Jesus said, "In this life...

Let’s fill in the blank. Jesus said, “In this life you will have all your requests granted.” No!  Second Corinthians states that Paul asked three times to have some unknown torment removed, but the Lord refused. Rather then granting his desire the Lord gave Paul additional grace to help him in his weakness. Did Jesus say, “In this life you will be liked and appreciated, especially for your pursuit of righteousness?” No!  In Acts 7:54 it states, “When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.” Who was furious, at whom and why? The Jewish people became furious at Stephen when He accused them (his fellow Jews) of nailing Jesus to the Cross and missing the Messiah. They did not like him. They hated him, so much so, they stoned him to death!  In Luke 6:26 Jesus said, “Woe to you when men speak well of you, for this is how they treated the prophets.” So it’s not that. 

There are so many things we “expect” in this life. We expect to have our prayers answered, and answered our way. We expect to be prosperous, including financially. We expect to be healed, after all doesn’t the scriptures say, “That what so ever you ask in the name of Jesus will be granted?” We expect so much in this temporal and momentary life. But the one thing Jesus said that I WILL have in this life is trouble! As a matter of fact, these are His exact words, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

You see I need to read scriptures like these. I need to be reminded that it is his purposes for my life that will be unfolded. 

In Isaiah 46: 9-10 the Sovereign Lord says, 

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; 

I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning,

from ancient times, what is to come.

‘I say: My purpose will stand,

and I will do all that I please.”

You see, today I have had a rough day. It has actually been a rough few weeks.

I feel silly admitting my weakness (but I want to be ranked among those as Paul)  especially when I just wrote on my blog a few days ago... Lord let me have a Christian home. A home where the mommy teaches the Bible and teaches her children to love it. Well today I was not an example of that. In all honesty, had the humility factor not shown up this would have been leverage for my girls to turn from the Bible. Before the night ended and they settled into their beds I gathered my daughters and read 1John 1: 8-10 with them and really emphasized vs. 9. 

It states, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 

So with my daughters I confessed my sin of anger and frustration combined with unkind words. As I sat there and asked for their forgiveness I was humbled yet disappointed in my failure. As I cried and received their forgiveness and prayers I realized the things that are occurring in my life are all planned and purpose by the Sovereign Lord for whatever reason. I may never know the reasons but I can trust that He will grant me peace. I know if I really wanted to be stubborn I can make things happen. I could change the way the things are in my life. God would allow me to go my way and follow the way that seems right to me only to learn that it is His ultimate will that will be achieved. 

So I write tonight because I have a heavy heart. Somedays are just hard. Life is hard. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble!” Expect it! 

I can’t help but question why? Is it because of Satan...perhaps? Is it because of sin...maybe? Is it because of this fallen world we live in...possibly? Have I done something wrong...more then likely? But regardless of the reasons why trouble is in my life or in your life...it is all granted, allowed and purposed by the Sovereign Lord and somehow...that is comforting.

Before I close I want to end with a scripture about the Sovereignty of God and many scriptures of the tribulations promised to the children of God.

Isaiah 48: 17

This is what the Lord says-

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.”

Acts 14: 21-22

Then they (Paul and Barnabas) returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain in the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Roman 5: 3-5

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

1 Thessalonians 3: 1-4, 6-7

So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way as you well know. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because or your faith.

Life is not easy! The Lord never promised it would be. He promised to be with us, to never leave us, to see us through it, to grant us peace, comfort and grace. He will strengthen his people and he will not leave us without hope.

He is our all, in all!

Phileo,

Patsy

Are you a Salty Lady?

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth." Who is?  ME?!!  Just what does that mean?  Why salt?  After learning a little more about this today in BSF I walked away with a deep desire to be a "Salty Lady" and to surround myself with other "Salty Ladies."
Salt is so much more then a seasoning. Yes, it enhances and brings out flavor. Most of my suppers would not be eaten if salt were not added.  It also acts as a perservative and protects. But what struck me most about salt is that it creates thirst. Have you ever noticed that? Well just go suck on a Chinese Candy and I guarantee you will soon be looking for a pitcher of water!
In Isaiah 55 the Lord summons an invitation to all who are "thirsty" to come to Him and receive His waters, wine and milk. What beautiful metaphors here. The water signifies salvation, the wine is a picture of joy and a zest for life and the milk represents nourishment. All of these given by the Lord for us to drink of when we come to Him "thirsty." He freely gives them to us without cost and I am so grateful He does. There is not  enough money in the world that could pay for the salvation, joy and nourishment that He provides for weary souls.
But see in Isaiah 55:1 He calls the "thirsty." Well in the New Testament Jesus made various references to thirst as well. Just take a look:
-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
-Jesus answered,  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)
-On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38)
-The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
All of these are references to those who are thirsty and an invitation to drink free of charge.
You see what we truly thirst for is salvation, whether we know it or not. We go here and there looking for something to satisfy the unquenchable thirst. We turn drugs, money, success, vanity, sex in an attempt to satisfy our thirst. But just as easy as the thirst is quenched it once again returns. Why? Because there is only one remedy for those who "thirst." The finished work of Jesus on that Cross. Once you drink His water of salvation you never thirst for anything to momentarily satisfy. Once you drink His wine nothing else will ever bring you joy. Knowing that your sins are eternally forgiven and you can start anew brings a zest and joy for living. Just ask a woman who has had an abortion then receives the forgiveness from the Lord after drinking from His fountain. She can live again with joy instead of sorrow and despair. Once we drink from His waters, His salvation brings us the nourishment to grow and to learn His ways to live both here, in the land of the living, and in eternity to come. Only He can nourish us in such a way.
But back to salt!! Jesus said you and I were the salt of the earth. And salt creates thirst. And that is what we want in order for people to come to Jesus. They need to be thirsty. So how does this happen. It happens by creating the thirst in them.  Does your life let off salt? Does your relationship with the Lord let off enough saltiness that those around you begin to thirst? Do they start looking for something to drink by your example? Do they begin to be challenged by your convictions and standards? Then you are a "Salty Lady!" See we, I, want to be that salt of the earth Jesus spoke of. When people, my children, my husband look at my life I want them to begin to desire something of what is within me. That is the flow of the living waters Jesus spoke of. It is actually the Holy Spirit they are starting to thirst for when they see something good and worth desiring in me? The way you handle difficult situations can create thirst in another. The way you speak to your children and love your husband creates thirst. And a big one...suffering...the way you and I handle suffering and trials creates thirst as well. Do you give God glory when trying things happen in your life? Or do you whine and complain? Do you accept His Sovereignty for all things and trust in Him or do you doubt and wonder where is God? The way we react to how God unfolds our life will either turn people to the Lord or push them further away. They will become thirsty for something but for what will that be...we want that to be the Lord.
Another thing about thirst, sometimes we don't even know we are thirsty until we see a drink. Think about it. How many times are you sitting on the sofa watching television and you are fine until you see that commercial for a Coke or a Lemonade? The next thing you know you are thirsty? You would have never known you were thirsty had you not been stimulated. The same is true in life. Many, many people are walking around spiritually dehydrated. They are thirsty and don't even know it. But once they see your lived out Christian life you have the ability to cause them to realize they are thirsty. Are you going to give them a thirst for something that satisfies? Are you willing to be the salt of the earth? Are you a Salty Lady?" With Jesus we will never thirst again.
Phileo,
Patsy

My Desire

Looking through my hymn book the other day I came across this modern day hymn.

B.B. McKinney wrote God, Give Us Christian Homes. 
I love the words penned in this music sheet.
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught, and where the Master's will is sought.
Yes, may I grow more and more diligent to teach my family to love the Bible and live it. And may we all grow a deep desire to  live our lives to please the Lord and not ourselves.
Homes where the Father is true and strong.
Homes where the mother is caring and desires to show your way is best.
Homes where the children are led to know the Lord.
How accurate! A home where we all fit into our proper roles and we function best in it.
Oh Father may this be more then a beautiful hymn I have come across. May this be the lived out reflection of my hearts's desire. Help me to accomplish such a great and honored task. And the many, many places I fall short, help me to have the grace and strength to endure?
In your name Jesus. Amen.
Is this the cry of your heart too? Is this your home? Do you desire it to be? Turn to the One who is able to grow the things that dreams are made of. The One who can turn a life of wrongs into a life of rights. Repentance is always the key. And Jesus is always the door that opens to the Way!
Phileo,
Patsy

A Great Life Lesson

Proverbs 19 Lesson

Current Conduct in Red/ Desired Conduct in Black

 This was an absolutely great lesson. My girls are learning the Book of Proverbs this year for their Bible Curriculum. We use the AMO Enrichment Guide with the New King James Bible and it has been an excellent resource for learning the book of Wisdom. Today's study was this simple format:
Key Word
Conduct (noun): personal behavior; manner of acting or conducting yourself.
Principle
The conduct of the young child builds the man.
Memory Verse
It is by his deeds that a youth distinguishes himself if his conduct is pure and right. (Proverbs 20:11)

After we learned the Key Word we took a few minutes to write down what we believe our current conduct to be. The girls were very accurate in their self perceptions. They didn't think to highly of themselves, nor did they think themselves things they were not. For instance Jamie was right on when she said she was happy, kind and giving. Yet she was also right when she said she was selfish and mean. Jeri shared that she tends to be selfish and silly, yet she is also funny and nice. Yes, these accurately desribe my daughters' behaviors'. They were able to identify what kind of "conduct"...behavior they have, both good and bad. They see they don't always behave with acts of kindness, love and obedience. They tend to want to behave in ways that are comforting to them usually resulting in acts of selfishness and meanness. Had we stopped there the lesson would have looked hopeless. But we continued on and learned the Principle of this lesson and WOW!"The behavior we develop as children builds us into the man/woman we will one day be. We took some more time to write down what we hoped to be built into someday. And the girls said some hopeful things. Jeri said she hopes to be built into a woman who serves, loves, is nice, gives to others, not selfish, doesn't get angry, listens and as does what others ask of her, and is calm. Jamie said she wanted to one day be a woman who was nice, follower of Jesus, skinny (not really a conduct issue) and gentle & quiet. I am hopeful for them. You see I didn't have the insight's they have when I was a child. The adult I grew into was straight out of the child I was. I became a grown woman full of selfishness, jealousy, anger, pride, arrogance and conceit. Yes, I was kind and nice. But that was not the essence of who I was and wanting to be. I had no desire to follow the way of righteousness because I didn't know what the right ways were. The Book of Proverbs and the Bible itself tells us what the right ways are. Gods way of growing things, doing things and becoming the way He desires are all found throughout His Word. I didn't know them or Him because I didn't know His Word. So I behaved the way I wanted and did what I thought was right. The Bible says "There is a way that seems right to a man but the end of that way leads to death." That was the way I was headed and my "conduct" proved it. But what grace God has shown to me and my children. At age 37 he is reshaping and building inside me a new way and better way of doing things and being. And I am changing from that old person I used to be into a new person that God desires. And you know what? My daughters are reaping the rewards. As children (young children) they are learning Gods way of proper behavior and decision making. They are learning wisdom and seeing it expressed in their choices and desires. I am so thankful the road for them does not resemble mine. And I am so grateful He is giving them a desire for Godliness, and they are accepting it! Amazing grace!!!
Indeed!!! Great life lesson learned.

Phileo,
Patsy

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

Is it the Law or is it the Cross?  Well my dear friend, may I humbly suggest, it is both!  What is the Law?  What is the Cross?  Well I'm talking about the message of the Gospel. A message that is not heard in it's entirety much these days. You see right now, in the year 2011, the message the disciples preached and died for has changed!  The message that Peter preached was the Law and the Cross!


Acts 2 (New Living Translation) Please read all of Acts 2, the following are the highlighted scriptures that I would like to emphasize.


Acts 2: 14, 22-24, 31-34, 36-40

 ¹⁴ Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.

²² “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene^[d] by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. ²³ But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. ²⁴ But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. 

 ²⁹ “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. ³⁰ But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. ³¹ David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.³² “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. ³³ Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 
      
 ³⁶ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
 ³⁷ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
 ³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles^[h]—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”⁴⁰ Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

You see the message Peter preached was the Law...you are a sinner and He preached the Cross...repent of your sinfulness and receive the pardon Jesus died to give you!

And that is the message of the Gospel...Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for Law Breakers...whom are you and I.  Unfortunately, many modern day preachers are not preaching this message!  What I hear doesn't even sound like what Peter said!  And isn't the Bible our example, our mirror, that we should look on at our reflection?  And after we have seen our reflection and see that it doesn't look like the mirror...well then what do we do?  Do we change the reflection or do we change the mirror???  Well, in today's society the mirror has been changed...the standard has been changed!  Todays Gospel is no longer "Wretched Sinners that so desperately need a a Savior!", but rather "Hurting and Problem Filled People who Need a Savior to Make their life Meaningful and Happy."  No where in Peter's message will you read that!!!  Over and over he points to the Law to reveal the sin in each of us and then he points to the penalty for that sin which is death.  He points to the one who paid for that sin...Jesus!  He points to the guilty one who received the pardon... us!  Finally he tells us what to do about it...repent and receive forgiveness!!! 

We as a created people are sinners!  We simply are!  That is why we fail, we hurt people, including our own spouses and children!  We lie and gossip!  We hate and then pretend that we love!  We steal and are never content!  How many of us are swimming in debt, just so we can have what everyone else has?  Is God the center of your life or is there something or someone else that you want more?  Have you rested on the truth of what Jesus has done for you on that Cross?  Well my friend, if you are guilty in any of these areas then you are guilty of them all...you are a Lawbreaker and your penalty is death!  It doesn't sound like a loving and kind message BUT it is!!  God loves us so much He is offering us a way out of our sinful condition!  In our shallow minds we think that love is... give me my dreams and material prosperity!  But the Lord says I want to give you something far greater...it's forgiveness that we so DESPERATELY need...so that we can really live!  Will you accept the payment made by Jesus Christ for you?  Will you humble yourself and repent and admit you are guilty and then receive the forgiveness and cleansing that Jesus offers!!  This is the message of the Gospel! This is the truth!  We need the Savior, I constantly need the Savior!  The more I read my Bible and get closer to the Lord, the more sin I see and the more sin I see, the more I need to repent and receive forgiveness!  It is a life long process but Jesus is faithful...lifelong!   

May I say, my friend, there are no similarities between the the first message of the Gospel that Peter preached and the Gospel Message of the 21st Century!  None!  One removes our burden and the other places a stronger one!  They are indeed two different messages...whom will you believe?

Come to Jesus!

Phileo,

Patsy

People Need the Lord... for this New Year!

I heard this hymn on the BBN (Bible Broadcasting Network) this morning, and I couldn't help but see the images of many faces in my minds eye as I reflected on the song.

What a song, what perception...as a people, as a nation and as a person...People Need the Lord. Two- thousand ten is less then twelve hours to coming to an end and I have already begun the search in my head on what I need to do and not do, what I plan to change and not change and what I plan to start and plan to stop. But at the end of all my planning the only reasonable and realistic conclusion of what I really need is the Lord. Yes, indeed, people need the Lord. Our world is screaming at the top of it's lungs..."I need help...Will somebody please help me!" Our society reflects our great need for the Lord in our moral behavior. Washington needs the Lord...evident in the many nominated men and women who act on the wills and desires of men rather then on the written Word of God. Do our churches need the Lord? Yes, our churches bear fruit that demonstrate we have turned from Him and forgotten His ways. Yes! We need the Lord. Yes, I need the Lord! All of us have turned away. All of us have failed. But this is not a sad, helpless, hopeless message. Rather it is a message of Great Hope. I cannot think of a greater time to realize we need the Lord then the beginning of a New Year. The God of Second Chances once again is giving us another chance in 2011. The hymn sings "at the end of broken dreams...people need the Lord." This is the end. The sun is setting on yester-year and the dawn of a new year is arising. Broken dreams are gone...but new ones are coming! The hymn goes a little further and says "When will we realize He's the open door. People need the Lord." Let this be the year you realize you need the Lord. And beloved if you are already His then realize all the more how much more you need Him. Remember, you, me, we...PEOPLE NEED THE LORD!

Happy "2011"

From Our Family to Yours.

Phileo,

Patsy

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The first time I heard this hymn was on the movie Love Comes Softly, and I loved it the moment I heard it. That was a few years ago. Although, I have heard it from time to time I never knew what it was called or read the words in it's entirety until yesterday. Loved it! Once again Robert Robinson's hymn spoke to this old heart of mine.
The statement in stanza two, "Here I raise my Ebenezer" refers to I Samuel 7:12, "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." Ebenezer is the Hebrew for "Stone of Help." Israel had suffered defeat because of its sin. But the people had repented of their sin, God had helped them and they were victorious. Samuel placed the stone to remind Israel that God had them, their victory was because of Him.
In stanza three, Robinson speaks of being "prone to wonder, prone to leave the God I love". This seems to be a forecast of his later life, when he lapsed into sin, unstableness and involvement with Unitarianism.
How I am just as guilty as he. I can recount the many times the Lord has helped me and I have become victorious. All too often it has come after a time of great repentance. My wanderings from the Lord always lead to sin. And yet, he is faithful to bring me back. What a blessing!
Although the way back may be riddled with consequences, the Lord is faithful to always be my "Stone of Help."
Blessings,
Patsy
Listen here to this hymn
Sheet music and history taken from Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns

An Old Hymn

I love these old hymns. As you all know, I did not have the privilege of growing up in Church as a child or youth. My conversion came much later. So when I read these hymns I love and appreciate them. I can relate to the words of the writers that penned them. If you are willing, I would like to challenge you to reflect on the following statements and hymn. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you so that God's ultimate goal can be accomplished in your life...to make you more and more into the very image of Christ. Take my Life and Let it Be Take my life and let it be Consecrated Lord to thee Take my moments and my days Let them flow in ceaseless praise Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of they love Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for thee Take my voice and let me sing Always, only for my King Take my lips and let them be Filled with messages from Thee Take my silver and my gold Not a mite would I withhold Take my intellect and use Every power as Thou choose Take my will and make it Thine It shall be no longer mine Take my heart it is Thine own It shall be Thy Royal Throne Take my Love, my Lord I pour At Thy feet its treasure store Take myself and I will be Ever only all for Thee. ...Is it your prayer that God would "take your life and let it be consecrated" to him? Use this hymn as a sincere prayer so God can start that work today. I want to challenge you that one of the things that keep this from being our life anthem is sin. Do you have sin alive in your heart? Ask the Lord, who is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness to wash you a new. Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given a new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. -Romans 6:13 Blessings, Patsy Adaptation and readings taken from  The One Year Christian History by E. Michael & Sharon Rusten