Stop Flicking The Switch!

God Spoke: "Light!" And the light appeared.

God saw that light was good and separated light from dark.

Genesis 1:3-4 Message

Why, oh why do I flick the light switch off? Sometimes its just in passing or out of habit. Without even thinking. Or perhaps someone else or circumstance turned it off and I never cared enough to turn it back on. Lazy? Unwise? Yes, both to blame.

 

There is a time of rest, so there is a time for a healthy darkness.

A darkness that refreshes my body and leaves light in my soul.

 

Yet, as I'm stumbling around in my life,

stubbing sore feet of clay.....

after injury and strain

 relying on self.....

or others...

 

Sometimes I switch the breaker to allow power to flow

Then just as suddenly cut the flow in the next

wave of rationalizing

faith waving in the wind

off the ROCK

....on, off, on, off, on, off...

 

I hear the LORD break through the dark cloud and shout,

"LIGHT! Girl, stop flicking the switch!"

 

He reminds me:

In the beginning

In the beginning of you

In the beginning of me and you

In the beginning of your real life

In the beginning of everything you set your hand to

In the beginning of your marriage

In the beginning of your parenting

In the beginning of your pain

In the beginning of your heartaches

In the beginning of your struggles

In the beginning of your challenges

In the beginning of your callings

In the beginning of every thought

 

God Created...

 

This is the part that hits me between the eyes today.

 

Now the earth was formless

and empty,

Everything stated above...formless and empty...void

 

...darkness was over the surface of the deep,

Everything stated was under the covering of darkness...

it is the state of being without light

there is no other illumination

 

...and the Spirit of God was hovering

He is and has always been hovering over it all

over me

over all that

and more

more than I can understand

Hovering, waiting, anticipating, planning,

even loving

Like an artist

Like a parent

Like Creator

 

...over the waters.

over the still

over the storms

over the swells and breaks

over the coming pollution

over the promised harvest

over the sinking

over the freezing

over the traveling

over the monsters

over the mystery

over the vastness

over the lost

over the fishing

over the swimming

over the drowning

over the call to walk on it

over the evaporation

over the rain

over the wrecks

over the treasures

over the adventures

and even over the bow of promise

 

And God said, "Let there be light"

Into all of me.....He calls with His breath Light

vision

truth revelation

clarity

hope

salvation in all stated

in all of me

 

God saw...

He sees me

He sees it all

 

God saw that the light was good,

He calls light into the world

He calls light into me

into my world

and sees that it's good

It is His Light and He IS Holy

He sees it leave Himself

Perfect and Good

But when it hits me

Perfection is lost

at the cost of giving me the gift of seeing light myself

No longer blind

No longer hopeless, empty and formless

 

..and He separated the light from the darkness.

He did it

Not me

Not my intellect

Not my rational

Not an other's

He makes it clear

Light

and

Dark

He alone

THE ONE and ONLY

There is NO OTHER

 

Darkness is the setting of the switch

It is what I am in

What I will become

alone and in the dark

formless, empty and void

corrupting even light lived, past tense

 

It is the dimming I miss

compromise

guard down

forgetting the LORD first

Do everything to the glory of GOD

Reflective Love

 

The LORD

THE LIGHT BREATHER

 

I cannot breathe out LIGHT

But He created me to inhale

Praise HIM!

With remnants Holy Light

sticking to me

living in me

and reflecting back to HIm

and again

The Hovering God, Holy Creator

Sees and says it is good

commanding me to follow Him

into the Light

which He separates

from the Darkness

in every moment

in every circumstance

 

Only HE sees with HOLY LIGHT

what portion He grants me is a miracle

And it is GOOD.

 

May I remember to stay in the LIGHT

with all that I am

All my hope is in HIM

 

The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.

John 1:5

 

 

If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth- we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. 

1 John 2:9-11

 

The City doesn't need sun or moon for light. God's Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp!

Revelation 21:23

 

No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs.

Revelation 22:5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT a Gift of Love

Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Psalm 36:5

Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
Psalm 26:2-3

How do you love for a season?
How can love exist in a limit?
How does love cost?
How is love defined?

Christ has called me to just that kind of love this year. To say I wanted to define the terms is an understatement. But to walk in His steps......

The love journey I am on is constantly stretching my heart to be more like Jesus. It cost Jesus everything to love. He sacrificed and limited himself by taking on a tent of flesh... for love. He endured all sorts of emotional pain in that life...for love. He willingly agreed to the pain of sacrifice for our sins...for love. Even now He has given us the ability to grieve Him....for love. In all moments he loves; regardless of circumstance or others or me. His decision to love, His choice, His Life was not a response to us. He is not who He IS by our actions; by mine, by others.  He is not who He is conditionally. HE IS who HE IS. He is THE Constant. The Rock. The Strong Tower.


But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16


This is the lesson upon my heart this year. It's one I've known and tried to live....yet this year....TESTING came and came and came....The purification process was HOT! Why so much? Why so hot? Why so persistent?  The voice of LOVE, of TRUTH speaks to me, "This IS love. Infatuation is based on emotion. Worldly love is based on self interest and desire and coveting and reactions and circumstance and merit. Real Love is selfless, sacrificial, faithful, constant, and good; full of mercy, grace, forgiveness and hope; despite circumstance or merit or emotion. I love you, everyday, all the time, every time. I do not hesitate my love for you considering myself. I love completely and perfectly. Because I am LOVE, there is no other. Know me, know love. Give what you've been given. It's not yours to keep. It is mine to give. Love does not belong to you. It belongs to me."


Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
1 John 4:7-12



Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:35



You, LORD, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:5



Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 7:9


Love is completely void of self. So I ask myself, "How much do I love? Who do I love?" I am full of love for others. I understand love is defined by sacrifice. I know love is unaltered by circumstance. These are heart strings I've learned to play from past encounters with THE HOLY ONE.


Void of self......void. Me out of the thought process altogether. Void, as an adjective, is revealing:



1. Law. having no legal force or effect; not legally binding or enforceable.

2. useless; ineffectual; vain.

3. devoid; destitute (usually followed by of ): a life void of meaning.

4. without contents; empty.

5. without an incumbent, as an office.

6. Mathematics . (of a set) empty. 

7. (in cards) having no cards in a suit.

EXPAND

 LOVE gives up legal right, force or effect....the power of the LAW....the enforcement

LOVE gives up vanity and manipulation or use...planned effectiveness

LOVE gives up self purpose and meaning and security

LOVE gives up pride and protection to risk hurt and pain

LOVE gives up being in control

LOVE gives up laws of order and logic

LOVE gives up gives up privilege

LOVE gives up all the world's systems.... for another....

THAT is what JESUS did. He did it for me and calls me to do it for others.

For the least of these.

For the undeserving.

For the persecutors.

For the lost.

For.................whoever HE CALLS me to LOVE.

Actually He calls me to surrender so He can LOVE through me. I'm not love. He is.

Unless the LORD had given me help,

I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death;

When I said, "My foot is slipping,"

your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought me joy.

Psalm 94:17-19

 

 

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

 

 

 

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

I John 4:16-21

In this season I've finally come to the gift of HIS LOVE in me. Not for me but in me. He desires to send me as a gift of love to those he loves. It's His LOVE that sustains me, comforts and heals me. His LOVE that sends me hope and fills me with joy..... WHAT a gift of love. My arms fling wide to His embrace of love, unconditional by me, faithful and true by Him. That same love can flow through me to others. Love has never begun with me. How foolish my thoughts have been to think it ever did. Freedom to love spreads it's fingers over the most recent strings accross my heart playing a greatful Love Song.

 

 

 

It is good to praise the LORD

and make music to your name, O Most High,

proclaiming your love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night,

to the music of the ten-stringed lyre

and the melody of the harp.

Psalm 92:1-3

 

 

 

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Psalm 63:3

I needed that kind of love today. And the LORD Jesus showed up with His LOVE and Lived in and through me! Oh, how I love Jesus.....because He first loved me!

 

 

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34-35

 

 

 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

 

 

 

When I release the LOVE, the LORD LOVES me with, to others, it is the LORD HIMSELF I have LOVED. Completing the circle ring of our engagement. If no one recieves it, if I am hurt, if I am rejected by the world....I am not by JESUS. HE is the lover of my soul and in those moments I am the lover of HIS. For you Jesus. Because I love you and I know that every time the circumstance is against me, you are for me and recieve my love.

 

 

 

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..

1 Peter 1:8

 

 

 

Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Psalm 17:7

 

 

 

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23:6

 

 

 

Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.

Psalm31:21

 

 

 

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 117:2

 

 

 

May the LORD direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

 

 

 

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Jude 1:2

Quiet! Be Still!

Quiet! Be still!

Quiet! Be still!

Quiet! Be still!

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,

"Quiet! Be still!"

Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:39

Why is it so hard for me? Why can I not hear? Why does my heart get lost in the storm?

Why can I not remember the LORD of Creation who has ALL AUTHORITY?

Why do my problems, challenges, and emotions appear stronger than they are?

Why do I harbor false beliefs?

Why do I loose faith in trials?

Why?

HE REMEMBERS

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children's children-

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm103:13-19

Why?

Because I am just me and no more.

I am limited.

I am just me.

Empty.

I am not able to be more.

AND the LORD knows it.

He Created me.

He Loves me.

He is Holy.

There is no mistake.

Did he created me this way.

This limited way.

This weak way.

This way.

To Create the Altar in me for His Presence to Dwell.

Did He created me to be His tent of meeting?

Nothing in itself until filled.

The tent.

The Tabernacle.

Completely empty,

meaningless,

and

void

without

HIS

PRESENCE.

Is the reason for my struggle of faith for just that purpose?

Glory!

Will a pillar of fire

by night

and

a pillar of clouds

by day

be my guide?

Glory!

Will the Mercy Seat

be set in my heart

for myself

and others?

Is this the reason to give the sacrifice of praise:

Praise in the storms

Praise in the problems

Praise in the challenges

Praise in the emotions

My God IS with me.

He calls me to be still and remember:

The LORD will fight for me: I need only to be still.

Exodus 14:14

The Levites calmed all the people, saying,

"Be still, for this is a holy day.

Do not grieve."

Nehemiah 8:11

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

Be still before the LORD, all mankind,

because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

Zachariah 2:13

http://www.eternalcog.org/ecgtw/animman.html

Bouquet of Blossoms

I had the best time Saturday! I rode in the church van with wonderful ladies to a Christian Women's Conference.....including a Casting Crowns Concert!

One of my friends, someone I'd really like to get to know better, told me I need to get out more. AND she is RIGHT!!!! Some of the isolation is really good and some is not. Life is just so busy sometimes I forget girlfriend fun or it just doesn't make the LIST. Fellowship does happen in my life. THANK YOU JESUS. My heart would like a bit more. So caught up in responsibilities focusing with tunnel vision.....

Thank you Jesus for sending me the bouquet of blossoms you call daughters.

As followers of Christ, our time is not our own. As wives and mothers our time is not our own. As employees our time is not our own. It seems something is always a priority...it usually is. But not always. There always seems to be enough time to watch a favorite show or sit at the computer or complain about something.

Younger I believe I was a good friend. What happened? The LORD calls us to fellowship! Maybe I don't have much time, maybe there isn't anything during this season of life to squeeze out to make room. Yet there IS the ability to take notice and engage in the moments gifted. There is time to block and save if only rarely.

I started to rethink my girlfriend time and I realized I have more than I thought. Ladies Bible study is the most special. (I am having some withdraw and mourning over following Jesus to another study group) Secondly and similarly is our homeschool co-op. Without each of these groups of ladies I would feel cut off.  More, you bet I'd like. But I do have what I need. Each of these women are gifts.

The next time you extend the heart of friendship, remember you are causing another flower to blossom. Seasons of refreshment.  I've had times that I felt so alone in the battle...I don't anymore. Mostly due to girlfriends of faith.

I can't help but consider the flowers on the Lamp Stand in the Tabernacle.

Make a Lampstand of pure, hammered gold. Make the entire Lampstand and its decorations of one piece-the base, center stem, lamp cups, buds, and petals. Make it with six branches going out from the center stem, three on each side. Each of the six branches will have three lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. Craft the center stem of the Lampstand with four lamp cups shaped like almond blossoms, complete with buds and petals. There will also be an almond bud beneath each pair of branches where the six branches extend from the center stem. The almond buds and branches must all be of one piece with the center stem, and they must be hammered from pure gold. Then make the seven lamps for the lampstand, and set them so they reflect their light forward. The lamp snuffers and trays must also be made of pure gold. You will need seventy-five pounds of pure gold for the lampstand and its accessories.


Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.
Exodus 25:31-40

Jesus is the Lampstand....we are flowers, His bouquet, hammered into beauty....with the oil of the Holy Spirit flowing through us! All made from one piece!

Glory!!!!! May His LIGHT, His GLORY, shine, reflect, give light in the us the almond flowers.
He is calling us to be complete with buds and petals! Must be one with the Center Piece, must be hammered from PURE GOLD. We are called to this kind of friendship...it's the pattern! Flowers Filled with His Spirit, one with Him and each other... there may be hammering in life and refining.......But ooohhh the LIGHT.....it's then we behold HIS GLORY!!!!

I found a source that said:
Almond in Hebrew means "the awakening one", because the almond tree was the first to awake from the sleep of winter and blossom. It spoke of the speedy and powerful result of light.

Subpoenaed!

A subpoena was handed to me a few minutes ago. My hair was wet, evidence of a recent shower. Dogs barking and kids peering around me to get a view of the officer at the door. There is no planning a good time for the summons or negotiating it's dates. This was not convenient. Nor was the order.

I've been called upon to give testimony, to be a witness, to stand before the judge. Before others, some I would know and others I would not. Sounds like another call on my life. Give my testimony, be a witness, stand before HIM. Appointed meetings with others.

At first thought testimony sounds reasonable. Testimony is a legal form of evidence. It is sworn truth.
The Bible is THE TESTIMONY. It is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The TRUTH. The Evidence. Legal evidence. Upon these thoughts the idea of my personal testimony reveals its self. Truthful evidence in my life.  So where is the truthful evidence of Jesus in my life?  It's the stuff that is messy...Redeemed messy. Times God shows up whem I'm down for whatever reason. The times I call from the pit. All the times I know Jesus is REAL and my only hope, those are the pieces of my testimony. Not the easy comfortable no effort living times. Those are good times of rest. Or are they times we look back and see He was carrying us, cutting the path, fighting for us, binding our wounds, cherishing us.  More testimony.

James 2:14-26 puts it well:

Faith and Deeds

  What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?  Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.  You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
  You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?  Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.  And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.  You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
  In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?  As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

GOD is looking for EVIDENCE!

A witness is someone who has firsthand knowledge. Which begs the question, "What is my first hand knowledge?" God has called me, subpoenaed me to share not only His testimony but my first hand knowledge of Him. Yes, quote the scriptures. But more than that, share, declare the Living God IN my life. If I am not sold out it was HIM, I cannot give real personal testimony, I cannot be a witness. I have nothing to share...just regurgitation of what I've been told. Give information. "In theory" witness. What kind of truth is that? NOT truth at all.

Is the piece of paper delivered to me more serious and receive more of my effort than my call, subpoena, to the KING and LORD of All of Creation? Sadly.....my first thoughts are....I gotta make time and change my schedule for that week. IT has become a priority, no, THE priority. YIKES! I'm giving priority to an earthly authority beyond what I give THE LORD at times. I realize there is no room for a pity party or complaining. I accept the earthly law's authority and adjust. WHY do I not do this with Jesus. Ok, I'm not that much of a problem witness all the time. Just when my emotions aren't lined up or I've met my quota, or am tired, or just want something else. So I am a good witness when it costs me nothing and it's easy...... that even sounds horrid to me.
Because God loves me...I am so spoiled..... I must really stink up His nostrils sometimes.

There is something He's called me to lately. More like the Holy Spirit is calling me on the carpet. And spoiled girl that I am.......I won't just accept His authority and adjust my heart, mind and life. I want to, but I want to not make the sacrifices involved. I'm in contempt of court! Jesus keeps bailing me out and advocating for me. OH How I love JESUS!

Everyday I stand before His Throne, In His Presence.

We are called. We are subpoenaed!

Matthew 10:18-20

On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,  for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Mark 13:10-11

And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.  Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

When I am deaf I cannot speak well. When I am deaf I cannot hear the questions. I cannot testify. I cannot be a witness. Evidence is lost and forgotten. In my deafness, isolation grips life, strangling my mind.  The Good News is under gag order.

Jesus, my Savior is so much bigger than my frail existence. He can open my ears and create a beautiful testimony of Himself.  So many ways He continually reveal Himself in my life so that I WILL KNOW HE IS GOD!

Acts 9:10
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered.

I pray to have faith like Ananias, "Yes, LORD!" Subpoenaed by the KING to rock my world with His Spirit. Give me that heart Jesus. Give me THAT kind of desire. Give me sight. Give me hearing.

John 1:6-8

There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Called as a witness to testify
Called as a witness to the light
Subpoenaed!

Foolish one

Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.     I Corinthians 15:36

As many other stumbling women of God look into the mirror of Holiness and see a foolish one staring back at them, so at times, it is with me. An honest assessment, is called for, in order to grow in the grace of following Him. How often I'm found to be a foolish one. A foolish woman.

At each step of development in my life, death, of some sort, is experienced. Ironically, death isn't complete at once. Our understanding, our flesh experience with death, is complete and finial. This view inhibits our embracing of Resurrection Truth and holds us back from dying to self. Decaying woman brings with her the pull of flesh through sin. We desperately hold on to life and fear death. CHANGE itself is overwhelming and stressful. Avoidance is escape. Godly change is not exempt. I cling to my desires, understandings and plans. The crown I wear is one that rusts, rots, and can be stolen. Fear, emotions and intellect rule action, voice and thoughts. Setting goals, making plans and driving purpose. Either to gain or to depress. Pride or dispare. Both extremes are life in the flesh. Not a buried past.

Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 
  I Corinthians 15:36

 The fear of death played out in this world keeps me from surrender. It keeps me in the illusion of control. Don't miss understand....much has been surrendered and death has occurred. It's just there is more found to kill, lay to rest, leave, scorn, cut off.  As my hand goes to pick the crown I'll wear TODAY in the battles of my life, waged in the corners of the soul, the question needs asked. Dead? A mirror check is needed. Surprise may register and I see the Resurrected New Life or surprise may speed my pulse at the vision of roting flesh. The rot and decay I keep holding on to expecting different results. (Rotting flesh produces rotten fruit.) One is beautiful the other quite ugly. And ugly has no alibi!

Christians have nothing to fear in death. And I don't. I struggle with fearing pain and suffering, at times the process.  But to be dead from this world holds no fear. My hope is in the LORD and I believe His Promises.

But, in my foolishness, this is a BIG BUT, I do have fear of death in this world. The proof is all over my life. Holding on to anything other than life with Jesus RIGHT NOW. When conflict arises, when dreams are shattered, when called on to suffer, submit or sacrifice....obey without understanding, without seeing hope... Simply, in those moments or seasons, my thoughts are my OWN and not CHRIST's. A battle is waged in my soul or victory is claimed at the on set. Too often, victory is claimed and it's not the LORD's. I'm found alive and kicking in the flesh. Not dead, at all. More lacking trust and faith in His Destiny for me. Finding myself buried yet not dead. Baptized yet not dead. Missing out on the Resurrected Life.

Not made alive unless it dies..... How wonderful the LORD Jesus is illustrating this truth in creation. He says all creation testifies! I want desperately to be ALIVE in HIM.... so I'll die a little more today. I'll think it's done until the mirror of His Word, through the Holy Spirit reveals what's been left in the flesh.

I think about cleaning out all the leavening from the home. Such does teach to look for hidden sin, hidden life of flesh. The pieces left alive, disguised, smuggled in, under another name, twisted truth, a derivative. The enemy is crafty. 

The list in my life is growing, Praise Jesus, of the things I am dead to. I am entering a period of mourning. I like or am very comfortable with parts of me that are called to die. But they DO NOT compare to the JOY SET BEFORE ME!
Help me Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit to be able to throw off everything that hinders and entangles. Give me your perseverance, fix my the eyes on YOU. Show me the JOY. Help me scorn the shame of the cross to die to self.  Alive, able to cast beautiful crowns at Your Throne. Help me not grow weary or lose heart by remembering WHO YOU ARE and how blessed I am.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:24-26

TRUTH sets us free! Power is in HIS SPIRIT! It's all because of Jesus I'm alive. It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ. ...That covers me and raises this dead WOMAN's LIFE!

GLORY to GOD!


All Because Of Jesus lyrics
Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
I'm alive, I'm alive

Giver of every breath I breathe
Author of all eternity
Giver of every perfect thing
To You be the glory
Maker of Heaven and of Earth
No one can comprehend Your worth
King over all the universe
To You be the glory

And I am alive because I'm alive in You

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
That covers me and raised this dead man's life
It's all because of Jesus

Every sunrise sings Your praise
The universe cries out Your praise
I'm singing freedom all my days
Now that I'm alive

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive


[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/all-because-of-jesus-lyrics.html ]

Call to Four Step

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17




First the phrase, "All Scripture", means all of it.

I have considered it often regarding the children. And somewhat less with myself in a basic way. It is easy to get large concepts and accept the precepts. As I set my mind and heart to meditation, revelation springs. Visions of the Bible being a Headmaster of sorts, instructing me. At first thought, what a blessing, a teacher, eager to teach ME! BUT then....I remember the best teachers of my past. Everyone of them stretched, challenged and confronted me. Quite demanding actually. At times learning was the last thing I wanted to do.......just finish it, avoid it, skim by, or skip it! There always existed crowds of complainers and those demanding compromise and change...whiners and manipulators. Sometimes I was in their number. These teachers often had fierce reputations accompanying mottos and moans following the sound of their names. But I learned, and learn to respect them...even learned to enjoy the subject...or at least appreciate it. Teaching is active with the teacher. The greatest effort and responsibility are with the teacher. The student is putting in their time and might hope to get something out of it, or might not. The student may have other reasons for the course than application. Knowledge can be gained yet wisdom and discretion may not. Head knowledge is most often gained before heart knowledge. Teaching is at times gentle. And a blessed teacher bates many hooks.

Good teachers wanted us to get it all. The math teachers didn't want, wouldn't allow, you to take multiplication out of the subject and the order of operations was not something they would compromise on. All of it. We couldn't pick and choose. God Breathed all of it.....it's all for teaching us....me. *sigh* As with math, the Word contains much we don't understand the "why" of what we need it for. It is just simply beyond our understanding. Learning to respect, accept and trust The ONE making the lesson plans defines what faith is. The element of trust cannot be removed from faith. It cannot exisit without it. It is very hard to practice faith without knowing what it is.

AS if THAT is not strong enough.........REBUKING!? Who wants THAT? Is that when my face glosses over as my brain scrambles to find the file of blame, excuse, justification or exemption! We know rebuking is not going to be pleasant. Teaching could be. After all there are classes we like, but not rebuking...it's gonna hurt and the rebuker isn't gonna let up until we get it. So with each file comes harder hitting rebukes...*ow* Stubbornness sores in my flesh.....confrontation and adrenaline prepare for countering each on coming rebuke. Defenses up, learning shut down. Heart hardens, bitterness stews, anger flares. After personal exhaustion and Truth, full of inexhaustible strength, remain standing dishing out endless rebukes......finally hitting the mark in my heart........to cut something out. Too tired to fight it with no files left to fight with....acceptance is calming, providing relief. Wisdom is gained and savored. Hard won? Or the product of a Faithful Rebuker? He loves us, that much. He will rebuke. He is able. Rebuke? Rescue? Restore? Redeem?

Now correcting is a bit clearer and more well received. (Especially following a rebuke war) Not that it is comfortable. It just doesn't confront motives or false beliefs. Lies we live by need to be rebuked. They need called out, cut out, burned out! Correction starts with an agreement in place of what is right and what is wrong. Who is God and who is not. The wound to cut doesn't have to go as deep. It doesn't require life support or heroic measures. More of a reminder with a paddle or time-out to sink in the memory enough to make self corrections. The use of self-control and the desire to have self government. Creating the steps in us to not only call on the Holy Spirit for empowerment but fans the flame of desire, serving HIM with our lives. To choose His will over ours. Abundant Life. A Life worth living.

Training is something we will stand in line to sign up for. Eager with excitement and anticipation. We want it. Well, we want the training we want. We want to use the training we get the way we want to. So control is the issue here. The Lord has our training prepared already. It may or may not be what we signed up for. Or what we thought it was gonna be like. Training requires dedication and perseverance. Knowing the goal and gaining on it. Training is discipline. Being disciplined. Allowing Him to come along beside us and speak every step of the way. There is no training without a daily relationship where we seek understanding and step out in faith. Risk takes place testing our training. We learn purpose in training. All the preparation is for use. Go. Do. Train to train. Be discipled to disciple. Keep near to Jesus, train to walk on water and fish for men.

Teach, Rebuke, Correct, and Train. Four steps to being equipped. All of them are needed. All scripture is God Breathed! These three steps of righteousness can't be skipped, each gift us with what is needed to fulfill our destiny in Christ! I want that. Lord, don't give up on me.....Teach me. When I need it, rebuke. Show me correction. Train me the way I should go.

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. Genesis 15:1

As the rain and the snow

and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11

So he said to me, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Mark 13:31

I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. Luke 1:38

They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. Luke 4:32

Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:15

The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5