going on 8 days – and I am amazed at what hold these things have on me!
Is it worth it?
Fast food – we figure we’ve spent an average of $400 a month. That’s down from the almost $1000 we spent at our very worst(while food rotted in the refrigerator). But that’s a good start on groceries for many families! What could we do with $400 a month?
Moving – Yes, I have FMS/CFS. Yes, I have Periformis Syndrome. Yes, I have IT band issues. Yes, I have had 3 ankle surgeries with another indicated. Yes, I have a whole person to lose before my poor legs and back are relieved of abnormal pressure. But, I do move to go to the bathroom – why not move 2 minutes in a HoeDown, or 8 minutes in a MOREChair workout, or 15 Minutes in a MORE workout?(see T-Tapp) What changes could happen by just moving?
Bible Reading – what am I going to lose by giving up current events? What can I gain by washing my mind with scriptures?
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is
against such there is no law.
Temperance:/ˈtɛm
pərəns, ˈtɛmprəns/ –noun
1. moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.2. habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors.3. total abstinence from alcoholic liquors.
Ok – one fruit is described as:
moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control.
Self Control. That is what other versions translate this word as. And the rest of the definition of temperance is:
habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors.
I don’t use alcoholic liquors much – so, that part, I have down.
The HABITUAL moderation in the INDULGENCE of a NATURAL appetite or passion.
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Whether I like it or not, I am in a RACE.
Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And, God asks a very specific question:
Jer 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [wherein] thou trustedst, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?
RUN WITH FOOTMEN? I’M NOT EVEN WALKING WITH FOOTMEN! I need a plan – I need a training plan!
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Temperate in all things. Self-Control. FOR AN INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN!
Paul also wrote this about striving for the mastery:
Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Here are some words from Paul’s last days:
2 Tim 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
It isn’t about fasting fast food – it’s about bringing my body under the control of my spirit. It’s about bringing my spirit under the Lordship of the Holy Spirit. It’s about hiding God’s word in my heart that I might not sin against Him! It’s about pressing on, for an Incorruptible Crown.
There are many, many blessings to obeying God’s laws. I’m finishing up Exodus, and into Leviticus, and from this point, at 50 years old, with the science we have now..wow, those were very good laws! Follow those laws now, and you will be far away from all the sickness and disease that flows in our country! You will be healthy, wealthy and wise, just by bringing yourself under the Lordship, and wisdom of Jesus Christ, shown throughout the Word of God.
This brings me to a verse, that was my saving verse in boot camp. First, a story. God gave me a scholarship to Ohio State University for art and music. BUT, I had such a low self esteem, I felt HE was wrong, and I joined the Navy instead. On the third day of boot camp, I fell during a run. I hit my tailbone, and snapped back damaging some other discs, and hitting my head. I spent a week, paralyzed from the waist down, in the boot camp hospital. The diagnosis was 5 slipped discs, and two fused discs now, in my neck.
When the swelling went down, and I could walk again, I begged my boot camp Petty Officer to let me back into the unit, rather than be set back the week I’d been in sick bay. This was UNHEARD OF, but she said yes. I had to complete PT every morning and every evening – am run, pm pt, am pt, pm run and so on and so forth.
In the midst of this, I repented. I knew, I KNEW that this was a direct result of my disobedience. And the Lord reminded me of a song I’d sung in a Christian youth ministry:
They that wait upon the Lord
Shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
They shall walk and not be weary,
They shall run and not faint.
Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord to wait.
When we got to the last weeks of training, I had passed my PT, and I had encouraged others with this verse. Therefore, I was chosen to paint the symbolic unit cinder block on the wall outside the barracks door. On that block I put Isaiah 40:31:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Even though I’d messed up going into the Navy, by leaning on the Lord, it was worth it – and to be able to paint His word on a US government building was the crowning glory!
When I look at my wimpy list, I have to think of Sarai – promised a son in her VERY old age. She laughed.
Gen 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD?
Who am I leaning on to bring my flesh and spirit under subjection? In whom am I putting my faith? Apparently, in my flesh, and that’s no good. Jer 32 really puts into perspective where my faith should focus.
I need to wait upon the Lord – He’ll renew my strength!
I need to hide the word in my heart – it will keep me from sin!
I need to run the race set before me – because there is an eternal crown waiting for me…just because I finished! Here is how one earns the crown, how one runs the race:
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
It will be worth it all, enduring temptation to be ready to run with the horsemen – and here is a song to enjoy – as a prayer for today!
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
I awoke this morning to a call from our daughter in Germany, to see our grandson awake. I got to hear his coos, gurgles and squeaks, and he even listened to my voice.
It was wonderful to get to see him. And his mommy is looking so good, 5 weeks after having a baby.
It’s been rough having a new grandbaby in Germany, and not being able to be there for my daughter while she went through pregnancy, birth, and now new mothering.
When Jacob saw Joseph, after years of thinking he was dead, he almost passed out. (Gen 45:26)
It was rough for Jacob to handle the first child of his most beloved bride Rachel, was dead(Gen 44:27-31). I think he had an idea that the other’s did something(Gen 42:4), but the depression affected the rest of his life.
Joseph was made a slave, then a prisoner…because his brothers didn’t like the dreams God had given Joseph. Maybe Joseph was a bit arrogant – but the boys had other reasons to hate him – he was dad’s favorite!
When Jacob dies, all the other boys come to Joseph and basically, kiss up. Then Joseph lives out what he’s learned over the however many years as a slave in a foreign land: Gen 50:19-21
19: And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for [am] I in the place of God?
Well, yes, actually, he was, sort of. He was the ruler of all of Egypt, and he had all sorts of power. BUT he knew who he was…and now, he is humble.
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.
The things that were done to Joseph were horrible. Reuben said he’d cried out to his brothers to save him as they handed him over to the Ishmeelites. We know what happens in prisons to young men now, and I’m sure there was a lot of fear. But,
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
.WE KNOW..why? because of Joseph, because of Abraham, because of Isaac, because of Jonah, because of Nehemiah and Esther and Ruth! WE KNOW because we have their stories. They didn’t have the Bible to read…they only had faith to trust in God. WE HAVE THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD! We are without excuse!
Joseph had changed. He had learned to humble himself. He had learned to forgive. And the fruit of that forgiveness is displayed in what he did next:
Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
I have struggled with God not allowing me to go to Germany to be with my daughter. I have been angry with God for not healing me so that I could travel – to Germany, or to Ethiopia for a mission trip. I have been grumpy.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:14 – 15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Joseph is the perfect example of forgiveness, yes. But he is also the perfect example of getting a right attitude, by looking at circumstances through God’s eyes.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Joseph is considered a type of Christ, and his forgiveness of his brothers is so extreme…it reflects the extreme forgiveness that Christ gives all of us – WHILE WE ARE YET SINNERS!
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
And the great thing that Christ has done, is
2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:9-10 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
It’s by HIS mercy, that HE orchestrates our lives(the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord), to complete the work He began in us. And all we are to do is to let His light shine in us, and then in turn let that light shine from us to all we meet.
Joseph made a huge impact on his family. Because of Joseph, we have the story of God! Joseph was sacrificed, and then “raised up” to save the remnant of God.
Jesus was sacrificed, and raised up, to save those that choose to believe. He has made a HUGE impact on the family of God!
Forgiving myself, and letting go of my anger at God, accepting the plan He has for my life, allows me to have joy in the skype visits with our grandson. Sacrificing my plans to yield to the Father’s plans, brings peace and contentment to my life. This will have a HUGE impact on my home life, and my mental health!
And I can then sleep in heavenly peace!
May the Lord bless you and Keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace! Num6: 24-26
In His hands and under His wings, watching for His light in my life,
~Christi
100 days of movement – check
100 days of blogging – check
90 days of Bible reading – check(next is Exodus!)
50 days of T-Tapp – check
21 days of Fasting for Food – check
In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness You are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour i wait
only for You
‘cuz i want to know you more
i want to know you
i want to hear your vioce
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more
i am reaching for the highest goal
that i might receive the prize
pressing onward
pushing every hindrance aside
out of my way
‘cuz i want to know you more
i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more
I”m confused by the SonicFlood Version – talking about quiet place, and it’s SO LOUD and Fast!
But the Words…
I want to know you, I want to hear your voice…this is my heart cry! I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more.
I’ve been thinking about Psalm 91 this morning…
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
DWELLS – an action – a choice to dwell in the secret place, and THEN we will ABIDE under the shadow of the Almighty. But FIRST we must choose to DWELL there.
I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
SAY – I will SAY – ALL of Christianity has to do with confession.
Rom 10:8 – 10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The rest of Ps 91 is a confession of faith in God, until you get to verses 14 – 16. This is God Almighty, Yahweh, Jehovah, Abba, talking:
Because he(me) hath set his(my) love upon me(Abba),therefore will I(Abba) deliver him(me):I(Abba) will set him(me) on high, because he(I) hath known my(Abba’s) name.
He(I) shall call upon me(Abba), and I(Abba) will answer him(me): I(Abba)will be with him(me) in trouble; I(Abba) will deliver him(me), and honour him(me).
With long life will I(Abba) satisfy him(me), and shew him(me) my(Abba’s) salvation.
I have responsibility to seek God’s face! Seeking is another post.
But, I have to choose to be in the secret place, I have to choose to abide in the vine, I have to choose to SAY HE IS MY GOD – my refuge, my strength.
Jesus said, in Matthew 10:32-33
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
This really lays down how important it is to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and to say of our God, He is our refuge and strength(a very present help in trouble – another psalm!).
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and may God bless you for doing so!
Jesus is Lord, He is my God, my refuge and strength, and I choose to seek His face, and dwell in the secret place, and desire to abide in His glory.
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Please consider sponsoring Christi in Fasting for Food at $21 for the 21 day fast. All money goes to Compassion.
Day 3.
Phil 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
I really dislike that verse. But, I know that God put things in the Bible for a reason…like this verse:
2Tim3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Both of these verses end with an (:). That means, there’s more to it. and both of the ‘more to it’ seem to point to the same thing:
2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Phil 2:15 – 16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Jim and I have been called to focus on LIGHT this year. And these ‘silly’ scriptures make out murmuring and disputing as activities that would hamper our lights.
In Genesis, Esau complained, and lost his birthright. Sarai complained about not having a baby, got Hagar mixed up in it, then got mad at Hagar, and complained having her get special favor with God, then brought her back, then after having her own son, complained that Hagar’s son was illegitimate (duh, whose idea was that?) and had them sent out…and guess what. We have the Arab-Israeli conflict that is causing trouble all over the world. All because Sarah complained!
We are doing the Fasting For Food program, to raise funds for Compassion, and really become aware of how much we complain about what really is ridiculous.
Paul said: Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.
Timothy said: 1 Tim 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
The writer of Hebrews said: Heb 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
And Jesus said: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof. Matt 6:33-34
If I am content, seeking first the Kingdom, trying to walk in the fruit of the Spirit (which doesn’t include murmuring OR disputing), then I am alright with God. The promises include:
All for not murmuring or disputing. All for being content with what God has laid before me. All for hearkening to His word! Oh yeah – Deut 28 has some great lists for hearkening or not! Great to read at the beginning of this year!
Thanks for listening!
In His hands and under His Wings,
~Christi
To sponsor me for Fasting for Food, go to FirstGiving and follow the links! Thank you!
