Sampson loved Delilah

Let's begin today in Judges, Chapter 16

Sampson loved Delilah, she asked him repeatedly for the secret to his strength... 3 times he tricked her. Yet, in the end her persistence pays!

'Delilah' means languish, keep that in mind as you continue... 

Finally she says, "...How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;" Judges 16:15-16

She did this and ultimately brought him to his death, all for money. He was so blinded by his own genuine love for her that he couldn't see her 1st three attempts to manipulate him, weaken his strength and hand him over to the enemy! After continually manipulating him, he caved. 

True love doesn't have a secret agenda, doesn't put "self" over the other, it's not jealous but is kind. Stop and be refreshed in what and how the Father in Heaven defines love, read 1 Corinthians 13. Her love was of her own, most definitely self serving, and in her twisted, yet forward words she used & abused this man for her own gain. 

Careful y'all, there are many "Delilah's" still out there today. Without Holy Spirit discernment, the same fall Sampson took is quite possible! Can you recognize real from the fake?

Condemnation or conviction?

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

Conviction or condemnation... many people confuse these two. It's pretty simple y'all, let's break it down!

Conviction is the Holy Spirit dealing with us when we veer off the narrow road and are walking after the flesh. 

Condemnation is quite opposite, its a blatant enemy attack! Let's look at the Word of God for clarity here.

Are you walking after the flesh - "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Galatians 6:8

OR walking after the spirit - "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:16-17

Condemnation is a guilt trip granted by Satan. Conviction is correction given by God to keep us in line with His Will. (REMEMBER: Whom the Lord loves, He corrects!)

Self-examination: Who are you aiming to please? Self or Christ... Receiving condemnation or conviction... Feeding into fleshly desires or are you spiritually growing in grace? By this can you see the difference in the two?

Tis the season to celebrate... Parallels!

A few interesting tidbits... Maybe even unnoticed connections!?! 

Winter solstice is where the sun is closest to us. It's also around Christmas time, when the Son of God, who came to earth in HUMAN form. 

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14

During this time, NOT at His birth, He was met by the wise men as a young child; who bowed down and worshipped the Messiah; also bringing Him gifts! (Matthew 2:10-11).  

Think about that! God's perfect gift given to us, His only begotten Son (John 3:16) Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish holiday (One of Jehovah's Holy Days) or the Feast of Lights. Jesus IS the Light of the world!   

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men." John 1:4

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19

So, is it really any wonder paganism as well as materialism would be such great distractions!?! Satan loves to TWIST everything God given & perfect! I love lights, they remind me of Christ, being the Light & Life sent to seek & save the lost in this dark world. I also love giving! 

"We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 What better reason to share the HOPE within us and continue to GIVE as the Father 1st gave to us as well as His Son!?! 

It's not about material things, they are fading. It's about eternity with the One who forgives and grants life everlasting to all who BELIEVE, repent, count the cost AND follow Christ! 

Some of us have a deeper reason for doing what we do; far more than what may seem seen on the surface. Whatever your cause to celebrate the season, may it be one that brings the Father in Heaven glory! 

Perfecting Patience

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:3-4

Ahhh, the testing of patience! Seems to be one of the many lessons for me lately. If you're asking The Lord for an increase of patience, know it comes by experience... Patience is good-natured TOLERANCE of delay or incompetence. 

Nearly every "short" appointment for me this month has ended up taking double or triple anticipated time, affecting nearly every aspect of my life... dealing with non-understanding people and short attention spanned children with high energy levels (lol). Such as life, right?

While I do not understand the "why's" to these just yet, I do KNOW my God is using these things to create me to be who He desires me to be instead of my fleshly knee-jerk reactions and attitudes. 

There are countless things we must wait for in life. The question is, where's our focus in the process? Me, me, meeee, "poor lil ole me" or Christ,  who is using it for His and our good in the long run? 

Antagonizing & Answers...

Last night my kids were antagonizing each other. Lol, yeap, they're normal! 

Anyway, my daughter kept coming to me with, "Mom, he's doing it again. Please make him stop!" The only problem is, each time she came and told me something as I would begin to say something, she would cut me off and attempt to correct her little brother herself. 

After several times, I stopped my daughter and said, "If you want me to correct him, let me be the Mom." After a bewildered stare I told her, "it doesn't do any good to come to me if you were going to keep trying to handle it on your own."

Bam! As I though about this a lil while ago, The Lord brought this scene to my memory again. Kinda like a condensed mental replay of last night. He gently whispered to me, "When you take things into your own hands, you are saying "I can do better than you" only to repeat and repeat. When you're ready to let Me step in, simply let go and trust Me."

Ok, how often are we all guilty of this SAME thing!?! Eventually my daughter let me be the Mom without her added two-cents and there was peace once again. If you've been acting like this, and taking things into your own hands, will you let God be God and the Loving Father He is by taking a step back and granting Him full control? 

He's able where we are not and sees not just one side but the whole situation. Will you let go and let God...? 

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Vain efforts & great lessons!

Have you ever tried your absolute best at something, completely applying yourself with all diligence only to find out you didn't NEED to do it at all!?! 

While hooking up my computer (Yes, PRAISE GOD I got it back! \o/) I noticed a cord that I thought needed plugged into it. After going great lengths to "make it work", I realized it wasn't even necessary! 

The Lord used this tiny adventure to speak to my heart. He said, "My child, this is precisely what so many people do everyday. They try so hard in their own efforts to please Me, yet reject My Son. He is My PERFECT GIFT; My gift of Grace. If only they could see such Love I have for them through Him, and BELIEVE, they would not exhaust themselves by vain human effort. Apart from My Son, there is much rejection, displeasure and heartache."

Simple, yet profound! Jesus said, "...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15

Religion exhausts but repentance through relationship heals... Are you exhausting your efforts unnecessarily  over accepting God's great salvation plan through Christ; grace, through faith?

Fading Fancy or Robes of Righteousness?

Fading fancy verses robes of Righteousness ... Choices made now, endure for eternity!

Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Armani, Bertelli and the like with all their riches & desired high end fashions and quested designs ain't got nothin' on them Holy robes of Righteousness granted only in Christ! 

Think about this a moment... 

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Isaiah 64:6

There ain't no amount of worldly riches that can compare to what Heavenly royal grandeur awaits those who willingly lay down the sensuous desires of self for a cross of sacrifice and life of humility above worldly glitz, glam and fading glory!

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:1

In addition to that, Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21

With all that said, where are you storing up treasures and will they fade or endure?

3 Sisters mountains and my full plate

(Photo curtesy Oregonkiaking.net)

When I was younger my Dad took me sight seeing through the beautiful state of Oregon. He was very well educated. As we journeyed on our trip he pointed out these mountains. "Those over there are known as the 3 sisters", he said. I thought to myself, well they aren't very big. Especially after seeing Mt. Rainier flying in and Mt. Hood from his residence. 

Truth is, if we were to endeavor to climb these 3 sisters, my perspective would've changed drastically. 

Considering all I have to do today, I've asked The Lord to order my steps for what could easily become overwhelming & discouraging. He reminded me of this trip with my dad. There are things we go through in life that others may see as "no big deal" but could seem treacherous to us. 

Let us be reminded of these truths whether The Lord grant our life's mountains to be removed or we be granted strength to climb them... 

Cast away doubt and believe! 

Jesus said, 

"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." Matthew 11:23

In Christ, we do not journey alone! 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

If God has brought us to it, He WILL bring us through it! 

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." Luke 1:37