grow in Christ

When Christ forgives my enemy,
what will the posture of my spirit be?

Will it resist, and turn away?
It will be tempting, fair to say.

But woe to me if I don’t budge,
and choose instead, to hold a grudge…

For what if Christ had done the same,
and left me in my sin and shame?

Would I then see things differently,
would I expect to be set free?

Or would I want to let the pride,
of those I’d wronged, in life decide?

How would I fare, would I survive-
with human judgement left thrive?

Without my God, who gave His Son,
the verdict would be said and done.

The fire of Hell would be my lot,
had not my soul, through pain been bought.

It was the cross that reckoned me;
it was the blood that set me free.

So what gives me the right to turn,
and have another sinner burn?

If I am full of thanks and praise,
then I should be the one who prays…

“Lord, please forgive my earthly foe,
Your love for them is great, I know.”

The Bible says, I must do this,
lest my own pleas, be they dismissed…

When Christ forgives my enemy,
they’ll know the grace, that once touched me.

Desiring to be like Your Son, may it be, that ALL my words get screened by the Holy Spirit today. Your word describes how our mouths can spring forth both the sweet AND the bitter- from the same source; which should NOT be. So help me to avoid the obvious pitfalls of swearing, lying, and gossipping; but also the subtle daggers of sarcasm and pessimism- which may for a moment feel justified, but in reality, serve only to hurt or discourage those I love. May Your love and encouragement shine through Your daughter today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

a ‘C’

Give me an ‘L’

Give me an ‘E’

Give me an ‘A’

Give me an ‘N’

WHAT DOES IT SPELL??

A: THE WAY MY HOUSE IS LOOKIN’!!! (Hallelujah!)

I will clean my house, as unto the LORD! (But if it’s all the same, everybody- PRAY!) ;0)

I looked in the mirror to see what I’d see…
Was this a deception, appearing to me?

“It’s the way that I see you”, came a voice soft and still…
“and your beauty will grow, for this is my WILL.”

How CAN He see beauty? All I see is fear-
Weakness that’s ugly, and won’t disappear!

“Weakness is strength, when a heart turns to me.
Just a small seed of faith, and the bending of knee…”

“I know this- I do; I’ve heard it before…
but working on ME, Lord, will prove quite a chore!”

“I’m up for the challenge, if that’s what it is…
in fact it’s my JOY, to restore all that’s His.”

“If that’s how You feel; and I know it’s the truth,
then please bring me back, to the heart of my youth…

I remember the times I would cry out to you,
wishing those near me, would love me like You!

Time after time, they’d refuse and retreat,
leaving the young me, confused in defeat!”

“I was there, don’t forget; I witnessed it all:
and I’ll be there that day, when you stand straight and tall…

The heart of your youth was a dear one to me,
but I’LL make it stronger; I’LL set you free!”

“That’s GOOD, my Lord; I like what You say-
I offer you praise, and I promise this day:

When I check my mirror, I’ll keep it in mind,
that a higher opinion than yours, who can find?

If YOU think I’m special, and worthy of love,
then I’LL take the Word from Heaven above!”

...but I found it enlightening to read the words of Elizabeth, in Luke 1:45:

“You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.”

~WE are a blessed people, because WE believe that the Lord will do what He has said!

Furthermore:

“I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will CONTINUE His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.”

(Philippians 1:6)

If anyone needs encouragement, please consider this as a word from the Lord! :0) (I know I do!)

In the palm of God’s hand, is where I rest. I am safe in this place- what could harm me here? I’ve seen some arrows come close; that I won’t deny…but just as I brace myself for impact, another mighty hand- God’s left hand, swats the arrow away. Sometimes I fear the mere sight of these arrows, but I swear- the Lord prevails each time! It really IS as it is written: No weapon formed against me shall prosper! God is the Way, the Truth, and the Life- nothing else really matters. When you’ve come to the end of yourself, you are then ready to begin with God. I have about come to the end of myself. Don’t pity me…Now that I am weak, He can be strong in my life. The Lord is adamant about receiving His due Glory. In me, He shall be satisfied! My Lord will hear no argument from me, when it comes time to dole out the credit…Any victory, belongs to Him! Amen and Amen.

Don’t be like the woman who refuses to step foot into the gym- until she can FIT well into workout attire! That’s what the gym is FOR- to MAKE you fit. Jesus came to make people and their lives, WELL and WHOLE! Don’t even TRY to WAIT for the “right time”, to go back to church/ seek the Lord. The day of salvation is TODAY. He waits with open arms. He suffered for all sins- yours and mine. Run; don’t walk- He’s been waiting for you, my friend!

Just like Lois Lane and Superman, I know that I can be falling from the highest of heights, be swooped up by arms mighty to save, and placed with such gentleness back on solid ground. You are my hero! I look into Your eyes, and I see passion staring back- a FIERCE passion. You never forget me! Just when I think I’ve been rescued for the last time… You appear at the next scene- HOW do you DO that?! You’ve captured my affection; won my loyalty. There is not a soul in existence, that could convince me to the contrary…To the great “I Am”: You are my God; my Hero. Praise be to your strong name- forevermore!

Lord send me an angel to hold up my arms. I know full well to praise you, whether the sun shines or not. You see the sun does not shine over me right now, and you discern the hindrance. I suspect I perceive as well…I can’t ask that You remove the truth, but only that You would shine Your light upon it! Truth does not belong in darkness; that is not the nature of truth. Disguised as a lie; twisted and turned, the facts dwell safely in darkness. Lord it is written: “The violent taketh by force!” Remove all security from the lie and the liar! They hold back the facts, fearing not my suspicion…Might they fear the Lord? It is time for us to see…So again hold up my arms—send an angel if You would. My plan right now is to endure, uncertain though I am… If death is imminent, then let it be— but not the death of life. On the contrary! I seek the death of death itself. Lord, You conquered death. You are the Way the Truth and the Life. I will watch as death trembles before my Lord! Not before ME—but before my Lord. Amen.