In Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7-11
7) “Ask, and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. 8) For the one who asks, receives. The one who seeks, finds. The one who knocks, enters. 9) Would one of you hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf, 10) or a poisonous snake when he asks for a fish? 11) If you, with all you sins, know how to give you children what is good, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to anyone who asks him!”
Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes we can make…is presuming we need not work at ourselves. People have discipline instilled at an early age. Yet, even with that we find that imperfections reign.
Have you ever been caught unaware, and the conversation was about you. A very uncomfortable experience. The demeanor of those ‘gossiping’ about you changes. Quickly the subject is changed, and all ‘feel’ uncomfortable.
Why do people do this; When they know the person is at the gathering? What prompts one to speak ill of another? Does it ’empower’ the one speaking?
It is the desire of most to be the center of attention. Usually at the expense of another. It is empathy that the world lacks. For if empathy were the centerfold to life, we would most likely, appreciate each other to the degree to which we are meant to matter.
For each of us has ‘attributes’ that are unspoken and unrecognized at face value. Once we get over the fact that we are all ‘different’. I don’t mean just the color of our skin, I mean entirely different. For each of us sees the world through different eyes, and in those eyes are the perspective that contributes to who we are. Absolutely! Yes, our station in life is a factor as well. But, sometimes we meet people purely by accident, and discover we connect! What a feeling! Sometimes it is temporary, and sometimes its a friendship that lasts forever.
Whatever brings two parties together, it is good to remember that all things work together for those who love God. In other words there are no accidents with God. He has a reason! From the smallest to the greatest! Sometimes years pass and everything falls into place. All makes sense.
Yet, the world is full of ‘fakes.’ People who are fickle! They have to pretend, for they are not real even unto themselves. It is so true. I have spoken with some women who have told me that they are on guard and do not allow others to see themselves for who they are!
How sad! For life is meant to be lived! The quality of character is such because God deemed it to be so! We, each of us, are a gift unto each other! A Blessing! We are denying ourselves and God the opportunity to utilize us in the best way possible when we deceive others. In so doing we are indeed cheating ourselves! Much like a child who cheats in school can not possibly learn if he is not applying himself!
Because persecution and criticism are rampant, many do not ‘share’. This is the beginning of unhappiness! Why? Because a person stifled, cannot grow in character, and mature in wisdom.
Book of Matthew: Chapter 16 verses 24-27 Jesus Speaks
24) Jesus said to his disciples: “If man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps. 25) Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26) What profit would a man show if he were to gain the whole world and destroy himself in the process? What can a man offer in exchange for his very self? 27) The Son of Man will come with his Father’s glory accompanied by his angels. When he does, he will repay each man according to his conduct.”
Recently, someone called me and said they were very distressed; and worried about dying. They were born into a ‘mixed’ marriage. The parents were different religions and so nothing was taught for a foundation to life.
Have you ever felt that way? Wondering if this is all there is? Have you felt unaccepted, left out?
I told this person that to ’embrace’ Jesus Christ is to know PEACE,
His Spirit lives, just as ours lives. Yet, to experience this incredible joy is to ask for it!!’ He and only He can fill the ‘void’ that resides within each of us.
I asked her if she has a BIBLE, and she said, ‘yes’. I then told her to read the book of HEBREWS. I also told her tor read about Paul. For I believe it is Paul’s conversion from Saul, that formed the Christian faith for the Jewish people. Since she is ‘baptized a Jew’ I felt it would introduce her to Jesus Christ. It was on the telephone that we visited, and so was necessary to tell her, rather than show her.
There are many many books within the BIBLE that teach Jesus Christ’ light in the world. For her, the Jewish People being God’s chosen, causes great inner turmoil, and conflict. When Hebrews is read, it introduces the reader, and so the conversion of Paul brings it to light that the Christ, is real! (the Acts of the Apostles, relates the conversion of Paul.)
Book of John: Chapter 3 verses 27-36
27) John answered: “No one can lay hold of anything unless it is given from him from on high. 28)You yourselves are witnesses to the fact that I said: ‘I am not the Messiah; I am sent before him.’ 29)”I is the groom who has the bride. The groom’s best man waits there listening for him and is overjoyed to hear his voice. That is my joy, and it is complete. 30)He must increase, while I must decrease. 31)”The One who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth is earthly, and he speaks on an earthly plane. The One who comes from heaven (who is above all) 32) testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33)Whoever does accept this testimony certifies that God is truthful. 34) For the ONE whom God has sent speaks the words of God; he does not ration his gift of the Spirit. 35) The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. 36)Whoever believes in the son has life eternal. Whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure the wrath of God.”
Book of John: Chapter 4 verse 21-26
21) JESUS TOLD HER: “Beleive me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22) You people worship what you do not understand, while we understand what we worship; after all, salvation is from the Jews. 23) Yet and hour is coming, and is already here, when authentic worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth. Indeed, it is just such worshipers the Father seeks. 24) God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit, and truth.” 25) The woman said to him: ” I know there is a Messiah coming. ( this term means Anointed.) When he comes, he will tell us everything.” 26) Jesus replied,”I who speak to you am he.”
Never doubt that you do not need to strike someone to injure them. For words can pierce the deepest chambers of the heart. Chambers that you or I do not even know exist!
Those chambers of the heart that feel so intensely, that love can exist to such a degree that one can not believe such love can exist. When found, such piercing of pain occurs that we feel we may never recover.
The power of being…the power of will…the power of desire can not be matched! Within the depth of our being, Our Heavenly Father imposed within our hearts crevices that can not be measured, can not be found. They reside there for Him alone. He knows! He put them there! Why? You say! For depth of character, and determination of worth! For God does not measure as man; but as God! He and He alone has the ‘only true measuring stick’! He invented it!
Never doubt the judgment of God friend! For He, and He alone can cut a heart to such degrees that physical pain can not be matched, as to that of a broken heart!!
God’s discipline is above all human comprehension! The wisdom of the ages reside with Him! He never forgets! He has seen it all! Great love is His to give, when, and His to take, when.
His desires are above all else!! It is up to us to realize this! He allows! He allows us to choose our destiny. Our choice…to be with Him for eternity, or within the abyss of eternity.
What opposes God? Only that which is according to His decree! He decides. In other words, He has given His all. He has come through the ages with a magnificence of love that can not be realized, but is taken for granted by mankind still today!! God the omnipotent, waits. Patiently and lovingly our Heavenly Father waits for His children to come to Him. Their desires, their cares, concerns and hearts to hear, and bare. Yet, God goes unrecognized and taken for Granted.
A Father who breathes life into us, also instructs us. This is love. A love so deep and so vast that to touch the confines of who He is, is given through prayer, and devotion. And if that is not enough, He gave His only Son to teach us, guide us and love us! Even that, we haven chosen to destroy. We crucified Him! Not mildly either; but to such a degree that such pain is unimaginable physically. Then to make matters worse, we pierced His heart through our words, our denials, leaving Him betrayed, Abandoned, and alone still today!
Where are you in your love of God? Does God matter in the life you lead? Is He even present, and thought of from day to day? Gods power and effect is unmistakable. For being displeased, God does not need to make His retribution physical. He can cut the heart so deeply that we never recover. He decides!
One can say, “Why is this happening to him/her? They are such a good person!” God is watching, and God knows! His thinking can not be matched! We can only pray that He will find favor with us. For to love Him is the greatest of all things, a love unsurpassed.
Unlike mortal love, God imposed Himself within the hearts of His own. By doing this He allows those He loves deeply to know.
Knowing things that He and only He can share. Others may doubt, but when He is pleased no power on earth can match such worth!
His infinite power, and grace can not be realized unless strived for. People choose not to come to Him, embrace Him, and desire Him. They believe they already do. This is not possible unless you know Jesus Christ, His Son, personally. God resides with His Son!!
So powerful is this gift that God has made is so. His great commandments, lived out by His Son.
Realize this: Jesus Christ holds the keys to the kingdom of heaven!! If you want entrance into the kingdom of heaven, you must have the keys. Will you go to the one who holds the keys?
Jesus Christ has put forth believers within the world to bring forth His message. If you are to arrogant to come to Christ then, you will pay later. For everyone of us must pay for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He came to redeem us from our sins! God desired this, and His desire will stand!
Temptation will always be. His purest love, when called upon and is desired will protect His own!
Are you protected? Is the blood of Christ covering your soul? Only Christ can save you!
Book of Job: Chapter 22 verses 21-30
21) Come to terms with him to be at peace. In this shall good come to you: 22) Recieve instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. 23) If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; if you put iniquity far from your tent, 24) And treat raw gold like dust, and the fine gold of Ophir as pebbles from the brook, 25) Then the Almighty himself shall be your gold and your sparkling silver. 26) For then you shall delight in the Almighty and you shall lift up your face toward God. 27) You shall entreat him and he will hear you, and your vows you shall fulfill. 28) When you make a decision, it shall succeed for you, and upon your ways the light shall shine. 29) For he brings down the pride of the haughty, but the man of humble mien he saves. 30) God delivers him who is innocent; you shall be delivered through cleanness of hands.”
When you know someone, and like someone, do you not delight in spending time with them?
So it is with Jesus! If you know Jesus, then you must be spending time with Jesus! Spending time with Jesus is done through reading His word, and praying daily. For this is where Jesus is!
In building any friendship, time is spent, enjoyed, and built. So too, it is with Jesus. Jesus is a living, loving person. He feels and loves, forgives, and cries, as we do. He is one with us! Because He was one of us!
Jesus knows and Jesus understands! Yet, Jesus must be loved! To love Jesus is to know Jesus! We can all love in a small way; but to love exceedingly, and profoundly, is done through prayer, reflecting and learning His ways. In learning His ways, we have chosen to be like Him! This is loving intently without reservation, or any unguarded pretense.
Isn’t it interesting that One who loves so completely, is forsaken, left alone, betrayed, and abandoned . He is you know! When we choose ourselves above spending time with Jesus, we have done just that!
We have many choices on how we wish to spend our time. The distractions of life are of Satan. The greatest joy is Jesus! This I say through experience and know it to be true! His undying love is present within those who love Him first! Loving Him first, means He is ‘priority one’! In other words, He and His desire for you is your greatest and first concern.
That means forgiving when it ‘hurts’!
It is not easy to forgive! We all are faced with that choice from time to time. It takes a greater love to achieve forgiveness when we have been ‘betrayed, abandoned, and alone. This can only be achieved with the ‘help of Jesus Christ’! Calling on Him to help is growing spiritually. This is following His teachings, His ways, and choosing to become like Him. Then ‘peace’ settles in.
When we ‘hang unto anger’ we weigh ourselves down. The concern and weight of the occurrence lives within us daily; thereby stealing our peace. This is Satan’s way! Then He (Satan) has won this round. For this is what Satan delights in. He loves to see us squirm. Being ‘mortal’ we all face this! Jesus being divine, knows this, and saves us from this, when we call upon Him.
He waits!
He waits for each and everyone of us to call upon Him! He loves, and lives, and waits for us to return His love to Him. We do this when we pray, read His word, follow His teachings, choosing Him above all things!
Loving with Jesus is truly living!
Book of Mark: Chapter 7 verses 8-16 & 20-23 Jesus Speaks :
8) “You disregard God’s commandment and cling to what is human tradtion.” 9) He went on to say: “You have made a fine art of setting aside God’s commandment in the interest of keeping your traditions! 10)For example, Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and in another place, ‘Whoever curses father of mother shall be put to death.’ 11) Yet you declare, ‘If a person says to his father or mother, Any support you might have had from me is korban; ( that is, dedicated to God), 12) you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother. 13)that is the way you nullify God’s word in favor of the traditons you have handed on And you have many other such practices besides.” 14) He summoned the crowd again and said to them: “Hear me, all of you, and try to understand. 15) Nothing that enters a man from outside can make him impure; that which comes out of him, and only that, constitutes impurity. 16) Let everyone heed what he hears!”
20) He went on: “What emerges from within a man, that and nothing else is what makes him impure. 21) Wicked designs come from the deep recesses of the heart: acts of fornication, theft, murder, adulterous conduct, greed, maliciousness, deceit, sensuality, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, and obtuse spirit. 23) All these evils come from within and render a man impure.”
I told you, ‘Don’t touch! It’s hot! See, now you’ve burned yourself!’
Consequences through disobedience!!
Our Heavenly Father put forth a set of rules for our sakes. Instructions to living a loving life. Yet, when disobedience is paramount and the rules are not followed we have only ourselves to blame.
When a child is taught to obey, it is done through discipline. Discipline is of God. His Son Jesus lived His life with discipline. Eternal life, that life which the Father desires for us is lived out within the parameter’s of the Ten Commandments! The Beatitudes are Christ’s explanation of God’s instructions.
Matthew: Chapter 5 verses 1-12
1) When he saw the crowds he went up on the mountainside. After he had sat down his disciples gathered around him, 2) and he began to teach them: The Beatitudes:
3)”How blest are the poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs. 4) Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled. 5) (Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land.) 6) Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill. 7) Blest are they who show mercy; mercy shall be theirs. 8) Blest are the single-hearted for they shall see God. 9) Blest too the peacemakers; they shall be called sons of God. 10) Blest are those persecuted for holiness sake; the reign of God is theirs. 11) Blest are you when they insult you and utter every unkind of slander against you because of me, 12) Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven; they persecuted thre prophets before you in the very same way.”
Disobedience, in all cases will leave a scar, whether seen or unseen, the scars –remain…reminding us.
Consequences : For God has deemed it so. No law, and no man can over-ride, the law of God! Man may believe he can, but the hand of God will stand.
Loving is the purest part of living. Yet, when love is broken, denied, and unwanted, life is abandoned.
When we trust with our hearts, we have chosen to reveal the very deepest part of our soul. The very essence of who we are. This experience brings us to completion. Fullness of life, living with depth, is to love trusting and believing. Yet, when love is betrayed, and trust is broken, so too, is the heart broken. This experience is Gods awakening to us. It may seem at the time ruthless and cold. Yet, it is! It is the world revealed! For the world is not love. This is why Christ is not of the world. He is the purest of love! He is the only one. He gives and gives unconditionally. Everyone else, and everything else is a fa sod, and illusion.
Christ is not an illusion, but a living loving experience. Only He will complete you. The denials, abandonments and betrayals were all done to HIM first!
Take heart, and remember: Jesus Christ did it first, suffered it first, and died first! He knows, He loves, and He heals!
God Bless You! May your life be filled with the truest love….Jesus Christ forever! Amen!
Book of John: Chapter 18 versses 25-27
25) ” All through this, Simon Peter had been standing there warming himself. They said to him, “Are you not a disciple of His?” He denied it and said, ” I am not!” 26) “But did I not see you with him in the garden?” Insisted one of the high priest’s slaves-as it happened, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had severed.. 27) Peter denied it again. At that moment a cock began to crow.”
If I were to tell you the doors are open, ‘go on in’. Would you? Would you wait for me to show you the way?
In this life we make choices. Some good, and some bad. When we choose we are believing we know what is best. But do we?
When we pray, we throw open the doors and windows of heaven. We literally let the light of heaven shine within this world. Yet, many do not believe this to be so, and so do not pray! They therefore leave it up to others. Because of this, the light of heaven is becoming more diminished here upon the earth.
Just as the doors and windows are opened and a freshness lightens the room, so does prayer lighten the spirit and refresh the soul.
Prayers light is unimaginable.
The power of prayer is so profound, but yet unrealized! Why?
Many believe if they pray, they are weak. Contrary to this, people become strong. The power of the ‘Holy Spirit’ and the light that it sheds brings forth strength of understanding.
This understanding gives courage, and this courage brings strength of character. The strength of character is the very strength our LORD gave to His disciples. Yet the will to experience this ‘power’ must be reached for, asked for, and embraced. For as we profess our love for each other gives us strength, so does our professing our love for our Savior. For Jesus Christ loves to be ‘told’ He is loved; just as we do. When we hear it, we are filled with gladness. So too is Jesus filled with gladness, and the heart rejoices.
To refuse to proclaim the glory of the LORD is to refuse to claim him as LORD and Savior. For who has done such marvelous things for you, as our LORD Jesus Christ? There are none among us who gives his light, His understanding, and His strength.
When you choose to open the doors of heaven, and let the light of heaven shine within your life, you will reveal the truth of everlasting life.
Our Father wishes to share His kingdom. Yet, the door must be opened. The only key is ‘prayer’. The prayer our Heavenly Father sent His only Son to share with us, to reveal to us, His kingdom, that is everlasting!
Book of Proverbs: Chapter 16 verses 18-20
18) ” Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
19) “It is better to be humble with the meek that to share plunder with the proud.”
20) ” He who plans a thing will be successful; happy is he who trusts in the LORD!”
Matthew: Chapter 6 verses 9-15 Jesus Speaks
9)”This is how you are to pray: ” ‘ Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10) your kingdom come, your will be done on eath as it is in heaven. 11) Give us today our daily bread, 12) and forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us. 13) Subject us not to the trial but deliver us from evil one.’ 14) “If you forgive the fault of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours.’ 15) of if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”
When coming to the shore and we test the waters to experience its temperature, we hesitate and consider whether we want to experience the depth of what it offers, or remain on the shore, content with what is….
…So its is with life! Yet, when one decides to become immersed, one decides to experience the depth of the water, so with life and what it offers.
We can exist within the realm of reality, and experience the daily life or we can choose to love fully.
When choosing to love fully, we experience a depth within ourselves that takes courage. To live fully takes courage. For life is love from God.
God is love. To live fully is to love God fully….or by becoming immersed within His love.
How so, you say. God is a person with emotion and depth. Just as we have emotion and depth, so does He. He offers to share Himself with us daily, constantly. Yet, we each must choose whether we are content with surface love, or the greatest love.
Loving, on any level is a chance. A chance to experience life fully, bravely, and courageously. Why? Because to love is to hurt. For loving is openly revealing oneself to another. This is the deepest truest love. It can not be faked or imitated . For God knows! He knows whether you are immersed and in love with Him, or simply content with surface love. Protected love…love unrealized.
Life is not full, until love is shared!
Sharing with another takes courage. Are you courageous? Do you dare to share yourself and your being with others? Come to Jesus Christ, come openly and unprotected; sharing with Him who you really are. Can you do this? Can you come to Him unprotected, and trusting?
Book of Malachi Chapter 3 Verses 13-18
13)”You have defiled me in word, says the LORD, yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you?” 14) You have said, ” It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, And going about in penitential dress in awe of the LORD of hosts? 15) Rather must we call the proud blessed; for indeed evildoers prosper, and even tempt God with impunity.” 16) Then they who fear the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened attentively; And a record book was written before him of those who fear the LORD and trust in his name. 17) And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, my own special possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves. 18) Then you will again see the distinciton between the just and wicked; Between him who serves God, and him who does not serve him.”
Only God can make one day so bright, that all mankind can not help but ask, ‘What does it mean’? Only God can impress upon all mankind a light so bright that only love this great can last for thousands of years! Only God can make such a lasting impression, that even the ‘unbeliever’ is left wondering, enjoying and embracing that great day!
That great day…the day when heaven came to earth for thirty-three years. The day, when one tiny baby grew to be a man of such majesty, that books have been written, and songs sung, and only then can the impact of one life begin to graze the surface of the imagination!
This ‘child’ who gave his life for mankind, still is ignored, and betrayed. He who still loves so passionately, and cries so deeply, from abandonment, betrayal and loneliness! Jesus heart breaks for the whole world, and mankind can not grasp the ‘gift’ of life that Jesus Christ still is!
His light radiates through out the world still today. Through his own beloved! Those whom have had the ‘bravery’ and compassion to be a friend to Jesus!
This light, the light of Christ radiates and is drawn from, through them.
These ‘lights of Christ’ move and project the imagery of Jesus Christ when they profess his love through their actions, and beliefs.
These lights of Christ, differ in intensity, and color; much like a painting upon a canvas. One color no greater than the other, for each contributes to the beauty of the canvas, and the artistry of the painting.
So it is with walking in the ‘light of Christ’…radiating His majesty throughout the world through His beloved, Jesus lives.
When one chooses not to come to the light, (Jesus) the shadows of darkness cover him. He totally unaware that ‘the brightest light’ is missing walks in darkness through out his life.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Brightest Light shares His ‘glory’ to those who wish to radiate his light. The light that is only his to give.
Book of Matthew: Chapter 5 veses: 13-16 Jesus Speaks:
13)”You are the salt of the earth. But what if salt goes flat? How can you restore its flavor? Then it is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket. They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house. 16) In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father.”
Book of John Chapter 12 verses 35-36, 12: 46 Jesus Speaks:
35) Jesus answered, “The light is among you only a little longer. Walk while you still have it or darkness will come over you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36) while you have the light, keep faith in the light; thus you will become sons of the light.”
46)”I have come to the world as its light, to keep anyone who believes in me from remaining in the dark.”
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