Now that I've got your attention - let me complete that thought. God doesn't "have" love, God IS love! 1 John 4:16 says "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God IS love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him."
I'm not sure if you've ever thought about it before, but there is a lot of difference between having something and being something. An onion may have dirt on it when you dig it up, but underneath that dirt it is an onion. No matter how small you slice and dice it, it is still an onion. It will always exhibit the characteristics of an onion. When you cut it up - you will have tears in your eyes! When you cook it, it will smell like an onion. When you eat it, it will taste like an onion. I am a human being. No matter what happens to me, at the core of who I am is a human being. You can't make me anything else. I'll never be an onion, a car, a house, a dog - I am a human. Every fiber of my body is human. If you sliced into me (and please don't!) you would find all the parts that make up a human. I exhibit all the characteristics of a human. I walk upright, I speak, I think, I cry when I'm sad, I laugh when I'm happy - all human characteristics.
God IS love. He can never be anything but love. If you could slice and dice God up like an onion, at the very center of God, you would have love. He exhibits all the characteristics of love. He speaks love, He thinks love, He exudes love.
So why does it matter if God has love or IS love? Because knowing this truth helps us understand the very nature - the essence - of God. When you understand a human, then you know what their internal organs look like, you know what their body design is, how their brain functions. You can anticipate their behavior because all humans exhibit the same traits, share the same emotions, have the same basic body design, etc.
If we understand that God is love, then we can understand what He looks like through and through. And, we can anticipate His behavior. If He IS love, then He will exhibit the traits of love. Because that is WHO He is.
If God HAS love, then it's something He can just as easily "un" have. You know what I mean? If you're angry with me, you can become "un" angry. If you love me according to the world's definition of love, you can also "un" love me. But because God IS love, then He will always respond to you with love. Everything He does is based on the fact that He is love. If you want to see what love looks like, read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. This is a wonderful description of love.
As a born-again Christian, a child of God, I can anticipate how God is going to respond to me. He will always respond in love. Having that understanding gives me confidence in approaching Him. It gives me confidence through all the circumstances I face. I can run to my Father, who IS love and expect Him to respond as love.
If you need proof of His love, all you have to do is look at Jesus. When you study all that He suffered for the human race, and all the blessings that He has given us, you can begin to get just a slight picture of what love is.
I encourage you to meditate on the love of God. Let it get so big on the inside of you that you can boldly come into the Throne Room of Grace in time of need. As it says in 1 John 4:16 - we have known and BELIEVED the love. We must believe the love of God.
He loves you - He is waiting for you to come running into His loving arms any time of the day or night. You can have confidence in that because He IS Love.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!
Have you ever had that thought, or heard someone make that statement? Of course, we all have, it's been around a long time, I'm sure. Generally it's used in connection with the new year. But, have you ever had that thought in connection with the Bible? No, me either. Until, that is, I had a dream a few nights ago.
It all started with the lessons we've been studying in Sunday School. Our lessons for the month of September are on the book of Hebrews. Quite an interesting book! The writer of Hebrews (which most theologians agree was Paul) is writing about the Old Covenant and old Priesthood, and the New Covenant and new Priesthood.
I had been studying and reading the scriptures one night before I went to bed. Sometime in the middle of the night I remember these thoughts coming to me. Not sure if it was a dream or what, but you know how you KNOW that it's God speaking to you? That's what happened to me. The gist of what He said is:
Paul was setting the stage for the Hebrews to understand the power and importance of the New Covenant and it's High Priest, Jesus. He began with the Old Covenant and the old line of the Priesthood. It was fleshly in every realm. The priests came from the line of Aaron - a man - and the sacrifices were of animals. The tabernacle was made with human hands out of earthly materials. The Old Covenant could not remove sin or cleanse the conscience - it only covered sin and gave a short reprieve to the person bringing the sacrifices to the temple.
God used the Old Covenant to "keep" his children until the new and better Covenant was established. The Old Covenant covered sin and allowed the people to be forgiven, but it also pointed to the complete inadequacy of man to live up to it's laws, or to come into the presence of a Holy God - to the complete inadequacy of the blood of bulls and goats to remove sin, and the certainty of having to return over and over again to the Tabernacle to repeat the whole process. There was certainly no rest in the Old Covenant!
However, God was not finished with his man. No - His goal - His ultimate plan - was to bring man into right relationship with Him forever. Paul begins now to point out the new and better promises that came through the New Covenant. He points out all the differences between the Old and the New Covenants and the line of priests that came through Aaron and the one and only High Priest named Jesus!
The New Covenant is spiritual. The Priest came from God - his blood is Holy blood. He is man and God. His sacrifice was flesh and spirit all at the same time. He took his own blood into the Heavenly Holy of Holies - a tabernacle not built with human hands or of earthly materials - but of Holy hands and heavenly material - located in Heaven. No longer will man have to strive to come before God - to offer unending sacrifices and never have a clean conscience. Thanks be to God that through the New Covenant we can stand before the Heavenly Father cleansed and free and Holy - through our High Priest, Jesus. His sacrifice was made, once and for all, never to be repeated. It was more than more than enough.
Paul wants his readers to understand and receive the fullness of the New Covenant - all it offers us - to fully embrace the power and importance of that Covenant and it's High Priest, Jesus.
So, we should be rejoicing today and every day that our great High Priest, the eternal, supreme, Holy, Jesus, is seated at the right hand of God, ever interceding for us! We can enter into His rest everyday, receive forgiveness of our sins at any moment, and enjoy fellowship with our Father 24 hours a day. Receive the New Covenant and all it offers you today.
Glory to God - out with the old, and in with the NEW!
It all started with the lessons we've been studying in Sunday School. Our lessons for the month of September are on the book of Hebrews. Quite an interesting book! The writer of Hebrews (which most theologians agree was Paul) is writing about the Old Covenant and old Priesthood, and the New Covenant and new Priesthood.
I had been studying and reading the scriptures one night before I went to bed. Sometime in the middle of the night I remember these thoughts coming to me. Not sure if it was a dream or what, but you know how you KNOW that it's God speaking to you? That's what happened to me. The gist of what He said is:
Paul was setting the stage for the Hebrews to understand the power and importance of the New Covenant and it's High Priest, Jesus. He began with the Old Covenant and the old line of the Priesthood. It was fleshly in every realm. The priests came from the line of Aaron - a man - and the sacrifices were of animals. The tabernacle was made with human hands out of earthly materials. The Old Covenant could not remove sin or cleanse the conscience - it only covered sin and gave a short reprieve to the person bringing the sacrifices to the temple.
God used the Old Covenant to "keep" his children until the new and better Covenant was established. The Old Covenant covered sin and allowed the people to be forgiven, but it also pointed to the complete inadequacy of man to live up to it's laws, or to come into the presence of a Holy God - to the complete inadequacy of the blood of bulls and goats to remove sin, and the certainty of having to return over and over again to the Tabernacle to repeat the whole process. There was certainly no rest in the Old Covenant!
However, God was not finished with his man. No - His goal - His ultimate plan - was to bring man into right relationship with Him forever. Paul begins now to point out the new and better promises that came through the New Covenant. He points out all the differences between the Old and the New Covenants and the line of priests that came through Aaron and the one and only High Priest named Jesus!
The New Covenant is spiritual. The Priest came from God - his blood is Holy blood. He is man and God. His sacrifice was flesh and spirit all at the same time. He took his own blood into the Heavenly Holy of Holies - a tabernacle not built with human hands or of earthly materials - but of Holy hands and heavenly material - located in Heaven. No longer will man have to strive to come before God - to offer unending sacrifices and never have a clean conscience. Thanks be to God that through the New Covenant we can stand before the Heavenly Father cleansed and free and Holy - through our High Priest, Jesus. His sacrifice was made, once and for all, never to be repeated. It was more than more than enough.
Paul wants his readers to understand and receive the fullness of the New Covenant - all it offers us - to fully embrace the power and importance of that Covenant and it's High Priest, Jesus.
So, we should be rejoicing today and every day that our great High Priest, the eternal, supreme, Holy, Jesus, is seated at the right hand of God, ever interceding for us! We can enter into His rest everyday, receive forgiveness of our sins at any moment, and enjoy fellowship with our Father 24 hours a day. Receive the New Covenant and all it offers you today.
Glory to God - out with the old, and in with the NEW!
Monday, August 20, 2012
WOW!
As I sit here at the computer I can hardly believe it's almost the end of August! The last four months have literally flown by. The last time I wrote anything was June 4th and we had just been hired as the Pastors at Full Gospel Christian Church. Now, here we are, all settled in (sort of) and loving being full-time Pastors. God has blessed us with a wonderful core group of people who are solid, mature Christians and have a hunger for the things of God. We are excited for all that God is going to do through this Church.
I was sifting through a bunch of "stuff" that accumulates in your house, and I came across a word Pastor Pat had for us about two years ago. We were pretty discouraged at that point in time, the search for a Church wasn't going well, and we had just about decided we'd never be Pastors. You know how the devil works! The gist of the word he gave us was we were to run as we go, run as we go, and as we run we'll step right into our next place. That is exactly what happened! The last two years that I worked at CPC I literally felt like my tongue was hanging out all the time. Marathon - ya know? Well, as we were running, we looked up one day and we were Pastors!
God is faithful. No matter what we think or how discouraged we get, He never, NEVER, let me say that again, NEVER forgets His promises to us. I have learned that God's timeline and mine are not always the same, but He is never early, never late - but always on time. If you will wait on His timing, you will be in the perfect place at the perfect time.
Don't be discouraged if you are in a place of waiting. Trust in the Lord and lean not unto your own understanding and He shall direct your paths! (Vicki's translation, lol)
Love you!
I was sifting through a bunch of "stuff" that accumulates in your house, and I came across a word Pastor Pat had for us about two years ago. We were pretty discouraged at that point in time, the search for a Church wasn't going well, and we had just about decided we'd never be Pastors. You know how the devil works! The gist of the word he gave us was we were to run as we go, run as we go, and as we run we'll step right into our next place. That is exactly what happened! The last two years that I worked at CPC I literally felt like my tongue was hanging out all the time. Marathon - ya know? Well, as we were running, we looked up one day and we were Pastors!
God is faithful. No matter what we think or how discouraged we get, He never, NEVER, let me say that again, NEVER forgets His promises to us. I have learned that God's timeline and mine are not always the same, but He is never early, never late - but always on time. If you will wait on His timing, you will be in the perfect place at the perfect time.
Don't be discouraged if you are in a place of waiting. Trust in the Lord and lean not unto your own understanding and He shall direct your paths! (Vicki's translation, lol)
Love you!
Monday, June 4, 2012
The Adventure Begins!
This is the official announcement that Danny and I are moving! We have been called to pastor Full Gospel Christian Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas! This is not a big surprise for most of you that know us. We have been looking for a church for a while now - to be exact four and 1/2 years - but hey, who's counting? I won't kid you, it's been a long, arduous, sometimes discouraging task. We have preached at a few churches, got close to being the right one, but in the end, they picked the other guy. It was very sad for us when we didn't get the call, but now I'M SO GLAD! God is faithful and He does exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think.
This Church is close to home (only about an hour and 15 minutes away), located in a good town, and the people are anxious for change. They want to grow and get momentum going, and they have been confessing that they are growing and the Church is full! They are very loving people and want to evangelize their world. They have embraced Danny and I with open arms.
We will be moving sometime around the first of July, but we are already "on the job." We will be driving down on the week-ends and ministering on Sunday. They currently have someone teaching on Wednesday nights, so he'll continue to do that til we get settled.
I will be posting pics and updates on FB and also on my blog.
So exicted! And - I.N.D.Y.!!!!
This Church is close to home (only about an hour and 15 minutes away), located in a good town, and the people are anxious for change. They want to grow and get momentum going, and they have been confessing that they are growing and the Church is full! They are very loving people and want to evangelize their world. They have embraced Danny and I with open arms.
We will be moving sometime around the first of July, but we are already "on the job." We will be driving down on the week-ends and ministering on Sunday. They currently have someone teaching on Wednesday nights, so he'll continue to do that til we get settled.
I will be posting pics and updates on FB and also on my blog.
So exicted! And - I.N.D.Y.!!!!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
I.N.D.Y.
I'm Not Done Yet!!!!
This phrase has been rolling around in my spirit for some time now. I think one thing that got it started was leading a book club at Church entitled "Live Long Finish Strong" by Gloria Copeland. It really got me going. If you are over 50 years old you have probably noticed that our society "worships" youth. Everything you see or hear is either about or from people who are still battling acne. In other words - they're just kids. And according to them, we're supposed to sit down, shut up and get out of their way. Well, I've got news for them - I'M NOT DONE YET! So, I am creating the "I.N.D.Y." Club. Anyone out there interested in joining me?
According to Kenneth Copeland, God told him that if he quits now there are graces and anointings God has for him that he will never walk in to. (He's in his 70s) That some things only come to you at the age of 80, 100, etc. The Word of God does not support the idea that life is over at 50, 60, 70, or even 80. The patriarchs of the Old Testament lived a long, very long, time. I don't think their life was easy and cushy, either. They had difficult times, but in the end, they died satisfied and full of years. I heard someone say recently that John was about 95 before he received the "Revelation" on the Isle of Patmos.
Therefore - my declaration today is - I.N.D.Y. Stop telling me that I am a "has been." All those voices out there that proclaim youth is "god" - you're not the boss of me! My God is God and He is the boss of me and there are many things He has for me to do that I haven't even seen. I have wisdom that comes from years of life and time in the Word that the younger generation needs. Not because of me, but because of who God is in me and all that he has taught me over the last 56, yes - 56 (proud to say) years that I have lived. In the natural - look at the Armed Forces. You don't see them place 20 year olds in leadership roles. The generals have gray hair! Read what the Word has to say about gray hair - it is to be honored. And don't even think I'm going to retire soon - nope, never - I will never retire. Refire yes, retire, NO!
God needs everyone in the Body of Christ. He does not want any of us to quit before we have finished our race and done all that He has planned for us to do. We don't need to go a.w.o.l. from the Army of God.
So - baby boomers - rise up and declare with me "I'm Not Done Yet!"
This phrase has been rolling around in my spirit for some time now. I think one thing that got it started was leading a book club at Church entitled "Live Long Finish Strong" by Gloria Copeland. It really got me going. If you are over 50 years old you have probably noticed that our society "worships" youth. Everything you see or hear is either about or from people who are still battling acne. In other words - they're just kids. And according to them, we're supposed to sit down, shut up and get out of their way. Well, I've got news for them - I'M NOT DONE YET! So, I am creating the "I.N.D.Y." Club. Anyone out there interested in joining me?
According to Kenneth Copeland, God told him that if he quits now there are graces and anointings God has for him that he will never walk in to. (He's in his 70s) That some things only come to you at the age of 80, 100, etc. The Word of God does not support the idea that life is over at 50, 60, 70, or even 80. The patriarchs of the Old Testament lived a long, very long, time. I don't think their life was easy and cushy, either. They had difficult times, but in the end, they died satisfied and full of years. I heard someone say recently that John was about 95 before he received the "Revelation" on the Isle of Patmos.
Therefore - my declaration today is - I.N.D.Y. Stop telling me that I am a "has been." All those voices out there that proclaim youth is "god" - you're not the boss of me! My God is God and He is the boss of me and there are many things He has for me to do that I haven't even seen. I have wisdom that comes from years of life and time in the Word that the younger generation needs. Not because of me, but because of who God is in me and all that he has taught me over the last 56, yes - 56 (proud to say) years that I have lived. In the natural - look at the Armed Forces. You don't see them place 20 year olds in leadership roles. The generals have gray hair! Read what the Word has to say about gray hair - it is to be honored. And don't even think I'm going to retire soon - nope, never - I will never retire. Refire yes, retire, NO!
God needs everyone in the Body of Christ. He does not want any of us to quit before we have finished our race and done all that He has planned for us to do. We don't need to go a.w.o.l. from the Army of God.
So - baby boomers - rise up and declare with me "I'm Not Done Yet!"
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Is it a religion or who you are?
Last week-end on the Miss America Pageant one of the contestants was asked if it was okay for Tim Tebow to use his "fame" to promote his religion. Of course, they wanted to know how she felt about it because if she won the pageant her new found fame would allow her to do the same if she wanted to.
Her answer was "politically correct," of course. She gave a very bland answer about not using the Miss America pageant to promote her "religion." So, right away, I began thinking about it.
As you know, Tim Tebow has stirred up a lot of controversy with his comments thanking God and bowing when he makes a touchdown, giving all the glory to God. Of course, he also uses the name of Jesus - and that alone stirs up controversy. Why? Because every demon in hell knows that they were defeated by that glorious name and they hate it when He is mentioned. Amazing, you can talk about God all day long and no one really cares, but throw out that name "Jesus" and everyone gets upset. Jesus said they would. He said "They hate me, they'll hate you too!" (My loose paraphrasing, lol)
I guess the thing that bothered me the most was that the MC equated Tim Tebow's actions to "promoting his religion." I beg to differ. Religion is something that you do - an activity you partake in. Faith is who you are - from the inside out. It is the manifestation of that new creation that you became when you were born again. It is the light shining in the darkness. And darkness hates light.
Amazing - it's okay for Oprah Winfrey to openly express her disbelief in Jesus, but not okay for Tebow to express his belief in Jesus?
I believe that the behavior that we are seeing now with Tebow is only a reflection of who he is 24 hours a day. His is not a religion - it is who he is from the very core of his being. It is apparent that he is a Christian. No one has to ask - no one has to question what he believes or who he believes in! I read an article about him right after he became the quarterback for the Broncos. One of the other NFL players said when he came in the room there was a "presence" with him. Something he had never felt before. Can you say "anointing?" Ha ha, another reported said he was "anointed" to play football. I doubt she really understood how profound that statement was. He has been confessing for years that he is anointed to play football on a level the world is unfamiliar with, all to the glory of God.
It should be the same with us. When we come into a room, when we go to work, when we are shopping, everywhere we go, it should be very apparent that we are Christians. No one should ever have to guess what we believe - our lives should be a reflection every day - because it is coming from the inner most part of our being - our spirit man. So, when you go to Church tomorrow are you exercising your "religion" or are you expressing who you are?
I don't ever want anyone to say of me "Oh, is she a Christian?" How about you?
Her answer was "politically correct," of course. She gave a very bland answer about not using the Miss America pageant to promote her "religion." So, right away, I began thinking about it.
As you know, Tim Tebow has stirred up a lot of controversy with his comments thanking God and bowing when he makes a touchdown, giving all the glory to God. Of course, he also uses the name of Jesus - and that alone stirs up controversy. Why? Because every demon in hell knows that they were defeated by that glorious name and they hate it when He is mentioned. Amazing, you can talk about God all day long and no one really cares, but throw out that name "Jesus" and everyone gets upset. Jesus said they would. He said "They hate me, they'll hate you too!" (My loose paraphrasing, lol)
I guess the thing that bothered me the most was that the MC equated Tim Tebow's actions to "promoting his religion." I beg to differ. Religion is something that you do - an activity you partake in. Faith is who you are - from the inside out. It is the manifestation of that new creation that you became when you were born again. It is the light shining in the darkness. And darkness hates light.
Amazing - it's okay for Oprah Winfrey to openly express her disbelief in Jesus, but not okay for Tebow to express his belief in Jesus?
I believe that the behavior that we are seeing now with Tebow is only a reflection of who he is 24 hours a day. His is not a religion - it is who he is from the very core of his being. It is apparent that he is a Christian. No one has to ask - no one has to question what he believes or who he believes in! I read an article about him right after he became the quarterback for the Broncos. One of the other NFL players said when he came in the room there was a "presence" with him. Something he had never felt before. Can you say "anointing?" Ha ha, another reported said he was "anointed" to play football. I doubt she really understood how profound that statement was. He has been confessing for years that he is anointed to play football on a level the world is unfamiliar with, all to the glory of God.
It should be the same with us. When we come into a room, when we go to work, when we are shopping, everywhere we go, it should be very apparent that we are Christians. No one should ever have to guess what we believe - our lives should be a reflection every day - because it is coming from the inner most part of our being - our spirit man. So, when you go to Church tomorrow are you exercising your "religion" or are you expressing who you are?
I don't ever want anyone to say of me "Oh, is she a Christian?" How about you?
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