Tag Archives: God

The First 100 Days – day 17 – Cut it off!

Our grandson, Brayden, just had a tonsillectomy today. He’s had years of earaches and sore throats and it was keeping him from doing what he needs to do. He has a job to do. He’s a 3 year old. He needs to be playing to learn! If he can’t play, it’s harder for him to learn! So, the doctor said:

CUT THEM OUT!

Years ago, a friend’s son got sick. He didn’t get better. They took him into the doctor, and he rushed him to the hospital…his appendix had ruptured, and the doctor said:

CUT IT OUT!

Twenty-one years ago, I was minding my own business, sitting down on the edge of my bed when something went pop in my knee. When I got to the doctor, he said my meniscus was torn, and the only way to relieve the pain was to:

CUT IT OUT!

Twenty-two years ago, I was in so much pain with cramping that the doctors had me on narcotics 24/7. After a month or so, I asked the doctor what we could do to cure the endometriosis, and he said:

CUT IT OUT!!

Jim’s grandmother couldn’t see – cataracts. When she saw the doctor, he said:

CUT THEM OUT!

One of our daughters found lumps in her breasts. Praise God they were not cancerous, but to make sure the doctor said:

CUT THEM OUT!

Everyone of us, after having the surgeries, were more capable to function. If we had not cut off the troublesome, infected, blinding item, life would not be the same moving forward…if there was life at all.

Matt 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

I like my right eye – especially since I am an artist. I like my right hand – especially since I am right handed! So, they don’t offend me at all!

NKJV takes my excuse away:

“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”Matt 5:30 NKJV

Jesus talked about the eye causing you to sin, following his dissertation about seeing a woman and lusting after her. Body parts can’t cause us to sin…but IF you have a problem lusting after what you see – cut out your eyes so that you will not have that temptation. If you have a problem with taking things that are not yours – cut off your hand so that you will not have that temptation. That used to be the Muslim way of handling thieves! In some areas, they still do!

CUT IT OUT! CUT IT OFF!

Matt 18:8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.”

Matt 18:9 “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.”

This past summer, I had three surgeries on my right foot/ankle. I ended up actually walking, with out a boot, about 4 to 6 weeks from May 5 through October 30. I spent most of the summer in a wheelchair. I was not able to drive or take myself to my doctor appointments. I was at the mercy of anyone that was willing to help me out. I like my right foot. I like my left foot. Two days ago was the first day I’d been able to walk on the beach without a boot of some sort.

I just walked a mile, Barefoot on the Beach!

I've completed 2 miles in the sand

A wonderful cold walk in the water!

Today, I walked on the beach barefoot.
Today, I skipped on the beach, barefoot.
Today, I waded in the water, barefoot!

Today I could stand because when my doctor looked at my ankle on the MRI, he said “we need to cut out the bad stuff, and graft in good stuff.”

Cut out bad stuff so that it can be replaced with good stuff.

I had horse heart grafts in my ankle for two different shredded tendons.

I had shots in my knees to replace the torn, shredded miniscus.

Jim’s grandmother had lens implants that helped her see.

Our daughter has peace that she’s not going to have to fight breast cancer.

My friend’s son had antibiotics to help fight the infection. He did not die.

Brayden will be able to function. He will be healthy.

As a Christian, we are told that if something is causing us to fail, we should cut it off.

Heb 12:1 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,

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Eph 4:25-27 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Col 3:8-9 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

God intends for us to be separated from our sin…

Heb 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We don’t have to cut off our feet, hands or eyes. God’s point is that sin is so detrimental to our relationship with Him, that it would be better to have the sinning part cut out. Of course, we know that it is the heart that is deceitfully wicked….and that our heart motivates our hands, eyes, and mouth.(Jer 17:9)

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

When the surgery healed for my knee, I had to go through rehab…I had to believe that I had a ‘new’ knee.

After Nana’s surgery – she had new sight.

After the horse grafts in my ankle, I have a new ankle.

After Brayden’s surgery, I pray he will have new health.

After choosing Christ, and turning away from sin, we are new creatures.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

And God does His part, as the great surgeon:

2 Cor 5:18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Heb 12:2 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 then we have the duty to do the rehab:

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Eph 4:23 – 24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Infections can kill, breakdowns can lame, lumps can cause fear, malfunctions can immobilize, but God has provided medical knowledge to remove these, fight these.

Sin maims, lames, immobilizes us as Christians. There is a passage that even indicates it could keep us out of the Kingdom.

Rehabilitation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey. I had to learn to walk with my new ankle step by step.

As Christians, we have to learn to walk as Jesus walked, step by step.

Gal 5:24-25 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gabe and I were here!

Even in our walking – we are NOT ALONE!

Ps 37 : 23-24 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth [him with] his hand.

Is 41:10 Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Is 41:13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Some will say that life is a beach…and I say ‘bring it on’….I pray that I will walk each day of the rest of my life walking with Jesus!

Thank you for joining me in my 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.

100 days challenge – moving – check- 60 minutes, 2 mile walk on the beach
100 days challenge- blog – check
90 days Bible Reading – check-I’m in Deuteronomy-will catch up with CDs on the way home.
50 days T-Tapp – check – I did SATI walking – WITH ARMS!
21 days Fasting for Food – check? I have to compromise a little, but I’m staying as total as I can.

The First 100 days – day 14 – CHALLENGES

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?

MCW 10/97(c)1997 M. Christine Wildman, all rights reserved.

Taken from Matt 14:22-33; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Matt 26:69-75; Mark14:54-72; Luke22:54-62 and:

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.

100 days challenge – moving – check
100 days challenge- blog – check
90 days Bible Reading – check-I’m in Deuteronomy
50 days T-Tapp – check – 2AL down, taking DVD’s
21 days Fasting for Food – check? how to pack for a campout?

The First 100 days – day 13 – Are you taking your vitamins?

What are the simple things we do every day?

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:

: Some of my favorite things

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

Those Truth Tags available at CBD are cute, and so easy to keep around. Put the little tag on your key chain, and you will see it all day long. The circle necklace is Ps 23, and this was a very special necklace that helped me to remember Ps 23 through a very hard time. The leather bracelet comes in handy when I am talking about salvation with someone. It keeps me focused on the plan of salvation. I also have a key chain that is an eagle, reminding me that if I wait upon the Lord, I shall renew my strength, I shall mount up with wings as eagles!

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.

Pr 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Pr 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
Pr 4:22 For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Which would you rather do at a restaurant dinner table?

Eat a great prime rib dinner, with lobster on the side, with a baked potato with sour cream, butter, chives and maybe cheese, perfectly cooked green beans on the side, and a huge portion of triple chocolate cake with fresh made ice cream for dessert.
A multivitamin, maybe some specialty vitamins, and a glass of water.

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 –

Life
health(to all our flesh)
wisdom
instruction

Well, here, I’ll let God say it through King Solomon (Ps 19:7-11)

The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul
the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether.
More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
[and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.

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.

Get a Daily Walk Bible – or
Through the Bible.
Daily Walk and One Year both have a Chronological Bible
Stormie Omartian has one called The Power of Praying Through the Bible

Online there are quite a few options. Here are two that I am familiar with:

The Blue Letter Bible has a selection of Bible Reading plans.
I am using YouVersion to do my Read the Bible in 90 days goal. ~I am stuck in Numbers right now…but it is ALL God’s word, I’m working through it.
Stormie Omartian has a blog for praying,
Beth Moore has a blog for Memorizing Scripture,
The Father’s Business has weekly devotionals.

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.

100 days challenge – moving – check
100 days challenge- blog – check
90 days Bible Reading – check-tackling Numbers, then Deut
50 days T-Tapp – check
21 days Fasting for Food – check – I made 15 bean soup!

Almighty Music Video

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

The First 100 days – day 10 – Mighty

I just realized it would have been neat to do something about the number of the day…”today is day 10, let’s talk about the 10 plagues…oh wait, let’s talk about the 10 commandments, instead!”

That’s not what is on my heart today. Today I awoke with the scripture “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.” That’s all I got. Over and over and over.

Zeph 3:17 KJV The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Sounds good, eh? But, to get the gist of what Zephaniah was prophesying, I thought I’d read the whole book, all 3 chapters! And, I did it in English Standard Version, so I didn’t get stuck on the KJV terms.

Zeph 1:2 & 6 ESV “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD…. those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Zeph 1:7 & 14 ESV Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests….The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.

And the cry to the true followers:

Zeph 2:1-3 ESV Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff–before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

A Warning to those that are supposed to be believers:

Zeph 3:1-2 & 4 ESV Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God. Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.

To those that are supposed to know Him, and don’t….

Zeph 3:5 ESV The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

God gave His believers a chance, with His word, with His touches in our lives, with His Son, Jesus Christ:

Zeph 3:7 ESV I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.

Zeph 3:8-20 Is for those that have not turned their hearts away from God – it is His promise for His coming Kingdom after the Tribulation. And then, there is joy.

Zeph 3:14-15 ESV Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.

And then – here’s the verse:

Zeph 3:17 ESV –

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

And, the Creator of the Universe, the one that made me, that set laws into motion, that decreed behavior that would honor Him, and gave the only pathway to eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ, after having fought all that were my enemies says he’ll do this:

Zeph 3:18 ESV I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.

I really embrace this one!

Zeph 3:19 ESV Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

Change my shame? into praise? save the lame? gather the outcast? I represent this promise! I’ll take this one, too!

Zeph 3:20 ESV At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD.

I don’t know about this one…I have no fortune to be restored…but I know where my treasures are laid up! The promise is that while life here is hard, there is a better day. The promise is that the Lord will return, just as surely as the ones hearing this prophecy knew that Jesus was coming. He came first as the servant King, to deliver us from our sins, so that we could choose to heed this exhortation:

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

ESV- He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

NLT No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

It is hard for me to imagine, the God of the universe doing this for me: Zeph 3:17 ESV –

The LORD your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

I can hardly speak at this thought…..I can only imagine….

If you like the song – please support the band Mercy Me – I have.

1 The 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I told the Lord, no one wants to read such a downer of a blog. He said “write it.”

I told the Lord, no one would read this blog, and He sent me to 1 Thes 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Lord’s return is closer now than it was in Jesus’ day or Paul’s day – and the world is fulfilling all of the prophecies. But, we can be encouraged that the God of all creation has chosen each of us, and as long as we are on God’s side…His return will be like the arrival of the allied forces into the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. Rejoice!

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

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)

Thank you for joining me on this journey,

…show me that God was right…and leave a comment here, saying you read this.

…and please, if you think this is relevant, share it with others…we need to gather the faithful, and to strengthen one another in Christ.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing beneath the shadow of your wings.

100 days challenge – moving – check
100 days challenge- blog – check
90 days Bible Reading – check
50 days T-Tapp – check
21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 Days – day 6(94 left to go)

Yesterday’s readings were in Exodus. Exodus 1- 15.

Ex 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

The background is that God chose this man before he was born (Ps 139:13-16) as He does all of us.

Jer 1:4-5 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Moses is a type of Christ.

Born in troubling times.
Had to be hidden from those that would kill him
Taken to a pagan culture to grow
Jesus jumped the gun when he was 12
Moses jumped the gun when he killed the Egyptian
When revealed, his country turned on him.
Jesus spent 30 years in obscurity.
Moses spent 40 years on the other side of the mountain.
Moses delivered his people from the slavery of Pharoah
Jesus delivered His people from the slavery and penalty of sin
Moses was prophesied by Jacob and Joseph
Jesus was prophesied by, well, the Old Testament!
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

But Moses doubted his calling, even with a burning bush, heavenly voices, and all that. He told God he couldn’t do it.

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. (Ex 4:10)

Likewise, Jeremiah, after hearing God’s words, said:

Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

Even Jesus questioned before His ministry started. When Jesus was told to turn water into wine for a family wedding, he turned and told His mother “it’s not my time yet.”( John 2:4)

Other examples:

We have Jonah, and
Abraham and Sarah,
Peter,
Hosea,

and so many others that didn’t feel like they were up to the job. Even Jesus struggled with His ultimate calling:

Mark 14:34 – 42 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

AND THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE:

And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Each of us feels weak to do what God has called us. Isn’t it interesting that we can think we are good at something, but that may not be what God has called us to do? Or what God has called us to do, we don’t feel good enough to do it?

In response to our questions, our doubts, our fears God says:

Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Ex 4:11

And then, he lets us know that He is not going to leave us alone:

Ex 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

Jer 1:7-8 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Even Jesus was encouraged by His Father before going to the cross on the Mount of Transfiguration:

Matt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Whatever God is asking us to do, He had a plan before we were born for us to perform it.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Whatever skills God is asking us to use, He created them within us, when he hand made our mouth, eyes, ears, hands and whatever else we may consider a liability. These are marks of GOD’s ownership of us…these are what make us special. And our weakness, disabilities, handicaps, whatever, give Him the greater glory when His works are done.

1 Cor 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

If we could do it in our own strength – what glory is there for God? The greater glory, is when we give it all to the Lord, rest in Him, and just go with the flow.

1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Moses delivered a lot of people…because he walked with God. Moses talked with God. Along life’s narrow way. And now he knows that:

He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart…..

You ask me how I know He lives,

He lives within my heart!

Here’s another:

Because He lives – by ignighter

And that is the point…If Jesus lives within our hearts, then we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us! (Phil 4:13)

And, we are called to be the light of the world.

Moses brought the children of Israel out of the darkness of Egypt.

Jesus brought the children of God out of the darkness of sin.

We are to give light in the darkness to call others to Him.

Shine your lights! Polish those lenses! Make white your robes, for your redemption draws nigh! Thanks for joining me on my journey.

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

100 days challenge – moving – check
100 days challenge- blog – check
90 days Bible Reading – check
50 days T-Tapp – check
21 days Fasting for Food – check.

The First 100 days – day 5

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,

IF the boys had not thrown him in the pit
IF the boys had not sold him to the Ismeelites
IF Potipher’s wife had not accused him
IF the baker and cupholder hadn’t forgotten for two years
THEN Joseph would not have been there to save Jacob’s line!

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.

I am not a slave.
I am not a prisoner.
I am not abused or mistreated.
I may be struggling with a spiritual famine!

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

The First 100 days – Day 1

In addition to the 100 day of movement, 90 days of Bible Reading, 21 days of Daniel Fast for Compassion, I have also committed to Beth Moore’s 24 Bible verses in a year.
Living Proof Ministries

Today, I sat by a lake.
Today, I stopped thinking about the verses I should memorize.

I woke up in the middle of the night, 12/31/2010 or 1/1/2011…I don’t really know. The verse that spoke loudly to me, loud enough to wake me was this:
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ps 119:105
We have been convicted that we are to choose LIGHT and LIFE this year, rather than Darkness and Death.

We have been convicted to remove anything that is darkness, does not conform to the image of Christ, does not help us to grow in the image of Christ, and does not bring health to our bones, from our lives.

Genesis 1:16 & 18
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.
And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
Gen 1:16 KJV/BLB

We are the lesser lights(the moon), living in the darkness of this world, and we are to shine our light (reflection of the Greater Light, the sun/Son) in the darkness.

So, this is our theme this year:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 KJV/BLB

My memory verse:

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 KJV/BLB

I’m totally blessed with what the Lord has set for me…I’m ready for the challenge.

Daniel Fast starts tomorrow, 1/2/11
100 days of moving – check
T-Tapp – 2 sets Hoe Downs – Check
90 days Bible – Gen 1-16 – check
100 days of Journaling – check

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Ps 63:7 NIV/BLB

Have I lost my FREEDOM?

This is based on a conversation I was having online with some friends, based on how the first time we do something, we seem to be able to choose to say yes easier, and it’s harder once we slip.

One person asked, did we lose our freedom? Here’s my comments:

Theologically, we have not ‘lost’ our freedom, because Jesus said ‘it is finished’ when He completed the work on the cross.
Obviously we are not free from our flesh – because we are here, not in our resurrected bodies with Christ!

I am so thankful to be going through this with you all because you all have a heart for the Lord based on the promises in His word. YOU GET IT!

We can call gluttony what it is – sin. Put a knife to your throat rather than eat the King’s dainties.

Proverb 23 KJV/BLB

We can call procrastination what it is – laziness, go to the ant thou sluggard!
Proverb 6:6 KJV/BLB

We can encourage each other to get back up, brush yourself off, and start all over again (another ant theme).
High Hopes

I’ve read so many posts in the last few minutes, I don’t remember which one said ‘doing it on our own’ –
Ever notice how there is a gift of grace and mercy waiting when you first get angry at someone? Well, for me it works this way. I am given a choice – and it’s like I’m on a fence, and I could fall either way – one way into the fire of anger and hurt, and the other into the cushioned arms of the Lord. But if I choose the Lord’s side, I don’t get to defend myself! I don’t get to give them a piece of my mind! It took years, yeeeaaarrrrrsssss, to get to that point in my walk, that before I sinned, I could see the choices.

This year, doing T-Tapp with ya’ll has made the choices more obvious for me. Sit in the recliner(my ankle/foot/hip hurts) or get out the chair and the dvd and do something that might get something moving.
Or worse: sit on the recliner and watch stupid movies to distract my brain from the pain, rather than reading God’s word, listening to His music, and entering into His presence. yeah, I’ve been a wimp…a wheelchair wimp – even when I haven’t been in the wheelchair!

The veil has been torn open. We all see clearly what our sin/s is/are, and now we have a choice. Like the alcoholic has to choose, sometimes minute by minute…I choose life, not death; I choose health, not death; I choose breath, not death.

A dear friend wrote something on her FB status that goes like this:
“I’m living the next five minutes
like they were my last five minutes
’cause I know the next five minutes
may be all I have.
After the next five minutes
turn into the past five minutes
I’m taking the next five minutes
and starting all over again!”

What can you do with five minutes?

What excuse would you give for adultery?
What excuse would you give for stealing?
What excuse would you give for child abuse?
What excuse would you give for murder?

I have spent 20+ years making excuses for my health – and undermining God’s plan for my body. I have been fighting God with my eating!!!

I have been fighting God with some of my personal issues.
I have been fighting God with my choices to not fall off the fence on His side. While there is a scripture that says “if they’re not against me, they are for me” – there is another that says ” if they are not for me(or with me) they are against me.”

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30 KJV/BLB

One was because those that had heard, but weren’t of the ‘organized’ followers were baptizing…and Jesus didn’t have a problem with it.

The other is Jesus speaking about being part of HIS flock, and being of His Spirit and lists those that are not with God as his enemies.

I do not want to be any where near a place that I could be called an enemy of God. I want to stay WAY WAY away from that line!
I also don’t want to be one of the foolish virgins…not prepared, not able to wait because they ran out of oil(juice, fuel, energy).

This year, T-Tapp and diet are taking on a whole new spiritual dimension for me.
AND IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT! YES YOU!!! (my dear T-Tapp Sisters)
Thank you – for being with me, so that when I have fallen on the wrong side of the fence, ya’ll are there to remind me, 1John1:9 KJV/BLB – come on back up on the fence and try again.
We HAVE a high priest that is familiar with our weaknesses – AND He stands before the throne of God so that IF any of us sins, He is the propitiation of our sins.

God knew it all along – and from the supernatural prophetically fulfilled birth of the baby Godman, all the way to Calvary, and His resurrection – God had a plan. And just like with the intricate detail in fulfilling every prophecy about Christ’s birth…he is fulfilling every intricate detail of our lives, as He had planned from before time began. AND He has planned everything down to the tiniest detail, to fulfill the volume of the book! Rom 8:28 is followed by some great verses!
God does not think we are failures.
God knows what HE has in store for us!
God has provided everything we need to be the glorious temples He intends, we just need to pray, believe, trust, and push past the flesh.

I just got a vision of Eustace, when he was a dragon, because of his greed(glutton is a lot like greed, right?). He couldn’t cut the dragon flesh off, no matter how hard he tried. But when he asked Aslan, Aslan slashed through the flesh, and helped him get it off.(Voyage of the Dawn Treader – read the book, I was disappointed in the movie – by Disney).

Anyway – I have a dragon suit of gluttony. I have tried and tried to get it off of me. I have tried to do it for Jim, for the kids, for Jesus, for me…and ‘I’ can’t do it.
I need to go humbly to the Lord, EVERY DAY if necessary, and ask Him to deliver me from this fleshly prison.

This is my focus for the next year.
I hope you will all be here with me on this journey.
I love you ladies so much!

~Christi

PS – 1/1/2011 –
In reading Genesis 12, I realized that God blessed Abram BEFORE Abram told Sarai to lie to the Pharoah, and started the whole deception, fleshly attempts for protection and procreation. God blessed Abram, even though he messed up!

CONVICTION!!!

I am so convicted about not being consistent…I am doing this to get God’s temple in shape…and I keep feeding my flesh instead of feeding my soul.

I don’t finish Bible Studies.
I don’t finish projects.
I don’t finish challenges.
I don’t continue in the good things that I know to do.
I just wallow in the darkness, when I know I can get up and walk in the light!

I am repenting – turning as best I can, and praying for God to help me to endure to the end, mentally, physically and spiritually. And I pray that 2011 will be the year of break through.

My flesh issues are so indicative of my mind and spirit issues. I MUST burn this fat to the Lord as a sacrifice of repentance for my lack of constraint. I must bring my mind into submission to the Word of God. I must structure my life around the word, and cause my spirit to reign over me, as the Spirit of God has more and more freedom to flow in me.

Anyway – I am trying NOT to feel like failure. I am a stumbling child, and my Father knows this, loves me, and is waiting for me to take His hand..minute by minute, step by step.

FWIW,
~Christi