Congratulations to Cheryl and Bill Redinger! April 28th, 2012
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Psalm 25: 15
"My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net."
Ever wonder how we are to keep planted in the Word of God, and throw off all the hindrances, and yet keep our eyes toward the Lord?
I visualize myself out in the garden planting seeds. My head is down as I focus on putting each seed in the ground. At the same time there is a cloud of mosquitoes who are buzzing me and I am trying to wave them off. They are certainly being a hindrance to me as I concentrate on putting things together in the ground. So, how in the world am I going to keep my eyes toward the Lord? Now you know, in general, we always want to look up when we are acknowledging our one God and Savior.
Psalm 25: 5
"Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You (You only and altogether) do I wait (expectantly) all day long."
What I want us to get from this, is, that since God created ALL things, He created the earth and the Heavens. So no matter where we look, bend our knee, or look into the sky. . .there He is. He is in us. So whatever we are doing, we can see the Lord, hear the Lord in His birds, and feel the earth that we are planting, which is His creation. We can praise and pray while we plant, which keeps the things that bug us - bugged off. Because all it takes is a thought. It may even be an innocent one at the moment. Guarding your heart and mind at all times is a job. I understand that. However, it will NET you a different result when you evaluate and check out those random thoughts. "Maybe so and so was just having a bad day when she walked by me and didn't speak!" "But, we're friends, what if I have done something to offend her?" "Well, if we were really friends, she would stop and tell me what is wrong!" Pretty soon, the mole hill turns into a mountain. The mountain turns into an attitude and resentment creeps in to take over. Our enemy loves to set a stage and simply call in all the characters. We come and are glad to help out, after all, there is a NET (pit), it will save me. Even if I fall in, it won't be such a hard landing.
Stay tuned in to the Lord Jesus Christ all day, and no matter what you are doing, He will guide the path to safety. Last week I talked about the covered wagon and how we get surrounded sometimes. Have you identified those situations with their arrows pointed straight at you, and are you evaluating which ones need handed off to God? As you put your eyes toward the Lord, and hand off those hindrances (arrows), you can expect God to be there to show you the way out of the net. That place where the enemy is trying to trip you up.
He (our God) is ALWAYS waiting, hands held out. What are you doing to run expectantly towards Him to find contentment and peace in any situation?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
NEW BEGINNINGS!
It is Spring after all. What better way then to have an early - early spring! And, then a wedding coming up here soon. From all of us who know Cheryl Sheeler and Bill Redinger - Congratulations! Six months ago, if you had said to Cheryl or Bill, you will be married on April 28, 2012, they would have both laughed you away. Look at God's awesome gifts already in 2012. He certainly does have a plan and a journey. We can be assured about that. His Word is full of different roads and paths that our cloud of witnesses have been down. Paul had no IDEA he would be struck blind and be a beacon of light for Jesus Christ. Joseph had no idea he would be thrown down into a pit and rise up to be a great King. And, then on top of that - he saved his family from starvation and homelessness. I can could go on and on. So, I guess what we get from all this is, sit back and enjoy the twists and turns. We will ALWAYS land back on our feet in ways we had not anticipated at all. Of course, I love surprises. Some people don't.
Today I want to talk about some guidelines that God gives us very clearly for our lives.
We are looking at II Peter 1: 4/11. It is a map that spells out how we are to grow and develop on those roads to holiness. Even though we never get as holy as our Lord God, we can certainly see here what He wants for us and our heart needs to follow and desire this journey. Tough, sure, but rewarding.
You will need to read that entire passage of scriptures. Too long to spell out. I want to concentrate on 4 -
II Peter 1: 4
"By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature."
Pay close attention to that part of . . .you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the junk of this world. The things that are going on right now are draw-dropping. But His promises are that if we develop the following things, we can STEER as clear as possible from them. Trusting Him for a good outcome as long as we stay on the path.
I hate ruts, and pot holes. So I get a little testy when I hit them or aren't paying attention and slip off the berm. Yuk!!! So STAY ON THE PATH - THE ROAD.
Therefore, we need to cultivate * diligence * virtue *knowledge (intelligence)
* self control * steadfastness * patience * godliness (piety) * brotherly affection
*Christian love.
Peter goes on to say how this keeps out of idleness or unfruitful distractions. He warns us to stay on track here less we get shortsighted and forget what Christ has done for us.
Homework: I took a sheet of paper and in the middle I put a covered wagon. Then all around the outside of it I put those things (Indians or pirates with weapons) that create distractions or conflicts. People, family, career, anything that generates taking us from the task of drawing closer to God. I came up with 14 items that I think about each day and sometimes stress over or get conflicted about. I turned them back over to God and am committed to developing diligence, virtue, intelligence, self control, steadfastness, patience, piety, brotherly love, Christian Love.
Just think how we would the enemy out if we all did that at once. Let us kick the enemy to the curb and get better focus.
Today I want to talk about some guidelines that God gives us very clearly for our lives.
We are looking at II Peter 1: 4/11. It is a map that spells out how we are to grow and develop on those roads to holiness. Even though we never get as holy as our Lord God, we can certainly see here what He wants for us and our heart needs to follow and desire this journey. Tough, sure, but rewarding.
You will need to read that entire passage of scriptures. Too long to spell out. I want to concentrate on 4 -
II Peter 1: 4
"By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature."
Pay close attention to that part of . . .you may ESCAPE (by flight) from the junk of this world. The things that are going on right now are draw-dropping. But His promises are that if we develop the following things, we can STEER as clear as possible from them. Trusting Him for a good outcome as long as we stay on the path.
I hate ruts, and pot holes. So I get a little testy when I hit them or aren't paying attention and slip off the berm. Yuk!!! So STAY ON THE PATH - THE ROAD.
Therefore, we need to cultivate * diligence * virtue *knowledge (intelligence)
* self control * steadfastness * patience * godliness (piety) * brotherly affection
*Christian love.
Peter goes on to say how this keeps out of idleness or unfruitful distractions. He warns us to stay on track here less we get shortsighted and forget what Christ has done for us.
Homework: I took a sheet of paper and in the middle I put a covered wagon. Then all around the outside of it I put those things (Indians or pirates with weapons) that create distractions or conflicts. People, family, career, anything that generates taking us from the task of drawing closer to God. I came up with 14 items that I think about each day and sometimes stress over or get conflicted about. I turned them back over to God and am committed to developing diligence, virtue, intelligence, self control, steadfastness, patience, piety, brotherly love, Christian Love.
Just think how we would the enemy out if we all did that at once. Let us kick the enemy to the curb and get better focus.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
AND, HE REIGNS ALL THE TIME!
So much has happened in just one week, I would find it impossible to put it all into perspective for you.
Of course, we know He reigns. We have listened to sermons, been touched by stories and music. I have experienced it here and there, but this year, and especially this last week has taken my breath away. Please turn to Psalm 18. Reading that entire chapter takes a bit of time, but we are going to specifically look at Ps 18: 30-45.
I have been focusing on "Fixing your Future so it doesn't reflect your past!" The tools necessary to choose and firm up that decision are many-fold. Forgiveness is key, knowing God and His Word, staying steadfast, to focus everything you are and aren't on Him, and believing He reigns no matter what is happening. Do you really believe He will intervene and bring answers to prayers? I saw that happen so much this week that I am speechless.
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as a surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (Please read on through 44. . .they all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.)"
God does protect and deliver us from our enemies.
It started Monday with a couple in counseling. One of them hated God through the entire session and suddenly within 10 minutes (because I had asked God to sit with us and give intervention if necessary) that client folded. The curtain tore from bottom to top and they came to Jesus's feet. That client is so deeply immersed in the Word and special studies, with church tomorrow, it is awesome. He reigns when we don't.
The rest of the week was a testimony is every kind of situation good and evil I can even talk about. Finally hearing about my magazine article, getting closure on a health issue that was quite serious (and it became an instant healing), and a friend who had two weeks to know where her dance studio would be. . . letting go and letting God, she had an answer within 24 hours. He reigns. I would love to explain each juncture I was on this week and how God just kept intervening. So, if I trust Him to always reign (or if we trust Him) then I have to know He will intervene with my step-daughter and the very serious problem she is incurring with her children at this moment. I will believe with prayer and trust, that he will give John peace through this time and show Ellen the way - the truth- the life. I choose to do that.
And, there you have it, no matter what you are enjoying or unnerved about at this moment, Jesus reigns. He knows - He has a plan!
It is not some trite little phrase. God has a plan, just trust Him. He reigns, He has everything under His feet. He will put your hind feet onto high places. Is it easy? No, it isn't, but hanging onto that knowledge even though the roller coaster is on the downward - 100 miles an hour - "what do you want to do with that?" Fly off the rail, fall out of the car, what? The enemy wants you to flounder, give up, be scared, and give-in to fear. When you read all of 18, you need to look for how He knows you are in trouble, and He is downright angry and comes flying to your rescue.
Funny side note: One of my journey's this week was finding out I had to take the written test to get my drivers license. Any idiot can take the drivers license written test, right? I flunked. I laughed. Really I did. I, for once turned it into a spiritual lesson. Maybe I should have my driving privileges taken away. I would have to depend on others or what? I thought about that, read the book, took the test, and passed. Neat symbol though. Give up the wheel. Our God reigns! He drives all the bad monsters away, and brings us victory. We win.
Of course, we know He reigns. We have listened to sermons, been touched by stories and music. I have experienced it here and there, but this year, and especially this last week has taken my breath away. Please turn to Psalm 18. Reading that entire chapter takes a bit of time, but we are going to specifically look at Ps 18: 30-45.
I have been focusing on "Fixing your Future so it doesn't reflect your past!" The tools necessary to choose and firm up that decision are many-fold. Forgiveness is key, knowing God and His Word, staying steadfast, to focus everything you are and aren't on Him, and believing He reigns no matter what is happening. Do you really believe He will intervene and bring answers to prayers? I saw that happen so much this week that I am speechless.
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as a surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (Please read on through 44. . .they all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.)"
God does protect and deliver us from our enemies.
It started Monday with a couple in counseling. One of them hated God through the entire session and suddenly within 10 minutes (because I had asked God to sit with us and give intervention if necessary) that client folded. The curtain tore from bottom to top and they came to Jesus's feet. That client is so deeply immersed in the Word and special studies, with church tomorrow, it is awesome. He reigns when we don't.
The rest of the week was a testimony is every kind of situation good and evil I can even talk about. Finally hearing about my magazine article, getting closure on a health issue that was quite serious (and it became an instant healing), and a friend who had two weeks to know where her dance studio would be. . . letting go and letting God, she had an answer within 24 hours. He reigns. I would love to explain each juncture I was on this week and how God just kept intervening. So, if I trust Him to always reign (or if we trust Him) then I have to know He will intervene with my step-daughter and the very serious problem she is incurring with her children at this moment. I will believe with prayer and trust, that he will give John peace through this time and show Ellen the way - the truth- the life. I choose to do that.
And, there you have it, no matter what you are enjoying or unnerved about at this moment, Jesus reigns. He knows - He has a plan!
It is not some trite little phrase. God has a plan, just trust Him. He reigns, He has everything under His feet. He will put your hind feet onto high places. Is it easy? No, it isn't, but hanging onto that knowledge even though the roller coaster is on the downward - 100 miles an hour - "what do you want to do with that?" Fly off the rail, fall out of the car, what? The enemy wants you to flounder, give up, be scared, and give-in to fear. When you read all of 18, you need to look for how He knows you are in trouble, and He is downright angry and comes flying to your rescue.
Funny side note: One of my journey's this week was finding out I had to take the written test to get my drivers license. Any idiot can take the drivers license written test, right? I flunked. I laughed. Really I did. I, for once turned it into a spiritual lesson. Maybe I should have my driving privileges taken away. I would have to depend on others or what? I thought about that, read the book, took the test, and passed. Neat symbol though. Give up the wheel. Our God reigns! He drives all the bad monsters away, and brings us victory. We win.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
EVERYTHING - EVERYTHING. . .
is under His feet!
Another element that is important in our relationship to God, would be, taking in how everything is under His feet. Tricky relationships, loosing your career, family, death just to name a few.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus who died and rose again for us will pull and push you forward in life's hits and misses. This weekend we remember how the moment that Jesus died, the curtain (the veil) was torn in half. There were then NO more barriers between us. We can now and always enter the Holies of Holies. That place where God dwells and we can go running to.
Eph 1: 22 and 23
And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme HEAD of the church (a headship exercised throughout the church),
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (for in that body lives the full measure of Him who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself!)
It makes me breath a huge sigh of relief to take in all that He did for us on Easter weekend. Yet, I still cannot rewatch the movie "The Passion". It takes my breath away to watch with reality and totality what He did. But, along came Sunday morning and there were now no more barriers and everyone and everything will bow at the name of Jesus Christ.
It would be such a perfect world if there was switch on every human being and you could just reach over and flip their switch. They would see and grasp the total meaning of our Lord and Savior. So many to pray for, but that is our job. It is our job to pray and be more like Him every day. Let us be convicted, committed, and changed.
Another element that is important in our relationship to God, would be, taking in how everything is under His feet. Tricky relationships, loosing your career, family, death just to name a few.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus who died and rose again for us will pull and push you forward in life's hits and misses. This weekend we remember how the moment that Jesus died, the curtain (the veil) was torn in half. There were then NO more barriers between us. We can now and always enter the Holies of Holies. That place where God dwells and we can go running to.
Eph 1: 22 and 23
And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme HEAD of the church (a headship exercised throughout the church),
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (for in that body lives the full measure of Him who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself!)
It makes me breath a huge sigh of relief to take in all that He did for us on Easter weekend. Yet, I still cannot rewatch the movie "The Passion". It takes my breath away to watch with reality and totality what He did. But, along came Sunday morning and there were now no more barriers and everyone and everything will bow at the name of Jesus Christ.
It would be such a perfect world if there was switch on every human being and you could just reach over and flip their switch. They would see and grasp the total meaning of our Lord and Savior. So many to pray for, but that is our job. It is our job to pray and be more like Him every day. Let us be convicted, committed, and changed.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
WHERE YOU FELL!!
Sorry, I hit the enter key too early.
DO NOT EXAMINE THE PLACE WHERE YOU FELL!!
Another look at Fixing your future so it does not reflect your past.
The scripture Luke 9: 62 once again describes our command. Here it can be applied to
do not look back and worry over how straight or narrow your path was. How did you do? Did you get everything right? Were you as good for God as you could be?
None of us are perfect, of course. However, I meet many very tough, narrow personality types. It is all black and white. You do not veer from one side to the other and smell the roses, or any flowers that bring us joy. Some may even see a flower that broke off in the wind and they just walk over to it and kick it to the curb. It should have "pushed through" and stood up against the wind.
Luke 9:62 simply illustrates, keep going forward, look back, but learn from your bump in the road. Do not examine it. And, examine it, and examine it!
I remember when I first learned this in college. I am my own worst critic and I love to go over and over something I did wrong. It is insanity to do that of course.
God wants us to evaluate our lives, I believe. He wants us to feel convicted about wrong doing. He wants us to have a heart after His Heart. See it, repent of it, and ask for forgiveness. We must remember forgiveness isn't just for everyone else, it is for us as well. We can get so convicted and want so desperately to go back and fix that place. Be able to do it over. Esau stole his brothers birthright. When he realized what he did, he wanted a do over. However, he didn't get one. The consequences were set in stone. God's discipline is always given from His heart for us. His unconditional love for us. We can't imagine why He loves us like that, but He does. So the simple key to turning the lock and move on, is:
Keep your hand to the plow, (God's plan for your life)
Look back (Evaluate how you are doing)
Celebrate or Repent (ask for forgiveness, forgive yourself)
Learn (Move on)
Conviction + Commitment = Change.
You have heard this before. God always has a new window or door to go through. Don't make Him keep teaching you until you get it.
DO NOT EXAMINE THE PLACE WHERE YOU FELL!!
Another look at Fixing your future so it does not reflect your past.
The scripture Luke 9: 62 once again describes our command. Here it can be applied to
do not look back and worry over how straight or narrow your path was. How did you do? Did you get everything right? Were you as good for God as you could be?
None of us are perfect, of course. However, I meet many very tough, narrow personality types. It is all black and white. You do not veer from one side to the other and smell the roses, or any flowers that bring us joy. Some may even see a flower that broke off in the wind and they just walk over to it and kick it to the curb. It should have "pushed through" and stood up against the wind.
Luke 9:62 simply illustrates, keep going forward, look back, but learn from your bump in the road. Do not examine it. And, examine it, and examine it!
I remember when I first learned this in college. I am my own worst critic and I love to go over and over something I did wrong. It is insanity to do that of course.
God wants us to evaluate our lives, I believe. He wants us to feel convicted about wrong doing. He wants us to have a heart after His Heart. See it, repent of it, and ask for forgiveness. We must remember forgiveness isn't just for everyone else, it is for us as well. We can get so convicted and want so desperately to go back and fix that place. Be able to do it over. Esau stole his brothers birthright. When he realized what he did, he wanted a do over. However, he didn't get one. The consequences were set in stone. God's discipline is always given from His heart for us. His unconditional love for us. We can't imagine why He loves us like that, but He does. So the simple key to turning the lock and move on, is:
Keep your hand to the plow, (God's plan for your life)
Look back (Evaluate how you are doing)
Celebrate or Repent (ask for forgiveness, forgive yourself)
Learn (Move on)
Conviction + Commitment = Change.
You have heard this before. God always has a new window or door to go through. Don't make Him keep teaching you until you get it.
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