It's Time!

If and when we have obtained the character of Christ, we can go into a person’s home, car, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room and ideally understand why they are depressed, anxious, have self pity, confrontational, or have constant mood swings! Your thoughts and actions speak volumes in your surroundings!

On the flip side, if a person is a “neat freak”, expect everyone and everything around them to be, act, and speak with perfection are legalistic!

The reason why I say “if” and “when” is many resist becoming a Christian and feel they don’t need God to make them whole; others say I believe in God but I want some time!

Time is of the essence!

This is not always the case, but 90% of the time, proves accurate; because; "Out of the heart the mouth speaks". (Luke 6:45) Your words, actions and once again surroundings says, “I am depressed, or I am a person of doubt, or I am a person of self pity, or I am a person who does everything right”! When in all actuality you are a person with a disabled character that needs a helping hand!

We continue to look to others for our needs, go to the bank when we are not handling our finances correctly and seek counselors to help in our anxieties, marriages, or with a wayward child, and more; yet our life and circumstances are still way out of balance!

The next time you wonder how your car, once cleaned up, got back to the same mess it was 2 days ago; watch your actions; and then you will have your answer! Now do you need a Savior? YES YOU DO AND HIS NAME IS JESUS!

He also said to the crowds of people, When you see a cloud rising in the west, at once you say, It is going to rain! And so it does.

⁵⁵ And when [you see that] a south wind is blowing, you say, There will be severe heat! And it occurs.

⁵⁶ You playactors (hypocrites)! You know how [intelligently] to discern and interpret and prove the looks of the earth and sky; but how is it that you do not know how to discern and interpret and apply the proof to this present time? (Luke 13:54-56 AMP)

                                     

Pray to our Lord and Savior!

Scripture of the Day!

Do you know what's up ahead?

Every day you leave the subdivision, make a right onto Ongoing Street and a left to exit onto the highway. You never encounter an oncoming car on Ongoing Street; and you have been in your neighborhood for close to four years now! Today is nothing unusual, other than you are running late and slightly distracted; because your make-up is not complete. You still have to put on your lipstick and eyebrow liner!  

In your mind, you are saying, "I can finish the make-up in the car while I am driving to the highway"! Yep, you sure can; after all oncoming traffic is null and void; until you get to the highway! Smooth sailing with all eyes in the mirror; and the unthinkable happens ~ a collision! Where did that car come from? I promise the road was clear! How could this have happened? These are all the questions you ask yourself while waiting for the police to come! 

There are times we all run late, so haste makes waste ~ and there is no such thing as early late! Could it have been avoided if you called your place of  work, informed them you were going to be late and finish putting your make up on in the house? I'm not sure; but I am sure of one thing, talking to God and "Thanking Him" for His protection daily probably would! 

We take everything for granted, including God's protection! During those four years you have been driving to work, God was keeping you safe through the neighborhood and on the highway! Even coming in and going out, you were safe! If God did not have your attention before, He does now! 

Don't blame God nor should you feel He is punishing you either! Your attitude and freedom from harm allowed you to become complacent and indignant to all that God is and still does do for you! If you feel it is not necessary to daily speak to God and Thank Him for protection, provisions, and good health, than continue on that path! 

King David went to battle on the same field many times and knew the battleground better than anyone, yet he did not make the assumption he would win without asking God first should he fight and if so, will he win the battle!

⁸ Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ Then David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (II Samuel 5:18-19 AMP)

This is another encounter on the same battlefield with the Philistines, in the Valley of Rephaim, another day and time! David asked of God, "Shall I go", as if it was his first battle! 

⁹ Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim.

¹⁰ David asked God, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And will You deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said, Go up, and I will deliver them into your hand.

¹¹ So [Israel] came up to Baal-perazim, and David smote [the Philistines] there. Then David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the bursting forth of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through].

¹² [The Philistines] left their gods there; David commanded and they were burned. (I Chronicles 14:9-12 AMP)

David understood how important and beneficial it was to rely on God! I'm not sure if you are aware; but God is omnipresent ~ He knows what's up ahead and can keep you from making mistakes, being defeated, and even preventing a wreck, when we lean totally on Him! 

David found that out in another battle against the Philistines, only this time, God said no, I want you to go another way!

¹³ And the Philistines again made a raid in the valley.

¹⁴ And David inquired again of God, and God said to him, Do not go up after them; turn away from them and come [around] upon them over opposite the mulberry trees.

¹⁵ And when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry or balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to smite the Philistine host.

¹⁶ So David did as God commanded him, and they smote the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

¹⁷ And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations. (I Chronicles 14:13-17 AMP)

This is why God called David, “A man after my own heart” (I Samuel 13:14). If you want to open a business ask God will it be successful, if you want to run a marathon, ask God if you are healthy enough! Ask of Him and He will answer!

Repair or Destroy!

Live and Let Die!

Have you drove to work, got to your destination, and did not recall actually driving there?  I have, and it is a weird feeling! Not all the time, but most of the time, our minds wander when our life is routine, or we mimic a zombie lifestyle! We travel that same road so often, we can do it in our sleep per say!

We go to work and come home, and come home and go to work! Although we don't view it as mundane, it is! Ask yourself how many lives are you impacting outside of home? Do your children observe the kind acts? Or when we overload our lives with activities, there is no room for others. 

Yes our babies need stability, so putting them to bed every night at the same time, eating meals at the same time, and of course getting to school, work, and church on time is important, so please don’t misinterpret my point! The reason many of us establish a set schedule is to stay organized! And Yes, I agree with having a schedule; however, how many of us are willing to alter it just a little bit?

If God commands you to go another way to work or going home, would you obey? 

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said,“How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water,the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-40 ESV)

My point is our family is a ministry also, but when the children grow up and leave home, what now? I've seen and continue to witness parents who focus ALL of their attention on their children. When that time comes to be an empty nester, they are at a serious loss! They don't know who they are, what they truly enjoying doing anymore; or how to begin a life outside of their children!

This is a multi-generational women's retreat established at Loyola University Chicago!

Establishing anything in life, whether it be a parent, a pastor, a professor in college, or a commercial fisherman requires a balance of family time, recreational time, and independent time! If not, you lose sight of what it is to live, give, and receive! (I do understand some experience unforeseen sickness, and other hiccups that life brings, but even then, do not stay in a rut of whoa is me and not live).

Widen your horizons just a little! If you see a neighbor who is carrying in groceries offer to help; if your children are of age to help, bring them with you! The girls at work want to go on a weekend retreat and offer to pay your way as well, don't think about it too long, because God is not the author of confusion. You either accept or decline, depending on your family relationships or husband to care for the children. Now when the time comes for him to go on a weekend fishing trip with some friends, you return the favor so he can get away also. It's good to have friends and recreational things outside of the home. However, it's essential to instill in your children values and morals that impact others as well as their own!

Having good neighbours can help cut heart attack risk, study shows

It builds character, creates a spirit of giving, and demonstrates one of the most important Commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself "(Mark 12:31 AKJV)! There are numerous people who do not know Jesus; whereas, doing something off the beaten path will revive and refresh your spiritual life as well as those in attendance with you; and the person you are assisting may not know Jesus! This will be your opportunity to allow them to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and remove the zombies one by one! 

Can you walk a mile in My shoes?

I love shoes. They can make or break an outfit depending on the condition and color. Shoes in poor condition no matter if they are running shoes, sandals, or dress shoes, bring the wrong attention to your outfit! Whereas; shoes in excellent condition with a pristine suit or dress polish the look; and people can't help but gaze at how put together you are!

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. . . . . .  (Psalm 23 KJV)

Shoes are the last thing we put on when getting dressed and the first thing we take off after a long day! If you hold a position that requires you to stand long periods of time, your shoes let you know if they are comfortable or not because your feet hurt, your back hurts and your legs ache!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore,confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (I Peter 5:6-11 ESV)

Who knew the foundation of our body, if not properly dressed with the right type of shoe, can cause so much pain and discomfort to the whole body!

The bottom of your feet could affect what's going on in other areas of your body. On each foot there are over 7,000 nerve endings called reflexes that correspond to every organ and system

Our feet are very significant to our body, if this was not so, then why did Jesus wash the disciples feet at the Last Supper. Yes, Jesus demonstrated the importance of serving, which we are all called to do; but it also signifies cleansing ~ even if your whole body has been washed!

A highway will be there, a roadway, And it will be called the Highway of Holiness The unclean will not travel on it, But it will be for him who walks that way, And fools will not wander on it. (Isaiah 35:8 NASB)

What we call cleansing is washing our physical body to rid it of dirt, bacteria, and germs the body can encounter throughout the day; however, Jesus was speaking of the spiritual cleansing Christians should habitually demonstrate by serving to show Jesus' love towards them! Without a strong mind, body and spirit, no one will be able to withstand the journey Christ has set before them to win souls and baptize born again believers in shoes that are worn and tattered! 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” (John 13:1-12 ESV)