Write On Time

Irritated vs. Concerned

Irritated vs. Concerned

Last week I learned something valuable from one of my pastors. We were having a discussion and I expressed to him that I was irritated by a certain behavior that I saw displayed in someone. He pointed out that irritation is a dangerous place to be. He helped me to realize that there is a big difference between irritation and concern. He helped me to see clearly that when you have irritation toward another, it can quickly lead to wrong feelings toward that person and cause malice, bitterness and an unloving spirit to take root in your heart. After our talk I began to see things differently. The way I like to look at it is that my heart is like a garden and I choose what grows there. When I am irritated with someone instead of concerned, this garden becomes a breeding ground for bad seed to grow in which produces rotten things. When you are careful to make sure that you are concerned and not irritated about something or with someone, things will go much better for you. You will be able to stay right in your heart toward them and have a clear conscience. What a great feeling that is! There are things in life that are going to happen. Some that pleases us and some that doesn’t. We all behave and think differently and some of us are further ahead on our journey than others. We must allow the many situations that life brings to be opportunities for us to show mercy and not judgment. “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13 (NASB)

Poised and Ready to Strike

I wonder if Adam and Eve could hear the rustling of the grass as the slithering serpent approached them? What were they doing at the time? Did they see him coming? I am sure that they had no idea the evil that he was about to offer them and how it would affect all of humanity. I think that it's funny that as the enemy was approaching they didn't hear a sound, but as soon as they had fallen into his trap and given in, their eyes and ears were opened. When the Lord showed up, they heard the sound of Him as He was walking in the garden. Sometimes we walk through life not having a clue of what is going on around us. God knows what is best for us and He has a good plan for our life. The enemy certainly wants to come in and mess things up. He wants to trick us into seeing things his way. Sometimes he will even use the ones we love the most to try and convince us of this.  It is imperative that we study God’s word and talk with Him on a daily basis. If we do, He will clearly share His plan with us and enable us to be aware of the coming attacks. He will give us ears to hear and eyes to see when the enemy is about to enter into our territory. Know your God so that when the enemy tries to come in, you can resist him.

 

“By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Daniel 11:32

 

 

Red Light Revelation

There are some that say that God no longer speaks and some that say He does. I am definitely counted among the latter. God still speaks. I know He does. I experienced this last Friday while innocently sitting at a red light waiting for it to turn green. I had both hands on the steering wheel and can say that I was not necessarily thinking about any particular situation in my life at that moment. I was simply driving from one place to another. There has been something physically come into my life over the past few months that has been an irritation to me and a disruption in my day. I have been trying to cooperate with it and do what I have been told to do. I have to say that it has caused me a level of frustration and disappointment that I do not like. I was feeling very defeated by this thing. In the short time while sitting there, God began to speak to me about this. He revealed to me that this was brought to me by the Enemy and not by Him. That it is meant to frustrate and discourage me and that it is having the opposite effect on my body than what He has planned for me. He told me that I must walk with wisdom and trust as I follow His leading and by doing that I will be victorious over this situation. In a split second He allowed me to see that the frustration that it has been causing has in turn caused a cycle of behavior in me to continue that I have been trying for years to overcome! What freedom that has brought to me! I am not defeated but instead victorious. I am so thankful that God still speaks and loves me enough to not leave me like I am. The amount of time waiting for a traffic light to turn from red to green is so short, unless of course you’re in a hurry. But the next time you find yourself sitting there, talk to Him, open up your ears and your heart and maybe you will hear Him speaking back to you.

“Teach me to do Your will for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. And in Your loving-kindness, cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant.” Psalm 143:10-12

Take The Time

Last Saturday I attended the funeral of my friend. It’s been only over the past few years that we have known each other. I have truly enjoyed knowing her and had great respect for her. Why is it that sometimes we wait until a person is gone from our life to really appreciate them? I can only speak for myself and sometimes my reason is time. I know that it is so important to take the time for those that we love, for those that God has given to us. We know that the Bible says that life is only a vapor. “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14 (NASB). Even though we read this we are surprised when someone is gone. One day they are there and the next day they’re not. There are no more opportunities for us to talk with them, to give love to them and see them receive it, to see dreams realized with them.

T here was so many times that I meant to meet her for coffee but never did.  As leaders of women’s ministry, we had a lot in common and I could’ve learned so much from her. Questions that I had for her that were never asked and compliments that I wanted to give her that went unsaid. How I wish that I would have taken the time to do these things. The great thing about this is that like me, she was a believer in Jesus Christ and therefore has been granted eternal life. So at least I will have another opportunity with her. I will make the most of that second chance. I encourage you to make the most of all that you have been given on this side of eternity. Take time for those that you love and learn from them. You never know when it will be the last time you see each other.

 

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.” Psalm 116:15 (NASB).

The Greatest Gift

There may be gifts under the tree for you this Christmas and you may feel as if you don’t deserve them. Maybe you have really messed up in life and the last thing you feel worthy of is receiving a gift. These gifts are from someone that loves you. Accept them; it brings joy to the giver. Some of the best gifts I have ever been given haven’t come in boxes wrapped with pretty bows. Instead they have come in the form of human life. As a wife and mother, my three favorite gifts of all time are my husband, my son and my daughter. They have brought many things to my life; love, joy and some pain as well. But the love that they have brought has and still does greatly outweigh the pain. Within the past few years, God has graced me with a beautiful daughter-in-law and a grandson that will arrive in April of next year. His name is Reese Jackson and I cannot wait to meet him! God loves me so much and gives me such amazing gifts! Your gifts may look different than mine but He loves you just the same as He loves me. Maybe you are not married; maybe you never had any children. You still have gifts in your life. Please cherish and enjoy them.

God gave the world the greatest gift of all in His Son Jesus. To all mankind He unveiled this wonderful gift that started life as a tiny baby in a manger made of wood and ended on a cross made of wood. God gave this gift to us because He knew that a world full of lost people would need a Savior, a Redeemer. I pray that you have recognized your need and acknowledged Him. That you have received the wonderful gift He has freely given you. He is the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas!

  “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son so that no one would perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (NASB)

Choose Your Response

Yesterday I had an interesting experience. After church, on my way to a friend’s house for a get together, I stopped into a local restaurant to pick up some sandwiches to take with me. I wasn’t quite sure yet how many I wanted, so when the girl working behind the counter asked me, I thought that I would start with the one that I was sure of and she began to prepare it. As she asked me what toppings I would like on my sandwich, she finished it, wrapped it up and stated to me what my total was. It was then that I told her that I would actually like two more sandwiches. By her facial expression and the words that rolled off her tongue directly at me, you would have thought that I had just committed a terrible crime against her. Even though she seemed to be working there alone, this place was not at all busy. The customers were not lined up out the door. There was only one man standing behind me waiting. As I stood there on the customer’s side of the counter my flesh was fighting to lash out at her. My mind went back in years to the time that I was a waitress and taught that the customer was always right. Even though I know that’s not always true, we had to treat the person as if it was. It seemed to me that this woman must have been absent on the day that that was taught to the new employee. I thought about how I am the customer having chosen this establishment to spend my money in, when I could have chosen any other. I think that with the help of God that I am a kind person but am only human and sometimes fail, but just simply misunderstood her question. I had a myriad of emotions flood over me while standing there. I had thoughts of just walking out and going to another place. Also in my human state, I momentarily wanted to throw the one already prepared sandwich across the counter. I felt anger, intimidation, controlled by her, but at the same time God gave me the ability to look at her with compassion.

I had to ask God to help me! Always faithful, He did just that. He enabled me to stand there and politely state which toppings I wanted on my next two sandwiches as she completed my order. I am not saying that this was easy because it wasn’t.   Even in the midst of embarrassment, God put around me the cloak of humility. He gave me His heart of compassion toward this person. He gave me His eyes as I watched her and wondered what was going on in her life that day. Maybe her life is not in turmoil and she just has some issues to work on, but I know that I did the right thing in choosing the correct response.  After leaving there I just sat in my Jeep for a while and thought about the situation. While still feeling a little angry, I had to give that to Him. I was not going to allow that to take root in my heart. I thanked the Lord for helping me to not lose it on her. I thanked Him for helping me to go to Him and ask Him what I should do. I know that if I would have handled it in the wrong way, I would have had to walk back in there and publicly apologize to her. Because I humbled myself before the Lord and this woman, I don’t have to do that. Instead I was able to drive away from there with a clean and prayerful heart toward her.

“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.” Proverbs 14:29 (NASB)

A MATTER OF THE HEART

Today I may step on some toes but that’s okay. It is not my intention to offend anyone; instead I want to plead with you.  The other day while listening to a conversation, a person was saying how they have raised thousands of dollars to give to an animal shelter so animals could be rescued and not euthanized. Now don’t get me wrong, I think that’s great! I love animals and do not want to see any of them killed. However, I found myself wondering where this person’s heart is when it comes to the unborn. I don’t know because I cannot see the condition of anyone’s heart. Only God can do that. I find it unimaginable that we as a people would actually value the life of an animal higher than that of a child.  I then began to think about the country in which we live. By the staggering number of babies aborted each day, I think that it is evident of the condition of our hearts. How can we be a people that participate in this horrific act? What are we doing? What have we become? Let’s at least have the courage to call it for what it really is. Abortion is murder, it's taking someone's life.  How can we shake our heads when we hear about a murder on the evening news each night and not own up to what we are allowing to happen in abortion mills every day? How can we just go about our business and turn and look the other way? How can we condone such a thing?  We as a society are so deceived into believing that this is a quick fix to a problem. That it’s our choice; our right and we can get it over with and move on with our lives. That is such a lie! Whether you are of the opinion that life begins at conception or later on, it is still a human being and has every right to live. It is a child that God has thought up, planned for and formed with His own hands. The bible says "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works , and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:13-16 (NASB)

Currently in our country it is time once again to elect officials into office and its important prior to voting that you learn all the facts on each candidate. As a Christian it is very important that I look first at the values and morals of each candidate. How is it that we can overlook one’s stand on this issue when choosing someone to serve us in a political office? 

Children are precious to God and I know that He must be so grieved over the babies that are sacrificed daily. I believe that we will be held accountable before God one day for all the decisions made in our lifetime. This year when making my choice at the polls I must pick the person that will stand up for the rights of those that are never allowed a chance. In doing this I will be able to stand blameless before God, the Creator of the universe. If you have ever participated in an abortion in any way, I am praying for you. Whatever the reason may have been, I speak God’s healing into your heart.

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NASB)

VOTE RESPONSIBLY!

Stain Removal

 

Have you ever had a bad stain that you just couldn’t get out? I have and it’s caused me to have to throw some things away.  Each time we sin we commit a crime against God and it leaves a stain. It feels like when that happens we have a criminal record with a black mark on it that stays there forever. But God doesn’t work that way. God is love and His word tells us that He keeps no record of wrongs. His desire is that we are sorry for what we have done wrong and turn away from it. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”  Psalm 51:17 (NASB)

To have a contrite heart means that we have sorrow about what we have done wrong and not continue going that way. When we are sorry for our actions and stop our behavior, He is not going to despise us or turn us away. Instead He gathers us to himself and cleanses us like we would a bad stain on the carpet or a piece of our clothing. Sometimes those stains that we try to get out are really tough to remove depending on what was spilled. But with God it doesn’t matter what your stain is. That’s what the blood of Jesus represents…stain removal and cleansing. If God were to put His stain removal in a can and market it today, I think it would be called Blot Out. Maybe His advertising slogan would be, Blot Out Gets The Spot Out! That’s exactly what happens. When I go to Him with my black mark, He lovingly blots it out and forgets all about it.

I understand how David felt when he was praying and crying out to God in Psalm 51. I can relate to him so much and look forward to meeting him one day. It just amazes me of what God did with that man and it amazes me with what he does with me too! So today sit down with David and me and pray the prayer below to God and let Him permanently remove your stains.

“Be gracious to me, O God according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.” Psalm 51:1-15 (NASB)

 

Don’t Fall Into The Pride Pit

Pride is a terrible thing. Being proud of your child or something that you have accomplished is not what I am referring to here. We are headed for trouble when we begin to think that it’s all about us and what we can do or when we think that we can do a much better job at something than someone else can. We have to be mindful of our thoughts and also our words. There are times that we can be full of pride without saying a word, our facial expression and body language speak loudly. I have been witnessing this lately and right away in my critical spirit, I begin to condemn. Two weeks ago I was really struggling with this and went to the Lord about it. He kindly reminded me that the solution to this situation is separation. I need to pray for others when I see things and leave that person up to Him. Even though it appears to be a pride issue, that person could be battling with something entirely different than what my natural eyes see.

This morning I was reading something that was talking about the fact that others are watching us live our lives. I am a Christian and I want it to be evident that Christ is in my life, that He is the One in control, not me.  I want it to be clear that I am led by His spirit each day and not led by the world and all of its chaos. That does not mean that I am a perfect person. Quite the opposite, I have flaws. I am human and I will fail you every time. At times I can act prideful, boastful, arrogant, and on and on the list goes. But I do not desire to be any of those things, do you? We need to recognize this in ourselves and ask God to forgive us and change us. I remember a moment in my life when I thought that I could not possibly ever do a certain thing or act a certain way. Before I knew it, I was right there caught up in it and never saw it coming! Be careful to never think that you are above doing something. We are a people that are in need of God and His grace and we must fully rely on Him.  Because of the work done on the cross for me and having accepted the free gift from Jesus, I am forgiven when I mess things up. Be dependent upon the Lord for He is good and merciful. He will help us to live out a life that clearly shows His presence.

“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:18-19

 

 

Training Ground

On the job training, we’ve all been there. When we are there we often mess up. We make mistakes, get things wrong. Depending on how the employer is determines whether we are shown grace, allowed new chances or we get fired. I am so glad that God allows me time to learn how to do a job right and gives me grace while in training. As I reflect over my life and especially the past three years of it, I can now see that it has been a training ground for me. There have been various faces involved and many attempts at getting things right. Many lessons along the way, some learned and some I am still working on. Sometimes we wear the shoes of the employer and other times we wear the shoes of the employee. No matter which ones we wear we need to show grace and mercy and allow more time for learning the job. At times we are way too hard on others. After all, we don’t have any idea what someone may be experiencing outside of the job. Personally I have had times where something was going on in my life that affected me so deeply that it came to work with me. Sometimes it would show and sometimes I could keep it under wraps. At my last place of employment my co-workers were so caring and made a way for me to make it through the day. Grace upon grace, that’s what we need with each other. The training of life and what God wants to do with and in us is a process and I think that it continues until the day that we breathe our last breath.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 (NASB)