What You Really Need Has Already Been Provided

What You Really Need Has Already Been Provided

Remember how quickly kids learn the word “mine”? And how it rarely has anything to do with what is truly theirs? At almost three our youngest grandchild is constantly saying things like “my phone”, “my ds” (game system for those who don’t know) and now even “my ipad”! With the technology of today it’s no longer things like dolls or bicycles or other toys. Kids learn to be wanters of other people’s things. That’s a polite way of comparison desire. They see someone with something and automatically it should be theirs.

We must admit in our heart of hearts we occasionally do the same thing. We comparison desire. We see where others are and wonder why we can’t be there. We hear what others are doing and we want to do that. We see the flash of success and the bling of cliques and wonder why we can’t have that too. Things we love get jerked from our hands and hearts and we cry out “mine!” Can you relate?

God wants us to know beloved, that we are His. He wants us to know that because we belong to Him He has the only right to say “Mine”. And because we are His everything we need, every single thing, is ours. We don’t have to wish for more, hope for something else, or grab something that isn’t meant for us. We don’t have to fume or envy or get angry or throw a tantrum – spiritual or physical. We can also trust Him when things go awry – when people walk away – when ministry is thwarted – or when love grows cold. It’s all His to give and take away as He alone chooses.

God also wants you to know that only in laying down your wants will you find rest and peace and joy. Don’t look around for He is always attending to your every need. Don’t cry over lost opportunity or lost love or lost income. He has your back beloved, and when God has your back, everything is more than good. He promises His abundance in our want. He promises that as we release our envy and frustrations, He will replace them with His overflow. You do have a ministry and it is being fulfilled even when you see nothing in your hand – for it is from Him, for Him and to Him. His glory alone is what you should see, His power alone is what you need and His will is what you should grab for – with all your heart and mind and soul.

Oh beloved, you are loved, you are cared for you, you are lacking nothing. God is not GOING to fulfill your needs, He already has! You just need to walk in Him and leave the choices in His hands. Oh what a life you will have and oh what a blessing you will be as you live completely in the Light of His Word.

“Lord we want to trust You. But we want to cry out “mine”! Help us to leave the choices to you, knowing that You have our very best in mind and Your purpose for us will be completely fulfilled. Forgive us for complaining and grabbing. Make us more like You and give us a grateful servant’s heart.”

Isaiah 66:2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are Mine. I, the Lord, have spoken!” I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My word.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Psalm 16:5 Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

Psalm 68:10 There Your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, You provided for Your needy people.

Colossians 2:10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Have You Researched Your Faith Ancestry?

I think if I had the time I would certainly be a genealogy buff. Because my father was so much older than me I don’t have a lot of information about his family. I’m the youngest child of all his family and all of his ancestors are long gone. As I was searching for information about my grandparents’ marriage I discovered something I didn’t know about my Aunt Paralee’s daughter June. She was a much loved niece and cousin who died in early adulthood leaving behind 3 young children not much younger than me. Anyway, I found that her first name was Helen. That was my mother’s and my sister’s first name. I had no idea that June was a Helen. For a moment I got choked up because I thought mother would like to know that. 

Although genealogy is fun to see where our roots come from, if we live in the past we may just feel sentimental and teary eyed. As believers our roots are now founded in Christ. Family roots are interesting and we all love our ancestors and want to know more about them. But my main focus as a believer is now the ancestry of the faith. My Father in Heaven knows my genealogy well. Even if there were to prove some bad blood in the line, I am secure in the Blood of Christ that has cleansed me from all sin.

God speaks to my heart: It’s okay to take a sentimental journey, but I AM not there. I AM in the present, leading, guiding and directing those who will allow Me to. If you live in the past and concentrate on its memories I will let you. But I AM going forward. Isn’t it time to quit spending all your time reliving things you cannot do anything about? Whether it’s your ancestors or your sins, your problems or your fears, those are covered by Me. You are destined to live a life full and blessed as you move forward with Me. I have called you and that calling may require you to lay aside some things that have been holding you back. It does not matter what the past looks like or what your ancestral tree contains. What matters is that My Spirit is within you to work and accomplish My will through you. 

Oh beloved, God wants you to know who you are in Christ and how you are perceived by the Lord. When you know who you are, then you know how you are supposed to live. You destiny has nothing to do with your past regardless of how wonderful or how awful it might have been. Your destiny is wrapped completely in Christ. Let Him take care of today just as He cared for your past. You are a mighty invincible sword of the spirit wielding believer who is going to triumph in all your ways because God has put this in your Blood Bought line of faith. Stop reliving the past and begin looking for opportunities to go forward. No one can stop God’s plan for you, not past mistakes of any kind nor past encounters with those who would like to stop your flow of grace and honor from God. Your life is hid in Christ and it is He who will propel you on to the days of destiny you will walk in.

God loves you and He’s for you. The king of Heaven has called you into His presence. You are chosen, you are covered, you are going forward. Your heavenly genealogy is your strength and your Savior is your guide.

I Thessalonians 5:8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Philippians 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will work out His plans for my life— for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.

God Will Birth His Plan in You

Danny’s cousin in California is expecting a grandchild any day now. The due date has passed so it won’t be much longer. The expectations of this child, a girl, are great. Everything is just right, as with all first babies, and all they are doing now is standing by in anticipation. This is their first grandchild by their only daughter. So they are holding their breath every time the phone rings.

Although their daughter has to go through the birth process, they are full of anticipation of the wonder of holding a newborn baby in their arms. The nine months of preparation followed by the few hours of concentration will bring forth a wonderful gift. As great as the 9 months may have been, the birth process cannot be avoided. It’s just part of it.

We know God has a plan for our life. We live in anticipation of the realization of plans too wonderful for us to imagine. We give our life to Jesus and then we expect things to go well. Too often though, expectation and anticipation give way to worry and fear. We knew we wanted God to birth a plan in our hearts, but we didn’t know it might hurt. We think “hey I’ve given my heart to Jesus, He will give me something good to do and life will be just right”.

We want a neat and tidy life. We don’t want birth pangs. We don’t want the reality of our walk with Christ to go past our expected due date. We definitely don’t want hard situations and yet God even uses these circumstances to grow our faith.

Oh beloved, whatever you are going through today, God has already been there. He’s doing behind the scenes prep work and He’s clearing the way for your life to be a beautiful birth of His wonderful love. It may be really rough right now, as you weren’t expecting what’s happening. But God is with you. Your life is meant to be a shining example of His glory and grace.  When you go through the growing pains of faith, your ultimate outcome is beautiful. It’s worth it. Don’t give up in the middle of it all, for there is a wonderful reward awaiting you. And what a blessing it is that you don’t have to go through it alone. Always present, always leading, always teaching, always holding you safe in His arms – God is there with you. He will see you through. He has promised to be with you all the days of your life and on that you can rely. Hard times won’t last forever, so hold on and talk to the Father often. He will soothe your weary brow, He will speak His love Words over your situation and together you will make it.

Whatever it is, God is here.And he will birth the plan of God in you to its complete fulfillment.   He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters as you trust Him to make your life beautiful and your faith grow as you live in the light of His Word.

Romans 5: 1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Philemon 1:6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.

1 Peter 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.

Are You Headed for the Wedding?

We are up and getting ready to pick up the granddaughter and head to a wedding. A couple of our friends are tying the knot today at the end of an annual biker’s new year ride. We are excited to witness the festive occasion. They have been blessed to find one another when they really weren’t even looking. That’s how God does things. We don’t always know exactly what we want or need, but He provides anyway. In fact it’s pretty wonderful how He surprises us with His love and care and His mercy and grace. All wrapped up in the Savior, we are united with Him.

We as believers are headed to a wedding as well. It’s going to be wonderful! We know the wedding is going to happen, but we don’t know exactly when. In the meantime our Betrothed is preparing everything for us. Nothing will be left undone. Nothing will be out of place. We will be completely fulfilled in Him. He too found us when we didn’t even know what we needed. While we don’t know what all it means to be with Christ in heaven forever, we do know that when it happens it will be perfect.

Life is a lot like a wedding. We prepare as best we can for it, but life’s greatest gifts can’t be worked up or paid for. Those special things like true love, best friends, church families and our beloved human kinfolks are all so wonderful. But in spite of all those wonderful relationships, we know we are still waiting for the ultimate moment of togetherness when God swoops us up like a Bridegroom and takes us away forever to our home of homes.

We are celebrating a new year today. This may be the very year He returns for us. That would be fine with me. I don’t know everything about Him yet, but I know that when I see Him face to face I’ll never be disappointed. Life here is rough sometimes. Rejection, panic attacks, health issues, family problems, job loss and more. We find ourselves less than we want to be. We also tend to define ourselves by the worst of moments.

Yet Christ sees us as we will be. He sees us through rose colored glasses – for we are covered by the Blood of the Lamb. We are able to remain faithful while waiting for Him to come get us for we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. We also have the mind of Christ so that we know what to do, how to live and what the Word says with clarity. If we were the only one He would have made all these provisions for us. If all we had was the Word of God it would be enough for His Word says “in the beginning was the Word…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Oh beloved! My prayer for you this New Year’s Day and for the entire year of 2014 is that you would learn to abide in the Lord always. Along with that I pray that you realize the awesome wonder of living a life in Christ. That you would seek His heart to be more like Him. That you know what the hope is of His calling. That you would realize the spiritual aspects of life on earth in a greater way than you’ve ever known. I also pray that as you face your weaknesses you will know that’s where your real strength lies – for He is your strength. When you face moments when you forget how to sing that you will remember He is your song. When you don’t know what to do or where to go, you will fall restfully into His arms in faith. I pray that you will let Him make you what you can’t be on your own and that you will allow Him to pour Himself into you - body, soul and spirit. Let Him make this new year all about Him and hang on as He takes you beyond your wildest dreams!

If you know only one thing about your Bridegroom beloved, I pray that you will know how deep and wide and long His love is for you and that you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is for you always. Happy, spiritually joyful and prosperous New Year to you for you are His beloved indeed.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

Ephesians 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

Have You Opened Your Inheritance?

The heirs of a man who recently passed away had gone through all his belongings and were discarding old, unimportant things. One item they gave to a scrap metal collector was an old concrete-lined safe. The man, who was planning to sell the safe for scrap, was curious to find out if anything was inside and so took it to a local lock shop to see if it could be opened.

It was a laborious job that, according to the lock shop owner, took over 20 hours of work. But he finally got the old safe open. He and the man who had taken the old safe for scrap were shocked to find that the contents of the old discarded safe held a treasure trove of gold and silver coins estimated to be worth at least 2 million dollars.  

What would it be like to find a treasure inside an old safe? How would you like to be the heir of someone who had been saving such valuable items all those years?  What if, like the heirs of this man, you discarded something that had incredible value you didn’t even know?

But we are far too much like that family of heirs aren’t we? We have the most valuable item in the world and it often sits unopened on a shelf, gathering dust, mostly left as just an old book, discarded and unused. Then one day God opens our heart, changes our minds and we begin to read from that book. We find that all the treasures of God are contained inside! We begin to mine for the valuable truths contained inside. We are rich! We are heirs! And all of us get all the treasure held inside!

God speaks to my heart:  My precious child, you are a joint heir with Jesus. All My riches are yours for the taking.  When you open My Word you will find that it is alive and full of the riches of My entire realm. I have given this great and wonderful Book of Truth to you as a gift. It is full of blessings and honor and its value is beyond counting! And you are valuable to me as well, so valuable that I not only redeemed you from sin’s penalty, I have given you the riches of My kingdom to read, to study and to live out. You may think you are a pauper living in the midst of your troubles, your woes, your fears, your lack. But you have everything you need for living a godly life full of the greatest wealth. If you will open My Word daily and take in its riches, you will begin to live a rich life beyond your wildest dreams.

Oh beloved! What riches await those who take the time to open the vault of God’s Word! You are blessed beyond measure to have God’s Truth at your fingertips. Run to the vault this morning and read. Find what you need for your situation. No one who searches out God’s Truth is ever left poverty stricken. And as you read His Word, God will enlighten the eyes of your understanding and you will grow in wealth. You are an heir to all the promises of God! He knows your problems, your situation, your position and your worries. He sees where you are and what you think about yourself. But His Word will change your thinking, and then change your position and your outlook as well.  Life may have taken things from you that you didn’t want to give up, but God will fill all the gaps with His riches, so that you can be more than a conqueror, totally victorious and overcome everything that’s been thrown at you.

God loves you and He’s for you and He’s given you the riches of His Kingdom so that you can live a life of abundance. Now that’s worth living in the light of His Word!

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 3:6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:3 In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Psalm 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Acts 20:32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

 

Who Do You Think You Are?

“Who Do You Think You Are?” Watching the program and seeing famous people find out their roots, past skeletons and good news, makes me all the more interested in my own ancestors. Some branches of my family are easily found and bring much good news. Other branches not so much. From the Indian great grandparent who walked the Trail of Tears to Daniel Boone who married into the family, there is much available. But my father’s family tree is amazingly elusive. Beyond my great grandfather I can find very little. It makes me wonder and want to know so much more.

I especially get excited when there is mention of a family Bible or a preacher in the tree. At least I know someone who had a walk of faith.  Just like the title of the show asks, we all want to know something about those who have gone before us. For my husband, he was especially blessed with great grandparents and five generations of living relatives. I’m not so fortunate as my grandparents were gone before I was born.

For the believer, genealogy is incredibly important as well.  We are very fortunate people for our godly spiritual genealogy is written in the Bible. Scripture plainly states the blood line of Jesus’s mother and tells as well the spiritual genealogy of the One Who was born to die for us. Pretty exciting stuff to read the names in that family tree. To start with Adam and Eve, the fleshly line, who for the momentary decision to disobey eternally changed the world. Then to see the spiritual lineage of the Son of Godand read what it means to be In Christ…this line of Christ has spiritually given redemption and eternal life for all mankind. When a person is born again, they are automatically adopted into the line of Christ.

The enemy of our soul will taunt us, “Who do you think you are?” He wants us to live under the assumption that all of our genealogy is flawed, simply of the flesh, damned and unforgiven. He wants us to believe that we are destined to remain in a long line of unredeemed people. He also wants us to think that we’re so flawed that we are weak, unable, have no virtue and worthless.  If Adam and Eve were our only ancestors this would be oh so very true.  Satan knows our name but calls us by our mistakes, our failures, our sin.

The lover of our soul will encourage us, “Listen to who you are!”  “Open My book of genealogy and find the incredible story of you.”  God will show you, if you let Him, that you were born to die, but destined to live. That you were born with an incurable disease but because of His incredible decision you have been healed of sin’s sickness unto death. He will go on to lead you through the hall of fame as you learn to live by faith, following your spiritual ancestors in Hebrews 11.  The Lord knows your sin but calls you by name – you are His.

Oh beloved, have you been dwelling on the wrong family tree? Even the best of trees are slated to be cut down and cast into the furnace. But God, your spiritual Father, your heavenly Redeemer has purchased you as His own and has given you life everlasting! Not only that, He’s given you a reason to be forgiven, a reason to forgive all who have done wrong to you and a reason to live in blessings of who you are In Christ. In Christ changes everything. In Christ moves your ancestral curse to a blessing.  In Christ gives you new life, faith and wisdom, power and love.

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s worth being adopted into the Royal Family and letting Christ live through you all the way to heaven.

I Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Galatians 3:26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

Good Morning Overcomer!

Every special occasion, including Mother’s Day, is always met with some type of feast. This year for Mother’s Day my husband and son in law planned the cooking. This will always include grilling something and that’s great! We’re always concerned that there won’t be enough food, so we naturally over plan. We plan for huge servings for everyone. Whether it’s sausage links or salad or baked beans, there’s going to be a large quantity.




There are favorite dishes that have been handed down in the generations. Mother’s recipe for potato salad. My mother in law Betty’s recipe for chicken and dressing. We make certain recipes over and over because our ancestors did it that way. Although I love my Dad, I prefer the way I make spaghetti and meat sauce over his recipe. I would venture to say that most of us have things that have been handed down through the generations that may need tweaking or revamping altogether.



There are other types of things handed down through the generations. Anger, fear, unforgiveness, addictions and more. There are good things as well. Faith, joy, love to name a few. Family talks can center around Uncle Bob’s drinking problems being just like his father’s. Or we can remember fondly the grandmother who always knew her Bible verses and prayed without ceasing. One type of situation gives families grief into the 4th and 5th generations. Other more pleasant memories.



If you are a believer, you no longer have to accept everything that can be inherited from your family line. And you don't have to give your children what your ancestors gave you. With Christ, you have been given a more excellent way. You’ve been redeemed from the curse. You’ve been set free from bondage. You are free to be all that Christ has planned for you to be. Just like family recipes, God’s recipe for your life has been tweaked by the Lord Himself. When God says you’ve been set free and you are a new creation, He means it. Old things are indeed passed away and behold, all things have become new. God says you’ve died and your life is hidden in Christ.



Oh beloved, run to the Word this morning and read all of God’s promises. Take them in as yours, for He gave each one to you. Even if you have struggled and even if you have failed, time and again His mercy is new! You may have been wearing hand me downs in your heart and mind for years. The sorrows, the troubles and the anguish of your family lineage weigh heavy on your heart. You’ve tried to overcome them, rebuke them and do things differently, but they resurface over and over again to give you grief. Hold on! It’s time to step to limbs of your family troubles and say no more! He says to you this morning, live in My blessings instead of your past. Rejoice in My freedom instead of sorrowing over the things of other generations. I AM your road to freedom, your path to right living and your guidepost for all you need to overcome every obstacle set before you.



God loves you and He’s for you so you can be an overcomer and a victor in all things!



Galatians 3:13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When He was hung on the cross, He took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."



John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.



Colossians 3:3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.



Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy.



Psalm 118:14-16 The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!

Freedom to Live for Christ!

A new car now sits in our driveway and I can tell you it was an amazing process. Unfortunately not everything that amazed us was good stuff! We basically dealt with two dealerships. One was high pressure to the max. The other was laid back yet treated us like we were the best folks ever to walk in their door.  Guess which dealership we bought from? When it finally came down to it mere dollars separated the price. But the way we were treated made all the difference.

There was also a way to look up internet pricing in the area of the kind of vehicle we wanted. I didn’t know when I went online that we would get contacted personally, I just thought we’d see the prices.  When the 1-800 calls and the emails started rolling in I knew I had made a big mistake. I ignored the calls and responded to the emails asking to be taken off their list. I am still getting emails from the same folks I asked to be removed from.  Although we have made a decision and gone on with our car buying life, they want to keep us hooked.

In the Christian life there is the immediate blessing of being born again. As humans, we all look for significance, love and acceptance. In Christ we have that as newborn children of God! We don’t have to look back to the past, look around to the mistakes or look forward to future problems. It would be great if the enemy of our soul would just go on and leave us alone! But life is still tough at times and satan still tries to hook us back with him. Not only that, while our hearts are new and we’re born again, our flesh cries out for more self-centered things. 

Unlike high pressure salesmen, we have the Holy Spirit who, through prayer and study of God’s Word, can remove us from temptation and put us on the do not call list! We’ve been removed from the law of sin and death and we’re moving on. Don’t let one call or one message take you back to your former ways.  Move on with the new – for it is surely a new day with the Lord!

Oh beloved, you may have been signed up, chained up and fed up with your old life. But in Christ you have a new mode of transportation! The life of Christ is meant to be lived with gusto and blessings! Regardless of bad conditions, bad times or bad decisions back in the old days, your life is hid in Christ!  You don’t have to answer the phone or return the emails anymore! God says to you today, rise up and live in ME! I AM your new life, I AM your new ways and I AM your everything! I give you a new life, I give you a lifetime warranty and I give you roadside assistance all the days of your life! You are now Mine and you will never need another Savior or Comforter! I love you and I AM for you and that’s all that really matters.

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Is Your Identity Being Stolen From You?

There’s a lot of talk about identity theft. I can’t imagine it happening to me, can you? Years ago when my niece’s son went to rent an apartment they found out that someone was using his social security number. If I remember right, they had achieved bad credit and because he was trying to use his identity to secure an apartment, it came up suspicious. They got things worked out but it was scary for them to know someone else had taken what belonged to them.  We had a bogus bill that kept coming to us, so we took it to our lawyer. In the course of working it all out, we found out that our lawyer’s wife had her identity stolen when she was a child! When she grew up and tried to establish her own credit, she found someone else had left a bill unpaid in her name.  I had no idea, but someone can even get your identity and use it to get medical care. 

There are safeguards to protect your identity.  Even if you’ve had your identity stolen you can recover. It takes time. But it’s worth it. Often people work under the radar so it pays to check your own credit scores and make sure there’s nothing listed that doesn’t truly belong to you. 

Spiritually speaking there is an identity thief lurking in our lives. His desire is to steal our identity in Christ and make us live with the consequences. He wants to steal, kill and destroy every nuance of our faith. He wants to subvert the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives and divert the assets of our faith so that we cannot use them in our walk.  He likes to replace the truth with half-truths so that we aren’t able to live freely in our faith.  His greatest desire is to kill all hope in us. He also loves to steal our hope and destroy our dreams.

Have you been a victim of identity theft? Are you living as though the Word is not available to you? Are you full of fear, dread, sorrow or disappointment? Do you believe that your credit report reads that you are unworthy, unfit, unlovely or unlovable?  Maybe you think you don’t have any rights left to live a free and productive life in Christ!

Oh beloved, run to the Lord of Heaven and Earth and open His Benefits book this morning! Look from the first chapter to the last and reclaim your identity! Every single promise is yours! Every single encouragement was written just for you. Don’t let the enemy of your soul continue to steal your identity for you were destined to live in the light of God’s Word and that’s where your true identity lies.  In and of yourself, there may be things that aren’t perfect, but your true identity is in Christ! He paid your bad debts off at the cross, He canceled all unworthy things that were credited to you at the empty tomb and He’s seated at the right hand of the Father now, making intercession for you so that your identity will stay secure.

Oh how He loves you! Oh how He protects you! Oh how He watches over you to perform the truth in your life.  Let go of those things that are not a part of your identity and begin living the Truth. For the Truth is your guardian, your watchman, your peace and your future! Let God rebuild your identity with the washing of the water of His Word and see how you will be able to live free and justified fully!

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Ephesians 2:7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.

God Has "Pinned" You - You Are Chosen

I have to admit it. I love Pinterest! For those who don’t know, it’s an online “community” where you can “pin” items, quotes, recipes, etc. that you like and have found on the internet. I especially love sayings and I enjoy finding new ideas for cooking and decorating. It’s also a great way to follow someone who has ideas and recipes you like.

When I was young, a college man would “pin” his girlfriend by giving her his fraternity pin. This signified they were going together.  They weren’t just dating, they were an item. My mother spent a lot of time pinning patterns to material, so that the item she was planning to sew would be the right size and the pieces would fit together. Without pinning, the pattern would move around and the pieces would not match.  Pin the tail on the donkey could be hilarious as the blindfolded pinner tried to pin the donkey’s tail in the right place.  Often the game player would be so off the mark that the donkey was totally tail-less.

Do you know this morning that before the foundation of the world, God pinned you? He chose you as His own. He chose you to be one of His to walk with Him throughout your life.  Have you let Him give you His mark – the mark of the cross of Christ? Do people know that you belong solely to Him?  The pattern for your life God has planned for you is picture-perfect, but you must let God place His pattern on your life so that you and He fit together perfectly. If we stay close to God and His Word, even when we feel we are blindfolded, we cannot see our way,  our lives will turn out right, everything in our life will be in its rightful place.

Oh beloved, God knows you completely. He sees your hurts, your disappointments, your misunderstandings with the world, but He says to you this morning, “Come away with Me and let Me work your life out.”  Nothing will ever separate you from His love as He holds you tightly in His loving care. Plans may seem to wear away, people may seem to walk away and life can get lonely, but God will give you everything you need – from friends to spouses to jobs to ministry as you yield your life to Him. While you may want to pin your own way, it is letting God do the work that makes all things beautiful in His time.  He loves you, beloved, and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.

Ephesians 1:3-5 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.  Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.

1 Corinthians 3:23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ

You Can Have it All This Christmas!

Each year I work hard to make sure at least one present under the tree is something that the recipient really wants. I want them to be excited when they open the package. I want them to ooh and ahh and show delight in the contents.  While it may be something they “need”, still I want it to be fun.  While it may be something they asked for, still I want them to be surprised. My desire is to bless them. One of my grandsons asked me to open the presents now – why wait? Indeed, the expectancy of the looks on one anothers’ faces at the tree makes me all the more eager to participate in the gift exchange. Sometimes I wrap the presents and think that later I’ll get around to putting labels on them. This is a big mistake because I might forget, and have in the past, what was in the package and who it was for. So I’ve found myself opening the occasional package to remember.  Other times we adults have gotten tickled as little ones open packages and spend their time playing with the box, totally ignoring the gift that was inside!  

I know that Christmas isn’t always everything it’s cracked up to be. There are the issues of living life in a fallen world. There may be sorrowful things in your life. Adult children living away from God’s will, family members in failing health, jobs that no longer bring meaning, bills that keep piling up, spouses that grow cold and indifferent. Hurts and agonies and frustrations run rampant, it seems maybe even more so during this season. Christmas may not hold all the wonder it used to, but isn’t there something redeemable in this season turned so commercial? Isn’t there somewhere in the recesses of our hearts that we humans can find solace and hope and wonder again?

Maybe it’s time to put down the wrapping paper and the ribbons. Lay aside the long to-do list. Put aside the pile of bills for just a moment and ponder again the wonder of all that we can find in the Christ Child. All our hopes and dreams begin and end in Him and if we let Him, He will make not only Christmas, but every day a blessing in Him.   

Oh beloved, run to your Savior! He’s calling you so gently, so lovingly, so earnestly! It’s imperative that you rest in the love of Immanuel, for He is God with us! In this world you may find starkness and sorrow and little or no fulfillment, but in Him…. In Him  you will find all your hearts’ desires realized. In Him you will find all the comfort you could ever ask for. In Him you have rest for your weary heart, peace for your worried soul and joy for your sorrowing mind.  In Jesus, God will meet our every need, through Jesus we will be given every provision, and from Jesus we will receive every blessing God can give.

He says to you this morning, I AM your source of Light in a dark world. I AM your source of blessing in a world full of curses, I AM your provision in a world that is meeting less and less of your needs. From Me, in Me, all that you need is found. Rest in Me, rejoice in Me, for I AM all you will ever need and more.

While you may not find all you need under your tree, in your home, at your office or in your relationships, IN CHRIST you have it all! Now isn’t that worth celebrating and giving God the glory! Thank Him this morning as you rehearse all that you are in Him for He loves you extravagantly and He’s for you eternally! Wow, Immanuel, God with us – what a Savior, what a King, what a Love!

Colossians 2:9-10 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

Isaiah 9:6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 130:7  O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.

Lamentations 3:24  I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

A Life in Christ is Beautifully Decorated!

A couple of nights ago I posted a photo of Stella on facebook looking intently at our Christmas tree. She had come over to visit for a couple of hours. She was actually asleep when her mom brought her, but as soon as they got out of the driveway Stella was up! As usual, when she enters our living room she begins, “Woo! Woo!” She LIKES our tree! Diona says she doesn’t mess with theirs, but for some reason she just can’t keep her hands off of the tree at our house.

Someone commented on the photo, “Don’t you wonder what’s on her mind?” So now you get the rest of the story.  Stella had gone to the tree, over on the back side so I couldn’t see her.  But I could hear her talking to it. So I said very quietly, “no no”. She came around the tree a few steps and stopped again, putting her hand out, talking quietly to herself and then looking at me.  She inched around the huge base of the tree and with every few steps, she repeated the motions of talking, wanting to touch, me saying “no no” and her putting her hand down. 

By the time the photo was taken she was intently spying a little wooden soldier hanging from a lowest branch. She kept looking towards me, but finally she could no longer resist and she quickly plucked the soldier from the tree.  I no longer wanted to say “no no”, so I watched as she turned it around in her tiny little hands and talked to it. Content that she had finally got to touch the tree, she laid him down and walked away to play elsewhere. She was happy that she had experienced what she so wanted!

We raise our children so well on “no” that there are even manufactured t-shirts that state “My Name is Not No No!”  It’s not our intention to squelch the wonder and miracle of those first exciting experiences, but we have to keep order and we really do. We can’t just let them tear up things. Without order there’s chaos. But watching Stella first go around the tree, talk to herself about it, reach out tentatively and then touch the tree, ever so gently, to pluck that soldier from its boughs reminds me.

This reminds me of that first touch of Christ on my life. I knew I was forever changed. I knew things were going to be different. I also knew that I had wanted order and neatness in my life.  Touching Christ was messy. It was going to shake up my world. Not everyone would understand this newfound love of my life. Not everyone would want to tag along or experience Him with me. I even heard a few “no no’s”.

Oh beloved, as you wake up this morning I pray that you will let yourself go and let yourself experience fully ALL that is offered from God through Christ! Just as the splendor of Christmas trees are decked out all around us, a life in Christ is a decorated life like no other, with the light of life shining out for all to see and be drawn to. He is the light of the world! He is the Creator of the Universe! He is the giver of the blessings! All of it is for you! Go ahead, reach out and touch Him for He is risen and He is calling you. He always calls you with love, He never says no, don’t touch Me for He delights in even a touch of the hem of His garment! He knows you because He created you to be a shining example of His glorious mercy and grace. He’s for you and He created you to be a living illustration of His wonderful blessings and care. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Ephesians 4:24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

John 1:16 For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (Amplified)

Psalm 4:7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 16:24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using My Name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Ephesians 3:19-21 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen

Free To Be Me In Christ!

It was one of those times my mother was visiting at a friend’s house. I spied a girl next door and we struck up a conversation.  She invited me over to play.  We went together to play in her garage. I found out she was a ballerina and a little older than me. I wasn’t more than 4.  The playtime turned into bullying as she insisted that I had to stand on my tiptoes like a ballerina before she would open the garage doors and let me out. I was panicky but at age 4, I didn’t even think about crying for anyone to rescue me.  The friendship turned quickly into performance and I could not perform! It was ghastly. I tried knocking at the garage door but was quickly pushed away. Finally, my mother came looking for me.  I honestly don’t remember even telling her what happened. I may have, but I do still remember the terror of being locked away and having to perform. I also remember the tremendous relief at having my mother rescue me.

Performance. Perfection. Personality. Often the walk of faith can become a contest with these three.   We get saved and then we forget. So we begin to perform.  We find that we feel better when we’re achieving, executing and implementing. Busy becomes our best friend and cohort. If we can stay busy we can feel like we’re accomplishing something. Often though it’s a hamster’s wheel we find ourselves on.

While we’re busy performing we find that we need to be perfect – at everything. Perfection is the enemy of grace.  Why? Because grace says “Accepted as Is”, while Perfection says, “Keep working on it you’ll be good enough eventually”.  Perfection’s ally is comparison.  We look around at what others are doing and hope we can measure up.

If that wasn’t enough to garner attention and find release from the need to perform, here comes personality. Our nature is to become like those we’re around to find value, worth and esteem. Although I was not a ballerina, I found that I was trying harder and harder to be like my task master so that I could be granted good enough for release from the prison of that garage.  My usual childlike personality became frantic, terrified and ashamed.

We cannot make it out of the prison we are in on our own. You and I are destined to be prisoners all the days of our lives. Unless we are rescued! Rescue will never come at the hands of Performance, Perfection or Personality. It only comes from the One Who came to rescue, redeem and renew those who could not find freedom on their own.

Oh beloved, are you fighting for freedom? Are you searching for some measure of perfection to find peace? Have you found yourself wishing you could be more like “them” so you could be accepted?  Run this morning to the One Who made you just the way you are! Run to the Arms of the One Who says Accepted! Jesus is the Only One Who can set you free so that you can be truly free! Let Him show you the keys He holds in His hands. Let Him love you all the way to Calvary and beyond. Let Him teach you from His Word that the stone at the tomb was rolled away for your complete and total freedom! He loves you, loves you, loves you and He’s on your side – saying you are His, you are perfected in Him and His plans for you are awesome! Now that’s worth a Hallelujah!

Deuteronomy 24:18 Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you from your slavery. That is why I have given you this command.

Psalm 107:2  Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Luke 1:68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.

Psalm 78:35  Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer.

Isaiah 48:17  This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

Isaiah 49:9  I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.

The Word of God is Your Source of Fulfillment

Attending one of the largest motorcycle events in the United States, Bikes Blues and BBQ has something for everyone. You can walk the streets and buy whatever your heart’s desire is. Everything is for sale and it’s for sale everywhere - from the downtown area to the track center to the alleyways and the mall. People flock in to the relatively small town with the hopes of finding something that will bring them more happiness. It’s all about the ride. If you’re looking for something you will surely find it. If your pockets are deep enough you can have it all.




The problem with having it all is that when you’re done it’s all just stuff. For some, they’ll go home not only with empty pockets, but a load of stuff they never meant to pick up. What promised freedom the first day on arrival will prove to be more burdens as they head home. To have it all always costs more than the person ever bargains for.



Oh beloved, what are you searching for? Significance? Importance? Influence? Popularity? Have you been hoping that you’ll feel better about yourself? If you’re looking to things to fill your life you’ll always come up short. But if you’re looking for fulfillment, there is a way… The One Who set the stars in orbit and covered the earth with all good things has a word for you. He says come to Me and let Me give you true fulfillment. I can take your life and release you from all the burdens that you thought would bring you more freedom. Your life is so precious to Me. Everything I Am is your key to significance. Let me give you, freely, everything you’ve been trying to buy. Your burdens, your bondage, your hopes, your fears - all of them are released and reformed in Me. Not only will I change your life I will change your perspective so that your heart’s desires are regenerated as you delight in Me. I AM the fount of living water that never runs dry. I AM the source of all that will let you lay your burdens down and allow your life to become influential beyond your wildest dreams.



The true value of your life is found when you run to His Word, the greatest gift catalog ever written, and see…all that is in the pages of the life giving Word is yours today! Trust Him and let Him love you! God loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that really matters.



Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. NAS



John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” NAS



2 Peter 1:3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.



Isaiah 55:1 Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free!



John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I AM the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. KJV

God's Definition of You is Out of This World!

One of the books my parents owned that I loved the most was an unabridged dictionary. It’s a dictionary that has not been reduced in size by omission of terms or definitions. It truly was like an encyclopedia of words. It was huge. The spine was at least 6 inches deep. It was full of wonderful words and the middle section contained voluminous full color art of animals, plants and insects. I spent hours and hours poring over that book. 

Pretty much everyone is an open book.  All it requires is a little time and the ability to listen.   Within a short amount of time you can find out what a person’s passion is, what their hurts are and how they grew up.  Often people find themselves defined by the circumstances of their childhood or their teen years.  If they’re not careful they will never see themselves in any other way – they’ll see themselves as incomplete, inadequate or damaged. Or they will constantly try to measure up to others.  

Oh beloved, why not start this morning and let God re-write your definition? Why not run to His unabridged view of you? His Word holds the greatest description of a believer. If you belong to Christ, then you can believe what He says about you. Regardless of your family life, your past regrets or your biggest mistakes, they do not define you! You are loved! You are cherished! You are important and you have a purpose! Give Him everything you aren’t and let Him write the Truth on your heart! And don’t forget to thank Him this morning for His wondrous love, His tender mercy and His infinite care!

 1 Peter 2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

I Corinthians 1:30-31 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

Colossians 2:10 KJV And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power

Ephesians 1:4 Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.

Romans 8:17 a And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

1 Thessalonians 1:4  We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people.