"Master, how can I, your servant, talk with you? My strength is
gone, and it is hard for me to breathe." He said, "Daniel, don't be
afraid. God loves you very much. Peace be with you.
Be strong now, be courageous." When he spoke to me,
I became stronger and said, "Master, speak, since
you have given me strength." Daniel 10:17,19
In my home we have a battery backup on our phone
system. If the power goes out, the phone will remain
on 8 hours until the power can be restored. It is a great
thing to know we have that resource in case of emergency.
It is a power source we can rely on if we keep the
batteries updated.
I often see people get so weary from the things they
are going through. . People go to God and say "God
why are you failing me? Why am I going through all this?
God where are you?"
Yet during the week, they were too busy for God.
They had time for tv, for friends, for their computers,
for their entertainment, for their hobbies, everything but God.
God was a last priority. Suddenly when trials hit they are
weary quickly, and feel overwhelmed, and blame it on God.
Yet truly, it is our fault if we don't spend time with God.
It is our fault if we do not spend time in his word to find
fresh strength, fresh hope, fresh renewal, fresh forgiveness,
fresh inspiration in God's word daily.It is the source of strength
we need as a battery backup in our spirit. We have to
refresh ourselves in his arms before we go out and
face a world that consistently drains us, pulls on us,
and often makes us weary.
How can you have strength if you never built any?
You only become weaker.
A athlete would never sit all day and say ok muscles build yourself.
He knows he actually has to do something about his body to
build strength and endurance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
My friends if you want to run the race with courage, you have
to feed your spirit, you have to fight the good fight of faith.
You cannot be lazy and neglect your spiritual life if you want
to be victorious and overcoming.
Run the race with endurance and hope
strengthened by the hand of the Almighty God of the Universe
with his word planted firmly in our hearts, we go forth
with confidence, hope and inner strength that comes no
other way. Seek him first.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Freedom from the Past
Therefore there is now no condemnation
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
One of the things I am noticing among many Christian friends
is the self condemnation they heap upon themselves for their past,
or situations they did not handle well. They cannot seem to move
past it, forgive themselves and live a life free from the past because
of the precious mercies and forgiveness we receive through Jesus.
I also see many of you clinging to the hurts you have received
from others. You are unable to disentangle yourself and cling
to these hurts as if they were important possessions. My dear
friend, they are not important, they are spiritual bondage! You
are being tied to the past with a spiritual umbilical cord that has
kept you in slavery to your past. You are not free to move on,
or savor fully the life you have today.
Yet, if you see someone else doing this it is so easy for you
to point at them and say what are you holding on to that for?
There are several places in the Bible that truly instruct us
on this mindset.
So you shall do all the Lord your God has commanded you,
you shall not turn to the right or the left.
Deuteronomy 5:32
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:27
To me these verses signify staying focused on God and avoiding
evil. Slavery to the sins and hurts of the past is evil. It is robbing
you of joy and peace in Christ and productivity in your current day.
I am reminded of the story in Genesis 19, I urge you to get
out your Bible and read it today. Lot was in the
city of Sodom, and God was about to pronounce great
judgment upon this city. Angels arrived to tell Job that
they had come to destroy the city because of the great outcry
against this city before the face of God. He was told to get
out of the city and to warn his family to leave quickly, for the
city would soon be destroyed. In Genesis 19:17 they were told:
"So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside,
that he said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you
or stay anywhere in the plain, escape to the mountains,
lest you be destroyed."
You see this required absolute surrender and complete obedience
and trust in God, not only for safety from harm, but for God's
provision. For this to happen, Lot had to listen to God, and
he couldn't be focusing on many things that distracted him
for the purpose and journey ahead, he had to stay focused.
His wife did not obey God, she looked back and was turned into
a pillar of salt, a judgment for her utter disobedience to God in
a situation he was trying to lead her out of.
You see there are consequences in life for our disobedience.
If we look to the right or left and get distracted by the troubles
or cares of this world, we are not living fully, and successfully
in today. We are limiting ourselves, we are unable to surrender
and work for God fully, because we are not focused, and we
have withheld areas of our mind that should be free of the past
and of distractions. It is leading us down a road we should
never have walked on, into a life that is less than it should be,
and all by a mental choice on our part.
Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to Him, no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Are you fit for the kingdom of God today? Are you holding
onto grudges, blaming people from your past, and in bondage
to these things? Are you so busy you never have time for God?
Are you condemning yourself for your mistakes?
My friend, God said we can be forgiven, and we should forgive others.
Once we REALLY do this, we move on, to a new purpose, to a new
life.
You MUST be in the word of God, and fill up on it and live by it.
You MUST be free of the past. You MUST let go of anything holding
you down and keeping you in slavery to something that is not worthy
of your time and is displeasing to God.
When a thought from the past comes up, say I am not looking back.
Give it to God. Let it go. Read his word, pray, and be faithful and
diligent to God. He needs workers and laborers for his kingdom,
and you cannot do it if you are wandering around lost, hurt,
and enslaved. Be Free, today in Jesus name. Give it all to him,
and let it go. He is waiting, even now.
Remember none of us are perfect, that is why Jesus came.
He just wants us to turn to him and be new in him and live
life to the fullest. He will equip us, but we must do our part
and not cling to the past in any way. Look not to the right or left.
Focus on God.
love always
millie
for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1
One of the things I am noticing among many Christian friends
is the self condemnation they heap upon themselves for their past,
or situations they did not handle well. They cannot seem to move
past it, forgive themselves and live a life free from the past because
of the precious mercies and forgiveness we receive through Jesus.
I also see many of you clinging to the hurts you have received
from others. You are unable to disentangle yourself and cling
to these hurts as if they were important possessions. My dear
friend, they are not important, they are spiritual bondage! You
are being tied to the past with a spiritual umbilical cord that has
kept you in slavery to your past. You are not free to move on,
or savor fully the life you have today.
Yet, if you see someone else doing this it is so easy for you
to point at them and say what are you holding on to that for?
There are several places in the Bible that truly instruct us
on this mindset.
So you shall do all the Lord your God has commanded you,
you shall not turn to the right or the left.
Deuteronomy 5:32
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:27
To me these verses signify staying focused on God and avoiding
evil. Slavery to the sins and hurts of the past is evil. It is robbing
you of joy and peace in Christ and productivity in your current day.
I am reminded of the story in Genesis 19, I urge you to get
out your Bible and read it today. Lot was in the
city of Sodom, and God was about to pronounce great
judgment upon this city. Angels arrived to tell Job that
they had come to destroy the city because of the great outcry
against this city before the face of God. He was told to get
out of the city and to warn his family to leave quickly, for the
city would soon be destroyed. In Genesis 19:17 they were told:
"So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside,
that he said, Escape for your life! Do not look behind you
or stay anywhere in the plain, escape to the mountains,
lest you be destroyed."
You see this required absolute surrender and complete obedience
and trust in God, not only for safety from harm, but for God's
provision. For this to happen, Lot had to listen to God, and
he couldn't be focusing on many things that distracted him
for the purpose and journey ahead, he had to stay focused.
His wife did not obey God, she looked back and was turned into
a pillar of salt, a judgment for her utter disobedience to God in
a situation he was trying to lead her out of.
You see there are consequences in life for our disobedience.
If we look to the right or left and get distracted by the troubles
or cares of this world, we are not living fully, and successfully
in today. We are limiting ourselves, we are unable to surrender
and work for God fully, because we are not focused, and we
have withheld areas of our mind that should be free of the past
and of distractions. It is leading us down a road we should
never have walked on, into a life that is less than it should be,
and all by a mental choice on our part.
Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to Him, no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Are you fit for the kingdom of God today? Are you holding
onto grudges, blaming people from your past, and in bondage
to these things? Are you so busy you never have time for God?
Are you condemning yourself for your mistakes?
My friend, God said we can be forgiven, and we should forgive others.
Once we REALLY do this, we move on, to a new purpose, to a new
life.
You MUST be in the word of God, and fill up on it and live by it.
You MUST be free of the past. You MUST let go of anything holding
you down and keeping you in slavery to something that is not worthy
of your time and is displeasing to God.
When a thought from the past comes up, say I am not looking back.
Give it to God. Let it go. Read his word, pray, and be faithful and
diligent to God. He needs workers and laborers for his kingdom,
and you cannot do it if you are wandering around lost, hurt,
and enslaved. Be Free, today in Jesus name. Give it all to him,
and let it go. He is waiting, even now.
Remember none of us are perfect, that is why Jesus came.
He just wants us to turn to him and be new in him and live
life to the fullest. He will equip us, but we must do our part
and not cling to the past in any way. Look not to the right or left.
Focus on God.
love always
millie
Monday, June 20, 2011
Freedom in Christ - Do not turn back!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Christ came to earth for one great reason, to set
us free from the yoke and bondage and slavery to sin.
He paid for this by his own atoning blood upon the cross.
No one ever loved us this much before, who gave his life
that we might be free.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we then know that when we become Christians
we are set free, why would any of us resort back to slavery?
Yet each day many of us by choice do that very thing.
We find habits, or lusts, or temptations greater than
the power we give Christ in our lives, and we fall back
into that sin, in a worse state than before we went to Christ.
To him therefore that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.
In essence we are belittling the very sacrifice of Christ
by his own death on the cross, and elevating that sin
above him in our life, actions and thinking.
Anything that comes between us and God we are idolizing
and it is sin!
And who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
Hebrews 6:6
We are crucifying Christ again by our own neglect
and sin, how can we do this after the price he paid?
We are dismantling and disabling our very own spiritual life.
At first it may seem a small habit, or a small thought, or
a small parting of the ways, and soon we turn a blind eye
to the word of God, to church, to christians around us to pursue those things we know are wrong.
My dear friends, we are so utterly accountable for each
thing we do in life.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36.
Friends this is a serious journey we are on. One of faith,
one of commitment, one of focus. One of dedication
and daily renewal in Christ. We leave the old life behind
and have a new one in him.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own! You were bought at a price. (the blood of Christ). Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
My friends, seek God first thing each day. Read his
word so you understand what is right and wrong.
Pray, ask for his guidance and wisdom in your life.
Then above all be obedient. Don't fall into temptations
trap and defilement. Don't allow satan to draw you away
from God into the pits of despair and sin. IT is a choice.
Nothing you do in this life is more vital than what we do
for Christ. It is eternal! Take it seriously.
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1
Christ came to earth for one great reason, to set
us free from the yoke and bondage and slavery to sin.
He paid for this by his own atoning blood upon the cross.
No one ever loved us this much before, who gave his life
that we might be free.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
If we then know that when we become Christians
we are set free, why would any of us resort back to slavery?
Yet each day many of us by choice do that very thing.
We find habits, or lusts, or temptations greater than
the power we give Christ in our lives, and we fall back
into that sin, in a worse state than before we went to Christ.
To him therefore that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.
In essence we are belittling the very sacrifice of Christ
by his own death on the cross, and elevating that sin
above him in our life, actions and thinking.
Anything that comes between us and God we are idolizing
and it is sin!
And who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
Hebrews 6:6
We are crucifying Christ again by our own neglect
and sin, how can we do this after the price he paid?
We are dismantling and disabling our very own spiritual life.
At first it may seem a small habit, or a small thought, or
a small parting of the ways, and soon we turn a blind eye
to the word of God, to church, to christians around us to pursue those things we know are wrong.
My dear friends, we are so utterly accountable for each
thing we do in life.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36.
Friends this is a serious journey we are on. One of faith,
one of commitment, one of focus. One of dedication
and daily renewal in Christ. We leave the old life behind
and have a new one in him.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own! You were bought at a price. (the blood of Christ). Therefore honor God with your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
My friends, seek God first thing each day. Read his
word so you understand what is right and wrong.
Pray, ask for his guidance and wisdom in your life.
Then above all be obedient. Don't fall into temptations
trap and defilement. Don't allow satan to draw you away
from God into the pits of despair and sin. IT is a choice.
Nothing you do in this life is more vital than what we do
for Christ. It is eternal! Take it seriously.
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Jesus Loves Me!
Jesus Loves Me
Then when that happens we are able to hold our heads
high no matter what happens and to KNOW that all is
well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we find
this warm love everywhere within us because God
has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with
His love.
Romans 5:5.
One thing in common with all of us, is we all need
to feel loved. Everyone needs nurturing for their soul.
They need to know someone cares, that the milk
of human kindness still exists, and that someone
cares if we are alive, and if we have needs, if we
hurt, if we are lonely, or if we need something.
Love is vital to the human spirit. A life without
love is a life that is grief stricken and lonely.
How many of you out there today feel you are loved?
I bet there are many of you longing for someone to care
about you. To hug you, or just put their hands on
your shoulder and tell you they care about you.
By the same token, how many of you have reached
out to anyone new lately and loved them? Did you
acknowledge them, or notice them or their needs,
or just pass by thinking of yourself only?
Why do we allow despair in our lives when we have
someone sitting with us all the time who created the
universe? Why do we wring our hands and count
our sorrows, when God said, Cast your burdens
upon Me for I care for you.
Why do we constantly feel alone, when God said He
would never leave us or forsake us?
My guess is for many, God is their LAST resort to
talk to!
My friend, as our life grows as a flower and starts to unfold,
and then fades and withers as the grass, the one
constant in this life, is our need for love, and the
certainty that God loves us.
All He asks, is that you repent of your sins, and
receive His son as Lord and Savior of your life, and
dedicate your life to Him, becoming his disciple, seeking
His will, talking to Him daily, growing and becoming
strong in Him and His word. He then is your constant
companion, hope, source of strength and anchor for your soul.
If you do not talk to Him, it would be the main reason
you feel lonely, hopeless and drained. If you do not
reach out to him and receive him, you cannot expect
a close relationship or input from Him. He is waiting for you!
You are seeking sustenance from that which does
not fulfil nor sustain, nor bring hope when you try
to do it on your own, and find it from things that do not
satisfy the soul.
Seek that which is above, and find the peace
that passes all understanding.
Then you can gladly proclaim.
You have seen Him, you have Felt Him,
You Know He Cares.
Then you can gladly proclaim.
Jesus loves me, This I know.
love
millie
ps.. we need that sense of community, reaching out
to God first and then to each other, this is vital to a Christian.
Don't neglect it. We live in a land of lonely people
because they have forgotten how to get along, and the
importance of nurturing relationships, that are unselfish
and giving.
And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow
to each other and to everyone else, just as our love
does towards you. This will result in your hearts being
made strong, sinless and holy By God our Father,
so that you may stand before Him guiltless on that day
when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who
belong to Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
*****
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a Church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak... 'When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could
always rely on when tears and heart break and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...the only thing that would comfort was this verse.........
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
I EVEN SANG WITH THIS ONE
When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it. A pastor once stated, 'I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course)
during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.' Senior version of Jesus Loves Me Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go On through life,
let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
Then when that happens we are able to hold our heads
high no matter what happens and to KNOW that all is
well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we find
this warm love everywhere within us because God
has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with
His love.
Romans 5:5.
One thing in common with all of us, is we all need
to feel loved. Everyone needs nurturing for their soul.
They need to know someone cares, that the milk
of human kindness still exists, and that someone
cares if we are alive, and if we have needs, if we
hurt, if we are lonely, or if we need something.
Love is vital to the human spirit. A life without
love is a life that is grief stricken and lonely.
How many of you out there today feel you are loved?
I bet there are many of you longing for someone to care
about you. To hug you, or just put their hands on
your shoulder and tell you they care about you.
By the same token, how many of you have reached
out to anyone new lately and loved them? Did you
acknowledge them, or notice them or their needs,
or just pass by thinking of yourself only?
Why do we allow despair in our lives when we have
someone sitting with us all the time who created the
universe? Why do we wring our hands and count
our sorrows, when God said, Cast your burdens
upon Me for I care for you.
Why do we constantly feel alone, when God said He
would never leave us or forsake us?
My guess is for many, God is their LAST resort to
talk to!
My friend, as our life grows as a flower and starts to unfold,
and then fades and withers as the grass, the one
constant in this life, is our need for love, and the
certainty that God loves us.
All He asks, is that you repent of your sins, and
receive His son as Lord and Savior of your life, and
dedicate your life to Him, becoming his disciple, seeking
His will, talking to Him daily, growing and becoming
strong in Him and His word. He then is your constant
companion, hope, source of strength and anchor for your soul.
If you do not talk to Him, it would be the main reason
you feel lonely, hopeless and drained. If you do not
reach out to him and receive him, you cannot expect
a close relationship or input from Him. He is waiting for you!
You are seeking sustenance from that which does
not fulfil nor sustain, nor bring hope when you try
to do it on your own, and find it from things that do not
satisfy the soul.
Seek that which is above, and find the peace
that passes all understanding.
Then you can gladly proclaim.
You have seen Him, you have Felt Him,
You Know He Cares.
Then you can gladly proclaim.
Jesus loves me, This I know.
love
millie
ps.. we need that sense of community, reaching out
to God first and then to each other, this is vital to a Christian.
Don't neglect it. We live in a land of lonely people
because they have forgotten how to get along, and the
importance of nurturing relationships, that are unselfish
and giving.
And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow
to each other and to everyone else, just as our love
does towards you. This will result in your hearts being
made strong, sinless and holy By God our Father,
so that you may stand before Him guiltless on that day
when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who
belong to Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
*****
While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a Church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the Church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gate to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind, he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak... 'When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50 odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials. The one thing that I could
always rely on when tears and heart break and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me...the only thing that would comfort was this verse.........
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
we are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
I EVEN SANG WITH THIS ONE
When he finished, the church was quiet. You actually could hear his foot steps as he shuffled back to his chair. I don't believe I will ever forget it. A pastor once stated, 'I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course)
during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best.' Senior version of Jesus Loves Me Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all. For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.
JESUS LOVES ME
Jesus loves me this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.
(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
YES, JESUS LOVES ME
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.
Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go On through life,
let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.
(CHORUS)
When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
'Have no fear, for I am near.'
(CHORUS)
When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.
(CHORUS)
I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Spiritual Strength Found in Tears
copyright Millie Plastaras 2/24/2003
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy,
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for
sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6
There are many different kinds of tears, and these are
actually a sign of what is in the depths of our hearts.
The bible tells us that what we sow in life we reap.
We are planting seeds, and when harvest time comes
we reap what we sow.
Those wanting spiritual breakthrough for specific needs
should really pay heed to this verse. For when we come
before God he wants a broken vessel, one that is surrendered
and seeking. One that listens for the voice of God, and
seeks it with all his heart. Tears of brokenness are blessed
by God, as the word says God values them so much He
keeps our tears in a bottle. (psalm 56:8).
Throughout the word we find where men and women
cried out to God from the deep anguish and agony of
their heart, and God heard their prayers and delivered them.
Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.
Read that again, and keep it in your heart.
Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.
Charles Spurgeon, the great orator and preacher said
that the ministry of tears was "liquid prayer."
They are pouring our heart out before God, seeking
Him with all our heart, soul and mind.
A drink offering before the throne of God, poured
out before his presence, surrendered unto his will.
What a beautiful thing this is in his sight!
In 2 Kings 20:5 we learn of tears of sorrow or suffering.
In Genesis 33:4 we learn that there are tears of joy.
In John 11:35 we learn that there are tears of compassion.
In Esther 4:1,3 we learn that there are tears of desperation.
In Isaiah 42:14 we learn there are tears of travail or giving birth.
In Joel 2:12, 13 we learn there are tears of repentance.
These are indeed a great weapon in spiritual warfare.
For this is the warfare of faith, and of brokenness before God.
A final willingness to say God, I know you are in charge,
I give you all that I have, I pour out my sorrows before you,
in expectancy of your deliverance, hope and ultimate
openness to the will of God. A broken person has
realized their position in God, and seeks His will first.
This results in the blessings of God pouring out upon
those who wait for God.
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run
and not be weary, and they shall walk and shall not faint
Isaiah 40:31
Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
Wait I say upon the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires
of thy heart.
Remember...
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy,
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for
sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6
There are many different kinds of tears, and these are
actually a sign of what is in the depths of our hearts.
The bible tells us that what we sow in life we reap.
We are planting seeds, and when harvest time comes
we reap what we sow.
Those wanting spiritual breakthrough for specific needs
should really pay heed to this verse. For when we come
before God he wants a broken vessel, one that is surrendered
and seeking. One that listens for the voice of God, and
seeks it with all his heart. Tears of brokenness are blessed
by God, as the word says God values them so much He
keeps our tears in a bottle. (psalm 56:8).
Throughout the word we find where men and women
cried out to God from the deep anguish and agony of
their heart, and God heard their prayers and delivered them.
Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.
Read that again, and keep it in your heart.
Tears spent in prayer will sow a seed of faith that will
reap a harvest of results.
Charles Spurgeon, the great orator and preacher said
that the ministry of tears was "liquid prayer."
They are pouring our heart out before God, seeking
Him with all our heart, soul and mind.
A drink offering before the throne of God, poured
out before his presence, surrendered unto his will.
What a beautiful thing this is in his sight!
In 2 Kings 20:5 we learn of tears of sorrow or suffering.
In Genesis 33:4 we learn that there are tears of joy.
In John 11:35 we learn that there are tears of compassion.
In Esther 4:1,3 we learn that there are tears of desperation.
In Isaiah 42:14 we learn there are tears of travail or giving birth.
In Joel 2:12, 13 we learn there are tears of repentance.
These are indeed a great weapon in spiritual warfare.
For this is the warfare of faith, and of brokenness before God.
A final willingness to say God, I know you are in charge,
I give you all that I have, I pour out my sorrows before you,
in expectancy of your deliverance, hope and ultimate
openness to the will of God. A broken person has
realized their position in God, and seeks His will first.
This results in the blessings of God pouring out upon
those who wait for God.
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run
and not be weary, and they shall walk and shall not faint
Isaiah 40:31
Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
Wait I say upon the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires
of thy heart.
Remember...
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
Saturday, June 04, 2011
The Butterfly Experience
Good Morning Everyone,
I love to talk about personal battles I go through and what
the Lord shows me on how to get "through" them
instead of staying "in" them.
When my trials and troubles come, I come in my room
and cry out to God for peace of mind, peace of heart,
and a good attitude to remind me that I know God
is in control.
Recently my husbands heart did not have a
regular rhythm for almost 24 hours.. it was very frightening,
considering this can cause sudden cardiac arrest.
It wasn't just irregular heartbeat, it was far beyond that.
With his history of cardiac arrest and heart attacks,
it just sent me into the grip of fear, and I knew I must
not allow that.
It took me a while to get a grip on myself. And as I
was talking to God and shedding a few tears, God
really brought a concept to my heart. I feel that
much of what I am going through, is so I can share
with you, so you can find hope in Jesus Christ.
When I asked God why my family constantly goes
through so many things.. for a few minutes, I just
heard a silence.
Then I heard his voice say ... yes.. but look how many it has helped.
I sat in stunned silence. So you mean Lord that all this
teaches me something so I can teach others?
Each trial I go through in life, or you go through
can be not only a lesson to us, but to those around us!
Tell them how you work through it and struggled
and triumphed through it. It is powerful!!
Wow. What a thought.
It reminds of a caterpillar. One day, he crawls up
a wall, and starts to create a cocoon. He winds the threads
until they become firm and strong around him, and
then he goes into a state of metamorphosis.
Layer by layer he is changing. Not so anyone can see,
but inside that little dwelling of his creation.
Then there is a day he breaks out of that cocoon and is a bright
and beautiful butterfly, cheering up everyone who sees him.
A delight to behold, and beautiful beyond description.
We as spiritual beings are like this. God is peeling away
the useless layers of pride, anger, internal pain, and negative thinking,
and the things that we must let go of to move forward,
and teaching us what we do need to cling to and learn.
It reminds me of housecleaning, we throw away that which
we no longer use or need, and make the house shiny and tidy,
clutter free and clean. Throwing out the old and allowing the new
and healthy to take it's place.
One by one we give up bad habits, pride, stubbornness
sinful ways, and we surrender to his will. When we come
through this refining metamorphosis ... we will be beautiful
to him. A child transformed by his love and his concepts.
Clean and pure within, by surrendering all that is not of God,
and becoming all He is calling us to be.
Something beautiful beyond description.
But we have to surrender. We have to remain teachable.
We have to remain humble. And remember...
There is a greater cause for things that we see.
A greater calling for life than we are recognizing.
You see.. its truly all about God, and His will.
Not ours.
Once we recognize that, the special journey for us
can begin to open like that cocoon.
We are new in God.
Therefore if anyone is IN Christ, he is a NEW creation,
old things have passed away, behold all things have
become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Remember you are still under construction.
Your Father God wants the best for you.
Don't question.. surrender, and let him show you
why and what and who he wants you to be.
God has plans just for you!!
love,
millie
Friday, June 03, 2011
Looking Above
copyright Millie 5/10/2003
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are
perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not
forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Hidden in the quietness of tears. Alone with our
grief, and pain, we find it darkening our days and hearts.
The losses, the grief, the sorrow mount up and become
a shadow upon our spirit. Friends come and go,
but there seems to be no security. A curtain of
blindness has covered our eyes with tears of despair,
and our heart cries out within us. Oh God, Help Me
quickly.. I am at the end of my rope.
And He says, my child.. at the end of your rope is
where I want you. For in those days, you turn to me,
and you find that I am your strength, and your hope.
You find that I bring you joy, and that I have answers
to all your needs. For it is when you are weak my
Child, that I can be strong within you.
As we gaze out the window.. we suddenly see
the flowers blooming in the neighbors garden.
Their faces are lifted to the sun. Soaking up
the sunlight, and the nourishment it brings to their
leaves.
It reminds me I am to turn my eyes unto the hills.
To look above. Not at the things of earth.
Not to let my spirit get entangled with the cares of this
life, but entangled with the word of God, till it seeps
in my spirit and casts away all shadows, all tears,
and restores my strength.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes
my help; My help comes from the Lord which made
heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
If He made these hills, and even man cannot make
mountains grow, why then is my heart trusting in men?
Men come and come, they hurt us, and we hurt them,
but the presence of God is an anchor to our souls.
We find rest for our spirit.
Why is it Lord I need to be reminded of this so often?
Why do I get my eyes off you, and onto my problems?
Each time it brings the same despair, the same depression,
and my life is caught up in a whirlwind of self involved,
pity, loneliness and heaviness.
I know where to go. Thank you Lord for reminding me.
I have been looking the wrong direction again.
Forgive me Lord. And lift me to Holy Ground.
Fill me with your spirit, and make me fit for your work.
Lift the spirit of despair, depression, and rebuke the
darkness from me. I will look into your face until
the world fades out. And when I leave this room,
I will be full of your anointing, prepared for whatever
is ahead.
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting
joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness
and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11
Cling to that rope my friends.. God is holding on to you.
Look to His face. He loves you. Very much.
He never leaves nor forsakes. And He ... will
bring you into Holy Ground. Full of righteousness
and Hope.
Come out singing.. He is Lord!
Hallelujah!
remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, we are
perplexed, but not in despair, Persecuted, but not
forsaken, cast down but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Hidden in the quietness of tears. Alone with our
grief, and pain, we find it darkening our days and hearts.
The losses, the grief, the sorrow mount up and become
a shadow upon our spirit. Friends come and go,
but there seems to be no security. A curtain of
blindness has covered our eyes with tears of despair,
and our heart cries out within us. Oh God, Help Me
quickly.. I am at the end of my rope.
And He says, my child.. at the end of your rope is
where I want you. For in those days, you turn to me,
and you find that I am your strength, and your hope.
You find that I bring you joy, and that I have answers
to all your needs. For it is when you are weak my
Child, that I can be strong within you.
As we gaze out the window.. we suddenly see
the flowers blooming in the neighbors garden.
Their faces are lifted to the sun. Soaking up
the sunlight, and the nourishment it brings to their
leaves.
It reminds me I am to turn my eyes unto the hills.
To look above. Not at the things of earth.
Not to let my spirit get entangled with the cares of this
life, but entangled with the word of God, till it seeps
in my spirit and casts away all shadows, all tears,
and restores my strength.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes
my help; My help comes from the Lord which made
heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
If He made these hills, and even man cannot make
mountains grow, why then is my heart trusting in men?
Men come and come, they hurt us, and we hurt them,
but the presence of God is an anchor to our souls.
We find rest for our spirit.
Why is it Lord I need to be reminded of this so often?
Why do I get my eyes off you, and onto my problems?
Each time it brings the same despair, the same depression,
and my life is caught up in a whirlwind of self involved,
pity, loneliness and heaviness.
I know where to go. Thank you Lord for reminding me.
I have been looking the wrong direction again.
Forgive me Lord. And lift me to Holy Ground.
Fill me with your spirit, and make me fit for your work.
Lift the spirit of despair, depression, and rebuke the
darkness from me. I will look into your face until
the world fades out. And when I leave this room,
I will be full of your anointing, prepared for whatever
is ahead.
Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting
joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness
and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaiah 51:11
Cling to that rope my friends.. God is holding on to you.
Look to His face. He loves you. Very much.
He never leaves nor forsakes. And He ... will
bring you into Holy Ground. Full of righteousness
and Hope.
Come out singing.. He is Lord!
Hallelujah!
remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last
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