IT IS 2015; SO WHAT????

If you can stay awake late enough, you will be a witness to an incredible event.  It happens at MIDNIGHT every year as December 31 morphs into January 1.  The countdown begins as the “Ball” drops; we kiss our loved ones (if they are still awake) and hang up a new calendar.   A new year begins; a new chapter in our life; the old is passed, the new has begun and we celebrate.

If you are connected on Face book, you have read post after post declaring how happy some are to say “goodbye” to 2014 and “hello” to 2015.  Many are excited to begin a new page in their life saga others are just anxious to put all of their 2014 bad experiences behind them.  I could take the time to look at their 12/31/2013 updates and I would venture to say that I would find some of the exact posts; the year being the only difference.  So was 2014 better?  Did 2013 stay contained between January and December?  Apparently NOT!!!!  There was no magic, nothing changed and now we are counting down the hours of 2014, once again expecting the magic that didn’t happen in 2014 has just been waiting for 2015.  Sorry to “burst your bubble,” “rain on your parade,” or “drop the ball,” but when you wake up, January 1, 2015, life will be exactly as you left it when you fell asleep on December 31, 2014. 

In regards to the foreign policy of the United States, John Bolton, former UN Ambassador stated, “It was a bad year and it is not going to get any better.”  Although pessimistic, the statement is ABSOLUTELY TRUE.  Unless policies are instituted to affect change, conditions will not improve solely because we passed the 365 day mark.  Your circumstances do not magically change because you put up a new calendar or write a different year on your checks.  You will not wake up with an unquenchable desire to be healthy but if you say NO to certain foods and YES to moving more, change WILL begin.  There will still be “awesome” sales in 2015 inviting you to just “slide” that charge card or debit card but your bank account will be larger if you decide that you have enough stuff.  Your relationship with God will be even weaker unless you set the time aside to get in touch with God through prayer and the Word.   365 more days will pass in your life, the calendar will count down to December 31, 2015 and you will be looking forward to a better year in 2016 UNLESS you institute “life policies” to affect change.

Your problems may be centered around family, a job, substance abuse, money, health and there may be some circumstance that are beyond your control; it may take a little honest soul searching and a long session in front of a mirror but in every situation YOU CAN CHANGE YOU!  Begin by being THANKFUL.  If you cannot find anything in your life for which to be thankful or to praise God, start by thanking that you are still breathing and woke to a New Year. Next, find someone else that you can HELP along life’s road.  Getting your mind off of yourself will give you a new perspective and you may find that your circumstance are not quite so bad.  Finally, find one thing you can CHANGE in YOU!  Perhaps it is saying no to that piece of chocolate, cutting up a charge card, getting up an hour earlier and spending that time in prayer and meditation or maybe it could be as simple as a phone call and saying, “I love you.”  Only God knows what things you will encounter this year on your journey but one thing you can be sure of; December 31, 2015 will come faster than you can imagine and some will be happy to see January 1, 2016 while others will say “It was the best year ever.” 

IT IS 2015, SO WHAT?

THE HOPE OF CHRISTMAS

We tend to romanticize the Christmas Holidays, painting pictures of softly falling snow, families gathered around a brightly burning fire, stockings hung in expectation and children dressed in cozy pajamas, sitting quietly as Dad reads a Christmas story.  The house smells of cinnamon and ginger, peppermint and balsam.  There are heaping plates of cookies and steaming cups of hot chocolate topped with mounds of whipped cream.  If that is your Christmas card, I want to peek into your living room AFTER the photographer is finished.  We pretend that “All is calm; all is bright,” when at times it feels more as if, “Grandma got run over by a reindeer.”

Sometimes our lives are not so “picture-perfect,” even though or perhaps because of a holiday.  The high expectations and demands may magnify the sense of failure.  Pictures of happy families gathered together remind you of great loss and the loneliness is intensified.  There are no visions of beribboned presents, beautifully decorated trees and heaping platters of good food as you view your little tree that no one else wanted, decorated with paper chains, presiding over the meager offerings lying under its crooked branches.  “Holly Jolly Christmas” certainly isn’t your song of choice.

Yes, life is no “Respecter of Holidays.”  In the last two days, three of my friends have lost loved ones; grief cannot be postponed because it is Christmas.  Some of my friends are facing “firsts” after saying goodbye to those closest to them; loneliness does not take a hiatus and return at a more convenient time.  Others have lost jobs and the mountains of gifts have been exchanged for a hot meal and another month’s rent.  Two New York families have changed their “dancing into mourning” because of a deliberate, senseless execution of their policemen husbands.  Life isn’t perfect, the world is in turmoil, yet the “Hope of Christmas” is still alive, beckoning us to come and “Sleep in Heavenly Peace.”

Over two thousand years ago, life was not so “picture perfect,” either.  The world was in turmoil, a heathen government ruled, many people were in want and need; it was in this imperfect setting that God chose to send the “Hope of Christmas.” Galatians 4:4, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son….

It wasn’t about beautifully decorated homes and light displays, mountains of presents and heaping platters of steaming food, it wasn’t even about families gathered around the fireplace, singing carols of cheer; it was all about YOU and YOUR need.  John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  It was for you that God sent the “HOPE OF CHRISTMAS”!!!

Whatever situation you are facing during this holiday season, whatever lack you may be experiencing, I pray you will find comfort in the “Hope of Christmas.”

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

THE GIFT OF YOU

If you are connected to my face book page, you have read my posts encouraging everyone to give this Christmas season to the many needs and worthwhile causes and allow God to bless someone else through you.  After my latest post, I received an email from one of my dear friends, stating that she wanted to be a blessing but was living on very limited finances and did I have any ideas of ways she could still bless others.  I accepted the challenge and began to think of ways to give to others with zero dollars.

Here are a few ideas and I’m sure my readers have many they could add to the list.  First think of things that come natural to you, things you have mastered and things you enjoy doing; these are your talents and are meant to be shared instead of buried.  Then, allow your mind to come up with creative ways to use all of those talents to bless a friend.  Maybe you have a love for children, offer to babysit for a couple of hours while a young mother finishes her Christmas shopping or a deserving couple enjoys a date night.  Perhaps a friend is recovering from an illness; provide a more comfortable setting for recovery by offering to clean their house or wash their laundry.  Do you know a shut-in that would just love to have a visit?  Your gift is your attention as you sit and listen to them talk for a few hours.  Offer to help someone organize old photographs, take a couple of brightly wrapped shoe boxes and note cards as dividers and you will be amazed at the blessing you both received by a day of reminiscing and storytelling.

Are you a great cook?  Offer your services as “Chef for a Day.”  Your friend supplies the ingredients and you cook their gourmet dinner.  Offer to bake Christmas cookies for a working mom, she can supply the necessary items and you supply the know how and energy; what a blessing to her whole family, that Mom can swing by your house on her way home from work and surprise everyone with fresh homemade Christmas goodies.  Have a group of friends over for coffee and recipe sharing; each person makes their favorite recipe and brings it to share along with printed copies of the recipe.

Does everyone rave about your beautifully wrapped packages, your professionally decorated tree or nostalgic fireplace mantle arrangement?  It may come easy to you but some of us are challenged in this area.  Suggest to someone that you will come over and teach them the “Art of Gift Wrapping” or help them decorate their tree or mantle.  Even better, look at all of the ornaments and decorations you have collected over the years and no longer use, take them to a friend who may not be having such a merry Christmas and help her decorate and brighten up her life.

You may say, I no longer have patience with children, my cooking skills begin with a can opener and end with a microwave, I have no imagination and could use a decorator for my own house; what about PRAYER?  Be somebody’s Prayer Partner.  There is no greater blessing than knowing you have a friend who is praying for you.  Send a card or an email with an encouraging message.  Receiving a surprise message of encouragement will brighten someone’s day and may help change a situation.  Yesterday, a sweet friend posted on my wall that she “loved me dearly.”  I went through the rest of my day humming a tune and on top of the world.  It doesn’t take too much of your time but it could make a difference to someone who is struggling with life.

The best gift you can give anyone is the GIFT OF YOU, your time, your attention, your smile.  Many times we opt to give money because it is easier, we can quickly check that one off our list, and the effort is minimal when compared to a gift of time.  I challenge every one of my readers, join me this Christmas season to spread a little cheer in more creative ways.  I look forward to hearing all the reports of people you have blessed and the money you have saved by just giving YOU!

VICTIM OR VICTOR? YOU CHOOSE!!!

In today’s world it seems everyone is a victim.  Victimization is embraced, worn as a badge of honor, published and celebrated.  It seems that if you find yourself without your own personal story of victimization, you can make up one.  Just accuse someone of harming you, fill in a few details, and find a magazine to pick it up or publish it yourself.  You don’t even need to consider that you have falsely accused a person whose life and reputation may be ruined...you have joined the ranks of the injured; YOU ARE A VICTIM!!!  If it is discovered that the victimization was a figment of your imagination, embrace it, show your outrage, and shed a few tears because now you have been DOUBLY VICTIMIZED.

Now before you all throw stones at me and I become a victim, let me add that most of us have been victims at some time in our lives in various ways.  Perhaps someone has taken advantage of your generosity, physically or mentally harmed you, stabbed you in the back, started a malicious rumor or lied about you.  I am not trying to trivialize anything that you have experienced or the pain the experience has caused.  What I am saying is that you do NOT have to allow the circumstances of victimization to define you or set the future path you will travel.  You do NOT have to choose the label VICTIM!!!

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  Jesus was telling His disciples, be prepared because you will have people come against you, lie about you, physically harm you and attempt to take your life.  You can choose to be a VICTIM or you can choose to be a VICTOR!!  If anyone had the right to wear the victim label, Jesus had that right.  In the womb, his conception was questioned.  Around the age of 2, he had to flee to Egypt because a king had put a hit out on him.  He was laughed at, spit upon, betrayed by a friend, beaten up and ultimately put to death.  Even in His darkest hour, hanging on the cross, you find His mother and just a handful of friends lingering near.  But as Jesus told His disciples, “I have overcome the world!”  Jesus wears the VICTOR’S CROWN because He refused to be defined by the label, VICTIM.

Lest anyone think that in my perfect life I have never suffered victimization, I will open a window, just a crack, into an event that I experienced over 50 years ago.  There are only 3 or 4 people over my lifetime that I have felt brave enough to share with and now you.  I was an innocent 5 year old and there are many details that will never be revealed but will remain locked inside my brain forever.  In case you think I had a revelation of “repressed memories” or my experience is a result of watching too many movies or reading too many novels, let me assure you that the precise details have never left my mind, been diluted or changed.  In an instant, I can take you back to the exact place, identify the people and give you quotes from the people involved.  Did it affect certain areas of my life or my thinking on specific issues?  Absolutely, but at a very young age, I found peace in a Savior that had overcome the world.  I REFUSED to allow one event to define the rest of my life.  I REFUSED the label VICTIM; I am a VICTOR!!!

I will not pretend to put myself into your circumstance or understand what pain you are suffering.  We all have different responses to unpleasant events in our lives.  Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Because of His great love, God has given us the power not just to overcome but to CONQUER the enemy.  The writer of Romans goes on to assure us in verses 38 & 39, that NOTHING can stop you from being a VICTOR because NOTHING can separate you from the love of God.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is one TRUTH that remains the same for every person, no matter the circumstance; WE CAN BE VICTORIOUS BECAUSE JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!  Your Victorious Life can begin the moment you REFUSE to be labeled a VICTIM.  You are a VICTOR.

IT IS NOT A SIN PROBLEM, IT IS A WILL PROBLEM

I have felt a heavy burden of intercession lately, as I pray for so many dear ones that are walking a dark road.  Every choice they make places a little more distance between them and their, once strong, relationship with God.  The sin they once found abhorrent has become an everyday lifestyle and I wonder what will awaken their spirit and hunger for the things of God.  As I continued to weep and intercede this morning, I felt a “God-pause” in which He spoke this to my spirit, “Susan, this is not a SIN problem, it is a WILL problem.  I settled the SIN problem on Calvary; my blood was payment enough to take care of sin for the whole world.  When I created humans, I gave them free will; they can choose SELF or they can choose GOD.  When someone walks down the path away from My presence, they will manifest sin because they are choosing SELF.”

It Started In A Garden!!!  Adam created in the image of God, received the breath of God and became a living soul.  God took a part of Adam and created him a mate, which he called Eve.  To this first man and woman, God provided everything they would ever need including FREE WILL, the freedom to choose.  Of course for free will to be valid, a choice must be present, so God provided a choice; to eat or not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  We know that Adam and Eve both made the choice to eat.  This action, we call SIN and as God said, the consequence is DEATH.  We teach our children this story of how sin came into being because Adam and Eve ate the “forbidden fruit,” but was that the real story.  I would submit that sin was conferred upon all of mankind because the first man and woman chose SELF instead of GOD!

Do not fool yourself into thinking that God loves you so much that you can serve Him and still serve self.  Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness.  Serving SELF is the antithesis of serving GOD and will lead you far away from everything that is pure and holy.  SELF is a greedy master with a voracious appetite that can never be sated.  SELF’s hunger will push you on a never ending search; on a new, more exciting quest to experience, to feel, to obtain anything that will temporarily satisfy the emptiness that cannot be filled.  As Romans states, you will become a SLAVE to SELF!!!

We know that as soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God set a Redemption Plan in motion.  God had told them, “In the day that you eat of the tree, you will surely die.”  A Holy God demanded DEATH FOR SIN but a Merciful God had a PLAN CALLED GRACE!  The Plan involved a BIRTH, a DEATH, and a RESURRECTION.  So the great Creator of fallen man, robed Himself in flesh, stepped from the Heavenly realm and was born.  He would become the PERFECT substitution for IMPERFECT man and satisfy the death sentence for sin.  When Jesus died on the cross, the SIN PROBLEM was settled once and for all.  Hebrews 9:12 “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”  That’s it!!!  It is finished!!!  The Sin Problem is settled!!!  But there still remains the WILL PROBLEM!!!

Jesus paid the price that sin demanded but you still have FREE WILL.  You still have to choose and the choice is the same for you as it was for Adam and Eve.  Will you choose SELF or will you choose GOD?  The actions are still the same; OBEDIENCE TO GOD or FOLLOW YOUR OWN LUST.   Finally, the consequence to your choice is still the same; SUBMISSION to GOD leading to ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD or SURRENDER to SELF leading to DEATH AND ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD.  Is there really any question?  CHOOSE TO SUBMIT!!!

HAPPINESS IS THE LORD

There are days I just walk through my house thanking God for all the little things that fill the rooms.  Then I thank Him for all of the people that walk through the doors; people that I am blessed to “share life with.”  It was such a day as this last week, as I walked from one room to the next, singing songs of praise, it hit me, “Susan, you have had a happy life!”  The little song I had learned in Sunday School, so many years ago began to echo in my mind:

“Happiness is to know the savior

Living a life within his favor

Having a change in my behavior

Happiness is the Lord”

Oh yes, I have had a very happy life.  Am I more blessed than most or do I just recognize the blessings?  Is the happiness a fleeting emotion unleashed because of a momentary pleasure or is there something  that bubbles up from deep within, when I “Think of the Goodness of Jesus?” 

People are constantly searching for something to feed the “Happiness Gene” that seems to exist in a perpetual state of hunger.  Millions of dollars are spent on the latest gadgets, luxury automobiles, houses and vacations trying to finally satisfy the longing for happiness.  It remains unsatisfied because the gadget doesn’t remain the latest, a newer car model will be released and someone will build a bigger house.  Men and women opt for divorce and go after another man or woman, convinced that God wouldn’t want them to be UNHAPPY!  SO, DOES GOD WANT YOU HAPPY?  I believe that He DOES want you happy, but God’s definition seems to war against our definition of happiness and the search continues.

The Bible gives us clues to follow in our pursuit of happiness, Psalms 37:4 says “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”  An unexpected thing happens to our mind as we begin to “Delight ourselves in the Lord,” all of the things we just thought we “couldn’t live without,” suddenly seem to slide down the priority list and our hearts begin to desire anything that will strengthen our relationship with God.  We suddenly find we have moved and are living in the STATE OF HAPPINESS.

There are other “Keys to Happiness” in the Word of God.  Some of them are definitely NOT items I would choose to place in my “happiness bag.”  Job: 17 says “If we allow God to correct us, we will be happy.”  Psalms 128:2 declares “a person is happy when they eat from the labor of their hands.”  Then of course we read in Proverbs from the wisdom of Solomon; “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and gains understanding,” “Heeds the word wisely and trusts in the Lord.”  Proverbs goes on to tell us that a “reverent man is happy,”  as is the one who “keeps the law.”  Back to my little song;  “Happiness is to know the Savior. Living a life within His favor.”  So it would seem that God does indeed want His Children to be happy. 

God doesn't dangle happiness like a carrot at the end of the stick to manipulate and entice you in to following His plan.  He offers you happiness as a gift and allows you to choose.  Happiness by GOD'S definition or the temporary and fleeting happiness derived from following your own plans, pursuing your selfish dreams and building your own little kingdom, which will all eventually crumble and fall.

1 Timothy 6:6 "Now Godliness with contentment is great gain."

I think the writer of the Sunday School song had finally figured out real happiness.  "HAPPINESS IS THE LORD!"

I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO.....

Before I begin this blog, I must establish two facts:

1.   I have lost the same weight at least 10 times over my life.

2.  I raised 2 boys that see life through a reality lens and have never sugar-coated anything.

It was a Monday morning and so of course my mind was on the start of a new week and maybe trying to start another “healthy eating” plan.  Because I am one of the world’s greatest multi-taskers, I was finishing up a cup of coffee, scanning face book and watching the morning news all at one time.  A familiar testimonial ad for a diet plan was playing on the television and the thought entered my caffeine-awakened brain, “I would do anything to look like her.”  Instantly, the phantom voices of my two boys interrupted my musings with, “No you wouldn’t Mom, because all you have to do is eat healthy and exercise.”  Well there went that fantasy and the voices were absolutely correct….after counting the cost, I was found to be a few dollars short!

A few years ago, I was walking with my daughter-in-law, when I saw the most beautifully landscaped lawn.  I remarked, “Oh I would love to have a yard like that.”  She replied, “Yes, me too, if I had someone to take care of it.”  (Amazing, my realist son has a realist wife.)  Obviously, the cost of the beautiful landscape was one she was not willing to pay.  Too many times we yearn for the finished product, after the price has been paid, unwilling to draw from our own treasures to cover the cost.

In the Word of God, there are many examples of men and women who COUNTED THE COST, then made their decision.  Matthew, Mark and Luke relate the story of a “Rich Young Ruler.”  He had a desire to prepare for the future and so he asked Jesus how he might inherit eternal life.  Jesus spoke to him of following the commandments, to which he proudly replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”  But the ledger was not yet balanced, so Jesus continued, “Sell all you have, give to the poor and come follow me.”  Luke 17:23 records the young ruler’s decision, after counting the cost, “But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.”  After counting the cost for eternal life, the Rich Young Ruler made the decision; Eternal Life was not worth the price!

The Bible also records the story of a beautiful young Jewish woman named Esther.  She had been taken captive by the Babylonians and she lived with her uncle, Mordecai in the citadel of Shushan.  The king was looking for a new wife, so after a year of preparation, Esther was presented to the king.  The king looked upon her with favor, choosing her to be his new wife.  It came to the attention of Mordecai that one of the kings trusted men was plotting to kill all of the Jews and he had to be stopped.  Mordecai convinced Esther to petition the King for favor and to save her people, the Jews, from annihilation.  After fasting for 3 days, Esther went, unbidden, into the king’s presence, knowing her action could carry a “death penalty.”   The story continues with the king holding out the golden scepter to Esther and consequently saving the Jewish people, living in the kingdom.    The last line of Esther 4:16 tells the real story of Queen Esther, “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”  Esther had Counted the Cost and was more than willing to Pay the Price!

Throughout our lives, it is so easy to look at a possession or the achievement of a friend and think to ourselves, “I would give anything to….” And all the while, we have no idea the cost of their perceived success. If we could see their “Ledger,” would we consider the cost too great?  Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—Before you make any decision for your life, obey Luke 14:28; Sit down, count the cost, then make your decision! 

The next time you utter the words, “I would give anything…” do a little digging, what is the ASKING PRICE and what are you WILLING TO PAY!!!

IF YOU ASK THEM, THEY WILL COME; THEN WHAT?

She slipped into the church a little late and sat 3 rows from the back.  She might have gone unnoticed and even slipped out a little early saying nothing to anyone, if it hadn’t been a Wednesday evening and the congregation was dismissed to go to their Life Group classes.  Walking down the aisle, I noticed the bewildered look on her face as most people walked past and down the stairs.  I stopped, introduced myself and said, “Why don’t you come with me.  I will show you the way and sit with you.”  She smiled grateful for a friendly face and together we walked to the Adult Life Group.  

For conversation’s sake, I asked what brought her to our church; had someone invited her; did she know someone that attended the church?  She said softly, “My Jesus-level was real low.”  I replied that I was very happy she had decided to join us this night.  The lesson was about spiritual growth and seemed directed at mature, committed Christians.  I listened to the teacher, all the while praying that something was getting through to her and at least would bring her “Jesus-level” up to a readable measure.  After the teacher finished his lesson, some comments were made and she raised her hand; “Thank you, this really spoke to me tonight,” she said.

After the class, I told her again how happy we were that she had come and invited her back for Sunday worship.  She said, “I want to come back and I will, but tomorrow I am going into Rehab for a few weeks.”  I hugged her, told her to take the time to get better and when she got out of Rehab, we would be here to love her and her children.  I have her name, phone number and address and I intend to follow up and help her raise her “Jesus-level” to the top.

We are encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors to come with us to church.  So we invite, they come and then what?  What do we have to offer; what are we serving up when they come?  Most cities have “Heinz 57” or “Baskin Robbins 31 flavors” when it comes to church variety.  There are architecturally-beautiful buildings, multi-program mega churches, rock-star music complete with flashing lights, pastors preaching in robes, suits  or jeans, rumpled shirts and tennis shoes; but what happens when our “Jesus-level” is low?

I recently read an article about a church in Oklahoma that is offering a Sunday evening service of Beer & Hymns.  Sure, they check your Id and there is a 3-beer limit.  And after all, you are singing hymns that hopefully mention Jesus.  Perhaps after you have consumed your 3 beers you might even be ready to listen to a salvation sermon and pray the “Sinner’s Prayer,” but what about the emptiness in your soul?  What about your Jesus-level?

Jesus asks the woman at the well for a drink of water, how different the story would have been if His next comment had been, “Come on down to the synagogue with me.  We can have a beer together and sing a few songs.”  It wouldn’t have satisfied her thirst or upped her Jesus-level; she needed the Living Water that Jesus offered.  What hope would the young lady at our Bible Study carried with her to Rehab, if we had shook her hand, offered her a beer and sang a few hymns?  She needed some Living Water.

When we invite our friends and the come, they are not looking for programs; they can find that at the local community center.  They are not looking for professional music or flashing lights; they can find a concert to attend every weekend of the year.  They are not looking for a cold drink and friendly faces, where “everyone knows your name,” chances are they know a better bar that serves better beer.  They are not even looking for an eloquent, hip speaker sporting the latest clothing trends and spiky hair.  NO, they are hungry for something that satisfies the longing deep inside.  Life probably hasn’t worked out so well, they want things to change and just maybe you will provide some answers. 

When we invite them and they come, we must offer HOPE!!!  HOPE that there is “something more.”  HOPE that they can be free of sin’s chains.  HOPE that the weight of the load they carry can be lightened.  HOPE that their “Jesus-level” can be filled to overflowing.  When you invite them and they come, then what?

WHEW!!! TIME TO CLEAN OUT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL!

I stumbled, sleepily to the sink, desperately needing that first cup of coffee.  As I turned on the water to fill the Keurig, a nasty smell cleared the fog from my brain.  The sink was clean, checking the trash can under the sink revealed nothing.  What was hiding in my kitchen?  Once more leaning over the sink, the smell took my breath away and the truth hit me; the garbage disposal needed to be cleaned out.  A couple of days ago, I had rinsed off the dinner plates and scrubbed the sink but I had forgotten to flip the switch to clear out the disposal and wash its contents down the sewer.  A garbage disposal is a wonderful kitchen tool to rid your house of unwanted food garbage but if you don’t flip the switch daily to clear out the unwanted fragments, you will eventually have a bigger problem in your kitchen today than you had yesterday.

How many times have we pushed aside the garbage that accumulates in our life every day, cleaning up the surface but forgetting the important next step; clearing out the garbage disposal.  You may go on happily through life for a few days and then at the most inopportune time, you notice a stench emanating from deep within.  You thought you had gotten rid of it but there were little bits and pieces lying there, putrefying, and just waiting to invade your life once again.  It is time to flip the switch and clear out your personal garbage disposal.

We can fool ourselves and those around us for a time but eventually the garbage that we have just set aside and forgotten to get rid of will make itself known.
Luke 6:4 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Check yourself, do your words carry an unpleasant aroma; sarcastic and cutting instead of edifying?  What about your attitude?  Are you guilty of “stinkin’ thinkin’” instead of hope and thanksgiving?  Even your actions can tell the tale of a full garbage disposal; you begin to consider your own lusts and desires instead of following the Will of God.  Don’t despair, there is an easy solution; FLIP THE SWITCH!!!

Prayer is a beautiful cleanser for our personal “garbage disposal.”  Spend a little time allowing God to give you a thorough cleansing.  He will take away the garbage of the day, the hurts and slights, the aggravations and even the little things we allow to discourage and weigh us down.  Then as an added benefit, God sprinkles on a little Grace to keep you smelling sweet.  You will feel fresher and those closest to you will begin to notice the pleasant aroma of God’s love that emanates from deep inside.  It is time to CLEAN OUT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL!  Don’t wait, the smell will just get worse; DO IT TODAY!!!

GOD DIDN'T MAKE MONSTERS ANYWHERE

We can talk ourselves into or out of believing almost anything.  If you don’t believe me, try this…Tomorrow morning, when you get out of bed, look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you don’t feel good and think you are getting sick.  Brush your teeth and tell yourself again that you think you are coming down with something.  Chances are you can convince yourself to get back into bed and lounge around in your pajamas all day.  By afternoon or late evening you may experience cold chills and a pounding headache.  Are you really sick? Probably not, but you have talked yourself into believing that you are, complete with symptoms, which are very likely due to hours of inactivity.   The reverse also works.  Truthfully, most of us do not feel energetic and ready to conquer the world when we roll out of bed.  It may take a shower and hot cup of coffee before you can think about facing the day but look in the mirror, take several deep breaths, smile and say, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Tell yourself that you are “more than a conqueror” and “can do all things through Christ.”  Sing a praise and worship song as you brush your hair and get dressed, grab that cup of coffee as you walk out the door thanking God for the beautiful morning.  Are you really going to conquer the world today?  Possibly because you have just convinced yourself that you can accomplish whatever comes your way, today.

This is true in just about every area of life; when we speak, we are often speaking prophetically, our words have power.   We find  that during Job’s great trials, he makes this statement in Job 3:25, “For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.”  When Job stopped fearing and began to speak blessing, everything he had lost and more was restored to him.  Now before I am accused of being a “prosperity preacher” or of embracing the “name it and claim it doctrine,” let me assure you that I believe we pray and receive according to the will of God not according to our own selfish lust and desires.  I also believe that we talk ourselves into many situations that are not according to the will of God because of negative, fearful, discouraging words and even sometimes go against the will of God by convincing ourselves that our desires our God’s primary priority in His plan for us.

On my birthday, my little 3-year old granddaughter, Maicie sang a song to me that came straight from her mind and heart.  She called it the “Rainbow Song.”  It began with a line about rainbows in your eyes than veered off into the things that were really on her mind.  The 3rd line of the song went like this, “God didn’t make monsters anywhere, not in your bedrooms.”  I’m sure Maicie didn’t realize what she was doing, but she was speaking prophetically, WORDS OF FAITH to herself.  I’m sure she has imagined monsters in her room and probably even dreamed of them.  I also know that she has a Mommy and Daddy who pray with her and assure her that there are no monsters in her bedroom because “God didn’t make monsters.”  As Maicie continues to speak or sing her words, she is convincing herself to believe what Mommy and Daddy tell her and eventually the “monsters in the room” become a non-issue.

Philipians 4:8 Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Whatever “monster” you are facing in your life, try Maicie’s “prophetic singing.”  Substitute words of FAITH for words of FEAR.  Begin to PRAISE instead of COMPLAIN; BLESSINGS instead of CURSINGS.  Not only will you feel a lifting in your spirit but the negativity will flee and you will begin to believe that GOD IS WORKING ALL THINGS OUT FOR YOUR GOOD because GOD DIDN'T MAKE MONSTERS ANYWHERE!

YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL (Just not all at once)

My pantry holds an assortment of yummy treats just waiting to fill my grandbabies tummies.  One of the favorite treats of the younger grandkids is Fruit Snacks.  For you who may not know, a fruit snack is a small packet of different colored gummy candies in the shape of a favorite cartoon or Disney character.  For some reason, it seems that is impossible to eat and chew just one of the gummies at a time.  No matter how often I say “just one,” every one of my grandkids has looked at me with their mouth stuffed full of gummies until their cheeks bulge and chewing is impossible.   It isn’t as if someone is going to snatch one or there is a timer set with a limited amount of time for finishing.  I often think of how much more enjoyment they would get if they would learn to savor each candy.  You can have it all, just not all at once.

I was fortunate to come of age at a time when it was still acceptable for women to be stay-at-home moms and being a homemaker WAS a career choice.  As the 1990’s approached, women were made to feel as if choosing to stay home to take care of your kids and make a comfortable home was only for the “dummies” who couldn’t do anything else.  I watched many of these women juggle careers, children, husbands, leisure time and social obligations; trying to HAVE IT ALL!!!  Instead of savoring every moment and enjoying different seasons in their life, they became depressed and stressed out because they were cramming too much into a small 24 hour space.  I wanted to tell them, “You can have it all, just not all at once.”

Oh there are many sacrifices to make, priorities to set and choices that are difficult but don’t fool yourself, the one trying to have it all is also setting priorities, making choices and something is always being sacrificed.  Thinking back over some of the sacrifices that allowed me to be the stay-at-home Mom that was there when the kids came busting in the house after an exciting day at school.  The wife that always had a hot cooked meal waiting when Steve came in, tired from a long day at work.  Making sure there were clean clothes in the closet, toilet paper in the bathrooms and juggling the budget, stretching the money to cover the necessities was as much of a challenge as any CEO of a company faced.  I forfeited new cars, perfectly decorated homes, gourmet restaurant meals and designer clothes; they would come and I would enjoy, just not all at the same time.  The kids finally grew up and I finally received my degree and finally started a corporate career.  Now, once again, I find myself a stay-at-home Grandma and a homemaker by choice.  Looking back over my life, I can say, “I have had it all, just not all at once.”

In our walk with God, we have dreams and ambitions; there are so many things we want God to accomplish through us.  There are gifts to be desired, aspirations of ministry and positions,  people to touch and souls to win.  Too many times, instead of allowing God to work through us we go full-throttle, packing every moment full of “working for God.”  When our mouth becomes so stuffed we can’t chew, we finally choke and wonder why God has left us gasping for air.  PATIENCE, God will give you everything He has planned for you, just not all at once.

At the present time, you may be in the “waiting mode” or maybe you are “tugging at the bit” desiring to rush into the calling you feel in your spirit.  STOP!!! Savor the moment you are in.  God is working out the last few details and when the time is right you will step into your next season.  One thing I have learned is “when we find contentment in the present season, fulfillment will await you in the next season.  Stop stuffing all the gummies into your bulging cheeks; YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL, just not all at once.

GARBAGE CANS ARE NOT LAWN DECORATIONS

 

There is nothing more welcoming than walking up to a house on a cleanly swept sidewalk, leading to a well-lit porch and knocking on a door that is freshly painted and in good repair.  It is not only inviting but hints at the serene restfulness that lies beyond the door; a clean, neat home.  No matter how awesome the inside of your house is laid out or beautifully decorated, a weedy lawn, broken down toys, strewn trash and the lack of or overgrown landscaping can ruin the picture. 

For years we were perfectly happy to use a 32 gallon Roughneck, Rubbermaid garbage can to hide our garbage until “trash day.”  We could keep it in our garage or hidden discreetly behind the house out of public view.  Then about a year ago, our trash collector decided to be more efficient and automate the collection trucks which meant giving every resident two monster, bright blue 95 gallon trash cans.  Well nothing is more inviting or says “come sit a spell” than adding a couple of garbage cans to your landscaping.  Fortunately, we have a side-entry garage which provides a small alcove at the side of the house to hide the ugly, gigantic, blue plastic receptacles.

And about that ugly, gigantic, blue plastic receptacle, most of us seem to have one in our life.  It has a name; we call it FACEBOOK.  Not everything on Facebook is garbage and not everyone lets it “all hang out” marring the awesome picture of the beautiful you.  I love to see the pictures of your kids and grandkids, the beautiful sunsets and exciting vacation pictures but I can live happily ever after without seeing a picture of your surgical scar complete with stitches, your swollen toe and yesterday’s prize, a medical bag full of the contents that had been drained out of a lung.  I don’t need to read the hints about what someone is saying about you, either tell the story, complete with names or better yet, go tell the person to “shut up,” either way, I don’t need to step over your garbage.  If your husband is a jerk and your kids won’t talk to you, pray for them or send me a prayer request and I will pray for them, but please don’t set the garbage cans on your front porch.

What do people see as they walk up to the “door” of your life?  Is it warm and inviting?  Is the love shining through your eyes and a welcoming smile saying, “come in and sit for a while?”  OR do you have your garbage sitting out for the entire world to see and the wind to scatter until bits are even blown into the lives of your friends and neighbors?  We all have garbage in our life that must be dealt with but PUHLEEZE keep it discreetly in the can behind the garage, I don’t want to have to wade through it before I get to the real you.

THE GIFT OF SHALT NOT

As all the Facebook devotees know, under each post is the opportunity for the reader to give a “THUMBS UP” signifying “good post,” “I agree” or that really “hit a nerve.”  Look again; there is no “THUMBS DOWN” for the reader to click in disagreement.  Oh you can put a L or type “dislike” in the comments but who does that?  No one wants to appear negative.  No, we live in an “AFFIRMING” society where anything you choose is ok and the right choice for you.  Sadly, I have witnessed this “HYPER-AFFIRMATION” become the downfall of many movie and rock stars, politicians, preachers and loved ones.

It is tempting to surround ourselves with ONLY positive, affirming friends and if anyone dares question or use the word, NO, they are swiftly deleted, defriended or if unable to be eliminated, pushed to the outskirts of our tight-knit little circle of admirers.  I have to admit that my first thought at receiving an online rebuke for a post was not humble or spiritual.  My first thought was, “How dare you” and “Who do you think you are anyway.”  The Holy Spirit has a way of stopping us, however, and allowing us to think for just a moment.  Words do matter and to make sure we speak those things that are true, kind, lovely, edifying and with the right motives, every now and then we need someone in our life that says, “NO.”

The Word of God is full of affirming statements.  “We are loved with an everlasting love.”  “Nothing shall separate us from the love of God.”  “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.”  Now that we feel all “warm and fuzzy,” we need to remember that all of these affirmations are anchored to THOU SHALT NOTs!!!  Let us not get so carried away with euphoria of affirmation that we push the “shalt nots” to the outskirts of our circle or delete them from our life.  It is the “shalt nots” that keep us in tune with God so that we can hear and follow after His voice.  It is the “shalt nots” that make us stop and reconsider our words, actions and choices. It is the “shalt nots” that keeps us from separating ourselves from the love of God.  NO is as life-giving as YES and we must have someone we allow in our circle that is not afraid to speak negative things into our life.

Is it possible that Samson would not have been blinded and made to tread grain as an animal, if dad and mom had given him a “Thumbs Down?”  What if Eli had told his sons, “Thou SHALT NOT take the Ark of God into battle, Israel would have not suffered defeat at the hands of the Philistines and Hophni and Phinehas could have spent their days ministering before the Lord.  Then there is Rehoboam, the son of Solomon who pushed the wise elders from his circle of advisors and chose to listen only to those who agreed with him.  This of course caused a civil war and his kingdom was split, all because he did not allow anyone in his life to tell him, NO!!!

So the next time someone tells you NO, thank them for giving you the opportunity to reconsider.  Instead of reaching for the “DELETE” button at the next negative comment, use it to examine your thoughts and motives.  Include two or three people in your inner circle that you trust, that you love and are not afraid to speak to you with brutal honesty.  The "THOU SHALT NOT" that you reluctantly receive and apply to your life may just be your salvation from a life of heartache and regret.

WHEN "I SHOULD" BECOMES "IF ONLY"

Every one of us has moments, days or years that we just wish we could “do over.”  Maybe it is because of procrastination, perhaps it was due to impulsiveness, or maybe you tried to take things into your own hands and instead, created a mess.  Whatever the reason or the excuse, we can all look back at the moments when our “I should” becomes our “If only.”-

As with most of the “mess ups” in our life, “If Onlys” were handed down to us from Father Adam and have been a constant “thorn in our side” throughout the history of mankind.  Adam was well aware of the choice he SHOULD make.  He had heard the instruction straight from the mouth of God, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”   (Genesis 2:16-17)  Yes, Adam knew exactly what he SHOULD DO, but in a moment that would change Human History, he ate of the fruit.  In that moment, not only were Adam’s eyes opened to knowledge, not only would his body begin to die, not only would he have to toil and labor for his “daily bread,” but Adam experienced a moment when his SHOULD became his IF ONLY.

There are many more examples in the Bible of “I SHOULD” becoming “IF ONLY.”  So many regrets would be avoided, if we would learn the “IF ONLY” lessons taught by each event.  Moses SHOULD have spoken to the rock; IF ONLY he had not struck the rock, he would have been the one leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Abraham SHOULD have trusted God when He said that his son would come from Sarah; IF ONLY he had not been impatient, he would not have birthed an Ishmael.  Judas SHOULD have not allowed money to cloud his judgment; IF ONLY he had loved and been loyal to the Master, he would have been one of the 120 in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost.  So many life changing moments occur when an “I SHOULD” turns into an “IF ONLY.”

Thirteen years ago, September 2, 2001, I too had one of those moments that will be forever imprinted on my brain.   We had gone to our “up north” cottage to spend the Labor Day weekend.  Mom had called on Friday, to say she was taking Dad to the hospital to possibly get a blood transfusion and expected to be home some time during the day on Saturday.  I was busy and looking forward to a fun-filled weekend.  I tried to call Saturday morning and again Saturday evening; there was no answer at  home.  I thought, to myself, tomorrow I will call the hospital if there is still no answer on the home phone.  On the way to breakfast, Sunday morning, my phone rang with the sad news that Dad had died.  I SHOULD have called; IF ONLY I had, I could have spent some precious last moments hearing my Dad’s voice and letting him know one more time that I loved him.

 

If there are things in your life that you SHOULD do or say; DO THEM!!!!  Make that phone call; SAY THEM!!!  Don’t allow another SHOULD to transform into an IF ONLY.

LOST IN THE HOUSE

This morning, our Pastor mentioned the Parable of the Lost Coin in Luke 15.  What strikes me in this parable is that the coin wasn’t spent foolishly or dropped on the way to an exciting adventure; no, the coin was lost inside the house.  Perhaps it had gotten buried under a stack of paper or had been carelessly swept off the table.  How long did it take before the owner realized it was missing?  The passage didn’t say but we do know that as soon as she realized it had fallen by the wayside, she made every effort to find it and lovingly restore it to its place beside the other coins.

Every Sunday Morning, we enter the church to worship with our brothers and sisters.  How many Sundays pass before we notice that one of the shining “coins” are missing?  Oh they may be sitting right beside you, they may go through the familiar motions and say all the right words at the appropriate times but if you look closely, you will notice, the “coin” is lost inside the house.

Perhaps they became “lost” under a “stack of life” or perhaps a careless word or action swept them away.  Whatever the reason, the “coins” are too valuable to shrug your shoulders or just replace with another shiny coin.  We have to learn to look behind the façade of manufactured smiles and perfect words and see the lonely soul that has become lost in the house.  Once we realize a coin is missing, I pray that the Body of Christ will, as the woman in Luke 15, light a lamp and sweep the house, searching with care until the “lost coin” is found and restored to its rightful place.

The Parable doesn’t end once the coin is found, however, Luke 15:9, And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!  As the church body begins to discover the “Coins” that have been lost in the house, we will begin to hear the sounds of rejoicing from earth and Heaven reach a resounding crescendo.  Luke 15:19, Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

It is time to light a lamp, get out our brooms and start sweeping.  There are precious coins that have been “LOST IN THE HOUSE” for too long.  Let the Sound of Rejoicing begin.

TWO LEGS AND A PIECE OF EAR

It had been a long, fun-filled week at Niswonger Grandkid’s Camp 2014 and I was totally exhausted.  The grandkids had gone home, my house was a cluttered mess and after a week of sleep deprivation all I wanted was a steaming cup of coffee, as I stumbled out of bed on Sunday morning.  To properly function, a body requires uninterrupted rest during each 24 hour period to heal, replenish the spent energy and store up a surplus of energy to be used the next day.  If your body goes without this restorative process for too many days, you will tire more easily, your immune system will break down, leaving you vulnerable to illness and disease and eventually complete collapse.  As the caffeine coursed through my veins, bringing me back to life I counted the hours of sleep over the last week and realized 4 to 5 hours per night was not enough to replenish the energy expended every day trying to keep up with 6 kids all under 10 years old.  I was physically exhausted.

It was Sunday and my teaching and tradition told me I should be getting ready for church but on this specific morning, getting dressed, driving an hour for 3 songs, an offering, sermon and prayer was something my mind couldn’t wrap around.  Pouring another cup of coffee, I turned on one of my favorite streaming church services in Louisiana.  I sang along with the awesome worship and prepared myself to hear a good sermon.  But today, it would be more than a sermon; God had a message prepared for me.  I cannot tell you the title or the text but there was one verse that grabbed hold of me and began to do its work. Amos 3:12 Thus says the Lord: “As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed.”  Suddenly God wasn’t speaking to Israel, He was speaking directly to me and it hit me I was SPIRITUALLY EXHAUSTED and in danger of being completely devoured.

I honestly felt that about all I had left was two legs and not even a whole ear, just a piece.  Oh, I knew God still loved me and I rested in His salvation but spiritually, I was completely spent.  For too long I had been taking in just enough to pour out something to others but not enough to build up my own reserves.  Having been raised in church and filled with the Spirit as a child, I was an expert at going through the motions, saying “Amen” at just the right time, smiling and giving just the right word of encouragement, praying just the right prayer, then making my way home totally drained.  My Spiritual Immune System was breaking down, I was becoming vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and I didn’t even have the strength to pull my two legs and ear out of the mouth of the lion; I was exhausted.

The beautiful thing about God is He doesn’t leave us in our exhausted state to rescue ourselves.  No, Amos 3:12 says “As the Shepherd rescues..”  Healing tears began to flow down my face, a glimmer of hope shone faintly in my spirit as I snuggled comfortably in His everlasting arms. “But God is it enough?”  “What can you do with two legs and a piece of ear?”  And God softly whispered, “I created the two legs and the ear; they belong to me.”  If you will listen closely with even one ear, you will hear My voice which bids you come to me on your two legs and I will give you rest.”

Perhaps, you feel pulled apart and devoured until there is only two legs and piece of ear remaining.  You have given of yourself for too long without replenishing the reserve; you are Spiritually Exhausted.  Allow the Shepherd to rescue the parts of you that remain and remake you as only the Creator can.  Rest in His Presence, listen to His voice, allow His Spirit to rejuvenate and reenergize you.  Prepare to be amazed at what God will do with “TWO LEGS AND A PIECE OF EAR.”

 

GRACE SPEECH

I was about 12 or 13 when I first heard the phrase, “No offense, but.”  I still remember the exact place and who said it and the event we were discussing…Isn’t it strange that the phrase would still ring in my head 40+ years later? I was having a teenage-girl conversation with my friend Brenda Carol about, of course, BOYS!!!  She was telling me about her new boyfriend and that a church friend had said, “No offense, but your boyfriend is ugly.”  Why would someone say that?  It didn’t make sense; of course it was offensive and I’m sure it was said as an insult so why would it be compounded by lying and saying “No Offense?”

I was raised by a Dad who “Said what he meant and meant what he said.”  There was not a lot of “flowery” talk or drama and definitely no politically correct speech to soften the blow of word meanings.  My Dad was not a mean person and didn’t go around insulting people but if you ever felt offended or insulted by him, believe me it was INTENTIONAL and was not prefaced by “No Offense, but.”  So, although I didn’t always follow his lead, I learned that if you didn’t want to “own” your words, keep them to yourself and if you were going to speak be prepared for the consequence that would follow.

I began to think of the different ways we have learned to preface statements so that the insult or put down is softened and the risk of personal consequence is lessened.  There is, of course, “No offense, but" which translates, “I’m about to say something you will find offensive but you do not have permission to be offended.” Sometimes we use, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but.”  Obviously, we are about to say something ambiguous.  It might hurt the other person’s feelings but “I’m really saying this to help you,” so YOU need to listen with a “right” spirit.  My all time favorite “insult preface” is “With all due respect.”  The correct interpretation of this phrase is, “I really have NO respect for anything you just said and I am about to issue a correction.”  Other popular response prefaces include, “I probably shouldn’t say this, but,” “You may not like this, but,” or “I wouldn’t do that, but if you want to.” Now with social media, instead of prefacing our derogatory comments we add “LOL” at the end.  As if adding LOL takes the sting out of the insult or insulates you, the poster, from any fallout from the putdown you just issued.

Colossians 4:6 admonishes us to, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”  You may argue that the prefaces you use are the “salt” spoken of in Colossians but you are forgetting the first part of the verse, “Let your speech always be with grace.”  GRACE SPEECH is always kind, is never rude, does not promote its importance over another, doesn’t hint at evil or provoke another.  GRACE SPEECH is always spoken in love and intended to encourage and lift up the other person.  GRACE SPEECH is GOD SPEECH.

OK, I’m repenting because I have been guilty of using some of these “Prefaces” with full knowledge that the statements following would tear down instead of build up, would discourage rather than encourage and would offend although I told them they had no right to be offended. GRACE SPEECH may not be your “native” language but it can be learned and with practice you can begin to speak it fluently.  It starts by training your mind;  Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. When all of things spoken of in Philippians sink deeply into your heart, your mouth will begin to speak things that are noble, just, pure, lovely and of a good report.

GRACE SPEECH, you can begin speaking it today!!!

FREEDOM FOR THE FISH OF EGYPT

It didn't take long for the Children of Israel to forget the bondage of Egypt and the purpose of their freedom.  They had not been delivered from Egypt just to escape the evil taskmasters.  Oh no, God had delivered them because He had a covenant with their Grandfather Abraham.  They were a people, set apart to worship Him.  A few days out of Egypt, we find them willing to embrace the bondage of Egypt to alleviate their growling stomachs.  Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”  Look at the first part of verse 5, “Remember the fish which COST NOTHING!”  OH NO, ISRAEL!   The “Fish of Egypt” cost you EVERYTHING!!! The “Fish of Egypt” cost you your children, your health, your ability to make your own decisions; it was the COST OF FREEDOM.

It didn't take long, after the Birth of the Church for some Believers to forget the bondage of sin and the purpose for their freedom.  We have been delivered from sin not just to escape Hell but because we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a people for His own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, paraphrased)  But just a few short years from Pentecost, we find Paul and Peter warning the young Church to not ABUSE their freedom, trading it for the “Fish of Egypt;” reminding them the reasons for their freedom. 

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Today, we celebrate Independence Day; the day we declared our independence from a tyrannical king; but America has forgotten the true reason for freedom.  We did not fight an empire as a country just so we could make our own laws, then use those laws to mean anything we could twist them to mean.  Oh America, how far you have come from the day of declaring “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;”  The founders of this great nation fought because of a deeply held belief in God; a God that had given all people the right to LIFE, LIBERTY AND A PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!

America, 238 years after declaring these words is trying to remove God from the equation.  In doing so, we are perverting the rights endowed by this same God.  The right to LIFE; our “Free” nation has passed laws allowing its “Free” citizens the liberty to deprive our unborn of the right to LIFE and many would desire prosecution for those who dare to guarantee that right to the millions of babies who cannot speak for themselves.  The right to LIBERTY;  our “Free” citizens willing hand our blood-bought liberty back to a government who has forgotten that rights are not bestowed upon us by government but by our Creator, in which they no longer believe.  The right to THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS; the greed of “free” people has traded their right to pursue happiness for the “Fish of Egypt.”  We no longer understand the satisfaction of the reward of labor.  Instead we ask and expect our government to provide our reward.  If we work, we allow those in power to confiscate our harvest, distribute it as they wish, and then thank them for their largesse in allowing us a small portion.  These are the COST OF FREEDOM and as Americans we have forgotten the true purpose of our freedom.  

Today as we celebrate with picnics, fireworks, parades and wave the “Red, White and Blue,” take a few moments to remember.  Remember those who have sacrificed their lives and families to guarantee the right to live as a free people.  Remember the Rights that were declared 238 years ago.  Remember the God who has endowed all people, not just America with those rights.  Remember the cost of the “Fish of Egypt” may be the loss of that precious freedom.  Finally, remember WHY we have been set free; free from a tyrannical government, free from sin, free to live, free to breathe in the winds of liberty, free to pursue happiness and determine that you will live in that freedom today and every day.  LET FREEDOM RING!!!