Posted in Eternity, Evangelism, Faith, Life Inspiration

How to Repair Your Life

Are you, or someone you know searching for answers in these troubled times for which we live? It’s not by happenstance that you’ve landed in this domain today. I’m for certain not going to tell you that I can solve all of your problems, I don’t even know what your problems are! I’m not going to tell you that I have a miracle quick fix that will allow you to avoid any consequences of bad decisions you’ve made. I’ve been there, done that, and have my own “I survived stupidity” tee shirt. That’s not why you’re here. You’re here because God uses folks like me to encourage you, give you hope, and if you’ve never met Jesus Christ, I’m here to shine a light on the greatest decision I ever made. 

Jesus Christ sets the Standards

No matter if you’re on the right or left, I think we’d all agree that the worlds standards are messed up. But the fact of the matter is, this world, nor anyone in it, is in charge of “the standard.” That was set by the Creator who, as Jesus Christ, was there at the creation of this planet and all things around it, and even knew you, before you were created. (Jeremiah 1:5) Isn’t that amazing! That thought always encourages my souls.

Jeremiah 1:5 KJVS

[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Now back to the issue of standards:

Romans 3:23-31 says: 

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

A few key points from that text for those who might not be familiar with scripture. Every single one of humankind has sinned. If you say you haven’t, you just lied, so welcome to the club, you’re a sinner. We come short of the “glory of God,” because unlike us, He has never sinned. He is perfect in every single way. Never a bad thought or deed, and that my friend is the standard. 

As children we know that sin and rebellious behavior must be punished, else we’ll never understand it’s wrong. But what punishment would be just for the sins of this wicked world and its total disrespect and depravation? By the standards of God there is only one, death. As a loving God, all He has ever wanted in return was love, obedience, and respect for Him and what He created. We’ve failed. Therefore we deserve punishment. 

But our Loving God took even that upon Himself when Christ paid that price once and for all on the cross by giving His life. That was the “propitiation” mentioned in the verse. Propitiation means it pleased God, to allow His Son to pay our debt. He did that because nothing else was pure enough, and that was God’s standard.

Jesus Christ set the Strategy

[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 

Once the standard was set, and the price was paid, there needed be a plan put in place for the children of God to live on in this world until we get to the perfection of Heaven, where we’ll be with God. That strategy is to live in faith, not by works. But it’s our nature to try and fix things ourselves. I don’t know about you, but that is usually when I get in the biggest trouble! 

If we could possibly save ourselves, or live without God, we would. And in our arrogance we’d take full credit for it. And most of mankind right now is doing exactly that. They’re living without God, they’re boasting about what all they’ve done, but when this life ends… and it will… where will they stand before a just and Holy God? They won’t be standing, they’ll be flat on there face begging for mercy that will never come, because they rejected God. They’ll be forever separated from all the people they thought they impressed. They’ll forever be in the darkness and fires of Hell. 

That strategy doesn’t seem so hard now does it? Just believe and trust that regardless of whatever happens in your life, Jesus is there with you. He may not pull you out, but He’ll walk through, because as His child, He has a vested interest in you. He died for you. 

Jesus Christ Set the Stones

[28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. [29] Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: [30] Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. [31] Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

I always think it funny that man took 10 commandments and made a million laws. Mankind always makes life more complex than it needs to be. It’s those complexities that leave the average joe or Jane falling short of what we to be. For most of us all we want is to be happy and carefree. But with sin in our life, with the struggles of day to day living and getting along with a crazy world, neither of those things are possible.

When I got saved, (accepted what Christ did on the cross as payment for my sin and trusted Him for the provisions of my life) I still had the same problems, but I wasn’t alone in trying to solve them. I still failed God and sinned, but I had immediate forgiveness through Christ. When I laid my head down at night I had peace that if I died in my sleep, my life would go on in the presence of God in a perfect world. Those Ten Commandments that were written in Stone, were now inscribed, “Repaired when Broken.” It’s inevitable that I’ll fail God, but through my faith, that law is established as “never having been broken at all.” Glory to God, does that make me happy today! 

Friend, if you’re struggling in life, Give it to Jesus. He’s fully prepared to take care of it.

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

God Doesn’t Take Antacids

I can always count on Preacher Roger Carter for truth through the word of God, and a chuckle. Roger was blessed with the glorious ability through the Spirit to expound the truth of God in a way that (like Paul) common man can identify with. Paul wrote to his friends, like Timothy, who he thought more of as a son, to encourage them to continue on in the faith and to update them on how the Spirit was brining him through those days of trial. Would to God that the church would begin that again. Can you imagine, how encouraging that would be? 

It’s why I love to read and write, because I cannot rehash those thoughts in my mind again and again without concern for proper remembrance. It’s why I scribbled on my iPad during revival service last night when Roger said “God doesn’t need antacids.”   What a thought! Silly that it is, but how I needed it in this troubled world. I needed reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 ~ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Do you know why God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear? Because He doesn’t possess it. Glory to God in the highest! No antacids for Him. God doesn’t even have a Medicine cabinet. 

Three things God gave us for our “medicine cabinet” from that verse: 

He’s given us Power!

Some days I feel like I wear a super girl cape, other days I feel like it’s a blanky to cover up with and wait for the Calvary. The blanket days are the days that I’m not tuned into the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds Timothy that within him is a gift of God.  

2 Timothy 1:6-14 KJVS

[6] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

That gift is where our power lies. It’s within you. But you’ve got to tap into your own super power. For me it’s creativity, be it in the form of writing, art, or song. But for you it could be something entirely different. But rest assured it’s a Kingdom gift, and you need it! 

 [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. [8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; [9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

He’s given us Love!

Not only the love of people, but the love of doing something for Him. Paul tells us through His letter to Timothy, not to be ashamed of our testimony. Of course I believe that refers to what God is doing in our lives, but I also believe that that refers to what God is doing through us. When we follow through on what God “before the world began” placed within us, it brings great glory to Him.

It seems most everything in my life points me back to Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah 1:5 KJVS

[5] Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Before I was created, I had purpose. And so did you!

And that purpose is an ability within us that God created us to love. I love to write, sing, create! It’s my way of testifying of the goodness of God. What is within you that is trying to bust out? I have seen so many, many people who are not using their God given abilities, even though it would bring them such joy. Because they’ve bought the lie of Satan to fear the opinion of man.

He’s given us a Sound Mind!

This is were the thought for me comes in that “God doesn’t need antacids.” He’s not worried about how this world is going to turn out, it’s a done deal. Read the book! It’s in there. But Satan loves to create a fear with in us, knowing that it will cause us to hesitate on our actions and second guess what we know we’ve been called to do. 

When I got up to sing last night at the revival, I was feeling anything but secure. I was unprepared, and really just wanted to take my super girl cape off, go back down in the pew and wait for service to be over. True story. But I didn’t. Through the Spirit I sang, I spoke, I cried and it was good. Did I have a sound mind? Not until I was obedient. Because up until that point Satan was still trying to mess with my head. 

Every day he does. Every time I see this world gone mad, I have an anxious moment.  But then, (when I tune into the Spirit) I am reminded of  what God has placed within me, and I am strengthened. It’s why preaching such a powerful thing and why we need it. Oh how Roger stirred my soul last night with his obedience. 

I was tired, I had ran all day for various reasons and I just wanted to go home and be in bed with my iPad and a cup of coffee. But God gave me purpose, to sing. He gave Roger purpose, to preach. And through our purpose and subsequent obedience, we did our part to encourage the body of Christ and each other. We need each other! 

Paul was proud of his gifts that God provided and he trusted God to take his purpose and use it for God’s glory!

 [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. [12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. [13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Your medicine cabinet: POWER, LOVE, SOUND MIND. 

Take one of each, and call on God every morning!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration, Word of God

This is Just the Appetizer

How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Psalm 119:103

This verse keeps popping up in various places. In my mind, social media posts, again and again. I don’t believe that things like that just happen. I think that God needed me to focus on the sweetness of His words for a reason.

This brought to mind somethings that have left a “bad taste in my mouth” as the old adage says. Words that were spoken in anger, pride, or without regard for the feelings of others. Some by me, some by others; but that is not the case with the word of God. There is not one word that was written without the intent of doing good. Isn’t that an awesome thought? It’s why the Bible is such an encouragement to the child of God and such a missing link to their successful walk if we’re not reading it.

I believe the writer was describing how the word of God brings enjoyment to the senses. In every form, be it written or spoken, sung or quoted, it brings joy the person who has the Spirit of God within their heart. It can also cause alarm like a spicy dish or like the savoryness of a good plate of food it can satisfy the bones. I do not know how that works. But like the writer of Psalm, I know it’s true.

Jeremiah knew it too when he wrote Jeremiah 15:16

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

Not only does the word have the ability to nourish and it can bring refreshing like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day.

Proverbs 25:25

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Oh my stars how awesome and true! Just as the spring rains replenish the earth and cause our spring flowers to bud forth, so does the word of God. We soak it up, we bloom where we’re planted and all who pass can see the beauty of God in our lives. It’s a miracle that no other book can boast. Another book may entertain, but the word of God nourishes and satisfies. It builds physical strength for the day ahead.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog post today. But it was just the appetizer. The meal comes when you read what God has specifically for you!

Posted in Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Heaven, Life Inspiration, Praise

Are you sure it’s only been 3 years?

chick anniversary

My friend Dewey Moede had to remind me that we were coming upon our 3rd Anniversary of the FGGAM.org, a web ministry and news site based in New Mexico. It was three years ago that he and I, as well as many others, partnered to share the common goal of glorifying Christ through the Word of God. Although Dewey says it’s been three years …I have to wonder; life is a blur sometimes. I discovered Dewey, who at the time was a radio personality, through mutual friends and Christian Speakers, Shona Neff and Shonda Savage. Through Dewey I’ve gathered friendships with Rick Stambaugh, Joe Fawcett III, Karen Rowe, Darlene Firk Quiring and probably a dozen or so others just to mention a few. And although I do talk to Dewey on the phone fairly often, I connect with the others only through the web as friends, and yet… I have to wonder.

Jeremiah 1:5 (one of my favorite verses) says – Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

If God knew us before we were born, did we know each other? I don’t have the answer to that question, but I do believe there are some ordained meetings here on earth. And my New Mexico friends and family of God were for me an ordained meeting. I cannot tell you of the treasured conversations that I have had with them. Some more than others. Some are simply comments on posts or responses to something I or they have written, but there’s something about my connection to these folk; they now are a thread that is intricately woven through the fabric that God has formed from my life. They’ve added a new texture and dimension to me. I hope someday that God allows me to paint that thought.

I said all of that to say this: We have no idea how God is working in and through our lives on any given day. But He is. Our words and actions touch other people most every day in some manner, for good, bad and even in indifference we make a difference. I don’t believe my New Mexico Connections and the branches thereof were chance meetings, I believe they were divine appointments that God has used to encourage me along the pathway to Heaven where someday we’ll all gather together at the feet of Jesus. Maybe we’ll pick a little bluegrass or just talk about how good God is, we’ll have plenty of time for it all.

Although David and Jonathan’s meetings were face to face, I can relate my friendships with theirs through 1 Samuel 18:1~ And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

There’s something about the children of God, whether it was that we knew each other before we were born, or it is the Spirit of the Living God that is within us now – we do indeed know and love one another even if we’ve never met face to face. There was no ordination service of www.fggam.org and www.theJesusChick.com here on earth, but at some point in Heaven God laid out the plan and I am so very blessed that He did.

If you’d like to read about the humble beginnings of FGGAM, I recommend you read my friend Rick’s anniversary post. Here’s the link: http://www.fggam.org/2015/07/praise-him-now-praise-him-then-praise-him-when-the-storms-come-again/

Be blessed too my friends! And remember, someone crossing your path today needs you.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Ice Bucket Issues

ice-bucket-challenge

Besides the fact that every other post on social media was somebody dumping ice over their heads, which in 90 degree weather wasn’t the safest idea, then screaming and running off camera my other issue with it is the immorality of the research. Don’t bother sending me emails telling me how heartless I am, because I won’t believe you and you won’t sway my opinion which is founded on the Word of God. I’m not poopooing anyone who’s done the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and saying that you’re messed up or unsaved, I just wanted to explain my stand and why this is the plot of ground for which I do stand.

Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” That’s the Word of God and that settles it. Life begins at conception. One might argue that life began before conception. And not only had life began, there was a plan, of which millions have been interrupted by humans who thought they had the right to play God and take a life. I say interrupted because though they did not continue down here, God took those little souls to Heaven. And while the supporters of the challenge certainly didn’t have a part in those harvesting of stem cells, their money did.

My heart breaks for the victims of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I went online last night and watched the video of Peter Frates which broke my heart to see the way the he and his family are suffering because of this debilitating disease, and I can certainly pray for them that God intervenes on their behalf and that other researchers will find a means to a cure or a help for them; but not at the expense of an unborn child.

There are medical research organizations that don’t use embryonic stem cell research, one of which is John Paul II Medical Research Institute in Iowa. (http://jp2mri.org/) I’m sure there are many others, but in my quick research for this blog, that was one that I had come across and felt safe in giving you. If you want to take the challenge, send your dollars there.

I want to make it clear that this is not a holy high horse stance where I’m saying that I’m better than anyone else because of the stand I take. It’s just one stand I can take where I know I’m on the side of God which is where I want to be. I’m the first to admit that I’m a sinner saved by grace alone, I have enough sin that I’ll be answering to God for… I don’t need someone else’s.