Have You?

Colossians 1:19-22 - For it pleased the Father that IN HIM all the fullness should dwell, and BY HIM to reconcile all things to Himself, BY HIM, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of HIS cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now HE has reconciled in the body of HIS flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in HIS sight—

Alienated and enemies. That’s what we are before entering into a relationship with Christ. 

Churches don’t determine who we are in Christ. Having gone to church since childhood doesn’t do it. Being infant baptized doesn’t do it either. Our denomination...nope.  It’s all about a changed heart, a conversion in spirit. In Christ alone.  

I heard our pastor tell a story about a person he once knew. When pastor got saved, he was on fire for God and he began to “preach” even before the call of God in his life to become a pastor. Quite often his friends got mad at him. 

Well, this friend didn’t like what he had to say and asked why his pastor never said those things. Because the truth was not preached. Pastor said, could be that’s why he’s a drunk today. 

A lot of churches fail to take it one step further and preach the truth. They don’t want to offend. Or some hold people captive with rules and regulations, works that do not save a person’s soul. What a shame that some people will be on their deathbed wondering if they have been good enough to go to heaven. But we can have that assurance, if we seek and hear the truth. Through Christ alone. Has He entered your heart? Have you allowed Him in? Have you been transformed by His truth? Have you been set free? 

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Wow, after I wrote all this and was determined not to get lengthy, a day at church added to all this. 

In Bible study the point was made: many churches don’t preach anything but the goodness of God; sin is not brought up. Many believe that if He’s a good God and loves us why does He allow suffering? He allows suffering because He loves us (like a father disciplines his son for running out into a busy street without looking...). It doesn’t seem logical to our human minds but if you look closely in the Bible you’ll see He was always causing trials to bring people back from trusting themselves or kings or others to trusting Him. 

Then pastor mentioned this in the sermon: Rejecting the Word of God (The Bible or Christ, who is the Word of God) in heart and spirit is rejecting Christ. If Christ is planted in us, like a seed is planted in the ground, He grows within! 

Me again: it must be a heart change. It can’t be just an acknowledgment with our mind to something a pastor has said and we agreed to. It must be something that has changed our hearts. Again, have you experienced a time when your heart was truly changed? 

Then coming home from church I was listening to my worship music. One song was Garments of Praise by Robin Mark. It was a reminder to me that in the midst of trials it is strongly suggested we lift up praise to God to relieve any spirit of heaviness. Trust Him always! If we know and have this relationship with Jesus, we know He can lift our spirits! It’s why He was sent to this earth, to reconcile all things to Himself. In Him we have joy and peace. Here’s the prophetic word of the Old Testament that the song is based on (for both the Jews and the Gentiles). I will praise my God!! Let His name be glorified.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me [the yet to come Savior] because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

https://youtu.be/T6cNIHUhTqY

What Do I Do?

Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

We are asked to love our God first and foremost...and then love our neighbor. How do we do this? Who is our neighbor? God loves us unconditionally, which will never change. We are called to be like Christ and that includes loving others.

So what do I do? How do I do it? What outlet has God built into me that will allow me to be like Him? How can I be His heart to love, His hands to heal, His feet to carry His word, His eyes to see, His words to speak? I'm sure we all have some form of compassion within us. But do we reach out farther or do we turn a blind eye?

What do I do? We are asked to pray as individuals and for ourselves corporately. There is a need in this world, but even more closely, a need in our own community. What can we do? What can I do?

To become more like Christ we must undergo a transformation. The butterfly and the cocoon is an example. The butterfly goes through a transformation, a metamorphosis, where it once was a not so beautiful creature, but it morphs into this creature of beauty.

See more in this...a caterpillar is lowly, crawls around in it's little world on earth, barely seen. Then by nature it encapsulates itself in this cocoon, a sort confinement, a place like we may find ourselves at some point in our lives that we desire to be free from. This caterpillar is then transformed within that cocoon. To become free it must struggle to release itself but the struggle is well worth it. Out emerges this beautiful butterfly and isn't it amazing how we associate freedom with flight!

What do I do? Having to do something requires change. It requires prayer and faith. Maybe a lot of faith because we don't see what is taking place.

We are called to reach out to the lost. We are called to be disciples. We are called to love God first then our neighbor. Our neighbor is anyone. Remember the story of the woman at the well? Jesus reached out to this Samaritan woman, one Jews did not normally associate with. Recall the story of the good Samaritan...now we see the reverse. A Samaritan reaching out to a person he also did not normally associate with, a Jew. The barriers were down. As they should be.

We need to be willing to let go of preconceived ideas, attitudes, and pride to reach out to help someone in need. Are we willing to step down from our seemingly lofty places? Of course we must have wisdom in all circumstances and maintain a certain amount of caution that we are not in harm's way. But if you see a person in need of food and their appearance is unsettling, are you willing to step out of your little world to help them? Are you willing to help even someone as close as your own neighbor in need?

To do what He wants us to in this world means humbling ourselves. Jesus came in humility in every aspect...birth, life and death. He came not to be served but to serve. Think about it...did He stop serving? He healed, He taught, He guided, He had compassion on all people. He spent three years roaming the countryside receiving both rejection and acceptance. He had no home to call His own but I'm certain He thought a lot about His Kingdom in heaven. He knew the eternal destiny of all was in His hands and only through Him could they be saved. This was why He came to this earth. He came to seek and save the lost. He asks us to do the same.

C.S. Lewis said: "There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal [one subject to death]. You have either known an immortal horror or an immortal eternal splendor." We all have an eternal destiny and this is what I believe he was talking about. We have a choice to make today. Whichever way we go it's for eternity. The important choice should be Jesus Christ for eternal life or we will be that immortal horror!

Gentility and humility should be our standard. If this is what Jesus did, so should we. That means being humble. Only a humble heart can take that step to help one who is needy.

In order to know what we are to do we need to know the One who created us. Then we need to seek His guidance. He's involved in our lives so we should be involved in His...with our hearts, hands, feet, eyes and mouths. We should love our neighbor, seek those who are lost, no matter who they are, no matter if they reject our words or actions.

Matthew 5:43-47 - You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 

Nothing is Impossible

Matthew 19:26 - But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

A scripture often heard. A true scripture. God’s timing is impeccable. 

I have several favorite stories in the Bible. God is amazing. He does some powerful things and uses the people least likely to bring about His plan. They all, in some way, turn us to God or Jesus...and salvation. No way is it, nor nothing is impossible, for God to bring about His plan, whether it be accomplishing His will in the world or salvation to the masses. We can think we know what He’s up to, but we really can’t be sure. Oh, some day we will know for sure. When we see the signs the Book of Revelation shares with us. 

So these stores…many regarding salvation! There's Noah and his ark and the very strong symbolism of the ark, the open door, the only way into the ark's safety, and Jesus. Jesus tells us He is the way. He is the door. He is the shepherd who leads. 

Moses delivered Israel, God's chosen people out of slavery in Egypt, Egypt being a symbol of the world (even today's world). He saves us from the slavery to sin in this world…just like Jesus.

There's David, a boy small in stature, compared to all his tall, strong brothers. He, not those able-bodied brothers, was instrumental in felling Goliath, a so-sure-of-himself giant. He uses the foolish things to confound the wise. I love that! Remember, Jesus humbled Himself. He didn’t use big words or any power but the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, He uttered not a word of defense to His innocence as He was led to the cross…for each one of us.

I was foolish most of my life, wrapped up in a worldly lifestyle unlike many others today. I was ensnared. If it made me happy, I went for it. I was proud in my accomplishments. I believed lie after damnable lie. No one could change MY mind about who Jesus was. That pride said if others could live without Christ, doing their own thing, then how in the world could God punish the majority?! He wouldn't do that. Not a question, a period. Another lie.

More about this God's plan. His plan goes way back to the Old Testament. Adam and Eve, for starters! Despite the sin these two committed, His plan was carried out, though they paid for it and today we do too. Abraham and Sarah, both in the midst of old age, a woman well beyond child bearing years. But God used them to perpetuate the blood line of Christ. And through the ages, as Matthew and Luke both point out in genealogies, all are involved. 

Think about it... He used a simple maiden named Mary to bring about the birth of our Savior. She had to suffer embarrassment, silently, (like Jesus) when everyone thought she was pregnant by Joseph. I heard some interesting facts:

*The blood of a child comes from his father alone, and the male sperm is the source of the blood

*The body of an embryo comes from his mother alone

*The blood of Adam came directly from God when God breathed into him the breath of life

*Sin is transmitted only through the blood 

*The Holy Spirit contributed the blood of Jesus and Mary contributed His body - (Mart DeHaan) 

Jesus, being born of the Holy Spirit, therefore, a we know, had no sin. This is amazing! Look at paternity testing to identify a father. Jesus was in the beginning when creation was made. He and the Father are one, therefore He is Creator. This should cause us to pause and contemplate His abilities. 

So, how amazing is our God? His thoughts are higher than ours. He is in control of all things. Yet...He cares enough but the smallest details of our lives and wants to see all of us saved. Yet some refuse this magnificent gesture.

Another New Testament story is about the persistence of a woman with a 12 year issue of blood. She so desired healing. She sought hard enough. Enough to crawl on her hands and knees in a crowd to only touch the hem of His garment. Jesus healed her. He can heal physically and spiritually. It's the spiritual healing that is most important. Even if our physical healing doesn’t happen, our souls are good to go. All this healing is taken care of when we humble ourselves and ask Christ to forgive us for our sins…and follow Him.

A woman from Samaria, an outcast in her village for having had many husbands and now was living with a man. She had to obtain her water at noon to avoid all the others who went early in the morning. One day she arrived at the well only to see a Man who asked her for water. Jews often steered clear of Samaritans. Not Jesus. He knew she would be there. He knew her state and the condition of her sinful heart. But His purpose was salvation. In their discussion He revealed Himself to her…and she ran back to the village to tell everyone she could she met a Man who knew everything about her…and to come and see Him. He forgave and healed a woman. She no longer needed to live a life of shame.

I think of the story of Saul who persecuted Christians. It’s one of my favorites. It can bring hope to many. He was on his way to Damascus to work on persecuting more. Out of the sky a light blinded him. He could do no more than fall to the ground. He instinctively knew who it was. The light blinded him for three days but later was restored. He had been forgiven and now Saul, who was called Paul, became one of the most vocal, powerful men of the Bible. All by the power of God. We all live blind to the truth of Christ until His light comes into our lives and opens our eyes. I once was blind but now I see! This is a truth.

All the stories of redemption in the Bible. All the shame that was relieved. All the sin forgiven. All the lives now changed. Redemption of God's people (which is still playing out in the world today), redemption of individuals. Jesus saves. He's at work in Asia, Europe, even in the Middle East, and Africa. Missionaries have shared the Gospel with remote villages. God has shown people who He is in visions and dreams. We are told this will increase as the days draw nearer to His return. Come, Lord Jesus.

Nothing is impossible with God. It's good to remember when you question why some won't receive, who don’t want to hear the Gospel’s good news. There's still always hope. And if after that nothing happens, you remain grateful that you believed. Some day in heaven, somehow, those people will not be mourned. No more tears, no more sorrow. Another amazing mystery.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Out of This World

John 17:6,9,15-16 - I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

I saw a picture someone had posted on Facebook. I suppose it was for Earth Day. Not sure. It was a picture of the earth superimposed with these words: Friendly reminder-this is the only earth we have.

Well, a couple thoughts went through my mind. God created this earth, it is His. Sometimes man tries to mess with the natural occurrence of things. Sometimes trees have to be taken down to allow for new growth. Much like what God does with us...needing to do something in us to cause new growth...in Him! But man messes with that by determining his ways are better than God's.

Of course we do need to pay heed to how we take care of this land. God has given us the command to be good stewards of it. But going to extremes is not necessary. Saving a whale or spider or snake over a human life? I don't think so. Climate change is a controversial subject. We must remember God is in control...of all things...and that this world is not our home.

Life in Christ is far more important and this is what we should be focused on. This world will end someday. It will be by God's hand, His timing, His design...as seen in Revelation. The saving of souls is what we should be concerned with, not the saving of trees or animals, neither of which have a soul. Saving our own souls if we need Christ, or others' if we are in Christ. God will still cause things on earth to come an go. If he doesn't want something to become extinct I think He can deal with that quite easily! After all, To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

My initial thought though was how this world is not my final home. I'm just passing through. Scripture tells us we, in Christ, are just sojourners, foreigners in this world (1Peter 2:11-12). We know our real kingdom is in heaven. And despite how beautiful this earth is, heaven will be even more beautiful.

As John points out above, however, we are not removed from this world just yet. We are to be in the world, but not of it. There is a task assigned to us while we are here. The same task as given to the disciples: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)

That's why I blog. This is my voice...for now. I don't know who I reach. I don't know if I'm effective or not. I don't need to know. God knows. I hopefully plant the seed, someone else might do some watering, but only He brings in the harvest, something I must keep reminding myself. I am to just do as I believe He leads me, to be part of those who would preach the Gospel in love. I'm only called to tell the truth, about the truth...Jesus, the only way, truth and life.

The truth opens our eyes to new things. I may have been in the ranks of an environmentalist before, may have wanted to save whales, definitely was pro- choice, and certainly believed I, as being better than a murderer, rapist or thief, would enter heaven based on the "good" I thought I did. But the truth of Jesus Christ showed me another side. The right side, although some may disagree. My eyes have been opened to greater things, of things above. A transformation has taken place. It is my hope that others will see this also.

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

A Radical Concept

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

This is a powerfully meaningful statement. It comes from Jesus Himself. They are words in red in my Bible and I have them highlighted...twice...in yellow and green! If Jesus said them, they not only are the truth, they should be listened to and more importantly adhered to.

We are doing a women's Bible study on the Book of John. I love this book. Chapter 3 is pretty much the chapter to read to determine one's salvation, to determine one's understanding of the term born again. If I sound like I'm repeating myself, I am!

To be born again means to be born from above. This is not a physical birth but a spiritual one. It comes from the power of the Holy Spirit in one's life upon receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. It means a transformation has taken place in one's life. A change in views, for instance.

Before I knew Christ my mindset was different. I knew who Jesus was and I believed there was a God. But I totally misunderstood the words whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I thought that just believing as I did, with my head, not my heart,  made it a done deal. I believed that God would not let anyone perish for eternity because He was a good God. He'd have mercy on all people. 

So how does one believe? I said before a transformation takes place. But it’s not a change that we can make happen. It comes from God. The old lifestyle gets replaced. It's no longer all about me, but about Jesus.

Nicodemus from Chapter 3 went under the cover of night to visit and question Jesus. Why night? He was a religious leader of the Pharisees. Shouldn't he have had all the answers? Here's an interesting comment made from my Dake's Study Bible: Nicodemus misunderstood Jesus [the born again comment] and thought only in human terms. Millions today make the same mistake in comparing the new birth with the old birth. This is the very thing Jesus did not want men to do. The truth is a begetting and a coming into existence [physical] and the other is adoption [spiritual]. And later this comment was made: Jesus expected [Nicodemus] to know the scriptures enough to be saved, but he was like millions in churches today, even many ministers who do not know what the new birth is.

Harsh words? Gnawing at the craw? Jesus didn't preach easy words. He came for a purpose and that was for all to know Him...personally, intimately. If we want to know Him in our own way, we are lost. If we allow His Spirit to teach us, if we are open minded, come as little children, these words are not so hard because we have allowed ourselves to be transformed (and this does NOT mean brainwashed).

Remember, the truth sets us free. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus was radical in His teaching because it went against the “beliefs” of the religious leaders. The Pharisees and Sadduccees believed that if they kept the rules set out before them they were saved. They could not understand the things that Jesus preached and that's why they wanted Him killed. He was a threat. And...He's still a threat today to many.

We are not in relationship with Jesus just by going to church or reading the Bible. There is no one religion that is better than another because all are man made. It's not about religion but about a relationship...a personal relationship...with Jesus Christ. It's between each one of us and Jesus. It's a decision we each must make. I can't make this happen in anybody's life. It happens when something in your spirit catches and says, Pay heed to these words. Just like the fishermen, Jesus says, Follow me. And like the fishermen we are to arise and follow. If there’s a catching in your spirit, go for it! It’s God trying to get your attention.

I remember hearing someone say, and I’m very certain I had the same thought that no one is going to push this born again stuff on me. I thought I "knew" in my mind back then, like the millions in the world today, that this concept was "wrong." NOT! Back then no one could tell me what to do. I "knew" in human terms...but not spiritually. Here in John 3 Jesus Himself is telling us we must be born again, born of water and Spirit. God never changes...His words never change. 

If we don't want to hear the truth, we try to sweep it under the carpet. The world wants less talk about Jesus because the truth exposes lies and who wants to know they've believed a lie. John 3:19-20 - and this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. These are more of Jesus’ red-letter words. They are the truth. And He never changes.

A radical concept, this thing that we are not all basically good people! So, did I consider myself evil twelve years ago? No. I presume most people don't because they aren't murderers or thieves. In comparison to "those others" they are basically good. We are all born to this world in the same way, sinners. And we remain that way no matter how we argue about how good we are until we understand the meaning of being born again.

If a person does not remember a time in their life when they were touched by power of the Holy Spirit and dramatically heart changed, chances are they have not received the new birth that only comes from that relationship (not religion) with Jesus. Ask me about this! When it happened to me I knew nothing about the Holy Spirit, so how could I make up what occurred?

John 3:15 says that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have eternal life. It’s the word “believe” that trips us up, I think. Believe on means to receive by faith, not by works, with the heart...in vitality and depth in our innermost being. It is believing "on" Jesus Christ. He becomes our foundation. It is "in" Him we abide. Faith brings the transformation, not anything we think we can do.

John 3:21 adds to the understanding that it is not by our own efforts we can come into this relationship with the Lord. He WILL do His part in guiding people to receive Him...that nudging that so often gets pushed aside, those words that make us grumble time and time again or make us think who do they think they are saying this? Believe me, I know. I got snarly when I heard this too often! And one day as snarly as I was one second, the next, for no reason I could explain at the time, I was weeping because I wanted to hear God’s voice...and the next day I did, and I experienced the power of the Holy Spirit..and it was the beginning of the transformation I was talking about.

So, this radical concept...being born again. Not man’s plan! It’s in Jesus’ words! In red! If it were man’s plan, maybe it would be accepted. However, God’s plan of salvation doesn’t meet the criteria of the average person. (I can’t remember if I heard this or wrote it myself!) It is a radical concept. If this seems radical, it’s because He was radical...to the point where religious leaders wanted to kill Him because He criticized them for their attempts to keep the laws when they couldn’t...and radical today because there are so many who want any mention of God’s name removed. 

We cannot keep all the rules. When we grasp this and grasp that we all fit into the category of imperfect, we will see a need for a Savior. When we fear today or on our deathbed whether we’ve been good enough, whether we did enough, we might see a need for a Savior. Seek Him now and avoid the fear. 

It’s only by childlike faith and not by any work of our own, no amount of our own good deeds, the amount of time we spend in church, which church we attend or even how often we read the Bible, if we do (which we should anyway) but only through receiving Christ and having a personal, not religious, relationship with Him. Then we have entered into the light, received the truth and realized that NOW our deeds have been done in God (John 3:21). Jesus really does save! His free gift of salvation. These words are from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

John 3:21 - But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Newness

Romans 6:4 - Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

I had the privilege of working at our church Saturday. We are undergoing a bit of remodeling and renovation. We're revitalizing the interior and exterior of the church.  One team was outside gardening. Did I say some? OMG, the lifeless looking gardens have come alive because of the work and enthusiasm of several people. It's not just 'cause it's spring either. I sense in my spirit it's the precursor to something else. There was also another team painting a back hallway. What a delight. What a satisfying feeling at day's end. Can't wait for the next project.

In prayer yesterday morning at church it was as if I sensed that as we are changing the look of both the inside and outside of the physical church, we are changing the atmosphere within! Not that the physical changes will do this, but spiritually, we may see a new thing. I sensed the Lord was letting me know that this was His sanctuary, His house and He was pleased with what is happening.

A newness has begun at Victory International. We have gone from two to one service and what joy we felt as we entered the prayer room early that morning prior to the day's activities. I believe it followed us into the sanctuary. It was delightful. 

We, too, can live in that same joy, despite what seem like setbacks, and receive a newness within ourselves when we have taken the step to receive Christ into our lives. An outward and inward transformation takes place. Our hearts are changed and our outward appearance can have that peaceful, content look. 

In fact, when we have received this wonderful gift God has given us we can call ourselves the Temple of God, where God dwells.  2Corinthians 6:16 - For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people."  

The Holy Spirit of God does this transforming work. It has nothing to do with our ability to change. It just comes with the "receiving Christ" territory. It's a lifelong process...we will never fully arrive until Jesus comes back. Our spiritual house, however, is revitalized. The dark, dinginess of our old selves makes way for brightness and newness. Here are a few examples of the promises of change that take place:

Psalm 40:3 - He has put a new song in my mouth--praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.

Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Revelation 2:17 - '"...To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' 

Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 

A new thing. I love it! A newness in Christ. I love it! At the end of our lives and when Jesus returns and Heaven is at last revealed to us as our final home, there are more promises:

Isaiah 65:17 - "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind."  

2Peter3:13 - Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

Revelation 21:5 - Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." 

Yes, even today He makes things new if we give Him a chance. I know many people would not change their lives as they have been. On the other hand there are many who, if they had the chance, would change a lot. I'm both...I see my previous faults, sins, insecurities and realize I was like that because I didn't know any better. I followed the crowd. I follow a different crowd now and am thankful that those days of mine have been forgive of me. I AM a new creation in Christ. Anyone can be if they so desire. Look at all these promises as the proverbial carrot being dangled before you...it's your choice to make.

2Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

What Do I Have in Common With Joshua?

Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.

Now what could I possibly glean from Joshua, my groggy head was wondering yesterday morning? Joshua was a leader, next in line after Moses, chosen of God to lead His people into the Promised Land. I'm no Joshua! Or am I? Aren't we all if we are followers of Christ?

As I began to read words that were spoken thousands of years ago to a man we can only picture in our imaginations, my highlighter began to work. Then the pencil came out to underscore words. Words like I will be with you always, be strong and of good courage, observe my laws, meditate on them day and night, that you may prosper, and success, stood out.

I had a blog I'd been working on in increments over the weekend but this decidedly had to come first because it fell in line with what I'd already written, sort of as a prelude. So...Joshua. What in the world do I have in common with him, I had thought at first. Now I know.

God came through loud and clear in just the first nine paragraphs. Despite the fact I am not a man (!), I can be considered a leader. As a follower of Christ, God teaches us that He will be with us always, especially  He will never leave us nor forsake us. We find this in His Word, if we choose to look there. That message is for all who seek it. It's there for all who claim Christ as Lord and Savior. If we follow His commands, are obedient to His Word, listen to Him speak or even whisper through His Spirit or Word, we can be strong and courageous...warriors...if we trust the Lord and not ourselves in all things. The Word is our shield (Ephesians  6:16).

The LORD told Joshua in the first nine paragraphs of Chapter 1 to be strong and courageous three times. Once He even emphasized very courageous. He told Joshua that if He meditated day and night on the law that Moses commanded the people he/they would prosper, have success. The law was the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. These first five books are the foundation of the Christian religion, whether the sacrifices of so many years ago are obsolete or not. There is a correlation. Today we can see Christ in those sacrifices. Today the Word as a whole is to be our guide, God's commands to all His people who hunger and thirst after Him, after Jesus, and are obedient to His Word.

We are told to meditate on the Word day and night. We are to observe to do according to all that is written in it. The purpose...to be prosperous and successful...not in the world's way but in the way of God. He has greater things to give us through His Word and through Him if we truly seek His Word.

So, the other point that came as I meditated on these words is tomorrow's blog! He was a warrior as well as leader. He fought many battles and with God's strength won...because He observed the law that God had set before Him. Joshua did as God asked him. As a follow of Christ it is my obligation to reach others with the Gospel, to lead others to the knowledge of Jesus, of His saving grace. Sometimes that takes being a warrior. Sometimes the battle is not won right away. It takes persistence.

The Word of God is powerful, we are told. It divides the soul and spirit when it is truly received. It changes people. It pierces our hearts and shows our sin that it may bring about transformation in our lives...certainly not all at once, but enough that we might be recognized as different...a good kind of different. We are then in a lifelong process of purification and thankfully God does not quit working in us. Transformation is how I view success, prosperity and fruitfulness as we see Him work more and more in our lives.

It's all about God and His Word. Meditate on it and be successful...and fruitful.

Psalm 1:1-2 - Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

A Transfigured Life

2Corinthians 5:17 - If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

What idea have you of the salvation of your soul? The experience of salvation means that in your actual life things are really altered, you no longer look at things as you used to; your desires are new, old things have lost their power. One of the touchstones of experience is - Has God altered the thing that matters? If you still hanker after the old things, it is absurd to talk about being born from above, you are juggling with yourself. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the alteration manifest in your actual life and reasoning, and when the crisis comes you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is this complete and amazing alteration that is the evidence that you are a saved soul.

These words come from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest devotion for November 12.

He poses a tough question. What idea have you of the salvation of your soul? What have you learned through your church? How did you learn? What did you have to go through to submit to this change in your life? Or have you?

I look back and realize I learned nothing from my church. If I had I would not have been absent from it for over 30 years. I would not have chosen to believe that I knew who God was, knew of Jesus and was slightly aware there was something called the Holy Spirit, was sprinkled as a baby and was thereby bound for heaven. I didn't doubt the Trinity existed. I just never realized to what extent. Why? Because I had not had a mind, spirit or soul altering meeting with Jesus Christ.

Everyone has an encounter somewhere in their life span. For some it's early in life, for some on the deathbed. Mine was more than halfway through life. It's what you do with it when it comes that matters. If you choose to "go for it" you will know it has happened. You truly do sense an inner change take place. You know you have been touched by the Holy Spirit, even if you know little about Him. If you've not had this experience, ask the Lord to show Himself to you. You only need to be open to listening and receiving. When you sense this change things do happen you cannot always express. 

I know God is in my thoughts throughout every day. Some days more than others. It's like I have a constant silent conversation with Him. I sense His presence. I sense His disappointment in me as well as His elation over something I've done. Can you say that?

Do you ever wonder if God is happy with you right this moment? Do you wonder where you stand before Him? I think these are questions we should be asking ourselves. Do we line up with God's Word? Do we hear Him speak and do we immediately obey if He asks us to do something? Does He even ask us anything? Why not? 

Are we the same today as we were last year or ten years ago? Has Jesus transformed us or have we transformed ourselves? Are we successful in what we do because of Him or because of what we perceive to be our intelligent choices? Or better yet, have we strived for much and not received anything? Are we seeking things for ourselves and our own pleasures? Do we work toward a pleasant life on this earth or for an eternal reward? Do we cheat to get what we want? Or do we do what is right for each person that comes to us? Are we willing to compromise for gain or are we willing to let go of something because the way to getting it just isn't right? Do we have a conscience or can we do something without feeling any ill will about how something's been handled? Oh, the questions we can ask...ask them and see if God answers.

I was at a banquet the other night. It was an annual fundraising event for the Milwaukee chapter of Teen Challenge, a faith-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men and women 18 and older. One of the commentators and auctioneer was a local guy, Jonathan Green. There were testimonies from some of the Teen Challenge "students," those who had been heroine addicts, or had alcohol-related addictions which didn't stop just there. Some entered the program over time in jail...and have been transformed. They were touching, but this man spoke volumes in just a couple short sentences.

Teen Challenge, Green suggested, is unlike Alcoholics Anonymous. He admittedly had gone through AA himself and mentioned their 12 step program. One step is believing in a higher power, a God as they understood Him to be. There's the difference, he said, between AA and Teen Challenge. He finished the AA program and decided one day to celebrate his new life...with a beer...and it ended in his downward spiral again. I'm assuming that when he began devoting some of his time to the banquets and meeting with Teen Challenge personnel, he began to see the difference. He had not learned that in order to be really healed you have to give up something...and be filled with something else. That filling is the beginning of the transforming moment mentioned by Chambers.

It's not about God as you understand Him to be. It's knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally. Only He can bring a person out of their sickness. Remember, He healed the lame, gave sight to the blind and took the sins of many away from them by the power of His Word. When you give something up...yourself...to the Lord Jesus Christ specifically...He will fill you with all you need. If you have not been filled from the Fountain of Life, with the water that causes you to never thirst again, you've not been filled. If you can't say you've experienced that, it's not happened.

You must allow yourself to be filled with something greater than you thought you were then you come back to (new) life. I saw this transformation on the bright faces of these Teen Challenge participants. They have been fed the Bread from Heaven, drank from the Living Water and have been brought out of whatever addiction they had. They have a whole new life ahead of them. They know where they came from and can see what they are now capable of doing through the power of God. They realize they cannot survive without His help. And so should we all.

We may not come from as drastic backgrounds as these people. We don't all have to be alcoholics or drug users or addicted to pornography, but we have our own weaknesses...fear, intimidation, pride, cheating, lying, stealing. We all come from some damage somewhere.  As the Book of Romans tells us we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) and we remain sinners until we allow the transforming power of Jesus Christ to take over. Sometimes it's that Name that is so difficult to speak!

Imagine these men and women, and Jonathan Green, who look back and see where they came from and what they've become. Imagine how amazed they are at how they've changed! 

I came across this testimony from our now governor-elect, Scott Walker, regarding the Teen Challenge program:

To change people who have addictions like this, you cannot just do it by walking them through a program. You ultimately have to change what is in their heart to change what other actions they do. This is a program that has shown great success.

This transformation is in the heart, not the works we do. Another word for it is being born again...by the Spirit of God. Oh, I still know I have changes to make in myself. I'm disappointed sometimes that there are things that have not changed. But I do know the exact day and nearly the exact hour that the Spirit of God revealed Himself to me. And it was nothing that I did apart from sit in a pew my first day back to church in years and allow the Spirit to work in me. It's a day I will always look back on in amazement. What a glorious day!

John 3:3 - In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

What Do I Do?

Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

We are asked to love our God first and foremost...and then love our neighbor. How do we do this? Who is our neighbor? God loves us unconditionally, which will never change. We are called to be like Christ and that includes loving others.

So what do I do? How do I do it? What outlet has God built into me that will allow me to be like Him? How can I be His heart to love, His hands to heal, His feet to carry His word, His eyes to see, His words to speak? I'm sure we all have some form of compassion within us. But do we reach out farther or do we turn a blind eye?

What do I do? This was the question after our final Truth Project study concluded Wednesday night. We are being asked to pray as individuals and for ourselves corporately. There is a need in this world, but even more closely, a need in our own community. What can we do? What can I do?

To become more like Christ we must undergo a transformation. Again the butterfly and the cocoon example came up. The butterfly goes through a transformation, a metamorphosis, where it once was a not so beautiful creature, but it morphs into this creature of beauty.

See more in this...a caterpillar is lowly, crawls around in it's little world on earth, barely seen. Then by nature it encapsulates itself in this cocoon, a sort confinement, a place like we may find ourselves at some point in our lives that we desire to be free from. This caterpillar is then transformed within that cocoon. To become free it must struggle to release itself but the struggle is well worth it. Out emerges this beautiful butterfly and isn't it amazing how we associate freedom with flight!

This is also what happens when we let the Lord do a work in each of us. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am in a struggle right now but can't put my finger on what it is. It's an unsettled feeling inside. I suspect the Lord is setting things in place for that moment when I will absolutely realize what I need to change and when. I wish it would just happen. I suspect there will be some difficulty during this transformation, like the butterfly working it's way out of it's cocoon. But knowing that God's hand is on me means that flight of freedom afterward. That doesn't mean I'm finished. Oh no! It continues till my life in this world ends or the Lord returns.

What do I do? I think this question is linked to my struggle. Having to do something requires change. It requires prayer, motivation, faith and the ultimate stepping out to do...what God has called me to do.

We are called to reach out to the lost. We are called to be disciples. We are called to love God first then our neighbor. Our neighbor we found out (and actually already knew) is anyone. Remember the story of the woman at the well? Jesus reached out to this Samaritan woman, one Jews did not normally associate with. Recall the story of the good Samaritan...now we see the reverse, a Samaritan reaching out to a person they also did not associate with, a Jew. The barriers were down. As they should be.

We need to be willing to let go of preconceived ideas, attitudes, and pride to reach out to help someone in need. Are we willing to step down from our seemingly lofty places? Of course we must have wisdom in all circumstances and maintain a certain amount of caution that we are not in harm's way. But if you see a person in need of food and their appearance is unsettling, are you willing to step out of your little world to help them? Are you willing to help even someone as close as your own neighbor in need?

This is the heart of God in action. He saved the poor and lifted up the needy. He doesn't reach out for those who "don't need help." Mark 2:17 is proof of that: When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." We all are in need of His saving grace, not just those we think need it more.

To do what He wants us to in this world means humbling ourselves. Jesus came in humility in every aspect...birth, life and death. He came not to be served but to serve. Think about it...did He stop serving? He healed, He taught, He guided, He had compassion on all people. He spent three years roaming the countryside receiving both rejection and acceptance. He had no home to call His own but I'm certain He thought a lot about His Kingdom in heaven. He knew the eternal destiny of all was in His hands and only through Him could they be saved. This was why He came to this earth. He came to seek and save the lost. He asks us to do the same.

A quote from C.S. Lewis was brought up in the study. It was the one thing that really stuck with me: "There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal [one subject to death]. You have either known an immortal horror or an immortal eternal splendor." We all have an eternal destiny and this is what I believe he was talking about. We have a choice to make today. Whichever way we go it's for eternity. The important choice should be Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Gentility and humility should be our standard. If this is what Jesus did so should we. That means being humble. Only a humble heart can take that step to help one who is needy.

In order to know what we are to do we need to know the One who created us. Then we need to seek His guidance. He's involved in our lives so we should be involved in His...with our hearts, hands, feet, eyes and mouths. We should love our neighbor, seek those who are lost, no matter who they are.

Matthew 5:43-47 - "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you...For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 

Peter's Transformation

2Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Peter was one of the most difficult, hard headed, stubborn, impetuous, outspoken men. But God...had a marvelous plan for him. I marvel at that because it shows how He can transform anyone. When God got hold of him and tweaked him he was changed. Where once he questioned Jesus, as a man who thought he knew it all, now he spoke exuberantly yet humbly  about His Master and Savior.

I think of the times Peter spoke too soon, out of place or without thinking and stuck his big, old foot in his mouth. Jesus even rebuked him a couple of noted times (Matthew 16, Mark 8). His faith was shaky and Jesus even called him satan one time, meaning that Peter had allowed satan's power to enter in.  He spoke out of misunderstanding when he did not think it right for Jesus to wash his feet. He even, in the worst imaginable act, denied Jesus prior to His crucifixion...after denying he ever would. How weak we all are. 

But Jesus knew something so wonderful about Peter and knew what he would be capable of long after His life on earth came to an end. I'm so glad He does that with us too. He knows what we are capable of doing and if we just take the time to listen so that we might hear His instructions it will be accomplished.

Peter was chosen by Jesus. He walked and talked with Him. He walked on water, he healed a lame man and a beggar, and no doubt countless more. He was with Him at His transfiguration. Despite his Simon personality he would become Peter, a rock of firmness, in time. God eventually used Peter's negative, natural, strong convictions for His glory...after Peter had humbled himself.

Simon means "to be heard." Names were important in those days. Usually children were named after an event or memory of a particular child's birth. No doubt God had a part in naming Simon. He already knew what plans He had for him. Simon would be heard someday when he boldly preached the Gospel.

But first he would encounter a man named Jesus and would be groomed to become what Jesus changed his name to mean, "rock." There was a reason for this name change. He was to be Jesus' main man, as it were. He didn't know it and maybe if he would have he might have gotten a big head about it. Peter had to be chastised again and again, much to his dismay. He had to learn to subdue himself and not be so brash and outspoken so Jesus could do a work in him. That's what he does with us. 

Jesus knew what Peter's future held in store. He would do as Jesus prompted him: Feed my sheep. Later he would be heard as he preached with a totally different character what he had learned sitting at the feet of Jesus. He just had to learn the hard way how to submit, to realize it was not just about him.

Peter hesitated in his faith at first but later when Jesus was gone he stepped up to both his names, actually. Not only was he now strong and stable, like a rock, in his faith, but he now was now being heard as he preached with gusto his belief in Jesus Christ. After he had gotten several doses of humbling, gotten through the humility of his denial of Christ, been tested, he was ready to move ahead. He'd been trained by the Master. 

Peter was willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Gospel. He'd been rejected, persecuted and imprisoned, like Jesus. He also was crucified; however, he asked to be hung upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. How he had changed. When we have changed so drastically, like Peter did, people notice. And God can have His way.

You can see the change in the words he wrote in his books. I'm sure Peter looked back and recalled his own words and foibles. And he also remembered the look of love on Jesus' face in the midst of his mistakes. He was, after all, now Peter, the rock, once called Simon. Transformation... He was still that outspoken man but now he preached with great abandon about salvation in Jesus alone, love, peace, encouragement...and submission...all with joy, despite his suffering. He got it at last! He had arrived!

I hope a day comes when I have changed that much. We all have some natural "quirks" that God has given us. In the natural they may not be the best thing to have, but through God they may be the most magnificent characteristics.

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Shine!

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

The words exhibit change came into my spirit the other morning (when I wrote this). My prayer these days has been for the Lord through the power of His Holy Spirit to bring about certain changes in my life. But more than bringing them about that they be exhibited, that I shine.

I'm a bit more quiet and unassuming, to the point that sometimes people barely notice me. I'd like that to change. Not that I'm the center of attention but to be more open about Jesus. I know the risks involved and part of that is offending which comes with the territory. I would hope that God would use the part of me that best suits me for this! I would at least like to bring His name up in my everyday conversations.

The greatest fear, which should not be, is losing friends. Those who can tolerate this change will remain friends; those who cannot will not. And here's the catch, how do I know that others might not be drawn? That would be my hope.

I would not expound like I do in this blog...unless someone approaches me. But what harm is it to let others know that the major focus in my life is Jesus? What's wrong with my sharing the wonderful things He's done for me? I know there are some who think it's wrong, those who want to eliminate any reference to God in this country.

I don't even want to go to the place in my mind that thinks "no one cares." After all, it's not about me anyway but Jesus Christ. He's the One who has done the work, the One who drew me, who brought about changes, who protected me before I even knew Him. He's the same God who wants to do that for all people.

It was so amazing to look back after I committed my life to Christ to see where He had been at work. You just know that you know it was He!

I am a child of the King, made blameless (but still with faults). I look at the disciple Peter who was impetuous, always speaking at inappropriate times, putting his foot in his mouth. He turned out to be the one Jesus chose to lead all the others, to feed His sheep. What an awesome responsibility. He had the right strengths but needed to tame them. He had a lot to learn but Jesus loved Him despite his faults. Jesus could see beyond those faults and encouraged him. He wants to encourage everyone the same way and that's why there is the Word.

Then there's Paul. He started out by persecuting Christians--as Saul. But God...could see the potential behind Saul's behavior and met him face to face on the Damascus Road. God changed Saul's name to Paul and his life turned completely around. He became an evangelist leading others to Christ. Imagine those who now saw him as quite the opposite personality; they saw the change, whether they liked it or not.

Thankfully, the world has not changed as far as people wanting to lead others to Christ. That will not change until He returns. There are others today whose lives have turned just as dramatically as Peter or Paul.

Did you know Glenn Beck's life was shaped by his father's alcoholism and his mother's suicide? Substance abuse took over his own life. He overcame with the help of God. Beneath his love for this country and the values of this nation, there is an underlying love for God and His values, an underlying understanding of what God would prefer to see how we and our country be.

There are stories of street gang or drug cartel leaders whose lives were turned around by the hand of God and these people are now outspoken advocates of the saving power of Jesus Christ. There are murderers and prostitutes who have spent time in prison whose lives have changed when they got to such a low point in life that they recognized their need for Jesus because no one else was able to help. They put their trust in Him and not the "system." Even death row inmates realized they did the crime, they had to pay their time, were sentenced to death but because they received Christ knew that even in their own death, like the thief on the cross who acknowledged Jesus, they would be with Him in paradise.

Do I identify with any of these people? Not exactly; my story is all my own. It only takes is a low point in your life to come around to wondering if this is all there is to life. Thankfully that came to me.

I pray you will remember these words if you hit a low point. There is always Someone to reach out to. My only hope is that some day something I wrote will change someone's life. I may not be an "in your face" sort of person, but I'd like to be at least seen as different, to shine so to speak, in a good sort of way. There's a song by the Newsboys whose chorus says: "shine...let them wonder what you got, let them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored."

Philippians 2:15 - that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...

Tear Down Those Walls

Philippians 1:6, 2:13 - ...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 

This is yet another great promise. When God has gotten hold of us, He will continue to work out those things in us that we need to let go of. He perfects constantly and we are changed, transformed. This is what God does! He turns us into who He sees us as not who we think we should be or who we see ourselves as.

What is it we are afraid of? What one thing have we put walls up around our hearts to protect ourselves from? What are we in need of healing of? Questions, questions. We may not even recognize what that thing is. We may think we have ourselves all together, but let me tell you, there is an issue somewhere. I'm sure we all have them.

I also believe we have come to a time in our lives where it is necessary to let these things go. It's time to let God strip us that we might allow ourselves to be healed. Let go, let go, let go. God has always desired we do this, but I think it is imperative these days (with the way the world is) to let go of our own preconceived ideas of what we should be and allow Him to take over and let the One who knows what's important, what's good for us, to let a transformation take place.

I believe mine is trust. I would have thought it was something else, but I think it is trust that is the culprit. As I thought so deeply about an incident that occurred Sunday and awoke in the wee hours of the morning twice now, I felt the answer come upon me. Trust. I'd been asking God to help me understand what happened and why. And so like Him, He did. The word trust entered my spirit and caused me to begin to think.

As I thought about trust, the word reject entered in. How often have I felt rejected by those closest to me? How often have I felt my spirit sticking out invisible arms as though to keep someone away instead of allowing them in? How often has my vain imagination conjured up tales of deception that has kept me from experiencing what I need most...to trust. Trust takes strength sometimes, especially when rejection can occur when you get too close.

Perhaps that's why I write this blog. I can express myself in ways I dare not--yet--speak out loud to others. God knows what we are in need of. He knows what we need to let go of. He knows when we are ready to let go. I can only pray that this is the time to begin to trust.

I can say I am trusting Him more and more. It's those in this world I've been unable to trust. It's easier to trust a stranger sometimes! You don't always expect much from them. It's those friends and family who have held back or say one thing and do another. It's those who have spoken unkind words or no words at all. And where has it put me? In a place of blocking. Walls have gone up to protect my heart. And has it helped? No. It appears that my heart has been wounded just the same. 

But God...would not want us to have those walls. He would rather we look to Him to remove those insecurities, those failures. He would rather we know that we know that as His child we are in good hands. He would rather we know that He is to be the One we can count on where all others fail. He would rather remind us that we are royalty as His children and to act like it.

I'd noticed lately that I've been keeping more and more to myself, holed up like a recluse in my own spirit, my own heart, only letting a small number enter in. I feel safe there. There is no one to criticize, no one to reject, no one to lie, no one to hurt me. A fear that this was where I would stay for the rest of my life brought me to my senses. I know I don't want that.

If there is truly a transformation taking place within me, like a butterfly working it's way out of it's cocoon, I will need to battle to break through that barrier. I will need to take a step of faith. I will shout to be released from the fears and the lies I've stored up for so long. He will be there reaching out, urging me on. This is the path I must take. Philippians 3:20-21 ...the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body. [He has] made known to me the path of life; [He] will fill me with joy in [His] presence, with eternal pleasures at [His] right hand. (Philippians 3:20-21, Psalm 16:11)

He has brought healing. He has blessed me. He has allowed the wall to begin to crumble. I would love to say that it is completely fallen, but there's that part of me that still holds back a bit. One last, loud shout will bring down that wall. I think it should be my shout...like Joshua and his men who shouted and the walls of Jericho caved in. 

I thank God for giving us the power to do that. I thank God for the power He has awarded me that I must learn to exercise. It is my faith that He will be there in the midst of the battle. It is in our praise that He will be. When we take that first step, the Lord will step in also. He will be there to supply our needs at that moment, that strength, that peace, that love. I think of the Footprints poem.  

And so it goes. Life in Christ. Awakenings, rejoicing, healing, rejoicing, contentment, rejoicing, transformation, rejoicing. 

Philippians 3:12-14- Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.