A New Day

The other day when walking home from work in India, I stopped to say hi to a grandmother and her daughter it appeared, who were in mourning of sorts on the side of the road. We would call them street people in the US, but here they are called the "outcasts".  In my eyes they are in need, period. If I have something I give, if not then I still say hi and listen as they try to tell me their problems as best that I can without really understanding what they are saying.

This particular day I did have some money that I shared and I hugged the grandmother as she cried in my arms and kissed my feet. The mother was bent on telling me something though, so we continued walking down the street as she followed me talking away. As I nodded and tried to understand I was met with another lady coming up the street that asked me if I understood them, as they were hanging onto me and talking. I said not really. She asked me why I put up with them then? I looked at her without understanding and she then yelled at the younger lady to shut up! I was shocked and I guess my face showed it, because within a few seconds the lady left, and I felt compelled for their safety to say goodbye to them as others were looking on as well.

As I walked down the rest of the street to our house I heard explosions representing the Hindu religion  warding off evil spirits or something. I am still not sure of why there are all of these explosions, but they seem to happen on a regular basis and this is what I am told.

Upon my arrival at our house I shared my walk home with my husband and he explained the caste system to me and why no one of my status, being "White American", would dare be seen interacting with the "untouchables". Of course my husband knows me well enough to know that would never stop me and he felt sorry for the lady who was trying to "protect me" from these people as she passed.

This experience caused my husband to reflect and share Jesus's similar experiences with the woman at the well and others that were "untouchables" in his time and the reaction of the "religious". Hmmm....that in turned gave me encouragement to keep pressing on.

I hope you are encouraged in your walk today as well to reach out and help, extend a listening ear, money, whatever it is and be Jesus's hands and feet wherever you go, despite what others may say!

Song. "10,000 Reasons"
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=Ao_vgpnIWgXw3v6lpLizlGGbvZx4?p=song%2C+bless+the+lord+oh+my+soul&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-747

God Is Good, All the Time!

Because of his love, we are forgiven, blessed, children of God. As I think about hard times and struggles that we have all had, I think back to the bible's many examples of great men and women of faith that went through incredible hardships, only to be so richly blessed AFTER the suffering. The same could be said of Jesus and the pain he bore for us KNOWING that the end result would be worth it all. That is a perspective as humans we struggle with and need to look back in our own lives when hard times came and the blessings that subsequently followed, if we did not quit or give up.

There are also many bible stories that follow the same pattern. Joseph, Lot and countless others. Could it be that hardships and struggles in life are necessary for us to become what God desires for us, or our loved ones? It is very natural for us to look at tough times as being bad, but are they really? Since we do not know the future and we do not know what lies ahead, how could we possibly understand the whys of our difficulties and those of our loved ones. 

As Christians our lives will not be free of hardships and pains, but there is a common denominator that always prevails. "All things work to good to them that love the Lord." God's word does not return void, his promises are real. Do not take my word for it or even the bible's. Look at your own life and remember your darkest hours and how you felt and where you are today. My guess is that it is in a better place for having been in that hard spot. As my mom use to say " Watch out what you pray for, you just might get it" and how we get "it" is usually through trials and tests that are tough to bear at the time and cause many of us to ask WHY?

Though we may never know the answers, or come to complete understanding in this life, one day we will, so keep the faith and keep pressing on, because things are not always as they seem.

A favorite story of mine about just that. http://www.new-life.net/favrt071.htm

Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt-OouIx8LkGod is good

Be Still....

                                                                    Psalm 46:10

Are you fretting today about your circumstances, the unknown, the troubled waters all around you? May I encourage you today to "Be still".

Settle my restless heart oh God, looking to you the author and finisher of my faith. You are my rock in the storm, my shelter, my deliverer. Hold fast to that which you know, not looking to the situation, but to your Savior. He is the first and the last. Nothing outside of his will can happen to you. If he is allowing it, it serves a purpose. Trust him today and be encouraged to be still, while you wait and trust in his soverignty. Blessings from afar. Listen to his voice and be encouraged today.

“Shall he not also with him freely give us all things?” Paul reasoned (Romans 8:32). Psalm 46:10 encourages us to reflect on what God can do in the face of what we are unable to do.

Spiritual serenity, the psalmist admits, ought to be cultivated in spite of the shaking mountains and agitated waters. This spiritual calm, that God commands, does not come from a lack of troubles; it derives from a steady, deep reflection on the ways God has intervened in history on behalf of his people (cf. Romans 15:4).

So as your world crumbles around you, the call from scripture is: do not flinch in faith in God. Stand still — not because of a self-made confidence, not because you are the most composed person in the face of disaster, not because you have seen it all, but be still because of what you know about God.

It is “God’s past” that provides calm for “our future.” Know that he is God! Know it, not merely intellectually, but practically, spiritually, and emotionally. He is your God. He is the ruler of kingdoms of this earth and the all-powerful Creator of the Universe.

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHATCAvlqQA

You Are the One I Adore!

There is one thing that is more important than anything else and that is serving Christ in all I think say and do. Everything else is a byproduct of that drive. When we live a life that is totally dependent on God's divine provision and we see his hand daily, it is a constant reminder of his sovereignty in all of our situations. The ability to live and let go is a fulfilling way to live. "Not my will but yours be done. He knows the plans he has for us to give us a hope a future". Won't you trust him today and see what he has in store for you?

As I look back over my life I am reminded of the way I saw things and the way God has worked in my life. It invariably is never what I imagined. It is kinda like my sense of direction in travels. I can think this is the way I need to go only to find out it is the complete opposite way! Hopefully your sense of direction is as bad as mine, so that your dependence on God is 100 percent! He will take you places you have never dreamed of! Let go and trust God!

Blessings on your journey today!

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh_SXjN-AAs

Dual Natures

We all have 2 natures according to the bible. Flesh and the spirit. One is warring against the other constantly. We are encouraged to die to self daily. Deny the flesh and the lusts thereof. Adopt the fruit of the spirit which is contrary to the flesh. As Peter proclaims his unfailing dedication to Christ just hours before his betrayal. Jesus tells him, "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak". Jesus goes on to say with man nothing is possible, but with God all things are possible. We are in this body that wars against the spirit, so we must constantly die to self and allow Christ to guide us. Put on the whole armor of God to be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

II Corinthians 6-7. "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts, to give light to the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not us."

Disciplining the body, through deliberate fasting, exercise and or restraint in difficulties we encounter in this life, allows God to shine through us. As we grow stronger in Christ through spiritual discipline of reading the bible, prayer and listening to the still small voice that speaks to us, we then become his hands and feet. As Jesus prays before he is betrayed. "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee, take away this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but yours be done." Mark 14:36. 

May we come to the understanding of our role as his children and recognize our strength is in Christ who lives in us.

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzOgA2RV6Hs

Something Good is Going to Happen To You!

Recently I have been applying to different job posts for the next year as the international schools start posting their openings. As I begin my search and reflect about using my time wisely I am left with many options. That alone can be confusing, but I have learned the simple prayer of "Lord open and close the doors where you would have me go." What a relief it is when one door closes not to get discouraged, because I know that was not the right path for me.

What I do get excited about now is that when one door closes, that means there is something even better out there for me. Wow! Now that is a kaleidoscope I could never have on my own!

With God all things are possible and his word says, "I know the plans I have for you." He has my next step and my life mapped out, if I am willing to listen to his still small voice and recognize his divine appointments and direction. He desires the best for me, my family and knows all things! What a privilege to rest in his promises and enjoy the ride! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming months.

May you be encouraged on your walk today as each door closes know you are one step closer to your God given destiny! Each closed door that looks like a set back is actually a set up for your next assignment. As my daughter would say when she was younger "Dream big Momma, dream big!" Out of the mouth of babes. May we all be encouraged to take the limits off God and dream big!

An old familiar hymn that comes to mind. "Something Good is Going to Happen to You!"
 Blessings abound.,,,,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIVmTdDuW2o

Walking By Faith

Grateful, thankful hearts, worshiping and trusting in a living God who sees and knows our every care. Take a quick peek at those in distress in the bible. The fiery furnace where Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego who stand firm in their trust in God. David, Job and countless others who do the same. They all rejoiced and stood firm in their distress and God saw them through it. Ways we might not want to respond are also given. The children of Israel when they were faced with hardships on their journey, grumbled and complained at every distress despite their past obvious successes. The spies who scouted the "Promise Land" only to come back with the negative.

A favorite saying of mine when I feel like the children of Israel and other doubters is" If God brought me to it, he will see me through it", which comes from II Thessalonians 5: 24 " Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

Are we doubting God and think he has forgotten about us? Well scripture promises his faithfulness in all of our circumstances. Psalm 55:22 " Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places".

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one."

"Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...." Ephesians 6:10-18.

The word of the Lord, is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. He will go before you in all things. Trust and believe in his word and activate your faith by putting actions to his word that he may prove himself faithful to you today.

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0a9T0UtJBQ
Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2nLyfzBfKw

He Walks With You and Me!

 The earth is being watered, yet my preference is to stay dry. The end result is I end up doing things that I might otherwise have put off on a prettier day. My reflection as God's child is that sometimes our discomfort may be to change our attention or direction. We may never understand God's ways, but if we trust him and learn to listen to the "still small voice" that guides us, we can be confident in his sovereign plan for our lives and those around us, even when we do not understand.

Talking to God can be as easy as talking to your best friend. The song I learned as a kid that comes to mind is "He Walks With Me." Listen and see if he is trying to get your attention as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txzOErCuQlo

Blessings abound to all who hear and obey.....