A beautiful song to lift you up today. May His grace, peace and love be overflowing in your hearts...
Use Firmness to Train Your Child's Heart
8 years ago
Friday, March 12, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
You Are God
An awesome song to encourage and lift you up today. i just love to sit and take a moment to listen to the words of this song. I pray His presence and His grace surrounds you as you take a moment to "be still and know that He is God."
Friday, February 26, 2010
He Has Not Forgotten You
My friend, please watch this video and be reminded that your Father God has not forgotten you and He never will. I pray His love and grace will pour over you as you watch this, that His Spirit will heal you, lift you, and speak to you today. Peace to you always.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Where Are Your Wells?
Where Is Your Well? (Part 1)
Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 12
Today’s Verse: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3
As we journey upon this earth, we are all continually “drawing” from some type of source for our direction, our purpose, our meaning, and our acceptance in life. There are a variety of sources from which one can draw, many “wells” from which we may drink. Let’s discover some of these wells.
First, there are the wells of performance. This is the well from which we often draw our sense of value and meaning as a person. The more we do, the more we achieve, the more we become, then the more valuable and accepted and loved we are…so we think. This can more obviously been seen as a source for a person without Christ, but even those who are “in Christ” can continue to draw from these deceptive wells even after becoming “born again.”
It is always a temptation to our flesh to draw from these wells. After all, they look so good on the outside. The others who draw from them appear to “have it all together.” They say the right things, do the right things, go the right places, have the right friends, have the right career, have the right kind of family, etc. Yet, these wells are simply a mirage of sorts. Eventually, they do run dry, if they ever gave real water at all. The performance wells leave those who drink from them very thirsty and parched, never satisfying their deepest need.
The performance wells not only leave those who draw from them parched and dry, but they also begin to drain the life of the person who is trying to drink there. Not only do we become dry, but we become lifeless, fatigued and tired. We inevitably experience “burn out” from these wells. For no matter how much we try to draw our life from how we perform and what we do, we find ourselves enslaved to these wells. These wells cause us to become more dependent on the tiny drops we receive from them, the little “pat on the back” or some other form of earthly recognition for all our “good deeds.”
Essentially, the wells of performance are traps. They are not truly wells at all. They are facades and fakes, and will never fulfill the hunger within each human heart for unconditional love and acceptance.
Next post, we will take a look at some different types of wells…the wells of possessions.
Love, peace and grace to you,
Tina
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Give Me Jesus
For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (Amplified)
Well, today I am humbled. I am humbled and brought low by the understanding that there is no greater knowledge that I can have than the knowledge of Jesus Christ "and Him crucified."
I believe this is truly what the focus of my life should be, to know Jesus Christ and what He has done for me. This is the epitome of love. This is the highest knowledge one can ever receive, the fact that God our Father gave His Son because He loved; because He is Love. It is so simple, my friends, that many people turn away from it. They just can't believe anything can be so free and so undeserved.
When I first received God's gift of salvation, I knew this simplicity. I lived it. I breathed it. I looked forward to each and every day and the joy and freedom the Messiah had brought into my life. Yet, somewhere as we walk along the journey, if we are not watchful and discerning, we can begin to think that the gospel is just too simplistic and it becomes more about what we do and the knowledge we attain than what Christ has already done, once for all. We unknowingly can go back under a yoke of bondage that Paul warns about in Galatians. And unfortunately, the bondage-concept is prevalent in many teachings within the "church" today. (I do not believe this is a salvation issue, but definitely a joy/victory/overcoming issue in this life.)
This yoke comes when we try to carry what the Lord has already provided for; when we try to work for what God has already provided for us as a free gift. It's so subtle and so spiritual-sounding. Yet it destroys joy, and it can bring a sense of shame and/or self-righteousness. I want to be transparent with you today, my fellow travelers on this journey. We who believe don't have all the answers. We never will. But the one answer I do have is the only one that truly matters for eternity. And that one is what Paul spoke of in our verse for today. If we have the true understanding of who Jesus is, what He has provided for us, and why He did it, then we are made complete in Him. We have need of nothing.
Yes, we may have our ways about us that are different from others. We may be in different denominations or clubs. Yet, with the true and Living Jesus and Him crucified as our firm foundation in life, we can walk in His Spirit. We can choose to walk in love toward all people. We can choose to walk in His peace at all times. We will walk in His Light continually. We can know beyond all doubt that His Word is True and Eternal, because He IS Faithful and True. When we are faithless, He remains faithful. Blessed by the Name of the Lord!
I just say, "Give Me Jesus"! I hope this video and song blesses you and lifts you and fills you with His Spirit now!
Well, today I am humbled. I am humbled and brought low by the understanding that there is no greater knowledge that I can have than the knowledge of Jesus Christ "and Him crucified."
I believe this is truly what the focus of my life should be, to know Jesus Christ and what He has done for me. This is the epitome of love. This is the highest knowledge one can ever receive, the fact that God our Father gave His Son because He loved; because He is Love. It is so simple, my friends, that many people turn away from it. They just can't believe anything can be so free and so undeserved.
When I first received God's gift of salvation, I knew this simplicity. I lived it. I breathed it. I looked forward to each and every day and the joy and freedom the Messiah had brought into my life. Yet, somewhere as we walk along the journey, if we are not watchful and discerning, we can begin to think that the gospel is just too simplistic and it becomes more about what we do and the knowledge we attain than what Christ has already done, once for all. We unknowingly can go back under a yoke of bondage that Paul warns about in Galatians. And unfortunately, the bondage-concept is prevalent in many teachings within the "church" today. (I do not believe this is a salvation issue, but definitely a joy/victory/overcoming issue in this life.)
This yoke comes when we try to carry what the Lord has already provided for; when we try to work for what God has already provided for us as a free gift. It's so subtle and so spiritual-sounding. Yet it destroys joy, and it can bring a sense of shame and/or self-righteousness. I want to be transparent with you today, my fellow travelers on this journey. We who believe don't have all the answers. We never will. But the one answer I do have is the only one that truly matters for eternity. And that one is what Paul spoke of in our verse for today. If we have the true understanding of who Jesus is, what He has provided for us, and why He did it, then we are made complete in Him. We have need of nothing.
Yes, we may have our ways about us that are different from others. We may be in different denominations or clubs. Yet, with the true and Living Jesus and Him crucified as our firm foundation in life, we can walk in His Spirit. We can choose to walk in love toward all people. We can choose to walk in His peace at all times. We will walk in His Light continually. We can know beyond all doubt that His Word is True and Eternal, because He IS Faithful and True. When we are faithless, He remains faithful. Blessed by the Name of the Lord!
I just say, "Give Me Jesus"! I hope this video and song blesses you and lifts you and fills you with His Spirit now!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Hold Me Now
This song touched me deeply this morning, and I feel led by His Spirit to share it here. I pray you will listen to the words of this beautiful and encouraging song and believe its words. They are for you today.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Saddening...
Well, my friends, grace and peace to you today in Jesus Christ our Savior.
I am disturbed today. I was listening earlier to a sermon online and was truly saddened, not to mention angered, by what I heard. This message was about pride (and how God hates it so much) and submission (and how God loves it so much.) The pastor mentioned several scriptures on pride and how it was an "abomination." I personally could not find the scripture which says it in those exact terms, but it may be there nonetheless. Regardless if it is, what upset me was that while pride is something we obviously should not desire to take precedence in our lives as believers, God knows the hearts of His children. The blood of Jesus Christ covers and washes every aspect in our lives, and we can and must trust in His faithfulness as our loving Father and His grace as our redeeming Savior to show us any area in our lives that He desires to transform in us.
If you are in Christ Jesus, God is NOT opposing you to harm you, even if you still struggle with pride! He may allow circumstances or consequences into your life because He cares so much for you, but He is not desiring to harm you or force you into submission in any way. Sometimes, what we like to call a "pride" issue really is heart-brokenness and bondage, both results of not fully understanding and/or experiencing the love of God and who you really are in Him, your identity in Christ. Sometimes, people have been so beaten up in life and so hurt and so damaged that they may seem prideful to overcompensate for a deep-seated insecurity inside themselves. I truly believe this is more often the case within the body of Christ than pride is.
Also during the message, it was said something to the effect that salvation is the "doorway," it is the beginning of God being "given permission" to have access into our lives in order to grant us access to the "working of the Spirit." Well, I don't know where to start... Jesus IS salvation and He IS the Gate or the door to eternal life (John 10:9). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Salvation is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ (which means Salvation), and when we allow Him to come in, He brings Himself and He brings eternal life. Salvation (Jesus or Yeshua) is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. It is a finished work on the cross of Calvary, a free gift for you and I and all the world to receive. It is finished!
He also stated that when we come to Christ, it's not so we can "sit back and rest and say Oh, it's all over!" This really saddens me, because I understand why this pastor is saying this. I really do, because I believed a similar way for so long. I wanted to do so much for the Lord, to accomplish my mission, my purpose, the will of God, all of the above. And I still do, by the way. I just see it very differently now. I DO believe we can "rest" and say "it is all over." We can rest in His grace and His peace and His love and be certain that He is with us and loves us unconditionally. I can be certain that Jesus said:
"Why did God save you?"
This was a question the pastor asked the congregation in his message. The answer he gave just astonished and floored me. It made me "sad and mad" as my children would say. He said, "So that the image of Christ would be established in you." Okay. Sounds good, right? A few years ago, that might have gone over my head. I would have possibly nodded in agreement and said, "Yes." But not now. I cannot.
I think the question to why God saved me has a little something to do with John 3:16. Oh, you know, the passage that we all know and that we have all grown tired of. It is so, you know, old-fashioned. But wow, it is a revelation and a marvel to me now! I believe God saved me purely because HE LOVES ME! I think God saves people because HE LOVES THE WORLD! I think being transformed into the likeness of Christ is a by-product of the process of sanctification; it is something that happens as we live in the wonderful light of God's amazing love and His sufficient, supernatural grace; as we abide in the Vine. I think that my Creator wanted me to have everlasting life with Him in communion and fellowship, and that is why He sent His Son! Is this difficult? Is this to easy? I once heard someone say that if the Gospel doesn't sound "too good to be true" then it's probably not the Gospel. Because the Gospel IS THAT GOOD!
Lastly, a statement was made that I was totally saddened by. Speaking of God, he said, "It is all about the fame of His name. He loves you so that you will ultimately bring Him glory." Friends, think about this statement? Again, think of John 3:16. It's so simple. God loves you because He is love. He is NOT concerned about His own glory. His glory is secure because He IS Glory! Nothing can be added or taken away from God's glory! No, the Father loves you because He created you for fellowship with Him. He loves you so much that when the first Adam fell and lost the perfect communion with Him in the Garden, He sent the second Adam to redeem us back to Himself, to restore the fellowship and the eternal life! God doesn't need our fellowship, but He certainly desires it!
David asked in Psalm 8:4,
God loves you unconditionally and without reserve. God loves you eternally and nothing can separate you from His love if you are in Christ Jesus. Even if you are not a believer in Christ, He loves you because He made you. And He wants you to receive the free gift of His Son Jesus. He offers it freely to you. The Agape love of God is a freeing love. It is an unconditional love. The pastor in his message went on to say, "Why is God love?" His answer was, "Because He is holy! He hates pride because pride robs Him of His glory!"
Listen, the God of the universe is not concerned with anyone robbing Him of His glory! He is concerned with His creation, with the human race! That is why He sent Jesus His Son! He is love because He IS LOVE! He is the very definition of the word. He is a holy God, yes, but He is LOVE. There are no strings attached to His love. He does not love you for what you can do for Him! He does not love you for making Him look good! He is not concerned about your performance! He looks at the heart of man. And by His grace, He brings salvation and blessing and love to all who call upon the name of Jesus as their Lord and their Savior. He hates pride because it hurts people! He hates pride because of what it does to us! He is a loving Father who doesn't want to see His children suffer in any way. He doesn't hate pride because of what He doesn't get from the prideful. It IS about us. He sent Jesus FOR US. Because HE LOVES US.
My hope is that those who read this will be set free and believe the truth and receive God's beautiful and perfect Love. My prayer is that those who are following this type of teaching will cling to what is good and throw out what isn't, and that those who teach these things will receive God's love and freedom in their lives. Blessings!
I am disturbed today. I was listening earlier to a sermon online and was truly saddened, not to mention angered, by what I heard. This message was about pride (and how God hates it so much) and submission (and how God loves it so much.) The pastor mentioned several scriptures on pride and how it was an "abomination." I personally could not find the scripture which says it in those exact terms, but it may be there nonetheless. Regardless if it is, what upset me was that while pride is something we obviously should not desire to take precedence in our lives as believers, God knows the hearts of His children. The blood of Jesus Christ covers and washes every aspect in our lives, and we can and must trust in His faithfulness as our loving Father and His grace as our redeeming Savior to show us any area in our lives that He desires to transform in us.
If you are in Christ Jesus, God is NOT opposing you to harm you, even if you still struggle with pride! He may allow circumstances or consequences into your life because He cares so much for you, but He is not desiring to harm you or force you into submission in any way. Sometimes, what we like to call a "pride" issue really is heart-brokenness and bondage, both results of not fully understanding and/or experiencing the love of God and who you really are in Him, your identity in Christ. Sometimes, people have been so beaten up in life and so hurt and so damaged that they may seem prideful to overcompensate for a deep-seated insecurity inside themselves. I truly believe this is more often the case within the body of Christ than pride is.
Also during the message, it was said something to the effect that salvation is the "doorway," it is the beginning of God being "given permission" to have access into our lives in order to grant us access to the "working of the Spirit." Well, I don't know where to start... Jesus IS salvation and He IS the Gate or the door to eternal life (John 10:9). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Salvation is a person, and His name is Jesus Christ (which means Salvation), and when we allow Him to come in, He brings Himself and He brings eternal life. Salvation (Jesus or Yeshua) is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. It is a finished work on the cross of Calvary, a free gift for you and I and all the world to receive. It is finished!
He also stated that when we come to Christ, it's not so we can "sit back and rest and say Oh, it's all over!" This really saddens me, because I understand why this pastor is saying this. I really do, because I believed a similar way for so long. I wanted to do so much for the Lord, to accomplish my mission, my purpose, the will of God, all of the above. And I still do, by the way. I just see it very differently now. I DO believe we can "rest" and say "it is all over." We can rest in His grace and His peace and His love and be certain that He is with us and loves us unconditionally. I can be certain that Jesus said:
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.Matt. 11:29-30
"Why did God save you?"
This was a question the pastor asked the congregation in his message. The answer he gave just astonished and floored me. It made me "sad and mad" as my children would say. He said, "So that the image of Christ would be established in you." Okay. Sounds good, right? A few years ago, that might have gone over my head. I would have possibly nodded in agreement and said, "Yes." But not now. I cannot.
I think the question to why God saved me has a little something to do with John 3:16. Oh, you know, the passage that we all know and that we have all grown tired of. It is so, you know, old-fashioned. But wow, it is a revelation and a marvel to me now! I believe God saved me purely because HE LOVES ME! I think God saves people because HE LOVES THE WORLD! I think being transformed into the likeness of Christ is a by-product of the process of sanctification; it is something that happens as we live in the wonderful light of God's amazing love and His sufficient, supernatural grace; as we abide in the Vine. I think that my Creator wanted me to have everlasting life with Him in communion and fellowship, and that is why He sent His Son! Is this difficult? Is this to easy? I once heard someone say that if the Gospel doesn't sound "too good to be true" then it's probably not the Gospel. Because the Gospel IS THAT GOOD!
Lastly, a statement was made that I was totally saddened by. Speaking of God, he said, "It is all about the fame of His name. He loves you so that you will ultimately bring Him glory." Friends, think about this statement? Again, think of John 3:16. It's so simple. God loves you because He is love. He is NOT concerned about His own glory. His glory is secure because He IS Glory! Nothing can be added or taken away from God's glory! No, the Father loves you because He created you for fellowship with Him. He loves you so much that when the first Adam fell and lost the perfect communion with Him in the Garden, He sent the second Adam to redeem us back to Himself, to restore the fellowship and the eternal life! God doesn't need our fellowship, but He certainly desires it!
David asked in Psalm 8:4,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
God loves you unconditionally and without reserve. God loves you eternally and nothing can separate you from His love if you are in Christ Jesus. Even if you are not a believer in Christ, He loves you because He made you. And He wants you to receive the free gift of His Son Jesus. He offers it freely to you. The Agape love of God is a freeing love. It is an unconditional love. The pastor in his message went on to say, "Why is God love?" His answer was, "Because He is holy! He hates pride because pride robs Him of His glory!"
Listen, the God of the universe is not concerned with anyone robbing Him of His glory! He is concerned with His creation, with the human race! That is why He sent Jesus His Son! He is love because He IS LOVE! He is the very definition of the word. He is a holy God, yes, but He is LOVE. There are no strings attached to His love. He does not love you for what you can do for Him! He does not love you for making Him look good! He is not concerned about your performance! He looks at the heart of man. And by His grace, He brings salvation and blessing and love to all who call upon the name of Jesus as their Lord and their Savior. He hates pride because it hurts people! He hates pride because of what it does to us! He is a loving Father who doesn't want to see His children suffer in any way. He doesn't hate pride because of what He doesn't get from the prideful. It IS about us. He sent Jesus FOR US. Because HE LOVES US.
My hope is that those who read this will be set free and believe the truth and receive God's beautiful and perfect Love. My prayer is that those who are following this type of teaching will cling to what is good and throw out what isn't, and that those who teach these things will receive God's love and freedom in their lives. Blessings!
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