Psalm 34:8 says, "O, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
How can we know that an orange is good, if we never take a bite, chew it up and swallow it? How can we say, I don't like oranges, if we have never tried one?
It's the same way with God and ALL of His blessings. We never know until we experience Him how wonderful He is.
I love the saying I heard, "A man with an experience is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an opinion." That is great to me because I have experienced God. I have experienced His goodness, His salvation, His healing, His provision. I've had answered prayer (everyday of my life. every. single. day.) I've heard His voice. I've felt His presence. And let me tell you, there is nothing like it. Nothing on earth is like it. Nothing. When you have experienced God's presence, all you want is more. Nothing else will satisfy. I've had healing miracles, I've seen healing miracles. I know people who's lives were transformed by Him when nothing else worked. Mine was. When you've experienced these things, when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt they are true, then all you want is for everyone you meet to have this too. You long for your loved ones to experience Him. You long for your friends and the strangers on the street to experience Him.
You can, you know. He wants you to. He invites you to come. There is nothing you have done that He will not forgive if you ask. All of His promises are for all of mankind. Anyone who will ask.
It's so sweet to trust in Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, how I love thee, Oh I love thee more and more.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are all those that put their trust in Him!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Feed my Sheep
God says, "If you love me, you will feed my sheep." If you love me you will obey my commandments. How can you say you love me and do not the things that I say? If anyone says they love me and love not his brother than the love of God is not in him.
We find time for the people we love. No one has to convince us to spend time with the person we are having a romance with, or our best friend. Why do you feel that it is an obligation to spend time with Me? says the Lord. Come away with me. Find your joy in Me and in doing my commandments for they are health to your bones and life to your flesh. Your life IS in Me. It is in ME. This is where you will find your life, your joy, your hope, your peace. Come away with Me. I have things to tell you that you know not of. I have things to show you. I want to heal you. I love you. Run to Me with excitement and joy as you would to an earthly lover. I'll be waiting.
We find time for the people we love. No one has to convince us to spend time with the person we are having a romance with, or our best friend. Why do you feel that it is an obligation to spend time with Me? says the Lord. Come away with me. Find your joy in Me and in doing my commandments for they are health to your bones and life to your flesh. Your life IS in Me. It is in ME. This is where you will find your life, your joy, your hope, your peace. Come away with Me. I have things to tell you that you know not of. I have things to show you. I want to heal you. I love you. Run to Me with excitement and joy as you would to an earthly lover. I'll be waiting.
Friday, September 17, 2010
God's Banqueting Table
Today God is speaking to me of His banqueting table. Psalms 23:5 says that God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies! This is a spiritual feast that He has lovingly prepared and set before each of His children.
When I first learned about this table many years ago, it changed my life. Instead of a table filled with turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes, this is a table filled with gifts from God to us. The table is FULL of blessings that are ours for the taking! It is full of such things as salvation, joy, peace, self-control, healing, baptism in the Holy Spirit, provision, and many many more. The thing is, God doesn't force us to take any of His gifts but wants us to take them all. They are all available to us! Many people only choose salvation and grab a little love. They don't realize that God really wants them to come, dig in and eat to their fill!
You see, many wonder if it's really God's will to always give them healing, or to give them provision. But God already said that it is! He said, "By His stripes you are healed". He said, "I will provide all your needs according to my riches and glory". He said in Isiah 55, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare!"
I want to share a testimony that happened just now as I was writing this post. I knew that God was leading me to write this today and to stop everything I was doing and just write it. I didn't really have it planned out but God was dropping it in my spirit. So by faith, I just sat down and started writing. As usual, the words came effortlessly. I didn't even know I was going to share that last scripture. God brought it to my mind. I wasn't sure where it was found. I heard Isiah in my spirit, opened my Bible right to Isiah and looked down directly at the right scripture! How exciting is that? I love it when God does stuff like that. I've got goosebumps! Praise you God, you are soooo good and know just what we need to hear each day!
There are hundreds of promises from God to us in the Bible. They are all on the table. How would you like to spend hours preparing a meal for your family, lovingly thinking about each dish and how it will nourish their bodies and how much they will enjoy it, then call them to come eat and they stand back hesitantly, wondering if you really want them to partake, afraid to do so. Because they don't really know if you want them to eat and if it's really for them. You planned, you shopped, you cooked, you called them and invited them to eat, but they don't even sit down. Some take a bite or two and walk away still hungry, still thirsty, rejecting your labor of love. You are heart broken, devastated. You did all you could do, now it's up to them.
Come on family of God! Let's together run to the table that God has prepared for us with all His love. He gave everything. He poured himself out as an offering for us. Let us partake together. Let us please our Lord and have fellowship one with another!
When I first learned about this table many years ago, it changed my life. Instead of a table filled with turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes, this is a table filled with gifts from God to us. The table is FULL of blessings that are ours for the taking! It is full of such things as salvation, joy, peace, self-control, healing, baptism in the Holy Spirit, provision, and many many more. The thing is, God doesn't force us to take any of His gifts but wants us to take them all. They are all available to us! Many people only choose salvation and grab a little love. They don't realize that God really wants them to come, dig in and eat to their fill!
You see, many wonder if it's really God's will to always give them healing, or to give them provision. But God already said that it is! He said, "By His stripes you are healed". He said, "I will provide all your needs according to my riches and glory". He said in Isiah 55, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare!"
I want to share a testimony that happened just now as I was writing this post. I knew that God was leading me to write this today and to stop everything I was doing and just write it. I didn't really have it planned out but God was dropping it in my spirit. So by faith, I just sat down and started writing. As usual, the words came effortlessly. I didn't even know I was going to share that last scripture. God brought it to my mind. I wasn't sure where it was found. I heard Isiah in my spirit, opened my Bible right to Isiah and looked down directly at the right scripture! How exciting is that? I love it when God does stuff like that. I've got goosebumps! Praise you God, you are soooo good and know just what we need to hear each day!
There are hundreds of promises from God to us in the Bible. They are all on the table. How would you like to spend hours preparing a meal for your family, lovingly thinking about each dish and how it will nourish their bodies and how much they will enjoy it, then call them to come eat and they stand back hesitantly, wondering if you really want them to partake, afraid to do so. Because they don't really know if you want them to eat and if it's really for them. You planned, you shopped, you cooked, you called them and invited them to eat, but they don't even sit down. Some take a bite or two and walk away still hungry, still thirsty, rejecting your labor of love. You are heart broken, devastated. You did all you could do, now it's up to them.
Come on family of God! Let's together run to the table that God has prepared for us with all His love. He gave everything. He poured himself out as an offering for us. Let us partake together. Let us please our Lord and have fellowship one with another!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Overcoming Depression
Do you struggle with depression? I did from the time I was a teenager until just a few years ago. Depression can be completely crippling! It ranges from mild self-pity to complete darkness and despair. Depression interferes with your life and can keep you from functioning normally. It not only hurts you but your loved ones are affected as well.
Here are some things that God has taught me about overcoming depression:
1. The first thing is to realize that depression is a spiritual problem. It causes physical problems but the root cause is spiritual. Depression is a demonic spirit! Ephesians 6:12 says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Satan will try to bring us down in any way he possibly can! One of his most effective tools is depression.
The Bible says that in the name of Jesus we have authority over satan! So after recognizing what depression is we are now able to fight it!
We have to learn to recognize when we are being attacked by depression. Satan will use any opportunity that he can. What are your triggers? For me, it was any little disappointment or problem or when I started to feel bad physically. Then you will notice some thought patterns that repeat themselves, such as, "nothing will ever get better, poor me, I am so depressed". This is satan whispering these things in your ear. Then you take the thought for yourself by thinking, "ya, I am so depressed..." then more and more depressing thoughts start coming and before you know it you are having a full blown pity party!
The very first thing to do is recognize these triggers and then immediately pray. I pray like this, "Satan, you are a liar, Depression, I bind you in the name of Jesus and I command you to flee from me. God I thank you that I am free from depression and that the joy of the Lord is my strength!" I start to speak scripture over myself. I put on praise music and worship. I think of things that I am thankful for and start thanking God. Worshiping God and being thankful are some of the fastest ways of getting rid of depression!
Now, you are not going to feel like doing these things. You are going to feel like having a pity party and calling all your friends and inviting them. But this will just make things worse and it will be harder to get out of the depressive state. You have to force yourself to do what you know you need to do!
2. Get your mind off of yourself. Start praying for others. Start thinking of ways you can bless others! Love is a mighty weapon and satan cannot stand against it! He will not know what to do when you start actively loving others when you are (in his eyes) supposed to be depressed! This will throw him into confusion! Don't you love it?
3. Read, memorize, and meditate a scripture! Read about the armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6! Put that armor on! When you speak the scripture out loud you are using the sword of the spirit and robbing satan of his power to harm you! So speak that word, out loud!!!!
4. If you have been stuck in the house, get out for awhile. Walk around in the sunshine. Go visit someone who is lonely.
5. Go to church whenever possible. Again, you will not feel like it! But you will be so glad once you get there! Just get up and force yourself to go!
6. Sometimes, the feeling of depression is so overwhelming that you just need someone to stand with you in prayer. Find that person who you know will pray in faith believing and who really understands depression and ask them to pray for you. You can ask me anytime!
7. Listen to some preaching tapes. Read some really good Christian help books. Joyce Meyer has some amazing ones. My two all time favorites by Joyce are "Battlefield of the Mind" and "Reduce me to Love". These books will change your life, read them! I still read them again and again!
Do what you have to do to fight depression. Whatever you do, don't decide to let yourself have a little pity party before you start fighting. Big mistake!
The Bible says we are to be transformed by the continual renewing of our minds! This means we must be renewing our minds constantly, not just once or twice a week at church! We have to always be in the Word!
I'm praying for you!
Here are some things that God has taught me about overcoming depression:
1. The first thing is to realize that depression is a spiritual problem. It causes physical problems but the root cause is spiritual. Depression is a demonic spirit! Ephesians 6:12 says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Satan will try to bring us down in any way he possibly can! One of his most effective tools is depression.
The Bible says that in the name of Jesus we have authority over satan! So after recognizing what depression is we are now able to fight it!
We have to learn to recognize when we are being attacked by depression. Satan will use any opportunity that he can. What are your triggers? For me, it was any little disappointment or problem or when I started to feel bad physically. Then you will notice some thought patterns that repeat themselves, such as, "nothing will ever get better, poor me, I am so depressed". This is satan whispering these things in your ear. Then you take the thought for yourself by thinking, "ya, I am so depressed..." then more and more depressing thoughts start coming and before you know it you are having a full blown pity party!
The very first thing to do is recognize these triggers and then immediately pray. I pray like this, "Satan, you are a liar, Depression, I bind you in the name of Jesus and I command you to flee from me. God I thank you that I am free from depression and that the joy of the Lord is my strength!" I start to speak scripture over myself. I put on praise music and worship. I think of things that I am thankful for and start thanking God. Worshiping God and being thankful are some of the fastest ways of getting rid of depression!
Now, you are not going to feel like doing these things. You are going to feel like having a pity party and calling all your friends and inviting them. But this will just make things worse and it will be harder to get out of the depressive state. You have to force yourself to do what you know you need to do!
2. Get your mind off of yourself. Start praying for others. Start thinking of ways you can bless others! Love is a mighty weapon and satan cannot stand against it! He will not know what to do when you start actively loving others when you are (in his eyes) supposed to be depressed! This will throw him into confusion! Don't you love it?
3. Read, memorize, and meditate a scripture! Read about the armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6! Put that armor on! When you speak the scripture out loud you are using the sword of the spirit and robbing satan of his power to harm you! So speak that word, out loud!!!!
4. If you have been stuck in the house, get out for awhile. Walk around in the sunshine. Go visit someone who is lonely.
5. Go to church whenever possible. Again, you will not feel like it! But you will be so glad once you get there! Just get up and force yourself to go!
6. Sometimes, the feeling of depression is so overwhelming that you just need someone to stand with you in prayer. Find that person who you know will pray in faith believing and who really understands depression and ask them to pray for you. You can ask me anytime!
7. Listen to some preaching tapes. Read some really good Christian help books. Joyce Meyer has some amazing ones. My two all time favorites by Joyce are "Battlefield of the Mind" and "Reduce me to Love". These books will change your life, read them! I still read them again and again!
Do what you have to do to fight depression. Whatever you do, don't decide to let yourself have a little pity party before you start fighting. Big mistake!
The Bible says we are to be transformed by the continual renewing of our minds! This means we must be renewing our minds constantly, not just once or twice a week at church! We have to always be in the Word!
I'm praying for you!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Forgiveness is a choice
The Father was talking to me about forgiveness this morning. He said, "Forgiveness isn't a feeling, it's a choice." You see we have to choose to forgive and then the feeling will follow. Sometimes, the feelings of forgiveness take a while to come.
Do we have to forgive? As Christians (i.e. followers of Christ) we are required to forgive. We must make the choice to forgive quickly before the root of bitterness springs up! Mark 11:25,26 says that if we don't forgive others their trespasses then our Father in heaven will not forgive our trespasses. This is serious business! Unforgiveness can keep you out of heaven!
Matthew 18:21,22 says that we must forgive our brother up to 77 times in one day alone!
One aspect of forgiveness that we often overlook is praying for and blessing the person we are forgiving. Matthew 5:44 says to love our enemies, to bless our enemies, to do good to our enemies, and to pray for our enemies! Wow! How many of us would like to tear that page out of the Bible? Ha ha! But when God tells us to do something it is always for our own good! I've had the opportunity to practice this scripture many times! And surprisingly, when I pray for and bless someone who I am in the process of forgiving, the feelings come much easier!
So here's the forgiving process: Choose to forgive, give all your hurt feelings to God, ask Him to take them and replace them with love and compassion. Next, pray for the person. Then, when possible, do something good for that person such as an act of kindness, a kind and sincere word, and say a prayer for them. When bad feelings for this person come back (and they probably will at first) remind yourself that you have forgiven them and go on!
Enjoy your freedom from the heavy burden of holding a grudge!
Do we have to forgive? As Christians (i.e. followers of Christ) we are required to forgive. We must make the choice to forgive quickly before the root of bitterness springs up! Mark 11:25,26 says that if we don't forgive others their trespasses then our Father in heaven will not forgive our trespasses. This is serious business! Unforgiveness can keep you out of heaven!
Matthew 18:21,22 says that we must forgive our brother up to 77 times in one day alone!
One aspect of forgiveness that we often overlook is praying for and blessing the person we are forgiving. Matthew 5:44 says to love our enemies, to bless our enemies, to do good to our enemies, and to pray for our enemies! Wow! How many of us would like to tear that page out of the Bible? Ha ha! But when God tells us to do something it is always for our own good! I've had the opportunity to practice this scripture many times! And surprisingly, when I pray for and bless someone who I am in the process of forgiving, the feelings come much easier!
So here's the forgiving process: Choose to forgive, give all your hurt feelings to God, ask Him to take them and replace them with love and compassion. Next, pray for the person. Then, when possible, do something good for that person such as an act of kindness, a kind and sincere word, and say a prayer for them. When bad feelings for this person come back (and they probably will at first) remind yourself that you have forgiven them and go on!
Enjoy your freedom from the heavy burden of holding a grudge!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
All Scripture is God-breathed!
2 Timothy 3:16 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. I also like how the NIV puts it, All scripture is God-breathed!
The Word of God is infallible! We can trust that even though God used regular people to write the Bible, He is the inspiration behind each verse!
It is not worth reading the Bible and picking and choosing what to believe! Either all of it is good, true, and trustworthy, or we can't believe that any of it is good, true, and trustworthy.
Jesus was either God or He was not. He can't possibly "just" be a good man! Because He says He is God, He says He is the only way to God and if that's a lie then Jesus is a liar and not a good man at all!
God is not a man that He should lie; neither the Son of Man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Numbers 23:19
Settle this in your heart today! God does not lie! The Word of God is true and trustworthy! Jesus is who He said He is, The one and only true God! Amen!
The Word of God is infallible! We can trust that even though God used regular people to write the Bible, He is the inspiration behind each verse!
It is not worth reading the Bible and picking and choosing what to believe! Either all of it is good, true, and trustworthy, or we can't believe that any of it is good, true, and trustworthy.
Jesus was either God or He was not. He can't possibly "just" be a good man! Because He says He is God, He says He is the only way to God and if that's a lie then Jesus is a liar and not a good man at all!
God is not a man that He should lie; neither the Son of Man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Numbers 23:19
Settle this in your heart today! God does not lie! The Word of God is true and trustworthy! Jesus is who He said He is, The one and only true God! Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
