Monday, May 27, 2013

She Said Yes

     So much has been going through my mind this past week. Can't help but grieve with the families in Oklahoma. I can't imagine their depth of grief. I think about David's cousin Deb. She is the main caregiver for her husband and each day a little more of his ability to function slips away. What deep conviction and commitment she has and I admire her very much. Our friend Lavern is the caregiver for his wife. He struggles with what to allow her to try and do and what he must say no to. They have been such a blessing to our lives and we grieve for all they are going through.
     Last night we watched a war movie. I couldn't help but think about my Uncle Loyd. I never met him, he died two years before I was born. A medic in the war, killed while helping another soldier. Mom never allowed any kind of war show to be watched in our home. She was very close to this one brother. Just as I was so very close to my brother James. I still hurt from losing to him to cancer.
     As I have thought about all of these things, I've had to ask, Why? Why,  has God allowed the illnesses that rob us of life itself. Why the natural disasters, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and I realize it goes back to the beginning of time, when Eve said yes.Go with me as I explore the results of saying yes. How it affected the past and how it will affect the future. I have written from a woman's view point, but this also covers any man that accepts God's calling.
May God bless each one of you. Remember those that have given their life for us. Top of the list is Christ.



                                                                  She Said Yes

     The enemy of God had only hatred for Eve. To the garden of Eden he went for the destruction of man. With lies and deception he had it his way. Adam and  Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden, no longer in close fellowship with the God of creation. Because she said yes.
     Out of the garden into the cruel world, suddenly they realized all they had lost. For their meals and clothing they now would toil. All around was danger and fear. All because she said yes.
     Adam now toils from morning till night, just to provide clothing and food. Eve with great pain in delivery a family is born. Heartaches and sorrow will follow throughout all generations. Because she said yes.
     Death now has come to the people of earth. Sickness, disease, hatred and murder. So many innocent will suffer because of that one sin. Grief for today and grief for tomorrow will be carried into each generation. All because she said yes.
     The Angel of God from heaven above, to Mary appeared. God's plan of redemption would be offered to her. The invitation from God held what had been chosen for her. She accepted her fate and Satan enraged began his plan to destroy the child that she was to bare. All  because she said yes.
     The fate she accepted would bring her great heartache and pain. The burdens she carried would take great courage and strength. Her decision that day would change lives throughout all generations. Yet, she said yes.
     Rejection and shame, the enemy tried to discredit her value and worth. To Joseph the Angel then came, revealing the truth of the child Mary carried. He accepted Mary's fate and by her side he would stand, until he took his last breath. All because she said yes.
     In a lowly stable of stone, our Savior was born. No family, no great celebration was there for the King of the nation. The shepherds and wise men acknowledged his birth with honor, praise and gifts for the new born  King. Mary hid all this in her heart. She carried the burdens, knowing his life would always be in danger from the enemy of God. Because she said yes.
     A troubled life of adventure for the child that she nurtured. Knowing someday he would accept his own fate. With heartaches and tears is how it would end.But still she said yes..
     A special invitation to each woman from God. Will you accept the invitation that carries your fate. From the enemy of God, there will only be hate. A friend, a mother, sister or wife, to stand by the side of a man, to share in his fate. Bringing all glory, praise and honor to our father above. All because you have said yes.





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Friday, May 17, 2013

No Change Is Easy



     Over the past several weeks I have been dealing with personal things in my life that need to change. Not easy to accept that you may need to look at your life and make some changes. We get comfortable with our habits and want to stay where we are at. If our habits and views have an effect on the people in our lives, family, friends or acquaintances, then we need to ask, is it a good or bad effect I am having on their life? Ask,  am I at peace or is there turmoil all around me?  It is hard for a child to change their ways but even harder for an adult many times. As a Christian those changes for the good must have the leading of the Holy Spirit. Are we willing to surrender to the Lord's will in our lives? My prayer is that each of us will look at the effect we have on others and ask the question, is my influence for the good or bad? I share today,  No Change Is Easy, what I need to do to make the changes that God is showing me, need to be made but it is up to me.




                                                         No Change Is Easy

     Are we to comfortable with our old habits and ways? Few of us like changes and some even fear change.   Breaking old habits and changing our views, takes time and effort. It requires a commitment that we don't always want to invest in.
     We do the things we don't want to do and don't do the things we want to do. In the bible, Romans chapter seven talks about this very thing. Even the followers of Christ had to struggle with the same problems we have today. True change can only come as we dedicate and surrender our lives to the Lord. Depending more and more on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us moment by moment. We cannot be a Sunday and Wednesday Christian only. We must walk daily on his path not ours. Only then will we make the changes in our lives that are lasting.
     With change we grow out of our childish ways into those of an adult. As a Christian we will look at life from a different perspective. Not through our own eyes but with the eyes of God. We will see sin as God sees it. True change, with the Lord in our lives, brings peace, joy and often understanding. Others will see the change and hopefully they will want that change for their own lives. We are not on this earth for our own wants but to fulfill the will of our father in heaven. We have a calling and purpose on our lives. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and show you the purpose for which you were created.


     I Corinthians 136:11-12  KJV
     When I was a child, I spake as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.




(c) Copyright 2013  All rights reserved.






Thursday, May 9, 2013

Accept The Person



     Woke up early this morning. Lots of concerns on my mind and my heart. Family and friends going through some tough times and yet I see so many blessing at the same time. We serve a might God and miracles happen everyday that we don't even notice. The last few weeks as I had my bible studies and Wednesday night teachings at church, there seems to be a theme of loving our neighbors and accepting others. Two questions have kept coming up, one , who is our neighbor and how do you forgive the unforgivable? If separated from God, our neighborhood is very limited and forgiveness is not often there. These are questions I have struggled with but God taught me some lessons years ago that have helped me through some touch times, I pray it will help you as I share Accept The Person. We are all children of God and he calls us to love even the unlovable and our enemy.



                                                             Accept The Person

     Learning to deal with life, for a time in the past, I was part of some support groups. It was after one of the meetings that the Lord taught me a valuable lesson. 
     A lady asked if she could talk privately with me. Yes, was the answer. As we sat down to talk, she shared that she felt I was someone safe to take to and could help and advise her in finding a sponsor in the 12 step group. She wanted someone with medical knowledge and then she shared about her sexual issues. I was shocked and offended and wanted to run away. Suddenly the Lord spoke to me. His voice was so real and so clear that I looked around the closed room to see who had spoken to me. The Lord said, Brenda, her problems are my business, not yours. Accept them as a person and leave their problems to me. We need to remember that God is not shocked or surprised by anything that happens or we learn about.
     I humbly took a deep breath and told her, I believe I know someone that is in the medical field and would be willing to work with you. If I have your permission, I will speak to them on your behalf. A few days later I was able to talk to someone for her and got them connected. I've never known the outcome, was none of my business and a short time after that she moved away.
     There was a valuable lesson learned that day and it helped to teach me about forgiveness. Years later when the Lord called on me to forgive the man who molested our youngest son, I remembered the lesson that day and was able to forgive the man and let the Lord deal with what he had done. It didn't mean he went free, he had to answer to the law for his crime but, it freed our family of being his victim any longer. The bondage was broken. Forgiveness breaks emotional bondage and prevents another's actions from destroying our hearts. 
     The problems of a man or a woman are Gods business not ours. Sadly to often we are the victim of the actions they take. We are to deal with the legal aspects, they are not to go free when they break the law. But, God will deal with the evil in their hearts. To love the person is what we are called to do.It requires loving God enough to say, I forgive. 


     Paul said it best in the New International Version
     2 Cortinthians 12:9-10
     But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insult, in hardships, "in persecutions," in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.



(c) Copyright 2013 All rights reserved. 
      





Friday, May 3, 2013

Arrogance In America

  As I have watched the news and listened to people while I am out shopping or going for a walk, I hear so much negative.  Everything is about people and their wants and the belief that we owe them a living and a happy life. Very little care for the sick or hurting in the world. America has been so blessed in the past. We have been free to live the way we choose. But with freedom come responsibility to share how those freedoms came to be. It is the brave men and women of this country that have fought and many have died, over the past generations to make sure we have freedom. Today the military is looked down on and pushed aside as if they have no value. We have done the same to God. We demand our rights and freedom to live as we choose with no regard to why or how those freedoms are there for us. It cost Christ everything to purchase our freedom but how many truly care! How long will God tolerate the arrogance in America before he says "Enough".


                                                     Arrogance In America

     How long will God tolerate the arrogance in America? Jobs are being lost and the country is in debt. Look at what is happening to families now! To often both husband and wife have lost their jobs. Some families are living on the streets. How arrogant to think it can't happen to me. Who is their God now?
     What would happen if our great country became like a 3rd  world country. No jobs, no food, no medication, no water. No one to care; because it is the same for everyone. How would we see God then? That he has failed us, he is not there for us. He doesn't care that our children are starving?
    Many look down on those with less than we have, especially 3rd world countries. There they are fighting wars, famine, abuse, no water, no work for anyone. Very few homes and families living together. Children raising younger siblings because both parents have died. Do we look down on the man and think they have no value or worth because they are not providing for their family? How arrogant we are. But for the grace of God that could be America, now or in the future. What will it take for us to bend our knees to Almighty God?
     We look to ourselves to provide for our families. Prayer requests are for the job of our choice. A nice place to live. We don't ask God to provide our needs but to give us our wants. Sadly, to often we have little time to even thank God for what he has done and for what he has given us.
     What would we do, if we had to totally depend on God for everything, moment by moment? Could wee do it? We are called to be his disciples, the fields are ripe for harvest, are we sharing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our hurting nation? We are to be obedient, to love, to share the gospel message. As the disciples of two thousand years ago, we are to depend on God for all our needs. Are we arrogant enough to believe that God will not strip America of everything to get our attention? Revival must begin in the hearts of the believers. We cannot wait for it to start with someone else, it must start with me and you. Is God calling you to revival? I must ask. am I being called and how will I answer?


     II Chronicles 7:14
     If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.



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