Sunday, February 10, 2013

The path to righteousness is never easy~~

In this age of political correctness and increasing tolerance for all kinds of un-Godly behavior in the world in which we live, I feel compelled to set the record straight, as its said, at least from my point of view.

Living a righteous life has never been easy, but it is increasingly hard now a days. Yet, the Bible extols the virtues of the righteous life: 1 Peter 3:12 tells us "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."


                                      "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:!5


But, how can we lead a righteous life, when everything and everyone around us is "going with the flow" of society? It seems that you're not hip or are labeled prejudice if you don't accept everyone else's ideas of what is right these days. I believe it has nothing to do with prejudice, but it has everything to do with standing firm in your beliefs as a Christian and having the guts to say, "No, you are not right, because what you believe and the way you are acting is against the Word of God, and therefore I am not going along with it." Period.

Society is moving fast towards acceptance of gay marriage as part of the normal fabric of our lives. There are many gay actors and others in the entertainment field who have "come out". TV shows showing gay parents raising children are accepted as normal and are even the among some of the post popular shows on television. The Boy Scouts, the American Institution built on good moral standards, is considering letting openly gay men be part of the organization. I pray that doesn't happen, because homosexuality is not moral. The President of the United States has openly endorsed gay marriage and made it part of his political platform for these next four years. He wants to legalize gay marriage. Most of society has accepted gay partnerships as being perfectly normal. Well, if everyone else says it's ok, it must be ok, right? WRONG!

If you align yourself and your beliefs with God's Word you will soon discover that gay marriage is not normal at all. The Bible doesn't have anything nice to say about homosexuality, between men or women. The following Bible verses are pretty clear about God's standing on it.

"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination." Leviticus 20:13.

"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men" 
1 Corinthians 6:9

"For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature" Romans 1:26


Homosexuality and sexual perversion has been going on for thousands of years, just as every sin against God has been going on for thousands of years. There truly is nothing new under the sun. We are born sinners and we will die sinners apart from the saving Grace of our Lord Jesus. It is a constant and daily struggle for all of us to strive to live a righteous life. 

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the downfall of the Roman Empire, clearly were because of perverted behavior, homosexuality being a part of that. Is the United States of America next in line? Is our destruction coming soon? Have we all become de-sensitized to immorality? Is the Lord going to allow us to self destruct because of our immoral behavior?

Many believe that 911 was a warning sign from God that we better get our act together. Well, have we? Remember, after the horrific attacks when everyone was going to church and the Congress stood on the Capitol steps and sang God Bless America? Well, that didn't last long, did it? Pretty soon it was back to life as usual. 

There are other ways to live in righteousness that are also very important to God. Following the Word of God, and not honoring false idols or prophets is imperative, as well. Knowing and acknowledging that the true path to God is through Jesus Christ his Son and no other way. There is one way to get to heaven and have eternal life. That's it. John 14:6 tells us clearly "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."



                                                            Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

The Bible warns us about false prophets."Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15.  

You can't get to Heaven through enlightenment, you can't do it by chanting, it's not through living a good, clean life and being kind to others. It's not done by following any other religions or their rules to a tee. The only way to get to heaven, is through acceptance of God's Son, Jesus Christ. You must be born again. You must give your life over to Jesus and start afresh with a new heart. Pretty simple, really. Why does everyone get so confused about it?

But it's also so important not to judge others. Many in our world are lost souls and haven't found their way, and it is our job as Christians to reach out in God's love to all of them. Jesus didn't judge and we shouldn't either. Matthew 7:1 tells us "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Romans 4:10 says "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." We are all sinners, none of us is better than the other. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So, get off your high horse, and realize that without Jesus, none of us have any hope.

Striving to live a more righteous life may seem out of reach to you, but it's really not. But you have to start somewhere. I implore you to surrender your life to Jesus. If you start there, everything else will follow. The Lord wants to guide you into a righteous life. He wants you to live each and every day for Him. It is something you can strive for and achieve with the Lord's help. Matthew 6:33 admonishes us "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The simple of that is this ----make God your first priority and everything else will fall into place. 

That's a good start and a great way to begin your new life striving to live in righteousness. The Lord is waiting for you with open arms! What's holding you back?

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Dear Lord:

It's not always easy to stand up for our beliefs. It doesn't win us any popularity contests, but it is important if we want to live a more Godly life and to live life to it's fullest. You only want the best for us Lord, help us to strive to live each day for you. Help us to turn from sin and run to you, for your love and your son's love are the only way we can truly have Life to it's fullest.























I pray,
Amen and Amen

Thursday, January 24, 2013

What are you doing with the rest of your life?

The other day a dear friend of mine posted something on Facebook from Billy Graham's latest book entitled "Nearly Home." © Billy Graham 2011. Here are Dr. Graham's words:

"While growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life, the greatest triumph is yet to come; experiencing victory over death that will usher me into the eternal presence of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. While society may not believe that growing old is a respectable phase of life, my prayer is that believers in Jesus Christ will walk the last mile of the way triumphantly, as Moses did when he died at age 120. What testimony are you passing on to others following you? Remembering what God has done for you will invigorate you in your old age. Others are watching your actions and attitudes. Don't diminish the impact God can make through you; pass on the foundational truths of God's Word so that the younger generations will be as Joshua after Moses died: "Filled with the spirit of wisdom."


I haven't read the book yet, but these profound words really hit home to me as we start another New Year. I may not be "old" but I believe these words can apply to anyone who is taking a hard look at their life as they move forward and re-evaluate their walk with the Lord.

So, I'm asking myself - What is the purpose of my life at the age of 57? What kind of legacy am I leaving for my children, my future grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends? When they look at me, what do they really see?

I'm absolutely sure of what I want them to see. I want them to see a Godly woman. I want them to see someone who lives her life by the Word of God and someone who is a person of principle who stands by her beliefs. To me there is nothing worse than a wishy washy person and I never want to be one.

When my loved ones have a crisis in their lives, and they surely will, I want them to know they can come to me and I do my best to comfort them. I will try to reach out in anyway I can. I want them to know that Jesus comes first in my life and after that truth, everything else falls into place. Matthew 6:33 says it so well: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I want my loved ones and friends to know I strive everyday to keep God first place in my life, by the way I act, think, speak and live. Not always easy because the Devil is alive and well and just loves to disrupt the lives of believers and ruin their witness to the world.

I have lived a blessed life because in my short 57 years on this earth, I thankfully have learned what's truly important in life. I know what it's like to face a life altering event because it happened to me 15 years ago.  I know what's it's like to make a simple trip to the doctor and be told you didn't have long to live. That snaps your priorities into place real quick! Everything else just fades away. All the minutia of life that you thought was so important you realize very quickly doesn't mean a thing.

Reading Billy Graham's insightful words about "God invigorating you"  helped me to remember that in the darkest time of my life, my Lord Jesus Christ WAS there for me in a profound way. I have never, ever felt closer to my Jesus than during that crisis.

In the midst of the numerous doctor visits and every test known to man, I had extreme peace. That kind of peace can only come from God. Philippians 4:7 tells us "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That is absolutely true! I had never felt that kind of peace, ever. It surely came from the Lord as He enveloped me with His love. I knew it then and I have never, ever forgotten it, and never will. It was an overpowering feeling of love.

                                                                      Forever and Ever © Greg Olsen          
                        This is how I felt when I was sick 15 years ago, like a little girl enveloped in the arms of God

As we move forward with 2013, I want refocus my life on Jesus, thanking Him for the many blessings He  bestowed upon me in the past, and continues to give me each day! I want to spend the rest of my life glorifying Him in every way possible. I want to bring Him Glory in my thoughts, my words and in my actions. Psalm 19:14 says it all: "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

So, I ask you~~~~~What are you doing with the rest of YOUR life?

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father:

Thank you for your love. Thank you for Dr. Billy Graham and his inspiring words that touched me so much. Help me to re-focus my life on you to live for you each and every day of this New Year. Help me to be a light onto the world, shining with your Love for all to see.












I pray,
Amen and Amen

Monday, January 7, 2013

Make 2013 your best year yet~~ Ask, Believe & Receive


We've just started a brand new year! 2013 could be the year of your dreams, if you let it. I believe that too many of us settle for what life gives us, instead of reaching for the stars and stretching ourselves through our abilities and our dreams. Don't lay in the lowlands of life, get up out of the valley and start climbing your mountain!

This could be a whole new year for you, and for me too. Forget about your limitations through any physical disabilities or even sickness and march out and claim your dream! For me, that can be a challenge because I'm living everyday with MS, a chronic disabling and progressive disease, so believe me when say it can be a big time challenge. Sometimes, it's a challenge to just get out of bed in the morning. BUT--- I am determined not to let my MS stop me in my tracks. I have been living for over 20 years with lousy disease, and although it has altered the way I can handle some of physical or cognitive aspects of my life, it has not altered my spirit or my love of God meaning it has not altered my soul and it never will.

For me, there are way too many things to be done before I leave this earth. God has bigger plans for me than wallowing around in my temporary misery. He doesn't care if I'm having a bad day, He can use me just the way I am for the glory of His Kingdom. There are always brighter days and moments with the Lord of the Universe by your side! Look for them, look for the good things in your life and refocus yourself away from the negative and onto the positive! You can do it!

It doesn't matter what your qualifications are. If you have a willing heart, the Lord can use you to further His Kingdom and win lost souls. He will equip you through the Holy Spirit and empower you to do His work!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 encourages us: " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

If the Lord says He will equip us, He surely will. It's a promise!


I am convinced that God wants us to live life to the fullest, but many of us become so distracted by the  minutia of the life we live each day, that we don't look at the big picture. We don't reach for the tallest mountain, we're content to lay in the valley and complain. Really? Come on people, anybody can do that! That is so unimaginable~~

There is always something to complain about. If you want to dwell on all the things that have gone wrong with your life, you'll never get out of the trenches. I'm not minimizing the suffering that many have gone through. I know life is very tough and has been extremely tough on some people, but that doesn't mean you have to be defeated. I've had a tremendous amount of suffering in my own life, but I try very hard not to let it take over my life. You need to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and say, I'm gonna do better, everything is going to change for me this year--- it is going to be a new beginning for me. God doesn't want me to live like this. He wants me to live in victory! He wants me to live for Him. This year, I'm gonna make it my priority to do just that!

I'm going to wake up every morning with a smile on my face and just say "Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank you for all the blessings you bestow upon me each and every day. I want to be your vessel today. Use me as you will. Help me to impact the world for you. Help me to reach out to others in Your Name. A lot of people are hurting today, I want to help them see the beauty of this life."

Start each day like that and spend your day Praising the Lord whenever you can and believe me, you will live a much happier life! If you are spending your time being thankful and Praising God, things will begin to turn around for you.

I encourage you to step out of the box this year. Reach for the stars; run after your dream. Our God is the dream maker and He can make all of your dreams come true... you just need to depend on Him for everything. Lean on this unforgettable scripture verse: put it on your mirror and read it each morning: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths." If you don't want to use this verse, then pick out one of your favorites than inspires you! Just find a verse from God's Word and read it back to Him each and every morning. He loves to hear His words - it brings Him much delight! It's also a great way to start the day.

Believe it and receive it. You have to ask, you have to believe and you will receive. It's truly that simple. So don't wallow in the trenches of life this year, go after your dreams and God can make them come true. It's a promise. And the Creator of the Universe doesn't break His promises!


          “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks. the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-12

My verses for today are above in red.

My prayer for today:

Lord Jesus:

Thank you so much for my life. Thank you so much for my salvation. Thank you for dying for me and loving me so much that you saved me from damnation to give me eternal life. Lord, I want to live for you. Help me to focus myself on you each day, and help me to reach out to those who are hurting in this world. Help me to show them your love and be your hands and feet each day.


















I pray,
Amen