Friday, April 27, 2007
Isaiah 8:16-17 Believers, followers of Christ, must hold fast to God’s teachings. In a world that has gone to Hell in a handbasket, we must wait and hope in our God. Stand our ground! The TRUTH of Jesus Christ. Watch for the warning signs and HOPE signs from God. Do not follow the masses to destruction.
Isaiah 9:2-7 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light – a sunburst of light! All the cruelty and oppressors are gone. Gone away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s victory over Midian.
For a child has been born, the gift, a Son for us, and He’ll take over and rule the world. His names will be
Amazing Counselor
Strong God
Eternal Father
His ruling authority will grow and there will be no limits to the wholeness He brings.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
A glimpse of God
March 9, 2005
Jesus, How can I love you more today than I did yesterday? Only by being alert and prepared to see and hear You today. Oh My God, I don’t want to miss anything. Please keep me aware of you throughout this day. I have plans, but what do you have planned for me? Give me a glimpse of you and whispers of Your voice this day.
As I hear other's testimony at the Center. As we gather later to study and talk about You, then especially as I attend the memorial service for loved ones gone, draw me ever tighter into the circle of your love, so I may feel the warmth of Your love and the soft beating of your heart of love for me. Enable and empower me to love You in return the way Your Father loves You. Our hearts beat as one.
Jesus, How can I love you more today than I did yesterday? Only by being alert and prepared to see and hear You today. Oh My God, I don’t want to miss anything. Please keep me aware of you throughout this day. I have plans, but what do you have planned for me? Give me a glimpse of you and whispers of Your voice this day.
As I hear other's testimony at the Center. As we gather later to study and talk about You, then especially as I attend the memorial service for loved ones gone, draw me ever tighter into the circle of your love, so I may feel the warmth of Your love and the soft beating of your heart of love for me. Enable and empower me to love You in return the way Your Father loves You. Our hearts beat as one.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Galatians 6
Galatians 6 (the Message). Live creatively! Interesting choice of words. What does this mean?
- Don’t settle for a dull “in-a-rut” life. Put my mind to work. Look for creative [out of the box] ways and opportunities to serve the Lord. And save the critical comments for yourself, not others.
- Stoop down – Jean, don’t be too proud to do the lowly, dirty jobs.
- Reach out – share other’s burdens and share what you have too, especially the good news of the gospel. Explore and renew the truth of who I am in Christ.
- Keep close to Him so you can hear Him give the orders for the day, or the change in plans.
- Sink totally into the assignments you are given.
- Don’t compare yourself with others.
- Take responsibility for doing your creative best with my life.
Sow the seeds where and when God says, then let God’s Spirit do the growth work and you will harvest a crop of real life – eternal Life!
Don’t follow some who just want to look good before others. Jean, be courageous and walk by faith!
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Divine Embrace - Part II
One of the ways I journal is writing what glean from books I read. The following are entries I made while reading "THE DIVINE EMBRACE’ by Ken Gire. This book was, and still, is an instrument in deepening myrelationship with Jesus. I read through it quite often.
The entry that follows is from JESUS.. I have many friends who know me very well. One of them (and I don’t know which one) left this for me. What a blessing and encouragement. One of the reasons I am so blessed by the dancing idea is that I had polio as a child. I can walk but have never been able to dance.
Jeannie: What a wonderful dancer you have become. You are always faithful in joining me on the dance floor every morning and keeping in step with me through your day. I love you so much! I long for your to join me in the dance even after you’ve curtsied away into sleep. Sometimes, I love to stir you mid-dream just to hold you in my embrace while you drink your tea. I am so honored that now our once quiet dance floor is full of laughter as you instruct others in their own dance with me. Do you remember when I first taught you the rhythm of my dance on this very same floor? You learned so quickly and now, I am proud to see you so talented and strong. Keep practicing for soon you all will be dance with my Father and Me in heaven! I love you, Jeannie!
Your Faithful Dance Partner,
Jesus.
The entry that follows is from JESUS.. I have many friends who know me very well. One of them (and I don’t know which one) left this for me. What a blessing and encouragement. One of the reasons I am so blessed by the dancing idea is that I had polio as a child. I can walk but have never been able to dance.
Jeannie: What a wonderful dancer you have become. You are always faithful in joining me on the dance floor every morning and keeping in step with me through your day. I love you so much! I long for your to join me in the dance even after you’ve curtsied away into sleep. Sometimes, I love to stir you mid-dream just to hold you in my embrace while you drink your tea. I am so honored that now our once quiet dance floor is full of laughter as you instruct others in their own dance with me. Do you remember when I first taught you the rhythm of my dance on this very same floor? You learned so quickly and now, I am proud to see you so talented and strong. Keep practicing for soon you all will be dance with my Father and Me in heaven! I love you, Jeannie!
Your Faithful Dance Partner,
Jesus.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
LORD OF THE DANCE
February 2, 2005
I just finished reading Ken Gire’s book The Divine Embrace. In it he pictures our relationship with You, Jesus, as the dance - one that is a close and intimate. I am glad now that I have never experienced a close romantic dance with anyone, even my husband. I am saving my first dance for Jesus. Even now I experience it in my heart. Thank You, JESUS
Jesus holds me close, looks into my eyes and reads my heart. He whispers how He loves me. He makes the dance of life a joy. He takes the lead and enables me to follow, even in the difficult demanding steps He is there with His powerful arms around me. He doesn’t mind when I step on his toes and even when I stumble and fall, He is quick to pick me up, brush me off an get me right back into the rhythm of His grace. There is freedom in dancing with Him, there is excitement as He is so spontaneous. I may not know the new steps or the direction, but I can trust him to guide me on one step at a time He calms my fears and encourages me to relax and enjoy the music of the dance, but mostly He wants me to treasure him for who He is. He is Lord of the Dance and He has chosen me to be his partner, because He loves me!
I just finished reading Ken Gire’s book The Divine Embrace. In it he pictures our relationship with You, Jesus, as the dance - one that is a close and intimate. I am glad now that I have never experienced a close romantic dance with anyone, even my husband. I am saving my first dance for Jesus. Even now I experience it in my heart. Thank You, JESUS
Jesus holds me close, looks into my eyes and reads my heart. He whispers how He loves me. He makes the dance of life a joy. He takes the lead and enables me to follow, even in the difficult demanding steps He is there with His powerful arms around me. He doesn’t mind when I step on his toes and even when I stumble and fall, He is quick to pick me up, brush me off an get me right back into the rhythm of His grace. There is freedom in dancing with Him, there is excitement as He is so spontaneous. I may not know the new steps or the direction, but I can trust him to guide me on one step at a time He calms my fears and encourages me to relax and enjoy the music of the dance, but mostly He wants me to treasure him for who He is. He is Lord of the Dance and He has chosen me to be his partner, because He loves me!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Free indeed!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Galatians 4:4 (The Message) God sent his son that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. We can be sure that we are now fully adopted as His own children because God sent the Spirit of His Son into our lives crying out “Papa, Father.” Doesn’t this privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child, an heir, with complete access to the inheritance!
Rule-keepers want to shut us out of the free world of God’s GRACE so we will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important! We are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman (the promise of God).
Hallalujah! I am free – free indeed!!!
Galatians 4:4 (The Message) God sent his son that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. We can be sure that we are now fully adopted as His own children because God sent the Spirit of His Son into our lives crying out “Papa, Father.” Doesn’t this privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child, an heir, with complete access to the inheritance!
Rule-keepers want to shut us out of the free world of God’s GRACE so we will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important! We are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman (the promise of God).
Hallalujah! I am free – free indeed!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Galatians 3:
April 11, 2007 (Note before reading that this is Mom's journal - things that God points out to her, she addresses to herself as "Jean.")
Galatians 3:
Our (my) new life in Jesus was not my doing. I was only responding to God’s message to me. Since I was not smart, or strong, or clever enough to begin His work in me – How could I possibly perfect it?
Paul asks…does God who lavishly provides me with His own presence, His Holy Spirit, working things I could never do for myself. Does He do these things because of my own strenuous strivings…or because I trust Him to do them in me?
As did Abraham – he believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. So it is with me. I am a child of faith. I believe even by faith. So those who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham.
Remember Jean – anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. No one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for Him.
Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only precipitates itself in more and more rule-keeping.
We are all (Jews and non-Jews) able to receive God’s life, His Spirit, in and with us, by believing, just the way Abraham received it. Halleljuah!
So what is the purpose of the law – or rule-keeping? V. 19 The purpose of the laws – rules of the Old Testament, was to keep sinful people in the way of salvation until Christ (The descendant of Abraham) came, inheriting the promises and distributing them to us. WOW!
The original promise is the direct blessing of God, received by faith. The purpose of the law is to make obvious to everyone that we are, in ourselves, out of right relationship with God, and to show us the futility of making a religious system of getting by our own efforts, what we can only get by waiting in faith for God to complete His promise.
If keeping rules had power to create life in us we surely would have gotten it by now. Until we were mature and ready to respond freely, by faith, god carefully surrounded and protected us by the law. The law was like a school teacher who protected the children from danger and distraction, making sure the children would get to their final destination.
Now you, Jean, have arrived at your destination. By faith in Christ I am in direct relationship with God. We are all (Jews and non-Jews) in a common relationship with Jesus. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous ‘descendent” – heirs according to the promises!
Galatians 3:
Our (my) new life in Jesus was not my doing. I was only responding to God’s message to me. Since I was not smart, or strong, or clever enough to begin His work in me – How could I possibly perfect it?
Paul asks…does God who lavishly provides me with His own presence, His Holy Spirit, working things I could never do for myself. Does He do these things because of my own strenuous strivings…or because I trust Him to do them in me?
As did Abraham – he believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. So it is with me. I am a child of faith. I believe even by faith. So those who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham.
Remember Jean – anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. No one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for Him.
Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only precipitates itself in more and more rule-keeping.
We are all (Jews and non-Jews) able to receive God’s life, His Spirit, in and with us, by believing, just the way Abraham received it. Halleljuah!
So what is the purpose of the law – or rule-keeping? V. 19 The purpose of the laws – rules of the Old Testament, was to keep sinful people in the way of salvation until Christ (The descendant of Abraham) came, inheriting the promises and distributing them to us. WOW!
The original promise is the direct blessing of God, received by faith. The purpose of the law is to make obvious to everyone that we are, in ourselves, out of right relationship with God, and to show us the futility of making a religious system of getting by our own efforts, what we can only get by waiting in faith for God to complete His promise.
If keeping rules had power to create life in us we surely would have gotten it by now. Until we were mature and ready to respond freely, by faith, god carefully surrounded and protected us by the law. The law was like a school teacher who protected the children from danger and distraction, making sure the children would get to their final destination.
Now you, Jean, have arrived at your destination. By faith in Christ I am in direct relationship with God. We are all (Jews and non-Jews) in a common relationship with Jesus. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous ‘descendent” – heirs according to the promises!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Words from Galatians
March 27, 2007
7:15 a.m. (Rainy, cool)
Paul shares where his authority comes from – it is directly from Jesus and God the Father. He is God – commissioned! He greets with words of grace and peace because Jesus Christ has rescued him from the evil world through His sacrifice for our sins. God’s plan is that all of us experience that rescue. Paul goes on to proclaim that if anyone – no matter who – preaches anything contrary to God’s Word, let him be cursed. We must get our message straight from God (through His word). No other Word will do.
Paul goes on to say that when he was still in his mother’s womb he was chosen and called by God’s generosity. Because God intervened and revealed Jesus, His Son, to Paul – so Paul could joyfully tell the non-Jews about Jesus.
Galatians 1:3 (Amplified) “Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and (soul) peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” (v 12) Paul received the gospel as a direct revelation, given by Jesus Christ. (v 17) Paul immediately went away – retired into Arabia – for three years alone with God! What was that like? How special and wonderful of God to take that one-on-one time to love on and prepare Paul for the work ahead of him.
We are even now reaping the benefits of Paul’s time with God. Will people down the road of time reap any benefit from my time with Him? Am I of any use to God’s overall plans? I have to trust and believe that it is of value to Him – let alone myself.
It is good that we can’t see ahead or even correctly judge what we know and have seen or done. God put us all here for a purpose and the main purpose of my life is to glorify Him – I can’t even judge that properly – it is a trust issue.
Live an obedient and honorable life – day by day, and allow God to be the judge of the effect of my life here on earth.
Galatians 2:
Paul relates why he went to Jerusalem. He wanted to clarify with the church leaders what God had revealed to him. Also what he had been teaching to the non-Jews. Some of the Jews did not like him preaching freedom from the law. They wanted all to keep the traditional laws even after coming to Christ – mainly circumcision.
(v 13) “We know that we have no advantage of birth over “non-Jewish” sinners. We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping, but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul asks “how do we know?” Because they tried it – the Jews had the best system of rules the world had ever seen! He is convinced that no human being can ever please God by self improvement. He believes in Jesus as Messiah, so he could be set right before God by trusting in the Messiah, not by trying to be good.
(v20) “Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not mine but it is lived by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I refuse to repudiate God’s grace.” (The Message)
7:15 a.m. (Rainy, cool)
Paul shares where his authority comes from – it is directly from Jesus and God the Father. He is God – commissioned! He greets with words of grace and peace because Jesus Christ has rescued him from the evil world through His sacrifice for our sins. God’s plan is that all of us experience that rescue. Paul goes on to proclaim that if anyone – no matter who – preaches anything contrary to God’s Word, let him be cursed. We must get our message straight from God (through His word). No other Word will do.
Paul goes on to say that when he was still in his mother’s womb he was chosen and called by God’s generosity. Because God intervened and revealed Jesus, His Son, to Paul – so Paul could joyfully tell the non-Jews about Jesus.
Galatians 1:3 (Amplified) “Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and (soul) peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).” (v 12) Paul received the gospel as a direct revelation, given by Jesus Christ. (v 17) Paul immediately went away – retired into Arabia – for three years alone with God! What was that like? How special and wonderful of God to take that one-on-one time to love on and prepare Paul for the work ahead of him.
We are even now reaping the benefits of Paul’s time with God. Will people down the road of time reap any benefit from my time with Him? Am I of any use to God’s overall plans? I have to trust and believe that it is of value to Him – let alone myself.
It is good that we can’t see ahead or even correctly judge what we know and have seen or done. God put us all here for a purpose and the main purpose of my life is to glorify Him – I can’t even judge that properly – it is a trust issue.
Live an obedient and honorable life – day by day, and allow God to be the judge of the effect of my life here on earth.
Galatians 2:
Paul relates why he went to Jerusalem. He wanted to clarify with the church leaders what God had revealed to him. Also what he had been teaching to the non-Jews. Some of the Jews did not like him preaching freedom from the law. They wanted all to keep the traditional laws even after coming to Christ – mainly circumcision.
(v 13) “We know that we have no advantage of birth over “non-Jewish” sinners. We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping, but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul asks “how do we know?” Because they tried it – the Jews had the best system of rules the world had ever seen! He is convinced that no human being can ever please God by self improvement. He believes in Jesus as Messiah, so he could be set right before God by trusting in the Messiah, not by trying to be good.
(v20) “Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not mine but it is lived by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. I refuse to repudiate God’s grace.” (The Message)
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