Changing Plans- God's Plans

Today I planned on doing great things. I was going to work like crazy on my house and yard. Are these good things- of course, but instead I woke up sick. I was so frustrated and disappointed. After all- this did not fall into my plans. I had other things to do.

But, I am learning to turn it all to God.

"Lord, I am frustrated. I feel too sick to read the bible, and I want to work. Here I am- just sitting."

I know God is in control. So I turned the whole situation over to God. I prayed that God would keep me focused. I sat down in front of the T.V. and turned on some Christian programing.

Interesting material was presented that touched me. Had I felt well- I would not have seen this program.

I am taking time to just rest- and trust God is in control. I don't believe God wants us sick. But, even if that happens to be our lot for the day; something good can come out of it.

Today I am mentally resting, while normally I would be very frustrated. Now, with my new tools of learning. I wait patiently.

Maybe this day is for me to wait on God, trust him; no matter what.

I thank God that he works with us, visits us and cares for us in "sickness or in health".

The Power Of The Tongue

"With the tongue one can bless God the Father and with the tongue one can curse men who are made in the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My family, these things should not be." (James 3:9,10, NAV)
Ouch! I know I'm ashamed of plenty of the words that have come out of my mouth; things I wish I could take back and I can't. Other people have often hurt me too with their tongues. One woman I used to know had such a sharp tongue, it led to my drinking. I'm not blaming her for my drinking. It was my choice. But the tongue is capable of inflicting the most brutal of pain on people it seeks to hurt. By the same token, the tongue can be a source of love and encouragement to those around us. It can bless and minister to the hurting and lonely or afraid. When it does, it is such a beautiful gift from God. Yet when the tongue is sharper than any known kitchen tool, the effects and scars can remain for life. My ex abused me so badly that he left my self-esteem in total shreds by the time I left him. Now I am healing. I am just happy to be free of him, and others who have abused me. But my scars haven't gone anywhere. They remain, though I try to cover them up or pretend they're not there. But they are there. I just pray that God will help me to use my tongue more and more for blessing. I don't want to inflict deep scars on anyone. I want to help heal others with my words. God help us all to use our tongues well. Love Jazz.

"A New Appreciation For Water!"

"Jesus answered and said to her: Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks of the water that I give will never thirst. However, the water that I give will become a well of water within them springing up into eternal life." (John 4:13,14, NAV)
Jazz here; I learned today a new appreciation for water. I was so dehydrated, I learned to drink from a faucet, as there were no available glasses to drink from. After enough trips to the faucet, I even learned how to do it more effectively, getting more water down my throat per gulp! Later I drank a full bottle of water in record time--and yet my mouth was dry as a cotton ball 5 minutes after I was done!
In this passage, Jesus is, of course, talking about eternal life and our spiritual life in Him. I know I need to read my Bible a lot more than I do, and learn to "soak Him in"--really soak Him into my life more. I love God and I serve Him now, but I am so terribly lazy in one of the best things I can do for myself emotionally and spiritually in my relationship with Him.
Somehow today, I have learned a new appreciation for water. Not only the physical water, but also the spiritual. I want to be closer to God. I want to learn more of Him. I hope God will help me "drink Him in" a whole lot more! God bless; Jazz.

Enjoy The Freedom!

"We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong. Do not change and go back into the slavery of the law." (Galatians 5:1, NCV) I love this one! It seems like we so often get tied up in "right and wrong" rules for believers, such as what day of the week to worship. Or whether or not to allow a person to participate in communion. Or whether a woman should dare to share the gifts of speaking or whatever other gift that God has given her. We get so bogged down by rules that it's often hard to see GOD among us. Jesus said that by our fruits they would recognize us as believers. Not by our rules and regulations, but by the life we live. If I was God, I wouldn't want to come to a home where everyone is fighting over the rules. Rather, I would want to come to a home where people respect each other's differences and give each other freedom to grow in their individual walks with God. May God help us all to really enjoy our freedom in Christ--and to respect each other. Love Jazz.

Not Enough Faith?

In my Wednesday night bible study we are finishing up the book of James. In James verse 15 it says, " ANd the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." I have seen many miracles happen with thanks to prayer. I have even seen a guy I know get healed from AIDS. I also have heard stories of people being raised from the dead. But what about those prayers that we do not see the immediate results to like those from people that are suffering from a chronic illness or a permanent disability. Personally I think this prayer goes a lot deeper than just the physical becaue I know deep down in my heart that God is mostly concerned with the heart and the motive of our actions. Maybe this healing is done for the benifit of the heart and not necessarily the body becaue the second half of the verse is about forgiveness. And that is a heart issue. Maybe those that don't get healed from their physical ailment are still being wotked on by God but not in the way they may have been hoping for but will still have to have fsith and trust that God knows what he is doing.

Being Balanced

I have been in a spiral of depression. Each day my depression seemed to get worse and worse. Today I just put my head on the table and sighed. I seemed too depressed to even move. It was horrid.
But God, in his mercy had me visit my mother. She talked to me and most of what she said seemed to just drift in my mind. I was too depressed to even really follow what she was saying.
Then, I finally heard her talking to me about my life. She told me I had to cut back on all the "good things" I was doing. What? Cut back?
As she reviewed my regular schedule, and my many projects; I saw that every day had a required duty. No time for true rest- and as the little rat kills its self from over work; my life too, was not balanced.
But, I could not figure out really where to make changes. After all, what about this ministry and that ministry and .....
Then she simply said to me, "Linda, and what about you praying for God to keep you in good health? How can he help you in that area when you are not balanced? Just turn the whole life situation over to him. He will show you exactly what he needs you to do"
Oh the wisdom of a Godly mother.
I did, and he did. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Mom.

What is on Your Schedule Lord?

For many years I would commit to spending time with God. Every morning I faithfully got up out of bed, and had a time of prayer and study with God. But, once that hour was done; I was on my frantic day through life. Oh I may slip a prayer in now and then, but I was always on the go, and doing "my own thing."

If something big came up and changed my plans. I was frustrated and frantic, after all this is not what I had on my schedule.

But then, I realized that I needed to redo my thinking. How come I was not just giving the schedule to God to manage?

I am not saying we do nothing, or do not plan; but after all, if we give our lives to God...Shouldn't we let him in on the planning session of our day?

Now I pray differently. My prayer now is, "Lord, this is my plan for the day. But, if you have other plans will you please enter in and change things for me. You make the revised schedule, and I will follow it."

Life is so much easier now. When something falls through I just say, "Well, I guess God has a different plan". And then sure enough I find out he does.

There have been many times I had made plans, they fall, and then God sends me in another way. Maybe a lunch appointment cancels, but then some other person calls needing a friend just to talk to.

God makes a great scheduler.

The God Who Made The Lilies...

"And why do you worry about clothes? Look at how the lilies in the field grow...But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers." (Matthew 6:28, 29, New Century Version). In this passage, Jesus was talking about our tendency to worry, and how foolish it really is. However, I can't help noticing: God enjoys beauty! He created pretty things. He created flowers. He created sunsets and sunrises. Sure, some would argue it's just for for scientific purposes, and all for a function. But what exactly is the function of a morning glory flower--except to be pretty?
I used to feel silly doing crafts and painting for fun; thought it was "sissy" and useless. Yet it's anything but useless--it helps me relax, quite often. And why should I call the art of making something pretty "sissy" when our Lord--the Lord Who created this world, and everything in it, from one end of eternity to the other, enjoys making pretty things? He's the Lord of the universe. And He makes lilies too! God bless; Jazz.

Where's My Focus?

I am trying to change my life style. I know I need to make the changes, and I also know they are for my best. But, as I go through life; the old ways seem to pull at me and call me back...
Like a voice in a dark alley way, those voices are not good. They lead me to my own destruction.

And yet, I can't seem to shake that desire yet....I know the right, but the wrong keeps calling.

This reminds me of Adam and Eve. Eve took the fruit. God warned Adam and Ever, not to take it.

Genesis 2:16

You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.

Yet Eve keeps on going.

We read in Genesis 3: 1,2

Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. 'Really?' he asked the woman. 'Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?'

'Of course we may eat it', the woman told him. 'It's only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to at. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we wil die'. (LFB)

And that is the problem. Eve stopped walking and took time to be in conversation with the devil.

How many times do we, "stop" to take time with the devil. We need to keep our eye off of sin. Why did Eve fall? Because she took the time to look on sin, and not be with God.

Had she remained focused on God. She would not have been talking with Satan.

I need to remember that I too, must not take the time to converse with sin. If I see it-I don't need to debate with Satan, myself or even try to think through the situation. I need to run from the source. Had Eve ran from the tree calling out to God, she would have changed history. But she lingered with the Devil.

Lord, help me to be a runner; and to stay focused on you. Keep me wanting to not spend time with sin, near sin; but time with you and on you. Amen.

What's My Motivation?

It's a time-honored tradition to pray at mealtimes. I usually do too, although not at all fancy. We call it grace and thank God and often ask Him to bless the food to our bodies. I, Jazz, also ask God to remove the calories! However, according to my scale, His answer has so far been a resounding "NO WAY!". It's a painful fact to which my mirror shouts a loud AMEN every morning!
Sometimes I can't help but wonder: what IS our motive, especially in public places, such as a restaurant? I've heard some long, drawn-out prayers over restaurant meals and it seems to me like the person is showing everyone how "holy" they are--although maybe they don't mean to. I've also seen people gather out by the street to show cars going by that they're praying. It seems "holy" but is it?
Jesus said in Matthew 6:5: "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synegogues and on the street corners and pray so people will see them. I tell you the truth, they already have their full reward." It's one thing to pray from the genuine depths of our hearts--public or private. It's another altogether if we just want to show how well we can pray or that we're "righteous". My ex treated me like a garbage can, yet prayed over all his meals. I think we need to always ask ourselves before we pray: "What's my motivation?" God bless.

Eating With Sinners

Recently I was eating with a crowd of pretty broken people. While normally I would have enjoyed this evening, this night I was not; because they were all sharing how hard life was for them.
I was restless, and wanted to go home. I had a list of chores not being done, and for the moment I felt like this was a big waste of my time. I was frustrated that my laundry was undone, and I still just did not have enough hours in the day for what I needed to do.
I sat patiently thinking that I wished I could just bolt out of there and get done what needed to be done. I silently wondered if this was a waste of my time.
When everyone broke up and started to go home, it occured to me that was the very place Jesus would have been.

Mark 2:16,17

But when some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with people like that, they said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?"
When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do. I have come to call sinnners, not thoe who tink they are already good enough".

Jesus had a whole universe to tend to, but he took time to just sit and listen. He always shared himself in love and compassion. So, he had allowed me to share in his service. What a blessing!

What Happened?

In the book of Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47 Luke talks about the early church and the way they lived their lives and practiced their faith. It says, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.And all that believed were together, and had all things common;And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved". What I am wondering is what happened in two thousand years because there is so much division between the different denominations, protestants verus catholics and so on. I really wish the church was back to the way it was when it started. I do wish I had the answer to this problem but all I have to say is that it seems that we have lost the love of Christ and the love for each other because we as the body of Christ have gotten too hung up on our traditions.

He Is Awesome

"So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death." (Hebrews 10:19, New Century Version). Jazz here; I was thinking recently at a recovery meeting about horses and God. Let me explain. Horses are such magnificent animals, aren't they? Whenever I see them up close, I'm blown away by their beauty, and their enormous frames! And yet I also fear them. They are so powerful, I'm often afraid to get too close.
It's kind of like the way it is with the Lord. He is awesome. Beyond description. Powerful and yet glorious. Yet God does not want us afraid to approach Him. We are to respect and be in awe of Him, of course. But He wants us to come close, and love and be loved by Him. This is possible because of Jesus Christ. Like the majestic horse will accept our humble offering of grass, so the Lord Almighty accepts us in Christ. He accepts the humble offerings of our hearts. Enjoy Him today--up close.

My Load To Carry

In Galatians 6 verse 2 it says, "Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." But in verse 5 Paul tells us that each one should carry his own load. I was a little confused on this because I don't know what to do. Am I to help others carry the burdens of others or are others responsible for their own load to bear. But I found out that these two words have very distinct meanings. The Greek word for burden means more that one can carry on their own, an excessive burden not able to be carried by one person. Then the word load is a word that means cargo or the burden of daily toil. The reason that I was so confused about this is that I have a problem with setting up boundaries in my life and I always try to fix everyone's problems. But I am learning that sometimes I can be a sort of doormat to others and the others person doesn't learn the lessons that can be learnt by going through the problems of everyday life. But now I am starting to learn that I do need to set up boundaries in my life so that I don't become abused by others and develop resentments against those I love.

Water of Life

I have had many wrong ideas about religion and God. For many years I have been trying to work my way into God's grace. Maybe if I am good enough, I will be saved. That is a sick way of living. I was always in fear that maybe I was not holy enough. Maybe if I just worked harder at it.

I do believe that God wants us to seek holiness. After all He is a holy God. But, the holiness he wants is not service from working to earn enough good to get the magic pass to heaven. No.

John 4:14

But whosever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him a wellof water springing up into everlasting life.

What is this water? It is the spirit of the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus who gives us this water.

What is our duty? I believe it is to give our heart daily, whole heartedly to God. Is that work? Yes, it is. Because when we focus on Jesus, our whole lives must be focused on a holy God.

2 Cor 3:18

But we all, earnestly beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory as the Spirit of the Lord.

It is by beholding God we are changed. So then I must ask myself, how much time am I spending beholding the son of God. Is he a moment as I flip channels? Maybe a fast prayer as I go on my way. I need to spend time in relationship- and then He promises to change me. My job is to let God change me, but if I never spend time with Him. I really do not know Him and then He has no way to know me.

To Trust

"He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." (1 Thess. 5:24). In the preceeding passage, Paul had prayed that the Lord would preserve the readers; body, soul and spirit until Jesus' return. And then he lets us know again that GOD IS FAITHFUL and we can trust in Him.

I have always struggled in this area, but I'm learning slow but sure to completely and totally trust in a faithful God. And not in my own up and down feelings of assurance! Feelings are like a feather in the wind, and not to be relied upon. But always, dear reader, put your hope and courage in Jesus Christ. For, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it." God Bless, Jazz

Cliques

I have been reviewing some of the things that was talked about in my weekly bible study last week and 2 James verse 1 has really been saying a lot to me today. The verse says, "My brothers, as believers in our lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism". This got me thinking about how often I at church, bible study, or any other outside event hang out with my clique of friends. I am not trying to say that we shouldn't hand out with our friends but should't we also be welcoming the newcomer. It is so easy for me to stay in my comfort zone with those I know but how many times did Jesus go out of his way to give comfort to those who were the outcasts of society. He touched the lepers, talked to the prostitutes and even had a tax collecter as one of his close disciples.

Changed into God's Image

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [evern]as by the as Spirit of the Lord. 2 Chron. 3:18

I read this today, and thought how powerful a thought. It is by beholding we become like God. We are not god, but our characters changed. This then explains to me how we become more like Jesus. When we stay focused on Him, we reflect His character.

I am thinking about this.....the more I reflect on Him, the more I become like Him. Isn't that a powerful thought. Our duty as believers ia to reflect on Jesus, then we can become more like Him.

Linda

He Walks Beside Me

Hello, everyone; Jazz is back, ready or not! I was reading some Christian blogs today on another site, and one person mentioned Jesus' gentleness with the weak among us. They quoted Matthew 12:20, in which Jesus was quoting Isaiah the prophet: "He will not break a crushed blade of grass, or put out even a weak flame until He makes justice win the victory." Jesus does not crush or condemn the "weak"--we who are so easily fearful of everything. He "will hold your hand" as He says in Isaiah 42:6. Christians can be so rough on their brothers and sisters of weaker faith, even those who struggle with emotional or brain disorders, such as myself. And yet, while Jesus wants to see us be bold, He has compassion and understanding. That increases my faith right there! I am a "bruised reed" and my Lord will be gentle with me. Praise the Lord!

Faith Made Complete

Once again at bible study I had a verse that especially meant something to me. We are studying the book of James and the verse that spoke to me was in James 2 verse 22. It says, "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did". This verse is talking about when Abraham went to go and sacrifice Isaac on the top of the mountain. To me this is saying that not only am I to believe God when he wants me to do something with my life, or how I live my life, it needs to be followed by some sort of action of me responding to Gods command. This verse in no way implies that you can earn your way into Gods grace but that there should be some sort of action that follows what you believe.