WE FIGHT BACK!

Tyler went to a concert at TCU with his good friend Corley. They had a really great time. Listening to them talk about it got me to thinking back to when I was younger, the good ole days...

When I was a teenager, I wanted to listen to "my songs" everytime I got into the car with my mom or dad. I'm not at all sure they enjoyed my awesome music quite as much as I did. In fact, I remember my dad not being too fond of "The Beatles" because of "all that long hair ". = D His great fear was that I'd grow up and marry one of them! $$$$

Oh, the good ole days...

I remember getting into the car and flipping that channel to my station as fast as I could. And the louder I could play it, the better it became. Can you older folks remember that feeling? When you just had to have the radio blasting? I hope I never forget how important it was to that 15 year girl. It's still important to teenagers.

Well, as Tyler told us about the concert, I went back in my mind to that time when music was everything to me. I hope that will help explain the direction of my devo today. Remember, it''s all "straight from the heart".

This video is with Tim Halperin, one of the performers at the concert Friday night, and he is joined by a few of his TCU buddies. Tim made it to the top 12 on American Idol one season, and he was asked to write a song that would help promote the Susan Komen Foundation Run. Obviously, it's about the fight against Breast Cancer but if you listen to the words, I think it can apply to our battle against the Enemy, too. After all, I'm pretty sure cancer is one of the Enemy's favorite schemes to break us, to turn us from God. But We will fight back!

http://youtu.be/mLiCS6AaebE - We FIGHT BACK! - Tim Halperin


We have to start remembering that there is a battle going on and it is not against flesh and blood...


My enemy is not another guy or another girl. My true enemy is not flesh and blood.



Ephesians 6 - For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.


There's something very evil and sinister going on every day of our lives. The enemy watches and plots his schemes against you and me. He has a devious scam designed for each one of us - specifically made to fit our weaknesses. And he doesn't give up easily. That's why we have to be on guard, always alert!



1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


I don't like to think about it, but the spirit world is real. God has made it very clear that there are evil spirits all around seeking to carry out the devil's plans and schemes. We have to be prepared. We have to know that we can call on Jesus. He is our Rescuer.

And we have another mighty weapon - the Sword of the Spirit from Ephesians 6. It's our only offensive tool. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. Let God write His word on your heart. Listen to His Word and apply it - that's our weapon, and if we'll do that, God will direct our path, He'll give us victory.

Ephesians 6:17 - Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


I've got one more song for you righteous dudes. Oh, sorry. I got carried away. I know this song isn't considered a "religious song" but bear with me please.



We were driving home from school, and of course, listening to Tyler's music. I'm not sure how Tyler feels about me singing along, but sometimes I just can't help myself. After all, I've heard his favorite song so many times (thank you, Tyler!), I've pretty much memorized the words of all of them. = P And for some reason, I've always liked this particular song. So I was belting it out, at least until Tyler changed the station. Hmmm... Do you think he may have been telling me something?

This time as I sang along, I got to thinking about the words, and what they meant to me. Let me set the record straight. I didn't just break up with my boyfriend. Oops, sorry, I meant husband - I'm still in the 70's. I just really like the song.

The more I listened to the words, I thought, "This is pretty much how I feel about the devil."



Some of the lines might be a stretch. Everyone is entitled to their own take on what the song means to them. I've written in red what the lines me to me. This is what I hear when I listen to "JAR OF HEARTS":


"I know I can't take one more step towards you cause all that's waiting is regret." Right? When I believe the lies of the Enemy, it always leaves me feeling broken and discouraged. I end up having regrets when I do what he wants me to do.

"Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore?" - No kidding! I belong to Jesus and I am not going to follow the Enemy anymore. I don't have to listen to him or do what he says. Jesus gave me victory over my human nature - that part of me that used to fall for every lie and every scheme that the enemy put before me.

"I learned to live half-alive" - yeah, that's what happens when I follow the enemy. Things look great at first. He can really make sin look good. But then, the consequences happen. My "great life" ends up causing me pain and grief. Living for the moment, thinking only about myself is not the life God intended me. HE has so much more.

"Now you want me one more time" - He sure does. The enemy doesn't like to lose. Too bad he hasn't figured out he's already lost this one. Jesus took him down for me.

"I hear you're asking all around if I am anywhere to be found, but I have grown too strong to ever fall back in your arms" - This one's a little tricky, because I'm not strong enough to defeat Satan. He is powerful and I would dare to try and minimize the power of his influence in this world. He is the prince of the world - the DARK Prince to be sure! He's tough but Jesus is tougher. I can't do fight him alone, but Jesus gives me His Strength and with Jesus on my side, I can stand strong no matter what the enemy throws at me.

No more scars! My sins are paid for by the precious blood of Jesus. Seriously, who does the enemy think he is, playing with God's children?


I remember how to put the light back in my eyes. All I have to do is call on Jesus!


This song has lots of meaning for me now. It's my "fight song" - and I love it. I hope you'll sing along with me!



http://youtu.be/Msy-q6uO2Go - Who Do You Think You Are? - Christina Perri
"Jar Of Hearts"

lyrics

I know I can't take one more step towards you


'Cause all that's waiting is regret (when I follow satan, I always end up regretting)


And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore (I'm not following you anymore!)
You lost the love I loved the most
I learned to live half-alive - (When I follow Satan's way, I don't get the life God intended for me)





And now you want me one more time - (I don't think so!)
And who do you think you are, running 'round leaving scars?


Collecting your jar of hearts and tearing love apart


You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul


So don't come back for me, who do you think you are?



I hear you're asking all around (he's prowling around)


If I am anywhere to be found


But I have grown too strong (through Christ who strengthens me!)


To ever fall back in your arms (been there, done that! - no more!)
I learned to live half-alive (I settled for satan's way for a while but I won't do it any more!)


And now you want me one more time



And who do you think you are,


running 'round leaving scars? (the scars are my reminder - satan's way only destroys me)


Collecting your jar of hearts, tearing love apart



You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul


So don't come back for me,


who do you think you are?



It took so long just to feel alright


Remember how to put back the light in my eyes


I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed'


Cause you broke all your promises



And now you're back, you don't get to get me back
And who do you think you are, running 'round leaving scars?


Collecting your jar of hearts and tearing love apart


You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul


So don't come back for me, don't come back at all



And who do you think you are, running 'round leaving scars?


Collecting your jar of hearts, tearing love apart


You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul


Don't come back to me, don't come back at all
Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?



What's your favorite secular song?

Can you make it even more special by using it to express your relationship with Jesus?


Everything for His glory!



Holy Father, I just love how You show up in every part of my life, even in songs which might never have been intended to be about my walk with Jesus. But I'm singing the words, and there He is! It makes the song even more special to me. I love it.
You're with me everywhere I go and in everything I do, and that not only brightens my day, it makes me feel safe! With You, I'm always safe.

Lord God help me to be alert and on guard. There are days when I take my eyes off of Jesus and that leaves me vulnerable to Satan's attack. Remind me that my strength is in You, Jesus, not my strength - "not by might nor power, but by YOUR Spirit, LORD!" I will "fight back" using the Sword of the Spirit - Your inspired Word! Write it on my heart, LORD, so that I will never be confused when Satan tries to woo me with half-truths and his all-out lies. Help me to listen to only You, so that I can win this spiritual battle through Your power and might. Thank You Jesus for defeating the Enemy for me. I'm trusting in You always. Amen.

http://youtu.be/fa8w7mGug0c - I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

Do You have a Testimony?

http://youtu.be/vtkhD45H1Ts - Testify to Love - Wynonna Judd



I was practically born on a church pew.

At my church we didn't hear much about "testimonies", so I never was asked to stand up and give my story of how I came to know Christ. If I had been asked, it wouldn't have been very exciting. I grew up knowing about Jesus and believing in Him. In my church, when one gets to a certain age, they just know it's time to make it official. I just knew it was time, so I was baptized 5 days before I turned 11.

As I got older, I heard people talking about giving their testimonies. Not at my church, but at other churches it seemed to be "the thing to do". Everyone seemed to have that one moment when they just knew that they needed Jesus. Most testimonies were very moving and dramatic. I was a little embarrassed because I didn't have the big moment when I just knew. I grew up knowing! I knew my whole life.

Looking back now, I realize I didn't have a testimony because I never really understood that I needed a Savior. I loved Jesus and I knew He had been crucified for sinners. But growing up in church as I did, it never occurred to me that I was one of those sinners.

When I was still in school, I was a very good girl. If I'm really honest, I was probably good more out of fear of getting caught and punished than out of a desire to do the right thing, but still, I was a good girl. I certainly didn't have any "real" sins that Jesus would have had to die for. My little mistakes certainly wouldn't have required that I be punished. Jesus didn't need to take my punishment because I didn't really deserve serious punishment. After all, my parents could catch me doing something I shouldn't do, and all they had to do was tell me and I wouldn't do it any more. See! No need for punishment for my sins. Just explain my mistake to me. I won't do it anymore. I'm a good girl. Or at least, that's what I thought.

I think there's a lot of us Christians who "inherited" our faith from godly parents. And I thank God every day for putting me in the family of two loving parents who taught me about Jesus right from the beginning. I knew every story in the Bible, I could recite the books of the old testament and the new testament, name the apostles, sing the fruit of the Spirit song, etc. I knew all about Jesus. The problem was I didn't KNOW Jesus.

Well, I babystepped my way into a sinful life. Trust me, I now have a testimony! I know how I am without my Savior. I know that I am not good on my own. Satan convinced that little girl who I was to believe that she was "good". But even Jesus wouldn't let people call Him good! How in the world could I think I was good?

The problem was that my idea of good and God's idea of good are two totally different things.

What I didn't understand was God's holiness. God isn't just good. HE is GOODNESS. He is Light and in Him there is NO Darkness. HE will not tolerate sins - big or little. He can't. He is too Holy and Righteous!

Sounds harsh, doesn't it?

But maybe not so much...

I was watching a movie about the atrocities in Rwanda. Mass genocide was ongoing. Senseless murdering. Innocent women and children were raped and slaughtered as if they were nothing. My blood ran cold. I couldn't stand to watch the heartless butchering. Babies were thrown to the ground or slammed into walls; torture that I wouldn't want anyone to endure. Just watching the movie, I felt dirty, sick to my stomach. This was surely pure evil. And I didn't want anything to do with it.

Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever been in the presence of someone who was doing something that you felt was so wrong, it made you feel sick? Didn't you just want to get out of there as quickly as you could? To blot it out of your memory?

Well, that's how God feels about any sin. You see, you and I aren't good. Oh, we think we are sometimes, but Jesus tells us in Luke 18:19 - "Why do you call me good?" replied Jesus; "there is no one good but One, namely God.

God's ways are so much higher than our ways. And His Goodness is so much greater than our concept of "goodness". Just as the genocide in Rwanda makes me want to turn my head and look away, my sins, yes, even my "little" sins, make God want to turn His Face from me. Because of His Righteousness and Justice, He is disgusted by my sins - no matter how big or small. All sin is an abomination to Him and an affront to His Holiness.

Have you ever been in a situation where you witnessed someone being mistreated or bullied?

The bully or bullies pick out a target; someone they perceive as weaker, smaller, or different; and then the bully proceeds to beat that person down. The bully takes joy in making his victim feel worthless, like he doesn't matter to anyone. One bully can start a chain reaction by inciting the others in his group to join in. Before very long, there's a whole group of ruthless bullies attacking one helpless victim. It reminds me of what happens when food is thrown into a fish tank and all the fish get into a feeding frenzy! The bully and his gang become crazed, almost like wild animals ready to rip their prey to shreds.

I'm sure you've seen things like that happen. How did it make you feel? Did you get that sick feeling in your stomach? As you witnessed the growing intensity of the mob, were you afraid? Were you too afraid to step up and say "NO More!" ? Have you ever wished you were big enough and strong enough to just beat the snot out of the bully! Doesn't everything in you just scream that justice must be done? The bully should have to pay a price for his actions.

When God sees injustices and other sinful acts, unlike us, He is not afraid and He steps boldly into those situations and tells us, "NO, I will not tolerate your sins!" And HE turns His face from us. Because He is a Holy and just God. One day, He will punish all sin.

God is Holy and Good and thankfully, He is also full of mercy. He will not and cannot tolerate my sin, but in His great love, He provided a Sacrificial Lamb to stand in my place and take my punishment for me.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

God's love is amazing. It's so much deeper than I can imagine. I think about those evil men in Rwanda and the ungodly things they have done to helpless victims. I'm not sure how much love I would have to give to someone who had just raped my daughter or tortured my mother or father to death. I'm not sure I would have much mercy. Don't those atrocities deserve punishment of the most severe measure?

Yes, they do. But so do my sins deserve punishment. God's justice is that "the wages of sin (any sin) is death." Because I am a sinner, I have been sentenced to death. That's the price I have to pay to a Holy God for living a life that dishonors Him. I don't like that too much. But neither does HE. 2 Peter 3:8-9 - "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the LORD a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. The LORD is not slow in keeping His promise (to return) as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." GOD is GOOD. And GOD is also LOVE. He knew I was going to fail. He knew I couldn't be perfect. He loved me anyway. Since HE simply could not tolerate sin that reigned in my life, He made a very special plan. He sent His one and only Son to take my punishment, to die in my place, so that I could live. That's amazing love!


http://youtu.be/zt-lUMBWi30 - The Prodigal Son - Casting Crowns


This song is my testimony. At least, it's pretty close. I chose a life of sin. I turned my back on God, but He wouldn't let go. He just kept sending me little reminders. I'm so very thankful that HE didn't give up on me.

I'm now older and should be wiser, but I'm not so sure I am. One thing I have learned is that those little "innocent" sins I committed when I was young, they were the "not so innocent" babysteps that I took on my way to the bigger sins. God hated those little babystep sins because He knew what was coming. When I finally realized what had happened, I reached out to my Father, and He reached back. He covered me with Jesus' robe of righteousness. Now, when my Father looks at me, He sees the righteousness of Jesus - my sins are gone. Jesus paid my debt and I am His forever.

Holy Father, forgive me for every thinking I was good. Forgive me for thinking my "little" sins weren't important. I now realize that even the tiniest sins give the Enemy a foothold. And my pride, my thinking that I don't need Jesus to save me from my sins, that is a huge hold I give to Satan. Please help me to see when I start feeling a little to full of myself, a little too prideful. Do whatever You must do to remind me, Father. Without Jesus I am nothing. And any thing good that I do is like filthy rags in Your Holy Presence.

Father, how do You put up with me? I'm such a mess!

Oh, yes, now I remember...

You are my Father who loves me beyond my comprehension. And now, when You look at me, You see the blood of Jesus covering every sin. You understand my weaknesses and instead of beating me down, You offer Your strength to me. How can I not love You, the One who loves me more than anyone on earth will ever love me!

Thank You, sweet Jesus, for covering me with Your precious blood. Because of what You've done, I can stand before our Father, spotless and pure. Thank You for loving me so very much. I have nothing of my own to offer. Everything I have comes from You. All I can do is honor Your Holy Name by living a life that brings you glory. Be glorified in my life, LORD. You are so worthy! In Jesus' Holy Name I pray. Amen.



http://youtu.be/jr3yoUJg7SU - Jesus Paid it All - Aaron Keyes

ALL I NEED IS YOU, LORD!

http://youtu.be/zC617kE1maU - All in All - Nicole Nordeman


Last night at Bible study, we talked about when the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry land. This is not to be confused with that other great water dividing -walk -across- on- dry- land event, when God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites as they left Egypt.

Yes, God did it again!

Moses had died and Joshua was the new leader if the Israelites. God wanted the Israelites to know that He was with Joshua just as He had always been with Moses. What better way than to give them a miracle very similar to the great "dividing of the Red Sea" which every Israelite had heard told over and over again throughout the years of wandering in the wilderness.

The Israelites were getting ready to take the land that God had promised their forefathers. God wanted to show them that He was with them, and that HE would make a way, even when there seemed to be no way.

The priests were to go ahead of the Israelites, carrying the Ark of the Convenant - which contained LORD's Presence - into the River. It was harvest time and the Jordan River was at flood stage. I've seen raging rivers during floods. It's a pretty ominous sight. The priests must have been a little nervous about walking into the flooding river, but they trusted the LORD.

Joshua 3:14-17

So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.

These priests and these Israelites had not witnessed the great parting of the Red Sea. They only heard about it from their fathers. They were just babies or some weren't even born when God rescued the Israelites from Pharaoh. It took faith for the priests to step into those waters. They had to trust GOD, and they had to trust Joshua who was telling what God had said to do. And, as always, GOD was faithful, just as He had been when the Israelites left Egypt.

This was an event that needed to be remembered. The Israelites had a history of forgetting God's faithfulness and then turning to other gods. God wanted them to remember how HE miraculously made a way for them to cross the flooding Jordan River, on dry land.

Joshua 4
When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’”
So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”
So the men did as Joshua had commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River, one for each tribe, just as the Lord had told Joshua. They carried them to the place where they camped for the night and constructed the memorial there.

This story reminded me of a song, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". The second verse is:

Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I've come;

And I hope by Thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home;

Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand-d'ring from the fold of God;

He to rescue me from danger interposed His precious blood.

When I was younger, everytime we sang that verse, I wondered what in the world I was raising! What was my "Ebenezer"?

1 Samuel 7:12-14

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."

Samuel had set up a stone as a memorial to remind the Israelites how God had delivered them from the Philistines. This stone was called "Ebenezer".

An Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s deliverance. For me, spiritually speaking, an Ebenezer is anything that reminds me of God's promise to always be with me, to be my Deliverer in every circumstance I face.

In our discussion last night, my friend, Brent, noted that the Cross is our Ebenezer because it represents God's faithfulness and His love. Isn't that so true? When I see a cross, whether it's a picture, a sculpture or piece of jewelry, I don't fall down and worship the cross. The cross didn't save me. I fall down and worship Jesus who died on that cross. The cross is just my Ebenezer, my reminder.

I have other Ebenezers, too. Robert, our teacher, asked us to think about times in our life when God has shown up in powerful ways; times when there didn't seem to be any way out a bad situation, but there HE was, faithfully walking and sometimes, carrying us through it. Those times, those very special times when He made a way when there seemed to be no way, those, too, are our stones of help, our memorials, our Ebenezers.

http://youtu.be/1zo3fJYtS-o - God Will Make A Way - Don Moen

I'm afraid I'm forgotten some of those special moments when God showed up with power. At the time, I thought I'd never forget, but life goes on, and just like the Israelites, I forget what all He's done for me. I think I need to start writing those special "Ebenezer" moments down in a journal so that when I'm feeling defeated and discouraged; when I have no hope, I can lift up my Ebenezer and thank God for how He always delivers me. He is my Stone of Help! As long as I have Him, I don't need anything else.

Holy God, You are my everything.

King of kings, the One for whom nothing is impossible, the One who guards my children and friends. You are merciful, faithful, slow to anger, Mighty, an ever-present help in my times of trouble, compassionate and loving.

You are my Provider, my Protector, my Strength, my Savior, my precious Redeemer, Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, Sustainer of all things, and You, GOD, are my Peace.

You aren't just wise; YOU are Wisdom; You don't just love; YOU are Love.

You are Sovereign over everything and everyone! Jesus, You are the Lion of Judah and the spotless Lamb of GOD - all in ONE. You are my Healer, my Defender, my Friend, my wonderful Counselor, my Rock, my Anchor, my Teacher, my High Priest, my Lord and Master, the Lifter of my head, my Encourager, my Helper, and my loving gracious Father.

Holy God, You alone are All-knowing, Ever Present, and All Powerful. And You love me. You call me Your child.

What more do I need?

I praise You, Almighty GOD, for You are my Everything.


http://youtu.be/gkLh-D-esxQ - All I need is You LORD - Hillsong United

Who will be a witness for my LORD?

Who will be a witness for my LORD?


http://youtu.be/_uMPT7IsVvI - Who will be a witness for my LORD?

Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial and administrative council in the first century. During the time of Christ, the Sandhedrin was under Roman rule but had a great deal of influence and authority. This group was made up of 71 members including Pharisees and Sadducees with the Pharisees being the most vocal members. The Sanhedrin was an elite group of godly and righteous men who were committed to knowing and following God's laws with a passion. The chief priest presided over the Sanhedrin. Or at least, that's how they started out.

We don't know much about Nicodemus except that he was a member of this powerful group of 71. And even though the Sanhedrin was greatly opposed to Jesus, we know that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night wanting to know more about him. While many Pharisees approached Jesus with questions, trying to catch him in their trap, Nicodemus seemed to really be seeking truth. Nicodemus, unlike his cohorts, seemed to be drawn to this man who spoke of God with such authority, as if He knew Jehovah personally.

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He was probably concerned about what the other members of the Sanhedrin would think if they knew he was talking to Jesus, so he went under the cover of night. I can imagine how Jesus yearned for Nicodemus to understand and to accept that He was the Messiah. Jesus taught about being born again. Nicodemus couldn't quite grasp how that could happen, but he wanted to understand. He was not looking for ways to discredit Jesus. I think he knew Jesus just might be the Messiah they were all waiting for. He wanted to know more.

I also think it's interesting to note that probably the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 was spoken by Jesus to Nicodemus. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

The next time we see Nicodemus is in John 7 - Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

The Sanhedrin wants Jesus arrested so that they can question him in the privacy of their meeting. They see him as a threat and want him dead. But the officers who were expected to make the arrest are a little concerned about arresting Jesus. "No man ever spoke like this Man!" they said. I'm pretty sure it was uncommon for the officers to question the Sanhedrin, but something told those officers that Jesus was more than just a man.

The Pharisees answer the officers by suggesting that they, too, had been deceived by Jesus. "Have any of us believed in Him?" they asked, as if that was a true measure of truth. They mock the officers saying that anyone who believes in Him is uneducated in the Law and under a curse. Apparently, that shut the officers up. But Nicodemus makes a bold move. He asks a question, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" John 7:51 It was just a question. But immediately, Nicodemus is under attack and ridiculed just like the officers had been. "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." John 7:52 They were referring to the Scriptures that said the Christ would come from David's family and from Bethlehem, David's hometown, certainly, He would not be from such a common area as Galilee.

So Nicodemus shut up. It must have been difficult for him to sit and hear the others plot to kill Jesus.

John 11:47-57 - Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

Without realizing what was happening, Caiaphas, being moved by the Holy Spirit, prophecies that one man, Jesus, would die for all nations. It was better for one man to die so others wouldn't perish:

look at verses 49-57:
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

I assume that Nicodemus was at each meeting of the Sanhedrin:

- When they conspired with Judas to betray Jessu for thirty pieces of silver - Matthew 26:14-16

- When Jesus was arrested and stood before the Sanhedrin - Luke 22:66

- When they used false witnesses to testify against Jesus - Matthew 26:59-60, Mark 14:55-56

- When the Sanhedrin used their political clout to influence Pilate to put Jesus to death - Mark 15:1-15

Nicodemus remained silent - at least as far we know.

It's hard to speak out for what's right when there is a mob of people determined to do what's wrong. If Nicodemus dared to speak, he could have found himself standing right next to Jesus, being accused of blasphemy or heresy. He must have been very afraid for his own safety.

The Sanhedrin won. Or at least, they thought they won.

Actually, Jesus said it perfectly:

John 10:14-18 - I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

It was God's plan all along that Jesus would die on the cross. Remember when Jesus was being arrested and Peter stepped in and cut off the ear of the soldier. Jesus rebuked him:

Matthew 26:51-54 - And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

The arrest, the trial, the crucifixion - all of it - was in God's perfect timing. The Sanhedrin had no power over the Son of God, neither did Pilate. Jesus laid down His own life, just at the right time.

Nicodemus had opportunities to stand up for Christ. But he was afraid of what man could do to him. So he sat quietly and watched the Son of God be condemned to death on the cross.

But Nicodemus couldn't forget how he felt in the presence of Jesus. Oh, how he must have replayed in his mind every single word out of the Rabbi's mouth! "Could he really be the One we have been waiting for? There's something about him..."

After the crucifixion, the disciples scattered in fear of their own lives. After all, if this could happen to Jesus, their Lord, how could they possibly escape? But two men come forward to give Jesus a proper burial. Two men - Joseph of Arimathea (a secret follower of Christ) and our friend, Nicodemus.

John 19:38-41 - Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.

http://youtu.be/CKRF8UihM5s - I will Rise - Chris Tomlin

I like Nicodemus. I admire him. Even when surrounded by so many "wise" and "godly" men, he still spoke up for truth. He knew Jesus was different. I have no doubt that God was drawing Nicodemus to Himself, softening his heart so that he could see that Jesus was the One.

As I read about Nicodemus, at first, I'm tempted to judge, as if I would have been more vocal, as if I would have taken a stronger stand against the 70 men in the Sanhedrin! But when I think about it, I fail to take a stand for Jesus all the time. I'm just like Nicodemus - just a little too afraid of what others will think.

Nicodemus was a seeker of truth. He didn't do everything exactly perfect, but in the end, it was Nicodemus who made sure that Jesus' body was given a proper Jewish burial. Those 75 pounds of myrr were not inexpensive. Nicodemus lovingly prepared the body of Jesus, and he no longer seemed to be worried about what anyone thought. I like that.

We don't hear anything more about him, but I have a feeling Nicodemus became a powerful witness for Christ. He never stopped seeking after the Messiah. And in the end, he found Him.

I'm sure that Nicodemus had regrets. I can relate to Nicodemus. There are many things in my life that I wished I could "redo"; times I wished I had taken a stand for Christ; times I sat quietly while people did things that dishonored His Name. But I can't change my past. I can only move forward and do better in the future. Thank God for His mercy and grace! Thank You, Father, for loving me inspite of my failures. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to start fresh every day, with my sins covered by the precious blood of Jesus, the Christ!

I remember the words of Jesus:

Matthew 7:7 - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

http://youtu.be/NI_1YliutzA - The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe

Lord God, help me to learn from Nicodemus. Help me to seek You with all my heart. Help me to be brave, willing to stand up for Jesus and for what's right and good, even if it seems everyone is against me. Help me to remember that I do not have to be afraid of what man can do to me, for You are my strength and power. With You by my side, I can face any army. Father, thank You for Your mercy and grace. Your mercies are new every morning and for that, I'm so very thankful. I'm so sorry for all the times I let You down; all the times I fail to speak up for others who cannot speak for themselves. Guide me, Holy Spirit, help me make choices that honor You. For You alone are my LORD. You alone are worthy of my devotion and praise. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, I pray all these things. Amen.

No Matter What

http://youtu.be/OA3MSqufJP4 - No Matter What - Kerrie Roberts



This weekend, many families in Bastrop were evacuated from their neighborhoods because of the ominous threat of fire. As they drove away from their homes, looking back, this is the scene they viewed.

What a horrible nightmare! They are watching everything they own go up in flames.

This photo was posted by my friend Patty Wallace, whose family is experiencing this devastation first hand. They've lost everything. And they are not alone. Many families are facing this same great loss.

This particular picture made it all very real to me. I tried to imagine how it would feel if I were leaving my town and looking back to see that evil dark cloud of smoke filling every inch of space. How hopeless and helpless these families must feel! How overwhelmed they must be!

My heart hurts for the people of Bastrop and all the families who have lost so much because of these horrible fires. What can I do to help? What words do I say? How do I offer hope when everything is taken away? I, too, feel helpless.

What would I do if I were in their situation? What if I was told that I had ten minutes to evacuate my home? What would I try to save if I only had a few minutes of warning? The answer is easy. I'd make sure everyone in my family (including Chelsea our puppy) was out of the house safely. Nothing else would matter. It wouldn't be easy, but I know I could handle this devastation as long as my family was safe.

A few years ago, Larry's dad faced this nightmare. In the middle of the night, smoke began to fill the second floor of his home, and he and his wife were awaken by Greg, their nine year old grandson, and his little friend who was spending the night. They had managed to crawl from their room into Popeye's room. Larry's dad immediately pushed the boys and his wife into the bathroom and instructed his wife to get the boys out through the window. He charged down the hall that was full of smoke, and then down the stairs, hoping to get out side and go for help. He made it out. He ran around the house yelling to his neighbors! One neighbor ran out and immediately saw what was happening and called 911. Popeye ran to the back of the house to help the boys and his wife down from on top of the patio roof, but his wife was screaming! She couldn't get the boys out of the window! The boys were too overcome with smoke - too weak to help themselves out of the window and too heavy for her to pull through. Then Popeye did what you're never supposed to do. He went back into the burning house. He went back in to save his grandson and his friend. Popeye made it all the way up the stairs even though it was pitch black with smoke. He made it all the way into his bedroom before he collapsed from smoke inhalation.

The boys didn't make it out either. Firefighters found their bodies in the bathroom, both of them were curled up in the bathtub. It was a horrible, horrible tragedy.

Days later, when we walked through the rubble and ashes of Popeye's home, the possessions that were lost didn't mean anything. What mattered was that Popeye and those two little boys were gone.

As we mourned our loss, the only comfort we found was in knowing that this life is not all there is. Our life here on earth is just a training ground; it's such a short little moment when compared to Eternity. When our physical bodies die, our spirits leave our bodies, and our true life begins.

Whatever we face on earth can either defeat us, or it can make us stronger because we become more dependent on our Father. I am convinced that our Father doesn't allow one ounce of suffering that He hasn't first filtered through His amazing love for us.

Why does He allow us to suffer? If I were God, I wouldn't want anyone to hurt. But God's ways are so much higher than mine. He has a purpose for me that is greater than I can imagine. Sometimes the struggles He allows in my life are the very things that draw me closer to Him. My struggles are a reminder of how helpless I am without Him. When I feel weak and powerless, I turn to Him. He is my strength. He gives me a way to bear whatever He allows in my life. When I'm weak, that's when I'm the strongest - in His strength.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Corinthians 10: 13- 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Jesus told us clearly that will have troubles and sorrows on earth. But He also told us that no matter what those troubles are, we don't have to be overwhelmed and defeated, because He has overcome the world. John 16:33 - I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” My struggles will be tough but Jesus is tougher. He has already won the battle. I keep my eyes on Him and I find great peace in victory.

It's easy right now for me to sit in my comfortable home, surrounded with my earthly posssessions and say "no matter what, I will trust YOU, Father!" But even when we lost Popeye and little Greg and his friend in the fire, we had a unexplainable peace. We still trusted God. I don't know how anyone gets through something like that without GOD.

The people of Bastrop are facing horrific circumstances. As horrible as it is, it's going to be made worse because Satan will be attacking every family who is being affected by this devastating fire. He will be whispering defeat and discouragement. He will try to convince them that God doesn't care, and that He won't help them. "Where was God? How could He allow this to happen?" he will say. Some will believe the lies and will doubt God's love. But some will become stronger in their faith. They will call on the LORD God who can bring peace and comfort; the One who can make beauty even from these ashes. They will testify to His faithfulness in all things, even in this horrible disaster. They will proclaim: "No matter what, I will trust You, Father!" And people from all over the world will hear their testimony. And some of those people will want to know the One who has given these "victims" such amazing strength.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo loved God and would not bow down to the idol King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. The King threatened death in the firey furnace if they would not bow down to this idol. Still Shadrach, Meshach, and Adebnego trusted God to deliver them.


Daniel 3:15-18

And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, furnace,our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

Do hear the words? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the middle of the fire! They were in the fire, but they were not alone in the fire! Most scholars believe that it was Jesus whom Nebuchadnezzar saw with them in the furnace. God didn't prevent them from facing the fire, but He protected them while they were in it. He never left them to face the fire alone. And oh, what a testimony these three men are to God's faithfulness!

God is able to deliver us from anything. HE is trustworthy and loving. His plan for us is for good and not evil; a plan to give us a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. My prayer is that we all can remember Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and confess along with them this confession of faith : "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Satan. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Satan, that we will never serve you or worship you.”


http://youtu.be/hMXpHhr_NkA - You Are God Alone - Phillips Craig and Dean

We can allow Satan to use our struggles to weaken our faith. We can choose to listen to his lies and play them over in heads to the point where we actually start believing that God doesn't really care when we hurt or love us. Our Father, Almighty God, loved us so much He sent His only Son to die in our place. If that's not love, I don't know what is.

But we have another choice: we can allow God to use the exact same struggles to make us powerful witnesses to His love and faithfulness. Our struggle become a platform for our testimony of faith in Christ.

The way I see it, I only have two choices. I either choose to believe God or I don't. When I don't, I have automatically, by default, chosen to believe Satan.

I don't always understand why God allows bad things to happen, but I trust His great love. He's proven Himself too many times in my life. I know HIM and I know HE is Good.

I also know Satan. He is committed to my destruction. He loves it when bad things shake my faith. He relishes in my pain and agony. He feeds me a steady stream of evil lies. How he must celebrate when I fall to his schemes! I hate that I might bring him even a second of happiness!!!

The choice isn't hard for me. I'll take my chances with my Father.

2 Samuel 24 - “I am in great distress. Please let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”

http://youtu.be/J4xm2mtDj2c - This Life - Mercy Me

Every moment is a chance to let my light shine!

Holy Father, my Rescuer and my Protector! I praise You with all I am! I'm trusting You with all my heart. I need You so much.

I'm in a battle. The Enemy wants me to doubt Your Love and sometimes, I waiver - just a tiny bit for just a flash of a second, before I remember how much You love me. How can I ever doubt Your amazing love, Father? You sent Your precious Son to pay the ultimate price for me, so that I can be with You in Eternity. That's the greatest love the world has ever known. Thank You for loving me so much. Forgive me when I doubt.

Father, help me to quickly discern the lies of the Enemy. I know he seeks to kill, steal and destroy, but sometimes, his words can sound true. He's wise, our Enemy, wise enough to give me just enough truth to make me trust his destructive garbage. Father, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to live within me and to stand with me against the devil. Satan is no match for Your Holy Spirit. Remind me to call on Your Spirit and trust in Your Power and Strength, not my own.

Father, there are lots of hurting people right now in Bastrop and other areas where fire as wreaked havoc. My sincere plea is that You would squelch this fire right now. Make it stop! Speak to the Wind - "peace, be still!" because even the winds obey You. Father, help each person to feel Your presence and comfort - show Yourself to each one just like You showed Yourself in the firey furnace. Let them know without a doubt that You are there, walking them through this terrible journey. Please protect them and protect every emergency worker who is unselfishly risking their lives to save others. Father God, let this horrible tragedy be a place where believers stand up and testify to Your faithfulness - just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Be glorified Lord! Even in the midst of this suffering, be glorified in the lives of Your children. In Jesus' Powerful Name I pray. Amen.

Seeking the LORD with all my heart...

Am I seeking the LORD with all my heart?

http://youtu.be/NI_1YliutzA - The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe

Deuteronomy 4:29-31


But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey Him.

For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon or destroy you or forget the convenant with your forefathers, which He confirmed to them by oath.

Last year I attended a funeral and was surprised to hear Canon in D by Pachelbel played. I've heard it used at weddings many times, but this was the first time I heard it played at a funeral. As I sat listening to this beautiful melody, I decided that I wanted this song played at my funeral, too. You think about things like that when you get older. = )

I told my son, Tyler, that I would love for him to play Canon in D at my funeral. Hopefully, that's not any time soon. = ) I love listening to him play it; it always fills me with a great peace.

Today, as I was searching for just the right song for my devotional, I came across this rendition of "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" mixed with Canon in D. I thought I was in heaven! This is an instrumental. I found other versions with singing included but this one, well, I didn't need the words spoken because I felt them in my heart. I wonder if that's what God meant when He tells us to make melody in our hearts?

I'm pretty mellow right now. I have a peace... This song blesses me and I hope you'll be blessed as you listen and read along in Matthew 6 all about seeking the Kingdom first.

As you listen to this beautiful instrumental of Seek Ye First with Canon in D, read the following passage from Matthew 6. Let the soothing music play in the background as you listen to Jesus speak over you. When I did this, I felt a little like King Saul must have felt when David played his lyre over him. I hope this draws you into His Presence with comfort and peace as You take the time to be still with GOD.

http://youtu.be/zeWewPtD_ag - Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God - with Canon in D by Pachelbel

Matthew 6 - This is the Word of the LORD!

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

You Cannot Serve God and Riches

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;

29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Now if that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, whill He not much more clothe you, o you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

What does it mean to seek the LORD with all my heart and soul?

It means that nothing on this earth has a higher place in your heart. It means that we're willing to walk away from anyone or anything that might take Jesus' place in our hearts. The rich young ruler faced this dilemma.

Luke 18:18-30 -

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” 22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

With God All Things Are Possible

24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” 28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Am I willing to sell everything I have and give it all to the poor? I don't think Jesus is giving us a command to sell all we have and give everything to the poor. Instead, He seems to be asking, "Do you trust Me or do you trust your possessions? Are your possessions more important to you than I am?"

Is today's football game an absolute "cannot miss event", while going to church to worship God is not written in ink on my calendar? Is anything I might want to do more important than spending time with God?

Obviously, Jesus was not opposed to having fun and spending time relaxing with friends. In fact, the first miracle He performed was at a party - a wedding feast! And I think God must love it when His children gather to spend time together. That's how we fellowship; it's how we encourage and build one another up in our faith. But when we regularly push God aside to make room for other things, then we just might not be truly seeking His Kingdom first.

Sometimes seeking the Kingdom means sitting quietly, allowing God to speak to my heart.

It's so hard for me to be still and just wait on His timing. How many times have I gotten up from my quiet time to answer a phone call or maybe just to put on a load of clothes thinking "if I just get that one load started, when I'm through with my quiet time, I'll be ready to pop those clothes the dryer." My quiet time should be time for just me and the LORD. My mind is supposed to be focused on Him. But instead, I let things of this world drift in and distract me from the most important part of my day. My quiet time with GOD.


http://youtu.be/wYRXoVmUFmA - Be Still - Kari Kobe


I guess the question I have to ask myself is this:

Is my priority having a wonderful life on earth or is my priority having an unbelievably fantastic Eternal life?

The older I get, the easier it is to think eternally. I still lose my focus sometimes, pretty much every day. But I have great confidence in the One who paid the price for my admission into Heaven. My shortcomings disappoint me greatly, and I'm sure I make God shake His a little each day, but then Jesus steps in and says "Forgive her Abba, she's mine. I've got her covered."

And then I get up and try again. = )

http://youtu.be/JVHZNgYXwMQ - Spoken For - Mercy Me

Holy Father, You are awesome beyond my imagination! I'm in awe of Your Majesty and Power. You spoke and the world came to be. It's too amazing to take in that the Creator of the entire Universe takes time to know everything about me from before I was even born, and that You Father, look me as Your precious daughter. Your thoughts for me are full of tenderness and love. How can I even begin to find words to thank You?

Thank You so much, Father, for Your mercy and love. Thank You for giving me a big Brother who always comes along to pick me up when I fall. Thank You for loving me even though I can't even get through this day without messing up in my walk with Jesus. Thank You for all the subtle and, when necessary, the not so subtle reminders of where I took a wrong turn. Holy Father, You are so good to me; so full of love and compassion, and I adore being Your daughter. Guide me along the path today, help me to hear Your voice and recognize Your nudge in the right direction. Thank You for always being with me and keeping me safe from the enemy. I am Yours, bought and paid for. Use me however You see fit. In the blessed Name of Jesus I come before You, giving You my heart and all my praise and worship. Amen.