Come out, Come out where ever you are

It’s so easy to recognize the pattern of whenever I ask for a chore to be fulfilled or homework to be done or the truth about a situation that happened at school, I’ll find my son locked in the bathroom. What a perfect picture of the “Fall” in all of us! What’s with the hiding? Can we be honest, be real? Our human nature has us doomed to repeat the retreat to the bushes and covering up in fig leaves. Did you know those leaves were poison to human skin? Makes a lot more sense how harmful hiding can be emotionally, spiritually and physically when you think of having an irritating rash in that location! There is actually a full lesson on underwear in the Bible. The purpose for the garment was for priests to be covered waist to knee before the “Holy of Holies” to present oneself reverently before the Lord. Strength was associated with the area covered in other Old Testament references. A belt of truth girds this area in the New Testament. According to online research, the only time the same word for undergarment in Exodus is used in Jesus’ day was when the Savior was stripped during His trial. T.D. Jakes explains the true exposure of humanity’s hero on Calvary as a victorious struggle. But humanity often finds a need to cover up the brutality. “Where did this loincloth come from? Why is it painted on most of the pictures I see of the cross? Isn’t that what hinders us now? Are we, the Body of Christ, hiding beneath a loincloth that has stifled our testimony and blocked our ability to be transparent, even with one another? There is seemingly some secret order whereby we have not been allowed to share our struggles as well as our successes. Our ministers are dying of loneliness because they feel obligated to maintain some false image of perfection in order to be serviceable in our society. We have no one to laugh with, no one to cry with, and no one who will sit down and share a sandwich with us. Beneath the loincloth of human expectation and excessive demands, many men and women are bleeding to death!” – T.D. Jakes’ Naked and not Ashamed My favorite author goes on to say religion is like a loincloth making a cover over what God meant to expose. The raw humanity and transparency in a person’s testimony always drew my attention to a sermon. Those are the speakers I want advice and mentoring from! Such honesty means genuine faith. Someone who is walking the talk or still stumbling through. I want to hear from more Davids who will tell you they lusted after that girl so much they killed her husband before they got on their knees and begged God to help them undo what they became. I want to hear from more Rahabs who bared themselves unashamed before many before realizing they were temples of a Holy Spirit worthy of keeping themselves presentable before a One, True, God. Tell me like it is because living as a Christian isn’t ever going to be easy and I wasn’t called to cover up anything or sugar coat my Bible. In a Beth Moore study on freedom, she talks about how Gideon was found threshing wheat in a wine press. Apparently wheat can't grow in a cave where he was hiding-it has to get out in the open air and let the breeze get to it. Breathe out that testimony, all its details and all your concerns. Breathe in the life giving Spirit. Think if it as Lamaze for God birthing something new from within you. Let it be delivered. Let it grow. But don't hide it in the bathroom for private reading hours only.

Mind blown

Despite popping out a baby from her womb, being a "milk truck" for six months and lack of sleep, this chic pushed through her physical fitness requirements. Fifteen years ago, she held her infant son tight while grinning ear to ear in her blue military uniform after leadership adorned it with gold bars. She earned the rank upon college graduation after a school year paused by labor and school days with intermittent breaks to cuddle a feeding hour. Her first duty was to pack up the family and move to flight school. The day in junior college year when her belly was too big for a flight suit was the missed warning sign God had other plans. Determined, she rolled with it, took the punches and got the opportunity to switch to public relations if she was willing to go to Oklahoma A "yes, sir" was her reply before she looked at the location on a map to fully understand. The family uprooted again. Within months they found themselves huddled in a second floor bathroom until the sound of a freight train passed. They stepped out on to the balcony of their aparment building where neighbors stared shockingly into the vast plains of rubble. Houses were gone but their lives were spared. Being on the ground with media, she learned how tragic it really is when you're looking for something or someone that could have blown to another location. Or perhaps something was blown into a location and people were trying to identify it. How someone pointed to a pile of wood and said "that's where shelter was," she will never understand. At least she discovered how to get the president through the war-torn looking area. Her self confident, resilient, pride-filled passion for life was welcome in a community of tornado prepared people. The stories of this week, on the 15th anniversary of becoming an officer in the military, she reflects back. Who was that girl? Oh the places we have been, fond memories we have, trials we overcame and bonds that are sealed! Wow what a mind trip! Peace be with Oklahoma and peace be within us all. God offers a safe haven in mercy's arms.Those hands will also take you on an amazing journey if you hold on and let Him lead. then one day you can look back 15 years and say "Wow, God is amazing.!"

Nothing but an earthworm

I had fun making this note on my Bible app on Mark 16:18 Among the great promises Jesus has for us upon receiving Holy Spirit is the ability to pick up serpents by hand.Finally, with soften hearts yieled to God, we receive correct vision and eye sight by the hearing the Holy Spirit. We are able to know the serpent is not a big threatening monster. He really does crawl on his belly. Grinding his wrigglely body like the Hell dwellers grind their teeth, he wries with determination to steal, kill and destroy but he has no power of his own. Though the enemy voice is loud and obnoxious, he's small and insignificant. Why he is nothing but an earthworm- doomed to this world, buried in it's dirt and nothing but a garden pest.So pick him up, see his small sliminess and tell him to get out of your garden growth in the name of Jesus. He can't hurt you; he is defeated. Scientists say all the spineless creature can do is turn up the soil but all this does is allow the nutrients to rise to the top. Let what is Christ in you rise to the top and hold that confidence high above any circumstances trying to up turn your Word-enriched soil.

Shut the door on that jealous fool

Then Satan entered Judas (Luke 22:3) If you picture Judas sitting at the Last Supper head spinning around spewing green goo all over Jesus and the 12, you let Hollywood paint your imagination. The enemy is crafty. He sneaks in. It's a slow fade. At dinner Judas sat along with the others asking "is it I, Lord?" They had to ask because it is likely Satan can enter any of us at any time and we may not even know it. I wish I hurled nasty all over the place and started growling so the moment would be obvious. Instead, I learned years later that jealous loser infiltrated my life. Maybe I left a door open and he entered. Maybe I shut a door on God and kept the enemy in. Maybe I missed an opportunity to evict the snake. There are numerous ways the devil entered. Unfortunately he wasn't wearing a bright red suit with light up horns and a tail so I'd recognize him in the dark room. Nor did he poke me with that pitchfork or douse me in fire. No he enters our mind. A Christian author and playwright, Rob Lacey, voice from his book "Word on the Street" performance on CD plays in my mind. "Your thinkings freed!" That's what active faith does! It clears out the garbage in our minds we've accepted from a liar, a thief and a murderer. The Bible helps us sift through what seems "natural" and a part of our nature as a human to tell us who we truly are as a creation of God. By talking with Jesus daily and allowing His Spirit to enter more and more we see a transformation in our perception. We don't know how it got there but we know it brings peace, joy and a value to our lives beyond understanding. It is far opposite side of deception that leaves us feeling ashamed, guilty, struggling and dirty. Is it I, Lord? And why? Please tell me so I can shut the door daily on that jerk.

You are invited

Today is a celebration of a tradition that defines a Christian as separate from the world. Sometimes it is hard for the world to see them as a distinct group because the Scripture giving instructions for this feast is the one that causes the most division within the body. Christians can use it to unify believers and invite others to the feast as Jesus expected. All people are welcome. Jesus was even happy to have his closest friend there who he knew betrayed him. He refused to recognize a possible division. instead Jesus found joy in just knowing that His brothers and sisters were at the feast. They accepted the invite, which was more important than discussing their motive for doing so. Jesus only wanted to share the love of the Father God. will you allow him to serve you? Will you participate in the feast with him? Come as you are because he loves you exactly as you are. Make the choice on your level of RSVP using your own free will. ADDITIONAL RESOURCE http://www.renewalministries.net/?module=Events&class=Media&event=Show&mediaID=4

I can't do it myself!

I couldn't say it any better myself! TODAY’S THOUGHT FROM YOU VERSION BIBLE APP 40-DAY READING PLAN It’s been said, inviting Jesus into our lives to be our savior will be one of the easiest things we’ll ever do. However, living for Him will be one of the most difficult things we’ll ever do. We are under constant pressure from the world, other people and the culture around us to conform to it’s ways. The demands of life can easily defeat us. This is why it is so important to realize that we cannot be self-reliant in our Christian life. We need God’s mighty power to help us remain strong in our faith. We must remember the devil is out to “kill, steal and destroy.” He works overtime to design strategies that will trip us up when we least expect it. This is why we need to put on “all” of God’s armor so that we can withstand the spiritual attacks from the devil. God’s purpose is that we live a life of victory and maximize our one and only life to it’s full potential. As believers, we are called to make an impact with our lives. However, in order to do that effectively, we must “stand firm” so that we can “stand out” for our Lord. TODAY’S PRAYER Father, thank you that you have not given us a life of defeat but a life of victory. Today, I ask that you give me the strength to stand firm against all of the devil’s ways that are designed trip me up. Give me your mighty power today to make an impact for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. All of the above inspired by Ephesians 6:10-18 MSG And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

No time to lose

Two weekends in a row, I worked and attended two entirely different Christian conferences and the Word was clear; now is the time. Now is the time to take that opportunity to walk the faith, not just talk it. People heard enough; they want to see it and experience it as the witnesses claim to. Now is the time to clean up your inner heart, stir up the rocks and get out the dirt. A rejuvenated you will light up the world and draw others to Truth. Now is the time to be honest and real. Tell it like it is. Don't be afraid of how you or the Truth will be accepted. Let God take care of that. Now is the time to forgive. Make amends with people and even find ways to compliment the ones who irk you. Encourage everyone in right directions that lead to joy. Just a smile will change the world. Now is the time to reevaluate your choices. Ultimately it is what we decide is a priority that will become what our life revolves around. Now is the time to take life seriously. If you believe Jesus is the Way, then you know there is one sure route or you are on the wrong road. You know what is the right thing to do, do it. Any other way is frustrating and unfruitful. Now is the time to grow closer to God. Take those opportunities to know Him and accept his friendship. If you can't understand certain things about Him or His Word, ask Him. Now is the time to be accountable. This world will say you are your own person and have no effect on others; do your thing and carry on. Well if you are the type of Christian who believes how the salvation story even began, then you know it only took two people to bring evil to the world for eternity. There are consequences to our actions and we are called to humbly look at others before we choose for ourselves. Jesus took every opportunity to set His needs aside from stopping to talk to a loose woman at the well on a busy tiring day to continuing to pray for others while dying of breath on a bloody cross His torn skin hung from by three nails. Now is the time to be the example of Christ to a world wondering who He is. Church walls aren't helping and people with their lights cut out aren't shining as they should. Think about how many times this was brought up in the news as the world watched the Pope selection go on at the Vatican. Think of how people are in a season where they are preparing for Easter. What a perfect time to lead people to the joy a supernatural friendship brings. I think Jesus is worth it to take the time to try. How about you? Romans 13 (MSG) 11-14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!