Words of Inspiration BlogInspirational and Uplifting

Proverbs 15:13b – …but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

 Dear Friends – No matter where you may be at this moment, no matter what your circumstances and the effects of such may be dictating to you, God has not left you or forsaken you. God has not given up on you. Perhaps in the overall analysis of  one’s seemingly hopeless situation, which we do over and over to the  point of exhaustion on any given day, the fact of a loving God’s faithfulness to His children has been overlooked. In times of extreme distress, overwhelming sorrow and despair, we as mere humans become fatigued and restless. Questions begin to plague us such as where we might have made a wrong turn, a bad decision, a careless error. But ultimately at some point as we come up for air in stressful times we may just ask ourselves if God hasn’t left us and we haven’t left God, perhaps what we consider brokenness and hopelessness is actually a gift, a blessing in disguise, could it really be?

I have read many articles lately on the aspect of letting God have His way in our lives. In hard times we begin to complain. In tough times we start looking for new ideas and new paths. In the darkness we grope for answers never stopping to consider that God, our loving and faithful Savior, is right there with us. Scripture tells us God is with us in all that we do and wherever we go. If we soar the heights of heaven, He is with us. If we make our bed in hell, even there scripture says He is with us with  unending mercy and love. So what can we say then, if God never leaves us and we at times feel lost and alone, broken and hopeless, where is our God when it hurts?

God is all knowing, all powerful, present everywhere. On a recent church billboard I read “Jesus knows me, this I love”. Yes, He knows us, deeply, intimately, better than we know ourselves or are known by anyone. And if He knows us and we trust He is leading us and molding our lives, can we let Him lead through the pain? Can we trust Him enough to give Him our brokenness knowing of a truth we are blessed, truly blessed, even in this condition? There are extremes in life we struggle to understand, extreme loss, extreme heartache, extreme confusion. But in all these things God is no less God, no less loving, no less faithful, no less attentive and caring of His children. Yes, I love that He knows me when no one else truly does. I love that He knows me and loves me anyway!!

So where as mere humans do we miss it and get so deeply entrenched in gloom, despair and agony rather than the joy that is deposited on the inside of each believer that Christ in us is our hope of glory? I believe we hear a lot today about how God just wants to bless us continually, bigger this, more of that, and from the depths of my being I believe His desire is to bless us exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. But there are exceeding abundant blessings in trials and tribulations. When He is all we have we find He is more than enough. When nothing else satisfies or has any lasting value He offers us eternal life. When all else fails He is faithful as He promised.

Our lives are being molded and formed by the God that created the Universe. He sent His Son to die that we might be reconciled back to Him once and for all. The sin debt was paid on the cross and He sent His Holy Spirit in our hearts to comfort us and help us. We are in reality never alone, never rejected, never out of His hands, though we may feel as though we are at times. We can take our lives and make a terrible mess of them but God can change our course with just one word. God can heal the brokenness or use that brokenness for His glory, but either way we’re in His hands and in His will if we are trusting Him. Rather than remain on the run from pain and sorrow, might we stop and ask ourselves just what God may be trying to show  us? Who around us will benefit from our steadfastness and trusting God even when it hurts and we do not understand?

Sorrow of the heart does break the spirit, but scripture says a broken spirit God accepts, and a contrite heart He will mend. We have to be absolutely submitted and trusting in the dark night of the soul. We may have been in the furnace heated seven times hotter but we weren’t alone. We may feel broken beyond recognition but God is pruning away all the unfruitful  parts of our lives. God is burning away all the dross that is of no benefit to us and harmful at times. The bottom line is GOD IS, God is busy in our lives, God is working in our lives, God is leading us and guiding us, God is loving  us and protecting us, God  is and always will be working things out for our good and His glory.

If you’re drowning in a sea of doubt and despair, be encouraged in your inner man today. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart to see His marvelous work in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you, to aid you, to allow you to feel His presence. Fellowship with Him, spend time in prayer. As you begin to look to Him, to focus on His love and care, His lovingkindness and tender mercies, less of the pain and heartache will be seen and felt. Less of the world and it’s stranglehold of cares and concerns will so easily trip us up if we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

If you have lost heart, dear ones, take hold His hand again and allow Him to mold you again, again. Nothing is too difficult for God. No need is above Him. He knows what we need and how to provide it. He is not looking for perfection. He is looking for submission. In rebelliousness we lose our way so quickly. In stubbornness we miss His best plan. But in submission, a quiet and peaceful trust that He will show us the way when we just can’t seem to get on the right track, will bring a new outlook on life, a refreshing we surely thought would never be felt again.

Let that refreshing flow over your life today and all it consists of, your body, your mind, your spirit. Feel His strength begin to surge back into the limp hands and weak knees. For all you may have given up on, God was faithful. He will restore. Trust Him today to do just that. Baby steps at first if that’s what it takes, then leaps and bounds, but scripture says they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, and so you shall, my beloved, so you shall.

I pray these words of encouragement have blessed you. I pray these words of inspiration have motivated  you to absolutely humble your heart, come to God in total submission of your will, and allow Him to help you. Allow Him to bless you in over-the-top, most unexpected ways. Scripture says God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you always having all sufficiency may abound to every good work. Yes GOD IS, whatever you need. GOD IS ABLE, He’ll fix this for you with ALL GRACE from His infinite supply.

In His Love, 

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The Darkness Before Dawn

Psalm 18:28 – Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.

Dear Friends – Step out into the early morning hours and look up at the stars. They seem to be shining brighter in the darkness before dawn. It is as if each one is dancing across the cosmos to its own rhythm. Each star is melodiously hanging there in all its glory, singing songs of their creator, songs in the night that  only God can orchestrate. So it is with our lives and circumstances. When the darkness seems overwhelming and the black closeness would seem as if we are smothering in pain, brokenness, confusion and turmoil, listen with your heart to the songs of the morning stars. For it is in this quiet oneness with yourself, your Creator, and beneath the starry deep displayed overhead that God speaks to us. Let these words of hope, these words of encouragement touch the pain and brokenness in your life and awaken in you the knowledge that with God truly all things are possible.

God is ever speaking to us of Love. His arm is outstretched to us in want of a loving embrace if we will allow it. His love is there for us as we call on Him in desperation for deliverance, for relief from oppression, and direction when we seem to have lost our way. His Spirit speaks softly to the brokenness. His healing balm flows over the schism in our bodies, the confusion in our minds, reaching the very core of mankind, inspiring one to arise and soar with Him. His will is not that we suffer and die in a tormented state, but rather that we turn and let ourselves be healed.

Turn today, beloved, and let the songs of the morning stars ring loudly in your spirit. Let the darkness before the dawn become a beacon of hope as you allow His love to lighten your life, His strength to lighten your load, and His way become your way. So much time is wasted in worry and concern. So much time we could be spending with God, sharing our thoughts, our longings, our innermost pain, and yet we avoid this closeness as if our Savior is not concerned about the smallest of issues in our lives.

Truly if one could only grasp this agape love and it’s most basic meaning so many lives could be transformed from darkness into light. For He loved us when we were not lovable. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to save us while we were yet sinners. We have no words for our defense. There are no works we can do or merits we can earn to open the door to so great a love. All we need do is ask Jesus to forgive us our sins, to come into our hearts and be the Lord of our lives. Lay it all on His altar of sacrifice. Lay down your heavy burdens for scripture says His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Make that switch today. Why continue to carry a load that is much too heavy to bear?

In one of my poems I used the phrase “I sense my smallness standing neath a starry moonlit sky”. It is humbling, yet exhilarating, to just take a moment to look up at the Cosmos, all its vastness, all its beauty, and know that God that created this Universe created each one of us. The God that hung every star, called them all by name, calls each one of us by name as well. He calls us precious, beautiful, His beloved, His bride. He gives us counsel, comfort, love, encouragement, inspiration, hope in failing times, motivation in times of lackluster existence. He gives us strength in our times of weakness, the oil of joy for the spirit of mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He stands by us when others walk away. He stands with us in times of loneliness. We come before Him as walking wounded and He stands ready to help and to heal. He has sent His Holy Spirit to come alongside, to aid us in our time of need.

Yes, beloved, He never leaves us or forsakes us. It is not by our righteousness or by any works that we have done but through faith in Him we have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Take your eyes off the overwhelming problems and brokenness in your life today and place them on Jesus. Focus on His love and His care of His world and we as His dear children. We will not always have the answers to our petitions as we had hoped. Our questions may still be staring us in the face. But in the gift of another day, gazing up at the twinkling stars, let us be reminded that our God is still in control of our lives. He is still very much aware of the pain and lostness. Yet for just a moment let your mind be at rest, your troubled spirit find solace in the starry space, your loneliness and sorrow be replaced by the overwhelming Love hanging in the heavens and the absolute truth that the God that created such a beautiful existence for the whole of man is still working miracles and opening doors to greater destinies than our finite minds can grasp. Our God, through faith in His Son Jesus, waits to pour this Love into each heart that will open unto Him and allow Him to begin a work of grace that will change us from the inside out.

The answers will come in His time and not ours. We may not receive what we had hoped for, all wrapped up and tidy, hand delivered before we get up off our knees, but we will receive the greatest love that man has ever known. We will receive grace to help in time of need, a renewed strength for our journey. Meditate on His unconditional love. Meditate on His grace and His unending mercy. Meditate on His unfailing forgiveness. Listen to the songs of the morning stars and be reminded that nothing is too difficult for our God. No path is so dark that He cannot send out His light and show us His way. No problem is beyond Him, no need He won’t supply. Believe it today, dear friends. Look up for your redemption draws nigh.

In His Love,

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For Such A Time As This

Dearest Friends – For such a time as this you were created! Scripture says “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). You may be groaning under the weight of your load. You may be faltering, stumbling, unsure of your footing in troubled times. But the sufferings of these times are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

You ask how can this be? How can our lives, that at times seem so dark and hopeless, be in reality a beacon of hope to a lost world? Because you are being led by the Spirit of God and you are the sons and daughters of God. You can shrink back in fear in troubled, chaotic times. You can run from life and hide your gifts and talents from the world rather than believe God to do a beautiful work in you and through you. But in all these things God’s word tells us we are MORE than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37). We are in essence children of God, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus if so be that HE is truly our Lord and Savior.

When we are overwhelmed by life the Spirit helps our infirmities. When we don’t know how to pray the Spirit makes intercession for us. God has provided a way where there might not seem to be a way in your life. If He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not then with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32). Freely! His only requirement is that we believe Him; believe Him that He is able, believe Him that He will do what He said He would do. The Way is the only way in yesterday’s world, today’s world, and tomorrow’s world for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

If your heart is broken from hurts of the past He has you covered and will bring miraculously good things out of it if you will commit them to Him. If you are living in fear of today’s turmoil, today’s pain, today’s seeming harshness and helplessness, He is the God of your today. He will hold you and help you without fail and without condemnation. And if your thoughts constantly run to tomorrow and where you will be, what you will do, what of your loved ones, that too is covered. For the whole of creation rests in the palm of God’s hands and we as His beloved children are above all safe, saved, delivered and redeemed from our own destructions and downfalls.

Truly, beloved, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ, nothing. Romans 8:38-39 says ”For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These times may be troubling but NO THING and NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. God has called us into His family, and who He calls He also justifies, and those He justifies He also glorifies (Romans 8:30). It’s powerful beyond what man can reason in his finite mind. It takes simple faith and trust in Jesus to believe that no matter what kind of dire straits we may find ourselves in God is right there with us. Nothing is too difficult for our God. His arm is not shortened that it cannot help. His ears are open to our cries. And when we are without strength there is no greater time to let go of our efforts, our worries, and just experience a free-fall right into His loving arms, for scripture says in Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”. What a beautiful expression of total Love and care for us. He’s our refuge, and if we fall, we fall right into His everlasting arms. Think of it. That thought of falling into the everlasting arms brings the phrase “Let Go and Let God” into virtual focus. Let go today precious ones, and let God show you a true and better way. He will not fail you and He will not leave you.

I heard a song long ago that goes something like “In times like these, we need a Savior. In times like these, we need an anchor. Be very sure, yes very sure, your anchor holds, and grips the solid rock”. Jesus is the Rock that is higher than we are. Jesus is the anchor of our souls. So may these words of encouragement touch your heart today and inspire you to be sure, be very sure, that for such a time as this you are trusting in the Anchor of life, the Love that is unconditional, and in so doing your Anchor WILL hold. For in times like these nothing material, nothing secular, nothing of this world and its goods shall be able in any wise to save you, it is in Christ alone that we are saved, in Christ alone.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26.

In His Love,

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A Soft Word

Ephesians 4:29– Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 15:23 – A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

THE SPOKEN WORD

The spoken word is powerful, can build up or tear down.

A source of healing hurting souls, our words with hope abound.

The careless word in anger spoken, like knives, can cut the heart,

and sever friendships, family ties, as lives are torn apart.

We ought with words to raise man’s spirit, and lift the life cast low,

to let our Savior speak through us, His healing waters flow.

Let’s bind the tongue and stop the words we speak in thoughtless error,

that all our words, to all we meet, we’re not ashamed to share.

With words we speak the Savior’s love, we witness to the lost,

so let us think before we speak and careless words are tossed.

If we then find ourselves o’ercome with anger, rage and wrath,

“Sin not”, our God commanded us, His wisdom guides our path.

Dear Friends – Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. It is important to remember that the tongue is expounded on in scripture in great depth and exhaustive detail, meaning if so much time were given to instruction and wisdom regarding our tongue, it must be a very important part of lives, our daily walk, and most certainly our love walk with God. How precious that God took so much time to teach us and instruct us regarding our tongue, the words we speak and what power these have because, as most of us have experienced, the tongue can be our best friend or our worst enemy.

Many of us speak things to others in haste, perhaps in anger, and then later regret those words. And the Holy Spirit is not slow in convicting us when we’ve spoken in error, out of turn, or simply because we felt like it.  For you see, when we speak kind words, soft words, it not only deters wrath, but people give pause in the heat of an argument, people are touched emotionally in a positive way, and anger is often quelled in the midst of strife and confrontation. People today need encouragement. People today need to see the Love that lives within us, that it is alive and active.

So often I’ve found that folks that seem rude at times, cruel and even mean, usually have heartache, a life teeming with unresolved issues and brokenness. Keeping this at the forefront of our thinking should be a gentle reminder to not react in kind in stressful situations. If you can speak a good word from the river of life flowing in you, an encouraging word, and freely give of the Love that Christ has given you, I believe seeds of hope can be planted everywhere we go and to everyone we meet. In 1 Peter 3:15 scripture tells us to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. Yes, if you speak kindly and lovingly, encouraging and uplifting, especially in the face of anger and strife, people witness this and this in turn becomes a testimony of the Love of Christ that is in us. When the Holy Spirit is given reign in the words of our mouths we open the door for greater opportunities to reach the lost, to minister to those in need, and all because we ordered our conversation aright, and scripture again says those that order their conversation aright will see the salvation of God. And God’s word says the liberal soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. What you give to others in the form of your words shall come back to you, dear ones, so may it be always words of faith, hope and love, words of life, and may those words come back to bless you in countless, bountiful ways so that you yourself begin to confess you are blessed to be a blessing.

Romans 10:9-10 says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Believe it, receive it and confess it. Let your mouth be filled with good things and be bold to share them with a hurting world. For you’ve heard it said, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. This is good advice in any circumstance or situation. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace, so always let peace be your guide.

And in all your speaking don’t forget how important your words are in your own life, family situations, and circumstances. For negative words and thoughts about ourselves, our family, our circumstances can be just as detrimental and destructive as angry words spoken to others. God loves us. We have been redeemed by His Son, Jesus, and scripture says if we believe on Him we shall not be ashamed. Situations and circumstances may look negative. Your path may be obscured by pain or depression, lack or loneliness. But God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Speak blessings into your own life. Speak blessings into the lives of those around you. Rise up and speak boldly, calling those things that be not (things you can’t see yet) as though they were already in existence. Let your words be filled with the Love of the Lord, for yourself, for anyone, and let these words be spoken with wisdom, admonishing peace and goodwill as much as lieth in your power to do so. Scripture says in Proverbs 15:23 as noted above that a word spoken in due season, how good it is! And if you find yourself backed in a corner, then just start praising God, for God inhabits the praises of His people.

But be reminded beloved, scripture says in 1 Peter 3:4 that a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price. I must say that few people today realize the beauty in this scripture. When it comes to the words we speak, sometimes less is more. There’s nothing wrong with being a quiet person, I am one myself, and being quiet rather than carelessly tossing words out there just to be heard can speak volumes in its own right. After all, folks today are bombarded with noise, cell phones ringing, traffic racing, demands of life coming from every angle. Sometimes, a quiet time alone with someone can do more good than many words. A gentle touch on the hand, a warm hug, and soft words that carry a lot of weight, easy on the ears and calming on the heart are actions that speak louder than words and cannot be underestimated in their value.

So always think before speaking. Consider the circumstances, the lives you’re affecting, and make a conscious decision to speak with love. “Be the message” as my friend, Jene Wilton, so eloquently puts it. For our lives are a message to others and our words are just a testimony of that message, a testimony that we belong to Christ and Christ is God’s.

In His Love,

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Be Still And Know

Psalms 77:1-2 - I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

 BE STILL MY CHILD

My precious child why do you doubt the love I have for you. Your troubled soul, the weary mind, each day begin anew. You cannot seem to grasp my hand or feel my warm embrace. You will not let your eyes meet mine or gaze into my face. The pain you feel in tortured thoughts, and life’s rejections sore, begin a downward spiral as you pace upon the floor. Reasoning and questioning with answers seldom found, have left you broken, wounded, lying helpless on the ground. Your spirit now is overwhelmed as darkened paths you trod. Those troubles may seem large to you but I’m a great big God. Though nights are long and restless spent, and midnight seems as dawn, you can’t find peace, you cannot speak, for comfort how you long. But my sweet child I’ve come today from someplace faraway. I’m knocking now at your heart’s door, don’t turn and run away. For I am all you’ll ever need so dry the many tears. I love you without measure, child, there is no need to fear. For what you thought was hopelessness and sorrow without end, was just your Savior, Jesus, asking you to let Him in. Put down your pride, forsake the wrath, and throw earth’s weapons down. You will not need them here with me all decked in robe and crown. I died for you, my lovely bride, and rose to give you life. I rose to cleanse each part of you, give peace instead of strife. Look to me and learn of me, let Love become your Guide. Receive the greatness that I Am, from others this not hide. For when I made you, darling child, I knew you were the best. Everything about you soon will glow above the rest. My strength I will pour into you for times when you are weak. You’ll feel it surging through your life as more of me you seek. For I am He that called you forth, I knew you in the womb. And though you’ve felt so all alone, I’ve come to comfort you. I’ve come to rescue you, dear one, and save your pining soul. I’ve come to make my home in you, your heart a new abode. Just ask me in and soon you’ll see the greatest Love of all, was waiting ever patiently until you heard my call. And yes my lovely bride I see you clothed in glowing white. There’s no more scarlet anywhere, sin’s stains are gone from sight. The failures, doubts and fears you felt have all been washed away, by Jesus’ blood at Calvary, you’re all brand new today. Yes, baby girl, your days will now be sweet and filled with peace. I’ve given you a new song in the night to help you sleep. So come each day and talk to me, I’ll fellowship with you. And you will grow so close to me, you’ll not find love so true. Yes we will have communion that will stir your soul to fly. You’ll soon be mounting up with eagles, soaring in the sky. I’ve given you my kingdom, it’s tucked deep within your heart. And this I promise you, beloved, it never shall depart. In summer gaze upon the sun and feel its presence warm. At night you’ll marvel darkened skies with stars like glitter blown. In springtime walk the garden lane, the roses’ scents inhale, for all earth’s beauty I have made, though to your beauty pale. In autumn see the many hues, the yellows, reds and gold, and know I painted every leaf for your eyes to behold. Yes winter’s one more time of year that sparkles ever new, for all is covered white and soft with snow as fresh as dew. So know my child the greatness of your God and all He’s done, to save you and to bless you in the person of His Son.

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all!

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Proverbs 18:24 - A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Scripture says there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. This friend is Jesus. When one considers the closeness of brothers, brothers biologically, brothers in combat, brothers in tragedy, a bond is realized that lasts for a lifetime. This is the bond that Jesus wants to have with each of us. He gave His life to do away with the separation between man and God, to close the chasm, if you will.

He brought us the dispensation of grace, the new covenant, and man never has to feel separated from God anymore. For His grace covers all our sin, past, present and future, and His love is eternal and unconditional. We only have to believe Him and receive Him into our hearts today and as we walk with him and fellowship with Him, faith leads us to our divine purpose and ultimately our heavenly home.

Dear friends-If you don’t know Jesus, I invite  you to take a moment right now and ask him into your heart. Let Him be the Lord of your life, give him first place in everything. You’ll begin a journey to last a lifetime that is full of life and love.

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The Peaceful, Restful Arms Of The Spirit

1 Corinthians 3:3 -  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Dear Friends – The love of God is so all-encompassing in one’s life. There is nothing we can do, think, say or feel that is hidden from Him. And if we are seeking Him and desirous of a more intimate relationship with Him, His presence becomes even more evident in our everyday lives and circumstances. Scripture says in Luke 17:21b the kingdom of God is within you. Beloved, I say to you, when the kingdom of God resides on the inside of you your whole world is going to change. Where once you walked in hopelessness and despair, the word of God brings hope and glory. If you live in darkness and isolation, the Holy Spirit will come alongside to comfort you, and the Lord shall enlighten your darkness. There is no greater love this side of heaven, no truer friend, and no greater promises than God’s promise to us of eternal life through faith in Jesus, His Son, and the finished work of the cross.

Dear ones, today we must ask ourselves are we operating in the flesh or in the spirit? It seems like a harmless enough question. Perhaps it seems hardly worth considering if we are doing our utmost to be the best we can be for God, for others, and allowing God to transform us with the beautiful light of His love. But I recently had a first-hand experience with how easy it is to end up in the flesh and not even realize it.

I had been experiencing deep emotional pain for some time. I had been relationally injured but truly had sought God’s will in this. Earnestly prayed for help and guidance. Ultimately under the weight of the pain and turmoil, I went to speak with a dear pastor friend of mine in another city, followed by a phone conversation at a later date. I had not seen him in quite some time but our meeting was as if it had been divinely orchestrated, and in retrospect, circumstances told me it was. I always greet him when I see him as “the man of God”. He always smiles at me when I say this,  but this greeting hardly does him justice. For he always has just the right “word” for any circumstance. His words are sharper than any two-edged sword and able to divide asunder between flesh and spirit for his words are always God’s words, aiming straight for the heart and never missing their mark. Sure enough after a few moments of explaining my dire circumstances, he told me I was in the flesh.

Now wait a minute, I had been doing all I knew to get right and stay right, how could I have slipped into the flesh? I reiterated the pain and all the circumstances of how I wasn’t fighting with anyone else, just myself, thinking maybe he had misunderstood my first dissertation, and looking for some sort of empathy. But alas, he simply said to me again I was operating in the flesh. Yep, after explaining 1 Corinthians 3:3 to me it was as if I had never read that scripture before. Suddenly my eyes were opened and my heart understood. I might have been beating myself up for it but I was angry and my emotions were out of control. Yes I was trying to be stoic, perhaps even robotic, but this isn’t the life God desires for us, and isolating oneself in painful situations is hardly profitable. The battle was within me, the turmoil was simply a refusal to accept a hurtful situation, deal with it, and move on. For in isolating ourselves we create divisions, and divisions in turn create strife and the list goes on. So if you are struggling in any area today, ask yourself could it be you have slipped over into the flesh, gotten out of the peaceful, restful arms of the Spirit, and created an atmosphere of strife and division in your life? May these words of inspiration encourage you that there is a way back. If you are seeking God’s help, trust that your “man of God” is on the way. It may come in  another form but it will be the answer  you have been seeking from a true and faithful God.

So be encouraged today my friends. Understand that life hurts sometimes and sometimes life hurts unbearably. But God will make a way of escape. God will see you through your darkest hour. The greater your suffering, the greater will be the blessing when He brings you safely through and gives you a new song to sing. Remember this verse of scripture 1 Corinthians 2:9 – But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

In His Love,

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Thinking Outside The Box

Psalms 77:13-14 – Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God. 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou has declared thy strength among the people.

Dear Friends – With God’s help today,  I invite you to think outside the box, just for a moment, and ponder the thought that your emotional pain and frustration may actually be your friend.  The overwhelming pain you have been relentlessly suffering due to circumstances seemingly beyond your control probably have deep and loving messages attached. God often uses the trials and tribulations we endure in our spiritual journey to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to trust Him more, love Him more intimately, and fellowship with Him without reservation. Scripture says in 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care  upon him; for he careth for you.  So often we are so burdened and so weary, so distracted by the cares of this world, but that is exactly where God is waiting to meet us. He’s right there with you in the fire awaiting your cry for help. He’s carrying you through the flood, holding your head up when you no longer can. And His words to you are to cast it all on Him. He is able to handle it when we don’t know the way anymore and have not the strength to bear it any longer.

I read this short paragraph by Oswald Chambers and was struck by the absolute truthfulness of the statement, as if God sent a personal word. He says “It is not so true that “prayer changes things” as that prayer changes me and I change things. God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man’s disposition”.- Oswald Chambers. And there it is – truth in its most basic form. For our God does not always come when we call and change our circumstances. In His most loving way and with great tenderness and compassion on us, there are times when He is not out to change things for us but to change the heart and mind in us. When our hearts are broken and calling out to Him in desperation and what we receive seems to be silence, we must think again.  Scripture says in 1 Peter 4:19 – Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. Let this stir your soul, dear ones, and open your heart to His wisdom, His will and His way. For what He chooses for us is ultimately, infinitely better, exceedingly more powerful, and certainly more lasting and beneficial than things we would choose for ourselves.

Think of recurring issues in life that continue to bring us pain and distract us from all the things we could be enjoying. Would it not be more beneficial to allow God to change how we perceive life, situations, and people? This change of heart, or change of mind, or change in perception doesn’t leave us open to the next problem to arise with our weaknesses still intact and thriving. No this change is inside of us, orchestrated by God, and completed by God. The divine wisdom has been received and with joy and a renewed passion we move on, to bigger conquests, greater victories. Yes, precious ones, a change in our disposition will go a lot farther than a change in our external circumstances.

In a fast-food society, we want instant relief or we want it our way. But when God is involved it becomes evident our way leaves us needing more and more fixes, more and more help, and because of His involvement He usually allows us to come to that realization in His time frame and not ours. What great love for man that He would have so much patience with us when we usually have so little for Him.  Scripture says in Isaiah 55:9&11 – For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Think on that for a moment beloved. God doesn’t think like we do, He doesn’t act like we do, but He sends His word and accomplishes what He will, and what He wills will prosper in the situation and brokenness to which He sends it. Established in righteousness? With God it’s possible.

So think outside the box and get a glimpse today of just how big God really is, how great and precious are His promises. Let the painful circumstances in your life lead you to God who is ready to take you on, a special project of sorts, to rebuild, repair and ultimately restore you to all He created you to be. Make Jesus the Lord of your life today. Read His word and receive every bit of its inspiration and encouragement into your life and your circumstances. Set about to stay the course with God and live your life on His time schedule and not  your own. If you want to learn and grow in the things of God His door is always open, His arms are there to welcome you, and the Holy Spirit will come alongside to comfort you. It’s a win-win deal but it can’t be rushed or dictated – only lived out to the ultimate until we all come into the fullness of Christ.

In His Love,

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Spiritual Discernment

 Philippians 4:7-8 - And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Dear Friends – It is my prayer that this article will somehow bring enlightenment on your spiritual journey and reacquaint you with the fact that our feelings can at times be deceiving. Our feelings are often the product of our thoughts, and without discipline our thoughts can run amok, leading our feelings down the same path. Feelings and emotions must be controlled if we are to grow in our relationship with the Lord. False emotions, like fear, can wreak havoc on our love walk, and be prohibitive in our prayer life. If you find yourself drowning in a sea of emotional turmoil and negative feelings, it’s time for a mental checkup, what’s real and what’s not? What must I attend to and what am I wallowing in?

In the above passage of scripture, we are given a list of things to think on. Beloved, we at times do have thoughts that are destructive to our self image, and we at times do have thoughts that are destructive to our relationships. But a well disciplined mind, a mind that is not allowed to race out of control and be carried away by every emotion or feeling, can be achieved. Look at the above list and ask yourself why are we instructed on what we should think about? I believe God knows how debilitating our thought life can be, how crippling our emotions can become if not kept in check. If we allow ourselves to have thoughts of self degradation or self pity we begin to isolate ourselves and perhaps even to the degree of accusing others of just not understanding rather than admit our thought life and feelings might in fact be in error. In the cloudiness of too much negative thinking, we too fall prey to a lack of understanding and lose our good judgment. Too much time spent in pondering our inner lives, the whys and wherefores, is unproductive and can lead us into depression, or deepening depression should it already be present to some degree. That is why God instructs us to think on things that have virtue and value in our lives. If we constantly tell ourselves we’re worthless and useless, before long we will start to believe it, and once we believe it, we will begin to act on it. But if we are thinking on things that are beautiful and of good report, even if we must use discipline to do so, we will by the same token feel more at peace with ourselves and with the world around us. And as you begin to take  captive every negative thought, before long this discipline will have a great reward. You will have a renewed strength and joy, a peaceful countenance to which you may not be accustomed and that in itself might require adjustment and a “settling down” if you will. You will no longer be tossed around emotionally by every careless word spoken by others. The things that used to so easily offend you won’t seem so important anymore. And above all, you’ll get a free pass off the emotional roller coaster that is so destructive to our personal lives.

Scripture says in Hebrews 12:12-16 – Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 Make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. If you are in sorrow and weakness today,  overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings, take heart my friends. Through Jesus, you can turn and let it be healed, for crippling emotions will lead you off course. Follow peace in your life for where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace. Root out any bitterness in your soul. Let the grace of God soothe the dis-ease in your life and save you from the hand of the enemy that is too strong for you. If you allow yourself to be overcome and taken down by negative feelings and emotions, others will naturally go down with you. Be the bridge of hope for your friends and family today, a bridge that leads to exceeding great joy. Believe God’s best for your life and you’ll be the best for others.

There are harsh facts in life that of course cannot be denied or ignored. There are things in life, people and situations, that need our attention, and some well-thought-out plans.  Scripture says in Proverbs 16:3&9- Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. 9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. God has given us freedom of choice, freedom of will, but it is up to us with His help to choose our way wisely. We are a living testimony to those around us as to how we handle stress and turmoil, what we do with the exceeding good things that come our way (will we use them for selfish purposes, squander them, or use them for God’s glory), and whether our joy is real or just a deceptive portrayal to hide the out-of-control emotions and feelings we may be dealing with on the inside.

May these words of inspiration encourage you this moment, these words of encouragement open your eyes to the abundant life that awaits you through faith in Christ Jesus. Yes, you or a family member may be seriously ill, but choose to believe the good report about this illness. Stand on God’s word that says  “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). If you are  troubled and embittered, anxious or fearful, believe His word that says ”Fear not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed for I am thy God… ” (Isaiah 41:10). For all that we face in life (scripture says “there is nothing new under the sun”) is covered by God’s marvelous grace and in this grace there is nothing lacking, nothing missing. Because of God’s grace no weapon formed against us shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Test the waters of your emotions and feelings, dear ones. Ask God to show you what’s real and what needs to be discarded. Ask Him for an abundant supply of spiritual discernment that you might be able to shun the offenses and learn to walk in love. Your feelings should not be controlling you. Rise up and take control of them in truth.

In His Love,

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Soul Glow

Psalm 40:5 – Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Dearest Friends – We all have but one life to live, how will we live it? The choice is ours each day. We can get up with anticipation of a glorious day or have a defeated attitude before our feet even touch the floor. We can speak with positive words, encouraging words, and share the love of God, or we can flood our atmosphere with negative energy simply by choosing to speak discouraging words born of negative thoughts. It is my prayer that these words of inspiration will motivate you this day to determine to have a glorious life and be all you can be through faith in Jesus. May these inspiration words be a light shining on every reader, perhaps my own soul glow, showing that God is love and life can truly be beautiful but it does not happen without right choices, ordering our conversation aright, and above all right thinking.

Scripture says in Psalms 118:24 – This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Beloved, if it is a day the Lord made, it must be good, how can we not but rejoice? Yes, another day to see the sunshine again, another day to help our brother or save a lost soul, is a day to rejoice and be glad. Even in sorrow and turmoil, with God’s help, we will be able to see the bright side and rejoice. Be joyful for the opportunity to seek the Lord, to serve Him and to share His love today. We are not promised tomorrow, dear ones, life is to be lived to the fullest today. What you leave behind is not what is engraved on a stone monument, but what is woven into the lives of others. Have a positive affect on someone’s life today (Timothy Davis).

A recent Facebook post by Timothy Davis also stated “You’ve got a lot of choices in life to pick from. If getting out of bed in the morning with a frown on your face is one of them, pick again!! No worries!!” Yes, a beautiful day or a beautiful life is not found in the abundance of material goods we acquire, the success we achieve, or worldly fame. A beautiful day and a positive outlook are blossoms of the budding good attitude we chose this morning on arising. The blessings in life that carry us through are the blessings we find in serving others. There is just something about giving of ourselves to help others, putting others’ needs before our own, that creates in us a feeling of satisfaction, an overwhelming feeling of peace and serenity.  The quality of each precious day we are given depends largely on how we allow our light to shine before men. The light we allow to shine before men is the essence of who we are, it is a soul glow if you will. This light can show not only the  path you are on but can beckon the way to others that have perhaps gotten disoriented in their darkness or distress. Thus, your light is a priceless treasure, my friends, when used to edify others.

Scripture says in Psalms 107:8 & 9 – Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. If you get up in the morning counting your blessings you will be amazed at the difference it makes. If you arise with a song of praise on your lips, a prayer in your heart, a thankful attitude coupled with a grateful spirit, you will bless all you meet. Your life will be as a beacon shining on a hilltop, a lighthouse in troubled seas. People around you will see the glow of the Spirit on your face, the love of Jesus will permeate every aspect of your life, and they will want this for their own lives. The joy of the Lord will be your strength and each day will be seen as another opportunity to walk in faith and victory, to do all as unto the Lord.

In His Love,

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