1 Corinthians 13:4

The Lord has had me dissecting, chewing, digesting and absorbing several Scriptures.

This is the first verse of the first Scripture.

"Love endures (bears without resistance) long (having considerable duration in time)

 and is patient (bearing provocation, annoyance, misfortune, delay, hardship, pain, etc. with fortitude and calm and without complaint or anger) 

and is kind (indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane);

love never is envious ( a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.;  ill will.)

nor boils over with jealousy (feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages; characterized by or proceeding from suspicious fears or envious resentment),

is not boastful (to speak of with excessive pride or vanity)

or vainglorious (excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity)

 it does not display itself haughtily (disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant)."

1 Corinthians 13:4

(I have added the dictionary definitions).

More passages soon to follow...

Bon appétit!

 

God Thoughts No. Thirty-One

"And He (Jesus) sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd was casting money into the treasury. Many rich [people] were throwing in large sums.

And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites [the smallest of coins], which together make half of a cent.

And He called His disciples [to Him] and said to them, Truly and surely I tell you, this widow, [she who is] poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury.

For they all threw in out of their abundance; but she, out of her deep poverty, has put in everything that she had--[even] all she had on which to live."

Mark 12:41-44

Instead of doing the least that she could, the widow gave ALL that she had.

When Lavish Love is revealed through His Spirit, one can't help but to lavish in return.

It is a double blessing!

God Thoughts No. Thirty

"Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’

Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:31,33-34

The person living and walking in Faith

will take the few dollars they have right now

and buy the food they need for today

while entrusting the bills that are due tomorrow

 into the hands of the loving Father.

God Thoughts No. Twenty-Nine

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,

for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to proclaim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed.
 He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

To all who mourn in Israel,

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory."

Isaiah 61:1-3

Since the beginning of time, God has been a good, gracious and loving Father.

His desire is to see His people prosper in life, spirit, health and wealth.

Through out the ages He has been calling out to men and women;

calling out to those who would work along side of Him to help others and to infuse the world with hope.

Many have been called. Few answer.

Never-the-less, His promises remain.

 

"I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me."

"I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will."

John 5:30

Because of man's shortcoming, God, in His infinite wisdom and love came to earth, as a Man, Savior, Redeemer, Lover & Friend.

Everything Jesus heard the Father say, He said. Everything He saw the Father do, He did.

Not for His own gain, but for ours.

"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.
[Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]. If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands."

John 14:12-15

 

Jesus was the fulfillment of every promise of God.

 He became sin that we would become sinless; blameless before God.

But not only that; He gave us Power to do all that He did.

In times of old, He empowered Isaiah (and others) to bring hope, restoration and victory to His people, so now Jesus has empowered us, His (true) followers to do all the works that He did-and more!

 

"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine."

John 15:5-8

I wonder; are we truly doing all that we have been commanded to do?

We are often aware of our sins of commission (things that we do, yet know that we ought not to), but are we equally aware of our sins of omission (things that we don't do, but know that we ought)?

We have been commissioned; commanded to lift up, encourage, edify and love one another.

What if every person who claimed Jesus as LORD actually did all that He is asking us to do?

As I actively participate in the leading, guiding & nurturing of Holy Spirit within me,

I am fully aware of all of those things.

The deepest desire of my heart is to say the things I hear Him say and to do the things that I see Him do.

With Him, nothing is impossible!

What ever He is asking me to say and/or do, He has already empowered me to say and do!

To hold back in, or because of  fear and the unknown is error.

I have wasted too many years of my life being held captive to those things.

I no longer give the enemy victory by denying the One I call LORD anything He asks of me.

Because of Jesus I am Free, Saved, Brave & Victorious!

Hallelujah!

God Thoughts No. Twenty-Eight

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." John 8:36

I am free, indeed!

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

I have lost my religion! I am free in Christ!

"Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed." Galatians 3:21-23

The only Way to freedom is in/through Jesus.

Not one of our good works will get us into heaven without Him.

"God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin." 1 Corinthians 1:30

Because of Jesus, we have FULL access to the throne of God.

We are His children.

We are royalty!

"Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Those who are in Christ become "new" people.

The old life has no appeal. We now live for/as Christ!

"We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him." Romans 6:6-8

He dwells within those who receive Him as LORD and Savior.

He is constantly with us and we with Him.

 No longer "Sinner', by now, "Saint"!

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

A life devoted to Him will be reflected in ones actions; choices; lifestyle.

A life rooted in Love is evident and selfless.

"All things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]." 1 Corinthians 10:23

A life rooted in Christ will choose righteousness.

Not because of the Law, but because of Love.

"I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves]." John 13:34-35

Unity of the Body is already united in Christ because of Christ.

The evidence; proof of it is in how we Love one another.

Lavish Love

The Lord loves to lavish His love upon His children.

And He delights in doing so through His children.

 

I absolutely love the ocean

and miss it terribly.

 

 

 

In His great wisdom, yesterday, the Lord lavished His love upon me through

Karen - The Essential Beachcomber ;

A fellow blogger and Sister in the Lord

(whom I've only met via Blogger),

by sending me a package full of beautiful seashells

and two wonderful music cd's by some of my favorite artists!

 

 

What an amazing Father!

And an equally amazing sister for so graciously, obediently

lavishing her love upon me as well!

 

 

 

This is just one example of the many amazing things the Lord has done for me recently.

For He so delights in giving His children goood gifts.

Thank you Lord!

 

 

And thank you Karen!

 

Why not share some of the amazing things God has done for you?

He loves when we tell of His goodness.

In fact, He delights in it!

 

Love & blessings!

 

 

God Thoughts No. Twenty-Seven

There was a phrase or saying that I have heard quite a bit lately swirling around in my head the other day...

"The finished work of the Cross..."

When I realized that I was hearing it in my head, I stopped and asked,

 "Is this an accurate saying?"

I was then struck with how those particular words actually limit the life of Jesus.

To say that Jesus' death on the Cross finished His work is error.

Because of God's amazing love for us, He sent Jesus to the earth to walk and live among us as one of us. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10)

In His desire for us to be able relate to Him, He came to the earth just as we come to the earth;
 through the birth of a human mother.

He was nurtured and cared for, worked and lived and had relationships, just as us.

He was born so the prophesy would be fulfilled;

"God with us." (Isaiah 7:14)

This is Good News!

His birth, however, was signified by both joy and terror.

There were those who rejoiced in the arrival of the promised Savior.

And there were those who were threatened by Him.

The terror felt by those threatened by Him is the very thing which led Him to be crucified.

By submitting Himself to the punishment of the Cross for sins He never committed, He took upon Himself the sins of us all - every single human being who has ever lived and for those yet to be born.

He died upon the Cross so that you and I would not have to.

(Matthew 20:19, 27:31; Mark 15:15, 25)

This is Good News!

But it doesn't stop there!

Because three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, proclaiming Victory over death!

(Luke 24)

This victory over death is promised to everyone!
It is a gift which one must choose either to accept or to reject.
Faith in, acceptance of, Christ as Savior guarantees this victory.

This is Good News!

And guess what?

There's more!

After Jesus rose from the grave, He revealed Himself to people.

He showed up at their meetings and had conversations and meals with them - fellowship.

(Book of Acts)

He wanted them to see Him in the flesh one last time.

This is Good News!

After a time, He ascended into heaven, back into His rightful place on the throne.

BUT not before reminding us of His promise that he has prepared a place for us.
(John 14:2-3)

Everyone who believes in Him as Savior, has a guaranteed place in heaven.
This is Good News!

It's important to understand that Jesus has "been" since before time began.
(John 1:1-5)
Not only His work on the Cross, but His very being is what completes us.
We are forgiven because of Jesus.
We are healed because of Jesus.
We are whole because of Jesus.
This is God News!

If you already know Him as Savior, you are complete.
So live it!

If you don't know Him yet, as Savior, you can right now.
All you have to do is believe it in your heart and tell Him that it is so.

Once you do, forgiveness, healing and wholeness are yours!

Hallelujah!

What God Does

I first learned about the life and ministry of George Muller about a dozen years ago.

Deeply impacted by his example of faith and the number of miracles God performed in his life, I remember murmering to the Lord that I wanted to have that kind of faith.

Little did I know that,

 at that moment,

God set me on a path which would teach me to do just that;

live a life of faith ~

Extreme Faith!

George Muller had an encounter with the One, true and Living God and it changed his life forever.

He believed every written word of God as well as the words spoken to him by the Spirit of God.

And he lived a life which was rooted in those words.

He had been given a vision by God to help the orphaned children of the world.

Without much money or a steady income, he (first) opened an orphange in England.

Every day, he and his wife depended upon God to provide for their needs.

One particular instance tells of how, without any food in the house, they gathered the children around the empty table and proceeded to thank God for the meal that they were about to eat.

As they said their "Amens", the doorbell rang and there stood a delivery man whose wagon had broken down. Since he was unable to deliver the food on his wagon, he simply gave it to Muller and the orphange.

What an amazing and extravagant Father we have!

There are several books about the life and ministry of this amazing man.

Each filled with experiences and miracles manifested by an extravagant God.

And today, still, there are people all around us who have beautiful testimomies of the goodness of God.

In fact, my family and I have wonderful stories of God's amazing ways.

We are learning to live a life of Extreme Faith.

Each week provides us with the opportunity to both live it and share it.

God is our supply and he meets all of our needs.

Because we have placed our lives into His hands, making Him the very air we breathe, we have nothing to fear and have the blessed assurance that He will, indeed, come through for us - every - time!

Hallelujah!

Amazing God!

We are in the midst of a situation which calls for what man would call a miracle.

God's reply to my cry for help was,

"Stand and see what I will do!"

Then,

"Look up Exodus 14:13."

This is what it says:

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today." NLT

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today." NKJ

What an Amazing God!

~A Father who knows all of our needs and promises to deliver.

I am overwhelmed every day by His great and amazing love.

Be encouraged today!

Hallelujah!



God Thoughts No. Twenty-Six

This video articulates the work that the Lord has been doing in me the past several years...

Four years ago, God pulled me out of "organized religion"

so we could embarked upon a journey where all I was left with was Him and myself.

It is a journey which has changed my life - for good.

No longer a slave to religion, pride, piety and self-righteousness;

But free to live and love for Christ and as Christ.

By the revelation and empowering of Holy Spirit,

I have a clear picture of who I am (in Him) and what my role is (within the Body).

I no longer see people with my own eyes, but through the eyes of the One who has saved us all.

My own "filters" no longer take precedence in my mind, but it is the mind of Christ which compels me.

The Power of Holy Spirit allows and enables me to see beyond the facades of man

and to look into hearts and souls.

True intercessors have the ability to pray in the power of Holy Spirit

without speaking and praying one's own agenda.

It is the lifting up of the Father's heart;

The agenda of heaven revealed to the one praying

so as to be submitted back to the One who desires to see it fulfilled.

Unity of Faith.

Faith in Jesus Christ, Messiah as

Lord and Savior.

This is what this is.