We are ALL called to be His Church

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There are so many of us who call ourselves Christians, yet we’re still divided on what the Church should look like. Let’s think about that for a minute. We divide ourselves into different denominations of the same faith or we can think about it this way instead, we are all pieces to the same puzzle, but we can’t see the full picture until we put all the pieces together. Hmmm…. What do you think that I mean by that? According to http://www.thegospelcoalition.org, “the unity of the church is rooted in the deep conviction that God’s people in spite of all their differences are united to Him by faith in Jesus Christ.”

According to http://www.apostolicfaith.org, the question was asked, “What is unity between believers?” and was answered in the following way: “They should recognize that unity between believers is vital in the work of the Lord. Unity implies the oneness of the spirit, aims, interests, and feelings of diverse individuals, and is necessary in order to receive God’s blessing and to see much accomplished for Christ.”

If we are all pieces to the same puzzle, why don’t we try to find out how we fit together versus how different we all think about God? When I talk with my beautiful friend, Paula, I see where there are things that she sees that I haven’t and I hope vice versa. We are different in how we look at our faith in God but what unites us is that we have faith in God. It’s only when we have put all the pieces together, then a beautiful picture begins to emerge. It is vital that we remember that we are God’s Church, not the buildings that we go to, to worship. When we begin to see that, then we can begin to see that our role as Christians is so much bigger than a church service or, especially, the denomination of faith that we belong to. It’s how we treat others when we aren’t there (in a building), that is what God sees in us and how he wants to unite us in this world. (Related post: Pieces of the Same Puzzle)

So, what did I learn from this? God has a place for me. Right now, He’s still shaping me. As hard as it is sometimes to Let Go and Let God take the reins to my life, I know that He will not harm me and will only do what He does to help me to prosper. He’s helping me to fit into His church on earth (notice I didn’t say “the church”!). How do I do that? I lean sharply on my faith and trust in something that I cannot see but I know that God sees. I also know that He sends me the tools, His word as well as friends and family, to help see me through.

What can you gain from this? Open yourself up to what God can do. Listen to each other and try not to be so quick to judge someone else’s journey. Remember what unites us and then try to listen with a whole heart. I think that it’s only then that you can see how God can work and has worked in others as well as yourself. God knows that we are not perfect but, what we are? We are His. He loves us just as we are and He has called us to do the same with others.

For the Love of Our Soul

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We have a God who cares about where we end up when this life on Earth is done. We have one of two choices. The first choice is to go through the narrow gate that leads to Heaven. In this narrow gate, I believe that God knows that while we aren’t perfect (by any stretch of the imagination, by the way), He also stated that if we believe that God sent His Son, Jesus, to Earth to die for our sins AND do our absolute best not to INTENTIONALLY sin then we will be welcome into His Glorious Kingdom. The second choice is to travel the wide path that leads to Hell. I’ve never been there but I have heard enough to know that it’s not a fun place to be FOREVER (sort of like jail, but much, MUCH worse and no hope of parole either, if you need that visual!)….. Let that sink in.

There has been stories, which I believe to be absolute truth, of people who have died and some have been sent to Heaven and some that have been sent to Hell. In each of these cases, they are sent back here and tell us what happened to them. Why do you think that we are shown these glimpses of both? I’ll tell you what I think…. God’s trying to save our souls. God wants us to choose Him and all that that entails. His way leads to all things beautiful and where we can be surrounded by love and kindness.

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The devil doesn’t want you to know the truth. He whispers in your ear that if what you are doing feels good then why not keep doing it? He doesn’t tell you that the place where he lives is a fiery abyss where all the lost souls are screaming in pain and terror FOREVER without ceasing. Hmmm….

So, God shows us what we are choosing. When we choose to do the right thing, then He rewards us. He also shows us what could happen when we choose to do the wrong things and continually turn away from Him. Remember that we only have a FINITE time on this Earth to decide which path that we want to take. At some point, it’ll come to the point where your choices are null and void and there are no more chances to save your soul from eternal damnation. So, my advice? Choose very, very wisely…… (Related post: Speaking Truths and The Path to Redemption)

So, what did I learn from this? I choose God. I want to be with Him in Heaven. The more that I discover about Him the happier that I am. He also tasks us with helping others to get there too. I also know that that is my purpose here when I write my blog. The end of time will come (I happen to think soon) but we need to do what we can now while we have the time to change. Any day could be our last, so I make a conscious effort to live each day to the fullest, thanking God for everything that He sends my way and l look forward to the day that I can be with Him.

What can you gain from this? Trust me, when I say that God knows where your heart and soul is and He knows which way you could go. Do you really want to rely on a roll of the dice? Do you really want to take the chance that it might not be where YOU think you should be when you die? The choice has always been yours. God gives us free will but, my friend, let me tell you, it’s not worth it if you choose to allow others and the devil to dictate what’s right and what’s wrong. When you decide that you want to win (with God), then the devil loses.

Jehovah M’Kaddesh-Name of God

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Jehovah M’Kaddesh means, “The God who Sanctifies”. According to todaydevotional.com, an article stated that, “In Exodus 31 we learn that Yahweh Mekoddishkem, “the LORD who Sanctifies you,” had made His people holy. Mekoddishkem comes from the Hebrew word qadash, meaning “set apart, consecrated, sanctified, prepared, dedicated, hallowed, made holy.”

We know that God’s people in the Old Testament was primarily the Jewish people but as we read in the New Testament, we know that God sent Jesus who is the Son of God and the natural “heir” of His Father for this worldly Kingdom. When we believe in God and His Son then we all have become co-heirs to God’s Kingdom. It’s not just one group of people that can only be called by God. It’s all of us as a whole. We have all become sanctified and, yes, set apart from others as God’s children. It doesn’t mean that we are better, not by any stretch of the imagination. It does mean that we have been called to a higher purpose set forth for us by God.

Let’s think about this further…..

God knows every hair on our head. Indeed, He knew us before we were even born! He knows what He has called us to do in His name here on Earth. The beauty of it is…. God always gives us a choice. We can accept the gift or reject it. I believe that knowing you were chosen by God for a specific purpose should be enough to encourage you to accept this wonderfully, beautiful gift from God! Also when we accept this gift, we come to realize that we must act more as God wants us to act towards His people, with loving kindness and gentle guidance. We are called to be a better version of ourselves. Not just Sunday people of faith but everyday people of faith. We are called to be those who live and breath the words of God through our actions toward others. Being God’s co-heirs to His Kingdom is not always easy. It means that at times we also have to stand up and stand firm in our convictions and in our faith when others want to tear us down. Remember that the devil doesn’t want us to succeed, but with God’s belief in us in what we can do in His name as well as our trust in Him, we can overcome any adversity that the devil tries to throw our way!

So, what did I learn from this? I am wonderfully and beautifully made. I am made in the image of my Heavenly Father. I am blessed and I am tasked with helping others to see Him as I see Him. God has put many, many supportive family and friends in my path that have helped me on my journey to get where I am now. I also realize that each stumbling block that I have faced has become a stone that I can use, not to impede my path but to help me reach new heights.

What can you gain from this? You are also beautifully and wonderfully made. God made you for a purpose. It’s hard, but don’t let doubt keep you from seeing that. Doubt is the devil’s tool that he uses. Throw that away and know that God loves each of us and knows each and every one of our flaws. The beauty of it? He doesn’t hold our flaws against us and, in fact, I’m almost positive that He wants us to use our flaws to help others in their own journey. Remember that He has sanctified you and set you apart just for that purpose.

The Path to Redemption

The Fall and Redemption of Man: The Raising of the Cross by Albrecht Altdorfer (German, c. 1480u20131538) is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0

It’s hard not to sin. We must make a conscious effort to stop and think about what we choose to do. The other problem is that we must look at who we surround ourselves with. These so-called, “friends” encourage us to sin. I put quotations around the word friends because as soon as you try to do something that’s different than what they want you to do then they start cutting you off or even cutting you down with insults. Of course, by now, you start to realize that they aren’t your true friends at all. It can seem to become like a lonely road when you’re on this path to redemption. So how do you deal with it?

I’ll give you some big hints….. you need to make some better friends! Of course, the first friend that you need to turn to is God. He’s always been there. He’s just been waiting for you to realize that as well. God knows that we’re going to sin but the difference now is you. You see, God sent His Son, Jesus, to us. He lived among us and taught us many, many things but the best thing that He did? He died on the cross and took ALL of our sins on His shoulders so that we can go and be with Him at the end of our time on earth. That path to redemption just takes a few things from us.

  1. Believe (and confess) that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to us to die on the cross and save us from our sins. (John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave us His Son so that whoever should believe in Him will not die but have eternal life.”)
  2. Confess that you are a sinner and need to be saved.
  3. Surround yourself with better friends. Find people who will support you in your new journey. Join a church, Bible Group, or whatever place you can find that will help you to grow and become a better version of yourself than you were before.

It seems pretty easy though it’s not always going to be. You will have to contend with those who doubt you or make fun of you. However, the peace that you will be feeling will overcome all of that. God has a purpose for you but He can’t put you on that path until you take the step toward Him first. You have to trust Him. Trust me, I know. He’s got this! (Related post: God’s Got This and God’s Promise).

So, what did I learn from this? I am stronger because I know that God’s got a plan for me. He knew me before I was even born and waited for me to turn to Him with all of my pain and suffering. He knew that I can use that pain and suffering to help others too. I’m not perfect. In fact, I’m full of flaws but God sees past all of that to what’s in my heart. And guess what? He loves me just the way that I am. Our God truly is an awesome God!!

What can you gain from this? God doesn’t judge us like humans do. He’s way more forgiving than even humans could EVER be. So, what do I think you can gain from following a different path? 1) Redemption (upon releasing all of who you are to God) and 2) Release (from the constant heartbreak and sadness that you may feel now) and 3) Renewed (you have become a new creation in God, in which the old you is no more). God sees you in a different and brighter light. It’s time that you start to do that too.

Foolish, Foolish People

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I don’t know much about horses but something that I have seen is how if you don’t want them to become spooked then they have to have blinders, and that keeps them looking straightforward and not to the sides. I sometimes think that that is where we are in today’s society as well. Too many people have turned to the world to find wisdom and so are only looking in one direction, yet they fail to realize that the best wisdom comes from following God and reading the words of the bible. The best wisdom also comes from not blaming others for what we choose to do.

My friend Paula sends me (and I know that includes several others, as well) wonderful thoughts and prayers for each day during the work week. Her theme this month of April is about not being a fool. One day, she sent a message that included this verse, Proverbs 14:8, “The wise man looks (thinks) ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.” This also brings to mind something else that we need to think about. How does a person become wise? Also, what makes them wise?

Although I know that I am not always wise, I know that I am wiser than the world because I see my own faults (mostly) and acknowledge them (mostly). We have to take our own blinders off and look around. We need to learn from others and see what historical events can teach us (those who’ve made mistakes so that we don’t repeat them ourselves).

No one likes to admit fault, I get that. Trust me, it’s a very humbling experience, overall. However, I do know that it sure can become a character builder. I’d take that over being a fool, any day!

So, what did I learn from this? I believe that this life journey that we’re on is full of hills and valleys (Related post: Traversing the hills and valleys of life with grace). It’s how we deal with it that counts. It’s also about what we learned and then we can see how it can help us to become a better version of ourselves. I also know that while I can mourn for how others choose to act, I can’t change them. I can only change myself but I can, hopefully, influence someone to change themselves when they observe my behavior. It kind of comes full circle, don’t you think?

What can you gain from this? I believe that once you take your own blinders off, you begin to see the world in a whole different way. Remember that a fool keeps repeating the same old mistakes while wanting to get a different result. It doesn’t work that way. So stop and reevaluate why you need to change in the first place. Think about the result you want to achieve and change your course. After all, it is your path to take. (Related post: Just going with the flow….)

The Little Things

I was looking out my window and saw a sweet little hummingbird coming to drink and it made me so happy. It reminds me that it’s the little things that we experience in life that have the power to make us happy. It’s especially true when it’s those little things that we sometimes take for granted. We live in a world full of huge, ugly things that want to drown out the most minor details. We need to realize that the devil’s at work and we need to be wise to him and stomp on him as much as we can. We also need to remember that it’s those small details that have the power to help us see things in a better light and it’s those same things that the devil wants to draw us away from.

To help combat that, I’ve been watching The Chosen, and each time that I’ve watched it, I’ve picked up on something else that helps me to see how God has played a part in my life. It’s the little things that I might not have picked up on if I wasn’t focusing on them. You see, I’m hungry for what God is saying to us now. Trust me, when I say that He is speaking and all of His people need to do a better job of listening to what He has to say. We need to remember, though, that God works in the little things that we take for granted and that we pass over because we are too focused on the things that are happening in the world instead. God is speaking and He is showing us the way back to Him.

The time will come when God will make a choice for us. We need to pick our place. Will it be Heaven or will it be Hell? Will it be with God in peace and beauty or will it be with the devil in a fire of everlasting torment? Trust me, they are both real. I know which one I will choose. Which one do you want? There will come a time soon, very soon, and without warning that you will need to decide. So, pay attention to those little things because they will end up becoming much more important than you thought.

So, what did I learn from this? I’m choosing God. I’m choosing Heaven. I know where I want to spend eternity. Our God has never left us nor will He. He just wants us to realize that too. He’s been very patient and He’s given us time to make corrections to our behavior. Some of us just don’t take to it very well. Sin is still a sin even by today’s standards. So, I’d really, really hate to be them when the end time comes because, by then, it will be too late.

What can you gain from this? I dare you to watch The Chosen. I dare you to see the similarities between then and now. I think that once you do watch it then you will become hungry for more. God’s not going to hold your past against you because you have time to repent. Just don’t wait until it’s too late. I know it’s hard to imagine now but you will become a much happier person because of it.

Jehovah-Jirah: Name of God

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Jehovah Jirah means “the Lord will provide” and this name relates to the story of Abraham and Isaac in the Old Testament. According to the website: christianity.com, the author, April Motl, writes that when Abraham called God Jehovah-Jireh, he was saying, “You (God) see/experience all this need of mine and make a provision for it.” She also goes on to state, “From the great needs of our soul for issues like salvation and forgiveness to the yearning of our heart for a spouse, God Provides- He is our Jehovah-Jireh. God Sees. God is with Us. It is His promise and His character. It is His very name!”

In reading this, I have begun to understand that while I only see what God’s plan is for me in the short term, I now understand that God sees what I need in the long term. God already has a plan and will provide for every aspect of my life. Even as you read this post, understand and know that God is making a plan for you and for your future. As humans, we are always worrying about anything and everything! (Of course, some of us are more than others!)

I once remember reading (perhaps on Pinterest) that God planted the tree knowing that Zacheus would need to climb it one day so that he could see Jesus in the crowd of people. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty powerful to me. So this is what this Jehovah-Jirah name of God means to me: God knows all, God sees all and He’s got this! (Related post: God’s Got This)

So, what did I learn from this? I’m a worrier. It’s annoying but there you are. It’s tough to let go of things and it does take a lot of practice to give any and all of my worries to God. I’m getting better at that but I still know what I am. So, thank you, God, that You are so patient with me! It’s a lot about trust and having the understanding that God has a plan for me even though I can’t see it or even understand it. I just have to trust Him to get me where He needs me to be.

What can you gain from this? By “Letting Go and Letting God”, you learn that the worry may still be there but it might be lessened. It doesn’t consume you as much. Remember, that God has a plan for EACH of us. There is no one person who is more important than anyone else. He knows each of us by name. He knows what our thoughts and fears are before we even speak them. He will always love you and give you what you need. Just remember that when the worry starts to overwhelm you, know that He will never leave you. You just have to invite Him into your life and then see what He will do for you. I’m just going to bet that you will be wonderfully surprised by the outcome!

A Conversion of Faith

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A troubled woman walked alone to a well that was far from her village. By all accounts, she was not welcome to go with the other women so she had to complete the chore by herself with no one to help. She thought that it was just another day in a long line of days that she had suffered through then she met the one person who changed her and, by doing so, healed her and…. ultimately freed her.

This is the story of the Samaritan woman from John 4: 4-26. We are all like that woman at times. Life becomes just a chore that we need to get through or just get by. We may feel condemned, ashamed, and alone. Then…. something changes. Maybe it’s a small thing that happens or perhaps it’s something large and obvious that catches our attention. It’s at that point that we have that conversion of faith. We’ve opened the door to Him and that door can never entirely be closed the same way again. We’ve become changed, renewed, and free.

So, what is this conversion of faith? It’s God. It’s Jesus, His Son. It’s the Holy Spirit. It’s all three in One. To believe in One means opening the door to the other two. Why? They are all one and the same. Different forms, yes, but don’t we have different needs that need attending to throughout our daily lives? We have our Father in Heaven who created us and has loved us from the beginning of time. We have the Son whom God sent to take our sins away by His death on the cross so that we can live with them in the ever-after. Then we also have the Holy Spirit which we have to guide us in our daily lives. So, you see? He has us covered. No matter where we turn, we have a God who has His bases covered. He can and will get you back on your feet. The only one that is keeping you from taking that step…… is you. (Related post: “Tag….. You’re It!” and God’s Love Language)

So, what did I learn from this? Whew, what a journey I’ve been on myself! However, the longer that I travel on this journey, I have begun to see why God wanted me to go on it in the first place. Do I understand it completely? No, but I have found that this truly is a daily walk with God. I wake up in the morning with prayers, all during the day at times, and then I end my day with prayers. It’s a constant conversation. And, guess what? Since God knows me so intimately, He knows even what I’m not asking for but what I truly want in my heart. This constant conversation is what helps gets me through.

What can you gain from this? God knows you. He loves you. He just wants you to give Him the chance to show you how much He loves you. He doesn’t judge you for your past mistakes so try not to let that keep you from seeking and knowing Him. Remember that fear is the devil’s tool because the devil doesn’t want you to know God. Take that step, reach out your hand, and trust God to get you through. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

Forever and Ever

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On Sunday, March 5, 2023, our oldest son, Marc, proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Heidi. I am so beyond words of excitement for this new chapter in their lives! The ring that Marc had designed for Heidi made me want to write about this. Traditionally, for marriage, we know that a circle is endless as the perfect symbol of oneness and unity-no beginning, no end. However, Marc wanted something more, so he choose an infinity symbol as a part of the circle in order to show his never-ending love for Heidi.

These two symbols of marriage also got me thinking of our God. We have a God who has loved us from the beginning and He will continue to love us in an endless loop that has no beginning or end. I also think that the infinity symbol shows us that we have a God whose love is never-ending for us, no matter what we do, He continues to love us. The idea of that is beautiful to me even though I know that none of us are worthy of His love, He continues to give it wholly and freely.

God’s love is a gift that never, ever goes away and we need to remember that He continues to give it over and over, again even as we, sometimes, push Him away. That kind of love is very powerful stuff. So as I think about the next stage of all of our lives, I am humbled and awed by the symbolism of both the circle and the infinity in the next stage that Marc and Heidi will embark on, I also realize how much God is a part of their lives now and in the future.

So, what did I learn from this? We, humans, can be such fickle creatures. We tend to put finite conditions on our lives and on those around us. We need to learn from God’s beautiful example. Since I try to do that on a daily basis, I am constantly humbled and amazed at God’s capacity for love and forgiveness. I want to be more like God in that aspect and I know that I fail over and over again. However, I know that we have a God who sees my efforts so He is constantly pushing me in the right direction that He wants me to go.

What can you gain from this? It can be awfully humbling to realize that God loves us even despite how many times we fail Him. Luckily, He doesn’t hold it against us. He wants us to learn to know and love Him, just as much as He knows and loves us. Remember that His love is forever and ever and He will never stop reaching out to us. So, why don’t you stop running away and begin to run toward Him, instead? I know that you won’t be sorry!

The Heart of the Giver

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Who best knows us inside and out? Who best understands what we are feeling? Who best shows us the meaning of giving? God is our most significant example of what it means to give. He shows us that we need to have a whole heart when we offer. It’s not just about tithing to the church either even though that is very important, too.

2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Sometimes giving involves taking time to listen to a friend who needs to just talk without feeling that they are being judged because of their feelings. Sometimes giving involves sharing our talent with others and teaching others a new skill. Sometimes giving involves sharing a meal with someone who is hungry. Sometimes giving involves being generous with monetary help to someone in need. Sometimes giving involves……. whatever you find in your heart to give to someone else.

Remember also that Jesus understood that giving is also a private thing. It’s personal. You don’t need to announce it to everybody who will listen. God already knows what you are doing and He knows the reason why you do it. Just know that you do it as a reflection of the person we all want to try and emulate, God.

So, what did I learn from this? I don’t give because I have to give, I give because I want to give. When I give something to someone then it helps them but it also helps me as well. Sometimes, it’s just a compliment that someone needed to hear that day or a supportive voice in telling a person, not to let other people’s attitudes affect them personally. All that you give, especially when you give impulsively, can help someone. It’s kindness and thoughtfulness that encourages others to do the same. It also becomes a reflection of who you are.

What can you gain from this? I know that it helps me get through the day knowing that I helped someone else. That can be what you experience as well. We have so many negative things going on around us right now that we need some of that positive when we can find it. It’s like a little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day or that’s how I think of it as.

When I was growing up there was a song called “Pass It On”. The lyrics were in part, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going….” (of course, that’s all I remember!) but it seems to me that it says it all, doesn’t it? We all need to be the spark that helps us to treat others in a kinder, more thoughtful way with the hope that others will keep passing it along.