Capture or Be Captured

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

In both scriptures Paul is referring to the power of our thoughts. Since our thoughts can control us, we must control them through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must continually test our thoughts and bring them into alignment with the mind of Christ. What would Jesus think, say, or do with this thought?

The first thing this morning I was thinking unkind thoughts about a situation and immediately I began to condemn myself for such thoughts. I was reminded of these words from Paul. I cried out to the Lord asking why I would even have such thoughts when I know better. How could such thoughts come from one who has followed you since childhood? I immediately asked Jesus to so purify my heart so that I would never have an unkind, jealous, selfish thought the rest of my life. Now you may be shaking your head at such a request or saying, “me to!”

 Either way, this is what the holy Spirit whispered to my heart. Joyce, you still live in sinful world and will be tempted by sinful thoughts. It’s not the thoughts that will condemn you, but what you do with them. That’s why I inspired Paul to write about taking your thoughts captive and renewing your mind according to My Word. If as a believer, you would never again have such thoughts, no need for this reminder and challenge. But now the ball is in your redeemed court and what are you going to do with it?  Speak it, act on it, or surrender it to Christ and seek His view of the situation. Thoughts come and go but you must choose what to do with them. The situation may be unfair or hurtful or have nothing at all to do with you. Regardless, give it to Christ and allow His Spirit of love and forgiveness to replace your unkind thoughts and move forward in obedience. Remember, there is coming a day when you will never battle another sinful thought. Love, joy and peace will be yours forever!!  

What will you do with your unkind thoughts today?

Thank You, Father, for this message of hope and reminder of personal responsibility. Empower us by Your Spirit to capture our thoughts and continually renew our minds by Your Word. The closer we walk and more time we spend with You, the easier it will be to hear Your words of caution and comfort. Oh, the joy of sweet surrender to Your love!

Blessed to Bless

I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others.[a Genesis 12:2

God was going to bless Abraham and make him a blessing to many others down through the ages. That blessing has reached us through Jesus Christ and is a promise to us, also. We, too are blessed to be a blessing to others.

I remember years ago when my husband and I spent several months praying and seeking God’s specific purpose for our lives. We each finally came up with a purpose statement; mine was, “To love myself like Jesus loves me so I can love others like Jesus loves them.” I grew up trying to win the approval and love of my earthly father and felt like I never measured up. Trying to comprehend my heavenly Father’s overwhelming, unconditional love has been a challenge my entire life. It has taken years to realize I could do nothing to earn God’s love, it was and is a free gift and totally beyond my comprehension. So, my life’s purpose is to continually seek to accept His overwhelming, indescribable, matchless love and then share that love with those around me.  I am so blessed and want to be a blessing to others.  I am a daughter of the King, precious in His sight, recipient of His uncontainable, unexplainable, underserving, everlasting love! I need to remind myself every day of who I am and whose I am.  How about you? Do you truly understand who you are in Christ and how very much you are loved by your Heavenly Father?

Father God, thank You for being present when I was formed in my mother’s womb. Thank You for knowing me inside and out and sending Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me and show me Your unconditional love. It’s been 72 years, and I am still trying to comprehend such unfathomable love. Oh, I so want that love to shine through me to bless and encourage others to seek Your love for themselves. Thank you with my words is not enough. Please help me to thank You with my life! Amen!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Count your blessings!

No One Understands Like Jesus

14. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews4:14-16

The author speaks a language these early believers understood when he talks about a high priest. They knew well the job of the high priest was to present the people and their sins to God, offer a sacrifice and beg for mercy. They ruled from earth, sometimes with very little sympathy for the people. Often, they required more of the people than was possible in obeying all their 600+ rules But, the great high priest, Jesus, rules from heaven, after having lived among us and experiencing every problem we face, even the ultimate sacrifice, death for our sins!! Thus, He is the only high priest who truly understands us. We can freely, with great confidence, bring our needs to Him because He knows exactly how we feel and how to help us!

We often told how our trials and temptations can become a source of ministry to others facing like issues. We can accept that our own struggles will be an encouragement to others and yet often overlook the fact that Jesus struggled in His human form just like we do. We forget the huge price He paid, not only in death, but in life on earth!  He wasn’t born mature; he climbed trees, scraped His knees and caused problems for His parents. He knew hunger, rejection, had to escape for His life and knew great disappointment. He understood sorrow at the death of a beloved friend, and great joy at the wedding of another. He was tested and tempted and had to depend on his Father for strength. He knew the struggle we sometimes face in surrendering to the Father’s will. All this to become our “wonderful, merciful Savior, and perfect High Priest who understands and sympathizes with our humanity, and the only one who can meet all our needs according to His riches in glory.

Jesus, thank You for the price You paid that we might know the Father and be able to spend eternity in heaven! Thank You for your great mercy and grace extended to us when we are confused, rebellious, stubborn, or lacking in spiritual graces. We know You are not there to condemn us, but to call us to faith and victory over our struggles. Your grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Your mercy is everlasting, and Your forgiveness is ever present when we need it. You are an awesome and perfect High Priest who loves and understands us completely! Hallelujah!

Finish What You Started

 If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! Hebrews 10:33:35

The writer reminds these followers of when they first experienced the light of salvation. They experienced the real treasure of God’s love and forgiveness, and nothing could distract them from that love. Things of this world became inconsequential to them. Now that they have been following Christ for several years, things seem to have settled and become routine. The author is warning them about staying true and faithful to the end and holding to their first love. Nothing on God’s end has changed, so nothing on our end should change. God’s faithfulness is a sure thing!

I hear a warning about becoming distracted by world and local events, by family and church problems, by health problems and politics.  I hear the call for revival, asking the Holy Spirit to revive my spirit and to renew my enthusiasm for Kingdom business. I feel the challenge to search the Word daily and grow in my love and knowledge of the Lord. I sense the threat of predictable routines and comfort stealing the excitement of daily Jesus-sightings.I don’t want to miss any of the benefits and blessings of completing the race I began over 70 years ago!

Oh Father, I do not want to miss any blessing and victory You have planned for me as a believer in Jesus Christ. I do not want to quench the power of the Holy Spirit who desires to manifest Himself through me for the good of other believers and those who have yet to believe. I do not want to settle for the routine and predictable but want to think and live outside the box for You!!   I cannot do this by my own might or power but by Your Holy Spirit! Come, Holy Spirit, I need You!!

Ponder or Pounce

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be [d]successful Joshua 1:8

The Lord is reminding Joshua of the covenant He had with Moses and that he must be faithful to read and study the law. He must carry it out and to do what it says to be successful.

The words, “be careful to do everything”. To do, not to think about, discuss, debate, philosophize, pontificate, or even memorize, but DO! Ouch! When God says He will give you something, He usually means He will bless and make your efforts and hard work successful. We must work together with Him. We must be faithful to the task to which He has called us. We must even suffer with and for Him. Salvation is a free gift, totally underserved, but taking the land of our spiritual inheritance is a 24/7 job!  The pay is out of this world, but the work is intense and takes focus and faithfulness in obedience to His Word.

Oh Jesus, how often do we read the Word and ponder on the it, but do nothing with it?! Forgive us and help us to realize that reading, hearing, even pondering on the Word is not enough. Salvation is a free gift, but we must seek, find, accept, and work out our salvation to receive the promised blessing and success. Sometimes, Father, it seems so simple and easy, and other times impossible without Your divine strength and resurrection power working in us. You ask nothing of us without supplying everything we need to DO what You require. Help us to believe and not doubt. Pondering is sometimes necessary, but we must also pounce – attack Your will with enthusiasm, and faith.

No Fasting, Only Feasting

When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. Hebrew 6:17-18

The writer is encouraging these Christians to continue to grow in the Lord. He talks about the danger and consequence of going back on your commitment to Christ. He then encourages them with the fact that Christ has promised rewards and blessings to those who follow Him which are all guaranteed by His Word. If he said it, we can count on it!

One of the main reasons to study and deepen our understanding of God is to know what to expect as we walk in His truth. He tells us what is expected of those who follow His Word and what we can expect in return. The more I study the principals and character of God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit the plainer the future becomes, and the more joy I have while my faith and commitment to Him grow. As doubts arise and fears dismay, His Word brings hope and keeps me grounded in my faith and trust in Him. The Holy Spirit uses the Word to speak truth to my heart and keep me focused on Christ! 

I love it when scripture confirms itself and strengthens our faith in the Word! Oh, how much we miss when we relegate Your Word to the coffee table or a shelf in our bookcase to be pulled out for Sunday church. How sad when we miss the daily feast prepared for us. I know fasting is good, Father, but not when it is from food for our souls. We need and must eat a steady diet of Your Word to grow and mature.

Help us Jesus, to feed on Your Word and build strong spiritual muscles. Help us to stand firm on Your promises, knowing they will all come true in this life and the next.  You have given us much to feast on here , but nothing like the feast we will have with You in heaven!

Murderer to Miracle Worker

14 But the man said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and said, “Certainly this incident is known.” Exodus 2:14 

Moses knew he was a Hebrew adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. When he became an adult and became aware of the plight of his people, he felt compassion for them. One day he saw an Egyptian whip one of his fellow Hebrews and when no one was looking Moses murdered the man. News spread and even his fellow Hebrews were ashamed of him, so he fled to Midian.

When I hear the name Moses, I think of one of God’s most revered servants. I think of one who actually saw God and spoke with Him. I never see a murderer, but a miracle worker and friend of God.  God’s choices continue to amaze me: Abraham-the liar, Moses -the murderer, David -the adulterer, Jacob -the deceiver, Jonah-the disobedient, Rahab – the prostitute, Paul- the persecutor.  Why, oh why, do we think God only uses goody-two-shoes and perfect people to do great thing in His kingdom. Why do we look for the highly educated, the charismatic, the organized, the model Christians, those with no skeletons in their closets, no dark histories, to be our leaders.  If all our sins were twittered, tweeted and face-booked for the world to see, none of us would be eligible to serve in God’s kingdom! Forgiveness is a life-changer!

Thank You, Father, for Jesus, for forgiveness, for the conviction and guidance of the Holy Spirit, for resurrection power and for YOUR GREAT MERCY!!!!   My past does not define me. My present cannot destroy the future that God has designed for me here and in heaven! Help me to accept Your forgiveness, obey Your voice and watch You work in my life for Your glory.

My Way or the Highway

Even though they watched me at work for forty years,
    your ancestors refused to let me do it my way;
    over and over they tried my patience. Hebrews 3:8 The Message

The author is still reminding these Christians of their Jewish history and how faithful Moses was, but the people wouldn’t listen to God’s voice through him. He reiterates that Jesus is superior to Moses and that they need to listen and look at all He’s done and be obedient, not like their forefathers in their unbelief and disobedience.

This passage reminds me of the lyrics from an old Frank Sinatra song, “I did it my way.” And I know we’ve all heard someone say, “it’s my way or the highway.” Or perhaps, “I know what’s best for me and my family,” or “God just doesn’t understand my situation.” Oh, how we must try God’s patience!

When I look at all God has done not just for me, but for my family, friends, the church, and the world in my lifetime, I am compelled to listen to His promptings, teachings, and call in my life. I have chosen to trust and believe that He can and will do what He says He will do! I never want to challenge Him with unbelief or self-centered thinking or actions. My way leads me to wander through a wilderness, while His way leads straight to the Promised Land!! How I want to reach that Promised Land and enjoy Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever!!

Holy Spirit help me obey the truth You speak to my spirit. Help me to trust You to lead me in the path of righteousness and reveal any unbelief in my heart. Help me to see Your hand and recognize Your handiwork in my life and glorify and praise Your Name!!  May I stand firm knowing You are in control and can part the seas of confusion, discouragement, disillusionment or unbelief, and keep me focused on You! May Your strength infuse my being and Your power overwhelm my weakness! I thank You, Father, for creation! I thank You, Jesus, for Salvation! I thank You, Holy Spirit, for resurrection power that indwells me and keeps me focused on the prize – eternal life with You

Like Father Like Son

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. Hebrews 1:1-3

The phrase that caught my attention this morning was, The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God. “Like father, like son.”. “He’s the spitting image of his dad”. “He’s a chip off the old block”. Yes, you saw the Father when you met His Son, Jesus. Everything Jesus did and said was a direct reflection of His Father, God. He may have looked like a regular Jew and upheld all Jewish traditions. He may have talked like a Jew and followed the Ten Commandments, studied in a Jewish school, had his Bar Mitzvah, and been baptized according to Jewish tradition, but there was something different about Him. He ate with sinners, loved the unlovable, touched the untouchable and called the uneducated and lowest in society to follow Him. He was always honest and communicated with each audience in ways they could easily understand. Yes, He was the express image of His Father.

He made it easy for us to understand and follow His Father. Instead of ten commandments, He taught just two, Love God-Love others. If we follow those two, the others will be automatic. Over the years the church seems to have made it so complicated. What if church membership were as simple as Kingdom membership. What if when a question of behavior or action came up, we simply asked two questions – Does this honor God and His Word? Is this helpful and loving toward others?

Now let’s bring it home to us. What if we asked those same two questions before we made decisions and choices each day. I’m not talking about which cereal, or kind of soup to buy (unless it negatively affects your health), but things like, whom should I reach out to today? How can I encourage someone today? To whom do I need to say “NO” today?  I said He simplified it for us, but sometimes I think I would rather just have that list of dos and don’ts instead of having the gift of free choice to obey or disobey.  How about you?  Do you express the very character of your Father each day?

Father, I have been working on my choice to love You and love others for seventy-two years and am still falling short some days. Please, Jesus, You know my heart, keep correcting and reminding me when I am tempted to make an unloving choice. Your mercy and grace are beyond my comprehension. Your unconditional love for me is overwhelming. I am so thankful that You know me inside and out and surround me with Your love and protection. Forgive me, Father, and create in me a loving and clean heart this day.

God’s Timing

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Luke 23:55

Jesus had been crucified and Joseph had taken his body and laid it in his family tomb. The women disciples had gone home to prepare spices for the proper burial of the body but waited a day before returning in obedience of the Sabbath. Thus, we have the third day affirming Christ’s words of rising on the third day!

According to scripture….. A body could have been prepared the same day or the next, but it all happened according to prophecy, in God’s time, to fulfill God’s will. Nothing happens behind God’s back or out of His timing for His kingdom to come. This assures me that His timing in my life is perfect and I must not try to make His timing match mine, These women could have been so passionate and upset by the events of the crucifixion that they couldn’t wait and actually disobeyed a command to do a good thing for Him. Do I ever say, God called me to this and I know everything is not quite ready, but I must do it now! I can’t wait for Him to release me for it because surely, He needs it now!. God’s timing is perfect: I can never please Him by disobeying in order to get the job done! Impatience shows a lack of faith and trust and asserts my will above God’s.

Jesus, patience can be a real challenge for us. There is a fine line between patience and fear of moving forward or laziness. Help us to discern the difference and not use the idea of patience as an excuse not to move when we should. Also, may we not use impatience as an excuse to move ahead of You. Staying in step and harmony with Your plans and timing will only happen if we walk close enough to hear Your voice and surrender our will to Yours. We ask that You to correct us and give us the power to walk beside You, not in front or behind. Lord, may we never doubt that You know best. Forgive us and help us to exercise the faith and power you have given us to trust and obey according to Your timing.