Blessed Be God

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Artwork by Kathleen Rietz

The Woman at the Well

God loves us.  He knows our sin and removes our sin so we can appear clean before Him.  He heals our pain and offers us hope.  He removes our labels and calls us "beloved".  He loved us enough to die for us in order to pay the price for our sin that we could never pay, in order that we can stand freely before God and experience His loving grace and mercy, so we can have a relationship with Him.

In the story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-42), the Samaritan woman meets Jesus face to face, and her life is forever changed.  This video beautifully illustrates that meeting.  Isn't this what we all really want -- to be known and loved, and loved and known?




As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
~ Psalms 103:12

Forgiveness Leads to Freedom

Be angry, and do not sin.

Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And put your trust in the LORD.

~ Psalms 4:4-5

No matter how justified we may believe we are in holding a particular grudge, the act of forgiveness feels so cleansing and freeing.  Why is that?  I believe it is because God calls us to forgive not just once, not seven times, but "up to seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:22).  In other words, just forgive.  God forgave us unhesitatingly when He went to the cross as Christ as an atonement for our sins.  He forgave those who mocked Him, spit in His face, lied about who He was, placed a crown of thorns on His head and nailed Him to the cross.  The Son of God, they nailed to the cross.  Naked.  And God forgave them.  Is there anything, then, that prevents you from forgiving a debt against you?  Do you hold fast to stubborn resistance?  I find that some of the most stubbornly resistant people not only have the hardest time forgiving, but they also seem to have the hardest time submitting their wills to Christ.  Therefore, they stay stuck in bad habits and addictions, unforgiveness and unresolved anger.  They forfeit the fullness of life God intends for them to live.  If you are stuck in unforgiveness, pray to God to open up your eyes and soften your heart to be able to forgive and move on.  There is such freedom in forgiving even the most unforgivable debts.  I pray that if this message speaks to you, that you will accept the forgiveness Christ offers freely to you, and in turn forgive those who have hurt you.  There is such freedom in forgiveness.

Our Greatest Advocate

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:10

When I start the day with these words, I cannot think of any reason to doubt that it will be an amazing day.  Regardless of what series of events unfold, we have an Advocate who is there for us when we turn to Him.

Giving it back to God...

Honor the LORD with your possessions,

And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

~ Proverbs 3:9-10

I used to think I was not a slave to my possessions, until I went through financial hard times and the meanings of "want" and of "need" became more clearly defined for me.  I had always given freely to the church and to those in need, had no debt to speak of, and was extremely proud of my impeccable credit rating.  I never would have classified myself as a foolish spender.  In fact, I saved.  I counted every penny and calculated my giving.  I was proud of my retirement portfolio, and how lovely it all looked on paper.  I thought I was "set".  Then, like many business owners, the mix of a soured economy and outsourcing hit me hard.  I walked through a "desert" in my life for about 5 years, digging my heals in to save my home and investments and praying it would all get better.  I figured it had to, because I figured I had done everything right.  What the Lord revealed to me was that I had an issue of pride.  Pride is sin.  Sin gets in the way of God blessing us.  I had to let go of my attitude, as well as a lot of tangible, meaningless "stuff" (meaningless in view of eternity).  Both are baggage, and both stand in the way of us coming to know and experience Christ, God's only Son who spent His adult years walking the earth without a home.  I can now say I really appreciate the meaning of a roof over my head, food on my table, and bills when they get paid.  I don't have new clothes every season, have never bought an iPod, reuse just about everything I can, and still have not repaired the damage my car suffered 3 years ago in a minor accident.  It's just not important to me anymore to have a closet full of cute shoes.  These days, these happy days, I have discovered the freedom of letting go and running barefoot through life.  There is freedom in knowing my life is now led by my trusting and allowing God to make the decisions for me.  I now know He knows better than I do what is right for me, and now I am listening for the Spirit's voice.  While I once thought it was enough to honor Him with my financial firstfruits, I now understand what He really wants is my heart, my focus, my finances and my time, uncalculated.  This is a God I will know for eternity, so it seems only fitting to get to know Him and trust Him now, because what we do here in life today matters.  I have learned that sometimes the only way God can truly get our attention is to strip away the strongholds in our lives, the things that keep us self-centered.  I was not aware I even had any, until He revealed them.  Then, with the ability to see clearly as through an open window, one free of clutter and pride, there I finally saw the character of God, and each day has become a new journey with Him.  And now, slowly but surely, my vats are being filled as with new wine, and my barns to overflowing.

Dr. Charles F. Stanley book signing

Today I was honored to meet one of my spiritual heroes, Dr. Charles F. Stanley (In Touch Ministries), at Family Christian Stores in Elgin, IL.

"Fleshly power and reasoning are worthless in a spiritual conflict.  Therefore, we must submit our minds, wills, and emotions to the authority of God's Spirit."

~ Dr. Charles F. Stanley, from his book Handle With Prayer

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD,

Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

~ Proverbs 20:27

God's Way

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. ~ James 3:17-18

New Every Morning

Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Pureness of Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

~ Matthew 5:8-12

He is Trustworthy

When you question why things happen the way they do, trust that God's plan is better than your own. Sometimes it is a blessing when we don't get our way, because there is something better waiting for us. Just trust Him. 

‎"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways." says the LORD.

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9

We can never know the full power of God until we fully trust Him.

Sacrificial Love

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 
The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” 
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

      THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 
But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”


~ Luke 23:33-43


If you like the mosaic cross design shown in this post, you can buy it as a mosaic treasure box here, along with other items in my shop.

Love

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:11

My Eyes in the Prize

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:7-14

Forever Guided

A man's heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.
~ Proverbs 16:9

The Greatness of God

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
~ Isaiah 55:8-11

Repentance

So He (Jesus) spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
~ Luke 15:3-7

Heavy Words

Then He (Jesus) lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“ Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

" But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
~Luke 6:20-38

I intended to post the Beatitudes only, but there was so much more of Jesus's sermon in this chapter that moved me...heavy words.

Our Greatest Comfort

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7

It amazes me how much God loves us.

The Lord Alone is my Judge

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
~ 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Dear Heavenly Father, Help me to walk with you, caring not about the judgments of others, nor even the judgments of myself, but in pureness of heart, only for You. Amen.

Made New in Christ

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