Monday December 21

Today we are reading chapters 13 and 14 in John.  This begins the last days of Jesus' life on earth.  These chapters really show us the relationship he had with his disciples.  He warns them, prepares them, says goodbye to them, gives them hope for their future.....all of this in words that didn't make much sense to them at the time but when they looked back they realized what Jesus was telling them.
As I read these chapters I see a friend and teacher preparing his students and friends for what is about to happen to their lives.  Drastic changes are about to take place with how they will live.  He loved them so much that he took the time to prepare them in every way he could.
I wonder if I would have understood what Jesus was telling me?  It's a lot like today.  Jesus is always preparing us for the days ahead....he knows what is coming and how it will affect us.
All we have to do is trust him and believe he is in control of our lives.  Everything we need he provides.
Trust in him today....for this moment...for the next hour....for the week.  He knows what's ahead!

Monday Dec 14 John 8

I was reminded of this chapter several days ago and now it is in our reading for this BEAUTIFUL Monday!!!  (Hope you are staying warm if you are in Nebraska!)
We are living in an intense day for the Church!  I know Jesus and the Father are purifying the Bride and getting her ready for the Groom.  That purification process is hard because there is so much JUNK to get rid of.  BUT the end of it all will produce a Bride that is pure and clean and clothed in a beautiful white garment and she will be ready to be with her Groom forever!!!
The beginning of John 8 deals with the sin that is being dealt with in us.  Of course we realize the sin of the adultress woman....but this story exposes the sin in the people who thought they weren't sinners.  They were the accusors.  They were the ones that stood by so righteously to point their rightous finger at this woman to accuse her of her sin and to be the ones to punish her. 
I love the response of Jesus to the crowd...he appeared to ignore them by writing in the sand.  Finally he lifted his head and said..."let him who has no sin throw the first stone."
One by one they all left and no one threw a stone at the woman.  She watched it happen....and then Jesus forgave her with his words. 
Who are we to judge others?  Who are we to cast that first stone?  Who are we to think we have all the answers?  All we have is Jesus...He is the answer!
Four people gave their lives to Jesus in church yesterday.  This has put them on a journey of finding Jesus and experiencing all He will do in their lives.  We are there to walk alongside them....not accusing them, not judging them, but letting Jesus change them.
Thank you Lord for you acceptance of us JUST AS WE ARE! 

Thursday John 6

Have you ever felt deserted by people?  Well, you are in good company.  In John chapter 6 we read about the disciples that deserted Jesus.....yup, you read me right....Jesus!  And, you also read me right.....some of his very own disciples are the ones that deserted him.

Starting at verse 60 reading thru to the end of the chapter, Jesus had just finished teaching them about the "bread of life" and used phrases like "you need to feed on me" and "I am the true bread" and "if you eat of me you won't die like your ancestors did when they ate the manna from heaven".  They just couldn't take it all in and Jesus, in verse 60, said they were full of unbelief.  Guess what happened????!!!!!!   You get 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count......(that's how simple the answer is!).   They were offended and they left him!!!

People get offended and even Christians get offended....and they leave the Local Church they were planted in.  Jesus even looked at "His 12" and asked them if they were leaving too.  I love their answer ..... "we have no where to go".  They are the ones that had a relationship with Jesus.  They knew that what He said was trueth even though they didn't fully understand what He said.....He wouldn't lead them astray.

Relationship is what keeps us together.  Some people say they are a part of a Local Church but they don't take time to get to know anyone.  They just use that church to do their thing...attend to make themselves feel better and look better or for many other reasons.

I just listened to an awesome message about Jesus love for the Church...His Bride...HIS...HIS...Church.  We have turned on ourselves many times and Jesus is working out the "spots and wrinkles" in us.  He is wanting us to love each other....HIS Church as much as He loves us.....His Bride!

I love the Local Church I am a part of and if you are a part of it I love you too!!!!

Monday Dec 7th John 3

The book of John talks a lot about "feelings" and how to live with each other because John is the disciple who was a true friend of Jesus.  Their relationship went beyond that of teacher and and disciple....it was one of friend.  I believe Jesus wants that same relationship with each of us.
The message that jumped out to me in this chapter is seen in verses 22 thru 36.  Both Jesus and John the Baptist were baptizing people and this brought confusion in the followers of both.  Those followers felt the need to put the other teacher down in order to make their teacher look right.  I love John the Baptist's response when his followers began to express their 'jealousy' because more people were going to Jesus to be baptized instead of to John.
"27John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. " NLT

I love it........I am filled with joy at his success!!!  This response is having a Kingdom perspective.  We are to be excited and happy about the success of others.  In fact a Kingdom perspective is "It's not all about you!"

I grew up in church and the older I get the more disgusted I get about how far so called Christians have come from the true discription of what a Christ Follower was called to be.  No wonder people aren't flocking to churches.  I wouldn't want to go to one if it was a place where people felt free to expose other's sins or put others "in their place" because they were crossed on a "bad day"!  Where is the love and acceptance and the concept of "turn the other cheek"?   If someone hurts you and asks for forgiveness you are to accept that forgiveness even if they do this 7 times (Luke).  We read the scriptures but don't apply them to our everyday life.

I believe the Lord is bringing us back to what He desires in His People!!!  We are to be an example of Him in the world and in the church.  If you feel the Lord is "stepping on your toes" so to speak...pay attention.  Be humble...forgive and ask forgiveness.  The enemy loves nothing better than when the Body of Christ is turning against itself.  It is time we began working WITH Jesus and not WITH our enemy (satan)!!!  How powerful the Church will be when that begins to happen.

We are called to be Light and Salt.....let your light shine and your savory salty personality draw others to Christ.  It's time to live in His Kingdom and bring others to that Kingdom!!!

Monday, John 3

Look Up!

“And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life.” (Vs. 14-15)

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites “grew impatient along the way” and began to murmur against God and Moses . . . “why did you bring us to the wilderness to die . . . there’s nothing to eat or drink . . . we hate this wretched manna!”

The Israelites not only murmured against God but against God’s chosen leader for them. A very dangerous place.

What was the root of their complaining? Their heart attitude! Impatient hearts . . . thankless hearts . . . they were in the “ME” chair!

When they came to their senses and saw that they had sinned by speaking against the Lord and against Moses, they asked Moses to pray for them. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on the top of a pole (a type and shadow of Jesus’ death on the cross).

“If they simply look at it,” God said, “those who have been bitten will live.” Their obedience to God to “look up” brought healing, not the bronze serpent itself.

Do you/I need peace today? “Look up!”

Do you/I need love today? “Look up!”

Do you/I need forgiveness today? “Look up?”

Do you/I need healing today? “Look up!”

Whatever we have need of today, “LOOK UP!” and RECEIVE from God's rich grace and mercy.

Monday, Nov. 30, Luke 22

Which Chair?

Jesus had just celebrated the Passover meal for the last time with His disciples. He explained to them that the “bread and wine were tokens of God’s new covenant to save you – an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.” (vs. 20)

He had just told them that He was going to die, that His death and resurrection were part of God’s plan “and they began to argue among themselves as to who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom.” (vs. 24) The most significant event for mankind was unfolding, yet the disciples were more concerned about themselves, their status! They were definitely in the “me chair!”

It’s so easy to get caught up in the details and concerns of our natural life that we lose sight of the eternal purposes unfolding through our natural life. During my 18 years at NSEA, one of the professional staff I worked for (and my favorite) was a woman who saw the potential in me and mentored me. She always encouraged me, that I had the skills to do the task at hand, as well as played a big part in the rebuilding of my self confidence. And when I messed up, Sue would ask me, “will it matter 5 minutes from now . . . a day from now . . . a week from now? Then don’t worry about it. Let’s fix it and go forward.” I try to remember and apply those words, not only for myself but toward others. Am I always successful? No . . . I failed yesterday . . . I was focused on me . . . got caught up in the “details” and forgot that the outcome is to touch lives. I’m sorry, Susan. Please forgive me.

So I ask myself . . . what are my concerns today? How will these concerns look 5 minutes from now? A day from now? A week from now? 20 years from now? Will they be important? Or will they look insignificant or inappropriate?

I continue to press toward the mark of God’s grace. I want God to use me every day to share His love and His grace to the people He brings across my path. I want to be a part of the table Pastor Jerry described yesterday . . . the “grace chair” . . . the “growth chair” . . . the “fruitfulness chair” . . . not the “me” chair!

Friday, Luke 21

Keep Your Expectation Sharp!

In the early 1950’s, when I was 5 or 6 years old, my family would drive to what was then called Huskerville, a very small community along NW 48th Street, now known as Arnold Heights / Air Park. We would go there to visit my mom’s brother and family. At that time, Lincoln had a large Air Force base, and Huskerville was used as military housing. (My uncle was not military; he was a carpenter by trade.) The poor, barrack type housing my Uncle, Aunt, and cousins lived in has long ago been torn down but the little white church still stands on NW 48th at the very north edge of the housing area.

Of the many memories of Huskerville, one has remained vivid all these years . . . the drive back to Lincoln at night. As we drove home, I loved to stare out the car window at the sky stuffed full of stars (Andrew comes by it naturally!) and at the distant lights of downtown Lincoln, watching to see how soon I could see the State Capitol Building. At that time, the State Capitol Building was still a “tower on the plains.”

I would think, God you’re everywhere out there . . . You are so big! I would think about the end of the world, about Jesus coming back. I wasn’t afraid. But why did I think those thoughts at age 5 or 6? Something I heard my parents or grandparents talk about or because of the effect of World War II, which had ended 5 or 6 years before? I don’t know. But I have felt from a very young age that I would see Jesus’ return in my lifetime. Only God knows.

Luke 21:9-12 and 20 describe the world we live in today! Every generation has said the same thing, I’m sure. The Message Bible says “this is routine history and no sign of the end.”

Verses 34-36 in the Message Bible read, “But be on your guard. Don't let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it's going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man."

My New Living Translation footnotes for those verses say “Don’t let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking, or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don’t let the cares of this life weigh you down. Be ready to move at God’s command.”

Let’s not be dulled by the cares and worries and things of this world, lulled into ineffectiveness! Let’s keep our expectation “sharp!” Let’s be ready to move at God’s command! Let’s do battle in prayer for many salvations . . . for the return of the backsliders . . . to encourage each other to walk in unity and to walk in the power and authority purchased for us by the blood of Jesus!

Until His return . . . keep your expectation sharp . . . and look up . . . for your (our) salvation is near!

Thursday, Luke 20

The Ultimate Question!

The religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority to drive the merchants out of the temple. But when Jesus asked them a question instead of answering theirs, they would not answer . . . their answer would have been a lose/lose situation . . . why didn’t they believe Jesus . . . or be stoned by the people who were convinced that Jesus was a prophet. (Vs. 5-6)

They wanted to arrest Jesus, so they tried a couple of other strategies . . .

flattery . . . “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You sincerely teach the ways of God. Now tell us . . . “

trickery . . . The Sadd-u-cees :-) did not believe the dead would be resurrected and yet they asked whose wife this woman would be “in the resurrection,” having been married to each of the 7 brothers!

Jesus answered their questions and then asked them the one question that really matters . . . about the Messiah’s identity, His identity. Again, they would not/could not answer. They knew the Messiah would come from David’s lineage, but they expected the Messiah to be a human ruler.

People in our sphere of influence will ask us questions like, if God is a good God, then why is there sickness or why are children starving or why whatever. Sometimes people want to debate or argue. Sometimes their question may stem from something that has happened in their life or is currently happening in their life. We need discernment and God’s wisdom to answer their questions simply without debate.

The ultimate question to ask is, “Who is Jesus?” All other questions are irrelevant until “Who is Jesus” is answered in an individual’s life.


Have a thankful Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, Luke 18

The part that stuck out the most to me was verses 9-14. The Pharisee stood to pray with himself and mentioned all the things he has been doing right. The tax collector, however, stood far off and could not even raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

Jesus said, this man went down to his house, justified rather than the other.

I heard a sermon on my ipod the other day and the preacher was saying that we will never be more righteous than we are right at this very moment! If we have put our trust and faith in Jesus, we are righteous because of HIM. Not because of anything we do!

This is so exciting. How easy it is to forget that it is Him who makes me righteous. It has not ever been, nor will ever be, about my actions or lack there of.

That is why the tax collector can stand there and be cleansed and justified... more than the one who sees himself as his source.

Last week I was running errands with Solo and we were downtown waiting for him. I sat at the curb in the car with my kids in the backseats. Two men came out of a building in front of us. One was working a pair of skinny jeans the way I can only dream about myself and the other had a purse on his arm that I was hoping for for Christmas. They were affectionate with each other and it was a scene that I thought is probably not often witnessed in Lincoln, Nebraska. It made me think about something with Judah (my 5-yr-old son) sitting in the back seat. I told him, "Judah, do you know that Jesus loves everyone?"

"Yes, of course" he said.

"Judah, did you know that Jesus loves bad guys?" (In 5-yr-old language, this was the best way I could think to describe the people he would think might be big bad sinners.)

"No. Jesus doesn't love those bad guys."

"Yes, Judah. He may not love what they are doing, but he created everyone and he wants even the bad guys to give their hearts to Him. They don't have to be good first. They only need to give their hearts to Jesus."

Funny how human nature puts sin in different boxes, I think. We unconsciously decide that certain sins are worse than others when Jesus just wants our hearts. He will take care of the rest. Because of Him and Him alone, we are righteous. If we judge people, we will get it wrong every time.

Monday, Luke 17

Verse 3 – “I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents forgive him.

Rebuke, in the Thesaurus, means to reprimand, reprove, censure, haul over the coals, scold, admonish, chide, give a talking to . . . pretty harsh, wouldn’t you say? Ouch! Been there, done that and sometimes still do. FLESH

Rebuke, in the footnote of my study bible . . . “To rebuke does not mean to point out every sin we see. It means to bring sin to a person’s attention with the purpose of restoring him or her to God and to fellow humans.” GRACE! GOD’S GRACE!

I believe 99.9% of the sin we see in another person’s life, we are to pray for them . . . that God, by His Holy Spirit, brings light and conviction in that area . . . and in our life, too.

The heart attitude must be checked before the mouth speaks. Ask, do I love that person? Am I willing to forgive? What is my motive for pointing out that sin in their life? If a rebuke is not tied to forgiveness and restoration, it will only destroy.


Verse 4 – Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”

How many times have I read this verse seeing it as applying to the "other person" . . . the person doing the wrong toward me? When, in fact, it also applies to me, the one doing the wrong? Reading verse 4 with that in mind will help me walk in grace toward others, as I want them to walk in grace toward me.

When I am complaining to myself about someone, believer or non-believer, God gently asks me, "Is that how you want Me to treat you?"

Grace . . . God’s Grace . . . my desire for myself and toward others.

Thursday, Luke 15

The younger son took his share of his inheritance and “wasted all his money on wild living” . . . he threw away every penny! Wild living is satisfying the flesh to the max. We think wild parties and prostitution, but it is when we totally leave God out.

Then a famine hit and he began to starve. Self survival kicked in . . . party time was over . . . and he found a job . . . feeding pigs! What kind of job is that for a son from a prominent, Jewish family? Pigs were “unclean” . . . unfit by law to be eaten, let alone touched. Even what the pigs were eating looked good to eat! Now that is HUNGRY! Have you ever fed pigs “slop” or even seen what “slop” looks like? I have. Even though it’s food scraps, it’s not a pretty sight!

This son had not a penny to his name and took a job that was degrading and humiliating. “No one gave him anything.” (vs. 16) He had to come to his senses, making the right choice to return to his father. I’m not advocating that we don’t help people in need. But when we do help those in need, we need to point them to God as their answer, as their source. Only God can fix us.

Can you picture God going to the window every day looking for us . . . checking the mail box to see if we have sent Him a postcard letting Him know where we are? God knows where we are and at what point in our situation we will turn to Him. He waits patiently for us to come to our senses . . . giving us opportunities to respond to Him. God loves us, but He will not force us to come to him. God’s not waiting to make us slop hogs. No, He is like the younger son’s father . . . waiting to celebrate our turning/returning to Him!

Tuesday, Luke 13

“Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem.” (vs. 22) "went through” . . . “teaching as He went” . . . “always pressing on” . . .

Jesus had his GPS set for Jerusalem . . . to do the work the Father sent Him to do . . . to pay for our sin by death on the cross. He didn’t take the back roads to Jerusalem to avoid people in order to stay focused on the end goal. No, he went “through” the towns and villages . . . down Boeckner Avenue . . . down the aisles of Super Saver . . . teaching (and healing) as he went. Jesus touched as many lives as came to him, even with His own death on the horizon.

At one time (and still can be at times), it was really easy for me to take the back roads . . . avoid people. But then Jesus and the Holy Spirit entered my life and everything changed. I went from being a true introvert to an extroverted introvert!

“What is the kingdom of God like? . . . It’s like yeast. . . A small amount of yeast will permeate every part of the dough.” (vs. 18-21)

Have you ever softened yeast in a too small bowl? If so, you found that the bowl could not contain the yeast once it became active. It bubbled right over the rim of the bowl!

The kingdom of God . . . like yeast . . . am I trying to keep it contained or am I allowing the kingdom of God to spill out from inside of me? Am I yeast in my sphere of influence . . . my neighbors . . . at the grocery store . . . my family . . . at Lincoln City Church . . . wherever I am? If not, why not?

Luke 11

Squinty Eye.

hmm... is that what i am? Of all the Facebook "what's your ___ name quizzes," is Squinty Eye the resulting name that would pop up at the conclusion of my "Faith Name" quiz?

Luke 11:29-36 brought fresh realization to me. Jesus' conversation with the crowd in this account could just as well been happening on the street corner of Anywhere, USA -- perhaps in my very own living room! -- ... about looking for proof of God/His Word, of wanting their curiosity tickled, their "lust for miracles" satisfied.

I was convicted further by the 2 examples Jesus gave ...

The Ninevites believed God's words spoken through Jonah and then took action to change accordingly.

The Queen of Sheba traveled a tremendous distance to just hear the words of wisdom King Solomon spoke. No show, just words. (and i don't even have to go any further than my own prayer closet to hear wisdom that's even better)

But what really drove this point home to me was Jesus' words in vs. 33-36 ...

My eye is the lamp for my body, my life. If i keep it wide open "in wonder and belief," then light will flood my body.

If i'm squinty-eyed in "greed and distrust," my body becomes a "dark cellar... musty and murky."

So yes, even as a Christian, if i am walking my faith walk with squinty eyes, not fully trusting God's Word but wanting, instead, to see proof, to see miracles, to have my curiosity itch scratched, that's not life-giving.

It's dark and murky. Unclear direction.

The words God has spoken over my life, to my heart begin to die.

Kids at Christmastime sure have their eyes wide open in wonder. They don't know how those billion lights on the rooftop work, but they look awesome. Kids don't know how those presents made it under the tree, but they believe.

Eyes Wide Open.

There, that's what I want my name to be.

Thursday, Luke 10

Jesus sent out other disciples – ordinary people equipped with power and with Jesus’ vision to share the Kingdom of God with other people. They were sent out in pairs with these instructions.

1. Do not do the work without help but pray and ask for more workers (vs. 2)

A footnote in my bible says, “In Christian service, there is no unemployment! God has work enough for everyone. Don’t just sit back and watch others work – look for ways to help with the harvest.” Each of us should be looking for ways to help, not waiting to be asked. AND those of us who are leaders (preaching to myself here!) should be praying for workers and when people ask how they can help, let them (preaching to myself again! ).


2. Do not hesitate to accept hospitality – stay in one place – eat and drink what was set before them (don’t be picky) – be thankful for the shelter provided (vs. 7-8)

Ministering in a different country will put this instruction to the test! The people in, what we call third world countries, are so very generous with the little that they have and give you the best, whether it is food or a place in their home. We are to receive it with thanksgiving and pray God’s blessing for them.


3. Heal the sick / share the gospel (vs. 9)

Attending to the natural needs of people – walking the talk, showing God’s love and compassion and provision -- opens doors to share Jesus. We tend to think that the little bit we have does not/will not make a difference. But the little bit we have is a lot to those who have nothing. AND, sharing Jesus and the Word of God is the goal.

Tues Nov 10th Reading Luke 8

Reading the Gospels for the second time this year has brought my faith to a different level.  Everyday miracles are something I am beginning to look for.  The more I read about life as Jesus walked on this earth, the more I realize that is how He wants us to live today......just as if He was walking right along beside us....every day.....looking for those miracles to believe for in the people we come into contact with. 
God really spoke to me in several places in this chapter but I want to challenge you with the first 3 verses.
These are the type of verses you would normally just read and then keep going to the 'good part' of the chapter.  BUT look at them in a different way.  The end of verse one and then into verses 2 and 3. 

"He took His twelve disciples with Him, ALONG WITH SOME WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN CURED OF EVIL SPIRITS AND DISEASES.  AMONG THEM WERE MARY MAGDALENE, FROM WHOM HE HAD CAST OUT SEVEN DEMONS; JOANNA, THE WIFE OF CHUZA, HEROD'S BUSINESS MANAGER; SUSANNA; AND MANY OTHERS WHO WERE CONTRIBUTING THEIR OWN RESOURCES TO SUPPORT JESUS, AND HIS DISCIPLES"

Wow......I know I would have been among the 'several other women' going along with Jesus and His Disciples.  They must have been women with 'means' in order to help support these ministers of the Gospel.
One was even the wife of one of the 'Big Shots' in Government! 
We are all so needed for the Gospel to be spread in our own world.  Each one of you have a place....somewhere to stand and 'be' and change your world!!!  Bring Jesus into your world.  Believe for those miracles for your family and neighbors.  Facilitate Jesus all around you!!!!
Keep reading....I know God has spoken to you too as you read these verses.  Comment and let me know!

Luke 4 -- Wed., November 4

I have 1 minute left before Wednesday is official over! So here goes . . .

We are all familiar with the account of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil. Jesus didn’t go into the wilderness empty handed. He was armed with the Holy Spirit! And, the Holy Spirit was leading, not following! If we will follow the Holy Spirit, He will show us the way through the test, temptation, or trial.

When the Devil had finished tempting Jesus in the wilderness, he “left him until the next opportunity.” There’s always a “next opportunity.” 1 Peter 5:8-9a reads, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks (plural) from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be strong in your faith.”

A lion looks for, singles out, and then attacks an animal that is sick, weak, alone, or on the fringes.

Let us not be weak . . . but strong in the Lord and His Word and in prayer!

Let us not be alone or on the fringe . . . but tight with each other, especially when we are going through a test, temptation, or trial!

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 -- Luke 1

My study bible has an intro to each book, which contains nuggets about the author of the book . . . in this case, Luke. The intro says, “Luke affirms Jesus’ divinity, but his focus is on Jesus’ humanity . . . that as a doctor, Luke was a man of science, and as a Greek, he was a man of detail. Luke was a close friend and traveling companion of Paul, so he could interview the other disciples, had access to other historical accounts, and was an eyewitness to the birth and growth of the early church. His Gospel and the book of Acts are reliable, historical document.” (See Luke 1:1-4) Luke wants to “reassure us of the truth of all you were taught.” (vs. 4) As we read the bible, we need to remember that all scripture is God breathed; the account of the historical was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

As Gabriel is speaking to Elizabeth telling her that she will bear a son, He tells her that “he (John) will be great in the eyes of the Lord.” (vs. 15) John’s clothing style, the food he ate, his address, or even who his parents were did not determine his greatness. God did. Maybe the people even thought that as the son of Zechariah, John should be dressing more appropriately. But John was not about the things of the world; he was about the things of God. And in the eyes of the Lord, John was great – from conception on!

We spend our lifetime trying to be great in our own eyes and to be great in the eyes of the world (our friends, our family, our co-workers, our teachers, whoever), trying to prove our value and worth . . . so at the end of our life we can say, look what I have accomplished. I believe that we should accomplish something in our life time – God’s plan and purpose for our life – and I am not advocating that we hide our accomplishments but not measure our worth to God by what we have done or not done during our short time on this earth.

What I am impressed with as I read vs. 15 is that first and foremost, we are great in God’s eyes! We are valuable and precious to Him, no matter what we do or do not accomplish. I have become so very aware of this truth during the past 4 ½ years that I have been Brandy’s advocate, who at age 8 was discarded by her mother after much abuse. God has shown me to tell her that she is not here by accident but that God knows who she is . . . she is valuable and precious to him . . . that He has a plan and a purpose for her life. The enemy tells me to look at her. What is her purpose here on earth? And I remind the devil that God knew Brandy before she was even conceived and that God has a plan and a purpose for her existence on this earth!

Jeremiah 29:11 . . . “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

You are valuable and precious to God. You are great in God’s eyes!

Mark 15 Wednesday

Because Jesus is supposed to be perfect your mind tells you that He must not have really suffered like we do.  This chapter dispels that thought.  In verse 34 when He is hanging on the cross and cries out....."My God, My God why have you abandoned me?" you can actually hear His cry for help. 
When I read that today and the following verses I realized that His cry was in the last minutes of His life.  It was a cry of desperation.  It was the darkest moment of His life before God came to His rescue.  His cry was one that came from the deepest part of Him....the human part of Him....He felt totally alone and abandoned.
Then He died.....it was over....that was His rescue.  When we come to the 'end' we are brought to the point of crying out to God......'why have you abandoned me?"  That is the point of our rescue!  I have come to that point several times in my life and I am sure I will again...that is life.  BUT I know God is there even when I cry out to Him and ask Him where He is....He is there.  BUT WHAT IF I DIDN"T KNOW THAT???
We have to share what we know whith others.  This is a time of desperation for many people...But He is always there if He is in your life.
It is always darkest just before the dawn.  I always think "what if dawn is in the next minute and I give up a minute too soon to experience that dawn?" and that is what makes me keep going.  BUT I KNOW that dawn is coming and there are those that don't have that assurance. 
I love how Jesus identifies with us in our Human state throughtout His life here on earth.  He was a real person....and yet He was God....and He did this all for us!
Share with someone the realness of your Jesus.  He knows what we face daily...and He promises to be there in the middle of it with us.....because He has experienced it all!!!

Mark 13

Mark 13

As I read this chapter, my mind focuses on the events leading up to Christ’s return . . . wars and rumors of wars, our allegiance and testimony being “on trial,” etc. These events have been part of life for hundreds of years and make me ask, have we become complacent to the world events around us? Have we accepted them as just part of our daily living? I have, in the past. Jesus tells us not to panic, don’t worry, stay alert, and keep watch . . . to watch for his return.

A footnote in my bible says that this chapter was not written to promote discussions on prophetic timetables but to stimulate right living for God in a world where He is largely ignored. We are told HOW to live while we wait for Christ’s return. Some that I see are . . .

1. We are not to be misled (vs. 5-6)
2. We are not to be afraid to tell people about Jesus, no matter what they say or do to us because we do share the gospel. We are not to worry about what to speak in our defense but say what God tells us to say. (vs. 9-11)
3. We are to stand firm even when hated for our allegiance to Jesus (vs. 13)
4. We are to stay alert and keep watch and be prepared. (vs. 33-37)

Part of verse 11 really caught my attention, “Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” Apart from this being applied to the end times, I need this in my everyday living! How many misunderstandings and unintentional hurts could I have avoided, and can I avoid, if I just say what God tells me to say . . . to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through me . . . to set a watch over my mouth! If I have ever offended or hurt any of you dear ladies in the past, please forgive me and know that it was never intentional.

Are you challenged by this chapter to be alert, to keep watch, to be prepared?

Mark 10

This chapter has the story of blind Bartimeus. I first noticed that he was named, so it wasn't just a story of some man. It even gives the name of his father - Timaeus. When Bartimeus heard that Jesus was passing by, he yelled at the top of his voice - "Jesus, Son of David, have pity and mercy on me (now). AMP Bible. When the other people tried to shut him up, he didn't listen to them, but continued to shout, which made Jesus aware of him. Here is the thing that really impressed me: When Jesus called him to come, Bartimeus threw off his outer wrap before he went. Now, today, blind people carry a cane, but in those days, they wore a particular 'wrap' so people would know to help them. Bartimaeu was so sure he was going to be healed, that he, in faith, threw off that wrap and walked forward for his healing = and HE WAS HEALED. It's great when we have the faith to believe for whatever we are asking God for, and do something to indicate out belief. God is pleased when He sees that step of faith, and He comes through! Have a great day!

Tuesday - Mark 9

It’s so faith-building to see the miraculous power of Jesus break every stronghold, such as in the life of the demon-possessed, mute son mentioned in Mark 9:14-29. After the disciples couldn’t heal him, the general opinion became that he was bound by something so strong only Jesus could loose.

Turns out, just a small, two-letter word stood in the way.

I love the exchange between Jesus and the father of this bound son…
Son’s father to Jesus: “If you can do anything…”
Jesus: “If you can believe…” (or in the words of the Message Bible, “There are no ‘if’s’ among believers.”)

How many times have I let this ridiculously short, two-letter word trip up the manifestation of God’s miraculous works? There’s no “if’s” when it comes to what Jesus can do. But would the father of this mute son have left out the “If” and simply said to Jesus, “You can do anything,” the conversation would have ended there, and they could have gotten on to the healing of his son!

I’ve found there are some annoying little “if’s” that like to break down the muscle of my faith. And there's only one way to repair a flabby muscle.

What’s convicting me even more in this reading is the question of how many times have I let that “if” keep people around me from perceiving how powerful God is? The disciples couldn’t heal the mute son, and his father noticed. And by the time the father got his son to Jesus, he had a huge “if” on his shoulder and a case of weakened faith.

Is my lifestyle showing God to be powerful? Or am I keeping people from approaching God with faith and seeing miracles happen? I know the answer for me. And I know God’s training regime to fix that: Pray, pray, pray. And repeat. (Mark 9:29)

Ready to hit the Gym,

MONDAY Oct 19th

Continuing to read in the Gospels we are in chapter 8 of Mark today.  It's so good to see a 'sunny' Monday.  I want to encourage you all to look at today with the miracle possibilities of Jesus.  I was so truck by Jesus rebuke to his disciples when they ran into the problem of feeding a lot of people a 2ND TIME and they immediately saw the problem instead of remembering the miracle Jesus had performed only 2 chapters before.  We are so natural in our thinking.  We only see the problem instead of remembering the miracles that are possible because we service a miracle working God.  He isn't limited by earthly limitations and his promise to us us that all we have to do is BELIEVE and they can be ours too. 
Have a great day today......let yourself believe in the miracle you need because Jesus reminds you HE LOVES YOU AND MEANS TO DO YOU GOOD!!!!!

October 16 FRIDAY!

It's Friday and we have been promised some sunshine by the weather people......like they know!  This is not the Nebraska I know and love.  When I get up in the morning I wonder if we moved to Seattle and I was asleep.....or Seattle came to Lincoln.  
As I have been reading in Mark I wonder if the Pharisees kind of felt that way when Jesus showed up on the scene.  They had things going their way and had manipulated the law for their own good.  They were in control of everything.....and then Jesus came and began to expose their motives and what they were doing.  He let His light shine down on them...so to speak...and they were in the spotlight of exposure! 
And it didn't help when He began doing all those miracles...delivering people of their demons and healing the deaf. 
If we are truely to be Jesus in our invironment then we are going to be the ones that can't live in the middle of darkness and people will be uncomfortable around us....and that shouldn't disturb us.  Our environment will look different and the more darkeness rules the earth the more we are going to stand out as being in the light.
Jesus in the middle of things changes our environment. 
Are you feeling like things are too 'normal' and God is trying to shake up your world?  Let Him!  It's a good thing.  When the sun shines every day I don't think about the weather much but when it rains every day I begin to think about it.  Let Jesus be in the middle of your day.  Let Him use you to speak a word of healing to someone.....bring hope to someone.....love on someone in His Name.  Bring His Light into the world around you!
Have a wonderful weekend.....go to church.....take someone with you!  Maybe the sun will shine!!!!

October 13 Tuesday

Today as I read chapter 4 of Mark there are two places that really stuck out to me.  One is verses 21 thru 23 that talks about a lamp and how no one puts it in the corner but puts it on a stand so the light shines as much as possible and in verse 22
 "For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open and every secret will be brought to light."
Wow - that is scarry but so truethful.  We think we are so good at hiding our secrets from the Lord and He not only sees them but promises to put them in the light where everyone will see them!  The reason He does this is not to expose us to everyone but when our 'secrets' are put in the light of Jesus they are seen for what they really are....sin.  The light of Jesus exposes sin..darkness.  The only reason we hide things is because they are wrong and we know they are wrong.  So, live your life in the open......in the light of Jesus.  Don't hide away in the corner those things you think are wrong because Jesus promises to let His light shine on them anyway and they will be exposed!!!  I used to tell my kids all the time that parents could see in the dark or that whatever they tried to hide from us Jesus would show us anyway......for their good!  And it was true...over and over again we would find things out that they never could figure out how we did.  The Lord is looking out for all of us!
Then the other part of this chapter that is so good is when Jesus is in the boat with the disciples but falls asleep and a really bad storm comes up.  They wake Him up and He calms the storm and turns to them and says
"Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"
What they were afraid of is that the boat would go down because Jesus was asleep.  Do you know that is how we see things in our lives that feel like a shinking ship in a really bad storm?  We think Jesus must have fallen asleep and our boat is going down.  What he have to remember is that JESUS DOESN'T SINK!
And if He is in your boat.....it isn't going down!  Our faith is in Him....not in the size of the storm!
Wow, all this and only one chapter.  The Word of God is so powerful.  Let your faith be strengthened today!

Tuesday Oct 6

I am not at home this week but I am attending a pastor's conference where I hear two sermons in the morning and another one at night and catch up with old friends from around the world and meet new friends.  Everyone is talking about how good God is and yet how hard life is right now.  We are all experiencing life in ministry together....fighting the good fight of faith....learning what God means in our lives and ministry....what serving Him is all about.  We are all ordinary people, doing what we feel we are called to do and yet still living our lives with our own set of challenges. 
At least everything seemed the same until Pastor Wendell got up and spoke tonight.  He was diagnosed 5 years ago with cancer and told he had 5 years to live.  He spoke on "Fighting the Fight of Faith".  His fight is to keep his faith strong....continuing to believe that what God promised him He will perform no matter what he is feeling in his body. 
I have felt like I am fighting....to keep believing that what God has promised me HE IS STILL GOING TO BRING TO PASS!  We can't stop fighting to keep our faith strong.  We can't let lethergy take over....our faith is worth fighting for.  Sure we would all have loved to see Pastor Wendell healed - he is believing he IS healed!!!  His faith is real....he was preaching when he should be dead!!!!
Don't quit believing...no matter what you see and feel. Jesus is right there in your boat..and His promise is that it won't sink just because He might be taking a nap!  Keep believing and you will see His Salvation!!!

Keep reading ....tomorrow is the last chapter of Matthew and the we begin Mark.

Thursday Oct 1st Matthew 24

Can't believe we are into October, althought the weather reminds me of that today!  This whole chapter is a picture of our future.  It's amazing that Matthew wrote this so many years ago and we are seeing some of it come to pass RIGHT NOW.  Even this week with the earth quakes and tsunamis in other parts of the world

What really struck me was the end of the chapter where we are admonished to live our lives as if the end is tomorrow, or today, but then we are told NO ONE KNOWS THE ACTUAL DAY BUT JESUS!!!  I had to ask myself if I was living my life as if the end was eminent ....... and I had to answer 'NO'. 

All the things I hold dear and plan and live for would loose their place of priority if I truely believed Jesus was coming for me tomorrow.  And yet I know people who really don't even believe Jesus is coming at all.....and that is not me.  I think the difference would be and should be  that I would take more heed to the people around me and make sure they know who Jesus is and give them the opportunity to choose Him.  Especially those I know and love and care for.  I wouldn't be thinking about my dirty bathroom or needing to do laundry or.........even worry about sleeping! 

Think about it.  What would you change???  I know the scripture says we are to live as if He is coming tomorrow and yet as if He isn't coming for a long time.  It really reminds you of how short our lives really are and what is important to the Lord.

Who and What are you living for???

Sept 23 Wednesday Matthew 18

As I was reading this chapter I was struck with the thought that in the 'Kingdom of Heaven' nothing is done half heartedly or without full intent.  I think we live our lives just to get thru and after Sunday's message I am being challenged to live my life with full porpose - intent on believing for the intervention of the Lord in miraculous ways!!!  EXPECT!  That is the word that has stuck with me.  EXPECT the miraculous - the unbelievable - the promises of God!!!  And the only way my faith is built up to believe for these things is inI prayer!!!  And I am challenged to pray fervently - with much hope - believing that the Kingdom of God will be established on this earth just as it is in heaven.  We are the ones that have to be participating in that process though- with all our hearts - with all that is in us. 
What are you EXPECTING from God???  The disciples gave up everything for Jesus - but He was right there with them.  We can't just settle into our 'good life' in Christ.  We have to contend for much more and for others to be added to this 'Kingdom'.
God is moving and stiring His People - and I am soooooo glad!!!

Sept 21 Monday Matthew 16

Another week has gone by and Fall looks like it is now upon us.  It is always amazing to me how time just keeping going on and our only choice is to keep up with it!!!  We can't stall it or make it stop somehow, all we can do is trust that God is in every minute of our day and EXPECT Him to be there to show us the way!  Matthew is such a good book to confront our human thinking and approach to life.  The example I'm thinking of is in chpt 16 when Peter contridicted Jesus when He was telling His disciples what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem.  Peter meant well but wasn't looking at the situation thru Jesus's eyes or listening to the heart of His Teacher.  Jesus called the statement 'Satan'.  Satan was using Peter to talk to Jesus and tempt Him to not go thru with the plan.  And time just kept ticking away - every day closer to the day of Jesus Crucifiction. 
This is the reason we have to be in His Word and Praying for Discernment at every moment.  It is so easy to just fall into our way of thinking.  His plans and purposes are so far beyond our own.
We need to have those 'eyes to see and ears to understand what the Lord is saying to His Church'.
This week lets really ask the Lord if He would remind us to look at our daily lives through His eyes.  What is He saying to us in every situation?  What is He showing us?  I believe we will be surprised at how different His thoughts are compared to ours.
Love to hear you comments thoughout the week as we continue reading through Matt - chpts 16 thru 20.

Monday Sept 14th Matthew 10

Just want to encourage you all to stay in the Word this week.  I don't know about you but last week was a  battle week for me.  It seemed like the enemy tried to hit me every day.  This weekend I have had a fever and stomach ache on top of everything else!  You know that's just what the enemy wants, to get us depressed and out of focus.  So, join me this week.  Let's support each other in the Word.  We need each other to help us be 'overcomers' in this world. 
I am praying for complete healing in my body.  I was reading chapter 10 and the instructions Jesus gave the disciples when he sent them out two by two.  One thing they were to expect was the feeling that they were like sheep being sent to wolves!!!  I can relate to that.  They were to heal the sick and deliver the bound. 
What are we doing?  What am I doing?  I am worn out!  But I also feel encouraged that the Lord is right beside me.  I feel His presence and know He is here. 
What is the Lord saying to you?  Are you in a battle?  Are you sensing His presence?  Who are you ministering to? 
Let this week be a week of victories......for all of us!

Thursday Sept 9th - Matthew 8

Well, I hope you have been keeping up on reading the Goepels with me.  I must confess that I haven't read every day - and thinking about you reading and me not reading is what actually made me turn off the TV and read  chapter 8 of Matthew.  (Remember, we are reading one chapter every day, Monday thru Friday, and we started on Sept 1st.)  AND I am glad I did.  It is full of miracles and I am in need of one.  So as I read my faith was stirred once again to believe for my foot to be healed - quickly!!!

But the story that got to me and always does is the last one in the chapter when Jesus delivered the two men from demons and the

 "entire town"

came out to see Jesus and then

 "begged Him to go away and leave them alone."  

After seeing the miracle He did they begged him to go away - begged him!!!  I have always wondered what their motivation was.  Did they not like the men who where normal again?  Maybe seeing them reminded them every day of what they used to be?  Or maybe they were more upset about loosing their herd of swine then they were happy about the men being delivered? If that's true then they really did have their priorities wrong - kind of like our society today. 

But what I really wondered today was if maybe, just maybe, some of them, or all of them, were possessed themseles and it was the demons in them talking to Jesus because they just didn't want to go away themselves! 

Whatever the reason, they sure couldn't 'see the forest for the trees'.  They were so blinded by themselves they couldn't rejoice in the miracle that had happened to these two men.  I began to pray and ask the Lord to please take my blinders off my eyes so I can see the miracles He is doing all around us, every day, to people around us.  And to be able to rejoice in those miracles even when they drown my herd of swine or change my way of living.  God is always good and He always wants to do us good. 

I walked to Sarah's house today on my crutches, had dinner (after walking up her flight of stairs) and then walked down those stairs and walked back home.  AND I had my last narcotic pain pill at 6 am this morning.  I am healing - slowly but surely.  AND I am so thankful.  I am going to expect those miracle every day!!!

READ ON - IT ONLY GETS BETTER!!!

Saturday Sept 5

Hope you are all enjoying reading in Matthew.  You should have finished up on Friday with chapter 4.  As I was reading chapter 4 where Jesus was led into the wilderness by Satan and promised "the moon" if he would just worship Satan instead of God, I was reminded of how Satan's whole plan is to get us to focus on our own needs (bread, recognition....) instead of putting God first in our life and letting Him take care of us.  Satan always entices us with what appears to be a 'shortcut' to reach our goal.  God's way is never a 'shortcut' but always looks to us like the long way to our destination.  BUT the lessons we learn by taking His way are invaluable and we end up richer and more prosporous than any 'shortcut' ever produces. 

Jesus was tempted but didn't give in.  He knew Trusting His Father was the ONLY way to achieve God's promises in His life.  We need to be just as convinced.  With Jesus in us we are able to resist Satan with just as much conficence.  It all depends on who we are focused on - ourselves or Jesus!  

VS 10 "Away with you Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord you God, and Him only you shall serve;" 

After Jesus passed this test of temptation Satan left him alone and His ministry began.

 "Thank you Lord for Your example.  You went before us in everything and all we have to do is trust You!"

Welcome back to our daily reading together......

After taking a break through this summer, we are beginning again with our Bible Reading.  I don't know about you, but I have missed the discipline of reading daily.  The Lord made us to be creatures of habit and one habit we need is the one of systematically, dailly reading the Word of God.  By doing it together we make ourselves accountable to oneother.  You can participate not only by reading but by writing a comment or testimony on what you have read and what the Lord has shown you in His Word. 
Our plan until the end of this year is to read one chapter each day, Monday through Friday through all 4 of the Gospels.  I believe we can learn so much about Jesus and how He wants us to be as well as to remind us of what He did for us.  Each Gospel tells His story a little differently.  Let the Lord speak to you every day and learn to apply His Word to your life.  I will be posting at least once each week but anyone may comment at any time.
Thanks for your prayers during this time of my foot healing after surgery.  God is good and I know he has a plan.  Meet me at the blog as we study together!!!!

NEW BIBLE READING SCHEDULE BEGINNING TUESDAY SEPT 1ST

THIS BLOG IS CURRENTLY UNDER NEW CONSTRUCTION!  CHECK IN BY SEPT 1ST TO SEE WHAT'S NEW!!!  GET READY TO READ DAILY MONDAY THRU FRIDAY THRU THE NEW TESTAMENT FROM SEPTEMBER THRU THE END OF DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

Saturday - Day 4 after foot surgery

Judah is very accommodating. He graciously agreed to pose with this foot that has offended me. I feel like it was cut off, even though it was just worked on.

Thanks for all your prayers. I have never before felt more loved and cared for. I am sure the Lord is teaching me things I would never have learned any other way.

Stay tooned for more...........!

Pastor Susan

Friday August 14

Character is still being actively worked on in me. I guess I really didn't think I needed that much work ... but the Lord knows better. Now I know that when I happily bounced down those steps 3 weeks ago I had no idea what was going to happen to me by the last step my foot took. In fact, I have wondered several times what really did happen to injure myself. Well, the mystery was solved on Wed by a foot specialist. I guess my big toe and the ball of my foot took the brunt of my weight and shoved the bone on the inside of my foot back causing it to fracture and tear away from the other toes. So the verdict is a torn ligament and fractured bone ...... and the remedy is surgery on Tuesday morning of next week where pins, plates and screws will be placed in my foot and the bone fused so when I am in my 60's and 70's I won't have arthritis in my foot which could be very painful. The timing of this is preventing me from traveling with Jerry to Australia for a month of work/vacation.

I have moments of wanting to scream - why Lord why??? And then moments of knowing that even though I don't know why, I do know that the one who controls my life is the one that knows me best and knows what is best for me and my husband. Pain always brings me closer to my Lord because I need Him in a more tangible way. So that is a good thing! Rest is something I have been asking Him for - so I guess it is an answer to my prayer....in a way! AND character will definitely be worked into my life in a greater way.

I am told I am looking at 2 weeks with no weight bearing and in a splint and then going to a cast and possibly up to 3 months of recovery with casts and crutches as the ligament takes longer to heal than the fracture. BUT I know God can rush healing and make it all heal faster - if I obey Him and the doctors!!! So I am going to have plenty of time to blog - read the Bible - think - pray - rest - all good things.

I am so glad I didn't know all of this while my family was here last weekend! I was feeling pretty good at the time and was able to participate in everything. As you see in this picture there were 45 of us in Lincoln. Four were missing - grand kids in Africa. 14 families so far from one couple!! Only 9 great grands, but I know that is just the beginning. No divorces at all. Everyone is actively serving the Lord in their church. I believe it is the prayers and faith of my parents that have contributed to that and then God is the one who makes it happen! We had an awesome time together!!!

Friday July 31st

I can't believe this month is gone already. We are entering August and school is about to begin for so many. I know moms are glad and sad all at the same time. I was always glad - excited to get back into the routine of kids at school and me actually getting my housework done. But at the same time I knew I would miss the flexiability of no schedule. We can't have it all ways at one time and be happy!!!

So, we are going to get back to a regular schedule with this blog too. I have enjoyed the word studies but I have missed the systematic Bible studying too. So we are going to read thru the Bible again but begin in the New Testament first. I will post once (or maybe twice a week) thoughts I might have about what we are reading or what I feel the Lord is saying that you might enjoy and receive from.

So, we will be able to read together and share together. You are welcome to comment on the reading or what is posted any time. I will be doing some traveling from the middle of Aug to the middle of Sept and will continue to post as I am able.

Until then - here is another word for us to look at..........CHARACTER.

Acts 17:11 (New International Version)
11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

People of character receive with 'eagerness'. They are not skeptical but have open hearts to receive from others with 'eagerness' and then examine what they receive with the Scriptures.

I believe if you have 'character' that has been developed by God then you have discernment and can receive from those you know are full of truth.

Character is developed in us thru pressure and learning how to respond God's way. This week I have had a chance to grow in my character after breaking my foot and having to have my life interrupted. I am having to let my husband serve me and my relatives serve me and be content with receiving from them. I am having a chance to believe for complete and quick healing so I am trusting the Lord in a deeper way!!!

God has His ways of pushing us toward Him, doesn't He? I don't believe He made me trip and fall but I know it could have been alot worse and His angels were working overtime on Sunday night to catch me and direct my fall. And now He is using this circumstance in my life to produce 'character'!!!!

Thank You Lord!!! You are Good ........ all the time!!!

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For the past week or more, God has been nudging me to read and think about Jeremiah 29:10-14, one of my favorite verses. Here’s how it reads in the message bible . . .

This is GOD's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.”When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—GOD's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

These verses are full of God’s promise to take care of us . . . to bring restoration . . . to give us the future we hope for . . . when we pray, God hears us . . . when we look for Him, we will find Him. The next verse is what really caught my eye these past few days . . . “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”

I’ve had to search my heart these past few days . . . how long have I rested on my backside “waiting” for the promises in these verses to appear in my life. Well, they won’t just appear one day . . . God’s waiting on ME . . . am I serious about finding HIM? Do I want HIM MORE THAN anything else? It’s all about my CHOICES . . . to read His word, to trust Him to bring revelation of Himself to me, to pray (talking AND listening to Him), to worship Him not just on Sunday mornings . . .

During the circumstances in our lives, sometimes it seems that God has forgotten us. He's always there . . . always listening. I believe God is preparing us for a new beginning with him at the center, just as He did the children of Israel when they were in captivity?

If I/we get serious about finding God and want Him more than anything else, He will be found. He promises us that . . . it's my/our choice.

Monday July 27, 2009 Choice

As I was sitting in the dentist's chair today I was reminded of the word choice. Of course, at this point of my dental care, I had a choice to not receive the necessary work that was about to be done, but I actually had a more important choice this morning. Knowing it was going to take a while, I brought a book. I was vacillating over the Bible and a novel - I chose the Bible. Why is this significant? My dentist has seen me with books over our short relationship and she always asks me about what I am reading. Today, she noticed my Bible and commented. It didn't hit me at first, but then I started thinking about the fact that I had a choice of what I was going to read. God hit me right between the eyes, and it smarted; I started to think why would I deny who I was and not make the first word I put before my eyes the "Living Word". I have made a choice to follow Jesus and while I can read different things and not be condemned, I had not read the Bible yet today. Things kept coming to my mind about why I should select the novel instead of the Bible that obviously I wouldn't be able to concentrate on in a dentists chair. None of these excuses came from the Lord, nor did they prove to be true. When I made my decision on which to bring, I decided that I would bring the one God chose and so I asked Him. The Bible is all that came to me and so that's the one I grabbed. So, did I get a chance to read the Word? Yes I did. I read Deuteronomy 30 and Joshua 24 because they were two chapters dealing with the word "choice". I received a lot from those chapters and in addition, I received what I shared with you. Don't think I would have gotten as much out of the novel, even though it's a good one.

Thursday July 23rd

I was reading the blogs posted on the right hand side of my post and loved the one from Bo Stern.
Check it out and see if it speaks to you! "The Suddenly Shrinking Army."

God is touching everyone and making us re prioritize our lives.......for Him!

Hope you're having a great summer.

PS Check out Heather's Blog too. It is awesome!!!

Follow the discussion on yesterday's post.

Join in on the discussion by reading yesterday's post and the comments.

Our new word to look up - Perfect

We are doing something a little different this summer to get us to study the Bible and search out what God is saying to us through His Word. We have been talking about the word "Choose or Choice" and what the scriptures have to say and what our experience with these words have been.
Now we want to look at the word "perfect". Pastor Jerry mentioned something on Sunday during his sermon - which was great and you should relisten to it on the web - and it struck something in me that made me begin thinking about how I see the word 'perfect'.
He read from Ex 33 and 34 and told the story about Moses appealing to God and telling Him that "If you don't go with me - I'm not going!" I have read that many times but this time Pastor said "Some of us expect perfection before possesion."
How many times have I stood by the sidelines because I haven't thought I was perfect enough to do the job? Or how many times have I told myself that there are so many other people around who do this job better than I do that I think I will let them do it? Instead of stepping in and doing it and possessing it as my place, I have let others take my place because I wasn't "perfect".
When I look up the word perfect on the search on this blog I find something very interesting.
Why don't you join me and search and see what you find.
Do you see what I see?

Happy Wednesday - How are your "Choices" going?

I can't get away from this word 'choose' and all you followers have been very quiet! Maybe you are choosing great and your life is just peaches and cream and you are speeding down life's road with gusto catching the downhill wind that is preparing you for the hill ahead - I have been biking and those hills make you want to prepare!!!
But, just in case you are like me and wondering why some things in my life just don't seem to change fast enough and 'could it be' that my 'choices' are part of the equation that will turn those things around for the good???? Just questions the Lord has been prodding my little brain with. So lets keep talking about "choosing".
I read this little scripture and thought - wow - maybe this is some of the answer.

Luke 8:22 - "NOW IT HAPPENED, ON A CERTAIN DAY THAT HE GOT INTO THE BOAT WITH HIS DISCIPLES. AND HE SAID TO THEM, "LET US CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE." AND THEY LAUNCHED OUT."

If you keep reading before and after this verse you see that Jesus had just told His followers that they were His 'brothers and sisters' and everything seemed to be going just great. He was sharing 'secrets' with them and they were in the 'in' crowd. Then they got into the boat with Him! I don't know what that would be for you but for me it was to .................say 'yes' to following Jesus which lead to marrying Jerry, becoming pastors, moving several times in our lives...........you name it! After saying 'yes' to Christ and getting into His boat that's when it all started! It seemed like Jesus went to sleep and the storms started to blow!!! Sometimes I have wondered if I got in the right boat!

Ultimately, Jesus just promises to give us 'life that you may live', where there is not death, and that life more abundantly. Hanging on to Him and crying out for Him is what we do in that storm. We have to go through it knowing that it will end - and then another one will come and it will end AND Jesus will be right there beside you saying "Choose LIFE - ME"!!

We are living for the furture - not just for today. Our future after we choose Christ is forever and how we live our today will predict our future. Also, my choice to follow Christ and to get into His boat has given me more choices along the way. Will I trust Him in the storm or fear the storm itself? Will I support the other disciples in the boat or cause them to doubt their choice for Christ? Maybe you can think of more examples. Take a minute and share them with the rest of us!

Have a great day - and if you live in Lincoln - come out tonight for Pastor Jerry's "Heaven" encounter!!!

Monday July 6th - more on CHOOSE

What an awesome message yesterday. I am taking up the challenge to pray daily. To take the journey to the 'place' of prayer! If you weren't there yesterday, please take 30 minutes to listen to the message at lincolncitychurch.org. We were challenged to go 'deeper' with God in prayer. Prayer is something we get used to doing only when we are in trouble or things are tuff. BUT God is calling His Church, His People to a deeper walk with Him and our pastor threw out the challenge to pray every day for 5 or 10 or 15 minutes and let our hearts go to that place with Him where we are communing with Him.
"Ask and it will be done......seek and you will find.......knock and the door will be opened......"
How are you meeting with God. How is He challenging you?

Still on CHOOSE!

Let's talk a little more - Why does God allow us a choice? I know many people who ask this question. Why doesn't He just make us choose the right way instead of giving us a choice to choose the wrong way? Doesn't He want us to do what is right? Doesn't He want everyone to go to heaven instead of hell?....................................What do you think?

I live verse 15 in Deuteronomy 30 "Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster." The real question is ...... why would we choose death over life??????

Here is just one little thought - I wouldn't want to be married to someone that didn't choose me but just had to marry me for some reason. I would never know if he actually loved me or if there was some other reason I was with him.

What are your thoughts??

July 1st "CHOOSE"

Today - and for the next couple of days - we are going to talk about the word "CHOOSE" and what God is saying to us thoughout His Word about choosing.
When Pastor Jerry spoke on Sunday - and if you were working with the children or were on vacation somewhere enjoying your summer then you need to listen to the message on line - I believe it was a message that our church body needs to listen to and digest and then work out in our lives. He spoke from Dueteronomy 30 (the whole chapter) and mainly verses 19 & 20.

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you live and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

I began looking up other verses in the Bible that used the word "choose". One was in Joshua 24:15 "........but if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."
This is such a great example of how God deals with us. We have the right to choose - and even when we don't choose, we are choosing. Our lives a full of choices almost moment by moment. When I go to sit, which chair will I sit in...when will I leave the house...when will I eat for breakfast...do I need coffee this morning or should I just drink water...when shall I wear today...do I really want to get the baby up or should I let him cry a litte?........and on and on it goes. They seem like little things but the way we think and the path our mind takes to get to a decision is what I think God is after. He wants us to choose Him so all the other decisions fall into place. Our decision to serve Him should result not only in going to church and having Christian friends, but also in our speech, our thoughts, our television watching.......and on and on.

NOW it's your turn. What is God saying to you about choosing? What scripture stands out to you?

Monday June 29

Hope everyone is having a great summer. We are going to begin blogging again in a couple of days but with a little different emphasis. We are boing to take a subject and invite you all to comment with scriptures God shows you that enlighten us all on what God has to say on each subject. Please feel free to let me know what subjects you would like to blog on and I will let you know on Wednesday which one we will begin with. This will encourage us all to search the scriptures and see what God has to say. Our pastor has been challenging us to "GET A WORD FROM GOD". So we are going to practice that very thing.
Be sure to check in again on Wednesday and see what we are "blogging" about!!!

Susan

Thursday, June 18th

Alone at church on a cloudy Thursday afternoon last week, I heard a loud thump near the office window. Carefully looking out, I saw nothing that would have caused the noise. But looking into the sky, I saw a red tail hawk being chased by three smaller birds as a second red tail circled nearby. The hawk obviously had had its beak where it didn't belong!

Two of the small birds quickly lost interest in the chase, but the third bird just wouldn’t give it up. It nipped at the hawk much like a dog nips at the heel of a person. The hawk seemed to ignore the little pests; and I wondered to myself, why doesn’t that hawk just turn on the three smaller birds and “take them out?” After all, the hawk is more powerful and with one swipe of its sharp talons could have a tasty meal! I thought of the times when life has nipped at my heels . . . times when I didn’t walk in the power and authority purchased for me by the blood of Jesus . . . that at the name of Jesus, every knee must bow.

As the scene replayed in my thoughts, I was also reminded that we are to rest (soar) in the promises of God.

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 40:31)


The loud thump I heard? Later, while walking past a window in the foyer, I noticed a BIG, I mean big, splat of what looked to be bird poop, flung eyelevel on the window. There in the rocks below the window was a dead bird. Did it accidentally fly into the window or did the red tail hawk fling it to its death, which ticked off the other three birds?

Wednesday June 17 "Time"

Just thought I'd share a few thoughts concerning what the Lord has been talking to me about these last few weeks. I have noticed that if I listen to what my brain is thinking - that is a challenge - I 'hear' some thoughts that aren't mine but are definitely God's and if I pay attention to those thoughts - that is even a greater challenge - I learn something valuable.

This thought is on time. What a precious commodity time is. Once it is gone it is gone. You can't go back and get the time you wasted or maybe used unwisely just like you can't take back words that you have spoken. All you can do is appologize and try to make right what you have done wrong.

Time is short. We only have so many hours to the day and days to the week, etc. And soon they will be gone! What I have been seeing is how time keeps going. You can't stop time. You can only keep up with it and be prepared for the time that is coming - like a test you have to take in a day or a message you have to speak in a month or a meeting you have to lead in an hour!!!

Time can be your master or you can manage the time God gives you. I feel like time actually pushes me and no matter what I do I can't slow it down! There are some moments in my life I would like to last forever and others I would like to speed by.

BUT what I am leaning is that if I place my time in God's hands He will use it for my good. There will be times of blessing and times of preparation and times when I can just sit and soak in what is going on around me.............but I have to determine to make the most of all the time I have! Like doing this blog today - it is taking me time and I need to be getting dressed so I can go to work - and I have to think about how I am going to work at 2 places at once and still get my house ready for my in-laws to arrive at 4 this afternoon!!!! Time - never enough - but right now I am doing with this moment what I know God told me to do!!!

Have a wonderful day - and be blessed with the time you are given!!!

IT WORKED!!! So let me know if you want your email put in so you can be notified every time there is a post on the blog! I will need you email address. I would suggest you don't put it on this blog BUT you can email me or let me know some other way!
Pastor Susan

A little correction on emails

I said in my last post that if you signed up to follow this blog you would then get updates on your email. I'm not sure that is what happens. SO I tried something to see if it works. Because I am the "administrator" I can add email addresses for post notifications to be sent. I put in Sarah's and My email to see if it works and I will let you know.
Thanks so much for your input if you know anything else on this subject.
ALSO, welcome to Christina - a new follower - and feel free to comment anytime as this blog is open for comments.
Pastor Susan

Friday June 12 Acts 28

This is the final chapter of Acts where Paul gets bitten by the snake and he "shakes" it off. I remember the sermon Jerry spoke on "Shake It Off". It was a powerful sermon on getting rid of things in your life that the enemy would like to use to keep us from being used by the Lord. It was the enemy's tactic - and still is - to deter us from the purposes of God in our lives and sometimes we just have to "shake" him off us. That snake was sent by the enemy to destroy Paul but he refused to let it. Not only did he shake it off but he believed God was going to keep him from being poisoned because he knew God's promises. Our faith has to be stronger than the things the enemy throws at us. People watching us will be totally surprised - they are expecting us to swell up and die - but we will stand, healed, in His Name!!! Then they will turn to Him because of our testimony of faith!!!

As this is the last chapter of Acts - we are going to take the next couple of weeks off and change our format for the rest of the summer. In the mean time, until July 1st - if any of the leaders who are able to post on this blog want to share something - please do. I will be posting from time to time so keep checking - in fact, sign up to follow this blog and you will get updates on your email.

See you in a couple of weeks!!

Thursday June 11 Acts 27

Sorry I am a little late this morning. We are almost finished with Acts and Paul is just now getting ready to begin another phase of his life. When you think about all he has gone thru in Acts that has equiped him to write the next books of the Bible, you really see how God uses everything in our lives for good. I love how he was the stable rock these sailors leaned on in their time of trouble too. He kept reasurring them that the Lord had promised him they would all be ok and it was his confidence in his Lord that brought them peace and the willingness to listen to him. It made me see that if I was more confident in what I believed the Lord told me and His ways, people will have more trust in me and my Lord. I have to be pursuaded and then that helps persuade others. All 276 of them were encouraged and they lived and didn't die.

Thanks so much for the comments this week. They have really brought to light some interesting things as we read Acts together. One more day to go!

Wednesday June 10 Acts 26

More of Paul's trial. He got a chance once again to share his "story" with the King Agrippa and Festus. Festus thought he was crazy and King Agrippa let the message go right over his head. Funny, how that didn't seem to deter Paul in the least. He didn't concern himself with whether or not they listened to him, all he cared about was that he had a chance to share the Gospel once again. They knew he wasn't guilty too but their hands were tied because of Caesar. He was on his way to Rome.
I wonder what I would have done. I don't know if I would have felt like my "story" is what kept getting me into trouble and would have just shut up - or not. Paul had a tenacity that was unparalelled! Just keep telling that sory - believe people will get saved - and know God is going to take care of you.
Keep right on doing what God has called you to do no matter what. Keep speaking the good news whether people 'hear' you or not. It isn't up to us to make them listen, it is just up to us to share the 'story'.

Tuesday June 9 Acts 25

Boy - talk about 'court confusion'! God used it to keep Paul alive and the Jews angry! Sounds like our court system!!! Again, God was using the situation to keep Paul in Rome so he would have the chance to speak and tell his 'story', the story of Jesus, many, many times to people who would not have heard it any other way.
Do you know that you are used that way each day, if you allow yourself to be used? There are some people who will hear from you and no one else. Just like God held Paul in Prison, He has you here in Lincoln - or wherever you are - to use you to tell His 'story' and to tell it with your testimony so people will hear and turn to Him! We are always trying to run from our situation and God wants us to turn to Him and let Him use those things in our life to shape us and form us and, in the mean time, use us to spread the Gospel. Don't run away from "Jerusalem" but set your face toward those things that seems impossible and unlikeable and let God show you how He is going to work it all out!!!

Monday June 8 Acts 24

As I was reading this chapter I had to wonder "why, Lord" did Paul have to stay in prison all this time for ........ well for nothing?! I tried to think of the many good things that happened while he was kept away from being free and here are a few I came up with:
1. He wrote a lot of scripture while he was in prison. He wasn't under "lock down" but had some freedom and he was visited by friends who 'took care of him'. So, free room and board while he wrote!
2. His disciples had to do the work he was doing so all their training proved to be good!! And the people they ministered to had to receive them as if they were we Paul coming to preach to them. It was a real training time in the life of the church and the next generation had to rise up and take their place. God has His way of doing things!
3. Paul had a chance to share the Gospel with people no one would have had a chance to touch if they hadn't been in prison. Like the Felix and his wife - who was a Jew. Many seeds were planted during this time.
Maybe you can think of more good things that came out of Paul's prison time?

BTW - Happy Monday!

Friday June 5 Acts 23

I love have the Lord constantly prepared Paul for what was coming next. After he was almost killed by getting everyone upset and having the Parisees fight with the Sadducees - the Lord spoke to him in verse 11 "......Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."
Next thing he knew he was transferred to Rome!!! But how he got there was a miracle in and of itself. Paul sure lead an exciting life - even though he was preaching the Gospel of Jesus. And people think being a Christian is "boring" and "uneventful". It's just like what you said yesterday, Arlene, - life isn't always comfortable when you are on the "front line" but it can sure be exciting!!!


Monday we will ready chapter 24 and finish up Acts with chapter 28 on Friday. Have a great day today and every day this weekend!!!

Thursday June 4th Acts 22

Paul again shared his testimony. And it is a powerful one. The truth that came out was that he wsa just like them - yet he is a Roman citizen. So, a Jew, but yet a Roman. So identifies with both of the citizens. God used that to confuse the people. I began to see that it isn't in who we are but in who we have chosen to be. Out nationality doesn't have anything to do with our testimony. We are all the same in God's eyes. Yet he used who we were created to be as a witness to those around us. We can touch certain people because we are German or Kenyan or whatever. BUT that isn't who we are onece we belong to Jesus and His "nation".
God uses each of us in His own unique way for one goal and that is to save the world. Paul spoke to so many people and he is still speaking to people today!!!
What speaks to you in Paul's testimony?

Wednesday June 3rd Acts 21

Reading this chapter reminds me of the sermon on Sunday. Jerry talked about Jesus "setting his face toward Jerusalem". This is exactly what Paul did too. He knew he was going to be imprisoned but that information didn't stop him from doing what the Lord told him to do. He even had "prophecy" telling him and showing him what would happen when he went to Jerusalem. He didn't allow fear or dread keep him from doing what he knew in his heart to do.
What does that look like in my life? Am I drawing back from what God has called me to do? I have felt like never before that we are in a battle - a spiritual battle - and it looks like and feels like a fight ALL the time some days. The fight is against the "status quo". I have to fight my flesh from being lazy or lethargic or from completing tasks that I know I am to do. From years of being in the ministry I have begun to realize these things come in seasons and we are in a season that the Lord is doing so much and the enemy is trying His best to keep us from seeing the fruit of what our labors are producing. He would like to blind us to what good is happening so we would loose heart and step back. BUT that is when our faith in His promises has to be clear and strong in our hearts. That is what propelled Jesus and Paul toward Jerusalem instead of just staying away or going to opposite way.
What does that "set your face toward Jerusalem" look like in your life? What do you have to battle with to keep yourself full of faith instead of full of doubt?

Tuesday June 2nd Acts 20

Great comment yesterday, Arlene! Isn't it funny - kind of funny - how people just don't change!!?? We are tripped up by the same sins as people who lived in Paul the Apostle's time. Pride, greed.....we have to battle these things until we die and are totally free of this flesh. If we begin to think we can no longer be affected by these things, that is when we fall into satan's trap. Only God can keep us from "falling". And He will! BUT we have to have our battle gear on and the weapons He has given us in our hands at ALL times.
There are several things in this chapter that are good, but the one that spoke to me is verse28....."So guard yourself and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock-His Church, purchased with His own blood-over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders."
Paul was saying his goodbyes as he was going back to Jerusalem and knew it wasn't going to be a good thing and that he would never return to this side of the world again. But his admonishment to the was to "guard yourself and God's people....." We have to be on the alert ALL the time to know and understand what is going on "in the Spirit" so we can fight the good fight. Be aware, tuned in and ready to fight for what is right. And our "fight" isn't in the flesh but in the Spirit - as the "Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders". The Holy Spirit is the one who equips us and shows us how to fight if we will listen to Him.
God has been showing me to be built up in the Spirit - take time to stir the Spirit up in my Spirit Man by speaking in tongues every day and praying for those things that the Spirit brings to my mind. The needs of "God's people" can be overwhelming but if we give them to the Lord then He works them out and our fight is on our knees!!!
Don't shrink back from the work of the Spirit in and around you!! We are going to see it more and more as we have to lean on Him more and more.
Share what God has shown you in the chapter and in the life of Paul.

Tomorrow we read chapter 21.

Monday June 1st Acts 19

What a great day yesterday was at LCC. God's presence was so rich in the worship and the message that was spoken was very powerful and convicting. God is raising us up to another level - dying to ourselves and living for Him. As we read Acts we see where the early Church was challenged by this daily if they lived for Christ. Literally, their lives were on the line for serving the Lord and preaching His Word. The story of the riot in Ephesus is a very interesting one to read in this chapter. It almost seems like it is out of place - and I have wondered why it is even recounted in the book of Acts. BUT it is there for a reason!!! One thing that really spoke to me was how easily the people were pervoked into rioting against the Jews becaus their businesses were being hurt by the preaching of the gospel. I mean, it only took a couple of guys to get everyone going and they were ready to kill people!! I believe we are living in days when that could easily happen to us. All it would take is one person pointing out that churches take people away from participating in some money making thing that made the economy run and our very lives would be in danger.
We will all be challenged to lay down our very lives for the Lord.
How did the Lord speak to you through this chapter or in yesterday's message???

Friday May 29th Acts 18

In chapter 18 we meet this couple - Aquila and Priscilla. It doesn't say much about them except that they were in the same business as Paul, tent makers, and they worked right along side him. So much so that in verse 18 when he left Corinth and sailed for Syria, he took them with him. Then in verse 26 they helped explain about the baptism of the Holy Spirit to a young preacher named Apollos - so they must have ministered along with Paul too. I can let my imagination roam a little and think about what a support they were to Paul. They worked with him, ministered with him, traveled with him........he needed them!!! Throughout the ministry of a church these people are the ones you don't hear much about but without them........well they are very needed!!!
I thank the Lord for the Aquilas and Priscillas - send more, Lord!!!



Beginning on Monday we will continue with Acts and do one chapter a day, Monday thru Friday, for the next 2 weeks. So, Monday will be chapter 19. See you Sunday!