The Finish Line

As I approach the end of my time here in India I am struck with a sense of urgency to finish what I have started and leave behind things to continue on in my absence. As I reflect on scripture, is that not what Jesus asks us to do as well?  Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…

His mission was marked by service to others, that resulted in his death for our sins. He calls us to follow in his footsteps and do like he did. Are we called to die? Maybe not in the physical sense though I understand for some in other countries they are, but what about to the carnal man, with all of our lusts and desires? Are our eyes on Jesus, is our dependence on him, or the things of this world?

I have heard similar messages through the years, but I think I now have a deeper understanding of how hard it is for the western world to see Jesus. We have so many distractions and so much abundance that it is easy to see how we could lose our focus and dependence on God.

I look around here and see an old lady asking for food and I know that if I say no she will go hungry another day. Many buses and cars have the people's faith written on their windshields with bold proclamations of their belief. Daily life is a constant reminder of their dependence and belief on God. It is also understandable that they would fall victim to false gods as they seek relief and help that is beyond their capabilities. We are so blessed in the U.S., but are we using what we have to be God's hands and feet, or are we piling up treasures on earth?

I am grateful to be returning to the states, with a chance to relax and recharge. What tomorrow holds no one knows, but I pray we all know who holds our hands and share Christ's love to all we meet, ultimately storing up treasure in heaven. Blessings to each of you on your journey today....
Song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3iLXHzX9k

God Is Watching Us.....

Times of change can be stressful. As I look to find acceptable flights back to the U.S. that allows my cat onboard with us, I find myself saying Lord help me. I am reminded of our journey here though, and I am encouraged to keep looking despite the shut doors along the way.

Where we live in India, is a hard place to travel from and add a cat to the mix and you can only imagine! With God though, all things are possible. As I continued my search with prayer, the right mix of cat traveling onboard, time, price, departure city etc. the right flight did open up for us and now we are booked to New York to visit family there first, before traveling into the "Big Easy".  All of this for less than what I would have paid to go straight through. Yeah, God is watching us and directing our footsteps.

On our worst day it is still the best when it is with God. Remember the scriptures if ever in doubt. He will never allow more than we can bear. He is watching out for us and I know when Satan takes his hits that God is there with us, speaking to us saying, do not take that, hit him with my word. A right jab here, now there, he is there with you in the corner, cleaning us up and saying come on, the victory is yours, do not give up!

I have found that is where reading the bible and having a personal relationship with God is so helpful! Ephesians CH. 6 vs. 10-24. "Be strong in the Lord".... I know His promises, I know what His word says about my protection and He is always there with the faintest whisper of a prayer, always!

I am not sure what you all are going through personally, but I am here to encourage you to keep going. Keep in God's word and pray. Stand strong, because the days we are in are evil. Ephesians Ch. 5 vs.16. We are fighting not only for ourselves, but our families and friends. Psalm Ch 27- 29 are awesome scriptures when going through battles to keep us encouraged. Ch.28 vs. 7-9. says."The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped, therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed. Save thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever." 

Listen and be encouraged this day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ppE4F9e4k

Walking By Faith

In the book of Matthew chapter 6 we are instructed how to pray. We have all read and said the "Lord's Prayer" a million times, yet what jumps out to me as we are faced with uncertain times is that Jesus admonishes those who worry about tomorrow. His prayer tells us to pray for "daily" bread. If you are like me, I have yet to go hungry or to see my kid begging for bread, yet fear is a result of a lack of faith that is often about tomorrow, the unseen.

In Matthew Jesus goes on to compare us to the fowls of the air, the lilies of the field, the grass and yet concludes that we are of so much more value than these! Will he not take care of us his children?

With admonishment he also gives instruction. Ch. 6:33-34. " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for tomorrow, for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is evil thereof." 

The bible says without faith we cannot please God. With that in mind may we learn to walk by faith, trusting in God's sovereignty for all of our days......Listen and be encouraged today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKHZRMN1E0M

Today's Thought.....

 "He is the Potter, I am the Clay"

I like the song with the refrain of, "Let it be said of me, my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ the Lord". A daily diet of good food and exercise leads to a healthy body. That same discipline in reading the bible and praying daily for God's will to be done, reflects a strong spiritual life. A phrase I have often repeated to my students and my daughter is "You become what you say and you are what you think. Think and say great things about yourself and others". Simple yet true, because our actions follow our thoughts. What are we thinking about today, or saying about others? Do those words and thoughts build us up and others around us? Are we encouraged to make the best choices and become the best we can be because of those words and thoughts, or do they discourage us and others to give up?  

Make no mistake about it, ANYTHING worth achieving is hard! It takes work, discipline, determination and a willingness to take the road less traveled. Also a good book. Many non-Christians understand this basic principal and apply it in the secular world. My encouragement to my fellow Christians is to look to God as the source of your strength, and feast daily on his word for his guidance and direction with hope for a more lasting success than what this world has to offer.

If I want to be strong in Christ and know the plans he has for me, I need to have a personal relationship with him that is formed by discipline to read his word and to pray for his guidance daily, allowing him to shape me. There is no short cut to forming a healthy body, or becoming a strong Christian. It takes discipline and a daily walk of good nourishment to get there. We are all doing something and we are all becoming that something or someone. Is that something who or where we want to be today?

Let me conclude with this pondering thought and question. Who would my child, my neighbor, my husband, my friends or my colleagues say is my potter today? The world, myself or God.

Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtmMM6w_Kww

You Make Me Happy....

The above lyric runs through my head. My thought is yes Lord, you do make me happy! As part of the song goes," I wish the whole world knew you too. I cannot count the ways you have made my life so blessed, all I know is that you came and made beauty of my mess."

I am so grateful for all the many blessing he has so graciously bestowed on me, my family and friends. A good nights rest, favor and protection for today. Loved ones all around, health, warmer weather, another hour of daylight, spring flowers. So...... much to be grateful for. We are all so truly blessed!

Proverbs Ch. 3 is an incredible chapter with hope for us all. As we dive into his word today may he continue to speak to each of our hearts afresh and new as upcoming Spring is, each new day. Blessings to each of you.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG9pbbAuOqY

My Chains Are Gone...

As Christians we are afforded Christ's unending love, mercy and grace. We know what happens at the end of our time and there is no fear for those who trust in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy vs. 7 " For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." Let us walk confidently lifting each other up in word and deed as Christ taught us to do.

My heart goes out to the families on Malaysia Airlines. As I currently live in these parts and have family and students traveling these same airways, it is a reality check for me knowing it could have been us or our loved ones.

I pray the loved ones on the plane were ready to meet Christ and may it be a gentle reminder to us all that today is a gift from God. May we use our time wisely with no regrets, not knowing when that final day will come for any of us. May God's peace that passes understanding comfort loved ones in their time of personal loss.

Listen and be encouraged to the song by Chris Tomlin, "My Chains are Gone."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZfnQxUhzQ&feature=related

You Can Trust God

All creation sing glory to the king of kings, for you are holy. Do we really believe that? I know it is hard for me to understand, but believing is about faith, not knowing or understanding, but trusting in the unseen. Look at nature, the birds, the plants,weather, everything around us. Can we really look at these things and come away with anything less than a belief in a God that is holy, awesome, incredible!
When we trust him with our lives, and let go of the reins, he will become real to you in a way that passes understanding. Peace that transcends circumstances, blessing, honor and favor that only comes from him. We have no other response, but to proclaim he is holy!

Lord help us today to trust you more, allowing you to be Lord of our lives in every aspect. We have no reason to fear, for greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. When people persecute you they are taking on God, heaven help them. Do not mess with a momma bear and her cubs! God is that protective of us and he will provide a way where there seems to be none. Relax and trust him today with your all, for he alone is holy, the author and finisher of our faith.

Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUp7oxOLans
Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV63_Vmf-74&feature=related

Unto Thee Oh Lord.....

Psalms 86:4 "Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Vs.11 Teach me thy way O Lord, I will walk in thy truth. Vs. 17 "Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it and be ashamed, because thou oh Lord hast holden me and comforted me".

I dare say there is not one among us that has not been treated unfairly at one time or another. I look to these scriptures and others and find encouragement for those times of oppression, difficulties and unfairness we suffer in this world. God calls us to a higher standard, though our initial reaction is to strike back. When Christ was persecuted he took it silently, he turned the other cheek. That is a great example of how we are to handle our own persecutions, though if you are like me it comes with prayer, because that is not my gut reaction in the natural.

When faced with tough spots I have learned to say Lord help me very quickly, because without his help I am not going to speak as he would have me. I am pleased to say he is always there. My job is to let it go and leave it at his feet and let him handle it, period. Easier said then done in the carnal, but with God all things are possible!

A chorus that goes with this scripture is: "Unto Thee oh Lord, Do I lift up my soul, Oh my God I trust in thee, let me not be ashamed let not my enemies triumph over me". May this be our song and prayer each day as we walk the path that we are called to walk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYc1sLnsHLY&feature=kp

Love So Amazing!

John 3:16  we all know by heart. "For God so loved the world"........

Matthew Ch.9 vs 13 "I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance". Matthew Ch. 18 vs. 11. "For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost". He goes on to compare His mission to that of a shepherd with a lost sheep, how that if he had 100 and one got lost how he would leave the 99 to go find the one that went astray. He then says that the rejoicing would be greater over finding the one lost than the other 99 that did not go astray. Luke Ch.9 vs. 56, "For the son of man has NOT come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." He goes on to use another metaphor of sparrows and also says the very hairs of our head are numbered in CH. 12 vs 6-8.

God's love is indeed amazing.... My prayer today is, Lord help me to show that amazing love you have so graciously shown to me, to those that are lost around me, so that they might also experience your amazing love in their lives. For it is in Jesus name I pray. Amen.....

Song:" A Love So Amazing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltwq4rfBwls

Amazing Love!

God's love is indeed amazing. I am so grateful we have him to look too in troubled times and in good times to say thank you so...... much! We are so blessed to be God's children and afforded the ultimate promise of divine protection and deliverance, Wow!

I have a very close friend who though doesn't share my faith at the same level as me has said on numerous occasions that I just cannot lose, because I trust God to work things out for my good, and if it is not the way I have planned then I trust there is something better in store for me. God loves us and is working ALL things for our good. That my friend is AMAZING love!

 Learning to look to God in all circumstances is training the heart and mind, recognizing that we do not always know what is best for us, but ultimately God does. So let go and let him take control of our next step, and know that we serve a loving God that knows our every need even BEFORE we ask.

Psalm CH 31 vs. 24 "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all of you that hope in the Lord." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLbzMhOMdIA