Go Ahead, Tell the Truth

Those people with whom I have a close relationship with , I find similarities in their journey and mine. Sometimes I wonder at the marvelous plan of God that He manages to put such friends into our lives.
Just as Christian had a comrade of some sort at all most all times in Pilgrim's Progress and Froto had Sam in Lord of the Rings , it seems we all get blessed with Sam's . How precious it is for our Father to not require that we travel our journey alone.
I was reminded today to not think of my God as a Sam. Don't think of Him as a person at all.
When I talk to Him don't think I have to hide what I am feeling . Don't think that He will condemn me and decide to leave me if I tell .
He is so far greater than our most faithful friend. So much more able to see us as we really are , and still love us.
I forget that at times.
I need to be reminded. His love is perfect. His love does not fail.
I can not even tell Him when I 'll be different. I can only believe that He knows I can through Jesus . I do believe He loves me and accepts me just as I am today.

I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE, I BELIEVE

It may be my human nature that always expects God to want me to give up something.
It may be that it is not always the Way.

Yet , when I look at Jesus , it was His way, everyday He gave up something for us.
With Joy, I want to add, with Joy .

I am expecting that I will be giving up something soon.
I am expecting that when I give it up , I will know that it was what God had asked for.
I also am expecting God to be faithful to fulfill all of His promises to me.
I do not want to run ahead of God and suggest that He would like me to give up something.
I want Him to be the boss.
I want Him to describe the offering He requires.
I want His words to me.
I can trust that He will be specific.
I can believe that He is involved in my life in a very intimate way.
I can believe that what He said He would do , He will do it.
I know that He LIVES !

Arise Shine

I get grouchy sometimes. In the winter when we have days in a row that the sun doesn't shine , I become grouchy.
Today the sun is suppose to come out . I am less grouchy just knowing that about 7:30 it will appear brightly through my window and give the light my body seems to crave.
There is a light that shines within me. There seems that there can be weather factors that can affect it's shining to.
Unbelief is probably comparable to a massive cloud cover , and depending on the density of the unbelief the lack of that light shining through me.
What causes that unbelief ?
Actually I would rather talk about the "belief" that I have today!
Looking ahead to the "sun" shining in me today.
You see I can become a complainer. This isn't right and that isn't right. Probably a symptom of a spirit of control trying to see if it can provoke me into making a difference. Oh, yes, I can change everything for the better. Right ! I've heard that lie before!
Well, the only thing I can do is choose to surrender my will to God.
This will make more of a difference than any other thing I can do.
I can accept that at His time , when He is ready , those things that need to change, will.
I can be glad that He is shining within me when I do all that I do , joyfully, cheerfully, heartily as unto Him.
I am thankful that it is His Spirit within me that gives me the strength to do just that.

Is. 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

Look At The Birds

My sweet daughter made an astute observation the other day.
While speaking about God , she said, "He did such a good job making us human."

He did , He did a great job of making us human and went to great lengths to convince us that we could be set free from all human bondage. Main thing He wants me to remember is that He cares about me , in my human state , and is cheering for me as I run this race to glorify Him.

While my favorite author Hannah Hurnard compares spiritual growth to that of a hind, (a kind of deer) I wonder if God's final metaphorical animal for us would be a bird.

Matt. 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I will live this day remembering that I am of more value than the birds , and Jesus certainly does care for me.

Where I Stand

On Christ the solid rock I stand.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
Gave me this fruit and now my faith is victorious , because of what He did.
I have faith that He gave me , and I know His word to be true.
Can I love ?
Can I receive the fruit of love , just as I received the fruit of faith ?
Am I allowing it to blossom , or am I knocking the buds off with unbelief ?
Can I believe to love ?
On Christ the solid rock I stand.
He went through the trying and testing for my faith.
He has words for me to speak that will act as the sword of the Spirit , which is the Word of God.
I stand on a rock with a shield of faith and a sword of the Spirit and I love.

A voice of Truth

There are so many voices out there . I think the classic parable for learning to listen to the right voices is the parable of prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32 When I read this parable I can almost hear the Elder brother talking.
I however know there is another brother there for us , should we be in the spot the prodigal son found himself in.
That brother is saying , "Yes, go in and enjoy the banquet. Yes, I too am so glad you are now wanting to obey our Father. Yes, there is much joy in my heart because you once were dead, but now you are alive, you were lost but now you are found.
Since I know how the story can go , if only you hear the elder brother , I want to pray for my friends whose hearing seems to be tuned in to hear him too.

I want to pray that the voice of truth come to them LOUDLY. So loud that it will drown out the elder brother voice. Or more effectively would be a strong , truthful word. One that just knocks the wind out of the lie that the elder brother has been telling them for so long.

How do I know they have been listening to the elder brother ? Because they are still not in the banquet room enjoying a feast with the father.

Lord , give me words of encouragement to speak to those who are still standing on the porch , rather than going in to enjoy a feast with our father.
These words must come from You LORD , for only You have the voice of truth.

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the LORD [is] upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to [the] poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to [the] captives And recovery of sight to [the] blind, [To] set at liberty those who are oppressed;To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."

When I read this I am assured that Jesus wants me to be healed. I do not have to wonder if He does. I know He does . Jesus was sent to heal the brokenhearted .

My word of testimony today is that I choose to actively live this word by seeing myself and those around me as people Jesus came to :
preach the gospel to,
heal the brokenhearted,
proclaim liberty to captives ,
give sight to the blind,
set at liberty those are oppressed
and
proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

What Jesus did is still done.

I can choose to believe He did what He was sent to do.

I can live it by looking at myself and others (who know who Jesus is) with this attitude :
we are so blessed to have the gospel preached to us
we are so blessed to have healing for our broken hearts
we are so blessed to hear that liberty has been given to captives
we are so blessed to receive sight , we are not blind
we are so blessed to have been set free , we are not oppressed
and
we can celebrate because we are living in the acceptable year of our LORD !

Works and Faith and Fruit

The fruit of the spirit described here in
Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
and
Eph. 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

I see as one fruit.
If the Spirit is the seed then how could there be but one fruit ? ( This point is important to me because I use to be one of those people who separated their food. None could touch.)

Will the fruit will come , regardless of what you do to the garden ?

What I want to stay aware of is "Who" brings the increase .

If I was to plow up my fallow ground , rejoice when I heard the word and then forget it , I would be wasting my time .

If I was to invite the Holy Spirit to lead me when I sing praises to the LORD , but then turn away and say , "the Holy Spirit can not give me power," I would be as someone putting up an umbrella over a plant that needed rain.

I think this line of thought is the result of my reading Song of Solomon . I asked the Spirit what the verse about tending another's vineyard meant. I am thinking that when we are helping another to plow up their fallow ground or encouraging another to let the Holy Spirit flow freely in their life , maybe you are over in their vineyard. Only I have found the more I help others the more my vineyard flourishes .

I Have the Spirit

2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

However , I have to choose daily to follow the Spirit . I think in context that is what Paul was talking about when giving Timothy this information.
From God we have been given a spirit of love, we have been given a spirit of power, we have been given a spirit of a sound mind . We have not been given from God , a spirit of fear.

Whose gift is better ? Both seem to be at work trying to get me to receive their gift.

"I really do not like me, "I said, to a friend yesterday.

Well, I was acknowledging that an enemy a long time ago came and planted a tare , a long with the wheat that the Lord had planted in me.

I think the time may be coming close to the plucking up of that tare.
It is nothing but the spirit of fear and it really does not belong next to my heart.

In His Image

TRUTH..........This one word describes a most valuable jewel. Not only when God gives this to me. When I give it to Him.

Now if my heart was a deep velvet bag that I held jewels in , I would think He would only want me to bring out the jewels that describe how much I love Him.
Other jewels of how I believe Him to be Who He says He is.
Some jewels that tell of how I long to know Him more.
He does in fact enjoy those jewels .

Sometimes when I am reaching down into my velvet bag I feel like what to me would be an ugly hunk of coal. I try to lay it aside and bring out another jewel . Only when I know in my heart He is saying , "give me ALL that you have," do I feel it safe to bring out what I suppose would be ugly rocks.

Yet, I do not sense His rejection . In fact, I know He knew they were in the bag all along. He is pleased that I am willing to give Him , TRUTH in the inward parts. This truth is a jewel to Him also.

Ps.51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

I think about how I am trying to make myself an image .

When I am thinking this part is well hidden , I have done nothing but create an image, an idol , of myself , that I think God will be pleased with.

When I am ready to let that truth be known , the idol of myself comes down.

Then it is just me.
Just me that can now be formed into His image , because I just took my hands off.

Is 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Is.28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

What He Wants To Talk About

When the Holy Spirit does a convicting work in my life one day , it is normal for me to assume that He would want to do that every day.
I found myself ready to talk about my sins today , but as I waited for the Holy Spirit to bring me scripture that would fill in His part of the conversation , I came up on a startling thought.

If I am saying, "Lord , let's talk about this sin I am committing." I am really saying ,"Let's talk about me."

I know people who are me centered. The conversation does not flow easily. At best they just give me a turn to talk about whatever I want to talk about. But even as I am speaking, I know they are just waiting for me to say something that will bring the conversation around to where they can talk about their selves again.

So I began to refrain from talking about me and started trying to imagine what the Holy Spirit really would like to talk about.

This I feel is necessary for a true application of living by the word of my testimony.

Holy Spirit first and me second.
When I state ,"I have decided to follow Jesus" , there is a definite order there.
Him first , then me.

As I waited for His Word to come to me I began to realize why He might not always be obsessed with talking about my sins. After all our Heavenly Father gave His Son so that my sins would be blotted out.
Those sins that I am concerned about, He sees me already through the process of being cleansed of those sins and He is ready to talk about something else.

Right now I am enjoying that very fact , and waiting , waiting to hear just what that might be.

Letting Go

Matt. 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

In case you haven't noticed , I am the kind of person who believes that miracles happen !
So when I see a mountain that needs to be removed , I don't just walk around it , I stand and talk to that mountain for awhile. Actually I start the conversation with God first , telling Him about the mountain and try to listen for His words that might have an significance about the mountain I want removed.

First of all, am I right about wanting the mountain to go ? Or have I a secret selfish desire ?
Those are the kind of questions I ask , and I love the answers.
Truth in the inward parts are more precious than gold to me.
When Jesus gave us the spirit of truth He gave us the best part of Himself to share with us.

His Word tells me to take His yoke upon me . By learning of Him I see that it was to always do the will of His Father . I do not have to lose sleep about this mountain moving out of the way and into the sea. While I am seeking to do the will of my Heavenly Father , His plan of moving the mountain will show itself in time.

I will not let this desire to see this mountain move , be my yoke. I will take Jesus' yoke upon me, learn of Him and find rest for my soul.

His Banner Over Me Is Love

There is a song that goes, "Love lifted me, love lifted me, when nothing else would help , love lifted me."

When I began to realize that I was truly loved by the Father of Jesus Christ my life started changing. Just as the "thaw" of the winter in Narnia , I began to see things that I knew must of been there but I could never remember seeing before.

I live in a thawing process. So sometimes I imagine my word of testimony may seem strange to you. Many times I picture everyone else "thawed out" already and basking in the full true love of our Saviour and His Father.

Should you care to join me today and peek at my word of testimony , I will have to tell you it is the book of Song of Solomon , and 1 Cr. 13 . These passages of scripture remind me of the true love that God is trying to give me. It is there , under that ice , my cold hard heart (that is thawing ).
How I happened to find these words was no accident. A long time ago I came across a book titled Hiding From Love by Dr. John Townsend . Now the first five readings of that book left me frustrated so unless you are willing to take my suggestion that I offer you now, I would not bother buying the book. However, should you want to do this , I find it very worth while.
There are some charts in the book that list the different hiding styles Dr. Townsend has become familiar with , and these charts are placed into sections. Example : Hiding from attachment , Hiding from Authority and Adulthood , so on.
So due to some serious problem with bringing my thoughts to the obedience of Christ I thought I would bring out my book today. I proceed to use this book , as I now suggest to you , should you buy it.
I go to the chart that sounds like it might have something to do with my current situation.
I read the first hiding style , out loud and then ask my Heavenly Father if this might be my problem . Then I read the defensive behaviour that is evident when a person uses that style of hiding from love, and again , I ask my Heavenly Father , what does He think, am I doing that ? Then I read the recommended steps for coming out of hiding, and I ask my Father again, what does He think , will these steps help me ? Then I go back into the previous chapter to where Dr. Townsend talks about that hiding style and I read what he has to say. I wait a few moments , think over his suggestion to read the Songs of Solomon. I remember another author Hannah Hurnard who wrote Hinds Feet on High Places and her love for the Songs of Solomon. Hannah also seemed to have a desire to know true love.
So I read the Songs of Solomon (first half) with the hope the Holy Spirit will bring me some enlightenment.
He does, as always, I feel warmer , hopeful , and encouraged and as I fix my breakfast I decide to listen to 1 Corinthians 13 on CD and remember His love for me is just like that .

What An Imagination !

2 Corth. 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

I am humbled by the Holy Spirit's correcting me , and also blessed. He is at work in my life and by yielding to His power I can witness another big chunk of carnal flesh being taken out of me.

Thankfully I receive His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When I asked Him about the root cause for my imagination to get so carried away this is what came up . bigotry ... racism ... Ugly words , the kind of things that would hinder the divine love of Jesus Christ to flow through me. I just remembered here are a few more , judgemental ... critical ...

Just why I have such a problem with these things in my life I think has to do with my need to forgive others for those same things.

My path to cleansing from these sins involves being forgiven , first. Now I know better than to dwell on my sins and try to clean myself up before I receive forgiveness. Every time I receive forgiveness , just because Jesus gave it to me , helps me to turn and forgive others , just because He wants me to .

My joy is in the salvation He so freely gives me and my hope is for a righteousness that He also gives me and my faith is in His ability to bring me to perfection .

The Battle Belongs To The LORD !

My sub title today is : Array Me For Battle !

Even though spiritual warfare is entirely won by the LORD , He seems to enjoy using our obedience as the catalyst to send the winning blows to the enemy.
In my mind the obedient task might be as simple as looking to Him for strength , joy and ability to clean a house joyfully and heartily as unto Him.

I enjoy the fact that so many times the LORD gave different instructions for battle to the Israelites in the OLD TESTAMENT. And sometimes it was acceptable to leave a particular battle field for a while . As in the case of David and King Saul .

I have some enemies that I think it best to avoid be around . However, I do not want to give up ground that the LORD has said is mine.
Insisting on staying when the LORD is saying "go", could be a mistake. Insisting on going when the LORD is saying "stay" likewise could be a mistake. (This is not where I am in my quest for the LORD) .

I am at that time of readiness to speak or do something totally ordered of the LORD.

Just like David was close to doing when he could of ended his torment from King Saul but instead cut off a bit of his robe. This to he considered inappropriate because he had shown disrespect to God's anointed. Maybe the thing I finally do will seem like it was wrong afterwards , by me. Maybe it wasn't that act but other acts of obedience that finally brought an end to the battle between David and Saul .

It is interesting to me that our LORD says we will be kings and priests. I am thinking this mentality of "I have been given authority and you, you don't have authority," has got to stop.
All of us who a part of the bride of Christ will be kings and priests. When I am looking at another part of the body of Christ I am looking at another king and priest. I better not touch God's anointed and I better not do him any harm. What can I do if that future king and priest is planning to ax me ? Maybe just stay out of his way .

Whatever the plan is that the LORD has for me , it will be one in which the LORD has won the battle! He will be glorified and that is all that matters to me.

I Choose the Good Part

My song this morning was "All that is within me cries, that You my LORD be glorified,"
The song goes on to say , such a tiny offering , compared to Calvary.

It is so true , that my offering of wanting Him to be glorified in my life choices is even worth talking about . It is like giving a penny when He gave , well, we can not even say what He gave because it is beyond our understanding . So great a love we can not even comprehend.
Yet, my small offering He receives . Some people don't even pick up pennies anymore, but my LORD , he'll receive the smallest of offerings , and cherish it.

When I think about this day and the choices I will have to make, my hope is that I will constantly choose the good part. Just as Jesus said of Mary , who was sitting at His feet , intent on everything He had to say.

I can tell you when my resolve to choose the good part seems to become dimmer. I really long for the light of Christ to shine brighter during those times .
Being hungry, tired or poor those are times when my resolve seems to become dimmer.
I realize that my flesh keeps opening a door for temptation to come at those times .
However, I am reminded of what Paul said in
Phil. 4:12 -14 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Verse 14 reminds me that this journey of mine is not just a me and Jesus only adventure.
It is me and the body of Christ, His whole future bride , we are walking through this wilderness together.

Not My Way ,You Are the WAY

I began singing "Have Thine own way Lord, have thine own way" today.

As much as I want some people to change the way they are doing , my only hope for their true happiness is that they will come to desire the Lord's way.

His way is always better.
I ask ,what is His way for me to respond to the circumstances I have right now ?

It will be His Helper that gives me strength and power to respond the way He shows me. It will be for His Glory any improvement that comes in my life .
I am preparing for a wedding . A glorious wedding that will be initiated at my Lord's return. I can hardly wait, but I want to be as ready for Him as I can possibly be. This means I need help. This means others around me also need help. We are all busy , and we are all excited , He may be coming at any time !
They have circumstances that they want to respond to in a way that will bring about change in their hearts. I want to encourage them and support them in their journey. I have circumstances unique to my life. I am encouraged and supported by many who are cheering for me to respond the way that Jesus would.
What a wild and wonderful day we live in ! Isn't it exciting ?
Even though my flesh let's me know that it is not to thrilled with what is going on, I rejoice because one day I won't have to be bothered with the fleshes desires anymore.
I am following the Spirit and I do not have to follow the fleshes desire to sin , anymore.

Enlarge My Borders

There are two passages of scripture that come to mind when I think of looking to the LORD to enlarge my borders. I want to remind my readers that I am sharing not to suggest you copy me by how I am using God's Word in my life. You are already using God's Word in your life and you do not need to copy me. The Word of Testimony is what you see here . I have a testimony of God's Word working in my life.
I once thought I could not love!
I mean all love , human love , the kind of love people have for pets , love that color , love that idea , and most of all divine love seemed like something impossible. After all I couldn't love like "normal" people.
However, it was a constant living by the Word of my testimony that has brought me to this day.
The road back would take to long to describe but I am willing to share with you my journey from this point on.
Just like following a path that you have never traveled on before , I mostly look down at the place I am to put my feet , "today." But occasionally I look up and glance at where I think I am going. Those scriptures I use at those times might be off a little because I can not see them as clearly. However, if it is what has caught my eye and I feel I should give it notice , I continue to look and now I share.
About borders ! Borders are those areas that LORD has given you to serve within. True serving can not be done without the LORD. However, I have tried to serve beyond my borders many times. Sometimes I wonder if that isn't a necessary part of growth because I always learn something and I am always ready to try it again when I think the Spirit is saying so.
However, after going beyond my borders several times in some areas , I am ready to seek the LORD , maybe more than I ever have before, before I just go over there and "help".
So I am allowing the word to be a testimony today in this way.
I am acknowledging the borders set by my LORD.
I am acknowledging that He is willing to enlarge those borders.
I am asking Him to do that . I am trusting for Him to give me first the blessing I need for this day to fill the borders He has already given me.
I will go to work today and do all that I do joyfully and cheerfully and heartily (because His Spirit is within me to help me do that.)

Take No Thought

Greetings ,
I found myself wondering if I could live on this new budget I had set up for myself. What would happen if I spent to much money at the grocery store?

The answer I sought for was found in
Matt. 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

By being obedient to what I felt was the Holy Spirit leading me to go on this new budget I am seeking life. Really living is when you are daring enough to do something radical for the LORD.
Always playing it safe is not living, it is just existing.

My joy for living was attacked at first with a sense of regret. Regret that I had not done this or that . Then I thought of where I was going . Living, living not only by the meager bread alone but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.

Looking to God for that word and being sustained takes more than reading someone's daily devotion. It requires seeking God . Knocking on our Father's door if you will, and asking Him for bread, spiritual bread. As I have gone to Him so many times before and not come back empty handed I know to share this bread with others will double my blessing and be an addition to their daily blessing they have to receive today.

In turn they will take from their abundance and share with all they can.

Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Pray for peace in Israel.