Pay attention! It's that important

3 days in a row the Lord has taken me to these 3 chapters... Daniel 7,10 & 11

There is hope within these prophetic pages, HOPE that applies to those who are in Christ! Though rebellion has been continuously increasing, the Lord's mercies and forgiveness have also been outstretched!

Yes, judgement is upon us whether we like it or not and whether we believe it or not. Yet, here in this moment if we surrender to Christ, there is peace in the midst of the turmoil and chaos! Not the false peace so many are eager to share. Real genuine peace that only Christ can give. It surpasses our human understanding!

My heart has been so heavy for those close to me under severe enemy attack. Remember y'all, the enemy knows his time is short and he's doing his best to wear us all out! He's using every tactic possible... family, friends; those close to us, as well as sicknesses, finances, losses, conflicts between races and with those in authority, countries ready to wage war, natural disasters, etc.the list goes on and on!

Remember though, our hope isn't found in people, places or things. True hope is found only in the King of kings and what the enemy intends to use as harm, (we know he comes to kill, steal and to destroy) our God can use it for our good and HIS GLORY. I know these aren't light issues surrounding and affecting each one of us, but if there's ever a time to make sure we are right with God, walking with Christ, denying ourselves and daily carrying our cross, the time is NOW!!!

Even being forewarned by our precious Lord and Saviour these days would come, doesn't make it easy to endure, but He does grant everything we need in Him.

A couple things we MUST be willing to SELF examine are:
* our prayer life
* our study time
If we are lacking in these areas we need to sincerely with all diligence ask God for help! Everything Jesus said would happen, IS HAPPENING and increasing just as He said a woman in labor experiences. They're closer and with greater intensity!

So, with a grieved and heavy heart I asked the Lord for comfort and encouragement. He gave me Isaiah 40. Please take the time to read it, ponder it, delight in it and give Him praise for it!!! "For such a time as this" are we blessed to be here in the now. Are we prepared? Are we continuing to prepare?

Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3

Be honest... Are your eyes fixed upon Him? Is your oil lamp full? Will Jesus find faith upon the earth upon His return? Are you clothed in Christ and His righteousness?

Go learn the meaning

Oh to have been a fly on the wall for this conversation!!!

"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:11-13

Honestly y'all, the religious of our day still respond this way. Can you imagine the modern attack the Pharisees would have for Jesus today?

I love vs 13 where He tells them to "GO LEARN THE MEANING" of what He said! Today He would be ridiculed and accused of being prideful for saying such a thing. After all, the self righteous Pharisees "knew so much". Not to mention the false accusations of Him being rebellious; especially since Christ went against their idea of things. I'm certain it would spurn quite the whirlwind.

However, Jesus was neither prideful nor rebellious. He had more wisdom, understanding and compassion in his pinky finger than they had combined as a whole group. He was right!

How do I know He would be treated this way? I've endured similar encounters, just as countless other true believers have. The Jesus many worship today doesn't even come close to the One who spoke here. Please make sure you have the right One, the Jesus Christ found in the Living Word of God; the Bible.

May we be mindful, the true Risen Christ stood for Truth, His Father's Truth and He wasn't afraid or ashamed to stand for what was right. Even if it stepped on toes and the pride of others. May His Holy Spirit help us be more like Him!

"Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:20-21

Are we daring enough to ask for His boldness, that we may speak boldly, in love, as He leads?

To be or not to be stereotyped

Let's face it, stereotypes are everywhere. Especially in the world of religion. With countless beliefs, theologies, doctrines it's easy to see how one can form their opinion without seeking facts.

Many of you, whether you've been my acquaintance or friend for a few days, years or known me for a lifetime already have your opinions formed. After all, it's natural, right. Or is it?

Are our thoughts based on facts: biblical, scientific or are they theoretically shaped by our modern culture? Truth is, the latter of the 3 wins. Without seeking understanding there is prejudice, preconceived notions and bias misunderstandings everywhere!

It's quite likely I won't fit your idea of a Christian. Honestly, I'm quite thankful for that! Why? Because there are countless misconceptions about my God and His perfect Son that my way of thinking, living, speaking, acting and reacting is probably just as cynical as your presuppositions about my foundation in them.

I'm not trying to be rude or crass. Whether we like it or not, scads of people try to put God in a box; which includes those who follow Him. He's given us a code of ethics to live by and every day is a new adventure. It's a daily walk full of trials, temptations, life lessons and victories. Unless you come to know Him, you cannot understand His people.

If you're afraid of being stereotyped, understand this... whether you whole hearted follow Christ or not, society has already labeled you! Question is, who is it you're living to please?

As for me, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

Accountability and trouble in the camp!

You're only accountable for your own actions, right? Wrong! Joshua 7 is an excellent account of the consequences of keeping poor company.

1 man's choice to do as He pleased cost 36 human lives! Plus, here's what God had to say about it. "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you." (vs 11-12)

So, Achan's greed was quite costly to the WHOLE camp and his family!!! Joshua's line of questioning after his confession was in order. "And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day..." (vs 25)

Accountability among ourselves is HUGE! If one among us refuses to obey God, that one isn't the only to suffer consequences. They bring TROUBLE to all around. Matter of fact, after this incident occurred, this place was called "The valley of Achor" which literally translates to The valley of Trouble"!

This is a powerfully true story; one in which we must apply to our lives and especially to those we surround ourselves with! Will you prayerfully choose wisely the character of the company you keep!?

Modesty, beauty and the company we keep

I love that even at 6 years old my son related modesty with beauty!

Lines my children often hear me say is, 'Ladies, put some clothes on!' or 'Fellas, pull your pants up!'

One weekend my son and I did some quick shopping before our lunch date. As we passed the women's apparel, he started pointing out clothes that would and would not cover a lady's body in a pretty and respectful way. I was truly impressed!

The cool part about it is I haven't directly spoken with him about modesty nor what the Lord expects from ladies who belong to Him. Evidently he's heard and learned much from overhearing conversations I've had with my daughter. This little trip to the store opened up a fun conversation with him! I'm thankful he's learning at a young age that beauty comes from within and whether male or female we don't have to show off our bodies nor reveal skin to be liked or considered beautiful, especially in God's eyes.

Let's consider what the Lord said to Samuel.

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

This conversation with my son reminds me of this needed word of direction, especially for the ladies.

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

For the godly woman, modesty and godliness are not only required, but the inner beauty that comes from Christ within us is beautiful! It is something to be respected and appreciated. Honestly anyone can walk around half dressed, but only those truly confident in Christ will understand the importance of heeding God's direction in His Word.

Remember, how we dress, act, and speak also attracts or repels the company we keep! If we are allowing Christ to shine through us in how we carry ourselves we will attract those who value such rarities, especially in our current society of anything goes. Not all are attracted to this lifestyle either, but we will attract those whom the Lord knows we need, whether we are meant to be an example or to encourage another in His ways. 

So, our simple mother and son time turned out to be an unexpected blessing. It is important that our children understand God's ways and that He directs us in all things. May we be mindful that their eyes are upon us and their ears are open to our conversations too. They're learning from us, like little sponges soaking up everything we say, do and otherwise. May we live out loud the example that they need to live godly in this corrupt world.

Though there was more to our conversation, the rest may be for another time. I hope you will consider your example not only to your own children, but to other impressionable children in your life. 

Have you considered God's direction lately in how you are to present yourself in public? If you haven't adopted God's ways in your own wardrobe, will you now - now knowing what He desires? 

Dampening darkness or Christ confidence?

Have you ever had to walk in the pitch black? Yesterday I was reminded what this is like. While trying to shut my stubborn "automatic" garage door, I had to walk over as it was closing to manually help it along. Only problem was, I didn't leave the house door open! Lights out! It was dark!

Haha, funny thing is, I know my garage. I know the layout and short distance to the steps to the house entrance. Yet, I nearly froze, walking at snail speed, a sudden uncertainty came over me. "Odd", I thought as I made my way through. "Why do I feel this way KNOWING where I'm going?"

OK so some may say, "What a sissy" or "scary scaredy cat"! The Lord used this to speak GREATLY to my heart. He said, "Those who are lost and blinded lack confidence without the light. I am with you and so you trust I am near. Those without this peace hesitate with each step, are easily misguided and are overtaken by fear, fret, frustration and distraught even with the simplest of things."

Wow, this 30 second adventure will stick with me forever! How true and right the Lord is!!! It's so important we share His Light so others may see and feel His comfort and peace! Truth is, in an uncertain ever darkening world, it's no wonder we see such heaviness around us.

There are actually several lessons within this, both for the lost and the believer! May God use this to speak to your heart too!

Let us be mindful:
"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

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:" Ephesians 5:8

Can others around us see Christ's confidence in us?

Walk not as they walk

Do you understand the magnitude and sharp direction here?

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth WALK NOT AS OTHER Gentiles WALK, in the VANITY of their MIND, Having the UNDERSTANDING DARKENED, being ALIENATED from the LIFE of GOD through the IGNORANCE that IS IN THEM, because of the BLINDNESS of their HEART: Who being past feeling have GIVEN THEMSELVES OVER unto LASCIVIOUSNESS, to WORK ALL UNCLEANNESS with GREEDINESS." Ephesians 4:17-19

Do you know why this is so IMPORTANT to/for the BELIEVER?

Here's a few word meanings...
*Walk not-  do not live like them, do not follow them or be occupied by them!
*Vanity of their mind - moral depravity in intellect; thoughts, feelings and the will.
*Understanding- exercise deep thought or imagination
*Darkened - obscured; difficult or impossible to understand or comprehend completely with certainty
*Alienated - estranged; to arouse especially mutual enmity or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
*Ignorance - a lack of knowledge, understanding, or education : the state of being ignorant
*blindness- the hardness
*Lasciviousness- negatively lewd and lustful

OK, with this deeper look, reread this passage again with these insights into mind. Can you see the heartfelt serious message the Lord has here?