Change Coming

 

    Isaiah 40:4

Ever valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.

    At first glance this appears to be merely discussing landscape rearrangements. But a deeper study shows this to be more than a topographical rearranging and more like a personal change. 

    With this in mind we read in Isaiah 42:16, "I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them." Jesus is the Light in the darkness. When we follow Him faithfully (keep Him near to us), we are able to walk where He walks. 

    Who is more blind than the person who walks in darkness?And, yet, we who walk by faith in Christ Jesus, walk where we cannot see. But Jesus sees what is before us and leads us where He desires we go. 

    Where we see an impassable river, Jesus sees a stream. We climb mountains only to discover these were mere hills. We run through wide open valleys only to realize these were but paths. We trip on boulders that are actually pebbles; but we get back up and move on. 

    The status quo is about to change. 1 Samuel 2:8 "He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and He has set the world upon them." 

    In Matthew 22:1-14 we read of a banquet that is being given. The invitations have gone out but the recipients chose, for one excuse or another, to not go. So the king invites everyone else. It is written that he sent his servants out into the streets to invite people in to the banquet. 

    These people were raised to the level of respected invitees. The people who had been invited and refused to attend were killed off. But, really, who are all of these people? 

    The second group is the believers, the born again through the blood of The Lamb and the baptism of The Spirit. The ones who refused to attend are the unbelievers. Which group do you want to be in? 

LION/LAMB - Josh Leventhal

Heart & Soul - - Germination

 

Colossians 3:1

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4891

Raised: to raise together 

From the Greek word 'sunegeiró' (pronounced soon-eg-i'-ro) meaning " I raise along with".

"To raise up together from moral death to a new and blessed life devoted to God."

RAISED WITH HIM

    We are risen from the dead with Christ when we believe in His Name for our salvation (Romans 10:13). For His very Name is Savior (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). 

    Colossians 2:12 "And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead." Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

    ALIVE TO GOD THROUGH THE CROSS

    Romans 6:3-5    

(3) Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? (4) We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

    Galatians 5:24

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

    Galatians 6:14

But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

    I am alive to God through the cross, through the crucifixion of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who died for me, to save me from the punishment of my sins. He died for you, too. And those who believe, who call on His Name to save them, have died with Him; for we are now in Him and He is in us, as He prayed in the garden in John 17:20-26. It's a lovely prayer. 

    If a person hasn't come to the cross to lay their burden of sins down there, then they need to do so soon, very soon. Christ is returning soon and very soon. It will be near impossible to come to Christ when God calls His church into His presence. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). I'm so excited! Aren't you? 

    SEEK THE THINGS ABOVE

    What are the things above that we, as citizens (Philippians 3:20) of heaven, should be seeking? What are we looking for, searching out? Matthew 6:20-21 tells us "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

>ETERNAL LIFE is our greatest treasure. But to have it there we must first claim it here. For it is both our now reward for we live in Him now and our later treasure up there. We will get new bodies, changed bodies . As a seed that is planted in the ground does not remain a seed but changes and grows into whatever the seed was destined to become, we, too, will be changed. 

    The seed goes through a transformative process to become what will be seen. In science it is called germination. In Scripture it is called 'from glory to glory' (2 Corinthians 3:18). 

ROOTS AND SHOOTS

• The seed's first stage is getting water to begin the process. For the Christian that water is the Holy Spirit. Before anything else worthwhile can happen in a Christian's life, the Holy Spirit must be present in us. The seed first grows roots to reach into the ground and find water. The Christian's roots are in the Word of God, we dig deep into His Word to find our resources for growth. 
• The seed's second stage is oxygen. It needs to breathe. For the Christian that oxygen is the presence of God, for He gives us breath. 
• The seed's third stage is the right temperature in which to flourish. For the Christian the right temperature is persecution. For the church grew when the Word spread through the Christians who fled the cities where they were being hunted and killed for the Name of Jesus. Hard to believe that we require such uncivilities to grow in our faith, isn't it? But in the Christian life this requirement is akin to the dirt in which the seed has been buried. It must push through, up and out in order to reach the sun and become a seedling, a young plant. During this stage of development the seed, the Christian, breaks through the hard shell surrounding it; we tear down walls and the new life that is growing us shoots upward to break through the ground (the fears, doubts and ponderings) in which it is buried and become a sprout, a new life, which will grow and become stronger in the light of God's love and mercy. Grace Like Rain.
• The seed's fourth requirement is light: it requires sunshine and warmth. So, too, the Christian requires Sonlight. We strive, persevere, and push through the obstacles to reach the Christ in Whom our lives shine. 
• The seed's fifth and final stage is the transformation into what it was created to be. Its roots have driven deep into the ground, its shoots have made their final push through and up, its leaves are releasing oxygen and its purpose is made known when its fruit (plant type) is visible to everyone who sees it. So, too, is the Christian's life. They who see us know we are Christians even before we open our mouth to speak. For the glory of the Lord shines in our faces. 

    CHRIST AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD

How wonderful to be a seed in the garden of God, to be the planting of the Lord! Rise up, O Christian, and be who the Lord is calling you to be! See Him in all His glory, where He is seated at the right hand of His Father. Ask you how we know He is there? The Word states this is so. He has been seen there. 

    Acts 7:55-56

55) But he (Stephen) being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. (56) And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

    Mark 16:19

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

    Daniel 7:13

In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.

    Someday soon we, too, will see Christ at the right hand of God. For God's Word is True & Faithful. God never lies. God is Love, not chaos. All will see Him but not all will remain with Him. Only the ones who have believed on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation and turned their backs on the temptations of this world, choosing to live for Him. 

    Have you said, Yes, Lord, I am Yours? Have you surrendered your heart and your life to Him? Hurry, hurry; come to the altar and give God your heart, that He may plant Himself in your heart. changing you according to His will and purpose for  you. Like He did me. 

    Every day is a new challenge, a new opportunity to serve Him and be of use to Him in His kingdom. Every day is a day of growth, a day of spreading the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, in the hopes that the hearer would receive it into their own hearts. 

    We pray, Lord, be my Lord. I am a wretched sinner and I have transgressed against You. I have broken Your laws and I need Your Savior. I need Jesus Christ to wash my sins away in the blood He shed for me on the cross. I need His resurrection power to become the Christian You want me to be. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. As I commit myself to You, Father, strengthen me in Your Word and  Your Love. Guide me, lead me, guard my tongue, that I may speak only the words You give me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may walk in this new life which You have given me. I praise You and thank You for saving me, filling me and leading me. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen. 

FEARLESS

    

Only God Can Change The Heart

Only God can change a person's heart.
We can pray for each other.
We can pray with each other.
But only a prayer from your heart to God's heart will change your heart.
I want you to know Jesus personally.
I want you to know the joy of salvation in Christ Jesus.
And, as much as I want the best God has to give you, unless you want it, too, NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN in your life, your thoughts, your HEART until you allow God to change your heart.

Anticipate Change with Joy

     I have severe Fibromyalgia  (herein referred to as Fm). All of my senses are heightened. It's like they are on DEFCON 5 all the time. Nothing tastes like it used to. I smell things no one else with me can smell. Hugs are limited (I choose when) and you can't just walk up to me and grab me, even if your intent is to help me (you will only hurt me). The only fabric I can tolerate is cotton. I am 53 and I wear tri-focals. My hearing is excellent: I can hear a whispered conversation 5 feet away. This said, any gathering in small rooms is like being shut inside a box with the speakers blaring.
     Most of the stuff I learn about Fm is through my own online research as the doctors I have been in contact with are clueless. There are many networks available to share and vent, but since Fm affects us all differently, there is little you can do but trial and error when it comes to taking care of your illness.

     That being said, you need to learn or relearn basic anatomy and internal infrastructure. I think the first thing any of us need to learn, before we learned to read and write, is how our body works. So we won't be  alarmed by  change; that we are not only ready for it, but looking forward to changes. Instead of being filled with panic, anxiety and fear, we should anticipate with joy the suffering (changes) our bodies go through. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy. It's true, though, you know.

     We plant seeds in their season and anticipate the taste of sweet corn, fresh tomatoes and peppers, strawberries on the vine. Nature fashions their nests and hives. We build houses, fill them with people and create homes. The changes in a woman from child to young lady are visible to all. The changes in a man are not. But he does change. We all know how we felt when it happened to us. Some of just weren't ready. We should have been made aware by the caring adults in our life that we weren't going to stay children and that change was not only inevitable, but a good thing. Just like the changes many of us are going through now. "I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14
     I have had the opportunity to undergo many tests to determine what it is exactly that is causing so many changes at one time in my body. Most of you know the routine: CTs, MRIs, blood work-ups, brain scans. Then there's the psychiatrist (who is either a pill pusher or thinks I am crazy), the psychologist (who thinks I am fine); the neuropsychiatrist (who agrees I don't need her services); the neuropsychologist (who runs cognitive tests to see how my brain syncs), the oncologist (who clears me); the arthritis specialist (who treats me), the family doctor (who refuses to see me any more) who sent me to the orthopedic doctor (but I have no breaks or fractured bones) who referred me to aquatic therapy, which did not help me. "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for You are my Praise." Jeremiah 17:14

    I don't cry. I haven't cried in six years. Not since I buried one of my sons. That's change, too. Death affects life. Twenty-one years ago I married the father of my twins and became a stepmom to his 2 kids; six years after that we separated and the following year we divorced. While I was single my relationship with God remarkably increased. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praise." Psalm 113:3 

Photo by my sister Laura Bavetz, as seen on Capturing My Arizona

     During this time many changes took place on all levels of life. And then seven years ago I remarried. He proposed and six months later we were married. My life changed again. Now I had a new husband and stepson; my boys had a stepdad and a new place to live. The following year my son Nick died. And the year after that I my body forgot how to stand up or even walk. Perhaps the trauma of life impacted my body so much that it just broke down. I have offered this as a solution for the stuttering and stopping of speech and thought, but been rejected or referred by so many doctors to so many others, that I have decided to not even broach the subject again. But I still do my own research. "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world." I John 4:4
   Some of the sites I have found helpful are listed below. But mostly, it is the spiritual side of my life that has been the most help to me. It is my friendship with Christ that gives me strength to go on, to persevere with determination the chores He has lined up for me to do. And while each new day brings its own challenges and changes, the day also brings its own rewards. "My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding." Psalm 49:3

     Today, for example, I got 7.5 hours sleep. I fell asleep around 3AM and woke up at 11:25AM. This was restful for me. I would prefer to go to sleep sooner, but this seldom happens. And, no, I do not want to take sleeping pills. I will retrain my body to sleep at a normal time. I eat foods my body can tolerate. I drink water all day long and have milk with my meals. I take the pain meds the way they are prescribed and do not experiment by taking other peoples' meds; nor do I share mine. I read nutrition labels.
     I am using the Trial and Error method of taking supplements and vitamins I am missing in my diet. Before you do this, you need to research them. Many supplements, vitamins and herbs interact with prescription medication. While some reactions are subtle, like a rash, many more are life-threatening: you could stop breathing, give yourself a heart attack or bleed out when you cut or scratch yourself.
     The only doctor whose care I am under is the Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist. She diagnosed me with osteoarthritis and is treating me for that and for the Fm. Right now her only Rx is pain meds. Everything else is up to me. I knew I had osteoporosis; have had it for a while now. I adapted. To diagnose this the doctor runs a bone density test to determine the thickness of your bone structure. As I stated previously, I am 53; my skeleton is 80 years old. While the reason is undetermined, I believe it is due to the early hysterectomy I had and the subsequent HRT I was on for five years.
      "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13  There is an old hymn which states: "He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall". Though the line refers to falling back into sin, I also believe that Jesus keeps me from falling physically. Should I ever fall down again, it will be because God is allowing me to fall down to fulfill His purpose at that time. Yes, it will hurt; I will be in extreme pain. No, I don't want to fall down; I do my best to remain upright and balanced at all times, though I have a tendency to tilt my whole body, not just my head.
     Motion is an affirmative action on my part. And yours. Just how much exercise you implement into your daily routine depends on you. I was referred to The Balance & Wellness Center to gauge my ability to function around the home, my mobility and balance. The results were not only shared with me, but sent back to the arthritis doctor who referred me there. They taught me basic yoga, stretching exercises and some Pilates. These are things I do every day now. I break up the time, though; while there, my sessions lasted 45 minutes; here at home I break the time into 15 minute intervals. If I don't do the whole 45 minutes, I don't stress it either.
     If you and I don't take care of ourselves now, someone else will. And, perhaps, not the way we want to be taken care of. That is a change I would prefer not to happen, with or without joy.

In addition to the links scattered throughout the above article, I would also like to include these helpful sites:
Food Substitutions
Living with Pain
Click to Donate Mammograms
Avon Skin-so-Soft Oil
50 Bizarre and Unusual Facts About the Human Body
Not a Wheelchair
Neuropsychology Central
Unsafe Foods Farmers Won't Eat
The Incredible Human Body
Pioneer Thinking

The other blogs I enjoy reading that help me, in addition to the links on the right side of this blog:
Joni and Friends
22 Reasons to Never Give Up
Praise As a Weapon

Jigsaw

I Found the Answer Down on My Knees

Whether we are hurting from a broken heart or a broken relationship, seeking God's love and direction is the only place to go. 


Prayer, from a sincere heart, truly does change things. And the first thing that gets changed is us. God changes us from the inside out. First, He changes our heart. His touch is gentle, but firm. As His fingers reattach the broken pieces of our heart, each piece is gently blown on, to remove dust and dirt; then He wipes that piece clean and sets it in its place. First one, then another.

And before long, we begin to recognize the change within ourselves that is taking place. We forgive offenses more easily, instead of retaliating. And though the actions of others sadden us, these actions on their part no longer prevent us from moving forward in God's grace. That grudge we have carried for so long that we felt only the weight without remembering the why, we have finally set down at the cross and left it there permanently. 

As God casts His gaze in the direction of the next jigsaw piece of our heart, the blood of Christ covers it, the Holy Spirit fixes it, and God is able to attach it to the first piece. When our heart is mended and fixed on God, then God is able to move on to the next part of us that we are surrendering to His will. For our bodies are not just one organ or member, but many such make up the whole.     ANATOMY   

By surrendering our hearts to Christ, and making a confession of faith out loud, we have taken the necessary step in accepting salvation of our souls through Jesus Christ. But God desires more of us, not just part of us. However, God does not force Himself in any way on people. He is just and fair and will only accept from us what we are willing to give. So before He can change us, we have to willingly give up, or surrender, that part of us that we want Him to have.

Romans 12:1 But I beg you, my brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 

I want more of God in me, in my life. I choose to surrender my body a living sacrifice, on a day to day basis, surrendering (setting aside what I want) my will and willing to be transformed (allowing what He wants) into who God wants me to be.

I'm A Christian Woman

I don't want flowers. I don't want candy. I don't even want a card. On this 101st Anniversary of International Women's Day, I don't want to be wined and dined just because I am a special woman in your life. Save that for our anniversary, or my birthday, or Just Because.

Don't honor me because I'm your Mom, your wife, your girlfriend, your daughter or your sister. Don't patronize me. I'm not a trophy who sits on your shelf nor am I a prize to display.

I'm educated. I'm successful. I'm empowered. In this world, at this time, I do the same work you do and get paid less than half what you earn. My personal goals are non-threatening to you.

I'd like to say I'm every woman. But we all know that isn't true. Not all women can say they are educated. Not all women can claim success. Not every woman is empowered. Being female in any country, in any century is difficult, and sometimes dangerous. Though many women have accomplished much, millions still fight for their rights all over the world. Especially the right to live a life of their choosing.

IWD is a celebration of sorts. It is a day set aside to honor the accomplishments of various women. It is a day written in calendars to celebrate World Peace, something we have definitely not achieved yet. It is a day set aside to acknowledge the advancement of women in all areas of their life.

I will be criticized for this statement. I will be viewed as a political or religious activist. I will be seen as hateful and one who spreads lies. Some will deem me mentally unbalanced. Simply because my views do not line up with theirs. But that's okay. I'm used to it. It wouldn't be the first time I've been criticized for doing the right thing.

I'm a Christian woman who walks the walk, not just talks the talk.

I'm a Christian woman who is not only book-educated, but also self-educated.

I'm a Christian woman who is successful by God's standards and not the world's.

I'm a Christian woman who is empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world, not just my little piece of it.

I'm a Christian woman who is filled with the Holy Ghost, Who gives me boldness to witness my faith in Jesus Christ.

I"m a Christian woman who is blessed by the hand of God because I am faithful to Him.

I'm a Christian woman who blesses others because God has blessed me. My cup runneth over..into yours.

I'm a Christian woman who seeks to change the world I live in, one person at a time.

Maybe this time that person is you.

America, Seek God

If My people which are called by My Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14


It is not enough to ask God to bless America. Just having "God Bless America" printed on our money is not an indication that America is going to receive God's blessing. Preaching on street corners, praying on courthouse steps and carrying signs at protest rallies is no guarantee of receiving God's blessing. Hanging a sign in your window, leaving the family Bible open on the coffee table, and waving the American flag in parades is not going to bring God's blessing to our nation.

God's people are the ones who are called by His Name: Christians. Where is the Christian who is humble? Where is the Christian who prays from the heart? Where is the Christian who seeks God's face? Where is that Christian who has turned from his or her wicked ways? Should you stand up and be counted? Not hardly.

As Isaiah said, "Here am I, Lord; send me." Can you say that today? If you know in your heart that you can't, then you need to get back down on your knees and beg God's forgiveness for your pride. For it is pride that prevents us from being humble. It is pride that keeps us standing up when we should be kneeling. It is pride that turns our face inward to focus on ourselves instead of upward seeking God. It is pride that will be our downfall.

It is pride that prevents God's people from performing our duties and fulfilling our purpose:
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.


So, whether you voted him in or not, our responsibility to God is to pray for our President, our Senators, our  Representatives, our Governors, our Mayors. Even if you don't agree with the current policies. Even if you don't like the person in any way, shape or form. Our duty is to pray for him or her; to beg on their behalf to God; to intercede for them before God; to thank God not only for who is in authority over us but to be thankful for that person or persons.

Your prayers or my prayers or the combination of you and I coming together to pray for our leaders, whether they are Christians or not, will result in first, a quiet and peaceful life. Second, their possible salvation through Christ. Third, that they will come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What is truth? Jesus Christ. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. Nobody enters into God's presence unless they go through Jesus first. And that is God's will for everyone. So let's get busy praying for our leaders. Now.

Seasons

I realize that in this blog there are quite a few days 

where I have said nothing at all. I had a mental breakdown.

Do you know how hard it is to say that? It is an admission 

of helplessness. Doctors couldn't diagnose me correctly.

Doctor after doctor referred me to psychiatrists 

because they thought I was crazy or depressed.

Though depression attacks me now and then,

I do not live in a state of depression.

A mental breakdown used to be called a nervous breakdown.

Either is appropriate.

I was also told to do my own research.

The internet is the 'information highway'. 

It is also the 'misinformation highway'.

In order to find the right pages, 

you need the right doctor.

So I called on Dr. Jesus,

and He sent His Holy Spirit

to guide me in all my ways.

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis.

So, I am learning to live with pain.

I adapt.

Doctors do not want to hear that.

I don't want to say it.

But it's true.

Why hide behind a mask of "everything's fine",

when it really isn't?

Here I sit, at my little desk,

in my comfy chair and foot rest,

sharing my life and my heart with

whoever chooses to listen.

Some days there will be many posts.

And some days there might be nothing at all.

Seasons of life. Seasons of hope.

Seasons of pain. Seasons of joy.

This is my season of sharing.

May you be blessed.

Self Discipline

In our daily lives, we struggle with doing the right thing, eating the right foods, wearing the right clothes. We compete in the job markets against each other for the right job. We race against time to accomplish our dreams and reach our goals. All of these are transitional, constantly changing. As time passes, our dreams change. When one goal is met, the next goal is sought.

As it is in life, so is it in spirit. The body of Christ faces these same challenges. We grow, we adjust, we change. We are tempted to give in and give up. Where there should be cooperation, there is competition. We race against time to reach as many lost souls as we can. Our desire is God's desire: save the lost, encourage the weak, pray for each other, build up the church, wait on God and listen for His voice. And when He begins to speak to us, we need to stay near Him to hear Him better.

When was the last time you really stopped and paid attention to God? If you can't remember, now is a good time to do so.