Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Back in 2011 I went on a Missions trip to Portland, OR., Seattle WA., and British Columbia. It was quite an adventure, but instead of sharing about the whole adventure, I was just reminded of a woman who blessed my heart so much. The woman's name is Sharon, and she is an artist. My friend Tim decided to buy one of her paintings; it is beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as this woman, and her heart for the Lord. Sharon is disabled, and she can't really communicate with her words at all. Despite her disabilities, Sharon has more joy in her heart than anyone I have ever met! Then just when I thought it couldn't get brighter, her joy was escalated when Tim bought her painting, it was so inspiring to see such pure honest real Joy from the Father.
As we were leaving, Sharon looked up and grabbed my friend Dan's cross necklace, gave him a giant smile, a heartfelt groan from within, and a thumbs up. You could see the love and gratitude she had in her eyes at the moment, and though she couldn't communicate with her words, I just knew at that moment she wanted us to know that she loved our precious Savior and knew who He was! It brought tears to my eyes, and helped me begin to see God in a whole new way! Praising the Lord for the reminder today that we need to live our lives, and be who He created us to be despite circumstances or disabilities. Let's not let the world hold us back,we were created for so much more! We need to walk in the joy He has so freely given us, no shame, no guilt, no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus! Let's rejoice with Him, for the beautiful masterpieces that we are.....He has created us to be His...Let's walk in the matter worthy to be called His!
Praying this over all of you..that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit (One of those in Joy!) in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God! Colossians 1:10
Monday, July 30, 2012
Running full circle
The past few months have been really interesting for me. I walked down a really dangerous path of unbelief, deceit, and just flat out darkness. I was so eager to get what I 'thought' I needed from people, that I was willing to compromise who I am in Christ to get it.
Through this time,I definitely got what I 'thought' I wanted, and yet it was so not fulfilling, that I craved more and more from people, anyone who was willing to give me what I thought I needed, I was willing to take it...I was tormented with guilt,shame, unworthiness and condemnation through out this season...and then, I was confronted by two very dear to my heart women of the Lord, and I finally confessed, after trying to hide my sin again, the outcome was not what I though it would be.
The choices I made, made me feel so unworty of love at all that I secluded myself from everyone around me, disconnected myself from everything, (sadly to say, even my children) I stopped going to church, listening to worship music, reading the Bible, praying etc...Through this time, I became very lonely, very apathetic, no desires, no passion for anything, and that is just not me! I knew what I needed to do, but didn't care or have the strength to do it, so I spent two months in a pit, got comfortable, and began to make it my home.
I tried to justify all of this to myself by saying: "Who needs friends anyway? If all we need is Christ, then I am right where I need to be." If everyone but the Lord will fail you. hurt you and let you down, why have friends anyway?" or even, "the Lord is just taking "people" out of my life so that I can focus on my relationship with Him."(While the last statement could still be true to a point, I realize now that He was telling me, "April my beloved, I am a jealous God, and NO ONE can come before me, I love you too much to let anyone get in the way of what we have.")
So, through my time of self pity etc... I ignored friends, I rebelled against the Lord, and ran in the complete opposite direction. But as you probably know so well, you can only run so far before you come complete circle and fall on you face before the Father in complete repentance, and that is where I stood less than a week ago. I was on my face before Him crying out for grace and forgiveness, not knowing what to do or where to go from there, I just stayed luke warm.
It wasn't until yesterday July 28, 2012 that I was faced with a choice again, to chase what's scary, or to run just like I had before.
There was a one day retreat I had signed up for, tried to get out of etc..well, granted it took me all morning to make my decision, I decided to run...this time to Him...I went kicking and screaming inside, but I did it! And the Lord was totally right there, the whole time.
So many moments, I wanted to walk to my car and leave. I wanted to take the easy road and not have to face my fears.
There was a point where we had moment to pray by ourselves (which I had just done the entire lunch break) or grab someone and ask for prayer. I felt like I wanted to ask my friend to pray with me, and so I boldly walked over to her and the words that came out of my mouth were not "would you pray with me" Instead I got scared and said "I think I am going to leave" I thought to myself, "what the heck was that?" then as she proceeded to give me "tough love and tell me I was an adult and could make my own decisions etc..." I felt worse than before I decided to go, and felt a wall welling up inside of me.
God knew my heart in this and sent two lovely ladies who overheard what was going on to pray with me. Through brief conversation, short answers and awkward silences, I had one thought, that was more like a prayer "Lord, I wish someone would just hug me" That very moment, my friend said, "If it's not tough love that you need, than what is it?" I shrugged my shoulders and said "I don't know" , and then what seemed like a decade of silence to me, she said" Do you want me to hug you?" I again shrugged my shoulders. In this moment the Lord reminded me that He even hears our thoughts and knows the desires of our heart. A minute passed by and she just reached her arms around me and the floodgates just poured from my heart.
The break was over and I stayed the rest of the retreat. There was one more speaker, and as she spoke, it was as if she was speaking my heart, it was so incredible. I felt as though my heart softened to a place it had not been in so long, and the words were able to reach me, to sink in and not just sit on the surface until the wind blew them away.
I said goodbye to some friends, apologized to a friend I felt I had spoken poorly to throughout the day. Confessed that I said what I didn't want to say. She was so gracious to me throughout the conversation, it was a huge blessing to be able to share my heart in all of it.
The next hour or so, after everyone had left, was spent with a friend praying, breaking free from lies, un-forgiveness, shame, guilt, fear etc...Talking with the Lord, telling Him that I do forgive the people who have hurt me, naming those I forgive, and specifically calling out the things I was forgiving them for, it was so powerful.
I actually thought I had forgiven them, but naming them and giving them to the Lord, laying all the things at His feet and asking God to bless them was so freeing, that I realized I hadn't truly forgiven them before.
Breaking family chains that have kept me bound, my children bound etc...proclaiming the Lords favor on me and my family, freeing my family to live a God honoring life for generations to come, the whole time was just so powerful!
And now, as I write this, my desire to seek the Lord is strong, my passions are on fire, and burning stronger than before! I know this isn't going to be an easy road, there are many uncertainties, things will not be perfect, it will be hard, but I am ready to step out in faith, let the Lord take my back and fight with me to let the April that is in me, the April He created me to be, burst out and shine His glory. Praise Him for divine appointments, prayer, healing, freedom, for using what the enemy meant to destroy, and turning it around for His good and to Glorify His precious name!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Email to a friend; turned blog :)
So, it's almost 2am and I can not sleep. I know it seems crazy that I haven't been sleeping, but for some reason the Lord is keeping me up longer and letting me sleep less. It is ok, and I am doing actually pretty well with it. There are so many things on my heart tonight, that I feel like I need to talk about, but for now, I will share just one. Tonight as I am lying awake praying, I am overwhelmed with an oppression for all the hurt this world has to face. I know I will never understand why horrible things have to happen to babies, children, teens, adults, everyone, it is just crazy, but I do know that God has everything in His hands. I strive to continue trusting that each day as I see just how disgusting this world is. Why is there not more Christians willing to fight for the people who need Christ? Why do we as Christians, just feel safer in our (as I have heard so often lately) "boxes" the ones in our "boxes" are fine, of course, let's continue fellow-shipping and putting our families first, as God calls us to do this but isn't there something we could do to reach out more. To spread the Gospel! Our role here is not to feel "safe" it is to put our lives on the line to reach out to the sick, the unsaved, the lonely the hungry. I know everything has it's place, but I am really feeling more and
more everyday that I am beginning to feel safer, looking for a box, to hide in, and that is not me! That is not who God has called me to be! I obviously have a heart for teens, I always have. But I also have a heart for the homeless children the mother who lost her children, for the child with out a father, mother or both, for the mean old lady who won't smile for the young boy who acts out in class and talks about weapons and blowing stuff up only to turn around and pray with a woman who lost her husband, the ones who most say, never have a chance in the real world, the list goes on and on. I need wisdom to figure out what exactly I am to be doing, and I need accountability to put my children before all of this. Please pray for wisdom with me to figure out where and what God really wants for me where I am. What is best for my family, and truly for me too, I seldom think of that,(helping me) and I think it is ok, but obviously as we know, we need to take care of ourselves as well, as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I need to take some time to work through a few things, but in that I do not want to stop being used by God where I can be used. In James it says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
I know there are things in your life that you want/need wisdom for right now, there always is, no matter who you are. :) But if we remember these verses, we never have to wonder or worry, because God will give us the wisdom we need if we ask Him, weather through another person or a book, or just through what He shows us personally. It is an awesome reminder that we never have to fear not having wisdom in any areas of our lives. We just need to have faith w/ out a doubt! OK easier said than done, but I am praying for wisdom for you, for your relationships, your children, your finances, your ministries, friendships, etc...and I know God will be faithful to provide. I will encourage you to do the same, ask Him for the wisdom you need.
I also am going to pray for wisdom in my life, and if you want to, would you please pray for wisdom in my life as well.
There are so many new things happening in my life, opportunities to minister to others, to share the gospel with them, to show them love and let them know who that love is actually from. I know I can not do everything, and I can not save the world, in fact I can not save anyone, only God can! That is what is so amazing!!! He uses us in the lives of people, so we can praise Him and shout Glory to God in the Highest!! How can He get the glory He deserves if "Christians" are sitting comfortably inside their nice air conditioned boxes!
more everyday that I am beginning to feel safer, looking for a box, to hide in, and that is not me! That is not who God has called me to be! I obviously have a heart for teens, I always have. But I also have a heart for the homeless children the mother who lost her children, for the child with out a father, mother or both, for the mean old lady who won't smile for the young boy who acts out in class and talks about weapons and blowing stuff up only to turn around and pray with a woman who lost her husband, the ones who most say, never have a chance in the real world, the list goes on and on. I need wisdom to figure out what exactly I am to be doing, and I need accountability to put my children before all of this. Please pray for wisdom with me to figure out where and what God really wants for me where I am. What is best for my family, and truly for me too, I seldom think of that,(helping me) and I think it is ok, but obviously as we know, we need to take care of ourselves as well, as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I need to take some time to work through a few things, but in that I do not want to stop being used by God where I can be used. In James it says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
I know there are things in your life that you want/need wisdom for right now, there always is, no matter who you are. :) But if we remember these verses, we never have to wonder or worry, because God will give us the wisdom we need if we ask Him, weather through another person or a book, or just through what He shows us personally. It is an awesome reminder that we never have to fear not having wisdom in any areas of our lives. We just need to have faith w/ out a doubt! OK easier said than done, but I am praying for wisdom for you, for your relationships, your children, your finances, your ministries, friendships, etc...and I know God will be faithful to provide. I will encourage you to do the same, ask Him for the wisdom you need.
I also am going to pray for wisdom in my life, and if you want to, would you please pray for wisdom in my life as well.
There are so many new things happening in my life, opportunities to minister to others, to share the gospel with them, to show them love and let them know who that love is actually from. I know I can not do everything, and I can not save the world, in fact I can not save anyone, only God can! That is what is so amazing!!! He uses us in the lives of people, so we can praise Him and shout Glory to God in the Highest!! How can He get the glory He deserves if "Christians" are sitting comfortably inside their nice air conditioned boxes!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Praying for a dry fleece
This last year, I was struggling with the reality of God. I had so many questions I was never able to ask before, and as I was able to ask them, some more doubt crept in, Though it seems scary, God used it solely for His glory!
Judges 6:36:40: Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.
Through all of my questioning, I was encouraged to lay out a fleece before God, like Gideon. To ask God to show me He is real. I was given an example of a man who laid out a fleece and asked God to reveal himself to him by making it snow, and it did! (In Southern Cali.) But I decided that if I was going to ask God to reveal himself to me, it would have to be something really BIG!
My fleece was that God would show me He was real, and that He truly loves me, by healing my
friend. I wanted her to be off her medication, and the doctors say that all her blood levels were normal! I wanted to see a living miracle. I wasn’t going to tell anyone what I asked for, and I remember asking my friend “Do you think it can be something big, like really big?” Her answer was “I think so, I don’t think there is a certain requirement for what you ask.” So I continued to have Faith that God would heal her. I eventually told my friend what I prayed for, and the day I told her, she said she felt such a peace about it, that she quit taking her medication! I was scared for her when she first shared that with me, but also continued trusting the Lord. I just knew she would be healed. She shared a verse with me one day a verse that the Lord gave her in a very awesome way! (You know one of those I-am-going-to-open-the-Bible-and-whatever-is-there-let it-speak-to-me-verses. Ha) It is a verse I will never forget, especially with the memories of that day. The verse is, Isaiah 7:11 (The Message) “Ask for a sign from God. Ask anything. Be extravagant. Ask for the moon!” And, that is just what I did!
2 months later, my friend was still off of her medication, and feeling great! She had never been off of it for more than 3 days w/ out feeling the effects and having to go back on it. Her doctor told her she would be on it for the rest of her life.
Then, something terrible happened. She had a miscarriage, that is one of the things that can happen when she is off of her medication. Well, I was feeling really bad, like it was my fault, I gave her false hope and then this happened. I thought God didn’t answer my prayer fully. She was still off her medication, doing better, but not miraculously healed. I continued to pray.
Nearly 3 months later, I called my friend, and she told me she got blood work done and was still off her medication, and all her blood levels were 100% normal! WOW!!! He heard me! He answered my prayer, He loves me and He is soooo real!!! Praise God that He answered my prayer, He did not have to! I was asking the God of the universe the creator of all things, to ‘prove’ that He is real. What in the world! BUT, He knows my heart, and my heart was longing so bad to see this in my own life, up close and personal. I am still in awe that God heard me!
Judges 6:36:40: Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.
Through all of my questioning, I was encouraged to lay out a fleece before God, like Gideon. To ask God to show me He is real. I was given an example of a man who laid out a fleece and asked God to reveal himself to him by making it snow, and it did! (In Southern Cali.) But I decided that if I was going to ask God to reveal himself to me, it would have to be something really BIG!
My fleece was that God would show me He was real, and that He truly loves me, by healing my
friend. I wanted her to be off her medication, and the doctors say that all her blood levels were normal! I wanted to see a living miracle. I wasn’t going to tell anyone what I asked for, and I remember asking my friend “Do you think it can be something big, like really big?” Her answer was “I think so, I don’t think there is a certain requirement for what you ask.” So I continued to have Faith that God would heal her. I eventually told my friend what I prayed for, and the day I told her, she said she felt such a peace about it, that she quit taking her medication! I was scared for her when she first shared that with me, but also continued trusting the Lord. I just knew she would be healed. She shared a verse with me one day a verse that the Lord gave her in a very awesome way! (You know one of those I-am-going-to-open-the-Bible-and-whatever-is-there-let it-speak-to-me-verses. Ha) It is a verse I will never forget, especially with the memories of that day. The verse is, Isaiah 7:11 (The Message) “Ask for a sign from God. Ask anything. Be extravagant. Ask for the moon!” And, that is just what I did!
2 months later, my friend was still off of her medication, and feeling great! She had never been off of it for more than 3 days w/ out feeling the effects and having to go back on it. Her doctor told her she would be on it for the rest of her life.
Then, something terrible happened. She had a miscarriage, that is one of the things that can happen when she is off of her medication. Well, I was feeling really bad, like it was my fault, I gave her false hope and then this happened. I thought God didn’t answer my prayer fully. She was still off her medication, doing better, but not miraculously healed. I continued to pray.
Nearly 3 months later, I called my friend, and she told me she got blood work done and was still off her medication, and all her blood levels were 100% normal! WOW!!! He heard me! He answered my prayer, He loves me and He is soooo real!!! Praise God that He answered my prayer, He did not have to! I was asking the God of the universe the creator of all things, to ‘prove’ that He is real. What in the world! BUT, He knows my heart, and my heart was longing so bad to see this in my own life, up close and personal. I am still in awe that God heard me!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
John 5:18
JESUS IS EQUAL WITH GOD
He was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God" (Not making himself God)
He was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God" (Not making himself God)
The healing at the pool on the Sabbath
John 5:1-7
All Jesus expected from this man was for him to obey. This man's obedience w/out restraint was all it took to truly be healed! Faith and Jesus :)
God is always working, and therefor, so is His son, He is able to do nothing apart form His Father! Such an amazing thing. So much depth to this, a human mind can not comprehend, let alone write about the revelation in it.
All Jesus expected from this man was for him to obey. This man's obedience w/out restraint was all it took to truly be healed! Faith and Jesus :)
God is always working, and therefor, so is His son, He is able to do nothing apart form His Father! Such an amazing thing. So much depth to this, a human mind can not comprehend, let alone write about the revelation in it.
Jesus heals an officials son
John 4:46-54
Seems as though some people feel they need/want a miracle to believe while others just need faith to believe. I don't know if that was just for then, or for now too. I feel like people always ask for miracles, but we don't really need it, because the miracle is plain to see, in creation itself...hmm..
Seems as though some people feel they need/want a miracle to believe while others just need faith to believe. I don't know if that was just for then, or for now too. I feel like people always ask for miracles, but we don't really need it, because the miracle is plain to see, in creation itself...hmm..
Jesus and the woman of Samaria
John 4:1-44
So cool that Jesus broke the barrier by going directly through Samaria when most Jews avoid it and go around it completely, this in itself shows how compassionate Christ is. Then for Him to talk to an adulterous Samaritan woman, shows even more compassion, and love for outcasts, the lost ones, the "last" ones... Jesus loves ALL people, not just the Jews!
Unlike Nicodemus, the woman at the well, actually acted on what Jesus shared with her. Jesus cam to save the sick, Nicodemus was sick too, but He had a different focus...himself, not Christ!
She was an outcast, and yet Jesus cam to her and loved her. She accepted it as truth and ran to tell everyone. She had received the living water, the Holy spirit through Christ, and she was never thirsty again!
Before the disciples received the Holy spirit, they did not even understand what Jesus was saying. When they received it, their eyes were opened. Still the same way today, unless we have the spirit, we have no understanding of scripture.
So cool that Jesus broke the barrier by going directly through Samaria when most Jews avoid it and go around it completely, this in itself shows how compassionate Christ is. Then for Him to talk to an adulterous Samaritan woman, shows even more compassion, and love for outcasts, the lost ones, the "last" ones... Jesus loves ALL people, not just the Jews!
Unlike Nicodemus, the woman at the well, actually acted on what Jesus shared with her. Jesus cam to save the sick, Nicodemus was sick too, but He had a different focus...himself, not Christ!
She was an outcast, and yet Jesus cam to her and loved her. She accepted it as truth and ran to tell everyone. She had received the living water, the Holy spirit through Christ, and she was never thirsty again!
Before the disciples received the Holy spirit, they did not even understand what Jesus was saying. When they received it, their eyes were opened. Still the same way today, unless we have the spirit, we have no understanding of scripture.
John the Baptist exalts Christ
John 3:22-36
A person can not receive even ONE thing unless it is given to him from heaven!
Everything you and I have, every little thing, every big thing, every spiritual gift, salvation, children, friends, parents, EVERYTHING is from Him, and He deserves thanks! Even the things given to us that our flesh can not see as good, they are from Him and eternally are good and perfect gifts! He will use those things ultimately for His glory! Let us be as Job who says, the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!
A person can not receive even ONE thing unless it is given to him from heaven!
Everything you and I have, every little thing, every big thing, every spiritual gift, salvation, children, friends, parents, EVERYTHING is from Him, and He deserves thanks! Even the things given to us that our flesh can not see as good, they are from Him and eternally are good and perfect gifts! He will use those things ultimately for His glory! Let us be as Job who says, the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!
Friday, March 2, 2012
For God so loved the world
John 3:16-21
Condemn:To pronounce to be wrong; to judge; to sentence.
Christ did not come to tell people they were wrong, to judge them. He cam to tell people He loved them, and wanted to save them.
Isn't it our job to do the same.? How often do we fall into the trap of judging, or debating/arguing someones point. Are we then doing it out of love, or something else. Our desires as followers of Christ should be to be more like Him! In that, instead of looking upon sinners or rather the unsaved like they are scum, let's remember that God created them too, they are His beautiful perfect creation. His fine masterpieces!When he created them saw that it was good! Lets see them as good, as lost sheep, looking for their way home, for their Father, their protector, provider, lover. That's all they are, just like us w/out Christ.
They need a savior, you don't! You already have Him! Now reach out to the ones who don't! God came to heal the sick (not the healthy) He came to save the sinner! (Not the saint) As His saints lets follow in His footsteps and realize we are healthy because of His spirit in us, we are saved! Lets reach out and be His hands and feet, for as we know, we were created in His image, now let's reflect it! :)
(19) You can not walk in the light and the dark! You are either in or you are out! Light makes dark go away, dark does nothing to light, but make it brighter! (Priase the Lord) Don't be afraid of being exposed, it's better to walk in the light, that in darkness for eternity! We are not the light, but like John, we too can bear witness about the the light! :)
Condemn:To pronounce to be wrong; to judge; to sentence.
Christ did not come to tell people they were wrong, to judge them. He cam to tell people He loved them, and wanted to save them.
Isn't it our job to do the same.? How often do we fall into the trap of judging, or debating/arguing someones point. Are we then doing it out of love, or something else. Our desires as followers of Christ should be to be more like Him! In that, instead of looking upon sinners or rather the unsaved like they are scum, let's remember that God created them too, they are His beautiful perfect creation. His fine masterpieces!When he created them saw that it was good! Lets see them as good, as lost sheep, looking for their way home, for their Father, their protector, provider, lover. That's all they are, just like us w/out Christ.
They need a savior, you don't! You already have Him! Now reach out to the ones who don't! God came to heal the sick (not the healthy) He came to save the sinner! (Not the saint) As His saints lets follow in His footsteps and realize we are healthy because of His spirit in us, we are saved! Lets reach out and be His hands and feet, for as we know, we were created in His image, now let's reflect it! :)
(19) You can not walk in the light and the dark! You are either in or you are out! Light makes dark go away, dark does nothing to light, but make it brighter! (Priase the Lord) Don't be afraid of being exposed, it's better to walk in the light, that in darkness for eternity! We are not the light, but like John, we too can bear witness about the the light! :)
You must be born again
John 3:1-15
No one who is born of the flesh only will enter the kingdom of heaven.You MUST be born again! That means born of the water AND the spirit! How you are born of the water is by being baptized, and how you receive the spirit is by accepting it.
[Until we are born of the spirit, we will not understand the biblical/heavenly things!]
Man baptizes with water, while Jesus baptizes with spirit. You can be baptized by man, born by man, but if you don't allow the spirit to dwell in you through the spiritual baptism, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven! I will urge you as John did, to repent of your sins! Be Baptized! Allow the spirit to dwell in your body! Please, you are a sinner only saved through grace by our Lord Jesus Christ! He wants to save you, to set you free! To give you eternal life with Him!
No one who is born of the flesh only will enter the kingdom of heaven.You MUST be born again! That means born of the water AND the spirit! How you are born of the water is by being baptized, and how you receive the spirit is by accepting it.
[Until we are born of the spirit, we will not understand the biblical/heavenly things!]
Man baptizes with water, while Jesus baptizes with spirit. You can be baptized by man, born by man, but if you don't allow the spirit to dwell in you through the spiritual baptism, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven! I will urge you as John did, to repent of your sins! Be Baptized! Allow the spirit to dwell in your body! Please, you are a sinner only saved through grace by our Lord Jesus Christ! He wants to save you, to set you free! To give you eternal life with Him!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
John 2:23-25
So this is my only thought on these verses.
Jesus knows what is in man...He was man...it's awesome!
Jesus knows what is in man...He was man...it's awesome!
Jesus cleanses the temple
John 2:13-22
I believe the figurative picture Jesus was trying to convey in this passage was about how His body, "the temple of God" would be destroyed and raised in 3 days. Therefor not needing the temple to sacrifice animals anymore, as He soon would be the ultimate sacrifice!
I have a concept about this, may be completely heretical, but here I go. :) Jesus spoke figuratively of His body as the temple of God. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He gave us His spirit, so we are the temple of Jesus' spirit. In that, God sees Christ when He sees us, When He sees Christ, He is Christ, but also God, because God is in Him, He is is God. To sum that up "If Christ is in us, we are Him. If Christ is in God, God in in Christ, so we are in God. Ok that may make no sense to anyone, but me, but my mind is going crazy with this thought! I love it!
I believe the figurative picture Jesus was trying to convey in this passage was about how His body, "the temple of God" would be destroyed and raised in 3 days. Therefor not needing the temple to sacrifice animals anymore, as He soon would be the ultimate sacrifice!
I have a concept about this, may be completely heretical, but here I go. :) Jesus spoke figuratively of His body as the temple of God. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He gave us His spirit, so we are the temple of Jesus' spirit. In that, God sees Christ when He sees us, When He sees Christ, He is Christ, but also God, because God is in Him, He is is God. To sum that up "If Christ is in us, we are Him. If Christ is in God, God in in Christ, so we are in God. Ok that may make no sense to anyone, but me, but my mind is going crazy with this thought! I love it!
The wedding at Cana
John 2:1-12
Jesus, knowing it was not His time, said to His mother. "What does this have to do with me? It is not my hour." But as an act of honor and respect for His mother, did what she asked Him to do. Had he disobeyed His mother in not doing what she asked of Him, maybe that would have showed dis-honor, or disobedience, which would essentially make Him a sinner. Jesus, fully God, and fully man, yet perfect and all knowing, obeyed His mother in her requests, though it was not yet His time. So cool to relate to Jesus and see how amazing He really is. He didn't have to do what she asked of Him, but He did. Same as Him giving His life for us on calvary! He performed a miracle for everyone, but humbly took no credit for doing so. His disciples knew and believed Him, yet it was not His time. Though He took no credit, He was still glorified!(Jesus is a part of all of our weddings, but could you imagine Him, physically present at your wedding? Rejoicing, drinking wine, celebrating with you! How cool!)
Jesus, knowing it was not His time, said to His mother. "What does this have to do with me? It is not my hour." But as an act of honor and respect for His mother, did what she asked Him to do. Had he disobeyed His mother in not doing what she asked of Him, maybe that would have showed dis-honor, or disobedience, which would essentially make Him a sinner. Jesus, fully God, and fully man, yet perfect and all knowing, obeyed His mother in her requests, though it was not yet His time. So cool to relate to Jesus and see how amazing He really is. He didn't have to do what she asked of Him, but He did. Same as Him giving His life for us on calvary! He performed a miracle for everyone, but humbly took no credit for doing so. His disciples knew and believed Him, yet it was not His time. Though He took no credit, He was still glorified!(Jesus is a part of all of our weddings, but could you imagine Him, physically present at your wedding? Rejoicing, drinking wine, celebrating with you! How cool!)
Jesus calls the first disciples
John 1:35-1:51
Do you ever wonder why John's account is so much different the the others? I sure do. In this it seems as if John told Andrew and Peter Christ was there, not that Christ called them and they followed. Also, in Luke, Jesus spoke with them, went into the boat, asked them to have faith with dropping the net, and then they followed Him. Well, as I furthered my study, I realized that as a witness to His disciples, perhaps he was just trying to get across to them, that He was the Lamb of God! Jesus most likely called, and John was just like "Woah, go, He is the Lamb of God!" Then they dropped everything to follow Him!
Do you ever wonder why John's account is so much different the the others? I sure do. In this it seems as if John told Andrew and Peter Christ was there, not that Christ called them and they followed. Also, in Luke, Jesus spoke with them, went into the boat, asked them to have faith with dropping the net, and then they followed Him. Well, as I furthered my study, I realized that as a witness to His disciples, perhaps he was just trying to get across to them, that He was the Lamb of God! Jesus most likely called, and John was just like "Woah, go, He is the Lamb of God!" Then they dropped everything to follow Him!
Behold the Lamb of God
John 1:29-1:34
He 'saw' Jesus coming toward him. I can only imagine the joy that John had at that very moment. I would have wanted to to run and jump in His arms. I would hardly have been able to contain myself. Especially that he was just like us, never had seen Jesus, but trusted, had faith and acted on it. Now, John can say, "I have seen Christ!" And soon, we can too! I can't wait!
He 'saw' Jesus coming toward him. I can only imagine the joy that John had at that very moment. I would have wanted to to run and jump in His arms. I would hardly have been able to contain myself. Especially that he was just like us, never had seen Jesus, but trusted, had faith and acted on it. Now, John can say, "I have seen Christ!" And soon, we can too! I can't wait!
Monday, February 20, 2012
The testimony of John the baptist.
John1:19-1:28
Wow! John's testimony was pretty amazing! Consider yourself being asked if you are the Messiah! No way, (not to mention I am female) would anyone be able to take a look at my life and even have a thought that I was Christ! This is very sad, my testimony should be greater than what it is. Let our lives be lives that so imitates His, that people do not see me, or even just see the Lord in my life, but rather, they see the Lord! Of course being the man he was, he tells the truth about who he is. He is a fulfilled prophesy! Pretty cool!
Wow! John's testimony was pretty amazing! Consider yourself being asked if you are the Messiah! No way, (not to mention I am female) would anyone be able to take a look at my life and even have a thought that I was Christ! This is very sad, my testimony should be greater than what it is. Let our lives be lives that so imitates His, that people do not see me, or even just see the Lord in my life, but rather, they see the Lord! Of course being the man he was, he tells the truth about who he is. He is a fulfilled prophesy! Pretty cool!
John 1:1-18 "The Word became flesh"
"Jesus became flesh"
When you/I read this passage, and substitute in Jesus where appropriate, it makes this passage in scripture so much more relate-able. When I first did this, it changed my life. It reminded me that not only are my words in sharing the gospel important, but my life, the way I live. Jesus' strength played out in my life. This to me is what the gospel is. Living it, not just preaching it. How is anyone going to know/believe if it is not seen. My goal in the end is to have people say: "Wow! In that womans life, the gospel became flesh!" God's words were put into action through the life of Jesus Christ! God did not only speak, He sent His son, in the form of flesh, a human body, to set His words into action! Let's live out our lives for Him, not just preach our words about Him!
When you/I read this passage, and substitute in Jesus where appropriate, it makes this passage in scripture so much more relate-able. When I first did this, it changed my life. It reminded me that not only are my words in sharing the gospel important, but my life, the way I live. Jesus' strength played out in my life. This to me is what the gospel is. Living it, not just preaching it. How is anyone going to know/believe if it is not seen. My goal in the end is to have people say: "Wow! In that womans life, the gospel became flesh!" God's words were put into action through the life of Jesus Christ! God did not only speak, He sent His son, in the form of flesh, a human body, to set His words into action! Let's live out our lives for Him, not just preach our words about Him!
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