Seeking His Will

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that true meekness is a will that is yielded to God’s Will. It is in this way, that we gain control over the circumstances and situations we are faced with. It is how we overcome the enemy, and those who perceive themselves to be our enemies. -Really, a child of God considers no other human being his/her enemy, but there are those who consider us their enemy. Remembering that God loves the sinner, but hates the sin, we must keep in mind that it is the animosity we are to overcome. “Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

That’s the hard part, isn’t it? Especially when we’re dealing with an enemy. It’s easier to walk away from the devil sometimes, that it is someone who is filled with animosity and malice toward us. When they’re in your face and doing everything possible to bring you down, or knock you down, … and let me tell you, I still believe in healing. I say that with tongue in cheek. I do also believe, though, that when the devil acts like he doesn’t understand English, you need to speak his language in some cases. There’s a picture of Jesus in the Gospels, driving him out of the temple…so, we need to pray for discernment, and courage to stand.

We also have to keep in mind that we’re operating in eternal standard time. That means it’s going to happen according to God’s timing, not ours. I had a neighbor once who said, “I wish that “so and so” would just get hit by a car or something; I just hate her! She’s so nosy and just nasty to everybody.” The woman was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after that. The neighbor who said that was one of the people who helped her until she had to go to the hospital. She took meals over and cleaned for her, etc. God will teach you meekness. And I can also say that from experience. It’s much easier to just yield to His will from the get go.

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His Will For You Begins With Peace

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I chose this one by Hillsong to go with today’s post. It’s so awesome when you can come before the Lord in meekness and humility…yet so boldly, knowing that His will for you is always peace.

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Happy October

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Posting this pic of me in my pink hat in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Now praying for the end to all cancers.

I chose this song by Casting Crowns to go with today’s post. Truly, we are all channels, rivers…

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He Is The Source From Which It Flows

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is our only source of salvation. We are to see Him as our only supply. Everything else is a resource and/or a channel through which that supply flows.

Salvation comes daily, and it comes in many ways and from many things. Poverty of spirit, lack of desire or energy, lack of love or peace within, etc. These spiritual needs are as important to God as our physical well being is. If God can send ravens to feed a prophet in the wilderness, He surely can send provision to us through whatever channels are available to Him. All channels are available to Him, because the earth is His, and the fullness thereof. (Psalm 24:1) “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

Deuteronomy 28:8 is referenced by the message: “The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand.” All the blessings listed in Deuteronomy 28 are the result, or fruit, of our obedience to God’s Word. They go hand in hand. This means that whatever I work at, or whatever effort I put forth in accordance to God’s Will and Word, will bring results. This is also true of spiritual needs. Whatever spiritual need I have, God will meet it. Jesus promised us that if we ask, we will receive. Just the other day, I had to ask the Lord to help me pray, because I really didn’t feel like praying for anyone or anything that morning. I wanted to scream until the world just exploded. I asked; I received. God’s a good God! Amen!

When I read Deuteronomy 28, I get a picture of how things operate in the Kingdom of Heaven. Seed time, and harvest is the modus operandi. That means that I have to sow something (time, effort, prayer, etc.,) in order to harvest something. The really cool thing is this: God not only gives us the harvest, but He also gives us the seed to sow. We just sometimes miss it, because we’re looking for a harvest when or where we have not sown…or because we have sown in fallow ground. (Jer. 4:3) Basket and kneading bowl suggest gathering and working with what’s gathered, or working with what you’ve got. Trust is the key to prosperity; prosperity of spirit, which is most important, and physical, or material prosperity as well.

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Oh, What A Way To Start The Week!

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Here’s the song I chose to go with today’s post. I hope it fills you with as much joy as it does me! Thank you, Chris Tomlin, for a beautiful start to my week.

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What You Need For It Is There

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God gives us everything we need for every task He assigns to us. We are bid to “face each difficulty sure that the wisdom and strength will be given you for it. Claim it.”

Wisdom is found all through the scriptures. Two of my favorite books are the Psalms and Proverbs. But, if you read carefully, you can learn tremendously awesome things from every book in the Bible. And, it is like that field the man found a pearl in; filled with all kinds of treasure. It’s truly worth every minute you set aside, so you can spend time digging up all the good things in that field.

Psalm 90:12 is referenced by the message: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Numbering our days is good stewardship. It has to do with scheduling; budgeting our time so that we have time to spend with the Lord.

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Feeling His Healing Touch

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, bids us to wait quietly before the Lord, until we feel that healing power of His touch flowing into, and through us. The only way I can describe that feeling is that it’s as if your entire being is vibrating and glowing with a wholeness and joy that’s unimaginable. It’s almost unbelievable; this feeling.

I learned, some years ago, not to wait until things are overwhelming, or I am at the very end of my rope, with the knot coming undone. Rather, first thing daily, I seek the Lord’s face. I sometimes don’t get to my daily prayer until later, because I’m wrapped up in that time with the Lord. I also learned to turn into that place and wait there the very minute I feel as if the boat’s swamped.

When I read the message, I thought about the woman with the issue of blood. She only touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, and was healed. She touched the Lord. I believe that His Presence there strengthened, not only her resolve, but her efforts to be healed. Have you ever needed peace in the midst of a tumult? And the minute you turn toward the Lord, seeking His Presence, you feel strength come to you. Now, you’re determination to get through is strengthened. Now, you can almost see the sharpness of the Word, as you open your Bible. Now, your voice is strong and clear as you speak to your mountain. John 17:26 – “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” No wonder that strength is there almost immediately…actually, it’s there all the time. We just forget, or lose our connection to it.

I chose this wonderful old song by Tata Vega to go with today’s post. It still fills me with such joy!

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Saturday Silly – September 28, 2019

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Aunt Irma helped me with some writing I had to do today. I was actually working on two projects at the same time. One was a Bible Study, and the other was a little fill-in Trivia Quiz worksheet for the Red Hat Ladies from Aunt Irma’s Senior Center. Aunt Irma offered to edit them for me, as I had a last minute errand that came up. I didn’t realize she was entertaining RuthAnne’s grandchildren this afternoon. Ruthanne is Aunt Irma’s BFF, and her grandchildren are little monkeys. That’s putting it mildly; and nicely. Those little Mennesses! That’s their last name. Fitting, I think. I left the key under the doormat and went off to do my errand. This is how the two projects came out:

The twelve disciples were: Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo, and Curly, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Puff the Magic Dragon. What folk-song did Peter, Paul, and Mary sing in the days of Noah? “If I Had A Hammer.” How did Jesus know the two coins would be found in that fish: He was the Son of God. Only the Son of God would have known they fell out of Jonah’s pocket when that whale swallowed him. The fish must have been in there too, and ate them. Where did Puff the Magic Dragon live: By the Sea of Galilee. He was the reason Jesus liked to walk on water. Puff kept it nice and warm, so it was like a foot bath… Who did Peter heal from being lame? Meenie; he’d been lame ever since he broke his leg when he went to kick Balaam’s donkey and accidentally kicked the cartwheel. (Not the gymnastic kind-the one that’s round and rolls)

I arrived home to find the two kids and Aunt Irma working, like busy little beavers, on my two projects…Oh, Aunt Irma! Thank God I don’t need these until Saturday…and it’s only Wednesday evening. Hmm…Does anybody have any spiked Holy Water? Help!

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For The Universal GM In You

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God exercises great restraint when it comes to interfering in our lives. God’s not a bully; He’s a gentleman. He’d rather be loved than feared.

“Think how tenderly I respect the right of each individual soul. Never forcing upon it My Help, My Salvation. Perhaps in all My suffering for humanity that is the hardest, the restraining of the Divine Impatience and longing to help, until the call of the soul gives Me My right to act. Think of Love shown in this. ”

I’ve been reading this little book for a number of years, now. God never fails to show me something new, or reminds me of something important, just when I need it most. As I read this message today, I think about my sons and daughters, and their mates. I don’t want to be a “smother”, or a “smother in law.” I also remembered a few “General Managers of the Universe,” from times past in my own life. “Thank you, Jesus, for divine restraint, I prayed.” **Emotional blackmail and manipulation are two huge pitfalls in this area. Some people fall victim to them time and time again, until they overcome the need to be in control.

It’s easy to rush in with the answer; easy to take over without really meaning to. This is where that restraint comes in. “Please God, help me stay shut up.” This message ties in well with the one about being humble and serving all. A servant does what he/she is asked to do; he/she doesn’t run the show.

It is pretty hard to bite one’s tongue at times, isn’t it? I remember watching my kids go off on their first days of school. Each time, I cried. Each time I knew I had to let them go out there without me. And one prays they’ll come running for help when they need it, right? No matter how old they are, this is true.

Whenever I think of this, I thank God for the privilege of prayer. I think I’d lose my mind if I couldn’t pray. And I can see God up there smiling, because He’s got it all under control. And, when we exercise divine restraint with our kids, our friends, our mates, etc., relationships tend to be stronger in trust, open communication, and real teamwork and unity. When we always rush right in to the rescue, we reinforce helplessness and undermine self confidence and accountability.

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Serving All Isn’t As Hard As May Seem

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Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are here to serve…just as Jesus came to serve us, and not to be served.

The message bids us to be a servant of all. The first time I read that, I scratched my head a couple of dozen times, and was still confused after I thought about it. Oh, my God, how can I possibly serve everyone? I don’t even know what some people need or want? What?! One day, I was reading about the woman at the well. I read the part where Jesus told her that God seeks those who worship Him to worship in spirit and in truth. That’s when it hit me. I am to have an attitude of humility, friendship, helpfulness, and kindness toward others in my world. I am to reject any notions that anybody owes me anything, that I am entitled to any honors, or preferential treatment, etc. The best King is the one who will fight right alongside his soldiers. Jesus never asks us to do anything He, Himself wouldn’t do. When He does ask us to do something, He equips us for the task.

That last statement gets me every time I want to put my hands in my ears and act like I don’t hear God. It makes me laugh at myself when I want to just fall to the ground and say, “I can’t,” or “I don’t want to.” “Do it anyway,” God says. When I change that attitude, and get the right one going, life is good. Things get done, friends are found, or new ones made, and I’m not disappointed. If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.

Some might say that’s a negative viewpoint. It isn’t. It’s pure truth. We are not entitled to anything more than anyone else is, nobody owes us anything in the way of lauds and praises, or preferential treatment. We are all one in Christ Jesus. That’s why we’re told to honor one another above ourselves. When we do this, both you and the other person are honored. God has said that whomever humbles himself will be exalted, but whomever exalts himself will be humbled.

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