From frustrating to FREE...Lord work in ME!

Though we endure afflictions, we know it's all for the Glory of the LORD!

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" 1 Peter 1:6-8

If we aren't willing to be tried, are we really following the Lord? Have we truly taken His hand in TRUST to allow Him to create in us a clean pure heart. I've decided to allow God to move in mighty ways in this life that belongs to Him. Surrendering to His will and counting the cost... will is cost pain? Heartache? Discomfort? Will it be worth it in the end? The answer to all of the above is YES!

What if we don't let go?
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Galatians 2:20-21 We run the risk of "frustrating God's grace"! After contemplating this the last couple days, the Lord has impressed upon my heart that in telling Him, "not yet", "just one more day" or "maybe later", we aren't allowing Him to complete His finished work within us. He also tells us, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:18-24

Yes, He is faithful in doing, but we are weak, and in our rebellion can actually "quench the Spirit"! We can limit or keep Him from what He wants for us! Is our will, desires our flesh worth the sacrifice? I say NO! It may be hard and painful, but trusting the Lord knows our weaknesses and USES them for His gain far exceeds the pain we may endure for a season. I'm ready! I've put things off long enough, the Lord is opening doors and set requirements for me to continue and be used for greater things than I've ever imagined. Yes, this ordinary girl will be used to the fullest glory of the Lord! YES, He is refining me, but it is part of the cost. He met me where He found me, and guarantees not to leave me where He found me! It is time for a new adventure in Him, but letting go of the known "comfort zone" for the unseen glory of the Lord is part of being purified in the Refiner's Fire! It's hot, but necessary! By His Will and Grace, I will be set free and His Spirit will be free to work in me once again!

Don't let too many "tomorrows" come between what the Lord wants for you and what you think is best!

Prayer:
All Glory to You, Almighty Powerful & Living God and have Your way with this humble servant You now call friend. Who am I to stand in Your way. Forgive my rebellion, use my weaknesses and grant me Your strength to overcome myself which was crucified with Your Son, JESUS! I ask and give all humbly according to Your Will and Plan. In Jesus merciful and powerful name, AMEN!

This is my Life...*JESUS*

Yesterday while talking with a friend, I was told, "In the real world there is more to life than Jesus Christ." I was stunned. Speechless and all I could think was, ummm, no not really. To the worldly person, it is hard for them to comprehend and understand how Christ pertains to all things in this life. I didn't take offense with this in mind, but boy oh boy did it give me much to pray about.

My life is consumed with Christ. He is my life. I've laid down my life in order to find my life in Him. To majority this makes no sense and the assumption is made that I go overboard with all this "Jesus stuff"! I say PRAISE GOD! GLORY GLORY HALLELUJAH! This has been my prayer for years, to be used and to be consumed... Every ounce and fiber of my being...let me be completely consumed in Christ.

I say, Let us cry out & declare as David, "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness." Psalm 31:1 and as Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth;..." Romans 1:16 and as Peter, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God..." 1 Peter 5:16

So, is there more to this life than Christ? NOOOO! If you are sitting on the fence, half living for God and half living for yourself, then yes, in your mind; there is more to this life. Or, if you haven't made a commitment to Him at all, you will think and feel this way too.

There is nothing more hopeful, joyful and humbling than sharing Jesus with all. He is the Bread of Life and when you regularly feast at His table, the more you want to SHARE! So many put limits on God to create a faraway control freak that has no understanding in the things we endure.

Often times they reject the message because they are comfortable where they are apart from God. They don’t want to hear the Word of God because it’s “… quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” It cuts deep and pierces; it brings convictions thus making them uncomfortable having wants, needs and desires unexposed. The Truth brings all things to the light... Thus brings unwanted convictions.

I will continue on this narrow road, and at times boldness consents to a walk alone, not apart from Christ, but those around us. Time spent alone with Him grants clarity, direction and most importantly His peace which surpasses all man’s understanding. To summarize, there is no life outside of Christ. All things apart from Him lead to a dead end. Onward soldier march, and continue victoriously in becoming the creation the Lord has made us to be! Share Jesus and share in Love. I am a continued work in progress and I declare as Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 Jesus is my LIFE!

Fishing in FAITH

Last Sunday morning while my kids and I were getting ready for church; my husband was getting ready to go fishing.  I asked him if he was bringing home supper. He replied, “I don’t know, depends if I catch anything or not.” I told him, “GO FISHING IN FAITH”! He looked at me crazy and I explained: “Faith is ‘believing in something you cannot see’, go fishing believing you’ll bring back supper.” He shook his head and said, nah, I’m just going fishing. Later on when we all returned home, I asked how his fishing journey went, if he brought anything home… his reply was “just one” as he was filleting it. I said “Oh, did you go fishing in faith?”…He said, “No, just went fishin’.”

I’ve thought about this quite a bit these last few days, and it continues to come to me, how often do we “go fishing in faith”? Jesus said, “…Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 While we are growing in Him and sharing with others He brings across our path, do we truly believe in the unseen that seeds are being planted and the Spirit of Truth is drawing people unto Himself. Do we cast our nets out expecting them to be returned empty? The Lord said, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
To cast or not to cast… The net represent the Love of Jesus. It is Him through us that draws others unto Himself! To keep the Love of Jesus to ourselves is one of the most selfish things we can do. Jesus died for all and we aren’t to limit who hears of His life transforming Love.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4 YES, CAST YOUR NETS! If you are willing to be used of the Lord and truly follow Jesus, HE WILL FILL THE NETS! This is the very purpose of the Great commission! That ALL would be saved, that they be set free from the bondage they carry, that they be washed in the precious blood of the Lamb and have the opportunity to know and walk with God. So, with this said, it is the Lord’s will that we FISH in FAITH… speak as the Lord leads, share the hope of Jesus! Regardless of what people may think, it’s far more important to please Him, carry out His will

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you. We praise You for the everlasting Love and life You give all who accept Your amazing Son Jesus. Father, we ask that You grant us utterance with boldness to proclaim all You are to a fallen and brutal world. Use these vessels and fill these nets. Please Lord, let Your perfect will be done. Bridle our tongues so Your Spirit can freely speak through us to all You draw near. Let us fish in faith all for Your Kingdom and glory. Forgive our doubt and increase our faith. We ask in Jesus mighty name! AMEN!

Defeating Discouragement

“O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.” Habbakuk 1:2-3

The burden of being discouraged is heavy. Circumstances around us may be unavoidable, but how we respond to them will make all the difference! “Living in discouragement will divide the mind, making it hard to focus on anything but the pain. Then as anger becomes habitual, we’ll look for someone to blame—whether God, people around us or ourselves.” ~Charles Stanley

Discouragement is an emotional sink hole. The longer we’re there the harder it becomes to get out. Putting our focus on self, allows us to wallow in self-pity and indulging in a “blame game”. This is opposite of what the Lord wants for and from us: He desires our focus, time and attention to be solely on Him. It’s a battle, a fight for sure, but one that can be WON IN CHRIST!

It is a matter of CHOICE- “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 Resisting the devil and choosing to grip ahold of Jesus to pull you out of the emotional quick sand. Don’t’ let the enemy rob you of your peace, joy, hope and contentment. God has a better plan for our lives! CRY OUT TO HIM!

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.  I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.” Psalm 57:1-3

Let Him be your refuge and strength. He can/will deliver you from the snares of the enemy. It requires determination, perseverance and TRUST! If you are in this emotional bondage, take the Lord at His Word and take REFUGE in HIM. His hand is outstretched waiting for you to grip ahold. Will you let Him be glorified and change things for the better?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 YES, this too can be used for His purpose in your life, to build your strength and reliance upon Him. I'm praying for you... Cry out to Abba Father, He hears your cries and will see you through!

Love in Christ,

Michelle James

A personal requirement of the Lord

"Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God...He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:6&8

Wow, so personal! The Lord requires we "walk humbly" WITH Him! He is not beyond reach, He made a way through the Loving sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, shedding His blood to bridge the gap..."But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" Ephesians 2:13-19

You see that, through JESUS, we are "NO MORE STRANGERS, and foreigners, but FELLOWCITIZENS with the saints and of the HOUSEHOLD of God"!!! Wow! Not only can we have a real relationship with Him, but we have a high priest who can relate to EVERYTHING we face! You may think you're alone in what you're facing, but Christ has been there. He knows your most intimate desires & details of your life. He INVITES us to come to His throne room of GRACE, personally! No other man or woman is required for you to come... He wants you to come to Him, personally! No channels, chain of commands, no animal sacrifices as in Old Testament days... Jesus made a direct connection for YOU and ME!

 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

He knows your needs...He is plentiful and rich in mercy, grace, love and best of all He is FAITHFUL! His love endures forever without conditions & stipulations! "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" Deuteronomy 7:9

There is nothing He can't or won't do for you! His love is real and all He requires is YOU! He gave is Son in order for us to have streamline, uninterrupted communication directly with Him. No one else in this world, past, present or future can LOVE you like Him! Best of all when you're His, you're His for all eternity! "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Friend, religion can't save you, nor help you. Only the blood of Christ can set you free. God has made a way where there seemed to be no way. Don't put yourself through man's ideals and requirements to "get to God". Jesus made it possible for us to walk WITH God. Let Him carry your burdens and struggles, He knows all you've done and all you face. Trust Him, His love is real!

Children of the Light

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Ephesians 5:8-13

What a beautiful blessing being transformed from wretched & depraved to chosen peculiar Children of the Light! Great sacrifices are made as we are changed from our old ways and graciously in time, transformed into the likeness of Christ! "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;" 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

By choosing to be transformed, we are acknowledging the past is done, forgiven, and Christ has bridged the gap between us and God! We must let the past go and cling to Christ alone. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."Phil. 3:13-14

We are called to be LIGHT! Wow! "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Think about this... In the beginning on the first day of creation God created light..."And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:3-4 He saw that it was GOOD and SEPARATED it from darkness (night)! This is the first thing He does with us when we accept Him as Lord. He shines through us and sees it is GOOD! Thennwe are separated from the old things we loved & enjoyed that weren't pleasing to God! He trades with us our past for His Holy Spirit! No longer desiring the things of the world, which is darkness! We are molded by His divine hands and purified by His amazing LOVE!

Thus, in exchange for our fleshly desires He requires "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 this means we are commissioned on the most rewarding journey in this life...sharing Jesus with the world! Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20 he is our hope and purpose.

No longer children of darkness, but called out and made separate. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Sons and daughters of the Almighty God = Children of the Light!

Isn't this exchange worth self sacrifice, to bring hope, peace & Love to the hopeless, hurting & dying people? What a HUGE responsibility! Take His Light to ALL! He is faithful! Allow His peace to be seen, His light, and reach out to others, be that Child of Light He has called you to be! "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Just One Drop

In the midst of adversity and trials, let it be our heart's cry for the Lord to touch us with just one drop of His majesty!

Too many trials, and too many tears...so much sadness and too many fears!
O dear Lord just one drop of Jesus' precious blood
Just one drop to heal their hearts
To wipe away their tears and release them from their fears!
Just one drop to take away the pain;
Open their eyes to see joy in the rain.
Lord just one drop of your peace upon their lives;
So many hurting and many believing lies.
Just one drop of Your truth to set them free;
Help them Lord to be who You've created them to be.
Just One drop of Your grace;
To help them see Love in this wretched place.
Just One drop O Lord,
Let their hope be restored for the blood sets them free and they'll taste death no more.
Just one drop, I pray, you remove the wax from their hearts this day.
Help them see You are merciful and kind;
and trade Your riches for the pain they hide.
Just One drop of Jesus precious blood, gives hope to the hopeless
Peace to the broken and joy for the sadness.
Send Your children out O Lord, and strengthen them with just One drop of You this day;
I ask it all in Jesus mighty name!

There is peace beyond measure if you just come, kneel at the feet of Jesus, believe He loves you beyond comprehension. He gave His life for you so you don't have carry the cares and burdens of this life alone. He wants to give you peace in the midst of trials, joy for sadness and strength to endure to the end. You can have it all...in Jesus my friend!

I'm praying for you all, no matter where you are or whose around, give it to Him. He is hope, life, joy, peace, strength and full of mercy, grace and forgiveness. He made a way for you today, nearly 2000 years ago on the Cross of Calvary. Just One Drop of His precious Blood can change your life. Trust Him, His love is real and it breaks His heart to feel what you feel. Come to His feet, here you will find peace.
Love in Christ,
Michelle James