WWJD?

How many of you would be willing to turn the TV off for a month and find other ways to be entertained and resourceful?

The assignment will be instead of looking at the TV for your ideal lifestyle, look outside your door. How then can you be entertained and resourceful? Smiling at someone, assisting someone with housework who is recovering from cancer or cooking some meals for a single Mother who just had her second baby are some ways we can do the will of God.

If you are financially blessed, pay a light bill for someone for a month. God is not asking you to judge them or say, “They can get up off their lazy butt and work like I can and pay their own light bill!” He’s asking you to make a difference and be an example instead of small talk that means nothing.

We look to TV for our clothes, relationships, the ideal woman we want to be (comparing ourselves to other women; which is a NO-NO), the financial status we would like to have, and in our minds, the easy way of living. Is there really an easy way of living? Hiccups happen; however, when we are of sound mind and body, we can endure them with ease!

It’s time to STOP, look both ways before crossing the street. We have become so complacent, our brains are not being used to the fullest potential; nor is our ability to do GOOD to others!

How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him. Hebrews 10:38 AMP

I Haven't Forgot!

Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Here Comes Santa Clause ~ I just want to name a few of the songs our children are singing today.

Many of them do not know The Drummer Boy, O Come all Ye Faithful, Silent Night, We Three Kings, or Joy to the World ~ which are songs that speak of Christ~ the words also speak of the Joy the Christians felt at His birth.

We have gone so far in left field, no one appreciates nor have been introduced to these songs about a Savior born to save us from our selfish, destructive ways ~ And we are becoming selfish and destructive - - - whether to our selves or to our country.

All is not lost. It can be restored; just begin with less receiving and more giving, fellowship with neighbors, and daily read the bible. Good should prevail over evil! Christ wasn’t born for naught!

And while they were there, the time came for her delivery, And she gave birth to her Son, her

Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn. And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing (saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. Luke 2:6-15 AMP

Appetizer # 10

# 10 Dedication – commit oneself to a certain cause.

“I will never attend an anti-war rally; if you have a peace rally, invite me.” Mother Teresa

Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you (recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all) – your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in (intelligent and sympathetic) appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line (the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, (and) be very patient with everybody (always keeping your temper) I Thessalonians 5:12-14 AMP

In the Old Testament of the bible, war was necessary to conquer territories, protect kingdoms, and for the right to worship God.  It was not just to create conflict; there was always a necessary reason.

Conflict is not something we want to engage in for attention, our own selfish needs, or because someone made us angry. When we start acting out of anger towards anything, we create danger.

So to keep peace, we have to be a peacemaker. How does that look, you ask? Well read the Gospels where Jesus went about doing good; healing the sick, the lame, the afflicted. He also ate and talked with despised Samaritans, tax collectors and criminals ~ those who were deceitful and unkind.

Yet, His kindness turned their wayward ways into believers of how their lives could generate positive effects that will want people coming back for more. So it’s not easy being angry, it’s actually demeaning and life threatening. So infect others with kindness and trust, so you too can be trusted.

Who's Calling My Name?

Have you ever been somewhere and thought you heard someone call your name? I have; and I turn around and there’s no one. Then I go somewhere else and I’m sure someone is calling my name. So I turn around again and don’t see anyone, nor does anyone come toward me as if they know me. All day long I kept hearing my name being called and all day long I did not see anyone that looked familiar or identified themselves.

About the tenth time, I’m getting agitated. I can feel my anxiety rise; however, I know that I cannot react out of speculation, so I keep my composure and decide it’s time to get away from that area.

By the time I get home, I go over in my mind of how I heard my name being called all day long and yet there is no one that comes forward or says, “Hey Gwen, it’s me!”  I know I heard my name loud and clear because not many people have the name “Gwen”.

That is how God feels every time we use Oh My God (OMG) or Lord. I’m sure He has answered us many times, just to find out, it’s a false alarm too numerous to count.  

The Word says, “You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:7 AMP

Thoughts Matter!

“I cannot take those pain pills”, I told the nurse. She said, “You have to take something because I know you’re in pain.” Yes I was in pain after my hysterectomy; however, the pain pills did not take away the pain. They only made things foggy - - - and made me feel loopy! I asked if I could take the 800mg of Ibuprofen instead, which helped more than the pain pills and I was coherent!

After that experience, I realized that anyone who is dependent or addicted to something:  alcohol, drugs, food, work, sex- - their daily lives are foggy with wrong thinking. In their minds all they want is some clarity of mind. Why am I thinking this way, or why do I feel this way?  What in my mind is causing these negative thoughts and feelings of defeat!

Be careful though, because Satan is a deceiver of the brethren. He is so manipulating and crafty that he can make you think you are insignificant and worthless. When you have those thoughts come to mind, say out loud, “God loves me and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Now, I know you shed some light on your dark situation just now!

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 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.  Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”  I Corinthians 1:26-31 NLT

Please Sit Down!

I politely asked this student to sit down more than I wanted to. And he acted as though I was not talking; completely ignoring me and hoping to get a laugh from the other students. Yes, he got laughs, sneers~ and took 15 minutes of everyone’s learning time.

Surely you don’t think he had the upper hand? Nor did he leave the class, No ma'am, he had extra work piled on him that was not an easy one page essay to write---due at the end of class. No respect for authority figures at all!

I am reading a book called, “Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow”, by R.C. Sproul; who is a minister and college professor.

 In Chapter 3 titled, “Worship”, Sproul recalls studying abroad at the Free University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands years ago. He expresses how much of a culture shock it was to him; due to the respect the students gave the professors and clergy. On his first day of class, the professor enters from the side door and immediately every student stood at attention. He approaches the podium, nods, and they all sit down. He goes on to tell how the professor lectured without any interruptions or any one asking questions. (Sproul, pg. 43)

Once the lecture was complete, the professor closed the books, and turned towards the door to leave. Again, the students stood up as he left. It amazed and intrigued Sproul immensely.  He writes, “This is something we need to be mindful of in our own culture (I AGREE). We have proclaimed our independence from monarchs and have little respect for sovereignty. We don’t know much about paying homage. We don’t know the “proper court etiquette,” particularly when we come into the presence of our King.” (Sproul, pg. 43). 

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong.  Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because of their work. And remember to live peaceably with each other. I Thessalonians 5:12-13 NLT

What Are You Wearing Today?

All of the young teenage ladies who are all but collapsing daily with being in competition (not with other women, men, or even celebrities), but with themselves. Evaluate yourself and yourself only!

Take a long good look at you! Who are you anyway? Ask yourself that question, and if you for one second hesitate, then you don’t know who you truly are. If you answer quickly with I am _________________and fill in your name; that’s not what I am asking. We put on clothes with what the world wears, we put on makeup with what the world wears; we put on images of what the world portrays! But is it really you?

Many of you are probably frustrated by now wondering where I am going with this. Are you clothed in peace? If you work at being peaceful, you will very seldom have conflicts, doubts, chaos, and disruption. Are clothed with Love? The bible says, “Perfect Love cast out fear!” (I John 4:18); which means God loves us perfectly, with no conditions and when we love him also, we know without a doubt, all is well! Are you clothed with self-control? Can you control your anger when bad talk is going around about you? Well can you? 

It's a blessing to look nice and feel good about you, but that is not who you are. Those clothes we put on daily is not who we are, the hair styles we wear are not who we are, the fancy shoes we wear are not who we are. Now that you have a little bit of clarification of what type of answer I am looking for ~ now I will ask it again, “Who are you?”

idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:20-25 NLT